bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction: Cultivating Race
Authors: Tischler Julia
Published: February 2025

The Introduction provides examples of ongoing contestations over agricultural reform in South Africa. Historicizing these debates, it argues that struggles over agriculture in twentieth-century South Africa have been inextricably linked to struggles over race. Knowledge—in the sense of technical skills but also self-identifications and notions of belonging—is central to understanding the development of the vast asymmetries in South Africa’s agrarian economy, which sees commercial farming in the hands of relatively few and predominantly white entrepreneurs. Both agricultural knowledge and racial identities and policies have been forged through multiple transnational links. South African experiences and their multiple transnational connections, I argue, offer important insights into the rise of what its proponents called ‘scientific’ or ‘progressive’ farming and the intertwined construction of a ‘global colour line’. The introduction explains the book’s methodology and outlines its contributions to the historiography of South Africa, the transnational historiographies of progressivism and (rural) social reform, as well as a gendered history of agriculture.
Pan-African Agrarianism
Authors: Tischler Julia
Published: February 2025

Chapter 2 highlights how the local progressive movement in the eastern Cape was embedded in broader politics of Black agrarianism and anti-racism, revolving around the famous African American educator Booker T. Washington and his Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The various ways in which the ‘American Negro’ captured rural Black South Africans’ imaginations shed new light on the complex legacies of Tuskegeeism in Africa, which recent scholarship has mainly discussed as a colonial model for educating nominally free but de facto coerced Black labour after the abolition of slavery. In contrast, Chapter 2 argues that, although agrarianism was a conservative, classist form of Black solidarity, it nevertheless constituted a strand of Pan-Africanism and anti-racist politics that opened up concrete opportunities for Black producers. Black agricultural reformers on both sides of the Atlantic struggled to advance similar visions of rural self-determination based on independent small-scale farming. In the sharecropping economy of the US South as well as in the overcrowded eastern Cape reserves, Black farmers saw in agrarian progressivism a means by which to keep themselves out of dependent labour relations. At the same time, Black South African farmers were selective in appropriating Tuskegeeism, using it as a framework to conceptualize and politicize local grievances.
Rural Reconstruction in the Imperial Orange River Colony
Authors: Tischler Julia
Published: February 2025

In the first half of the twentieth century, the Highveld, whose natural resources and agrarian economy had been ravaged during the South African War, developed from an agricultural hinterland to become the bread basket of South Africa—albeit via a slow, highly state-assisted and uneven process. Chapter 6 charts the role of agricultural education and the emerging agricultural bureaucracy in the rebuilding of the Orange River Colony (ORC) after the war. The proliferation of specific farming techniques and practices was a cooperative project, with practising farmers working together with the emerging bureaucracy on combining agriculture with science. Agricultural progressivism in the ORC aimed at reconciling erstwhile enemies under a common umbrella of white middle-class citizenship. At the same time, it was equally embedded in transnational politics of white solidarity and settler colonialism, with ORC reformers drawing on examples from other white Anglophone nations, primarily Canada and the United States, for specific agricultural techniques and policies. Dry-farming and other agricultural techniques fed into the politics of territorial occupation and indigenous displacement that underpinned settler colonialism.
The Climate of the South American Altiplano
Authors: Aceituno Patricio , Garreaud René
Published: February 2025

The South American Altiplano is a high-level plateau in the central Andes between 15°S and 22°S, with a mean elevation of about 3,800 m above sea level, hosting more than 3 million inhabitants and diverse environmental conditions from the humid sector around Lake Titicaca to the arid sector around the Uyuni and Coipasa salt flats and the snowcapped mountains surrounding the plateau. The Andes at these latitudes separate a hyper-arid climate to the west from much more humid conditions to the east. Westerly winds in the middle troposphere bring dry air from March to November, hindering precipitation over the plateau. During December–January–February, however, the establishment of an upper-level anticyclonic circulation—the Bolivian High—allows the episodic transport of moist air from the interior of the continent, feeding convective storms over the high terrain. The frequent occurrence of clouds during the austral summer also favors the annual peak of the minimum (nocturnal) temperature and rather uniform values of the maximum (diurnal) temperature throughout the year. The chain of easterly winds aloft → high near-surface moisture → convective precipitation over the plateau (or, alternatively, westerly winds aloft → low near-surface moisture suppressed convection) also explains precipitation variations within the summer season and among years. In particular, the Altiplano tends to experience below (above) average precipitation during El Niño (La Niña) summers because of the stronger (weaker) westerly winds in those periods. Regarding local manifestation of climate change, there is consistent evidence that near-surface air temperature has increased across the Altiplanosince around 1980 to 2020 at about 0.25°C/decade. The output of global and regional climate models suggests that the observed warming is likely to continue and reach between 3°C and 5°C above the historic mean, depending on the emissions scenario. Trends in rainfall during the late 20th century and early 21st century are difficult to assess and vary in their sign and magnitude across the Altiplano. Likewise, future projections show little agreement in the fate of the precipitation during the rest of this century. Nonetheless, most climate models anticipate westerly wind anomalies at middle and upper levels over the Altiplano, suggesting that future rainfall would be significantly lower than those during the first decades of the 21st century.
Nigrescence and Nigrescence Theory as Education
Authors: Price Charles A.
Published: February 2025

How does one create and cultivate a positive Black consciousness? The 1960s civil rights and Black Power movements in the United States provided the backdrop for Black individuals to challenge the negative stereotypes depicting them as inferior, deracinated, and self-loathing. At both the individual and collective levels, Black people began to redefine themselves as deserving individuals with a profound interest in their history and cultural heritage. This shift increasingly contested the idea that assimilation into predominantly White institutions and communities was in their best interest. Nigrescence describes the process of developing Black consciousness, and Nigrescence theory (NT) is the psychological explanation of the process. Nigrescence involves a greater focus on Black racial identity, race, racism, and a sensibility attuned to Black people, culture, and history. Amid the racial transformation of the 1960s, several Black scholars independently noted the emerging trend of Black consciousness and sought to elucidate its significance. Their seminal contributions laid the groundwork for the development of Black racial identity theory, with William Cross’s NT emerging as the most prominent among them. Central to Nigrescence is an increased emphasis on Black racial identity, an awareness of racial dynamics, and a heightened appreciation for Black culture and history.

NT is an instructive guide to the ways in which Black individuals educate themselves on the state, condition, and experience of being Black (Blackness). It explains how Black individuals engage in self-discovery, enlightenment, personal growth, and the acquisition of knowledge about Black history and culture during the process of developing Black consciousness. Education in Blackness encompasses the formation of new relationships and networks with supportive individuals, organizations, and communities that foster Black consciousness and empowerment. Essentially, education in Blackness is an issue of identity, as it shapes an individual’s self-concept. Over the span of 50 years, NT has evolved through a series of research iterations, critical reflections, and revisions. It has advanced from an initial focus on aspects such as Black self-hate, Black self-esteem, Black social movements, and commitment to fostering a positive understanding of Black identity to its current comprehensive capacity to explain the wide array of variations in and routine functions of Black racial identity throughout an individual’s life span. NT emphasizes the predominant patterns of how individuals perceive and practice their Black identity and whether it holds a primary or minor role in their self-conception.
Black Holes and Modular Forms in String Theory
Authors: Murthy Sameer
Published: February 2025

The study of black holes (BHs) in string theory has led to the discovery of deep and surprising connections between BHs and modular forms—which are two classical, a priori unrelated, subjects.

It is known from the pioneering work of J. Bekenstein and S. Hawking in the 1970s that BHs have thermodynamic entropy and should, therefore, be made up of a collection of microscopic quantum states. Superstring theory provides a framework wherein one can associate a number of microscopic states that make up the quantum-statistical system underlying a BH, thus explaining their thermodynamic behavior from a more fundamental point of view. The basic connection to modular forms arises from the observation that, in the simplest superstring-theoretic construction, the generating function of the number of microscopic states is a modular form. In one direction, modular symmetry acts as a powerful guide to the calculation of quantum-gravitational effects on the BH entropy. In the other direction, the connection has led to the discovery of surprising relations between Ramanujan’s mock modular forms and a class of string-theoretic BHs, thus providing an infinite number of new examples of mock modular forms.
Conversion in the Romance Languages
Authors: Soares Rodrigues Alexandra , Valera Salvador
Published: February 2025

Conversion is a dynamic word-formation process whereby a derivative is formed from a base with the concomitant shift of morphological, syntactic, and semantic properties, and without a formal derivational mark. The application of conversion to languages with inflectional systems different from English and to various patterns depends on the flexibility of the concept itself: In a word-based approach, conversion is rather limited in languages with an inflectional system as Romance languages have. In a root-/stem-based approach, a much wider range of derivational patterns occur lacking a formal mark as conversion, and the inflectional marks obtained result from the word-class shift as a natural condition of conversion.
Survival path model outperforms conventional static machine learning models in long-term dynamic prognosis prediction for patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shen Lujun , Zhang Tao , Xu Jian , Jiang Yiquan , Cao Fei , Chen Qifeng , Li Chen , Nuerhashi Gulijiayina , Li Wang , Wu Peihong , Fan Weijun
Published: February 2025

Background

Patients with intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) require repeated disease monitoring, prognosis assessment and treatment planning. A novel machine learning model called survival path mapping (SP) model was developed, while its performance as compared with conventional machine learning models remains unknown.

Methods

Between January 2007 and Dec 2018, the time-series data of 2644 intermediate stage HCC patients from four medical centers in China were reviewed and included. Static machine learning models by Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) for prediction of survivorship were built based on data at initial admission. Longitudinal data divided into different time slices were utilized for construction of the SP model. The time-dependent c-index were compared between models.

Results

The training set, internal testing set and external testing set consisted of 1560, 670 and 414 HCC patients, respectively. The survival path model had superior or non-inferior performance in prognosis prediction compared to GNB and RF models since the 12th month after initial diagnosis in the training set and external testing set. The survival path model had higher time-dependent c-index over all conventional ML models since the 6th month in the external testing cohort.

Conclusions

The survival path model had superior performance in long-term dynamic prognosis prediction compared to conventional static machine learning models for intermediate stage HCC.
MOSTPLAS: A Self-correction Multi-label Learning Model for Plasmid Host Range Prediction
Authors: Zou Wei , Ji Yongxin , Guan Jiaojiao , Sun Yanni
Published: February 2025

Motivation

Plasmids play an essential role in horizontal gene transfer, aiding their host bacteria in acquiring beneficial traits like antibiotic and metal resistance. There exists some plasmids that can transfer, replicate or persist in multiple organisms. Identifying the relatively complete host range of these plasmids provides insights into how plasmids promote bacterial evolution. To achieve this, we can apply multi-label learning models for plasmid host range prediction. However, there are no databases providing the detailed and complete host labels of these broad-host-range (BHR) plasmids. Without adequate well-annotated training samples, learning models can fail to extract discriminative feature representations for plasmid host prediction.

Results

To address this problem, we propose a self-correction multi-label learning model called MOSTPLAS. We design a pseudo label learning algorithm and a self-correction asymmetric loss to facilitate the training of multi-label learning model with samples containing some unknown missing labels. We conducted a series of experiments on NCBI RefSeq plasmid database, PLSDB 2025 database, plasmids with experimentally determined host labels, Hi-C dataset and DoriC dataset. The benchmark results against other plasmid host range prediction tools demonstrated that MOSTPLAS recognized more host labels while keeping a high precision.

Availability and implementation

MOSTPLAS is implemented with Python, which can be downloaded at https://github.com/wzou96/MOSTPLAS. All relevant data we used in the experiments can be found at 10.5281/zenodo.14708999.

Contact and Supplementary Information

Please contact: yannisun@cityu.edu.hk. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Robust Layer-Motif Composed of Binaphthyl Dibenzoic Acid Derivatives in Inclusion Crystals
Authors: Fujiwara Ayano , Oketani Ryusei , Hisaki Ichiro
Published: February 2025

Although it is easy to make a low dimensional supramolecular motif using directional hydrogen bonds, further high dimensional structures remain difficult to assemble as designed. Herein, we demonstrate that a hydrogen-bonded zigzag 1D motifs composed of a racemic binaphthyl derivative can form common 2D sheet structures in inclusion crystals through the shape-fitted alignment, combined with self-complementary C-H···O interactions. Moreover, one of the inclusion crystals underwent single crystal-to-single crystal transformation from a solvate into a solvent free crystal via removal of the guest molecules and slippage of the 2D sheet structure, indicating the robustness of the 2D sheet motif, and therefore, which can be applied as a secondary supramolecular synthon to construct higher dimensional structures.
Cardiac Diagnoses and Long-Term Outcomes in Ring-Like Late Gadolinium Enhancement Evaluated by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Filomena Domenico , Vandenberk Bert , Dresselaers Tom , Willems Rik , Masci Pier Giorgio , Robyns Tomas , Bogaert Jan
Published: February 2025

Aims

Non-ischemic ring-like late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in the left ventricle (LV) detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is an emerging biomarker associated with adverse outcomes. Data regarding ring-like LGE are limited to small patient cohorts. We aimed to assess the prevalence of ring-like LGE, its association with morpho-functional phenotypes, aetiologic background, and prognostic implications.

Methods and Results

This single-center observational retrospective study included consecutive patients undergoing LGE-CMR between 2002 and 2024. Ring-like LGE was defined as continuous enhancement in ≥3 adjacent segments. Ischemic and amyloid cardiomyopathies were excluded. Clinical records were reviewed for etiologic diagnosis and clinical outcomes. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality, heart transplantation, or LV assist device implantation. The secondary endpoint included sustained ventricular tachycardia, appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapies, or sudden cardiac death.

Among 14,091 unique patients who underwent LGE-CMR, ring-like LGE was identified in 152 patients (1.1%) with a median number of 10 segments, mostly involving the inferolateral segments. The most frequent morpho-functional phenotypes were dilated and non-dilated LV cardiomyopathy. Genetic testing identified likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants in 59 (58.4%) patients, affecting both desmosomal and non-desmosomal genes. Inflammatory cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in 15.8%. Other rare aetiologies included genetic neuromuscular diseases and inborn errors of metabolism. Primary and secondary endpoints occurred in 17.8% and 17.1%, respectively, over a median follow-up of 3 years.

Conclusion

Ring-like LGE is an uncommon, non-disease-specific feature found in various morpho-functional CMP phenotypes. It is associated with frequent genetically determined aetiologies and a high burden of adverse outcomes.
Exploration of techniques for the enhancement of latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases: a systematic review
Authors: Abedi Maxwell , Mabasa Christopher , Mabudusha Sekgololo Angel
Published: February 2025

The ability to develop latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases can be crucial in resolving crime cases and advancing forensic investigations. Currently, there is a lack of consensus on the ideal technique to employ for the enhancement of latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases. This review therefore aims to explore techniques and methods employed to develop latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases. A systematic search of peer-reviewed original articles was performed from four main electronic databases: ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed. According to data from our review, the most well-established method for developing latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases remains the sequential application of cyanoacrylate fuming, followed by gun bluing, and the application of a fluorescent dye called basic yellow 40. This review also discusses the current scope of research, highlights the limitations, and provides practical recommendations for future perspectives.
Psychological resilience and cognitive functioning in Black and White men and women
Authors: Scambray Kiana A , Morris Emily P , Palms Jordan D , Lee Ji Hyun , Sol Ketlyne , Zahodne Laura B
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives

Psychological resilience is associated with better physical and mental health, but little is known about its role in cognitive health from an intersectional perspective. This study aimed to assess the relationship between psychological resilience and cognitive function across subgroups of older non-Hispanic Black and White men and women while taking stress exposure into account.

Research Design and Methods

453 participants (Black men=87; Black women=147; White men=98; White women=121) from the Michigan Cognitive Aging Project completed the Brief Resilience Scale and a neuropsychological battery. ANOVAs were used to assess differences in psychological resilience across the intersection of gender and race. Linear regressions assessed relationships between psychological resilience and global cognition, controlling for sociodemographics and discrimination. Interaction terms and stratified regressions characterized these relationships across intersectional groups.

Results

Level of psychological resilience did not differ across intersectional groups despite differences in stress exposure. Higher resilience was associated with better global cognition in the whole sample (β= 0.12, p=.002), but this association was found only among Black men (β=0.40, p<.001).

Discussion and Implications

Levels of resilience did not differ between Black and White older adults, despite disproportionate stress exposure among Black older adults. Links between psychological resilience and cognition may depend on stressors and resources that are differentially patterned across intersectional groups. Psychological resilience may be particularly important for cognitive health among Black men, who are frequently underrepresented in cognitive aging research.
Women Politicians Responding to Patriarchy in Postconflict Nepal
Authors: K C Luna
Published: February 2025

Women’s movements have played a crucial role in fighting for women’s rights and freedoms. Some women join the armed movements in search of equality. Women have participated in grassroots movements demanding space in the political arena. For example, postwar countries like Burundi, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Rwanda have effectively passed women’s quota seats (as part of a peace deal) thanks to women’s movements, and this has helped women to enter politics. Despite the formal progress in descriptive representation, women politicians face backlash. Feminist scholars argue that the rise of anti-feminist values threatens women’s gains. Building on this argument, this study investigates how female politicians responded to patriarchy in postwar Nepal. It asks how women who enter political spaces navigate patriarchy while sustaining their political positions and power. The paper's findings offer three distinct categories of female politicians (risk-takers, opportunity seekers, and opt-to-disengage). Categorization unpacks diverse strategies and tactics women politicians developed to respond to patriarchy, retain positions and power, and make their current and future political and personal decisions. The study relies on thirty-one in-depth interviews conducted with women politicians. This paper enhances existing debates on patriarchy and women politicians and an understanding of quota politics.
Murine gut microbial interactions exert anti-hyperglycemic effects
Authors: Guo Liying , Xu Libing , Nie Yanhong , Liu Lu , Liu Zongping , Yang Yunpeng
Published: February 2025

The correlations between gut microbiota and host metabolism had been studied extensively, whereas little relevant work had been done to investigate the impact of gut microbial interactions on host metabolism. Assisted with bacteriocin-targeting strategy, we aimed to identify the glucose and lipid metabolism-associated gut microbes by adjusting the gut microbial composition of high-fat diet-fed mice. To fulfill this goal, the Listeria monocytogenes-derived bacteriocin Lmo2776 secretion module was constructed and integrated into the genome of Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, yielding the Lmo2776-secreting strain EcN-2776. EcN-2776 administration decreased the blood glucose and increased the serum triglyceride of high-fat diet-fed mice. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing indicated that intestinal secretion of Lmo2776 adjusted the gut microbial composition of high-fat diet-fed mice. Specifically, Lmo2776 restricted the growth of Ligilactobacillus murinus, thus alleviating its inhibitory impact towards Faecalibaculum rodentium. Further analyses indicated that Faecalibaculum rodentium administration decreased the fasting blood glucose of high-fat diet-fed mice, which might be achieved by the intestinal consumption of glucose by Faecalibaculum rodentium. Our study identified the glucose metabolism-associated gut microbes, uncovered their interactions, deciphered the impact of gut microbial interaction on host glucose metabolism, and paved the way for treating hyperglycemia from the perspective of gut microbial interactions.
Effect of Nutritional Supplements for Reducing Homocysteine Levels in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Liu Cai , Yao Hui , Wang Fang
Published: February 2025

Context

There are various therapeutic approaches available to reduce homocysteine (Hcy) levels. However, it remains unclear which intervention is more effective for healthy adults.

Objectives

A systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) were conducted to comprehensively investigate the efficacy of different nutritional supplements in reducing Hcy levels in healthy adults.

Data Sources

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to July 2023.

Data Extraction

The lead author, year of publication, sample size, population characteristics, intervention measures, duration, and mean difference of Hcy levels from baseline to endline were extracted.

Data Analysis

Data were pooled using a random-effects model. Network meta-analysis was conducted by integrating direct and indirect evidence. A total of 16 studies were included in this analysis. The nutritional supplement combination that achieved the highest ranking (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA] = 75.8) was superior compared with a single supplement. Among similar or closely dosed folic acid (FA) supplements, 800 μg FA (SUCRA = 93.7) was the most effective option. When comparing various doses of different supplements, 1 mg of FA plus 7.2 mg of vitamin B6 (B6) plus 20 μg of vitamin B12 (B12; SUCRA = 83.9) ranked first and 800 μg of FA (SUCRA = 78.3) ranked second. In comparison with placebo or no-treatment control groups, interventions such as 1 mg of FA plus 7.2 mg of B6 plus 20 μg of B12 (mean difference [MD] = –1.03; 95% CI –1.71 to –0.36), 400 μg of FA plus 400 μg of B12 (MD = –0.87; 95% CI –1.46 to –0.27), and 800 μg of FA (MD =  –0.84; 95% CI –1.12 to –0.56) were more effective in reducing Hcy levels. The random-effects summary MD for all interventions compared with placebo was –0.59 (95% CI –0.71 to –0.48; P < .0001).

Conclusions

The NMA demonstrated that the combination of FA with other vitamins is more effective in reducing Hcy levels, particularly when the dose of FA is close to 800 μg. The combination of 1 mg of FA, 7.2 mg of B6, and 20 μg of B12 is considered the most favorable option.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023453123.
Shakespeare and the Visual Arts
Authors: Sillars Stuart
Published: February 2025

The first known illustration of a Shakespeare play was probably made by William Faithorne in a single image for The Rape of Lucrece in 1655, but it was only in 1709 that an illustrated edition was published with designs for most of the plays by Francois Boitard. Others soon followed, developing into a rapid and broad stream of pictorial images that reached its full breadth in the later nineteenth century. The Rococo style became fashionable in illustrated editions, notably those of Hubert Gravelot and Francis Hayman. In the 1770s came illustrated editions, such as those of John Bell, showing actors in popular roles—an important development in linking book and stage. From then until the 1840s, a range of different styles and approaches followed in both illustrated editions and easel paintings, the demand steadily increasing among many kinds of readers. Shakespeare paintings, especially those of William Hogarth and Francis Hayman, had already been popular among the wealthy from the 1720s, but it was not until 1789 that a series of paintings, later reproduced as engravings, began to appear. Known as the “Boydell Shakespeare,” these were commissioned from both famous and lesser-known artists. Shown in a specially built gallery, they were matched by engravings, which became popular throughout England and America. The enterprise combined artistic, patriotic, and commercial fervor, but its main succuss lay in widely presenting England as a nation with its own artistic identity, the prints being widely sold there and in America. Both paintings and illustrations became very popular in the nineteenth century, culminating with the Pre-Raphaelites and their contemporaries and followers. Although important earlier, paintings making complex comments on the plays became much more common, with illustrated editions adopting new styles to offer similarly rich interpretations through their styles and allusions. By contrast, 20th-century images of both kinds were far less common, and only much more recently have a few artists worked in the area. But there are new developments, especially the growing international popularity of Manga and Comic Book Shakespeare. The approach of this article begins with essential reference sources, important especially for research on earlier images that, because of their sheer range and rarity, are covered widely here, most being available in reference libraries. Those sources that are provided cover major artists by subject.
Perspectives: Educating transfusion medicine professionals in planetary health and infectious diseases: Should blood banks have dedicated infectious diseases consultation services?
Authors: Miller Maureen J , De Giorgi Valeria
Published: February 2025

Transfusion medicine and blood banking educators across the world have identified a need to incorporate more education in planetary health and infectious diseases into clinical training. The urgency of these calls has increased as climate change has accelerated and deleterious health effects attributable to climate change have become more prevalent. Today, few academic hospital centers have dedicated infectious diseases consultation services within departments or divisions of transfusion medicine, but the presence of a dedicated team focusing on TTIs can impact clinical education in transfusion medicine, infectious diseases, and other specialties. This article presents several models for these multidisciplinary teams in clinical practice.
Metabolic Health Screening in Physical Therapist Private Practice in Australia: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Mastwyk Sally E , Taylor Nicholas F , Lowe A , Dalton C F , Peiris Casey L
Published: February 2025

Importance

Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Physical therapists working in private practice have an opportunity to embed health screening in their practice to support chronic disease prevention. However, it is not known if it is feasible to conduct health screenings in physical therapist private practice settings.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of physical therapists conducting client health screening with point-of-care testing.

Design

This was a feasibility study, comprising of in-depth interviews and descriptive quantitative data.

Setting

The health screenings took place in physical therapist private practices in Australia. The 1-to-1 interviews were conducted via phone, video conference, or face-to-face, according to participant preference.

Participants

Two hundred and thirty adult clients participated in a health screen at a physical therapist practice. Follow-up interviews were completed with 20 clients and 8 physical therapists.

Interventions

Clients had a 30-minute health screen that included collection of self-reported physical activity and dietary intake and physical examination of metabolic risk factors including waist circumference, blood pressure, and point-of-care testing of cholesterol and glucose.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Using interpretative description methods and inductive thematic analysis, themes were identified from the interviews and then mapped deductively onto feasibility domains of acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, and integration.

Results

Three themes were identified. Clients perceived screening as convenient and comfortable; provided important health information; and could be part of usual physical therapy. Physical therapists saw health screening as a valuable add-on service and beneficial for client management but were uncertain about future integration.

Conclusions and Relevance

Incorporating health screening into private practice physical therapist services is feasible and valued by clients but physical therapists were unsure how they could integrate this into their practice/business. Physical therapists working in private practice need additional training to incorporate health screening into their practice. Concurrently, funding models need to support this by prioritizing investment in health promotion and disease prevention.
Impact of Intravenous Laser Irradiation of Blood on Cognitive Function and Molecular Pathways in Long COVID Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Chang Cheng-Chiang , Li Yu-He , Chang Shin-Tsu , Chen Hsin-Hung
Published: February 2025

Background

Long COVID presents persistent neurological symptoms, including brain fog, with limited therapeutic options. Intravenous Laser Irradiation of Blood (ILIB) has been proposed as a potential intervention. This pilot study explores the efficacy of ILIB in alleviating brain fog symptoms and examines the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of ILIB in improving cognitive function in long COVID patients with brain fog and to investigate the molecular pathways involved.

Design

A prospective, single-center pilot study involving six long COVID patients with brain fog who underwent ILIB therapy.

Methods

Patients received 30 ILIB sessions over eight weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) at baseline, post-treatment, and one-month follow-up. RNA sequencing and pathway enrichment analyses (KEGG, Gene Ontology) identified differentially expressed genes and molecular pathways influenced by ILIB.

Results

MoCA and AIS scores significantly improved post-ILIB, suggesting enhanced cognitive function and sleep quality. RNA sequencing revealed 141 upregulated and 130 downregulated genes. Upregulated pathways were associated with mitochondrial electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, while immune response and inflammatory pathways were downregulated. Notably, the glutathione metabolism pathway was significantly altered, suggesting reduced oxidative stress.

Conclusions

ILIB shows potential in alleviating brain fog symptoms in long COVID patients, possibly through modulation of oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. However, larger randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and establish ILIB as a viable therapeutic option.
Trade-offs between residual conductance, hydraulic capacitance, and water access in Mediterranean species
Authors: Liu Junzhou , Hochberg Uri , Alon Asaf , Cohen Shabtai
Published: February 2025

Droughts during dry seasons may pose a greater threat to Mediterranean forests under climate change. Effective desiccation avoidance strategies include reduced water loss rates, enhanced tissue water storage capacity, and greater root water access, which can avoid or delay dehydration damage. However, resource allocation competition may lead to trade-offs among these strategies that are not yet fully understood. In this study, six woody species from a Mediterranean forest were selected. We measured their twig hydraulic capacitance, ranging from 0.32–2.81 mmol m−2 MPa−1, to assess tissue water storage capacity, and twig residual conductance (gres) at 25 °C, ranging from 1.23–7.73 mmol m−2 s−1, to evaluate water loss rate. We found that the leaves of all four evergreen Mediterranean species featured sunken or hidden stomata, which may contribute to their low gres. The gres was also measured across a 25 °C–30 °C-40 °C temperature gradient, revealing species-specific response patterns. Predawn water potential (ΨPD) and the difference between predawn and midday water potential (∆Ψ) at the end of the dry summer season were used to estimate root water access. Significant trade-offs in plant desiccation avoidance strategies were observed as gres positively correlated with ∆Ψ (R2 = 0.78, P = 0.02) and twig hydraulic capacitance negatively correlated with ΨPD (R2 = 0.68, P = 0.04). Consequently, species with greater root water access exhibited lower tissue water storage capacity and higher gres, potentially increasing their mortality risk during extreme droughts when soil moisture is unavailable. By inverting a plant desiccation model, we demonstrated that both the calculated minimum hydraulic capacitance required for daily plant survival and a novel risk index positively correlated with ΨPD, supporting this conclusion. Notably, these findings align with historical statistics of tree mortality. Additionally, the risk index increased under scenarios of elevated temperature.
Study on the influence of asymmetric mountain structures at tunnel portals on aerodynamics of intersecting trains
Authors: Zeng Hao-Yang , Liu Tang-Hong , Chen Xiao-Dong , Gao Hong-Rui , Xia Yu-Tao , Xu Bin , Gao Feng
Published: February 2025

During two trains passing through a tunnel intersect with each other, the difference of the surrounding space between a train's both sides rises, which induces abrupt aerodynamic force variations on trains resulting in a phenomenon of sudden swaying. This study employs URANS method for numerical simulation to analyze the effects of two terrain conditions, that is, a tunnel with and without asymmetric mountain structures at its portals, on the aerodynamic characteristics of two trains during their intersections. The results indicate that during two trains’ intersections at tunnel portals, the rear car suffers the highest risk of swaying. The presence of asymmetric mountain structures at tunnel portals reduces the risk of swaying the train adjacent to the mountains but increases the risk for trains farther away from the mountains. When trains intersect at the exit (for the train adjacent to the mountain) of the tunnel, the presence of mountain structures at the portal reduces the peak-to-peak lateral force values by 12.7% for the front car of the train adjacent to the mountain and increases by 16.5% for the rear car of the train away from the mountain. The impact of the mountain structures on the peak-to-peak values of a train's lateral force is minimal when two trains intersect at the midpoint of the tunnel. Therefore, it is suggested to consider the placement of symmetrical buffer structures or the modification of existing mountain structures at appropriate locations near tunnel portals to mitigate the abrupt lateral force variations experienced by passing trains.
Understanding Communication Apprehension in Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Schulenberg Shannon L. , Goldberg Debora , Kreps Gary , Oh Kyeung Mi
Published: February 2025

AIM

The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experience of communication apprehension (CA) in undergraduate nursing students.

BACKGROUND

CA is the fear or anxiety elicited by communication encounters, either real or anticipated. Communication is a critical competency for nursing students and impacts patient outcomes and patient satisfaction.

METHOD

A phenomenological approach was utilized to understand the lived experience of moderate to high CA in 17 undergraduate nursing students.

RESULTS

Themes that emerged from interviews included the physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms experienced by participating students and the influences of their native spoken language and accent, their past communication experiences, and the caring and uncaring behaviors of faculty with regard to their CA.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study can inform nurse educators of the symptoms of CA in students and can be used to influence the design of communication education.
A Comparative Study of Self-Collected Versus Clinician-Collected Specimens in Detecting High-Risk HPV Infection: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Parapob Natnipa , Lekawanvijit Suree , Tongsong Theera , Charoenkwan Kittipat , Tantipalakorn Charuwan
Published: February 2025

(Abstracted from Obstet Gyencol Sci 2024;67:557–564)

Over 600,000 new cases of cervical cancer were reported by the World Health Organization in 2020, and estimated deaths from cervical cancer were 342,000. In Thailand, there are an estimated 12 deaths a day attributed to cervical cancer.
Clinical Utility of Comprehensive Liquid Molecular Profiling in Patients With Advanced Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Blanc-Durand Félix , Camilleri Geraldine M. , Bayle Arnaud , Aldea Mihaela , Vasseur Damien , Ouali Kaissa , Michels Judith , Pautier Patricia , Nicotra Claudio , Ngo-Camus Maud , Lacroix Ludovic , Rouleau Etienne , Ponce-Aix Santiago , Italiano Antoine , Leary Alexandra
Published: February 2025

(Abstracted from Cancer 2024;130(19):3311–3320)

Endometrial cancer (EC) has been increasing in incidence and mortality rates due to increased prevalence of risk factors such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Many cases are treatable through a combination of methods, but up to 20% of cases are detected at an advanced stage, which has a grim prognosis.
Pembrolizumab or Placebo With Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Pembrolizumab or Placebo for Newly Diagnosed, High-Risk, Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer (ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047/KEYNOTE-A18): Overall Survival Results From a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial
Authors: Lorusso Domenica , Xiang Yang , Hasegawa Kosei , Scambia Giovanni , Leiva Manuel , Ramos-Elias Pier , Acevedo Alejandro , Cvek Jakub , Randall Leslie , de Santana Gomes Andrea Juliana Pereira , Mejia Fernando Contreras , Helpman Limor , Akilli Hüseyin , Lee Jung-Yun , Saevets Valeriya , Zagouri Flora , Gilbert Lucy , Sehouli Jalid , Tharavichitkul Ekkasit , Lindemann Kristina , Colombo Nicoletta , Chang Chih-Long , Bednarikova Marketa , Zhu Hong , Oaknin Ana , Christiaens Melissa , Petru Edgar , Usami Edgar , Liu Peng , Yamada Karin , Toker Sarper , Keefe Stephen M. , Pignata Sandro , Duska Linda R.
Published: February 2025

(Abstracted from Lancet Oncol 2023;24:468–482)

An estimated 660,000 new cases of cervical cancer were reported globally in 2022, with 350,000 deaths attributable to the disease. Eternal beam radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy and subsequent brachytherapy is the current standard of care, and few advances have been made in recent years to increase the effectiveness of treatments for cervical cancer.
Excess of Severe Autoimmune Diseases in Women With Premature Ovarian Insufficiency: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Savukoski S.M. , Silvén H. , Pesonen P. , Pukkala E. , Gissler M. , Suvanto E. , Ollila M.-M. , Niinimaki M.
Published: February 2025

(Abstracted from Hum Reprod 2024;39:2601–2607)

Ovarian function that stops before the age of 40 is classified as spontaneous premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and affects up to 1% of women, bringing with the diagnosis a plethora of negative health and quality of life impacts. Etiologies range from previous cancers and oophorectomies to chromosomal disorders, but an estimated 4%–55% of cases stem from autoimmune diseases.
Effect of Coaching on Trainee Burnout, Professional Fulfillment, and Errors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Parris Ritika S. , Dong Zhiyong , Clark Alicia , Hayes Margaret , Sullivan Amy M. , Tibbles Carrie , Palamara Kerri
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study examines the effect of coaching on errors and burnout on graduate medical education trainees and mechanisms of this effect.

Method

In this explanatory, sequential, mixed-methods randomized controlled trial at a large, urban academic medical center, trainees and faculty were randomized to coaching with mentorship or mentorship alone from September 2021 to December 2022. Trainees randomized to coaching (coachees) were paired with faculty coaches from different specialties, who were trained in a novel coaching curriculum. Burnout was measured with the Stanford Professional Fulfillment Index subscales of professional fulfillment, work exhaustion, interpersonal disengagement, and overall burnout. Medical errors in the past 3 months were self-reported. Focus groups were conducted for each of the 4 cohorts (faculty control, faculty intervention, trainee control, and trainee intervention) to allow for an in-depth exploration of the coaching program experience.

Results

A total of 184 trainees and 150 faculty were randomized to standard mentorship with or without coaching. Paired analysis included 83 trainees (59% female) and 77 faculty (60% female). Difference-in-difference analyses showed reduced burnout among coachees compared with control trainees, with a score difference of −0.37 (95% CI, −0.64 to −0.09). Professional fulfillment improved in coachees, with a score difference of 0.50 (95% CI, 0.16-0.83) compared with control trainees. There were no significant differences in resilience or self-valuation. Coachees had 2.18 times greater odds of reporting no medical error than control trainees (not significant) and were less likely to report being “unsure” about medical error involvement. Qualitative analysis highlighted the importance of specialty discordance in coaching pairs and a coach’s holistic awareness of coachee well-being and demonstrated successful uptake and use of coaching skills, particularly positive reframing and normalization.

Conclusions

Coaching improved trainee burnout and professional fulfillment, likely through aspects of the relationship and teachable skills, which provided psychological safety and holistic support.
Geospatial Access to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in the United States
Authors: Gottula Adam L. , Van Wyk Hannah , Qi Man , Vogelsong Melissa A. , Shaw Chris R. , Tonna Joseph E. , Johnson Nicholas J. , Condella Anna , Bartos Jason A. , Berrocal Veronica J. , Benoit Justin L. , Hsu Cindy H.
Published: February 2025

Objectives:

To conduct a Geospatial Information System analysis of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) centers in the United States utilizing data from the U.S. Census Bureau to better understand access to ECMO care and identify potential disparities.

Design:

A cross-sectional descriptive and statistical analysis of geospatial access to ECMO-capable centers in the United States, accounting for demographic variables.

Setting:

The unit of analysis were U.S. Census block groups and demographic variables of interest obtained from the American Community Survey.

Patients:

Patients accounted for in the U.S. Census data.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Sixty-seven percent of the U.S. population had direct access to ECMO-capable centers. Disparities were present, with Puerto Rico, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Alaska having no access. Poverty, increased age, and lower population density consistently correlated with limited access. We identified significant racial and ethnic disparities in the Midwest and Northeast.

Conclusions:

While 67% of the U.S. population had access to ECMO-capable centers by ground transportation, significant disparities in access exist. These findings emphasize the need for thoughtful implementation of ECMO systems of care to ensure equitable access. Future work should focus on developing novel systems of care that increase access utilizing advanced technology, such as aeromedical transport services.