bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacto Social y Económico de la Trata de Personas en el Estado de Quintana Roo
Authors: Euan Pablo Luis Leonardo
Published: February 2025

La trata de personas es un delito grave que explota a niños, mujeres y hombres mediante engaños, secuestros, coerción o abuso, con fines sexuales, laborales o económicos. Este crimen se perpetúa a través del control y la manipulación de las víctimas mediante amenazas y abuso de poder, especialmente al aprovechar su vulnerabilidad. A menudo, las víctimas no tienen voz ni posibilidad de escapar de las redes ilegales que las explotan, un problema que sigue siendo ignorado en muchas partes del mundo. A pesar de los esfuerzos internacionales para erradicarlo, la trata de personas sigue siendo un desafío complejo debido a su alcance global y a la forma en que las redes criminales explotan la desesperación económica y emocional de las personas, especialmente de mujeres y niños en situación de precariedad. Este estudio destaca la urgencia de abordar la trata de personas desde una perspectiva integral que considere tanto las causas subyacentes como las respuestas necesarias para proteger a las víctimas y erradicar este delito.
Participación Juvenil en la Gestión Migratoria en la Frontera México-EE. UU.: Mexicali y Tijuana (2022-2023)
Authors: Hernández Peña Yair Candelario , Ramírez Meda Kenia María , Arredondo Botello Rocio Nirari
Published: February 2025

El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar la participación juvenil en la gestión de la migración en las ciudades de Mexicali y Tijuana, Baja California, espacios ubicados en la frontera México-Estados Unidos, para los años 2022- y 2023. Interesa conocer cómo es la inserción de las y los jóvenes en la gestión del fenómeno, si esta es desde el voluntariado, servicio social y/o emprendimientos sociales. La metodología es cualitativa, por medio de la revisión documental de las tipologías de la migración, la gestión de las migraciones, y la participación de las juventudes. Para documentar las iniciativas que promueven la participación de las juventudes en la gestión de la migración se trabajó por medio de la aplicación en campo de 17 cuestionarios a albergues migrantes (13 de Tijuana y 4 de Mexicali), a través de un taller de fortalecimiento de capacidades los días 27 y 28 de septiembre de 2023. Además, se realizó un sondeo a jóvenes universitarias y universitarios que participaron en programa piloto de “Fortalecimiento de Capacidades de Albergues” (FOCAL) de la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones (OIM) en Mexicali y en otros proyectos de servicio social implementados en la Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. A manera de conclusión, se revisan las áreas de oportunidad para el mayor involucramiento de jóvenes en la gestión de la migración, entre otras se enuncian; el desarrollo de habilidades en jóvenes para la defensa de derechos humanos y el impulso de los emprendimientos sociales.
Information Technology (IT) and employee performance case study: Posta Uganda Kampala
Authors:   ,   Uganda Martyrs University, Arinaitwe Maclean
Published: February 2025

The study was aimed at finding out the effect of information technology on employee performance of Posta Uganda. The three specific objectives were; To find out the effect of IT on volume of work output by employees in Posta Uganda; Secondly to find out the effect of IT on timely work output at Posta Uganda; and thirdly and to find out the effect of IT on service delivery of employees in Posta Uganda, The study employed a quantitative research model in which a case study research design was used to collect data from 40 respondents using structured questionnaires. The study found out that there is a strong positive relationship between IT and employee performance in Posta Uganda. The correlation coefficient value was found to be = 0.52, and at sig= 0.000<0.01 for volume of work output. This meant that IT influences volume of work output by more than 52%. The study also found out that there is a strong positive relationship between IT and timely work output in Posta Uganda. The correlation coefficient was found to be 0.734 at sig=000<0.01, meaning that timely work output is influenced by IT by at least 73.4%. Furthermore, the study found out that there is a moderate positive relationship between IT and service delivery in Posta Uganda. The correlation coefficient was found to be 0.49 at sig= 0.000<0.01, meaning service delivery is influenced by IT by 49%. The study concluded that IT has a significant positive influence on the performance of employees in Posta Uganda as measured by the variables of increased volume of work, timely work output and service delivery which were found to be positively influenced by IT. As such, it was recommended that the standard and quality of Information Technology be continuously improved so as not to compromise employee performance and service delivery to the organisation’s clients. The study further recommends that managers and policy makers need to keep abreast of the developments in this dynamic information technology sector to ensure uptodateness because new innovations keep coming up in the field of IT as old technologies become obsolete, thus there is need to maintain current and up-to-date technologies which are more efficient.
Mobile Banking and Financial Inclusion: The Proximate Determinants of Adoption in Rural India
Authors: Raju Gosala ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, School of Studies in Management and Commerce,  Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Reddy Irala Lokanandha ,   Associate Professor, School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana
Published: February 2025

This study aims to identify the proximate determinants of Mobile banking adoption in rural India. A
research design has been developed to understand rural peoples’ perspectives on mobile banking
use. A survey instrument was developed and able to gather 551 sample responses. Data thus
obtained has been analyzed using structural equation modeling to investigate research hypotheses.
Relative advantage, ease of use, self-efficacy, social influence, and awareness have a significant
positive influence on mobile banking use. Credibility has a significant negative influence on mobile
banking use. The finance costs were found insignificant influence on mobile banking use. Relative
advantages are positively influenced by the ease of use. Ease of use and credibility have positively
influenced self-efficacy. The findings of this study have threefold implications, namely research
implications, managerial implications, and regulatory implications. For researchers, to develop
more sophisticated research models to investigate the perception of rural people regarding the
adoption of digital and mobile products. For managerial personnel, to frame effective strategies for
exploring rural markets and to design suitable digital products for rural people. Finally, regulatory
bodies, frame and implement stringent laws to ensure the safety and security forum digital
products and to develop policies and strategies for financial inclusion. This study investigated the
rural peoples’ perspectives on mobile banking adoption, which provides useful information for
researchers, governments, and industry.
IoT Based SmartAquaPro
Authors:   BE Student, Electronics and Telecommunications Department, P, Chafle Chhayankita , Kshirsagar Isha , Bhosale Supriya , Somwanshi Rasika
Published: February 2025

This research paper presents development of IoT smart kit designed for improve the management and monitoring of hydroelectric projects and their application. Here, one of its application, home aquarium, is accepted. Nowadays, many people have fish as their pets Home. The fish were fed by an aquarist in aquarium tanks, which requires proper setup maintenance. The problems we face are changes in water quality, fish feeding, maintenance temperature, light control and difficulty manual control of aquarium conditions. That is why it is necessary to monitor the physique parameters closely and increase the water state. So this project proposes a system that is equipped with sensors for real-time operation. The kit integrates the Internet of Things (IoT) technology with a number of sensors, actuators and a user-friendly interface that makes aquarium possible enthusiasts for creating and maintaining a thriving aquatic environment. Key system components include real-time water quality monitoring, an automatic feeding system and fish cleaning water in the tank, automatic environment control and remote access via mobile app. The research outlines design and implementation smart kit, discusses its applications in provisioning the well-being of aquatic life and examines it potential for wider environmental monitoring and conservation efforts. Results of testing and use scenarios demonstrate the effectiveness of and the versatility of the IoT Smart Aquarium Kit it is a valuable tool for hobbyists and researchers alike in the fields of aquaculture and water ecology.
Pest Classification using Morphological
Processing in Deep Learning
Authors:   Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed To Be University) College of Engineering, Pune, India, Thuse Sanjyot , Chavan Meena
Published: February 2025

Agriculture relies heavily on the prompt detection of pests. There are numerous technologies for identifying pests, but almost all of them are susceptible to misclassification due to inadequate lighting, background distractions, a diversity of collection techniques. Thus, pests that are only partially visible or oriented differently. This misclassification could result in a significant yield loss. We presented an architecture that would use skeletonization together with neural networks as classifiers to give excellent classification accuracy under the aforementioned parameters in order to alleviate this problem. The paper compares the performance of CNN. CNN with VGG16 and the proposed system on accuracy metric. The results obtained are on disoriented images. From the findings it is observed that for data augmented dataset CNN gives 80 accuracy, CNN with VGG16 gives 95 accuracy, and CNN with feature extractor, skeletonization achieved good accuracy which is up to 98. A web app and an android app is also developed to classify the pest which will help the farmers to identify the name of the pest without going into technical details. This framework will surely help farmers in identifying pest names instantly which will later help in identifying the name and quantity of pesticide.
Feature Extraction Approaches for
Image Steganalysis: A Review
Authors:   Research Scholar, NESs Gangamai College of Engineering, Nagaon, Dhule, 424005, Maharashtra, India, Jagannath Patil Jayashri , Ashok Suryawanshi Nilesh
Published: February 2025

Digital image steganography, the concealing of information within seemingly innocent photographs presents considerable hurdles for traditional detection methods. To address this, we provide a unique deep learning-based steganalysis model is designed to identify the hidden data in digital photos. The methods used to detect steganographic content accurately against a variety of steganographic strategies using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and generative adversarial networks (GANs). Our model has a multi-stage architecture that includes modules for feature extraction, representation learning, and decision-making, all of which are meant to capture complicated patterns indicating steganographic modifications. We use cutting-edge CNN architectures like ResNet and DenseNet for feature extraction, allowing the model to detect tiny visual cues typical of steganographic embedding. Furthermore, to improve the model's capacity to generalize across diverse steganographic procedures and payloads, we incorporate GAN-based data augmentation approaches, allowing it to learn a more thorough representation of steganographic content variants. Experimental results show that our methodology is effective at recognizing steganographic content with high precision and recall rates, beating existing methods across a variety of parameters. Furthermore, we undertake extensive experiments to evaluate the model's resilience to adversarial attacks and capacity to extend to previously unknown steganographic techniques, confirming its robustness and practical usefulness in real-world contexts.
Nahui Olin: Sexualidad, deseo y arte
Authors: García Álvarez José Antonio , Gonzales Ibarra Juan de Dios , Alvarez Montalván Olivia Elizabeth
Published: February 2025

Thanks to two decades of efforts, discoveries, and research of all kinds carried out by her first biographers, later scholars risk detaching Nahui Olin from her time and context: post-revolutionary Mexico. The purpose of this analysis is to adopt an approach that remains consistent with her era and national circumstances. From a libertarian perspective, Carmen Mondragón (Nahui Olin) embraced her own vision as a guiding principle, shaping her life and art through a lens of free introspection, rejecting outdated norms that she herself transcended. In doing so, she openly challenged a society riddled with archaic and superficial prejudices. Reclaiming Nahui Olin’s role in society involves recognizing her as a forerunner of feminist theory in Mexico. To this end, this research is grounded in Judith Butler’s gender theory and her concept of performativity, allowing for a dialogue between Carmen Mondragón’s artistic proposals and the creative environment that led her to develop various artistic expressions and feminist ideologies applicable to her social context. Qualitative research plays a crucial role in this case study, focusing on the post-revolutionary period and the social environments shaped by machismo. For decades, female art was marginalized, as nationalist art was dominated by men who imposed masculine norms and distorted visions of women’s roles throughout history.
Can Self Directed Learning Successfully Incorporated into Online Platforms
Authors: Brown Moira , Ma Ruijie
Published: February 2025

With the rapid development of technology, self-directed learning (SDL) has gained significant attention in China's educational community as a flexible and adaptive learning approach. Online learning platforms are uniquely positioned to support SDL by allowing learners to engage with educational content according to their interests and needs. This article examines how to effectively integrate self-directed learning within online platforms and analyzes its influence on learners' autonomy, flexibility, and overall academic outcomes.
Through a review of multiple studies conducted in the context of Chinese education, we identify key components necessary for the success of online platforms, including personalized learning paths, real-time feedback mechanisms, and social interaction features. Personalized learning paths empower students by enabling them to select content and determine their learning pace, thereby increasing motivation and relevance in their studies. Similarly, real-time feedback enables learners to promptly assess their progress and make necessary adjustments to their learning strategies. Furthermore, social interaction features foster a sense of belonging and engagement, encouraging communication and collaboration, which are essential in the collectivist culture of China.
This article offers actionable recommendations for educators and online platform developers to enhance the implementation of self-directed learning in online education. By focusing on these strategies, we aim to improve learning outcomes, reduce disparities among learners, and advance the evolution of online educational practices in China. Ultimately, leveraging SDL within online environments can facilitate more effective learning experiences suited to the needs of diverse student populations in contemporary Chinese society.
The Role of Non-Profit Organizations in Building a Harmonious Society
Authors: Zhu Qiannan
Published: February 2025

Non-profit organizations play an important role in the social security system. Their flexibility, resource integration capabilities, and public welfare attributes make them a vital complement to the functions of government and the market. This paper starts with the theoretical foundation to analyze the alignment between non-profit organizations and social security, exploring their specific roles in providing services, promoting policy advocacy, and establishing collaborative networks. Through case analysis, the paper summarizes the practical experiences of non-profit organizations, further examining the advantages and challenges they face in participating in social security. Finally, it proposes pathways to enhance the participation of non-profit organizations in social security, including institutional support, capacity building, multi-party cooperation, and raising public awareness, offering both theoretical and practical recommendations for non-profits to better serve the social security system. This paper aims to provide profound insights into the role of non-profit organizations in social security and contribute to the construction of a diversified and sustainable social security system.
Application of Convolutional Neural Networks in Autonomous Driving Scene Understanding
Authors: Zhang Haodi
Published: February 2025

With the rapid development of autonomous driving technology, environmental perception and scene understanding have become key factors to ensure safe driving. As a powerful deep learning algorithm, convolutional neural network (CNN) has demonstrated outstanding capabilities in image processing and visual perception. This paper explores the application of CNN in scene understanding of autonomous driving, and analyzes its advantages in image classification, object detection, semantic segmentation, etc., especially its performance in real-time environmental perception. Through multi-level feature extraction, CNN can identify and understand important information such as road signs, pedestrians, and vehicles from complex traffic scenes, providing accurate decision support for autonomous driving systems. The article also explores the combination of CNN with other technologies such as RNN, reinforcement learning, and multimodal data fusion, looks forward to the development trend of autonomous driving technology in the future, and discusses the challenges faced by the technology and corresponding solutions. Through the research of this paper, it is hoped that a theoretical basis and practical guidance will be provided to further improve the intelligence level and safety of autonomous driving systems.
Between Heteronormativity and Horizontal Homosociality: Alzheimer's and Masculinity in Alternative German Cinema: Nicht schon wieder Rudi! (2015)
Authors: Horlacher Stefan , Roeber Franziska
Published: February 2025

Given the difference in the representation of constructions of hegemonic masculinity and homosociality promoted in 'mainstream cinema' on the one hand and in 'alternative cinema' on the other, this article examines how Nicht schon wieder Rudi! innovatively conceives of and intertwines masculinity, homosociality and Alzheimer's, and how the film handles the homosocial-homosexual conundrum. We suggest that films in particular create imaginary spaces in which a ludic, creative and experimental (re)thinking of real-life issues becomes possible. Differentiating between vertical and horizontal homosociality, this article argues that Nicht schon wieder Rudi! not only questions prevalent dogmas and discourses, but also produces a specific knowledge about alternative models of care and concepts of dementia and masculinity; concepts of masculinity that are less conceived of as phallic and hierarchical but as interdependent dynamic configurations, ranging from care and affection to love and desire. Although the homosocial and especially the homosexual dimension is ultimately contained and almost revoked towards the end of the film, the homosocial relationships displayed still serve to deconstruct homophobia and question or even queer heterosexual male friendships.
An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the soft tissue of the neck: a case report and literature review
Authors: Alkahtani Yahia Awad , Hussein Mahmoud Rezk Abdelwahed , Al-Shraim Mubarak Mohammed , Asiri Shahd Saeed Dalboh , Kadasah Sultan Khalid Saeed
Published: February 2025

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the soft tissues of the neck is a rare pathological entity. We present the case of a 32-year-old patient who had a painful, slowly enlarging mass in the neck’s soft tissues. Radiological examination revealed a well-defined, dense lesion. The mass was surgically removed through local excision. Immunohistological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of IMT. After nearly 2 years of follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence or distant metastases. In conclusion, although IMT of the soft tissues of the neck is uncommon, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neck tumors. Further research is necessary to understand the pathogenetic mechanisms of IMT, which could lead to the development of more effective treatments for this tumor.
Fandom Power: Examining Customer Engagement, Attitudes, and Purchase Intentions in K-Pop Fandom-Brand Collaborations
Authors:   Universitas Indonesia, Tertiano Raffi Fairuza , Salehudin Imam ,   Universitas Indonesia
Published: February 2025

Manuscript type: Empirical paper

Research Aims: This study examines the impact of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) fandom in Indonesia, focusing on collaborations between Indonesian companies and K-Pop idols. It aims to understand how fan interactions influence purchasing behavior toward celebrity-endorsed products.

Design/methodology/approach: The research employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze data from 1,016 respondents familiar with collaboration campaigns between Indonesian companies and K-Pop idols. It examines customer-to-customer identification (CCI), customer-to-community identification (CMI), attitudinal engagement, behavioral engagement, attitude toward brand, and attitude toward celebrity.

Research Findings: The findings reveal that CCI is positively linked to CMI and enhances customer attitudinal engagement. Furthermore, CMI significantly impacts both attitudinal and behavioral customer engagement. while attitude toward celebrity predicts purchase intention, attitude toward brand does not. These results highlight the complex dynamics within K-Pop fandoms and their influence on consumer behavior.

Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study contributes to the literature by providing a deeper understanding of distinct types of fan identification and their impacts on different forms of customer engagement. It underscores the importance of celebrity endorsements in shaping purchase intentions within the context of the Hallyu phenomenon.

Practitioner/Policy Implication: The insights from this research can inform marketing strategies for companies leveraging the popularity of K-Pop idols. Marketers should focus on enhancing fan identification and engagement, particularly leveraging celebrity influence to drive purchase intentions.

Research limitation/Implications: The study is limited to Indonesian fans and specific collaboration campaigns. Future research could expand to other countries and different celebrity endorsements to validate and extend the findings.
How Do Firms Use Social Media: Topic Modeling of Twitter Brand Posts of Four Indonesian Skincare Brands
Authors:   Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia, Lestari Annisafira L. , Hananto Arga ,   Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia
Published: February 2025

Manuscript type: Empirical paper

Research Aims: This paper aims to identify the topics of social media posts (on Twitter) from local skincare brands in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach: This descriptive study applied text analysis methods, specifically frequency analysis and topic modeling with the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) method. Data were collected from the top four skincare brands with over 10,000 followers using Twitter Academic API interfaced through the Twarc package in Python. The dataset contained 1290 tweets from Wardah, 17,491 tweets from Avoskin, 1,968 tweets from Somethinc, and 590 tweets from Whitelab. The data analysis used quanteda and topicmodels packages from R software.

Research findings: The findings revealed that the brands’ tweets can be categorised into 8-10 topics, which can be distilled further into three significant functions proposed by Saxton and Waters (2014): information, promotion and mobilisation, and community building and dialogue.

Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study adds to the body of knowledge regarding social media marketing by adding insights into how local Indonesian brands carry out their social media marketing efforts.

Practitioner/Policy Implication: The findings implied that marketing managers should emphasise providing timely and relevant information as a base that can be used to build dialogic communication efforts with their audience.

Research limitation/Implications: This study only looked at four brands in the local skincare product category. In addition, this study applied automated topic modeling with LDA, which needed an a priori number of topics, which might affect the topic labelling. Furthermore, this study’s scope was limited to categorising the brand posts without examining the effects of brand post types on engagement metrics. Future studies can examine more samples by observing other product categories, applying thematic analysis to code each tweet, and comparing the results to topic modeling results. Lastly, future studies can examine the relationship between brand post types/categories and engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and retweets.
High-stability dual-frequency laser based on dual acousto-optic modulation
Authors: HE Ziyang  , AN Bingnan  , WANG Tao  , ZHAO Xiaokang  , LIU Xiangsong  , CHEN Lirong  , WANG Yajun  ,   1 State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics Technologies and Devices, Institute of Opto-Electronics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China;,   2 Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China;,   3 Shanxi Key Laboratory of Wireless Communication and Detection, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
Published: February 2025

A high-stability dual-frequency laser source is a key technology for achieving national ultra-precision measurement capabilities and also serves as the foundation for supporting the quality of high-end equipment manufacturing. This paper builds a high-stability dual-frequency laser source and its frequency difference stability evaluation system based on a double acousto-optic modulation scheme. By researching the mechanism of generating dual-frequency laser based on double acousto-optic modulation, a degradation model of frequency difference stability was gradually constructed, with targeted technical improvements implemented. The study shows that the frequency stability of the dual-frequency laser source and the stability of the frequency difference both affect the accuracy of heterodyne interference measurement. The frequency difference stability is determined by factors such as the stability of RF signal and the nonlinear distortion of the power amplifier. This study first optimizes the frequency difference stability to 7.5×10-10@1s and 1.2×10-9@1000s by designing a high-order harmonic filtering technique. Then, the DG 4202 RF generator is replaced with a rubidium-clock-based high-stability RF signal generator, further optimizing the frequency difference stability to 9×10-11@1s and 6×10-10@1000s. The impact of dual-frequency frequency difference stability on heterodyne interference measurement accuracy is reduced to the sub-femtometer level. And the frequency difference stability of the dual-frequency laser source fully meet the application requirements for picometer-level laser interference measurement. Combined with the most advanced frequency stabilization technology using ultra-stable cavity, our high-stability dual-frequency laser source can support heterodyne interference measurement with picometer or even femtometer-level accuracy, demonstrating significant application potential in fields such as ultra-precision measurements.
PROTAC-induced protein structural dynamics in targeted protein degradation
Authors: Wu Kingsley Y , Hung Ta I , Chang Chia-en A
Published: February 2025

PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) are small molecules that induce target protein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. PROTACs recruit the target protein and E3 ligase; a critical first step is forming a ternary complex. However, while the formation of a ternary complex is crucial, it may not always guarantee successful protein degradation. The dynamics of the PROTAC-induced degradation complex play a key role in ubiquitination and subsequent degradation. In this study, we computationally modelled protein complex structures and dynamics associated with a series of PROTACs featuring different linkers to investigate why these PROTACs, all of which formed ternary complexes with Cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase and the target protein bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4BD1), exhibited varying degrees of degradation potency. We constructed the degradation machinery complexes with Culling-Ring Ligase 4A (CRL4A) E3 ligase scaffolds. Through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we illustrated how PROTAC-dependent protein dynamics facilitating the arrangement of surface lysine residues of BRD4BD1 into the catalytic pocket of E2/ubiquitin cascade for ubiquitination. Despite featuring identical warheads in this PROTAC series, the linkers were found to affect the residue-interaction networks, and thus governing the essential motions of the entire degradation machine for ubiquitination. These findings offer a structural dynamic perspective on ligand-induced protein degradation, providing insights to guide future PROTAC design endeavors.
The C-terminus of the multi-drug efflux pump EmrE prevents proton leak by gating transport
Authors: Brousseau Merissa , Teng Da , Thomas Nathan E , Voth Gregory A , Henzler-Wildman Katherine A
Published: February 2025

The model multi-drug efflux pump from
Escherichia coli
, EmrE, can perform multiple types of transport leading to different biological outcomes, conferring resistance to some drug substrates and enhancing susceptibility to others. While transporters have traditionally been classified as antiporters, symporters, or uniporters, there is growing recognition that some transporters may exhibit mixed modalities. This raises new questions about the regulation and mechanisms of these transporters. Here we show that the C-terminal tail of EmrE acts as a secondary gate, preventing proton leak in the absence of drug. Substrate binding unlocks this gate, allowing transport to proceed. Truncation of the C-terminal tail (Δ107-EmrE) leads to altered pH regulation of alternating access, an important kinetic step in the transport cycle, as measured by NMR. Δ107-EmrE has increased proton leak in proteoliposome assays and bacteria expressing this mutant have reduced growth. MD simulations of Δ107-EmrE show formation of a water wire from the open face of the transporter to the primary binding site in the core, facilitating proton leak. In WT-EmrE, the C-terminal tail forms specific interactions that block formation of the water wire. Together these data strongly support the C-terminus of EmrE acting as a secondary gate that regulates access to the primary binding site in the core of the transporter.
Development of a prognostic model based on the ceRNA network in Triple-Negative Breast cancer
Authors: Zhu Yimin , Wang Jiayu , Xu Binghe
Published: February 2025

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype with a poor prognosis. Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been implicated in cancer progression, their roles in TNBC remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to develop a prognostic model for TNBC by constructing a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. This network integrates circRNAs, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for improving clinical outcomes.

Methods

Differentially expressed circRNAs, lncRNAs, and mRNAs were identified from GEO datasets (144 samples: 94 TNBC and 50 normal tissues). A ceRNA network was constructed, and key genes were validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset (115 TNBC and 113 para-cancer tissues). Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to develop a prognostic model, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify associated pathways.

Results

Nine genes (SH3BGRL2, CA12, LRP8, NAV3, GFRA1, DCDC2, CDC7, ABAT, NPTX1) were identified as key factors in the prognostic model, which demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.90. Patients classified as high-risk patients exhibited significantly shorter overall survival (median OS: 8.12 years vs. 9.51 years, P < 0.01). The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was identified as a key regulatory pathway, with circRNAs (hsa_circ_0005455, hsa_circ_000632, hsa_circ_0001666, and hsa_circ_0000069) regulating CA12, GFRA1, and NPTX1 expression.

Conclusion

This study developed a novel prognostic model based on a ceRNA network analysis, highlighting the critical role of circRNAs and the MAPK signaling pathway in TNBC progression. These findings offer valuable insights into potential biomarkers for TNBC prognosis and reveal promising therapeutic targets for improving patient outcomes.
Arm Wrestling and Humeral Fractures: A Case Series
Authors: . Shivashankara , Nambiraj Gowthaman , Chandraprakash Rishab , Naidu Dilip Kumar E , Vaasan L Sabari
Published: February 2025

Humeral shaft fractures are common injuries seen in the increasingly popular sport of arm wrestling. They occur due to a combination of axial load and twisting forces on a fixed elbow. Hereby, the authors present a case series of four cases of humeral shaft fractures, all of which presented within an hour of injury. Two of the four patients had oblique fractures, one had a spiral fracture, and one had a comminuted fracture. Additionally, one of the patients had an associated radial nerve injury immediately following the injury. All were managed with fixation by plating, and the radial nerve injury was treated with dynamic splinting. On follow-up, all four patients showed radiological and clinical signs of union, and radial nerve function returned to normal. These fractures occurred at the junction of the middle and distal thirds of the humeral shaft, a site that carries the risk of injuring the radial nerve due to its course. Therefore, the present case series aimed to determine the mechanism of injury, identify the type of fractures and associated nerve injuries seen in such cases, compared these findings with available literature, and ascertain the clinical outcomes of managing such injuries.
Effect of Forensic Accounting Skills on Fraud Management of Selected Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria
Authors: Anipiriworima NGEREHO-A, Tamunonimim , Innocent ENEKWE Chinedu , Tumba FREEMAN Ngatuwa
Published: February 2025

Aim: The growing level of fraud in Nigeria has created the need for the use of forensic accounting skills in fraud management. Many scholars have attempted to analyze the forensic accounting skills on fraud management in Nigeria to assess their nature and degree of significance using different measurements with mixed results, which necessitated this study on the effect of forensic accounting skills on the fraud management of selected federal ministries, departments, and agencies in Nigeria.
Methodology: Forensic accounting skills are an independent variable proxied by accounting and auditing skills and forensic investigation skills, while fraud management is a dependent variable. The study used primary sources of data, a cross-sectional research design, a quantitative research approach, and a structured closed-ended questionnaire with five-point Likert scale options. A stratified sampling technique was used for the selection of the four federal ministries, departments, and agencies in Nigeria. The study was underpinned by both profession theory and fraud pentagon theory. The SPSS version 23 software statistical package was used for the coding of the questionnaire and data analysis for running both descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analysis.
Results: The regression results indicated that accounting and auditing skills and forensic investigation skills have a positive and significant effect on the fraud management. This implies that any unit increase in both accounting and auditing skills and forensic investigation skills will also result in a unit increase in the fraud management of federal ministries, departments, and agencies in Nigeria.
Recommendations: The study recommended that the government should provide avenues for training forensic accounting experts. Through the effective performance of forensic accountants in the country, the Nigerian government can restore its integrity both locally and internationally.
Genetic Purity Assessment of Maize Hybrid (Zea mays L.) and Its Parental Lines Employing SSR Markers
Authors: Sherakhane Mallikarjun , Parashivamurthy  , H. C. Lohithaswa, , G. S. Sinchana Kashyap, , Gowda Basave , R. Siddaraju, , G. Keshavareddy,
Published: February 2025

The success of hybrid seed production is determined by the genetic purity of parental lines. Hence, genetic purity testing of parental lines and hybrid is essential to verify any deviation from genuineness of the genotypes during multiplication and seed production programme. In order to check the genetic purity of parental lines of recently released maize hybrid MAH 15-84, an investigation was carried out to identify an ideal SSR marker for confirmation of hybridity of maize hybrid and its parental lines. The maize hybrid MAH 15-84 and the parents MAI-19-117 (female) and MAI-19-20 (male) were subjected to genetic purity testing employing twenty-one SSRs to identify the polymorphic marker to distinguish parental lines and hybridity confirmation. Among twenty-one primers, five primers namely umc1152, bnlg1371, bnlg1043, umc2071 and bnlg107 showed polymorphism between the parental lines and rest of primers exhibited monomorphic banding pattern. The unique banding pattern of these five primers revealed the presence of the PCR amplified products present in the female as well as the male parent, indicating the true hybridity.
Exploring Vegetable Ecosystem for Parasitoids of Lepidopteran Pests and Host Suitability of Predominant Parasitoid in Kerala, India
Authors: Jose Jyothsna , C R Manu , M S Nisha , A S Anjali , K P Sindura
Published: February 2025

Aims: Documentation of larval parasitoids of lepidopteran pests in vegetable crops from Kerala and finding out host suitability of predominant larval parasitoid for the purpose of mass production.
Study Design:  Completely Randomized Design for laboratory experiment.                          
Place and Duration of Study: College of Agriculture, Vellayani, between November 2023 and July 2024.
Methodology: A periodic survey was conducted in selected agricultural fields of Kerala to collect lepidopteran pests. The collected larvae were kept in laboratory condition, to observe parasitization, highly polyphagous parasitoid obtained was designated as the predominant one. For the assessment of suitable host for the mass production the two natural hosts from the survey and Corcyra cephalonica and Galleria mellonella was reared in the laboratory condition and and assessed for preference by the predominant parasitoid.
Results: Bracon hebetor Say was identified as the predominant parasitoid in the vegetable ecosystem, which was identified by experts and confirming a parasitization rate of about 61.8%. Chalcids, Cotesia and Bracon brevicornis were other parasitoids emerged. The cucumber moth and cotton leaf roller were the major hosts, exhibiting parasitization rates of 60-90%. G. mellonella was found to be the most effective host other than C. cephalonica and the natural hosts, supporting high fecundity, a short life cycle, and a substantial number of emerging parasitoids
Conclusion: There is a considerable amount of natural parasitation in the vegetable ecosystem and predominantly by the braconoid parasitoid, B. hebetor. It can be successfully mass produced using G. mellonella.
Regulation of Controlled Substances and Reproductive Health
Authors: Tasset Julia , Scarsi Kimberly K. , Edelman Alison
Published: February 2025

This Viewpoint reviews the US legal landscape for regulation of drugs with the potential for addiction, the pharmacology of mifepristone and misoprostol, evidence demonstrating their lack of dependency, and the consequences of 2024 policy changes in Louisiana state law.
Aligning Financing Strategies With Circular Business Principles: A Multicriteria Decision Framework
Authors: Zambujal‐Oliveira João , Franco Ana , Fernandes Beatriz
Published: February 2025

Circularity principles, evident in closed‐loop systems, aim to minimize waste and maximize value through material and product reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling. Circular practices can be financed using diverse models with different characteristics. Examples include pay‐as‐you‐go, which involves usage‐based payments; performance‐based financing, which links funding to outcomes; grants, which provide nonrepayable support; public–private partnerships, which combine public and private resources; green bonds, which fund eco‐friendly projects; and impact investing, which addresses social or environmental impacts alongside financial gains. To establish the correlation between circular supply chain principles and financing strategies, this study employed two multicriteria decision‐making methods: the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The obtained results were compared with findings from diverse manufacturing industries in existing literature.
Cold Ceramic for Repairing Root Perforations: A Case Report
Authors: Chamani Ali , Forghani Maryam , Asadi Ghazal
Published: February 2025

Root perforation may happen pathologically or iatrogenically at any stage of endodontic treatment. Repairing a Perforation can be challenging and can negatively affect the prognosis of the treatment. The prognosis depends on various factors, including the size and site of the perforation, the presence of microorganisms, and the time lapse between injury and repair. One crucial factor is using a suitable material with favorable biocompatibility, moisture tolerance, and sealing abilities. Thus, choosing the suitable perforation sealing material can significantly affect the outcomes. Many materials have been suggested for perforation repair. However, searching for an ideal material continues, indicating the complicated nature of root perforations. In this study, three patients, two male and one female, received treatment for root perforation, each varying in the prognosis determinant factors. All cases were managed non‐surgically with cold ceramic (CC) as the repairing material. After follow‐up, they were clinically and radiographically examined, and all three cases revealed relatively complete healing of the tissues and no signs or symptoms of inflammation. The results obtained from the presented cases indicated CC's sealing ability, biocompatibility, moisture tolerance, and bone and periodontium regeneration, which are essential for successful perforation repair. The favorable healing of the perforation and the elimination of inflammation in every case, as well as the existing literature, support the use of CC as a suitable material for sealing perforations. However, additional clinical research is recommended to further understand CC's qualities and potential.
Rare Extra‐Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma of the Anterior Nasal Septum Associated With Deviated Nasal Septum: A Case Report
Authors: Basharat Komal , Rehman Sana , Fazal Faizan , Rehman Abdur , Iqbal Javed , Maqbool Shahzaib , Khan Imran
Published: February 2025

Extra‐nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a rare entity, with only a few cases reported to date. It usually presents with symptoms resembling those of typical nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, but it arises from a site other than the site of origin of typical nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. A 20‐year‐old male presented with complaints of left‐sided nasal obstruction and epistaxis for 10 days. On examination, a mass was seen attached to the anterior nasal septum. Throat and ear examinations were unremarkable. Blood investigations also came out to be as expected. A deviated nasal septum was seen, which was caused by a nasal trauma to this patient 3 years ago. This mass was removed, and the specimen was sent for histologic examination. Histologic examination of the specimen proved the mass to be extra‐nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. The selection of appropriate surgical techniques and subsequent histologic examinations is extremely important to determine the exact diagnosis in such cases. The case addressed in this case report is extremely important for uncovering another rare case of extra‐nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. This case might also suggest a possible linkage between extra‐nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and a deviated nasal septum.
“Choledochoduodenal Fistula Arising From Pancreatic Lymphoma: An Exceedingly Rare Phenomenon”
Authors: Jassal Shalvin , Ip Nathan , Fox Adrian , Crispin Melanie
Published: February 2025

Choledochoduodenal fistula secondary to pancreatic lymphoma is a rare phenomenon, reflecting the complex relationship between lymphoproliferative disorders and gastrointestinal complications. Fistula formation should be suspected in patients with persistent liver function abnormalities and a history of treated hematological malignancies.
A High Fall Risk Patient Perspective—Reducing Safety Challenges in an Acute Care Hospital
Authors: Yasan Caglayan , Pretto Gabriella , Burton Patricia
Published: February 2025

Aims

This study examined patient perspectives of the factors that contributed to their falls in a medical ward and how patient understanding of the implemented fall prevention strategies influenced their perceptions of their fall risk.

Design

An exploratory sequential mixed methods design.

Methods

Quantitative data were obtained from the RiskMan fall database and auditing of the Patient‐Centred Care Plan to identify patients who experienced a fall on the ward. From this cohort, seven inpatients were interviewed using a structured interview questionnaire to explore their perceptions of why they fell. Other complexities of fall management in the ward were discussed, including the assessment and identification of high fall risk patients and the effectiveness of patient education.

Results

Five contributing factors were seen to have led to inpatient falls in the medical ward: (1) there seems to be little, if any, patient engagement with the advice in the fall prevention brochure distributed on admission; (2) insufficient patient awareness of the various fall prevention strategies; (3) inadequate bathroom supervision provided by nurses; (4) patient call bells not answered promptly, which encouraged patients engaging in risk‐taking behaviour and (5) a breakdown in communication between nursing staff and patients. The study identified several factors that should be included in fall administrative data, such as the duration of call‐bell response, the quality of nurse–patient communication and the determinants influencing patient response to fall prevention strategies. The study findings offer valuable insights to enhance the efficacy and implementation of fall prevention strategies to improve patient outcomes.

Patient Contribution

Patients who had experienced a fall during their current hospital admission were interviewed. For each patient, the interview was a communication medium to explore the factors surrounding the occurrence of their fall and their knowledge of their fall risk.