bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional inequalities in air quality and health co-benefits due to climate change mitigation in the European electricity sector
Authors: Pehle Hannah , Sasse Jan-Philipp , Trutnevyte Evelina
Published: February 2025

Electricity supply transition to reach carbon neutrality in Europe is expected to bring air quality and health co-benefits, but their regional distribution has not been investigated in detail. This study quantifies these co-benefits for 250 European electricity scenarios in 2035 across 296 sub-national regions. The study links a spatially-explicit electricity sector model with an air quality and health impact model and then accounts for susceptibility and vulnerability of populations to adverse health effects. In case of low-carbon transition, direct PM2.5 concentrations attributable to European electricity generation in 2035 could be reduced by 45–99% compared to a system with the generation capacities of 2018. Depending on the system’s make-up, health co-benefits can vary significantly, as does their regional distribution. Focus on the minimum system costs leads to 15 times higher continent-wide excess deaths and to higher regional inequality than the scenario with minimum air pollutant emissions, which would almost entirely eliminate PM2.5-related mortality attributable to electricity generation. The most vulnerable regions (Balkans, Northern Germany, Southeast France, and the West Midlands in England) would benefit from higher air quality co-benefits than the continental average.
The factors affecting teachers’ adoption of AI technologies: A unified model of external and internal determinants
Authors: Hazzan-Bishara Areen , Kol Ofrit , Levy Shalom
Published: February 2025

This study examines factors influencing teachers' intention to adopt Generative AI technologies in education by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The proposed comprehensive model incorporates both external factors (exposure to AI information, information credibility, and institutional support) and internal factors (intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy). A survey of 400 teachers reveals that teachers’ exposure to credible AI information positively influences perceptions of Generative AI usefulness, which ultimately impacts their intention to use AI. Importantly, institutional support has both direct and indirect effects on teachers' intention to use AI, with the indirect effect mediated by the internal factors of intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy. This research complements TAM theory by integrating psychological and contextual factors, offering a nuanced framework for understanding Generative AI adoption in educational settings. The findings suggest that for educational leaders and policymakers, developing strategies that allocate resources for infrastructure, technical support, and professional development—such as Generative AI training programs—will be crucial in driving Generative AI adoption among teachers. By addressing both external and internal determinants, this study provides a comprehensive perspective of the dynamics behind technology acceptance in the classroom.
The confluent Heun functions in black hole perturbation theory: a spacetime interpretation
Authors: Minucci Marica , Panosso Macedo Rodrigo
Published: February 2025

This work provides a spacetime interpretation of the confluent Heun functions within black hole perturbation theory (BHPT) and explores their relationship to the hyperboloidal framework. In BHPT, the confluent Heun functions are solutions to the radial Teukolsky equation, but they are traditionally studied without an explicit reference to the underlying spacetime geometry. Here, we show that the distinct behaviour of these functions near their singular points reflects the structure of key geometrical surfaces in black hole spacetimes. By interpreting homotopic transformations of the confluent Heun functions as changes in the spacetime foliation, we connect these solutions to different regions of the black hole’s global structure, such as the past and future event horizons, past and future null infinity, spatial infinity, and even past and future timelike infinity. We also discuss the relationship between the confluent Heun functions and the hyperboloidal formulation of the Teukolsky equation. Although neither confluent Heun form of the radial Teukolsky equation can be interpreted as hyperboloidal slices, this approach offers new insights into wave propagation and scattering from a global black hole spacetime perspective.
Long-term outcomes and re-intervention rates in women undergoing mri-guided focused ultrasound (mrgfus) for uterine fibroids: a 7-year follow-up study
Authors: Inbar Yael , Rabinovici Jaron , Sverdlove Rachael , Ziv-Baran Tomer , Machtinger Ronit
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To assess the long-term outcomes of MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for treating uterine fibroids, focusing on re-intervention rates, pregnancy outcomes, and the onset of menopause over a 7-year follow-up period.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a historical cohort study of 99 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who underwent MRgFUS between 2013 and 2020 at a single tertiary medical center. Data collection included patient demographics, treatment details, and follow-up interviews. Re-intervention rates were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis to identify predictors of further treatments, with a specific focus on age-related differences.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 6.1 years, 33.1% of women required re-intervention for persistent fibroid symptoms. The median patient's age was 43 years old. Women aged ≤ 43 years had significantly higher re-intervention rates than those aged 44 + years (47.5% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.005). Multivariable Cox regression identified age as the sole significant predictor of re-intervention (HR44+vs. <43 0.303 95% CI 0.128–0.714, p = 0.006). Sixteen women conceived after MRgFUS, resulting in 21 pregnancies, with 72.2% live births and a spontaneous miscarriage rate of 22.2%. The mean age of menopause was 51.4 years, similar to global averages.

Conclusions

MRgFUS is a practical, noninvasive option for treating symptomatic uterine fibroids. Older women show lower re-intervention rates. Pregnancies post-MRgFUS are possible, and the procedure does not appear to affect the onset of menopause. Age remains a crucial predictor for further re-intervention.
Impact of left atrial myopathy and post-ablation remodeling on quality of life: a DECAAF II sub-analysis
Authors: Bidaoui Ghassan , Feng Han , Chouman Nour , Assaf Ala , Lim Chanho , Younes Hadi , Bsoul Mayana , Massad Christian , Polo Francisco Tirado , Jia Yishi , Liu Yingshou , Hassan Abboud , Rittmeyer William , Mekhael Mario , Noujaim Charbel , Pandey Amitabh C. , Rao Swati , Kreidieh Omar , Marrouche Nassir F. , Donnellan Eoin
Published: February 2025

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with adverse remodeling of the left atrium (LA). The impact of the extent of atrial myopathy and post-ablation remodeling on quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes has not been studied.

Objective

The aim of our study was to investigate the association between atrial myopathy and post-ablation remodeling on quality-of-life outcomes in patients with persistent AF.

Methods

We conducted an analysis of DECAAF II participants who underwent late-gadolinium enhancement MRI (LGE-MRI) before and after AF ablation. We assessed atrial myopathy and post-ablation atrial remodeling, scar formation, and fibrosis coverage with ablation. QoL metrics were assessed using the Short Form Survey (SF-36) and Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale (AFSS). Uni- and multivariable regression models were developed for this analysis.

Results

Six hundred thirteen patients with persistent AF were included in our analyses. At baseline, AFSS burden and total AFSS score were 18.94 ± 7.35 and 12.24 ± 8.17, respectively. Following ablation, all QoL and AFSS metrics improved in both the pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and MRI-guided fibrosis ablation groups. On average, one unit of post-ablation reduction in left atrial volume index (LAVI) was associated with an improvement of 0.085 in total AFSS score (p = 0.001), 0.01 in shortness of breath with activity (p < 0.001), 0.15 in AF burden (p < 0.001), − 0.016 in global well-being (p = 0.018), 0.519 in health change (p < 0.001), 0.19 in vitality (vitality (p = 0.01), and 0.27 in physical functioning (p = 0.001). Baseline fibrosis and residual fibrosis post-ablation were associated with improved vitality and general health.

Conclusion

Atrial myopathy and post-ablation atrial remodeling significantly impact QoL in patients with persistent AF undergoing ablation.

Graphical abstract
A global review of the biology and ecology of the European perch, Perca fluviatilis
Authors: Ning Nathan , Barlow Chris , Baumgartner Lee J. , Bretzel Joachim B. , Doyle Katherine E. , Duffy Deanna , Price Amina , Vu An V.
Published: February 2025

Perca fluviatilis (the European perch) is one of the most common and well-studied freshwater fishes in the world, largely owing to its widespread distribution and popularity among anglers and aquaculturalists. It has been especially well-studied in its native ranges of Eurasia, but has received far less attention elsewhere. Here we review key aspects of the general biology and ecology of the European perch, by considering learnings from countries where it is native in addition to those where it has been introduced. Our review demonstrates that the European perch is a highly fecund, trophic generalist that can live in a wide range of habitats and withstand a wide range of physico-chemical conditions. The growth rates and sexual development of the European perch vary among geographical regions, largely due to differences in climatic conditions, with populations in warmer Southern Hemisphere regions tending to exhibit faster growth rates and attain sexual maturity at younger ages than populations occurring in most cooler Eurasian regions. Genetic differentiation has also been observed in native populations from different parts of Europe, although it remains unclear as to whether native and non-native populations differ genetically, and what the ecological implications of any such differences are. Future research should prioritise assessing both genetic and phenotypic differences between native and non-native populations, and determining the ecological implications of these differences. Such knowledge is crucial for informing European perch conservation and/or aquaculture management in countries where it is native; and invasive species management in countries where it has been introduced.
Proposal of Groundwater Governance Indexes: Application to Nine Spanish Aquifers
Authors: Custodio E. , Cabrera M. C. , Sánchez-García D. , de la Hera-Portillo A. , García-Aróstegui J. L. , Jódar J. , Martos-Rosillo S. , Puga L. O. , Queralt E.
Published: February 2025

Groundwater management and governance have properties related to the long renewal time, evapo-concentration processes in the soil and interaction with the rock, and dispersion, mixing and degradation of possible contaminants. Groundwater is part of the hydrologic balance, with specific properties and different behaviours from that of surface water, although there are interconnected. These differences also appear in other aspects related to economy, society, norms and administration, and to water ethics and morality. These differences are not always taken into account by water managers and decision makers. A methodology is being used to evaluate quantitatively groundwater management and sound governance. A score of themes are classified into aspects and categories, including hydrogeological knowledge, administration and socio-economics aspects. Three indexes are presented, the most developed of them correcting reserve depletion, unavoidable discharges and legal restrictions. The proposed indexes were tested in nine pilot areas in Spain, representing different circumstances, scales and environmental conditions. The discussion refers to aquifers and aquifer systems, considering the corresponding groundwater bodies and their quantitative and chemical status. It is not possible to condense the reality into one or a few figures. Comparisons have to be considered cautiously as a broad guide, with possible notable deviations, especially considering the groundwater average renewal time. There is not a well-defined correlation between groundwater management - governance evaluation and groundwater body’s status, but they have some common aspects that are relevant to improve groundwater management and governance.
A New Perspective on Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis: the Early and Critical Role of Platelets in Neuro/Axonal Loss
Authors: Orian Jacqueline Monique
Published: February 2025

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disorder, with limited treatment options. This disease is characterized by differential pathophysiology between grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM). The predominant WM hallmark is the perivascular plaque, associated with blood brain barrier (BBB) loss of function, lymphocytic infiltration, microglial reactivity, demyelination and axonal injury and is adequately addressed with immunomodulatory drugs. By contrast, mechanisms underlying GM damage remain obscure, with consequences for neuroprotective strategies. Cortical GM pathology is already significant in early MS and characterized by reduced BBB disruption and lymphocytic infiltration relative to WM, but a highly inflammatory environment, microglial reactivity, demyelination and neuro/axonal loss. There is no satisfactory explanation for the occurrence of neurodegeneration without large-scale inflammatory cell influx in cortical GM. A candidate mechanism suggests that it results from soluble factors originating from meningeal inflammatory cell aggregates, which diffuse into the underlying cortical tissue and trigger microglial activation. However, the recent literature highlights the central role of platelets in inflammation, together with the relationship between coagulation factors, particularly fibrinogen, and tissue damage in MS. Using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, we identified platelets as drivers of neuroinflammation and platelet-neuron associations from the pre-symptomatic stage. We propose that fibrinogen leakage across the BBB is a signal for platelet infiltration and that platelets represent a major and early participant in neurodegeneration. This concept is compatible with the new appreciation of platelets as immune cells and of neuronal damage driven by inflammatory cells sequestered in the meninges.

Graphical Abstract
Premature Mortality and Health Inequality among Adult New Yorkers with Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Magas Iva , Norman Christina , Vasan Ashwin
Published: February 2025

Although numerous studies have documented excess mortality and health inequality among individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), none has been done among individuals in a large, diverse urban setting, such as New York City (NYC). We used referral data for adults aged 18 and older referred to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene public mental health services between January 2004 and December 2018 and matched it to the NYC death registry. Age at death, leading causes of death, years of potential life lost (YPLL), and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for this population. We found individuals with SMI in NYC died at younger ages and had higher rates of YPLL compared to the total population (147.4 YPLL vs. 66.8 YPLL per 1000 population). Age and gender-adjusted SMRs show these individuals have more than twice the mortality rate of the total NYC adult population (overall SMR 2.2 [95% CI 2.1–2.2]). Cause-specific SMRs show an increased risk of death among SMI from diabetes (SMR 2.8 [95% CI 2.4–3.10]), heart disease (SMR 2.7 [95% CI 2.6–2.9]), psychoactive substance use and accidental overdose (SMR 4.5 [95% CI 4.1–4.9]), and suicide (SMR 6.7 [95% CI 6.0–7.4]). Our results highlight the need to implement effective, preventive, and rehabilitative measures that integrate physical and behavioral healthcare services and address upstream drivers of health to achieve health equity and eliminate health disparities. In order to achieve gains in life expectancy, specific considerations for reducing excess mortality in the SMI population must be accounted for.
Variation in Defensive Strategies of Brown Frogs against Conspecific and Heterospecific Alarm Cues
Authors: Gazzola Andrea , Balestrieri Alessandro , Schulte Lisa M. , Lipkowski Konrad , Pellitteri-Rosa Daniele
Published: February 2025

Chemical cues released upon injury play a crucial role in mediating antipredator responses in many aquatic species. Prey populations capable of exploiting information from different sources may enhance their fitness, although the factors determining this ability are not always clear. In this study, we investigated the antipredator responses to both conspecific and heterospecific injury cues (i.e., alarm cues) in three brown frog species: Rana dalmatina, Rana latastei, and Rana temporaria. We recorded two tadpole defensive behaviours: the proportion of time spent inactive and the distance covered. Responses to a native odonate predator were used as a positive control. Tadpoles of R. dalmatina showed a clear decrease in activity in response to both con- and heterospecific cues, similar to their reaction to predator cues. Tadpoles of R. latastei slightly decreased activity in response to alarm cues from both agile frog species but did not react to common frog cues. Finally, R. temporaria exhibited high sensitivity to conspecific cues and a weak response to heterospecific cues. The phylogenetic-relatedness hypothesis seems to explain the observations for both R. latastei and R. temporaria, while for R. dalmatina, the ecological coexistence hypothesis, given its overlapping distribution with the other two species, seems to better explain the data. However, since the invoked hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, further analysis of other populations of these species is necessary to confirm the generality of these findings and to better understand the role of environmental factors in shaping these antipredator responses.
Boosting Drug Treatment Attendance Through Police-Sent Text Message Nudges: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Drug-Positive Arrestees
Authors: Dwyer Paul , Ariel Barak , Harinam Vincent
Published: February 2025

Attrition from drug treatment programs is a ubiquitous concern, but less is known about effective strategies to assist people with an addiction in arriving at the initial intake meeting. This study investigates whether text message reminders sent to drug-positive arrestees to participate in mandated drug treatment appointments increase attendance rates. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in London, and participants were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n = 403) receiving a text message reminder or a control group (n = 410) receiving no text message. Participants were arrestees with a verified mobile phone number who tested positive for Class A drugs at intake across 25 custody suites and were scheduled for a drug treatment assessment at one of London’s 28 treatment facilities. The primary outcome was the attendance rate at drug treatment centers, which was analyzed using an ordinary least squares regression model. Results suggest that nudges have the potential to increase attendance at drug treatment centers among drug-positive arrestees. Although we have no additional outcome variables, the intervention shows promise as a cost-effective strategy for enhancing compliance with mandated rehabilitations. Future research should explore this intervention’s broader implications and effectiveness across diverse and more extensive samples.
Physical Activity Reduces the Incidence of Sarcopenia in Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Luo Jin , Lee Raymond Y. W.
Published: February 2025

Purpose of the Research

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between physical activity and risk of sarcopenia in middle-aged adults.

Methods

This was a longitudinal study based on a subset of UK Biobank data consisting of 1,918 participants (902 men and 1,016 women, mean age 56 years) who had no sarcopenia at baseline based on the criteria of European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2). The participants were assessed again after 6 years at follow-up, and were categorized into no sarcopenia, probable sarcopenia, or sarcopenia using EWGSOP2. Physical activity was assessed at baseline using 7-day acceleration data that were analysed to obtain physical activity dose at different intensities. Multinominal logistic regression was employed to examine the association between the incidence of sarcopenia and physical activity dose, between baseline and follow up, controlled for other factors at baseline including age, sex, BMI, smoking status, intake of alcohol, vitamin D and calcium, history of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, secondary osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes.

Results

Among the 1918 participants with no sarcopenia at baseline, 230 (69 men and 161 women) developed probable sarcopenia and 37 (14 men and 23 women) developed sarcopenia at follow-up. Logistic regression models showed that increase in physical activity dose at moderate-to-vigorous intensity significantly reduced the risk of sarcopenia (odds ratio=0.368, p<0.05), but not probable sarcopenia (odds ratio=0.974, p>0.05), while physical activity dose at light or very light activity intensity were not associated with the risk of sarcopenia or probable sarcopenia (p>0.05).

Conclusions

Physical activity at moderate-to-vigorous intensity could reduce risk of sarcopenia in middle-aged adults.
Factorial structure and measurement invariance of the Italian version of the Cooper – Norcross Inventory of Preferences (C-NIP)
Authors: La Tona Antonino , Brugnera Agostino , Salerno Laura , Tasca Giorgio Angelo , Carrara Silvia , Lo Coco Gianluca , Greco Andrea , Cooper Mick , Norcross John C. , Compare Angelo
Published: February 2025

There is increasing evidence that psychotherapy efficacy can be enhanced by accommodating clients’ preferences regarding their role, the treatment, and the therapist. Several instruments are available to measure these concepts, although only the Cooper-Norcross Inventory of Preferences (C-NIP) appears particularly suitable for psychotherapy. This study aimed to validate the Italian version of the C-NIP and to provide norms for both clinical and research use for Italian-speaking individuals. We adopted a multi-step procedure to translate the C-NIP into Italian. Then, 1084 (70.3% females; Mage = 27.22 ± 11 years) Italian adults completed an online survey. Psychometric properties of both the original C-NIP and a revised, 15-item, five-scale version of this questionnaire were analysed through a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), McDonald’s omega coefficients, mean inter-item correlations, measurement invariance, and Pearson correlations. The Italian translation of the original version of the C-NIP scales did not show good psychometric properties. However, the CFA on a revised factorial structure of the C-NIP evidenced adequate fit to the data. We found good support for the unidimensionality of all scales, but only one of the scales demonstrated an acceptable internal consistency. Measurement invariance was confirmed across both patient sex and across individuals who were and were not in psychotherapy. Results showed that the revised version of the C-NIP has satisfactory factorial structure for use with Italian adults. More research is needed to investigate how preferences vary over time and in relation to psychopathologies and client characteristics.
Impact of Breast Cancer Systemic Therapies on Fertility
Authors: Hundal Jasmin , Moore Halle
Published: February 2025

Purpose of Review

This review examines the impact of breast cancer treatments on fertility in young women and explores strategies for fertility preservation. It highlights what is known about the effects of chemotherapy, hormonal therapies, and targeted treatments for breast cancer on ovarian function, emphasizing the importance of integrating fertility preservation into oncology care.

Recent Findings

Systemic treatments, including chemotherapy and targeted agents like PARP inhibitors and CDK4/6 inhibitors, have the potential to significantly affect ovarian reserve and fertility. As treatment protocols become more prolonged, patients may consider treatment interruption to attempt pregnancy, and studies such as the POSITIVE trial offer new insights into the safety of pregnancy after breast cancer.

Personalized fertility preservation strategies are essential for optimizing outcomes in young breast cancer patients. Ongoing research to better understand the effects of treatment on future fertility, as well as mitigation strategies, is necessary to support informed decision-making and improve quality of life.
Joint Guidance: A Capacity to Jointly Guide
Authors: Mattei Marco
Published: February 2025

Sometimes, we act in concert with others, as when we go for a walk together, or when two mathematicians try to prove a difficult theorem with each other. An interesting question is what distinguishes the actions of individuals that together constitute some joint activity from those that amount to a mere aggregation of individual behaviours. It is common for philosophers to appeal to collective intentionality to explain such instances of shared agency. This framework generalizes the approach traditionally used to explain individual action: a behaviour is an action just in case it causally follows from the relevant intention. Contemporary philosophers of action, as well as cognitive psychologists, however, have criticised this way of explaining individual actions, favouring instead an approach that puts “control” or “guidance” as the discerning factor: a behaviour is an action just in case the agent controls it, or just in case it is guided by the agent. In this paper, I argue that we should include talk of guidance even in cases of joint action. I first show that problems of deviant causation arise also in cases of joint action, and that therefore guidance is required to face this issue. Then, I show what a “capacity to jointly guide” amounts to for an individual in a group and how joint guidance relates to individual guidance. Joint guidance is actually constituted by task co-representation and the sense of being jointly committed. I argue that an approach that favours joint guidance over collective intentions eschews a lot of metaphysical problems about collective mentality and group subjects, and it is thus more explanatorily fruitful.
Digging deeper into the impacts of different soil water systems on the date palm root architecture and associated fungal communities
Authors: Robin-Soriano Alexandre , Vincent Bryan , Maurice Kenji , Battesti Vincent , Boukcim Hassan , Ducousso Marc , Gros-Balthazard Muriel
Published: February 2025

In arid regions, excessive water use threatens agricultural sustainability and overall livelihoods. It is essential to minimize water consumption to address these issues. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an emblematic crop of arid regions and a major water consumer. Adapting current irrigation systems to be more water-efficient systems could help cope with the water consumption of this crop. Microbial communities associated with plants are essential for agricultural sustainability and could improve the water use efficiency in regions threatened by water scarcity. These communities should thus be seriously taken into account when adapting agrosystems to the current global change setting. However, no information is presently available on the effects of the different soil water systems on date palm microbial communities. This study highlights the impact of different soil water systems (flooding and drip irrigation, natural conditions and abandoned farms) on date palm root fungal communities at different soil depths (40, 80 and 140 cm deep). The findings revealed that the soil water systems had a marked impact on fungal communities and that drip irrigation reduced the fungal diversity but increased the abundance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. We showed that these effects were similar at all sampling depths. Finally, as the root architecture is a major determinant of water uptake, we reveal different behaviors of the root architecture under these different soil water systems to 160 cm depth. The findings of this study give new insights into the date palm root architecture and associated fungal communities, particularly in the context of the water availability crisis, which drives the adaptation of agricultural systems.
Generalized Riesz potential operators on Musielak–Orlicz–Morrey spaces over unbounded metric measure spaces
Authors: Ohno Takao , Shimomura Tetsu
Published: February 2025

In this paper we discuss the boundedness of the Hardy–Littlewood maximal operator

$$M_{\lambda }, \ \lambda \ge 1$$

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λ

,

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≥
1

, and the variable Riesz potential operator

$$I_{\alpha (\cdot ),\tau }, \ \tau \ge 1$$

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1

, on Musielak–Orlicz–Morrey spaces

$$L^{\Phi ,\kappa ,\theta }(X)$$

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)

over unbounded metric measure spaces X. As an important example, we obtain the boundedness of

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λ

and

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α
(
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,
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in the framework of double phase functionals with variable exponents

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x
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)

=

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)

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(
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for

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,

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)

is a non-negative, bounded and Hölder continuous function of order

$$\theta \in (0,1]$$

θ
∈
(
0
,
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]

. Our results are new even for the variable exponent Morrey spaces or for the doubling metric measure case in that the underlying spaces need not be bounded.
Multi-centre data harmonisation applied to heart-to-mediastinum quantification in parkinsonism (ITA-MIBG): a cross-calibration phantom study with tube and bottle
Authors: Filippi Luca , Bianconi Francesco , Minestrini Matteo , De Vincentis Giuseppe , Frantellizzi Viviana , Marongiu Andrea , Ferrari Cristina , Giordano Alessia , D’Ambrosio Daniela , Gazzilli Maria , Bertagna Francesco , Bagni Oreste , Panareo Stefano , Guglielmo Priscilla , Lazzarato Achille , Casali Massimiliano , Aghakhanyan Gayane , Spanu Angela , Evangelista Laura , Schillaci Orazio , Palumbo Barbara
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Planar cardiac scintigraphy with [123I]I-mIBG is widely used to image myocardial sympathetic activity. In multicentre studies, different γ-cameras can cause variability in quantitative parameters. This study aimed to harmonise multicentre [123I]I-mIBG data using a custom-designed phantom and to assess its feasibility and acceptability.

Methods

A ‘tube and bottle’ phantom was designed to standardise the heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio across 15 centres. Each centre prepared three versions of the phantom (A, B, and C) with varying pertechnetate ([99mTc]Tc-O4-) activities, acquired static images using their own γ-camera, and uploaded DICOM data to a shared platform. In the phantom, the tube and bottle represent the heart and mediastinum, respectively, with the tube-to-bottle (T/B) ratio simulating the H/M ratio. The reference centre analysed the images and calculated the T/B ratios, applying linear regression for data harmonisation. A survey was conducted to assess the phantom’s usability.

Results

The harmonised T/B ratios for versions A and B were 20.46 ± 0.78 and 6.19 ± 0.39, respectively. The average slope and intercept of the regression line across the participating centres resulted in 1.07 ± 0.38 and − 0.82 ± 4.95. Survey feedback indicated high feasibility and acceptability, with all centres recommending the phantom for multicentre harmonisation.

Conclusions

The custom-made phantom effectively harmonised experimental data across different centres, supporting its use in multicentre studies to improve data consistency.
Mapping the Gap: A Review of Residential Energy and Transportation Deficit Metrics
Authors: Nock Destenie , Maillacheruvu Sara Usha , Harper Corey
Published: February 2025

Purpose of Review

Energy poverty can fall into two broad categories: residential energy poverty and transportation energy poverty. While metrics exist to assess equity for each type of deficit individually, they often fail to account for interactions between the two sectors. This review focuses on poverty analyses within and at the intersection of the energy and transportation sectors.

Recent Findings

In recent years, there has been movement toward crafting metrics that account for the multidimensional nature of poverty. While these metrics allow for nuance, they can present issues around quality data access, pose challenges for comparison across national or regional contexts, and introduce bias by weighting schemas. Despite the challenges associated with composite-factor metrics, we argue that future studies should focus on developing energy deficits metrics that operate at the nexus of transportation and residential-based energy deficits, to consider the complex ways in which households’ energy consumption patterns are linked across dimensions.

This paper provides a literature review of 39 papers focused primarily on developed countries (e.g., Europe and North America), we classify transportation and energy deficit metrics as having single-factor inputs (e.g., only income) or composite-factor inputs (e.g., income and housing cost). We also classify metrics based upon the type of factors included in the model: income-based factors versus energy usage-based factors.
Efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY): a case report and literature review
Authors: Bombonato Michelle , Beccuti Guglielmo , Benso Andrea , Giannone Beatrice , Bertaina Silvana , Broglio Fabio , Bioletto Fabio
Published: February 2025

Background

Sulfonylureas constitute the standard therapy for patients with HNF1A-MODY (maturity-onset diabetes of the young) but are characterized by an increased risk of hypoglycemia. While SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may potentially represent a useful therapeutic option, data from the literature are scant.

Case presentation

We report the case of a young woman affected by HNF1A-MODY who was successfully and safely treated with an SGLT2i in addition to sulfonylurea. After SGLT2i initiation, an improvement in the patient’s glycemic control was observed and was maintained over time. No adverse effects were noted and, in particular, no increase in ketonemia or ketonuria occurred.

Conclusions

The use of SGLT2i under controlled circumstances may represent a useful therapeutic option in patients with HNF1A-MODY.
Evaluation of Potential Candidate Genes in the Differentiation of Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Conditions of Endometrium
Authors: Devrim Tuba , Devrim Alparslan Kadir , Senol Ali , Sudagidan Mert , Atalay Emine Sumeyye
Published: February 2025

Background

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common malignancies and alternative successful biomarkers are needed in the diagnostic process.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate candidate genes' diagnostic potential in endometrial neoplasia.

Material and Methods

The expression levels of USP28, JAG2, AURKA, PGK1, HRPT1, EZH2, YAP, and P53 genes were evaluated by qPCR and/or immunohistochemistry analyses on endometrioid-type adenocarcinomas including all three grades, as well as from non-atypical hyperplasia, and atypical hyperplasia.

Results

We determined significant (p < 0.05) increases in USP28, PGK1, EZH2, JAG2, AURKA, and YAP mRNA expressions in endometrial cancer tissues. Significant differences in the expressions of USP28 and P53 genes were determined between tumor grade groups (p = 0.002, and p = 0.005, respectively). Immunohistochemically, significant differences were found between the study groups (p < 0.001) and tumor grades (p = 0.013) by the evaluation of USP28. Statistically significant differences were found between all study groups (p < 0.001) and tumor grades (p = 0.008) in terms of PGK1 immunohistochemical expressions. A positive correlation (p = 0.002, r = 0.356) was found between p53 and PGK1.

Conclusions

Considering our qPCR and immunohistochemistry results together, it was concluded that USP28, PGK1, EZH2, JAG2, AURKA, HPRT1and YAP expressions could offer beneficial expression values in precancerous lesions and endometrial cancer.
The Rise of Mass Parties, Liberal Italy, and the Fascist Dawn (1919–1924)
Authors: Adinolfi Goffredo
Published: February 2025

Through an in-depth study of the electoral process, the aim of this Element is to analyse the political transformations that occurred in Italy from 1919 to 1924. After the takeover of the low chamber by the mass integration parties in 1919 - Popular and Socialist - concerns grew within the liberal camp. The argument of this Element is that the conservatives failed to adapt and remain competitive in a system characterised by universal suffrage, thereby paving the way for the rise of the fascists. The electoral path to power begins with the political elections of 1921, continues through the renewal of the municipal councils in 1922–23, and concludes with the elections of 1924 when Mussolini managed to take control of the low chamber. The Duce assumed the role of head of the nation, presenting a list of candidates-the Listone-that included members of the Fascist Party and the former politica elite.
Small unmanned helicopter system identification based on the weighted least square method and improved grey wolf optimisation algorithm
Authors: Liu SY. , Zhou J. , Shi JY. , Lu J.
Published: February 2025

Aiming to address the issue of low accuracy in model predictions obtained from fitting frequency domain response curves for small unmanned helicopters during the process of modeling their flight dynamics, this study proposes a system identification algorithm based on the combination of weighted least squares and improved grey wolf optimisation algorithm. The algorithm utilises the weighted least squares method to obtain the initial model structure, optimises the initial model parameters using the improved grey wolf optimisation algorithm, and enhances the local search and global optimisation ability of the grey wolf optimisation algorithm by introducing an improved grey wolf subgrouping rule, nonlinear convergence factor and dynamic cooperative rule. Ultimately, this approach establishes a dynamic model for small, unmanned helicopters. The identified model is validated using flight test data, with findings demonstrating that this method achieves higher accuracy in model identification and better fits to frequency domain response curves, thus providing a more accurate reflection of the flight dynamics of small unmanned helicopters.
Standard rationality versus inclusive rationality: a critical assessment
Authors: Fumagalli Roberto
Published: February 2025

This paper critically assesses Rizzo and Whitman’s theory of inclusive rationality in light of the ongoing cross-disciplinary debate about rationality, welfare analyses and policy evaluation. The paper aims to provide three main contributions to this debate. First, it explicates the relation between the consistency conditions presupposed by standard axiomatic conceptions of rationality and the standards of rationality presupposed by Rizzo and Whitman’s theory of inclusive rationality. Second, it provides a qualified defence of the consistency conditions presupposed by standard axiomatic conceptions of rationality against the main criticisms put forward by Rizzo and Whitman. And third, it identifies and discusses specific strengths and weaknesses of Rizzo and Whitman’s theory of inclusive rationality in the context of welfare analyses and policy evaluation.
Empty simplices of large width
Authors: Doolittle Joseph , Katthän Lukas , Nill Benjamin , Santos Francisco
Published: February 2025

An empty simplex is a lattice simplex in which vertices are the only lattice points. We show two constructions leading to the first known empty simplices of width larger than their dimension:

◦

We introduce cyclotomic simplices and exhaustively compute all the cyclotomic simplices of dimension
$10$
and volume up to
$2^{31}$
. Among them, we find five empty ones of width
$11$
and none of larger width.

◦

Using circulant matrices of a very specific form, we construct empty simplices of arbitrary dimension d and width growing asymptotically as
$d/\operatorname {\mathrm {arcsinh}}(1) \sim 1.1346\,d$
.
Regenerations and applications
Authors: Mongardi Giovanni , Pacienza Gianluca
Published: February 2025

Chen-Gounelas-Liedtke recently introduced a powerful regeneration technique, a process opposite to specialization, to prove existence results for rational curves on projective
$K3$
surfaces. We show that, for projective irreducible holomorphic symplectic manifolds, an analogous regeneration principle holds and provides a very flexible tool to prove existence of uniruled divisors, significantly improving known results.
Local newforms for generic representations of unramified even unitary groups I: Even conductor case
Authors: Atobe Hiraku
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we define compact open subgroups of quasi-split even unitary groups for each even non-negative integer and establish the theory of local newforms for irreducible tempered generic representations with a certain condition on the central characters. To do this, we use the local Gan–Gross–Prasad conjecture, the local Rankin–Selberg integrals and the local theta correspondence.
How (Not) to Study a War-Affected Society: Challenges of Knowledge Production in Ukraine and Elsewhere
Authors: Sereda Viktoriya , Mikheieva Oksana
Published: February 2025

Critical approaches to research on war-affected societies emphasize the necessity for a more empirically grounded approach to the production of knowledge. Presently, research on war-affected societies is undergoing a shift toward localization with a call for more “voices” with local knowledge and expertise. This research is an attempt to analyze the challenges of reliable knowledge production in war-affected societies and their circulation in academia, the policy-making community, and feeding media discourse. The research focuses on the Russian war against Ukraine since 2014 as a prism through which to examine the main challenges for localized knowledge production. We consider several aspects of knowledge production including the problems and issues of framing and wording that define the character of the conflict, challenges of research design and data collection, researchers’ positioning dilemmas, participants’ responses, differences between policy and academic research, and the role of the media. The purpose of this study is to engage with and attempts to advance the literature on knowledge localization. We argue that a move toward the localization of fieldwork requires a more sensitive and transdisciplinary approach to knowledge production. Based on our own experience of fieldwork during wartime, we point out possible ethical and methodological challenges and offer workable responses to them.
‘A sea of blood and hate’: Mass mobilization of emotion in China’s Anti-narcotics Campaign, 1949–1952
Authors: Chan Thomas
Published: February 2025

This article analyses how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) created and spread new forms of subjectivity and social belonging in the formative years of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) (1949–present). Specifically, it examines how the CCP blended medical and emotional discourses to foster communal hatred of narcotics users and promote social cohesion. Building on scholarship that conceptualizes hatred as a way of producing and animating subjectivity, the article argues that the CCP saw it as a key tool of unification, bringing people together to commit acts of emotional and physical violence against drug users and traffickers. Propaganda officers and police forces worked hard to persuade people to hate drug users and traffickers, writing anti-narcotics songs, plays, and skits to make hating an entertaining and interesting activity for audiences. The article underscores how the CCP encouraged mass participation in the ostracizing and killing of narcotics producers, consumers, and traffickers to spawn a shared social hatred of them, and shows how people responded to state efforts to incite hate. To conclude, the article considers the unlikely agency of some accused drug criminals who resisted the tides of public and state pressure, and challenged their accusers.
A rare genetic variant in PRDM16 is associated with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome with complex accessory pathway characteristics and left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy
Authors: Umapathi Krishna Kishore , Schmidt Stanley B. , Kohli Utkarsh
Published: February 2025

Not only has Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome been associated with congenital cardiac abnormalities and cardiomyopathies, but familial clustering of Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome has also been reported. Despite these well-known associations, direct genetic aetiology is rarely implicated in patients with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. We report a 17-year-old girl with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome and left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy due to a rare genetic variant in PR-domain containing protein 16. The report is supplemented by a comprehensive review of literature on association between PRDM16, left ventricular non-compaction and Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome.
The Self-Reported Human Health Impacts of Disaster on People in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Longitudinal Aging Study India
Authors: Yadav Jeetendra , Ranjan Ravina , Peden Amy E.
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

The human health impacts of disaster are predicted to increase in frequency and severity due to the effects of climate change. This has impacts on all nations, but understanding disaster-related health impacts in highly populous nations, such as India, will help to inform risk preparedness and reduction measures for large proportions of the global population.

Problem:

Disaster-related human health impacts in India were examined via the use of survey data to inform risk reduction.

Methods:

A cross-sectional analysis of Wave 1 (2017-2018) data from the Longitudinal Aging Study India (LASI) was conducted to explore the impact of both natural and human-induced disasters on the self-reported health of people 45 years and above, as well as their partners (irrespective of age). Descriptive statistics, chi square tests of association, odds ratio, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data by socio-demographics, geographic location, and health concern type.

Results:

Out of a total 72,250 respondents, 2,301 (3.5%) reported disaster-related health impacts, of which 90.1% were significant. Rural residents and those with no education were more likely to be affected. Droughts were most commonly responsible for affecting human health (41.7%), followed by floods (24.0%). Two-thirds of the sample reported psychological trauma and one-in-five experienced chronic illness.

Discussion:

The LASI study presents an important first understanding of the self-reported human health impacts of disasters, both natural and human-induced in India. Findings indicate social determinants such as education level and rurality impact risk of disaster-related health impacts, while mental health concerns represent the biggest disaster-related health concern.

Conclusion:

Future waves of LASI should be examined to determine if human health impacts are increasing due to the effects of climate change, as well as the vulnerability of an aging cohort.