bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Sentence Categories for Nasometric Assessment of Resonance Disorders
Authors: Inostroza-Allende Felipe , Pino-Castillo Josué , Quezada-Gaponov Camilo , Pegoraro-Krook María Inés
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to determine whether significant differences in nasalance can be detected through sentence reading among Chilean Spanish speakers with balanced resonance and those simulating hypernasality, hyponasality, or mixed resonance. The study recruited 30 Chilean participants (15 men and 15 women), with a mean age of 23 years, without velopharyngeal dysfunction. Participants were trained to simulate different types of resonance disorders, using 15 sentences classified into 3 categories: high-pressure oral consonants, low-pressure oral consonants, and nasal consonants. Nasalance was measured with a nasometric assessment using a nasometer 6450 in 4 resonance conditions: balanced, hypernasality, hyponasality, and mixed resonance. Repeated-measures ANOVA statistical analyses and Tukey post hoc tests were applied. The results showed significant differences in nasalance scores between balanced resonance and simulated hypernasality, hyponasality, and mixed resonance. Nasalance values were comparable to those reported in previous studies with Spanish speakers. Reading the sentences in question allows us to identify significant differences in nasalance between subjects with balanced resonance and simulated hypernasality, hyponasality, and mixed resonance. Future studies should investigate these sentences in real patients and use a blind randomized methodology to validate auditory-perceptual evaluation and nasometry.
Use of a Vessel Sealer for Hysterectomy at Time of Prolapse Repair: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ray Marlana M. , Crisp Catrina C. , Pauls Rachel N. , Hoehn Jonathan , Lewis Kelsey , Bonglack Mildrede , Yeung Jennifer
Published: December 2024

Importance

Electrosurgical vessel sealing devices for vaginal hysterectomy have demonstrated reduced postoperative pain. This modality, however, has not been evaluated in patients undergoing vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic reconstruction.

Objective

The aim of the study was to describe postoperative pain levels utilizing the LigaSure vessel sealing device for vaginal hysterectomy in patients undergoing major reconstructive surgery.

Study Design

In this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, participants were randomized to vaginal hysterectomy utilizing the LigaSure vessel sealing device versus standard clamping and suturing techniques. Following hysterectomy, all participants underwent major vaginal reconstruction, including apical suspension via high uterosacral ligament fixation. The primary outcome was postoperative pain on a 100-mm visual analog scale 3–6 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes included hysterectomy operative time, blood loss, pain scores and narcotic use on days 1, 3, 5, and 2 weeks after surgery.

Results

A total of 95 participants were randomized: 48 (50.5%) in the intervention arm and 47 (49.5%) in the control arm. Between 3 and 6 hours postoperatively, there was no difference in overall pain scores (49 vs 50.5). Groups also had similar hysterectomy operative times (40.5 minutes vs 38 minutes) and blood loss (100 mL vs 100 mL). Pain scores and narcotic use on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 2 weeks were not different.

Conclusions

While vessel sealing devices may reduce pain after vaginal hysterectomy alone, these benefits were not detected following concomitant major pelvic reconstruction. Similar operative times and blood loss between groups may be due to the expertise of the surgical subspecialist and not the device itself.
Unplanned Readmission Rate Before Interval Appendectomy After Nonoperative Management of Complicated Appendicitis
Authors: Hellmann Zane J , Rehman Shahyan , Hornick Matthew , Solomon Daniel G
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

There remains clinical equipoise regarding the preference for upfront appendectomy or nonoperative management for patients with complicated appendicitis. However, the natural history of the appendix following nonoperative management and pending interval appendectomy in children is not well characterized, and the risk of recurrent appendicitis as a function of time from index admission not known.

Study Design:

The Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) was queried for all patients younger than 18 with an ICD-10 diagnosis code for complicated appendicitis admitted between 2018-2021. Patients were included for analysis if they received antibiotics on three or more consecutive days and did not undergo appendectomy during index admission. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to determine rates of unplanned readmission, defined as patients readmitted for appendicitis and receiving antibiotics on three or more consecutive days following index admission.

Results:

2,826 patients were included in the study for complicated appendicitis. 2,016 (71.4%) patients underwent appendectomy, while the remaining 810 did not undergo appendectomy. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a 7% decrease unplanned readmission rates for each additional day patients were removed from index admission (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.96). Additionally, unplanned readmission rates in the first 50 days following index admission were twice as high as days 50-100 (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.76-3.05).

Conclusions:

The highest likelihood of recurrent appendicitis or complications following nonoperative management of complicated appendicitis occurs in the first 50 days following index admission. This information will help surgeons during shared decision-making conversations regarding timing of interval appendectomy.
A FRET assay to quantitate levels of the human β-cardiac myosin interacting heads motif based on its near-atomic resolution structure
Authors: Goluguri Rama Reddy , Guhathakurta Piyali , Nandwani Neha , Dawood Aminah , Yakota Seiji , Roopnarine Osha , Thomas David D , Spudich James A. , Ruppel Kathleen M.
Published: December 2024

In cardiac muscle, many myosin molecules are in a resting or “OFF” state with their catalytic heads in a folded structure known as the interacting heads motif (IHM). Many mutations in the human β-cardiac myosin gene that cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are thought to destabilize (decrease the population of) the IHM state. The effects of pathogenic mutations on the IHM structural state are often studied using indirect assays, including a single-ATP turnover assay that detects the super-relaxed (SRX) biochemical state of myosin functionally. Here we develop and use a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based sensor for direct quantification of the IHM state in solution. The FRET sensor was able to quantify destabilization of the IHM state in solution, induced by (a) increasing salt concentration, (b) altering proximal S2 tail length, or (c) introducing the HCM mutation P710R, as well as stabilization of the IHM state by introducing a dilated cardiomyopathy-causing mutation (E525K). Our FRET sensor conclusively showed that these perturbations indeed alter the structural IHM state. These results establish that the structural IHM state is one of the structural correlates of the biochemical SRX state in solution.
PhenoEncoder: A Discriminative Embedding Approach to Genomic Data Compression
Authors: Taş Gizem , Postma Eric , Balvert Marleen , Schönhuth Alexander
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Exploring the heritability of complex genetic traits requires methods that can handle the genome’s vast scale and the intricate re-lationships among genetic markers. Widely accepted association studies overlook non-linear effects (epistasis), prompting the adoption of deep neural networks (DNNs) for their scalability with large genetic datasets and ability to detect complex relationships. However, the curse of di-mensionality continues to limit the potential of DNNs, underscoring the critical need for dimensionality reduction for suitably sizing and shaping the genetic inputs, while preserving epistasis.

Linkage disequilibrium (LD), a measure of correlation between genetic loci, offers a pathway to genome compression with minimal information loss. Using LD, the genome can be divided into smaller genomic regions, i.e., haplotype blocks, which can be locally compressed using deep au-toencoders. While autoencoders excel at preserving the main non-linear patterns, they still risk losing phenotype-relevant information when dom-inated by other sources of genetic variation.

We propose a novel approach, PhenoEncoder, that incorporates pheno-typic variance directly into compression. This single nucleotide polymor-phism (SNP)-based pipeline employs multiple autoencoders, each dedi-cated to compressing a single haplotype block. The window-based spar-sity of the model eases the computational burden of simultaneously pro-cessing numerous SNPs. Concurrently, an auxiliary classifier predicts the phenotype from the compressed haplotype blocks. Epistasis is processed both within and between haplotype blocks by maintaining non-linearity in the autoencoders and the classifier. Through joint optimization of the compression and classification losses, PhenoEncoder ensures that disease-causing patterns are highlighted during compression.

Applied to protein expression and simulated complex phenotype datasets, PhenoEncoder demonstrated enhanced generalizability in downstream classification tasks compared to standard autoencoder compression. By enabling phenotype-aware compression, PhenoEncoder emerges as a promis-ing approach for discriminative genomic feature extraction.
Comparison of whole-genome assemblies of European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) and brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri)
Authors: Tørresen Ole K. , Garmann-Aarhus Benedicte , Hoff Siv Nam Khang , Jentoft Sissel , Svensson Mikael , Schartum Eivind , Tooming-Klunderud Ave , Skage Morten , Krabberød Anders , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn , Jakobsen Kjetill S.
Published: December 2024

We present haplotype-resolved whole-genome assemblies from two individuals of the sister species the European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) and the brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri). The genome assemblies forL. fluviatilisconsists of pseudo-haplotype one, spanning 1073 megabases and 963 megabases for pseudo-haplotype two. ForL. planeri, the genome assemblies span 1049 megabases and 960 megabases for pseudo-haplotypes one and two, respectively. The river lamprey assemblies have been scaffolded into 82 pseudochromsomes for both pseudo-haplotypes, with the same number forL. planeri. All four haplotype assemblies were annotated, identifying 21,479 and 16,973 genes in pseudo-haplotypes one and two forL. fluviatilis, and 24,961 and 21,668 genes in pseudo-haplotypes one and two forL. planeri. A comparison of the genomes ofL. fluviatilisandL. planeri, alongside a separate chromosome level assembly ofL. fluviatilisfrom the UK, indicates that they form a species complex, potentially representing distinct ecotypes. This is further supported by phylogenetic analyses of the three referenceLampetragenomes in addition to sea lamprey.
Enantioselective photoenzymatic C(sp3)-H functionalization via single-electron oxidation of carbanions
Authors: Zhu Jin , Zhang Qiaoyu , Gu Tao , Chen Binbin , Ma Mingzhe , Wang Xiaoyu , Liu Xiao , Ma Mingjie , Wang Binju , Wang Yajie
Published: December 2024

C-H functionalization provides unparalleled benefits for the late-stage modification of complex molecules. In recent years, photocatalysis has progressed significantly due to its mild conditions, sustainability and selectivities. Current mechanisms for photocatalytic C-H functionalization primarily involve direct single-electron oxidation and direct hydrogen atom transfer (d-HAT) by radicals, both of which are invalid for the functionalization of highly electron-deficient C(sp3)-H bonds. Here, we developed a cooperative photoenzymatic system consisting of a flavin-dependent ene-reductase (ER) and an exogenous photocatalyst fluorescein (FI) to achieve enantiodivergent functionalization of electron-deficient C(sp3)-H bonds. Mechanistic studies revealed a novel pathway for radical intermediate formation via excited-state FI*-induced single-electron oxidation of carbanions under alkaline conditions. The overall catalytic efficiency is enhanced by the electron transfer (ET) between FMNox and FI radical anion, while the stereoselectivity is controlled by ERs through enantioselective hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). This suggests that thermodynamically unfavorable single-electron oxidation of highly electron-deficient species can occur through ion-to-radical conversion. We anticipate that our novel mode of photoenzymatic catalysis will inspire new pathways for generating free radical intermediates and foster innovative strategies for achieving photoenzymatic new-to-nature reactions.
Dysfunctional oscillatory bursting patterns underlie working memory deficits in adolescents with ADHD
Authors: Kavanaugh Brian C. , Vigne Megan M. , Gamble Isaiah , Legere Christopher , DePamphilis Gian , Acuff W. Luke , Tirrell Eric , Vaughan Noah , Thorpe Ryan , Spirito Anthony , Jones Stephanie R. , Carpenter Linda L.
Published: December 2024

Identifying neural markers of clinical symptom fluctuations is prerequisite to developing more precise brain-targeted treatments in psychiatry. We have recently shown that working memory (WM) in healthy adults is dependent on the rise and fall interplay between alpha/beta and gamma bursts within frontoparietal regions, and that deviations in these patterns lead to WM performance errors. However, it is not known whether such bursting deviations underlie clinically relevant WM-related symptoms or clinical status in individuals with WM deficits. In adolescents (n=27) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we investigated WM-related dynamics between alpha/beta and gamma bursts in relation to clinical status fluctuations. Participants repeatedly completed a visual Sternberg spatial working memory task during EEG recording as part of their participation in two research studies (n=224 person-sessions). Source localizing EEG data to each participant’s structural MRI, the rate and volume of alpha, beta, and gamma bursts were examined within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Alpha/beta and gamma bursts at the DLPFC and PPC displayed complimentary roles in WM processes. Alpha/beta bursting decreased during stimuli encoding and increased during the delay, while gamma bursting was elevated during encoding and decreased during the delay. Deviations in bursting patterns were associated with WM errors and clinical symptoms. We conclude that dysfunctional alpha/beta and gamma burst dynamics within the frontoparietal region underlie both intra-individual WM performance and WM symptom fluctuations in adolescents with ADHD. Such burst dynamics reflect a novel target and biomarker for WM-related treatment development.
Kinetic and structure-based comparisons of silent and stimulatory flagellin interactions with TLR5
Authors: Bell Michael E. W. , Haag Miriam , Clasen Sara J. , Böcker Marieke , Maksymenko Kateryna , Koch Iris , Hipp Katharina , Hartmann Marcus D. , Weir John R. , Merino Felipe , Ley Ruth. E.
Published: December 2024

The bacterial protein flagellin is the sole ligand of the innate immune receptor Toll- like receptor 5 (TLR5). Flagellins with strong agonism bind TLR5 at their D1 and D0 domains, while poor agonist “silent” flagellins bind with D1 only. However, D0-TLR5 interactions insufficiently explain the silent phenotype. Here, we characterize the D1 domain binding kinetics of the silent flagellinRhFlaB compared to the strong canonical agonistStFliC. Using Surface Plasmon Resonance, we show that theRhFlaB-D1 binds more strongly thanStFliC-D1, but forms shorter-lived complexes. Cryo-EM analysis ofRhFlaB showed its D1 primary interface (PI) contains two distinct hydrophobic pockets, which should facilitate rapid association, while its D1’s secondary interface (SI) is dominated by negatively charged residues, which likely impede residue-residue interactions. Comparisons with an existingStFliC-D1 structure suggest that strong agonism requires strong binding at both the PI and SI of the D1, and silent flagellins evade detection partly through weaker SI interactions. These findings offer a foundation for designing targeted interventions that can modulate TLR5 activity to influence immunity, inflammation, or even gut microbiome composition.
Prediction of enhanced superconductivity in cyclo-
H12Bi/Pb
involving a resonant hydrogen structure
Authors: Yu Jingkun , Yong Xue , Liu Hanyu , Lu Siyu
Published: December 2024

Hydrogen-based compounds demonstrate high-temperature superconductivity under pressure, offering promising avenues for exploring metal hydrides with elevated critical temperatures (Tc), while hydrides comprising H2 molecular units were previously deemed unfavorable. Searching for new forms of hydrogen within metal hydrides promised a route for developing novel high-temperature superconductors. In this study, we utilized the evolutionary algorithm alongside first-principles calculations to investigate the high-pressure crystal structure of the BiHn (n=7−18) system. Notably, we discovered stable cyclo-H12Bi/Pb compounds in which the H12 resembles cyclohexanelike cyclo-H12 rings. These compounds are stable above 180 GPa and exhibit a higher Tc than BiH8 composed of H2 units. In cyclo-H12, the hydrogen has a slightly elongated intramolecular H-H length compared to BiH8, while the intermolecular H-H distance is much shorter than in H cages, forming a resonant structure. The resonance led to in-/out-of-plane vibration modes for the six H2 units in cyclo-H12, forming broad midfrequency vibrational bands and boosting the electron-phonon coupling. These findings highlight the cycloform of hydrogen-based hydrides as promising candidates for high Tc superconductors, propelling further exploration of superconductivity in binary superhydrides with different forms of hydrogen.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Insights from binary pulsars and laboratories into baryon number violation: Implications for GeV dark matter
Authors: Allahverdi Rouzbeh , Thompson Adrian , Zakeri Mohammadreza
Published: December 2024

Rare processes in laboratory and within astrophysical environments can be highly sensitive probes of baryon-number-violating interactions at the TeV scale. We demonstrate the power of neutron stars to constrain baryon-number violation by considering a minimal extension of the standard model involving a TeV-mass scalar mediator and a GeV scale Majorana fermion ψ. We find that a ΔB=2 mass-loss process in binary pulsar systems via n→γψ and the subsequent scattering ψn→π−K+ places stringent constraints on the model parameter space. These limits will become much stronger, due to the possibility of Λ→γψ decays at the tree level, if the neutron star equation of state is hyperonic. We compare these constraints with ongoing and future collider experiments,

n

−

n

¯

oscillations, and dinucleon decay searches at future large-scale neutrino experiments, finding that the binary pulsars bounds on couplings are significantly tighter for specific flavor combinations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Celestial eikonal amplitudes in the near-horizon region
Authors: Fernandes Karan , Lin Feng-Li , Mitra Arpita
Published: December 2024

We construct a celestial conformal field theory on the horizon corresponding to a nonperturbative eikonal scattering amplitude involving two massless scalars mediated by soft gravitons in the near-horizon region of a large eternal Schwarzschild black hole. From the two-dimensional near-horizon scattering amplitude computed within the effective field theory framework, we first construct a four-dimensional amplitude involving two external s-wave legs in a flat spacetime frame around the bifurcation sphere strictly in a small angle approximation limit by resumming over the spherical harmonics. While the kinematics of external particles in this frame at leading order are analogous to a Minkowski spacetime, the eikonal amplitude differs from those about flat spacetime due to the near-horizon scattering potential. We derive a celestial correlator following a Mellin transform that provides an all loop order result, with a universal leading UV soft scaling behavior of the conformally invariant cross-ratio, and an IR pole for the scaling dimension at each loop order. We argue these properties manifest soft graviton exchanges in the near-horizon region and, consequently, the soft UV behavior of the amplitude.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
SWOT analysis of e-library initiatives in Punjab, Pakistan: perspectives from library and information science professionals
Authors: Ehtasham Muhammad , Jabeen Munazza
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to meticulously examine the current state and operational dynamics of e-libraries in Punjab, Pakistan. Using a qualitative research methodology and strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis as a principal analytical framework, the study seeks to capture a detailed portrait of these digital repositories. The goal is to uncover the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with the e-libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research approach was chosen to gain deeper insights into the e-libraries in Punjab. The study involved conducting detailed interviews with 14 librarians from these e-libraries, an interview guide that was developed specifically for this study. The guide was refined by experts and validated in a pilot study.

Findings

The study reveals that e-libraries in Punjab, Pakistan, excel in providing access to diverse digital resources and enhancing digital literacy but face significant challenges related to infrastructure, hardware and digital skills. Opportunities exist in leveraging mobile technology and enhancing staff training to improve service delivery. However, financial constraints, inadequate skilled personnel and regulatory issues pose threats to their efficacy and sustainability.

Practical implications

This study offers key recommendations for improving Punjab’s e-libraries, such as upgrading infrastructure, enhancing staff training and bolstering cybersecurity. It stresses the need for sustained government funding and support. The findings can help librarians boost digital literacy, refine resources and increase community involvement, while guiding policymakers in shaping effective legal frameworks and practitioners in enhancing resource quality and access.

Social implications

This research highlights the transformative potential of e-libraries in fostering education and culture in Punjab. It emphasizes integrating technology with community and government support to maximize benefits, bridge digital divides and promote social equity. The study calls for ongoing collaboration among librarians, educators and policymakers to harness e-libraries as catalysts for social change and development.

Originality/value

The originality of this study stems from its innovative application of SWOT analysis to e-libraries in Punjab, a first in this context. This approach not only offers new insights into the operational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of e-libraries but also significantly aids in strategic planning. The findings are pivotal in shaping decisions that foster the effective use of e-libraries, ultimately enhancing digital literacy and educational growth across the region.
Green finance and greenwashing: charting a sustainable path forward
Authors: Bo Shaocong , Battisti Enrico
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential relationship between green finance and greenwashing to rationalize resource allocation better. Additionally, it explores the interconnections among various subgroups of green finance products (GFPs) and identifies any overlooked or underrepresented subgroups.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a mixed-method exploratory sequential design. Initially, the authors collected a sample of 313 relevant documents. Thematic analysis and hierarchical coding were then performed using NVivo software to uncover correlations between various nodes and address our research questions. Additionally, a word cloud analysis was conducted to assess the potential research value of stakeholders as moderating variables. Following this, the role of stakeholders was reevaluated, leading to the selection of 58 samples for separate content analysis.

Findings

First, there is a negative relationship between green finance and greenwashing. Second, a negative relationship is observed between GFPs and greenwashing. The authors’ correlation coefficient analysis suggests that environmental, social and governance funds, as a non-mainstream research focus within GFPs, deserve further in-depth investigation.

Originality/value

While a significant portion of the existing literature focuses on the relationship between green bonds and greenwashing, a noticeable gap exists regarding the broader spectrum of GFPs and their potential association with greenwashing. The lack of a direct connection between broader GFPs and greenwashing suggests that this area is underexplored in literature. This paper fills this gap by investigating the role of broader GFPs in either promoting or mitigating greenwashing.
Researching children’s lifeworlds through an innovative case study methodology
Authors: Waghorn Elise , Yelland Nicola
Published: December 2024

Purpose

By integrating diverse data sources, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding of the children’s experiences, perspectives and social interactions.

Design/methodology/approach

This article describes the development and application of a novel mixed-method approach to researching children’s lifeworlds. The study employs a combination of qualitative interviews, observational techniques and quantitative measures to comprehensively explore the multifaceted aspects of children’s lifeworlds.

Findings

Our findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge in childhood studies and inform the design of more responsive and contextually relevant interventions for the well-being of children in various settings.

Research limitations/implications

No research limitations or implications were evident in this research.

Originality/value

This article has demonstrated an innovative approach to investigate children’s lifeworlds through integrating qualitative interviews, observation methods and qualitative measures. Through this comprehensive approach, it provided the means to delve into the intricate dimensions of children’s lifeworlds.
Effect of process parameters of viscose air–jet yarns on physical and mechanical properties of weft knitted fabrics
Authors: Irannejad Fatemeh , Fathi Elahe , Ghalebi Bahareh , Shanbeh Mohsen
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of process parameters of viscose air-jet yarns produced by the Autoairo yarn spinning machine on the physical and mechanical properties of yarns and their influence on the properties of single jersey weft knitted fabrics.

Design/methodology/approach

The yarn count in this study was 19.68 tex and the gauge of single jersey weft knitting machine was 24. The process parameters were the spinning draft, delivery speed and nozzle air pressure. The yarn samples were evaluated based on yarn irregularity and imperfections, as well as hairiness and tensile properties. The pilling, bursting strength, drape coefficient, shrinkage, air permeability and dyeability of single jersey weft knitted samples were also evaluated. The Taguchi method was used to design of experiments. Moreover, the effect of independent variables on the physical properties of the yarn was tested statistically at a 95% level of confidence using analysis of variance method.

Findings

The properties of the yarns evaluated showed that spinning draft and delivery speed can be introduced as two effective parameters on different properties of yarns. Moreover, the pilling of weft-knitted fabrics was affected by yarn parameters i.e. spinning draft and delivery speed statistically at a 95% confidence level.

Originality/value

In this experimental study, the structural characteristics of air jet yarns produced by the Autoairo11(Saurer Group) machine and the physical and mechanical properties of weft-knitted fabrics were analyzed by the authors. The literature review did not reveal any experimental work that evaluates these process parameters of yarn spinning integrated and its effect on a wide range of properties of weft-knitted fabrics.
Sintering model for predicting distortion of additively manufactured complex parts
Authors: Torresani Elisa , Cabo Rios Alberto , Grippi Thomas , Maximenko Andrii L. , Zago Marco , Cristofolini Ilaria , Olevsky Eugene A.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide understanding of the influence of external factors, such as gravity, during sintering of three dimensional (3D)-printed parts in which the initial relative density and cohesion between the powder particles are lower compared with those present in the green parts produced by traditional powder technologies. A developed model is used to predict shrinkage and shape distortion of 3D-printed powder components at high sintering temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

Three cylindrical shape connector geometries are designed, including horizontal and vertical tubes of different sizes. Several samples are manufactured by binder jetting to validate the model, and numerical results are compared with the measurements of the sintered shape.

Findings

Simulations are consistent with empirical data, proving that the continuum theory of sintering can effectively predict sintering deformation in additively manufactured products.

Originality/value

This work includes the assessment of the accuracy and limits of a multiphysics continuum mechanics–based sintering model in predicting gravity-induced distortions in complex-shaped additively manufactured components.
Mumbai Express: the taste of dilemma
Authors: Jorgensen David F. , Hall Catherine , Leonel Ronei , Nixon Marina , Schill Ryan
Published: December 2024

Research methodology

This paper aims to draw its foundation from primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were derived through extensive interviews with the case protagonists and close observations of the settings and situations described in the case. These were further supplemented by secondary data, collated to enhance the depth and context of the case, aiding in a more comprehensive understanding for the reader. ChatGPT was used in rewriting some sections of the case and in developing the instructor manual, particularly with ideation and ideal student answers. The research team very carefully scrutinized and heavily edited all sections to ensure correctness.

Case overview/synopsis

This case chronicles the journey of two close friends, Sean and Connor, from their time as finance students at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah to budding entrepreneurs within the community. Anchored in their passion for Indian cuisine, they envisioned Mumbai Express as an innovative culinary enterprise seeking to offer authentic Indian food through an affordable quick-service model. They aimed to address common pain points often associated with restaurant dining, particularly in the local community. Internal factors such as developing their signature dish, Chicken-Tikka-Masala (CTM) and external factors such as COVID-19 created barriers for Mumbai Express along the way, including opening the restaurant and keeping it afloat. Reflecting on why the restaurant closed, students will be challenged to step into the shoes of aspiring entrepreneurs to understand the dynamics of Mumbai Express’ ultimate failure.

Complexity academic level

This case is well-suited for use in sophomore or junior undergraduate courses in entrepreneurship, especially those emphasizing concepts like the minimum viable product (MVP) and differing emotional equity within partnerships.
Telehealth and disparities in opioid use disorder treatment: Medicaid enrollees versus privately insured individuals
Authors: Allen Lindsay D. , Xu Melinda
Published: December 2024

Objective

To determine how the rise of telehealth during the COVID‐19 pandemic impacted Medicaid enrollees' access to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Electronic health records from Northwestern Medicine, a large midwestern academic health system, from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.

Study Design

The exposure was the expansion of telehealth services during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A difference‐in‐differences design was used to determine the impact of telehealth on the probability of receiving any OUD care, any in‐person OUD care, and any telehealth OUD care in a month.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

The study included Medicaid and privately insured patients older than 18 years of age, diagnosed with OUD, who had any encounter with the Northwestern Medicine system. All outpatient visits with OUD as the primary diagnosis were included in the analysis. There were 486 individuals in the sample and 17,496 person‐month observations.

Principal Findings

After the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic, Medicaid enrollees are 4.5 percentage points (percentage change, 43.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.7 to 0.3 percentage points; p = 0.035) less likely to receive any OUD care in a month, relative to privately insured patients. While no statistically significant differences in the likehood of receiving in‐person OUD care were detected between the groups after exposure, we did observe that Medicaid enrollees are 3.6 percentage points (percentage change 64.2%; 95% CI 6.0 to 1.1 percentage points; p = 0.004) less likely to receive any telehealth OUD care in a month relative to privately insured patients.

Conclusions

While those with private insurance were able to maintain OUD treatment during the pandemic by supplementing in‐person care with telehealth, Medicaid enrollees experienced a drop in overall OUD treatment rates due to lower telehealth use. The rise of telehealth for OUD treatment might contribute to widening care gaps for Medicaid enrollees.
Twenty‐eight days later: The recovery of DNA from human remains submerged in aggressive household chemicals
Authors: Snedeker Jennifer , Houston Rachel , Hughes Sheree
Published: December 2024

Aggressive chemicals intended for cleaning pools or unclogging drains contain high concentrations of dangerous compounds, leading to their nefarious use in dissolving human remains in some criminal cases. The use of these readily accessible household cleaners to destroy human remains and hide evidence of a crime presents a considerable challenge for human identification. However, research on the success of recovering DNA from such remains is limited. Therefore, we investigated the effects of submerging partial human remains (including whole heads, forearms, and hands) in five different household products: bleach, Rid‐X® septic treatment, lye drain opener, sulfuric acid drain opener, and muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) pool cleaner. We evaluated the impact of each chemical, focusing on visual changes, DNA recovery, and the potential for successful human identification through traditional STR or mitochondrial DNA analyses. Exposure to all chemicals altered the appearance of the remains, but DNA recovery was still possible across various time periods, up to 28 days. Human remains exposed to bleach, Rid‐X®, and lye produced full STR profiles after 4 weeks. Sulfuric acid shortened this time to 3 weeks, while hydrochloric acid, the most damaging chemical, limited full STR profile recovery to just the first 3 days of exposure. This study demonstrates that although differences in the rate of damage occur depending on the amount of tissue introduced, volume of chemical used, and the specific chemical of choice, DNA‐based human identification of remains treated with everyday household cleaners is likely, particularly if bone fragments are recovered.
Prevalence of new psychoactive substances and drugs of abuse in the hair of individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder: Polydrug and emerging pattern of consumption
Authors: Giorgetti Arianna , Mohamed Susan , Pirani Filippo , Barone Rossella , Grech Marialuisa , Fais Paolo , Pascali Jennifer Paola , Pelletti Guido
Published: December 2024

People diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) might represent a high‐risk subpopulation for New Psychoactive Drugs (NPS) consumption, and hair analysis offers a unique perspective to assess drug prevalence in this population. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of NPS and their co‐consumption with traditional drugs of abuse (DoA) in individuals diagnosed with SUD. Hair samples from patients under care at the addiction treatment service of Bologna, Italy, for a diagnosed SUD, were collected during 2023 and analyzed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS), using a previously validated method. Among the 88 patients included, 95.5% tested positive for at least one substance, of which 88.1% for traditional DoA only, and 11.9% for NPS in addition to DoA. Among the positive samples, patients were found positive for more than two drugs in 67.9% of cases. The combination of DoA and NPS was more frequent in the younger age group (<21–30 years old, compared to 31–70, p = 0.025). Ketamine was detected in 8.0% of all samples, with mean hair levels 49.68 pg/mg (ranging 8.55–81.90 pg/mg) and was frequently accompanied by cocaine (85.7% of cases). Fentanyl was detected in 3.4% of all samples, while, among NPS, buphedrone was the only one detected. Our retrospective study highlights that the consumption of NPS is relatively low compared to other vulnerable or high‐risk populations. However, the prevalence of polydrug consumption and the high rate of ketamine–cocaine combination warrant careful monitoring even in this population.
Gender equity in authorship of emergency medicine publications in Australasia
Authors: Joyce Laura R , Hamill Laura M , Rogan Alice , Collins Amanda , Beck Sierra
Published: December 2024

Objective

To evaluate gender authorship trends in the official journal of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), Emergency Medicine Australasia (EMA).

Methods

A bibliometric review of author gender in EMA during the 10‐year period 2013–2022. The gender of first/last authors were determined by www.genderize.io, or a manual internet search where gender was not determined with at least 90% certainty. Descriptive statistics were used with percentages of women as first and last author compared to current percentages of ACEM Fellows (FACEMs) who identify as women.

Results

The final analysis included 1703 articles. Women accounted for 27.4% fewer authors than men (36.3% vs 63.7%). Women were outnumbered by men by 20.0% among first authors (40% vs 60%), and 36.2% (31.9% vs 68.1%) for last authors. When the last author was a woman, there was a similar rate of women (49.2%) and men (50.8%) as first authors. However, when the last author was a man, first authors were 37.1% women versus 62.9% men. If the last author was a woman, there was a 60% greater probability that the first author was also a woman (odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.3–2.1). First authorship rate by women was equal to or exceeds the proportion of women FACEMs, however, last authorship by women still lags behind.

Conclusion

The emergency medicine community in Australasia must continue to tackle existing gender disparities which exist in our specialty. A creative and active strategy on the part of publishers, editors, academics and authors is needed to redress this balance.
Exploring intermediate richness peak: Contrasting local and regional patterns of vascular epiphytes in the Brazilian tropical montane cloud forests
Authors: Furtado Samyra Gomes , Barbosa Daniel Elias Ferreira , Menini Neto Luiz
Published: December 2024

Altitudinal gradients can provide valuable insights into the distribution patterns of species richness at both local and regional scales. Typically, species richness peaks at intermediate elevations. This pattern can be attributed to factors such as climatic conditions, the mid‐domain effect, and historical‐evolutionary processes. Our research aimed to investigate the distribution patterns of vascular epiphytes along the regional elevation gradient in dwarf cloud forests of Serra da Mantiqueira (SM), Brazil. We hypothesised that species richness would peak at intermediate elevations correlating with the availability of water. To test this hypothesis, we sampled 18 plots, each measuring 20 × 20 m, in seven protected areas with varying elevation gradients. The lowest plot was at 1270 m, and the highest was at 2350 m. In each plot, we surveyed trees (phorophytes) with a circumference at breast height of 30 cm. Rarefaction analysis was conducted to compare species richness among plots, while beta diversity analysis was used to assess species composition changes along the elevation gradient and across the SM range. We employed a generalised linear model (GLM) with a Poisson distribution to examine the relationships between environmental variables and plant richness. Our findings suggest that there is no intermediate peak in species richness in any of the localities. However, regionally, the elevation range of 1500‐1700 m exhibited the highest richness, particularly when compared to the higher plots, which are subject to low temperatures that act as environmental filters, limiting species richness despite higher precipitation. Furthermore, plots above 1980 m showed low turnover, indicating that these filters contribute to a more homogeneous composition. Species composition across the SM was influenced by climatic differences, and overall, geographical distance was not significant, as within the same locality exhibited low turnover. This study provides a foundation for understanding patterns of species richness and composition along altitudinal gradients in the context of global climate change.
Understorey vegetation response to post‐tornado salvage logging
Authors: Bosley‐Smith Colby , D'Amato Anthony W. , Rogers Nicole S. , Tabak Nava , Fraver Shawn
Published: December 2024

Questions

How does salvage logging alter understorey vegetation composition? To what extent does abundance of recalcitrant understorey species influence conifer tree regeneration? How does salvage logging influence microclimate conditions?

Location

Scientific Forest Management Area, Baxter State Park, Maine, USA.

Methods

In 2013, a rare tornado and subsequent salvage operation created three clear “treatments” for evaluation of post‐disturbance understorey community response: blowdown, blowdown followed by salvage logging and an undisturbed forested control. Ten years post tornado, we inventoried understorey vegetation at 10 sampling points within each of these treatments. We installed automated sensors to track temperature and soil moisture throughout a growing season and used hemispherical photographs to characterize canopy openness.

Results

Non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination based on species importance values indicated distinct species groupings according to treatment, with the salvage treatment supporting a higher abundance of the recalcitrant species, Rubus idaeus and Pteridium aquilinum. Abundance of conifer regeneration was notably lower in areas with high abundance of Rubus idaeus or Pteridium aquilinum. Daily soil surface temperature fluctuations and canopy openness (both factors that influence seed germination) decreased in the order salvage > blowdown > control. Ordination results suggest that these two factors were the primary drivers of the observed compositional differences.

Conclusions

This study furthers our understanding of the interactions among disturbance, microclimate, and understorey communities, highlighting the need for increased consideration of long‐term effects on vegetation development following salvage logging. Our findings support recommendations to intermingle salvage patches within blowdown areas to promote landscape heterogeneity and species diversity.
Role of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in the Assessment of Native Aortic Regurgitation With Insights on Mixed and Multiple Valvular Heart Disease: A Narrative Review
Authors: Vinco Giulia , Porto Marta Dal , Demattè Cristina , Giovanelli Cristiana , Caruso Fabio , Marinetti Alessandro , Quattrocchi Carlo Cosimo , Greco Maurizio Del , D'Onofrio Mirko
Published: December 2024

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has received extensive validation for the assessment of valvular heart disease (VHD) and offers an accurate and direct method for the quantification of aortic regurgitation (AR). According to the current guidelines, CMR represents a useful second‐line investigation in patients with poor acoustic windows or when echocardiography is inconclusive, for example, in cases of multiple or eccentric aortic jets. Without ionizing radiation exposure, CMR provides in‐depth information not only on the severity degree of AR, providing a precise quantification of regurgitant volume and fraction, but also on cardiac structure and function, being recognized as the gold standard for the assessment of heart chamber size and systolic function. CMR allows a free choice of cardiac imaging planes and provides further information on the myocardium, thanks to the tissue characterization ability offered by several sequences, such as the late gadolinium enhancement technique. The possibilities offered by CMR become even more interesting in the context of mixed and multiple VHD, where the echocardiographic assessments often encounter difficulties in the quantification of each single valve lesion. The current scientific data support a greater expansion of CMR in this field, thanks to its additional advantages for the diagnosis, risk stratification, and to guide treatment. This review investigates the current CMR techniques and protocols in AR, with special insights into the evaluation of mixed aortic valve disease and multiple VHD including AR.
Left Ventricular False Tendons: A Morphological Study by Echocardiography
Authors: Chen Aizhuo , Chen Jinqing
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This is a prospective study aimed to investigate the morphology of left ventricular false tendons (LVFTs) using echocardiography and explore its associations with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), congenital heart structural abnormalities, and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).

Methods and Results

We analyzed data from 889 individuals who underwent consecutive echocardiograms at our ultrasound department between December 2023 and February 2024. Routine echocardiograms were performed to detect congenital structural abnormalities, with a focus on identifying LVFT. We examined the prevalence, number, and distribution of LVFTs, as well as their correlation with age, sex, BMI, and congenital heart structural abnormalities. LVFTs were detected in 460 of 889 cases (51.74%), totaling 672 LVFTs. LVFT prevalence significantly differed not only between sexes but also between ages. LVFT prevalence was higher in individuals with lower BMI. There was no significant difference in congenital heart structural abnormalities between the groups, but the composition of distinct types of structural abnormalities differed between the groups. The incidence of PVCs in the LVFT‐positive group was significantly higher than in the LVFT‐negative group.

Conclusions

The prevalence of LVFTs is notably higher in males than females and tends to decrease with advancing age and increasing BMI. LVFTs display diverse morphological features and may interact synergistically with certain congenital heart structural abnormalities. LVFTs can easily lead to PVCs in healthy people, but the risk of leading to malignant PVCs does not seem to be high. Correctly recognizing the morphological characteristics of LVFTs helps to distinguish similar ultrasonic images of different diseases, thus avoiding missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses in ultrasound work and clinical practice.