bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presentation and physical therapy management using a neuroplasticity approach for patients with hypermobility-related upper cervical instability: a brief report
Authors: Chalela Susan , Russek Leslie N.
Published: November 2024

Background

Upper cervical instability (UCI) is a potentially disabling complication of the connective tissue disorders hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (hEDS/HSD). UCI can impact various neurological structures, including the brainstem, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and blood supply to and from the brain, resulting in complex neurological signs and symptoms in this population. The current study was an observational study applying recent expert consensus recommendations for physical therapy assessment and management of patients with UCI associated with hEDS/HSD.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study describing how the clinical decision-making model was used to screen, examine, and treat three patients with highly irritable hEDS/HSD-related UCI, resulting in complex neurological presentation. The treatment used a neuroplasticity approach, including proprioception and motor control training emphasizing patient education and biofeedback. Outcome measures tracked progress.

Results

All patients started with significant disability associated with UCI. One patient returned to full function with intermittent flares that he was able to manage. The second patient continued to have mild-moderate irritability but returned to parenting responsibilities and full-time work. The third patient required cervical fusion and remained disabled but was better able to minimize flares. The number of initial red and yellow flags was associated with the final outcomes, suggesting that the decision-making model might be useful for predicting patient prognosis.

Conclusion

This brief report applies recent recommendations for safely evaluating and managing hypermobility-related UCI and provides a first step in experimental studies to test both the assessment and physical therapy treatment approaches.
Case report: Polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young and supratentorial ependymoma diagnosed in an adult male
Authors: Xu Cynthia Y. , Beers Craig A. , Lu Jian-Qiang , Hann Crystal L. , Ramos Ronald C.
Published: November 2024

Polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY) is a rare central nervous system (CNS) pathology predominantly observed in the pediatric population. Ependymomas also exhibit a peak incidence in early childhood, with rare presentations after early adulthood. In this report, we describe a rare case of a 41-year-old man diagnosed sequentially with a polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young, followed by a supratentorial ependymoma within a year. He underwent tumor resection for both tumors, as well as adjuvant radiation therapy for the ependymoma. Despite these interventions, he ultimately succumbed to tumor progression and postoperative complications. Currently, no genetic syndromes are known to link these two primary CNS tumors. Two commonalities at the chromosomal and cellular level include histone gene H3F3A mutations and positive glial fibrillary acidic protein staining on immunohistochemistry. To the best of our knowledge, this unique dual pathology has not been previously described in the literature, making this case an avenue for further investigation and research into connections between these two distinct CNS pathologies.
Association of dietary inflammatory index with sarcopenia in patients with Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Xianyao , Shi Rongjie , Zi Ying , Long Jun
Published: November 2024

Background

Sarcopenia is a common complication of fatty liver, and sarcopenia increases the risk of advanced liver fibrosis in patients with Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Chronic inflammation is the crucial link between sarcopenia and fatty liver. An anti-inflammatory diet is expected to be an essential measure to prevent sarcopenia in patients with fatty liver, and the dietary inflammatory index (DII) is a crucial tool for assessing the inflammatory potential of diets. However, the relationship between DII and sarcopenia in patients with fatty liver is unclear.

Objective

This study investigated the correlation between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and sarcopenia in patients with Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

Methods

Data for this study were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018, with 917 patients with MAFLD participating in the study. Participants were divided into three groups based on DII tertiles: group T1 (n = 305), group T2 (n = 306), and group T3 (n = 306), and binary logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between DII and sarcopenia with stratified analyses based on the weights recommended by the NHANES and multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the association of DII with total appendicular lean mass.

Results

After adjusting for all confounders, DII was significantly and positively associated with the risk of sarcopenia in women [OR: 1.61, 95% CI: (1.226, 2.06), p < 0.001]. The risk of sarcopenia was higher in the T3 group compared to the T1 group [OR: 4.04, 95% CI: (1.66, 9.84), p = 0.002]. DII was negatively associated with appendicular lean mass adjusted for body mass index in both men and women.

Conclusion

DII was significantly associated with the risk of sarcopenia in female patients with MAFLD, with higher DII scores related to a higher risk of sarcopenia. Higher DII scores related to a higher risk of sarcopenia in men with significant fibrosis.
Unveiling Tim-3 immune checkpoint expression in hepatocellular carcinoma through abdominal contrast-enhanced CT habitat radiomics
Authors: Tang Zhishen , Wang Wei , Gao Bo , Liu Xuyang , Liu Xiangyu , Zhuo Yingquan , Du Jun , Ai Fujun , Yang Xianwu , Gu Huajian
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are important systemic therapeutic agents for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), among which T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing protein 3 (Tim-3) is considered an emerging target for ICI therapy. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of Tim-3 expression and develop a predictive model for Tim-3 infiltration in HCC.

Methods

We collected data from 424 HCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and data from 102 pathologically confirmed HCC patients from our center for prognostic analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed on both datasets to determine the prognostic significance of Tim-3 expression. In radiomics analysis, we used the K-means algorithm to cluster regions of interest in arterial phase enhancement and venous phase enhancement images from patients at our center. Radiomic features were extracted from three subregions as well as the entire tumor using pyradiomics. Five machine learning methods were employed to construct Habitat models based on habitat features and Rad models based on traditional radiomic features. The predictive performance of the models was compared using ROC curves, DCA curves, and calibration curves.

Results

Multivariate Cox analyses from both our center and the TCGA database indicated that high Tim-3 expression is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in HCC patients. Higher levels of Tim-3 expression were significantly associated with worse prognosis. Among the ten models evaluated, the Habitat model constructed using the LightGBM algorithm showed the best performance in predicting Tim-3 expression status (training set vs. test set AUC 0.866 vs. 0.824).

Discussion

This study confirmed the importance of Tim-3 as a prognostic marker in HCC. The habitat radiomics model we developed effectively predicted intratumoral Tim-3 infiltration, providing valuable insights for the evaluation of ICI therapy in HCC patients.
Celecoxib and rofecoxib have different effects on small intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: László Szilvia B. , Hutka Barbara , Tóth András S. , Hegyes Tamás , Demeter Zsuzsanna O. , Haghighi Arezoo , Wachtl Gerda , Kelemen Ágnes , Jakab Anna , Gyires Klára , Zádori Zoltán S.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with high mortality and there is an unmet need for novel therapies. The intestinal expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) increases rapidly after mesenteric I/R, but it is still a question of debate whether selective COX-2 inhibitors can mitigate I/R-induced gut injury. Here we aimed to compare the effect of celecoxib and rofecoxib, two selective COX-2 inhibitors, on intestinal I/R-induced injury in rats.

Methods

Wistar rats were treated with celecoxib (10 and 100 mg/kg), rofecoxib (5 and 50 mg/kg), or vehicle for 8 days via gavage and then were subjected to sham operation or mesenteric I/R. Small intestinal inflammation and tissue damage were assessed by histology and quantification of inflammatory and tight junction proteins. The intestinal activity of COX enzymes was determined by a COX activity assay.

Results

The higher dose of celecoxib reduced the I/R-associated increase in inflammatory mediators (myeloperoxidase, pentraxin 3, COX-2, interleukin-1β) and loss of tight junction proteins (claudin-1, occludin), whereas the lower dose of celecoxib was only marginally effective. However, even high-dose celecoxib failed to prevent the histological injury of the mucosa. In contrast to celecoxib, rofecoxib did not affect intestinal inflammation and injury at any of the tested doses. Neither celecoxib nor rofecoxib affected the I/R-induced changes of HO-1 and PPAR-γ, known off-targets of COX-inhibitors, but celecoxib increased the I/R-induced elevation of Bax/Bcl-2, a marker of apoptosis, whereas rofecoxib reduced the elevation of phospho-Akt. Importantly, high-dose celecoxib, but not rofecoxib, has already reduced intestinal COX-1 activity.

Conclusion

Our study provides evidence for the higher anti-inflammatory efficacy of celecoxib compared to rofecoxib in mesenteric I/R injury, which is likely due to its lower selectivity for COX-2. However, even high-dose celecoxib was unable to reduce the mucosal damage. Our results suggest that selective COX-2 inhibitors have only limited therapeutic value in intestinal I/R injury.
Decrease in wind stress leads to an increase in the above ground morphology and number of seeds of an invasive alien species, Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae)
Authors: Shiba Masayuki , Kobayashi Nagisa , Harada Shiori , Fukuda Tatsuya
Published: November 2024

We conducted comparative analyses using an open-top chamber (OTC) to reduce wind stress to clarify the impact of decreased wind stress on the invasive species Bidens pilosa L. (Asteraceae), which ranks among the worst 100 species on the Invasive Alien Species List in Japan. Morphological analyses revealed that the number and size of leaves in the OTC group were significantly higher than those in the control group (wind). There was also a significantly higher investment in stems in the former than in the latter. No significant differences were observed in root dry mass; however, the resource allocation ratio to the roots was significantly higher in the wind group than in the OTC group. Although the total seed mass was greater in the OTC group, there were no significant differences in the ratio of resource allocation to seeds between the groups, and no significant differences were observed in the mass of each seed. However, the number of seeds was significantly higher in the OTC group. Adaptive changes in the leaves, stems, and roots to avoid and/or resist wind were reflected in differences in the number of seeds. In addition, a decrease in wind stress contributed to an increase in the number of seeds in B. pilosa. Such mechanisms are likely widespread because B. pilosa is often highly abundant in urban systems.
A potential role of a special type of abortive seeds in Cunninghamia lanceolata: promoting the growth of healthy seedlings in active aluminum ions-rich soil
Authors: Mu Shi-Yan , Yang Ya-Ting , Qu Xiao-Yu , Wang Fang-Fang , Ma Fang-Fang , Ding Zhen-Ning , Ye Ling-Peng , Zhang Ya-Ling , Zhang Jia-Jun , Lyu Meng-Meng , Li Shu-Bin , Cao Guang-Qiu , Wu Chao , Ding Guo-Chang , Chen Yu
Published: November 2024

Background and aims

“Astringent seed” is a type of abortive seed frequently observed in Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata). It is widely recognized but poorly understood for its underlying causes. This study investigates the potential of astringent seeds to alleviate the toxic effects of active aluminum ions.

Methods

This study involved treating seeds and seedlings with two distinct concentrations of astringent seeds water extracts under the aluminum ion stress. Then the germination of seeds and growth of seedlings were evaluated and compared.

Results

Under aluminum stress, both seed germination and seedling growth were notably inhibited. Treatment with a low-concentration of the extract significantly alleviated this inhibition. Root elongation in the seedlings increased by 36.95% compared to the control group, and the aluminum ion accumulation at the root tips was reduced by 38.89% relative to the aluminum-stressed group. This treatment also normalized the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the roots and leaves, enhanced the activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and restored the levels of endogenous hormones including gibberellin (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), methyl jasmonate (Ja-ME), and abscisic acid (ABA). Furthermore, the low-concentration of the extract positively impacted the disorganized chloroplast structures. In contrast, a high-concentration of the extract failed to revert most of these stress indicators.

Conclusion

Low concentrations of astringent seed water extract effectively alleviate the inhibitory effects of aluminum ions on seed and seedling. This implies that in natural environments, the proximity of healthy seeds to astringent seeds could potentially enhance their growth.
Belief in a just world as a moderator in the face of ageism: a comparative analysis of just world theory and worldview verification theory
Authors: Kim Eunha
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Based on the Just World Theory (JWT) and Worldview Verification Theory (WVT), we conducted two studies to investigate whether a belief in a just world for the self (BJW-self) moderates the relationship between perceived discrimination against older adults (ageism) and self-esteem in a sample of South Koreans older adults.

Methods

In Study 1, we collected survey data from 304 South Koreans aged 65 and older using the scales of perceived ageism, BJW-self, and self-esteem. In Study 2, we randomly assigned 140 South Koreans aged 65 and older to read one of two articles: one describing ageism as pervasive or one describing ageism as rare.

Results

Study 1 revealed that perceived ageism negatively correlated with self-esteem at low levels of BJW-self than at high levels of BJW-self. In Study 2, older adults who were told that ageism is pervasive had lower self-esteem than those who were told that ageism is rare, but this difference was greater for those who rejected BJW-self than for those who endorsed BJW-self.

Discussion

The results support the notion of the JWT that BJW-self mitigates the deleterious effects of perceived ageism on self-esteem.
The implementation process of decentralization of health services: a qualitative perspective from Sudan
Authors: Noory Bandar , Hassanain Sara , Kassak Kassem
Published: November 2024

Background

Health system reform initiatives have increasingly embraced decentralization as a key trend. The implementation process and its outcomes are influenced by a myriad of factors, including economic forces, political dynamics, and ideological factors. Comprehending and carefully examining the implementation phase of decentralization and its consequences to achieve desired outcomes is crucial. Notably, this phase is often considered the weakest aspect of policy reforms, especially in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and analyze the implementation phase of decentralization and its implications as essentials for achieving intended goals. The study objectives evolved around examining the entire decentralization as a multifaceted social and political process in Khartoum State, Sudan, from its early stages of decision-making, policy formulation, and implementation process and the influencing contextual factors.

Methods

This study was an exploratory qualitative study that employed in-depth interviews to gather perspectives of healthcare providers and policymakers, semi-structured observations, and thematic analysis. The study utilized Grindle’s framework for analysis.

Findings

This study revealed a political nature of decision-making, with a top–down approach to the implementation, which also lacked stakeholder involvement. It showed a lack of transparency, official documentation, and proper handover procedures from the Ministry of Health to the devolved hospitals during the implementation process. A conflict of interest between the federal and the state level was also reported. It is important to note that this process occurred within the context of structural adjustment program (SAP) schemes, which had already empowered the private sector in Sudan.

Conclusion

This study documented the implementation process of decentralization of health services and its influencing factors. The study recommended reforming the decentralization policy through consultative stakeholder involvement and by implementing a concurrent responsibility paradigm that divides authority between the federal and state levels.
Hospitalization costs in patients with stroke in southeastern China: a retrospective population-based cohort study, 2019–2022
Authors: Xu Jing , Ye Ruixue , Zhao Jingpu , Fan Xuehui , Xue Kaiwen , Li Xiaoxuan , Zhu Xiaolong , Gao Yan , Wang Yulong
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Stroke remains a predominant cause of mortality and accounts for one-third of all stroke-related fatalities worldwide. Increasing expenses associated with stroke are a matter of significant concern; however, this aspect has been insufficiently examined.

Methods

The purpose of this study was to analyze in-hospital stroke costs and explore potential factors influencing them across stroke subtypes. The records of stroke patients from 50 hospitals in southeastern China between 2019 and 2022 were reviewed using multistage stratified cluster random sampling. We focused on the cost patterns of four stroke types and used multivariate linear regression to identify cost determinants.

Results

A total of 417 (1.1%) patients had subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), 9309 (25.9%) had intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), 22,248 (61.8%) had ischemic stroke (IS), and 4025 had transient ischemic attack (TIA). The number of stroke patients has sharply increased since the onset of COVID-19, with a majority of them being male (72.2%). Despite the fact that hospitalization costs are highest in tertiary hospitals (Chinese yuan [CNY] 30610.8/United States dollar [USD] 4551.0, interquartile range [IQR] 9944.9, 29668.4/1478.6, 4410.9), the majority of patients are admitted to tertiary hospitals (74.6%) or public hospitals (90.2%). Across all stroke subtypes, patients with SAH had the highest costs (CNY 93,454.9/USD13894.4, IQR 12273.2, 169920.0/1824.7, 25262.8), followed by those with ICH (CNY 48,724.2/USD 7244.0, IQR 16789.6, 57540.7/2496.2, 8554.8), IS (CNY 26,550.3/USD3947.4, IQR 8684.2, 28697.7/1291.1, 4266.6), and TIA (CNY 11,170.1/USD1660.7, IQR 6823.7, 12965.2/1014.5, 1927.6). Therapy fees comprised a significant portion of costs in ICH and IS cases (47.9% and 42.7%, respectively). Materials accounted for the highest proportion of expenses for SAH (56.1%), whereas patients with TIA spent more time on examinations (34.1%). Linear regression analysis revealed that length of stay (LOS), stroke subtype, hospital level, and stroke type were key factors influencing hospitalization costs

Discussion

The visiting rate and charges were highest in tertiary public hospitals, and hospitalization costs were higher in hemorrhagic types of stroke than in ischemic types of stroke; the proportion of hospitalization cost categories varied among different types of stroke, with LOS, hospital type, and level substantially affecting hospitalization costs. Enhancing medical insurance reimbursement rates for hemorrhagic strokes, implementing a hierarchical medical system, tailoring cost categories to accommodate varying stroke subtypes, and shortening LOS may help alleviate the economic burden of stroke.
Exploring young consumer's understanding of local food through proximity and social representations
Authors: László Veronika , Wahlen Stefan
Published: November 2024

The ever-changing nature of consumers' understanding of local food highlights the need for in-depth research. This study explores how Gen-Z consumers define, perceive and experience local food. Through the analysis, we extend the existing conceptualization of local food by differentiating three aspects of proximity: geographical, value, and relational proximity. We contribute novel insights into the differentiation of proximity to the established understanding for this specific consumer group. Methodologically, we use a free association game played with Gen-Z consumers in Hungary. Theoretical frameworks, including social representation, central core and proximity theories, are used to uncover implicit knowledge about local food. The results reveal a consumer understanding that associates health, freshness, taste, quality and trustworthiness as the central core of the local food concept. Surprisingly, value and relational proximity gain importance, while geographical proximity takes a peripheral role. This study facilitates a re-evaluation of the local food concept in light of evolving consumer understanding, while also establishing a link between proximity theories and social representation theory. The findings provide practical implications that distinguish different aspects of proximity that are relevant to farmers and policy makers in light of evolving consumer understandings.
A greener approach to assess bioactive compounds in tropical pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) using colorimetry
Authors: Kinsman Megan E. , Serviss Mary T. , Meru Geoffrey , Chase Carlene A. , Sargent Steven A. , Simonne Amarat , MacIntosh Andrew J.
Published: November 2024

Bioactive compounds have been shown to promote healthy human development and protect against certain diseases including some cancers. Tropical pumpkins bred for consumption, such as calabaza (Cucurbita moschata), possess these compounds, though concentrations vary considerably between varieties. Bioactive compound quantification methods can be expensive, complex, and generate considerable hazardous waste. A predictive tool utilizing the relationship between extrinsic properties and tristimulus colorimetry values of calabaza would allow for significantly higher throughput with lower requirements for equipment, training, and laboratory consumables. Therefore, this study examined correlations between flesh color and bioactive compound quantities of several calabaza germplasm lines to assess the utility of a sustainable and portable predictive tool. CIEL* a* b* values of pumpkin flesh were assessed using a colorimeter and compared to bioactive compound concentrations determined analytically. Redness was found to correlate with increased ascorbic acid and total soluble solids content. Yellowness correlated with β-carotene equivalent carotenoids and ascorbic acid content. These results suggest that colorimetry may be a viable pre-screening technique for quantifying bioactive compounds in C. moschata.
Successful Aging Scale: Urdu Translation and Validation Study on Older Adults
Authors: Anwar Mubeen , Masood Sobia
Published: November 2024

Background. Despite the recent work on successful aging, there are few valid and reliable measures available for capturing this construct.Objective. One of the widely used measure is Successful Aging Scale (SAS; Reker, 2009) and the present study aimed to translate and validate this scale for using it with the Pakistani older population.Method. This study consisted of two parts. Part 1 dealt with the translation of the scale following Brislin’s (1970) guidelines while in Part 2 validity was established. Part 2 consisted of two phases: In Phase I, cross-language validation was determined on a sample of 60 older adults and the findings of the test-retest conditions over a two-week time period showed that the Urdu version of SAS has better comprehension properties as compared to the English original version. In Phase II of the Part 2, construct validity was established on a sample of 300 older adults (150 men, 150 women) with age ranging from 50 to 87 (M = 58.71, SD = 6.91).Results. Findings of confirmatory factor analysis showed that after removing two items from SAS, the model best fit the data. Alpha coefficient Correlation between age-related stereotype and successful aging provided evidence for the convergent validity of SAS. Implications. Overall, the Urdu version of SAS appeared to be a reliable and valid measure for the use among the Pakistani population.
Development and Validation of Cyber Victimization Scale (CVS)
Authors: Riaz Nida , Iram Hina , Iqbal Nazia , Hassan Bushra
Published: November 2024

Objective. Present study was carried to develop a scale to measure Cyber Victimization. 
Method. The research was carried out in three phases. Phase I consisted of the development of cyber victimization scale. After extensive literature review of available scale and theories of cyber-victimization, focused group discussions were held to generate item pool.  Thirty five items were identified after subjective evaluation by experts.
Analyses. Scale items were evaluated empirically for content validation and factor analysis on college and university students (N=317) both boys (n=138) and girls (n=179).  The result indicated that cyber-victimization scale (CVS) is an internally consistent scale with five factors (? ranged between.73-.90). Phase II was aimed to establish psychometric properties of the scale and the scale was proved to be valid and reliable measure for future use. Study III  was conducted on an independent sample of school and college students (N=75). Test – test reliability, split half reliability and coefficient alpha was used to establish reliability of the scale and was paved to be a reliable measure.  The convergent and discriminant validity was established with the help of Cyber Bully/Victim scale (Horzum, 2010). Results of phase III showed that Cyber-victimization scale is a valid measure. In last phase gender differences in cyber-victimization and relationship between time spent on social networking sites and cyber victimization was also measured. There was significant mean gender difference in cyber-victimization and there was also a significant positive relationship (r=.52**) between time spent on social networking sites and cyber-victimization.
 
Keywords: cyber victimization, development, focused group, factor analysis, validation,  convergent  validity, discriminant validity
JEL classification: HEC
Screen Time and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Symptoms Among Young Adults in Bangladesh: An Online Cross-Sectional Study During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chowdhury Sukanta
Published: November 2024

Objective. Mobile or computer device screening time contributes to developing attention deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study assessed the role of screening time in developing ADHDsymptoms in adults according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale(ASRS).
Method. This research is an internet-based self-reported study on young adult people aged over 18 yearsamid Covid-19 to collect information on ADHD symptoms and mobile/computer device screening time usinga web-based structured questionnaire.
Results. Among the 310 respondents, 124 (40%) had ADHD symptoms. Males with ADHD symptoms(45%) were more than females (35%). Histories of using digital devices with screening time of more than 4hours a day were seven times more likely to develop ADHD symptoms compared to the respondents who hada history of using digital devices with screening time less than 3 hours (aOR 7.5, 95% CI: 3.62-24.92).
Conclusion. The occurrence of ADHD symptoms was not uncommon in young adults amid the COVID-19pandemic. More awareness regarding the negative impact of longer screening time in progressing ADHDamong young adults needs to be improved to reduce the risk of developing ADHD.
Masculinity Ideologies of Adult Pakistani Men and Women
Authors: Imtiaz Sara , Kamal Anila
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background. Masculinity related ideologies are rooted in most cultures and Pakistan is not different, however not much is known about these ideologies in recent times. This study investigated masculinity ideologies in adult men and women of Pakistan.
Method. In across-sectional design,a convenient sample of 268 men and 173 women (N = 441)was taken that ranged in age from 19 to 51 (M = 29.21, SD = 5.44) years. We used Masculinity Ideologies Scale (Imtiaz& Kamal, 2023) that measures four aspects of masculinity includingmale privilege and power, traditional roles and responsibilities, avoiding effeminacy, and restricted emotionality as subscales.
Results. Results revealed that men endorsed significantly greater traditional masculinity ideologies than women and particularly significantly moremale privilegeand power and restricted emotionality than women; however, no significant differences were found for traditional roles and responsibilities and avoiding effeminacy across genders.
Conclusion. We discuss masculinity in a cultural context where patriarchy prevails, where male masculinity is held as a symbol of authority.
Keywords. Gender differences, masculinity ideologies, Pakistani adults, patriarchy
Effectiveness of Integrated Model of Psychological Intervention and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Comparative Study
Authors: Salik Semra , Masroor Dr.Uzma , Khan Dr. Mussarat Jabeen
Published: November 2024

Background. Current study aims to explore the effectiveness of the integrated model of psychological intervention in comparison to psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to reduce the severity of symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in individuals experiencing it. Findings suggested that integrated model is an efficacious and effective treatment modality with CBT and pharmacotherapy being effective but time taking. The integrated model of psychological intervention emphasizes the therapeutic alliance and is brief and time limited approach as compared to other treatment modalities.
Method. 24 participants aged, 20-35, included in the study filled measurement scale, the Yale- Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).
Results. The study results showed noticeable indication that integrated model is useful and effectual for the treatment of psychological symptoms among patients of OCD.
Conclusions. Further comparative studies could be done in future years comparing the efficacy of the proposed model with other therapeutic approaches in absence of pharmacological treatment.
Impact of Communication Patterns and Relationship Dissatisfaction on Emotional Distress among Married Individuals
Authors: Hafeez Hafiza Tehreem , Loona Dr. Mamoona Ismail , Nawaz Anam
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Background. Marriage satisfaction is a crucial component of numerous people's lives and has been linked to greater life satisfaction as well as the psychological health of married people in Pakistan. The purpose of this research study was to find out the impact of different communication patterns and relationship dissatisfaction on emotional distress among married individuals.
Method.A cross-sectional study was conducted in which sample of the present study consisted of (N=226, M=1.35, SD=.48) married individuals (n=148 males and n=78 females) from Islamabad. Survey method was used to collect the data. Purposive sampling technique was used for selecting the sample. Perceived Emotional Distress Inventory (PEDI), Communication Pattern Questionnaire (CPQ) and Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI) were administered to married individuals.
Results. The findings demonstrated that relationship dissatisfaction, self-demand/partner withdraw, and partner demand/self-withdraw communication patterns are all highly significant predictors of emotional distress, and that among married people, constructive communication pattern is a negative predictor of emotional distress.
Conclusion. Effective communication often acts as a protective barrier against emotional suffering in married couples. When couples honestly and actively listen to one another, they are better able to understand and feel more connected to one another. This can lead to a more helpful and harmonic connection, which reduces the likelihood of emotional suffering.
Keywords. Emotional distress, constructive communication pattern, self-demand/partner withdraw, partner demand/self-withdraw communication patterns, relationship dissatisfaction.
A Six Sigma and DEA Framework for Quality Assessment in Banking Services
Authors: Delahoz-Domínguez Enrique , Mendoza-Mendoza Adel , Zuluaga-Ortiz Rohemi
Published: November 2024

This study proposes a methodology that combines Six Sigma and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure the quality of banking services. The proposed framework emphasizes seven essential quality dimensions: prompt response, efficient channels, fraudulence, processes, dependable service, credibility, customer satisfaction, and risk management. Integrating both techniques enables a holistic approach to quality evaluation and provides valuable information for the banking industry’s continual improvement. To validate the properties of the methodology, we developed a case study involving 25 Colombian banks. Using Six Sigma metrics, DEA models, and slacks analysis, the results provide a comprehensive study of the quality performance, identifying each bank’s relative strengths and weaknesses in several quality dimensions. The data indicate that some banks perform better on quality characteristics such as customer happiness, dependable service, and procedures. However, this study also reveals a promising finding: banks still have the potential for development, particularly in their response time, channel efficiency, fraud, and credibility, offering hope for the future of banking services.
Lunar Satellite Constellations in Frozen Low Orbits
Authors: Ovchinnikov Mikhail , Shirobokov Maksim , Trofimov Sergey
Published: November 2024

This research studies the potential of frozen low lunar orbits to be used in the design of constellations for global and regional communication or navigation. We introduce a robust two-stage approach to the frozen low lunar orbit design based on the successive application of non-gradient techniques, the Bayesian optimization and the Nelder–Mead method. The developed methodology has a number of advantages over existing numerical design techniques and allows revealing orbits with the periodic behavior of the eccentricity vector over long propagation intervals in the full dynamical model. By leveraging a convenient nomogram with constellation visibility parameters and lower bound coverage curves, we have identified most suitable low-altitude orbital configurations of Walker type and then adjust them to be frozen. The frozenness condition can be achieved without changing the orientation of orbital planes. Visibility and coverage metrics (multiplicity of continuous coverage for specified sites, polar regions, or the whole lunar surface; position dilution of precision) of candidate constellations are analyzed. Several promising designs of frozen constellations in near-circular low lunar orbits are singled out. The frozen orbit stability and the station-keeping cost are discussed.
Monitoring Dairy Cow Rumination Behavior Based on Upper and Lower Jaw Tracking
Authors: Wang Ning , Li Xincheng , Shang Shuqi , Yun Yuliang , Liu Zeyang , Lyu Deyang
Published: November 2024

To address behavioral interferences such as head turning and lowering during rumination in group-housed dairy cows, an enhanced network algorithm combining the YOLOv5s and DeepSort algorithms was developed. Initially, improvements were made to the YOLOv5s algorithm by incorporating the C3_CA module into the backbone to enhance the feature interaction and representation at different levels. The Slim_Neck paradigm was employed to strengthen the feature extraction and fusion, and the CIoU loss function was replaced with the WIoU loss function to improve the model’s robustness and generalization, establishing it as a detector of the upper and lower jaws of dairy cows. Subsequently, the DeepSort tracking algorithm was utilized to track the upper and lower jaws and plot their movement trajectories. By calculating the difference between the centroid coordinates of the tracking boxes for the upper and lower jaws during rumination, the rumination curve was obtained. Finally, the number of rumination chews and the false detection rate were calculated. The system successfully monitored the frequency of the cows’ chewing actions during rumination. The experimental results indicate that the enhanced network model achieved a mean average precision (mAP@0.5) of 97.5% and 97.9% for the upper and lower jaws, respectively, with precision (P) of 95.4% and 97.4% and recall (R) of 97.6% and 98.4%, respectively. Two methods for determining chewing were proposed, which showed false detection rates of 8.34% and 3.08% after the experimental validation. The research findings validate the feasibility of the jaw movement tracking method, providing a reference for the real-time monitoring of the rumination behavior of dairy cows in group housing environments.
Development of Elite Mother Palms from the Best-Performing Slow-Vertical-Growth Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Genotypes
Authors: Pedapati Anitha , Suresh Kancherla , Mathur Ravi Kumar , Ravichandran Govindan , Kumar Prathapani Naveen , Bhagya Hosahalli Parvathappa , Babu Banisetti Kalyana , Narayana Kariyappa Sankar
Published: November 2024

Harvesting is a serious issue in oil palm plantations after 15–20 years owing to the increased height of the trees (>9 m). The slow vertical growth of the oil palm dura genotypes is desired for increasing the D × P progenies’ productivity and economic life span upto ten years. A reduced height increment has a long-term impact on harvesting costs. The current study assessed 308 genotypes generated from African germplasm. Over a three year period, the biometric properties of eleven D × D crosses were evaluated in order to quantify genetic parameters and phenotypic correlations, and principal component analysis was performed for genetic attributes of the better-performing dwarf progenies in terms of yield. The evaluated genotypes have a highly significant influence (p < 0.01) on the majority of characteristics. The progenies yielded between 165 and 208 kg of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) per palm every year. The height increment (HI) varied between 17% and 19%, with an overall average of 18%. Genotypes G8, G300, and G221 had the lowest yearly height increments, measuring 28.98, 29.19, and 30.87 cm, respectively. The outcome of the present study shows that they are slow-height-increment genotypes with a high FFB yield (>25 T/Ha). The creation of dura parents with a slow height increment in combination with a high bunch weight helps for prolonging the productive life of the palm to more than 35 years, adding value to obtain distinct oil palm varieties. Overall, this targeted breeding effort towards developing dwarf oil palm hybrids reflects a strategic approach to addressing specific challenges in oil palm cultivation, ultimately helping to promote the oil palm sector globally.
Nitrogen and Carbon Mineralization from Organic Amendments and Fertilizers Using Incubations with Sandy Soils
Authors: Gil Cristina , Tucker Kaitlyn , Victores Samantha , Lin Yang , Obreza Thomas , Maltais-Landry Gabriel
Published: November 2024

Synthetic fertilizers are the main nitrogen (N) input used in specialty crop systems established on sandy soils of Florida, although organic amendments and fertilizers can be used as a substitute. Organic N contained in these products must be mineralized before crop uptake, which is affected by amendment properties, soil properties, and temperature. A better method for predicting N release can help maximize the nutrient cycling benefits of organic amendments and fertilizers while avoiding negative environmental impacts. The main objective of this study was to measure N release and CO2 emissions from two poultry manure-based amendments (PMA) and two processed organic fertilizers (OF) made from livestock byproducts (e.g., feather meal). We conducted an 8-week incubation using two sandy Florida soils belonging to two soil orders (Entisol and Spodosol) and with a greater than two-fold difference in soil organic C. We incubated these soils at 10 °C, 17 °C, 24 °C, and 30 °C, measured plant-available N at 0, 1, 4, and 8 weeks, and measured CO2 emissions weekly. In both soils, OF released more inorganic N and at a faster rate compared with PMA, but CO2 emissions were greater from PMA than OF. Nitrogen mineralization and CO2 emissions increased with temperature, but temperature effects were less important than expected. These results on the mineralization of PMA and OF in sandy soils are key to optimize their use and management in Florida and other areas dominated by sandy soils.
The Use of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Essential Oil for Controlling Cercospora Leaf Spot (Cercospora beticola) on Sugar Beets (Beta vulgaris)
Authors: Kiniec Agnieszka , Spychalski Maciej , Miziniak Wojciech , Palacz Magdalena , Kukawka Rafal
Published: November 2024

Decreasing efficacy of fungicides and the withdrawal of further hazardous active ingredients in pesticides from use have prompted the search for alternative methods of crop protection. Essential oils (EOs) are secondary metabolites of plants and have been proven to show antibacterial, antifungal, and pest-repellent properties. This study was undertaken to determine the activity of grapefruit, rosemary, pine, sage, and thyme EOs against the fungus Cercospora beticola, which is the most dangerous pathogen of sugar beet and the causal agent of Cercospora leaf spot. According to the determined Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), thyme EO was found the most effective against C. beticola. For most of the fungal isolates tested, the MIC of this EO was 0.313 mL/L. Thyme EO also inhibited the growth of multi-resistant isolates. Based on the results obtained, thyme EO was subjected to further testing in field conditions, where its efficiency in controlling C. beticola was also proven. The results indicate that the use of thyme EO may be a promising method for the protection of sugar beets, although it requires further optimization in the context of its inclusion in sustainable protection programs assuming a reduced number of synthetic fungicide treatments.
A New Way to Identify Mastitis in Cows Using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Silva Rodes Angelo Batista da , Pandorfi Héliton , Cordeiro Filipe Rolim , Soares Rodrigo Gabriel Ferreira , Medeiros Victor Wanderley Costa de , Almeida Gledson Luiz Pontes de , Barbosa Filho José Antonio Delfino , Marinho Gabriel Thales Barboza , Silva Marcos Vinícius da
Published: November 2024

Mastitis is a disease that is considered an obstacle in dairy farming. Some methods of diagnosing mastitis have been used effectively over the years, but with an associated relative cost that reduces the producer’s profit. In this context, this sector needs tools that offer an early, safe, and non-invasive diagnosis and that direct the producer to apply resources to confirm the clinical picture, minimizing the cost of monitoring the herd. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive methodology based on sequential knowledge transfer for the automatic detection of bovine subclinical mastitis using computer vision. The image bank used in this research consisted of 165 images, each with a resolution of 360 × 360 pixels, sourced from a database of 55 animals diagnosed with subclinical mastitis, all of which were not exhibiting clinical symptoms at the time of imaging. The images utilized in the sequential learning transfer were those of MammoTherm, which is used for the detection of breast cancer in women. The optimized model demonstrated the most optimal network performance, achieving 92.1% accuracy, in comparison to the model with manual search (86.1%). The proposed predictive methodologies, based on knowledge transfer, were effective in accurately classifying the images. This significantly enhanced the automatic detection of both healthy animals and those diagnosed with subclinical mastitis using thermal images of the udders of dairy cows.
ABA Affects Distinctive Rice Caryopses Physicochemical Properties on Different Branches
Authors: Wu Yunfei , Ansah Ebenezer Ottopah , Zhu Licheng , Fang Wenchun , Wang Leilei , Zhang Dongping , Guo Baowei
Published: November 2024

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important regulatory role in the grain filling process, which in turn will affect the final yield and quality of rice. The ABA biosynthesis genes of OsNCED3 and degradation gene OsABA8ox3 affect the ABA content, and then further regulate the ABA signaling. During the development of rice panicle, compared with primary grains (superior grains) growing on primary branches, secondary grains (inferior grains) growing on secondary branches exhibit characteristics. However, little is reported on the physicochemical characteristics of starch between superior and inferior grains in ABA related transgenic lines. In this study, OsNCED3 and OsABA8ox3 transgenic plants were used as materials. The results showed that compared with the WT, the OsNCED3-RNAi lines on grain weight was consistent with the trend of superior and inferior grains, while the OsABA8ox3-RNAi lines affected superior or inferior grains. The total starch and soluble sugar content of grains decreased in both OsNCED3-RNAi and OsABA8ox3-RNAi lines, and the total starch content of superior and inferior grains in OsABA8ox3-RNAi lines decreased. The starch granule size distribution of all samples showed a bimodal and increased proportion of starch grains with large granule size, in which the influence on inferior grains was greater than that of superior grains, which eventually led to a significant increase in their average granule size. The apparent amylose content of inferior grains increased significantly in most lines. The swelling power of the superior grains decreased significantly, while that of the inferior grains increased significantly. Fourier analysis showed that the order degree of starch granule surface decreased in the superior grains of the RNAi line, while it increased in the inferior grains of the OsABA8ox3-RNAi line but decreased in the OsNCED3-RNAi lines. In the superior grains, the relative crystallinity of starch decreased in the OsNCED3-RNAi lines, but remained unchanged or increased in the OsABA8ox3-RNAi line. In inferior grains, the relative crystallinity of starch decreased in the ABA synthesis RNAi line, but increased in the OsABA8ox3-RNAi line. In summary, the influence of ABA on the physicochemical properties of inferior grains is greater than that of superior grains.