bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Nexus Between Sources of Workers’ Power in the Garment Manufacturing Industries of Lesotho and Eswatini
Authors: Jeppesen Søren , Bezuidenhout Andries 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWorkers in the garment manufacturing industry are often subjected to violations of their rights and are exposed to low wages and difficult working conditions. In response to the exposure of these violations in the media, major fashion brands and retailers subject their suppliers to labour codes of conduct. Despite these codes of conduct being largely ineffective, this comparative case study of garment manufacturers operating from Lesotho and Eswatini illustrates that such codes provide workers and trade unions with access to bargaining leverage that they would otherwise not have. A framework with a synthesis of potential sources of workers’ power is developed and related to global production networks, collective mobilisation, the nature of the state, as well as national and transnational scales of organising. Based on historical case studies of the two countries, this paper illustrates how unions in the two countries followed different approaches to using this source of power in relation to other sources of power. These approaches were shaped by their contexts and strategic choices. Theoretically, it is argued that sources of workers’ power are analytically distinct, but are relational and operate best when seen as mutually reinforcing. The term ‘power resource nexus’ is used to frame this potential mutual reinforcement of sources of power.
Retinoic acid mitigates the NSC319726-induced spermatogenesis dysfunction through cuproptosis-independent mechanisms
Authors: Yi Haisheng , Chen Tong , He Guitian , Liu Lingyun , Zhao Jiantao , Guo Kaimin , Cao Yin , Sun Penghao , Zhou Xu , Zhang Boqi , Li Chunjin , Wang Hongliang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCopper ionophore NSC319726 has attracted researchers' attention in treating diseases, particularly cancers. However, its potential effects on male reproduction during medication are unclear. This study aimed to determine whether NSC319726 exposure affected the male reproductive system. The reproductive toxicity of NSC319726 was evaluated in male mice following a continuous exposure period of 5 weeks. The result showed that NSC319726 exposure caused testis index reduction, spermatogenesis dysfunction, and architectural damage in the testis and epididymis. The exposure interfered with spermatogonia proliferation, meiosis initiation, sperm count, and sperm morphology. The exposure also disturbed androgen synthesis and blood testis barrier integrity. NSC319726 treatment could elevate the copper ions in the testis to induce cuproptosis in the testis. Copper chelator rescued the elevated copper ions in the testis and partly restored the spermatogenesis dysfunction caused by NSC319726. NSC319726 treatment also decreased the level of retinol dehydrogenase 10 (RDH10), thereby inhibiting the conversion of retinol to retinoic acid, causing the inability to initiate meiosis. Retinoic acid treatment could rescue the meiotic initiation and spermatogenesis while not affecting the intracellular copper ion levels. The study provided an insight into the bio-safety of NSC319726. Retinoic acid could be a potential therapy for spermatogenesis impairment in patients undergoing treatment with NSC319726.
Integration of clinical phenoms and metabolomics facilitates precision medicine for lung cancer
Authors: Yan Furong , Liu Chanjuan , Song Dongli , Zeng Yiming , Zhan Yanxia , Zhuang Xibing , Qiao Tiankui , Wu Duojiao , Cheng Yunfeng , Chen Hao 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLung cancer is a common malignancy that is frequently associated with systemic metabolic disorders. Early detection is pivotal to survival improvement. Although blood biomarkers have been used in its early diagnosis, missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis still exist due to the heterogeneity of lung cancer. Integration of multiple biomarkers or trans-omics results can improve the accuracy and reliability for lung cancer diagnosis. As metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of lung cancer, metabolites, specifically lipids might be useful for lung cancer detection, yet systematic characterizations of metabolites in lung cancer are still incipient. The present study profiled the polar metabolome and lipidome in the plasma of lung cancer patients to construct an inclusive metabolomic atlas of lung cancer. A comprehensive analysis of lung cancer was also conducted combining metabolomics with clinical phenotypes. Furthermore, the differences in plasma lipid metabolites were compared and analyzed among different lung cancer subtypes. Alcohols, amides, and peptide metabolites were significantly increased in lung cancer, while carboxylic acids, hydrocarbons, and fatty acids were remarkably decreased. Lipid profiling revealed a significant increase in plasma levels of CER, PE, SM, and TAG in individuals with lung cancer as compared to those in healthy controls. Correlation analysis confirmed the association between a panel of metabolites and TAGs. Clinical trans-omics studies elucidated the complex correlations between lipidomic data and clinical phenotypes. The present study emphasized the clinical importance of lipidomics in lung cancer, which involves the correlation between metabolites and the expressions of other omics, ultimately influencing clinical phenotypes. This novel trans-omics network approach would facilitate the development of precision therapy for lung cancer.
Graphical Abstract
1. Integrating multiple biomarkers or trans-omics results improves diagnostic accuracy and reliability in heterogeneous lung cancer.
2. Metabolomics and lipidomics, along with clinical phenotypes, construct a comprehensive metabolic profile of lung cancer patients.
3. TAG expression shows strong positive correlation with polar metabolites, potentially impacting clinical phenotypic changes in lung cancer patients.
Land Subsidence Impacts and Optimal Groundwater Management in South Africa
Authors: Ndahangwapo Nelson Ndakolute , Thiam Djiby Racine , Dinar Ariel 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFresh surface water is increasingly becoming scarcer worldwide, leading to significant groundwater over-extraction. However, groundwater over-extraction could result in many environmental externalities including various land subsidence (LS) effects. LS causes the gradual reduction of the voids and the subsequent ground surface sinking. The loss of aquifer system storage capacity, owing to LS, is one such negative externality that is seldom discussed in the economic literature. In this paper, we investigate the indirect loss of the aquifer system storage capacity due to LS along with other direct LS negative externalities. We develop a dynamic economic optimization model for groundwater utilization and evaluate various policy instruments (quota systems, taxes on land sinking and aquifer storage loss, and packaging and sequencing of taxes and quotas) to prevent overexploitation externalities. The model is calibrated to South African data. We found that taxes on land sinking and aquifer system storage capacity reduction have a significant effect on withdrawals and water table levels. Taxes provide larger social welfare. In addition, under certain circumstances, quotas are preferable when it comes to supporting groundwater conservation practices. Packaging and sequencing provide the second largest social benefits.
Solvent Acidity and Basicity Scales: Analysis of Catalan’s SB and SA Scales and Gutmann’s Acceptor Number and Comparison with Kamlet and Taft’s β and α Solvent Scales, Gutmann’s Donor Number and Abraham’s B and A Solute Scales
Authors: Waghorne W. Earle 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe use of experimental parameters to quantify solvent properties, for example in linear free energy relationships, is well established and several scales of solvent acidity, basicity and polarity/polarizability have been developed. The success of this approach raises questions of which molecular properties contribute to particular solvent parameters and whether these contributions are found in all parameters representing a particular solvent property. In the present study, Catalan’s hydrogen bond basicity and acidity parameters, SB and SA, and Gutmann’s acceptor number, AN, a measure of a solvent’s Lewis acidity, are correlated with molecular properties derived from computational chemistry. The results are compared with the results of similar correlations with Kamlet and Taft’s β and α Solvent Scales, Gutmann’s donor number DN) and Abraham’s B and A solute scales. The results show that measures of solvent basicity, SB, β and DN all correlate strongly with the partial charge on the most negative atom in the solvent molecule and the energy of the donor orbital and, in all cases, the parameter values for hydrogen-bonded solvents are anomalous. Abraham’s B, a measure of solute hydrogen basicity, depends only on the partial charge on the most negative atom and there is no anomaly in the values for solutes that, in the pure state, form hydrogen-bonded liquids. Similarly, all measures of solvent acidity, SA, α and AN, and Abraham’s A, a measure of solute hydrogen bond acidity, depend on the partial charge on the most positive hydrogen on the molecule.
The Lichnerowicz Laplacian Acting on Symmetric Tensor Fields — The Bochner Technique Point of View
Authors: Mikeš J. , Stepanov S. E. , Tsyganok I. I. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we prove vanishing theorems for the null space of the Laplacian admitting the Weizenböck decomposition and acting on the space of smooth sections of a Riemannian bundle and, in particular, the space of smooth sections of a bundle of symmetric tensors over complete and closed Riemannian manifolds. In addition, we give a general estimate for eigenvalues of the Laplacian admitting the Weizenböck decomposition and acting on the space of smooth sections of a bundle of symmetric tensors over closed Riemannian manifolds.
Autopsy findings in cancer patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 show a milder presentation of COVID-19 compared to non-cancer patients
Authors: Kocsmár Éva , Kocsmár Ildikó , Elamin Flóra , Pápai Laura , Jakab Ákos , Várkonyi Tibor , Glasz Tibor , Rácz Gergely , Pesti Adrián , Danics Krisztina , Kiss András , Röst Gergely , Belicza Éva , Schaff Zsuzsa , Lotz Gábor 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCOVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, manifests with differing severity across distinct patient subgroups, with outcomes influenced by underlying comorbidities such as cancer, which may cause functional and compositional alterations of the immune system during tumor progression. We aimed to investigate the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications with cancer in a large autopsy series and the role of COVID-19 in the fatal sequence leading to death. A total of 2641 adult autopsies were investigated, 539 of these were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Among the total number of patients analyzed, 829 had active cancer. Overall, the cohort included 100 patients who simultaneously had cancer and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The course of COVID-19 was less severe in cancer patients, including a significantly lower incidence of viral and bacterial pneumonia, occurring more frequently as a contributory disease or coexisting morbidity, or as SARS-CoV-2 positivity without viral disease. SARS-CoV-2 positivity was more frequent among non-metastatic than metastatic cancer cases, and in specific tumor types including hematologic malignancies. COVID-19 was more frequently found to be directly involved in the fatal sequence in patients undergoing active anticancer therapy, but less frequently in perioperative status, suggesting that the underlying malignancy and consequent surgery are more important factors leading to death perioperatively than viral disease. The course of COVID-19 in cancer patients was milder and balanced during the pandemic. This may be due to relative immunosuppressed status, and the fact that even early/mild viral infections can easily upset their condition, leading to death from their underlying cancer or its complications.
Newer treatment paradigm improves outcomes in the most common neurosurgical disease of the elderly: a literature review of middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Debs Luca H. , Walker Samantha E. , Rahimi Scott Y. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractChronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is one of the most prevalent neurosurgical diseases, especially in the elderly. Yet, its incidence is predicted to increase further, paralleling the growth of the geriatric population. While surgical evacuation is technically straightforward, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In fact, 30% of patients are expected to have hematoma recurrence and to need repeat surgical evacuation, and 20% of patients are expected to lose independence and require long-term care. A pathophysiology more complex than originally presumed explains the disappointing results observed for decades. At its core, the formation of microcapillaries and anastomotic channels with the middle meningeal artery (MMA) perpetuates a constant cycle resulting in persistence of hematoma. The rationale behind MMA embolization is simple: to stop cSDH at its source. Over the last few years, this “newer” option has been heavily studied. It has shown tremendous potential in decreasing hematoma recurrence and improving neurological outcomes. Whether combined with surgical evacuation or performed as the only treatment, the scientific evidence to its benefits is unequivocal. Here, we aimed to review cSDH in the elderly and discuss its more recent treatment options with an emphasis on MMA embolization.
Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties Comparison of Additively Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V Alloys by Electron Beam Melting and Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Romero Reséndiz Liliana , Sánchez Cano Tonantzin , Naeem Muhammad , Ur Rehman Asif , Salamci Elmas , Torres Mendoza Vianey , Degalez Duran Eduardo , Bazán Díaz Lourdes , Salamci Metin U. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis work involves additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloys, which are widely used in automobile, biomedical, and aircraft components for a comparison of the microstructure–properties relationship between electron beam melted (EBM) and selective laser melted (SLM) alloys after hot isostatic pressing treatment. We carried out microstructural, mechanical, and electrochemical measurements on both alloys. They showed comparable α and β phase contents with slightly higher lattice parameters in the EBM sample compared to the SLM. The EBM sample showed higher yield strength and uniform elongation due to the activation of multistage defects-driven strengthening and strain hardening mechanisms. Cracking during the tensile test nucleated mainly at the α phase near high-mechanical mismatch α/β interfaces. This mechanism was consistent with the reported generation of hetero-deformation-induced strengthening and strain hardening. Both alloys showed similar electrochemical behavior, but the SLM sample was more susceptible to corrosion than the EBM alloy.
Comparative effect of Tai Chi and aerobic exercise on cognitive function in advanced lung cancer survivors with perceived cognitive impairment: a three-arm randomized controlled trial with mediation analysis
Authors: Takemura Naomi , Cheung Denise Shuk Ting , Fong Daniel Yee Tak , Lee Anne Wing Mui , Lam Tai-Chung , Ho James Chung-Man , Kam Tsz Yeung , Chik Jeannie Yin Kwan , Lin Chia-Chin 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Cancer-related cognitive impairment is prevalent in metastatic lung cancer survivors. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of aerobic exercise and Tai Chi on perceived cognitive function and the mediating role of psychoneurological symptoms with perceived cognitive impairment.

Methods
In a subgroup of a parent randomized clinical trial, participants who reported cognitive impairment underwent a 16-week aerobic exercise (n = 49), Tai Chi (n = 48), and control (n = 54) groups. Measures included perceived cognitive function and psychoneurological symptoms (sleep disturbance, fatigue, anxiety, and depression) assessed at baseline (T0), 16-week (T1), and 1 year (T2).

Results
Participants in Tai Chi showed significant improvements compared to aerobic exercise and control groups in perceived cognitive function at T1 (AE: between-group difference, 6.52; P < 0.001; CG: 8.34; P < 0.001) and T2 (AE: between-group difference, 3.55; P = 0.05; CG: 5.94; P < 0.001). Sleep disturbance, fatigue, anxiety, and depression at month 12 explained 24%, 31%, 32%, and 24% of the effect of the intervention on cognitive function at month 12, respectively. Only anxiety at month 4 explained 23% of the intervention effect at month 12.

Conclusions
Tai Chi demonstrated beneficial effects on cognitive function in advanced lung cancer survivors with perceived cognitive impairment. Improvement in cognitive function was mediated by reducing sleep disturbance, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, highlighting the importance of addressing these symptoms in future interventions to improve cognitive function, with anxiety playing a significant role at an earlier stage.

Implications for Cancer Survivors
Tai Chi is a potentially safe complementary therapeutic option for managing cognitive impairment in this vulnerable population.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04119778; retrospectively registered on 8 October 2019.
Teaching Adolescents about Stress Using a Universal School-Based Psychoeducation Program: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Vogelaar Simone , Miers Anne C. , Saab Nadira , Dusseldorp Elise , van Loon Amanda W. G. , Creemers Hanneke E. , Asscher Jessica J. , Westenberg P. Michiel 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPsychoeducation programs may increase knowledge about stress and help adolescents cope with stress. However, research about the effectiveness of psychoeducation programs about stress for adolescents is limited. The present study aimed to fill this gap by evaluating the effect of a brief school-based universal psychoeducation program about stress, the Stress Lessons, in terms of knowledge and experienced stress. A total of 1613 adolescents (M = 13.41 years) from Dutch secondary schools participated. A cluster randomised controlled design was employed: classes were randomly assigned to an experimental or control condition. The experimental condition received three Stress Lessons between pre- and post-test. The Stress Lessons provided information about stress, how to recognize stress, and how to cope with and prevent stress. Questionnaires were used to assess knowledge about stress as well as experienced stress. Multilevel analyses were conducted to examine the effectiveness of the Stress Lessons and the moderating effect of gender, educational track, and ethnic background. Results showed that knowledge gain was significantly greater in the experimental than in the control condition. Experienced stress did not change due to the Stress Lessons. Moderator analyses revealed a larger effect of the Stress lessons in terms of knowledge about stress for girls compared to boys and for adolescents who followed academic compared to vocational education. Overall, the findings show that a brief psychoeducation program leads to a better understanding of stress. Therefore, it may be useful for schools to implement such programs to enhance adolescents’ awareness.
Elateriform beetle larvae preserved in about 100-million-year-old Kachin amber
Authors: Zippel Ana , Haug Carolin , Müller Patrick , Haug Joachim T. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBeetle larvae show high diversity in forms and ecological roles. Beetle larvae are often roughly categorised into certain larval types, for example: campodeiform, onisciform, scarabeiform, or elateriform. Larvae of the latter type are virtually absent from the fossil record. Here, we report three amber pieces from Cretaceous Kachin amber, Myanmar (about 100 million years old) that together include nine elateriform beetle larvae. One of the amber pieces has a single specimen included. The specimen is interpreted as a larva of Elateridae, the group of click beetles, possibly of the ingroup Elaterinae; yet accessible details are limited. Eight specimens within the other two amber pieces show certain similarities with larvae of Elateridae, but show significant differences in the trunk end, which bears two lobes armed with hooks in these fossils. This very specific structure is well known in modern larvae of Ptilodactylidae (toed-winged beetles). Therefore, the fossils are interpreted as larvae of Ptilodactylidae. Both types of here reported elateriform larvae represent the first fossil record of larvae of their respective groups. It is well known that larval morphology does not evolve in concert with adult morphology, and a modern-type morphology of the one may precede that of the other. Hence, the new fossils are important indicators of the appearance of the modern larval morphologies of their respective lineages. We also briefly discuss the fossil record of larvae of Elateriformia (of which Elateridae and Ptilodactylidae are ingroups) in general.
Enabling reliable usability assessment and comparative analysis of medical software: a comprehensive framework for multimodal biomedical imaging platforms
Authors: Denisova Elena , Tiribilli Eleonora , Luschi Alessio , Francia Piergiorgio , Manetti Leonardo , Bocchi Leonardo , Iadanza Ernesto 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
A literature review reveals that, at the moment, all usability tests for Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) are designed in compliance with international standards but it also reveals a lack of formalization in the implementation and administration of such usability tests, which prevents the comparison of results from different tests for the same class of SaMD. This study aims to provide a reproducible usability testing framework for SaMD to establish a standardized protocol which can ensure repeatability and comparisons of similar SaMD for the visualization of medical images and data.

Methods
The devised protocol aligns with international standards and literature recommendations for usability and human factors engineering. It encompasses participant selection, testing environments, equipment setup for various testing methods (HDMI vs. wireless), and hardware interfaces (keyboard/mouse vs. touchscreen), as well as the roles of the required testers. The protocol consists of two distinct sections: exploratory tasks and specific scenarios, to assess software functions and real-life tasks, respectively. Effectiveness and efficiency are evaluated using video analysis and a custom Stopwatch software, while user satisfaction is measured through post-test questionnaires.

Results
The usability testing protocol was applied to a Multimodal Biomedical Imaging Platform All-in-One software developed by Imaginalis S.r.l. (Sesto Fiorentino, Italy) for validation. The results of the usability testing protocol applied to the case-study software demonstrate good values of software’s effectiveness and efficiency, along with user satisfaction supporting the prior heuristic evaluation. The outcomes confirm the robustness, applicability, and reproducibility of the usability testing protocol, aligning with best practices.

Conclusions
The proposed usability testing framework enables reliable usability assessment and comparative analysis of medical software. Furthermore, the obtained results can serve as a reference for assessing other biomedical imaging platforms under development or ready for release.