bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JAK Inhibitors: A Double‐Edged Sword in Immune‐Mediated Diseases Management
Authors: Bertin Luisa , Savarino Edoardo Vincenzo
Published: November 2024

JAK inhibitors are pivotal in treating immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease. However, emerging safety concerns warrant careful evaluation. A recent analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) revealed that RA patients using JAK inhibitors face nearly double the risk of gastrointestinal perforations (GIPs) compared to those on biologics, particularly with concurrent steroid or NSAID use. Additionally, the FDA's ORAL Surveillance study linked tofacitinib with higher rates of cancer and cardiovascular events, prompting regulatory restrictions. These findings highlight the importance of balancing JAK inhibitors' therapeutic benefits with potential risks, emphasizing the need for patient‐centred risk assessment and vigilant monitoring to optimize outcomes.
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Metabolic Parameters in Healthy Holstein Dairy Cows and Cows With Left Displacement Abomasum During the Transitional Period
Authors: Mirzaei Ahmadreza , Hajimohammadi Ali , Nasrian Amirhossein , Nikzad Mohammad , Rowshan‐Ghasrodashti Abbas , Nazifi Saeed , Naeini Aboutorab Tabatabaei
Published: November 2024

Background

During the transitional period, dairy cows experience oxidative stress and are more susceptible to diseases, including left displacement of the abomasum (LDA).

Objectives

This study aimed to compare oxidative stress biomarker levels in cows with LDA to those in healthy conditions and investigate the associations between predictive metabolites linked to LDA and oxidative stress biomarkers.

Methods

In this case–control study, 400 healthy multiparous Holstein cows were matched for lactation number, milk production and calving date. Blood samples were collected at four time points: 21 and 7 days before, as well as 7 and 21 days after parturition from all animals. During the observation period, seven cows diagnosed with LDA in the main population, and seven healthy cows were randomly selected as controls for the comparison of oxidative stress, liver enzymes and metabolic parameters. Analysis of blood parameters utilized repeated measures ANOVA, and the degree of relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and other measured parameters was assessed using Pearson correlations.

Results

The LDA group exhibited significantly higher levels of urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), gamma‐glutamyl transferase, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride (TAG), β‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), sorbitol dehydrogenase, serum amyloid A (SAA), chloride, sodium, potassium, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the control cows (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed among BUN, glucose, TB, AST, SAA, BHBA, TAG and MDA. Conversely, these parameters displayed negative correlations with TAC. Negative correlations were found among chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and MDA, whereas positive correlations were observed with TAC.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the elevated level of oxidative stress and compromised antioxidant defence in cows with LDA and the intricate interplay among oxidative stress, metabolic parameters and liver enzymes.
Inflammatory pseudotumour presenting as a cervical extradural mass in a 1‐year‐old Bernese Mountain dog
Authors: Castro Carnes Lucia , Gutierrez‐Quintana Rodrigo , Marchesi Francesco , Morris Joanna , Kaczmarska Adriana
Published: November 2024

A 1‐year‐old, male, neutered Bernese Mountain dog presented with a 2‐week history of acute‐onset progressive signs of right C6–T2 myelopathy and neck pain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical vertebral column revealed a right‐sided extradural mass at the level of the C6 vertebra causing severe spinal cord compression. A right C5–C7 modified dorsal laminectomy was performed to remove the mass, resulting in its complete excision, except for residual tissue attachments to the ligamentum flavum. Successful spinal cord decompression was achieved, as confirmed by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging. Histopathology and immunochemistry showed a proliferative lesion dominated by a mixture of spindle and histiocytic cells, with associated infiltrates of T‐lymphocytes, B‐lymphocytes and plasma cells suggestive of an inflammatory pseudotumour. Subsequently, the dog underwent a 2‐month course of prednisolone treatment and showed complete recovery. At the 2‐year follow‐up, the dog was neurologically normal.
Ecological and socio‐political conflicts in the Turga Hydroelectric Project: An examination through the lens of political ecology
Authors: Kar Surajit , Sundberg Trude , Mukherjee Subham
Published: November 2024

The present paper critically examines water‐assisted developmental projects and their associated conflicts through the lens of political ecology, with a particular focus on hydroelectric power generation in the Global South. These projects often catalyze localized socio‐cultural, political, and ecological tensions, especially in indigenous territories where human–nature relationships have evolved through colonial and postcolonial ecological transformations. Our approach conceptualizes political ecology to explore the multidimensional conflicts tied to such projects, using the Turga Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Purulia district of West Bengal, India, as a case study. This region exemplifies the socio‐ecological conflicts between state‐led hydroelectric initiatives and the local indigenous communities, providing critical insights into the broader dynamics of water‐based development in the Global South. The five primary areas of inquiry in this paper include (1) the environmental ramifications of the Turga Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project on Purulia's landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems; (2) the social consequences that have emerged, including displacement, resource access disparities, and challenges to local livelihoods; (3) the power dynamics that shape the decision‐making processes surrounding the project, shedding light on the role of government policies and corporate interests; (4) comparative analyses with similar hydroelectric projects globally, providing valuable insights into the uniqueness of the Purulia case; and (5) the policy implications and recommendations to ameliorate the conflicts and foster a more sustainable and equitable approach to hydroelectric development. This study highlights the critical role of political ecology in understanding human–nature conflicts and resource management. It emphasizes the need for an integrative approach that considers both technological and socio‐political aspects. The Turga Pumped Storage Project in Purulia offers broader insights into the global challenges of sustainable energy and climate change, underscoring the importance of inclusive and environmentally responsible energy production and resource management.
Systematic User Evaluation of a Second Device Based Cast-as-Intended Verifiability Approach
Authors: Hilt Tobias , Berens Benjamin , Truderung Tomasz , Udovychenko Margarita , Neumann Stephan , Volkamer Melanie
Published: November 2024

End-to-end verifiable e-voting schemes enhance the verifiability of individual votes during the election process. Specifically, methods for cast-as-intended verifiability empower voters to confirm that their cast votes have not been manipulated by the voting client. There are mainly three approaches to implement cast-as-intended verifiability in remote e-voting systems: (1) return-code based, (2) challenge-based and (3) second-device-approach. To investigate the usability, perceived trustworthiness and manipulation effectiveness for the second-device-approach, we conducted a user study with 133 participants. The results are similar to those from related work investigating the other two approaches.
Global fit to the 2HDM with generic sources of flavour violation using GAMBIT
Authors: Athron Peter , Crivellin Andreas , Gonzalo Tomás E. , Iguro Syuhei , Sierra Cristian
Published: November 2024

Abstract

We perform a global statistical analysis of the two-Higgs-doublet model with generic sources of flavour violation using GAMBIT. This is particularly interesting in light of deviations from the Standard Model predictions observed in $$ b\to c\tau \overline{\nu} $$
b
→
cτ

ν
¯

and b → sℓ+ℓ− transitions as well as the indications for a charged Higgs with a mass of 130 GeV in top quark decays. Including all relevant constraints from precision, flavour and collider observables, we find that it is possible to simultaneously explain both the charged and neutral current B anomalies. We study the impact of using different values for the W mass and the Standard Model prediction for the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon and provide predictions for observables that can probe our model in the future such as lepton flavour violation searches at Belle II and Higgs coupling strength measurements at the high-luminosity LHC.
Multiparametrische Magnetresonanztomographie der Brust
Authors: Prinz Daniela , Bartsch Silvester J. , Ehret Viktoria , Friske Joachim , Pinker Katja , Helbich Thomas H.
Published: November 2024

Hintergrund

Die Kombination unterschiedlicher Methoden in der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) wird als multiparametrische MRT (mpMRT) beschrieben und nimmt in der Brustkrebsdiagnostik einen großen Stellenwert ein. Derzeit inkludiert die mpMRT die kontrastmittelverstärkte und diffusionsgewichtete MRT. Für eine umfassendere Charakterisierung der Schlüsselprozesse der Krebsentstehung sind zusätzliche MRT-Methoden, welche funktionelle Vorgänge auf zellulärer und molekularer Ebene erfassen, notwendig. Im Rahmen von präklinischen Studien werden MRT-Methoden, welche eine kontrastmittelfreie Evaluierung der Schlüsselprozesse auf metabolischer und molekularer Ebene ermöglichen, für zukünftige klinische Anwendungen entwickelt.

Fragestellung

Wie sieht die mpMRT der Brust in Zukunft aus?

Material und Methoden

Systematische Literaturanalyse fokussiert auf präklinische Forschung in Bezug auf mpMRT sowie Entwicklung und Modifizierung von nichtinvasiven MRT-Methoden.

Ergebnisse

Einige vielversprechende MRT-Methoden für die Mammadiagnostik, die funktionelle als auch metabolische Fragen beantworten können, sind BOLD („blood oxygen level dependent“), IVIM („intravoxel incoherent motion“), DMI (Deuterium-MRT) und CEST („chemical exchange saturation transfer“). Eine Kombination, und somit ein multiparametrischer Ansatz, ermöglicht die nichtinvasive Differenzierung der Subtypen sowie die frühe Evaluierung des Therapieansprechens und ist somit entscheidend für den weiteren Verlauf der Krankheit.

Schlussfolgerung

Standardisierung der Quantifizierung sowie Verbesserung und Erweiterung der MRT-Methoden ermöglichen solch eine multiparametrische, funktionelle und metabolische Einschätzung des Tumors. Viele davon werden zunächst in der Präklinik entwickelt, bevor die Translation in die Klinik erfolgen kann.
Rewriting History in Integrable Stochastic Particle Systems
Authors: Petrov Leonid , Saenz Axel
Published: November 2024

Many integrable stochastic particle systems in one space dimension (such as TASEP—Totally Asymmetric Simple Exclusion Process—and its q-deformation, the q-TASEP) remain integrable if we equip each particle with its own speed parameter. In this work, we present intertwining relations between Markov transition operators of particle systems which differ by a permutation of the speed parameters. These relations generalize our previous works (Petrov and Saenz in Probab Theory Relat Fields 182:481–530, 2022), (Petrov in SIGMA 17(021):34, 2021), but here we employ a novel approach based on the Yang-Baxter equation for the higher spin stochastic six vertex model. Our intertwiners are Markov transition operators, which leads to interesting probabilistic consequences. First, we obtain a new Lax-type differential equation for the Markov transition semigroups of homogeneous, continuous-time versions of our particle systems. Our Lax equation encodes the time evolution of multipoint observables of the q-TASEP and TASEP in a unified way, which may be of interest for the asymptotic analysis of multipoint observables of these systems. Second, we show that our intertwining relations lead to couplings between probability measures on trajectories of particle systems which differ by a permutation of the speed parameters. The conditional distribution for such a coupling is realized as a “rewriting history” random walk which randomly resamples the trajectory of a particle in a chamber determined by the trajectories of the neighboring particles. As a byproduct, we construct a new coupling for standard Poisson processes on the positive real half-line with different rates.
Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Danish Coastal Wetlands – a GIS-based Analysis
Authors: Canal-Vergés Paula , Frederiksen Lars , Egemose Sara , Ebbensgaard Torben , Laustsen Kristian , Flindt Mogens R.
Published: November 2024

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios run by an ensemble of models developed by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) projects an average sea level rise (SLRs) of 0.6 to 1.2 m for the low and high emission scenarios (SSP1-1.9, SSP5-8.5), during the next century (IPCC 2021). The coastal zone will experience an increase in the flooding of terrestrial habitats and the depth of marine productive areas, with potential negative consequences for these ecosystems. The coast in Denmark is highly modified due to anthropogenic uses. Dikes, dams, and other coastal infrastructure are widespread, causing a coastal squeeze that prevents natural coastal development and inland migration of coastlines. We performed a national-scale analysis on the impacts of mean sea level rise (MSLR) in 2070 and 2120, and a 1 in 10-year storm surge water level (10SS) in 2120 MSLR for the Danish coast. Our study shows extensive permanent flooding of coastal habitats (~14%), whereas only 1.6% of urban areas will be flooded. Finally, very large agricultural areas (~191,000 ha) will be frequently flooded by 10SS if no extra protective measures are planned. With the present coastal protection structures, key habitats will be affected by permanent flooding or coastal squeeze while even larger extents will be subjected to intermittent marine flooding. About 45% (199 km2) of all Danish coastal wetlands will be permanently flooded by 2120, while areas occupied by forest, lakes and freshwater wetlands will be more frequently flooded by marine water. This study highlights the importance of including coastal habitats as dynamic elements in climate adaptation plans. Conservation and restoration of key habitats such as coastal wetlands should be prioritized in management plans. If Denmark does not change its current priorities, it may face the complete loss of coastal wetlands habitat in the 22nd century.
Effect of inspiratory lung volume on bronchial and arterial dimensions and ratios on chest computed tomography in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Chen Yuxin , Latisenko Rudolfs , Lynch David A. , Ciet Pierluigi , Charbonnier Jean-Paul , Tiddens Harm A. W. M.
Published: November 2024

Background

The assessment of bronchus–artery (BA) metrics on chest CT is important for detecting airway abnormalities. It is less clear how BA metrics are dependent on lung volume.

Methods

CTs were obtained from a COPDGene substudy investigating the impact of radiation dose on lung density. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease underwent a full-dose and a reduced-dose CT in the same imaging session. CTs were automatically analyzed by measuring diameters of the bronchial outer edge (Bout), bronchial inner wall (Bin), artery (A), and bronchial wall thickness (Bwt) from segmental (G0) and distal generations. BA ratios were computed: Bout/A, Bin/A, Bwt/A, and bronchial wall area/bronchial outer area (Bwa/Boa). The total lung volume of the CT (TLC-CT) was computed. Differences between the volumes between the two CTs were expressed as % of the highest TLC-CT (ΔTLC-CT%). For the BA metrics of each CT, we computed the median of measurements in G1–6. Mixed-effect models were used to investigate the influence of TLC-CT on BA metrics adjusted for dose protocol.

Results

One thousand three hundred nineteen patients with a mean (SD) age of 64.4 (8.7) years were included. Three hundred twenty-nine (124) BA pairs were analyzed per CT. No significant difference was found for TLC-CT in relation to dose (p = 0.17). A ΔTLC-CT% of >10% (found in 121, 9%) led to 0.03 and 0.05 decreases in Bout/A and Bin/A and 0.008 and 0.11 decrease in log (Bwt/A) and log (Bwa/Boa), and a 0.03 increase in Bin and 0.06, 0.12, and 0.04 decrease in Bout, log (Bwt), and log (A) (all p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Variations in TLC over 10% between time points significantly influence bronchial dimensions, affecting BA metrics. Standardizing volumes is recommended for sensitive tracking of airway disease changes over time.

Key Points

QuestionAre BA metrics dependent on total lung capacity (TLC), and if so, how?

FindingsTLC variations over 10% between time points significantly influence bronchial dimensions, affecting BA metrics. Variations below 10% between CT scans have little effect on BA metrics.

Clinical relevanceSmall lung volume differences between chest CTs have little impact on bronchus and artery metrics; it is imperative to standardize chest CT lung volumes to ensure precise diagnosis and monitoring of airway disease.
PI-QUAL version 2 image quality categorisation and inter-reader agreement compared to version 1
Authors: Lee Kang-Lung , Caglic Iztok , Liao Po-Hsiang , Kessler Dimitri A. , Guo Chao-Yu , Barrett Tristan
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Prostate imaging quality (PI-QUAL) was developed to standardise the evaluation of prostate MRI quality and has recently been updated to version 2. This study aims to assess inter-reader agreement for PI-QUAL v1 and v2 scores and investigates changes in MRI quality score categories.

Materials and methods

The study retrospectively analysed 350 multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) scans. Two expert uroradiologists independently assessed mpMRI quality using PI-QUAL v1 and v2 guidelines. Biparametric MRI (bpMRI) categorisation based on PI-QUAL v2 included only T2WI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) results. Inter-reader agreement was determined using percentage agreement and kappa, and categorisation comparisons were made using the chi-square test.

Results

Substantial inter-reader agreement was observed for the overall PI-QUAL v1 score (κ = 0.64) and moderate agreement for v2 mpMRI (κ = 0.54) and v2 bpMRI scores (κ = 0.57). Inter-reader agreements on individual sequences were similar between v1 and v2 (kappa for individual sequences: T2WI, 0.46 and 0.49; DWI, 0.66 and 0.70; DCE, 0.71 and 0.61). Quality levels shifted from predominantly “optimal” in v1 (65%) down to “acceptable” using v2 (55%); p < 0.001. The addition of DCE increased the proportion of cases with at least “adequate” quality at mpMRI (64%) compared to bpMRI (30%); p < 0.001.

Conclusion

This study shows consistent inter-reader agreement between PI-QUAL v1 and v2, encompassing overall and individual sequence categorisation. A notable shift from “optimal” to “acceptable” quality was demonstrated when moving from v1 to v2, with DCE tending improving quality from “inadequate” (bpMRI) to “acceptable” (mpMRI).

Key Points

QuestionWhat are the agreement levels of image quality of prostate MRI by using PI-QUAL v1 and v2?

FindingsInter-reader agreement based on PI-QUAL v1 and v2 is comparable. Dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) enables an overall shift from inadequate quality (at bpMRI) to acceptable quality (mpMRI).

Clinical relevanceThe inter-reader agreement on PI-QUAL v1 and v2 is equivalent. PI-QUAL v2 assesses prostate bpMRI as well as mpMRI quality. Transitioning from inadequate to acceptable between v2-bpMRI and v2-mpMRI highlights the role of DCE as an “image quality safety net.”
Defining a threshold for safe surgical management of vena cava thrombus in renal cell carcinoma patients: evidence from German total population data with 3,700 cases from 2006 to 2020
Authors: Martin Thomas , Huber Johannes , Koch Rainer , Butea-Bocu Marius , Haak Lennard , Flegar Luka , Giese Matthias , Kormann Fabian , Aksoy Cem , Zacharis Aristeidis , Groeben Christer
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The management of inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is among the most challenging surgical procedures. We aimed to define a minimum annual caseload for sufficient expertise.

Methods

We identified all cases with RCC, nephrectomy, and IVC procedures in the Federal Statistical Office billing database (2006–2020). We defined annual hospital caseload categories as low (< 4 cases), medium (4–9 cases) and high (> 9 cases) volume. Logistic multivariate models identified mortality-related factors. In addition, we analyzed data on tumor stage distribution from German cancer registries.

Results

We recorded 3,700 nephrectomies with IVC-tumor resection with stable annual case number of 247 mean. This correlated with a stable incidence of T3b/c RCC. Patient age was 66 ± 14 years. Of all cases, 56% occurred in low, 30% in medium, and 14% in high volume clinics without a significant trend towards centralization. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 5.8% and the transfusion rate 72%. An annual caseload of 8 showed to be a significant cut-off for mortality with 6.2% at < 8 cases and 2.8% for > = 8 cases annually (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed patient age (OR 6.4 for octogenerians) ventilation time (OR 14.3 for > 24 h) and hospital caseload (OR 2.6) as the most important risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

Conclusion

Our results show a negative correlation of annual caseload and mortality for this procedure. A minimum number of 8 procedures per year seems reasonable for the successful management of IVC tumor thrombus with significantly lower mortality.
Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in European and Indian subcontinent descendent newborns: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Simões João Ferreira , Simão Margarida , Rocha Paula , Ferreira Sara , da Câmara Rosário Perry , Amaral Diana , Costa Beatriz , Coelho Mário
Published: November 2024

Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is more common in Asian-descendent populations, but differences in disease severity are poorly reported. Our study aimed to compare neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia severity between European and Indian subcontinent descendent newborns. We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study including newborns admitted with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia (January 2016 to December 2021). Patients were followed during admission, comparing those with European ancestry (control group) and Indian subcontinent ancestry (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal) (study group). The primary outcome was severe hyperbilirubinemia (TSB > 25 mg/dL, phototherapy > 6 h or need for exchange transfusion [ET]), and the secondary was TSB levels. Adjusted analysis for potential confounding factors was performed using binary logistic regression models. Of 110 newborns included, 27 (24.5%) had Indian subcontinent ancestry. Occurrence of TSB > 25 mg/dL was significantly higher in the study group (22.2% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.006), while no differences were noted in exposure to phototherapy > 6 h and ET therapy. Logistic regression models for confounding factors adjustment showed Indian subcontinent ancestry as an independent risk factor for TSB > 25 mg/dL (OR 7.49, CI 95% [1.23–45.50]). The study group revealed also higher absolute values of TSB both at admission (22.0 mg/dL vs. 19.6 mg/dL, p = 0.013) and at discharge (13.6 mg/dL vs. 11.4 mg/dL, p = 0.005).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that newborns with Indian subcontinent ancestry might show a higher risk for the development of severe hyperbilirubinemia compared to European ancestry newborns. Implementing earlier treatment thresholds in this subset of patients may help prevent severe hyperbilirubinemia. 

What is Known:• Indian subcontinent descendent populations have high incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia but data regarding its severity are scarce.

What is New:• This article shows that, compared to European descendent newborns, Indian subcontinent descendent newborns might be at higher risk for severe hyperbilirubinaemia.
An Experimental Platform for Studying the Heteronuclear Efimov Effect with an Ultracold Mixture of $$^\textbf{6}$$Li and $$^\textbf{133}$$Cs Atoms
Authors: Lippi Eleonora , Gerken Manuel , Häfner Stephan , Repp Marc , Pires Rico , Rautenberg Michael , Krom Tobias , Kuhnle Eva D. , Tran Binh , Ulmanis Juris , Zhu Bing , Chomaz Lauriane , Weidemüller Matthias
Published: November 2024

We present the experimental apparatus enabling the observation of the heteronuclear Efimov effect in an optically trapped ultracold mixture of $$^6$$

6

Li-$$^{133}$$

133

Cs with high-resolution control of the interactions. A compact double-species Zeeman slower consisting of four interleaving helical coils allows for a fast-switching between two optimized configurations for either Li or Cs and provides an efficient sequential loading into their respective MOTs. By means of a bichromatic optical trapping scheme based on species-selective trapping we prepare mixtures down to 100 nK of $${1\times 10^{4}}$$

1
×

10
4

Cs atoms and $${7\times 10^{3}}$$

7
×

10
3

Li atoms. Highly stable magnetic fields allow high-resolution atom-loss spectroscopy and enable to resolve splitting in the loss feature of a few tens of milligauss. These features allowed for a detailed study of the Efimov effect.
Highly sensitive voltammetric determination of the fungicide fenhexamid using a cost-effective and disposable pencil graphite electrode
Authors: Erşan Teslime , Dilgin Didem Giray , Oral Ayhan , Skrzypek Sławomira , Brycht Mariola , Dilgin Yusuf
Published: November 2024

A differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method is proposed for the highly sensitive determination of fenhexamid (FHX) based on both electrooxidation and electroreduction processes using a disposable and cost-effective pencil graphite electrode (PGE). The electrochemical oxidation and reduction mechanisms of FHX at the PGE were elucidated by recording cyclic voltammograms at various pH values of Britton–Robinson buffer (BRB) solutions at a scan rate of 50 mV s−1 and different scan rate values in the range 10–400 mV s−1 at selected pH of BRB (pH 2.0). Differential pulse voltammograms recorded under optimized conditions revealed an oxidation peak of FHX around + 0.65 V and a reduction peak of FHX around + 0.45 V. The DPV analysis of FHX revealed two linear ranges: 0.001–0.01 µmol L−1 and 0.01–5.0 µmol L−1 for the anodic peak, and 0.001–0.1 µmol L−1 and 0.1–5.0 µmol L−1 for the cathodic peak. The limits of detection were 0.34 nmol L−1 and 0.32 nmol L−1 for the anodic and cathodic peaks, respectively. The proposed methodology demonstrated satisfactory selectivity, as selected pesticides, certain electroactive compounds, and cationic species tested did not interfere with the voltammetric determination of FHX, particularly during its reduction. The recovery results, showing values close to 100% obtained from the analysis of real samples spiked with FHX, indicated that this methodology can accurately determine FHX in water and soil samples.

Graphical abstract
Optimising landslide trigger analysis through integration of diverse dendrogeomorphic approaches and multi-source climate and documentary data
Authors: Tichavský Radek
Published: November 2024

Landslides on forested slopes, which often lack extensive documentary data and monitoring, can be evaluated using tree-ring records. This method is commonly employed for assessing hydrometeorological triggers similar to sites with documentary-based landslide catalogues. However, uncertainties arise in setting dendrogeomorphic thresholds and using diverse climate data sources for trigger identification. This paper reconstructs the activity of six landslides using tree-ring records in a region with well-documented landsliding and long-term climate data from rain gauges. The objective was to test different dendrogeomorphic approaches for identifying landslide event year and to analyse various rain, snow, and soil moisture parameters from meteorological stations and climate reanalyses to identify triggers. This involved examining how variations in each research step affect results and potentially enhancing the interpretation of landslide triggers. Documentary data indicated frequent landsliding during spring and summer, while tree-ring chronologies showed the strongest connection to increased winter and spring precipitation measured by rain gauges, suggesting an enhancement of winter precipitation as a potential climate preparatory factor. Furthermore, the results showed that combining tree-ring and documentary data yielded more statistically informative links than using tree-ring data alone. Additionally, integrating gridded data from ERA5-Land climate reanalyses enhanced the interpretation of explanatory factors. While increased winter and spring precipitation were most strongly linked to landslide initiation using precipitation data, volumetric soil water content derived from reanalysis data was crucial for identifying summer landslide occurrences. Incorporating soil water content into dendrogeomorphic research improved the interpretation of landslide initiation timing. Therefore, regional tree-ring-based chronologies with improved identification of landslide triggers can significantly reduce uncertainties in decision-making when it comes to landslide hazard management. Future research should explore the effectiveness of freely available satellite-based precipitation data with tree-ring chronologies, particularly in regions with limited information on precipitation intensity.
ADHERE: a toolkit for retaining PWID living with hepatitis C in healthcare systems
Authors: Baptista-Leite Ricardo , Lopes Henrique , Franco Diogo , Hermenegildo Catarina , Clemens Timo , Brand Helmut
Published: November 2024

Aim

Despite advancements in hepatitis C care, significant gaps remain, particularly in retaining people who inject drugs (PWID) in treatment, which hinders progress toward achieving the World Health Organization’s (WHO) hepatitis C elimination goals. The ADHERE (Attract pwiD Hepatitis hEalthcaRE) toolkit was developed to address these challenges by optimizing linkage-to-care services for PWID, focusing on the critical steps within the care cascade (CC) where losses are most likely to occur.

Subject and methods

Retaining PWID through the entire treatment process until the achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR) remains a formidable challenge. The ADHERE toolkit interconnects micro-ecosystemic conditions with public health policy implementation, offering a structured approach to enhancing PWID retention in healthcare systems. This toolkit was developed through an extensive literature review and consultations with key opinion leaders (KOL) from seven countries, ensuring its relevance and applicability across diverse settings.

Results

The ADHERE toolkit provides a comprehensive framework and strategy for public health interventions, focusing on the later stages of the CC for hepatitis C. By facilitating continuous quality improvement and enabling the integration of various public health policies, the toolkit aims to minimize treatment dropouts and maximize the chances of achieving a cure among PWID.

Conclusion

The ADHERE toolkit aims to aid in advancing the management of hepatitis C among PWID, offering a feasible and auditable approach to improving patient retention and treatment outcomes. By establishing a robust network of health policy management processes, the toolkit is expected to contribute to the global effort to eliminate hepatitis C.
Introducing the legacies and trajectories of trauma to the archival field
Authors: Sexton Anna
Published: November 2024

Trauma as a concept, a signifier and a frame has become increasingly visible in archival theory and praxis in recent years. A shift that is perhaps unsurprising given that society at large appears to have embraced trauma as a major interpretative category for our age. The recent spotlight on trauma can also be linked to accompanying movements in our discourse as we have begun to unpack and theorise the affective dimensions of records work and have moved towards more person-centred approaches. While the recent introduction of trauma-informed approaches to our field is a welcome development in many ways, this article seeks to critically engage with the Western concept of trauma to expose its intellectual lineages and the social and moral economies that have shaped its emergence in different spheres; and highlight how archival studies discourse on trauma is shaped in relation to different branches of Western trauma discourse. This article argues that as archivists and records workers adopt the language of trauma from adjacent arenas as an explanatory and transformative frame, it is vital that we do so in possession of an understanding of trauma’s conceptual legacies and in conversation with broader affective, liberatory and reparative framings. The article is written in the spirit of becoming truly ‘trauma-informed’.
Using Graphical Representations to Develop Students’ Correspondence Relationships and Covariational Thinking in Pattern Generalizations in Primary School
Authors: Sterner Helén
Published: November 2024

Algebra in primary school requires students to engage in functional thinking, including recursive patterning, covariational thinking, and correspondence relationships. However, research suggests that teaching to develop functional thinking is challenging in lower grades, because it risks resulting in discussions solely centered around recursive patterning. This article reports on an intervention where possibilities and limitations were studied when students used different representations to develop functional thinking while working with pattern generalizations. Sixty-nine students in Grade 6 in four different classes worked with graphs and other representations to identify and justify pattern generalizations. The results showed that the graphical representation enabled students to visualize and justify correspondence relationships, thereby developing their functional thinking. Furthermore, the use of graphs helped the students justify their pattern generalizations and shift their conversations from recursive patterning to covariational thinking and correspondence relationships. Consequently, the results emphasize the importance of teacher awareness in developing students’ functional thinking.
Evaluation of the Acceptability and Feasibility of Stress Mitigation Education and Support Delivered via Telehealth for People After Road Traffic Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic Injury
Authors: Sim Alison , McNeilage Amy G. , Rebbeck Trudy , Sterling Michele , Nicholas Michael , Donovan Sarah , Giummarra Melita J. , Ashton-James Claire E.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a consumer co-designed telehealth intervention which aimed to reduce claimant distress by providing pain management strategies, informational and social support to people who had made a compensation claim following road traffic musculoskeletal injury.

Methods

Eleven claimant participants who were at risk of a poor outcome completed the intervention in a one-on-one setting with the same clinician delivering the program across all sessions.They were interviewed about their experience (acceptability and feasibility including the use of telehealth). Clinicians who delivered the intervention also completed an anonymous feedback survey exploring their experiences delivering the intervention. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

There were four themes which broadly related to the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention as well as the perceived benefits: (1) knowledge is power, (2) healing with social connection, (3) further along than I would have been, and (4) telehealth was acceptable and feasible.

Conclusion

The delivery of a co-designed telehealth-delivered stress mitigation intervention to support people with a road traffic musculoskeletal injury was feasible to deliver and acceptable to people who were at risk of a poor outcome. Further research to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention on outcomes such as pain, self-efficacy, and claims costs are needed.
Review Essay: Judith Butler, Who’s Afraid of Gender? (London: Allen Lane, 2024) pp 308
Authors: Sharpe Alex
Published: November 2024

This article is a review essay of Judith Butler’s latest book, Who’s Afraid of Gender? The book considers the anti-gender ideology movement and rising right-wing authoritarianism with which it is associated. In review considers the following key themes that Butler disusses: recognition of a contemporary crisis; the creation of a moral panic around gender; the complicity of ‘gender critical’ feminism in enabling anti-feminist totalitarian politics; the disingenuous figuration of ‘censorship’ as a weapon deployed by the forces of ‘gender ideology’; and the relationship of the phantom to colonialism and race.
An Economic Justification for Rignano's Inheritance Tax Proposal
Authors: Peterfreund Yotam , Strawczynski Michel
Published: November 2024

Families are widely recognized as crucial agents in the transmission of wealth, contributing to the perpetuation of inequality and limiting mobility across income levels. To address the economic dynamics behind this phenomenon, classical economists have explored potential solutions through government tax-transfer systems. One such proposal, advanced by Eugenio Rignano, suggests imposing higher taxes on inheritances passed down through multiple generations within a family. To analyze this idea, a model is developed that incorporates both altruistic and accidental bequests, with altruistic bequests playing a crucial role in wealth transmission. The model considers the potential disincentives that inheritance taxation might create for savings intended for altruistic bequests, as well as the benefits of taxing accidental bequests. The novelty of the model lies in its characterization of optimal inheritance taxes when there is an interaction between parents' educational decisions for their children and the transmission of wealth. Simulations suggest that adopting Rignano's proposed tax scheme enhances social welfare compared to the commonly used proportional inheritance tax. These findings suggest that Rignano's tax scheme warrants further research and policy discussion.
Towards circular economy through innovation: the role of entrepreneurial orientation and human resource management
Authors: Castro-Lopez Adrian , Entrialgo Montserrat , Liao Ching T. , Santos-Vijande María Leticia
Published: November 2024

The development of the circular economy (CE) has become a strategic priority for the EU to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. While the number of CE-based start-ups is burgeoning, established companies seem to be slower to adopt CE. Incorporating CE principles requires established firms to transform their business processes and activities from a linear to a circular approach, which often requires the introduction of significant and complementary technological and non-technological innovations, as well as significant investments that may hamper the firm’s overall performance. Thus, the disruptive nature of CE adoption may make established firms reluctant to embrace this process and underlines the need to identify its drivers and to clarify its potential benefits. Accordingly, we analyze the role of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in promoting circular human resource management (CHRM), circular product innovation and circular manufacturing. This study is the first to define and measure CHRM and one of the few to apply the concept of EO in the context of CE. Using seemingly unrelated regressions (SUR), we find that EO promotes circular innovation directly and indirectly through CHRM. This factor represents a non-technological innovation which directly impacts on circular product innovation and circular manufacturing, whilst reinforcing the complementarity between non- technological and technological innovation. This research also addresses concerns about potential conflicts in achieving different types of CE performance simultaneously. By analyzing firm performance from a holistic perspective, our study confirms that CE implementation leads to environmental, market and social performance improvements together with the moderating role of technological turbulence.
Towards reliable primary data collection and harmonized set of indicators in S-LCA on the stakeholder worker
Authors: Chabrawi Arij Mohamad Radwan Omar , de Andrade Josemberg Moura , Ugaya Cássia Maria Lie , Traverso Marzia
Published: November 2024

Introduction

S-LCA has emerged within sustainability assessment in the last 20 years, aiming at assessing the social impacts of products and services. Several improvements on the methodological and theoretical backgrounds were reported in the literature, since its early beginning. However, there are still some gaps that must be filled: lack of consensus on the indicators, methodological limitations, and hegemony of secondary data, among others. Therefore, this research aimed to benefit from one area related to social sciences, named as psychometrics, to develop 14 questionnaires (scales) to collect primary data regarding all worker’s impact subcategories.

Method

In general terms, the methodological steps were as follows: (1) literature review of the impact subcategories; (2) definition of the constitutive and operational definitions; (3) run focus groups with workers from different economic sectors and positions to deep understand their reality; (4) creating scales’ items; (5) run semantics analysis; (6) run specialists’ analyses; (7) pilot and final application of the scales; and (8) run exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results and discussion

Five different focus groups were run to better understand each subcategory, and 14 semantics analyses to check the understanding of the scales’ items. Five different groups comprised of four different experts on S-LCA assessed the items’ content. Kappa’s Fleiss indicated from moderate to almost perfect agreement. The scales were applied in two rounds. On the first, EFA was run pointing out to factor retention solution identical or close to the literature review. CFA confirmed the models proposed with adequate adjustment indices. The analyses have shown that all 14 scales indicated to have evidence of content validity and validity based on the internal structure. The reliability coefficients relating to the indicators appointed to a high precision on the measurement.

Conclusions

This study contributes to overcoming some of the current theoretical and methodological gaps in S-LCA. Practitioners can benefit from 14 scales to collect primary data regarding worker in a reliable, scientific, and confidential way. Data can be used in both types of impact assessment methods. The scales may also support other research initiatives that aim at studying and improving working conditions for all workers, from any economic sector.
Development of a policy-based distance-to-target weighting method in life cycle impact assessment for Nigeria
Authors: Isah Mohammed Engha , Zhang Zhengyang , Matsubae Kazuyo
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Weighting in LCA is important as it supports decision-making by prioritising and determining which impact categories are more important. However, the lack of weighting factors in developing countries forces LCA practitioners to adopt weighting values developed for other countries, leading to a less transparent decision-making process. One transparent and easily reproducible distance-to-target (DtT) weighting method that can be applied in Nigeria is the Swiss-developed ecological scarcity method. This method is based on the ratio of the current environmental situation of a country, region or product to the desired policy targets. The purpose of this study was to apply the ESM to develop weighting factors and eco-factors for Nigeria.

Methods

The normalization and current flows data for emissions and resource use in 2010 (base year) were collected from official data sources, and the critical flows were extracted from corresponding policy targets of the Government of Nigeria in 2030 (target year). The ESM was then applied to the aggregated data to derive Nigeria-specific weighting factors and eco-factors as the quantitative indicators for the emissions and resources.

Results and discussion

Weighting and eco-factors for emissions and resources were developed for 25 environmental issues in Nigeria. NOx, total petroleum hydrocarbon and land use weigh heavily. Except for carcinogenic substances in the air, emissions to water resulted in high eco-factors: TPH, phenol, total nitrogen, nitrate, ammonia and heavy metals (human and ecotoxicity). Policymakers in Nigeria need to set quantitative emission reduction targets for substances and such as carcinogenic substances in the air, oil spills and metal mineral resources.

Conclusions

The ESM was used to develop Nigeria’s eco-factors as quantitative indicators for emissions or resource use using the normalization and current flows in 2010 obtained from government data sources as base year data. The critical flows were extracted from the policy targets of the government of Nigeria, with 2030 as the target year. The eco-factors can support environmental sustainability decision-making in Nigeria. Future methodological development should apply updated policy targets and more data to calculate eco-factors for missing substances such as waste (radioactive and non-radioactive), heavy metal emissions to air and soil, emissions to groundwater, photochemical ozone creation substances and phosphorous in surface water and soil.
Metaphilosophy Armed with Original Texts: A Corpus Study on the Intuition-talk in Theory of Reference
Authors: Sękowski Krzysztof
Published: November 2024

The paper engages in two metaphilosophical disputes. The first concerns the importance of studying original texts to establish the methods used by philosophers. The second addresses the role of intuitions in philosophical arguments. In this paper, I argue that a close reading of original texts is crucial for the methodological dispute on the role of intuitions in philosophy. I refer to the critique of this stance proposed by Landes, discuss it, and justify my claim by presenting the results and benefits of a corpus study concerning the practice known as “intuition-talk” in the theory of reference. The study consists of an in-depth qualitative analysis of this practice with respect to four parameters: indicators of intuition-talk, the subject of that talk, the mode of that talk (whether intuition-talk is used by formulating a judgment on a particular case or ascribing a general property to a given phenomenon), and the issue of whether intuitive claims are supported by arguments. I discuss the results, their consequences, and outline some challenges that need to be addressed in future studies conducted within the proposed approach and thereby demonstrate why such a study, focused on the content of original texts, should be seen as metaphilosophically valuable.