bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terminal subduction processes of the Paleo-Asian Ocean: Insights from podiform chromitites in the Solonker suture zone, southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt
Authors: Fu Dong , Qian Qunye , Huang Bo
Published: February 2025

The Solonker suture zone in the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt marks the final closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean between the Inner Mongolia and North China segments. However, the terminal evolutionary processes of the Paleo-Asian Ocean along the Solonker suture zone remain hotly debated, mainly due to the uncertainty of the origins and tectonic affinities of ophiolites within this zone. Here, we present a new perspective to address this issue through an integrated analysis of podiform chromitites and host peridotites from the Solonker ophiolite of Early−middle Permian time, the largest ophiolitic fragment within the Solonker suture zone. Studies of petrography and mineral chemistry have revealed that the Solonker chromitite is characterized by high-Cr chromite with inclusions of olivine, clinopyroxene, and hydrous minerals, which indicates a hydrous and oxidized mantle source. The geochemical compositions of chromite parental magmas and host peridotites indicate that the high-Cr podiform chromitite formed through the interaction between boninitic melts and metasomatized mantle wedge peridotites. Based on these findings and regional geological data, we conclude that the Solonker ophiolite and podiform chromitite formed in a suprasubduction zone forearc environment that was likely induced by subduction reinitiation and/or slab rollback of the southern segment of the Paleo-Asian oceanic lithosphere. This geodynamic model provides new insights into the formation of forearc ophiolites in the Solonker suture zone and the complex tectonic processes that occurred during the terminal evolution of the Paleo-Asian Ocean. This model may also be applicable to other similar paleo-subduction-accretion systems worldwide, and could help to explain the formation of relatively young forearc ophiolites.
Anatomy of eucalyptus wood managed under a coppicing system
Authors: de Souza Ribeiro Daniel , de Fatima Martins Pires Tatiana , Cirilo Nauan Ribeiro Marques , Bento dos Santos Vaniele , Vidaurre Graziela Baptista , Moulin Jordão Cabral
Published: February 2025

Coppicing is a forest management technique that induces the production of new shoots from stumps to start a novel forest cycle. This study aimed to compare anatomical characteristics between coppice and high stem. Wood samples were collected from clones of Eucalyptus grandis ×  Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. grandis ×  Eucalyptus urophylla, and Eucalyptus saligna grown in one-stem coppice, two-stem coppice, and high stem. Anatomical parameters of fiber dimensions such as vessel diameter and frequency were analyzed. Anatomical elements were quantified by cell coloring and point counting (324 points) methods. The anatomical structure of coppiced trees was found to vary according to eucalyptus species. Fiber length and vessel frequency were similar between coppice and high stem. Coppiced wood showed higher fiber cell wall thickness and vessel diameter. Adaptation to coppicing resulted in a specific anatomical composition for each species, such as a higher quantity of parenchymal cells in E. saligna and a lower quantity of fibers in E. grandis ×  E. urophylla. The point sampling method provided inaccurate results, differing significantly from the cell coloring method. The findings underscore that the decision to manage forests under a coppicing system should be approached with caution, as it is crucial to understand the resulting anatomical alterations to mitigate potential industrial issues.
CDC Huskie green field pea
Authors: Warkentin Thomas D. , Tar'an Bunyamin , Banniza Sabine , Arganosa Gene , Barlow Brent , Horner Jaret , de Silva Devini , Wagenhoffer Stacey , Mikituk Kevin , Liu Yong , Breitkreutz Carmen , Weerasinghe Anoja , Raymond Dayna
Published: February 2025

CDC Huskie, a green cotyledon field pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivar, was released in 2022 by the Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan for distribution to Select seed growers through the Variety Release Committee of the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. CDC Huskie has good lodging resistance, medium-sized round seeds, a mean seed protein concentration of 23.3%, and good yielding ability. It is resistant to powdery mildew and moderately susceptible to Mycosphaerella blight and Fusarium root rot. CDC Huskie is adapted to the field pea growing regions of western Canada.
Completion Method and Stability Study of Bounded Set-In Norm Space via Data Mining
Authors: Yang Haiyan , Yu Huaping , Liu Die
Published: February 2025

Traditional methods do some very important work on complete sets in normed spaces. But to this day, complete sets are still not well understood. With the development of big data, multi-scale theory has been introduced into the field of data mining. For the above problems, we have combined the general multi-scale data mining theory with normed space. Firstly, based on the concept hierarchy theory, the definition of teaching data scale division and data scale, and the relationship between the upper and lower scale datasets between multi-scale datasets are given. Secondly, the methods for classification of multi-scale data mining are clarified. Finally, we propose the Multi-scale Data Mining Algorithm (MSDMA), its theoretical basis is given, and this framework is applied to association rule mining, and a multi-scale association rule mining algorithm is proposed to realize the cross-knowledge between multi-scale datasets. We experiment and analyze the MSDMA algorithm using the IBMTl014DlooK dataset and the real dataset of the entire population of H province. Experimental results show that our algorithm has high coverage, accuracy and low support estimation error.
An Open WSN Security Detection Method for Public Areas Based on Extended Bayes Classification
Authors: Zhang Y. , Jiao M.
Published: February 2025

There are a large number of different types of wireless signals in public areas, which are interwoven and easy to interfere with the signals of open wireless sensor network (WSN). While WSN allows different devices to access, when malicious attackers adopt camouflage technology, it is difficult to distinguish legitimate access from illegal access. Therefore, an open WSN security detection method for public areas based on extended Bayes classification is proposed. By orderly management of device access, real-time response to security threats, and scalable design of a security detection framework, open WSNs are protected from malicious attacks in public areas. By adopting technology such as feature extraction, data transformation, and anomaly detection, the network can improve its defense capability against malicious access and data tampering. In order to adapt to the dynamic changes of WSN, we consider the complex relationship between attributes and high-dimensional feature space mapping. An extended Bayes classifier is used to realize the attribute classification of WSN feature data and improve the accuracy of security detection. In the process of optimized extended Bayes classification, the built-in anti-interference mechanism improves the signal-to-noise ratio, accelerates data processing, and ensures the accuracy and real-time open WSN security detection in public areas. The experimental results show that the optimized extended Bayesian classification model can effectively distinguish between normal and malicious devices, with high accuracy, real-time performance, and stability, and is suitable for open WSN security detection in public areas.
Speech Recognition Method for English Translators in Noisy Environments Based on Attention Mechanism
Authors: Long Liu
Published: February 2025

In this paper, a novel speech recognition method is proposed to improve the recognition efficiency and accuracy of English translators in noisy environments. First, by using an efficient noise suppression algorithm, the interference of background noise to the recognition process is significantly reduced. Then, deep neural networks are used to enhance the adaptability to various noise environments, further improving the stability and accuracy of recognition. In the feature extraction stage, this paper focuses on Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients and Mayer filter bank features, which lays a solid foundation for the application of non-autoregressive Transformer. Finally, non-autoregressive Transformer technology is adopted in this study, which gives full play to its advantages in processing speed and efficiency, ensuring fast and accurate speech recognition in complex noise environments. On the whole, the method in this paper not only improves the performance of speech recognition in noisy environment, but also provides a valuable reference for the research and application in related fields.
Feature Extraction Method for Shot Based Animation Script Creation Empowered by Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Guo Nili
Published: February 2025

In order to support precise expression and efficient creation in the animation production process, this paper proposes a feature extraction method for animation script creation by introducing deep learning algorithms from artificial intelligence. First, the basic elements of animation script creation, including screen content, shot motion and time length, were analyzed. Subsequently, in the TF-IDF algorithm, the importance of keywords in the script is quantified by calculating word frequency and inverse text frequency. In the image block sparse representation method, the sparsity degree is used to represent the number of blocks and the target state is described by extracting image features. Finally, using convolutional neural network methods, feature extraction of segmented scripts for animation script creation is achieved through steps such as constructing two-dimensional matrices, performing convolution operations, segment pooling and feature extraction. The experimental results show that the method proposed in this paper has excellent accuracy in extracting features from shot scripts in animation script creation. It can support precise expression and efficient creation in the animation production process, improve the accuracy of feature extraction and provide strong support for the visualization of animation scripts and the design of shot language.
Dynamics of various solitonic formations and other solitons of a (4+1)-dimensional Davey–Stewartson–Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation using a newly designed analytical method
Authors: Kumar Sachin , Dhiman Shubham Kumar
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we use a newly formed generalized exponential differential rational function (GEDRF) method to show the dynamic patterns of closed-form analytical solutions to the (4+1)-dimensional Davey–Stewartson–Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (DSKP) equation. To help comprehend these solutions, we have also provided extensive three-dimensional and contour illustrations that show their distinctive characteristics such as lump forms, soliton forms, and interactions between solitons and newly formed waves. These visual representations enhance the comprehension of the solutions behaviors and properties. The derived generalized soliton solutions have extensive applications across various domains: in oceanography for modeling wave dynamics, in physics for studying wave propagation in different media, in engineering for the development of wave-related technologies, and in nonlinear dynamics for theoretical advancements. We used MATHEMATICA to show the multiple dynamic formations of soliton solutions, such as multi-peakons, multi-lumps, and interactions between them, which have been generated with various parameter values using numerical simulations and symbolic computations. Solitons can be found in a wide range of fields, including plasma physics, oceanography, and optical fibers. These findings highlight the versatility and significance of the DSKP equation within various scientific and related technology areas.
Pore Structure and Durability Improvement of CNovel® Mesoporous Carbon as a Support Material for Pt Catalysts in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Daimon Hideo , Inoue HIdeo , Inaba Minoru
Published: February 2025

Pore structure of mesoporous carbon (MPC, CNovel) as support material for Pt catalysts in polymer electrolyte fuel cells and durability improvement of MPC by heat-treatment were investigated. Because the primary particle size of MPC is ~2 µm, MPC is bead-milled to about 800 nm. Surface area of MPC is 1338 m2 g-1, which is comparable to that of conventional porous carbon support KB-600JD 1350 m2 g-1, while internal surface area of MPC is 1253 m2 g-1, much larger than that of KB-600JD (716 m2 g-1). Mesopore size distribution of MPC is narrower than that of KB-600JD, with central mesopore size of 4 nm. 3D-TEM analysis shows that MPC has much higher density of interconnected mesopores (2-6 nm) than KB-600JD, and cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy observations indicate that macropores (> 50 nm) coexist in MPC. These pore structures contribute to higher cell voltage of Pt/MPC over Pt/KB-600JD in the entire current density region. MPC support is heat-treated at 1800-2400℃ in Ar to improve durability against high potentials (1.0-1.5 V vs. RHE). Durability of Pt/MPC is higher than that of Pt/KB-600JD and monotonically improves with increasing heat-treatment temperature. MPC support maintains high surface area of 800 m2 g-1 even after heat-treatment at 2200°C
Competing influences of arterial pressure and carbon dioxide on the dynamic cerebrovascular response to step transitions in exercise intensity
Authors: Hedge Eric T. , Hughson Richard L.
Published: February 2025

Recent investigations of middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) kinetics at the onset of exercise have not accounted for potential dynamic changes in arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) during the transient phase of exercise transitions when modeling MCAv kinetics, despite PaCO2 having known effects on cerebrovascular tone. The purpose of our study was to determine the independent effects of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and estimated PaCO2 (ePaCO2) on mean MCAv during repeated moderate-intensity exercise transitions. We hypothesized that cerebral autoregulation would minimize the effect of sustained exercise-induced changes in MAP on mean MCAv, and that dynamic changes in ePaCO2 would contribute to changes in mean MCAv. Eighteen young healthy adults (7 women, age: 28±5 yr) performed three exercise transitions from 25 W to 90% of the ventilatory threshold in sequence with 5 min stages. Mean MCAv increased ( p<0.001) from 25 W (60.5±14.0 cmꞏs−1) to 90% of ventilatory threshold (68.8±15.1 cmꞏs−1). MAPMCA (Δ = 14±8 mmHg, p<0.001) and ePaCO2 (Δ = 2.7±1.8 mmHg, p<0.001) also increased with exercise intensity. Autoregressive moving average analysis isolated the independent effects of dynamic changes in MAPMCA and ePaCO2 on MCAv, with low prediction error (mean absolute error = 1.12±0.25 cmꞏs−1). Calculated steady-states of the ARMA step responses were 0.13±0.15 cmꞏs−1ꞏmmHg−1 for Δmean MCAv/ΔMAPMCA and 1.95±0.83 cmꞏs−1ꞏmmHg−1 for Δmean MCAv/ΔePaCO2. These data demonstrate that the combination of dynamic changes MAP and ePaCO2 largely explain the MCAv response during transitions in exercise intensity.
Health Care Use and Expenditures Associated With Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Eligible Medicare Fee‐for‐Service Beneficiaries
Authors: Pollack Lisa M. , Chang Anping , Lee Jun Soo , Shaffer Thomas , Wall Hilary K. , Brawner Clinton A. , Thompson Michael P. , Keteyian Steven J. , Sukul Devraj , Luo Feijun , Jackson Sandra L.
Published: February 2025

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can improve cardiovascular health. We identified whether CR participation was associated with fewer subsequent inpatient hospitalizations and emergency department visits and less Medicare and out‐of‐pocket expenditures, and whether outcomes varied by amount of participation.

Methods

This retrospective study used Medicare fee‐for‐service claims data, including beneficiaries with a CR‐qualifying event in 2016. Participants attended ≥2 sessions of CR within 365 days of the event. Propensity score matching was used to identify CR‐eligible nonparticipants. Difference‐in‐differences analyses were used to compare differences in outcomes before (2014–2015) and after (2018–2019; 2‐year CR period=2016–2017) the CR period between participants and nonparticipants.

Results

We identified 57 668 CR‐eligible beneficiaries after matching, with equal numbers of participants and nonparticipants. Nearly 65% of beneficiaries had a percutaneous coronary intervention, 33.5% had an acute myocardial infarction, 17.5% had a coronary artery bypass graft, and 16.8% had a heart valve repair/replacement. Compared with nonparticipants, participants had 47.6 fewer subsequent annual inpatient hospitalizations per 1000 beneficiaries (95% CI, −58.8 to −36.3) and $1005 lower subsequent annual Medicare expenditures per beneficiary (95% CI, −$1352 to −$659). Compared with no participation, medium participation (12–23 sessions), high participation (24–35 sessions), and CR completion (≥36 sessions) were associated with fewer inpatient hospitalizations and lower Medicare expenditures per year.

Conclusions

CR was associated with fewer subsequent annual inpatient hospitalizations and lower subsequent annual Medicare expenditures. A higher amount of participation was associated with a further reduction in hospitalizations and expenditures. These findings can inform programs and policies that encourage CR participation.
Quo Vadis, Russian Deterrence? Strategic Culture and Coercion Innovations
Authors: Adamsky Dmitry (Dima)
Published: February 2025

This article traces the impact of the Russo-Ukrainian War on the evolution of the Russian approach to coercion strategy. The article argues that strategic thinking evolves differently in various ideational realms, and that deterrence is not a universal concept. Cultural factors condition how a state approaches coercion strategy and account for differences across cases. The article offers a framework for examining the strategy of coercion and military innovations outside the Western intellectual tradition. Building on evidence from Russian primary sources and the traits of Russian strategic culture, it hypothesizes about the major trends in Russian deterrence strategy for the next decade and shows how the Russian establishment analyzes the failures and successes of Russia's intra-war coercion. The main lesson that the Russian expert community has learned is that its pre-2022 deterrence strategy and the posture supporting it are obsolete. Russia's main priorities are to restore its coercive credibility, to refine nuclear coercion for conventional scenarios that threaten Russia's vital interests, and to develop a coercion strategy for a non-nuclear near-peer competitor.
Why Great Powers Compete to Control International Institutions
Authors: Owen John M.
Published: February 2025

The world's two great powers, China and the United States, are competing over international order—that is, the rules, norms, and institutions that regulate relations among states and societies. China's ruling party is discontented with several features of the liberal international order that the United States and its allies constructed after World War II. Sino-American struggles over the content of institutions suggest that great powers compete to control international institutions. Such competition is especially intense when great powers have different domestic regimes, such as democracy and autocracy. Power and security are at stake because different types of international orders can grant material and social advantages to different types of states. My ecological theory of competition over international institutions makes three claims: (1) international institutions select for one regime type over alternatives; (2) the typical government believes that it is in its core interest to preserve its regime type; and (3) great powers can shape international institutions to select for their own regime type. I demonstrate these dynamics in great power relations in the interwar period (1919–1939).
Boom, Bling, Backbone, or Blip? The Signaling Inherent in Arms Transfers
Authors: Spindel Jennifer
Published: February 2025

Why do states send and seek conventional weapons? Though it may seem obvious that the balance of power motivates states to do so, numerous conventional arms transfers do not conform to the balance of power logic. This article argues that states seek weapons because arms transfers send signals about political alignments. Misunderstanding this signaling dynamic is part of the reason why the arms trade literature reaches divergent findings about the causes and consequences of arms sales. To explain how signaling dynamics operate alongside balance of power considerations, this article proposes a theory of arms transfers as symbolic signals. The article presents a typology of conventional weapons based on the weapons’ military utility and prestige and shows that different types of conventional weapons transfers send different signals about the political closeness or distance between the sender and receiver. I examine the case of arms sales to the Middle East before the 1967 Six-Day War to show the signaling function of arms transfers.
Taxonomic revision of the South Asian allies of Hipposideros galeritus Cantor, 1846
Authors: SRINIVASULU BHARGAVI , KUSUMINDA THARAKA , SRINIVASULU ADITYA , UKUWELA KANISHKA D. B. , AMARASINGHE CHAMARA , SIRIWARDANA SAHAN , KAUR HARPREET , MANNAKKARA AMANI , SOISOOK PIPAT , KAMALAKANNAN MANOKARAN , YAPA WIPULA BANDARA , SRINIVASULU CHELMALA
Published: February 2025

Hipposideros galeritus was described in 1846, with subsequent studies suggesting four subspecies across South and Southeast Asia. Our study indicates that the Indian and Sri Lankan populations previously considered subspecies of H. galeritus are, in fact, distinct species in need of taxonomic revisions. Based on the morphometric analysis, structure of the baculum, molecular phylogenetics, and echolocation call analysis, the Indian, Sri Lankan, and Southeast Asian populations of Hipposideros galeritus are distinct. We provide a detailed description of H. brachyotus Dobson, 1874 and describe a new species—H. srilankaensis sp. nov.—from Sri Lanka. Key morphological differences were found in the noseleaf, ear shape, and cranial features between the Indian (H. brachyotus), Sri Lankan (H. srilankaensis sp. nov.), and Southeast Asian populations (H. galeritus s.l.). Substantial genetic distances were found between H. galeritus populations, suggesting cryptic diversity that is yet to be resolved.
Two Early Byzantine Bible Manuscripts in Christian Palestinian Aramaic
Authors: Phillips Kim
Published: February 2025

Despite the ubiquitous use of Greek by the Christian church of the late antique Southern Levant, many Christians in the region also—or only—spoke Aramaic. Today, this dialect, known as Christian Palestinian Aramaic (CPA), is relatively sparsely attested in the form of regional inscriptions and, particularly, in the form of vernacular translations of Greek biblical, liturgical and theological texts. These translations survive predominantly as undertexts within palimpsest manuscripts.

Codex Climaci Rescriptus (CCR) is one of the most important palimpsest manuscript sources for the recovery of CPA texts. CCR was created around the tenth century; its superior text consists of Syriac translations of two theological works by John Climacus. This tenth century manuscript was manufactured using recycled parchment from at least eleven older, obsolete manuscripts whose texts had been scraped off in preparation for reuse. Two of these eleven manuscripts form the focus of the present study. The first—CCR II—was originally a manuscript of the Pauline Epistles in CPA translation; the second—CCR XI—was originally an Apostolos manuscript (i.e., it contained the Acts of the Apostles and the Catholic Epistles).

Cutting-edge multispectral imaging technology has been brought to bear on CCR in the last decade, enabling more detailed and accurate reconstructions of its various undertexts. With the benefit of this technology, this study offers a detailed codicological introduction to each of CCR II and CCR XI, fresh editions of the undertexts themselves, as well as a commentary that begins to evaluate the ongoing significance of this manuscript for biblical and linguistic studies.
3. CCR XI: Acts and Catholic Epistles
Authors: Phillips Kim
Published: February 2025

The first part of the chapter provides a detailed codicological description of the early-period (c. sixth century) CPA Acts and Catholic Epistles manuscript: CCR XI. Six bifolia were recycled from this manuscript for use in CCR in the tenth century. The description includes a discussion of the paratextual features of the manuscript, and an initial discussion of the manuscript’s punctuation.

The second part of the chapter provides a fresh transcription of the CPA text of the eleven folios currently held by Museum of the Bible. Each page includes two brief marginal apparati: the first lists the differences in reading between the current transcription and that of Müller-Kessler and Sokoloff; the second consists of a brief textual apparatus.
National shipbuilding strategies in Australia, Britain, and Canada
Authors: Sloan Elinor C.
Published: February 2025

This article conducts a comparative analysis of naval shipbuilding approaches by Australia, Britain, and Canada with a view to promoting wider understanding of naval shipbuilding in Canada. Through various strategic and tactical factors, it illuminates how Canadians got to where they are in naval shipbuilding, which processes should be kept, and where there are shortfalls. With a focus on large naval ships, defined as 1000 tons or heavier, the article finds that much of Canada's naval shipbuilding strategy makes sense and should be continued. Yet there are critical problem areas that, if not addressed, threaten to leave the Royal Canadian Navy without the warships it needs.
China and the Arab Gulf States, post-Covid: Through the Sino-American looking glass
Authors: Sela Ori , Friedman Brandon
Published: February 2025

Over the past three years China's security and diplomatic engagement in the Middle East has been improvisational and opportunistic, seeking to exploit the US engagement in conflicts in Afghanistan, Yemen, Ukraine, and Gaza and serving the Chinese aim of using political and diplomatic support in the Middle East to counter what it sees as a US effort to encircle and contain China's power and influence. Yet China is not seeking to replace the US as a regional security provider in the Middle East and the US's traditional security partners in the region—like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, but also Egypt and Turkey—are not looking for China to substitute for the US either. Instead, they view China as part of a strategy of multi-alignment, which would allow them to preserve their independence by balancing their relations with Russia, China, and the US.
Bureaucratic Corruption and Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Case-Study of Cameroon and Botswana
Authors: Fon Nguh Nwei Asanga
Published: February 2025

This paper probes into the impact of corruption on development by looking at the correlation between bureaucratic corruption and human development in two Sub-Saharan African countries: Cameroon and Botswana. Methodologically, it is a comparative case-study analysis based on the principal–agent theory and the principal–agent–client (PAC) model. Using empirical evidence in both quantitative and qualitative data from both countries this paper compares their performances on bureaucratic corruption and assesses the impact of these performances on human development. The factual evidences uncovered from both countries show a positive correlation between high anti-corruption performance and high human development and vice versa.
How does violence deter? Functional and informational effects of preemptive repression
Authors: Aktan Dogus
Published: February 2025

Research on the relationship between repression and dissent has mostly ignored the mechanisms through which repression affects dissent. I distinguish two distinct channels through which repression can deter dissidents. First, preemptive repression works through a functional channel by directly reducing the opposition’s capabilities. Second, the severity of preemptive repression provides information to its target about the strength of government. I use a formal model to demonstrate how these two channels interact, leading to strategic behavior that has not been discussed in previous work. In particular, I show that the functional and informational channels are not necessarily complementary. The model demonstrates that uncertainty about government resolve can increase or decrease observed repression. It also shows that repression can become more effective in deterring dissent when it is more costly and vice versa. Taken together, these results provide a theoretical explanation for the inconsistent empirical findings on the effect of repression on dissent and offer a framework for future research.
Gender and automobility in the Pakistani road movie Dukhtar or Daughter (2014)
Authors: Butt Nadia
Published: February 2025

This article claims that the Pakistani movie Dukhtar (Urdu/Persian: دختر; transl.  Daughter) demonstrates gender dynamics tied to automobility in the Pakistani tribal cultural contexts. To this end, I elaborate on the iron will of the female protagonist Allah Rakhi as a co-driver who shows courage in the most harrowing circumstances. Although the movie does not show a woman behind the wheels, it certainly affirms Rakhi's resistance and resilience. She refuses to accept her husband's decision about trading their only daughter to end a feud by marrying her off to an elderly man, escapes with her on the day of her marriage, and begs a truck driver to transport her to Lahore. The truck becomes her armour and mobile home, signalling freedom and liberty. Even though Rakhi is shot at the end of the journey, she saves her daughter from the malevolent custom of child marriage and thus wins over social and domestic injustice by sacrificing her life.
ECMO for the pregnant and peripartum patient: A practical review of indications, unique management considerations, and an approach framework
Authors: Hrymak Carmen S. , Labib Ahmed , Akkanti Bindu , Antonini Marta V , Bruggeman Bradley , Griffee Matthew J , Heinsar Silver , Jacobs Jeff P , Larzelere Michelle , Naoum Emily , O’Neil Erika , Roussos-Ross Dikea , Zaaqoq Akram M , Peek Giles J , Arora Rakesh C
Published: February 2025

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to support the pregnant patient and fetus requires a complex decision-making process. Peripartum ECMO requires coordinated and informed decision-making between an interdisciplinary team of experts, incorporating the unique considerations and, at times, competing physiologic priorities of the pregnant patient. It is often confounded by a scarcity of local relevant experience engendered by its rare occurrence. No event has made the need for an organized approach to the utilization of ECMO in pregnant patients more pressing than the COVID pandemic. The conditions affecting pregnant patients that warrant ECMO consideration are high stakes and, at times, ethically challenging, although outcomes are favourable compared to the general population. This review provides background information and context, followed by a practical approach to the care and specific medical management of patients who are facing life-threatening conditions warranting ECMO while pregnant.
Radiomics analysis of substantia nigra on multi-echo susceptibility map-weighted imaging for differentiating Parkinson’s disease from atypical parkinsonian syndromes
Authors: Cheng Weiling , Zeng Wei , Guo Jiali , Dai Jiankun , Zhou Fuqing , Li Fangjun , Fang Xin
Published: February 2025

Background

While the “swallow tail” sign observed in the substantia nigra (SN) on susceptibility map-weighted imaging (SMWI) serves as an effective marker for differentiating patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) from healthy individuals, its visual assessment proves inadequate in differentiating PD from atypical Parkinson syndromes (APS).

Purpose

To employ radiomic features extracted from multi-echo SMWI of the SN to distinguish between PD and APS.

Material and Methods

SMWI data were acquired from 63 PD patients, 38 APS patients, and 89 healthy controls. The participants were randomly assigned to either training or test groups in a 7:3 proportion. Utilizing the PyRadiomics software, a set of radiomic features were extracted from SN for analysis. Features underwent standardization via the maximum-minimum method, with 166 statistically significant features identified through independent t-tests. To minimize the risk of overfitting, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was implemented to identify and select the five most significant features from the radiomic dataset. Five distinct machine-learning classifiers were developed to distinguish between PD, APS, and healthy controls. The SHapley Additive Explanations was employed to gain insights into and visualize the relative importance of each feature within these models.

Results

Morphological, first-order, texture, and wavelet transform features of the SN emerged as the most crucial determinants. The light gradient-boosting machine model demonstrated superior performance in distinguishing between PD, APS, and healthy controls.

Conclusion

Radiomic features of the SN derived from SMWI show promise in differentiating PD from APS, potentially enhancing diagnostic accuracy in clinical settings.
When Lateral Epicondylitis Is Not Lateral Epicondylitis: Analysis of the Risk Factors for the Misdiagnosis of Lateral Elbow Pain
Authors: Blonna Davide , Hoxha Norsaga , Greco Valentina , Rivoira Carolina , Bonasia Davide Edoardo , Rossi Roberto
Published: February 2025

Background:

Lateral elbow pain, often attributed to lateral epicondylitis, presents diagnostic complexities. Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is the most frequent cause of lateral elbow pain, but a differential diagnosis among all the potential causes of lateral elbow pain is not easy.

Purpose:

To evaluate the rate of misdiagnoses in patients previously diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis, identify at-risk patient profiles, and determine sensitive clinical tests for a misdiagnosis.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A prospective analysis was conducted on 189 consecutive patients with a previous diagnosis of lateral epicondylitis and failed nonoperative treatment. According to medical history and a physical examination, patients were preliminarily classified into the typical or atypical lateral epicondylitis group. Atypical epicondylitis was defined as one of the following: atypical lateral pain location, history of trauma, limited range of motion (ROM), elbow swelling, negative Cozen test finding, and physical examination findings suggesting a misdiagnosis. Patients in the atypical group were further investigated for a potential lateral epicondylitis misdiagnosis using magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and/or analysis of intraoperative samples according to suspected underlying abnormalities. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the risk of a misdiagnosis. A standardized diagnostic analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical tests used during the physical examination to identify misdiagnosed patients.

Results:

A misdiagnosis occurred in 21 of 189 (11%) patients. The most common misdiagnoses were posterolateral elbow instability in 6 patients; radial nerve compression and inflammatory osteoarthritis in 3 patients each; and osteochondritis dissecans, posterolateral plica, and primary osteoarthritis in 2 patients each. The variables associated with a misdiagnosis were young age (≤30 years; odds ratio [OR], 66.90; P < .001), history of trauma (OR, 17.85; P = .0027), history of a limitation of ROM and/or mechanical symptoms (OR, 16.68; P = .0278), history of elbow swelling (OR, 14.32; P = .0032), and number of corticosteroid injections (OR, 2.00; P = .0007). Atypical lateral pain location highly predicted a misdiagnosis, with a sensitivity of 90.5%.

Conclusion:

A misdiagnosis can occur in patients affected by longstanding lateral elbow pain. Young patients and patients with a history of elbow trauma, a limitation of ROM, swelling, corticosteroid injections, and atypical lateral pain should be highly suspected for a misdiagnosis.
Anything but Politics: Connectedness in Networked Social Groups for Addressing Prejudice
Authors: Bouchillon Brandon C.
Published: February 2025

Research indicates that prejudice has been growing in America. Citizens feel increasingly threatened by immigrants, and hate crimes against immigrant groups have risen. Declining interpersonal contact has also made it more difficult to address prejudice directly. This study examines whether nonpolitical social media groups can foster connections that reduce prejudice. These groups allow users to connect on the basis of shared interests, enabling diverse individuals to form close relationships which may improve attitudes toward immigrants. Using a national web survey matched to U.S. Census percentages for sex, race, ethnicity, age, and region of residence ( N = 1500), along with a two-wave panel conducted over six weeks ( N = 752), results indicate that blatant prejudice is more prevalent than subtle prejudice. Respondents were more likely to feel threatened by immigrants than to withhold positive emotions from them. As a remedy, social connectedness in nonpolitical groups was associated with diminished blatant prejudice and lower levels of global prejudice, a measure that includes both subtle and blatant components. Findings suggest that feeling connected with different people remotely can improve attitudes toward racial and ethnic diversity, helping individuals feel less threatened by immigrants and less prejudiced overall.
Neighborhood Walkability, Third Place Engagement, and Their Impact on Physical Activity and Social Capital for Older Adults Living Alone and With Others
Authors: Yu Chia-Yuan
Published: February 2025

This study examines how neighborhood walkability, third place engagement, and socio-demographic characteristics affect leisure-time physical activity and social capital among older adults. It also investigates how these relationships differ between those living alone and those living with others. Data for this study were collected via an online survey administered to 638 older adults, aged 65 and above, residing in Orlando, Florida. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models were employed. Frequent visits to third places significantly increased moderate leisure-time physical activity and social capital. Neighborhood walkability also played a crucial role in promoting physical activity and social capital. The availability and condition of sidewalks also played a positive role in promoting physical activity. Enhancing neighborhood walkability and promoting third place engagement can be key strategies for improving both physical and social well-being among older adults, especially those living alone.
Precision characterization of hole attributes in Nd:YAG laser percussion drilling of Al/SiC MMC
Authors: Yadav Anurag , Dubey Avanish Kumar , Sharma Sunil Kumar , Upadhyaya BN
Published: February 2025

Aluminum-reinforced silicon carbide composite (Al/SiC) has gained popularity as a metal matrix composite for various applications in aerospace, automotive, defense, and other fields due to its high specific strength, lightweight, and wear-resistant characteristics. Due to their excellent material properties, drilling precise holes especially in thick Al/SiC composites is a difficult task. The present research aims for laser beam percussion drilling of precise holes with better accuracy by reducing the hole taper, non-circularity, and spatter size. This study may help figure out the best way to use a laser beam to drill holes in a 4.5 mm thick Al/SiC composite. The experimental results suggest that reducing the pulse width and increasing the assist pressure lead to a decrease in hole taper and better hole circularity. Genetic algorithm optimization technique was used to optimize the hole top circularity, resulting in a notable 7.587% improvement and a 2.736% improvement in the bottom circularity of the hole, respectively. The hole taper was significantly minimized by 31.943%, with spatter size also significantly reduced by 37.796%. This research further indicates the positive contributions of process parameters to improve the drilling efficiency and accuracy.
Claiming the right to the city: the politics of urban reform coalitions in Lagos
Authors: Olajide Oluwafemi Ayodeji , Lawanson Taibat
Published: February 2025

This paper examines how grassroots coalitions mobilize for the right to the city, the politics they encounter and the extent to which their actions result in urban reforms benefiting marginalized communities. The paper invokes a discourse on the right to the city as the mobilizing frame for grassroots social movement encounters against exclusionary development and displacement. Drawing on interviews and documents, we situate this discourse within two case studies of forced eviction in Lagos, Nigeria. To ground the investigation and highlight the tactics and politics of coalitions, the paper applies the conceptual framework of the invited–invented space of encounter. Our findings reveal that state-led neoliberal urban restructuring and spatial displacement in Lagos have triggered grassroots movements and the formation of coalitions, which, depending on the politics encountered, have both enhanced and constrained the struggle for transformative urban reforms that enable the right to the city for marginalized communities.
The hydrodynamic characteristics analysis of a centrifugal pump with the impeller angular misalignment fault
Authors: Liu Jing , Fancheng Wanli , Huang Suhe , Wu Zhiwu , Zhou Hongkuan , Chai Wenting , Zheng Wei
Published: February 2025

As a typical fluid machine, the centrifugal pump system experiences impeller angular misalignment resulting from manufacturing and assembly errors. A new computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation model is developed to investigate the effect of impeller angle misalignment on the internal flow characteristics of a centrifugal pump. The transient flow is described by applying the shear stress transport (SST) k- ω turbulence model. The results reveal that an increase in the impeller angular misalignment exacerbates the flow inhomogeneity and instability. This failure can reduce the head and efficiency; it can increase the flow turbulence in the pump. Furthermore, the angular misalignment leads to an elevated circumferential pressure gradient at the inlet and outlet of the impeller. It amplifies the peaks of axial frequencies and their harmonics, which can disrupt the uniformity of the radial force distribution. This study provides some valuable numerical references for the analysis of angular misalignment failures and vibration control. It can also offer a basis for the optimal design and vibration mitigation of centrifugal pump impellers.
Evaluating Narrative Group Therapy on Self-Efficacy and Social Anxiety for Students with Dyslexia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chan Tak Mau Simon , Lau Chi Yuen Victor
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The present study aims to examine the effectiveness of narrative group therapy for improving self-efficacy as well as reducing social anxiety among primary school Chinese students with dyslexia in Hong Kong.

Methods

A cluster-level randomized controlled trial is used to conduct a thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention for 38 primary students who have been diagnosed with dyslexia.

Results

The pretest–posttest results reveal that narrative therapy has a significantly positive influence on self-efficacy (ηp2 = .18, p < .01) and social anxiety (ηp2 = .16, p < .01), which shows significant time by group interaction effects. Additionally, the results suggest that changes in self-efficacy fully mediate the impact of the intervention on changes in social anxiety.

Conclusion

This study concludes that narrative group therapy is effective for primary students with dyslexia, as the findings highlight the positive outcomes in terms of enhancing self-efficacy and mitigating social anxiety.
Optimizing the Host Niche to Fuel Cleft Lip Muscle Regeneration
Authors: He Pinting , Cheng Xu , Shi Qian , Li Chenghao , Shi Bing
Published: February 2025

Objective

Lip muscle reconstruction is a key strategy for cleft lip repair, but the outcome of muscle regeneration is suboptimal. The lack of relevant models restricts studies on cleft lip muscle regeneration.

Design

In this study, we developed an animal xenograft model by transplanting muscle samples from patients with cleft lip into different host sites in immunodeficient mice. The grafted muscles were harvested after 1, 2, and 5 months to investigate the temporal dynamics of myofiber growth and maturation. Comparisons were made among muscle biopsies, xenografts in the masseter (MAS) muscle of the mice, and xenografts in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of the mice to determine the optimal host niche.

Histological analysis of myofiber number and size, fiber type switching, innervation, and blood supply was performed to evaluate the cleft lip muscle regeneration process.

Results

The muscles from cleft lip patients underwent an active degeneration-regeneration cycle. The fiber diameter in the MAS niche was significantly larger than that in the TA niche and was comparable to the fiber diameter of the donor biopsy from which it originated. The innervation and blood supply of the muscle grafts at the MAS host site were also superior to those of the grafts at the TA host site.

Conclusions

The MAS muscles of mice provided the most favorable microenvironment for cleft lip muscle regeneration. This patient-centered xenograft model offers a platform for cleft lip muscle regeneration studies.
Exploring the Burden Faced by Caregivers of Substance Using Loved Ones: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Sahar Namood-e , Naqvi Irum
Published: February 2025

Caregivers experience burden during care provision to substance users in the family. Burden significantly affects their psychophysiological health. It is however not yet studied among caregivers of substance users in Pakistan. The study thus aims to indigenously understand caregiver's burden. In-depth interviews were conducted with the caregivers of substance users ( N = 12; Mage = 36.33), i.e., parents ( n = 4), spouse ( n = 2), siblings ( n = 5), and children ( n = 1). The sample was approached through snowball sampling techniques. The data was analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The themes demonstrated the experience of burden for caregivers as psychosomatic strain, disruption in life, emotional burnout, excessive financial expense, and associated stigma, which is also supported by Zarit's model for feelings of burden. The findings highlighted the lived experience of burden for caregivers of substance users. It would help address the caregiver's burden from their perspective and ensure overall well-being. The study thus provides a way forward for the researchers and professionals. The revealed variables could be quantitatively studied by future researchers.