bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review—A Comparative Analysis of the Fundamental Characteristics and Uses of the Amorphous Polymers Poly(sulfone) and Poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Saxena Pooja , Shukla Prashant
Published: January 2025

Amorphous polymers have some limitations compared to their crystalline counterparts but also several advantages, such as improved transparency, ease of processing, and specific applications in industries where their unique properties are beneficial. The choice between amorphous and crystalline polymers depends on the specific requirements of the application and desired material properties. In this regard, Poly (sulfone) (PSF) and Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) offer a range of valuable properties that can be beneficial in various applications. Their unique characteristics make them stand out among other amorphous polymers and contribute to their popularity in different industries. PSF and PMMA are two distinct types of amorphous polymers that possess different chemical structures and properties, leading to varied applications. PSF is preferred when high temperature and chemical resistance are crucial, while PMMA is ideal for applications that require excellent optical clarity and transparency. Both polymers have their strengths and weaknesses, and their uses depend on specific requirements in different industries. This review aims to present a comparative analysis of the fundamental characteristics like physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of PSF and PMMA and their uses. This article also provides a valuable reference for comprehending the two polymers for progress in numerous science and technology domains.
Establishment of a Triplex qPCR Assay for Differentiating Highly Virulent Genotype I Recombinant Virus From Low‐Virulence Genotype I and Genotype II African Swine Fever Viruses Circulating in China
Authors: Ding Leilei , Ren Tao , Bing Guoxia , Wang Zhigang , Wang Baoyue , Ni Jianqiang , Liu Yuliang , Zhao Rui , Zhu Yuanmao , Li Fang , Liu Renqiang , Fu Qiang , Tian Zhijun , Bu Zhigao , Sun Encheng , Zhao Dongming
Published: January 2025

African swine fever virus (ASFV) poses serious threats to the global swine industry, food safety, and the economy. Since August 2018, different types of ASFVs have successively emerged in China, making ASF diagnostics more challenging. The highly virulent genotype I recombinant virus has gradually become the prevalent dominant strain and is identified by sequencing several of its genes, which is time‐consuming and expensive. Here, we developed a triplex real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay based on the ASFV B646L, X64R, and MGF_360‐14L genes to differentiate highly virulent genotype I recombinant viruses from low‐virulence genotype I and genotype II viruses in China. This method has high sensitivity and a limit of detection of 10 copies/reaction for standard plasmids, as well as good specificity without cross‐reactions with the viral nucleic acids of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), pseudorabies virus (PRV), porcine circovirus 2 (PCV 2), porcine circovirus 3 (PCV 3), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), or porcine rotavirus (PoRV). Importantly, triplex qPCR can be used to quickly and accurately evaluate clinical samples and cell cultures infected with highly virulent genotype I virus, low‐virulence genotype I virus, or genotype II virus. Thus, triplex qPCR provides an alternative tool for ASF surveillance in China.
Traffic Signal Setting at Urban Junctions and Fundamental Diagram: A Before–After Study
Authors: Alonso Borja , Del Giudice Salvatore , Musolino Giuseppe , Vitetta Antonino
Published: January 2025

The paper analyses the effects of modifying traffic light regulations at urban road junctions, focussing on the ratio between green time and cycle time, as a function of vehicular traffic variables (flows, density and speed) on the links. The analyses are conducted in an urban setting using a before‐and‐after approach, employing traffic data detected by loop detectors and traffic light control parameters (the ratio between green time and cycle time) that were actually implemented. The data pertain to a central street in the city of Santander (Spain), collected during several significant weeks in different periods corresponding to varying demands for mobility. In the context of existing studies on the flow–density diagram, a function is estimated that considers the ratio between green time and cycle time as the independent variable and link capacity as the dependent variable. The analysis at the link level may be extended in the future to the network level by incorporating the network fundamental diagram into the traffic signal setting design problem.
A Case of Euglycemic Ketoacidosis Secondary to Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Authors: Chen Evan J. , West William A. , Bagavathy Kavitha
Published: January 2025

Euglycemic ketoacidosis (EKA) has been reported as a rare but life‐threatening complication of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). EKA should be suspected in the setting of persistent high anion gap metabolic acidosis despite renal replacement therapy. Critically ill patients, especially those with diabetes mellitus, are at risk of EKA due to deficient caloric intake, the presence of excess counterregulatory stress hormones, and nutritional losses from CRRT. Even with the use of glucose‐containing dialysates, EKA can be observed. Prompt treatment with insulin and glucose‐containing infusions leads to rapid resolution of the condition. Early optimization of nutritional intake can prevent or mitigate EKA. This case report describes a patient who developed EKA while on CRRT for severe acute kidney injury from neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
Late Presentation of McArdle’s Disease Mimicking Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Elghobashy Maiar , Pohl Ute , Bateman James
Published: January 2025

McArdle disease or glycogen storage disease Type V is a genetic condition caused by PYGM gene mutations leading to exercise intolerance and fatigability. The condition most commonly presents in childhood. In rare cases, patients have presented with late‐onset McArdle disease. We present a case of a 64‐year‐old male presenting with myalgia who was initially presented with polymyalgia rheumatica–type symptoms of proximal muscle pain and a response to steroids. At review, his background musculoskeletal symptoms were evaluated in detail. Following a muscle biopsy, skeletal muscle enzymatic assay, and genetic testing, he was diagnosed with late‐onset McArdle’s disease (homozygous PYGM genotype). The importance of recognition and early diagnosis is highlighted to enable the accurate diagnosis and conservative lifestyle advice, with the avoidance of other medical therapies for other disease mimics.
Structural Violence and the Social Determinants of Mental Health: Exploring the Experiences of Participants on the Ontario Basic Income Pilot in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Smith-Carrier Tracy , Power Elaine
Published: January 2025

Introduction: In 2017, a provincial Liberal government launched the Ontario Basic Income Pilot (OBIP) to assess a promising approach to poverty reduction in Ontario, Canada. It was prematurely canceled by a subsequent Conservative government, despite election promises assuring that it would continue. The cancelation affected 4000 OBIP recipients.

Objective: This study explored how participants’ lives were on the OBIP compared to their lives before and after the pilot project using the social determinants of mental health (SDoMH) as a key lens.

Study Design and Data Collection: Semistructured interview data, gathered in 2019, were collected from a sample of 46 OBIP participants from three study sites, viewed through the lenses of structural violence and the SDoMH, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings: We identified eight themes from the data, all of which pointed to the positive impacts of the OBIP on the SDoMH of participants. These included expanded opportunities for education and employment, improved housing stability, enhanced social inclusion (including an escape from the denigrations of receiving charity), improved sense of security and mental health, the wherewithal to eschew “crappy foods” in favor of healthier options, and the freedom to live one’s life as one chooses. All these positive impacts were threatened or reversed by the Pilot’s cancelation.

Conclusions and Implications: The discontinuation of the OBIP, a benefit that appeared to be improving the mental health and well‐being of OBIP participants, can be viewed as an act of structural violence by government leaders. This study contributes to the growing evidence showing that cash transfer programs, such as a basic income, can alleviate psychological distress and improve mental well‐being for people living in poverty. A groundswell of mobilized citizens, and public health and mental health practitioners specifically, must hold governments accountable for acts of structural violence that can readily be addressed through policies that eradicate poverty.
Comparative Analysis of Systematic, Scoping, Umbrella, and Narrative Reviews in Clinical Research: Critical Considerations and Future Directions
Authors: Motevalli Mohamad
Published: January 2025

Review studies play a key role in the development of clinical practice by synthesizing data and drawing conclusions from multiple scientific sources. In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of review studies conducted and published by researchers. In clinical research, different types of review studies (systematic, scoping, umbrella, and narrative reviews) are conducted with different objectives and methodologies. Despite the abundance of guidelines for conducting review studies, researchers often face challenges in selecting the most appropriate review method, mainly due to their overlapping characteristics, including the complexity of matching review types to specific research questions. The aim of this article is to compare the main features of systematic, scoping, umbrella, and narrative reviews in clinical research and to address key considerations for selecting the most appropriate review approach. It also discusses future opportunities for updating their strategies based on emerging trends in clinical research. Understanding the differences between review approaches will help researchers, practitioners, journalists, and policymakers to effectively navigate the complex and evolving field of scientific research, leading to informed decisions that ultimately enhance the overall quality of healthcare practices.
Resurgence of Type III IGR Between I73R and I329L in Wild Boars With African Swine Fever in South Korea in 2023
Authors: Kim Garam , Kim So-Jeong , Kim Jung-Hyeuk , Kim Yong-Kwan , Jheong Weon-Hwa
Published: January 2025

The African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes African swine fever (ASF), a highly lethal disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. Since its initial outbreak in October 2019 in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, ASF has continued to spread in South Korea. This study aimed to differentiate closely related ASFV strains through the analysis of the intergenic region (IGR) between I73R and I329L genes. In 2019, genetic analysis confirmed one IGR I type case and two IGR III type cases in Paju, followed by two more IGR III type cases in 2020. After a period of detecting only the IGR II type, IGR III type cases re‐emerged in Pohang and Cheong‐song in November and December 2023. Genetic analysis using B646L, CP204, B602L, and EP402R genes confirmed that the IGR III strains belong to genotype II and serogroup 8, similar to the Georgia/2007/1 strain but differing in IGR type. Since the first occurrence of ASF in wild boars in South Korea, we have continuously monitored the introduction and variation of ASFV. As a result, we reconfirmed the presence of the IGR III type ASFV in 2023, 3 years and 8 months later, in a different area from where it was last detected. This finding would not have been possible without the continuous monitoring of ASFV introduction and genetic variation. We emphasize the critical role of regular monitoring based on molecular markers and comprehensive genomic analysis in enhancing the effectiveness of ASFV control and prevention.
Molecular Characterization of Bovine Deltapapillomavirus in Equine Sarcoids in Egypt
Authors: Sobhy Nader Maher , Refaai Walid , Kumar Rahul , Bottros Youssef Christiana Rezk , Goyal Sagar Mal
Published: January 2025

Bovine papillomaviruses (BPVs) commonly cause sarcoids in equines worldwide. Equine sarcoids (ESs) reduce the working ability of draft animals and produce untoward cosmetic changes in racing and dancing equine. In this study, nine horses and 16 donkeys with sarcoids were presented to Zagazig University Veterinary Clinic, Zagazig, Egypt. Of these, eight horses and six donkeys were found to be infected with BPV. On sequencing, all 14 viruses were found to be BPV1, which were distributed in two clades without specific differentiation among papillomaviruses (PVs) of donkeys, horses, and cattle. Comparison of 135 aa (319–454) of the sequenced L1 gene with reference strains revealed three conservative mutations (D346N, Q398E, and F441Y) and two nonconservative mutations (T348N and K351T). Illumina sequencing revealed that PVs of donkeys and horses were identical and had 98.5% identity with the closest reference sequence (KX907623) of BPV1. In addition, there was high identity among all genes except E5 and L2. The substitution ranged between 0.5% (nt) and 0.89% (aa) in E4 and 5.18% (nt) and 6.81% (aa) in E5. These results indicate that BPV1 is the main cause of ESs in Egypt without marked phylogenetic variation among PVs of cattle, horses, and donkeys.
Supplementary Figure S1 from Missense Mutant p53 Transactivates Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Neighboring p53-Destabilized Cells through the COX-2/PGE2 Pathway
Authors: Nakayama Mizuho , Saito Hiroshi , Murakami Kazuhiro , Oshima Hiroko , Oshima Masanobu
Published: January 2025

Trp53 LOH analysis for AKTP R270H cells
Figure 1 from Missense Mutant p53 Transactivates Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Neighboring p53-Destabilized Cells through the COX-2/PGE2 Pathway
Authors: Nakayama Mizuho , Saito Hiroshi , Murakami Kazuhiro , Oshima Hiroko , Oshima Masanobu
Published: January 2025

Promotion of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in missense-type p53-mutant colon tumors. A, Luciferase activities of NF-κΒ reporter assay are shown as a bar graph (mean ± SD). B, Luciferase activities of Wnt/β-catenin reporter assay (TOPFlash) are shown as a bar graph (mean ± SD). Three independent AKTPNull and AKTPR270H organoid lines for each were used in the reporter assays (A and B). Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way ANOVA test (A and B). C, Luciferase activities of Wnt/β-catenin reporter assay for control-transfected and Trp53 siRNA–transfected AKTPR270H organoid cells are shown as a bar graph (mean ± SD). The immunoblotting result for p53 is shown. GAPDH was used as the internal control. Each dot in A–C graphs indicates an independent experiment. P values are indicated. D, Representative confocal microscopy images of fluorescence immunocytochemistry for β-catenin (green) and E-cadherin (red) in AKTPNull and AKTPR270H organoids. Arrowheads indicate cells with β-catenin stabilization. Bars, 25 μm. E, Representative photographs of fluorescence IHC for β-catenin (green) and E-cadherin (red) of AKTPNull and AKTPR270H liver metastatic tumors. Insets show enlarged images. Bars, 100 μm. Note that β-catenin accumulation was predominantly found in AKTPR270H tumors. F, Immunoblotting results for p53 in colorectal cancer cell lines. β-Actin was used as the internal control. G, Luciferase activities of Wnt/β-catenin reporter assay (TOPFlash) for colorectal cancer cell lines are shown as a bar graph (mean ± SD). Each dot indicates an independent experiment. The P value is provided. H, Representative photographs of immunostaining for p53 (left) and β-catenin (right) of p53-positive and β-catenin nuclear-accumulated (top) and p53-negative and β-catenin not nuclear–accumulated (bottom) human colorectal cancer. Insets show enlarged images of the boxed area. Arrowheads indicate p53 stabilization (left) and β-catenin nuclear accumulation (right). Bars, 200 μm. I, Ratio of β-catenin nuclear accumulation in p53-positive (+) and p53-negative (−) colorectal cancer scored using the IHC results in H. The P value is indicated.
Next-Generation Sequencing: Key for Diagnosing Angiomyolipoma – A Case Report
Authors: Revilla López José , Enciso Chancahuana Rainer , Meza Cruzado Sayuri , Meléndez Ríos Francisco , Negron Abril Yashira L. , Sumarriva Daniel , Samec Timothy , Sullcahuaman Allende Yasser , Chávez Passiuri Ivan , Casanova Marquez Luis , Carracedo Gonzáles Carlos
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) are rare tumors categorized within the perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) family, most of which are benign, except for epithelioid AMLs (EAML) with malignant potential. EAML develops sporadically or as part of the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), where mutations of the TSC1/2 genes result in increased activation of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Case Presentation: A 52-year-old female patient experienced dyspnea and abdominal pain, leading to the discovery of a retroperitoneal tumor confirmed by tomography. She was initially diagnosed with a retroperitoneal liposarcoma with lung metastasis. Following a first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy, the patient achieved a complete clinical and tomographic response. Subsequent surgical resection of the primary tumor and a course of ifosfamide monotherapy yielded a 36-month progression-free survival to date. Comprehensive molecular profiling of the primary tumor by whole exome sequencing revealed pathogenic mutations in TSC2 and the absence of amplifications in MDM2 and CDK4, raising the need to consider a differential diagnosis in PEComas, and contemplate the potential use of AKT/Pi3K/mTOR pathway inhibitors. Pathological re-evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of a metastatic retroperitoneal AML with complete response and no evidence of disease. Conclusion: This case underscores the invaluable role of next-generation sequencing testing in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal tumors, as well as the ability to identify precise therapeutic targets for the treatment of rare soft tissue cancer types within the realm of precision medicine.
The Associations Between Breastfeeding and Early Childhood Caries: a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhao Chenkai , Ke Kang , Ye Kan , Lv Hong , Tao Shiyao , Qin Rui , Xu Xin , Dou Yuanyan , Xu Bo , Han Xiumei , Jiang Yangqian , Jiang Tao , Yuan Hua , Ma Hongxia , Jin Guangfu , Shen Hongbing , Hu Zhibin , Lin Yuan , Hong Qin , Wu Huaying , Du Jiangbo
Published: January 2025

Introduction
The association between breastfeeding status and early childhood caries (ECC) remains inconclusive. Few studies evaluate the breastfeeding status including both duration and exclusivity according to the WHO recommendations on breastfeeding. This study aimed to investigate the association between breastfeeding status and ECC.
Methods
This prospective cohort study comprised 3,666 children whose breastfeeding status was precisely evaluated. Poisson regression models and multivariable linear regression models were employed to analyze the associations of breastfeeding status with risk of ECC, and mean dmfs (decayed, missing and filled primary tooth surfaces) in 3-year-old children, respectively. The data were collected from 2014 to 2020, and the analysis was conducted at 2023.
Results
The prevalences of ECC in offspring breastfed for <6 months, 6-11 months, 12-24 months and > 24 months was 9%, 12%, 17% and 23%, respectively. Offspring breastfed for 12-24 months and over 24 months had a 1.82 times (95% CI, 1.40 to 2.37; P <0.001) and 2.48 times (95% CI, 1.63 to 3.75; P <0.001) higher risk of ECC, compared to those breastfed for less than 6 months. Offspring breastfed for 12-24 months showed a mean dmfs increase of 0.32 (95% CI, 0.21 to 0.44; P <0.001), while those breastfed for over 24 months had a mean dmfs increase of 0.51 (95% CI, 0.27 to 0.74; P <0.001), compared to those breastfed for less than 6 months. Among offspring breastfed for over 24 months, those exclusively breastfed for at least 6 months had significantly lower mean dmfs compared to those exclusively breastfed for less than 6 months (P for heterogeneity =0.003). A significant interaction was observed between breastfeeding duration and exclusive breastfeeding duration on the association with mean dmfs (P for interaction <0.001).
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that breastfeeding for over 12 months was associated with increased risk of ECC. Preventive interventions for dental caries should be implemented as early as possible, as breastfeeding is beneficial to children’s health. The associations between breastfeeding duration and exclusivity with ECC should be investigated more thoroughly, particularly with adjustments for accurately measured sugar consumption.
New eDNA-based insights for the detection of endemic and endangered Apennine yellow bellied toad (Bombina variegata pachypus) and its pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Authors: Mirone Enrico , Giovacchini Simone , Bologna Marco A. , Bruno Antonia , Caprotti Luca , Di Febbraro Mirko , Jamwal Pushpinder S. , Monaco Pamela , Ramazzotti Fausto , Vignoli Leonardo , Galimberti Andrea , Loy Anna
Published: January 2025

Amphibian populations are experiencing a global significant decline due to habitat loss, climate change, disease outbreaks and last but not least, interaction with alien species and/or their parasites. The Apennine yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata pachypus (Bonaparte, 1838)) is endemic to the Italian Peninsula. This subspecies, like many other amphibians, is declining and is listed as Endangered (EN) in the italian red list (http://www.iucnredlist.org). This study aimed to use an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based approach to detect the occurrence of both B. v. pachypus and its potential threatening pathogen fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis Lee Berger, 1998 (Chytridiomycetes, hereafter Bd), at 20 freshwater sampling sites in Central Italy (i.e., five isolated ponds and six rivers). Here, a new TaqMan-based (qPCR) assay has been developed for eDNA-based detection of B. v. pachypus. Additionally, eDNA-based screening for Bd occurrence was conducted. Two sampling replicates per site were carried out in 2021-2022. For the sampling sites along rivers, we collected six fine-scale and 16 large-scale environmental variables that could affect the detection of eDNA from B. v. pachypus and Bd and therefore the occurrence of these species. eDNA of B. v. pachypus was detected in 12 out of 20 sampling sites, whereas Bd was found at one sample site, co-occurring with B. v. pachypus. Environmental DNA of B. v. pachypus was detected at all but one of the rivers surveyed (i.e., Liri River). Nine out of 12 eDNA positive sites represented new occurrences for this amphibian, most of which (n = 8) were located outside Natura 2000 areas. Positive sites included eight out of 14 running water bodies and four out of six standing water bodies; the latter including a pond in a lowland protected area where B. pachypus was considered extirpated since 1997. The outcomes of this study confirm eDNA as a rapid and cost-effective method for large-scale surveys of both the Apennine yellow-bellied toad and its potentially threatening pathogenic fungus Bd.
The Use of Vertical Gradients of Radar Reflectivity Factor and Radial Velocity to Diagnose Dynamical and Microphysical Structures in Extratropical Cyclones: Results from IMPACTS
Authors: Zaremba Troy J. , Rauber Robert M.
Published: January 2025

The Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms field campaign comprised three deployments in January and February of 2020, 2022, and 2023. Throughout these deployments, the NASA Earth Resources-2 (ER-2) aircraft conducted 26 research flights, equipped with three vertically pointing radars. These radars sampled the vertical structure of extratropical cyclone clouds at four distinct radar wavelengths, enabling a finer-scale analysis of reflectivity and radial velocity structures within extratropical cyclones with a vertical sampling resolution of 26.5 m. In this analysis, we introduce a novel technique utilizing vertical gradients in radial velocity and reflectivity, which proved effective in identifying turbulence, waves, and layers of ascent over 132.5-m layers for all flight legs conducted during the campaign. The spatial scale of 132.5 m was chosen to capture fine-scale variations associated with small-scale turbulent eddies and shear zones in frontal regions. The gradient analysis aided in detecting small-scale changes in reflectivity and radial velocity that might have gone unnoticed otherwise. Moreover, the corresponding gradients in reflectivity suggest potential interactions of falling ice crystals with turbulence, waves, and shear layers, possibly influencing the microphysical characteristics and the vertical spatial distribution of falling snow. The observed vertical gradients in radial velocity often exhibited linear, layered patterns but in some instances displayed wave-like appearances, sloped patterns along frontal boundaries, or magnitude fluctuations. This paper focuses on presenting and detailing the vertical gradient technique to examine winter storms. Future work will involve a comprehensive analysis of these gradients in relation to dual-frequency radar measurements and in situ microphysical characteristics.

Significance Statement

This study explores fine-scale variations in radial velocity and reflectivity within extratropical cyclones observed during the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms. These fine-scale variations in reflectivity and radial velocity modify the background characteristics of stratiform cloud cover, reorganizing and enhancing snowfall as it falls to the surface. We found that vertical gradients in reflectivity and radial velocity can be used to identify these fine-scale (<132.5 m) turbulent layers, waves, and broader regions of ascent within winter storms.
Social origin and educational choices: A comparative study of rural and urban students’ school track choices in Norway
Authors: Zahl-Thanem Alexander , Blekesaune Arild
Published: January 2025

This study focuses on the interplay between social origin, location and students’ educational choices. In particular, by using population-wide administrative data from Norway focusing on students’ school track choices in upper secondary education, we aim to gain insight into the complex dynamics through which social origin and location intersect in shaping students’ educational choices. In doing so, we aim to contribute to the current literature on spatial inequality in education, which has often treated students outside larger cities as a homogeneous group. The results show that rural students choose vocational tracks over academic tracks more frequently than do their urban counterparts and that this is not simply a reflection of spatial differences in socioeconomic resources. We find that urban-rural differences are less pronounced among students whose parents have higher levels of education but are considerably more pronounced among students whose parents are less educated. However, rural students from higher educational origins still appear less likely to choose academic tracks than their urban counterparts with similar educational backgrounds. By differentiating between the primary and secondary effects of social origin, we discuss how these patterns relate to differences in school performance and educational choices arising from different cost-benefit and risk assessments.
The Quezon City pride: Tug of wars and triumphs in LGBTIQ+ rights
Authors: Gregorio Veronica L , Cristobal Ging
Published: January 2025

How is the Filipino family values discourse leveraged to hinder or critique policies promoting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) rights? And in contrast, how does the local government in Quezon City navigate these challenges to persist with their policies and programs for the LGBTIQ+ community? Anchored in the literature on Asian values and Filipino values, these are the two questions that we will attempt to answer in this article. In doing so, we used Quezon City as our case study, with an analysis of key political figures as a secondary method, and complemented by the auto-ethnographic insights of Ging Cristobal, the second author. She is a member of the LGBTIQ+ community, an activist, an advocate, and collaborator of Quezon City’s current Mayor, Joy Belmonte. We conclude that despite challenges, the Quezon City local government remains steadfast in its support for the LGBTIQ+ community, driven by committed collaboration, ethical political maneuvering, and the nuanced interplay between national and local policies. To support this practice on the ground, we propose to theorize to reclaim and recalibrate the almost ‘holy family’ (Joseph–Mary–Jesus) imagination of the Filipino family using decolonial scholarship.
Housing unaffordability and political preferences among young people in Europe
Authors: Furtado Julia , Flynn Lindsay B.
Published: January 2025

Affordable housing is a pressing political problem that seems to be fueling social unrest among young people. Rising rents, expensive property prices, and stagnant wages leave young adults with few prospects of entering the housing market without intergenerational financial support. In this article, we examine the role of homeownership, housing unaffordability, and intergenerational transfers in explaining welfare preference and voting behavior of young European adults. We propose the emergence of a new growing interest group composed of financially overburdened young renters and mortgaged homeowners whose welfare is increasingly threatened. We bridged HFCS 2017 and ISSP 2016 datasets through statistical matching and used ordered and multinomial logit models to analyze these trends in Belgium, Germany, France, and Slovakia. We find that homeownership polarizes young adults in terms of their welfare support. Housing unaffordability, however, coalesces young homeowners and renters by increasing redistribution support.
Gendered Framing of Agribusiness Under USAID’s Feed the Future Initiative in Liberia: A Colonial Sequel?
Authors: Amevor Elinam Balimenuku
Published: January 2025

Women’s contribution to food security in sub-Saharan Africa is acknowledged by international development agencies, resulting in efforts to empower women beyond peasant agriculture. However, the methodologies for mitigating the structural marginalization of women in the sector are sometimes overlooked. Using in-depth interviews, this study examines the gendered framing of agribusiness under USAID’s Feed the Future initiative in Liberia. Findings demonstrate that USAID program implementers’ approach to, and framing of agribusiness toward food security in Liberia was masculinized to achieve the program’s policy goals. This study contributes to critical research into the subtle, taken-for-granted ways that development agencies engage in policy framing to promote their interests above those of the local stakeholders they seek to empower. It makes recommendations for future critical research into the gendered framing of agribusiness in Africa by the international development industry as an archetype of colonialism.
Advancing Equitable Access to Harm Reduction: Implementation and Early Use of an Outdoor Harm Reduction Vending Machine, Kern County, California, 2023
Authors: Herrera Ashleigh
Published: January 2025

To reduce opioid-related morbidity and mortality, local coalitions on substance use prevention in Kern County, California, have sought to increase equitable engagement and reengagement with harm reduction supplies, including naloxone. Through a community–academic partnership and funding from the local managed health care plan in Kern County, we ordered, stocked, and monitored a temperature-controlled outdoor harm reduction vending machine (HRVM) in Bakersfield, California. We outlined the necessary steps for successful procurement and implementation of community-based HRVMs. To increase acceptability, we engaged in open dialogue with our partners, interested parties, and people with lived experience of substance use to inform the contents of the harm reduction supply kits. In addition, we consulted the literature, physicians, and epidemiologists to inform best practices for the quantity of supplies per kit and the frequency limits for dispensation. To ensure long-term sustainability, we secured grant funding from the California Harm Reduction Supply Clearinghouse to maintain a backstock of harm reduction supplies for the kits, successfully applied for the Naloxone Distribution Project through the California Department of Health Care Services for a continuous supply of free naloxone, and developed student internship and research assistant positions through our academic partner to support participant recruitment and data collection and management efforts. Our efforts culminated in the launch of the county’s first HRVM and orders for 2 additional HRVMs. Through our experiences, we gained insight on how to improve the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of community-based HRVMs, which can enhance health equity.
Exploring social media burnout, anxiety, and self-control in Turkish University students: Gender and engagement as moderators
Authors: Avcı Ümmühan , Yıldız Durak Hatice
Published: January 2025

Social media still plays a dominant role in individuals’ lives today. These environments, where negative emotions such as burnout and anxiety are fostered, are examined in terms of various variables. The current study investigated the multifaceted relationship between the social media burnout levels of Turkish students who are social media users and their self-control, anxiety, age, and duration of social media use. The moderating effects of gender and active or passive social media use on these relationships were examined. The study included 347 university students, 140 women and 207 men. A personal information form, social media burnout scale, social media anxiety scale, and self-control desire scale were used to gather the data. Partial least squares structural equation modelling the proposed structural model indicated that individuals with low self-control in social media use have high social media anxiety. Social media burnout was found to be high in individuals with high social media anxiety. In addition, the results demonstrate a positive relationship between social media anxiety and burnout, and this relationship is moderated by active-passive social media use.
Laser cladding Al/Ni composite coating and its tribology performance
Authors: Zhang Guangliang , Ren Zhichao , Hou Yuanyuan , Zheng Hongyu
Published: January 2025

Al/Ni coating was prepared on Al substrate by laser cladding technology. The effects of Al/Ni ratio on the morphology, phase composition, hardness and wear resistance of the coating were investigated. The results showed that the coating formed a strong metallurgical bond with 7075 aluminum alloy substrate. With the increase of Ni content, the microstructure at the top of the coating changes from plate dendrites to equiaxial dendrites. When the Ni content reaches 50%, the top of the AlNi50 coating is a sheet of Al-Ni intermetallic compounds and locally precipitated Al-Ni intermetallic compounds with high aluminum content. The intermediate structure of the coating is dominated by columnar dendrites, and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) is characterized by transverse equiaxial dendrite structure. With the increase of Ni powder in composite powder, the hardness and wear resistance of the coating increases correspondingly. In particular, the maximum hardness of the AlNi50 coating is 1050 HV2, which is about 7 times the average hardness of the substrate. The wear surface of the AlNi50 coating has a shallow gully, the friction coefficient is only 0.305, and the wear amount is only 4.5 mg within 60 min. The corrosion potential of AlNi50 is −1.0838 V, the corrosion current density is 3.672 × 10−5 A/cm2, and the corrosion resistance is better than that of the substrate.
Outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection repair in patients under the age of 75 versus 75 and older
Authors: Jones Reyna , Yousef Sarah , Brown James A , Serna-Gallegos Derek , Ahmad Danial , Zhu Jianhui , Subramaniam Kathirvel , Joshi Rama , Gelzinis Theresa , Phillippi Julie , Yoon Pyongsoo , Bonatti Johannes , Kaczorowski David , Chu Danny , Sultan Ibrahim
Published: January 2025

Objective

Elderly patients are less likely to undergo surgery for an acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). This study aims to understand the risks of surgical treatment in patients 75 and older.

Methods

This was a retrospective study using an institutional database of patients who underwent ATAAD repair from 2007 to 2021. Outcomes were compared between patients <75 and patients [Formula: see text] 75. Logistic regression was performed for operative mortality, and Cox regression was performed for long-term mortality.

Results

A total of 601 patients underwent surgery for ATAAD, 112 (18.6%) of whom were ≥75. Patients ≥75 were significantly more likely to undergo hemiarch replacement (vs total arch replacement) and concomitant CABG. Operative mortality was 16.1% in patients ≥75 versus 10.2% in those <75 ( p = 0.078). On multivariable logistic regression, age ≥75 was not significantly associated with operative mortality ( p = 0.068). Effect of age on long-term mortality was time-dependent: on Cox regression, being 75 or older and within one-year post-discharge was significantly associated with an increased hazard of death (time-dependent HR 4.56; 95% CI, 2.31–9.06; p < 0.001), while age was not associated with an increased hazard of death after the first postoperative year ( p = 0.779).

Conclusion

Despite reduced survival during the first postoperative year among patients 75 years and older, operative mortality and late survival were similar across each group. By implication, age alone should not be a deterrent to operative intervention in ATAAD patients, even though further investigation is needed to determine opportunities for improving survival during the first postoperative year after ATAAD repair.
RflyMAD: A dataset for multicopter fault detection and health assessment
Authors: Le Xiangli , Jin Bo , Cui Gen , Dai Xunhua , Quan Quan
Published: January 2025

This paper presents an open-source dataset, RflyMAD, a Multicopter Abnormal Dataset developed by the Reliable Flight Control (Rfly) Group aiming to promote the development of research fields such as Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) or Health Assessment (HA). The full 114 GB dataset includes 11 types of faults under 6 flight statuses which are adapted from the ADS-33 file to cover more cases where the multicopters have different levels of mobility when faults occur. In the total of 5629 flight cases, the fault time is up to 3283 min, and there are 2566 cases for software-in-the-loop (SIL) simulation, 2566 cases for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation, and 497 cases for real flight. As it contains simulation data based on RflySim and real flight data, it is possible to improve the quantity while increasing the quality of the data. In each case, there are ULog, Telemetry log, Flight information, and processed files for researchers to use and review. The RflyMAD dataset could be used as a benchmark for fault diagnosis methods and the support relationship between simulation data and real flight is verified by transfer learning methods. In the future, more methods will be presented as a baseline and RflyMAD will be updated with more data and types. In addition, the dataset and associated toolkit are available at https://rfly-openha.github.io/documents/4_resources/dataset.html .
Microstructure evolution and deformation mechanism of twinning induced plasticity steel subjected to impact loading
Authors: Liu Xiyue , Feng Xinchang , Li Qianyi , Ye Yicong , Bai Shuxin , He Manchao , Xia Min
Published: January 2025

In this paper, the twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel was tested under single-stage gas gun plate impact loading with the speed of 500 m/s in the strain rate range of 5.5 × 104 s−1–3.6 × 105 s−1 to study the effect of strain rates on spall strength and damage. The microstructures of TWIP steel after impact loading were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to investigate the impact response mechanisms. The impact process of TWIP steel was simulated based on finite element software ANSYS/LS-DYNA to better understand the stress change of the flyer plate on samples. Experimental results reveal that the spall strength of TWIP steel has a strong dependence on strain rates. The samples made by TWIP steels occur full spallation at different strain rates, and spall damage increases with decreasing strain rates. The failure mechanisms of TWIP steel are analyzed at different loading conditions, showing ductile voids at the grain boundaries and triple junctions dominating the fracture. Contact stress formed during impact progress propagates from the contact edge to the sample center as spherical waves. When t = 16.14 μs, the stress at the center of the sample reaches the maximum and spall damage occurs. The results obtained from finite element analogy are extremely in agreement with the experiment.
Network-Wide Traffic Volume Estimation Based on Probe Vehicle Data
Authors: Eisinga Kia , Lorkowski Stefan
Published: January 2025

We propose a method for estimating traffic volumes on all roads of the network, which is relevant to various traffic use cases. By combining large-scale probe-vehicle data with stationary detector data, this method builds a model to estimate the probe-vehicle penetration rate at road level, which then allows for traffic volume estimation. Trained by penetration rates from only 60% of the stationary detectors in the Netherlands, our model is able to predict the probe-vehicle penetration rate with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 8.3%, which decreases to 6% on motorways. Increasing the proportion of detectors used for training did not significantly improve model performance. This suggests that our method can be used in countries with less-developed detector infrastructure as well, provided a minimum coverage of detectors is achieved for all regions and road classes of interest. Traffic volume estimation quality ([Formula: see text]) is constrained by the quality of the penetration rate estimation ([Formula: see text]) and the sampling error, denoted as [Formula: see text]. Using the estimated penetration rates, traffic volumes on motorways can be estimated with a [Formula: see text] of 25% within about 2 min of collecting probe-vehicle observations and 7% within a day. Thus, our traffic volume estimations can support real-time operations on motorways. For roads other than motorways, the maximum accuracy is limited to a [Formula: see text] of about 12%, and significantly longer observation periods are needed. Still, most offline use cases can be covered (e.g., annual average daily traffic).
Effects of Biceps Rerouting on In Vivo Glenohumeral Kinematics in the Treatment of Large-to-Massive Rotator Cuff Tears
Authors: Wu Chenliang , Qiao Yi , Zhang Ling , Wang Cong , Chen Jiebo , Chen Chang’an , Xu Caiqi , Tsai Tsung-Yuan , Xu Junjie , Zhao Jinzhong
Published: January 2025

Background:

Arthroscopic repair with the biceps rerouting (BR) technique has been determined to lead to promising clinical and biomechanical outcomes for treating large-to-massive rotator cuff tears (LMRCTs). However, the in vivo effects of BR on glenohumeral kinematics during functional shoulder movements have not been fully elucidated.

Purpose:

To investigate whether BR provides a better restoration of shoulder kinematics compared with conventional rotator cuff repair (RCR).

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Patients who underwent either repair with the BR technique (BR group) or RCR alone (RCR group) for treating LMRCTs between January 2021 and May 2022 were enrolled. They underwent a 1-year postoperative kinematic evaluation of bilateral shoulders by performing scapular-plane abduction with a dual fluoroscopic imaging system. Glenohumeral translation in the superior-inferior (S-I) and anterior-posterior (A-P) directions was assessed in shoulder abduction at 10° increments. Moreover, the mean, maximum, minimum, and range of glenohumeral translation were calculated throughout the entire movement.

Results:

A total of 9 patients were enrolled in each group for final analysis, and baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. In the RCR group, compared with contralateral shoulders, the operative shoulders showed increased superior humeral head translation during lower abduction angles of 30° to 50° (all P≤ .004), with a greater maximum ( P = .014) and a larger range ( P = .002) for S-I translation throughout the entire movement. In the BR group, no significant differences between operative and contralateral shoulders were detected in any kinematic variables for S-I translation (all P≥ .132); however, the operative shoulders exhibited a larger maximum ( P = .031), a smaller minimum ( P = .008), and a larger range ( P < .001) for A-P translation throughout the entire movement compared with the contralateral shoulders.

Conclusion:

BR successfully reduced residual superior humeral head translation compared with conventional RCR and restored normal S-I glenohumeral kinematics in the treatment of LMRCTs. However, A-P glenohumeral kinematics was not fully restored after BR, and its effect on long-term clinical outcomes requires further investigation.

Clinical Relevance:

BR can be a promising technique to treat LMRCTs. However, its potential adverse effects on A-P glenohumeral kinematics should not be ignored, requiring further clinical evidence to determine long-term outcomes.
Situational Analysis of Power in Participatory Action Research: Mapping Systemic Frameworks, Discourses, and Principles for Critical Feminist Qualitative Inquiry
Authors: Tang Yan Catalina
Published: January 2025

In this current context, critical epistemologies, methodologies, and frameworks like Participatory Action Research (PAR), decolonial theory, and situational analysis can provide relevant tools for critical feminist social work research and praxis to expose and reenvision harmful, extractive, and privatized knowledge generation and dissemination. In this article, I describe the possibilities for using critical situational analysis to promote critical feminist social work scholarship through the interrogation of colonial forms of knowledge production, recognition of enactments of refusal and resistance, and illustrations of situational mapping from a study focused on exploring power differentials within PAR collaborations among social work faculty and community stakeholders. I then discuss possibilities to incorporate these analytic qualitative methodologies and frameworks to promote critical feminist principles for critical qualitative inquiry.