bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between influenza-related experience and current vaccination outcome
Authors: Gai Yunwei
Published: January 2025

Background

This study investigated how a person’s influenza-related experience, together with demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors, was associated with their current vaccination decisions.

Methods

The analysis used ten panels of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) from 2006 to 2016. Linear and logistic probability models were estimated to predict influenza vaccination using a person’s vaccination status in the previous year and history of influenza infection, adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic variables, general health status, and healthcare access. The models used two-way and three-way interactions with race/ethnicity, income, education, health status, and elderly status to examine changing relationships of flu-related experience across these variables.

Results

Previous vaccination was the most important predictor, with an increase of 63.0–71.8% probability of vaccination in the next year. Infection history could either increase or decrease the impact of past vaccination depending on race/ethnicity, income, education level, health status, and age. There were significant disparities across demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related variables.

Conclusion

Vaccination promotion efforts could focus on those who have not been vaccinated in the past and on specific sub-populations, such as people who are Hispanic, people with lower education levels, the population aged 65 and above, and families with low-income levels. Although past infection is a predictor for some population groups, its magnitude is small and is often not a significant determinant.
Future destinations: how people cured of hepatitis C using direct acting antiviral drugs progress in a new HCV-free world. A thematic analysis
Authors: Donaldson Sarah R. , Radley Andrew , Dillon John F.
Published: January 2025

Background

The introduction of Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) transformed Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment, despite this uptake of DAAs remains lower than required to meet the WHO Sustainable Development Goal (3.3). Treatment with interferon was suggested to be able to deliver important outcomes for people who use drugs in addition to a viral cure, such as social redemption, and shift from a stigmatised identity. There is a lack of understanding if DAAs can deliver these transformative outcomes.

Methods

This recurrent cross-sectional study combines qualitative semi-structured interviews and demographic data of 15 participants receiving DAAs in Tayside, Scotland. A thematic analysis explored the non-clinical outcomes of DAA treatment viewed through the lens of the Social Identity Model of Recovery (SIMOR) to build understanding of the influence DAAs have in a recovery journey from drug use.

Results

Three key themes emerged: identity, relationships and social networks; building recovery capital; and reflecting on re-infection and the shift to DAAs. Concern about the transmission of HCV resulted in self-imposed isolation which weakened support structures. Cure provides a mechanism to strengthen family bonds, however social networks in the wider community remain limited. Participants gained opportunities to undertake activities that build health and wellbeing providing a shift in identity, future plans and aspirations. Social isolation remained for some, revealing unmet need in post-cure support.

Conclusion

DAAs may support recovery journeys through the SIMOR, individuals reduced the number of active users within their social network and reconnected with family members, building recovery capital. Individuals, however, remained socially isolated in the context of the wider community. HCV services should support links to community resources to deliver the social inclusion people desire.
Satellite microglia: marker of traumatic brain injury and regulator of neuronal excitability
Authors: Feichtenbiner Alicia B. , Sytsma Karinn , O’Boyle Ryan P. , Mittenzwei Rhonda , Maioli Heather , Scherpelz Kathryn P. , Child Daniel D. , Li Ning , Ariza Torres Jeanelle , Keene Lisa , Kirkland Amanda , Howard Kimberly , Latimer Caitlin , Keene C. Dirk , Ransom Christopher , Nolan Amber L.
Published: January 2025

Traumatic brain injury is a leading cause of chronic neurologic disability and a risk factor for development of neurodegenerative disease. However, little is known regarding the pathophysiology of human traumatic brain injury, especially in the window after acute injury and the later life development of progressive neurodegenerative disease. Given the proposed mechanisms of toxic protein production and neuroinflammation as possible initiators or contributors to progressive pathology, we examined phosphorylated tau accumulation, microgliosis and astrogliosis using immunostaining in the orbitofrontal cortex, a region often vulnerable across traumatic brain injury exposures, in an age and sex-matched cohort of community traumatic brain injury including both mild and severe cases in midlife. We found that microglial response is most prominent after chronic traumatic brain injury, and interactions with neurons in the form of satellite microglia are increased, even after mild traumatic brain injury. Taking our investigation into a mouse model, we identified that these satellite microglia suppress neuronal excitability in control conditions but lose this ability with chronic traumatic brain injury. At the same time, network hyperexcitability is present in both mouse and human orbitofrontal cortex. Our findings support a role for loss of homeostatic control by satellite microglia in the maladaptive circuit changes that occur after traumatic brain injury.
Floating-embedded stems reduce tibial stress shielding in total knee revision arthroplasty
Authors: Schaefer Dominic , Barsumyan Artur , Roshanghias Kambiz , Graw Jan Adriaan , Soost Christian , Richter Wolfgang , Knoche Jonas , Ohrndorf Arne , Burchard Rene
Published: January 2025

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common orthopaedic procedures and the number of patients which undergo TKA will continue to rise in the coming years. Consecutively, the number of necessary revision surgeries will increase. One of the main reasons for revision surgery is aseptic loosening because of a so-called stress-shielding effect. Typically, revision of a primary TKA is done from a bicondylar surface replacement to a stem-anchored prosthesis, which, due to higher stress-shielding, have a shorter survival time than non-stem-anchored systems. Similar to endoprosthetic treatment in pediatric tumor orthopedics, non-ingrown cementless stems can be used. The study aim was to investigate whether this concept can also be applied to reduce stress-shielding in the tibial metaphysis after revision TKA in adults.

Methods

Six tibial biomechanical bone with stemmed tibial TKA components were implanted using surface cementing and a floating-embedded stem or classic full cementing. After implantation, axial force was applied in such a way that the same load was generated as during walking. Two high-resolution cameras and illumination spots were used to record changes on the bone surface circumferentially in three regions of interest and from three different views.

Results

With regard to the fixation method, a significant difference could be demonstrated in the metaphyseal and in the middle region around the stem (p < 0.001). At the tip of the stems, the reduction of strain energy density showed a stress shielding reduction for the floating-stemmed models in two of three views (ventromedial p = 0.002, lateral p = 0.398, and dorsal: p = 0.027).

Conclusions

In revision surgery after TKA, the use of floating-embedded, uncemented stems without bony ingrowth shows significant reduction of metaphyseal stress-shielding within the proximal tibia. This technique could be a viable alternative to prevent early aseptic loosening and should be examined in future in-vivo studies.
Distribution of airway pressure opening in the lungs measured with electrical impedance tomography (POET): a prospective physiological study
Authors: Sun Nannan , Brault Clement , Rodrigues Antenor , Ko Matthew , Vieira Fernando , Phoophiboon Vorakamol , Slama Michel , Chen Lu , Brochard Laurent
Published: January 2025

Background

In patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) under mechanical ventilation, the change in pressure slope during a low-flow insufflation indicates a global airway opening pressure (AOP) needed to reopen closed airways and may be used for titration of positive end-expiratory pressure.

Objectives

To understand 1) if airways open homogeneously inside the lungs or significant regional AOP variations exist; 2) whether the pattern of the pressure slope change during low-flow insufflation can indicate the presence of regional AOP variations.

Methods

Using electrical impedance tomography, we recorded low-flow insufflation maneuvers (< 10 L/min) starting from end-expiratory positive pressure 0–5 cmH2O. We measured global (AOPglobal) and regional AOPs from pressure-impedance curves in the four different lung quadrants, and compared AOPglobal with the highest quadrantal AOP (AOPhighest). We categorized the slope change of the low-flow inflation pressure–time curve into three patterns: no change, progressive change, abrupt change.

Results

Among the 36 patients analyzed, 9 (25%) had AOPglobal ≥ 5 cmH2O whereas 19 (53%) exhibited regional AOPhighest ≥ 5 cmH2O. AOPglobal was on average similar to AOP of the upper right quadrant (P = 0.182) but was lower than AOPs of the other three quadrants (P < 0.01 of each). AOPglobal was significantly lower than AOPhighest: 3.0 [2.0–4.3] vs. 5.0 [2.8–8.3] cmH2O, P < 0.001. AOP was higher in the dependent than the non-dependent ventilated lung (4.0 [2.0–6.3] vs. 3.0 [2.0–5.0] cmH2O, P < 0.001). Seventeen (47%) patients exhibited a ‘progressive change’ pattern in the pressure–time curve. These patients had a larger difference between AOPhighest and AOPglobal (3.0 [2.0–4.0] cmH2O with a maximum of 8 cmH2O) compared to the other two patterns: 1.0 [0–1.0] cmH2O in ‘no change’ , P < 0.001 and 1.0 [0–2.0] cmH2O in ‘abrupt change’ , P = 0.003.

Conclusion

AOPglobal mostly reflects the lowest opening pressure in the lung and frequently underestimates the highest regional AOP in mechanically ventilated patients with AHRF. A progressive slope change during the low-flow pressure–time curve indicates the presence of several and higher regional AOPs.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT 05825534 (registered, April 24th, 2023), retrospectively registered.

Graphical abstract
Spatial and temporal activity patterns of Amblyomma americanum
Authors: Marshall Daniel S. , Poh Karen C. , Reichard Mason V. , Starkey Lindsay A. , Owen Jeb P.
Published: January 2025

Background

Estimates of tick abundance and distribution are used to determine the risk of tick-host contact. Tick surveys provide estimates of distributions and relative abundance for species that remain stationary and wait for passing hosts (i.e. questing), but measures of tick populations may be less reliable for species that actively move in search of a host, such as Amblyomma americanum, the lone star tick (LST). Risk estimates for contact with adult LST require knowledge of the tick's spatial and temporal activity. Understanding the movement and the temporal patterns of host-seeking behavior will enhance risk assessment for LST.

Methods

Using CO2-baited traps over a 2-year period, we collected wild adult LST in Oklahoma. We used mark-recapture techniques to determine the distance ticks will travel, the proportion of the tick population that is detectable over time, and the relationship between tick abundance and the number of ticks detected in the field. Using video tracking software, we measured the distance traveled and activity time in the laboratory.

Results

In 24 h, LST travel up to 9 (mean = 3.2, SD = 3.6) m in the field and 36 (mean = 70.4, SD = 81.0) m in the laboratory. Marked LST were detectable in the environment for up to 14 days after release. We found that the number of recaptured ticks significantly increased with the relative abundance of ticks released, and at a minimum abundance (N = 1 tick released) LST were detectable 33.3% of the time. Across all experiments, fewer than half of marked ticks were recovered and at most 28.4% of ticks were detected with CO2-baited traps at any given time.

Conclusions

Our results show that LST actively move through the environment and pose a risk for host contact at distances of tens of meters. Ticks are detectable for several weeks, but only a fraction of them are detectable at any time. Larger numbers of ticks are detected as their population size increases, but even at very low numbers, LST are recovered with CO2 baiting. These spatial and temporal aspects of LST behavior should be considered when building predictive risk models of LST-host contact.

Graphical Abstract
Impaired Hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccination responses show strong concordance in hemodialysis patients with end stage renal disease
Authors: Lürken Karsten , Meinecke Anna , Manthey Luis A. , Cossmann Anne , Stankov Metodi V. , Klawonn Frank , Zychlinsky Scharff Anna , Steffens Sandra , Dopfer-Jablonka Alexandra , Müller Frank , Behrens Georg M. N. , Happle Christine
Published: January 2025

Background

Patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis are at increased risk for infection and impaired vaccination responses. We analyzed overlap and influencing factors of vaccination responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus disease 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Methods

SARS-CoV-2 and HBV vaccination response was assessed in a cohort of German ESRD hemodialysis patients. Anti-HBs- and SARS-CoV-2 anti-S-IgG were analyzed by ELISA. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from clinical files.

Results

Sixty-four patients with complete information on HBV and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses were included. More than one-third (35.4%) of non-responders upon HBV vaccination were identified. Unresponsiveness after HBV and poor response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination showed strong overlap, and overall, 70.3% of patients were classified into concordant HBV/SARS vaccination response groups. HBV vaccination non-responsiveness, but not poor SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccination immunity was associated with obesity, while poor SARS-CoV-2 vaccination responses were associated increased age.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm previous reports on impaired vaccination response in hemodialysis patients and show that post-vaccination humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2 and HBV display strong overlap in this vulnerable patient group. These results may help to adapt vaccination strategies in this highly vulnerable population.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Registry, DRKS00021152.
Exploring quantum materials and applications: a review
Authors: Goyal Rajat Kumar , Maharaj Shivam , Kumar Pawan , Chandrasekhar M.
Published: January 2025

Researchers in condensed matter physics are currently exploring new materials for specific use in various applications. The peculiar properties of quantum materials (QMs) have garnered significant attention because they have the potential to serve as building blocks for entirely new technologies in modern science and technology. QMs exhibit emerging phenomena governed by quantum confinement, strong electronic correlations, topology, and symmetry, making them exceptional materials. This review paper provides an overview of these unique properties, different types of QMs, and their applications with the latest case studies, presenting a prospective outlook on QMs in multiple domains.
Resilience and its relationship with quality of life and comorbid substance use disorder in patients with type I bipolar disorder
Authors: Moustafa Shady Mohamed , Aldin Magda Taha Kamal , Sayed Haydy Hassan , Hendi Ahmed Elarabi
Published: January 2025

Background

Bipolar disorders (BD) are common psychiatric disorders. Stressful life events as well as comorbid Substance use disorders contribute to functional impairment in patients with BD. This study aimed to assess resilience and its relation to quality of life and severity of comorbid substance use disorders in patients with type I bipolar disorder.

Sixty six type I bipolar disorder patients—currently in remission—were categorized into two groups: a group including 33 patients were compared to a sociodemographically matched group of 33 patients of similar disease related clinical variables with comorbid substance use disorder. Resilience, quality of life and severity of addiction were assessed for both groups.

Results

Resilience level was found to be significantly lower in bipolar with comorbid substance use group compared to bipolar group. Quality of life of bipolar patients with comorbid substance use was not only significantly impaired but also positively correlated to resilience level. There was a strong negative correlation between resilience level and all aspects of addiction severity in patients with type I bipolar disorder.

Conclusion

Level of resilience was found to be positively correlated to quality of life and negatively correlated to severity of comorbid substance use in patients with type I bipolar disorder.
Effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii on avelliation of metabolic disease by improving insulin resistance
Authors: Yoon Hye-Bin , Jang Yuseong , Paik Hyeon-Gi , Choi Hwal , Choi Jihye , Kwon Jungkee
Published: January 2025

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that cause health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. MetS is characterized by insulin resistance, which leads to abnormal insulin sensitivity. Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJ) is perennial herbaceous species found in Asia that exhibits antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to measure the effects of CJ on MetS by improving insulin resistance in a db/db type 2 diabetes mouse model. After administrating CJ extract (CJE) for db/db mouse for 6 weeks, we measured with the evaluation of Insulin resistance, lipid profiles, histological analysis of liver, damage of liver and kideny.

Results

The results showed that CJE was effective in reducing body weight and fat mas and showed a positive effect on lowering blood glucose and improving insulin sensitivity. CJE improved dyslipidemia by increasing serum-HDL levels and decreasing serum-LDL levels. In addition, CJE reduced liver and kidney damage in histological analysis.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the anti-diabetic effects of CJE and suggest its potential for improving MetS. Therefore, CJE may have potential values as a functional food material for managing MetS.
Conducting Clinical Research in Low Research Resource Countries: Lessons Learned From the International Registry of Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer Study in Nigeria
Authors: Bolajoko Opeyemi , Fathi Parisa , Fulwood Dottington , Toye Oluwaseyi , Popoola Ademola , Dogo Hassan , Nggada Haruna , Ogo Chidiebere , Fatiregun Omolara , Faruk Mohammed , Abiodun Lateef , Sowunmi Anthonia , Oladoyinbo Catherine A. , Odedina Folakemi
Published: January 2025

PURPOSE

There is limited cancer clinical research in sub-Saharan African countries despite the significant burden of cancers. The primary objective of this strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was to understand and document factors affecting the successful implementation of prostate cancer (CaP) clinical research in Nigeria.

METHODS

The research team used a qualitative design involving International Registry of Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer (IRONMAN) study team members as participants from four regional sites in Nigeria. One-hour listening sessions were conducted via Zoom at each site, focusing on SWOT related to the IRONMAN study. All sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Themes were inductively coded and then synthesized across all four sites.

RESULTS

The study teams identified several strengths and weaknesses in conducting the IRONMAN study at their respective sites. Key strengths included access to robust patient population for recruitment and the availability of essential resources, such as lab space, clinical knowledge, and adequate staffing. Weaknesses centered on the social determinants of health that hinder patient participation, such as transportation challenges, distance to clinics, limited access to care, and insufficient biorepository space for sample storage. A prominent opportunity identified was the potential for Nigerian institutions to engage in more clinical research, particularly multisite global trials. Threats included difficulties in retaining research staff and political instability.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the promising research opportunities in Nigeria. The lessons learned from the IRONMAN study provide valuable insights into the feasibility of conducting CaP clinical research and trials tailored to the needs of Black men in sub-Saharan Africa. These findings offer a roadmap for future research efforts, with the potential to expand clinical trials and improve health outcomes across the region.
Lived Religion and Shared Experience in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe
Authors: Katajala-Peltomaa Sari , Toivo Raisa Maria
Published: January 2025

This special issue of JMEMS takes up the classical debate on the “shared” and the “individual” through the concepts of “lived religion” on the one hand and “experience” on the other. The collection presents the state-of-the-art within the emerging field of history of “lived religion,” exemplifying its differences from earlier notions of “popular religion.” The articles take a step forward in the field of lived religion by approaching it from the perspective of experience as an analytical category. The issue considers experience as it occurs in three fundamental stages: (1) ways in which individual people and communities encounter the world; (2) the simultaneous relational, intersubjective process making sense of those encounters; and (3) the social and physical structures born from the repetition of these processes so as to produce knowledge of the “real” world. Approaching the topic in terms of these stages of experience allows the articles to investigate negotiations between individual and communal or shared experience in the field of lived religion within various geographical contexts of medieval and early modern Europe. Such an approach helps to better identify the drivers of historical change across medieval and early modern periods.
Continuity and Change in the Experience of Confession across the Central Middle Ages
Authors: Arnold John H.
Published: January 2025

Historians have long debated to what extent there was a shift in the sacrament of penance marked by the injunction at the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) for all Christians to make annual confession. It has long been suggested that in the early Middle Ages confession was primarily a collective ritual and only became individualized and interiorized in the later Middle Ages, though early medievalists have recently presented evidence challenging this view. However, the debate has hitherto paid little attention to the variety of lived experiences and social contexts of “confession,” the act or acts that preceded the bestowal of penance. Reconsideration of these aspects might help to readdress some of the issues regarding continuity and change and to explore productively an important area of religious experience for the Christian laity.
Communion as Shared Experience in Early Modern Finland
Authors: Toivo Raisa Maria
Published: January 2025

This article investigates how Communion was shared as an experience of “lived religion” in early modern Finland. The article draws on church teaching and legal materials concerning Communion to investigate what scripts were available that shaped experience, and it draws on court record narratives on Communion-related superstition or crime to uncover variations of that script for specific local situations involving various individuals and groups of laypeople. The article suggests that while Communion was meant to create an experience of intimate knowledge between the divine and the Christian, as well as between all Christians, at times its shared nature was limited and produced experiences of exclusion and self-exclusion. Furthermore, the article considers experience in terms of a relational process, suggesting that “experience of religion” as a concept can help with investigating religious conflict and persecution when the concept of “lived religion” offers insufficient nuance.
Social Media Mentions are a Stronger Predictor of Citations than 5-Year Impact Factor in Neurosurgical Research
Authors: Behal Aditya , Gajjar Avi A. , Srinivasan Aditya , Burkhardt Jan-Karl , Field Nicholas C. , Paul Alexandra R.
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

X (formerly known as Twitter) is a social media platform gaining popularity in neurosurgery. Other disciplines have demonstrated a positive correlation between Twitter activity and traditional citation metrics. This study aims to determine if X activity is a greater predictor of citation rates than a journal's 5-year impact factor (IF) among major neurosurgical journals.

METHODS:

Using a mixed linear model, we compared the predictive value between alternative metrics (such as mentions on X and Altmetric attention score, a weighted aggregate of the attention an article receives on various platforms) and traditional citation metrics (5-year journal IF) on the number of citations an article received by analyzing 7592 articles published from January 2022 to December 2023 in 18 neurosurgical journals. It was necessary to also account for the confounding variable time since publication in the model to determine the true effect of altmetrics. The relative importance (RI) of each predictor variable was determined through permutation testing.

RESULTS:

X mentions, time since publication, 5-year journal IF, and Altmetric attention score all significantly predict citation rates (P < .001). RI of X mentions on citation rates indicate that X (RI = 0.13) is approximately 8.7x times greater of a predictor of citations than 5-year IF (RI = 0.015) and 5.4x times greater of a predictor than the Altmetric attention score (RI = 0.024). Time of publication remains the strongest predictor (RI = 0.83).

CONCLUSION:

Our study shows that in neurosurgical research, while social media mentions (X mentions) are significant, they are weaker predictors of citation rates than time since publication. Traditional journal IF and Altmetric attention scores have weaker predictive value. These findings indicate that altmetrics, especially X mentions, can complement traditional citation metrics.
Augmenting Large Language Models With Automated, Bibliometrics-Powered Literature Search for Knowledge Distillation: A Pilot Study for Common Spinal Pathologies
Authors: Kurland David B. , Alber Daniel A. , Palla Adhith , de Souza Daniel N. , Lau Darryl , Laufer Ilya , Frempong-Boadu Anthony K. , Kondziolka Douglas , Oermann Eric K.
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Scholarly output is accelerating in medical domains, making it challenging to keep up with the latest neurosurgical literature. The emergence of large language models (LLMs) has facilitated rapid, high-quality text summarization. However, LLMs cannot autonomously conduct literature reviews and are prone to hallucinating source material. We devised a novel strategy that combines Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy—a bibliometric technique for identifying foundational articles within a corpus—with LLMs to automatically summarize and cite salient details from articles. We demonstrate our approach for four common spinal conditions in a proof of concept.

METHODS:

Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy identified seminal articles from the corpora of literature for cervical myelopathy, lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar stenosis, and adjacent segment disease. The article text was split into 1024-token chunks. Queries from three knowledge domains (surgical management, pathophysiology, and natural history) were constructed. The most relevant article chunks for each query were retrieved from a vector database using chain-of-thought prompting. LLMs automatically summarized the literature into a comprehensive narrative with fully referenced facts and statistics. Information was verified through manual review, and spine surgery faculty were surveyed for qualitative feedback.

RESULTS:

Our tandem approach cost less than $1 for each condition and ran within 5 minutes. Generative Pre-trained Transformer–4 was the best-performing model, with a near-perfect 97.5% citation accuracy. Surveys of spine faculty helped refine the prompting scheme to improve the cohesion and accessibility summaries. The final artificial intelligence–generated text provided high-fidelity summaries of each pathology's most clinically relevant information.

CONCLUSION:

We demonstrate the rapid, automated summarization of seminal articles for four common spinal pathologies, with a generalizable workflow implemented using consumer-grade hardware. Our tandem strategy fuses bibliometrics and artificial intelligence to bridge the gap toward fully automated knowledge distillation, obviating the need for manual literature review and article selection.
Impact of Disability on Postoperative Outcomes After Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Zindani Shahzaib , Khalil Mujtaba , Woldesenbet Selamawit , Rashid Zayed , Altaf Abdullah , Kawashima Jun , Schenk Austin , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Approximately 61 million individuals in the United States have a disability and face unique challenges, resulting in healthcare disparities.

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the impact of disability on postoperative outcomes and number of healthy days at home (HDAH).

Methods

Patients who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer between 2017 and 2020 were identified using the Medicare database. Multivariable regression models were used to examine the association between disability and postoperative complications, discharge disposition, and the number of HDAH.

Results

A total of 72,452 individuals underwent GI cancer surgery (pancreas: n = 7614, 10.5%; hepatobiliary: n = 4994, 6.9%; colorectal: n = 59,844, 82.6%). Median patient age was 75 years (interquartile range 71–81) with most patients being female (n = 37,167, 51.3%). Overall, 5432 individuals (7.2%) had a disability. Following surgery, patients with a disability were more likely to experience complications (4.6% vs. 3.3%), be discharged to a skilled nursing facility (SNF; 26.6% vs. 12.3%), and experience hospital readmission (20.0% vs. 13.5%) [all p < 0.001]. Consequently, individuals with disabilities were more likely to spend fewer (<20th percentile) HDAH (33% vs. 19.2%) [all p < 0.001]. On multivariable analysis, disability was associated with higher odds of complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19–1.56) and hospital readmission (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.44–1.66). Additionally, disability was associated with higher odds of spending fewer HDAH (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.77–1.99).

Conclusion

Following GI cancer surgery, individuals with disabilities had a higher risk of complications and spent fewer HDAH. There is a need for targeted interventions to improve the care of patients with disabilities and ensure equitable oncological and surgical outcomes.
Understanding the social return on investment of physical activity and sport: developing an international consensus
Authors: Davies Larissa , Jiménez Alfonso , Nieto Inés , Mayo Xian , Reece Lindsay
Published: January 2025

There is growing demand from policy makers and practitioners to understand and measure the social impact of physical activity and sport (PAS) driven by the needs to justify investments from funders, improve decision-making of PAS managers, and produce robust and defensible evidence to underpin international and national PAS policy. Social return on investment (SROI) has emerged as a credible framework for measuring the non-financial impact of PAS; however, there is a lack of agreement about what and how social outcomes should be measured and valued. This article presents a research project that aims to address this gap through a systematic review and three-round Delphi study. The review identified five domains of social impact, and the Delphi study achieved consensus across 29 statements relating to health, education, crime, social capital, and well-being. The next stage of the project is to establish the most appropriate valuation techniques for capturing the monetary value of social outcomes from PAS across the domains. When complete, this research should encourage a more standardized approach to social impact measurement, which will help PAS stakeholders to articulate the social value of the sector more consistently.
The co-location of health care and leisure as part of a whole-system approach to physical activity promotion
Authors: Grinvalds Natalie , Shearn Katie , Humphreys Helen , Lowe Anna , De Vivo Marlize , Brown Beth , Copeland Robert J.
Published: January 2025

Individual-level interventions are insufficient to create the enabling conditions for population-level shifts in physical activity. This is evidenced by a lack of progress tackling physical inactivity across the globe. A more integrative and holistic approach is needed that recognizes the different contexts within which physical activity takes place. The interactions that occur between individuals and wider policy, environmental, and structural factors are also worthy of attention. This article explores an attempt to apply systems thinking and co-design to a health care context. We argue that co-locating health care clinics within leisure facilities can make it easier for people, particularly those with a health condition, to engage in physical activity.
Modelling the effects of climate change on shellfish production in marine artisanal fisheries of Ghana
Authors: Atindana Sandra Akugpoka , Ofori-Danson Patrick Kwabena , Brucet Sandra
Published: January 2025

Background Ghana’s marine artisanal fisheries, particularly the small pelagic fisheries, are in a state of crisis. The decline in the number of small pelagic fish are attributable to overfishing, climate variability and unsustainable fishing methods. Similarly, in the wake of climate change, shellfishes (particularly oysters, scallops and mussels) are highly vulnerable. Methods A total of 55 years’ worth of data from Ghana’s marine artisanal fisheries were studied in relation to climate indices. The primary objective was to develop a simple linear regression model for predicting shellfish catch in Ghana. Key informant interviews were employed in soliciting data on changes in climate along the coastline and trends in marine artisanal shell fish catch. Results The predictor variable that significantly explained shellfish production was temperature. Hence, the model is a valuable tool to predict future trends in the shellfish catch in marine artisanal fisheries. Conclusions Increases in sea surface temperature will adversely affect shellfish production. It is therefore important that the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and other stakeholders should, in their decision-making processes, ensure the formulation of climate smart policies and management strategies for sustainable use of the resource.
Exploring subjective well being in a developing country: Socio economic influence in Ecuador before and after the 2008 constitutional reform
Authors: Pacheco-Jaramillo W Alejandro , Miranti Riyana , Tanton Robert
Published: January 2025

Background This study investigates the impact of the 2008 constitutional change on Ecuadorians´ life satisfaction (developing country), based on the Sumak-Kawsay or “The good way of living” philosophy, with a particular focus on caring of people and mingas (community participation). Methods Through a repeated cross-sectional analysis of national survey data, this study compares the periods before (2007) and after (2014) the implementation of the 2008 constitution to examine how caring behaviors and mingas (community work) influence life satisfaction, using an ordinal logistic regression model to assess the role of this reform in shaping these effects. Results The findings reveal significant improvements in life satisfaction following the 2008’ reform, especially in the Eastern region, where community activities are prevalent, and poverty is most concentrated. These activities, including mingas, showed a positive association with an increase in life satisfaction, underscoring the role of public policies in improving public well-being. Conclusion This approach offers innovative empirical evidence on how social public policies that promote prosocial behaviors, such as solidarity and community participation, can create an environment encouraging to greater life satisfaction, particularly in less developed regions. It also underscores how social investment aimed at improving wealth distribution can positively influence collaborative behaviors.
Hypertextual writings in Catalan Literature (1939–1983)
Authors: Gregori Soldevila Carme , Cano Mateu J. Àngel
Published: January 2025

Hypertextual writings in Catalan Literature (1939–1983)
La Mélancolie et l’aspect spatio-temporel de l’identité dans Le pion sur l’échiquier d’Irène Némirovsky
Authors: Parfeniuk Liudmyla
Published: January 2025

Melancholy and the Spatio-temporal Aspect of Identity in Le pion sur l’échiquier (The Pawn on the Chessboard) by Irène Némirovsky. After the age of doubt enshrouding human subjectivity during the postmodern period, the question of the subject is back on the table. However, the return of the subject is not unproblematic. The subject today carries the traces of its earlier problematisation. Much less disengaged and much more contextual, the subject needs a revalidation that would avoid modernist dogmatism and postmodernist nihilism.
The narrative mode of understanding is seen as having the potential to open up a middle way between the totalising exclusions of modernity and the nihilism of postmodernity. However, some voices have pointed to the totalising tendencies of narrative theories, which place too much emphasis on integration and synthesis. These tendencies, it is believed, can be neutralised by theories that focus on the dialogical nature of the subject. This article offers a reading of the novel The Pawn on the Chessboard (Le pion sur l’échiquier) (1934), by Irène Némirovsky, as such, as the book offers a balanced model of the configuration of subjectivity by combining elements of the narrative configuration with dialogical ones.
Némirovsky’s prose combines classical narrative with clear structure and linearity and an aesthetic marked by incompleteness, fragmentation and a tendency to avoid the strict limits of plot. Some of her stories are incomplete, uncertain, their endings false or non-endings, leaving the characters exactly where they have always been or leading to the dissolution of the characters’ identities.
Paul Ricoeur’s theory of narrative identity, which focuses on unity and synthesis as the necessary prerequisite for the emergence of the sense of selfhood, and the concept of dialogical self developed by Mikhail Bakhtin, which favours incompleteness and openness, will be used to analyse the process of identity formation of the characters in The Pawn.
The emphasis will be placed, in particular, on the spatio-temporal aspect of identity constitution of the characters, and on the effect of melancholy on this aspect. Melancholy, it will be argued, disrupts the characters’ normal flow of temporality, trapping them in the melancholic ‘absolute present’. However, this triggers new mechanisms for the formation of the characters’ identities and the composition of the novel. As these mechanisms are inscribed in the spatial dimension, space becomes an additional device, participating in the configuration of time in the novel and supporting composition where the structuring function of emplotment is weakened.
Reliability of electrical and electronic equipment of modern vehicles
Authors: Zuev Sergey , Maleev Ruslan , Venevcev Viktor
Published: January 2025

The textbook contains information on the reliability of electrical and electronic equipment of vehicles, provides basic terms and definitions, provides information on the reliability of non-removable products, and on the operating conditions of transport electronics products. Information on statistical process management is provided. The types, purpose, and organization of testing, methods for evaluating reliability indicators, and ways to improve reliability (redundancy) are described. The analysis of technological processes by the method of histograms is given. The concept of "reliability" is formulated at the design stage. An a priori method for calculating the reliability of transport electronics products and components is described, as well as calculating the reliability of automotive electrical equipment products during design.
A description of the refinement of the distribution density curve is presented. The calculated determination of the highest heating temperature of the node in the calculated mode, the annual value of the heating mode for the node, the average square deviation of the temperature, and the coordinates of the approximate density curve of the node's temperature distribution are described. The calculations of the generators' life by the winding unit, by the rectifier and voltage regulator, as well as the calculation of the average bearing life and the calculation of the probability of trouble-free operation of the generator units and the generator as a whole are presented. Reliability requirements and test methods in standards and technical specifications are described, and the concept of "reliability economics" is formulated.
Meets the requirements of the latest generation of federal state educational standards for higher education.
It is intended for students studying in the fields of "Electric Power engineering and electrical engineering", "Instrument engineering", "Laser engineering and laser technologies", "Electrotechnical complexes and systems".
The Role of Physical Activity in Reducing Inflammation: Implications for Preventive Medicine
Authors: Kmieć Justyna Weronika , Kulej Piotr , Woźniak Justyna , Biesiada Wiktor , Chernysh Anna-Mariia , Dusińska Aleksandra , Waszczyński Jakub , Fuczyło Kamila , Stankevič Karolina
Published: January 2025

Physical activity is an accessible and free, modifiable factor which influences our health and wellbeing. Increased physical activity (PA) and exercise are associated with reduced chronic disease risk. The prevalence of physical inactivity is constantly increasing. Physical inactivity is associated with the development of various chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases [1].
All countries should adopt policies focused on encouraging people to move at all stages of life.
Understanding the links that exist between PA and inflammation can bring new vision on common chronic disease. There is no doubt it would favorably impact global society on the economic as well as productivity side. This review highlights anti-inflammatory effects of PA and exercise training in selected, frequent illnesses our time. 
Purpose of the work:  The purpose of this review is to explore and synthesize current scientific evidence on the anti-inflammatory effects of PA and exercise training, focusing on their impact on the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a literature search on the MEDLINE database in October 2024, utilizing keywords including 'physical activity', 'inflammation', ‘exercise’ and 'exerkine' to identify pertinent documents. The inclusion criterion was that the article addresses the following issues: the relationship between PA and inflammation in chronic diseases, the biochemical mechanisms linking physical activity to anti-inflammatory effects. Non-English language, or without full-text available articles, and publications not addressing the issues described in the inclusion criteria and were excluded from the analysis.
Congenital cytomegalovirus - current state of knowledge on the treatment and prevention of fetuses and newborns
Authors: Grego Katarzyna , Grego Mateusz , Stojak Łukasz , Popiela Dariusz , Urbańska Karina , Kwiatkowski Filip , Baczewski Mateusz , Czyż Witold
Published: January 2025

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)  is common  pathogen in the human population and one of the most  causes of intrauterine infections of the fetus. It is a component of the acronym TORCH describing pathogens which are a significant risk factor for miscarrings or serious damage to the fetus. Symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus occurs in about 10% of infected newborns and, among of the other things, can cause hearing loosing, vision impairment or cognitive impairment in the children. Importantly, a child who is asymptomatic at the time of delivery is still at risk of developing dysfunctions in the future. Currently there is no effective vaccine against cytomegalovirus. There are attempts to treat pregnant women with antiviral drugs and hyperimmunoglobulins. The treatment is intended to protect the fetus from vertical transmission of the virus or to reduce the effects of infection. An important aspect is the time of starting treatment for the woman and the seroprevalence of expectant mothers. The risk of fetal infection increases with the age of pregnancy. Primary infection of the mother poses a greater danger to the fetus than secondary infection. The key moment of treatment apear to be the first trimester of pregnancy, because it is during this period that the greatest devastation occurs in the rapidly developing fetus. For this reason, the greatest benefit from treatment may be obtained by pregnant women with primary CMV infection in the first trimester of pregnancy. In this article, we will present the problem of congenital cytomegalovirus and describe the current proposals for treatment and prophylaxis used in fetuses and newborns infected with cytomegalovirus, we will present the current state of knowledge about potential side effects of its use.
¡Sí, chef! Análisis de la estructura narrativa de la primera temporada de The Bear (fx, 2022)
Authors: Marcos Ramos María , Pérez Morán Ernesto
Published: January 2025

En el presente artículo se estudia la estructura narrativa de la serie televisiva The Bear, que narra la vuelta al restaurante familiar de un reputado chef. Para ello se ha realizado un análisis secuenciado de los capítulos de la primera temporada de la ficción, observando las escenas, los nudos de acción, así como las tramas y subtramas, con el que se ha podido cuantificar los dramáticamente relevantes, al igual que los hilos argumentales. El análisis se ha centrado en la estructura narrativa, en concreto en el tiempo, en el espacio, en la acción y en los personajes, para poder comprender el esqueleto de la ficción audiovisual, así como los elementos que la caracterizan. Entre las principales conclusiones detectadas destaca que, a pesar de partir de una premisa centrada en un personaje, la serie se caracteriza por la acción, el número de nudos es similar al de una serie mainstream y presenta una serie de dualidades que contiene contradicciones en las acciones, los personajes y en la puesta en escena. The Bear, por lo tanto, aunque parece una serie creada a partir de un conflicto personal, luce una estructura que se acerca más a una narrativa basada en la acción, tal y como demuestra el análisis hecho, por lo que se aproxima más a un producto mainstream que autorial.