bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real-world treatment outcomes for Hodgkin lymphoma in South Africa: a prospective observational study
Authors: Vogt Samantha L. , Laudin Garrick , Zahurak Marianna , Vaughan Jenifer , Lakha Atul , Pather Sugeshnee , Waja Ziyaad , Chetty Deshan , Omar Tanvier , Stevens Wendy , Ashmore Philippa , Otwombe Kennedy , Hlongwane Khuthadzo , Varadhan Ravi , Patel Moosa , Ambinder Richard F. , Martinson Neil A. , Xian Rena R. , Philip Vinitha
Published: September 2024

Background

Prospective data from sub-Saharan Africa suggests that treatment outcomes for people living with HIV (PWH) with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are similar to those without HIV. However, real-world data from high-resource settings and retrospective studies from sub-Saharan Africa, suggest inferior outcomes. We set out to evaluate the real-world treatment outcomes for HL in South Africa to better understand the disparate outcomes.

Methods

We established a prospective, observational cohort of newly diagnosed, adult (≥ 18 years) HL cases recruited from Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic and Netcare Olivedale Hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa between March 2021 and March 2023. Participants were followed for up to 18 months after enrollment with data censored on December 23rd, 2023. The primary endpoint was 1-year overall survival.

Results

We enrolled 47 participants with HL including 31 PWH and 16 HIV-negative. Advanced stage disease and B symptoms were common at time of diagnosis irrespective of HIV status. Bone marrow biopsy, performed during the work-up and evaluation of cytopenias, provided the initial diagnosis of HL in 16/31 (52%) PWH. HIV status and bone marrow involvement were associated with early mortality (within 3 months of diagnosis) and a poorer 1-year overall survival from diagnosis (HIV: 55% vs. 88%; p = 0.03; bone marrow involvement: 50% vs. 80%; p = 0.02). Among evaluable participants, those that received at least 6 cycles of chemotherapy and underwent response assessment, there was no difference between those with and without HIV.

Conclusion

Traditional laboratory markers of poor prognosis including anemia, lymphopenia and hypoalbuminemia were more common among PWH and those with bone marrow involvement and suggest high risk disease. A better understanding of the drivers of these aggressive presentations is warranted to ensure more PWH are able to tolerate chemotherapy.
Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome in a child with a novel compound heterozygous mutations in the AMN gene: a case report
Authors: Zhang Dedong , Liu Siying , Xi Bixin , Zhu Yongbing , Chen Yu , Zhang Jiasi , Liu Aiguo
Published: September 2024

Background

Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by selective vitamin B12 malabsorption, resulting in vitamin B12 deficiency and impaired reabsorption of proximal tubular proteins.This case highlights a previously unidentified compound heterozygous variant in the Amnionless (AMN) gene that causes IGS syndrome and underscores the importance of long-term oral vitamin B12 replacement therapy in managing the condition.

Case presentation

In this retrospective analysis, we present the clinical data of a 3-year and 6-month-old female child diagnosed with IGS at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, in November 2018. The child was admitted to the hospital due to a history of anemia persisting for over a month. There was no previous significant medical history. The admission examination revealed megaloblastic anemia with proteinuria. Serum vitamin B12 levels were decreased, while folic acid and renal function were normal. The patient was diagnosed with megaloblastic anemia and started long-term oral vitamin B12 replacement therapy. Throughout the follow-up period, blood tests consistently showed normal results, while proteinuria persisted. In November 2019, the child and her parents underwent whole exome sequencing analysis, which revealed a novel compound heterozygous variant in the AMN gene: c.162 + 1G > A and c.922 C > T (p.Q308X) in the child, c.162 + 1G > A in the father, and c.922 C > T (p.Q308X) in the mother. Therefore, this child was further diagnosed with IGS.

Conclusions

In this case, whole exome sequencing proves to be highly practical in daily healthcare for diagnosing and refining rare or ultra-rare diseases with ambiguous phenotypes or genetic diversity. It is also valuable for prognostic evaluation and personalized management. Additionally, the oral vitamin B12 treatment demonstrated positive clinical effects for the child, offering a new option for patients unable to undergo intramuscular vitamin B12 replacement therapy.
The effect of benzylpenicillin prohylaxis after birth on length and weight of syphilis-exposed infants in eastern China
Authors: Chen Kejin , Zhao Xiaoyan , Wu Wei , Jiang Lihua , Yuan Xiaojie , Bian Chaorong
Published: September 2024

Background

We conducted this study to assess the impact of an intervention to interrupt mother-to-child transmission on the height and weight of syphilis-exposed infants after receiving penicillin prophylaxis after birth and to provide a scientific basis for further elimination of mother-to-child transmission.

Methods

We recruited 419 infants born to syphilis-infected mothers from 2015 to 2020 in Changzhou, and performed 1:1 matching to infants born to syphilis-free mothers during the same period. All infants were followed up to 18 months of age. We collected height and weight data and compared them.

Results

At 18 months of age, the height and weight of the syphilis-exposed infants were almost greater than the WHO reference standards. However, when compared with local unexposed infants, there were almost no differences. The boys born to mothers who received two courses of treatment had longer body lengths at 18 months of age than did those born to mothers who did not receive two courses of treatment, and the girls born to mothers who did not receive treatment had lower body weights at 3 months of age than did both treated groups.

Conclusion

The growth trajectory of infants without congenital syphilis born to syphilis-infected mothers is virtually indistinguishable from that of the general local population. Syphilis-exposed newborns can receive preventive treatment as a public health intervention.
PMS2 mutation spectra in Norway and risk of cancer for carriers of pathogenic variants
Authors: Sjursen Wenche , Hyldebrandt Hanne K. , Lavik Liss Anne S. , Haukanes Bjørn Ivar , Ariansen Sarah , Briskemyr Siri , Sylvander Anna E. , Haavind Marianne T. , Olsen Maren F. , Røyset Elin S. , Vetti Hildegunn , Stormorken Astrid , Grindedal Eli Marie
Published: September 2024

Background

In Norway, we have offered testing of PMS2 since 2006, and have a large national cohort of carriers. The aim of this study was to describe all PMS2 variants identified, and to describe frequency, spectrum and penetrance of cancers in carriers of class 4/5 variants.

Methods

All detected PMS2 variants were collected from the diagnostic laboratories and reclassified according to ACMG criteria and gene specific guidelines. Data on variant, gender, cancer diagnosis, age at diagnosis, and age at last known follow-up was collected on all carriers of class 4/5 variants from electronic patient records. The Kaplan-Meier algorithm was used to calculate cumulative risk of any cancer, colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer.

Results

In total, 220 different PMS2 variants were detected. Twenty nine class 4/5 variants were identified in 482 carriers. The most common pathogenic variant was the founder mutation c.989-1G > T, detected in 204 patients from 58 families. Eighty seven out of 482 (18.0%) had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 10 of these (11.8%) before 40 years. Cumulative risk at 70 years in our cohort was 34.7% for colorectal cancer and 26.1% for endometrial cancer.

Conclusions

After 15 years of genetic testing, 29 different class 4/5 variants have been detected in Norway. Almost half of Norwegian PMS2 carriers have the founder variant 989-1G > T. Penetrance of colorectal cancer in our cohort was moderate but variable, as 11.5% of those diagnosed were younger than 40 years.
Recommendations for developing accessible patient information leaflets for clinical trials to address English language literacy as a barrier to research participation
Authors: Wylde Vikki , Brennan Sharon , Johnson Emma , Roberts Kirsty , Beswick Andrew D. , Jameson Catherine
Published: September 2024

Background

Low English language literacy is a common barrier to participation in clinical trials. Patient information leaflets (PILs) used in clinical trials are often lengthy, complex and have poor readability; this is a persistent and prevalent problem common to trials across the world. Simplifying the information provided in PILs can lead to improved understanding, comprehension and knowledge.

The aim of this project was to develop recommendations for developing accessible PILs for clinical trials through a literature review of published and grey literature and co-working with marginalised communities, patients, and health and social care charities.

Methods

A literature review of MEDLINE, Embase and online resources was conducted, and recommendations for developing accessible PILs were extracted from eligible published and grey literature. Grey literature which contained insights into more inclusive forms of communication was also identified and summarised. Meetings were held with two racially marginalised community groups, two groups involving autistic adults and/or adults with learning difficulties and a patient advisory group. Examples of accessible PILs were shared and discussions held about the content and format of the PILs and suggestions for changes/improvements. National Voices, a coalition of health and social care charities in England, held a national online workshop with charities and lived experience partners. Recommendations identified from the multiple sources were coded, collated and refined to develop an overarching framework of recommendations.

Results

The framework consists of 74 recommendations for developing accessible PILs for clinical trials. Recommendations cover the five topics of formatting, information presentation, writing style, content and accessibility.

Conclusions

This project has developed a comprehensive framework of recommendations to guide researchers in the development of accessible PILs for clinical trials. Findings from previous research and from co-working with marginalised communities, patients and health and social care charities were collated to ensure that a diverse range of voices and experiences informed the framework. These recommendations aim to support researchers to develop better study information to reduce English language literacy as a barrier to participation in clinical trials.
Research progress and challenges of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis in gliomas
Authors: Jiacheng Dong , Jiayue Cui , Ying Guo , Shaohua Wang , Wenhui Liu , Xinyu Hong
Published: September 2024

The emergence of programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immunosuppressants provides new therapeutic directions for various advanced malignant cancers. At present, PD-1/PD-L1 immunosuppressants have made significant progress in clinical trials of some gliomas, but PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors have not yet shown convincing clinical efficacy in gliomas. This article summarizes the research progress of the PD-1 /PD-L1 pathway in gliomas through the following three aspects. It mainly includes the complex expression levels and regulatory mechanisms of PD-1/PD-L1 in the glioma microenvironment, the immune infiltration in glioma immunosuppressive microenvironment, and research progress on the application of PD-1/PD-L1 immunosuppressants in clinical treatment trials for gliomas. This will help to understand the current treatment progress and future research directions better.
Strong conservatism in leaf anatomical traits and their multidimensional relationships with leaf economic traits in grasslands under different stressful environments
Authors: Liu Xinrui , Wang Xue , Zhu Jiang , Wang Xiaochun , Chen Kaixi , Yuan Yanqi , Yang Xue , Mo Weiyi , Wang Ruili , Zhang Shuoxin
Published: September 2024

Background

Plant traits and plant adaptive strategies have been affected by the increasing intensity and severity of environmental changes. Given the uncertainty surrounding future environmental conditions, investigating plant trait variations under various stresses is crucial for unraveling plant survival strategies. Leaf anatomical traits are closely responsible for plants’ photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration. However, knowledge of how the multi-species leaf anatomical traits varied in extremely and moderately stressful environments is limited. Our objective was to compare the variation of leaf anatomic traits and adaptation strategies in two different stressful regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (TP) and Mongolian Plateau (MP) of China.

Methods

We sampled ten sites in each of the two regions (MP and TP) along an environmental gradient. Seven leaf anatomical traits and two leaf economic traits were measured for all leaf samples. Leaf anatomical traits include the traits related to leaf physiological processes (mesophyll thickness (MT), palisade tissue thickness (PT), spongy tissue thickness (ST), palisade-spongy tissue thickness ratio (PST) and epidermal thickness (ET)) and the traits related to trait construction investment (epiderm-leaf thickness ratio (ET/LT) and mesophyll-leaf thickness ratio (MT/LT)). Leaf economic traits include specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf nitrogen content (LN).

Results

The results revealed that leaf anatomical traits in the TP exhibited greater phylogenetic conservation with thicker structures, being less susceptible to environmental impacts than those in the MP. Additionally, the leaf anatomical and economic traits decoupled both in the MP and TP.

Conclusion

These findings highlight that plants adopt diverse strategies to cope with extremely and moderately environmental stresses, but multidimensional trait patterns are generally favored in stressful environments.
The regulatory landscape of interacting RNA and protein pools in cellular homeostasis and cancer
Authors: Gallardo-Dodd Carlos J. , Kutter Claudia
Published: September 2024

Biological systems encompass intricate networks governed by RNA-protein interactions that play pivotal roles in cellular functions. RNA and proteins constituting 1.1% and 18% of the mammalian cell weight, respectively, orchestrate vital processes from genome organization to translation. To date, disentangling the functional fraction of the human genome has presented a major challenge, particularly for noncoding regions, yet recent discoveries have started to unveil a host of regulatory functions for noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). While ncRNAs exist at different sizes, structures, degrees of evolutionary conservation and abundances within the cell, they partake in diverse roles either alone or in combination. However, certain ncRNA subtypes, including those that have been described or remain to be discovered, are poorly characterized given their heterogeneous nature. RNA activity is in most cases coordinated through interactions with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Extensive efforts are being made to accurately reconstruct RNA-RBP regulatory networks, which have provided unprecedented insight into cellular physiology and human disease. In this review, we provide a comprehensive view of RNAs and RBPs, focusing on how their interactions generate functional signals in living cells, particularly in the context of post-transcriptional regulatory processes and cancer.
Validation of factor structures of the Drinking Motives Questionnaire among the Czech young and adult general population
Authors: Kážmér Ladislav , Csémy Ladislav , Šíba Ondřej
Published: September 2024

Background

Alcohol use is one of the leading public health concerns in the Czech Republic. Drinking motives play a vital role in both initiation and subsequent alcohol use. A revised version of the self-report Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ-R) has been proposed to assess these motives. The present study aims to validate the DMQ-R in the Czech general population.

Methods

A total sample of 1,784 Czech participants completed a national survey. For the analysis, only a sub-sample of the past 12 months alcohol users was used: N = 1,123; 52.8% male; mean (SD) age = 40.2 (13.3). Drinking motives were assessed by the adopted Czech version of the DMQ-R. Both confirmatory (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were conducted to examine the factorial structure of the instrument. The age of the participant was additionally considered in the analysis (15–24 years as opposed to 25–64 years).

Results

The CFA supported the four-factor model in the 25–64 age group. The analysis supported the construct validity of the Social, Conformity, and Coping factors. The Enhancement factor retained only two items and was found to refer more to a domain of ‘Pleasant Feeling’. For the 15–24 age group, the hypothesised four-factor structure was not corroborated.

Conclusions

The Czech version of the DMQ-R was found to be a reliable measurement tool of the Social, Conformity, and Coping motives. Future research should investigate the dimensionality of the instrument items presumed to correspond to the Enhancement motives. This should be conducted particularly among adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years, where administering the DMQ-R with a large enough sample is also needed.
DNA damage response in breast cancer and its significant role in guiding novel precise therapies
Authors: Li Jiayi , Jia Ziqi , Dong Lin , Cao Heng , Huang Yansong , Xu Hengyi , Xie Zhixuan , Jiang Yiwen , Wang Xiang , Liu Jiaqi
Published: September 2024

DNA damage response (DDR) deficiency has been one of the emerging targets in treating breast cancer in recent years. On the one hand, DDR coordinates cell cycle and signal transduction, whose dysfunction may lead to cell apoptosis, genomic instability, and tumor development. Conversely, DDR deficiency is an intrinsic feature of tumors that underlies their response to treatments that inflict DNA damage. In this review, we systematically explore various mechanisms of DDR, the rationale and research advances in DDR-targeted drugs in breast cancer, and discuss the challenges in its clinical applications. Notably, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have demonstrated favorable efficacy and safety in breast cancer with high homogenous recombination deficiency (HRD) status in a series of clinical trials. Moreover, several studies on novel DDR-related molecules are actively exploring to target tumors that become resistant to PARP inhibition. Before further clinical application of new regimens or drugs, novel and standardized biomarkers are needed to develop for accurately characterizing the benefit population and predicting efficacy. Despite the promising efficacy of DDR-related treatments, challenges of off-target toxicity and drug resistance need to be addressed. Strategies to overcome drug resistance await further exploration on DDR mechanisms, and combined targeted drugs or immunotherapy will hopefully provide more precise or combined strategies and expand potential responsive populations.
Plant investigation and the impact on earthen site soil properties in the east city wall of the Sanxingdui site
Authors: Yao Xue , Zhao Fan , Hao Jianfeng , Wang Yanwu , Hu Rui
Published: September 2024

In southern China, vegetation on exposed earthen sites serves not only to mitigate erosion but also alters their visual appearance, leading to biodeterioration. However, how plants influence the properties of earthen sites is virtually unknown. This study undertook an ecological investigation of the original habitat in the east city wall of the Sanxingdui site, analyzing its soil properties and investigating plant-soil interactions. Research findings indicate that existing plant communities are not conducive to biodiversity nor site presentation. Plants exert a direct influence within a vertical range extending 0–40 cm beneath the site; root content correlates negatively with soil pH value but positively with organic matter content. The herbaceous community (E-2 and E-3) exhibits higher clay content than the arbor community (E-1) within this range. The above conclusions exhibit statistical significance. This study offers a scientific elucidation of the ecological parameters governing plant communities concerning the conservation of earthen sites, and provides an initial influence range of plant communities and biodegradation on the east city wall of the Sanxingdui sites, thereby revealing the technical potential for employing plants as a soft capping for earthen sites in the open air from the function method.
Integration of the Natural World Heritage conservation and development of buffer zone agroforestry: from scientometrics insights and implications for the Karst World Heritage
Authors: Fang Ruonan , Xiong Kangning , Ding Yuping , Wang Dongnan
Published: September 2024

Currently, global warming, invasive alien species and tourism development pose major threats to Natural World Heritage sites, and the strengthening of conservation methods and management programs in buffer zones is urgent for the sustainable development of sites. Agroforestry, as a nature-based solution, not only promotes the buffer zone to effectively maintain the Outstanding Universal Value of the heritage site, but also balances the relationship between the conservation of the heritage site and the economic development of the buffer zone, and effectively enhances the protection of the buffer zone in response to various threats. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive understanding of research trends, research focuses, and recent developments, regarding the conservation of natural heritage sites and buffer zone agroforestry development. Therefore, this study utilized the Scopus database along with Excel and Bibliometrix software to conduct a bibliometric analysis and explore and visualize popular research topics and foreword issues related to Natural World Heritage conservation and buffer zone agroforestry development. We discuss the current publication trends and quantity, keyword and abstract word frequencies, thematic maps and evolutions, journal productivity, national publication outputs, collaboration relationships, and contributing institutions. The research shows that the relationship between biodiversity conservation and agroforestry has been the focus of research in the field since 1992, and the development of agroforestry has contributed to biodiversity conservation in heritage sites. However, there have been fewer studies addressing the geomorphic and aesthetic value of agroforestry conservation, and little attention has been paid to buffer zone development. Based on this, this manuscript suggests that in the future, emphasis should be placed on the linkage between the development of buffer zones and heritage conservation, especially in the Karst World Heritage Sites with ecologically fragile, and that the role of agroforestry development in buffer zones should be strengthened in the promotion of ecological balance and sustainable development of the sites, to provide scientific references for the conservation and development of other geoheritage sites around the globe.
Assessment of shear strength of fine-grained and coarse-grained soil using actual EPB-TBM operating data
Authors: Samadi Hanan , Hassanpour Jafar , Rostami Jamal
Published: September 2024

The necessity of predicting geotechnical parameters in soft ground tunnelling is crucial for selecting the appropriate tunnel boring machine (TBM), evaluating the operating limit of earth pressure balance (EPB) machines’ parameters, and ensuring the safety and efficiency of TBMs during tunnel construction. In this research, various EPB operating parameters such as cutterhead torque, thrust force, chamber pressure, and cutterhead rotation speed (RPM) were utilized to estimate geotechnical parameters like friction angle (φ) and shear strength (τ) for engineering geological units ET1 to ET5 (fine-grained and coarse-grained soils) along the tunnels route, which serve as indicative units for the entire tunnels path. Statistical methods and computational techniques, namely support vector regression (SVR) and feed-forward neural network (FFNN), were trained using EPB operating parameters and geotechnical data from Tehran metro line 6—southern extension sector (TML-SE6) and the East–west section of line 7, Tehran metro project (TML-EW7). A comprehensive dataset comprising borehole logging results along the tunnel path was gathered, with 85% of the data randomly selected for training and the remaining 15% reserved for model testing. Various loss functions and statistical metrics were employed to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the method. The results of the proposed models demonstrate satisfactory and reliable accuracy of the approaches.
Biopolymer-based composites for sustainable energy storage: recent developments and future outlook
Authors: Patra Niranjan , Ramesh Prathipati , Donthu Vaishnavi , Ahmad Akil
Published: September 2024

Over the past decade, biopolymers made from renewable resources like plants, algae, seashell waste, and seaweed have become increasingly popular as industries strive to reduce their environmental pollution without compromising socioeconomic growth. Biopolymers are often regarded as a significant alternative to conventional materials due to their low weight, great strength, stiffness, biostability, and non-toxicity. Therefore, industries are beginning to adopt the use of biopolymers, including those dealing with packaging, agriculture, automobiles, healthcare, as well as energy harvesting. Supercapacitors and batteries are two examples of electrochemical devices for energy storage that can be made using bespoke biopolymers and their composites. Although biopolymers’ potential uses are restricted, they are nevertheless useful when combined with other materials to create composites. This boosts the electrochemical efficiency of the biologically active molecules and also enhances their inherent physical features. This review focuses on recent developments, specifically the use of diverse biopolymers and composites for batteries and supercapacitor applications, followed by future perspectives.
Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum and HBV coinfections among inmates at Owo Correctional Facility, Nigeria
Authors: Ajakaye Oluwaremilekun Grace , Omidele Abiola A.
Published: September 2024

Background

Malaria and hepatitis B are significant public health infections in Nigeria. Coinfection with both pathogens is common where both diseases are endemic. Epidemiological surveys are essential for determining the burden of diseases and possible coinfection with multiple pathogens in vulnerable populations. There has been a lack of reports on HBV/malaria coinfection, particularly among marginalized groups in Ondo State. Thus, we used malaria microscopy and the HBsAg serological test to examine the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria parasitemia and HBV infections respectively among inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Center in Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Results

Out of the 126 prisoners and staff members who were evaluated, 20.6% and 7.9% tested positive for malaria and HBV infections, respectively. It was discovered that 1.6% of the individuals were coinfected with malaria and HBV. Plasmodium falciparum was the only malaria species recovered in malaria-infected individuals. Except for HBV, where gender was found to differ considerably with the proportion of HBV infection, variations in single infections with either pathogen did not vary with demographic characteristics.

Conclusion

We suggest that the prison system should be considered in healthcare programs to improve the health of inmates.
Rare diseases: What rheumatologists need to know?
Authors: do Nascimento Renan Rodrigues Neves Ribeiro , Piotto Daniela Gerent Petry , Freire Eutilia Andrade Medeiros , de Souza Neves Fabricio , Sztajnbok Flavio Roberto , Bica Blanca Elena Rios Gomes , Pinheiro Frederico Augusto Gurgel , Kozu Katia Tomie , Pereira Ivanio Alves , Azevedo Valderilio Feijo , Cordeiro Rafael Alves , Giardini Henrique Ayres Mayrink , Franco Marco Túlio Muniz , de Fátima Fernandes Carvalho Margarida , Rosa-Neto Nilton Salles , Perazzio Sandro Félix
Published: September 2024

Although the terms “rare diseases” (RD) and “orphan diseases” (OD) are often used interchangeably, specific nuances in definitions should be noted to avoid misconception. RD are characterized by a low prevalence within the population, whereas OD are those inadequately recognized or even neglected by the medical community and drug companies. Despite their rarity, as our ability on discovering novel clinical phenotypes and improving diagnostic tools expand, RD will continue posing a real challenge for rheumatologists. Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest on elucidating mechanisms of rare autoimmune and autoinflammatory rheumatic diseases, allowing a better understanding of the role played by immune dysregulation on granulomatous, histiocytic, and hypereosinophilic disorders, just to name a few. This initiative enabled the rise of innovative targeted therapies for rheumatic RD. In this review, we explore the state-of-the art of rare RD and the critical role played by rheumatologists in healthcare. We also describe the challenges rheumatologists may face in the coming decades.
Protected areas, drought, and grazing regimes influence fire occurrence in a fire-prone Mediterranean region
Authors: Kirkland Máire , Atkinson Philip W. , Aliácar Sara , Saavedra Deli , De Jong Mark C. , Dowling Thomas P. F. , Ashton-Butt Adham
Published: September 2024

Background

Extreme fire seasons in the Mediterranean basin have received international attention due to the damage caused to people, livelihoods, and vulnerable ecosystems. There is a body of literature linking increasingly intense, large fires to a build-up of fuel from rural land abandonment exacerbated by climate change. However, a better understanding of the complex factors driving fires in fire-prone landscapes is needed. We use a global database based on the MODIS Fire CCI51 product, and the Greater Côa Valley, a 340,000-ha area in Portugal, as a case study, to investigate the environmental drivers of fire and potential tools for managing fires in a landscape that has undergone changing agricultural and grazing management.

Results

Between 2001 and 2020, fires burned 32% (1881.45 km2) of the study area. Scrublands proportionally burnt the most, but agricultural land and forests were also greatly impacted. The risk of large fires (> 1 km2) was highest in these land cover types under dry conditions in late summer. Areas with higher sheep densities were more likely to burn, while cattle density had no apparent relationship with fire occurrence. There was also a 15% lower probability of a fire occurring in protected areas.

Conclusion

Future climatic changes that increase drought conditions will likely elevate the risk of large fires in the Mediterranean basin, and abandoned farmland undergoing natural succession towards scrubland will be at particularly high risk. Our results indicate that livestock grazing does not provide a simple solution to reducing fire risk, but that a more holistic management approach addressing social causes and nature-based solutions could be effective in reducing fire occurrence.
Planning cities with nature for sustainability transformations — a systematic review
Authors: Harms Philip , Hofer Maeve , Artmann Martina
Published: September 2024

The future coexistence of human and nonhuman nature on an urban planet is at risk. A crucial lever is the transformation of human-nature relationships in and through cities. Urban planning as a sustainability intervention has the potential to reconnect cities with nature. To shed light on transformative potentials of urban planning in the context of human-nature connections, we conducted a systematic literature review. We analysed 71 empirical studies from Europe published between 2016 and 2022. We characterised the research using qualitative analysis, and applied the leverage point perspective as the main focus to identify blind spots and future research needs. Our review reveals a highly interdisciplinary field with research focus on transformation through planning, while issues of transformation in planning tend to receive less attention. Furthermore, the studies rather deal with shallow leverage points for sustainability transformations both in terms of system levels and human-nature connections. In order to unlock the potential of urban planning, future research should pay more attention to the inner dimensions of planning and human-nature connections in cities. Furthermore, research should be more concerned with the visionary modes of urban planning, e.g. by discussing what is (not) desirable in the future.
Livestock farming and women empowerment in rural Bangladesh: a mixed method approach
Authors: Nath Toma Deb , Rahman Md. Sadique , Biswas Arindam , Juice Rahat Ahmed
Published: September 2024

Background

In Bangladesh, livestock farming is not only a major source of animal protein, but it also provides opportunities for women to contribute to household income. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify the empowerment status of women livestock farmers, factors influencing women's participation in livestock farming and its impact on women's empowerment.

Methods

The study was conducted in the Mymensingh district (administrative unit) of Bangladesh, due to the active participation of women in livestock farming activities. A total of 200 women were surveyed between May to November 2018. Additionally, prior to the final survey, 02 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were performed to gain insight into the context of the study areas. Furthermore, a total of 12 semi-structured in-depth interviews were performed with 12 experienced women livestock farmers to collect data regarding the challenges they encounter in livestock farming. Women empowerment was measured using four domains: decision-making process, ownership of assets, social and political awareness, and freedom of mobility. Descriptive statistics, and Heckman's endogenous treatment effect model were applied to analyze the data.

Results

The results revealed that majority (75%) of women who are involved in livestock farming had a medium level of empowerment. Women's decision to participate in livestock farming was positively influenced by farm size, knowledge, extension contact, and training. According to the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) value, the empowerment status of women is 16 points higher among participants in livestock farming compared to non-participants. Furthermore, women in rural areas face several obstacles such as economic issues and inadequate marketing facilities, which may prevent them from engaging in livestock farming.

Conclusions

Educating women through raising awareness and providing training is warranted because there is a notable disparity in the empowerment status of women who are and are not involved in livestock farming. This will help women improve their social awareness, decision-making capacity, and mobility. Livestock initiatives that encourage women's involvement could be generated by various rural-focused organizations.
China’s vernacular architectural heritage and historic preservation
Authors: Knapp Ronald G.
Published: September 2024

This review article explores the trajectory of vernacular architectural documentation and preservation in China, including both notable successes and unfortunate failures. While the documentation and preservation of monuments of the past have a long-recorded history, the story of the ‘discovery’, documentation, and preservation of vernacular sites—individual structures as well as building complexes—is less known.

This essay presents how ‘outsiders’—mainly intrepid academics within China—travelled to out-of-the-way villages and towns after 1949 to find historic structures that were known to local residents but not to the broader world, even within China. Tragically, their findings were unpublished for decades. During politically charged periods, there was an orgy of calamitous destruction of countless vernacular buildings, an astonishing loss caused by the abandonment, renovation for alternative uses, and even razing of historic residences, temples, lineage halls, bridges, and walls in both rural and urban areas. Despite these enormous losses, many today marvel at the abundance of seemingly ‘historic’ structures that are still standing. This essay examines the roots of this apparent contradiction.

Rural revitalisation has become a national issue for China in recent decades. In support of this initiative, an extraordinary amount of successful historic preservation work in villages has been accomplished. Today, unlike in the past, heritage protection focuses on broader village landscapes rather than on individual buildings. The challenges of preserving architectural sites are centred around issues of restoration versus recreation as well as redevelopment, that is, demolition followed by reconstruction. The commodification of heritage through the acceleration of tourism continues to have both positive and negative impacts. Judgements about authenticity often continue to be at odds with investors’ need to recoup costs and ensure ongoing profits.
Dominant discourses framing the reuse of industrial heritage in the context of mega-events: a relationship matrix approach
Authors: Bideau Florence Graezer , Deng Huishu , Roux Helena
Published: September 2024

The reuse of industrial heritage sites has become increasingly prevalent in the context of hosting mega-events. This paper aims to investigate this trend, specifically in the context of Olympic Games or World Expos, and its impact on urban regeneration strategies. It introduces a methodological tool, namely, the relationship matrix, to identify key factors from ‘best practices’ criteria for managing industrial sites and planning mega-event legacies. We use this matrix to address two research objectives, namely, to determine the role of industrial heritage reuse in mega-event urban projects and to evaluate whether this creates a favourable environment for place-making. This matrix enables us to compare and analyse the Shanghai 2010 World Expo and the London 2012 Summer Olympic Games as illustrative case studies. While guidelines and strategies for mega-events and industrial heritage have evolved towards a proactive people-centred approach, our findings still reveal a bias towards material renewal in dominant discourses during the planning phase. This bias often overlooks or even excludes the memories and experiences of local communities.
Farming with Petroleum
Authors: Staub Michael E.
Published: September 2024

This article recovers and analyzes the sophisticated corporate response to environmentalist concerns already in the 1960s about the radical disruption of the nitrogen cycle that governs life on the planet caused by intensified application of chemical fertilizers. In 1971, ecologist Barry Commoner petitioned the Illinois Pollution Control Board to curtail the use of nitrogen fertilizer. This was the first-ever effort to use new state environmental protections to mandate limits on intensive agricultural practices. After holding ten public forums, the board ruled against restrictions. This decision marked a critical inflection point in the intertwined histories of US environmental activism, agribusiness, and the chemical technologization of food production at just the moment when nitrogen fertilizer was going global. This article aims to restore Commoner's long-forgotten campaign against the nitrogen fertilizer industry to its rightful place in postwar US environmental history. It additionally details how that industry had preemptively used a Malthusian logic of resource scarcity to make a nearly unassailable case for itself as a savior of humankind from the threat of global hunger. The article examines this early exemplar of “greenwashing” and reconstructs an untold story in the history of nitrogen capitalism.
The Global Ascension of Corn and Soybeans
Authors: Winders Bill
Published: September 2024

As part of the “iron triangle,” producer and corporate interests have a significant influence on agricultural policy, but this influence is complicated by changing and competing interests, particularly around corn, cotton, soybeans, and wheat. From the 1930s to the 1970s, a wheat-cotton coalition helped to forge a policy of supply management that relied on price supports, production controls, and export subsidies that aimed to increase farm incomes, stabilize agricultural markets, and prevent overproduction. In the 1990s, however, supply management policy was ended and its central goals of stabilizing markets and managing supply were cast aside. This current policy era has been driven in part by corn and soybean interests and shaped by three global forces that encourage the expansion of production for these commodities: global liberalization and expanded free trade, the advent of genetically engineered seeds, and the expansion of the meat industry.
The Social Costs of Keystone Species Collapse: Evidence from the Decline of Vultures in India
Authors: Frank Eyal , Sudarshan Anant
Published: September 2024

Scientific evidence has documented we are undergoing a mass extinction of species, caused by human activity. However, allocating conservation resources is difficult due to scarce evidence on damages from losing individual species. This paper studies the collapse of vultures in India, triggered by the expiry of a patent on a painkiller. Our results suggest the functional extinction of vultures—efficient scavengers that removed carcasses from the environment—increased human mortality by over 4 percent because of a large negative shock to sanitation. We quantify damages at $69.4 billion per year. These results suggest high returns to conserving keystone species such as vultures. (JEL I12, O13, O15, Q53, Q57, Q58)
Πολυγραμματισμοί και προγράμματα μουσειακής αγωγής για την προσχολική ηλικία
Authors: Καλεσοπούλου Δέσποινα
Published: September 2024

Τα μουσεία, με τη δυνατότητα που έχουν να συνδυάζουν ποικίλους σημειωτικούς πόρους διαφορετικών χρονικοτήτων, αποτελούν ένα ιδανικό περιβάλλον εφαρμογής παιδαγωγικών προσεγγίσεων που αντλούν χαρακτηριστικά από το θεωρητικό πλαίσιο των πολυγραμματισμών. Το άρθρο επιχειρεί να προσεγγίσει σε θεωρητικό και πρακτικό επίπεδο την εφαρμογή των πολυγραμματισμών στο μουσείο, ως μια μεθοδολογική πρόταση, που μπορεί να εμπλουτίσει τη διαδικασία σχεδιασμού των προγραμμάτων μουσειακής αγωγής, αλλά και να ενθαρρύνει την αξιολόγηση και τον αναστοχασμό. Θα εξεταστούν αρχικά τα μοντέλα μάθησης και το φάσμα παιδαγωγικών μεθόδων και τεχνικών που έχουν μελετηθεί και συστηματοποιηθεί από ερευνητές ως προς τον σχεδιασμό εκπαιδευτικών προγραμμάτων στο μουσείο, με εστίαση στην προσχολική ηλικία. Στη συνέχεια, υιοθετώντας την παιδαγωγική των πολυγραμματισμών και της Μάθησης μέσω Σχεδιασμού, θα αναλυθεί κριτικά ο σχεδιασμός προγραμμάτων μουσειακής αγωγής που έχουν εκπονήσει εκπαιδευόμενοι παιδαγωγοί πρώιμης παιδικής ηλικίας, στο πλαίσιο των οποίων αξιοποιούνται ποικιλόμορφα τα μουσεία και οι σημειωτικοί τους πόροι εντός και εκτός Παιδικού Σταθμού. Στόχος της ανάλυσης είναι να αναδείξει την αξία των πολυγραμματισμών ως πλαισίου σχεδιασμού και ανάλυσης προγραμμάτων, τονίζοντας τη δυναμική που έχει η θεωρητική αυτή πρόταση ως προς τη δημιουργική προσέγγιση του μουσειακού κόσμου και την αξιοποίηση πολυδιάστατων και συμπεριληπτικών τρόπων συγκρότησης νοημάτων.
MinaDot: μία καινοτόμος εφαρμογή αυτόματης μεταγραφής σε Braille για την ενίσχυση του Γραμματισμού στη Braille
Authors: Γαρούφος Απόστολος , Γαβριηλίδου Ζωή
Published: September 2024

Η γραφή Braille αποτελεί έναν σημαντικό κρίκο τόσο για την επικοινωνία όσο και για την εκπαιδευτική προσβασιμότητα των ατόμων με οπτικές βλάβες. Στόχος της δημοσίευσης αυτής είναι να παρουσιάσουμε το MinaDot, που είναι μια εύχρηστη και οικονομική εφαρμογή που παρέχει τη δυνατότητα αυτόματων μεταγραφών από την ελληνική και αγγλική γλώσσα στη γραφή Braille με τρόπο που συμμορφώνεται με όλους τους κανονισμούς που διέπουν την επίσημη γραφή της Braille στην Ελλάδα. Σκοπός της εφαρμογής αυτής είναι να προσδώσει ολική προσβασιμότητα των ατόμων με οπτικές βλάβες στην εκπαιδευτική πραγματικότητα, βοηθώντας τόσο τους εκπαιδευτές όσο και τους εκπαιδευόμενους στη μελέτη και την παραγωγή της Braille ενισχύοντας ταυτόχρονα τον γραμματισμό στη Braille. H παρούσα δημοσίευση αναδεικνύει τη σημασία εύχρηστων τεχνολογικών εφαρμογών που συντελούν στην αύξηση της προσβασιμότητας στην εκπαίδευση και γενικότερα την καθημερινότητα ομάδων με ειδικές εκπαιδευτικές ανάγκες.
Construction method of high-horsepower tractor digital twin
Authors: Zhang Yanan , Du Yuefeng , Yang Zihan , Chen Du , Song Zhenghe , Zhu Zhongxiang
Published: September 2024

Background Agricultural machinery equipment is the core element of advanced agricultural productivity. The operation system of agricultural machinery equipment involves machine-human-environment-society interactions. Limited by the production mode, operation mode, etc., the design and development, manufacturing, operation and maintenance control, recycling and other links of agricultural machinery equipment are still independent of each other. The massive information in the agricultural production process has not been fully utilized, so there are some outstanding problems such as low operating performance, low production efficiency, and poor integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy. Methods Focusing on the agricultural production process, this paper proposes the construction method for a high-horsepower tractor digital twin, and expounds on its operation mechanism. Taking high-horsepower tractor ploughing operation as an example, by deploying tractors, central servers, and an Internet of Things (IoT) platform, we developed a digital twin service platform for the agricultural production system of intelligent agricultural machinery equipment and built a tractor digital twin to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Results The accuracy rate of the tractor ploughing quality prediction service based on this platform is 96.65%. Under open-loop control, the number of excellent, good, medium and poor sets of the tractor ploughing quality are 153, 955, 1470, and 1422, respectively. After adopting closed-loop control, the number of excellent and good sets increased by 378, and 821, respectively, and the number of medium and poor groups decreases by 119 and 1080, respectively. Through this platform, the operation quality can be effectively and accurately predicted and improved, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed construction method of high-horsepower tractor digital twin. Conclusions This research provides a method framework for the construction of the digital twin of tractor operation and maintenance control processes, and provides strong support for the vigorous development of intelligent agriculture.