bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Who are the models of self-efficacy? Research with students of different ages
Authors: Zammitti Andrea , Guarnera Maria , Santilli Sara , Magnano Paola
Published: February 2025

Self-efficacy is the belief in knowing how to take the right course of action to achieve one’s goals. The four pillars of self-efficacy are mastery experience, vicarious experience, verbal and social persuasions and emotional and physiological states. To explore the self-efficacy models of the Italian students, we conducted a qualitative study involving 150 students divided into three groups and balanced by gender and age. The results showed that self-efficacy models fall into three categories: family members, close people who do not belong to the family and people with a public image. The participants were asked to indicate what they could learn from their models. The answers anticipate some psychological dimensions that are positively related to self-efficacy and that can support people in facing today’s social and working contexts. These results can be useful to psychologists or career counsellors as a support to the planning of their activities.
Light unto the Nations Through Arms Sales: Israel’s Arms Diplomacy Goals, Achievements, and Limitations
Authors: Salman Yaron
Published: February 2025

Israel is currently one of the 10 leading arms exporters in the world. Although arms deals are a major factor in its foreign policy, surprisingly, the academic research on the topic is quite limited. This study examines its arms sales as a major foreign policy tool, arguing that Israel uses arms exports to pursue its economic and political interests and to strengthen its bilateral relations worldwide. However, doing so strengthens regimes with poor human rights records and provides limited political achievements. Therefore, the article discusses this policy’s nature to assess the extent of achieving its goals. It concludes that despite Israel’s arms diplomacy success in improving its international prestige as a middle power arms supplier and strengthening its bilateral ties, still, it raises questions about its bilateral relations with dubious regimes and their consequences on its status as a Western state.
MHD free convection flow over an exponential radiative extending surface with heat source and binary chemical reaction in porous media
Authors: Gupta Piyush Kumar , Prakash Om , Tinker Seema
Published: February 2025

The current article presents a numerical analysis of the impact of binary chemical reactions on the steady, laminar, and incompressible free convection magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of a liquid influenced by a heat source/sink and Cogley radiation effect with porous media. The flow across an exponential radiative extending surface with a magnetic field is taken into consideration. An appropriate similarity transformation is performed to the governing Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) to change them into a system of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) to oversee their high nonlinearity. Due to the complexity of the coupled nonlinear equations, conventional analytical methods are not suitable for solving the transformed ODEs. To obtain numerical solutions, the Shooting technique with Runga-Kutta 4th order is applied. The influence of numerous physical factors on the flow phenomena is illustrated through diagrams. The key findings of study reveal that the velocity profile is significantly exceeded by buoyant forces, and the temperature of the fluid is retarded as the Soret number increases. Additionally, the binary chemical reaction parameter contributes to decreasing the wideness of the solutal boundary layer, favoring concentration profile retardation. This research contributes to our understanding of sophisticated thermal management systems, improving electronics heat dissipation, lowering building energy consumption, increasing the efficiency of space technology, and enabling chemical reaction control in high-temperature industrial operations.
Thiamine and Ascorbic Acid in Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Review of Evidence for their Role in Practice
Authors: Reinert Justin P. , Becker Kegan , Ohlinger Martin J.
Published: February 2025

Objective

To evaluate the evidence for the use of ascorbic acid, thiamine, or a combination of both agents without corticosteroids in the management of sepsis and septic shock.

Data Sources

A review of the literature was conducted through August 2023 on PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and CINAHL using the following terminology: “ascorbic acid” OR “vitamin C” OR “thiamine” OR “vitamin B” OR “vitamin B 1” AND “sepsis” OR “septic shock” NOT “steroid” OR “hydrocortisone” OR “corticosteroid.”

Study Selection and Data Extraction

Trials that described patient outcomes, medication efficacy, and medication safety data were considered for inclusion, while reports describing the use of either or both thiamine and ascorbic acid for a non-sepsis indication and reports that were not readily translatable to English were excluded. Studies that allowed corticosteroid use in both the intervention and control cohorts as part of a standard-of-care protocol were eligible for inclusion.

Data Synthesis

Heterogeneity of data exists, marked by divergent quantifications for successful pharmacotherapy interventions. Whereas some data support changes in patient outcome scores or critical illness indices, others have failed to demonstrate any meaningful benefit to ICU length of stay, ventilator status, or mortality.

Conclusion

Exploring the individual and synergistic effects of ascorbic acid and thiamine on key pathways implicated in sepsis pathophysiology has not yielded unequivocal evidence supporting their use without concomitant corticosteroids.
Co-occurring cyber and in-person victimisation of bullying and sexual harassment: the associations to depressive symptoms in Swedish adolescents
Authors: Dahlström Albin , Dahlqvist Heléne , Gådin Katja Gillander
Published: February 2025

Background

Poor mental health has increased among adolescents in recent decades. Bullying and sexual harassment, both cyber and in-person, are each associated with increased depressive symptoms in adolescents and being victimised by co-occurring types is more common than just one single type of victimisation. The study aimed to investigate the association between co-occurring victimisation and depressive symptoms in adolescents when controlling for screen time, social support, physical activity, and personal relative affluence.

Method

Cross-sectional survey data from 1211 respondents (50.1% girls) aged 15–16 were used to conduct modified Poisson regression with robust error variance analyses for girls and boys separately. Four scales were used to measure cyber and in-person bullying and sexual harassment, and CESD-R10 was used to measure depressive symptoms.

Results

About 47% of girls and 20% of boys experienced all four types of victimisation, and about 12% of girls and 25% of boys experienced none of them. When controlled for all included variables, all number of victimisation types of bullying and/or sexual harassment were associated with depressive symptoms in girls. In comparison, only four types of victimisation were associated with depressive symptoms in boys.

Conclusions

The study showed that co-occurring victimisation was associated with depressive symptoms even after controlling for other relevant factors in both genders. However, in girls, all numbers of victimisation were associated with depressive symptoms.
3D exoprosthesis in socket model for dog with amputed pelvic limb: case report
Authors: de Souza Miriã Mamede Noronha , da Cunha Antonioli Marciana , dos Santos Matheus Henrique Martins , dos Santos Véras Bianca Medeiros , Carvalho Lucas Rannier Ribeiro Antonino
Published: February 2025

Background

Disorders of the locomotor system in dogs, such as amputations or malformations, can be not only physically but also emotionally distressing. In this context, advances in medical and technological sciences offer tools and options with the aim of improving the quality of life of animals with locomotor problems. This case report aims to describe the custom development of a 3D exoprosthesis for a dog with an amputated hind limb.

Case presentation

A female dog, mixed breed, approximately 5 years old, was admitted to the Veterinary Clinic of the Centro Universitário de João Pessoa—Brazil, with locomotor problems due to low amputation of the left hind limb, without pain or sensitivity to touch on the amputated stump. Measurements of the amputated limb were collected to create a virtual model of the 3D exoprosthesis in a socket model. After simulations and tests, the prosthesis was materialized by 3D printing in collaboration with the Brazilian company 3D Medicine©, using polylactic acid (PLA) as the main material, an organic, lightweight, and resistant synthetic thermoplastic. The exoprosthesis was covered with protective material and fixed to the animal with a compressive bandage. Immediately after fixation, the animal demonstrated support of the limb on the prosthesis while standing, better distribution of body weight and relief of load on the contralateral limb. The increase in the time of use of the prosthesis was gradual and under supervision, after four weeks the dog did not present major difficulties in walking, running, and eating, in addition, no injuries to the amputated stump were observed. Veterinary physiotherapeutic follow-up was recommended.

Conclusion

This case report describes the development of a 3D exoprosthesis for dogs as a cost-effective option to reduce the locomotor impacts of limb amputation and improve quality of life. Techniques using additive manufacturing and 3D technology have immense potential for medical application, especially in veterinary medicine due to the difference in anatomical and body structure between domestic and wild animals.
Quantifying arm swing in Parkinson’s disease: a method accounting for arm activities during free-living gait
Authors: Post Erik , Laarhoven Twan van , Raykov Yordan P. , Little Max A. , Nonnekes Jorik , Heskes Tom M. , Bloem Bastiaan R. , Evers Luc J. W.
Published: February 2025

Background

Accurately measuring hypokinetic arm swing during free-living gait in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is challenging due to other concurrent arm activities. We developed a method to isolate gait segments without these arm activities.

Methods

Wrist accelerometer and gyroscope data were collected from 25 individuals with PD and 25 age-matched controls while performing unscripted activities in their home environment. This was done after overnight withdrawal of dopaminergic medication (‘pre-medication’) and approximately one hour after intake (‘post-medication’). Using video annotations as ground truth, we trained and evaluated two classifiers: one for detecting gait and one for detecting gait segments without other arm activities. Based on the filtered gait segments, arm swing was quantified using the median and 95th percentile range of motion (RoM). These arm swing parameters were evaluated in three ways: (1) the agreement between predicted and video-annotated gait segments without other arm activities, (2) the sensitivity to differences between PD and controls, and (3) the sensitivity to the effects of dopaminergic medication.

Results

On the most affected side, the mean (SD) balanced accuracy for detecting gait without other arm activities was 0.84 (0.10) pre-medication and 0.88 (0.09) post-medication. The agreement between arm swing parameters of predicted and video-annotated gait segments without other arm activities was high irrespective of medication state (intra-class correlation coefficients: median RoM: 0.99; 95th percentile RoM: 0.97). Both the median and 95th percentile RoM were smaller in PD pre-medication compared to controls (median:

$$\Delta = -18.80^{\circ }$$

Δ
=
-
18
.

80
∘

, 95% CI [

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-

30.63,

$$-$$

-

10.60], p < 0.001; 95th percentile:

$$\Delta = -28.34^{\circ }$$

Δ
=
-
28
.

34
∘

, 95% CI [

$$-$$

-

38.26,

$$-$$

-

18.18], p < 0.001), and smaller in pre- compared to post-medication (median:

$$\Delta = -12.31 ^{\circ }$$

Δ
=
-
12
.

31
∘

, 95% CI [

$$-$$

-

21.35,

$$-$$

-

5.59], p < 0.001; 95th percentile:

$$\Delta = -19.04 ^{\circ }$$

Δ
=
-
19
.

04
∘

, 95% CI [

$$-$$

-

28.48,

$$-$$

-

11.14], p < 0.001). The differences in RoM between pre- and post-medication were larger after filtering gait for the median (p < 0.01) and 95th percentile RoM (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Filtering out gait segments with other concurrent arm activities is feasible and increases the change in arm swing parameters following dopaminergic medication in free-living conditions. This approach may be used to monitor treatment effect and disease progression in daily life.
Living in the city: Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a novel threat to an urban population of Florida burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia floridana) in south Florida
Authors: Jones Håkon , Nemeth Nicole M. , Piersma Brittany , Hardman Rebecca , Shender Lisa A. , Boughton Raoul K. , Garrett Kayla B. , Castleberry Nikole , Deitschel P. J. , Teo Xuan Hui , Radisic Rebecca , Dalton Martha Frances , Yabsley Michael J.
Published: February 2025

Background

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, is a metastrongyloid parasite that uses rodents as definitive hosts, mollusks as intermediate hosts, and a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species as paratenic hosts. Although this parasite poses a significant public health concern in many regions of the world, it can also cause disease in numerous domestic and wildlife aberrant host species. When parasite larvae are ingested by one of these aberrant hosts, larval migration in the central nervous system causes extensive damage, resulting in spinal cord and/or brain damage and inflammation, leading to potentially fatal neurological disease. We describe A. cantonensis infection in a novel host, the Florida burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia floridana), on Marco Island, Collier County, Florida, USA. The Florida burrowing owl is a state-listed species that has experienced steep population declines across its range, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Many populations are now restricted to urban environments, which pose novel threats to the owls, such as exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides and novel pathogens, increased risk of predation, vehicular strike, and increased disturbance at nest sites.

Methods

Through diagnostic evaluation of carcasses and select tissues submitted to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study from 2019 to 2023, we diagnosed nine confirmed or suspected cases of angiostrongylosis on Marco Island.

Results

Microscopic examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing confirmed parasite identification. In addition, ancillary testing ruled out other potential causes of neurological disease, such as rodenticides, West Nile virus, and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

Conclusions

This study underscores the importance of surveillance and monitoring efforts for A. cantonensis, particularly in regions where novel hosts may serve as indicators of public health risk. In addition, as urbanization and habitat fragmentation continue encroaching upon wildlife habitats, understanding the dynamics of host–parasite interactions becomes crucial for mitigating the spread of zoonotic diseases.

Graphical Abstract
Mycoplasma-pneumonia-induced Stevens–Johnson syndrome in an adult: a case report
Authors: Yoosuf Fathima Thesleem , Al Hariri Bassem , Illahi Memon Noor , Sharif Muhammad , Yousaf Muhammad , Mohamedali Mohamed Gaafar , Khalid Muayad Kasim
Published: February 2025

Background

Stevens–Johnson syndrome epitomizes an acute, exceptionally rare, and capricious immunological phenomenon marked by potentially life-threatening skin reactions, involvement of mucous membranes, and concomitant systemic manifestations. Most cases of Stevens–Johnson syndrome have been attributed to being triggered by drugs, while a minority have implicated infectious agents such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Coxsackie virus A6 as their cause. We present a case report on the rare occurrence of Mycoplasma-pneumoniae-induced Stevens–Johnson Syndrome in a 25-year-old Sri Lankan male adult.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old Sri Lankan male adult sought medical attention at our institution, presenting a constellation of symptoms composed of fever with chills, dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, cough producing reddish sputum, and sore throat, persisting over a 4-day period; 2 days following the onset of the respiratory symptoms, he experienced ocular congestion with purulent discharge and painful oral lesions. He had associated generalized body ache and fatigue.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome is diagnosed by skin biopsy.

Conclusion

Stevens–Johnson syndrome is an acute and debilitating condition that requires prompt and timely management to ensure minimum morbidity of the patient. The similarities and overlap of features between Stevens–Johnson syndrome caused due to infectious and drug-related etiologies pose a diagnostic challenge for the physicians, which needs to be subdued using systematic research and evaluation with subsequent formulation of an evidence-based assessment and management plan to ensure safe and efficacious medical care for the patients.
Hypometabolism and atrophy patterns associated with Niemann-Pick type C
Authors: Silva-Rodríguez Jesús , Castro Cristina , Cortés Julia , Arias Manuel , Pubul Virginia , Moscoso Alexis , Grothe Michel J. , Reynes-Llompart Gabriel , Rodríguez-Bel Laura , Gascon-Bayarri Jordi , Sobrido María Jesús , Aguiar Pablo
Published: February 2025

Background

Niemann–Pick disease type C (NP-C) is a rare genetic lysosomal lipid storage disorder characterized by progressive neurological impairment. Early diagnosis is critical for initiating treatment with miglustat, which can decelerate disease progression. In this study, we evaluated a cohort of 22 NP-C patients who underwent MRI, [18F]FDG PET, and clinical assessment at baseline. We performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal imaging study evaluating the role of [18F]FDG PET as an adjunct diagnostic tool for NP-C alongside MRI, the current neuroimaging standard.

Results

Group-level MRI analysis identified significant cerebellar and thalamic atrophy (d = 1.56, p < 0.0001 and d = 1.09, p < 0.001, respectively), with less pronounced involvement of the frontal lobe and hippocampus, which aligned with existing neuropathological understanding and guidelines. Conversely, [18F]FDG PET imaging revealed extensive hypometabolism in the cerebellum, thalamus, and cingulate cortex (d = 1.42, p < 0.0001), and moderate hypometabolism in broad frontotemporal areas. [18F]FDG PET provided higher effect sizes across all brain regions, including regions without apparent atrophy, which suggests that it may be more sensitive than MRI for detecting NP-C neurodegenerative changes. Single-subject visual assessment of individual PET images further validated the clinical utility of [18F]FDG PET, with significant hypometabolism observed in the cerebellum, thalamus and anterior and posterior cingulate reported by physicians in 17/22 patients. Both hypometabolism and atrophy in the cerebellum were associated with ataxia, (more strongly indicated by [18F]FDG PET, p < 0.0001 vs. MRI, p = 0.07). Medial temporal lobe atrophy was associated with cognitive impairment (p < 0.05), and frontal hypometabolism was slightly related to behavioural impairment (p < 0.07). Longitudinal [18F]FDG PET analysis revealed progressive subcortical, cortical and cerebellar hypometabolism, which was most pronounced in the cerebellum (-12% per year, p < 0.001). Patients treated with miglustat showed a trend towards attenuated cerebellar hypometabolism progression compared to untreated patients (p = 0.10).

Conclusions

Our findings delineate a discernible hypometabolism pattern specific to NP-C that distinguishes it from other neurodegenerative conditions, thus suggesting that [18F]FDG PET might be a promising tool for NP-C diagnosis and to study disease progression.

Trial registration

XUNTA 2015/140. Registered 21 April 2015.
Psychological health and safety of criminal justice workers: a scoping review of strategies and supporting research
Authors: Canning Christopher , Szusecki Tyler , Hilton N. Zoe , Moghimi Elnaz , Melvin Ashley , Duquette Matthew , Wintermute Jolene , Adams Nicole
Published: February 2025

Background

People working in the criminal justice system face substantial occupational stressors due to their roles involving high-risk situations, trauma exposure, heavy workloads, and responsibility for public safety. Consequently, they have a higher prevalence of mental health problems than the general population. Employees identifying as women, Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual, and all others (2SLGBTQIA+), or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), may experience additional stressors due to discrimination, harassment, and systemic barriers to seeking and receiving support. Psychoeducational and psychosocial programs have shown mixed effectiveness for preventing or reducing occupational stress, emphasizing the urgent need for multi-level, comprehensive, system-wide approaches. This scoping review aimed to capture and consolidate recommendations from strategies, frameworks, and guidelines on supporting the psychological health of criminal justice workers.

Results

The scoping review of 65 grey and 85 academic literature records presents recommendations aimed at improving the psychological health and safety of criminal justice system workers. Findings were mapped by occupational groups to the Social-Ecological Model and accounted for factors across the individual, interpersonal, institutional, and policy levels. The most common recommendation across all criminal justice occupational groups was workplace mental health training to reduce stigma, encourage help-seeking, prepare workers for traumatic incidents, and promote culturally responsive approaches. At the individual level, physical health, healthy lifestyle choices, and coping strategies were widely recommended. Interpersonal interventions, including peer support and models emphasizing wraparound care, were also recommended. Institutional factors such as fair workloads, safe working conditions, and harassment-free workplaces were emphasized. At the policy level, presumptive coverage policies and adequate funding for staffing needs were highlighted.

Conclusion

This scoping review captured intersecting strategies and recommendations, consisting primarily of individual- and institutional-level supports and services. Fewer records discussed the need to address structural and policy considerations such as labor shortages, patchy mental health benefits, underfunding, and discrimination. The review highlights the need for shared responsibility across different levels, providing a framework for improving the psychological health and safety of criminal justice workers.
Structural racism and intimate partner violence perpetration among racially diverse men transitioning into fatherhood: an anti-racist approach to IPV prevention
Authors: Willie Tiara C. , Linton Sabriya , Adams Leslie B. , Overstreet Nicole M. , Whittaker Shannon , Faller Theresa , Knight Deja , Kershaw Trace S.
Published: February 2025

Background

Young couples transitioning into parenthood are at elevated risk of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), in part, due to the social and economic stressors associated with this critical time. Interpersonal racial discrimination is a known risk factor for male-to-female IPV perpetration, however few studies have examined this relationship among men transitioning to fatherhood. Similarly, structural racism acknowledges how inequitable systems reinforce racial discrimination; yet, few studies have investigated whether structural racism relates to the discrimination-IPV perpetration association. This study examined relationships among structural racism, racial discrimination, stress, and IPV perpetration among racially diverse men transitioning into fatherhood.

Methods

Using data from the 2007–2011 American Community Survey, a structural racism was assessed using a latent variable with four indicators: racial residential segregation, education inequity, income inequity, and employment inequity. Individual-level prospective data were collected during 2007–2011 from 296 men in expectant couples recruited from obstetrics, and ultrasound clinics in Connecticut. Structural equation models were conducted to investigate longitudinal associations among structural racism, discrimination, stress, optimism and emotional IPV perpetration.

Results

Compared to white men, Black men were more likely to experience structural racism (B = 0.95, p <.001). Structural racism was associated with more racial discrimination (B = 0.45, p <.05), more stress (B = 0.40, p <.05), and less optimism (B=-0.50, p <.001). Racial discrimination was associated with more stress (B = 0.23, p <.05) and marginally associated with a greater likelihood to perpetrate emotional violence against a female partner (B = 0.23, p =.06). Stress was associated with a greater likelihood to perpetrate emotional violence against a female partner (B = 0.31, p =.05). The indirect path from structural racism to IPV perpetration via racial discrimination and stress was marginally significant (B = 0.05, p =.07).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of the ways in which structural racism in housing, education, income, and employment can contribute to men’s use of aggression and violence against a female partner. Future intervention efforts to reduce emotional IPV perpetration could benefit from addressing structural racism.
Preparation of high-performance Ag2Se NWs/PEDOT:PSS composite films and influence of PEDOT:PSS content on thermoelectric properties
Authors: Wang Ruoxi , Sun Rongke , Ren Yanmei , Ma Yanqing , Ma Lei
Published: February 2025

There is still limited research on the influence of polymer content in inorganic/organic materials on thermoelectric properties. In this study, we systematically investigated the influence of the content of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) in the Ag2Se nanowires/PEDOT:PSS (Ag2Se NWs/PEDOT:PSS) composite films on the thermoelectric properties. When the content of PEDOT:PSS is 1.54 wt%, the composite film achieved the highest power factor (PF) of ~ 2074.0 µW m−1 K−2 at room temperature. The maximum output power (P
max) of the single-leg thermoelectric device based on the composite film is approximately 49.42 nW, and the maximum power density (PDmax) is 4.28 W m−2 at a temperature difference of 25 K. Furthermore, the film exhibits superior flexibility with 94.3% of the original performance retention after 2000 bending cycles around a rod with a diameter of 5 mm. This work provides valuable guidance for the design and fabrication of high-performance flexible inorganic/organic composite thermoelectric materials.
Is the tax calculation method for exemptions with progression contrary to EU law? Quantitative and formal–analytical analysis
Authors: Kollruss Thomas
Published: February 2025

This study analyzes whether the tax progression proviso’s calculation method for foreign income exemptions under a tax treaty breaches EU law. This research question has not yet been examined in the literature. In such a case, a violation of the EU fundamental freedoms may result in taxpayers partially losing the tax-reducing effect of the basic allowance deduction due to the tax progression proviso’s calculation method in their EU or EEA state of residence. Theoretical, quantitative, and formal–analytical research methods were used to examine this issue. Moreover, the analysis uses Germany and Austria as examples. However, the findings can be replicated in all EU and EEA countries applying the same type of taxation. The study’s main contribution is demonstrating that the current progression proviso’s calculation method in Germany and Austria for income from other EU Member States and EEA states, exempt under DTAs, breaches EU law and is, therefore, prohibited. The fiscal policy implications of such unlawful taxation are highlighted. EU and EEA Member States must amend their tax laws if they violate EU law. Therefore, a new calculation method for taxation with a progression proviso is developed to bring the EU Member States’ tax legislation in line with EU law. The study expands the literature on taxation and public finance, since it has not yet dealt with this issue. Moreover, the economic policy implications of the research findings are outlined. This study belongs to the field of taxation and fiscal policy and is of fundamental relevance.
Thymic carcinoma recurring 11 years post-extended surgery: a case report
Authors: Okamoto Kiyoki , Kanou Takashi , Kawagishi Sachi , Nagata Hideki , Morii Eiichi , Shintani Yasushi
Published: February 2025

Background

Thymic carcinoma is a rare type of tumor originating in the thymus, making up about 15–20% of all thymic epithelial tumors. It typically has a poor prognosis, especially in advanced stages, with low 5-year survival rates. Cases where the cancer recurs more than 10 years after surgery are extremely uncommon. Additionally, there are very few reports about the outcomes of patients who undergo aortic resection as part of their treatment for thymic carcinoma.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old male was diagnosed with thymic squamous cell carcinoma classified as Masaoka stage III following the detection of an anterior mediastinal mass during a routine health examination. The patient underwent preoperative treatment, which included two cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin and docetaxel) and 60 Gy of mediastinal radiotherapy, followed by an extensive surgical procedure comprising extended thymectomy, resection of the ascending aorta and superior vena cava, and wedge resection of the right upper lobe. Postoperative pathological examination revealed ypT3N0M0 disease, corresponding to ypStage IIIa disease, and the patient remained disease-free for 10 years. However, at 11 years after surgery, imaging revealed new nodules in the left lung. Surgical resection confirmed these nodules as metastatic lesions originating from the thymic carcinoma.

Conclusions

This case highlights the critical need for long-term monitoring of thymic carcinoma patients, extending beyond the standard 5-year follow-up due to the potential for late recurrence, even in initially disease-free patients. Furthermore, our findings indicate that aortic resection, when carefully selected, can contribute to favorable long-term outcomes in advanced cases. This report enhances the limited literature on the long-term prognosis of thymic carcinoma, particularly following major vascular resection, and underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient management and improve outcomes.
Crush of Plasmatic Flesh: Dual Reproduction of Characters and Abjection in Manga Dragon Ball
Authors: Watabe Kohki
Published: February 2025

Background This paper analyzes the mechanism of the proliferation and disappearance of graphical characters in the manga Dragon Ball, a globally successful media franchise. Dragon Ball was serialized by Japanese manga artist, Toriyama Akira (1955–2024), in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine between 1984 and 1995. The manga, published in 42 volumes, was animated for TV from 1986 to 1996 as Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z. Methods In support of the arguments on animation, such as Susan Napier’s metamorphosis, Sergei Eisenstein’s plasmaticity, and theories on characters in anime and manga studies, this paper analyses visual properties of characters in Toriyama’s Drgaon Ball, with a special focus on the graphical and biological reproduction. Results This paper found that characters in Dragon Ball operate as a vessel for the shape-shifting fluidity of ink lines. The free kinetic movement of lines results in the graphical proliferation of characters and reproduction devoid of sexual expression. This is a version of the “abjection” — a reaction of the subject to reject familiar things as something horrific — that Napier argued regarding metamorphosis in turn-of-the-century Japanese anime. In Dragon Ball, muscular men’s battles hide the potentially grotesque graphic/biological proliferation of the characters. What stops this medium-specific proliferation of images is light as the lack of ink, a media-aesthetic element inherent to manga and anime. It is not flesh-and-blood combat but energy waves that inflict death on the villains who resurrect even from a single cell, just as lines drawn in ink multiply endlessly. Conclusions These findings offer rich insights into the history of visual popular media in post-war Japan. The glow of the energy waves expressed by the lack of ink echoes the repeated motif of mass destruction in the history of Japanese anime and manga, which reminds us of the extinction of lives in the atomic bomb explosions.
Enacting semi-periphery: conditions of post-accession migration from Poland to the UK
Authors: Vaitovich Viktoryia
Published: February 2025

Since Poland’s accession to the EU in 2004, the sizeable community of Polish migrants in one of the top destination countries – the UK – have been subject to growing discrimination and hate speech in the form of negative media coverage, as well as unequal labour practices. This article explores the impact of the 2004 enlargement of the EU on the migratory experiences of Poles by examining the way the cross-EU free-movement regime contributes to their vulnerability and exploitation. It aims to uncover the way European integration explains the unequal treatment of Polish migrants in the ‘old’ Member States. The paper addresses the following questions: what factors have driven the increased number of Polish migrants in the UK in the context of the 2004 EU enlargement? Do economic discrepancies between the EU Member States, which fuel intra-EU migration, likewise shape migrant vulnerabilities? Adopting the theoretical lens of the World-Systems Analysis and the notion of biopower, this paper argues that the peripheral position of Poles in the EU single market during the early post-enlargement period has been reinforced by the migration experiences. This is an outcome of structural pressures that make the perspective of migration appear as aspirational and promising.
The genome sequence of the Dotted Footman moth, Pelosia muscerda (Hufnagel, 1767)
Authors: Fletcher Chris , Lees David C. ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2025

We present a genome assembly from a male Pelosia muscerda (Dotted Footman; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Erebidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 500.49 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.98%) is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.42 kilobases in length.
El patrimonio natural como categoría emergente en Bogotá, Colombia. Una experiencia de integración naturaleza, cultura y ordenamiento territorial
Authors: Bermudez-Urdaneta, Martin , Escallón-Herkrath Camilo , Arias-Forero Ricardo , Sánchez-Baracaldo Pedro , Camacho-Schlenker Sol , Cárdenas-Ovalle Luisa
Published: February 2025

Este artículo sintetiza esfuerzos y resultados de equipos de trabajo que trabajaron en la gestión
pública de Bogotá, analizaron el patrimonio natural metropolitano de esta ciudad de alta montaña
tropical mediante investigación socioecológica aplicada, trabajo de campo y formulación e
implementación de propuestas estratégicas durante el periodo 2020 - 2024. Exponemos procesos y
resultados generados por el Instituto Distrital de Patrimonio Cultural (IDPC), entidad pública que
propuso el concepto de patrimonios integrados como enfoque del Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial
(POT) de Bogotá Distrito Capital, y el apoyo de profesionales para generar estrategias de divulgación para audiencias académicas y de activistas, basadas en ciencia participativa y valorización de
biodiversidad y servicios ecosistémicos urbanos, en historia ambiental y ecología del paisaje,
bioacústica e historia del arte. Con ejemplos de proyectos que han integrado categorías patrimoniales
culturales, materiales, inmateriales, arqueológicos y naturales, se presenta una primera síntesis de
resultados, aprendizajes institucionales, conclusiones y propuestas de divulgación del enfoque de
patrimonios integrados. Se describe el surgimiento de la categoría de patrimonio natural como
espacio/lugar de conversación transdisciplinaria sobre cultura y naturaleza en las políticas públicas de
ordenamiento territorial de una ciudad de ocho millones de personas y un área metropolitana con dos
millones adicionales. Se proponen caracterizaciones con información espacializada y representativa
de territorios urbanos y rurales bogotanos. Este trabajo sintetiza los resultados obtenidos a nivel
distrital, dentro de los cuales se destacan procesos institucionales que lograron articular exitosamente entidades públicas de los sectores ambiente y cultura, y niveles de gobierno (distrital y nacional).
Ciudadanía desde la basura. Valorando a las personas y los residuos como inflexión en la fragmentación socioespacial histórica de Bogotá
Authors: Godoi Calil Thiago , Murillo-Paredes Axel David
Published: February 2025

Bogotá atualmente possui aproximadamente 8 milhões de habitantes, com uma produção diária
de aproximadamente 10 mil toneladas de lixo. Entre os milhões de pessoas, estima-se que pouco
mais de 10 mil estejam vivendo em situação de rua em condições de extrema vulnerabilidade.
Muitos sobrevivem de dinâmicas informais, e por vezes ilícitas, e a prática da reciclagem é
bastante comum, colaborando fundamentalmente para o reaproveitamento de aproximadamente
2 mil toneladas diárias. Por meio de pesquisa documental e em meios de comunicação, revisão
bibliográfica exploratória e observação em campo, este texto busca esta conexão entre a realidade
das pessoas em situação de rua, o lixo, a importância da reciclagem e as políticas de manejo dos
resíduos humanos e não-humanos na cidade de Bogotá, pois estes se interpelam na representação
social e nos simbolismos a eles associados. Como resultados, buscamos possibilidades de uma
mudança de chave na realização da vida em Bogotá, por meio de uma associação entre rua, drogas
e gestão do lixo, na qual as pessoas que interagem com estes aspectos assumem o papel de cuidar
de suas vidas e da comunidade urbana
Adaptive Pricing in Combinatorial Auctions
Authors: Lahaie Sébastien , Lubin Benjamin
Published: February 2025

We introduce the first adaptively priced iterative combinatorial auction design, which gradually extends price expressiveness as the rounds progress. This mechanism achieves both high efficiency and fast convergence across a wide range of valuation domains. We implement our auction design using polynomial prices, show how to detect when the current price structure is insufficient to clear the market, and show how to correctly expand the polynomial structure to guarantee progress. An experimental evaluation confirms that our auction is competitive with bundle-price auctions in domains where these excel, namely multiminded valuations, but also performs well in domains favorable to linear prices, such as valuations with pairwise synergy.

This paper was accepted by Axel Ockenfels, behavioral economics and decision analysis.

Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2024.4993 .
Pemanfaatan Ultrasonic Wave Generator Berbasis Solar Cell serta Monitoring Kelembaban Tanah untuk Membasmi Hama Pertanian Guna Meningkatkan Kualitas Hasil Panen Kelompok Tani Desa Ngronggot
Authors: Hernanda I Gusti Ngurah Satriyadi , Negara I Made Yulistya , Asfani Dimas Anton , Fahmi Daniar , Suryani Titiek , Kuswidiastuti Devy
Published: February 2025

Mayoritas penduduk Dusun Dingin bekerja sebagai petani karena luasnya area persawahan di wilayah tersebut. Tantangan utama yang dihadapi adalah serangan hama burung pipit dan tikus yang menurunkan hasil panen. Untuk mengatasi hal ini, Tim Pengabdian Masyarakat Laboratorium Tegangan Tinggi Departemen Teknik Elektro ITS mengembangkan alat pengusir hama berbasis gelombang ultrasonik dan bel sebagai noise generator. Alat ini ditenagai oleh panel surya untuk efisiensi biaya dan dilengkapi sistem monitoring kelembaban tanah untuk membantu irigasi. Alat ini dapat dimonitor melalui aplikasi berbasis IoT. Program ini ditujukan untuk kelompok tani “Hidup Bersama” dengan strategi pelaksanaan meliputi studi kasus, perancangan alat, uji coba, serta sosialisasi. Setelah tiga bulan, alat ini berhasil meningkatkan hasil panen petani sebesar 100–200 kg.
Implementasi CMS WordPress dalam Pengembangan website Sekolah SLB ABCD Bakti Sosial
Authors: Anggraeni Wiwik , Purnama I Putu Adhitya Pratama Mangku , Risqiwati Diah , Sugiyanto Sugiyanto , Sidharta Hanugra Aulia , Budiyanta Nova Eka , Djunaidy Arif , Vinarti Retno Aulia , Rikasakomara Edwin , Mahananto Faizal , Kusumawardhani Renny Pradina , Meilani Maulidiya
Published: February 2025

Pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan Sistem Informasi Sekolah Luar Biasa (SLB) ABCD Bakti Sosial berbasis website dengan menggunakan Content Management System (CMS) WordPress. Metode yang digunakan adalah Agile Software Engineering, yang terdiri dari lima tahapan, yaitu perencanaan, perancangan, pengembangan, pengujian, serta publikasi dan evaluasi. Melalui Focus Group Discussion (FGD), dilakukan pengumpulan kebutuhan dari pihak sekolah, diikuti dengan perancangan desain prototipe website. Sistem informasi dikembangkan menggunakan CMS WordPress dan plugin Elementor, yang memungkinkan sekolah untuk mengelola konten pada website tanpa keahlian pemograman secara khusus. Pengujian dilakukan bersama pihak sekolah untuk memastikan kesesuaian fungsi dengan kebutuhan yang ada. Hasilnya adalah website yang dapat diakses publik melalui https://slbbaktisosial.com dan sebuah modul teknis untuk mengelola website. Luaran yang dihasilkan ini dapat mendukung akselerasi program digitalisasi sekolah, meningkatkan visibilitas sekolah, dan efisiensi manajemen data.
Pelatihan Mikrokontroler untuk Peningkatan Kompetensi Siswa SMKN 3 Surabaya
Authors: Kurniawan Adi , Sarwito Sardono , Kusuma Indra R. , Koenhardono Eddy S. , Prananda Juniarko
Published: February 2025

Otomatisasi merupakan tuntutan di era saat ini. Kemampuan untuk memprogram kontroler untuk melakukan kerja secara otomatis, sangat dibutuhkan baik untuk bekerja di industri maupun berwirausaha yang mengandalkan teknologi. Secara umum, banyak lulusan SMK yang langsung bekerja maupun berwirausaha setelah lulus dari SMK. Oleh karena itu keterampilan memprogram kontroler secara otomatis sangat dibutuhkan. Solusi yang diberikan adalah dengan melakukan pelatihan mikrokontroler arduino untuk para siswa SMKN 3 Surabaya. Instruktur pelatihan adalah mahasiswa dengan tujuan memberi pengalaman kepada mahasiswa sekaligus agar siswa SMK lebih nyaman untuk berdiskusi karena kedekatan usia. Para siswa yang sebelum kegiatan pelatihan belum mengenal arduino, menjadi dapat memprogram arduino untuk aplikasi sederhana berupa penggunaan sensor gas, air, dan jarak.
Luscan-Lumish syndrome: A case report
Authors: Wójcik-Niklewska Bogumiła , Filipek Erita
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Luscan-Lumish syndrome (LLS) is a rare genetic congenital anomaly syndrome characterised by neurodevelopmental disorders, including delayed psychomotor development, behavioral difficulties, relative or true macrocephaly and, in individual cases, ocular abnormalities. This paper aims to present the case of a child with ocular abnormalities associated with LLS.

CASE SUMMARY

A 10-year-old girl born at 40 weeks gestation with features of dysmorphia, neurodevelopmental disorders, genetically confirmed LLS, convergent strabismus and suspected congenital glaucoma. Eye examination, ultrasound, optical coherence tomography (OCT), perimetry and electrophysiological study [pattern visually evoked potentials (VEP)] were performed. Best-corrected distance visual acuity was 0.5 in the right eye (correction -1.0 Dsph, -1.0 Dcyl, axis 180°) and 0.62 in the left eye (correction -2.0 Dsph). Near visual acuity (Snellen Chart) with the above correction was -0.5 D. A cycloplegic refraction test yielded -1.25 Dsph, -1.25 Dcyl, axis 165° in the right eye, and -2.0 Dsph, -0.25 Dcyl, axis 154° in the left eye. Intraocular pressure was 15 mmHg in both eyes. OCT of the maculae showed no abnormalities. In both eyes, the average ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer thickness was 73 μm. OCT of the optic nerve disc showed an average retinal nerve fibre layer thickness of 89 μm in the right eye and 81 μm in the left eye, with symmetry of 90%. The rim area was 1.59 mm2 and 1.74 mm2 in the right and left eye, respectively. The disc area was 2.77 mm² in the right eye and 2.89 mm2 in the left. The average cup-to-disc ratio was 0.64 in the right eye and 0.62 in the left eye. Ocular ultrasound depicted single extra echoes inside the vitreous chamber; otherwise, there were no abnormalities. Right and left eyeball lengths were 24.59 mm and 24.51 mm, respectively. Kinetic perimetry revealed no visual field defects, while static testing showed single relative scotomas. The mean defect was 4.7 dB in the right and 2.6 dB in the left eye. The loss variance values were 4.8 and 3.8 dB for the right and left eye, respectively. Pattern VEP test revealed normal values of P100 Latency. Wave amplitude in the right eye was 50% at a visual angle of 1.0° and 30% at 15’. Due to the rarity of LLS, it seems interesting to present the child ophthalmological examination with changes in the electrophysiological examination.

CONCLUSION

Although eye abnormalities are infrequently described in children with LLS, the patients should undergo eye examinations, especially as they may have central nervous system anomalies that may give rise to visual impairments. Generally, children with genetically determined congenital syndromes should receive regular ophthalmic check-ups for a thorough evaluation of the eyes and prognosis of the development of visual function.