bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting Mercy in Jude: Intervention, Intercession, and the Intruders
Authors: Prothro James B.
Published: February 2025

Though it is often read merely as a letter of condemnation, theological and literary studies have opened up new vistas for understanding Jude’s argument, theological outlook, and its positive call for the addressees to have ‘mercy’ and save those in danger of eschatological ‘fire’. Debate remains, however, as to the scope of such commands and whether Jude’s soteriology could countenance any hope for the ‘ungodly’ intruders. Further, it remains unclear what sorts of mercy or intervention could be envisioned and, thus, what Jude’s exhortations might really mean. This article surveys Jude’s eschatological horizon and the negative characterizations of the intruders and finds, ultimately, that the soteriology envisioned here allows a hope of mercy for the intruders. Further, it revisits Jude’s references to sin and judgment in scripture and illustrates how these narratives could also suggest paradigms of faithfulness and mercy to Jude’s audience.
The Change is Personal: Perceptions of Neighborhood Decline Among African American Women Aging in Place
Authors: Langendoerfer Kaitlyn B.
Published: February 2025

Despite the concerted effort to study neighborhoods and their effects, there has been less attention paid to the direct accounts of these processes from residents themselves. This study explores the narratives of older African American women who have aged in place within urban neighborhoods from childhood through later life. Data is utilized from six years of ethnographic observations within two community centers located in Cleveland, Ohio and in-depth, life history interviews with 12 African American women (Mean Age: 72.5). Inductive thematic analysis revealed three themes. These include perceptions related to 1) institutional decline, 2) changes in safety and crime and, 3) changes in neighborhood population. The women’s narratives highlight that change is deeply personal. Their perceptions of decline were connected to their biography and how the decline disrupted and re-shaped their daily routines. Studying perceptions of decline is important for better understanding personal experiences of place for under-represented older adults.
Indian Law Students in Dublin, 1913–16: Solidarity and Encounter Between Indian and Irish Advanced Nationalists
Authors: Mulvagh Conor
Published: February 2025

This article considers the encounter between Irish and Indian advanced nationalists through the prism of a group of university students who came from India to Ireland to study law between 1913 and 1916. Before considering their interaction with Irish politics and the inspiration they drew from it, it explores the possible push and pull factors that may have drawn nationally minded Indian law students to come to Ireland in the years before 1913. It establishes for the first time the administrative and political reasons why Dublin became an attractive city for some Indians who wished to study law in Ireland rather than England. Exploring the life of Indian law students in Dublin in the years before the Easter Rising of 1916, the article focuses on V. V. Giri, at the time just one of the small groups of Dublin’s Indian law students studying between the King’s Inns and University College Dublin. Giri later became the fourth president of India, but his prominence here is that he left a memoir of his time in Ireland. The memoir allows for an exploration of a history that is otherwise largely forgotten and of which only the slightest traces remain in Irish and British archival sources, making this as much a study of the process of historical reconstruction as it is of its subjects.
AI Chatbots in Political Campaigns: A Practical Experience in the EU’s 2024 Parliament Elections
Authors: Tosi Davide , Chiappa Marco , Pizzul Dario
Published: February 2025

As the application of artificial intelligence in various domains and sectors grows, politics—especially political communication—is no exception. However, academic considerations on the topic remain limited, partly due to its novelty. To contribute to the ongoing discussions at the intersection of AI and political campaigns, this research report presents the development and use of an AI chatbot employed by an Italian candidate during the 2024 European Parliament elections. The aim of this work is to engage with the technical aspects of the tool’s development and implementation by outlining the challenges and strategies involved in creating an AI chatbot that supports a political campaign using OpenAI APIs. Furthermore, this report offers reflections on the role of AI in politics and communication, focusing on the concepts of intermediation and participation, also addressing issues of compliance and trustworthiness of these new AI tools.
Design of a novel kinematically redundant parallel mechanism
Authors: Li Licong , He Qizhen , Zhang Haifeng , Chen Qiaohong , Ye Wei
Published: February 2025

Parallel mechanisms (PMs) offer significant advantages compared to serial mechanisms, particularly in terms of enhanced precision and increased rigidity. However, the traditional non-redundant six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) PMs still face limitations, including a restricted orientational workspace and the occurrence of singular configurations. This paper presents a novel (6+3)-DOF 3-P[RR-RRR]SR kinematically redundant PM. Firstly, the kinematic model of the proposed PM is established, serving as the foundation for analyzing singularities and workspace. Subsequently, a method is proposed that locks some actuators in an ergodic manner to derive the local optimal transmission index (LOTI) of the proposed PM, enabling the evaluation of motion/force transmission performance. The dimensional parameters of the 3-P[RR-RRR]SR PM are optimized to obtain an enhanced transmission workspace without singular configurations. Finally, the prototype development and experimental verification are conducted, with results demonstrating that the 3-P[RR-RRR]SR PM can completely avoid singular configurations and offers a large orientational workspace.
Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Clinical Profile and Outcome of Physician Diagnosed CAPS Cases from a North Indian Cohort
Authors: Rahulan Lekshmi Minikumari , Thomas Koshy Nithin , Chatterjee Rudrarpan , Misra Durga Prasanna , Agarwal Vikas , Lawrence Able , Aggarwal Amita
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To describe the clinical profile and outcome of patients with catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) from a tertiary care Rheumatology centre in North India.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of data of patients between 1990 and March 2024 was done. Those with rapid involvement of three or more organ systems with moderate to high titres of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) at least once were considered physician-diagnosed CAPS.

Results:

Fourteen patients were considered as cases of CAPS. The majority were females, with a median age of 28 years (26.25–37.25). Two-thirds of the patients had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as the background illness. Thrombocytopenia was present in all cases, and CAPS was the presenting manifestation in half of them. An identifiable trigger was found in only nine cases predominantly infection. Triple therapy with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), pulse steroids, and heparin was received by six patients, resulting in clinical recovery in five of them. Nine patients received anticoagulation and the rest received glucocorticoids, other immunosuppressive agents and antibiotics for underlying sepsis. Among the five patients who did not receive heparin, three died of multiorgan dysfunction. Two patients died despite anticoagulation owing to late presentation and delay in initiation of heparin.

Conclusion:

A high index of suspicion should be kept for CAPS, especially in a young female with rapidly progressive multiorgan dysfunction in the background of autoimmune features or pregnancy morbidity. Triple therapy using heparin, IVIG and high-dose steroids should be considered in patients with suspected CAPS.
Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review
Authors: Swain Santosh Kumar , Prusty Venkat Raman
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims:

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD) is a condition that affects the auditory pathway, specifically the transmission of sound signals from the ear to the brain. In ANSD, the outer hair cells (OHCs) in the cochlea, which are responsible for amplifying sound, typically function normally. However, there is an issue in the transmission of sound signals from the cochlea to the brain. ANSD is often due to problems in the inner hair cells (IHCs), the auditory nerve fibres, or the synaptic connections between them. Prematurity, ototoxic medication therapy, hyperbilirubinemia and positive family history are risk factors for ANSD.

Methods:

The search for published articles on ANSD was done with databases like PubMed, Scopus, Medline and Google Scholar. This article discusses on prevalence, etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and present treatment of ANSD.

Results:

ANSD encompasses a variety of hearing disorders that are typified by poor speech perception even though pure tone detection thresholds are largely intact. The afflicted patients exhibit speech-discriminating issues that are disproportionate to their pure tone detection thresholds, especially when there is background noise. Acoustic reflexes, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), cochlear microphonics (CMs) and auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABERs) are missing or significantly reduced in patients with ANSD. While cochlear implants are the primary option for people with substantial hearing loss, especially in cases with IHCs presynaptic diseases or when hearing aids have failed, hearing aids are beneficial for ANSD patients with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Conclusion:

As OAEs and/or CMs of neonates with ANSD are normal, auditory evoked responses should be added to screening tests for high-risk neonates in order to prevent false-negative results.
Association of lumbar disc herniation and paraspinal muscles changes in patients with chronic low back pain
Authors: Mou Zhanglin , Yi Wenfang , Luo Mingbin , Yang Yingjuan , Wang Zhongwei , He Bo , Zhao Derong
Published: February 2025

Background

Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) exhibit changes in paraspinal muscles fat infiltration and cross-sectional area (CSA). However, the relationship between lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and paraspinal muscles changes in CLBP patients remains unclear.

Objective

To analyze the relationship between LDH, fat infiltration in paraspinal muscles, and their CSA in patients with CLBP.

Methods

A total of 494 patients (201 males and 293 females) with an average age of 45.75 ± 12.93 years with CLBP were included in this study. Conventional magnetic resonance scanning sequences, inverted phase and Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with the Echo Asymmetry and Least-Square Estimation quantitation (IDEAL-IQ) sequences were used, and patients were assessed for pain on a visual analog scale (VAS). LDH was assessed based on T2 axial images at the L4-S1 level. Multifidus and erector spinae CSA and proton density fat fraction (PDFF) were measured bilaterally at the central level of the L4-S1 disc using the above-mentioned sequences and normalized by the square of height.

Results

Patients with LDH had a higher PDFF of the paraspinal muscles at the L4/5 level compared to those without LDH ( p < 0.05). Additionally, the VAS score of patients with LDH was significantly higher than that of the control group ( p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the change of paraspinal muscles CSA between patients with CLBP with and without LDH.

Conclusion

In patients with LDH, there is increased fatty infiltration in the paraspinal muscles, with no significant changes in CSA. Different types of LDH are not related to paraspinal muscles fatty infiltration and CSA.
The Association Between Tumor Burden and the Efficacy of Immunotherapy Among Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Hui Jia-Jun , Yan Han-Lu , Ding Sheng-Jun , Qin Bao-Dong , Jiao Xiao-Dong , Zang Yuan-Sheng
Published: February 2025

Background

This cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of tumor burden (TB) on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials and Methods

Data from the POPLAR and OAK trials were extracted as the training and validation cohorts, respectively. TB was defined as the sum of the longest dimensions (blSLD) of measurable target lesions as per RECIST v1.1. The Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the association between TB with blood-tested tumor mutation burden (bTMB), PD-L1 expression, and survival outcomes. Additionally, random forest algorithms analysis was performed to evaluate the accuracy of TB in predicting 12-month mortality of NSCLC patients received atezolizumab.

Results

A total of 105 patients from the POPLAR trial and 322 patients from the OAK trial were recruited in the training and validation sets, respectively. Patients with TB-L have significantly better OS than those with TB-H in the training (mOS: 15.8 months vs 6.93 months) as well as the validation (mOS: 16.0 months vs 7.59 months) cohort. The multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that TB is an independent biomarker for OS prediction, regardless of bTMB, PD-L1 expression, and number of metastasis sites. The impact of TB on 12-month mortality was expected to be stronger with the increase of TB, suggesting that patients with a high tumor burden experienced a detrimental effect on 12-month mortality.

Conclusion

TB may act as a prognostic biomarker for clinical benefit in NSCLC patients treated with immunotherapy alone. This may be potentially effective for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy-based regimens.
Community Protection Warnings and the practices of the preventive state
Authors: Black Alex , Heap Vicky
Published: February 2025

This article explores preventive justice through the use of Community Protection Warnings (CPWs), a civil measure used to tackle anti-social behaviour in England and Wales. Through a qualitative study of frontline practitioners’ experiences, this article argues that CPWs are a preventive form of punishment, framed through non-punitive intentions and as ‘just’ a warning, while their use in practice demonstrates coercive and punitive outcomes. Drawing on Beckett and Murakawa’s notion of the shadow penal state, in which the reach of the penal system is extended through new entry points outside of the criminal justice system, we argue the use of CPWs implies a penumbra to that shadow, further stretching the state's punitive reach with fewer due process protections.
Context-specific mechanisms of (negative) secondary transfer effects? A longitudinal investigation
Authors: Henschel Nils T. , Kötting Lukas , Kühnen Ulrich , Boehnke Klaus
Published: February 2025

The secondary transfer effect (STE) suggests that contact with members of an (primary) outgroup generalizes, affecting attitudes towards uninvolved (secondary) outgroups. The literature suggests contextually different processes by outgroup similarity. Our three-wave longitudinal study is the first piece of STE research that applies random intercept cross-legged panel models to explore this contextuality, tackling several research deficiencies: (a) the overfocus on positive contact, (b) reliance on cross-sectional designs, (c) limited knowledge regarding underlying processes, (d) scarcity of comparative studies investigating mediators or intergroup settings jointly. We study three STE mediators from positive and negative contact (attitude generalization, multiculturalism, primary outgroup threat) across different primary outgroups (Muslims, n = 385; Sinti and Roma, n = 396), keeping contextual setting (Germany), temporal setting (2016–2017), and secondary outgroup (refugees) constant. While between-person rank differences emerged, we found no evidence for the theorized within-person changes over time, and we discuss this in terms of theoretical, methodological, and contextual interpretations.
The effect of work engagement on job satisfaction and turnover intentions: The mediating role of group versus organisational identity
Authors: Gutierrez Roberto , Nash Shai , Drury John , Slaski Mark
Published: February 2025

The relationship between work engagement, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and identity within organisations was investigated. Social identity theory (SIT) proposes that individuals derive part of their self-concept from their group memberships, and previous research has shown that individuals derive a degree of engagement and job satisfaction based on their identification with the organisation where they work. Based on SIT, we propose that identity can be considered a resource in organisations and mediate the relationship between engagement and job satisfaction (Study 1) and turnover intentions (Study 2). Confirming our predictions, group identity, but not organisational identity, was a significant mediator in both studies. The results also showed that organisational identity (the endorsement of the organisation) is relevant but not independently from group identity (the relationships with immediate coworkers). Simply promoting organisational identity has limited effects on the relationship between work engagement and job satisfaction and turnover intentions.
Flexural behavior and design of high-strength I-shaped steel-UHPC composite beams
Authors: Lai Zhichao , Yao Pengyu , Yang Xiaoqiang , Li Shihui , Zhao Qiu
Published: February 2025

High-strength materials and corresponding composite members are gradually accepted in the bridge industry to achieve the purposes of large span and lightweight. Three simply supported I-shaped steel-concrete composite beams were tested to investigate their flexural behavior when different combinations of materials were used, i.e., high-strength steel-ultra high performance concrete (HS-UHPC), high-strength steel-conventional strength concrete (HS-CC), and conventional strength steel-ultra high performance concrete (CS-UHPC). The test finds that the HS-UHPC composite beam has the highest flexural strength and reasonable plastic deformation ability as compared to the other two beams. A finite element (FE) model was also constructed and benchmarked. Subsequently, the model was utilized to conduct parametric studies, aimed at exploring in-depth the flexural behavior of steel-concrete composite beams. The results from the tests and FE analyses were employed to assess the suitability of existing design specifications (i.e., AISC 360-22, GB 50017-2017, and Eurocode 4) in estimating the flexural strength of HS-UHPC composite beams. The evaluations indicated that GB 50017-2017 can reasonably estimate the flexural strength of HS-UHPC composite beams. This research provides valuable insights into the design and construction of HS-UHPC composite beams in bridges.
Web crippling design of lean duplex stainless steel tubular members at ambient and elevated temperatures
Authors: Cai Yancheng
Published: February 2025

Lean duplex stainless steel is a relatively new material to the stainless steel family. In recent years, significant progress has been made in developing design rules for lean duplex stainless steel tubular members, while the investigation on web crippling behavior is relatively limited at ambient and elevated temperatures. In this paper, experimental and numerical investigations as well as design rules on cold-formed lean duplex stainless steel (CFLDSS) performed by the author are summarized. Firstly, experimental investigation that focused on CFLDSS tubular members subjected to concentrated transverse bearing loads at ambient temperature were presented. A total of 108 CFLDSS tubular members subjected to six different concentrated transverse bearing loads were tested. The tubular members had square and rectangular hollow sections. The six loading conditions were loadings of End-One-Flange (EOF), End-Two-Flange (ETF), end loading (EL), Interior-One-Flange (IOF), Interior-Two-Flange (ITF) and interior loading (IL). Secondly, modified equations, i.e., the unified design equation and the direct strength method (DSM) for web crippling design of CFLDSS tubular members at ambient temperature were summarized. The modified design equations were calibrated by the test results and the newly generated numerical results. It is shown that the modified design equations are generally more accurate and reliable than the codified design rules and those design rules in literature in predicting the web crippling strengths of CFLDSS. Lastly, numerical investigation on web crippling of CFLDSS tubular members at elevated temperatures and the subsequently proposed DSM were presented. The proposed design method was calibrated by over 400 numerical results at elevated temperatures ranging from 22 to 950°C. The assessments indicate that the strength predictions by the proposed DSM method were generally conservative and reliable. The newly proposed design rules can be used by practical engineers and code writers for the web crippling of CFLDSS tubular members at ambient and elevated temperatures.
Influence of Closed-Loop Vector Controller on Electromagnetic Characteristics of FS-PMSM with Rotor Eccentricity
Authors: Chen Zhenfei , Wan Xiangmin , Wang Feng , Li ZhiXin , Ling Zhihao
Published: February 2025

Rotor eccentricities are one of the common faults in electrical machines. The influence of closed-loop vector controller on electromagnetic characteristics of Fractional-Slot Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine (FS-PMSM) with rotor eccentricities is explored. Firstly, the distortion of air-gap flux density introduced by rotor eccentricities is analyzed, and the harmonics of air-gap flux density caused by rotor eccentricities are calculated. Secondly, the characteristics of the fundamentals and harmonics of back electromotive force (EMF) of FS-PMSM with rotor eccentricities are studied based on harmonic analysis. Finally, combined with the three-phase back-EMFs and the voltage equation, the characteristics of three-phase current of FS-PMSM fed by closed-loop vector controller with rotor eccentricities is studied. Thus, the influence of closed-loop vector controller on the torque characteristics of FS-PMSM with rotor eccentricity is studied. The field-circuit coupling simulation shows that static eccentricity causes unbalance in three-phase back-EMFs, but does not change the harmonic order. While dynamic eccentricity not only leads to the unbalance of three-phase back-EMFs, but also introduces even order harmonics. Under the compensation of closed-loop vector controller, the harmonic distribution of current is consistent with back-EMF and the magnitude of in-phase remains unchanged with static eccentricity while fluctuates with dynamic eccentricity. In addition, the torque fluctuation of FS-PMSM caused by rotor eccentricities is obviously reduced.
Advancements and future prospects in the study of panvascular disease
Authors: Guo Wei , Yi Xin
Published: February 2025

Panvascular disease is characterized by the involvement of blood vessels across multiple regions of the body, and is associated with high morbidity, disability, and mortality rates. Its pathogenesis is multifaceted, necessitating risk assessment and treatment approaches that differ from those applied to single-organ diseases. Given that panvascular disease affects multiple vital organs, an integrated, multi-system management strategy offers significant advantages over conventional, organ-specific approaches. This article provides a comprehensive review of the epidemiological features, traditional and emerging risk factors, pathophysiological mechanisms, screening and risk assessment methods, as well as new strategies for the prevention and management of panvascular disease. The objective is to offer a theoretical foundation and technical support for enhancing prevention and control measures for this condition.
Young professionals' perspectives on cross-cultural communication: Assessing competence and employer support across regions
Authors: Lifintsev Denys , Zelihic Maja , Grebliauskiene Beata , Wellbrock Wanja , Patel Sina Vinod , Sharma Raghvendra Kumar
Published: February 2025

The main aim of this study is to determine the trends in young management specialists' evaluation of their readiness to work in a professional multicultural environment and their expectations of employer support in enhancing cross-cultural communicative competence. When designing training programs for young professionals and supporting their self-development, it is crucial to tailor them to address not only the potential cross-cultural interaction issues identified by scholars but also the expectations of the trainees, particularly those from Generation Z. While researchers have extensively studied cross-cultural interaction issues, there is a significant lack of information on the expectations of young professionals. This article aims to bridge that gap. The article examines the potential difficulties young professionals perceive in future cross-cultural interactions and their expectations regarding employer assistance in overcoming these challenges. Particular attention is given to identifying common trends and regional specifics, communication barriers, and strategies for overcoming them.
Security detection algorithm using CNN: Anomaly detection for API call sequence
Authors: Chang Jie , Shi Lipeng , Li Zhefeng , Zuo Xiaojun , Hou Botao
Published: February 2025

This study proposes a security detection algorithm based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to enhance anomaly detection in API call sequences, addressing the challenges of capturing complex temporal relationships and nonlinear features in high-dimensional sparse API data. The proposed algorithm includes several preprocessing steps, such as deduplication to reduce redundancy, feature extraction using the TF-IDF (term frequency-inverse document frequency) algorithm, and logarithmic transformation to mitigate the impact of high-frequency APIs. An importance scoring mechanism is introduced to quantify the role of each API in anomaly detection. A customized TextCNN architecture is designed for API sequences, incorporating input layers, word embedding, multi-size convolution and pooling layers, attention layers, and fully connected layers. The attention layer is particularly applied to enhance the detection efficiency of evasion features. The model is trained using the Sigmoid activation function, CrossEntropyLoss loss function, and optimized via the Adam algorithm. The Softmax function is utilized to transform the feature vector into a probability distribution, with a threshold of 0.5 for anomaly detection. Clustering and auxiliary information are integrated to further improve classification accuracy and guide security strategy formulation. Experimental results demonstrate that the optimized TextCNN anomaly detection algorithm achieves an average accuracy of 95.88%, a recall rate of 91.23%, a false positive rate of 2.34%, and a false negative rate of 1.78%. These findings highlight the algorithm’s ability to enhance feature extraction accuracy, improve high-dimensional data processing, and provide an effective solution for real-time security monitoring, thus strengthening the security of the development environment.
Application of decision tree classification algorithm for financial management and risk early warning in universities
Authors: Xia Tiantian
Published: February 2025

In order to improve the effect of financial management and risk (FMAR) early warning in colleges and universities (CAU), this paper combines the decision tree classification algorithm to process financial management data in CAU as well as constructs a four-dimensional dynamic investment decision-making game system. The stability criterion of discrete dynamical system is used to analyze and discuss the stability of each equilibrium point (EP) of nonlinear system. This could be improved to: “We utilize the stability criterion of a discrete dynamical system to analyze and discuss the stability of equilibrium points in the nonlinear system.” A financial management early warning model for universities was constructed based on actual situations, and the practical effect of the model was verified through experimental analysis methods. The parameter conditions when the EP is asymptotically stable in the system are given. In addition, this paper combines the decision tree algorithm to build a FMAR early warning system for CAU. The experimental analysis shows that the decision tree classification algorithm proposed in this paper has obvious application effect in the FMAR early warning of CAU. This article effectively simulates the nonlinear management mode in financial management of universities and reflects the actual economic activities and related influencing factors of universities through function simulation.
Hirudin-Based Treatment of Diabetes-Induced Erectile Dysfunction Through Inhibition of the HIF-1α to Regulate RhoA/ROCK Signaling Pathway: An In Vivo Animal Experiment
Authors: Sun Longji , Huang Nianwen , Yang Chao , Feng Junlong , Chen Hui , Feng Weidong , Gao Zixiang , Wang Bin , Wang Jisheng
Published: February 2025

Diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction (DIED) is a type of refractory erectile dysfunction which can be clinically treated using the traditional Chinese medicine leech whose main ingredient is hirudin. Oxidative stress can damage vascular endothelial cells, affect blood circulation, and induce fibrosis of smooth muscle cells. This study assessed the efficacy of hirudin in treating DIED before exploring its potential mechanism of action. DIED was induced in rats using streptozotocin, while experimental apomorphine was used to screen for erectile dysfunction models. The rats were then divided into four groups: a blank control group (NC group), a model group (M group), a hirudin group (H group), and an inhibitor group (YC group). After 2 weeks, the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and nitric oxide (NO) were determined. The histological features and HIF-1α/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway-related proteins of the penile corpus cavernosum were detected. Erectile function improved in the H and YC groups without significantly affecting body weight and blood glucose levels, with histopathological analysis also showing improvement in penile structure in these groups. In addition, the expression of HIF-1α/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway-related proteins was lower in the penile cavernous tissue of rats in the H and YC groups ( p < .05), with the serum levels of NO and SOD also being higher in these groups ( p < .05). The serum level of MDA decreased in the YC and H groups ( p < .05). In this study, only animal experiments were conducted to investigate the regulation of Rho/ROCK pathway by HIF-1α. Cellular studies of the underlying mechanisms are lacking.
Association of baseline inflammatory biomarkers and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Yildirim Ahmet , Wei Mengting , Liu Yuan , Nazha Bassel , Brown Jacqueline T. , Carthon Bradley C. , Choi Yujin , Suh Lauren , Goswamy Rohit V. , McClintock Greta R. , Hartman Caitlin , Caulfield Sarah , Ciuro Jordan , Goldman Jamie M. , Harris Wayne B. , Kucuk Omer , Master Viraj A. , Bilen Mehmet A.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the mainstay treatment of metastatic kidney cancer, demonstrating enhanced outcomes and durable responses in select patient subgroups. However, identifying reliable prognostic biomarkers for treatment outcomes remains challenging.

Objectives:

This study aimed to assess the correlation between baseline inflammatory markers and overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and clinical benefit (CB) in metastatic kidney cancer patients receiving ICIs. CB was defined as patients achieving stable disease, partial response, or complete response.

Design:

Retrospective, single-center study.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 401 adult patients with advanced kidney cancer treated with ICIs at Emory Winship Cancer Institute between 2018 and 2023. Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), and neutrophil-to-eosinophil ratios (NER) were collected from baseline blood samples.

Results:

Among 401 patients (median age, 66; 71% male; 21% Black/African American), median follow-up was 43.0 months (95% CI, 36.6–51.4). Patients with mGPS scores of 0 had longer OS than those with a score of 1 (hazard ratio (HR), 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23–0.62; p < 0.001) and 2 (HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.20–0.67; p = 0.001), and longer PFS compared to patients with mGPS scores of 1 (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.44–0.98; p = 0.039) and 2 (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.29–0.67; p < 0.001). Low baseline NLR was associated with longer PFS (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54–0.97; p = 0.032). Low baseline MLR correlated with improved OS (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.44–0.83; p = 0.002) and PFS (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.55–0.97; p = 0.031). Similarly, low baseline PLR was associated with higher CB likelihood (odds ratio (OR), 2.20; 95% CI, 1.31–3.69; p = 0.003), and low baseline NER was linked to improved OS (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46–0.87; p = 0.004), PFS (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51–0.88; p = 0.003), and higher CB (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.20–3.46; p = 0.008).

Conclusion:

Lower levels of systemic inflammatory markers are associated with more favorable clinical outcomes with ICI treatment. Prospective studies are needed for further validation.
POCUS using the neo-ECHOTIP protocol plus the retract, advance, and position (RAP) technique to improve lower extremity catheter positioning in neonates
Authors: Ostroff M , Abu-Ali J , DeBari V , Kiblawi F , Zauk A , Datta-Bhutada S , Pua Z
Published: February 2025

Background

International guidelines recommend point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) in neonatology for diagnostic, therapeutic, and procedural purposes. However, there are few standard protocols for using POCUS to confirm lower extremity catheter tip positioning.

Methods

In this prospective study, subcutaneously tunneled femorally inserted central catheters (ST-FICCs) were placed in eligible neonates according to physician orders. In line with the Neo-ECHOTIP (NE) protocol, a subcostal longitudinal view was used to identify the catheter, and saline flush test (SFT) was performed to confirm catheter tip placement below the right atrium. During the study, a novel “retract, advance, and position (RAP)” technique was added to the existing NE-SFT protocol to improve catheter positioning. Two-view radiographs of the chest and abdomen were obtained to verify catheter tip position for all subjects. The agreement rate with post-procedural radiographs and the total number of radiographs needed to achieve proper catheter positioning were assessed.

Results

The agreement rate of POCUS with radiographs for catheter terminal tip position was 75% (39/52) for the NE-SFT group compared to 100% (48/48) for the NE-SFT + RAP group ( p < 0.001). Catheters in the NE-SFT group required repositioning (25%); no malpositioned catheters were observed in the NE-SFT + RAP group. Repositioning of the catheter in the NE-SFT group resulted in 22 repeat radiographs in the NE-SFT group; none were required in the NE-SFT + RAP group ( p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

This single-center study demonstrated that applying the RAP technique to the Neo-ECHOTIP protocol improved the ease and accuracy of lower extremity catheter tip position localization in neonates, thus eliminating the use of radiography.
The Grip of Change: An Attempt to Raise Consciousness with Special Reference to Feminist Approach
Authors: Mohanty Smita , Babu Yeddu Vijaya
Published: February 2025

Dalit literature especially written by Dalit women goes beyond conventional linguistic expression. It moves into the realm of social and political areas in search of their identity. The present work delves deep into a probing leap into the field of Dalit women’s writings dealing with their anguish, aiming at the liberation of mind and body. It also stands as a proud reflection of the cultural and social history of the community. The problem, the suffering and the difference meted out to the Dalit women come to the forefront. Their writings depict the picture of Dalit women’s life in the present as well as their past, their communities and their experiences. The identity crisis, the status of double marginalization, the liminality of identity and the process of reconstruction of identity are the main objectives of the article. The denial of voice to women has paved the way to avail other voices through their own writings. This article attempts to explore how Dalit women’s writings deal with a triple tragedy of oppression and suppression on account of gender, caste and class as well as poverty. It throws light on how these writings, reflect the nagging worries and anxieties of the community as a whole through a feminist perspective. The present study revolves around the silent suffering of Dalit women in their own voice.
Systematic Review of Conductive Inks for E-textiles: Formulation, Printing Methods, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Eghan Benjamin , Ofori Emmanuel Abankwah , Seidu Raphael Kanyire , Tawiah Benjamin , Acquaye Richard
Published: February 2025

The development of e-textiles for various sensing and health monitoring applications has remained difficult because the printed electronic inks must be highly stable on textile substrates, yet flexible enough to adapt to the human contour. Despite the adverse challenges, significant progress has been made over the last few years in the formulation and application of conductive inks for e-textiles. This mini systematic review, therefore, presents the recent advancements in the formulation and application of conductive inks for e-textiles in concert with the clarion call for sustainable textiles. The Scopus database was used to identify relevant publications within the field for effective analysis. After scrutinizing the bulk of publications, a total of 30 studies comprising articles and conference papers were selected and structured in 3 themes, namely, formulation of conductive inks for e-textiles, fabrication and printing methods, and challenges of fabricating conductive inks on textiles. Findings show that significant progress has been made toward formulating silver nanowire inks with exceptional conductivity and flexibility, stabilization of carbon nanotubes and graphene inks with consistent electrical properties, and high substantivity to different textile substrates without pretreatment. Subsequently, deposition techniques such as screen printing, ultrasonic spray coating, syringe-based deposition systems, and direct-write printing are being used for the full realization of printing conductive inks for e-textiles, and are highlighted in this paper. In general, technological advancements have increased the capabilities of e-textile devices made with conductive inks.
How Agile Working Increases Innovative Work Behavior: The Role of Psychological Empowerment and Communication Media
Authors: Prediger Stefanie , Schermuly Carsten C.
Published: February 2025

In a volatile environment, identifying effective collaboration elements is crucial for innovation. This article focuses on agile team characteristics that influence innovative work behavior by introducing the concept “agile working,” which encompasses autonomy, equality, and iterative delivery ( Koch & Schermuly, 2021a ). By applying work design and media richness theories, a moderated mediation process is tested, revealing an indirect effect of agile working on innovative work behavior via psychological empowerment. The findings on media richness suggest a complex interaction between communication media and agile working, indicating that agile teams do not always benefit from rich communication media such as in-person interactions.
Mitigating T-Cell Mitochondrial Dysfunction in CLL to Augment CAR T-Cell Therapy: Evaluation in an Immunocompetent Model
Authors: Gamal Wael , Goedhart Nienke B. , Simon-Molas Helga , Mediavilla-Varela Melanie , Uriepero-Palma Angimar , Peters Fleur S , Maharaj Kamira , Chavez Julio C , Powers John J , Obermayer Alyssa , Shaw Timothy I. , Conejo-Garcia José R. , Rodriguez Paulo C. , Sahakian Eva , Pinilla-Ibarz Javier , Kater Arnon P.
Published: February 2025

An unmet clinical need in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is emerging due to the rapidly expanding group of patients with double refractory (BTK- and Bcl2-inhibitor) disease. So far, autologous T-cell-based therapies, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells, have limited success in CLL, which has been attributed to an acquired CLL-mediated T-cell dysfunction and subset-skewing towards effector cells at the expense of memory formation. T-cell responses rely on dynamic metabolic processes, particularly mitochondrial fitness. While mitochondrial disruptions have been observed in solid tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, their impact on T-cell immunity in lymphoproliferative disorders is unknown. Recent findings indicate that mitochondrial mass in CAR T-cells correlates with CLL clinical outcomes. This prompted an investigation into the mitochondrial fitness in CLL T-cells. Integrated metabolic and functional analyses revealed impaired, depolarized mitochondria across all T-cell subsets in untreated CLL patients, leading to further ex vivo and in vivo mouse studies on the underlying signaling alterations. Multi-omics profiling of transcriptome and epigenome revealed significant alterations in mitochondrial signaling, diminished AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and autophagy activity, and upregulated glycolysis coupled with hyperactivation in the Akt kinase. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway during CLL T-cell culture induced metabolic reprogramming, enhancing mitochondrial activity, PPAR-gamma coactivator1α (PGC1α) expression, and memory differentiation. Underscoring clinical relevance, supplementation with the PI3kδ inhibitor idelalisib during CAR T-cell manufacturing improved persistence and long-term leukemia-free remissions in an immunocompetent murine model. Our study suggests that modulating the abnormal CLL T-cell metabolism can enhance the efficacy of autologous T-cell therapies.
Persistent post-remission clonal hematopoiesis shapes the relapse trajectories of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Chow Ryan D , Velu Priya , Deihimi Safoora , Belman Jonathan P , Youn Angela , Shah Nisargbhai , Luger Selina M. , Carroll Martin P , Morrissette Jennifer JD , Bowman Robert L
Published: February 2025

Mutations found in AML such as DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1 can be found in the peripheral blood of healthy adults - a phenomenon termed clonal hematopoiesis (CH). These mutations are thought to represent the earliest genetic events in the evolution of AML. Genomic studies on samples acquired at diagnosis, remission, and at relapse have demonstrated significant stability of CH mutations following induction chemotherapy. Meanwhile, later mutations in genes such as NPM1 and FLT3, have been shown to contract at remission and in the case of FLT3 often are absent at relapse. We sought to understand how early CH mutations influence subsequent evolutionary trajectories throughout remission and relapse in response to induction chemotherapy. We assembled a retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with de novo AML at our institution that underwent genomic sequencing at diagnosis, remission and/or relapse (total n=182 patients). FLT3 and NPM1 mutations were generally eliminated at complete remission but subsequently reemerged upon relapse, whereas DNMT3A, TET2 and ASXL1 mutations often persisted through remission. CH-related mutations exhibited distinct constellations of co-occurring genetic alterations, with NPM1 and FLT3 mutations enriched in DNMT3Amut AML, while CBL and SRSF2 mutations were enriched in TET2mut and ASXL1mut AML, respectively. In the case of NPM1 and FLT3 mutations, these differences vanished at the time of complete remission yet readily reemerged upon relapse, indicating the reproducible nature of these genetic interactions. Thus, CH-associated mutations that likely precede malignant transformation subsequently shape the evolutionary trajectories of AML through diagnosis, therapy, and relapse.
Effects of neck-exercise and health promotion on headache outcomes in office workers: secondary analysis of the NEXpro stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ernst Markus J. , Meichtry André , Luedtke Kerstin ,   the NEXpro collaboration group, Aegerter Andrea , Ajeti Aulona , Barbero Marco , Brunner Beatrice , Buob Samira , Cornwall Jon , Da Cruz Yara , Deforth Manja , Distler Oliver , Dratva Julia , Dressler Holger , Egli Tobias , Elfering Achim , Etzer-Hofer Irene , Felder Salome , Furrer Ramona , Gemperle David , Gisler Michelle , Grob Sandro , Haas Michelle , Holzer Tabea , Hug Delia , Johnston Venerina , Klaus Sandro , Kobelt Gina M. , Luomajoki Hannu , Melloh Markus , Nicoletti Corinne , Niggli Seraina , Nüesch Andrea , Nüssle Achim , Ribeli Kristina , Richard Salome , Sax Nadine , Schmid Monika , Schülke Katja , Siebeneicher Rebecca , Sjøgaard Gisela , Staub Lukas , Störi Seraina , Volken Thomas , Wagner Josephine , Wartmann Ellen , Zweig Thomas , Falla Deborah
Published: February 2025

Background

Headache conditions have a high prevalence worldwide. Office workers with high and demanding workload, but low physical activity levels are considered vulnerable for suffering from headache. This analysis examines whether exercise combined with health promotion at the workplace is effective for headache relief in office workers.

Methods

This study reports the results of secondary outcomes of a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. Office workers (n = 120) were randomly assigned to a twelve-week supervised intervention period, consisting of neck and shoulder girdle exercises with health promotion interventions performed at the workplace. Secondary outcomes were analysed and modelled for headache occurrence, frequency, and the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), accounting for possible effects for the intervention, the period it had been introduced, and interactional and nested effects.

Results

At baseline, 88 of the 120 participants reported ≥ one headache episode in the past four weeks, with a mean headache frequency of 3.58 days for that period. The mean HIT-6 score for the entire cohort amounted to 53.6 points. For headache occurrence and HIT-6, the simplest model with the intervention only, showed the best statistical fit with an odds ratio for headache occurrence of 0.46 (95% confidence interval: 0.25 to 0.84), and − 2.23 (95% confidence interval: -3.35 to -1.12) points on the HIT-6 questionnaire. For headache frequency, the model accounting for interaction effects (intervention x period) had the best statistical fit and showed an incidence rate ratio of 0.57 (95% confidence interval: 0.44 to 0.74) for the first period, but not for later ones.

Conclusions

Neck exercises and health promotion had a positive impact on headache occurrence, headache frequency and HIT-6, with the latter not reaching clinical importance. Although only statistically significant for headache frequency, larger effects were found during earlier periods or shorter interventional exposure for all outcomes, necessitating refresher sessions at later periods.

Trial registration

NCT04169646.