bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buckling analysis of functionally graded microplates incorporating nonlocal strain gradient theory and surface energy effects
Authors: Van Hieu Dang , Gia Phi Bui
Published: October 2024

The purpose of this work is to present a buckling analysis of functionally graded (FG) microplates by combining nonlocal strain gradient theory (NSGT) with the higher-order shear deformation plate theories (HSDPTs). The microplate is assumed to be composed of a combination of ceramic and metal materials, and the material properties are assumed to vary continuously in the thickness direction based on a simple power law. The equilibrium equations and the boundary conditions are derived using the principle of minimum potential energy. Analytical solutions are determined for the critical buckling loads of the rectangular FG microplates with different boundary conditions. The results obtained have been verified by comparison with existing findings in the literature. Furthermore, some numerical illustrations are provided to investigate the effects of nonlocal parameters, the material length scale parameter, shear deformation, aspect ratios, the power-law index, and the surface energy on the buckling response of the rectangular FG microplates.
The expropriation of Arabic from Arab-Palestinians: On Arabic and coloniality in the Israeli academic sphere
Authors: Jabareen Yousef T. , Mendel Yonatan
Published: October 2024

Referring to three topics – (1) the place of Arabic in the Israeli public academic sphere, (2) the pedagogy of the teaching of Arabic in Israeli universities and (3) the use of Arabic as an academic language (discussion and research, academic writing, academic sources) – this paper will study the field of Arabic in Israeli universities as a direct outcome of the power relations in the country, crystallized over the years between the indigenous Palestinian population and the mostly European-oriented Jewish-Zionist decision-makers, thinkers and scholars. Following we will relate to settlercolonial elements in the Zionist project in order to explain the process of inferiorization of Arabic in the Israeli academic sphere, and the way its study was created through prioritizing Western methods that by and large exclude the Arab-Palestinian society and that have made members of this society uninfluential even in the study and research of its own language and culture. These ways included the preference of Western philology (‘grammar translation’) on direct methods (such as ‘immersion’ or ‘direct teaching’), the decision to teach Arabic in Hebrew, the pattern of discussing Arabic literature in Hebrew, the preference Hebrew-led linguistic landscape, and more.
Quantifying linguistic heritage: Philological insights for high-impact language preservation
Authors: Gaparalievich Kozhobekov Kudaiberdi , Adylbekova Bekzada Yzakbaevna , Amin Momen Yaseen M
Published: October 2024

This research paper digs into the complex intersection of philological viewpoints and quantitative analysis to disentangle the dynamics of language protection. Considering the developing threat to language endangerment, our examination utilizes a comprehensive quantitative way to deal with the health of a particular linguistic community. With the utilization of language proficiency measures, documentation indices and demographic information, our review gives a complex comprehension of language evolution inside a cultural structure. The theoretical framework gives understanding into the complexities of language preservation techniques by coordinating deep rooted philological standards. Besides the fact that the discoveries add to the empirical comprehension of language preservation, they also furnish practitioners and policymakers with significant experiences. This examination desires to propel the discussion on language revitalization methodologies by melding the thorough quantitative methodology with the rich tradition of philology, stressing the importance of keeping up with linguistic legacy in a continually shifting global context. The implications of the examination go past scholarly circles, giving proof to practical, proof based activities to preserve endangered languages.
(Dis)connecting families: Parents’ versus children's perspectives on the role of mobile devices within family interactions
Authors: Janssens Nele , Meeus Anneleen , Beullens Kathleen
Published: October 2024

The characteristics of mobile technology devices have enabled new ways of integrating technology in familial interactions. This study aimed to investigate (1) differences in perspectives of technoference and family-oriented mobile technology use between parents and children, (2) the relation between parent–child interactions that take place via mobile technology and the quality of the parent–child relationship, and (3) its association with the well-being of parents and preadolescents separately. Structural equation modelling was performed on cross-sectional data from 390 parent–child dyads. The findings revealed discrepancies in child technoference perceptions and varying associations of the different types of mobile technology use with the parent–child relationship and parents' and children's well-being. From children's perspective, both parent and child technoference was negative for the parent–child relationship, whereas family-oriented mobile technology use when physically together was beneficial for the relationship and the child's well-being. From parents’ perspective, only child technoference was negatively related to the parent–child relationship and parent's well-being. Overall, the findings underline that mobile technology use can be both detrimental and beneficial, however, the effects can differ depending on the family member and the type of technology use.
Eating disorders of the perimenopause
Authors: Davies Hannah Olivia
Published: October 2024

Except for psychosis, women’s mental health problems across the reproductive lifespan are common. There are periods in a woman’s life, associated with significant sex hormone fluctuations, that render her particularly susceptible to mood disturbance and mental health illnesses, including eating disorders. Whilst eating disorders are usually conceptualized as diseases afflicting adolescence and young adults, there is increasing evidence to suggest the landscape for eating disorders has considerably changed and includes a peak in midlife, correlating with the perimenopause. Inpatient admissions and outpatient clinic attendances have increased amongst older women. It is likely this increasing trend is the result of numerous biopsychosocial factors. A diagnosis of an eating disorder in midlife may be more common in those women simultaneously navigating the perimenopause than in midlife women who remain pre-menopausal owing to the significant ovarian hormonal fluctuations encountered in the perimenopause. Eating disorders are serious illnesses associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which are exacerbated when present at older ages. Research is beginning to recognize the importance of including this typically under-represented cohort of middle-aged women in empirical studies, which is critical to a complete etiological understanding. Recognizing and treating these varied presentations and establishing effective treatments for chronic, recurrent and new-onset eating disorders in midlife women is crucial.
Digital Immigrants Versus Digital Natives: Decoding Their E-commerce Adoption Behavior
Authors: Thangavel Packiaraj , Chandra Bibhas
Published: October 2024

It is easier to assume that educated older adults will find digital gadgets or the Internet as simple to use as the young generation does. However, it is not as simple as that. The generation that was not born into the digital world but has had to make an effort to learn to use digital technologies during their middle or late middle age is referred to as Digital Immigrants (DIs). Most of these individuals were forced to adapt to information technologies due to environmental pressure to survive and thrive at their workplace. The objective of this study is to investigate if the proposed “digital divide” that differentiates digital immigrants from digital natives (DNs) exists among e-commerce users in India, and if so, are digital immigrants less likely to adopt and use e-commerce services? Data was collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire from 432 Indian Internet users aged 19 to 65. Multigroup structural equation modeling analysis (M-SEM) of data revealed that DIs and DNs perceive e-commerce services differently. Though digital immigrants find e-commerce services challenging to use, their higher perception of its usefulness propels them to adopt and use e-commerce. This study contributes to the existing body of literature by extending our understanding of the technology adoption behavior of digital immigrants. The study’s implications and the scope for future research are discussed at the end of the article.
The Impact of Peer Feedback on L2 Literature Review Writing: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Yan Jing , Zhu Yu , Ye Xinrong
Published: October 2024

Research on how peer feedback affects second language (L2) writing in higher education has been limited. This study examines the impact of peer feedback on revision and literature review writing in learners of Chinese as an L2 at a university in mainland China. The study analyzed feedback, revisions, and writing performance of 30 students. The quantitative analysis revealed that revision-oriented feedback had significantly positive effects on revision. Adopted-feedback-revision explained the gain score in the writing performance. The qualitative text analysis demonstrated that students paid unbalanced attention to the genre-specific characteristics of the literature review and the concreteness varied accordingly. Students valued peer feedback for improving comprehension, thinking skills, and audience awareness, especially when it identified issues with specific revision suggestions. This study contributes to the field by addressing how Chinese language learners benefited from peer feedback when writing literature review in higher education, which also has practical implications.
Reflection of Gender Digital Divide on Digital Financial Inclusion in Context of Indian Bankers: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Gupta Minu , Kiran Ravi
Published: October 2024

The study aims to examine the presence of gender difference in Digital Financial Inclusion of Indian bankers reflected through Gender Digital Divide. UTAUT2 model was adopted to examine the Behavioral Intention of bankers to adopt Digital Banking. Structured questionnaires framed on 5-point Likert scale were distributed among 300 bankers, selected through random sampling, and received 260 completed questionnaires. Statistical data analysis was done using PLS-SEM. Findings reveal that five out of the eight UTAUT2 factors (Perceived Usefulness, Social Influence, Hedonic Motivation, Habit, and Price Value) have significant roles for men and three have significant roles for women (Perceived Ease of Use, Personal Innovativeness, and Facilitating Conditions). Research indicates that women are trailing behind in the use of digital banking, which is concerning because their internet banking adoption and usage can motivate other women to use digital media, thereby raising their Financial Inclusion level.
Social Media and Conflict: A Visual Analysis of War and Peace Frames in Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Shabir , Fahmy Shahira S.
Published: October 2024

Based on traditional peace communication scholarship, this study, embedded in journalism studies and visual politics literature, analyzes photographs of conflict using war and peace frames and explores the role social media can play in digital peacebuilding practices. A content analysis of 674 visuals of the second deadliest terrorist attack in Pakistan posted on Twitter revealed the dominance of war photographs. The majority of the visual tweets were related to the afflicted victims and the visiting elites. Our analysis revealed that the visual narrative predominantly adopted a war approach. Results also showed significant variations in the war and peace narrative over time. Overall, this study challenges the views of peace journalism scholars that social media would lead to a more peace-oriented approach. We argue that peace narratives may be difficult to occur on digital platforms in securitized national conflicts where elites and a dominant public opinion oppose alternative perspectives.
Use of Cohesive Viscoelastic Agents to Facilitate Safe Removal of Posterior Segment Intraocular Foreign Bodies
Authors: Budoff Greg , McCannel Colin A.
Published: October 2024

Purpose: To assess the ability of viscoelastic agents and perfluoro-N-octane (PFO) to safely remove an intraocular foreign body (IOFB). Methods: A 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy were performed in a porcine eye. A 5.0 mm metallic IOFB was inserted through a corneal paracentesis and dropped into the vitreous cavity. The posterior segment was filled completely with a balanced salt solution, cohesive viscoelastic, or dispersive viscoelastic or was partially filled with PFO under a balanced salt solution. The IOFB was then brought anteriorly and released. Each test was repeated multiple times and videorecorded. Results: The IOFB fell with high velocity through the balanced salt solution–filled vitreous cavity. When the eye was filled with either of the 2 viscoelastic agents, the IOFB did not move or moved posteriorly extremely slowly. A vitreous cavity filled partially with PFO led to deflection of the object’s path, with the peripheral retina being struck, or the IOFB dropping straight down and striking the macula. PFO and the cohesive viscoelastic were easily removed from the eye with the vitrectomy instrument. The dispersive viscoelastic could not be completely removed and repeatedly clogged the vitreous cutter. Conclusions: Filling the posterior segment with a cohesive viscoelastic agent may significantly increase the safety and ease of IOFB removal.
Is it the Past or the Present? Employment Quality, Unemployment History, Psychological Distress and Mental Wellbeing in the United Kingdom
Authors: Balogh Rebeka , De Moortel Deborah , Gadeyne Sylvie , Vanderleyden Julie , Warhurst Chris , Vanroelen Christophe
Published: October 2024

Low employment quality and precarious employment have been associated with adverse mental health outcomes, yet the extent to which this association may be explained by the experience of unemployment “scarring” has not yet been explored. From a life course perspective, understanding this possible confounding is necessary. Drawing on the United Kingdom's Understanding Society dataset and using latent class analysis, we derived a typology of employment quality across six dimensions and assessed the links between individuals’ employment quality, unemployment history, and mental well-being and psychological distress. Our results show that precarious types of employment as well as a higher quality “protected part-time” were linked to low mental well-being, though important gender differences were noted. Accounting for past unemployment did not fully explain these associations. No such adverse associations were observed for increased psychological distress. Our results help further the understanding of employment quality as a social determinant of health and highlight the need for both life course and gender-sensitive research in this area.
Elritercept, a modified activin receptor IIA ligand trap, increased erythropoiesis and thrombopoiesis in a phase 1 trial
Authors: Lachey Jennifer , Rovaldi Christopher , Bobba Suresh , Tur Jared , Natarajan Harveen , Snyder Ben , Seehra Jasbir
Published: October 2024

The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily plays a crucial role in regulating biological processes of virtually every tissue and system in the body, including hemostasis and hematopoiesis. Elritercept (KER-050) is an investigational, modified activin receptor type IIA ligand trap designed to bind and inhibit activin A and other select TGF-β superfamily ligands, including activin B, growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF-8), and GDF-11. The objectives of this phase 1 randomized, placebo-controlled study of elritercept were to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic markers of activin inhibition and hematopoiesis in healthy postmenopausal women (N = 48). This study comprised 2 parts: single ascending doses ranging from 0.05 to 4.5 mg/kg; and multiple (up to 2 doses) ascending doses of 0.75 mg/kg administered subcutaneously (SC) every 4 weeks. Elritercept was generally well tolerated at all dose levels, with no dose-limiting toxicities observed. There were no severe or serious adverse events or clinically significant changes in safety laboratory measures. Serum concentrations increased in a dose-proportional manner after single SC doses, with peak concentrations achieved in 4.5 to 6 days and a mean elimination half-life of 12 days. These parameters were comparable after multiple doses. Elritercept elicited rapid, sustained, and dose-dependent increases in reticulocytes, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets without eliciting detrimental changes in white blood cells such as neutrophils and lymphocytes. The time course and duration of changes in these cell populations supported a differentiated pharmacologic profile that is consistent with the stimulation of both early- and late-stage hematologic pathways. The trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au/ as #ACTRN12619000318189.
Environmental risk scenarios of specific NGT applications in Brassicaceae oilseed plants
Authors: Koller Franziska , Cieslak Michael , Bauer-Panskus Andreas
Published: October 2024

Background

Oilseed plants of the Brassicaceae plant family are cultivated for food, feed and industrial purposes on large-scale in Europe. This review gives an overview of current market-oriented applications of new genomic techniques (NGTs) in relevant Brassicaceae oilseed crops based on a literature survey. In this respect, changes in oil quality, yield, growth and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress are under development in oilseed rape (Brassica napus), camelina (Camelina sativa), and pennycress (Thlaspi arvense).

Main findings

Environmental risk scenarios starting with hazard identification are developed for specific NGT applications in Brassicaceae oilseed crops with either a changed oil composition or with fitness-related traits. In case of a changed oil composition, an increase or decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may lead to risks for health and survival of pollinators. Regarding fitness-related traits, other risks were identified, i.e. an increased spread and persistence of NGT plants. Furthermore, there are indications for potential disturbance of interactions with the environment, involving signalling pathways and reaction to stress conditions.

Conclusion

It is shown that for environmental risk scenarios of the technological specificities of NGTs, the plants’ biology and the scale of releases have to be considered in combination. Therefore, the release of NGT plants into the environment for agricultural purposes will, also in future, require risk assessment and monitoring of individual traits as well as of combinatorial and long-term cumulative effects. In addition, risk management should develop concepts and measures to control and potentially limit the scale of releases. This is especially relevant for NGT Brassicaceae in Europe, which is a centre of diversity of this plant family.
Effect of community – facility linked interventions on maternal health service utilization and newborn care in rural low-resource settings in Eastern Uganda
Authors: Wafula Solomon T. , Kananura Rornald Muhumuza , Pande Gerald , Kizito Felix , Namutamba Sarah , Kyobe Betty , Agiraembabazi Geraldine , Ekirapa-Kiracho Elizabeth , Waiswa Peter
Published: October 2024

Background

Improving maternal and newborn care (MNC) in hard-to-reach areas is essential for accelerating progress towards sustainable development goals (SDGs). We implemented the “Communities in which Mothers and Newborns Thrive (COMONETH) project” in rural settings of eastern Uganda between 2017 and 2020 to reduce barriers to accessing MNC services. We evaluated the effect of the COMONETH intervention on enhancing the utilization of MNC services and the adoption of appropriate care practices in Luuka district, Uganda.

Methods

We used a pre- and post-comparison design to measure the effect of a demand-supply linked COMONETH intervention on MNC indicators. We trained Community Health Workers (CHW) to educate and refer expectant mothers to health facilities when needed. We also showed videos to pregnant women on identification of pregnancy danger signs, mentored and simulated health workers with PRONTO, and improved obstetric surgery at the referral facilities. We assessed antenatal care (ANC), facility delivery, postnatal care (PNC), and newborn care practices. We used optimal full propensity score matching, and weighted logistic regression and then estimated average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) of the intervention on MNC outcomes on the odds ratio scale.

Results

A total of 583 women at baseline and 619 at endline participated in the study. The intervention was associated with increased odds of attending 4 ANC visits (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.07–1.49), 8 ANC visits (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.06–4.82) and utilization of PNC services (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.20–1.63). We did not observe a significant association between intervention and early ANC attendance (OR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.80–1.00) and facility deliveries (OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.93–1.06). The intervention strategy was associated with improvements in practices: delayed bathing (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.40), putting nothing on the cord (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.27–1.59) and wrapping of babies immediately (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.03–1.14).

Conclusions

The findings demonstrated the potential of a demand-supply linked intervention to improve MNC outcomes in low-resource settings and should be promoted in similar settings. Interventions that strengthen the quality of care at health facilities and bridge demand-side gaps can improve MNC practices and reduce morbidity and mortality in rural settings.
Strain selection and adaptation of a fungal-yeast-microalgae consortium for sustainable bioethanol production and wastewater treatment from livestock wastewater
Authors: Abdalla Salma B. , Moghazy Reda M. , Hamed Ahmed A. , Abdel-Monem Mohamed O. , El-Khateeb Mohamad A. , Hassan Mervat G.
Published: October 2024

This study explores the potential of strain selection and adaptation for developing a fungi-yeast-microalgae consortium capable of integrated bioethanol production and livestock wastewater treatment. We employed a multi-stage approach involving isolation and strain selection/adaptation of these consortiums. The study started with screening some isolated fungi to grow on the cellulosic biomass of the livestock wastewater (saccharification) followed by a fermentation process using yeast for bioethanol production. The results revealed that Penicillium chrysogenum (Cla) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc) produced a remarkable 99.32 ppm of bioethanol and a concentration of glucose measuring 0.56 mg ml− 1. Following the impact of fungi and yeast, we diluted the livestock wastewater using distilled water and subsequently inoculated Nile River microalgae into the wastewater. The findings demonstrated that Chlorella vulgaris emerged as the dominant species in the microalgal community. Particularly, the growth rate reached its peak at a 5% organic load (0.105385), indicating that this concentration provided the most favorable conditions for the flourishing of microalgae. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the microalgal treatment in removing the remaining nutrients and organic load, achieving a 92.5% reduction in ammonia, a 94.1% reduction in nitrate, and complete removal of phosphate (100%). The algal treatment also showed remarkable reductions in COD (96.5%) and BOD (96.1%). These findings underscore the potential of fungi, yeast, and Nile River microalgae in the growth and impact on livestock wastewater, with the additional benefit of bioethanol production.

Graphical abstract
Intraarticular hip corticosteroid injections offer no meaningful benefit in delaying time to total hip arthroplasty in patients with hip osteoarthritis
Authors: Ghanta Ramesh B. , Tsay Ellen , Zaid Musa , Ward Derek , Barry Jeffrey
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Symptomatic hip osteoarthritis (OA) causes significant morbidity and functional limitations. While corticosteroid injections (CSI) are commonly offered and administered for OA pain relief, it is unknown if they offer any clinically meaningful long-term benefit or reduce the overall need for surgical intervention.

Methods

A cross-sectional retrospective cohort study was performed on primary hip osteoarthritis patients from a single academic tertiary-care center arthroplasty clinic from 2014 to 2019. Patients were divided into three groups. CSI + THA: hip CSI patients who underwent subsequent ipsilateral THA. CSI-noTHA: hip CSI who have not had ipsilateral THA to date. THA-noCSI: a control group of consecutive hip OA patients who underwent primary THA without prior CSI. Demographic variables, injection relief duration, and radiographic arthritis severity were recorded. Time from clinic presentation to injection and/or THA were compared.

Results

357 patients met inclusion criteria and underwent guided, arthroplasty provider-ordered CSI. Mean duration of relief was 6.7 weeks (SD 8.7). 244 injection patients (67.2%) subsequently underwent THA (CSI + THA). 150 of 390 patients have not undergone THA at mean of 25.5 months follow-up. Mean time from clinic presentation to THA was 8.6 months longer after CSI (16.3, SD 17.8) months in CSI patients compared to 7.7 (SD 10.6) months for patients without CSI (p < 0.001). Of 117 patients in the CSI-noTHA group at mean 25 months follow-up, only 43 (12% of all injection patients) had not had THA because they found injections effective. The remaining 74 (63%) of CSI-noTHA patients have been deemed medically unfit for surgery or are currently scheduled for THA.

Discussion/Conclusion

The results of this study suggest the utilization of intra-articular CSI as conservative treatment in an arthroplasty clinic does not prolong time to THA for a clinically important duration. The use of CSI should be reserved for diagnostic purposes and/or short-term pain relief in poor surgical candidates.

Level of evidence

III.
Close relationships with caregivers as protective factor for the mental health and functioning of war-affected Congolese youth
Authors: Scharpf Florian , Haer Roos , Hecker Tobias
Published: October 2024

Background

Supportive social connections are a crucial determinant of the mental health and adjustment of youth in conflict-torn regions. Conflict-affected youth face particular risks to their well-being due to high levels of trauma exposure and perpetration of violent acts as members of armed groups and post-conflict discrimination. However, little is known about the possible protective role of close relationships with caregivers in the aftermath of trauma. This study examined whether a higher perceived quality of relationships with caregivers would attenuate the associations between exposure to traumatic experiences and four indicators of adjustment (posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS], emotional problems, behavioural problems, criminal behaviour) in a sample of 268 war-affected youth (61.2% male, Mage = 16.31 years) living in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. More than half of the present sample (56.7%) were former members of armed groups.

Methods

Data were collected using quantitative structured interviews and analyzed through regression models using the PROCESS macro.

Results

Higher cumulative trauma exposure was significantly related to higher levels of PTSS and emotional problems, while more frequent perpetration of war-related violence was significantly related to higher levels of PTSS, behavioural problems, and criminal behavior. The perceived quality of relationships with caregivers significantly moderated the associations between youth’s cumulative trauma exposure and all four outcomes. At higher perceived quality of relationships with caregivers, the associations between trauma exposure and emotional problems, behavioural problems, and criminal behaviour were no longer significant and the association with PTSS was significantly weakened. Higher perceived quality of relationships with caregivers was also directly significantly related to lower levels of mental health problems and criminal behaviour.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that interventions that focus on strengthening relationships with caregivers are crucial for supporting the mental health and functioning of youth who experienced and perpetrated war-related violence.
Evaluation of ANKOMMEN as a group intervention based on life story work for adolescents in residential care in Germany: a single-arm pilot study
Authors: Schepp Steffen , Fegert Jörg M. , Rassenhofer Miriam , Regner Sara , Witt Andreas , Pfeiffer Elisa
Published: October 2024

Background

Adolescents face many challenges when coping with out-of-home placement, and life story work can be helpful in this context. Typically conducted in individual settings, life story work’s high resource requirements pose a challenge for implementation in the standard care of youth welfare institutions. To address this issue, the ANKOMMEN intervention was developed as a manualized group program for adolescents in residential care focusing on processing and coping with experiences associated with their out-of-home placement.

Method

The intervention was evaluated in a single-arm pilot study with questionnaires administered at three time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up). The primary outcome was self-efficacy, while secondary outcomes included self-esteem, depressive symptoms, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and behavioral problems. A total of 31 intervention groups with 115 adolescents (M = 14.91 years; SD = 1.45; 52.2% male) were conducted between October 2020 and September 2022 in Germany. Data were analysed using mixed effect models.

Results

Pre-post comparisons revealed increased self-efficacy (d = −0.80) and self-esteem (d = −0.68) among participants with below-average scores prior to the intervention. Additionally, there was a decrease in self-reported depressive symptoms (d = 0.76), self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms (d = 0.58), self-reported internalizing behavior problems (d = 0.74), caregiver-reported internalizing behavior problems (d = 0.76), and self-reported externalizing behavior problems (d = 0.52) for participants with clinically relevant scores prior to the intervention. These improvements were stable in the 3-month follow-up assessment. Furthermore, the intervention proved its feasibility in standard care within the context of the evaluation study.

Conclusions

The results of the pilot study provide preliminary evidence for the feasibility and potential effectiveness of ANKOMMEN but further research is needed to obtain valid evidence for the efficacy of the intervention.
Maternal and paternal harsh parenting and anxiety symptoms in Chinese adolescents: examining a multiple mediation model
Authors: Yang Xiujuan , Lin Ling , Feng Wen , Liu Pei , Liang Nana , Xue Zhenpeng , Ma Yuejiao , Shen Yuan , Yu Wenwen , Lu Jianping , Liu Jianbo
Published: October 2024

Background

Harsh parenting has been recognized as a risk factor for adolescent anxiety; however, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain unclear, and it is unknown whether this relationship is influenced by different parental roles and living arrangements. This study aimed to investigate the mediating mechanisms between harsh parenting and adolescent anxiety symptoms using a multiple mediation model and to further compare specific roles of harsh parenting and distinguish between the living arrangements.

Methods

A total of 3505 adolescents completed this survey, and 3295 adolescents (54.7% girls, Mage = 14.97 years) were included in the study. Participants completed self-assessments measuring harsh parenting, self-efficacy, school connectedness, Internet addiction, sleep problems, and anxiety. They were categorized into three groups based on living arrangements: living with both parents, only with the mother, or only with the father.

Results

Correlational analyses revealed that both maternal and paternal harsh parenting were associated with increased anxiety symptoms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) mediation analyses and multigroup analyses showed that the independent mediating effects of school connectedness, Internet addiction, and sleep problems, as well as the sequential mediating pathways involving self-efficacy → school connectedness, self-efficacy → Internet addiction, and self-efficacy → sleep problems, vary across the adolescents’ living arrangements in the association between maternal and paternal harsh parenting and adolescent anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions

This study elucidated the mechanisms linking harsh parenting to adolescent anxiety symptoms and validated the effects of different parental roles and living arrangements. The findings provide important insights for developing targeted interventions to address anxiety symptoms in adolescents exposed to harsh parenting.
Molecular analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in La Rioja (Spain): five new variants
Authors: Salazar Saez Raquel , Zorrilla Miriam , Sánchez Rosa , Cebollero Ana , Manrique Isabel , Martín Alfonso , de Ávila Leticia , Lacalle-Emborujo Alejandra , Martin-Rodriguez Samuel , Bernardo-González Iván , Alonso Martina
Published: October 2024

Background

To study BRCA1/2 gene variants in La Rioja in the northcentral area of Spain.

Methods

We performed a molecular analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in 642 individuals from 427 different families from June 2008 to December 2019.

Results

We identified 71 families with pathogenic variants in these genes, 32 families with BRCA1 variants and 39 families with BRCA2 variants. The pathogenic variants c.959delG in BRCA1 and c.1363_1369delTCAGAGA, c.1397dupA, c.4234_4236delACTinsC and c.8387delC in BRCA2 have not been previously described. The c.81–2 A > T variant in BRCA1, detected in two unrelated families, has not been reported previously in the Spanish population. Two large genomic deletions were found in the BRCA1 gene in exons (Ex) 23–24 and Ex1A-1B-2, and one deletion was found in the BRCA2 gene in Ex2. The pathogenic variant c.5123 C > A in BRCA1 was detected in 8 unrelated families and was the most frequent pathogenic variant in our population. The c.6024dupG mutation in BRCA2 was detected in 6 unrelated families; the c.2808_2011delACAA mutation in BRCA2 was found in 5 different families; the c.211 A > G mutation in BRCA1 was found in three different families; and the c.68_69delAG, c81-2 A > T, c.4038_4039delAA, and c.5266dupC variants in BRCA1 and the c.2457delA, c.2701delC, c.5116_5119delAATA, c.6275delTT, c.7558 C > T and c.7617 + 1G > A variants in BRCA2 were found in two different families.

Conclusions

The spectrum of pathogenic variants in the BRCA1/2 genes in La Rioja is similar to that in other Spanish regions, with some unique characteristics. The pathogenic c.6024dupG variant in the BRCA2 gene was detected in a large number of families and could have a founding effect in the Ebro riverside areas in the regions of La Rioja and Navarra.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
The Staphylococcus aureus-antagonizing human nasal commensal Staphylococcus lugdunensis depends on siderophore piracy
Authors: Rosenstein Ralf , Torres Salazar Benjamin O. , Sauer Claudia , Heilbronner Simon , Krismer Bernhard , Peschel Andreas
Published: October 2024

Background

Bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus colonize body surfaces of part of the human population, which represents a critical risk factor for skin disorders and invasive infections. However, such pathogens do not belong to the human core microbiomes. Beneficial commensal bacteria can often prevent the invasion and persistence of such pathogens by using molecular strategies that are only superficially understood. We recently reported that the commensal bacterium Staphylococcus lugdunensis produces the novel antibiotic lugdunin, which eradicates S. aureus from the nasal microbiomes of hospitalized patients. However, it has remained unclear if S. lugdunensis may affect S. aureus carriage in the general population and which external factors might promote S. lugdunensis carriage to enhance its S. aureus-eliminating capacity.

Results

We could cultivate S. lugdunensis from the noses of 6.3% of healthy human volunteers. In addition, S. lugdunensis DNA could be identified in metagenomes of many culture-negative nasal samples indicating that cultivation success depends on a specific bacterial threshold density. Healthy S. lugdunensis carriers had a 5.2-fold lower propensity to be colonized by S. aureus indicating that lugdunin can eliminate S. aureus also in healthy humans. S. lugdunensis-positive microbiomes were dominated by either Staphylococcus epidermidis, Corynebacterium species, or Dolosigranulum pigrum. These and further bacterial commensals, whose abundance was positively associated with S. lugdunensis, promoted S. lugdunensis growth in co-culture. Such mutualistic interactions depended on the production of iron-scavenging siderophores by supportive commensals and on the capacity of S. lugdunensis to import siderophores.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the importance of microbiome homeostasis for eliminating pathogen colonization. Elucidating mechanisms that drive microbiome interactions will become crucial for microbiome-precision editing approaches.
Interdisciplinary perspectives on accessing specialty evidence-based treatment for Medicaid-insured adolescents with eating disorders
Authors: Crest Peyton , Vendlinski Siena S. , Borges Renee , Landsverk John , Accurso Erin C.
Published: October 2024

Background

Family-based treatment (FBT), the leading intervention for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), is severely understudied in outpatient care settings that serve publicly-insured populations. Many individuals with public insurance are lower-income, racially and ethnically diverse, and experience barriers to accessing evidence-based interventions for eating disorders (EDs).

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten interdisciplinary providers who provide specialty care to youth with EDs in an inpatient and/or outpatient medical setting. Interview questions were focused on the interdisciplinary providers’ experiences of caring for individuals with EDs, with a focus on differences in care for those with private insurance compared to public insurance. The interviews took place two years after training in FBT was delivered to mental health providers in San Francisco County, which created opportunities to explore provider perspectives on collaborating with newly-trained mental health providers in the community implementing FBT with publicly-insured youth.

Results

Content analysis converged on three themes: the critical importance of supporting mental health treatment within the context of medical care, complex challenges when helping patients and their families navigate publicly-funded health care systems, and the overall positive impact of the FBT rollout in San Francisco County. Participants emphasized greater confidence in patient outcomes when collaborating with FBT providers and noted discord when working with providers not trained in EDs or FBT. Referral systems, weight-based stigma, and a lack of appropriate services were highlighted as significant barriers to care. To facilitate treatment engagement in publicly-insured populations, participants stressed the importance of clinicians providing psychoeducation and providing services with a high degree of cultural competence. Participants expressed that patients’ ability to access FBT and providers’ ability to collaborate on cases markedly improved following the county training, increasing their sense of efficacy in delivering adequate patient care.

Conclusions

The discussed themes highlight the importance of access to FBT for individuals in underserved communities, which can significantly reduce both provider and patient burden. Despite various barriers to utilizing FBT in publicly-funded settings, clinicians stressed that cultural adaptations increase the implementation of and facilitate family engagement in FBT, which is consistent with previous literature examining evidence-based intervention implementation science.
An algorithm based on multi-branch feature cross fusion for archaeological illustration of murals
Authors: Zeng Xiaolin , Cheng Lei , Li Shanna , Liu Xueping
Published: October 2024

Archaeological illustration is a graphic recording technique that delineates the shape, structure, and ornamentation of cultural artifacts using lines, serving as vital material in archaeological work and scholarly research. Aiming at the problems of low line accuracy in the results of current mainstream image generation algorithms and interference caused by severe mural damage, this paper proposes a mural archaeological illustration generation algorithm based on multi-branch feature cross fusion (U2FGAN). The algorithm optimizes skip connections in U2Net through a channel attention mechanism, constructing a multi-branch generator consisting of a line extractor and an edge detector, which separately identify line features and edge information in artifact images before fusing them to generate accurate, high-resolution illustrations. Additionally, a multi-scale conditional discriminator is incorporated to guide the generator in outputting high-quality illustrations with clear details and intact structures. Experiments conducted on the Dunhuang mural illustration datasets demonstrate that compared to mainstream counterparts, U2FGAN reduced the Mean Absolute Error (MAE) by 10.8% to 26.2%, while also showing substantial improvements in Precision (by 9.8% to 32.3%), Fβ-Score (by 5.1% to 32%), and PSNR (by 0.4 to 2.2 dB). The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms other mainstream algorithms in archaeological illustration generation.
Cross-institutional evaluation of deep learning and radiomics models in predicting microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: validity, robustness, and ultrasound modality efficacy comparison
Authors: Zhang Weibin , Guo Qihui , Zhu Yuli , Wang Meng , Zhang Tong , Cheng Guangwen , Zhang Qi , Ding Hong
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To conduct a head-to-head comparison between deep learning (DL) and radiomics models across institutions for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to investigate the model robustness and generalizability through rigorous internal and external validation.

Methods

This retrospective study included 2304 preoperative images of 576 HCC lesions from two centers, with MVI status determined by postoperative histopathology. We developed DL and radiomics models for predicting the presence of MVI using B-mode ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) at the arterial, portal, and delayed phases, and a combined modality (B + CEUS). For radiomics, we constructed models with enlarged vs. original regions of interest (ROIs). A cross-validation approach was performed by training models on one center’s dataset and validating the other, and vice versa. This allowed assessment of the validity of different ultrasound modalities and the cross-center robustness of the models. The optimal model combined with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was also validated. The head-to-head comparison was based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Results

Thirteen DL models and 25 radiomics models using different ultrasound modalities were constructed and compared. B + CEUS was the optimal modality for both DL and radiomics models. The DL model achieved AUCs of 0.802–0.818 internally and 0.667–0.688 externally across the two centers, whereas radiomics achieved AUCs of 0.749–0.869 internally and 0.646–0.697 externally. The radiomics models showed overall improvement with enlarged ROIs (P < 0.05 for both CEUS and B + CEUS modalities). The DL models showed good cross-institutional robustness (P > 0.05 for all modalities, 1.6–2.1% differences in AUC for the optimal modality), whereas the radiomics models had relatively limited robustness across the two centers (12% drop-off in AUC for the optimal modality). Adding AFP improved the DL models (P < 0.05 externally) and well maintained the robustness, but did not benefit the radiomics model (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Cross-institutional validation indicated that DL demonstrated better robustness than radiomics for preoperative MVI prediction in patients with HCC, representing a promising solution to non-standardized ultrasound examination procedures.
Associations between symptom-based long COVID clusters and long-term quality of life, work and daily activities among individuals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at a national retail pharmacy
Authors: Di Fusco Manuela , Cappelleri Joseph C. , Yehoshua Alon , Craig Kelly J. Thomas , Alvarez Mary B. , Allen Kristen E. , Porter Thomas M. , Lopez Santiago M.C. , Puzniak Laura , Sun Xiaowu
Published: October 2024

Background

Evidence on long COVID symptom clustering patterns among patients with COVID-19 is limited. We summarized long COVID symptoms in clusters defined by number of symptoms co-occurring together, and we assessed Health-Related Quality of Life (HQRoL), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) outcomes across these clusters over time. We assessed associations between the clusters and BNT162b2 vaccination status.

Methods

A prospective longitudinal patient-reported outcomes (PRO) study recruited laboratory-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 patients seeking testing from a national retail pharmacy. Long COVID-19 symptoms were self-reported by participants at 4-week, 3-month and 6-month surveys. Patient classes identified via latent class analysis (LCA) with long COVID-19 symptoms were simplified into clusters based on number of symptoms. HRQoL and WPAI outcomes were collected using EQ-ED-5L and WPAI: GH questionnaires. Mixed models for repeated measures analyses were conducted to examine associations between exposure groups and outcomes.

Results

The study included 328 participants that were segmented into three groups of long COVID-19 symptoms based on LCA and then simplified by the number of symptoms (Cluster 1 low, <2; Cluster 2 moderate, 2–6; and Cluster 3 high, >6 symptoms). The number of long COVID-19 symptoms was negatively associated with HRQoL and WPAI, whereby participants with high symptom burden (>6 symptoms) had the lowest HRQoL and WPAI scores assessed by absenteeism, presenteeism, work productivity loss, activity impairment, and hours worked metrics. Compared with those unvaccinated and not up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination, subjects boosted with BNT162b2 consistently reported less symptom burden during the follow-up, regardless of their symptom-based cluster.

Conclusion

Three distinct patient clusters based on frequency of long COVID symptoms experienced different HRQoL and WPAI outcomes over 6 months. The cluster with more concomitant symptoms experienced greater burden than the others. Participants up-to-date with BNT162b2 reported lower symptom burden across all clusters and timeframes.

Clinical trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05160636.