bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitigating Aflatoxin B1-Induced Growth Impairment and Hepatic Stress in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Comparative Efficacy of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Silicate-Based Detoxifiers
Authors: Zaineldin Amr I. , Elsebaey Ehab , Habotta Ola A. , Abdo Walied S. , Basuini Mohammed F. El , Dawood Mahmoud A. O. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe objective of this study was to detect the effects of acute aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and the effectiveness of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and silicate in reducing these effects. Two hundred and forty Nile tilapia fingerlings (16 ± 0.5 g) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups, each with 60 fish and three replicates. Control basal diet (Diet 1) and three test diets were formulated, where Diet 2 was supplemented with 200 ppb AFB1. Diets 3 and 4 were intoxicated with AFB1 (200 ppb) and supplemented with 0.5% S. cerevisiae or 0.5%, respectively. After 60 days, Diet 1 had considerably greater growth characteristics than the other groups (p < 0.05). Diet 2 revealed a reduced (p < 0.05) survival rate after 1 month of exposure. In addition, Diet 1 showed higher (p < 0.05) total protein and albumin levels than Diets 3 and 4. AFB1 residues were detected in the liver in fish-fed Diet 2, Diet 4, and Diet 3. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and urea levels increased (p < 0.05) in fish-fed Diet 2. The glutathione peroxidase, lysozyme, and catalase activity were decreased (p < 0.05) in the fish-fed Diet 2. The malondialdehyde level was significantly higher in fish given Diet 2 (p < 0.05) than in fish-fed Diets 3 and 4. Histopathological investigation of fish-fed Diet 2 revealed impaired liver and spleen; however, both treatments (Diets 3 and 4) successfully lowered inflammation and preserved liver and spleen integrities. In conclusion, AFB1 impaired growth performance and posed a severe health risk to Nile tilapia. Furthermore, S. cerevisiae alleviated the contamination of AFB1 effects more efficiently than silicate employed for toxin adsorption.
Treatment of acute phase of Peyronie’s disease with tamoxifen and vardenafil/tadalafil off label
Authors: Geelhoed Jeannette P. , de Jong Igle Jan , Beck Jack J. H. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPeyronie’s Disease (PD) causes penile curvature and pain in acute phase. In two preclinical studies, tamoxifen and vardenafil (T&T) together showed to be effective in the acute phase. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical results of the off-label treatment of PD patients with T&T in combination with vacuum erection device (VED) in St Antonius hospital, urology outpatient clinic. Baseline descriptive Statistics, Fisher Exact and Chi-Square Test were used. 48 Men were included, mean age 53.0 years (SD 9.5), baseline curvature 46.7° (SD 18.8), median duration four months, 70.8% (n = 48) painful erections. Dorsal curvature is found in 27 (56.3%) men, mean stretched penile length 13.4 cm. Mean use of T&T was 13 weeks (1–52 weeks). Curvature improvement in 27.7% men, pain reduction in 48.5% men, sexual intercourse/coitus improvement in 34.2% men, erection improvement in 14.6% men. Adverse reactions of T&T in 39.6% (n = 19). This was the first study investigating the use of T&T in acute phase PD patients. 27.7% of patients reported improvement in curvature with T&T.
Faith Healing Techniques in the Management of Sickle Cell Anaemia in Nigeria
Authors: Lawal Musediq Olufemi , Akinrinde Olawale Olufemi , Jegede Ayodele Samuel 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPeople living with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) tend to experience multiple sources of therapy complemented by self-care practices. In Nigeria, over 100,000 babies are born yearly with sickle cell anaemia. High prevalence of this disease in Nigeria is attributed to lack of adequate knowledge about it. Data exist on the role of Western medicine and traditional medicine in the management of several diseases including sickle cell anaemia but little is known about faith therapy. This study therefore examined faith healing techniques in the management of SCA outside the medical settings. Using Weber’s Social Action Theory and Health Belief Model as explanatory framework, qualitative data were obtained through snowball sampling technique which cut across seven local government areas (LGAs) of Osun State—Atakumosa West, Boripe, Osogbo, Ife East, Ifedayo, Ilesa West, and Ila. A total of twenty Key Informant Interview sessions were held while three case studies were generated from the respondents. The study revealed that treatment techniques include prayer, application of herbs, divination, and counselling. Poor adherence to treatment was noted to be due to emotional trauma being experienced by patients and caregivers. Prayer and counselling were effective therapy to manage the condition. Both Christian and Muslim clerics engaged used prayer and fasting as treatment techniques, even though they also recognized the need for modern medical services. Traditional healers diagnosed the disease with divination and applied herbs and charms as well as appease the perceived spirit causing the disease. The Muslim clerics also use herbs. Majority of the practitioners recognized that the problem of emotional trauma (the major threat to adherence to treatment and positive health outcomes) is best surmounted through prayer and fasting. In terms of treatment, the general trends thus entail combination of faith healing through prayer and fasting, spiritual consultation, and the practice of embracing modern medicine where SCA patients are referred to hospitals. This paper therefore concluded that culture and society provide the context for understanding the prevention and treatment of diseases.
Numerical analysis on the factors affecting post-peak characteristics of coal under uniaxial compression
Authors: Lu Zhiguo , Ju Wenjun , Gao Fuqiang , Du Taotao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe post-peak characteristics of coal serve as a direct reflection of its failure process and are essential parameters for evaluating brittleness and bursting liability. Understanding the significant factors that influence post-peak characteristics can offer valuable insights for the prevention of coal bursts. In this study, the Synthetic Rock Mass method is employed to establish a numerical model, and the factors affecting coal post-peak characteristics are analyzed from four perspectives: coal matrix mechanical parameters, structural weak surface properties, height-to-width ratio, and loading rate. The research identifies four significant influencing factors: deformation modulus, density of discrete fracture networks, height-to-width ratio, and loading rate. The response and sensitivity of post-peak characteristics to single-factor and multi-factor interactions are assessed. The result suggested that feasible prevention and control measures for coal bursts can be formulated through four approaches: weakening the mechanical properties of coal pillars, increasing the number of structural weak surfaces in coal pillars, reducing the width of coal pillars, and optimizing mining and excavation speed. The efficacy of measures aimed at weakening the mechanical properties of coal is successfully demonstrated through a case study on coal burst prevention using large-diameter borehole drilling.
Canadian Workers’ Well-Being During the Beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Pacheco Tyler , Coulombe Simon , Kocovski Nancy L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTo explore workers’ well-being during COVID-19, researchers have primarily utilized variable-centered approaches (e.g., regression) focusing on describing workers’ general level of well-being. Given the diversity of factors that may have impacted workers’ well-being during the pandemic, focusing on such well-being trends do not provide sufficient insight into the different lived well-being experiences during the pandemic. Moreover, positive well-being in workers’ general lives and work has been understudied in such complex public health crises. To address these issues, we use latent profile analysis, a person-centered analysis, to explore the diverse well-being realities Canadian workers (employed before COVID-19 or working at the time of the survey) experienced at the beginning of COVID-19. Canadian workers (N = 510) were surveyed between May 20-27th, 2020, on positive (meaning in life, flourishing, thriving at work) and negative (distress, stress, impaired productivity, troublesome symptoms at work) well-being indicators, as well as on factors that may be associated with experiencing different well-being profiles. Five well-being profiles emerged: moderately prospering, prospering, moderately suffering, suffering, and mixed. Factors at the self- (gender, age, disability status, trait resilience), social- (marital status, family functioning, having children at home), workplace- (some employment statuses and work industries, financial strain, job security), and pandemic-related (perceived vulnerability to COVID-19, social distancing) ecological levels predicted profile membership. Recommendations for employers, policymakers, and mental health organizations are discussed.
“With the Pandemic Everything Changes!”: Examining Welfare Reform and Conditionality Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Amongst NEET Experienced Young People
Authors: Wrigley Liam 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to critically explore pre-existing and continuing welfare conditionality of NEET (not in education, employment, or training) experienced young people in the UK. The article traces the policy history of NEET over the last 25 years, to demonstrate the enduring nature of benefit sanctioning that NEET experienced young people have faced throughout a decade of austerity, Brexit, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. The article engages with key narratives from 43 interviews of NEET experienced young people and youth work professionals, undertaken prior and during the pandemic. Overall, the article argues that government actors and policy makers alike have not gone far enough to support NEET experienced young people. The article found that more structural and institutional levels of support from central government are needed to meaningfully engage NEET experienced young people in their education, employment, and training trajectories throughout periods of crisis.
Assessment of different solvents effect on bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and nutritional formation of red seaweed, Gracilariopsis longissima, from Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh
Authors: Akhter Mousumi , Ullah Md. Rahamat , Khan Abu Bakker Siddique , Hasan Md. Monjurul , Yasmin Farhana , Bosu Aovijite , Haque Md. Ashraful , Islam Md. Mohidul , Islam Md. Amirul , Mahmud Yahia 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSeaweed is known to empower a mass embodiment of bioactive compounds with potent health convenience. Current perusals intended to explore the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant dynamism of red seaweed,Gracilariopsis longissimaas pervaded by different solvents and solvent fractions (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and water). The extracts dynamism to antioxidant were assessed by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2, 2’-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). Here, 100% methanolic and acetonic extract asserted maximal extent of total phenolic and flavonoid content (88.70 mg of gallic acid/g and 75.06 mg of quercetin/g respectively) in a sufficiently great way. However, 50% methanolic DPPH and ABTS solution (74.32%, IC50 = 0.027 mg/ml and 70.51%, IC50 = 0.033 mg/ml) significantly demonstrated the highest percentage of inhibition and antioxidant activity compared to other solvents.Gracilariopsis longissimaalso contains a high amount of protein (30.63%) and minerals especially potassium (4.47%) and calcium (2.54%). According to the results of this study,G. longissimaextracts prepared using 100% methanol as a solvent showed higher total phenolic and total flavonoid quantity and 50% methanol as a solvent showed higher antioxidant potential. These properties will be valuable for nutritional food and medicinal uses.
Distinguishing features of depression in dementia from primary psychiatric disease
Authors: Fisher Daniel W. , Dunn Jeffrey T. , Dong Hongxin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDepression is a common and devastating neuropsychiatric symptom in the elderly and in patients with dementia. In particular, nearly 80% of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease dementia experience depression during disease development and progression. However, it is unknown whether the depression in patients with dementia shares the same molecular mechanisms as depression presenting as primary psychiatric disease or occurs and persists through alternative mechanisms. In this review, we discuss how the clinical presentation and treatment differ between depression in dementia and as a primary psychiatric disease, with a focus on major depressive disorder. Then, we hypothesize several molecular mechanisms that may be unique to depression in dementia such as neuropathological changes, inflammation, and vascular events. Finally, we discuss existing issues and future directions for investigation and treatment of depression in dementia.
Religious Identity and Epistemic Injustice: An Intersectional Account
Authors: Rekis Jaclyn 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this article, I argue in favor of an intersectional account of religious identity to better make sense of how religious subjects can be treated with epistemic injustice. To do this, I posit two perspectives through which to view religious identity: as a social identity and as a worldview. I argue that these perspectives shed light on the unique ways in which religious subjects can be epistemically harmed. From the first perspective, religious subjects can be harmed when their religion is racialized or when their gender and dress are mistakenly thought to be predictive of their beliefs and practices. As an instance of this, I focus on the epistemic harms facing Muslim women who practice veiling. From the worldview perspective, religious subjects can be harmed when we, by contrast, underestimate the force of the connections between religion, race, and gender. Such connections can give rise to intersectionally rich theologies that can in turn be marginalized and denied credibility. To illuminate the worldview perspective, I focus on Christian abolitionist and feminist Sojourner Truth.
Diving deep for the needle in the haystack: An outbreak investigation of Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteremia
Authors: Ghafur Abdul , Balaguru Praveen , Ramanan S. G. , Rajendranath Rejiv , Raj Revathi , Zehran Mohammed , Raja T. , Easow Jose M. , Srinivasan Sankar , Devaprasad Dedeepiya , Sukumar Thilakavathy , Nilgar Praveen , Sakthivel K. , Nirumal Rakkesh M. , Chandra K. , Lakshmi Sree V. , Sethuraman Nandini , Devi Bakthavatchalam Yamuna , Veeraraghavan Balaji 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn an Indian oncology setting, between August and December 2021, 56 patients, developed Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteremia. An investigation revealed a contaminated batch of the antiemetic drug palonosetron. The outbreak was terminated by withdrawing the culprit batch and the findings were reported promptly to regulatory authorities.
Election symbols and vote choice: evidence from India
Authors: Lee Alexander , Qi Weihong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA large literature has shown that ballot order and ballot structure can influence vote choice. We focus on another behavioral cue for voting, the symbols that are assigned to candidates in many democracies. We take advantage of a naturally occurring experiment in India, where independent candidates can choose from a list of free symbols and conflicting choices are resolved by a drawing of lots. We find that winning the draw has a substantial positive effect on vote share. We also find some evidence that candidates attempt to choose their symbols strategically, for instance choosing household goods common in their constituencies.
Gestures in Slow Motion: On Making Use of Video Art in Phenomenology
Authors: Bejinariu Alexandru 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
This article deals with the relevance of video art and filmic techniques for the phenomenological method by thematizing how slow-motion scenes can be used in the analysis of gestures. Drawing on Edmund Husserl's theory of image consciousness, I argue that while, for the empirical researcher, slow motion is a non-analogizing moment that helps the researcher observe the positional image subject, for the phenomenologist, it depicts a different, neutralized image subject that serves as an initial example. This approach leads to further insights revealing a specific form of disappointment of our passively constituted patterns of anticipation concerning the pace of gestural interaction.
An Overview of Israel's ‘Judicial Overhaul’: Small Parts of a Big Populist Picture
Authors: Navot Suzie 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn the comparative constitutional field relating to backsliding democracies, it is difficult to find an example of a single constitutional event that undermines the basic principles of democracy. Democracies die in a slow and gradual process. Each of the laws passed is not in itself fatal for democracy but when the measures are examined together, cumulatively, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It is the big picture, the whole series of legal moves, that brings about a fundamental change in the state's regime until it is no longer a liberal democracy. In these situations of gradual erosion there is no single law that can reveal the magnitude of the change inherent in it. To understand the risk, it is therefore necessary to refer to its overall institutional context. The proposed reform in Israel may result in serious harm to the principle of separation of powers. Moreover, given the importance of imposing limits on governmental power as a tool for protecting human rights and the ‘rules of the game’ in democratic regimes, the reform would seriously harm the protection afforded to these rights and principles, and constitute a clear and present danger to Israel's liberal democracy.
Kinematic calibration and feedforward control of a heavy-load manipulator using parameters optimization by an ant colony algorithm
Authors: Wang Xinpei , Xie Lingbo , Jiang Mian , He Kuanfang , Chen Yong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMost of the currently available three-degree-of-freedom manipulators are light load and cannot achieve full continuous rotation; given this, we designed a heavy-load manipulator that achieves unrestricted and continuous rotation. Due to manufacturing and assembly errors, parameter deviations between the real manipulator and its underlying theoretical model were unavoidable. Because of the lack of high-precision, high-frequency, and real-time closed-loop detection methods, we proposed a type of kinematics calibration of parameterized ant colony optimization and feedforward control methods. This was done to achieve high-precision motion control. First, an error model combining structural parameters and joint output angles was established, and the global sensitivity of each error source was analyzed to distinguish both primary and secondary sources. Based on the measured data of a laser tracker, the ant colony optimization was then used to identify six error sources. This resulted in both link length and joint driving errors of the designed manipulator. As it is a type of systematic error, the rounding error of the theoretical trajectory was carefully analyzed, and feedforward control methods with different coefficients were designed to further improve positioning accuracy based on the kinematic calibration. Experimental results showed that the proposed kinematic calibration and feedforward control methods achieved relatively precise motion control for the designed manipulator.
Rural–urban variation in COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Aotearoa New Zealand: Examining the national roll-out
Authors: Liepins Talis , Davie Gabrielle , Miller Rory , Whitehead Jesse , De Graaf Brandon , Clay Lynne , Crengle Sue , Nixon Garry 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study aimed to understand rural–urban differences in the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations during the peak period of the national vaccination roll-out in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). Using a linked national dataset of health service users aged 12+ years and COVID-19 immunization records, age-standardized rates of vaccination uptake were calculated at fortnightly intervals, between June and December 2021, by rurality, ethnicity, and region. Rate ratios were calculated for each rurality category with the most urban areas (U1) used as the reference. Overall, rural vaccination rates lagged behind urban rates, despite early rapid rural uptake. By December 2021, a rural–urban gradient developed, with age-standardized coverage for R3 areas (most rural) at 77%, R2 81%, R1 83%, U2 85%, and U1 (most urban) 89%. Age-based assessments illustrate the rural–urban vaccination uptake gap was widest for those aged 12–44 years, with older people (65+) having broadly consistent levels of uptake regardless of rurality. Variations from national trends are observable by ethnicity. Early in the roll-out, Indigenous Māori residing in R3 areas had a higher uptake than Māori in U1, and Pacific peoples in R1 had a higher uptake than those in U1. The extent of differences in rural–urban vaccine uptake also varied by region.
Comparative study of intracytoplasmic sperm injection using the traditional holding and the oocyte-holding pipette without aspiration
Authors: Vergara Francisco , Fernández Javier , Pedrosa Concepción , Muñoz María , Jerez Elvira , Varón Mireia , Moyano Carmen , Yoldi Alberto , Ponce Jordi 
Published: January 2024

SummaryDespite the high level of standardization of the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique, there are some aspects that deserve special attention and should still be improved. The major drawback of the technique is its invasiveness, as during cytoplasmic aspiration different structures of the oocyte may be lost or damaged. This is partly because the microtools used in ICSI were not specially designed for assisted reproduction but for other medical–biological disciplines. In view of the above caveats, the aim of the study was to compare the results of ICSI with the traditional oocyte-holding pipette and the oocyte-holding pipette without aspiration (PiWA). In total, 155 patients and 1037 oocytes were included in the study. In each ICSI cycle, half of the oocytes were microinjected using a traditional holding pipette and the other half using a PiWA. In result, the PiWA technique produced a significant increase in the fertilization rate: 88.12% (95%CI: 84.62–90.92%); holding pipette: 73.33% (95%CI: 68.72–77.49%). Also, it produced a significant decrease in the embryo degeneration rate compared with the traditional holding pipette [PiWA: 2.07% (95%CI: 1.11–3.8%); holding pipette: 4.51% (95%CI: 3.06–6.59%)]. Pregnancy rate depended on the holding technique used, both in single embryo transfers (n = 59; χ2 = 4.608; P-value = 0.032) and double embryo transfers (n = 156; χ2 = 4.344; P-value = 0.037); with PiWA presenting a significantly higher pregnancy rate than the traditional holding technique. Based on current evidence and the present results, improvements should focus on decreasing the invasiveness of the microinjection itself by minimizing or avoiding aspiration and cytoplasmic disorganization, as is successfully achieved with PiWA.