bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
G6pd
N126D

Variant Increases the Risk of Developing VEGFR (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor) Blocker‐Induced Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Authors: Signoretti Christina , Matsumura Shun , Fatehi Samuel , D'Silva Melinee , Mathew Rajamma , Cendali Francesca , D'Alessandro Angelo , Alam S. M. Shafiqul , Garcia Victor , Miano Joseph M. , Gupte Sachin A.
Published: September 2024

Background

G6PD (glucose‐6‐phosphate‐dehydrogenase) is a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer and pulmonary hypertension‐associated vascular remodeling. Here, we investigated the role of an X‐linked
G6pd
mutation (N126D polymorphism), which is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals from sub‐Saharan Africa and many others with African ancestry, in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension induced by a vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor blocker used for treating cancer.

Methods and Results

CRISPR‐Cas9 genome editing was used to generate the
G6pd
variant (N126D;
G6pd

N126D

) in rats. A single dose of the vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor blocker sugen‐5416 (SU; 20 mg/kg in DMSO), which is currently in a Phase 2/3 clinical trial for cancer treatment, was subcutaneously injected into
G6pd

N126D

rats and their wild‐type littermates. After 8 weeks of normoxic conditions, right ventricular pressure and hypertrophy, pulmonary artery remodeling, the metabolic profile, and cytokine expression were assessed. Right ventricular pressure and pulmonary arterial wall thickness were increased in G6PD
N126D
+SU/normoxic rats. Simultaneously, levels of oxidized glutathione, inositol triphosphate, and intracellular Ca
2+
were increased in the lungs of G6PD
N126D
+SU/normoxic rats, whereas nitric oxide was decreased. Also increased in G6PD
N126D
+SU/normoxic rats were pulmonary levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, thrombin‐antithrombin complex, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines CCL3 (chemokine [C‐C motif] ligand), CCL5, and CCL7.

Conclusions

Our results suggest G6PD
N126D
increases inositol triphosphate‐Ca
2+
signaling, inflammation, thrombosis, and hypertrophic pulmonary artery remodeling in SU‐treated rats. This suggests an increased risk of vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor blocker‐induced pulmonary hypertension in those carrying this G6PD variant.
BE FAST Versus FAST: A Randomized Pilot Trial Comparing Retention of Stroke Symptoms Between 2 Mnemonics
Authors: Darkhabani M. Ziad , Homa‐Bonell Jennifer K. , Thoreson Laura , Bobholz Julie A. , Spaulding Devin , Engebose Melisa
Published: September 2024

Background

Balance, Eye, Face, Arm, Speech, Time (BE FAST) was proposed to increase the public's ability to recognize more signs of stroke by adding balance (B) and eyesight changes (E) to the stroke acronym FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time). Previous prospective studies suggested these additions did not result in increased stroke detection.

Methods and Results

A randomized, assessor blinded prospective pilot study assessed retention of BE FAST and FAST. The 174 participants were randomized to 1 of 2 education arms, educated similarly visually and auditorily, and retention was tested at 3 time points. Mnemonic recall was similar at 30 days (79.5% versus 69.8%,
P
=0.104). Significantly lower retention was seen in the BE FAST group's ability to recall all symptoms at 3 to 5 minutes (75% versus 30.2%,
P
<0.001), 60 minutes (70.5% versus 41.9%,
P
<0.001), and 30 days (51.1% versus 24.4%,
P
<0.001). Significantly higher retention was observed in the FAST group for partial recall at 3 to 5 minutes (94.3% versus 84.9%,
P
=0.041), 60 minutes (86.4% versus 77.9%,
P
=0.045), and 30 days (76.1% versus 59.3%,
P
=0.012). For BE FAST, retention of more common symptoms at 30 days was lower for face (78.4% versus 60.5%,
P
=0.010), speech (65.9% versus 47.7%,
P
=0.015), and arm (63.6% versus 52.3%,
P
=0.131).

Conclusion

Significantly higher retention and ability to recall stroke symptoms, fully or partially, was found with FAST. Adding B and E to FAST resulted in lower retention of more common symptoms.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT06152016.
Impaired Balance Predicts Cardiovascular Disease in 70‐Year‐Old Individuals—An Observational Study From the Healthy Aging Initiative
Authors: Nordström Anna , Nordström Peter
Published: September 2024

Background

Limited research has explored balance problems as a prospective risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to characterize the association between balance measures and the risk of incident CVD in a population of 70‐year‐olds.

Methods and Results

From 2012 to 2022 a cohort of 4927 older individuals who were CVD free underwent balance assessments using a balance board. Measurements included lateral and anterior–posterior sway, along with a safety limit of stability in a subcohort (N=2782). Time to first hospitalization for CVD, encompassing stroke, myocardial infarction, or angina pectoris was the primary outcome. Multivariable regression models assessed associations between balance parameters and CVD risk. Over a mean follow‐up of 4.9 years, 320 individuals were hospitalized for CVD. In a balance test with eyes open, increased lateral sway at baseline was associated with a higher risk of CVD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.014 [95% CI, 1.004–1.025],
P
=0.005, per mm increased sway), after adjustment for traditional risk factors for CVD. Similarly, individuals with CVD during follow‐up exhibited higher lateral sway with eyes closed at baseline (HR, 1.015 [95% CI, 1.005–1.025],
P
=0.002, per mm increased sway), after multivariable adjustment. The 4 strongest independent predictors of CVD included lateral sway and were associated with a population attributable fraction of 61% (95% CI, 54–68).

Conclusions

In community‐dwelling 70‐year‐olds, impaired lateral balance was an independent predictor of later CVD, after adjustment for traditional risk factors. This may suggest that position balance could be used as an early risk marker for underlying atherosclerotic disease.
Surgery Versus Thrombolytic Therapy for the Management of Left‐Sided Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis Without Hemodynamic Compromise: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Chopard Romain , Vidoni Charles , Besutti Matthieu , Ismail Maria , Ecarnot Fiona , Favoulet Baptiste , Badoz Marc , Schiele François , Perrotti Andrea , Meneveau Nicolas
Published: September 2024

Background

The optimal strategy in prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PVT) remains controversial, with no randomized trials and conflicting observational data. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of evidence comparing systemic thrombolysis and cardiac surgery in PVT.

Methods and Results

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase for studies on treatment strategies in patients with left‐sided PVT since 2000. The primary outcome was death, and the secondary outcomes were major bleeding and thromboembolism during follow‐up (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews No. CRD42022384092). We identified 2298 studies, of which 16 were included, comprising 1389 patients with PVT (mean age, 50.4±9.3 years; 60.0% women). Among them, 67.2% were New York Heart Association stage III/IV at admission. Overall, 48.1% were treated with systemic thrombolysis and 51.9% with cardiac surgery. The mortality rate was 10.8% in the thrombolysis group and 15.3% in the surgery group. The pooled risk difference for death with systemic thrombolysis was 1.13 (exact CI, 0.74–1.79;
ζ
2
=0.89;
P
<0.001) versus cardiac surgery. Rates of both transient ischemic attack and non–central nervous system embolism were higher in the thrombolysis group (
P
=0.002 and
P
=0.02, respectively). Treatment success, major bleeding, and stroke were similar between groups. Sensitivity analysis including studies that used low‐dose or slow‐infusion thrombolysis showed that the mortality rate was lower, and treatment success was higher, in patients referred to systemic thrombolysis, with similar rates of other secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

There is evidence to suggest that thrombolysis might be the preferred option for the management of PVT without cardiogenic shock, pending future randomized controlled trials or larger observational studies.
Diagnostic Yield and Clinical Utility of Coronary Angiography Versus Coronary Function Testing in Women With Angina and Nonobstructive Coronary Arteries
Authors: Cigarroa Natasha , Latif Nida , Maayah Marah , Khokhar Arshjot , Kunnirickal Steffne , Schwann Alexandra , Maciejewski Kaitlin R. , Odanovic Natalija , Mazure Carolyn M. , Spatz Erica , Pfau Steven , Lansky Alexandra , Shah Samit M.
Published: September 2024

Background

Approximately 50% of women referred for invasive coronary angiography have angina and nonobstructive coronary arteries, which includes coronary microvascular dysfunction, vasospastic angina, and other vasomotor disorders. We sought to determine the real‐world diagnostic yield of invasive coronary angiography and coronary function testing in women with angina and nonobstructive coronary arteries.

Methods and Results

From 2018 to 2023, we enrolled 198 women who underwent either coronary angiography (CA) alone (n=99) or coronary function testing (CFT; n=99). Mean±SD age was 62±10 years (CA alone) compared with 57±10 years (CFT). Coronary angiography was interpreted as nonobstructive coronary artery disease more frequently after CA alone (79% versus 52%). Of the women who underwent CFT, 82% (N=81) were found to have vasomotor disorders, including coronary microvascular dysfunction (27%), vasospastic angina (32%), mixed coronary microvascular dysfunction/vasospastic angina (16%), endothelial dysfunction (10%; without spasm), elevated resting flow (2%), or symptomatic myocardial bridging (4%). Compared with women undergoing CA alone, medications were changed more frequently after CFT at 24 hours (41% versus 65%;
P
=0.001) and between 24 hours and 30 days (30% versus 44%;
P
=0.04) with intensification of antianginal therapy (79% versus 92%;
P<
0.0001) and increased use of calcium channel blockers (36% versus 63%;
P<
0.0001).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that women presenting with suspected ischemic heart disease undergoing CA alone only received an anatomic diagnosis, whereas >80% of women undergoing CFT received a specific diagnosis of a coronary vasomotor disorder and greater intensification of antianginal therapy.
Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators Among Older Survivors of Out‐of‐Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Marcus Mason , Chan Paul S. , Chang Anping , Merritt Robert K. , McNally Bryan , Link Mark S. , Girotra Saket
Published: September 2024

Background

Although current guidelines recommend implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) placement in survivors of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest, contemporary data on secondary‐prevention ICDs in survivors of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest remain limited.

Methods and Results

Using 2013 to 2019 CARES (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival) linked to Medicare, we identified 3226 patients aged ≥65 years with an initial shockable rhythm who survived to discharge without severe neurological disability. Multivariable hierarchical regression models were used to examine the association between patient variables and ICD placement and quantify hospital variation in ICD implantation. The mean age was 72.2 years, 23.5% were women, 10% were Black individuals, and 4% were Hispanic individuals. Overall, 997 (30.9%) patients received an ICD before discharge, 1266 (39.2%) at 90 days, and 1287 (39.9%) within 6 months. Older age (≥85 years), female sex, history of diabetes, calendar year, and presentation with acute myocardial infarction were associated with lower odds of ICD implantation, but race or ethnicity was not associated with ICD implantation. Among 297 hospitals, the median proportion of survivors receiving ICD at discharge was 28.6% (interquartile range, 20%–50%). The relative odds of ICD implantation varied by 62% across hospitals (median odds ratio, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.38–1.82]) after adjusting for case mix.

Conclusions

Fewer than 1 in 3 survivors of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest due to a shockable rhythm received a secondary‐prevention ICD before discharge. Although patient variables were associated with ICD implantation, there was no difference by race or ethnicity. Even after adjusting for patient case mix, ICD implantation varied markedly across hospitals.
Motion-invariant variational autoencoding of brain structural connectomes
Authors: Zhang Yizi , Liu Meimei , Zhang Zhengwu , Dunson David
Published: September 2024

Mapping of human brain structural connectomes via diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) offers a unique opportunity to understand brain structural connectivity and relate it to various human traits, such as cognition. However, head displacement during image acquisition can compromise the accuracy of connectome reconstructions and subsequent inference results. We develop a generative model to learn low-dimensional representations of structural connectomes invariant to motion-induced artifacts, so that we can link brain networks and human traits more accurately, and generate motion-adjusted connectomes. We apply the proposed model to data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study and the Human Connectome Project (HCP) to investigate how our motion-invariant connectomes facilitate understanding of the brain network and its relationship with cognition. Empirical results demonstrate that the proposed motion-invariant variational autoencoder (inv-VAE) outperforms its competitors in various aspects. In particular, motion-adjusted structural connectomes are more strongly associated with a wide array of cognition-related traits than other approaches without motion adjustment.
Isoflurane titration improves detection of hippocampal lactate by 1H-MRS
Authors: Frame Ariel K. , Khazaee Reza , Courchesne Marc , Wilson Scott K , Bellyou Miranda , Li Alex X. , Bartha Robert , Cumming Robert C.
Published: September 2024

Lactate has increasingly been recognized as both an important fuel source and a signaling molecule within the brain. Alterations in brain lactate levels are associated with various neurological diseases. Thus, there is great interest in the in vivo detection and measurement of cerebral lactate levels in animals used for investigation of normal brain function and models of disease. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a non-invasive technique used to measure lactate and other metabolites within the brain. However, lactate can be difficult to detect with conventional 1H-MRS due to its low abundance and spectral overlap with lipids. In addition, volatile anesthetics used during image acquisition increase lactate production, potentially masking any subtle physiological changes in lactate levels. Here, we made use of a transgenic mouse model in which expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (Ldha), the rate-limiting enzyme of lactate production, was induced within cortical and hippocampal neurons. Unexpectedly, 1H-MRS analysis, under typical isoflurane-induced anesthesia of 4% induction followed by 1.6–2% maintenance, revealed no significant elevation of hippocampal lactate levels in neuronal Ldha induction mice compared to control mice. In contrast, 1H-MRS analysis, using an isoflurane titration protocol in which mice were sequentially exposed to 1.6%, 2%, and then finally 3% isoflurane, revealed significantly higher hippocampal lactate levels in Ldha transgenic mice compared to controls. In addition, significantly fewer mice were required to detect differences in lactate levels using the isoflurane titration protocol compared to conventional isoflurane-induced anesthesia. Our findings highlight the importance of controlling for the effects of anesthesia when detecting changes in hippocampal lactate levels in vivo and offer a novel protocol for enhanced cerebral lactate detection.
Euphorbia zhongiana (Euphorbia section Helioscopia, subgenus Esula, Euphorbiaceae), a new species from Danxia Landform Areas in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China
Authors: LI JUN-PING , XU PAN , CHEN FENG , PU JIN-BAO , XIE WEN-YUAN , WANG JUN-FENG , WANG JIAN-SHENG , ZHU HUA-MIN , CHEN ZHENG-HAI , LIANG WEI-QING
Published: September 2024

Euphorbia zhongiana (Euphorbiaceae), from Zhejiang Province, eastern China, is described and illustrated as a new species. It is morphologically similar to E. fauriei, however, differs in its winter green habit, whole plant being glabrous; cyathophylls 2, broadly ovate, yellow-greenish; involucre 2.5–3.0 × 2.5–3.0 mm; the surface of ovary usually smooth, rare sparsely microtuberous; styles connate at middle towards base; apex slightly 2–lobed; capsules smooth without tuberculate or conical verrucae, rare sparsely and inconspicuously rugose; seed coat with reticulate wrinkle.
6. The Construction Wa-qaṭal in CBH
Authors: Isaksson Bo
Published: September 2024

Chapter 6 investigates the wa-qaṭal construction in Classical Hebrew. If qatal was originally a resultative formation, also for wa-qatal we must assume the resultative meaning to be prototypical. This is the reason for its frequent use as apodosis in conditional linkings and as result clause in modal sequences. The precursors of the wa-qaṭal construction with result meaning are attested in early Northwest Semitic. It is shown that wa-qaṭal is a construction in the same sense as the English future construction of to be going to: the constituent parts are analysable, but the meanings of the construction cannot be deducted from its constituents. Proto Hebrew resultative uses of the wa-qaṭal clause-type—in modal sequences and as apodosis—probably became the basis for the new construction wa-qaṭal, which is a distinguishing feature of Classical Hebrew. The interaction of wa-qaṭal as result clause with the long yiqṭol in many domain types developed into an alternation between a discontinuous X-yiqṭol(u) and a continuous wa-qaṭal, both usually expressing future or obligation.
7. The Linguistic Reality behind the Consecutive Tenses
Authors: Isaksson Bo
Published: September 2024

Chapter 7 starts using the main components in the verbal system established in the preceding chapters, the short yiqṭol, the long yiqṭol, qaṭal, and the relatively recent construction wa-qaṭal. It also accounts for the active participle qoṭel, which increasingly competes with the long yiqṭol as a finite imperfective morpheme. It reinterprets the theory of consecutive tenses by performing a systematic investigation of clause linking in Classical Hebrew with special emphasis on the discourse level. The chapter presents the fundamental alternation between discourse continuity and discourse discontinuity, and shows that the distinction has a signal, the switch from a wa-Verb clause-type, with the usual natural language connective wa-, to one with a discontinuity clause-type. The traditional hypothesis of a special ‘consecutive’ wa- is therefore unwarranted. This chapter is the centre of the book, and a regeneration of the text linguistics of Classical Hebrew. Since it is mainly concerned with the linguistic reality behind the consecutive tenses, the emphasis lies on the continuity clause-types wa(y)-yiqṭol and wa-qaṭal (both wa-Verb), especially when they form chains of main line clauses that are interrupted by discontinuity clauses.
Trends in Satellite-Based Ocean Parameters through Integrated Time Series Decomposition and Spectral Analysis. Part I: Chlorophyll, Sea Surface Temperature, and Sea Level Anomaly
Authors: Dash Prasanjit , Saha Korak , DiGiacomo Paul , Miller Steven D. , Zhang Huai-Min , Lazzaro Rachel , Son Seunghyun
Published: September 2024

This study investigated trends in satellite-based chlorophyll-a (Chl-a; 1998–2022), sea surface temperature (SST; 1982–2022), and sea level anomaly (SLA; 1993–2021) from the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative records, integrating time series decomposition and spectral analysis. Trends in parameters signify prolonged increases, decreases, or no changes over time. These are time series in the same space as original parameters, excluding seasonalities and noise, and can exhibit nonlinearity. Trend rates approximate the pace of change per time unit. We quantified trends using conventional linear fit and three incrementally advancing methods for time series decomposition: simple moving average (SMA), seasonal-trend decomposition using locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (STL), and multiple STL (MSTL), across the global ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Chesapeake Bay. Challenges in decomposition include specifying accurate seasonal periods that are derived here by combining Fourier and wavelet transforms. Globally, SST and SLA trend upward, and Chl-a has no significant change, yet regional variations are notable. We highlight the advantage of extracting multiple periods with MSTL and, more broadly, decomposition’s role in disentangling time series components (seasonality, trend, and noise) without resorting to monotonic functions, thereby preventing overlooking episodic events. Illustrations include extreme events temporarily counteracting background trends, e.g., the 2010–11 SLA drop due to La Niña–induced rainfall over land. The continuous analysis clarifies the warming hiatus debate, affirming sustained warming. Decadal trend rates per grid cell are also mapped. These are ubiquitously significant for SST and SLA, whereas Chl-a trend rates are globally low but extreme across coasts and boundary currents.

Significance Statement

This work introduces a versatile scheme combining decomposition-based trend methods and spectral analysis while considering multiple seasonal periods. Trends in ocean parameters reveal planetary changes, and space-based observations are vital for in situ sparse regions. However, selecting reliable data and accounting for multiple periods are crucial to discerning real trends amid inherent variabilities. Resulting trends highlight hotspots (areas of significant changes) and, alongside other information, may uncover change drivers. The purpose is to (i) summarize decomposition methods, spanning foundational to the latest, (ii) derive trend lines and trend-rate maps for biophysical parameters, and (iii) characterize geospatial variations. These maps at native grid resolutions may inform background conditions for other prospective ocean applications. Extending this scheme to additional variables is forthcoming.
The Interplay of Market Choices and Social Mission: Learning From B2B Social Enterprises in Emerging Economies
Authors: Kannothra Chacko G. , Manning Stephan , Cotterlaz-Rannard Gaëlle , Kundu Sumit K.
Published: September 2024

Social enterprises that operate in business-to-business contexts, often out of emerging economies, typically face high expectations from business clients, mainstream competition, and the challenge of operating across distances. In these contexts, social enterprises need to carefully choose which market segments to serve and how to organize their social mission accordingly. Based on the case of impact sourcing—hiring and training of disadvantaged staff for global business services—we seek to better understand this interplay. In general, we find that social enterprises in this context focus on serving either domestic clients with an implicit social mission and an integrated social enterprise model or international clients with a more explicit social mission and a decoupled model. We discuss why both main configurations represent viable social enterprise models in the outsourcing industry, and why, in particular, the professional background of founders plays a key role in these strategic choices. Our findings contribute to a more nuanced and context-sensitive understanding of social enterprise model adoption in emerging economies.
Cross-Cultural Applications of the New Ecological Paradigm in Protected Area Contexts
Authors: Dorward Leejiah , Ibbett Harriet , Dwiyahreni Asri A. , Kohi Edward , Prayitno Karlina , Sankeni Stephen , Kaduma Joseph , Mawenya Rose , Mchomvu Jesca , Sabiladiyni Humairah , Wijaya Saputra Andie , Supriatna Jatna , Trywidiarini Tyassanti , St John Freya A. V.
Published: September 2024

Working mostly in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic countries, environmental psychologists have developed scales assessing relationships between pro-environmental beliefs and behaviors. Working in Tanzanian and Indonesian protected area landscapes, containing important biodiversity and conflict over human-nature interactions, we investigate the utility of the New Ecological Paradigm for measuring pro-environmental beliefs and understanding support for protected area regulations. We found the New Ecological Paradigm ineffective at measuring pro-environmental beliefs in both countries; in Tanzania due to acquiescence bias, and in Indonesia exploratory factor analysis supported none of the original factors, with 4 of 15 statements loading onto a novel “eco-fragility” factor. Individual statements in both countries and the eco-fragility factor in Indonesia were weakly correlated with support for protected area regulations, highlighting while elements of the New Ecological Paradigm can improve understanding of support for protected area regulations, care must be taken when applying psychometric tools in novel cultural contexts.
Indigenous Knowledge System and Agricultural Drought Adaptation in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Mzimela Jabulile H. , Moyo Inocent
Published: September 2024

By deploying an intersectional feminist political ecology analysis, this paper explores small-scale farmers’ (SSFs’) experiences and responses to agricultural drought in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality, South Africa. A mixed methods approach was employed, incorporating a household questionnaire survey, and analysed using Microsoft Excel complemented by qualitative observations and document review, both of which underwent reflexive thematic analysis. The impacts of drought were particularly pronounced in the district, affecting agricultural productivity through reduced crop growth, extensive crop failures and increased livestock mortality. In addition, the study’s findings reveal how structural aspects of gender, shaped by social and cultural norms and institutions, can exacerbate gendered experiences of drought. SSFs actively leveraged the indigenous knowledge system (IKS) for adaptation, challenging dominant Eurocentric approaches. The efficacy of IKS in agriculture and its role in enhancing SSFs’ resilience to drought underscores its indispensability in policy and adaptation programmes. Furthermore, the study highlights potential ways to address and mitigate disparities among SSFs by avoiding simplistic and apolitical adaptation measures. Instead, it advocates for nuanced and contextually appropriate adaptation measures to ensure effective and equitable adaptation.
Transformative Learning With Mexican Cartel Members: An Exploration of Organized Crime Through Participatory Action Research in Prison
Authors: Strickland Danielle
Published: September 2024

This article considers transformative education in prison as a tool to address cartel violence in Mexico. It begins by examining how the rise of democracy in Mexico is partially responsible for the expansion of organized crime. Data from a participatory action research project with twelve men incarcerated for cartel-related crimes is then used to explore the violence plaguing Mexico. Results emphasize the relevance of structural disparities and stigma as sociocultural barriers that favor the empowerment of organized crime. The article closes with reflections regarding the challenges for prison education in a country where cartels have significant control over the government.
Gaps in Achievement or Opportunity? How Achievement Gap Discourse Affects Teachers’ Beliefs and Priorities
Authors: Comstock Meghan
Published: September 2024

Education scholars argue that the term “achievement gap” promotes deficit orientations toward certain students of color, focuses the field on individualistic rather than structural sources of inequality, and narrows viable policy solutions for equity concerns. Using a randomized survey, I examine whether the term “racial opportunity gap” mitigates critiques of the achievement gap term. I find that teachers responding to this language less strongly attributed the gap to individual characteristics—student motivation, student effort, and parenting—and more strongly prioritized incorporating students’ racial/ethnic and cultural identities into instruction to address the gap than teachers responding to “racial achievement gap” language.
Leishmaniasis – Still a diagnostic challenge: An individual participant data systematic review
Authors: Sarfraz Azza , Sarfraz Zouina , Liaqat Maryyam , Khan Muhammad Hadi , Abdul Jabbar Hafiza Aqsa , Abdullah Muhammad
Published: September 2024

Leishmania, endemic in nearly half the world’s countries, continues to pose significant diagnostic challenges. Our systematic review sought to analyse problems in diagnosis especially in low- to middle-income countries. The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 4.5 years. While microscopic detection often failed, polymerase chain reaction showed high sensitivity. Clinical presentations varied significantly, highlighting the complexity of diagnosing leishmaniasis, especially in patients with prolonged disease in non-endemic areas.
Nurturing a Sense of Belonging in LGBTQIA2S+ Community College Students
Authors: Bennett Elizabeth
Published: September 2024

Background/context:

Challenges faced by community college students have both intensified and transformed since COVID-19 hit in spring 2020. As colleges transitioned operations online and are still gradually returning to in-person teaching and learning, they have had to experiment with how to help students maintain some sense of connection to their peers, their learning, and their schools. This task is complicated in a community college setting because of the size and diversity of student populations; supporting particular populations such LGBTQIA2S+ students calls for additional layers of ongoing reflection.

Purpose:

Amid increased backlash and a surge in legislation against LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, community colleges face the challenge of helping this marginalized part of our student population feel confident that they belong on campus. In reflecting on efforts by my college to support LGBTQIA2S+students before, during, and after the pandemic, I show how a focus on increasing feelings of belonging are instrumental in retaining LGBTQIA2S+ students.
Building an evaluation index system of musical collaborative capacity for China’s compulsory music education: Using a combined Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process approach
Authors: Su Hang , Qu Houhua , Luo Yue
Published: September 2024

The latest version of China’s National Compulsory Education Curriculum Programme and Standards 2022 (hereafter CECPS 2022) emphasises the cultivation of students’ collaborative capacities, mentioning ‘ carrying out the core literacy effectively’. From the perspective of music education, this study summarises the requirements for collaborative activities in compulsory courses of the music discipline within CECPS 2022 in the light of Social Interdependence Theory, and builds an Evaluation Index System of Collaborative Capacity (hereafter EISMCC) by employing the Delphi method and an Analytic Hierarchy Process approach. After 3 rounds of expert consultations and revisions, it was found that EISMCC in compulsory music education is comprised of 3 first-level indices, 7 second-level indices and 20 third-level indices. The index framework and the results of the weight distribution with reliable quality reflect the experts’ emphasis on the process, goal orientation and synergistic interaction of collaborative activities in music learning. The whole system considers people’s general understanding of collaborative capacity, the calls within CECPS 2022 for collaborative music activities, and the practical demands of music teaching in compulsory education. This study provides a theoretical basis, a design process paradigm, practical guidance and a valid tool for the evaluation of collaborative capacity in compulsory education.
Low-cost seaweed biomass treatment with formaldehyde for cationic dyes removal from aqueous solutions
Authors: Polanco-Gamboa D. M. , Abatal Mohamed , Polanco-Gamboa D. M. , Aguilar Claudia , Anguebes-Fransechi Francisco , Lima Eder C. , Vargas Joel , Alfonso Ismeli , Quiroz A
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to investigate the uptake of two basic dyes (methylene blue [MB] and brilliant cresyl blue [BCB]) using the formaldehyde-treated algae Fucus vesiculosus (FV-FORMALD). The surface and morphology of modified biomass was characterized by the point of zero-charge (pHPZC), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area ( SBET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir and Freudnlich isotherm model for MB and BCB, respectively. Kinetics modeling shows that the adsorption of both dyes onto FV-FORMALD was well described by pseudo-second order. The thermodynamics parameters validated the exothermic nature and the spontaneously of the adsorption of both dyes. The optimum conditions for the adsorption of MB and BCB were at pH = 8 and 4, adsorbent concentration = 2 and 1 g L−1, and T = 313.15 and 300.15 K, respectively. The FV-FORMALD had reuse potential for at least three cycles with high adsorption capacities of MB and BCB dyes. A colored real wastewater was successfully treated using FV-FORMALD. According to the results, the brown algae FV-FORMALD could be considered appropriate for removing cationic dyes due to its high efficiency and an environmentally friendly, sustainable, and low-cost approach.
Implementing national performance indicator ontology: A case study of Botswana's development agendas
Authors: Sebubi Oarabile , Zlotnikova Irina , Hlomani Hlomani
Published: September 2024

This paper presents the National Performance Indicator Ontology (NPIOnto), a knowledge model designed for the semantic representation of national performance indicators (NPIs) and related performance variables to enhance the semantic capabilities of open data. The research addresses the lack of semantic representation for NPIs, particularly within Botswana's development agendas, which impedes the effective use, accessibility, and integration of performance data essential for monitoring and achieving sustainable development goals. NPIOnto was developed through five steps: discovering the ontology purpose, studying the development agenda knowledge domain, developing the conceptual knowledge model, formalizing the conceptual model, and evaluating the formal model's effectiveness in enhancing the semantic capabilities of open data resources. The evaluation, based on practical application in Botswana, demonstrated that NPIOnto significantly improves the accessibility, understandability, interoperability, integrability, and intelligibility of open data. Insights from the Botswana case study indicate that while NPIOnto is tailored to meet Botswana's development agenda needs, it can be adapted for use in other developing countries.
Influence of cooling-mediums on surface properties of HVOF treated thrust-plate
Authors: Sharma Anubhav Kumar , Kumar Monty , Kumar Niranjan , Das Alok Kumar
Published: September 2024

The current study aims to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of the thrust plate of the gear pump using High Velocity Oxy-fuel (HVOF) surface treatment. Further, this research focuses on the effects of different cooling mediums (Air, Water, Kerosene oil, Olive oil, and Hydraulic oil) on HVOF-treated samples of the thrust plate. The result shows that the micro-hardness of HVOF-treated samples has increased significantly by 142% (maximum ∼ 188 HV0.2) for water-cooled sample as compared to untreated sample (78 HV0.2). The coefficient of friction for the untreated sample was 0.44, whereas it was found to be 0.39, 0.27, 0.20, 0.06, and 0.04 for the HVOF-treated samples quenched in Water, Air, Kerosene, Olive oil, and Hydraulic oil, respectively. A significant increment in water contact angle (WCA) was observed for the HVOF-treated sample (hydraulic oil cooled - 111°) as compared to the untreated thrust plate sample (WCA - 61.8°).
Perceived Success of Mental Health Court Programs: Examinations of the Perceptions of Mental Health Court Administrators as Compared to Drug Court Personnel
Authors: Thompson Christine K.
Published: September 2024

Mental health courts are a type of treatment court that utilizes the principles of therapeutic jurisprudence to provide a treatment-oriented approach rather than the traditional adversarial approach. This study sought to explore mental health court administration through the experiences and perceptions of the court administrators as it compares to a previous study ( N = 114) conducted about drug court administrators in 2008 (Nored & Carlan). The available literature demonstrates positive results from these programs, but many aspects of their functioning and what makes them function well remain unknown. Mental health court administrators ( N = 126) were surveyed using an electronic questionnaire. The questionnaire asked questions about administrator demographics, perception of program success, and perceived levels of support. Mental health court administrator responses were compared to the results of the drug court administrators, finding similar results in perception of success and perceived levels of support for the program. In both studies, administrators perceived their programs as successful and considered local support to be highest and of most importance. Some notable differences were found in court administrator demographics in regard to age, race, and gender. Implications for court administration, hiring, and program evaluation are discussed.
Resourcing Hope: Refugee Agentive Consumption Acts in Protracted Displacement
Authors: El Jurdi Hounaida A. , Baktir Zeynep , Price Linda L.
Published: September 2024

The global refugee crisis presents a complex challenge, with millions experiencing protracted displacement in inhospitable conditions. This study examines the lived experiences of Syrian refugee women in Lebanon, focusing on how they resource hope and maintain well-being amid forced liquidity and uncertainty. Drawing on ethnographic interviews with 26 Syrian refugee women, the authors uncover the profound effects of changed consumer roles and the critical function of agentive anchoring acts of consumption in resourcing hope. The findings reveal that refugees employ four types of anchoring acts—domesticity, spirituality, self-care, and socializing—to momentarily restore normalcy, affirm dignity, and enhance well-being. These acts serve as vessels for resourcing and mobilizing hope, enabling refugees to “live through” their present circumstances while aspiring for a better future. The authors introduce the concept of hope as a social resource that can be collectively shared and mobilized, highlighting the dynamic interplay between hope and hopelessness in refugee experiences. This research contributes to understanding how marketing and service systems can improve refugee well-being in protracted displacement, offering insights for stakeholders to create conditions that foster rather than inhibit subjective well-being to resource hope among vulnerable consumers experiencing protracted displacement and involuntary liquidity in global modernity.
Standardizing Multidisciplinary Case Conferences and Improving Communication Between Referring Physicians and Radiologists: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Elias Zeyad , Tarique Usman , Veit-Haibach Patrick , Kielar Ania Z.
Published: September 2024

Purpose: Assess the effectiveness of standardizing multidisciplinary case conferences (MDCs). Methods: Anonymous electronic surveys gauged opinions of abdominal radiologists engaged in recurring MDCs. A standardized Excel template, following Cancer Care Ontario guidelines and relevant literature, was distributed to MDC managers. Physicians were instructed to send cases 36 hours prior to MDC. Template adherence was assessed at 1.5 and 8 months. A follow-up survey at 4 months evaluated the intervention’s effectiveness. Results: 27/34 abdominal radiologists provided 47 baseline responses, and 12 delegated radiologists provided 23 follow-up responses. “Often/always” being provided the image’s location increased from 36% (17/47) at baseline to 70% (16/23) at follow-up. Non-adherence to the 36-hour cut-off decreased from 36% (16/45) to 17% (4/23). 72% disagreed that uploading remote imaging to hospital servers is easy (33/46), similar to follow-up (18/23, 78%). In assessing the intervention, 41% noted improved standardization (9/22), another 41% considered MDCs already standardized (9/22), and 18% reported no change (4/22). Those reporting no change experienced a higher frequency of non-adherence to the 36-hour cut-off (3/4, 75%) than others (1/18, 6%), and less frequent “often/always” ratings for image location being provided (3/4, 75%) than others (2/18, 11%). 89% (25/28) of MDCs adhered to the template. Issues regarding last-minute add-on cases may be mitigated through EPIC force functions. Artificial intelligence advancements may assist in retrieving external images and patient information. Conclusion: Adherence to MDC standardization was high, allowing for more efficient preparation, potentially reducing radiologist administrative burdens. Future force functions and artificial intelligence integration into electronic patient records may further augment this.
Exploring the Quality of Life of University Students in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Survey Using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) Assessment
Authors: Ali Hossam Tharwat , Helal Abdulrhman , Ismail Suzan Mostafa , Hamdi Nermeen Mohamed , Mohamed Nourhan Lashin , Essa Alaa Mohamed , Mohammed Marwa ,   QOL Collaborator Group, Ebada Mahmoud A.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To comprehensively assess the quality of life (QoL) of Egyptian university students.

Design

Cross-sectional online study.

Setting

Online settings of university students from August to October 2023.

Subjects

University students aged 18-25 from various institutions in Egypt.

Measures

Physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.0. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to detect significant associations while Spearman correlation was used for correlation analysis.

Results

A total of 1930 Egyptian university students were included. Students showed outperformance in the psychological health and social relationships domains, with medians of 58 ± 20.8 and 58 ± 25, respectively, compared to physical health with a median of 46 ± 17.8 and environmental health with a median score of 16.6 ± 21.9. Non-medical students reported higher QoL scores, particularly in physical, psychological, and social domains, compared to their medical counterparts ( P-values <0.001, 0.007, and 0.002, respectively). No significant differences were observed between genders in any of the domains. Academic performance satisfaction significantly correlated with higher QoL scores across all domains ( P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This multi-center study sheds light on diverse aspects influencing QoL of Egyptian university students. The findings underscore the importance of addressing academic stressors, promoting health behaviors, and tailoring interventions based on students’ academic backgrounds with larger and more representative samples.
Influence of carbon percentage on the wear and friction characteristics of ATOMET 4601 alloys in heavy-duty machinery
Authors: Reddy K Palaksha , Kandavel T.K. , Sreehari V.M.
Published: September 2024

Heavy-duty machinery demands materials with strong wear resistance and good frictional properties, which conventional materials often lack. The knowledge of PM alloys’ friction and wear characteristics versus standard steel materials is limited. ATOMET 4601, a high-strength prealloyed powder with excellent compressibility, allows for parts with densities over 6.8 g/cm³. Carbon (0, 0.5, 1.0 wt.%) was added to enhance performance. These alloys, compacted to 75% of theoretical density and sintered at 1100 ± 10°C, were tested for wear and friction against EN31 steel. Results showed carbon improved tribological performance, with ATOMET 4601 + 1.0%C exhibiting the best wear resistance. Regression models and interaction plots indicated significant effects of load and speed on wear rate and coefficient of friction. Microstructural analysis revealed carbides and oxides in the ferrite matrix, with adhesive, abrasive, and oxidative wear as primary mechanisms.
Patients and caregivers as ‘regulatory actors’ in healthcare systems: Assisted dying as a case study
Authors: Jeanneret Ruthie , Close Eliana , Willmott Lindy , White Ben P
Published: September 2024

This article examines the role of patients and caregivers as ‘regulatory actors’ in healthcare. It uses and extends ‘regulatory space theory’ to argue that failing to consider the role of patients and caregivers as ‘regulatory actors’ in healthcare regulatory spaces misses a key piece of the regulatory puzzle. We argue that in assisted dying and other healthcare contexts, evidence shows that some patients and caregivers do behave as regulatory actors, engaging in sustained and focused attempts to alter behaviour. We then suggest a framework which explicitly incorporates notions of why patients and caregivers act in regulatory ways is helpful in understanding what the appropriate response to such actions should be. While the contribution of patients and caregivers to regulation is valuable and should be supported where desired by the person, if patients and caregivers are acting out of necessity to address system issues or ‘regulatory failure’, other regulatory actors (e.g. governments) should proactively respond and address these issues to reduce the burden on patients and caregivers of having to take regulatory action.
Assessing Google Search Trends for Mpox in the United States
Authors: Akram Hammad
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims:

Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) is a zoonotic infectious disease with symptoms of rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The most recent outbreak was reported in May 2022 with the first US case identified in the middle of the same month. Google Trends is a unique tool that quantifies frequencies of a specified search term in real-time, in a given time range, and by geographical location. The present study evaluates the utilisation of Google Trends data in understanding Mpox patterns in the US.

Materials and Methods:

On 29 September 2023, a Google Trends search was executed to analyse the popularity of the term Mpox for time range of 10 May 2022 to 28 September 2023. Data was exported into MS Excel and matched with the CDC’s Mpox case incidence data.

Results:

Mpox search was most popular in the District of Columbia (100) followed by Delaware (71), Maryland (70) and Georgia (68), respectively. The popularity scale of 24 was observed 2 days before the first US case was identified which could be attributed to the global rise in cases earlier in May 2022. Although a steep increase in Mpox searches was observed between July and August 2022, the trend aligned with the number of Mpox cases reported to the CDC during the same time frame.

Conclusions:

Google Trends data, if used in conjunction with other surveillance tools, can help in a better understanding of disease dynamics and may help validate trends obtained through other sources. Since Google Trends monitors and analyses searches in real-time, it can be valuable in establishing a robust action plan.