bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coexisting germline variants of MLH1 and MSH6 in a patient with Lynch syndrome, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer
Authors: Umegaki Sho , Takahashi Masanobu , Hasegawa-Minato Junko , Kawamura Maako , Taniguchi Sakura , Komine Keigo , Tokunaga Hideki , Ouchi Kota , Imai Hiroo , Saijo Ken , Fujishima Fumiyoshi , Shimada Muneaki , Aoki Yoko , Ishioka Chikashi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Lynch syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by a heterozygous pathogenic germline variant in mismatch repair (MMR) genes, including MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM. Lynch syndrome often causes a familial cluster of patients with malignant tumors. We describe a 37-year-old woman who presented with endometrioid carcinoma in the ovary and endometrium associated with Lynch syndrome. She carried two germline pathogenic variants, a recurrently reported MLH1 c.2250C > G (p. Tyr750*) and previously unreported MSH6 c.2385del (p. Ile795Metfs*15). The tumor cells showed microsatellite instability. Immunohistochemistry showed decreased MLH1 expression, loss of PMS2 expression, retained MSH2 expression, and loss of MSH6 expression, indicating that both variants impair protein stability, causing MMR deficiency. Whether these variants were inherited from her parents or occurred de novo is unknown. The tumor cells had somatic variants BRCA1 c.1016del and BRCA2 c.36dupT, which might be due to secondary mutation by MMR deficiency. The use of pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, resulted in a durable partial response of metastatic lung tumors. This case highlights the rare possibility of multiple germline variants in MMR genes in individuals with Lynch syndrome.
Polyp-DAM: Polyp segmentation via depth anything model
Authors: Zheng Zhuoran , Wu Chen , Wang Wei , Jin Yeying , Jia Xiuyi 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Recently, large models (Segment Anything model) came on the scene to provide a new baseline for polyp segmentation tasks. This demonstrates that large models with a sufficient image level prior can achieve promising performance on a given task. In this paper, we unfold a new perspective on polyp segmentation modeling by leveraging the Depth Anything Model (DAM) to provide depth prior to polyp segmentation models. Specifically, the input polyp image is first passed through a frozen DAM to generate a depth map. The depth map and the input polyp images are then concatenated and fed into a convolutional neural network with multiscale to generate segmented images. Extensive experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method, and in addition, we observe that our method still performs well on images of polyps with noise. The URL of our code is https://github.com/zzr-idam/Polyp-DAM.
Feeling and Acting in Teaching Classrooms: A Mixed-method Analysis of EFL Teachers’ Emotional Labour Strategies and their Discrete Emotions
Authors: Mameghani Alireza Afshar , Yousefi Mohammad Hossein , Asadollahfam Hassan , Mohammadi Roya Ranjbar 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Research points to the important role emotion labour strategies play in workplace and academic performance, yet few studies have examined emotion labour strategies and discrete emotions in non-Western contexts in the field of ELT. The current study extends this research base by examining EFL teachers’ emotion labor strategies and the relationship with discrete emotions of two types of EFL teachers. To this end, a sample of 120 EFL teachers teaching in different schools in Tabriz, Iran was selected from both secondary and high schools. The instruments used in this study were two questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. The results of ANOVA and regression analysis demonstrated that there was a significant positive correlation between two groups of EFL teachers’ discrete emotions and emotional labor strategies scores. Moreover, the findings indicated that between the two components of the emotional labor strategies, the secondary school teachers’ only surface acting and the high school teachers’ surface acting and deep acting components. The results of semi-structured interview from ten EFL teachers approved the results obtained from the quantitative data and showed the importance of emotions in teaching contexts. The pedagogical implications are discussed.
Rhodiola rosea glycosides modulate ERβ/BNIP3-mediated mitochondrial autophagy in cerebral ischemic neuroprotection
Authors: Rong Xing , Li Yu , Yue Yuan-Jia , Ji Zhao , Wang Hui-Min , Liu Xin-Hong , Liu Xin-Hong , Jing Lin 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Objectives: Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of Rhodiola rosea glycosides(SAL) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) rats through the mitochondrial autophagy pathway mediated by estrogen receptor β (ERβ)/B-cell lymphoma-2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3 (BNIP3).
Methods: 135 SD rats were divided into OVX and model groups (OVX+MCAO/R),estradiol control group (OVX+MCAO/R+E2), ERβ inhibitor group (OVX+MCAO/R+SAL+PHTPP), autophagy inhibitor group (OVX+MCAO/R+SAL+Mdivi-1), and SAL low,medium, and high dose group (OVX+MCAO/R+SAL). MCAO/R+SAL), the middle cerebral artery embolism (MCAO/R) model was constructed using the wire embolism method, and reperfusion was performed for 24h after 1h of ischaemia. Neurological function scoring was performed after 24h of reperfusion; TTC staining was used to detect the volume of cerebral infarction; water content of brain tissue was determined by wet and dry gravimetry; the permeability of blood-brain barrier was determined by Evans blue (EB) content; the levels of oestrogen (E2), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analysed by the kit; neuron pathology was observed on the ischemic side by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining; and the damage of neuron in brain tissue by Nissl staining was observed by the kit. Nissl staining was used to observe neuronal damage in brain tissue; transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe mitochondrial autophagosomes; and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of ERβ and autophagy-related proteins, BNIP3, NIX, Beclin-1 and LC3.
Results: There was no statistical difference (P>0.05) in Longa score, TTC, brain water content, EB, E2 and oxidative stress level, HE, Niehl's staining and transmission electron microscopy in the Con group compared with the OVX group, indicating that removal of the ovaries had no effect on the subsequent experiments; whereas, there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) and a decrease in the expression of autophagy-related proteins in the MCAO/R group compared with the E2 and SAL groups, indicating that Mdivi-1 and PHTPP inhibitor groups played a protective role against neural damage compared with the SAL-H group. It indicated that E2 and SAL exerted a protective effect against nerve injury; whereas the two inhibitor groups, Mdivi-1 and PHTPP, were statistically significantly different (P<0.05) compared with the SAL-H group, and the inhibitor group reversed the protective effect of SAL and decreased the expression of autophagy-related proteins, suggesting that SAL may protect neuronal cells through ERβ-mediated mitochondrial autophagy.
Conclusions: Conclusion SAL may improve neurological function in cerebral ischemic rats by modulating the level of ERβ/BNIP3-mediated mitochondrial self, providing a new way for drug development based on SAL combined with ERβ as a drug for cerebral ischemia.
The interplay among economic development, institutional quality and globalization: Evidence from emerging, developing, and least-developed countries
Authors: Elatroush Ibrahim 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

To achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), there is an urgent need to enhance institutional quality (IQ) dimensions. Emerging, developing and least-developed countries are needed to improve their IQ scores to enhance low levels of economic development represented by human development index (HDI). In this regard, this paper aims to explore the role of IQ and globalization in economic development. The study involved a sample of 106 cross-countries classified into emerging, developing, and least-developed countries from 2000 to 2021. Econometric techniques include first and second-generation unit root tests, Dumitrescu Hurlin panel causality tests, a panel pooled mean group (PMG/ARDL), fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) are employed. Empirical results reveal that IQ, globalization, inflowed foreign direct investment (FDI), and urbanization(UR) have positive impacts on the HDI for grouping countries. In contrast, corruption, governmental expenditure (GE), unemployment (UNE), trade openness (TO), and inflation have negative influences on the HDI. To meet the SDGs for emerging, developing, and least-developed countries, authorities, and policy makers must focus on policies and strategies aimed at eliminating corruption, enhancing transparency, ensuring proper and efficient GE, enhancing IQ dimensions, eliminating higher inflation rates, enhancing the globalization index (GI), and eliminating unemployment rates.
JEL Classification: C23; F63; H50; O10; O50
Correlates of verbal abuse among health workers in Greater Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tawiah Philip Apraku , Appiah-Brempong Emmanuel , Okyere Paul , Adu-Fosu Geoffrey , Ashinyo Mary Eyram , Edziah Florence Shine , Daitey Emmanuel Amesimeku 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Workplace violence remains a critical public health issue, with verbal abuse being present in over 50% of reported cases. Additionally, instances of verbal abuse frequently remain unreported, resulting in a considerable proportion being inaccurately assessed and unrecorded. Significantly, there is scarcity of information on its predisposing factors. This study examined the relationship between socio-demographic, lifestyle, and occupational factors, and the prevalence of verbal abuse among health workers in Ghana.
Methods
A cross-sectional study with an analytical approach was conducted across multiple facilities in the Greater Accra region from January 30 to May 31, 2023. Study participants were selected through simple random sampling. The analysis was done using STATA 15 software. Factors linked to exposure to verbal abuse were determined using log-binomial regression analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
A survey was conducted among 602 health workers in ten (10) private and public hospitals. The prevalence of verbal abuse was 53.8% [95% CI: (49.7%-57.9%)]. Approximately half, 162 (50.0%) of verbal abuse occurrence were perpetrated by patients’ relatives. Being a housekeeper [APR = 1.49 (1.07, 2.08)], being on on-call duties [APR = 1.25 (1.08, 1.46)], and frequent exposure to work pressure [APR = 1.16 (1.00, 1.35)] were factors significantly associated with exposure to verbal abuse.
Conclusion
The exposure to verbal abuse among health workers was elevated. Nearly half of the reported verbal abuse cases were perpetrated by patients’ relatives. Housekeeping roles, pressure at work and on-call duties were related to verbal aggression among health workers in Ghana. Health administrators, managers, and policymakers can ease work pressure and on-call responsibilities in the healthcare sector by implementing measures to steadily augment the labour force.
The growth effect of drench treatments of a seaweed biostimulant made from Ecklonia maxima on transplanted Hass (c.v.) avocado clones within the propagation phase
Authors: Beck-Pay S. L. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The final stage of the commercial propagation of avocado (Persea americana) plants, requires plants to be replanted in larger bags for a growing out period, prior to being dispatched. The use of drench treatments of Afrikelp™ LG 1, a biostimulant extracted from the South African kelp Ecklonia maxima, on newly replanted clonal avocado (Hass on clonal Dusa rootstocks), was evaluated over a period of 10 weeks, for any growth benefits at this hardening off stage of propagation. Micro-clonal avocado plants were received in 98 plastic inserts and rebagged into 3.3 L Elle growbags containing pine bark augmented with 5g L− 1 Multicote™ 4 and under 40% black/ white shadenet. Three concentrations of Afrikelp™ LG 1 (0.5; 1.0 and 2.0%) together with a control treatment (water), were applied as 500 ml drench applications every two weeks, with a total of five applications. Two weeks after the final drench application, the plants were destructively harvested, and final growth measurements were recorded. Foliar samples from each treatment were sent for nutrient analysis (macro- and micro-nutrients). All Afrikelp™ LG 1 treated plants showed increases in growth, with 0.5% Afrikelp™ LG 1 treatment having significant (p < 0.05) increases in young foliar biomass and increases in percentage height, compared to the control. Even though most growth rate increases were non-significant, it is possible more significant results would be evident after a longer treatment period as most nurseries have a hardening off period of between 6 and 12 months before dispatch.
Nurses’ Use of Chiropractic for Relief of Back and Neck Pain
Authors: Vellan Regan T , Gantt Laura 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Because of the physical demands of the profession, nurses often experience back and neck pain. Chronic pain can affect productivity at work and push nurses to seek less physically taxing positions. With an increased demand for nurses, the wellbeing of these healthcare workers must be taken into consideration to maximize retention, quality patient care, and job satisfaction. However, few studies exist that describe nurses’ use of chiropractic therapy to manage back and neck pain. This study sought to fill that gap.
Methodology
The primary investigator obtained permission to recruit patients who were nurses from a chiropractic office in a town in eastern North Carolina. Those sought for this study frequented a chiropractor when dealing with back or other areas of discomfort and had work-related musculoskeletal pain. Narrative inquiry was employed for the study and participants engaged in one face-to-face interview in the chiropractic office.
Results
Six women ages 45 to 70 were recruited by word of mouth and referrals from the chiropractors. All participants had nursing degrees and experience, but not all were still in nursing practice. From the interviews, nurses’ experiences with back and neck pain before and after chiropractic were revealed. Chiropractic proved to be a beneficial treatment for those suffering pain who were both in and out of work. Nurses described the healing process as gradual, but all participants benefited. The nurses still in practice mentioned that chiropractic care improved their productivity at work; lifting and turning patients became easier. As patients, they received treatments ranging from adjustments to interferential therapy as well as insights into nutrition and stretching.
Conclusions
Nurses’ self-care is a frequent topic in current literature. However, the use of chiropractic therapy as a strategy for self-care has received limited attention. Future research related to self-care by nurses should include chiropractic among the therapies nurses may find beneficial.
Analysing the Link between Population Diversity, Population Growth, and Income: A Panel Data Study
Authors: Firdaus Irfan Aziz Al , Pradana Cokorda Bagus Ghana Indra , Sugiyanto Catur 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Amidst shifting demographics across many countries, certain stylized facts related to fertility, population, and income have become less universally applicable. This research addresses a significant gap in literature by providing a comprehensive analysis on the relationship between population diversity, population growth, and income growth that incorporate both time-varying and cross-country components. Our study reveals a positive correlation between population diversity and population growth, suggesting that diversity along with migration contribute to population expansion due to strategic interactions among ethnic groups to compete for influences in society, hence fostering pronatalism policies. However, we found a negative association between population diversity and income growth, indicating potential ethnic conflict, rent-seeking behaviour, and other challenges that hinder policy implementation in highly diverse settings. Our findings underline the complex dynamics between these factors, emphasizing the need for further exploration.
JEL Classification: J1, O1, Z1
A Novel Framework for Image Encryption by Integrating Modified Moth Flame Optimization and Logistic Chaotic Map for Enhanced Security
Authors: Aggarwal Akshat , Awasthi Eshaan , Kukreja Deepika , Kedia Jyoti , Bala Indu 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Preserving the confidentiality of sensitive image data is of paramount importance in the digital world. Therefore, an optimized image encryption algorithm is proposed in this paper for securing image-based communication. The proposed Modified Moth Flame Optimization Algorithm (MMFO) delved along with a Logistic Chaotic Map is used to obtain improved values of evaluation parameters such as Correlation Coefficient(CC), Image Entropy (IE), Unified Average Changing Intensity (UACI) and Normalized Pixel Change Rate (NPCR) along with Uniform Histograms for the encrypted image that outperforms various state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms coupled with diverse chaotic maps. Using multiple plain image-dependent session keys and a Logistic Chaotic map, several encrypted images are generated which act as an initial population for the Modified algorithm. The results are presented to validate the performance of the proposed algorithm. It has been observed that the proposed algorithm has a substantial de-correlation of adjacent pixels in the encrypted image, achieving values on the order of 10−6.
Experiences of and treatment preferences for insomnia in autistic adults: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Nijhof Dewy , Melville Craig , Rydzewska Ewelina , Meehan Lily , Gardani Maria 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Insomnia and insomnia symptoms are frequent experiences of autistic people resulting in pronounced daytime effects and poor quality of life. This study employed an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis approach to explore lived experiences of autistic adults with insomnia, perspectives on current available interventions and future treatment preferences. Twelve participants (aged 21–48 years old) were interviewed following screening for insomnia, using the Sleep Condition Indicator (scores ranged from 1–12; cut off > 16). Each interview was analysed individually developing Personal Experiential Themes for each case, which were then mapped across cases based on identified patterns and connections. Results yielded rich personal accounts and identified two Group Experiential Themes: “The Night is Friendlier” and “It Doesn’t Really Work for Me”. Participants described experiences with sleeplessness throughout their adult lives and often since childhood. They discussed how the night time offers them a more relaxed and safe space to freely behave as they wish. Advice and interventions were viewed by participants via the prism of underlying social issues, such as autism acceptance and trust, and how these structures can affect participants’ experiences with insomnia, help seeking and effectiveness of current interventions. Our results highlight the need for inclusion of autistic people in insomnia research through co-production and co-creation as well as clinical practice and delivery. This is the first study to integrate perspectives and experiences of autistic people towards insomnia and sleep-related advice by health care professionals. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future research.
Experiences of and treatment preferences for insomnia in autistic adults: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Nijhof Dewy , Melville Craig , Rydzewska Ewelina , Pavlopoulou Georgia , Meehan Lily , Gardani Maria 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Insomnia and insomnia symptoms are frequent experiences of autistic people resulting in pronounced daytime effects and poor quality of life. This study employed an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis approach to explore lived experiences of autistic adults with insomnia, perspectives on current available interventions and future treatment preferences. Twelve participants (aged 21–48 years old) were interviewed following screening for insomnia, using the Sleep Condition Indicator (scores ranged from 1–12; cut off > 16). Each interview was analysed individually developing Personal Experiential Themes for each case, which were then mapped across cases based on identified patterns and connections. Results yielded rich personal accounts and identified two Group Experiential Themes: “The Night is Friendlier” and “It Doesn’t Really Work for Me”. Participants described experiences with sleeplessness throughout their adult lives and often since childhood. They discussed how the night time offers them a more relaxed and safe space to freely behave as they wish. Advice and interventions were viewed by participants via the prism of underlying social issues, such as autism acceptance and trust, and how these structures can affect participants’ experiences with insomnia, help seeking and effectiveness of current interventions. Our results highlight the need for inclusion of autistic people in insomnia research through co-production and co-creation as well as clinical practice and delivery. This is the first study to integrate perspectives and experiences of autistic people towards insomnia and sleep-related advice by health care professionals. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical and practical implications, as well as directions for future research.
Optimal PMU placement in the Southern Cameroon Interconnected Grid considering the effect of a group of ZIBs for complete obervability and dynamic stability
Authors: Adolphe MOULUM Philippe , Jacques MANDENG Jean , Hubert KOM Charles 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

In this paper, a solution for optimal PMU placement in the Southern Cameroon Interconnected grid (SIG) is proposed in response to a problem of dynamic stability in the network. In this power system, the monitoring of the parameters is ensured so far by the SCADA, a technology that gives unsynchronized measurements and whose state estimation of the grid is inconsistent. Furthermore, a scan rate of data makes the SCADA system inefficient for measuring the dynamic and transient behaviour occurring in the power grid. Present study uses the method of integer linear programming (ILP) considering the effect of a group of zero-injection buses (ZIBs). Then, a comparative analysis of our results is made with those of the algorithms of other existing optimization methods in order to evaluate the performance of the applied method from the viewpoint of the number of PMUs, the number of buses observable from one or more nodes, and the system observability redundancy index (SORI). The different results obtained through MATLAB 2020a clearly show that considering the effect of a group of ZIBs, the ILP method presents the most optimal solution with a number of 10 PMUs installed on the buses 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 25, 28, 33 and 39, with a complete observation of the SIG. This result is validated insofar as 50% of the buses obtained (5, 8, 11, 33 and 39) are found with all the other comparative methods. In addition, buses 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 39 represent the dominant interconnection substations of the SIG, bus 33 also being a dominant bus in the Area 3 of the SIG.