bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing representativeness of patient-reported outcomes in routine radiation oncology care: a quality improvement protocol to address non-response
Authors: Zeng Chengbo , Martin Neil E , Pusic Andrea L , Edelen Maria O , Liu Jason B
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Non-response significantly undermines the representativeness of patient-reported outcome (PRO) data, thereby compromising its utility for facilitating high-value, equitable, patient-centred care in cancer clinics. Quality improvement studies are needed to assess the representativeness of PRO data collected in routine care, identify the underlying causes of non-response and develop novel methods to ensure data representativeness. Using a multilevel framework and a mixed-methods approach, we have three aims: (1) characterise the non-response of the Global-10 across clinic, provider and patient levels; (2) identify multilevel causes of non-response and potential strategies to improve representativeness in PRO collection; and (3) develop effective modifications to missing-data methods to enhance the representativeness of pre-existing PRO data.

Methods and analysis

Our primary data source is the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-10, collected as part of routine care at the Radiation Oncology clinics within the Mass General Brigham (MGB) healthcare system. Other sources include (1) Harvard Catalyst for provider-specific data, (2) MGB administrative data, (3) public Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services data and (4) the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System. We will conduct quantitative analyses to assess variations in Global-10 non-response across multilevel factors. Additionally, we will use qualitative interviews with patients and clinical professionals to understand the causes of non-response and to formulate strategies to expand the reach of PRO collection to underrepresented cancer patients, improve their completions and enhance overall data representativeness. Finally, we will integrate implementation science knowledge and findings from the first two aims into missing-data methods to manage non-response in the pre-existing Global-10 data and to evaluate their performance in preserving representativeness.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (24-225). Written informed consent will be obtained from participants. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
Influence of demographic, socioeconomic and geographical variability on children under-five mortality in The Gambia: an application of survival analysis
Authors: Barrow Amadou , Nget Musa , Jammeh Modou Lamin , Ceesay Ramatoulie M , Jawara Fatou Jankeh , Sillah Sheikh Omar
Published: December 2024

Background

There has been a notable decline in child mortality globally, yet Gambia continues to face a high mortality rate among children under five, which poses a serious public health challenge. This research delves into the differences in demographic, socioeconomic and geographic aspects that affect the survival rates of children under five in The Gambia.

Methods

In this study, a retrospective cross-sectional approach was adopted, which is quantitative. The researchers used data from the Gambia Demographic Health Survey conducted in 2019–2020. To analyse the impact of demographic, socioeconomic and geographical factors on the survival of children under 5 years of age in The Gambia, we applied Kaplan-Meier survival estimates along with the Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

The weighted under-five mortality (U5M) rate was 52 per 1000 live births. Our Kaplan-Meier survival estimates illustrate that most under-five mortalities occur within the first 48–60 months after birth, with children from the poorest families facing the highest risk. Conversely, children from the wealthiest families are least affected by geographical regions and the household wealth index. At the multivariable level, the results suggest that fathers with secondary education levels had 36% (HR=0.64; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.97) lower risk of U5M than those with tertiary educational levels. Among the eight regions, Janjanbureh (HR=1.93; 95% CI 1.02 to 3.63), Kuntaur (HR=2.13; 95% CI 1.13 to 4.03) and Mansakonko (HR=1.96; 95% CI 1.03 to 3.74) reported higher risks of U5M compared with those from Banjul after controlling for confounders.

Conclusion

The research highlights considerable differences based on demographics, socioeconomic conditions and geography in the mortality rates among children under five in The Gambia. This underscores the urgent need for specific strategies targeting the most at-risk areas and socioeconomic groups to improve child survival outcomes.
Lessons from a crisis: occupational stress in healthcare workers in an acute paediatric teaching hospital in Ireland
Authors: Ward Shay , Donohue Gráinne , Murray Johanna , McNicholas Fiona
Published: December 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic placed increased pressure on service provision and healthcare worker (HCW) wellness. As the crisis of the pandemic receded, paediatric healthcare staff required an appropriate response to facilitate individual and organisational recovery, to minimise long-term HCW burn-out and to be better equipped for future crisis in paediatric healthcare.

Objective

To explore the experiences of HCWs working during the COVID-19 pandemic in an acute paediatric hospital to determine an appropriate leadership response in the postcrisis work environment.

Methods

Qualitative research design using responses from open-ended questions from 133 clinical and non-clinical staff (89% clinical) from an Irish paediatric teaching hospital. Responses were thematically analysed.

Results

Paediatric HCWs experienced frustration, uncertainty, anxiety and stress, during the pandemic crisis. Perceived organisational contributors included communication inconsistencies, inadequate support and resources, including staff shortages. This exposed remaining staff to high risk for long-term burn-out as the pandemic recedes. Three themes were developed detailing this: support, communication and trust.

Conclusion

This research supports the long-standing need to increase mental health service investment and to implement an appropriate response to regain and maintain a healthy workforce, post-COVID-19. The organisational response should address the biopsychosocial needs of the individual and paediatric healthcare organisations should work dynamically, creatively and collaboratively to ensure the psychological safety of their workforce.
Towards a definition of refractory/therapy-resistant/intractable constipation in children: a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, online survey
Authors: Gordon Morris , Hathagoda Wathsala , Rajindrajith Shaman , Sinopoulou Vassiliki , Abdulshafea Mansour , Velasco Carlos , Tabbers Merit , Benninga Marc A
Published: December 2024

Background

The Rome criteria define childhood functional constipation but do not address refractory constipation. Attempts to define refractory constipation lack consensus. The interchangeable use of ‘refractory’ and ‘intractable’ or ‘therapy-resistant’ constipation and lack of understanding of the therapeutic ceilings before this diagnosis complicates the definition.

Aim

To conduct an online cross-sectional study among medical professionals and researchers across a range of countries, to propose a consensus definition, terminology and duration of medically unresponsive constipation.

Method

An expert-designed questionnaire was disseminated via Google Forms in a two-stage study over 2 months targeting paediatric gastroenterology professionals globally and Latin American clinicians with a translated version. The questionnaire had seven critical questions containing details needed to define medically unresponsive constipation. The study protocol was approved by the ethics review panel.

Results

The survey involved 1079 participants: 87 from various countries in the first phase and 992 from Latin America in the second. There were 619 (57.3%) general paediatricians and 462 (43 %) paediatric gastroenterologists. The preferred term to indicate poorly responding constipation was ‘therapy-resistant constipation’ (47.8%), followed by ‘refractory constipation’ (43.6%). The majority of respondents (92.9%) agreed on considering a time frame for defining refractory constipation, with 37.7% suggesting 2–3 months. 467 (43.2%) recommended including failure despite maximum laxative therapy with two agents should be considered as previous therapy failure. Compliance with therapy was deemed essential for successful treatment by 91.1%, assessed through detailed history-taking (47.4%) or medical/pharmacy records (29.4%).

Conclusion

Based on the professional views collected in this study, we propose the term ‘therapy-resistant constipation’ and it can be defined as constipation that is not responding to a maximum dose of at least two laxatives of different classes for a minimum of 3 months with good compliance in a secondary or tertiary care facility.
Prevalence and predictors of parental distress at the communication of positivity at newborn screening for metabolic diseases: an Italian longitudinal study
Authors: Bani Marco , Russo Selena , Gasperini Serena , Crescitelli Viola , Menni Francesca , Furlan Francesca , Tagliaferri Francesco , Cefalo Graziella , Paci Sabrina , Banderali Giuseppe , Marchisio Paola , Biondi Andrea , Strepparava Maria Grazia
Published: December 2024

Background

Receiving communication of positivity for metabolic diseases at Expanded Newborn Screening can be extremely stressful for parents, both in case of false positive and true positive cases. However, little is known about the predictors of distress and differential impact on mothers and fathers.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, 169 fathers and 171 mothers referred to one of the Italian metabolic centres for communication of positivity completed a survey including General Health Questionnaire-12, Emotion Thermometers (measuring stress, anxiety, depression, anger and need for help), Impact of Event Scale–Revised, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. Perceived severity and control of the children’s health were also assessed. The survey was completed in person after the first session at metabolic centres and online after 1, 3 and 6 months.

Results

Nearly 80% of parents reported a clinical level of distress and anxiety after the communication of positivity, one-third of them reported post-traumatic symptoms and more than half of parents reported a need for help. After 6 months, there are still more than 30% of parents with a clinical level of distress and anxiety, 6% with post-traumatic symptoms and more than 20% who continue to express a need for help. No gender difference was reported and no differences emerged between pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods for parental distress and post-traumatic symptoms.

Social support, perceived severity and control of the child’s health—but not gender or previous parental experience—predicted the post-traumatic symptoms at baseline while at 6 months the only significant predictor was perceived severity.

Conclusion

Adequate psychological support should be provided from the initial communication for both parents and for true positive, false positive and variants of uncertain significance/heterozygous carrier cases.
Nabilone for the treatment of gastrointestinal dystonia for children and young people with severe neurodisabilities: a single-centre case series
Authors: Brooks Michelle , Symonds Joseph , Poole Rebecca , Fraser Simon , Bremner Sarah , Flynn Diana , Andrews James , Walker Gregor , Forrest Katharine , Orr Valerie , Barclay Andrew R
Published: December 2024

Background

For children and young people with severe neurodisabling conditions (CYPSND), the clinical constellation of pain behaviour, retching, bloating, abdominal distension and constipation/pseudo-obstruction can be referred to as gastrointestinal dystonia (GID). Nabilone, a synthetic analogue of the active component tetrahydrocannabinol found in cannabis, has a licence in paediatrics for the treatment of severe chemotherapy-induced nausea. We aim to describe our experience of using nabilone for CYPSND with GID.

Methods

Approval was sought on a named patient basis from the clinical directorate and lead pharmacist on the basis that; patients fulfilled our criteria for GID, patients had been trialled on medical therapies, jejunal feeding and blended diet, concomitant medication reviewed in multidisciplinary team including tone management and to review potential exacerbants to GID. Patients were admitted for 48 hours for monitoring of temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, oxygen saturations and symptoms using a modified paediatric pain score. Nabilone was commenced at 250 µg daily and then incremented in 250 µg doses to a dosage of <18 kg: 500 µg two times per day and 18–27 kg: 500 µg three times a day. Efficacy was assessed by parents’ and clinicians’ perception, PedsQL V.3.0 (gastrointestinal subset questions) and sleep diary, prior to treatment, 1 month and 6 months after stable dose, and median scores were analysed by paired Student’s t-test (p<0.05).

Results

In four of five suitable patients, the PedsQL score was higher after commencing treatment and there was a sustained improvement at 6 months. Patient median total PedsQL Quality of Life (QOL) scores were 46 (28–50) prior to treatment and 68.5 (58–74) 1 month after commencing treatment (p=0.032.) After 6 months, the median PedsQL QOL score was 73 (51–82) (p=0.017.)

Conclusions

Nabilone shows promise in treating GID, a poorly understood debilitating complication of severe neurodisability. In particular, symptoms of nausea, retching and pain on feeding were all reduced in our cohort.
Joint British Societies’ position statement on cardiology training in the United Kingdom
Authors: Brown Oliver Ian , Morgan Holly , Jenner William John , Chapman Andrew , Joshi Abhishek , Drozd Michael , Ng Ghulam Andre , Greenwood John Pierre , Westwood Mark , Camm Christian Fielder
Published: December 2024

Cardiology training in the UK is facing significant challenges due to a range of factors. Recent curriculum changes have further compounded this issue and significantly risk the ability to produce adequately trained consultants capable of managing patients with increasingly complex cardiovascular disease. The introduction of mandatory dual accreditation in general internal medicine (GIM) alongside cardiology, by design, results in significantly reduced training opportunities, including procedural and subspecialty exposure. Despite prolongation in training duration to mitigate these effects, most trainees now report needing post-certificate of completion of training fellowships to gain the standard competencies required for consultant roles, undermining the curriculum’s aim of fostering independent practice. Furthermore, the current training model is misaligned with patient needs, lacking provisions for training in key and expanding services, such as complex structural interventions and inherited cardiac conditions. The increasing complexity of expectations placed on trainees also has the potential to significantly hinder academic training, discouraging research and innovation, thereby risking the future of UK clinical academia. Urgent curriculum reform is not only desirable but also essential and should include limiting GIM training time, improving subspecialty accreditation pathways and revising academic training provisions. If current bodies overseeing cardiology training fail to implement these essential changes, additional options, including an independent regulatory framework for cardiology training, should be considered. Without immediate action, UK cardiology training risks facing a generational crisis of inadequately skilled consultants, which could compromise future patient care.
Sustained response to guselkumab regardless of baseline characteristics in patients with active psoriatic arthritis and inadequate response to TNF inhibitors: results from the phase 3b COSMOS clinical trial
Authors: McInnes Iain B , Sewerin Philipp , Sharaf Mohamed , Efficace Michela , Lavie Frédéric , Zimmermann Miriam , Coates Laura C
Published: December 2024

Objectives

To prospectively evaluate the effect of guselkumab through 48 weeks across various clinical outcomes in subgroups of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and inadequate response to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi-IR) from the phase 3b COSMOS trial. Subgroups were defined by baseline demographics, disease characteristics and prior/ongoing therapies.

Methods

Patients with active PsA (tender joint count (TJC) and swollen joint count (SJC) both ≥3) and TNFi-IR were randomised 2:1 to receive guselkumab 100 mg at week 0, week 4, then every 8 weeks through week 44 or to placebo with cross-over to guselkumab 100 mg at week 16 (early escape) or week 24 (planned). Guselkumab effect on joints (American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20/50/70, enthesitis, dactylitis), skin (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 90/100, Investigator’s Global Assessment 0/1), patient-reported outcomes (PROs) (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue, Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index) and composite outcome measures (PsA Disease Activity Score low disease activity, minimal disease activity) were evaluated by baseline patient age, sex, body mass index, SJC, TJC, PsA duration, %body surface area, C reactive protein, pain Visual Analogue Scale, number of prior TNFi and discontinuation reason, and conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug status. Results are descriptive only.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar between guselkumab (n=189) and placebo (n=96) groups. The benefit of guselkumab over placebo in achieving ACR 20 (primary endpoint; 50% vs 28%) and ACR 50 (23% vs 8%) response at week 24 was observed within all subgroups. Furthermore, response rates in the guselkumab group increased between week 24 and week 48 within almost all subgroups. Similar response patterns at week 24 and through week 48 were observed across various clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Guselkumab every 8 weeks led to consistent improvements through week 24 in joint, skin, PRO and composite outcomes versus placebo across diverse baseline-defined subgroups of TNFi-IR patients with PsA. Response rates increased or were durable through week 48 within most subgroups.
Using trauma video review to search for the Goldilocks pre-activation time
Authors: Rastegar Ella Rose , Görgens Sophia , Beltran del Rio Manuel , Nilsson Sjolander Elizabeth , Landers Joseph , Meyer Cristy , Rolston Daniel , Klein Eric , Sfakianos Maria , Bank Matthew , Jafari Daniel
Published: December 2024

Objectives

We sought to determine the optimal time to pre-activation for trauma team activation that resulted in maximum team efficiency, measured by the time to complete critical actions (TCCAs) during resuscitation. We hypothesized that there exists a time window for trauma team pre-activation that minimizes TCCA.

Methods

This is an exploratory retrospective analysis of video-reviewed traumas at a level 1 trauma center from January 1, 2018 to 28 February, 2022 that received the highest trauma team activation and had a pre-arrival notification. A total of 11 TCCA categories were calculated using video timestamps. To compare TCCAs from different categories, normalized TCCAs (nTCCAs) were calculated by dividing each TCCA by the median time of its category. Pre-activation times were categorized into three groups: long pre-activation (≥8 min), mid pre-activation (≥4 and ≤7 min), and short pre-activation (≥0 and ≤4).

Results

There were 466 video-recorded level 1 trauma activations, which resulted in 2334 TCCAs. Of the 466 activations, 152 occured on the patient’s arrival (0 min pre-activation). The majority (425) of patients had a pre-activation time of <7 min. Pre-activation of 4–6 min resulted in all but blood transfusion TCCAs being <15 min. Furthermore, mid pre-activation category corresponded to the most efficient trauma teams, with nTCCAs significantly shorter (median=0.75 (IQR 0.3–1.3)) than long (median=1 (IQR 0.6–2)) or short activation groups (median=1 (IQR 0.6–1.6)). A greater proportion of nTCCAs were shorter than their category median in the mid pre-activation category compared with long and short categories (59.1% vs 48.3% and 40%, respectively; p<0.01).

Conclusions

In this exploratory study, a pre-activation time of 4–7 min is associated with the best team efficiency as measured by TCCAs during trauma team activations. This timeframe may be an optimal window for trauma team activations but needs prospective and external validation.

Level of evidence

Level 4 retrospective exploratory study
Law of overburden and surface deformation in roof cutting and backfilling mining under thin bedrock in shallow buried coal seam
Authors: Yang Weifeng , Huang Yousheng , Meng Henglei , Xia Xiaohong
Published: December 2024

Under the specific geological conditions of shallow buried coal seams and thin bedrock, the caving method of coal mining can result in irreversible damage to the ecological environment, such as affecting the aquifer structure, causing surface subsidence and creating ground fissures. However, traditional backfill mining faces challenges such as insufficient material, low efficiency and high costs. The paper focuses on the novel ideas of roof cutting and backfilling mining treatment, using Jinjie Mine as the research background. Through theoretical analysis, similarity model experiments and numerical simulation, it investigates the laws of overburden failure, surface movement and deformation under shallow buried and thin bedrock geological conditions when using roof cutting and backfilling mining. The comparative study with the fully mechanized caving mining method shows that the use of roof cutting and backfilling methods can suppress the development of fractures and achieve the effect of reducing subsidence. Before releasing the constraint of the filling gangue column, the maximum direct roof subsidence of the coal seam reached 375 mm, whereas the maximum surface subsidence was 263 mm. After releasing the constraint, the maximum direct roof subsidence of the coal seam reached 541 mm, whereas the maximum surface subsidence was 403 mm. This is significantly smaller than the 2804 mm subsidence observed with the caving mining method. Under the condition of ensuring the filling rate of gangue and lateral constraint, roof cutting and backfilling mining will effectively inhibit the development of a fracture zone and reduce the workload of mine water control. This visual simulation study of the entire backfilling mining process, conducted using similar material model experiments, and the necessary complementary analysis of the actual observed results of the model experiment by numerical simulation, confirms that the roof cutting and backfilling mining method can effectively control surface subsidence and be material self-sufficient.
POMACS V8, N3, December 2024 Editorial
Authors: Oh Sewoong , Sitaraman Ramesh K. , Van Houdt Benny
Published: December 2024

The Proceedings of the ACM on Measurement and Analysis of Computing Systems (POMACS) focuses on the measurement and performance evaluation of computer systems and operates in close collaboration with the ACM Special Interest Group SIGMETRICS. All papers in this issue of POMACS will be presented at the ACM SIGMETRICS 2025 conference on June 9-13, 2025, in Stony Brook, New York, USA.

The papers in this issue were selected during the summer submission round by the 93 members of the ACM SIGMETRICS 2025 program committee via a rigorous review process. Each paper was conditionally accepted (and shepherded), or allowed to be resubmitted to one of the subsequent two SIGMETRICS deadlines, or rejected (with resubmission allowed only after a year).

POMACS is publishing 20 papers out of 110 submissions in this issue, of which 3 had previously received a one-shot revision decision. Submissions typically receive at least three reviews. While most papers were decided in the online discussion phase, borderline cases were extensively discussed during the online program committee meeting. Based on the indicated track(s), roughly 18% of the submissions were in the Theory track, 39% were in the Measurement & Applied Modeling track, 27% were in the Systems track, and 16% were in the Learning track.

Many individuals contributed to the success of this issue of POMACS. We thank the authors, who submitted their best work to SIGMETRICS/POMACS. We would also like to thank the program committee members who provided constructive feedback in their reviews to authors and participated in the online discussions and program committee meeting. Further, we thank the several external reviewers who provided their expert opinions on specific submissions that required additional input. Finally, we are also grateful to the ACM SIGMETRICS Chair, Mor Harchol-Balter, to the SIGMETRICS Organization Committee and to the SIGMETRICS Executive Committee for their ongoing efforts and initiatives for creating an exciting program for ACM SIGMETRICS 2025.
A Global Perspective on the Past, Present, and Future of Video Streaming over Starlink
Authors: Izhikevich Liz , Enghardt Reese , Huang Te-Yuan , Teixeira Renata
Published: December 2024

This study presents the first global analysis of on-demand video streaming over Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks, using data from over one million households across 85 countries. We highlight Starlink's role as a major LEO provider, enhancing connectivity in underserved regions. Our findings reveal that while overall video quality on Starlink matches that of traditional networks, the inherent variability in LEO conditions---such as throughput fluctuations and packet loss---leads to an increase in bitrate switches and rebuffers. To further improve the quality of experience for the LEO community, we manipulate existing congestion control and adaptive bitrate streaming algorithms using simulation and real A/B tests deployed on over one million households. Our results underscore the need for video streaming and congestion control algorithms to adapt to rapidly evolving network landscapes, ensuring high-quality service across diverse and dynamic network types.
Uncovering BGP Action Communities and Community Squatters in the Wild
Authors: da Silva Brivaldo Alves , de Carvalho Adriano Bastos , Cunha Italo , Friedman Timur , Katz-Bassett Ethan , Ferreira Ronaldo Alves
Published: December 2024

The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) offers several "knobs" to control routing decisions, but they are coarse-grained and only affect routes received from neighboring Autonomous Systems (AS). To enhance policy expressiveness, BGP was extended with the
communities
attribute, allowing an AS to attach metadata to routes and influence the routing decisions of a remote AS. The metadata can carry
information
to (
e.g.
, where a route was received) or request an
action
from a remote AS (
e.g.
, not to export a route to one of its neighbors). Unfortunately, the semantics of BGP communities are not standardized, lack universal rules, and are poorly documented. In this work, we design and evaluate algorithms to automatically uncover BGP
action communities
and ASes that violate standard practices by consistently using the
information communities
of other ASes, revealing undocumented relationships between them (e.g., siblings). Our experimental evaluation with billions of route announcements from public BGP route collectors from 2018 to 2023 uncovers previously unknown AS relationships and shows that our algorithm for identifying action communities achieves average precision and recall of 92.5% and 86.5%, respectively.
AI-Augmented Predictions: LLM Assistants Improve Human Forecasting Accuracy
Authors: Schoenegger Philipp , Park Peter S. , Karger Ezra , Trott Sean , Tetlock Philip E.
Published: December 2024

Large language models (LLMs) match and sometimes exceed human performance in many domains. This study explores the potential of LLMs to augment human judgment in a forecasting task. We evaluate the effect on human forecasters of two LLM assistants: one designed to provide high-quality (“superforecasting”) advice, and the other designed to be overconfident and base-rate neglecting, thus providing noisy forecasting advice. We compare participants using these assistants to a control group that received a less advanced model that did not provide numerical predictions or engage in explicit discussion of predictions. Participants (
N

\(=\)

991) answered a set of six forecasting questions and had the option to consult their assigned LLM assistant throughout. Our preregistered analyses show that interacting with each of our frontier LLM assistants significantly enhances prediction accuracy by between 24% and 28% compared to the control group. Exploratory analyses showed a pronounced outlier effect in one forecasting item, without which we find that the superforecasting assistant increased accuracy by 41%, compared with 29% for the noisy assistant. We further examine whether LLM forecasting augmentation disproportionately benefits less skilled forecasters, degrades the wisdom-of-the-crowd by reducing prediction diversity, or varies in effectiveness with question difficulty. Our data do not consistently support these hypotheses. Our results suggest that access to a frontier LLM assistant, even a noisy one, can be a helpful decision aid in cognitively demanding tasks compared to a less powerful model that does not provide specific forecasting advice. However, the effects of outliers suggest that further research into the robustness of this pattern is needed.
Safety and Feasibility of US-guided Microwave Ablation for the Treatment of Bethesda III Thyroid Nodules with Negative Eight-Gene Panel Mutational Profile
Authors: Tang Qingqing , Chen Jiawei , Zhang Dengke , Huang Qingnan , Chen Yong , Liang Xuexin , Zeng Kai , Guo Yuxian , Huang Mingliang , Wei Yanghui
Published: December 2024

US-guided microwave ablation was safe and effective in treating patients with Bethesda category III thyroid nodules with negative polygenic panel tests and did not increase the risk of tumor progression.
Fractional Derivative Technique for Modeling the Dynamics of Social Media Impacts
Authors: Dasumani Munkaila , Lassong Binandam S. , Adu Isaac K. , Wireko Fredrick A. , Moore Stephen E.
Published: December 2024

The advent of social media (SM) platforms has transformed communications, information dissemination, and interpersonal relationships on a global scale. As SM continues to evolve and proliferate, its impact on various aspects of society has become increasingly complex and multifaceted. For this reason and over the past decades, several controversies have been held about whether SM is good or bad. However, the mathematical modeling technique inculcating SM impacts (positive and negative) has not been studied in the existing works. This article considers a mathematical model approach using the ABC‐fractional derivative technique to study the dynamics of SM impacts. We provide the various definitions and the properties needed to study the model. Also, we use the fixed point theorem and a nonlinear analytic approach to demonstrate the theoretical solutions of the existence of solutions for the proposed model. Furthermore, the fundamental reproduction number is computed, and the stability of the model is achieved using the Ulam–Hyers (HU) criteria. We again perform a sensitivity study for the SM impact model and the effects of the sensitive parameters are presented in 3D and contour plots. In addition, a numerical algorithm of the predictor–corrector type of the Adams–Bashforth method for determining the approximate solution of the model is developed and the results are discussed. The effects of the most sensitive parameters on affected individuals in the model with a constant fractional order are shown and discussed. The simulation results indicate that as individuals become aware of the negative impacts of SM, the number of positively impacted individuals rises.
Antibiotic Utilization and Its Implications Among Ruminant Farmers and Stakeholders in Sumbawa Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Jannah Nurul , Fahrunnisa  , Paramitadevi Yudith Vega , Vibowo Heryudianto , Kurniawan Fariz Am , Komarudin Nurul Amri , Hidayat Aceng
Published: December 2024

The rise in antimicrobial resistance is a vital concern, and various factors, such as the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture, have contributed to its development and spread. Livestock farmers, veterinarians, and pharmacies are key prescribers of antibiotics for disease prevention, control, and treatment of ruminant animals. A qualitative study in the Sumbawa District examined their awareness, attitudes, and practices concerning antibiotic use, residues, and resistance, underscoring their vital role in tackling this challenge. The study utilized nine key informant interviews, sixteen in‐depth interviews, a single focus group discussion, and on‐farm observations using semistructured formats and thematic analysis to identify and explore themes. This revealed a common practice of antibiotic self‐medication among ruminant farmers in the Sumbawa Regency, driven by limited knowledge and leading to medicine store purchases based on advice from veterinary paraprofessionals or for unregulated self‐treatment. Factors contributing to antibiotic misuse include trust in veterinary paraprofessionals, economic limitations, lack of targeted antiresistance programs, and insufficient regulation of antibiotic sales. Enhancing veterinary paraprofessionals′ awareness of their ethical duties, launching educational programs for actors, providing financial support for these initiatives, and strict enforcement of regulations by the local government are strategies that could collectively promote responsible antibiotic use and stewardship.
6to Workshop sobre Economía del Medio Ambiente y Energía
Authors: Boggiano Bárbara
Published: December 2024

El artículo describe un workshop académico sobre economía ambiental y energética, donde se presentaron diversas investigaciones sobre desafíos ambientales y políticas energéticas. Se destacaron estudios sobre la redistribución de ingresos de recursos naturales en Perú, los costos de salud asociados a la contaminación del aire, y el impacto de fenómenos climáticos en la migración y capital humano. El evento enfatizó la importancia de desarrollar políticas públicas efectivas para abordar los retos ambientales en la región.
Next-Generation Sequencing–Based MSI Scoring Predicts Benefit in Mismatch Repair–Deficient Tumors Treated with Nivolumab: Follow-up on NCI-MATCH Arm Z1D
Authors: Schoenfeld Jonathan D. , Azad Nilofer S. , Gross Jacob , Chen Li , Overman Michael J. , Kao Katrina , Jackson Latifa , Brunnquell Donna , Bu Xiangning , Coppola Christina , Guan Ping , Lee Jennifer , Sims David , Fuchs Rebecca , Weirather Jason L. , Pfaff Kathleen L. , Gunasti Lauren , Ranasinghe Srin , Hamilton Stanley R. , Wang Victoria , O’Dwyer Peter J. , Wu Catherine J. , Rodig Scott J. , Patton David R. , Harris Lyndsay
Published: December 2024

Purpose:

Mismatch repair–deficient (dMMR) tumors have demonstrated favorable responses to immune checkpoint inhibition targeting PD-1. However, more in-depth identification of predictors of response could further refine patient selection for immunotherapy treatment.

Patients and Methods:

We undertook integrated evaluation performed on samples collected from 28 of 42 patients enrolled on the NCI–Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice arm Z1D trial that evaluated PD-1 inhibition treatment with nivolumab in patients with noncolorectal dMMR tumors. Genomic analyses were performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS), whole-exome sequencing, and RNA sequencing and supplemented by multiplex immunofluorescence performed on tissue samples.

Results:

In this dMMR population, more extensive alterations of microsatellites as assessed by measures of NGS were associated with clinical benefit and tumor mutational burden. RNA sequencing further revealed associations between clinical benefit and immune infiltration index. Gene sets enriched in patients with clinical benefit included IFN signaling, antigen processing, and PI3K–AKT–mTOR signaling, whereas hedgehog signaling was found to be enriched in subjects lacking clinical benefit.

Conclusions:

These genomic data highlight the importance of immune infiltration and antigen presentation in dMMR tumors that respond to immune checkpoint blockade. In addition, they suggest that, even within a dMMR population, NGS-based measures of microsatellite instability could serve as biomarkers of immunotherapy response.
Enhancement LVRT capability of DFIG driven wind conversion system
Authors: Laafou Abdeslam Jabal , Madi Abdessalam Ait , Moumani Youssef , Essakhi Hassan
Published: December 2024

In this paper we present two techniques for protecting the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) in the event of external disturbances on the electrical network, the crowbar circuit and series dynamic braking resistor (SDBR) techniques. During voltage dips, the first technique is triggered and short-circuits the rotor side converter (RSC) so as to maintain the rotor current within the desired limits. As a result, the DFIG behaves as an asynchronous cage generator that absorbs the reactive power coming from the voltage dip on the network which does not meet the grid code's (GC) requirements. The second technique makes it possible to limit overcurrent’s at the level of the stator and rotor of the DFIG, it will enable the wind power system to continue operating normally once the fault has disappeared and to stay connected to the network throughout the voltage dip. This SDBR technique presents a good compromise between its performance, its simplicity, its efficiency, and its implementation’s cost.
Innovation of control valve motorization method for regulating turbine rotation in micro hydro generators
Authors: Hardi Supri , Safitri Nelly , Yaman Yaman , Radhiah Radhiah , Jamaluddin Jamaluddin
Published: December 2024

The method of transferring the main load to the dummy load is still used in micro hydropower plants. Because the turbine and generator are constantly operating at maximum capacity, the load transfer system, also known as the electronic load control (ELC) system, is ineffective and inefficient. The researcher devised a method for controlling the pressure/flow rate on the branch pipe by using a control valve motorized (CVM). Control valve motorized (CVM) is responsible for the opening and closing of branch pipelines using an electric motor. The goal is to achieve voltage and frequency stability by using CVM to adjust the flow/pressure of water in the branch pipe. The method involves designing and testing the CVM system via a Pelton turbine module connected to the generator. The results of testing the Pelton turbine module with a pressure of 4 kg/cm2 on a 34-inch pipe show that the turbine rotates at 800 rpm. Brushless direct current (BLDC) generator with 12 poles and a Pelton turbine. The proportional integral derivative (PID) controller control parameters are calculated by the control system using the Nichols-Ziggler method, with tuning results of PB 130%, Ti 2.8 seconds, and Td 0.7 seconds. A frequency of 50 Hz and a voltage of 61 volts is produced by controlling the set point (SP) at 55% of the process variable (PV) and the manipulated variable (MV) to CVM at 38%, respectively. The conditions are implemented by varying the load on the system by connecting and disconnecting the load; the system remains stable for 5 seconds.
O Estado de Coisas Inconstitucional e as decisões da Corte Constitucional da Colômbia e do Supremo Tribunal Federal
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Direito, Cobucci Thiago Clemente
Published: December 2024

O presente estudo tem por objetivo examinar a técnica decisória do Estado de Coisas Inconstitucional, adotado em decisões da Corte Constitucional da Colômbia e do Supremo Tribunal Federal brasileiro, a partir da análise teórica e empírica da capacidade institucional das Cortes Constitucionais para lidar com problemas policêntricos e assegurar a efetividade de suas decisões que dependem da implementação de políticas públicas. Verificou-se que as Cortes desempenham funções relevantes relacionadas à visibilidade, à superação de bloqueios institucionais e à coordenação dos demais Poderes e da sociedade civil, apesar de enfrentarem limitações relacionadas à falta de instrumental específico para gestão de políticas públicas. Diante destes elementos, concluiu-se pela adoção do diálogo interinstitucional como modelo apto a potencializar os resultados da intervenção das Cortes Constitucionais na gestão de políticas públicas, um modelo que também é mais compatível com a Separação de Poderes e as capacidades institucionais.
Informal Intergovernmental Organizations
Authors: Johnstone Ian
Published: December 2024

In “The Love for International Organizations”, Jean d’Aspremont identifies nine features of formal inter-governmental organizations that make them appealing to lawyers. This article focuses on three of those features – power, expertise, background knowledge – asking whether and in what ways they apply to so-called informal inter-governmental organizations, such as the G7, G20 and brics. These three attributes were chosen because they shed light on the comparative advantages and disadvantages of informal international organizations vis-à-vis formal ones. The article does not seek to generalise about which type of organization is better, but rather argues that where an organization falls on the spectrum of formality tells us something about how power is exercised, the impact of expertise on global public policy decision-making, and the importance of ‘like-mindedness’ among members of an international organization.
The Love for International Organizations Is Not so Much Logic; It Is Experience
Authors: Blokker Niels
Published: December 2024

This brief contribution identifies three main experiences that are at the root of the author’s love for international organizations and their law. First, international organizations law serves a certain finality that is in most cases worthwhile and invaluable. Second, a comparative approach demonstrates that there is unity within diversity within this (sub)field of law. Third, the practitioners and academics in this field share an extraordinary dedication to international organizations and their law, and have become an ‘invisible college of international organizations lawyers’.
Un-Loving International Organizations
Authors: d’Aspremont Jean
Published: December 2024

This short essay reflects on the various reactions provoked by the earlier publication by this journal of the article entitled ‘The Love for International Organizations’. It sheds a different light on some part of the argument developed therein while also providing new insights on what a turn to affects and emotions can contribute to the study of the law of international organizations. It simultaneously challenges the idea that international organizations are actual things-in-the-world and invites international lawyers to approach them in a different way.
Poetry in Motion
Authors: Muller Alan
Published: December 2024

This article examines how Imraan Coovadia’s The Institute for Taxi Poetry uses the taxi industry as a dynamic cultural space to explore intersections of mobility and identity in an alternate post-apartheid South Africa. Drawing on Mary Louise Pratt’s concept of contact zones and Mimi Sheller’s framework of mobility justice, this article argues that Coovadia reimagines the taxi as a metaphorical and literal space where diverse social and cultural interactions manifest. Through a comparative analysis of two central characters—Solly Greenfields and Gerome Geromian—the article highlights differing poetic expressions and scales of mobility. While Geromian’s cosmopolitan approach embodies global mobility, Greenfields’s deeply local focus challenges narrow interpretations of rootedness, reflecting a local scale of mobility and intimate relationship with his environment. The article contends that Coovadia critiques simplistic binaries of local and global by emphasising how these scales coexist and shape individual and collective identities. Ultimately, The Institute for Taxi Poetry reconfigures the taxi and its associated poetry as sites of cultural connection and negotiation, reflecting broader social dynamics and tensions within a post-apartheid context.
Doublets in Hebrew adjective and noun formation
Authors: Laks Lior
Published: December 2024

The study examines the criteria that are responsible for competition in noun and adjective formation in Hebrew. I compare two cases where words receive an additional form with no change in meaning. I account for such changes, arguing that they target morphological and semantic transparency between related words and a morphological distinction between lexical categories. Adjectives ending with -an exhibit variation through -i suffixation (daykan~daykani ‘punctual’). This results in two competing forms that can be used interchangeably in the same semantic and syntactic contexts. I argue that such variation occurs mainly in order to avoid polycategoriality. The CaCCan pattern and the -an suffix are typical of agent nouns (saxyan ‘swimmer’) that do not undergo a change (*saxyani (as a noun)). -an ending adjectives receive additional adjectival marking in order to create a morphological distinction between the two lexical categories. This case study is compared to another case, where agent nouns and instrument nouns take an additional form, resulting in polycategoriality, as well as ambiguity. Though there seems to be a contradiction between the two criteria that trigger variation and change, I argue that the conflict can be resolved assuming a distinction between words that are derived and stored in the lexicon and words that are derived in the syntax, and that morphological processes apply in both components. The results of this study suggest that the grammar tends to tolerate polycategoriality and ambiguity when at least one of the ambiguous forms is not stored in the lexicon. In case both categories are stored in the lexicon, morphological mechanisms tend to avoid polycategoriality, and as a result, morphological change takes place. The analysis sheds light on the status of morphology in the grammar and its interaction with the lexicon and the syntax, where each interaction has its own characteristics.
The glottogenesis of Ancient Egyptian
Authors: Capo Chichi Sandro
Published: December 2024

This text is a review of Ancient Egyptian and Afroasiatic: Rethinking the Origins (2023). The book includes thirteen chapters all written by different scholars and addressing the relationship between Ancient Egyptian and other Afroasiatic, especially Semitic, languages. Most chapters conclude that Ancient Egyptian is indeed an Afroasiatic language but that the specificity and the degree of its affinities with other Afroasiatic languages, including Semitic, is obscured by the old age of the phylum and by methodological and theoretical issues. One chapter by Aren Wilson-Wright, however, strongly disputes the genetic relatedness of Ancient Egyptian and Semitic and thus the very existence of Afroasiatic. Most of the present review critically deals with several issues in Wilson-Wright’s argumentation.
‘I Can’t Imagine’: Speculative Emotions and the Sociological Imagination
Authors: Barnwell Ashley
Published: December 2024

This essay explores the relation between emotion and imagination in sociology. While scholars have noted that imagination is under-theorised as a sociological concept, attention to sociological texts, most closely C. Wright Mill’s The Sociological Imagination, reveals the interplay of feeling and imagining across personal and social scales. I draw from Mills to explore the role of emotional speculation in qualitative survey data about experiences of family estrangement. In the survey responses, people articulated the limits of what they and others could imagine about familial relationships. This paper therefore identifies a lens to pursue further analyses of the imaginative capacities of emotion in intimate life.