bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Christology from Within
Authors: Atansi Chukwuemeka Anthony
Published: November 2024

This article explores the place and framework for a socially transformative Christology, particularly in Africa. More specifically, it calls attention to the importance of grassroots christological imagination in the discussion of the social relevance of faith in Jesus Christ in Africa. The essay begins with highlighting the marginalization of the christological narratives of Christians at the grassroots still present in some of the academic discussions about the meaning and social significance of Christ in African Christianity. It then argues that taking seriously the grassroots Christologies, and a more critical-empathetic engagement of them within the framework of imagination and image, open up an effective way of doing Christology ‘from within’ the proclamation and longing of the People of God, who are graced to become both the embodiment and agents of Christ’s transforming presence and act. To this end, the article attempts to trace something of the mutual illumination connecting Christology and the transformation of society in Africa. And in doing so, it contributes to the task of bridging the gap that often exists between popular and academic Christologies.
Gospel of Jealousy
Authors: Wynne Jeremy J.
Published: November 2024

This essay argues for a more substantive account of the God whose “name is Jealous” (Exod. 34:14), over and against both cultural resistance and theological ambivalence to jealousy as a positive feature of the divine-human relationship. Attention to Reformed priorities in a responsible reading of scripture is followed by a theology of the proper context, focus, and goal of jealousy itself. The results are twofold: a biblical proposal for this affection as a form of God’s redeeming holiness and, by extension, validation of our own jealousy as protest against multiple forms of bad faith.
Homeric Formulae
Authors: Finkelberg Margalit
Published: November 2024

This article discusses the issue of applicability of Milman Parry’s principles of economy and extension to Homer and other epic traditions. By addressing the objections raised by scholars in various fields, it argues that the presence of formulae is in itself not enough for either proving or disproving a given text’s orality. Only economy and extension embodied in the systems of formulae can serve as such a proof. Application of this criterion to various epic traditions shows that, although economy and extension cannot be considered universal indices of orality, they do fulfil this function in Homer and early Greek epic.
Homer and the Cyclic Thebais
Authors: Tsagalis Christos C.
Published: November 2024

This article discusses several cases of phraseology shared by the Homeric epics and the Cyclic Thebais and explores three techniques (synergetic shaping, the interplay between analogy and difference, and metaphrasis) used for the construction of meaning. The diction employed by a post-Homeric epic such as the Thebais indicates that several individual expressions acquire an interpretive surplus when examined against the backdrop of the system of archaic Greek epic, a fundamental component of which is Homeric epic.
“Cittadini di una stessa patria ideale”: Le cronache di viaggio di Matilde Serao
Authors: Gallo Cinzia
Published: November 2024

Le cronache di viaggio di Matilde Serao ( Lettere d’una viaggiatrice, Nel paese di Gesù. Ricordi di un viaggio in Palestina, Nuove lettere di una viaggiatrice) forse non molto attenzionate dalla critica, sono, invece, interessanti per una comprensione a tutto tondo dell’autrice partenopea e delle possibilità offerte dalla scrittura di viaggio. Gusto mondano, studio del rapporto fra uomini e spazio, indagine psicologica, impegno sociale, desiderio di evasione, di abbattere gli stereotipi si susseguono in una prosa originalissima, in cui il gusto figurativo coesiste con l’impasto linguistico e in cui si mescolano le caratteristiche di vari generi letterari: narrativa, saggistica, cronaca. Distinguendo, allo stesso tempo, vari tipi di viaggiatori, Matilde Serao traccia una nuova interpretazione degli scopi e dei principali aspetti del viaggio, inteso, quindi, come arricchimento, come riscoperta di una identità personale e di gruppo, fra “cittadini di una stessa patria ideale”, ma anche come strumento di indagine sociale e di conoscenza interiore. Se, da un lato, lo scientismo positivistico è ormai superato, dall’altro si raggiungono posizioni decadentistiche, anche attraverso una rielaborazione del tema del sogno, già oggetto di una ricca tradizione letteraria. Si impone, così, una nuova considerazione dell’attività della scrittrice napoletana, spesso giudicata dalla critica in modo contrastante.
An intelligent self-optimization SMC-PHD filter for multitarget tracking
Authors: Tian Mengchu , Chen Zhimin , Fang Yubin
Published: November 2024

The sequential Monte Carlo probability hypothesis density (SMC-PHD) filter is an effective multitarget tracking algorithm in nonlinear and non-Gaussian conditions, but its states-estimation accuracy depends on the state extraction method. In order to extract multitarget states, an intelligent self-optimization SMC-PHD filter is proposed in this paper. The main framework of the intelligent SMC-PHD filter, which transforms the clustering problem into an optimization problem, is constructed. To solve this optimization problem, a self-optimization bat algorithm (SBA) is proposed to extract multitarget states of the SMC-PHD filter, which has the ability to search for a better solution by designing global search and local search strategies. The simulation results show that the performance of the SBA is better than that of the k-means algorithm for extracting multitarget states when the targets are close to each other or even overlapping.
Hierarchical fixed-time leader-following consensus of multiple Euler-Lagrange systems under a directed graph
Authors: Xi Ruisi , Han Tao , Xiao Bo , Zhan Xi-Sheng
Published: November 2024

This article delves into the inquiry of attaining fixed-time consensus among multiple Euler-Lagrange systems (MELSs) operating within a directed communication graph. To address this issue particularly focusing on fixed-time control with a dynamic leader, a hierarchical fixed-time control algorithm is proposed. The hierarchical algorithm comprises a distributed estimation layer and a local control layer. The introduction of this algorithm holds significant implications in advanced control strategies, furnishing an efficacious remedy to attain consensus within a fixed time span. Moreover, the theoretical proof of achieving consensus within a fixed time for MELSs under hierarchical control is established. Through the utilization of Lyapunov stability theory, we have meticulously substantiated the correctness of this algorithm. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results was validated through simulation experiments.
Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in a patient with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Ferreira César , Freitas Egídio , Torres Tiago
Published: November 2024

This case report evaluated the efficacy and safety of dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, in a patient with atopic dermatitis (AD) and a history of metastatic renal cancer. Over 20 months of follow-up, the patient experienced significant improvement in AD symptoms without any recurrence of cancer. In addition to not stimulating carcinogenesis, dupilumab might synergistically inhibit tumor-induced immunosuppression, thereby potentially preventing tumor progression. This case suggests that dupilumab could be a viable treatment option for patients with AD and a history of solid neoplasms, filling a critical gap in current therapeutic approaches. Current evidence indicates that dupilumab does not promote cancer progression, but further research is necessary to confirm its long-term safety in this population. To establish robust scientific evidence and develop precise clinical guidelines, future studies should be randomized, controlled, and large-scale. This will help provide a definitive understanding of the safety and efficacy of dupilumab in patients with a history of cancer and inform clinical practice. In summary, although the initial findings are promising, comprehensive research is essential to ensure the optimal management of AD in patients with a history of malignancies.
From Beka to Ghaza? New Ontological Security Regime and Turkey’s Neo-Imperial Bid in World Politics
Authors: Adısönmez Umut Can , Al Serhun
Published: November 2024

Turkey’s domestic and foreign policy agendas have long been dominated by the state survival politics (‘Beka Meselesi’ in Turkish). This survival logic is so powerful as it gravitates around collective anxieties and their re-production since the beginning of the early Republican period, the separation of Turkey along ethnic lines being the most distressing. Building on this, this article makes two claims. Firstly, it argues that alternative interpretations have emerged regarding Turkey’s self-image under the Justice and Development Party’s (JDP) rule. Specifically, the JDP elites re-imagined the country’s standing in world politics by drawing on the nostalgia for Ottoman grandeur. With this new self-image in mind, the JDP elites have critically engaged with the survival codes and priorities of the ‘Old’ Turkey by taking these notions as negative reference points in shaping the ‘New’ Turkey’s foreign policy direction. With this revised worldview and self-image, Turkey would finally reclaim its agenda-setter role in International Relations based on the historical, political, and sociocultural links with its imperial geography and beyond. Secondly, we argue that this shift from a more defensive survival-based approach towards a more offensive-interventionist imperial stance has two-fold dynamics. On the one hand, it has emerged in parallel to the changing nature of international order, that is, multipolarity and the rise of illiberalism. On the other hand, it has gained further momentum by the rising Turkish military-industrial complex that is closely linked with Turkey’s post-2016 realities. The article unpacks Turkey’s bid for neo-imperial standing in an evolving international order by drawing on the self-interrogative reflexivity approach in ontological security theory.
Microplastics’ impact on soil health and quality: Effect of incubation time and soil properties in soil fertility and pollution extent under the circular economy concept
Authors: Golia Evangelia E. , Liava Vasiliki , Achilias Dimitrios S. , Navarro-Pedreño Jose , Zorpas Antonis A. , Bethanis John , Girousi Stella
Published: November 2024

The aim of the present study is to highlight the effect of two commonly used plastics, polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), on the quality and health indices of soil. To this end, a pot experiment was carried out using two soils, one acidic and one alkaline. The soil samples were collected from rural areas of central and Northern Greece and had similar particle size composition and almost equal copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations. PE and PET microplastics (MPs) were added into the soil samples in two ratios (2% and 4% v/v) and remained in the soils for 20, 60 and 120 days. Then, the changes in the properties, nutrients, potentially toxic elements and health indicators of the soil samples were measured. PE addition at 4% v/v caused the maximum increase in trace element availability when it remained in the soil sample for 120 days. In contrast, PET addition caused a maximum decrease in the DTPA-extractable concentration of toxic elements (Cd and Pb), after 120 days of incubation in acid and alkaline soil. The present work provides a fresh perspective evaluating MPs from unwanted waste to materials with potential positive benefits, enhancing the circular economy approach to soil systems. Knowledge of the MPs present in soils, along with physicochemical soil properties, including their nutrient and toxic element content, are critical aspects that need to be addressed to ensure that soil quality and health are not adversely affected.
Initiation of Hearing Aids Use and Incident Dementia Among Mid-to-late Life Adults: The Health and Retirement Study 2010-2018
Authors: Wei Jingkai , Li Kun , Kim Youngran , Ghosal Rahul , Zhang Donglan , Merchant Anwar T. , Crump Casey
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives

Hearing aids may reduce the risk of dementia among individuals with hearing loss. However, no evidence is available from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of hearing aids use in reducing incident dementia. Using target trial emulation, we leveraged an existing longitudinal cohort study to estimate the association between hearing aids initiation and risk of dementia.

Research Design and Methods

The Health and Retirement Study was used to emulate target trials among non-institutionalized participants aged ≥50 years with self-reported hearing loss, without dementia at baseline, and without use of hearing aids in the previous 2 years. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted to estimate the risk of dementia associated with hearing aids initiation vs controls who did not initiate hearing aids. Pooled logistic regression models with inverse-probability of treatment and censoring weights were applied to estimate risk ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using 1000 sets of bootstrapping.

Results

Among 2314 participants (328 in the intervention group and 1986 in the control group; average age: 72.3 ± 9.7 years, 49% women, and 81% White), after 8 years of follow-up, risk of dementia was significantly lower among individuals who initiated hearing aids (risk difference (RD): −0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.08, −0.01). A lower risk was observed particularly among adults aged 50-74 years, men, and individuals with cardiovascular disease.

Discussion and Implications

Hearing aids use was associated with a significant reduction of incident dementia. Future interventional studies are needed to further assess the effectiveness of hearing aids in preventing dementia.
The Combined Effect of Professional and Community Strategic Orientations on the Adoption of High-Commitment HRM in Nonprofit Organizations
Authors: Valeau Patrick
Published: November 2024

High-commitment human resource management (HRM) includes practices, such as autonomy, information, suggestion-making, recognition, equity of rewards, training, and career management. Drawing on notions of horizontal and vertical fit, previous research highlights the relationship between strategic orientation and the adoption of high-commitment HRM. We further examine this relationship in nonprofit organizations (NPOs), given their dual professional and community strategic orientation. Based on a sample of 200 NPOs, our study shows that (a) high-commitment HRM practices form a coherent higher-order construct; (b) professional and community strategic orientations have additional effects on the adoption of high-commitment HRM; (c) the effect of professional strategic orientation on the adoption of high-commitment HRM is partially indirect through community strategic orientation. NPOs often feel the need to reconnect with their core values. High-commitment HRM constitutes an innovative way to unite employees by and for shared values and offers the possibility of reconciling professional and community orientations.
Differences Between Lifelong Singles and Ever-Partnered Individuals in Big Five Personality Traits and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Stern Julia , Krämer Michael D. , Schumacher Alexander , MacDonald Geoff , Richter David
Published: November 2024

Being romantically partnered is widely seen as a societal norm, and it has been shown to be positively associated with important life outcomes, such as physical and mental health. However, the percentage of singles is steadily increasing, with more people staying single for life. We used the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE; N = 77,064, mainly ≥ 50 years, 27 countries) to investigate Big Five personality traits and life satisfaction in lifelong singles compared with ever-partnered individuals. Specification-curve analyses suggested that lifelong singles were less extraverted, less conscientious, less open to experiences (dependent on singlehood definition), and less satisfied with their lives. Effects were stronger for never-partnered than for never-cohabitating or never-married individuals and were partly moderated by gender, age, country-level singlehood, and gender ratio. Our study provides insights into the characteristics of lifelong singles and has implications for understanding mental health and structures of social support in older individuals.
Near infrared spectroscopy for the characterisation of bovine teeth in terms of sex, diet, tooth type and place of origin
Authors: Pretorius NE , Anderson N , Forrest AS , Walsh KB
Published: November 2024

Near infrared spectroscopy was used in discrimination of intact bovine teeth in terms of animal sex, diet, tooth type and place of origin. Discriminant Analysis (DA) models were developed and tested using a stratified random 70:30 data split to calibration and test sets. Of the discriminant techniques of Soft Independent Modelling of Class Analogy (SIMCA), Partial Least Squares – DA, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), SVM and PLS-DA models performed best in most instances, with pretreatment choice impacting technique success. For test set prediction of animal sex, an accuracy of 95% was achieved using a PLS-DA model, and similar performance achieved using a SVM model. SVM, ANN and SIMCA models predicted three categories of tooth type (deciduous, permanent unerupted and erupted) with similar accuracies (89, 79 and 82%, respectively), however, permanent unerupted teeth were conflated with permanent erupted teeth. Prediction accuracy for ANN, SVM and PLS-DA models were also similar for discrimination of teeth from animals on a grain versus grass diet (PLS-DA 82%). There was considerable variation between models in prediction of geographic origin. Of the seven locations, two were discriminated with true positive rate around 70% using SVM and ANN models. Potential applications of this technology are discussed.
Development of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Algorithm for the Assessment of Skeletal Age and Detection of Cervical Vertebral Anomalies in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Kamei Gaithoiliu , Batra Puneet , Singh Ashish Kumar , Arora Garima , Kaushik Simran
Published: November 2024

To develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm for the assessment and comparison of skeletal maturation in patients with and without cleft lip and/or palate and to detect the presence of cervical vertebral anomalies (CVAs).

Retrospective cohort study.

A university orthodontic clinic and comprehensive cleft care centers.

In total, 1080 cephalograms of patients with and without unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) aged 6 to 18 years, without any associated syndromes, congenital disorders, or history of trauma or illness, were collected. About 960 cephalograms were assessed in the study upon elimination of poor-quality lateral cephalograms.

The MobileNet architecture using TensorFlow framework was employed to develop 2 convolutional neural network (CNN)-based AI models for automated assessment of skeletal age and detection of CVAs. Inter-rater reliability for manual cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) staging was assessed using Cohen's kappa coefficient, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. The results of each model were separately analyzed using chi-square test, and the statistical significance was tested at 5% level.

The CNN-based AI model yielded an average accuracy rate of 74.5%, with an accuracy of up to 88% for detecting skeletal maturity and an accuracy rate of 83% for detecting CVAs.

It can be concluded that CVM methods help detect skeletal maturity objectively in patients with UCLP and have shown delayed skeletal growth compared to patients without UCLP. CVAs were found to be more prevalent in patients with UCLP than in their non-cleft counterparts, with these findings facilitated by utilizing a novel AI algorithm.
Multi-scale study on the fatigue mechanical properties and energy laws of thermal-damage granite under fatigue loading
Authors: Shi Zhanming , Li Jiangteng , Ranjith PG , Wang Mengxiang , Lin Hang , Han Dongya , Li Kaihui
Published: November 2024

To reveal the mechanical properties and energy laws of high-temperature rock mass engineering under fatigue disturbance, this paper conducted a multi-scale study on thermally damaged granite. First, the macroscopic mechanical properties of the samples were studied. Secondly, the law of energy evolution was summarized based on thermodynamic theory. Then, a rockburst index was introduced, and NMR and SEM technologies were used to conduct a multi-scale discussion on the mechanism of influence on temperature. Finally, an improved nonlinear continuous damage model (INCDM) was established, and a hardening index and damage growth rate of low-cycle fatigue were defined. The result shows that temperature first strengthens and then weakens the fatigue mechanical properties of the sample, with a threshold temperature of 225°C. Temperatures below the threshold cause uneven expansion of mineral particles to squeeze natural pores, reduce the porosity of the sample, and thus increase the fatigue life and strength of the sample. Temperatures above the threshold cause dehydration and phase change of the minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica, forming transgranular/intergranular cracks, parallel cleavage and stratification, thus reducing the fatigue strength of the sample. In addition, the total energy, elastic energy and dissipated energy density of the sample all show a step-like increasing trend with the normalized cycle index. Energy storage satisfies a linear law. Affected by accelerated energy release, energy dissipation changes from linear to nonlinear law. As the temperature increases, the rockburst tendency first increases and then decreases. The fatigue failure changes from sudden instability to progressive instability mode. The fatigue-thermal damage of the sample satisfies a power law, and increases as a compound power function with the normalized cycle index.
Achieving Economic and Environmental Sustainability With Supply Chain Contracts
Authors: Dong Chuanwen , Li Dong
Published: November 2024

How to decarbonize transportation, which is now, unfortunately, the largest source of carbon emissions among all sectors? The entire industry is heavily driven by economies of scale. When more freight is collected in a lane, it can be shifted to a greener transport mode (e.g., from less-than-truckload to full-truckload, and further to rail transport), and costs and emissions are saved. To support firms achieving such benefits, we develop novel supply chain contracting models that capture supply chain partners’ strategic orders, as well as freight transportation modes with trade-offs on costs, emissions, and flexibility (in the form of a minimum transport quantity for the green mode). We find that even a conventional price-only contract with an option to shift freight mode can already boost the use of the green transport mode and considerably improve supply chain efficiency. Furthermore, we design a revenue-sharing contract that can incentivize even larger order quantities from the retailer and strongly promote the use of the green transport mode. We characterize the conditions under which the contract can achieve a win–win situation, that is, increasing economic as well as environmental sustainability of the supply chain. In a follow-up case study using realistic industry-level data, we numerically evaluate how the supply chain parameters affect this win–win situation.
Does Beauty Truly Matter? Examining the Impact of Beautiful Images in Service Operations Using Deep Learning Analytics
Authors: Yuan Hui , Xu Wei , Wang Qili , Qiu Liangfei
Published: November 2024

The beauty industry has experienced concurrent growth alongside an increased societal emphasis on aesthetics. The advent of digital platforms has not only propelled the expansion of the cosmetic sector but has also provided an avenue for in-depth scrutiny of cosmetic services. Digital platforms dedicated to discussing and analyzing cosmetic procedures offer unprecedented opportunities for researchers to examine service dynamics. This study explores the impact of information embedded in images on digital platforms on business performance in the cosmetic industry. Employing a deep learning framework, we extract beauty information from posttreatment images shared by consumers and scrutinize its relationship with the performance of cosmetic services. Drawing on data from an online-to-offline cosmetic platform, our empirical findings reveal a positive association between beauty information and the performance of cosmetic services. Furthermore, we identify service variety and service risk as moderating factors that influence the correlation between beauty information and performance on digital cosmetic platforms. The outcomes of this research carry significant implications for the beauty industry and stakeholders in digital cosmetic platforms.
Early Exposure to Deprivation or Threat Moderates Expected Associations Between Neural Structure and Age in Adolescent Girls
Authors: Garrisi Kathryn , Tsai Angelina Pei-Tzu , Patel Kinjal K. , Gruhn Meredith A. , Giletta Matteo , Hastings Paul D. , Nock Matthew K. , Rudolph Karen D. , Slavich George M. , Prinstein Mitchell J. , Miller Adam Bryant , Sheridan Margaret A.
Published: November 2024

Childhood adversity (CA) is associated with increased risk of negative health outcomes. Research implicates brain structure following CA as a key mechanism of this risk, and recent models suggest different forms of adversity differentially impact neural structure as a function of development (accelerated or attenuated development). Employing the Dimensional Model of Adversity and Psychopathology, we examined whether deprivation and threat differentially impact age-related change in cortical thickness, cortical surface area, and subcortical structure volume, using whole-brain and region of interest analyses ( N = 135). In youth without CA, age predicted less surface area across adolescence, consistent with normative data. However, for adolescents with more deprivation exposure, as age increased there was attenuated surface area decreases in the orbitofrontal and superior-parietal cortex, regions recruited for higher-order cognition. Further, for those with more threat exposure, as age increased surface area increased in the inferior-temporal and parietal cortex, regions recruited in socio-emotional tasks. These novel findings extend work examining the impact of dimensions of adversity at a single-age and broaden current conceptualizations of how adversity might impact developmental timing.
Analysis of green belt designs in mitigating anthropogenic heat emission from buildings by considering cooling efficiency and nurture costs
Authors: Cui Yongbo , Fan Chengliang , Zhou Xiaoqing , Liao Yundan
Published: November 2024

Building anthropogenic heat emission is one of the key factors contributing to both building thermal environment and urban heat island, which can potentially lead to increasement of building energy consumption and carbon emission. Mitigating this heat through green belts is an effective solution to achieving low carbon development in buildings. Therefore, this study analyzed the impact of the location and type of green belts around buildings on the thermal environment around buildings. A co-benefit assessment model was developed to quantify green belt design parameters based on the identification of optimal green belt types and locations. Results showed the building thermal environment was significantly influenced by anthropogenic heat emission, leading to a maximum increase of 3.4°C in air temperature. Compared with buildings without green belts, the optimal green belt design (i.e. lawns, shrubs and trees configuration) could decrease the temperature around the building by 1.85°C, while the cooling efficiency reached 47.20%. The optimal lawn area distance was determined to be 0.5 S (S is the building’s footprint), the optimal shrub length was found at 0.6 L to 0.8 L (L is the length of the building), while the optimal tree spacing distance was determined to be 3.5 m to 4.0 m in this study.
Multi-condition bearing fault diagnosis method based on RP–MBRN
Authors: Meng Linghui , Xie Jinyang , Cheng Liye , Yu Lubin , Jiang Yuanyuan , Zhou Zhenwei , Chen Yiqiang
Published: November 2024

To address the challenge of extracting invariant bearing fault features under multi-working conditions, an enhanced multi-branch bias residual network (MBRN) based on multi-branch bias and folding calculation is proposed. First, in constructing the fault dataset, the original bearing fault signal is transformed into two-dimensional feature images using recurrent plot. Second, to replace the original residual connection, a multi-branch bias structure is constructed, and the feature tensors in different branches are transformed by idle operation and folding operation. This strategy has improved the diagnostic model’s ability to extract invariant bearing fault features under multi-working conditions. Finally, MBRN is trained using the above fault dataset to achieve fault diagnosis under different bearing conditions. The performance of the proposed diagnostic model was validated on two multi-condition bearing fault datasets and two variable condition bearing datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that the average diagnostic accuracy of the proposed MBRN is 4.05% higher than that of the original MBRN. Furthermore, even when reducing the size of the fault dataset to 20% of its original size, the proposed MBRN still improves diagnostic accuracy by an average of 2.2%.
MDD-based reliability analysis of multi-state system with common bus performance sharing
Authors: Zhang Tianyuan , Xing Liudong , Peng Rui , Jia Xue , Mo Yuchang
Published: November 2024

This paper considers a reliability model for multi-state systems (MSS) with common bus performance sharing. The MSS consists of heterogeneous components with different performance and demand levels and a common bus performance redistribution system. Each component may degrade and thus have different performance levels to satisfy its own random demand. If one component has performance that exceeds its demand, the redundant performance can be redistributed through the common bus with limited capacity to components with performance deficiency. The entire system fails if there are components with deficit performance after the performance sharing. A new analytical method based on multi-valued decision diagrams (MDD) is suggested to evaluate the reliability of the considered MSS. The MDD method encompasses an efficient model generation algorithm with top-down truncation operation rules based on components’ surplus and deficit performance. Furthermore, case studies and benchmark research are presented to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of the proposed approach, as compared to the existing method.
Left Thumb to Left Big Toe: An Uncommon Case of Electrocution Suicide
Authors: Thakral Sahil , Pathak Akhilesh
Published: November 2024

Suicide is still a global public health concern. Electrocution suicide is a rarely observed method of ending life. We reported the incident of a young electrical technician in his 30s who was brought dead to the emergency room of a hospital with a history of electrocution. A detailed examination revealed that the electric lines were attached to the left thumb and left toe and connected to the electrical plug switch (220 V). A written, signed suicide note was recovered in the room, from which it was possible to derive details about the suicide's planning and draw the conclusion that an electric current had also gone through the body. This case was unusual in the methods used, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary involvement.
Evaluating the effectiveness of LINE-based health interventions on dietary habits and health perceptions among young women: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ohtsuki Makoto , Komada Ai , Okada Hiromi , Furuta Kanako , Aikawa Yuki , Umehara Yoriko
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the potential of LINE, a major messaging app and social media platform in Japan, as an effective tool to enhance the health and dietary behaviors of young Japanese women who face health and dietary challenges.

Methods

A 6-week randomized controlled trial employing an intention-to-treat analysis was conducted on first-year female students (age range, 18–23 years) from one university and two junior colleges in Mie Prefecture. The participants were allocated to either an intervention group (n = 54) or a control (n = 55) group. The intervention group received health information focusing on proper intake and intake methods to maintain an appropriate weight and dietary balance via LINE 18 times over 6 weeks (3 times per week), whereas the control group continued their usual lifestyle without any additional intervention.

Results

The results revealed a significant increase in the percentage of participants in the intervention group who rated their health as “unhealthy” (from 25.9% to 40.3%). This may be attributed to increased health awareness among the participants, which led to more critical self-assessments—a phenomenon often referred to as the “health awareness paradox.” Despite this increase in perceived unhealthiness, the intervention group showed a significant increase in the intakes of iron, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and potassium, indicating improved nutritional behavior.

Conclusion

The provision of health information through LINE over a 6-week period demonstrated potential as a tool for health education among young Japanese women. However, the observed increase in “unhealthy” self-rated health underscores the complexity of such interventions, suggesting that while nutritional behavior may improve, increased health awareness can paradoxically lead to more negative self-assessments. Further research is needed to explore the optimal duration and content of health information delivered via social media apps to maximize their effectiveness for health interventions.
Rotten capital: Rethinking urban metabolism with mold
Authors: Schemann Christoph
Published: November 2024

This article brings mold metabolisms into dialogue with urban metabolism in urban political ecology (UPE) and animal geographies by conceiving mold and its spores as vital objects to think with for an enriched understanding of a more-than-human urban metabolism. Both research strands, UPE and animal geographies, offer several conjunctions: the city as a common contact zone, lively commodities, and animate capital. Mold fungi understood in terms of their most vital metabolistic function (growth and reproduction) in regard to rot, decomposition, and their transformative capacity of changing states between airborne spores and spatialized colonies will be related to some of the most significant objects of research in urban metabolism like water, built structures, commodities, waste, and capital. This, then, helps to flesh out the concept of Rotten Capital that is organized around two key categories of critical engagement: first, Rotten Capital as a form of urban metabolism that (de-)territorializes microbial mobilities, effecting the (de-)valuation of labor, commodities and capital (dis)investments; secondly, Rotten Capital as a form of (un)intended obsolescence and creative destruction in the wider logic of capital circulation and accumulation, in which mold is functionally similar to but accelerates “time” in the decay of value. Thus, three different moldy trajectories (mold as hydrological cyborg fungus, mold's spatial fix, and mold's biosemiotic switch) will be explained in discussing mold as a potent driver entangled in more-than-human urban metabolisms that can become profitably utilized in different directions in the form of Rotten Capital.
Prothrombotic Antibodies Targeting the Spike Protein's Receptor-Binding Domain in Severe COVID-19
Authors: Zhu Wen , Zheng Yongwei , Yu Mei , Witman Nathan , Zhou Lu , Wei Jianhui , Zhang Yongguang , Topchyan Paytsar , Nguyen Christine , Wang David , Janecke Rae , Padmanabhan Anand , Baumann Kreuziger Lisa , White Gilbert C , Hari Parameswaran , Gu Tongjun , Fields Alexander Thompson , Kornblith Lucy , Aster Richard H , Zhu Jieqing , Cui Weiguo , Jobe Shawn M , Graham Mary Beth , Wang Demin , Wen Renren
Published: November 2024

Thromboembolic complication is common in severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19), leading to an investigation into the presence of prothrombotic antibodies akin to those found in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In a study of samples from 130 hospitalized patients collected 3.6 days after COVID-19 diagnosis, 80% had IgG antibodies recognizing complexes of heparin and platelet factor 4 (PF4/H), and 41% had antibodies inducing PF4-dependent P-selectin expression in CpG-treated normal platelets. Unlike HIT, both PF4/H-reactive and platelet-activating antibodies were found in COVID-19 patients regardless of recent heparin exposure. Notably, PF4/H-reactive IgG antibodies correlated with those targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Moreover, introducing exogenous RBD to or removing RBD-reactive IgG from COVID-19 plasma or IgG purified from COVID-19 plasma significantly reduced their ability to activate platelets. RBD-specific antibodies capable of platelet activation were cloned from peripheral blood B cells of COVID-19 patients. These antibodies possessed sequence motifs in the heavy-chain complementarity-determining region 3 (HCDR3) resembling those identified in pathogenic HIT antibodies. Furthermore, IgG+ B cells having these HCDR3 signatures were markedly expanded in severe COVID-19 patients. Importantly, platelet-activating antibodies present in COVID-19 patients were associated with a specific elevation of platelet α-granule proteins in the plasma and showed a positive correlation with markers for inflammation and tissue damage, suggesting functionality of these antibodies in patients. The demonstration of functional and structural similarities between certain RBD-specific antibodies in COVID-19 patients and pathogenic antibodies typical of HIT suggests a novel mechanism whereby RBD-specific antibodies might contribute to thrombosis in COVID-19.
Effect of fruit and mint flavored Rogue® oral nicotine product use on smoking reduction and quitting in a 6-Month prospective cohort of adults who smoke cigarettes
Authors: McDowell Elliott H. , Kennedy Jason N. , Feehan Michael , Bell Stacey A. , Marking Sarah E. , Zdinak Jessica P. , Joyce Andrew R. , Humphreys Michelle
Published: November 2024

Background

Quitting cigarette smoking can substantially reduce or eliminate the risk of developing numerous chronic diseases. Use of flavored tobacco or nicotine products is commonly cited by adults who smoke cigarettes to be important in helping them reduce or quit smoking. The purpose of this analysis was to understand the association between the levels of use of flavored oral nicotine products and smoking reduction and quitting and how reduction or quitting may differ between predominant users of fruit/other versus mint flavored oral nicotine products after six months of use.

Methods

Participants were provided with their choice of a variety of forms and flavors of Rogue® nicotine products (Study Products) over a 6-month actual use period and completed online surveys assessing tobacco, nicotine and Study Product use at Baseline and Months 1, 2, 4, and 6 thereafter.

Results

Among the 1393 participants at Month 6, 41.4% and 52.5% used predominantly fruit/other or mint Study Product flavors, respectively. Compared to predominant mint users, predominant fruit/other users had greater cigarette reduction (mean reduction: 50.0% vs. 48.4%) and a higher proportion had quit smoking (proportion quit: 15.4% vs. 11.6%) at Month 6. Additionally, 38.8% of predominant fruit/other users and 39.3% of predominant mint users reduced their cigarette consumption by ≥ 50% from Baseline. Increased use of fruit/other flavors was independently associated with smoking reduction (8.6% greater reduction per 10 pieces/day; p < 0.001) and odds of quitting smoking (OR = 1.29 [95% CI: 1.04–1.59] per 10 pieces/day; p = 0.017). Increased use of mint flavors was independently associated with smoking reduction (7.5% greater reduction per 10 mint pieces/day; p < 0.001) but not with odds of quitting smoking.

Conclusions

Increased use of either fruit/other or mint flavored Study Products at Month 6 was associated with significantly increased smoking reduction, whereas only increased use of fruit/other flavors was associated with greater odds of quitting smoking among participants in the study.

Trial Registration

This study was observational. Participants were not prospectively assigned to one or more health-related interventions and could choose to use or not use the commercially available study products provided during the study. Thus, the study was not registered in a trial database by the Sponsor.
Exploring the impact of 3,3’-diindolylmethane on the urinary estrogen profile of premenopausal women
Authors: Newman Mark , Smeaton Jaclyn
Published: November 2024

Background

3,3’-diindolylmethane (DIM) is a phytonutrient derived from cruciferous vegetables that is an often-used supplement in the complementary and alternative medicine space. The most common goal for providers when recommending DIM to their patients is to alter estrogen metabolism, yet research into DIM’s effect on the estrogen profile is lacking in the published literature. The objective of this study was to comprehensively evaluate DIM’s effect on the urinary estrogen profile.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from a clinical laboratory, including urinary estrogen and estrogen metabolite concentrations. Analyte concentrations were determined from dried urine samples using a gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. Individuals were separated into two groups, either reporting taking DIM (N = 909) or reporting not taking DIM (N = 18,385). Comparisons between individuals in these two groups were made using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Additionally, we were also able to explore a subset of women who had laboratory results in the database before and after initiating DIM treatment (N = 53). In this subset, differences were assessed with Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

Results

In the larger group that was separated into women reporting either DIM use or no use, significant differences were observed in the concentrations of almost every urinary estrogen and estrogen metabolite (with the only exception being 2-methoxyestrone) in the urinary estrogen profiles of those taking DIM compared to those not taking DIM (all P values < 0.001). In the smaller subset of individuals with results before and after initiating DIM use, differences were only seen in 4 of the urinary estrogens and estrogen metabolites (P < 0.001 for estrone, estradiol, estriol, and 16-hydroxyestrone). Differences in total estrogens were significant in both the larger group and the smaller subset (both with P < 0.001). Additionally, observed differences in the ratios of metabolites followed a similar trend with more significant differences observed in the larger group. Notably, the 2-hydroxyestrone:16-hydroxyestrone ratio increased significantly in both the larger group and the smaller subset with results before and after DIM use.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide the most comprehensive evaluation to date of DIM’s effect on the urinary estrogen profile. Additionally, the results demonstrate that the dried urine collection and accompanying assay used capture changes that are similar in direction, but not necessarily magnitude, to previous reports in the literature. Considered together, these two things highlight the clinical validity and utility of this approach to the evaluation of DIM supplementation and suggest the need for additional studies using this approach to fully understand the potential clinical utility of DIM.
Quality-assured treatment in certified cancer center networks in upper Franconia, Germany: a population-centered retrospective cohort analysis based on data of the Bavarian cancer registry
Authors: Emmert Martin , Gorodiscan Ingrid , Thater Andrea , Buchner Doris , Kiani Alexander , Müller-Nordhorn Jacqueline , Rohrbacher Stefan
Published: November 2024

Background

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Germany, and treatment in certified cancer networks is recommended to ensure high-quality care. This study sought to (1) determine the percentage of all primary tumors that might potentially have been treated in certified cancer networks and (2) assess the development and current state of quality-assured cancer care for all cancer patients from a locally defined region in Upper Franconia, Germany.

Methods

This study was a population-centered retrospective cohort analysis based on data from the Bavarian Cancer Registry (2017–2023). First, we determined all potentially available cancer network certifications and calculated the percentage of cancer care that could potentially have been conducted in certified cancer networks. Second, we considered the certification status of the involved healthcare providers and analyzed whether or not cancer care was actually carried out in certified cancer networks.

Results

Overall, 90.1% (62,119/68,973) of all primary tumors, from a total of 63,372 patients, might potentially have been treated in certified cancer networks. The percentage of patients actually receiving care in certified cancer center networks was 40.7% for initial diagnosis, 59.0% for surgery, 53.2% for chemotherapy, and 50.7% for radiotherapy; the weighted mean was 50.3%. The results thus ranged between 46.9% (2023) and 52.8% (2022). The highest proportions of patients who received quality-assured treatment in certified cancer center networks were determined for breast cancer (79.5%), colon cancer (73.1%), and lymphoma (60.1%); in contrast, the lowest results were shown for lung cancer (2.7%), anal cancer (0.0%), and mesothelioma (0.0%). Female patients as well as younger patients were significantly more likely to receive care in certified care networks compared with their counterparts. In addition, we did not find a clear trend whether patients in different tumor stages were more or less likely to receive care in certified care networks.

Conclusions

We found meaningful differences in the proportion of patients who received quality-assured treatment in certified cancer center networks. Following this, patients should receive comprehensive information about receiving care in certified cancer center networks and consider longer travel distances, especially for those cancer types without locally available certified cancer networks.