bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the provision of emotional support for patients following major lower limb amputation
Authors: Clapp Joanne , Firkins Ashlyn , Owen Ray , Carty Stephanie
Published: October 2024

Major lower limb amputation (MLLA) is a lifesaving but life-altering surgical procedure. Psychological distress is common and typically heightened in the acute postoperative period. Despite the negative impact that poor psychological functioning can have on the health outcomes of this population, there is a lack of high-quality guidance outlining how to best support the psychological needs of individuals post-MLLA. The aim of this project was to develop practical and feasible interventions for improving the provision of emotional support for all patients on the vascular surgical ward post-MLLA. Adapted from the Holistic Needs Assessment Adversity-Restoration-Compatibility framework used within oncology services to provide holistic care to patients, the project included two key interventions. The primary intervention involved developing a model for an ‘emotionally supportive conversation’ (ESC), which was delivered by a member of the vascular surgical team under supervision of a Clinical Psychologist. During the 6-month implementation phase, 27 patients received an ESC, an average of 8 days post-MLLA. The secondary intervention involved training for vascular surgical ward staff, led by a Clinical Psychologist. This focused on raising awareness of common signs of distress, building skills and confidence in responding to distress and providing information on where to signpost patients for further support. Prior to the primary and secondary interventions, 43% of patients reported receiving sufficient information from hospital staff on how they would feel postoperatively and 57% stated they had received sufficient support from staff during their stay. Post-implementation, these figures increased to 86% and 71%, respectively. This project represents a novel, creative and cost-effective way for psychological services to add value to the quality of care provided to vascular surgical patients during the inpatient phase post-MLLA.
Comparing qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic markers to assess cardiac contractility in newborn infants: protocol for a prospective cohort study
Authors: Pereira Sujith , Satas Saulius
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Neonatologist-performed echocardiography (NPE) is increasingly used in the neonatal intensive care unit, aiding clinicians in enhancing diagnostic precision and guiding treatment decisions based on underlying pathophysiology. Experienced NPE operators typically use visual estimation of the cardiac contractility and if required confirm findings using quantitative echocardiographic markers.

While various quantitative echocardiographic markers are available to assess left and right ventricular contractility, this study aims to compare the proficiency of NPE-experienced and non-experienced providers in accurately assessing cardiac contractility using a combination of commonly used qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic markers.

Methods and analysis

Newborn infants, both inborn and outborn, undergoing routine NPE by the authors at Homerton University Hospital and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital from 1 April 2024 to 1 October 2024 will be studied. Indications for NPE include murmur evaluation, infants receiving intensive care and the need to assess underlying cardiovascular physiology.

Blinded experienced and non-experienced NPE operators will independently assess left and right ventricular contractility using qualitative echocardiographic markers. The results will be compared with standard quantitative echocardiographic markers for cardiac contractility, and reliability studies will also be conducted for quantitative makers.

Clinical data will be sourced from electronic patient records and national neonatal database. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios will be calculated.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the Health and Care Research Wales Research Ethics Committee and the Health Research Authority (HRA) (reference 23/HRA/3066). The study findings will be presented at national/international conferences and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Duration of prehospital and in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation and neurological outcome in paediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Yasuda Masato , Amagasa Shunsuke , Kashiura Masahiro , Yasuda Hideto , Uematsu Satoko
Published: October 2024

Background

Because of their young age and lack of known comorbidities, paediatric patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) often undergo prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We aimed to determine the association between prehospital and in-hospital CPR duration and neurological outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine-OHCA Registry for patients <18 years of age with OHCA between June 2014 and December 2019. All patients received prehospital CPR by emergency medical service (EMS). The aetiologies of arrest included traumatic and atraumatic causes. The primary outcome measure was a 1-month neurological outcome of moderate disability or better (Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category 1–3). We calculated the dynamic probability and cumulative proportion of 1-month moderate disability or better neurological outcomes. Dynamic probability calculates patient outcomes during CPR per min. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore the association between longer CPR duration (as an ordinal variable) and 1-month poorer neurological outcomes.

Results

Among 1007 eligible children, 252 achieved return of spontaneous circulation and 53 had a 1-month moderate disability or better neurological outcome. The dynamic probability of a 1-month moderate disability or better neurological outcome dropped below 0.01 at 64 min (0.005, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.017). The cumulative proportion of a 1-month moderate disability or better neurological outcome exceeded 0.99 at 68 min (1, 95% CI 1 to 1). With increasing CPR time from CPR initiation by EMS, both crude and adjusted ORs for 1-month neurological outcomes gradually decreased.

Conclusion

Using a large Japanese database of paediatric OHCA patients, we found that longer CPR duration was associated with a lower likelihood of a 1-month moderate disability or better neurological outcome. Less than 1% of paediatric patients exhibited 1-month moderate disability or better neurological outcomes when total CPR duration is more than 64 min.
QUAIDE - Quality assessment of AI preclinical studies in diagnostic endoscopy
Authors: Antonelli Giulio , Libanio Diogo , De Groof Albert Jeroen , van der Sommen Fons , Mascagni Pietro , Sinonquel Pieter , Abdelrahim Mohamed , Ahmad Omer , Berzin Tyler , Bhandari Pradeep , Bretthauer Michael , Coimbra Miguel , Dekker Evelien , Ebigbo Alanna , Eelbode Tom , Frazzoni Leonardo , Gross Seth A , Ishihara Ryu , Kaminski Michal Filip , Messmann Helmut , Mori Yuichi , Padoy Nicolas , Parasa Sravanthi , Pilonis Nastazja Dagny , Renna Francesco , Repici Alessandro , Simsek Cem , Spadaccini Marco , Bisschops Raf , Bergman Jacques J G H M , Hassan Cesare , Dinis Ribeiro Mario
Published: October 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant potential for enhancing quality of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, but the adoption of AI in clinical practice is hampered by the lack of rigorous standardisation and development methodology ensuring generalisability. The aim of the Quality Assessment of pre-clinical AI studies in Diagnostic Endoscopy (QUAIDE) Explanation and Checklist was to develop recommendations for standardised design and reporting of preclinical AI studies in GI endoscopy.

The recommendations were developed based on a formal consensus approach with an international multidisciplinary panel of 32 experts among endoscopists and computer scientists. The Delphi methodology was employed to achieve consensus on statements, with a predetermined threshold of 80% agreement. A maximum three rounds of voting were permitted.

Consensus was reached on 18 key recommendations, covering 6 key domains: data acquisition and annotation (6 statements), outcome reporting (3 statements), experimental setup and algorithm architecture (4 statements) and result presentation and interpretation (5 statements). QUAIDE provides recommendations on how to properly design (1. Methods, statements 1–14), present results (2. Results, statements 15–16) and integrate and interpret the obtained results (3. Discussion, statements 17–18).

The QUAIDE framework offers practical guidance for authors, readers, editors and reviewers involved in AI preclinical studies in GI endoscopy, aiming at improving design and reporting, thereby promoting research standardisation and accelerating the translation of AI innovations into clinical practice.
Factors associated with a history of acute traumatic cycling injuries in 60 941 cycling race entrants in South Africa: SAFER study XLII
Authors: Jansen van Rensburg Bertus , Schwellnus Martin , Green Darren , Jansen van Rensburg Audrey , Jordaan Esme , Swanevelder Sonja , Sewry Nicola Ann
Published: October 2024

Background

Information on acute traumatic cycling injuries (ATCIs) in the 12 months prior to entry in a cycling race and the predisposing factors have not been well-researched.

Objective

Determine factors associated with a history of ATCIs sustained in the previous 12 months by race entrants of a 109 km cycling race.

Methods

Descriptive, cross-sectional study on 60 941 Cape Town Cycle Tour race entrants from 2016 to 2020. Data on a history of ATCIs sustained in the previous 12 months were obtained through an online pre-race medical screening questionnaire (mandatory in 2016, and voluntary in 2017–2020). Factors investigated were demographics, cycling/training history and history of chronic disease, collapse, cramping, allergies and regular chronic prescription medication usage. We calculated the prevalence ratio (PR) for reporting a history of an ATCI in the previous 12 months for each category (multiple regression model).

Results

Factors associated with an increased PR for a history of ATCIs gathered from race entrants (34% of the total entrants) were: increased years of participation in distance cycling events >2 hours (PR=1.05 per 5 years of distance cycling, p<0.0001), increased weekly average training/racing distance of a cyclist in the past 12 months (PR=1.11 per 50 km increase in weekly cycling). Other factors were: increased number of chronic diseases reported (PR=1.53, per two additional chronic diseases reported, p<0.0001), history of collapse (PR=1.75, p=0.0005), history of cramping (PR=1.65, p<0.0001) and history of allergies (PR=1.49, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Subgroups of recreational cyclists at higher risk for ATCIs were identified. This information could assist in developing and implementing future strategies to mitigate ATCIs.
Do adult children increase the chances of receiving the recommended hospital treatment among older adults with heart disease?
Authors: Sloth Mathilde Marie Brünnich , Nielsen Jannie , Neble Larsen Emma , Osler Merete , Jorgensen Terese Sara Hoj
Published: October 2024

Background

We investigated whether having children and their socioeconomic resources are associated with receiving coronary angiogram (CAG) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) among older adults with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina pectoris.

Methods

The study included 13 046 older adults diagnosed with first-time NSTEMI and unstable angina pectoris between 2002 and 2018. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of having children and their socioeconomic resources with receiving a CAG examination within the first 3 days of their diagnosis and CABG or PCI within 30 days of their diagnosis following CAG examination, respectively, adjusted for sociodemographic factors.

Results

Within 3 days, 7158 older adults (54.9%) received a CAG, and of those, 4514 older adults (63.1%) received CABG or PCI within 30 days after their diagnosis following CAG examination. In the adjusted analyses, having children was associated with 21% (OR: 1.21, 95% CI 1.08; 1.36) higher odds of receiving CAG within 3 days and 20% (OR: 1.20, 95% CI 1.01; 1.42) higher odds of receiving CABG or PCI within 30 days after being diagnosed with NSTEMI and unstable angina pectoris, respectively, compared with those not having children. In adults with children aged ≥30 years, having children with short education was associated with 13% lower odds (OR: 0.87, 95% CI 0.77; 0.99) of receiving CAG, compared with older adults with children with long education.

Conclusion

Older adults with children had higher odds of receiving examination and treatment after diagnosis with NSTEMI or unstable angina pectoris. Older adults with children with short education had lower odds of receiving examination compared with older adults with children with long education.
SAIL66, a next generation CLDN6-targeting T-cell engager, demonstrates potent antitumor efficacy through dual binding to CD3/CD137
Authors: Kamikawa Takayuki , Kimura Naoki , Ishii Shinya , Muraoka Masaru , Kodama Tatsushi , Taniguchi Kenji , Yoshimoto Moe , Miura-Okuda Momoko , Uchikawa Ryo , Kato Chie , Shinozuka Junko , Akai Sho , Naoi Sotaro , Tomioka Nanami , Nagaya Nishiki , Pang Chai Ling , Garvita Gupta , Feng Shu , Shimada Mei , Kamata-Sakurai Mika , Aburatani Hiroyuki , Kitazawa Takehisa , Igawa Tomoyuki
Published: October 2024

Background

Ovarian cancer remains a formidable challenge in oncology, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. Claudin-6 (CLDN6), a member of the tight junction molecule CLDN family, exhibits negligible expression in healthy tissues but displays aberrant upregulation in various malignancies, including ovarian cancer. Although several therapeutic modalities targeting CLDN6 are currently under investigation, there is still a need for more potent therapeutic options. While T-cell engagers (TCEs) hold substantial promise as potent immunotherapeutic agents, their current efficacy and safety in terms of target antigen selection and T-cell exhaustion due to only CD3 stimulation without co-stimulation must be improved, particularly against solid tumors. To provide an efficacious treatment option for ovarian cancer, we generated SAIL66, a tri-specific antibody against CLDN6/CD3/CD137.

Methods

Using our proprietary next-generation TCE technology (Dual-Ig), SAIL66 was designed to bind to CLDN6 with one Fab and CD3/CD137 with the other, thereby activating T cells through CD3 activation and CD137 co-stimulation. The preclinical characterization of SAIL66 was performed in a series of in vitro and in vivo studies which included comparisons to a conventional TCE targeting CLDN6 and CD3.

Results

Despite the high similarity between CLDN6 and other CLDN family members, SAIL66 demonstrated high specificity for CLDN6, reducing the risk of off-target toxicity. In an in vitro co-culture assay with CLDN6-positive cancer cells, we confirmed that SAIL66 strongly activated the CD137 signal in the Jurkat reporter system, and preferentially induced activation of both CD4+and CD8+T cells isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared to conventional TCEs. In vivo studies demonstrated that SAIL66 led to a more pronounced increase in intratumor T-cell infiltration and a decrease in exhausted T cells compared with conventional CLDN6 TCE by contribution of CD137 co-stimulation, resulting in better antitumor efficacy in tumor-bearing mouse models.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that SAIL66, designed to engage CLDN6, CD3, and CD137, has the potential to enhance antitumor activity and provide a potent therapeutic option for patients with ovarian and other solid tumors expressing CLDN6. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SAIL66.
National trends in catheter angiography and cerebrovascular imaging in a group of privately insured patients in the US
Authors: Jareczek Francis , Tuohy Kyle , Agbese Edeanya , Church Ephraim , Cockroft Kevin , Simon Scott , Leslie Douglas L , Wilkinson D Andrew
Published: October 2024

Background

Despite the increasing use of non-invasive imaging, DSA remains the gold standard for cerebrovascular imaging. However, trends in DSA utilization are poorly understood. The goal of this study was to describe DSA utilization in a large claims database in the US over a 13 year period.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study assessed a nationwide database of privately insured individuals from 2005 to 2018 for patients undergoing cranial CT angiography (CTA), MR angiography (MRA), and DSA. We assessed trends in the overall use of and indications for each modality. For DSA, we examined the types of performing proceduralists.

Results

Among patients undergoing DSA in 2018, median age was 52 years, and 60% were women. MRA and DSA use decreased, from 289 to 275 claims, and from 38 to 29 claims per 100 000 enrollees, respectively, while CTA use increased from 31 to 286 claims per 100 000 enrollees. These trends differed by geographic region and indication. Nearly half of DSA procedures but <25% of non-invasive imaging were inpatient studies. DSA performed by neurosurgeons increased from 0.5 to 4.1 while those performed by radiologists decreased from 7.2 to 4.0 studies per 100 000 enrollees.

Conclusions

DSA use decreased slightly while CTA use increased by ninefold. The reasons for this change are likely complex and may reflect more aggressive imaging for stroke, increased detection of incidental findings, and increased quality of non-invasive imaging. Over time, the proportion of DSA procedures performed by neurosurgeons overtook that performed by radiologists.
Validating claims-based algorithms for a systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosis in Medicare data for informed use of the Lupus Index: a tool for geospatial research
Authors: Feldman Candace , Curtis Jeffrey R , Yazdany Jinoos , Izmirly Peter , Oates Jim C
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aimed to validate claims-based algorithms for identifying SLE and lupus nephritis (LN) in Medicare data, enhancing the use of the Lupus Index for geospatial research on SLE prevalence and outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the performance of rule-based algorithms using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes to identify SLE and LN in a well-defined prospective longitudinal cohort of patients with and without SLE from a South Carolina registry and rheumatology outpatient clinics. The analysis included comparison of algorithms based on Medicare fee-for-service claims data to these rigorously phenotyped populations. The primary classification for SLE cases was based on the American College of Rheumatology and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics criteria for SLE and LN. Algorithms were based on the number of ICD-10 codes with and without a 30-day separation in the observation period, including all of 2016–2018.

Results

The algorithm using two ICD-10 codes for SLE, with or without a 30-day separation, showed the best overall performance. For LN, specific ICD-10 codes outperformed combinations of SLE and renal/proteinuria codes that were found in ICD-9.

Conclusions

The findings of this study highlight the performance of specific ICD-10 code algorithms in identifying SLE and LN cases within Medicare data, providing a valuable tool for informing use of the Lupus Index. This index allows for improved geographical targeting of clinical resources, health disparity studies and clinical trial site selection. The study underscores the importance of algorithm selection based on research objectives, recommending more specific algorithms for precise tasks like clinical trial site identification and less specific ones for broader applications such as health disparities research.
Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis: a comprehensive review
Authors: Ziogas Ioannis A , Kuruvilla Korah P , Fu Ming , Gosain Ankush
Published: October 2024

Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC) is an important cause of morbidity and the leading cause of mortality in patients with Hirschsprung disease. The pathophysiology of disease includes dysmotility of the enteric nervous system, dysbiosis of the microbiota, failure of the intestinal barrier, and impaired immunity. Common manifestations include fever, abdominal distension, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Given the non-specific signs and symptoms of HAEC, high clinical suspicion is warranted, especially in patients with risk factors. Diagnosis and management of HAEC depend on the severity of disease presentation. Several preoperative and postoperative modalities have been explored to prevent HAEC. The current review elaborates on the risk factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of HAEC.
Free sugars in the Canadian diet: a research summary and future directions for food policy
Authors: Zaltz Daniel A. , Ahmed Mavra , Vergeer Laura , Schermel Alyssa , L'Abbé Mary R.
Published: October 2024

Until recently, most dietary guidelines and related food policies in Canada focused on total sugars, but recent evidence suggests that free sugars are of greater public health concern. Starting in 2017, our research group received federal funding to fill critical gaps related to free sugars and health. In this commentary, we describe our work related to tracking free sugars in the Canadian food supply and simulating the diet and health impacts of product reformulation. We then summarize how our work has influenced policymaking in Canada with examples of our knowledge translation efforts, and provide a future research and policy agenda based on our findings. Overall, there is significant room for Canadian food policies to target free sugars reductions in food and diets to address overconsumption of this nutrient of public health concern.
The effect of consuming a sucrose-containing sports drink on acute kidney injury risk during a 4 h simulated occupational heat stress
Authors: Lignier Maxime Jeanovitch , Hess Hayden W. , Freemas Jessica A. , Johnson Blair D. , Hostler David , Schlader Zachary J.
Published: October 2024

Occupational heat stress increases acute kidney injury risk. Drinking a soft drink sweetened with high fructose corn syrup further elevates this acute kidney injury risk. However, the impact of sucrose, another fructose-containing sweetener, on acute kidney injury risk remains unexplored. We tested the hypothesis that drinking a sucrose-containing sports drink increases acute kidney injury risk when compared to drinking a sugar-free sports drink during 4 h of simulated occupational heat stress. Ten healthy adults consumed a sucrose-containing or sugar-free sport drink ad libitum during 4 h exposures to wet bulb globe temperatures of ∼28 °C. Thirty min of work and 30 min of rest were completed each hour. Work involved treadmill walking at a fixed rate of metabolic heat production (sucrose-containing: 6.0 ± 1.2 W/kg, sugar-free: 5.5 ± 0.9 W/kg, p = 0.267). The product of urinary insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2, normalized to urine specific gravity ([IGFBP7·TIMP-2]USG), provided an acute kidney injury risk index. Mean core (intestinal: n = 13, rectal: n = 7) temperature (sucrose-containing: 37.5 ± 0.1 °C, sugar-free: 37.5 ± 0.3 °C; p = 0.914), peak core temperature (sucrose-containing: 37.8 ± 0.2 °C, sugar-free: 37.9 ± 0.3 °C; p = 0.398), and percent changes in body mass (sucrose-containing: −0.5 ± 0.4%, sugar-free: −0.3 ± 0.6%; p = 0.386) did not differ between groups. [IGFBP7∙TIMP-2]USG increased in both groups (time effect: p = 0.025) with no drink ( p = 0.675) or interaction ( p = 0.715) effects. Peak change [IGFBP7∙TIMP-2]USG did not differ between sucrose-containing (median 0.0116 [−0.0012, 0.1760] (ng/mL)2/1000) and sugar-free (median 0.0021 [0.0003, 0.2077] (ng/mL)2/1000; p = 0.796). Sucrose-containing sports drink consumption during simulated occupational heat stress does not modify acute kidney injury risk when compared to sugar free-sport drink consumption.
Minimal assay detects population-level senescence in the aquatic plant Lemna minor
Authors: Thwaites Victoria C. , Chmilar Suzanne L. , Luzardo Amanda C. , Laird Robert A.
Published: October 2024

At the population level, senescence occurs when older individuals have increased risk of death and reduced reproduction compared to younger individuals. We investigated senescence in the aquatic plant Lemna minor L. (common duckweed), an important species for plant senescence research. Our objectives were to (1) confirm or refute the presence of population-level senescence in this model species; (2) develop a minimal assay of senescence requiring only once-weekly data collection; and (3) test whether there were appreciable differences in senescence in plants grown in glass compared to polystyrene Petri dishes, with an aim to reducing single-use plastic waste and long-term research materials costs. We found that weekly survival arced downward with age when viewed on a semi-log plot, and weekly production of descendants decreased with age, with both findings indicating population-level senescence that matched previous work using more frequent data-collection (per Objectives 1 and 2). Additionally, we found no noteworthy differences in senescence between plants grown in glass versus polystyrene Petri dishes (per Objective 3). The use of weekly data collection could liberate personnel resources for other research-group functions, and could make the Lemna system suitable for senescence- or demography-education exercises. The use of glass dishes could reduce lab waste and expense.
Bridging the gap between Quebec and Newfoundland: new insights on the protracted and diachronic history of the Anticosti foreland basin
Authors: Pinet Nicolas
Published: October 2024

The offshore part of the Anticosti foreland basin between Gaspé Peninsula (Quebec) and western Newfoundland has been investigated for its petroleum potential, mainly in the 1980s, but its geometry and evolution remain poorly documented. In this study, short-wavelength magnetic markers associated with intra-sedimentary magnetic susceptibility contrasts are interpreted in conjunction with high-resolution seismic data to map the distribution of rock units. Magnetic markers associated with igneous dykes are distinguished from those associated with sedimentary units by their higher amplitude and geometry. Conjunct interpretation of magnetic and seismic datasets provides new insight on the geometry of the Anticosti Basin and indicates that (i) a relatively thick (∼2 km) post-Llandovery (post-Jupiter Formation) sedimentary succession occurs in the core of two regional synclines where youngest preserved sediments are interpreted as correlative with the Upper Gaspé Sandstone Group–Red Island Road Formation (Emsian–Eifelian); (ii) post-Eifelian (Acadian) deformation consists of a series of folds, 2–10 km in wavelength in the Honguedo Strait, north of the Gaspé Peninsula, and to a single greater wavelength fold in the Strait of Belle Isle; (iii) newly recognized northwest-striking faults that parallel the eastern Gaspé Peninsula shoreline exhibit significant syn- to post-Middle Mississippian movements; (iv) the southern boundary of the Anticosti Basin corresponds either to the unconformity at the base of the Carboniferous–Permian Magdalen Basin or to previously poorly documented east southeast to northeast-striking faults; (v) a series of dykes trend from N90° near Gaspé Peninsula to N170° between Anticosti and Newfoundland islands. These new findings are integrated in an evolution model that enhances the stratigraphic and tectonic along-strike variability of the Anticosti foreland basin.
Geometric and topological corrections to Schwarzschild black hole
Authors: D’Agostino Rocco , Luongo Orlando , Mancini Stefano
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we compute departures in the black hole thermodynamics induced by either geometric or topological corrections to general relativity. Specifically, we analyze the spherically symmetric spacetime solutions of two modified gravity scenarios with Lagrangians $$\mathcal {L}\sim R^{1+\epsilon }$$

L
∼

R

1
+
ϵ

and $$\mathcal {L}\sim R+\epsilon \, \mathcal {G}^2$$

L
∼
R
+
ϵ

G

2

, where $$\mathcal {G}$$
G
is the Euler density in four dimensions, while $$ 0<\epsilon \ll 1$$

0
<
ϵ
≪
1

measures the perturbation around the Hilbert–Einstein action. Accordingly, we find the expressions of the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy by the Penrose formula, and the black hole temperature and horizon of the obtained solutions. We then investigate the heat capacities in terms of the free parameters of the theories under study. In doing so, we show that healing the problem of negative heat capacities can be possible under particular choices of the free constants, albeit with limitations on the masses allowed for the black hole solutions.
New Janus interfaces from four-dimensional $$N=3$$ gauged supergravity
Authors: Karndumri Parinya
Published: October 2024

We construct new supersymmetric Janus solutions from four-dimensional $$N=3$$

N
=
3

gauged supergravity coupled to eight vector multiplets with $$SO(3)\times SU(3)$$

S
O
(
3
)
×
S
U
(
3
)

gauge group. This gauged supergravity admits a supersymmetric $$N=3$$

N
=
3

$$AdS_4$$

A
d

S
4

vacuum with the full $$SO(3)\times SU(3)$$

S
O
(
3
)
×
S
U
(
3
)

symmetry unbroken and a family of supersymmetric $$N=1,2,3$$

N
=
1
,
2
,
3

and non-supersymmetric $$AdS_4$$

A
d

S
4

vacua with different residual symmetries. These are expected to be dual to supersymmetric Chern–Simons–Matter (CSM) theories in three dimensions via the AdS/CFT correspondence. By considering a truncation to three complex scalar fields, we find a number of Janus solutions preserving $$N=1$$

N
=
1

supersymmetry that describes conformal interfaces within $$N=3$$

N
=
3

CSM theories with $$SO(3)\times SU(3)$$

S
O
(
3
)
×
S
U
(
3
)

and $$SU(2)_{\text {diag}}\times U(1)$$

S
U

(
2
)

diag

×
U

(
1
)

symmetries.
The Use of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Arthrography for Wrist Ligamentous Injuries – A Diagnostic Test Accuracy Meta-analysis
Authors: DHILLON Harnoor-Khroud , ROJOA Djamila M. , RAHEMAN Zaid , MONTEOLIVA Nicholas Cereceda , DHILLON Govind , RAHEMAN Firas J.
Published: October 2024

Background: Diagnosis of ligamentous wrist injuries can be challenging with the absence of dynamic instability on radiographs. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) arthrography in diagnosing scapholunate ligament (SLL), lunotriquetral ligament (LTL) and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries.

Methods: A systematic review and literature search were conducted in compliance with Preferred Reporting Items for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) and registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO (CRD42024517655). A mixed-effects logistic regression bivariate model was used to estimate summary sensitivity and specificity, and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curves were constructed to determine diagnostic accuracy of CBCT arthrography.

Results: We identified five studies assessing the accuracy of CBCT arthrography against wrist arthrography or intraoperative findings as reference standard. The pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity of CBCT arthrography was 93% (95% CI 40–100) and 91% (95% CI 81–96) for SLL injuries, 83% (95% CI 37–98) and 64% (95% CI 42–81) for LTL injuries and 78% (95% CI 57–91) and 80% (95% CI 54–93) for TFCC injuries. The area under the curve was 0.91 (95% CI 0.89–0.94), showing an excellent diagnostic accuracy of CBCT arthrography in SLL injuries. CBCT arthrography had an estimated mean effective dose of 3.2 mSv (2.0–4.8).

Conclusions: Our study confirms that CBCT arthrography has an excellent diagnostic accuracy for wrist ligamentous injuries with comparably high sensitivity to conventional arthrography and a better specificity. While further studies with more robust methodology are required to support its implementation in clinical practice, our analysis shows that it is a reliable option and has a promising future.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Diagnostic)
Ore formation in mantle peridotites before and after emplacement: review and new perspective
Authors: Arai Shoji
Published: October 2024

Generation of ore deposits in and around mantle peridotite (serpentinite) massifs is reviewed and summarized, and future studies are discussed as well. Podiform chromitites are essentially formed by magma–peridotite (mainly harzburgite) reaction and subsequent magma mixing at the upper mantle. The UHP chromitite is, however, possibly formed by deep recycling of the low-pressure one formed in the upper mantle. Seawater, which contains Cl, is potentially able to dissolve and transport Cr and precipitate chromian spinel. Chromitite formation in the mantle wedge by slab fluids is possible but has not been well examined. Olivine in peridotites is potentially an important source of some elements (iron and related transition metals), which are liberated upon its breakdown during serpentinization. They are sometimes precipitated
in situ
as minute grains of oxides, sulfides or metals in serpentinite, but sometimes transported via hydrothermal solutions responsible for serpentinization and concentrated to form ores. Magnetite veins in serpentinite, possibly as well as Co–Ni arsenides along the serpentinite–diorite boundaries of the Bou-Azzer ophiolite, provide a good example. Precipitation of Mn nodules and other ores from the seafloor is possibly related to circulated seawater through peridotite emplaced in the crust. This issue should be examined thoroughly in the future.
A Topic Modeling Approach Towards Understanding the Discourse between Religion and Videogames on Reddit
Authors: Maram Sai Siddartha , Pfau Johannes , Kasar Mansi Rajendra , Seif El-Nasr Magy
Published: October 2024

Today's videogames are often intertwined with profound religious narratives, content, characters, and artifacts - but how do player communities understand the role of religion in games, and what is the impression of believers on the use, portrayal, and representation of the religion they practice? This paper dives deep into this confluence by rigorously analyzing discussions from religion and videogame subreddits that often depict the most popular communication channel for their communities. Following topic modeling, we cluster posts and comments from the three major religious groups and the most popular related videogame subreddits, bringing forth representative cultural sentiments and patterns of players and religious stakeholders. Through this, we discovered 22 distinct sub-themes, further categorized into the three overarching themes of (a) Blasphemous Elements of Videogames, (b) Religion as a Design Space for Videogames, and (c) Videogames for Religious Education and Community Forming.
Advancing Mixed Reality Game Development: An Evaluation of a Visual Game Analytics Tool in Action-Adventure and FPS Genres
Authors: Sargolzaei Parisa , Rastogi Mudit , Zaman Loutfouz
Published: October 2024

In response to the unique challenges of Mixed Reality (MR) game development, we developed
GAMR
, an analytics tool specifically designed for MR games.
GAMR
aims to assist developers in identifying and resolving gameplay issues effectively. It features reconstructed gameplay sessions, heatmaps for data visualization, a comprehensive annotation system, and advanced tracking for hands, camera, input, and audio, providing in-depth insights for nuanced game analysis.

To evaluate
GAMR
's effectiveness, we conducted an experimental study with game development students across two game genres: action-adventure and first-person shooter (FPS). The participants used
GAMR
and provided feedback on its utility. The results showed a significant positive impact of
GAMR
in both genres, particularly in action-adventure games. This study demonstrates
GAMR
's effectiveness in MR game development and suggests its potential to influence future MR game analytics, addressing the specific needs of developers in this evolving area.
An Investigation of the Test-Retest Reliability of the miniPXI
Authors: Haider Aqeel , Wallner Günter , Gerling Kathrin , Vanden Abeele Vero
Published: October 2024

Repeated measurements of player experience are crucial in games user research, assessing how different designs evolve over time. However, this necessitates lightweight measurement instruments that are fit for the purpose. In this study, we conduct an examination of the test-retest reliability of the
miniPXI
-a short variant of the
Player Experience Inventory (PXI)
, an established measure for measuring player experience. We analyzed test-retest reliability by leveraging four games involving 100 participants, comparing it with four established multi-item measures and single-item indicators such as the Net Promoter Score (
NPS
) and overall enjoyment. The findings show mixed outcomes; the
miniPXI
demonstrated varying levels of test-retest reliability. Some constructs showed good to moderate reliability, while others were less consistent. On the other hand, multi-item measures exhibited moderate to good test-retest reliability, demonstrating their effectiveness in measuring player experiences over time. Additionally, the employed single-item indicators (
NPS
and overall enjoyment) demonstrated good reliability. The results of our study highlight the complexity of player experience evaluations over time, utilizing single and multiple items per construct measures. We conclude that single-item measures may not be appropriate for long-term investigations of more complex PX dimensions and provide practical considerations for the applicability of such measures in repeated measurements.
Breaking Barriers in Mobile Game Development
Authors: Brewer Johanna , Romine Morgan
Published: October 2024

Mobile games occupy more market share than PC and console titles combined, while the designers responsible for delighting billions with their app store offerings remain relatively overlooked by avid players and academic researchers alike. Marginalized game developers in particular find themselves struggling to survive in the mammoth mobile marketplace, but few studies have yet to address their unique experiences. In this paper we present the results from a participatory research project to: discover the challenges that women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and disabled game creators face in the mobile space; and develop actionable methods for dismantling those barriers to meaningful participation in smartphone play design. After summarizing the three most prominent hurdles underrepresented developers contend with, we then lay out ten key insights about how those impediments can be overcome. The piece concludes with a dozen brief proposals for concrete programs to implement a more representative and welcoming mobile gaming environment, and a call to action for us all to take part in building that better world.
Danger, Nuisance, Disregard: Analyzing User-Generated Videos for Augmented Reality Gameplay on Hand-held Devices
Authors: Lee Lik-Hang , Lin Zijun
Published: October 2024

Augmented Reality (AR) has been largely deployed on smartphones in recent years. AR gaming, featured with geo-reference, is anchored to our real-world environments. Nevertheless, designing such AR user interaction in-the-wild is under-explored. Therefore, we examined 242 YouTube videos regarding AR gameplay, primarily Pokémon GO, (1) to reveal personal and social threats during gameplay, and (2) to identify how such threats connect to the user and spatial contexts. Our video analysis generalises the threats, including but not limited to hitting bystanders, falling off a cliff, car crashes, crowds and blockages, and stampedes. Through video analysis, we connect the threats with the user and spatial contexts. Subsequently, we propose several design tactics to deliver safe and nuisance-free AR usages in physical environments. Finally, we suggest strategies to consider large-scale deployment of AR at the levels of individuals and local communities, such as an auditable and accountable framework for user safety and social acceptability.
Designing a Technique-Oriented Sport Training Game for Motivating a Change in Running Technique
Authors: Smith Ian , Scheme Erik , Bateman Scott
Published: October 2024

Athletes often learn suboptimal techniques that place a ceiling on their performance or put them at risk of injury. Adopting a new technique can lead to a short-term dip in performance while learning it, which can be demotivating and cause an athlete to revert to their previous, suboptimal technique. To address the challenge of demotivation in adopting new techniques, we explore technique-oriented sport training games, which aim to improve sport skills by capturing behaviour and providing feedback that motivates adopting a new technique. As of yet, previous work has provided little information on how to design sports training games, and some early research suggests that immersive games may distract players, preventing them from being able to learn a new technique effectively. We designed a study comparing a baseline non-game training system with three versions of a running game, ranging from a simplistic text-based game to a 3D audiovisual game with motion feedback. We find that the games with more immersive elements were as effective as the baseline system for adopting a new technique but were preferred by players and improved their intrinsic motivation. We propose design considerations from these findings and provide new directions for researching effective sport training games.
Disengagement From Games: Characterizing the Experience and Process of Exiting Play Sessions
Authors: Alexandrovsky Dmitry , Gerling Kathrin , Opp Merlin Steven , Hahn Christopher Benjamin , Birk Max V. , Alsheail Meshaiel
Published: October 2024

The games research community has developed substantial knowledge on designing engaging experiences that draw players in. Surprisingly, less is known about player disengagement, with existing work predominantly addressing disengagement from the perspective of problematic play, and research exploring player disengagement from a constructive designer perspective is lacking. In this paper, we address this gap and argue that disengagement from games should be constructively designed, allowing players to exit play sessions in a self-determined way. Following a two-phase research approach that combines an interview study (
n
=16) with a follow-up online survey (
n
=111), we systematically analyze player perspectives on exiting play sessions. Our work expands the existing notion of disengagement through a characterization of exit experiences, a lens on disengagement as a process, and points for reflection for the design of games that seek to address player disengagement in a constructive way.
Flipping into the Future: Exploring Player Experience and Task Demand in Physical, VR, and PC Pinball
Authors: Johnson Daniel , O'Donnell Nicholas , Frommel Julian , Mandryk Regan L.
Published: October 2024

Attempts to digitize pinball have been met with skepticism; however, VR presents a new opportunity to access and enjoy this popular game. In a controlled study (N=60), we investigated how physical pinball, VR pinball, and PC pinball differ in terms of player experience (pX) and task demand using both quantitative and qualitative data. Participants mainly preferred physical pinball, followed by VR pinball; only two participants preferred pinball on the PC. With the exception of immersion, results showed no pX differences between physical and VR pinball; although PC pinball was rated as inferior on multiple dimensions. Furthermore, enjoyment of physical pinball was associated with curiosity, control, and challenge, whereas in VR and PC pinball, immersion and audiovisual appeal mattered. Interestingly, preference and pX did not depend on existing familiarity with pinball. Our findings suggest that VR can offer an accessible, enjoyable pinball experience, regardless of familiarity.
From Imagination to Innovation: Using Participatory Design Fiction to Envision the Future of Accessible Gaming Wearables for Players with Upper Limb Motor Disabilities
Authors: Loewen Georgia , Cochrane Karen Anne , Girouard Audrey
Published: October 2024

The interest in enhancing video game interactions through wearable technology has grown, yet accessible gaming with wearables remains underexplored. This study employs participatory design fiction, enabling disabled gamers to envision a future with tailored gaming wearables while critiquing technology. We conducted a two-phase study. Phase one involved in-depth interviews with upper limb motor disability participants; we developed a fictitious gaming wearable by analyzing the data using reflexive thematic analysis. A smaller group iterated on the wearable in phase two to ideate on ideal futures with accessible gaming wearables. Using data and dialogic/performance analysis, we crafted a design fiction diegetic prototype as a tech review video. This research highlights disabled gamers' unique needs and experiences around gaming wearables. It offers an innovative diegetic prototype for accessible gaming tech. Our methodological contribution merges narrative inquiry and dialogic/performance analysis in participatory design fiction research, providing a valuable approach for future studies.
How Boardgame Players Imagine Interacting With Technology
Authors: Farkas Timea , Hughes Nathan Gerard Jayy , Fiebrink Rebecca
Published: October 2024

Modern digitally-augmented boardgames have, with few exceptions, relied primarily on mobile devices rather than taking advantage of other components such as microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators. What alternative shapes might such games take? And what types of player experiences might such games support? To begin to map out answers to these questions, we collected information about how 31 hobbyist boardgame players envision interacting with technology in future analogue-digital hybrid games, using a rapid idea generation activity. We employed a qualitative content analysis approach to identify their envisioned game components, player interactions with these components, and game effects triggered by these interactions. From this analysis, we constructed a taxonomy of analogue-digital hybrid board games as envisioned by players. This paper uses the taxonomy to organise a detailed discussion of players' imagined interactions. This work thus contributes a player-centric exploration of the design space of hybrid digital-analogue games, with the aim of inspiring new, alternative approaches to boardgame design. Based on the taxonomy, we have additionally released a free and open-source ideation card deck to support new avenues into the design of future hybrid games.