bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Cardiac Size, Systolic Function, and Complications in Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Authors: Fawzy Aly , Warnica William , Hanneman Kate , Wald Rachel M. , Oechslin Erwin , Thavendiranathan Paaladinesh , Karur Gauri R.
Published: September 2024

Purpose: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare and aggressive heritable aortic disease caused by pathogenic variants in COL3A1 gene, characterized by spontaneous arterial dissection and organ rupture. The purpose of this study is to evaluate ventricular size and function and to explore their associations with complications in vEDS. Methods: Adults with genetically confirmed vEDS who underwent clinical cardiac MRI were retrospectively compared with controls matched for age and sex. Cardiac MRI analysis included assessment of ventricular volumetry and arterial vasculature. vEDS-related complications were evaluated including dissection, aneurysm, and pneumothorax. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. Results: We studied 26 individuals with vEDS (38.6 ± 15.6 years, 50.0% female) and 26 healthy controls. Median clinical follow-up was 2.4 (1.1-3.6) years. Left and right ventricular ejection fractions were lower in vEDS compared with controls (LVEF 58 ± 6% vs 61 ± 4%, P = .03; RVEF 54 ± 5% vs 58 ± 4%, P = .03). After controlling for age, sex, and antihypertensive medication, LV end-diastolic volume indexed to body surface area (LVEDVi) predicted dissections (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.01-1.2, P = .04) and aneurysms (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.01-1.3, P = .03). Indexed LV end systolic volume (LVESVi) also predicted aneurysms (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.03-1.5, P = .02). LVEF predicted the presence of any complication (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.99, P = .04). Pneumothorax occurred exclusively in vEDS group among those with LVEF <58% (below the mean), 50.0% versus 0.0%, P = .02. Those with LVEF <58% had more frequent dissection and/or aneurysm (75.0% vs 12.5%, P = .04). Conclusion: Lower LVEF and larger cardiac size are associated with complications in vEDS.
Predicting Mortality in Sepsis-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Machine Learning Approach Using the MIMIC-III Database
Authors: Mu Shengtian , Yan Dongli , Tang Jie , Zheng Zhen
Published: September 2024

Background

To develop and validate a mortality prediction model for patients with sepsis-associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 2466 patients diagnosed with sepsis and ARDS within 24 h of ICU admission. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were extracted from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database. Feature selection was performed using the Boruta algorithm, followed by the construction of seven ML models: logistic regression, Naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbor, support vector machine, decision tree, Random Forest, and extreme gradient boosting. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.

Results

The study identified 24 variables significantly associated with mortality. The optimal ML model, a Random Forest model, demonstrated an AUC of 0.8015 in the test set, with high accuracy and specificity. The model highlighted the importance of blood urea nitrogen, age, urine output, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, and albumin levels in predicting mortality.

Conclusions

The model's superior predictive performance underscores the potential for integrating advanced analytics into clinical decision-making processes, potentially improving patient outcomes and resource allocation in critical care settings.
Educational Policy: Analysis, Action, and Advocacy Across Contexts
Authors: Brooks Jeffrey S. , Sinclair Matthew P.
Published: September 2024

This article is the introduction to a special issue of Educational Policy titled, “Educational Policy: Analysis, Action, and Advocacy Across Contexts.” The special issue presents contemporary education policy analyses from the United States, Canada, and Australia, which collectively represent methodological, contextual, and theoretical diversity. Individually, they offer detailed examinations of education policy processes and outcomes with a common focus on equity. The articles represent a spectrum of approaches to analysing education policymaking and enactment and point out various ways that educators, scholars, policymakers, and activists can take action. In this article, the co-editors identify key themes that distinguish the special issue’s contribution and explain the importance of education policy analysis that informs future advocacy toward more equitable policy processes and outcomes across contexts.
Impact of frailty on mortality and transfer to hemodialysis after peritoneal dialysis initiation
Authors: Gaube Sophie , Clark David , Cooper Dylan , Nadeau-Fredette Annie-Claire , Vinson Amanda , Tennankore Karthik
Published: September 2024

Background

Frailty is associated with poor outcomes for patients on dialysis; however, dedicated studies among incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are lacking. This study aims to determine the association between frailty and mortality/transfer to hemodialysis (HD) among incident PD patients and identify whether dialysis modality (PD vs. HD) modifies the association of frailty and mortality following dialysis initiation.

Methods

A single center retrospective cohort of incident PD and HD patients was analyzed from 2009 to 2020 (last follow-up December 2021). The first version of the clinical frailty scale (CFS) ranging from 1, very fit, to 7, severely frail, was used to characterize patient frailty at dialysis initiation. Time to death/transfer to HD was analyzed using multivariable Cox Survival analyses. Patients were censored at transplant/last follow-up. Dialysis modality was evaluated as a potential effect modifier on the impact of frailty on mortality.

Results

Of 253 patients who initiated PD, 182 had completed CFS scores. Mean age at dialysis initiation was 63 ± 13 years and mean CFS score was 3 ± 1. There were 42 deaths and 69 instances of transfer to HD over 379 patient-years at risk. Vulnerable/frail patients (CFS ≥ 4) had a two-fold increase in the adjusted relative hazard for death/transfer to HD (HR 2.04, 95% CI [1.10–3.77]). Incident dialysis modality did not modify the association between frailty and mortality.

Conclusions

A higher severity of frailty at PD initiation is associated with both mortality/transfer to HD and mortality alone, and the association between frailty and mortality is not modified by dialysis modality.
Unveiling the mechanism(s) Between Poverty, Deprivation, and Depression in Older Indian Adults: Findings From a Nationwide Survey
Authors: Hasan Md Sayed , Ghosal Somnath
Published: September 2024

Objective: This study tries to investigate the association between two measures of poverty (subjective poverty and material deprivation) with depression and its underlying mechanism(s). Method: A total sample of 28,723 older adults aged 60 years and above was included from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between poverty measures and depression after adjustment of control variables. The Karlson–Holm–Breen (KHB) method was used for mediation analysis to assess the indirect effect of functional, behavioral, and psycho-social factors between poverty measures and depression. Results: The findings suggested that “subjective poverty” has a significantly stronger impact on depression in comparison to material deprivation. Further, functional and psycho-social factors have significantly mediated the relationship between subjective poverty, material deprivation, and depression but are not favorable for behavioral components. Discussion: We believe that policymakers should reconsider the mental health aspects of poverty to promote healthy aging in India.
Multi-attribute approach for selection of polymeric materials for manufacturing gears: A case study in the automotive industry
Authors: Marković Ana , Stojanović Blaža , Komatina Nikola , Ivanović Lozica
Published: September 2024

Automotive industry is characterized by mass production, a large share in the gross national income and high employment of workers with different knowledge and skills. Improving the production process, as well as product quality, is one of the most important tasks of automotive enterprise as well as government management. This research promotes a new fuzzy hybrid model for determining the priority of polymeric materials for manufacturing gears in an exact manner, which leads to an incremental improvement in the quality of the considered product. The analysis of polymeric materials and their characteristic is based on data from the relevant literature and experiences of the best practice. The relative importance of material characteristics is stated as fuzzy group decision making problem. The weights vector is determined by using the fuzzy Analytic Hierarchical Process and fuzzy geometric mean. The rank of polymeric materials is obtained by employing the proposed Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution with triangular fuzzy numbers. The fuzzy algebra rules have been used for determining: (i) distances from Fuzzy Positive Ideal Solutions and Fuzzy Negative Ideal Solutions and (ii) closeness coefficient values. The proposed fuzzy hybrid model testing and verification are performed on real data in an automotive enterprise.
Mechanism and improvement for tail vehicle swaying of power-centralized EMUs
Authors: Song Yadong , Yao Yuan , Lu Ming , Wang Xing
Published: September 2024

The swing phenomenon of the tail vehicle will reduce the stability of the train operation, and even seriously deteriorate the ride comfort of passengers. In response to the relevant railway department, this paper reported the different dynamics performances in tail vehicle swaying when power-concentrated EMUs passed through a tunnel under push/pull operation. To analyze the characteristics and mechanism of the EMU tail swaying, field tests and numerical simulations were conducted. Firstly, through the on-track test, it was found that under push operation, the EMU tail continued to sway at a frequency of 1.3 Hz inside the tunnel, while under pull operation, only a swing of 1.7 Hz appeared at the tunnel entrance. Subsequently, through a simulation analysis, it was found that under push operation, the vortex-induced vibration of the tail carbody occurred inside the tunnel, leading to the sustained swing with a carbody hunting frequency of 1.3 Hz; under pull operation, due to the aerodynamic effect of the tunnel entrance, the secondary lateral stop had an abnormal elastic collision with the bogie frame, and the lateral impact on the bottom of the tail carbody caused a swing of 1.7 Hz, which was verified by the field test. Finally, for the motor vehicle of the EMU tail, two improvement measures of yaw damper optimization were proposed to alleviate the EMU tail swaying inside the tunnel. Furthermore, the research results can provide a reference for the aerodynamic swing problem of other trains, which has certain engineering significance.
Research on ultrasonic guided wave-based high-speed turnout switch rail base flaw detection
Authors: Su Xiaokun , Feng Xicheng , Wang Ping , Xu Jingmang , Liu Le , Hu Chenyang , Qian Yao
Published: September 2024

Turnout switch rail fracture detection is currently a serious issue in the field of railway transportation. Guided wave detection, a non-destructive testing method, is a good way of studying this issue and looking for a suitable solution. For this paper, a guided wave mode and an excitation position were selected based on the phase velocity dispersion curve and the wave structure. After this, a model was devised for the turnout switch area using the finite element (FE) method. This model considered the straight switch rail, curved stock rail, bolt hole, spacer block, and sub-rail foundation, and verifies the validity of the simulation model through the experiment. The propagation characteristics of guided waves in the switch rail were then simulated in different fracturing states by means of a 30-kHz excitation applied vertically to the rail base. The results showed that a single mode of the guided wave could be generated by this excitation method, showing that it could be used as an effective means for fracture detection. The growth rate of the root-mean-square (RMS) value of the time-domain acceleration signal could then be analysed to identify the state of fracture in the straight switch rail. This discrimination method is suitable for finding fractures parallel to the rail cross-section with a width of 5 mm or more at the bottom of the straight switch rail.
Study on damage of CRTS II slab tracks in coated-uncoated transition zones subjected to temperature and train loads
Authors: Cao Kailin , Huang Shougang , Chen Jinjie , Li Yang , Li Haiyan
Published: September 2024

The CRTS II ballastless track is sensitive to temperature due to its longitudinal continuity. The application of reflective insulation coating can efficiently lower the temperature of the track slab, thereby decelerating track deterioration. Given the considerable length of high-speed railway lines, the application of reflective insulation coatings leads to numerous transitions between coated and uncoated sections. This study investigates the influence of reflective insulation coatings on the structural damage of coated-uncoated transition zones in railways. To this end, a CRTS II slab track model involving the bilinear cohesive zone model and the concrete plastic damage model is established. The model examines the combined impact of high temperature and train loading, aiming to investigate the damage patterns within the coated-uncoated transition zone of the track. The results indicate: (1) During high temperature loading, the center of the track slab layer is predisposed to warping compared to the sides. (2) If the cohesion parameter falls below 0.04 MPa, augmenting the cohesion model parameter effectively alleviates track slab arching. (3) In instances where the track slab lacks complete coverage of reflective insulation coatings, train loading may shift the location of the maximum vertical displacement and interface failure mode.
Waking the “sleeping giant?” Mid- to Late-Holocene environment and fire history in the Aitape area, northern Papua New Guinea
Authors: Golitko Mark , Power Mitchell J , Kariwiga Jason , Miamba Kenneth
Published: September 2024

The coastlines of the southwestern Pacific are dynamic environments that have been repeatedly reshaped by tectonic forces as well as changing global climate and sea level. It has been theorized that much of the north coast of New Guinea was sparsely inhabited until stabilization of coastal flats fallowing the Mid-Holocene Thermal Maximum and resulting marine high stand. We report on environmental proxy indicators measured in core samples taken near modern day Aitape, Papua New Guinea. These cores record the formation of a large lagoonal system on the modern coastal flats by 5800 cal BP. This lagoon infilled over the next several 1000 years as sea level dropped, with the modern coastal flats stabilizing by 1400 cal BP. A charcoal record spanning the period between 6200 and 1400 cal BP documents substantial increases in influx between ~6200 and 6000 cal BP and particularly from ~3000 to 2600 cal BP. Comparison to regional charcoal and ENSO records suggests that increasing aridity and ENSO intensity may drive regional patterning in fire records, however, localized charcoal records are also heavily influenced by human activity. Between 3000 and 2600 cal BP, forest management practices in the Aitape area, currently focused on tree crops and horticulture characterized by long fallowing and limited burning, shifted to a regime characterized by large scale forest clearance and shorter fallowing. We hypothesize that increasing population driven by abundant Mid-Holocene lagoonal resources may have been difficult to maintain as lagoons infilled and climate became more variable, leading to horticultural intensification.
Impact of Athlete Brand Image Dimensions on the Young Consumers’ Psychological Attachment
Authors: Shibin K.  , Abdul Azees P.
Published: September 2024

Purpose:

The study is designed to check the impact of human brand image dimensions (other than performance related) on young customers’ psychological attachment toward athlete brands.

Design/Methodology/Approach:

The study was conducted among young athlete fans randomly selected from Kerala, India. The data were collected from 200 sample respondents using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the structural equation model.

Findings:

The findings reveal that variables such as relationship effort and life story of the athletes contribute to the creation of psychological attachment among the fans.

Practical Implications:

The result of the present study is a value addition for the marketing of human brands, especially for athlete brands. The results will be helpful in determining what factors should be concentrated on and how much weightage should be given to each factor for making a human brand successful in the market.

Originality/Value:

The study examines the influence of human brand image dimensions (other than performance-related dimensions) on young customers’ psychological attachment toward athlete brands. As the majority of the sports aspirants are from the young age group, the study variables are tested among young customers of athlete brands. Individual players, managers, and coaches can use the tested variables for analyzing, testing, and managing human brands (athlete brands).
Scientific Mapping of Audit Committee: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Sahu Ragubir , Deb Rajat
Published: September 2024

The audit committee (AC) literature has witnessed significant growth and evolution leading to ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the functions of ACs. The study uses bibliometric analysis (scientific procedures and rationales for systematic literature reviews protocol) to create a scientific map of ACs using 922 papers from the Web of Science database from 1998 to 2022. The analysis uses specialized tools like Biblioshiny and VOSviewer for performance analysis and academic mapping. The results show that particularly AC is a dynamic area of study, with the United States having the highest number of publications and the United Kingdom being the most influential contributor. The cluster analysis of bibliographic connections reveals prominent themes in the document, and the authors reveal that corporate governance, AC, directorship, board composition, firm performance, and earning management themes are in trend and individual ACs’ functions have been less explored.

JEL Classification: M41, M42
Anti-arthritic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Different Types of Milk in Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-induced Arthritis in Male Adult Rats
Authors: Al-Nouri Doha M. , Shamlan Ghalia , Al-Faifi Latifah Y. , Al-Qahtani Wahidah H. , Alshammari Ghedeir M. , Redh Islam A. El , Arzoo Shaista
Published: September 2024

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, immune-inflammatory disease that could be managed by an attenuation in dietary habits. With the increase in research that links the effect of nutrition linked to RA.

Objectives

Our study aimed to determine the possible therapeutic effect of different types of milk in rat models experimentally induced with RA using 40 ml milk (camel (CM), goat (GM), sheep (SHM), cow (CWM), almond (AM), and soy milk (SM)).

Materials and Methods

Forty adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into eight groups (five rats each) as follows: (Control group): nonarthritic, (RA): rheumatoid arthritis, (RA+CM): RA having CM, (RA+GM): RA having GM, (RA+SHM): RA having SHM, (RA+CWM): RA having CWM, (RA+AM): RA is having AM, and (RA+SM): RA has SM.

Results

It has been observed that in the RA group and milk-treated groups, but not in the RA+CM group, the arthritis score changed significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) in comparison with the control group. CM and GM showed promising effects in downregulating various arthritis effector players including anticitrullinated peptide antibodies, C-reactive protein, prostaglandin E2, and other inflammatory mediators, which may be attributed to their lowest ω-6/ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratios.

Conclusion

A possible benefit of this research is the potential development of new functional foods that promote health, prevent disease, and potentially enable the milk to be used as a therapeutic agent for RA.
Edible Vitalmelon Fruit Extract Promotes Lipolysis of MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 Adipocytes through the Stimulation of Glycerol Release and β-oxidation
Authors: Jin You Jeong , Lee Su Jin , Kim Ji Eun , Roh Yu Jeong , Song Hee Jin , Seol Ayun , Kim Tae Ryeol , Min Kyeong Seon , Park Eun Seo , Park Gi Ho , Kang Hye Mi , Kang Nam Jun , Lee Ki Won , Choi Young-Whan , Hwang Dae Youn
Published: September 2024

Background and Purpose

The anti-obesity effects of vitalmelon extracts have been well verified in only adipogenesis and lipogenesis of adipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obesity mice except lipolysis. Therefore, we were investigated the novel function of edible vitalmelon fruit water extract (VW) on lipolysis.

Materials and Methods

The changes in the free glycerol release, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent signaling pathway, and expression of β-oxidation-related regulators were analyzed in 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI)-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes (MiSt-3T3 adipocytes) after a VW treatment.

Results

The successful differentiation of pre-adipocytes was confirmed with increased oil-red O (ORO)-stained lipid accumulation and PPARγ gene transcription. After maturation of adipocytes, the levels of free glycerol, intracellular cAMP, and hormone-sensitive lipase phosphorylation increased in a dose-dependent manner in the MDI+VW-treated group. In addition, the protein and mRNA levels of three β-oxidation-related genes (ACADs, ACO1, and CTP) were remarkably increased in the MiSt-3T3 adipocytes after VW treatment, while ATPCL phosphorylation was decreased. The changes in the expression levels of these proteins were accompanied by alteration on the expression levels of the PPARα transcription factors. The levels of PPARα protein phosphorylation and mRNA transcription in MiSt-3T3 adipocytes increased dose-dependently after the VW treatment.

Conclusion

These results show that VW can promote lipolysis by controlling the cAMP-mediated glycerol release pathway and β-oxidation in MiSt-3T3 adipocytes.
Memification of Students’ Experiences at South African Universities: A Critical Examination of Meme Value within UCT Just Kidding and Wits Just Kidding Memes
Authors: Mgcina Gcina , Akpojivi Ufuoma
Published: September 2024

Memes are considered a communication tool that allows groups of individuals to form a community and express themselves through three semiotic resources: visuals, text and humour. They provide new references that contribute to the construction of identities. This is especially true within university student communities. In this study, we use two students’ meme pages in South Africa, UCT Just Kidding (@uctjustkidding) and Wits Just Kidding (@witsjustkidding), as case studies to investigate how students use memes to highlight their everyday experiences and the values attached to these memes. We also explore how memes portray significant issues affecting students’ development and progression within the broader South African higher education institutions. Using semi-structured interviews conducted with 7 meme creators and administrators, textual and visual analysis of 14 memes from both pages and Marx’s labour theory of value as a theoretical framework, we argue that students use memes to communicate and raise awareness on salient issues affecting them. We, therefore, underscore memes as a powerful tool for constructing social, political, economic and cultural realities among university students in particular and communities in general.
Expert Panel Consensus Statements on Vaccination for Adults with AIRD in India
Authors: Jain Vikramraj , Mohanasundaram Kavitha , Kumar Sharath , Kavadichanda Chengappa , Varaprasad Rajendra , Mishra Neha , Veeraraghavan Balaji , Swaminathan Subramanian , Lakshminarayanan Devaki , Baghel Sadhana , Shivashankar Roopa , Ravindran Vinod , Dharmanand BG
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Due to notable distinctions in infection patterns, vaccine accessibility, and approaches to treatment among patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD) in India compared to other regions globally, the Indian Rheumatology Association Vaccine (IRAVAC) group was formed to develop expert panel consensus statements on vaccination for adults with AIRDs in India.

Methods:

The IRAVAC group comprised seven rheumatologists, one epidemiologist, two infectious disease specialists, one clinical virologist, one specialist nurse, and a patient representative. The group determined the scope of the consensus statements, framed the research questions, and assigned a team of few members to review the evidence who designed the search strategy and conducted the systematic literature search and data extraction. Another group of members subsequently reviewed the articles for each vaccine, prepared a summary, generated draft statements, and assigned them an appropriate level of evidence. Eighty-eight such draft statements were circulated to the members of IRAVAC for review and deliberation. The draft statements were revised accordingly, and the final set of 48 statements on vaccinations for eight diseases was voted upon by the IRAVAC group, with a predefined 75% agreement set as a threshold for acceptance. It is envisaged that these consensus statements related to vaccination in AIRD would be helpful not only to rheumatologists in India but also to those in other countries.
Deprescribing antidepressants for depression – what is the evidence for and against?
Authors: Looi Jeffrey CL , Allison Stephen , Bastiampillai Tarun , Kisely Steve , Maguire Paul A , Woon Luke S-C , Anderson Katrina , Malhi Gin S
Published: September 2024

Objective

Recent guidelines suggest that the overall quantity and duration of antidepressant prescriptions should be reduced. In this paper, we comment on the evidence both for and against this view.

Methods

We critically review the arguments proposed by proponents of antidepressant deprescribing in the context of the evidence-base for the treatment of depression.

Results

Proponents of deprescribing do not address the substantive issues of whether inappropriate prescribing has been demonstrated, and when prescribing is needed. Their arguments for deprescribing are rebutted in this context.

Conclusions

Whether or not to deprescribe antidepressant medication needs to take into consideration the risk-benefit profile of the decision, the responsibility for which needs to be shared and based on the context of the patient’s depression, their preferences, experiences and perspectives.
Mostly harmless? Clinical practice guidelines need further consideration of psychotherapy adverse effects
Authors: Allison Stephen , Looi Jeffrey CL , Kisely Steve , Bastiampillai Tarun
Published: September 2024

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines on mood disorders recommend psychotherapy as foundational care for patients with acute depression with minimal discussion of any potential adverse effects. Randomised controlled trial evidence on psychotherapy adverse effects is limited. This is problematic because clinicians must balance the benefits of treatment against the harms, and clinical decisions become skewed without data on adverse effects. We suggest that clinical practice guidelines should be more guarded about recommending psychotherapy and add consensus statements on adverse effects for informed consent and clinical decision-making.
MRI changes observed in a case of atypical scrapie in a 7-year-old Herdwick ewe
Authors: Prins Sander , Hamer Kim , Cloquell Ana , Spiropoulos John , Sargison Neil , Vellema Piet
Published: September 2024

Atypical scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy that is rarely diagnosed in living animals. In March 2022, a 7-y-old Herdwick ewe was referred to the Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety because of circling behavior and ill thrift. The ewe had a low body condition score, was obtunded, with a wide-based stance of the pelvic limbs, and was circling to the left. Hematologic, biochemical, and CSF analyses were unremarkable, but postmortem magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were consistent with diffuse, bilateral, and symmetrical atrophy of the forebrain and ventriculomegaly. The clinical signs, the involvement of an individual older ewe, and the MRI results led to the clinical diagnosis of scrapie. Immunohistochemistry on the fixed brain, performed by the U.K. Animal and Plant Health Agency, revealed deposits of PrPSc, which is a specific disease marker of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, mainly in the cerebellum and at lower concentrations in the cerebrum and obex, consistent with the diagnosis of atypical scrapie. MRI findings in a sheep with atypical scrapie have not been described previously, to our knowledge. Scrapie should be included in the list of clinical differential diagnoses when veterinarians are presented with sheep with progressive neurologic signs of several weeks’ duration.
Rosette-forming multicentric B-cell lymphoma in a giant panda
Authors: Tse Anne C. N. , Brackman Christopher J. , Yuen Carlton P. M. , Perkins Christopher M. , Martelli Paolo , Tse May P. Y.
Published: September 2024

Literature covering diseases of the giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is either in Chinese or focuses on infectious agents. Here we describe the clinical signs, gross and microscopic findings, and immunohistochemistry results of a B-cell lymphoma in multiple organs of a 35-y-old captive male giant panda. The animal was euthanized because of prolonged anorexia and vomiting. Postmortem examination revealed ascites, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and thickened gall bladder mucosa. Histologically, the architecture of these organs was effaced by a densely cellular neoplasm composed of large, CD79a-positive neoplastic B lymphocytes supported by a fine fibrovascular stroma. Neoplastic cells occasionally palisaded around an eosinophilic fibrillary center, sometimes resembling Homer Wright rosettes. To our knowledge, rosette-forming lymphoma has not been reported previously in animals.
Crowdlending, Self-Employment, and Entrepreneurial Performance
Authors: Cumming Douglas , Sewaid Ahmed
Published: September 2024

Access to finance is crucial for sustaining entrepreneurial activity. Elaborating on resource dependence theory, we argue that the adverse impact of a loan rejection by a crowdlending platform is more severe than that of a rejection by a traditional financial institution. The data indicate that a failed crowdlending loan attempt is associated with a 14.80% increase in the probability of transitioning out of self-employment. This effect is 1.62 times that of revolving lines of credit and 3.08 times that of non-revolving lines of credit. We highlight that these effects are amplified for marginal borrowers and credit- and income-constrained entrepreneurs. In addition, we show that successful crowdlending enhances self-employed individuals’ future income and future access to traditional lines of credit. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Defibrillator Training in the Virtual Setting is Feasible and Improves Medical Student Self-Efficacy; A Pilot Study
Authors: Maniker Robert , Treat Christian , Feiner Steven , Alleyne Shenelle , Gordon Rachel J. , Cloyd Trudi , Kessler David ,   Columbia Co-laboratory for Extended Reality in Health Professions
Published: September 2024

Background

Management of in-hospital cardiac arrest includes many component skills that require considerable training in order to gain mastery. Practicing defibrillation skills in a simulated setting improves performance and time to shock delivery but is cumbersome and costly. Virtual reality (VR) simulation training may provide an alternative platform to help medical students learn and build confidence in the critical steps required to operate a manual defibrillator.

Intervention

We performed a pilot study to implement a VR simulation that trains learners on the stepwise operation of a manual defibrillator.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey that measured the feasibility, usability, and likeability of a VR simulation among fourth-year medical students at a large urban academic medical center. Secondary outcomes included self-efficacy with operating a defibrillator before and after the VR simulation, and time to defibrillation within the simulation.

Results

Twenty-six participants completed the VR simulation. The majority of participants found the VR simulation easy to use (71% agreed), liked the experience (96% agreed), found it realistic (87.5% agreed), and would recommend it to their peers (96% agreed). Most students (96%) agreed that the training improved their knowledge of how to use a defibrillator, and all (100%) students agreed that they were more confident than beforehand in using the defibrillator to defibrillate a patient with cardiac arrest. Self-reported knowledge and comfort with using the defibrillator significantly improved from before to after the VR training, as did average time to defibrillation.

Discussion

VR simulation for defibrillator training is feasible and well-liked by senior medical students and is associated with improved self-perceived knowledge and comfort with using a manual defibrillator.
Why School Bus Drivers Stay in Their Jobs
Authors: Carey Brian P. , Phillips Susan D.
Published: September 2024

With the current shortage of school bus drivers in many states, access to education is at risk for the many students who get to and from school by bus. Despite the critical role drivers play, little is known about why they stay in their jobs, and what can be done to keep them. To learn more about school bus driver retention, 301 drivers in 32 districts in New York were surveyed. Drawing on an overarching model of person-environment fit, perspectives of job satisfaction, meaningful work and public service motivation were used to explore what aspects of the driver role relate to turnover intention. Findings indicated lower turnover intention when drivers reported higher extrinsic satisfaction, when they found their work to hold personal significance, and when they saw their work as a source of broader meaning for their lives. Drivers also viewed themselves as making a difference in the lives of students and considered themselves a significant part of their education. They also indicated that pay and benefits were important in their decision to stay or leave. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for school leadership practice and future research.
Interaction of defects, martensitic transformation and slip in metastable body centred cubic crystals of Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al: A study via crystal plasticity finite element methods (CPFEM)
Authors: Christie P , Siddiq MA , McMeeking RM , Kartal ME
Published: September 2024

Metastable β titanium alloys are widely applied in many industries. These alloys can have plastic deformation via dislocation slip, twinning, stress-induced martensite (SIM), or a combination of these. These alloys fail in a ductile manner via a process of void nucleation, growth, and coalescence. Inherent defects, such as voids, are commonly attributed to poor mechanical properties. In this study, aspects of plastic anisotropy in damage accumulation are investigated for metastable crystals that deform by combined slip and SIM. The focus of this study is to understand the evolution of damage due to inherent voids in metastable Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al single crystals. This investigation is conducted using crystal plasticity-based 3D ﬁnite element (FE) calculations. A unit-cell FE model involving a spherical void is deformed under constant stress triaxiality and lode parameter. We investigated four triaxiality values at differing lode parameters in three crystal orientations. The void growth was found to be heavily dependent on crystal orientation at low triaxialities. At higher triaxialities, SIM is found to inhibit the void growth via accommodation of the required deformation in the surrounding material. Orientations aligned favourable with SIM undergo significantly less void growth. The accommodation of deformation in the surrounding matrix was found to help preserve the integrity of the void, preventing the localisation of deformation around the void. At lower lode parameter and at higher stress triaxiality this impedes the exponential growth of the void. While, at higher lode parameter with low triaxiality SIM was found to delay the collapse of the void into a crack like morphology. This study not only deepens our understanding of the mechanical behaviour of metastable β titanium alloys, but also unveils the complex interplay between inherent defects, stress-induced martensite, and slip-based plasticity within their crystalline structure, offering fresh perspectives on enhancing material performance.
An improved dual shear unified strength model (IDSUSM) considering strain softening effect
Authors: Yan Shen , Geng Dajiang , Dai Ning , Long Minjian , Bai Zhicheng
Published: September 2024

This study proposes an improved dual shear unified strength model by introducing the plastic internal variable which reflects the collective effects of strain softening, intermediate principal stress and unequal strength under tension and compression. The improved model is then simplified into simple forms for typical stress states, including uniaxial tension and compression, plane stress pure shear and tri-axial stress states. The smooth method and conjugate gradient method are utilized to facilitate its numerical implementation, avoiding numerical singularity and non-convergence in the solution process. The physical meanings of the parameters are further clarified and their values for self-compacting concrete are determined from the results of triaxial compression tests through a combination of direct determination, equation solution and back propagation (BP) neural network optimization. Validated against the test results, the improved model gives a more accurate prediction than the traditional dual shear unified strength model and Mohr-Coulomb model, in terms of both the overall trend and representative values. Validation results show that the improved model is applicable to materials for which the compressive strength is greater than the tensile strength and the tensile strength is greater than the shear strength.
I’d Kill to Belong! Comparing Brahmanical, Samurai, and Gentleman Masculinities in the Early Modern Period
Authors: Pal Satanik
Published: September 2024

The following article seeks to analyze concepts of masculine honor prevalent among men of high status in the early modern period in three different cultures. Comparisons of patriarchy and masculine honor prevalent among upper castes in Bengal, samurai in Japan, gentlemen in England form the basis of this study and it seeks to find common patterns in the social actions of these men. We find that marriage unions and the sexuality of the women of these status groups were highly regulated, along with the men often resorting to violence in order to preserve their honor. Masculine honor was a currency that allowed men to belong to exclusive status groups and these allowed them access to a world of privileges denied to their inferiors. Thus, its preservation and augmentation acquired paramount importance for the men of high status in these societies, making them literally kill in order to belong.
Teacher Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Burnout: The Mediating Roles of Interpersonal Mindfulness in Teaching and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Çetin Güler , Frank Jennifer L. , Jennings Patricia A.
Published: September 2024

This study examined the relationships among teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, interpersonal mindfulness, emotion regulation, and burnout, with the intention of exploring the mediating roles of interpersonal mindfulness and emotion regulation. A total of 224 elementary school teachers from 36 elementary schools in a high-poverty, inner city setting in the Northeastern United States participated voluntarily in the study. Correlation and path analyses were conducted to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs, interpersonal mindfulness, emotion regulation, and burnout were significantly related to each other. The results also showed that teachers’ interpersonal mindfulness and expressive suppression served as crucial mediating pathways from self-efficacy to burnout; thereby should be considered among the inventory of psychological resources that protect teachers against burnout.
Scaffolding Team Minds: Using Metacognitive Training to Boost Social Cognition and Theory of Mind for Effective Collaborative Problem-Solving
Authors: Duruaku Fiona , Nguyen Blake , Newton Olivia B. , Fiore Stephen M. , Jentsch Florian G.
Published: September 2024

Effective teamwork requires both individual domain-specific knowledge and social cognitive skills. In this paper, we discuss a theoretical approach that incorporates metacognitive training to enhance social cognition and theory of mind within teams. By using scaffolding techniques to address cognitive biases, we aim to facilitate efficient collaborative problem-solving. Our goal is to develop individual and team metacognitive awareness in social contexts through various interventions implemented during the preparation, execution, and reflection stages of training. We suggest that metacognitive strategies implemented during team training can enhance individuals’ ability to navigate social interactions and understand others’ perspectives. This approach provides a foundation for researchers interested in studying methods to improve collaboration, for teams seeking to enhance interpersonal understanding, and beneficial for those creating interventions to reduce social cognitive biases and improve theory of mind within collaborative problem-solving scenarios.
Prognostic Impact of Malignant Wounds in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: Secondary Analysis of a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Takamizawa Shigemasa , Ishiki Hiroto , Takeda Yuma , Arakawa Sayaka , Kawasaki Naruaki , Maeda Isseki , Yokomichi Naosuke , Yamaguchi Takashi , Otani Hiroyuki , Morita Tatsuya , Satomi Eriko , Mori Masanori
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Malignant wounds are lesions caused by metastasis from distant primary cancers or by direct invasion of the cutaneous structures of a primary cancer, and are most common in patients with breast or head and neck cancers. Malignant wounds not only cause physical symptoms, but also affect survival. Recognizing prognosis in terminal-stage cancer patients is necessary for both patients and health care providers. The prognostic impact of malignant wounds in patients with head and neck cancer has been poorly investigated.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of the results of a prospective cohort study that investigated the dying process in patients with advanced cancer in 23 palliative care units in Japan. The primary outcome of this study was the prognostic impact of malignant wounds in patients with head and neck cancer. The difference in survival between patients with head and neck cancer who had malignant wounds and those who did not was compared using the log-rank test.

Results

Of 1896 patients admitted to palliative care units, 68 had head and neck cancer, and 29 of these had malignant wounds. Overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with malignant wounds than that in those without (median: 19.0 days vs 32.0 days, P = 0.046).

Conclusion

Patients with head and neck cancer who had malignant wounds had worse overall survival than those who did not.
Cancer Burden and Attributable Risk Factors of Cancers in China: Epidemiological Insights and Comparisons With India
Authors: Rahmat Syed Adnan , He Yutong
Published: September 2024

Background

Cancer is a major health concern in China. Understanding the epidemiology of cancer can guide the development of effective prevention and control strategies. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the cancer burden, time trends, and attributable risk factors of cancers in China and compare them with those in India.

Methods

We utilized the GLOBOCAN database for 2022, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (C15 plus) series, and Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 to extract data on cancer incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and risk factors. Time-trend analysis was performed using a join-point regression model. Correlations between cancer DALY rates and risk factors were analyzed using linear regression.

Results

In 2022, China experienced 4,824,703 new cancer cases and 2,574,176 cancer-related deaths. Cancers also caused approximately 71.2 million DALYs in China in 2021. Compared with India, China has higher incidence, mortality, and DALY rates for various cancers. Breast and thyroid cancers in China have shown a rapid increase in the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), along with a substantial burden of lung, stomach, esophageal, and colorectal cancer. However, stomach and liver cancers in China showed a downward trend in ASIR. In 2021, diet low in milk was a major risk factor among females for colorectal cancer DALYs in China (23% of age-standardized DALYs) and India (22.9%). In China, smoking has been associated with increased DALYs due to lung cancer.

Conclusions

China has a heavier cancer burden than India. The heavy burden of lung, stomach, esophageal, and colorectal cancers, combined with the rising incidence of breast and thyroid cancers, pose a critical challenge to public health in China. Cancer burden may be reduced through public health initiatives that prioritize primary prevention, prompt identification, and therapeutic intervention.
Surgical Ablative Therapies in Patients With Radiorecurrent Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yu Alice , Dinckal Mustafa , Pow-Sang Julio
Published: September 2024

Management of recurrent prostate cancer following radiotherapy and subsequent radical prostatectomy poses considerable challenges due to potential complications for patients. Focal therapies have emerged as a burgeoning approach in prostate cancer treatment. Research indicates that ablative therapies exhibit encouraging oncological efficacy while maintaining acceptable functional outcomes in salvage interventions. Here, we present a contemporary review of focal therapy treatment modalities as well as oncologic and functional outcomes.