bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcome of acute epididymo-orchitis: risk factors for testicular loss
Authors: Norton Sarah Marie , Saies Alex , Browne Eva , Charambra Beatrice , Silviu David , Nabi Nauman , Nama Girish , Giri Subhasis , Flood Hugh D. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Acute epididymo-orchitis (AEO) is a common urological condition characterised by pain and swelling of the epididymis which can affect men of any age. The aetiology and to some extent the management of the patient differ between paediatric and young and older adult groups.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed at the University Hospital Limerick from 2012 to 2016. Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data were obtained for all patients diagnosed with orchitis, epididymitis, epididymo-orchitis or testicular abscess over this 5-year period.

Results
140 patients were identified, the age range was 0–89, median age 35.6. These were then split into 3 clinical groups, pre-pubertal (Group 1, 0–15-year-olds), sexually active young men (Group 2a, 16–35-year-olds) and men over 35 (Group 2b). Nine patients had an abscess on ultrasound investigation. There was a significant correlation between the presence of an abscess and the need for an orchidectomy (2 patients, P = 0.035). Two patients were reported as having an atrophic testis following AEO and both were in Group 2b.

Conclusion
Overall, 7/131 (5%) patients had loss or atrophy of a testicle following an episode of AEO. Nineteen patients had further readmissions with AEO (14%).
Outcome assessment of a complex mental health intervention in the workplace. Results from the MENTUPP pilot study
Authors: Tsantila Fotini , Coppens Evelien , De Witte Hans , Arensman Ella , Amann Benedikt , Cerga-Pashoja Arlinda , Corcoran Paul , Creswell-Smith Johanna , Cully Grace , Toth Monika Ditta , Greiner Birgit , Griffin Eve , Hegerl Ulrich , Holland Carolyn , Leduc Caleb , Leduc Mallorie , Ni Dhalaigh Doireann , O’Brien Cliodhna , Paterson Charlotte , Purebl György , Reich Hanna , Ross Victoria , Rugulies Reiner , Sanches Sarita , Thompson Katherine , Van Audenhove Chantal ,   MENTUPP consortium members, Abula Kahar , Aust Birgit , Cox Laura , D’Alessandro Luigia , Davey Grace , De Winter Lars , Dooyoung Kim , Doukani Asmae , Dushaj Arilda , Fanaj Naim , Hackel Stefan , Hogg Bridget , Mathieu Sharna , Maxwell Margaret , Alcazar Ana Moreno- , Mulcahy Karen , Dhalaigh Doireann Ni , Connor Ainslie O’ , Orchard Wendy , Qirjako Gentiana , Rapeli Saara , Sanches Sarita , Szekely Andras , Van Weeghel Jaap , Wahlbeck Kristian , Zsak Eva 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective
Multicomponent interventions are recommendable to achieve the greatest mental health benefits, but are difficult to evaluate due to their complexity. Defining long-term outcomes, arising from a Theory of Change (ToC) and testing them in a pilot phase, is a useful approach to plan a comprehensive and meaningful evaluation later on. This article reports on the pilot results of an outcome evaluation of a complex mental health intervention and examines whether appropriate evaluation measures and indicators have been selected ahead of a clustered randomised control trial (cRCT).

Methods
The MENTUPP pilot is an evidence-based intervention for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) active in three work sectors and nine countries. Based on our ToC, we selected the MENTUPP long-term outcomes, which are reported in this article, are measured with seven validated scales assessing mental wellbeing, burnout, depression, anxiety, stigma towards depression and anxiety, absenteeism and presenteeism. The pilot MENTUPP intervention assessment took place at baseline and at 6 months follow-up.

Results
In total, 25 SMEs were recruited in the MENTUPP pilot and 346 participants completed the validated scales at baseline and 96 at follow-up. Three long-term outcomes significantly improved at follow-up (p < 0.05): mental wellbeing, symptoms of anxiety, and personal stigmatising attitudes towards depression and anxiety.

Conclusions
The results of this outcome evaluation suggest that MENTUPP has the potential to strengthen employees’ wellbeing and decrease anxiety symptoms and stigmatising attitudes. Additionally, this study demonstrates the utility of conducting pilot workplace interventions to assess whether appropriate measures and indicators have been selected. Based on the results, the intervention and the evaluation strategy have been optimised.
Does social motivation mitigate fear caused by a sudden sound in horses?
Authors: Janicka Wiktoria , Wilk Izabela , Próchniak Tomasz 
Published: July 2023

AbstractLiving in a herd has multiple advantages for social species and is a primary survival strategy for prey. The presence of conspecifics, identified as a social buffer, may mitigate the individual stress response. Social isolation is, therefore, particularly stressful for horses, which are gregarious animals. However, they are not equally vulnerable to separation from the group. We tested whether more and less socially dependent horses and independent individuals would differ in their responses to novel and sudden sounds occurring in two contexts: non-social and social motivation. Twenty warmblood horses were first exposed to two social tests: to evaluate the level of social dependence (rate of restless behaviour; social isolation) and the quantity and the quality of interactions in which they were involved (stay on a paddock). Two fear audio tests were then performed to compare the responses to sudden sounds while feeding (non-social motivation; control trial) and while moving towards the herd (social motivation; experimental trial). Socially dependent horses showed more pronounced avoidance behaviour and needed much more time to resume feeding during the control trial. Hence, dependent individuals appeared to be more fearful. However, during an experimental trial, horses of both groups tended to ignore the sound or paid only limited attention to the stimulus, continuing to move forward towards their conspecifics. Thus, social motivation may mitigate fear caused by a frightening stimulus and make fearful and dependent horses more prone to face a potentially stressful event. This finding should be taken into account in horse training and management.
Injury shortens life expectancy in ants and affects some risk-related decisions of workers
Authors: Turza Filip , Miler Krzysztof 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe Formica cinerea ants are known to be highly territorial and aggressively defend their nest and foraging areas against other ants. During the foraging, workers engage in large-scale battles with other colonies of ants and injuries often occur in the process. Such injuries open the body up to pathologies and can lead to costs expressed in lower survival. Here, we addressed the significance of injury in dictating decisions related to engagement in risky behavior in ants (i.e., rescue and aggression). We manipulated the life expectancies of F. cinerea workers by injury and found that the survival of injured workers was shorter compared to the intact individuals. Furthermore, we found that injured workers discriminated between the intact and injured nestmates and showed more rescue behavior toward intact individuals. These rescue actions were expressed as digging around the trapped ant in need of rescue, pulling at its body parts, transporting the sand covering it, and biting the thread entrapping it. In turn, intact and injured workers showed similar and high levels of aggression toward heterospecifics. Our findings highlight the role of behavioral context in the studies devoted to the decision-making processes among social insects and the importance of life expectancy in their behavioral patterns.
Landslides triggered by an extraordinary rainfall event in Central Italy on September 15, 2022
Authors: Donnini Marco , Santangelo Michele , Gariano Stefano Luigi , Bucci Francesco , Peruccacci Silvia , Alvioli Massimiliano , Althuwaynee Omar , Ardizzone Francesca , Bianchi Cinzia , Bornaetxea Txomin , Brunetti Maria Teresa , Cardinali Mauro , Esposito Giuseppe , Grita Susanna , Marchesini Ivan , Melillo Massimo , Salvati Paola , Yazdani Mina , Fiorucci Federica 
Published: July 2023

AbstractTimely and systematic collection of landslide information after a triggering event is pivotal for the definition of landslide trends in response to climate change. On September 15, 2022, a large part of central Italy, particularly Marche and Umbria regions, was struck by an anomalous rainfall event that showed characteristics of a persistent convective system. An extraordinary cumulated rainfall of 419 mm was recorded by a rain gauge in the area in only 9 h. The rainfall triggered 1687 landslides in the area affected by the peak rainfall intensity and caused widespread flash floods and floods in the central and lower parts of the catchments. In this work, we describe the characteristics of the landslides identified during a field survey started immediately after the event. Most of the mass movements are shallow, and many are rapid (i.e., debris flows, earth flows) and widely affecting the road network. Landslide area spans from a few tens of square meters to 105 m2, with a median value of 87 m2. Field evidence revealed diffuse residual risk conditions, being a large proportion of landslides located in the immediate vicinity of infrastructures. Besides reporting the spatial distribution of landslides triggered by an extreme rainfall event, the data collected on landslides can be used to make comparisons with the distribution of landslides in the past, validation of landslide susceptibility models, and definition of the general interaction between landslides and structures/infrastructures.
Towards Precision Medicine in Spinal Surgery: Leveraging AI Technologies
Authors: Lawson McLean Aaron 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis critique explores the implications of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) technology, specifically OpenAI’s advanced language model GPT-4 and its interface, ChatGPT, into the field of spinal surgery. It examines the potential effects of algorithmic bias, unique challenges in surgical domains, access and equity issues, cost implications, global disparities in technology adoption, and the concept of technological determinism. It posits that biases present in AI training data may impact the quality and equity of healthcare outcomes. Challenges related to the unique nature of surgical procedures, including real-time decision-making, are also addressed. Concerns over access, equity, and cost implications underscore the potential for exacerbated healthcare disparities. Global disparities in technology adoption highlight the importance of global collaboration, technology transfer, and capacity building. Finally, the critique challenges the notion of technological determinism, emphasizing the continued importance of human judgement and patient-care provider relationship in healthcare. The critique calls for a comprehensive evaluation of AI technology integration in healthcare to ensure equitable and quality care.
Statistical analysis of the variability of reactive trace gases (SO2, NO2 and ozone) in Greater Cairo during dust storm events
Authors: Boraiy Mohamed , El-Metwally Mossad , Wheida Ali , El-Nazer Mostafa , Hassan Salwa K. , El-Sanabary Fatma F. , Alfaro Stéphane C. , Abdelwahab Magdy , Borbon Agnès 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe data of 17 air quality monitoring stations of Greater Cairo are used to perform a statistical analysis aiming to detect any heterogeneous surface effects of mineral dust on the distribution of reactive trace gases (SO2 NO2, and ozone) in. After a thorough quality check, the methodology consisted of i) selecting representative stations by agglomerative hierarchical clustering, ii) identifying dust events based on PM10 measurements, remote sensing observations, and meteorology, and iii) applying the non-parametric Kruskal Wallis (KW) hypothesis test to compare (at the 95% confidence level) trace gas concentrations during dust and non-dust events. The representative stations display either a background-like or a bimodal variability with concentrations (even that of the secondary product NO2) peaking at traffic rush hours but during dust storms all stations capture the signal of mineral dust advection. Eight wintertime and springtime dust cases are retained for the study. After the role of the confounding factors (i.e., ventilation index, relative humidity, and photolysis) has been carefully discussed and taken into account, the KW test shows that there is no significant reduction of the SO2, NO2 and ozone concentrations attributable to dust during 7 of the 8 events. The drop of the concentrations coinciding with the advection of dry dust-laden Saharan air masses is rather an effect of the dilution resulting from the combination of large wind speed and mixing layer height than of the heterogeneous uptake of these gases on the mineral dust surface.
Adopting a social purpose in for-profit firms: the role of the board of directors
Authors: Collevecchio Francesca , Gionfriddo Gianluca 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe debate on the purpose of corporations has intensified over the past decade, compelling businesses to reassess their societal roles. To effectively integrate sustainability into corporate strategies, for-profit firms are increasingly encouraged to adopt a pro-social purpose (SP).However, adopting and integrating an SP is a substantial shift that necessitates an internal push from corporate actors. In particular, due to its function of strategic decision-making, the board of directors represents a pivotal player in promoting the adoption of an SP.This research delves into the impact of board characteristics on the likelihood of adopting an SP in for-profit firms. We examined 580 European firms employing propensity score matching and logistic regression methodologies. Our findings offer initial insights on the effect of the board composition on adopting an SP. In particular, we found that cultivating the directors’ network with employees, fostering gender and age diversity, and welcoming highly qualified directors on board are key factors in facilitating the adoption and implementation of an SP in EU for-profit firms.Our study represents the first attempt to quantitatively examine the relationship between the board and SP. By doing so, we contribute to the theoretical advancement of the complementarity of corporate governance and corporate purpose. Moreover, we encourage practitioners to accrue awareness of the board characteristics that facilitate the adoption of an SP within their firms.
Towards epistemic diversity in sustainability transitions: an exploration of hybrid socio-technical systems
Authors: Balanzó-Guzmán Alejandro , Ramos-Mejía Mónica 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA wealth of scholarly work has contributed to make visible and describe the place of indigenous peoples and knowledge in sustainability transitions. We follow suit, exploring if, and how, indigenous peoples and knowledges take part in the construction of hybrid socio-technical systems, i.e. socio-technical systems where heterogeneous knowledges already coexist and give rise to the emergence of specific and nuanced socio-technical patterns. We address the question: What are the types of interaction between techno-scientific and indigenous/local knowledges in socio-technical configurations aiming at sustainability? Our inquiry focuses on knowledge circulation patterns in hybrid socio-technical systems. Conceptually, we build on epistemic diversity and hybridisation as means to reflect on socio-technical systems. Empirically, we carry on a theory-driven literature review and ground a model on the backdrop of the MLP perspective. Results show that hybrid socio-technical systems present overlapping socio-technical assemblages coexisting in constructive tension. Such tension stems from the manyfold possible directionalities that take place in the social production of hybrid-oriented and non-hybrid-oriented performativity of knowledges. This paradoxical nature implies that each encounter performs a potential tension within the broader web of relations in the system. In terms of sustainability transitions, hybrid socio-technical systems pose particular knowledge governance challenges. Its paradoxical nature risks enabling contradictory, non-viable or illegitimate transition pathways towards sustainability.
Identifying and understanding how people living with a lower-grade glioma engage in self-management
Authors: Rimmer Ben , Balla Michelle , Dutton Lizzie , Lewis Joanne , Brown Morven C. , Burns Richéal , Gallagher Pamela , Williams Sophie , Araújo-Soares Vera , Finch Tracy , Menger Fiona , Sharp Linda ,   on behalf of the Ways Ahead study team
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Purpose
Lower-grade gliomas (LGG) are mostly diagnosed in working-aged adults and rarely cured. LGG patients may face chronic impairments (e.g. fatigue, cognitive deficits). Self-management can improve clinical and psychosocial outcomes, yet how LGG patients self-manage the consequences of their tumour and its treatment is not fully understood. This study, therefore, aimed to identify and understand how LGG patients engage in the self-management of their condition.

Methods
A diverse group of 28 LGG patients (age range 22–69 years; male n = 16, female n = 12; mean time since diagnosis = 8.7 years) who had completed primary treatment, were recruited from across the United Kingdom. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Informed by a self-management strategy framework developed in cancer, directed content analysis identified and categorised self-management types and strategies used by patients.

Results
Overall, 20 self-management strategy types, comprising 123 self-management strategies were reported; each participant detailed extensive engagement in self-management. The most used strategy types were ‘using support’ (n = 28), ‘creating a healthy environment’ (n = 28), ‘meaning making’ (n = 27), and ‘self-monitoring’ (n = 27). The most used strategies were ‘accepting the tumour and its consequences’ (n = 26), ‘receiving support from friends (n = 24) and family’ (n = 24), and ‘reinterpreting negative consequences’ (n = 24).

Conclusions
This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the strategies used by LGG patients to self-manage their health and wellbeing, with a diverse, and substantial number of self-management strategies reported.

Implications for Cancer Survivors
The findings will inform the development of a supported self-management intervention for LGG patients, which will be novel for this patient group.
Impairments in quality of life and predictors of symptom burden in patients with hypoparathyroidism: results from a population-based survey
Authors: Büttner Matthias , Krogh Dieter , Siggelkow Heide , Singer Susanne 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To investigate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with hypoparathyroidism (hypoPT) compared to the general population and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors that are associated with symptom burden.

Methods
Patients with a diagnosis of hypoPT participated in an online survey. Information regarding the survey was distributed by treating physicians or a self-help organization. Quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and symptom burden using the Hypoparathyroid Patient Questionnaire (HPQ28). Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to compare QoL of hypoPT patients with the general population (adjusted for age, sex, education)and to identify factors associated with symptom burden.

Results
Altogether, 264 hypoPT patients provided information on QoL and symptom burden. HypoPT was associated with worse cognitive (β = −15.9; p < 0.01) and emotional functioning (β = −12.3; p = 0.04) compared to the general population. The highest symptom burden in hypoPT patients was observed for the domains loss of vitality (mean: 61.4; SD: 21.9), pain and cramps (mean: 43.7; SD: 26.5), and numbness and tingling sensations (mean: 38.9; SD: 30.0). Female gender was associated with a higher symptom burden across all nine domains of the HPQ28, while longer disease duration was associated with a lower symptom burden in neurovegetative symptoms, loss of vitality, depression and anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion
HypoPT patients have impaired QoL compared to the general population. Being female is strongly associated with high symptom burden.
Suicide by sharp force associated with major self-mutilation and self-cannibalism
Authors: Farkašová Iannaccone Silvia , Ginelliová Alžbeta , Farkaš Daniel , Sopková Dorota 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Self-stabbing and self-cutting represents an uncommon method of suicide. We present a case of a 30-year-old man who was found dead in the forest. The body was naked and showed multiple cut and stab wounds on different parts of the body (face, neck, chest, abdomen, and extremities). A single-edged kitchen knife was found approximately 20 m from the body. Parts of both ears, the fifth toe of the right foot, and the scrotum were cut off. At the autopsy, two of the severed body parts—the toe and the part of the left ear—were found in the stomach. The cause of death was asphyxiation due to blood aspiration resulting from a cut throat injury. A police investigation uncovered a history of substance abuse and two previous suicidal attempts using a knife. Upon complex analysis of all the evidence, the manner of death was ruled a suicide, which was preceded by actions of major self-mutilation and self-cannibalism, both considered rare behavioral patterns.
Different Chronic Stress Paradigms Converge on Endogenous TDP43 Cleavage and Aggregation
Authors: Candelise Niccolò , Caissutti Daniela , Zenuni Henri , Nesci Valentina , Scaricamazza Silvia , Salvatori Illari , Spinello Zaira , Mattei Vincenzo , Garofalo Tina , Ferri Alberto , Valle Cristiana , Misasi Roberta 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe TAR-DNA binding protein (TDP43) is a nuclear protein whose cytoplasmic inclusions are hallmarks of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Acute stress in cells causes TDP43 mobilization to the cytoplasm and its aggregation through different routes. Although acute stress elicits a strong phenotype, is far from recapitulating the years-long aggregation process. We applied different chronic stress protocols and described TDP43 aggregation in a human neuroblastoma cell line by combining solubility assays, thioflavin-based microscopy and flow cytometry. This approach allowed us to detect, for the first time to our knowledge in vitro, the formation of 25 kDa C-terminal fragment of TDP43, a pathogenic hallmark of ALS. Our results indicate that chronic stress, compared to the more common acute stress paradigm, better recapitulates the cell biology of TDP43 proteinopathies. Moreover, we optimized a protocol for the detection of bona fide prions in living cells, suggesting that TDP43 may form amyloids as a stress response.