bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angie Chen: Hong Kong Film Pioneer
Authors: Willis Andy 
Published: October 2024

Less acknowledged within critical and academic circles than her contemporaries Ann Hui and Mabel Cheung, director Angie Chen is in many ways equally a pioneer within the Hong Kong film industry. This chapter considers Chen’s work, dividing it into three distinct periods. The first, following her training in filmmaking at the UCLA film school, saw her direct three feature films (Maybe It’s Love (1984), My Name Ain’t Suzie (1985) and Chaos by Design (1988)) for major Hong Kong production companies Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest at the time of the Hong Kong ‘new wave’. Following this Chen went on to become an award winning commercials director creating advertising campaigns for the likes of Proctor and Gamble. More recently, Chen has worked on a series of award winning documentary feature films that bring a particularly personal approach to their subjects.
Turning Points: Olive Schreiner Changing Her Mind About Race Matters
Authors: Stanley Liz 
Published: October 2024

In her middle years a number of transition points occurred that helped to change how Olive Schreiner thought and wrote about race matters. This chapter explores three such turning points or ‘epiphanies’, their reverberations in Schreiner’s writing and political activities, and the importance of networks in facilitating them. The first is Schreiner’s association with some Matjiesfontein workmen she met in 1890 when spending lengthy periods in this small railway village, feeling an affinity with them and their relationship with the karoo landscape. The second is Schreiner’s meeting in early 1893 with Eliza Brown, wife of missionary John Brown, in Taungs when visiting with her sister Ettie Stakesby Lewis. The third is the effects on Schreiner in her later 1905 of reading WEB Du Bois’s The Souls of Black Folk, given to her by Frederick and Adela Pethick Lawrence, which she described as ‘a book I have long been seeking & waiting for’. From 1905 onwards, Schreiner became more involved with members of the black intelligentsia and political elite, including such figures as John Tengo Jabavu, Walter Rubusana, Abdullah Abdurahman, and later Solomon Plaatje. Regarding her writing, the reverberations can be glimpsed in network terms, in particular her uses of letter-writing to challenge the retrograde political views of white politicians, and support for black organisations, including trades union activities in railways, docks and mines.
Predictor of low academic achievement among Dilla university students, southern Ethiopia, 2024
Authors: Kassaw Chalachew , Demareva Valeriia 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionIn Ethiopia, despite its growing higher education sector, student achievement rates remain concerningly low. Understanding the multifaceted factors influencing academic performance is crucial for improving educational equity and quality. This study delves into potential predictors of academic achievement among Ethiopian higher education students, examining individual characteristics, institutional elements, and broader socioeconomic influences.MethodologyThis survey enrolled 362 respondents and was conducted from December 7, 2023 till January 22, 2024. Simple random sampling, validated assessment tools and online data collection methods were employed to select and collect information from respondents. Data entry and analysis was done using Epi-info 7.0 and SPSS 25, respectively. Logistic regression analysis method was used to determine the association between the outcome and independent variable.ResultThe current results show that 166 (45/9%) of participants have GPAs below 3.18. Gender, social sciences/humanities or business/economics majors, suboptimal class environments, inadequate laboratory facilities, chronic illness, class sizes, low emotional coping skills, poor academic self-perception, and high social media use emerged as significant predictors of low academic achievement.ConclusionThis study identified factors associated with academic achievement. Female students, optimal learning environments, and smaller class sizes were linked to better performance, while social sciences/humanities or business/economics, inadequate facilities, and high social media use increased the risk of low achievement. Personal characteristics like emotional coping, self-perception, and chronic illness also played a role. These findings suggest interventions targeting individual and environmental factors could improve student outcomes.
Case report: Familial hypoparathyroidism with elevated parathyroid hormone due to an inactivating PTH mutation
Authors: Mukhtar Noha , Alghamdi Balgees , Alswailem Meshael , Alsagheir Afaf , Alzahrani Ali S. 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionSo far, only 11 PTH mutations have been described as causes of familial isolated hypoparathyroidism (FIH). In this report, we describe a family with FIH but with significant elevation of functionally inactive PTH due to a PTH mutation. We also show a positive therapeutic outcome of recombinant human PTH (teriparatide) therapy in one of the siblings who was not well controlled on large doses of calcitriol and calcium replacement therapy.Case descriptionThe proband is a 34-year-old woman who has a history of chronic severe hypocalcemia (HypoCa) since birth. She and her three brothers (33-year-old male twins, and a 21-year-old male) were diagnosed with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1b (PHPT 1b) based on the presence of chronic HypoCa (serum Ca 1.6-1.85 mmol/l) since birth associated with significantly elevated plasma PTH levels in the range of 310-564 pg/dl (normal range 10-65) and absence of signs of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy.Molecular studiesWES showed no pathogenic, likely pathogenic or variants of unknown significance in any known calcium-associated genetic disorder but a bi-allelic variant in the PTH itself ((NM_000315.4:c.128G&gt;A, p.Gly43Glu). This was confirmed by Sanger sequencing in the patient and her affected brothers.ManagementBecause the patient’s HypoCa was not controlled on large doses of calcitriol and calcium carbonate, a trial of teriparatide 20 mcg SC daily was started and resulted in normalization of calcium, decline in PTH levels and significant improvement in her general wellbeing.ConclusionHigh PTH in the presence of congenital hypocalcemia is not always due to receptor or post-receptor defect and can be due to a biologically inactive mutated PTH. In such cases, treatment with teriparatide may result in stabilization of biochemical profile and improvement in quality of life.
Dynamic changes of neutralizing antibody and memory T cell responses six months post Omicron XBB reinfection
Authors: Zhao Xin-Jing , Li Xin-Lou , Zhang Sheng , Chen Jin-Jin , Zhao Wei-Chao , Wu Na-Na , Wang Rui-Juan , Xu Qiang , Lv Chen-Long , Jiang Bao-Gui , Wang Guo-Lin , Fang Li-Qun 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionWith the continued prevalence of COVID-19, repeated infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has become common. However, studies on immune persistence post Omicron XBB reinfection are limited.MethodsWe prospectively studied the durability and cross-reactivity of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) and T cell responses among 20 subjects who suffered Omicron BA.5 infection with or without Omicron XBB reinfection over 6-month through the pseudovirus neutralization test and the fluorospot assay.ResultsNAbs against EG.5.1, BA.2.86, and JN.1 subvariants were decreased and undetectable at 6-month post Omicron BA.5 infection, while those elicited by Omicron XBB reinfection were significant increased and remained detectable against all detected variants within 6-month. Furthermore, in subjects with Omicron XBB reinfection, memory T cell responses could cross-recognized wild-type and Omicron spike peptides and reached peak at 3-month. Interestingly, comparable robust T cell responses were observed among non-seroconverted subjects post Omicron XBB exposure.ConclusionThough the NAbs against various emerging Omicron subvariants elicited by Omicron XBB reinfection can persist for at least 6-month, the HCWs should strengthen personal protection and timely be immunized with updated vaccines upon current circulating variants or conserved T epitope.
Predicting 24-hour intraocular pressure peaks and averages with machine learning
Authors: Chen Ranran , Lei Jinming , Liao Yujie , Jin Yiping , Wang Xue , Li Xiaomei , Wu Danping , Li Hong , Bi Yanlong , Zhu Haohao 
Published: October 2024

PurposePredicting 24-hour peak and average intraocular pressure (IOP) is essential for the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. This study aimed to develop and assess a machine learning model for predicting 24-hour peak and average IOP, leveraging advanced techniques to enhance prediction accuracy. We also aimed to identify relevant features and provide insights into the prediction results to better inform clinical practice.MethodsIn this retrospective study, electronic medical records from January 2014 to May 2024 were analyzed, incorporating 24-hour IOP monitoring data and patient characteristics. Predictive models based on five machine learning algorithms were trained and evaluated. Five time points (10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 6:00 PM) were tested to optimize prediction accuracy using their combinations. The model with the highest performance was selected, and feature importance was assessed using Shapley Additive Explanations.ResultsThis study included data from 517 patients (1,034 eyes). For predicting 24-hour peak IOP, the Random Forest Regression (RFR) model utilizing IOP values at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM achieved optimal performance: MSE 5.248, RMSE 2.291, MAE 1.694, and R2 0.823. For predicting 24-hour average IOP, the RFR model using IOP values at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 6:00 PM performed best: MSE 1.374, RMSE 1.172, MAE 0.869, and R2 0.918.ConclusionThe study developed machine learning models that predict 24-hour peak and average IOP. Specific time point combinations and the RFR algorithm were identified, which improved the accuracy of predicting 24-hour peak and average intraocular pressure. These findings provide the potential for more effective management and treatment strategies for glaucoma patients.
Prediction of tissue exposures of polymyxin-B, amikacin and sulbactam using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling
Authors: Wu Mengyuan , Feng Kun , Wu Xiao , Liu Chang , Zhu Shixing , Martins Frederico S. , Yu Mingming , Lv Zhihua , Yan Meixing , Sy Sherwin K. B. 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundThe combination antimicrobial therapy consisting of amikacin, polymyxin-B, and sulbactam demonstrated in vitro synergy against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.ObjectivesThe objectives were to predict drug disposition and extrapolate their efficacy in the blood, lung, heart, muscle and skin tissues using a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling approach and to evaluate achievement of target pharmacodynamic (PD) indices against A. baumannii.MethodsA PBPK model was initially developed for amikacin, polymyxin-B, and sulbactam in adult subjects, and then scaled to pediatrics, accounting for both renal and non-renal clearances. The simulated plasma and tissue drug exposures were compared to the observed data from humans and rats. Efficacy was inferred using joint probability of target attainment of target PD indices.ResultsThe simulated plasma drug exposures in adults and pediatrics were within the 0.5 to 2 boundary of the mean fold error for the ratio between simulated and observed means. Simulated drug exposures in blood, skin, lung, and heart were consistent with reported penetration ratio between tissue and plasma drug exposure. In a virtual pediatric population from 2 to &lt;18 years of age using pediatric dosing regimens, the interpretive breakpoints were achieved in 85–90% of the population.ConclusionThe utility of PBPK to predict and simulate the amount of antibacterial drug exposure in tissue is a practical approach to overcome the difficulty of obtaining tissue drug concentrations in pediatric population. As combination therapy, amikacin/polymyxin-B/sulbactam drug concentrations in the tissues exhibited sufficient penetration to combat extremely drug resistant A. baumannii clinical isolates.
Relationship between objectively measured conversation time and social behavior in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Kimura Noriyuki , Masuda Teruaki , Ataka Takuya , Matsubara Etsuro 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundSocial isolation is a significant public health concern in aging societies. The association between conversation time and social behavior remains unclear. This study examines whether objective conversation time is associated with social activity frequency in older adults.MethodsThis prospective cohort study enrolled 855 older adults (538 women; mean age, 73.8 years) aged 65 and older, who were followed from 2015 to 2019. All participants wore a wristband sensor to measure conversation time for at least 9 days and an average of 31.3 days per year. Social behaviors were assessed through interviews, and the frequency of engagement in community activities, outings, lessons, or classes and contact frequency were assessed using a self-report questionnaire. The association between conversation time and social behavior was evaluated using multi-linear regression analysis.ResultsConversation time was significantly associated with the frequency of engagement in community activities and lessons or classes after adjusting for several covariates (β = 0.181, 95% confidence interval: 0.107–0.254, p &lt; 0.001; β = 0.11, 95% confidence interval: 0.04–0.179, p = 0.002).ConclusionObjectively measured conversation time using a wearable sensor is associated with social behavior and may be a valuable parameter for social isolation in older adults.
On-the-fly thermal expansion for Monte Carlo multi-physics reactor simulations
Authors: Imron Muhammad , Lee Deokjung 
Published: October 2024

In this study, we present on-the-fly thermal expansion methodology for direct Monte Carlo coupled multi-physics reactor simulations. This approach allows the problem geometry to be thermally expanded on-the-fly during particle tracking using local temperatures, such as pin-averaged temperatures, obtained from the thermal-hydraulics solver. Numerical experiments demonstrated that modeling thermal expansion with local temperatures for thermal expansion improves the accuracy of reactor simulations, both for reactor eigenvalue and pin powers, compared to using global core-averaged temperatures. Additionally, the use of thermal expansion also improves the isothermal temperature coefficients, making them approximately 0.77 pcm/K closer to the measured data. Finally, results for depletion problems showed that incorporating thermal expansion in direct reactor modeling enhances the predicted critical boron concentration, particularly at high power and higher fuel burnup. These findings suggest that including thermal expansion in reactor modeling is essential for improving the fidelity of simulations.
Interoceptive sensibility and alcohol craving in Polish prisoners: the role of alexithymia and emotional dysregulation
Authors: Ścigała Dawid Konrad , Fabris Matteo Angelo , Zdankiewicz-Ścigała Elżbieta , Kuc Krystian , Longobardi Claudio 
Published: October 2024

IntroductionAlcohol craving, characterized by a strong desire or compulsion to consume alcohol, is a prominent symptom of substance dependence syndrome. Research indicates that alcohol craving is a significant factor leading to the termination of abstinence. The mechanisms underlying the activation of alcohol craving remain not fully understood. The urge to reach for alcohol may be stimulated by emotions, memories, thoughts, or bodily sensations, as well as external factors. It has been postulated that individuals with high levels of interoceptive sensibility tend to exhibit a high degree of alexithymia and emotion dysregulation in the context of alcohol craving. Deficits in identifying and verbalizing emotions, along with an operational thinking style, facilitate alcohol consumption by impeding accurate insight into one’s mental state, thereby hindering the comprehension of bodily states, emotions, and the regulation of self.MethodThis study involved 160 inmates incarcerated in a prison in Poland, awaiting participation in therapy for individuals with substance dependence following psychiatric diagnosis. Four questionnaires were used in the study: multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Sensibility (MAIA) for interoceptive sensibility, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) for alexithymia, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) for emotional dysregulation, and the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) for alcohol craving assessment.ResultsThe results of the study are as follows: the study findings indicated that alexithymia and emotional dysregulation significantly mediates the relationship between interoceptive sensibility and alcohol craving. The indirect effect for both factors was found to be significant, similar to the indirect effect observed for alexithymia as an mediator. However, in the case of emotional dysregulation, no significant indirect effect was observed.ConclusionOur study provides insights into the potential contribution of interoceptive sensibility to the heightened risk of alcohol dependence. Specifically, impaired interoceptive sensibility may be associated with the development of alexithymia and emotional dysregulation, potentially rendering individuals more susceptible to alcohol craving. Interoceptive sensibility could serve as a prerequisite for the cultivation of positive emotional processing skills.
Benefits of exercise for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jia Mingyuan , Zhang Jia , Pan Jianhua , Hu Fengting , Zhu Zhipeng 
Published: October 2024

BackgroundNumerous experimental studies have shown that exercise can serve as an intervention with beneficial effects on children and adolescents with autism. However, a systematic review on the specific areas affected has not been conducted.MethodsPreliminary research sources were obtained by searching four databases, and two researchers independently screened the literature that met the study criteria. The study was conducted under the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.Results37 studies were included in the final analysis, of which 9 studies were quantitatively synthesized and 28 studies were qualitatively analyzed. Exercise interventions have positive effects on motor performance, cognitive function, individual and social relationships, behavioral problems, physical health, and brain function in children and adolescents with autism. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that exercise can effectively improve social skills [SMD=-0.53, 95%CI (-0.76, -0.3), P=0.000].ConclusionsLong-term, regular, chronic exercise is beneficial for children and adolescents with autism, particularly in the area of social skills.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero PROSPERO, identifier CRD42024554530.
Association Between Disability and Suicide Mortality in the Spanish Community-Dwelling Adult Population. A Population-Based Follow-Up Study
Authors: Pastor-Barriuso Roberto , Padrón-Monedero Alicia , Almazán-Isla Javier , García López Fernando J. , de Pedro-Cuesta Jesús , Damián Javier 
Published: October 2024

ObjectivesTo assess the association of disability with suicide mortality, separately for women and men by age group.MethodsInformation was obtained from a representative national sample of 161,809 community-dwelling adults (≥18 years). Participants contributed to follow-up time from baseline interview (2008) until suicide, death by other causes, or 2017. We calculated, by sex, standardized suicide mortality differences (SSMD), comparing persons with and without disabilities standardized to sociodemographic distribution of disability population.Results29 women died by suicide during 800,754 person-years follow-up and 97 men during 735,709 person-years. Among women with disabilities, SSMD (95% Confidence interval) per 100,000 person-years at 5 years was 54.4 deaths (−17.2 to 126.1) [100.0 (−27.4 to 227.4) in women &lt;65 years and −4.8 (−27.3 to 17.7) in women ≥65 years (P homogeneity = 0.11)]. Among men, SSMD increased by 122.2 deaths (4.1 to 240.3) [37.2 (−40.2 to 114.6) in men &lt;65 years and 74.7 (−51.8 to 200.5) in men ≥65 years (P homogeneity = 0.62)].ConclusionSuicide risk was higher in women and men with disability. In women higher risk was only notable for those &lt;65. Men presented similar effects in both age groups. Nevertheless, due to imprecision of estimates, results should be viewed cautiously.
Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Analyses Reveal the Regulatory Mechanisms of Anthocyanin and Carotenoid Accumulation in the Peel of Coffea arabica
Authors: Wang Zuquan , Xie Chun , Wu Yihong , Liu Haobo , Zhang Xuesong , Du Huabo , Li Xuejun , Zhang Chuanli 
Published: October 2024

The color of coffee fruits is influenced by several factors, including cultivar, ripening stage, and metabolite composition. However, the metabolic accumulation of pigments and the molecular mechanisms underlying peel coloration during the ripening process of Coffea arabica L. remain relatively understudied. In this study, UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based transcriptomics were integrated to investigate the accumulation of anthocyanins and carotenoids in the peel of Coffea arabica at different ripening stages: green peel (GP), green-yellow peel (GYRP), red peel (RP), and red-purple peel (RPP). This integration aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms associated with these changes. A total of ten anthocyanins, six carotenoids, and thirty-five xanthophylls were identified throughout the ripening process. The results demonstrated a gradual decrease in the total carotenoid content in the peel with fruit maturation, while anthocyanin content increased significantly. Notably, the accumulation of specific anthocyanins was closely associated with the transition of peel colors from green to red. Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses identified the GYRP stage as critical for this color transition. A weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that enzyme-coding genes such as 3AT, BZ1, and lcyE, along with transcription factors including MYB, NAC, and bHLH, which interact with PHD and SET TR, may regulate the biosynthesis of anthocyanins and carotenoids, thereby influencing peel pigmentation. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the accumulation of anthocyanins and carotenoids in Coffea arabica peel during fruit maturation.
So Many Barcodes, So Little Time: A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Scanning of Blood Product Bags
Authors: O'Neill Kelly , Dunn Michelle , Dory Kathleen Parisien 
Published: October 2024

Background Incorrect administration of blood products is a critical concern, occurring once in every 12,000 units transfused in the United States. Blood product documentation and scanning are vital for patient safety, yet difficulties in scanning multiple barcodes on blood transfusion bags often lead to delays and the need for manual overrides. Methods This quality improvement project utilized the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle of improvement to address blood product scanning in a 495-bed hospital in New York City. Results The scanning rate for blood products increased significantly from 69% in January 2021 to 96% in May 2021, representing a 39% improvement. Subsequently, increased compliance in 2022 demonstrated sustainment of best practices. Conclusions Implementation of the PDCA method led to increased compliance in scanning blood product bags following barcode scanner recalibration.