bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Galectin‐1 Regulates Inflammatory Responses and Promotes Microglial M2 Polarization in Chronic Migraine
Authors: Xiao Yue , Han Wei , Yu Ming , Jiang Jianzhong , Zhu Yuanyuan
Published: February 2025

Chronic migraine (CM) is a severe and debilitating neurological disorder with an unclear pathophysiology. Galectin‐1, a β‐galactoside‐binding protein, is known for its anti‐inflammatory and immune‐regulatory effects in various inflammation‐related diseases. However, its role in CM has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we analysed data from CM patients and employed a nitroglycerin‐induced CM mouse model to explore the potential role of galectin‐1. Serum galectin‐1 levels were significantly lower in CM patients compared with healthy controls. Additionally, galectin‐1 levels were negatively correlated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Headache Impact Test (HIT‐6) scores. CM patients also exhibited elevated levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐α and reduced levels of IL‐10. Notably, galectin‐1 levels were inversely correlated with IL‐6 and TNF‐α and positively correlated with IL‐10. In the CM mouse model, galectin‐1 expression was significantly reduced in the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Sp5C) region. Supplementation with galectin‐1 significantly increased paw and periorbital mechanical thresholds and reduced light aversion and anxiety‐like behaviours. Moreover, galectin‐1 enhanced microglial morphology, promoted M2 polarization, reduced the expression of pro‐inflammatory factors IL‐6 and TNF‐α and increased levels of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10. Mechanistically, the effects of galectin‐1 on microglia may involve the activation of the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway, as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. In summary, our study demonstrates that galectin‐1 plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of chronic migraine. Exogenous supplementation of galectin‐1 effectively alleviates migraine symptoms and promotes microglial M2 polarization, suggesting that galectin‐1 may represent a novel therapeutic target for CM.
Clinical efficacy of adjunctive use of coenzyme Q10 in non‐surgical periodontal treatment: A systematic review
Authors: Fernandez Matheus dos Santos , Martins Thiago Marchi , Meza‐Mauricio Jonathan , Ribeiro Mauro Cardoso , Silva Francisco Hecktheuer , Casarin Maísa , Muniz Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes
Published: February 2025

This systematic review evaluated the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in non‐surgical periodontal treatment (PROSPERO: CRD42022311286). Five databases were screened (up to May/2024). It included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of subgingival scaling root planing (SRP) with or without adjunct use of the antioxidant CoQ10 in adults with periodontitis. The risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence were assessed. Meta‐analyses were conducted to estimate mean differences for probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) between baseline and follow‐up. Ten studies were included, of which four administered CoQ10 locally (topical [n = 1]; intra‐pocket [n = 3] modalities), and six used oral supplementation. There was no significant effect of local use of CoQ10 on reduction of PD and gain in CAL. Daily oral supplementation (120 mg/day) with CoQ10 resulted in a greater mean reduction of PD by 0.41 mm (95% CI: 0.02–0.80) and a greater mean CAL gain by 0.52 mm (95% CI: 0.26–0.78) than seen in controls. Based on very low certainty of evidence, there was no significant effect of locally delivered Q10 gel on PD/CAL, but daily oral supplementation with CoQ10 resulted in better periodontal health after 12 weeks.
A Robust Numerical Approach for the Fractional Polio Model by the Genocchi Wavelet Collocation Method
Authors: G Manohara , S Kumbinarasaiah
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes an innovative numerical method called the Genocchi wavelet collocation method (GWCM) for the numerical study of fractional Polio model. The newly developed numerical algorithm is based on a functional basis and operational matrices of the Genocchi wavelets generated by the Genocchi polynomials. The desired model is in the form of fractional system of ordinary differential equations (SODE). The developed technique transforms the desired model into a framework of nonlinear algebraic equations with the help of operational matrices and equispaced collocation points. The Newton–Raphson method is used to solve the resulting system and yields an approximate solution of the nonlinear SODEs. The fractional orders in the SODEs are concerned in the Caputo sense. The GWCM findings are further corroborated by the results of the Runge–Kutta and NDSolver techniques to show the effectiveness of the suggested numerical algorithm. The technique’s validity and efficacy are demonstrated using numerical illustration. The acquired numerical results are reasonably consistent with the ND Solver results that have been explained in the tables and figures. The error and convergence analysis of the Genocchi wavelets has been also discussed for the applicability of the present method. The numerical outcomes demonstrate that (GWCM) is incredibly effective and precise for solving the polio model of fractional order. Mathematical software called Mathematica has been used for numerical computations and implementation.
Statics Analysis for Multibody Systems Containing Ball-and-Socket Joints Based on the Reduced Transfer Matrix Method
Authors: Zhang Jianshu , Zhang Xizhe , Rui Xiaoting , Liu Zhengquan
Published: February 2025

Figuring out the static equilibrium position of the system is necessary and essential for various multibody systems, either for providing an initial condition for transient dynamics analysis or facilitating the stability analysis of the system. Regardless of the strategy employed, the system needs to be analyzed first to establish its dynamics equations. The reduced multibody system transfer matrix method is a fully recursive dynamic method that uses joint coordinates and is an effective approach for analyzing system dynamics. The generalized accelerations can be quickly obtained, given the generalized coordinates and velocities of the system. For systems without constraint equations, the nonlinear equations for which the generalized accelerations are zero can be solved to obtain the static equilibrium position quickly. However, inherent singularities occur if Euler angles are used as the generalized coordinates for ball-and-socket joints. Therefore, Euler parameters are adopted as the generalized coordinates for ball-and-socket joints. Since Euler parameters are not independent and subject to constraint equation, the equilibrium cannot be obtained by solving only a system of nonlinear equations with zero generalized accelerations. In this paper, the reduced transfer equations of the ball-and-socket joint elements with Euler parameters are derived. Based on this, a static equilibrium solution for multibody systems containing ball-and-socket joints is established, focusing on deriving the Jacobian matrices. Numerical examples, along with comparative analyses of the dynamic method, validates the proposed method.
The Role of Mothers’ Sports Participation and Exercise-Related Cognitions in Children’s Motor Coordination, Fitness, and Sports Participation
Authors: van Setten Lianne , de Moor Marleen H.M. , Oosterman Mirjam , Schuengel Carlo , Ledebt Annick
Published: February 2025

Although studies have reported links between parental physical activity and their children’s motor and physical activity behaviors, understanding of this link remains incomplete and evidence inconclusive. This study explored whether children’s motor coordination, fitness, and sports participation are related not only to mothers’ sports participation but also to mothers’ perceptions of exercise and their parenting self-efficacy beliefs. A total of 190 Dutch children and their mothers participated in the study. Children participated in the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder to assess motor coordination and in the shuttle run test to assess physical fitness. Sports participation of mother and child, maternal perceptions of exercise, and parenting self-efficacy were reported by the mothers. The expected association between maternal and children’s sports participation was not statistically significant. Yet, children of mothers who perceived more barriers to exercise themselves were found to have lower levels of physical fitness and motor coordination, and children of mothers who perceived more benefits of exercise had higher physical fitness levels. The strength of these associations did not statistically depend on parenting self-efficacy. Maternal perceptions of exercise may be a possible modifiable promotive factor for children’s motor coordination and participation in sport and physical activities, although this requires experimental testing.
Joint Association of Physical Activity and Sleep Quality With Blood Pressure Control in Patients With Hypertension in Douala, Cameroon
Authors: Bika Léle Elysée Claude , Tadjoua Nenoh Audrey Liza , Mekoulou Ndongo Jerson , Ndom Ebongue Marie Solange , Tsague Kengni Hermann , Mouliom Siddick , Guessogo Wiliam Richard , Lade Viché , Kuelang Xavier , Kamdem Manuela , Siddikatou Djibrilla , Ndobo Valérie , Mandengue Samuel Honoré , Kamdem Félicité
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Blood pressure (BP) control is necessary to prevent fatal events in patients with hypertension. Although physical activity (PA) and sleep quality (SQ) are known to reduce BP, their joint association is yet to be demonstrated. This study aimed to assess the joint association of PA and SQ on BP control among patients with hypertension in Cameroon. Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study carried out among outpatients attending Douala General Hospital in Cameroon diagnosed with hypertension. BP was considered to be controlled if it was lower than 140/90 mm Hg. PA and SQ have been assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Odds ratio and 95% CI have been calculated, and differences were considered significant at P < .05. Results: A total of 415 participants were recruited, the mean age was 61 (11) years, and 67% were women. Around 66.3% of participants had their BP uncontrolled. Patients with uncontrolled BP had a significantly higher proportion of overweight/obesity (87.3% vs 73.6, P = .001), sedentary time ≥ 2 hours per day (37.1% vs 27.1, P = .043), and low leisure-time PA level (39.6% vs 52.9%, P = .014). After adjustment for confounders, a poor SQ associated with a low PA level significantly increased the odds of having an uncontrolled BP (odds ratio: 2.66; 95% CI, 1.13–6.24; P = .025). Conclusion: Cameroonian patients with hypertension exhibit a high rate of poor BP control which is significantly associated with poor SQ and low PA level. These 2 parameters should be considered simultaneously for a better prevention of cardiovascular complications.
Geological evidence for repeated slip-to-the-trench style megathrust earthquakes at the Japan Trench
Authors: Pizer C. , Ikehara K. , Keep M. , Kioka A. , Kodaira S. , Miura R. , Moernaut J. , Nakamura Y. , Strasser M.
Published: February 2025

Deformation of trench-fill sediments at the central Japan Trench axis confirms that coseismic slip during the 2011 CE Mw 9.1 Tōhoku-oki earthquake extended to the shallowest part of the megathrust fault, contributing to the unexpectedly large tsunami that followed. Understanding the recurrence of “slip-to-the-trench” style earthquakes is therefore essential for diagnosing future hazard at the Japan Trench (and other subduction zones). Thermal biomarkers from the décollement indicate that similar shallow slip has occurred repeatedly, but the timing has not yet been linked to specific past earthquakes. We examine the sedimentary sequence of a trench-fill basin at 38.75°N (just north of the Tōhoku-oki slip zone) to investigate archives of past deformation caused by slip to the trench. Reprocessed seismic reflection and sub-bottom profiler data image several stratigraphic intervals of imbricate thrust wedge formation and paleo-seafloor uplift consistent with compression induced by locally enhanced coseismic slip along the décollement. The uplifted paleo-seafloor topography is onlapped by thick seismoturbidites that have been cored and dated by International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 386, thus providing chronostratigraphic tie points. With this, we link the youngest coseismic deformation of trench-fill sediments to the 869 CE Jogan earthquake, indicating that rupture extended farther north and closer to the trench than previously estimated. Documenting slip to the trench for this historical megathrust event is proof of concept for our core-to-seismic correlation approach to constrain shallow slip in past earthquakes. Hence, we infer the several deeper intervals of imbricate thrust faulting and turbidites contain the means to unlock an extensive history of slip-to-the-trench style earthquakes and quantify the recurrence of shallow, tsunamigenic slip at the Japan Trench.
Supplemental Material: Large-scale volcanogenic Hg enrichment coincided with the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian boundary event (Early Jurassic)
Authors: Jiang Hang , Franceschi Marco , et al.
Published: February 2025

Supplemental material includes geochemical datasets, additional methodological details, and supporting figures.
Supplemental Material: Regional unconformities dating closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean in the late Anisian (Middle Triassic)
Authors: Cao Yu , Xu Qiang , et al.
Published: February 2025

Table S1: Summary of the Middle Triassic unconformities in the North Qiangtang basin. Table S2: Major element compositions of the bauxite from the upper Nayixiong Formation in the Kaixinling area (wt%). Table S3: U-Pb isotopic ratios and ages of the samples from the Nayixiong Formation and Jiapila Formation in the Kaixinling area. Table S4: Compilations of the geochronological data of the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.
Associations between a healthy lifestyle score and retinal neurovascular health
Authors: Zeng Xiaomin , Chen Ruiye , Zhang Xiayin , Su Ting , Wang Yaxin , Hu Yijun , Shang Xianwen , Shi Danli , Yu Honghua
Published: February 2025

Aims

To investigate the associations between a healthy lifestyle score and retinal neurovascular health, and explore whether lower inflammation levels mediate these associations.

Methods

This study is based on the UK Biobank. The healthy lifestyle score ranged from 0 to 6 and comprised physical activity, diet, sleep duration, smoking status, alcohol consumption and bodyweight. Outcomes included retinal diseases (age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinal vascular occlusion (RVO)) from hospital admission records (378 648 participants), retinal vascular metrics from retinal photography (32 226 participants) and retinal neural metrics from optical coherence tomography (42 557 participants). An INFLA-score was used to characterise inflammation levels.

Results

Participants with better healthy life score (scored from 5 to 6) were associated with a 29% lower risk of AMD, 25% lower risk of RVO, 2% increase in artery-to-vein ratio (AVR), 0.22 µm increase in central retinal artery equivalent, 0.36 µm decrease in central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), 0.004 increase in fractal dimension, 0.38 µm increase in retinal nerve fibre layer, 0.69 µm increase in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and 0.35 µm increase in photoreceptor segment (PS) compared with those with worst lifestyle score (scored from 0 to 1) (all ptrend<0.01). In addition, INFLA-score partially mediated the associations between healthy lifestyle score and increased risk of AMD (mediated proportion (MP): 14.8%), higher AVR (MP: 12.76%), narrower CRVE (MP: 24.49%), thicker GCIPL (MP: 4.97%) and thicker PS (MP: 26.86%).

Conclusion

Great adherence to a healthier lifestyle was associated with better retinal health in a dose-response manner. Lower inflammation partially mediated the association between a healthy lifestyle score and retinal health.
Impact of measles vaccination strategies on vaccination rates in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yitbarek Kiddus , Mahimbo Abela , Bobo Firew Tekle , Woldie Mirkuzie , Sheel Meru , Frawley Jane , Hayen Andrew
Published: February 2025

Introduction

While many interventions aim to raise measles vaccination coverage in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), their overall effectiveness and cost-effectiveness are unknown. We did a review to identify and synthesise scientific research that evaluated the impact and cost-effectiveness of measles vaccination strategies on measles vaccination coverage, timeliness, hospitalisation rates, and mortality.

Methods

In this review, we searched for English-language articles published between 2012 and July 2023 in eight databases, including PubMed, ProQuest, MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. We also included relevant grey literature sources. The review focused on studies evaluating the impact of vaccination strategies on vaccination-related outcomes in children under 5. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines throughout the process, we used Covidence software to manage most review activities. Two independent reviewers screened articles, assessed their quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and extracted data using a predefined electronic tool. We predetermined measles vaccination coverage and timeliness as the primary outcomes, with hospitalisation and mortality as secondary outcomes. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis.

Results

We identified 44 articles, of which 14 were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis indicated that vaccination-targeting interventions such as vaccination reminders, cash incentives, community engagement and health education activities increase measles vaccination coverage (RR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.27). Our analysis also indicated that interventions such as vaccine reminders, educational programmes and incentives improved timely vaccination. Furthermore, we identified cost-effective strategies such as geographically informed microplanning, unrestricted vial opening, supplementary immunisation activities, community engagement, outreach programmes and financial incentives.

Conclusion

Most of the identified vaccination interventions significantly improve measles vaccination coverage and timeliness in LMICs while remaining cost-effective. Tailoring these interventions to local contexts is crucial for maximising their effectiveness in protecting children from measles and its adverse consequences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023433125.
Digital sleep phenotype and wrist actigraphy in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis and people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Aronica Rosario , Ostinelli Edoardo Giuseppe , Austin Charlotte , Oliver Dominic , McGuire Philip , Brambilla Paolo , Torous John , Cipriani Andrea
Published: February 2025

Aim

To identify sleep abnormalities in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) or with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) compared with healthy controls (HCs) using wrist actigraphy, and to assess potential differences in the direction of effect with self-reported assessments of sleep.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of observational studies, with the search last updated on 29 April 2024. Primary outcome was total sleep time (TST), with secondary outcomes including time in bed (TIB), sleep latency, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, nighttime awakenings and self-reported sleep quality. Random-effects pairwise meta-analyses were used to summarise the effects of each outcome.

Results

Nineteen studies were included, with 18 contributing to the meta-analyses (202 CHR-P, 584 SSD, 582 HC). TST results were inconclusive for CHR-P (MD −4.88 min (95% CI −20.57 to 10.81)), while SSD participants showed an increase in TST compared with HC (MD 106.13 min (86.02 to 124.24)). Factors such as antipsychotic medications (pseudo-R²=88.14%), age (38.89%) and gender (26.29%) partially explained the heterogeneity between subgroups. Additionally, CHR-P individuals exhibited reduced sleep efficiency (MD −2.04% (−3.55 to 0.53)), whereas SSD participants had increased TIB (MD 121.58 min (88.16 to 155.00)) and sleep latency (MD 13.05 min (2.11 to 24.00)). The risk-of-bias assessment ranged fromsome concernstohigh risk.

Conclusions

Our analyses identified sleep abnormalities in CHR-P and SSD compared with placebo. However, observed heterogeneity and potential biases across studies may limit the interpretability of findings. These limitations underscore the need for standardised guidelines and more precise participant stratification.
Investigators are human too: outcome bias and perceptions of individual culpability in patient safety incident investigations
Authors: Lea William , Budworth Luke , O'Hara Jane , Vincent Charles , Lawton Rebecca
Published: February 2025

Background

Healthcare patient safety investigations inappropriately focus on individual culpability and the target of recommendations is often on the behaviours of individuals, rather than addressing latent failures of the system. The aim of this study was to explore whether outcome bias might provide some explanation for this. Outcome bias occurs when the ultimate outcome of a past event is given excessive weight, in comparison to other information, when judging the preceding actions or decisions.

Methods

We conducted a survey in which participants were each presented with three incident scenarios, followed by the findings of an investigation. The scenarios remained the same, but the patient outcome was manipulated. Participants were recruited via social media and we examined three groups (general public, healthcare staff and experts) and those with previous incident involvement. Participants were asked about staff responsibility, avoidability, importance of investigating and to select up to five recommendations to prevent recurrence. Summary statistics and multilevel modelling were used to examine the association between patient outcome and the above measures.

Results

212 participants completed the online survey. Worsening patient outcome was associated with increased judgements of staff responsibility for causing the incident as well as greater motivation to investigate. More participants selected punitive recommendations when patient outcome was worse. While avoidability did not appear to be associated with patient outcome, ratings were high suggesting participants always considered incidents to be highly avoidable. Those with patient safety expertise demonstrated these associations but to a lesser extent, when compared with other participants. We discuss important comparisons between the participant groups as well as those with previous incident involvement, as victim or staff member.

Interpretation

Outcome bias has a significant impact on judgements following incidents and investigations and may contribute to the continued focus on individual culpability and individual focused recommendations observed following investigations.
TIGIT inhibitor M6223 as monotherapy or in combination with bintrafusp alfa in patients with advanced solid tumors: a first-in-human, phase 1, dose-escalation trial
Authors: Naing Aung , McKean Meredith , Tolcher Anthony , Victor Anja , Hu Ping , Gao Wei , Nogueira Filho Marco A F , Kitzing Thomas , Gleicher Stephan , Holland Daniel , Richter Emilia , Tadjalli-Mehr Keyvan , Siu Lillian L
Published: February 2025

Background

M6223 is an intravenous (IV), Fc-competent, fully human, antagonistic, anti-T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domains (TIGIT) antibody. Bintrafusp alfa (BA) is a bifunctional fusion protein that simultaneously blocks nonredundant immunosuppressive TGF-β and PD-(L)1 pathways.

Methods

This first-in-human, dose-escalation study in patients with advanced solid tumors (N=58; aged ≥18 years, ECOG PS≤1) evaluated M6223 alone (Part 1A, n=40; M6223 10–2400 mg every 2 weeks, n=32; M6223 2400 mg every 3 weeks, n=8) or with BA (Part 1B, n=18; M6223 300–1600 mg with BA 1200 mg; both every 2 weeks, intravenous). Primary objectives were safety, tolerability, maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose for expansion (RDE). Additional objectives included pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and clinical activity (NCT04457778).

Results

Two dose-limiting toxicities were observed: grade 3 adrenal insufficiency (Part 1A: M6223 900 mg every 2 weeks) and grade 3 anemia (Part 1B: M6223 300 mg, only BA related). MTD was not reached. Overall, median overall survival and progression-free survival were 7.6 (95% CI 4.9, 12.0) and 1.4 (95% CI 1.3, 1.8) months, respectively. Stable disease as best response was observed in 13 (32.5%) and 5 (27.8%) patients in parts 1A and 1B, respectively. M6223±BA displayed a linear pharmacokinetic profile. Anti-TIGIT mode-of-action-related pharmacodynamic effects were observed in peripheral blood and in tumor tissue. RDEs were 1600 mg every 2 weeks or 2400 mg every 3 weeks for M6223 monotherapy and 1600+1200 mg every 2 weeks for M6223+BA.

Conclusions

M6223±BA had a manageable safety profile, with RDEs defined for both monotherapy and combination therapy. Further evaluation of M6223 is ongoing in combination with the PD-L1 inhibitor avelumab in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (JAVELIN Bladder Medley;NCT05327530).

Trial registration number

NCT04457778.
Prozac as medicine, metaphor and identity: reimagining recovery as a rhetorical process in Lauren Slater’sProzac Diary
Authors: Sanyal Swikriti , Karah Hemachandran
Published: February 2025

This paper examines Lauren Slater’s memoir,Prozac Diary, to understand the role of language in reimagining the notion of recovery. Written from the standpoint of a consumer of antidepressant drugs,Prozac Diaryunderlines the pervasiveness of professional psychiatry’s pathologising practices and its psychopharmacological interventions in the 90s in the USA. Moreover, it unpacks the nuances of the relationship between the person and the pill at the intersections of myriad medical and socio-cultural discourses. Reading the memoir from the perspectives of disability studies scholars such as Kimberly E. Emmons and Lennard J. Davis, we argue that Slater’s use of figurative language to critically engage with the Prozac discourse is a rhetorical act of self-care. Furthermore, we contend that by normalising illness and challenging the ableist assumptions of normalcy, Slater also invests in rhetorical care of the collective self/bodymind.

This paper demonstrates how through a metaphorical representation of Prozac, Slater questions the predominant mental health discourses that construct the meanings of ‘illness’ and ‘health’ and shape illness and health-based identities. Simultaneously, through her dialogical negotiations with the Prozac discourse to reconstitute a complex health identity, she raises fundamental questions about the existence of a ‘core’, ‘authentic’, ‘healthy’, pre-Prozac selfhood that the drug claims to restore. Therefore, by unravelling the intrapersonal, socio-cultural and discursive ramifications of recovery, as opposed to psychiatry’s perfunctory understanding of biological cure as a restoration of a socially desirable state of ‘normalcy’, she is able to reclaim the lived experience of recovery. We argue that inProzac Diary, recovery does not merely imply a passive internalisation of psychiatry’s biological determinism and its psychopharmaceutical approaches. Instead, it is a rhetorical process that enables the medicalised individuals to actively engage with the mental health system and interrogate the possibility of critically responding to its normative frameworks as agentic subjects.
Occupational asbestos exposure and gastrointestinal cancers: systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Koehoorn Mieke , McLeod Christopher B , Fan Jonathan , Arrandale Victoria H , Davies Hugh W , Dement John M , Pahwa Manisha , Peters Cheryl E , Stayner Leslie , Straif Kurt , Demers Paul A
Published: February 2025

Objective

To conduct meta-analyses of occupational asbestos exposure and oesophageal, stomach and colorectal cancer risk, including a critical exposure assessment approach.

Methods

The search strategy was executed on MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science databases (March 2022, March 2024). Effect estimates (ORs, HRs, standardised incidence ratio and standardised mortality ratio) from eligible cohort and case-control studies were combined in random effects models. Meta-relative risks (mRRs) were calculated by cancer site and exposure characteristics. Investigators with occupational epidemiology and hygiene expertise came to a consensus on the estimates where there was confidence in significant asbestos exposure.

Results

A total of 82 (oesophageal), 153 (stomach) and 144 (colorectal) papers met the inclusion criteria. Elevated mRRs were observed for any occupational asbestos exposure for oesophageal (1.17 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.29)), stomach (1.14 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.23)) and colorectal cancer (1.16 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.24)). There was consistency of mRR estimates and higher mRRs in meta-analyses where there was increased confidence in the categorisation of highly exposed workers, including among the highest exposed workers in exposure-response studies (oesophageal: 1.63 (95% CI 1.29 to 2.06); stomach: 1.28 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.52); colorectal: 1.29 (95% CI 1.09 to 1.53)), among asbestos insulation workers (oesophageal: 1.68 (95% 1.19 to 2.36); stomach: 1.53 (95% 0.93 to 2.51); colorectal: 1.59 (95% 1.14 to 2.23)) and among workers in cohorts with a twofold or greater risk of asbestos-related lung cancer (oesophageal: 1.40 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.71); stomach: 1.33 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.56); colorectal: 1.47 (95% CI 1.34 to 1.61)).

Conclusion

The meta-analyses support a causal link between occupational asbestos exposure and the risk of oesophageal, stomach and colorectal cancer.
Fine-scale farming features drive resource selection of a small carnivore of conservation concern
Authors: White Kara M. , Cheeseman Amanda E. , Stafford Joshua D. , Lonsinger Robert C.
Published: February 2025

Anthropogenic factors are accelerating species extinction, with small mammalian carnivores among the most affected. These species play vital ecological roles, yet their conservation needs are often overlooked. Our study focused on the plains spotted skunk ( Spilogale interrupta (Rafinesque, 1820)), a small carnivore that has experienced population declines. We hypothesized that their resource selection was influenced by factors expected to influence prey availability, protection from predators, and human activity. We tracked 14 plains spotted skunks in east-central South Dakota, USA, over 2 years during spring and summer. Using mixed-effects logistic regression, we identified seasonal habitat associations. In spring, plains spotted skunks selected areas near farming structures and human development, avoiding high wetland density and crop cover. In summer, they continued to select areas near farming structures and low human development, but also high wetland density and pasture, while avoiding hay bales and crop cover. Our first analysis of the species’ resource use in the Great Plains indicates that plains spotted skunks select habitats with permanent small-scale agricultural features and varying levels of human development across seasons. Our findings suggest that species’ persistence in the region may depend on conservation strategies that account for seasonal planning, habitat heterogeneity, and key agricultural structures.
Tagging more quark jet flavours at FCC-ee at 91 GeV with a transformer-based neural network
Authors: Blekman Freya , Canelli Florencia , De Moor Alexandre , Gautam Kunal , Ilg Armin , Macchiolo Anna , Ploerer Eduardo
Published: February 2025

Jet flavour tagging is crucial in experimental high-energy physics. A tagging algorithm, - , is presented, which exploits a transformer-based neural network that is substantially faster to train than state-of-the-art graph neural networks. The algorithm uses information from particle flow-style objects and secondary vertex reconstruction for b- and c-jet identification, supplemented by additional information that is not always included in tagging algorithms at the LHC, such as reconstructed

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Feedback Loops Guide AI to Proof Checking
Authors: Edwards Chris
Published: February 2025

After decades of promise, techniques and technologies are coming together to make artificial intelligence better at checking mathematicians’ work.
VersaTile: Flexible Tiled Architectures via Associative Processors
Authors: Yang Kailin , Martínez José F.
Published: February 2025

As modern applications demand more data, processing-in-memory (PIM) architectures have emerged to address the challenges of data movement and parallelism. In this paper, we propose VersaTile, a heterogeneous, fully CMOS-based tiled architecture that combines conventional out-of-order (OoO) superscalar CPUs and associative processors (APs), a type of CAM-based PIM core. Both CPUs and APs leverage the RISC-V ISA and its standard RVV vector extension. VersaTile fosters collaboration between multiple low-latency CPUs and high-throughput APs by sharing the same software stack and adopting a common CPU programming and compilation frontend. Moreover, we introduce tile stitching, a mechanism enabling the aggregation of multiple APs into a single vector super-unit with modest hardware support and no programming effort. Tile stitching allows us to configure an architecture for optimal performance across a wide range of applications. We provide a detailed case study, including a scalable floorplan example, as well as a comprehensive evaluation of various design points. Our experiments show that, when using only AP tiles, VersaTile can achieve, on average across the Phoenix benchmark suite and 3D convolution, a 5.7 × speedup with respect to area-equivalent OoO CPU cores with SIMD ALUs (up to 23 ×), and 4.6 × with respect to an equivalent-sized monolithic AP baseline (up to 29 ×). For applications with both DLP (vector) and ILP (scalar) regions, VersaTile can use APs and OoO cores collaboratively to achieve better performance than using either one of them only, up to 4.4 ×.
OptiFX: Automatic Optimization for Convolutional Neural Networks with Aggressive Operator Fusion on GPUs
Authors: Wang Xueying , Li Shigang , Qian Hao , Luo Fan , Hao Zhaoyang , Wu Tong , Xu Ruiyuan , Cui Huimin , Feng Xiaobing , Li Guangli , Xue Jingling
Published: February 2025

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are fundamental to advancing computer vision technologies. As CNNs become more complex and larger, optimizing model inference remains a critical challenge in both industry and academia. On modern GPU platforms, CNN operators are typically memory-bound, leading to significant performance degradation due to memory wall effects. While recent advancements have utilized operator fusion—merging multiple operators into one—to enhance inference performance, the fusion of multiple region-based operators like convolution is seldom addressed. This paper introduces
AFusion
, a novel operator fusion technique aimed at improving inference performance, and OptiFX, an automatic optimization framework based on this approach. OptiFX employs a cost-based backtracking search to identify optimal sub-graphs for fusion and utilizes template-based code generation to create efficient kernels for these fused sub-graphs. We evaluate OptiFX across seven prominent CNN architectures—GoogLeNet, ResNet, DenseNet, MobileNet, SqueezeNet, NasNet, and UNet—on Nvidia A6000 Ada, RTX 4090, and Jetson AGX Orin platforms. Our results demonstrate that OptiFX significantly outperforms existing methods, achieving average speedups of 2.91 ×, 3.30 ×, and 2.09 × in accelerating inference performance on these platforms, respectively.
Acute diffuse axonal injury following repeated mild traumatic brain injury in juvenile rats
Authors: McDonagh Erin , Eyolfson Eric , Brand Justin , Shultz Sandy R. , Christie Brian R.
Published: February 2025

Diffuse axonal injury is a hallmark feature of all severities of traumatic brain injury (TBI) yet, in preclinical mild (m)TBI research no studies have yet investigated axonal damage with silver stain immunohistochemistry in female animals. This is a critical gap in the literature as recent studies suggest that females experience mTBI more frequently than males. We found that repeated mTBI (r-mTBI) caused significant diffuse axonal injury that was more pronounced in females compared with males.
KSR1 mediates small-cell lung carcinoma tumor initiation and cisplatin resistance
Authors: Chatterjee Deepan , Svoboda Robert A. , Huisman Dianna H. , Drapkin Benjamin J. , Vieira Heidi M. , Rao Chaitra , Askew James W. , Fisher Kurt W. , Lewis Robert E.
Published: February 2025

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a dismal five-year survival rate of less than 7%, with limited advances in first line treatment over the past four decades. Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) contribute to resistance and relapse, a major impediment to SCLC treatment. Here, we identify Kinase Suppressor of Ras 1 (KSR1), a molecular scaffold for the Raf/MEK/ERK signaling cascade, as a critical regulator of SCLC TIC formation and tumor initiation in vivo. We further show that KSR1 mediates cisplatin resistance in SCLC. While 50-70% of control cells show resistance after 6-week exposure to cisplatin, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated KSR1 knockout prevents resistance in >90% of SCLC cells in ASCL1, NeuroD1, and POU2F3 subtypes. KSR1 KO significantly enhances the ability of cisplatin to decrease SCLC TICs via in vitro extreme limiting dilution analysis (ELDA), indicating that KSR1 disruption enhances the cisplatin toxicity of cells responsible for therapeutic resistance and tumor initiation. The ability of KSR1 disruption to prevent cisplatin resistant in H82 tumor xenograft formation supports this conclusion. Previous studies indicate ERK activation inhibits SCLC tumor growth and development. We observe a minimal effect of pharmacological ERK inhibition on cisplatin resistance and no impact on TIC formation via in vitro ELDA. However, mutational analysis of the KSR1 DEF domain, which mediates interaction with ERK, suggests that ERK interaction with KSR1 is essential for KSR1-driven cisplatin resistance. These findings reveal KSR1 as a potential therapeutic target across multiple SCLC subtypes. Implications: Genetic manipulation of KSR1 in SCLC reveals its contribution to cisplatin resistance and tumor initiation.
Table 5 from Real-World Incidence of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Alterations in Hispanics with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer at a Large Academic Institution in Los Angeles
Authors: Poei Darin , Ali Sana , Thomas Jacob S. , Nieva Jorge J. , Hsu Robert C.
Published: February 2025

Logistic regression for ALK alterations evaluating Hispanic ethnicity and controlling for site of treatment, age at initial diagnosis, gender, and smoking
Table 4 from Real-World Incidence of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Alterations in Hispanics with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer at a Large Academic Institution in Los Angeles
Authors: Poei Darin , Ali Sana , Thomas Jacob S. , Nieva Jorge J. , Hsu Robert C.
Published: February 2025

Initial ALK alteration identification by molecular testing
Cost and Time Overrun of Public Infrastructure Project in The Philippines: Inhibiting Factors and Mitigating Measures
Authors: Layno Jim Davis J. , Famadico Jerome Jordan F.
Published: February 2025

Time and cost overruns in the implementation of infrastructure pro-jects are endless, as appears in all the implementing agencies of the government. According to the recent report of the state auditor, pro-jects were not completed within the specific contract time, while the socioeconomic planning body reported cost overruns on several big-ticket projects. This study proposes a frame of factors influencing overruns and mitigation actions as a contribution to the risk analy-sis of the implementation of projects as well as the project manage-ment initiative in monitoring and control of projects. By analyzing the datasets from Metro Manila, this study identified the most prevalent influencing factor of cost and time overruns faced in the implementation of infrastructure projects and developed measures to mitigate overruns. A total of 196 professionals responded to a questionnaire, and 12 participants were involved in unstructured interviews, which supported the data and results. To interpret and validate the data gathered, a relative importance index and a one-way analysis of variance test were used. The study revealed that the influencing factors leading to time overruns are inaccurate budget-ing, location of site, suspension of work, land acquisition, and varia-tion order, while for the cost overrun factors, inaccurate budgeting, variation order, inadequate project planning, market conditions, and inadequate site investigations prevail. A relationship between the perceptions of the 3 groups, namely the contractor, consultant, and implementing agency, with regards to the cost overrun factors was significant. However, with regards to the time overrun factors, they are not significant.
Implementation of Mobile Based Virtual Reality on the Knights and Garuda Birds Folklore in the Legend of Mount Mekongga at Grade 7 of SMP Negeri 2 Kendari
Authors: Tahir Arifin , Tahir Muhlis , Takasi La Ode Muhammad Ruspan , Arifrahman Alif Adillah Nugraha
Published: February 2025

Indonesia is a country rich in cultural values passed down from generation to generation, such as folklore. This challenge is be-cause folklore in Indonesia is told orally and mostly only docu-mented in the form of story books. So that folklore can be re-interested by children and to achieve the objectives of the learning process, visualizations are made using Virtual Reality technology. The folklore that will be raised is a folk tale from the province of Southeast Sulawesi entitled About the Knights and the Garuda Bird in the Legend of the Formation of Mount Mekongga. The purpose of this research is to be able to maintain folklore as a national cul-ture in the midst of the development of fictional stories by utilizing Virtual Reality technology. By using 2D moving image visualization and using Virtual Reality technology with the Sprint Model, it is hoped that students will be more interested in knowing folklore. There is an effect of learning models using Virtual on students on folklore material in class VII at SMPN 2 Kendari based on the gain test results that get a value of 0.6093, meaning that the learning outcomes before getting treatment with already getting treatment have increased by 0.6093. Student responses to questionnaires from student answers obtained a percentage of 85.5%, student responses after the learning process can be included in the "Very Strong" category. So, it can be concluded that the learning process by applying Virtual Reality gets a good response from all students.
Leadership Styles and Technical Knowledge of Public Employees in Nueva Ecija
Authors: Catingco-Guiang Mary Kesia , Cabute Zenaida Corsino , Dela Cruz John Michael M.
Published: February 2025

This research study described and examined the relationship of leadership styles and acquired technical knowledge on project im-plementation practices among division chiefs and department heads in the provincial government. The study utilized Mixed Method of Research. Further, there were 64 respondents partici-pated in the study. Results showed that majority of the respond-ents manifested democratic aspects of leadership. Also, there was a significant difference on the level of leadership styles of the re-spondents as to democratic aspects was noted when grouped ac-cording to dimensions, a significant difference on the level of lead-ership styles of the respondents. Findings further revealed that democratic aspects was positively correlated with Acquired Tech-nical Knowledge on Project Implementation in terms of Activities/ projects/programs implemented, Leadership Styles on Project Im-plementation Practices as to delegative aspect was positively cor-related with Acquired Technical Knowledge on Project Implemen-tation in terms of Activities/ projects/programs implemented. Hence, Leadership Styles on Project Implementation Practices as to delegative aspect was negatively correlated with Acquired Technical Knowledge on Project Implementation in terms of transparency aspect. It was also found out that overlapping work-loads and complex documentary preparations and submission of reports were the issues and problems encountered by the re-spondents. The study recommended the implementation of inter-vention program to enhance the Technical Knowledge on Project Implementation Practices.
Political and Leadership Practices of The Domaget Indigenous People in Nueva Ecija
Authors: Pastorfide Danilo D.
Published: February 2025

Indigenous Peoples (IPs) play a vital role in preserving cultural her-itage, particularly in the Philippines, where Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) strive to maintain their identities and practices. This study investigates the leadership practices of the Domaget In-digenous Cultural Community in Nueva Ecija through a Descriptive-Quantitative approach, utilizing interviews and survey question-naires. Findings reveal that leadership within the Domaget and Kalanguya IPs is predominantly male, with leaders aged 61–70 years and possessing limited formal education. Leadership roles, including Chieftains, Elders, and Tribal Leaders, are central to governance and cultural preservation, with elders playing pivotal roles in knowledge transfer. The hierarchical structure is led by the "Mangondem," sup-ported by spiritual and governance roles like "Gangot" and "Subka-lan." While the community values peaceful governance and cultural continuity, there is resistance to militaristic defense structures. The study highlights the need for sustainable livelihood opportunities and enhanced knowledge-sharing to foster resilience and social co-hesion.