bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The human cost of Type-2 diabetes mellitus: Uncovering the hidden burden on quality of life
Authors: Jawed Shireen , Mohamed Mahaneem , Altaf Benash , Wan Ghazali Wan Syaheedah
Published: February 2025

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on quality of life (QOL) and compare it with healthy subjects.
Method: This case-control study was conducted at Aziz Fatimah Hospital and Aziz Fatimah Medical and Dental College, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from May 2023 to January 2024. A total of 170 subjects were included in the study through purposive sampling technique. Fasting and random blood glucose levels were measured using an enzymatic colorimetric test. HbA1c was determined with the Bioherms A1C EZ 2.0 Glyco-hemoglobin Test Kit. QOL was assessed using the Short Form-36 version 1 questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant.
Results: The study included 86 T2DM patients and 84 controls, with a mean age of 49.23 ± 12.59 years. Among the participants, 44.7% were male and 55.3% were female. T2DM patients scored lower in physical functioning, limitations due to physical health, bodily pain and vitality subscale compared to controls (p = 0.003, 0.050, 0.030, 0.000 respectively). Both groups had physical component summary and mental component summary (MCS) scores below 50, indicating impaired QOL. MCS scores were significantly lower in T2DM patients than in controls (p = 0.002). Females scored lower in vitality (p = 0.0005) and bodily pain (p = 0.031). T2DM patients with less than five years of duration had lower SF-36 scores than those with longer duration.
Conclusion: T2DM impairs quality of life, especially in females and those with less than five years of disease duration, who face a greater negative impact.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10841
How to cite this: Javed S, Mohamed M, Altaf B, Ghazali WSW. The human cost of Type-2 diabetes mellitus: Uncovering the hidden burden on quality of life. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):712-718. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10841
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Contextualizing the Conscientiousness Index Tool and Correlating Burnout with Conscientiousness Index as a measure of Professionalism in Postgraduate Students
Authors: Tasneem Shamila , Mahboob Usman , Ansari Baig Lubna , Ahmed khan Rehan
Published: February 2025

Objective: To contextualize the Conscientiousness Index and determine the relationship between burnout and the Conscientiousness Index as a measure of professionalism in postgraduate students.
Methods: This mixed-method study was done in two phases in Lahore from September 2023 to July 2024. The first phase involved contextualization of the Conscientiousness Index (CI) tool. A literature review, feedback from consultants and staff, identification of data sources, expert validation, and cognitive pretesting were conducted to contextualize the CI tool. In the second phase, a correlational study was done by collecting data using a purposive sampling technique (n=134). The CI scores were calculated from administrative records and clinical staff input. Burnout levels were assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, which has three main constructs: Emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Burnout and CI scores were compiled and analyzed using SPSS v26.0. The t-test, one-way ANOVA, Chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation were used for data analysis.
Results: A six-item CI scale was contextualized with S-CVI (0.89) and CVR >0.62. Mild burnout was found in 63 (47%) participants, while 71 (53%) exhibited moderate-to-severe burnout. The overall mean CI score was 42.1 ± 5.96 (total score: 50). No significant association was found between burnout and CI scores. However, a moderate negative correlation was observed between EE and CI scores (r=-0.69), and a weak positive correlation (0.19) was found between PA and CI scores, which was statistically significant (p = 0.02).
Conclusion: The CI tool had good validity in the local context. There was a high prevalence of burnout among postgraduate students. No statistically significant association was found between burnout severity and CI scores. However, a weak correlation was found between burnout domains and CI scores. Further research is required to understand this weak correlation and validation of CI tool in different settings.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10906
How to cite this: Tasneem S, Mahboob U, Baig LA, Khan RA. Contextualizing the Conscientiousness Index Tool and Correlating Burnout with Conscientiousness Index as a measure of Professionalism in Postgraduate Students. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):827-831.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10906
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The Impact of Same-Level or Near Peer Assisted Learning Program (NPAP) on Academic Performance of Students in CMH Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Khan Ayub , Tufail Shazia , Khan Mustafa Ayub , Raza Asim
Published: February 2025

Objectives: To determine the improvement in academic performance of undergraduate medical students by comparing pre- and post- Near Peer Assisted Learning programs (NPAP) academic scores in the subject of Otorhinolaryngology.
Methods: Our study was a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study and it was carried out at CMH Lahore Medical College, Lahore during the 2022-2023 academic year. We worked with 72 fourth-year MBBS students, 24 students took on the role of NPAL tutors, while 48 were tutees. The NPAP included regular sessions that emphasized crucial Otorhinolaryngology topics. We gauged academic performance by comparing pretest scores from the 2nd Module Examination with posttest scores from the Send Up and Annual Examinations. Our data analysis, done through IBM SPSS Statistics, focused on both overall and gender-based performance improvements.
Results: Our study demonstrated that NPAP significantly improved academic scores in Otorhinolaryngology, with NPAL tutors showing higher overall improvements in scores. Gender based comparison showed that in both groups of NPAL Tutors and NPAL Tutees, female students scored slightly better than males. The P-value less than 0.001 validated the improvement in academic scores of both NPAP groups of Tutors and Tutees displaying the effectiveness of NPAP as an educational intervention at undergraduate level in the subject of Otorhinolaryngology.
Conclusions: NPAP has shown significant impact on improvement of Academic Performance in undergraduate medical students in the subject of Otorhinolatngology at CMH Lahore Medical College.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10968
How to cite this: Khan AA, Tufail S, Khan MA, Raza A. The Impact of Same-Level or Near Peer Assisted Learning Program (NPAP) on Academic Performance of Students in CMH Lahore, Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):740-746. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.10968
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effect of different positive end-expiratory pressure levels in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia
Authors: Pan Xin , Wang Dan
Published: February 2025

Objective: To investigate the effect of different levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia.
Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia in the Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January, 2023 to March, 2024. Based on the PEEP levels, patients were grouped into 0cm group (0cmH2O), 5cm group (5cmH2O), 8cm group (8cmH2O), and 10cm group (10cmH2O). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean airway pressure (Pmean), peak airway pressure (Ppeak), and blood gas status levels (oxygenation index[OI], arterial partial pressure of oxygen [PaO2], and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide [PaCO2]) of all four groups were measured at five minutes after the intubation (T1), five minutes after pneumoperitoneum (T2), and 30 minutes after pneumoperitoneum (T3).
Results: A total of 84 patients (37 males and 47 females) were included in this study. The number of patients in the 0cm group, 5cm group, 8cm group, and 10cm group were 24, 24, 21, and 15, respectively, and there were no significant differences in the baseline data among the four groups. There were significant differences in Pmean, Ppeak, and MAP between the four groups at T2 and T3. The increase in PEEP was accompanied by a gradual increase in Pmean and Ppeak (P<0.05). There were significant differences in OI, PaCO2, and PaO2 among the four groups at T2 and T3. With the increase in PEEP, OI and PaO2 values continued to increase while PaCO2 continued to decrease (P<0.05).
Conclusions: During laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia, PEEP = 5cmH2O can inhibit a significant decrease in MAP while ensuring the patient’s blood gas and respiratory mechanics status, which can ensure hemodynamic stability.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.11348
How to cite this: Pan X, Wang D. Effect of different positive end-expiratory pressure levels in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):719-723. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.11348
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A Comparative Review of Pakistan’s Leading Biomedical Academic Journals and the Key Factors behind their Success
Authors: Ehsan Afifa , Jawaid Shaukat Ali
Published: February 2025

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.11923
How to cite this: Ehsan A, Jawaid SA. A Comparative Review of Pakistan’s Leading Biomedical Academic Journals and the Key Factors behind their Success. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):923-925. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.11923
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization combined with targeted therapy and PD1 inhibitors in patients with advanced liver cancer
Authors: Zhou Yuanlong , Wang Yuan , Zhao Jisen , Kang Linwei , Li Zan
Published: February 2025

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) combined with targeted therapy and PD1 inhibitors in patients with advanced liver cancer.
Methods: This was a retrospective study. A total of 120 patients with advanced primary liver cancer admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University were randomly divided into two groups, with 60 patients in each group from May 2020 to May 2023. Patients in the control group received conventional TACE, and those in the experimental group received 200 mg camrelizumab once every 21 days and oral lenvatinib mesylate capsules once daily in addition to TACE. Compared the clinical efficacy, levels of tumor markers, T lymphocyte subsets, and adverse drug reactions after treatment and the improvement of quality of life(QOL) before and after treatment between the two groups of patients.
Results: The overall response rate(ORR) was 80% in the experimental group and 62% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(p=0.03); the incidence of adverse reactions was 28% in the experimental group and 25% in the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups(p=0.68); the improvement rate of QOL score was significantly increased(p=0.03) and the deterioration rate was significantly decreased(p=0.01) in the experimental group compared with those in the control group, respectively.
Conclusion: TACE combined with targeted therapy and PD1 inhibitors is significantly effective to improve the cellular immune function with no significant increase in the incidence of adverse reactions, making it an effective and safe treatment option for patients with liver cancer.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.9799
How to cite this: Zhou Y, Wang Y, Zhao J, Kang L, Li Z. Clinical efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization combined with targeted therapy and PD1 inhibitors in patients with advanced liver cancer. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):821-826. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.9799
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical efficacy and safety of sintilimab injection plus chemotherapy in patients with stage IB–IIIB non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Guo Qiang , Wang Haijun , Xu Yanzhao , Wang Mingbo , Tian Ziqiang
Published: February 2025

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of sintilimab injection and chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy for stage IB–IIIB non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC), and evaluate its clinical safety.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with stage IB–IIIB NSCLC who underwent neoadjuvant treatment before surgery at Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, between June 2021 to August 2023. Eighty patients were divided into an observation group(n = 40) and a control group(n = 40) according to their treatment regimens. The control group was administered albumin-bound paclitaxel plus cisplatin, while the observation group received sintilimab injection in addition to the exact treatment provided for the control group. The clinical efficacy, tumor marker levels, immune function, and quality of life were compared between the two groups.
Results: After treatment, the overall response rate in the observation group was 85.00%, significantly higher than 65.00% in the control group(P< 0.05). The overall pathological response rate in the observation group was 77.5%, significantly higher than 42.5% in the control group (P< 0.05).During treatment, adverse reactions were observed in both groups. Yet, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse drug reactions between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The combination therapy of sintilimab injection, albumin-bound paclitaxel, and cisplatin for stage IB–IIIB NSCLC can effectively reduce tumor marker levels, improve immune function, demonstrating favorable clinical and pathological efficacy without increasing the incidence of adverse drug reactions.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.9830
How to cite this: Guo Q, Wang H, Xu Y, Wang M, Tian Z. Clinical efficacy and safety of sintilimab injection plus chemotherapy in patients with stage IB–IIIB non-small cell lung cancer. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):724-729. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.9830
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effects of sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with breast-conserving surgery on surgical-related indexes, serum TPA level and recurrence rate in patients with early breast cancer
Authors: Gong Ke , Yang Siqi , Liu Youzhong , Xu Yong
Published: February 2025

Objective: To explore the effects of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) combined with breast-conserving surgery on surgical-related indexes, serum tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) level and recurrence rate in patients with early breast cancer.
Methods: This was retrospective study. A total of 112 patients with early breast cancer who underwent surgical treatment in The First People’s Hospital of Changde City from January 2020 to January 2024 were enrolled. According to different surgical methods, they were divided into control group (49 cases, modified radical mastectomy) and observation group (63 cases, SLNB combined with breast-conserving surgery). The perioperative indexes, levels of serum tumor markers, postoperative complications, long-term survival and recurrence were compared between the two groups.
Results: The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospitalization time in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). Before surgery and at three months after surgery, there were no significant differences in the levels of serum cancer antigen 153(CA153), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) between the two groups(P>0.05). After three years of follow-up, there were no significant differences in the recurrence rate and survival rate between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Compared with modified radical mastectomy, SLNB combined with breast-conserving surgery may have better surgical procedures and outcomes, and significantly reduce the incidence of upper limb edema. The effects of surgical method choice are fewer on the long-term prognosis and postoperative levels of tumor markers such as serum TPA.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.9863
How to cite this: Gong K, Yang S, Liu Y, Xu Y. Effects of sentinel lymph node biopsy combined with breast-conserving surgery on surgical-related indexes, serum TPA level and recurrence rate in patients with early breast cancer. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(3):832-836.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.3.9863
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Fusion Propulsion Constraints Required by Robust Exoplanet Exploration
Authors: Jackson Gerald P. , Bittlingmaier Grace E.
Published: February 2025

Robust exoplanet exploration requires deceleration and orbital insertion, first around the target star, and ultimately around the exoplanet itself. Even for the nearest star Proxima Centauri, voyage durations under a century require spacecraft velocities of at least a few percent of the speed of light. There are few deceleration mechanisms feasible for such small stars. The propulsion system should optimally have a mass comparable to the scientific instrumentation. Nuclear fusion-based propulsion systems are one candidate technology. This paper reviews some of the physics constraints of such systems and reviews some promising fusion fuels such as helium-3 to assess their utility in an interstellar propulsion system.
Short sleep and obesity in midlife and the risk of cognitive decline and incident dementia in later life: the Whitehall II cohort study
Authors: Park Hee Kyung , Frank Philipp , Ren Longbing , Livingston Gill , Kivimaki Mika
Published: February 2025

Obesity and short sleep duration have both been associated with an increased risk of dementia, but their combined impact and the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Our aim is to investigate the separate and combined associations of short sleep and obesity with cognitive decline and dementia risk, and to investigate whether these associations are mediated by neuroinflammatory responses and metabolic disturbances, as indicated by blood-based biomarkers. This is a prospective cohort study of adults who were free of dementia, had data on sleep duration and BMI at baseline in 1997-1999, and were tracked for dementia diagnoses until 2023 via linkage to electronic health records. Participants will be divided into four groups: (1) the reference group (2) short sleep (2) short sleep (≤6 hours) and non-obese weight; (3) normal sleep and obesity (≥30kg/m2); (4) short sleep and obesity, the main exposure group. Baseline blood-based biomarkers include glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), chitinase-3-like protein (YKL-40), triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), neurofilament-light chain (NfL), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), measured from EDTA plasma, as well as insulin resistance measured from fasting serum samples. Cognitive status, measured using tests of executive function, memory, phonemic fluency and semantic fluency, was assessed in 1997-1999, 2002-2004, 2007-2009, 2012-2013, and 2015-2016. We will use linear mixed-effects models and Cox proportional hazard models to examine the associations of short sleep and obesity with change in cognitive functioning and risk of dementia, respectively. To examine whether blood-based biomarkers partially mediate these associations, formal mediation analyses will be performed, estimating the proportion of excess dementia risk mediated by the biomarkers individually and in combination. The results of this study may shed light on the pathomechanisms of sleep and obesity for dementia in terms of neuroinflammation.
Biosimilars in Focus: Evaluating Their Role Compared to Adalimumab in Clinical Practice
Authors: Waz Dorota , Mazur Michał , Szarłowicz Jakub , Goliszek Zofia , Sobek Karolina Łucja , Tabin-Barczak Wiktoria , Sokołowska Aldona , Fikas Klaudia , Chwaliszewski Kamil , Samuła Sebastian
Published: February 2025

Introduction and Purpose:
Adalimumab, a TNF-α inhibitor, is a cornerstone treatment for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Despite its efficacy, the high cost of adalimumab (Humira®) limits accessibility. The emergence of biosimilars offers cost-effective alternatives with comparable efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity. This article reviews the role of adalimumab biosimilars, their clinical equivalence, and potential to address healthcare challenges.
Materials and Methods:
A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate the structural, functional, and clinical parity of adalimumab biosimilars with the reference product. Key studies on pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), and real-world outcomes were analyzed.
Results:Adalimumab biosimilars demonstrate equivalent pharmacokinetic profiles and clinical efficacy across conditions, with comparable remission rates and safety profiles. Innovations, such as citrate-free formulations and advanced delivery devices, enhance patient adherence. Biosimilars significantly reduce treatment costs, increasing accessibility, especially in resource-constrained settings. Challenges remain in patient acceptance and managing therapy transitions.
Conclusion:Biosimilars are transformative in addressing the cost barrier of biologic therapies, maintaining therapeutic equivalence to adalimumab while expanding access globally. Enhanced TDM and patient-centered strategies are essential for optimizing outcomes and maximizing their adoption in clinical practice.
El modelaje webcam visto como trabajo: la experiencia colombiana, Sentencia T-109 de 2021
Authors: Parra Rosas Juan Felipe , Rodríguez Morales Andrés
Published: February 2025

Sin embargo, en esta ocasión dejamos de lado la discusión sobre conductores y domiciliarios y nos enfocamos en otro trabajo realizado a través de plataformas: el modelaje webcam. Nuestro objetivo en este capítulo es sintetizar y analizar la sentencia T- 109/21, proferida por la Corte Constitucional colombiana. Hasta donde sabemos, es la primera decisión judicial expedida en el mundo que analiza las características del funcionamiento del modelaje webcam y que estudia si esta actividad puede considerarse como trabajo o no.
Code and Data Repository for Now You See it, Now You Don’t: Obfuscation of Online Third-Party Information Sharing
Authors: Eshghi Ashkan , Gopal Ram D. , Hidaji Hooman , Patterson Raymond A.
Published: February 2025

The goal of this repository is to share the data of the empirical analysis in our paper. Our motivation is to present our data so that our analysis can be readily replicated or further analysis can be done.
Analisis Prinsip Independensi Hakim Konstitusi di Indonesia
Authors: Koswara Priandita , Megawati Megawati
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this paper is: to find out the analysis of the principle of independence of constitutional judges in Indonesia. The type of research used is included in normative juridical research because it is carried out through document studies or through literature materials by collecting primary legal materials and secondary legal materials. The legal material obtained was analyzed using qualitative analysis. Meanwhile, the approach method used by the author in this study itself is a conceptual approach. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the independence of judicial power can be understood as independence or independence, in the sense of complete freedom and no interference with judicial power. Judicial power is an independent or independent institution of state power, so there is no interference from any party in the implementation of its duties and authorities. Efforts to reduce the value of independence and political practice towards the Constitutional Court are clearly demonstrated by the legislature.  Actions outside these provisions injure the independence of the judiciary which is the most important bulwark of the rule of law in the sense of Article 1 paragraph (3) and Article 24 paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution.
Personality and knowledge mobilisation: exploring individual differences among political elites
Authors: Lablih Moulay
Published: February 2025

To what extent are personality traits associated with knowledge use by office holders? This article argues that individual differences matter when studying knowledge mobilisation by political elites. In this respect, the HEXACO model of personality is employed to investigate how personality traits are associated with knowledge use. More specifically, following the evaluation literature, two specific types of knowledge use are differentiated: Decision-Making Knowledge Use and Decision Justification Knowledge Use. To achieve this, original data collected among local elected officials from the 26 Swiss cantons is analysed. The findings indicate that individual differences in terms of personality traits are associated with the incorporation of scientific knowledge into decision-making processes. More specifically, openness to experience is identified as a stronger predictor of knowledge use compared to conscientiousness, highlighting its unique role in fostering evidence-based decision-making. Socio-demographic differences are also found to be associated with variability in knowledge use among politicians. By identifying common characteristics among those most likely to rely on scientific knowledge, this research aims to contribute to a better understanding of how to foster informed decision-making within political contexts.
Political embeddedness versus social networks: influences on social work NGO policy advocacy in China – insights from the 2019 Social Work Study
Authors: Duan Xuehui
Published: February 2025

Drawing on data from the 2019 China Social Work Study, this study examines the main factors that influence social work non-governmental organisations’ (NGO) policy advocacy. To this end, it employs an analytical framework to assess the impact of both institutional (political embeddedness) and cultural (social networks) factors. The findings indicate that the overall level of NGOs’ policy advocacy in China is relatively subdued, encompassing both direct and indirect forms, and predominantly adopts an embedded approach, characterised by dependence on governmental support. Furthermore, elements of political embeddedness, such as experience as deputies to the National People’s Congress or members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, involvement in party construction, receipt of government support and engagement in administrative affairs, were found to significantly enhance NGOs’ policy advocacy. This enhancement was notably more pronounced in both direct and indirect advocacy efforts. Additionally, social network factors, including relationships with universities, enterprises, hospitals, lawyers and association memberships, were identified as having a significant positive impact on direct policy advocacy. Moreover, the study reveals that the influence of political embeddedness on NGOs’ policy advocacy is stronger than that of social networks. Finally, organisational capacity factors, including organisational age, size, award, social media usage, information transparency and professional technical staff composition were identified as having a significant positive impact on policy advocacy. These insights suggest that NGOs could benefit from bolstering their connections with local governments, while also leveraging social networks to enhance their policy advocacy capabilities.
Bilan cinématographique 2023–2024: Anatomie d’une Palme (d’or)
Authors: Degroult Nathalie , Bissière Michèle , Brunet Marie-Line
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT: Depuis sa création en 1939, le Festival de Cannes a consacré d’une Palme d’or une douzaine de films francophones. Après La Bataille de Solférino (2013), Victoria (2016) et Sybil (2019), Justine Triet est devenue la deuxième cinéaste française à obtenir la récompense suprême pour Anatomie d’une chute (2023). De la mythique histoire d’amour d’ Un homme et une femme (Claude Lelouch, 1966), en passant par L’enfant (Jean-Pierre et Luc Dardenne, 2005), jusqu’au drame relationnel de Triet, ces lauréats emblématiques sont l’inspiration de ce bilan qui recense les films francophones majeurs sortis de mai 2023 à mars 2024.
La ruine de Diderot à Mercier, d’une phénoménologie du regard à une critique du pouvoir
Authors: Geiger Marion , Monnin Luc
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT: Dans les Salons consacrés au peintre Hubert Robert, Diderot décrit ce qu’il appelle une “poétique des ruines.” Cette poétique est largement définie par la manière dont Diderot envisage la réponse esthétique du spectateur qui contemple les tableaux de Hubert Robert. Nous montrons que cette réponse esthétique est conçue comme un processus cognitif complexe, par lequel les spectateurs doivent devenir complices de la destruction représentée dans le tableau. Nous examinons comment Louis Sébastien Mercier, dans son Tableau de Paris , s’appuie sur ce modèle pour engager ses lecteurs dans une critique de l’absolutisme en France. In the Salons that discuss the painter Hubert Robert, Diderot describes what he calls a “poetics of ruins.” This poetics is largely defined by the way Diderot envisions the aesthetic response of the viewer who contemplates Robert’s paintings. We show that this aesthetic response is conceived as a complex cognitive process, through which the viewer becomes complicit in the destruction depicted in the painting. We examine how Louis Sébastien Mercier, in his Tableau de Paris , draws on this model to engage his reader in a critique of absolutism in France.
Le combat de Camus à Combat à la Libération pour l’indépendance d’une presse renaissante
Authors: Grégoire Vincent
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT: Les attentes de Camus, rédacteur en chef de Combat , sont grandes en ce qui concerne la renaissance d’une presse libre et indépendante à la Libération. Il a été, comme nombre de résistants, dégoûté par la vénalité de la presse entre les deux guerres et sa servilité pendant l’Occupation. Le Gouvernement provisoire doit désormais soustraire la nouvelle presse aux puissances de l’argent et protéger sa bien fragile liberté. C’est le combat mené par Camus à la tête de son journal pour faire triompher l’indépendance des journaux autorisés à paraître que nous allons examiner dans cette étude. The expectations of Camus, the editor-in-chief of Combat , were high regarding the rebirth of a free and independent press at the Liberation. Like many Resistance fighters, he was disgusted by the venality of the press between the two wars and its servility during the Occupation. The Provisional Government must now protect this new press from the powers of money as well as defend its fragile freedom. This study examines the fight led by Camus at the head of Combat to ensure the triumph of the independence of the postwar newspapers.
Tazzeka (Jean-Philippe Gaud, 2017)
Authors: Geiger Marion
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT: Ce dossier pédagogique est centré sur le film Tazzeka, une co-production franco-marocaine, accessible à des apprenants au niveau intermédiaire/avancé. Il s’agit d’un récit de formation dans le contexte de l’immigration. Le film aborde les thèmes de la famille et de l’amitié, des espoirs déçus et de la persévérance. Il thématise les cuisines marocaine et française, tout en invitant à réfléchir sur l’impact du colonialisme. Cette comédie dramatique d’une durée de 95 minutes n’est pas classée aux États-Unis, mais certains distributeurs la recommandent pour un public adolescent et de jeunes adultes (16+). This “dossier pédagogique” focuses on the film Tazzeka, a Franco-Moroccan co-production, suitable for intermediate/advanced learners. It is a coming-of-age story set in the context of immigration. The film explores themes of family and friendship, dashed hopes, and perseverance. It delves into Moroccan and French cuisines and encourages reflection on the impact of colonialism. This 95-minute dramatic comedy is not rated in the United States, but some distributors recommend it for a teenage and young adult audience (16+).
Empowerment and Exploitation: Sexual Dynamics in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian
Authors: Ahn Hakyoung
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT: This essay examines the complexities and fallacies of individual sexual resistance and empowerment in Han Kang’s The Vegetarian through an analysis of the sexual scenes between protagonist Yeong-hye and her artist brother-in-law in the second section. While the first and final sections have received more critical attention for depicting Yeong-hye’s vegetarianism as a radical form of political activism, the sexual dynamics in the second part have been comparatively under-analyzed. Unlike Yeong-hye’s other encounters with sexually gendered violence, the agency she exerts and the sense of liberation she experiences in the second part allow for a reading of the scene as empowering. However, this essay argues that the dynamics of individualized sexual empowerment portrayed in these scenes align with the structural gendered violence that pervades the rest of the book. It examines the novel’s blurring of boundaries between the artistic expression of the erotic and a male-controlled discourse of the erotic within the context of world literature, exploring the question of sexual autonomy through a global and transnational framework.
“Put away in a tin box for posterity”: Curation, Collaboration, and Reclamation in the Sylvia Townsend Warner Archives
Authors: Penteliuk Kayla
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT: This essay profiles the archives of Sylvia Townsend Warner at the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester, England. Though Warner has experienced some scholarly reclamation in the past few decades, feminist literary criticism about her could be revised and expanded through consideration of her archival materials. Warner intended her archives to be a collaborative and symbiotic space for scholars of her literature, and her involvement in the curation process necessitates a close reading of her archives alongside her published works. By questioning the mechanisms by which female authors curate their own archives, this essay interrogates the division between Warner’s public and private lives and provides a glimpse of the items within the collection.
Isolation and characterization of 24 phages infecting the plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Klebsiella sp. M5al
Authors: Gittrich Marissa R. , Sanderson Courtney M. , Wainaina James M. , Noel Cara M. , Leopold Jonathan E. , Babusci Erica , Selbes Sumeyra C. , Farinas Olivia R. , Caine Jack , Davis II Joshua , Mutalik Vivek K. , Hyman Paul , Sullivan Matthew B.
Published: February 2025

Bacteriophages largely impact bacterial communities via lysis, gene transfer, and metabolic reprogramming and thus are increasingly thought to alter nutrient and energy cycling across many of Earth’s ecosystems. However, there are few model systems to mechanistically and quantitatively study phage-bacteria interactions, especially in soil systems. Here, we isolated, sequenced, and genomically characterized 24 novel phages infecting Klebsiella sp. M5al, a plant growth-promoting, nonencapsulated rhizosphere-associated bacterium, and compared many of their features against all 565 sequenced, dsDNA Klebsiella phage genomes. Taxonomic analyses revealed that these Klebsiella phages belong to three known phage families (Autographiviridae, Drexlerviridae, and Straboviridae) and two newly proposed phage families (Candidatus Mavericviridae and Ca. Rivulusviridae). At the phage family level, we found that core genes were often phage-centric proteins, such as structural proteins for the phage head and tail and DNA packaging proteins. In contrast, genes involved in transcription, translation, or hypothetical proteins were commonly not shared or flexible genes. Ecologically, we assessed the phages’ ubiquity in recent large-scale metagenomic datasets, which revealed they were not widespread, as well as a possible direct role in reprogramming specific metabolisms during infection by screening their genomes for phage-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs). Even though AMGs are common in the environmental literature, only one of our phage families, Straboviridae, contained AMGs, and the types of AMGs were correlated at the genus level. Host range phenotyping revealed the phages had a wide range of infectivity, infecting between 1–14 of our 22 bacterial strain panel that included pathogenic Klebsiella and Raoultella strains. This indicates that not all capsule-independent Klebsiella phages have broad host ranges. Together, these isolates, with corresponding genome, AMG, and host range analyses, help build the Klebsiella model system for studying phage-host interactions of rhizosphere-associated bacteria.
Simulation and experimental verification of the precision finishing method for optical free-form surface segmentation
Authors: Jiang Chenhua , Zhang Enzhong , Zhang Wei , Hu Jiaqi , Guo Jiechen , Li Xiaodong
Published: February 2025

Optical free-form surfaces are often used to manufacture optical components such as lenses and mirrors, and free zone surface optical components are widely used in aerospace optics. To address the issues of low processing quality and overall efficiency in the machining of aluminum alloy free-form surfaces, an efficient numerical control machining method based on surface segmentation has been proposed. The segmentation of free-form surfaces is divided into two stages: the recognition of surface partitions and the determination of surface boundaries. Initially, the free-form surface is roughly classified into three types of regions: convex (planar), concave, and saddle-shaped, based on its curvature characteristics. The surface is then further segmented using the fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm. Subsequently, the Voronoi diagram algorithm is employed to construct the boundaries of the free-form surface ultimately. In a UG simulation, the segmentation machining method was compared with the conventional overall machining method, demonstrating a reduction in the machining path by 12.18% and machining time by 13.92%. Finally, experiments revealed a 12.28% reduction in machining path length and a 12.56% reduction in machining time using the segmentation machining method. This verifies the practicality of the free-form surface segmentation approach and proves that it can effectively enhance machining efficiency and quality.
Challenges and realities of early childhood development centers in Malawi: A critical examination
Authors: Banda Lazarus Obed Livingstone , Banda Chigonjetso Victoria , Banda Jane Thokozani
Published: February 2025

The study on Early Childhood Development (ECD) practices in T/A Zilakoma, Nkhata Bay South Constituency, Malawi, employs the Ecological Systems Theory to explore recruitment, role definitions, and support systems. This theoretical construct enables an intricate examination of interactions within various environmental systems, emphasizing micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono systems. Specifically, it illuminates the dynamics within immediate settings, interconnections among diverse systems, broader indirect influences, cultural ideologies, societal values, and temporal dimensions, offering a comprehensive lens for understanding educational contexts. The descriptive qualitative research was conducted within a case study framework to explore the practical experiences of stakeholders within ECD using semi-structured interview guides. Ethical standards were upheld, ensuring voluntary participation and confidentiality. Purposive sampling was used to collect data from diverse and knowledgeable participants involved in ECD domains, providing comprehensive insights aligned with the study’s objectives. Thematic analysis and sentiment mining were performed using Atlas 23 software. The results revealed themes such as recruitment practices relying on community-driven approaches, role ambiguity due to undefined responsibilities, informal evaluation processes, inconsistent training opportunities, and a dependency on community and volunteerism. These themes highlight the absence of formal structures and standardized processes in various aspects of ECD programs. Additionally, sentiment analysis illustrated diverse perspectives among stakeholders, reflecting their distinct experiences and challenges within the ECD landscape. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at addressing these systemic challenges.
Cross-validation of prediction equations for estimating the body mass index in adults without the use of body weight
Authors: Nunes Filho Júlio César Chaves , Nunes Marilia Porto Oliveira , de Matos Robson Salviano , Pinto Daniel Vieira , Pereira Dyego Castelo Branco Holanda Gadelha , Branco Thais Amanda Silva Pereira Castelo , Da Silva Júnior Geraldo Bezerra , Ramalho Janaina de Almeida Mota , Daher Elizabeth De Francesco
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely accepted measure by the World Health Organization for assessing body composition, as it provides critical insights into health risks, life expectancy, and quality of life. However, in resource-limited settings, access to weighing scales is often inadequate, and environmental conditions, such as unstable terrain, may hinder accurate weight measurements. In these contexts, alternative methods for estimating BMI become essential for effective health assessment. This study aimed to develop and validate equations to estimate BMI without relying on body weight, providing a practical tool for nutritional assessment where traditional methods are not feasible.

Materials and methods

Adults aged 18 to 59 of both sexes were included. Variables like waist circumference, height, hip circumference, age, and weight were used for equation development and validation. Participants were divided by sex, with regression and validation subgroups for each. Statistical tests included Student’s t-tests, Pearson correlation, Stepwise Regression, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Weighted Kappa Coefficient, and Bland-Altman statistics.

Results

The study included 810 adults, with 63% (576) women. No significant differences were found in paired comparisons between regression and validation subgroups for both sexes (p > 0.05). Four equations were proposed for BMI estimation: EM2 and EM3 for males, and EF2 and EF3 for females. All equations showed strong positive correlations (r > 0.90), significant at p < 0.05. Regression analysis revealed R2 values between 0.861 and 0.901 (p < 0.000). Intraclass Correlation Coefficient values indicated agreement of 0.961 and 0.972 (p < 0.05), with Weighted Kappa values showing substantial agreement of 0.658 and 0.711 for both sexes (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Adopting the proposed equations for estimating BMI in adults without using body weight is safe and effective for measuring this body measure in this population, particularly when weighing these individuals is not feasible.
Predicting Parkinson’s disease trajectory using clinical and functional MRI features: A reproduction and replication study
Authors: Germani Elodie , Bhagwat Nikhil , Dugré Mathieu , Gau Rémi , Montillo Albert A. , Nguyen Kevin P. , Sokolowski Andrzej , Sharp Madeleine , Poline Jean-Baptiste , Glatard Tristan
Published: February 2025

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with a poorly understood physiopathology and no established biomarkers for the diagnosis of early stages and for prediction of disease progression. Several neuroimaging biomarkers have been studied recently, but these are susceptible to several sources of variability related for instance to cohort selection or image analysis. In this context, an evaluation of the robustness of such biomarkers to variations in the data processing workflow is essential. This study is part of a larger project investigating the replicability of potential neuroimaging biomarkers of PD. Here, we attempt to fully reproduce (reimplementing the experiments with the same methods, including data collection from the same database) and replicate (different data and/or method) the models described in (Nguyen et al., 2021) to predict individual’s PD current state and progression using demographic, clinical and neuroimaging features (fALFF and ReHo extracted from resting-state fMRI). We use the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative dataset (PPMI, ppmi-info.org), as in (Nguyen et al., 2021) and aim to reproduce the original cohort, imaging features and machine learning models as closely as possible using the information available in the paper and the code. We also investigated methodological variations in cohort selection, feature extraction pipelines and sets of input features. Different criteria were used to evaluate the reproduction attempt and compare the results with the original ones. Notably, we obtained significantly better than chance performance using the analysis pipeline closest to that in the original study (R2 > 0), which is consistent with its findings. In addition, we performed a partial reproduction using derived data provided by the authors of the original study, and we obtained results that were close to the original ones. The challenges encountered while attempting to reproduce (fully and partially) and replicating the original work are likely explained by the complexity of neuroimaging studies, in particular in clinical settings. We provide recommendations to further facilitate the reproducibility of such studies in the future.