bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harnessing stimuli‐responsive biomaterials for advanced biomedical applications
Authors: Liao Ziming , Liu Tingting , Yao Zhimin , Hu Tian , Ji Xiaoyuan , Yao Bin
Published: May 2024

Cell behavior is intricately intertwined with the in vivo microenvironment and endogenous pathways. The ability to guide cellular behavior toward specific goals can be achieved by external stimuli, notably electricity, light, ultrasound, and magnetism, simultaneously harnessed through biomaterial‐mediated responses. These external triggers become focal points within the body due to interactions with biomaterials, facilitating a range of cellular pathways: electrical signal transmission, biochemical cues, drug release, cell loading, and modulation of mechanical stress. Stimulus‐responsive biomaterials hold immense potential in biomedical research, establishing themselves as a pivotal focal point in interdisciplinary pursuits. This comprehensive review systematically elucidates prevalent physical stimuli and their corresponding biomaterial response mechanisms. Moreover, it delves deeply into the application of biomaterials within the domain of biomedicine. A balanced assessment of distinct physical stimulation techniques is provided, along with a discussion of their merits and limitations. The review aims to shed light on the future trajectory of physical stimulus‐responsive biomaterials in disease treatment and outline their application prospects and potential for future development. This review is poised to spark novel concepts for advancing intelligent, stimulus‐responsive biomaterials.
Finding Waldo: Sonographic systematic approach to localize the appendix in children
Authors: Ahyad Rayan A. , Mansory Eman M.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To describe a systematic scanning approach using anatomical landmarks followed by an assessment of radiology trainees' ability to identify the normal appendix in healthy children.

Methods

Uncontrolled pre and post study assessing radiology residents' sonographic skills in detecting the normal appendix in healthy children. Initial questionnaire for the trainees' demographics, perceptions and experiences in detecting the appendix with ultrasound in children followed by a precourse test on healthy volunteers. Hands‐on training was conducted by describing a systematic sonographic approach to identify the appendix using anatomical landmarks, and then a postcourse test was carried out. The primary outcome was unprompted ability to identify the appendix. Subjective self‐scoring of confidence was also recorded.

Results

A three‐hour hands‐on workshop was conducted. Sixteen radiology trainees participated and were randomly distributed to four stations, each with different ultrasound machines and healthy volunteers. Fifteen had a precourse assessment, and 12 completed the postcourse assessment. Before the course, 3/15 (20%) identified the appendix, while 10/12 (83%) identified the appendix afterward. After the course, participants perceived finding the appendix easier than before. There was no statistically significant difference in the participants' perceived confidence in detecting the appendix.

Conclusions

With the described scanning technique, most of the participants were able to identify the normal appendix after receiving short hands‐on training. This highlights the importance of targeted training of radiology trainees and nonradiologists.
Postoperative patient‐reported outcome measures after medial open‐wedge high tibial osteotomy was improved by decreased joint line convergence angle
Authors: Kumaki Daiki , Tensho Keiji , Iwaasa Tomoya , Maezumi Yusuke , Yoshida Kazushige , Koyama Suguru , Shimodaira Hiroki , Hiriuchi Hiroshi , Takahashi Jun
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the relationship between pre‐ and postoperative joint line convergence angle (JLCA) changes and patient‐reported outcome measures related to medial open‐wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO).

Methods

Sixty‐one patients (71 knees) who underwent MOWHTO were examined. Preoperative and 2‐year postoperative radiographic parameters (hip–knee–ankle angle, weight‐bearing line ratio, medial proximal tibial angle and JLCA) were measured, and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores (KOOS) were assessed. Patients were divided into two groups: group D (decreased JLCA compared with preoperative status) included 44 knees with a ΔJLCA < 0° and group I (increased JLCA and no‐change JLCA compared with preoperative status) included 27 knees with a ΔJLCA ≥ 0°. KOOS sub‐scores and the proportion of patients whose improvement exceeded the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) were compared between both groups using Student's t tests, Mann–Whitney U tests and chi‐square tests. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factor that had an influential effect on the postoperative KOOS total.

Results

Significant differences in 2‐year postoperative KOOS were observed between the two groups, including total, symptom, pain and activities of daily living scores. Group D had significantly more patients who achieved MCID for both KOOS symptoms and pain scores than group I did. Multivariate analysis indicated that JLCA change and body mass index were significantly associated with the postoperative KOOS total.

Conclusion

Patients with decreased JLCA had better 2‐year post‐MOWHTO KOOS and better symptom and pain improvements. Therefore, strategies that reduce JLCA are crucial to improving clinical outcomes, and efforts should be made to improve JLCA in surgical techniques.

Level of Evidence

Level Ⅳ, Case series.
Near‐Infrared and Cyan Dual‐Band Emission Copper Iodide Based Halides with [Cu6I9]3− Cluster
Authors: Zhang Ruiqing , Xie Huidong , Wang Fu , Zhao Qiyu , Meng Lingyi , Tang Zuobin , Su Binbin , Liu Hu
Published: May 2024

The luminescence property of various compounds is developed in the photoelectric applications field, while the near‐infrared (NIR) dual‐band emission of compounds is extremely challenging. Herein, 0D Cu(I)‐based organic–inorganic module (ETA)3Cu6I9 is synthesized to achieve NIR and cyan dual‐band emission in metal halide systems. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations combined with comprehensive spectroscopic data reveal its emission mechanism. Under the excitation at 371 nm, (ETA)3Cu6I9 shows the broadband NIR emission peaking at 775 nm with a large wavelength, attributed to the triple‐cluster‐center (3CC) transition. Meanwhile, under 286 nm excitation, (ETA)3Cu6I9 shows a bright cyan emission peaking at 490 nm, attributed to the metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) or halide‐to‐ligand charge transfer (XLCT) transitions. Moreover, (ETA)3Cu6I9 presents relatively superior thermal and air stability. Benefiting from the good stability of (ETA)3Cu6I9, the as‐fabricated NIR‐LED device demonstrates great potential in biological imaging and night vision. This study opens up a new way for designing new non‐toxic NIR and cyan dual‐band emission materials, which guides to synthesize new materials in metal halide field.
Why the Mostafa Maged maneuver is better: Mostafa Maged maneuver compared with bimanual uterine compression for postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Maged Ali Mostafa , Rabie Mohamed Elsharkawy Mustafa
Published: May 2024

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Mostafa Maged maneuver compared with bimanual uterine compression for the management of postpartum hemorrhage during vaginal delivery.

Methods

This was a prospective study involving 200 patients divided into two groups with 100 patients in each group. Group I received (Mostafa Maged maneuver), and Group II received (routine bimanual uterine compression). The Mostafa Maged maneuver requires placing the right hand in the posterior fornix and positioning the left hand on the uterine fundus and posterior uterine wall via the abdomen exteriorly. The subsequent step involves holding the entire uterus against the symphysis pubis. We determined the duration of each maneuver until practitioner fatigue and evaluated whether oxytocin was administered after compression for each maneuver.

Results

No patients required blood transfusions in Group I (Mostafa Maged maneuver), unlike in Group II, in which 17/100 patients received blood transfusions after bimanual compression. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the groups regarding the administration of oxytocin. The mean duration of applying the Mostafa Maged maneuver was 12.7 min (range: 11–15 min). The mean duration of bimanual uterine compression (Group II) was 4.04 min (range: 3.5–4.5 min). There was a statistically significantly shorter duration for the Mostafa Maged maneuver and shorter time to onset of fatigue compared with bimanual uterine compression (p = 0.02, and p = 0.001, respectively). In contrast, there were no statistically significant differences between both groups for the dealing with the patient and the blood transfusion rate.

Conclusion

The Mostafa Maged maneuver is easy to learn and feasible to perform compared with bimanual uterine compression. The Mostafa Maged maneuver may be a valuable addition to current conservative treatments for atonic postpartum hemorrhage, especially for obstetricians who lack the training and expertise to perform more complex procedures and those working in minimally equipped facilities.

Trial registration

Clinical trial registration, including the date of registration: NCT06002256.
Dietary Flavonoids Consumption and Health: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Li Haoqi , Zeng Yaxian , Zi Jing , Hu Yifan , Ma Guochen , Wang Xiaoyu , Shan Shufang , Cheng Guo , Xiong Jingyuan
Published: May 2024

Scope

The current evidence between dietary flavonoids consumption and multiple health outcomes is inadequate and inconclusive. To summarize and evaluate the evidence for dietary flavonoids consumption and multiple health outcomes, an umbrella review of meta‐analyses and systematic reviews is conducted.

Methods and results

PubMed, Ovid‐EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews are searched up to January 2024. The study includes a total of 32 articles containing 24 unique health outcomes in this umbrella review. Meta‐analyses are recalculated by using a random effects model. Separate analyses are performed based on the kind of different flavonoid subclasses. The study finds some unique associations such as flavonol and gastric cancer, isoflavone and uterine fibroids and endometrial cancer, total flavonoids consumption and lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. Overall, the study confirms the negative associations between dietary flavonoids consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and mortality, while positive associations are observed for prostate cancer and uterine fibroids.

Conclusion

Although dietary flavonoids are significantly associated with many outcomes, firm generalizable conclusions about their beneficial or harmful effects cannot be drawn because of the low certainty of evidence for most of outcomes. More well‐designed primary studies are needed.
Balancing nutrition for successful reproduction in ruminants
Authors: Ding Yitong , Liu Xinyue , Guan Yueming , Li Zimu , Luo Mengcheng , Wu Duanqin , Ye Lan , Guo Liu , Wang Leli , Guan Yongjuan
Published: May 2024

Proper nutrition is essential for sustaining optimal reproductive function in both humans and ruminants. Studies have shown that both undernutrition and overnutrition can negatively impact human reproductive processes. However, the Mediterranean diet, with its balanced and nutrient‐rich composition, is recognised for its positive effects on human reproduction. In the context of ruminants, a well‐balanced and nutrient‐rich diet is equally crucial for achieving peak reproductive performance. Grazing, which allows ruminants to feed on natural pasture in open environments, contrasts with indoor feeding, which is conducted in more controlled settings. A balanced dietary approach is vital for the successful reproduction of ruminant animals, and a combination of grazing and indoor feeding has been identified as an effective strategy to enhance their reproductive success. This review emphasises the impact of nutrition on reproductive outcomes in both human and ruminant populations, advocating for balanced dietary practices to improve reproductive success across species. A thorough understanding of the complex relationship between nutrition and reproductive health can offer valuable insights into enhancing fertility and reproductive efficiency in various contexts.
VISTA‐targeted antibody‐drug conjugates exhibit potent antitumor effects on malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Kang Jingyue , Zhang Zongliang , Zhang Ruyuan , Zheng Meijun , Jiang Caiying , Yang Hui , Tong Aiping , Zhang Yan
Published: May 2024

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a malignant tumor of the pulmonary pleural tissue for which there is a lack of effective targeted therapy. In this study, moderate to high V‐domain immunoglobulin T‐cell activation suppressor (VISTA) expression levels were observed in most MPM clinical tumor samples. We prepared two high‐affinity anti‐VISTA monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and generated two novel VISTA‐targeted antibody‐drug conjugates (ADCs) by conjugating anti‐VISTA mAbs with the potent cytotoxic drug monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). αV1‐MMAE and αV2‐MMAE showed potent killing effects to VISTA‐positive cell lines in vitro, with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of nanomolar levels. αV1‐MMAE and αV2‐MMAE were also able to significantly induce apoptosis and cause G2/M phase arrest in VISTA‐positive cells. In the VISTA‐positive human MPM xenograft model, both αV1‐MMAE and αV2‐MMAE showed significant antitumor activity, led to a significant survival advantage compared to mice in the control group, and effectively induced apoptosis in the tumor tissues of mice. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the novel VISTA‐targeted ADCs (αV1‐MMAE and αV2‐MMAE), especially αV1‐MMAE, had potent killing effects against VISTA‐positive MPM cells both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, through further development, they may have the potential to become new drugs for the treatment of MPM.
Simple MATLAB and Python scripts for multi‐exponential analysis
Authors: Afrough Armin , Mokhtari Rasoul , Feilberg Karen L.
Published: May 2024

Multi‐exponential decay is prevalent in magnetic resonance spectroscopy, relaxation, and imaging. This paper describes simple MATLAB and Python functions and scripts for regularized multi‐exponential analysis methods for 1D and 2D data and example test problems and experiments. Regularized least‐squares solutions provide production‐quality outputs with robust stopping rules in ~5 and ~20 lines of code for 1D and 2D inversions, respectively. The software provides an open‐architecture simple solution for transforming exponential decay data to the distribution of their decay lifetimes. Examples from magnetic resonance relaxation of a complex fluid, a Danish North Sea crude oil, and fluid mixtures in porous materials—brine/crude oil mixture in North Sea reservoir chalk—are presented. Developed codes may be incorporated in other software or directly used by other researchers, in magnetic resonance relaxation, diffusion, and imaging or other physical phenomena that require multi‐exponential analysis.
Impact of semaglutide on osteoarthritis risk in patients with obesity: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Baser Onur , Isenman Lauren , Baser Sefika , Samayoa Gabriela
Published: May 2024

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder. While the effect of obesity on OA is well documented, less is known about the effect of semaglutide on OA.

Objective

To determine the impact of semaglutide on the risk of OA in patients with obesity in the United States.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted utilizing Kythera Medicare closed claims data from November 1, 2020 to October 31, 2023. Continuously enrolled patients with obesity diagnoses during the baseline period (November 1, 2020– October 31, 2021) were identified and grouped based on whether they had or had not used semaglutide during the identification period (November 1, 2021– October 31, 2022) and followed if they had OA during the follow‐up period. Multivariate analysis was utilized to adjust for demographic variables and comorbidities.

Results

We identified 1360 patients taking semaglutide and 39,891 patients not taking semaglutide. The most common comorbidities were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, and anxiety. After controlling for demographic and clinical factors, the semaglutide cohort had a significantly lower risk of OA than the non‐semaglutide cohort (HR, 0.84; p = 0.0069).

Conclusions

This study suggests that semaglutide may have the potential to help in preventing OA.
Polyurethane nanofiber scaffolds for future bone tissue applications: Using β‐cyclodextrin and zinc oxide nanoparticles to improve the properties
Authors: Khan Rumysa Saleem , Rather Anjum Hamid , Rafiq Muheeb , Wani Taha Umair , Jadhav Arvind H. , Abdal‐hay Abdalla , Kanjwal Muzafar A. , Ahmad Syed Mudasir , Sheikh Faheem A.
Published: May 2024

Numerous strategies exist to design a suitable bone graft made from polyurethane (PU) nanofibers. However, using PU nanofibers is impractical owing to their hydrophobicity. This work transforms the hydrophobicity of PU nanofibers using β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs). Transmission and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated the size of ~100 to 200 nm for ZnO NPs, and these NPs could finely harmonize inside nanofibers. The phenolphthalein absorbance test confirmed the inclusion of ZnO and β‐CD. Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, and photoelectron spectroscopy showed that synthesized composites have intermolecular hydrogen interactions between the PU, β‐CD, and ZnO NPs. These embellishments improved the hydrophilicity from a contact angle of 60.2 ± 0.2° to 0°. The tensile strength of modified fibers increased from 2.16 ± 0.14 to 6.65 ± 6.0 MPa. The incorporation of ZnO NPs caused the mineralization of the nanofibers and the maximum number of hydroxyapatite NPs in the composite, which had the highest concentration of ZnO NPs. These nanofiber mats boosted the proliferation of Human Embryonic Kidney 293 T cells till 6 days of culture for the nanofiber with 5% β‐CD and 75 mg ZnO NPs combination. Cell fixation studies indicated the successful attachment of cells onto nanofibers. Consequently, our multifunctional scaffolds could be osteoproductive and osteoinductive biomaterials for future bone tissue engineering.
Amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Alamoudi Ammar A. , Nikam Shrikant B. , Bhaumik Saibal , Hadjichristidis Nikos
Published: May 2024

Amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were successfully synthesized by growing poly(vinylidene fluoride) on PEG‐chain transfer agent (PEG‐macro‐CTA) using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. MeO‐PEG‐XA, and XA‐PEG‐XA macro‐CTAs (XA refers to the xanthate moiety), synthesized by esterification of MeO‐PEG‐OH (20,000 g mol−1) and HO‐PEG‐OH (20,000 g mol−1) with 2‐bromopropionyl bromide followed by reaction with potassium ethyl xanthate, were used to synthesize MeO‐PEG‐b‐PVDF and PVDF‐b‐PEG‐b‐PVDF, respectively. The synthesized macro‐CTAs and block copolymers were characterized by NMR (1H, 13C and 19F), FTIR, and SEC. Furthermore, the PVDF/PEG block copolymer formation was proved by 1H DOSY NMR. The thermal properties were determined by TGA and DSC. The crystallinity and electroactive phases were revealed by XRD and FTIR. The size and shape of self‐assembled block copolymers in DMF/water mixtures were determined by DLS, TEM and critical micelle concentration with fluorescence spectroscopy. The influence of molecular weight and PVDF content on the properties of copolymers is discussed.
The transformation of Cure4Kids: Expanding knowledge transfer capacity
Authors: Berg Fair , Conger Kristy , Avula Meghana , Hansen Cameron , Chatman Georgia , Provasnik John , Alguire Kaylea , Wellman Andrew , Chantada Guillermo , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Moreira Daniel C.
Published: May 2024

Global survival disparities among children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases are the driving force behind Cure4Kids’ sustained outreach to healthcare professionals. Congruent with this need, Cure4Kids was redesigned to meet the emergent demands of diverse healthcare professionals seeking free, web‐based pediatric hematology/oncology education. Herein, we present an overview of each phase of the design and development process for the transformation and describe key features of the new Cure4Kids and future opportunities for expansion.
Cardiovascular and muscular plasticity in an endurance‐master athlete following 12 weeks of detraining and retraining: a case study
Authors: Zanou Nadège , Gremeaux Vincent , Place Nicolas , Lepers Romuald
Published: May 2024

Background

This study examined the cardiorespiratory and muscular adaptations of a 53‐year‐old endurance master athlete following 12 weeks of detraining and retraining.

Methods

Data were collected before and after detraining, and after retraining. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was evaluated during maximal cycling exercise. Proteins involved in muscle contraction, mitochondrial function and glycolysis were investigated using western blot analysis.

Results

VO2max decreased by 7% after detraining and was 5% greater than baseline after retraining. Detraining induced an important increase in the ryanodine receptor type 1 protein levels (RyR1, +44%) with a decrease in the protein levels of its stabilizer FKBP12 (−24%). We observed a 138% increase in the sarco‐endoplasmic reticulum ATPase 1 protein and a 42% increase in the myosin heavy chain fast‐twitch protein in response to detraining. This was associated with depressed levels of the mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins, while the expression of the mitochondrial dynamic proteins appeared stimulated. Twelve weeks of retraining reversed almost all the alterations observed in muscle proteins, but specifically increased mitochondrial biogenesis, OXPHOS and antioxidant defence proteins as well as the glucose transporter 4 (Glut‐4, +36%) and hexokinase (+100%) proteins levels above the baseline. The mitochondrial dynamic proteins were further increased with the retraining.

Conclusions

These data provide novel information on cardiorespiratory and muscular plasticity, suggesting that highly endurance‐trained athletes might show substantial muscular adaptations while retrained after a detraining period and call for more extensive clinical trials.
CuO Nanozymes Catalyze Cysteine and Glutathione Depletion Induced Ferroptosis and Cuproptosis for Synergistic Tumor Therapy
Authors: Bai Jinwei , Zhang Xuan , Zhao Zhiwen , Sun Shihao , Cheng Wenyuan , Yu Hongxiang , Chang Xinyue , Wang Baodui
Published: May 2024

The latest research identifies that cysteine (Cys) is one of the key factors in tumor proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence. The direct depletion of intracellular Cys shows a profound antitumor effect. However, using nanozymes to efficiently deplete Cys for tumor therapy has not yet attracted widespread attention. Here, a (3‐carboxypropyl) triphenylphosphonium bromide‐derived hyaluronic acid‐modified copper oxide nanorods (denoted as MitCuOHA) are designed with cysteine oxidase‐like, glutathione oxidase‐like and peroxidase‐like activities to realize Cys depletion and further induce cellular ferroptosis and cuproptosis for synergistic tumor therapy. MitCuOHA nanozymes can efficiently catalyze the depletion of Cys and glutathione (GSH), accompanied by the generation of H2O2 and the subsequent conversion into highly active hydroxyl radicals, thereby successfully inducing ferroptosis in cancer cells. Meanwhile, copper ions released by MitCuOHA under tumor microenvironment stimulation directly bind to lipoylated proteins of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, leading to the abnormal aggregation of lipoylated proteins and subsequent loss of iron–sulfur cluster proteins, which ultimately triggers proteotoxic stress and cell cuproptosis. Both in vitro and in vivo results show the drastically enhanced anticancer efficacy of Cys oxidation catalyzed by the MitCuOHA nanozymes, demonstrating the high feasibility of such catalytic Cys depletion‐induced synergistic ferroptosis and cuproptosis therapeutic concept.
Anaerobic membrane bioreactor to remove pesticides and pharmaceuticals from wastewater: A bibliometric review
Authors: Ribeiro Marcos Henrique Gomes , Silva Maria Cristina de Almeida , Benetti Antônio Domingues
Published: May 2024

With the development of state‐of‐the‐art analytical methods, new compounds have been detected in water and sewage. Due to their diverse and complex nature, these compounds have been classified as contaminants of emerging concern (CEC). Among the CEC, there are products of pharmaceutical origin and pesticides. Due to the damage caused by these contaminants to human health and the environment, there is a need to develop technologies for their removal in wastewater treatment. An anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) is a technology that can potentially remove emerging compounds by combining biological treatment associated with membrane filtration. Thus, this article mapped literature describing the use of AnMBR for removing drugs and pesticides through a bibliometric review. A relatively low number of publications related to this subject was observed in the last 10 years. Most of the research has been done in the Middle East, South, and Southeast Asia. The main themes addressed by the articles were the treatment of drugs, bacteria, and antibiotic‐resistant genes. In particular, research on the removal of pesticides by AnMBR was scarce.
A novel global safe surgery mentorship program using a multidisciplinary team approach
Authors: Negash Samuel , Starr Nichole , Mesfin Samuel , G. Weiser Thomas , Negussie Tihitena Mammo
Published: May 2024

Background

The global surgery movement aims to provide equitable surgical care in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) and attempts to address a wide range of issues around the lack of access and poor‐quality. In response, the Lifebox McCaskey Safe Surgery Fellowship was established in Ethiopia to train a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. We conducted this study to evaluate the outcome of this training program.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted to evaluate the implementations and outcomes of the first three cohorts of the McCaskey Fellowship. Interviews with fellows, mentors, and program staff reveal valuable insights into the program's strengths and challenges.

Results

Key findings include positive feedback on the program's curriculum highlighting its multidisciplinary nature. Challenges were noted in maintaining schedules, communication with healthcare facilities, and budget constraints, suggesting the need for improved program management. The fellowship's impact was evident in altering participants' perceptions of teamwork and enhancing their research and leadership skills. Fellows initiated quality improvement projects impacting surgical practices positively. However, challenges, such as hospital resistance and the COVID‐19 pandemic, affected program implementation.

Conclusion

Despite various challenges, the program's unique approach combining multidisciplinary training and local mentorship proves promising. It fosters a culture of teamwork, equips participants with essential skills, and encourages fellows to become advocates for safe surgery. As surgical quality champions emerge from this fellowship, there is optimism for lasting positive impacts on surgical care in LMICs.
Onboarding for an Agile Software Development Company
Authors: Enberg Tomi , Alander Sari , Paasivaara Maria
Published: May 2024

The global shortage of highly skilled employees has created a need for a more efficient onboarding process in software development companies. The experienced onboarding efficiency affects the new employee’s willingness to stay within the company and the efficiency of their work. Our case company transferred to a team-based organization structure, where agile teams were given high autonomy. Supervisor responsibilities were divided among different roles, such as people coaches and a lead team. We studied the onboarding process through a survey that was answered by 39 persons, as well as 18 interviews to gather details from the onboarding process. To validate the findings, workshops, and presentations were organized in the case company. We found that mentoring was experienced as the most important form of onboarding in the case company. The biggest challenges were lack of transparency, insufficient material availability, and lack of documentation. As solutions were suggested: a shared repository of onboarding materials, checklists for teams and mentors for onboarding new employees efficiently, and collecting team-specific materials to a single location.
Slack Use in Large-Scale Agile Organizations: ESN Tools as Catalysts for Alignment?
Authors: Stray Viktoria , Barbala Astri
Published: May 2024

This paper examines the role of the enterprise social networking (ESN) tool Slack in the daily work of software practitioners within NAV, a large-scale agile public sector organization. Based on 13 interviews with NAV developers, our case study explores how Slack is employed for knowledge sharing and daily communication across the organization. We used a newly developed framework for communication in agile teams as a theoretical lens. Through our analysis, we found that Slack use had become deeply integrated into the organizational culture and fostered alignment in three main ways: Promotingcommunication transparencythrough open discussions visible for developers organization-wide, enhancingcommunication qualitywith prompt responses and constant communication, and encouragingcommunication disciplinethrough structured channels and threads. This study also unveiled some challenges, such as information overload and hindered focus. However, our findings suggest that if common hurdles are overcome, modern ESN tools can reshape how cross-organizational communication plays out in large-scale agile, reinforcing the agile principles of collaboration and motivated individuals.
Coordination in Agile Product Areas: A Case Study from a Large FinTech Organization
Authors: Berntzen Marthe , Engdal Silje Alette , Gellein Maja , Moe Nils Brede
Published: May 2024

Product teams organized into product areas are becoming more and more prevalent in large-scale agile. While such arrangements are thought to improve the development process and overall product delivery, it is still not clear how this form of organizing alleviates the coordination challenges commonly associated with large-scale agile. In this paper, we report on a case study from a product area in a large FinTech organization. Through analyzing interviews, observations, and strategic documents, we describe how organizing into a product area with vertical and horizontal teams supported inter-team coordination. Further, we describe seventeen coordination mechanisms used in the product area. Our findings have three main contributions. First, we propose that the product area represent a distinct organizational level that can support coordination in large scale development settings. Second, we found that the team types used in the product area represent different team typologies. Third, pull requests and pair programming were used as inter-team coordination mechanisms, and our findings suggest that pair programming to some extent could replace the PR mechanism to further improve product area coordination.
Impact of the Kanban Maturity Model on a Team’s Agile Transformation: Tripling Throughput and Elevating Quality in Three Months
Authors: Trzesicki Jacek , Marek Krzysztof , Przybylek Adam
Published: May 2024

Agile transformations have been a significant challenge since the beginning of the agile movement, with numerous researchers and practitioners suggesting various structured approaches and guidelines. The Kanban Maturity Model (KMM) is a relatively new approach that focuses on assessing the current maturity level of an organisation, with an emphasis on a spectrum of Kanban practices. This paper presents the initial results of applying the KMM as a guide for subsequent steps in Kanban implementation and agile transformation. The exploratory case study describes the application of the KMM in the agile transformation of a software development team within a midsize organisation. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts to implement Scrum, the adoption of KMM facilitated a rapid and successful implementation of the Kanban Method. Within three months, the team’s throughput tripled, and the quality of the developed software improved significantly. The results suggest that the KMM can be successfully used as an effective guideline for agile transformation of software development teams.
Comparing Stability and Sustainability in Agile Systems
Authors: Healy Robert , Conboy Kieran , Dey Tapajit , Lewzey Edwin , Fitzgerald Brian
Published: May 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the significant threat that unsustainably long working hours pose to our mental and physical well-being. Aligning with this concern, an Agile principle emphasizes that “Agile processes promote sustainable development.” However, previous work in 2023 debunked this notion of inherent stability in Agile systems, such as the Scrum and Kanban frameworks. In this study, we aim to analyse the relationship between system stability and the tendency of teams to work outside reasonable office hours. We inspect 295 historic Agile projects completed in intive, a software development company. We assess the percentage of late-night, early-morning, or weekend hours where a Product Backlog Item (PBI) was created or resolved and compare this percentage of Unsustainable Hours metric to the Stability Metric and the number of Inventory Days remaining. The analysis showed that almost no correlation exists between the Unsustainable Hours worked and either the system stability or outstanding inventory. These findings indicate that, while working unconventional and potentially excessive hours is a concern, it does not appear to be linked to the stability of Agile systems. This highlights the need for a deeper understanding of individual and team motivations to foster long-term sustainable work practices.
Development: Which Ideas Now?
Authors: Sato Jin
Published: May 2024

The practice of development and foreign aid inevitably involves numerous languages and thus requires translation to each the meaning of terms and concepts as all ideas and the words that convey them, are born in particular locations with contextual meanings attached to them. Yet terms are imported—often from West to East, and North to South —without consideration for these contexts. This introductory chapter argues for the need to recover how local actors reinterpret, frame, reconstruct, and reproduce, foreign concepts as they migrate. It also discusses why this is important, and why now. While shifts in thinking occur from time to time, we have been less imaginative in recognizing and overcoming the dominant sources of ideas and concepts that inform our development thinking. This is the reason we focus on the apparently “natural” concepts in Japan and how such concepts travel beyond their place of birth.
Yen Loans: Between Norms and Heterodoxy
Authors: Shiga Hiroaki
Published: May 2024

Yen loans are long-term, low-interest loans provided to developing countries as part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), mainly for infrastructure development as a foundation for the economic growth of recipient countries. They have been a continuing object of criticism based on dominant norms, championed by the United States and European countries, that development assistance is a form of charity by rich countries for the sake of poor countries, and thus should take the form of grants and technical assistance. Yen loans have become symbolic of the heterodoxy that flows through the history of Japan’s ODA, and was adapted for assistance to less developed countries in Southeast Asia. This chapter questions the nature of this heterodoxy and examines how discord has been navigated between Japan as norm-taker and norm-makers—the United States and European countries—who generally lack flexibility with respect to different ways of providing development assistance.
Conclusion: Imagining Pluriversal Development Knowledge Production Via Japan as Method
Authors: Kim Soyeun , Wang Muyun
Published: May 2024

In this conclusion, we consider the broader contribution of this edited volume to expand thinking via Japan as method towards more decentred and pluriversal approaches to knowledge production in Japanese international development studies (IDS). In order to highlight this broader contribution, we do two things. First, we synthesise findings from each chapter through the dimensions of time and space, in which the selected Japanese terms in the field of development cooperation were constructed, popularised, or spread. In doing so, we demonstrate how intricately the semantics of those terms change through the latter’s connection with many other—temporally and spatially different—worlds and their experiences, and highlight the risk of boasting Japan’s uniqueness in development knowledge production. Second, we then consider Japan as method to elucidate the case for engaging with decolonial and pluriversal approaches in Japanese IDS by exploring Japan’s ambiguous positionality and the post-war depoliticisation of Japanese IDS. Finally, we consider the potential of relativising Japan’s position in the (many) world(s) and to critically engage with the trend of instrumentalising ODA to serve geopolitical interests through active collaboration and co-creation of decolonial or pluriversal development knowledges that ‘leave no one behind’.
Genba-Shugi: Understanding Through a Hands-On Approach
Authors: Matsubara Naoki
Published: May 2024

This chapter discusses the concept of genba-shugi by focusing on two contexts in which the term has been used: as an aspect of Japanese-style business management, and in technical cooperation and organizational reform at JICA. This focus on people close to the genba (on the ground, in the field, or at the locality) emphasizes the superiority of their know-how and initiative above those of imaginary rivals: Western-style organizations and domestic bureaucratic government bodies. Each of these contexts share a focus on feelings and experiences, against abstract “models” from developed countries or strategic plans of central government, respectively. They are also leveraged to further specific agendas by arguing against their supposed antitheses—Western engineers and business management in the better-known cases; and Japan’s centralized bureaucracy in the case of JICA.
Moving interfaces and two-dimensional black holes
Authors: Biswas Parthajit , Das Suchetan , Dinda Anirban
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Conformal field theories can exchange energy through a boundary interface. Imposing conformal boundary conditions for static interfaces implies energy conservation at the interface. Recently, the reflective and transmittive properties of such static conformal interfaces have been studied in two dimensions by scattering matter at the interface impurity. In this note, we generalize this to the case of dynamic interfaces. Motivated by the connections between the moving mirror and the black hole, we choose a particular profile for the dynamical interface. We show that a part of the total energy of each side will be lost in the interface. In other words, a time-dependent interface can accumulate or absorb energy. While, in general, the interface follows a time-like trajectory, one can take a particular limit of a profile parameter(β), such that the interface approaches a null line asymptotically(β → 0). In this limit, we show that for a class of boundary conditions, the interface behaves like a semipermeable membrane - it behaves like a (partially) reflecting mirror from one side and is (partially) transparent from the other side. We also consider another set of conformal boundary conditions for which, in the null line limit, the interface mimics the properties expected of a horizon. In this case, we devise a scattering experiment, where (zero-point subtracted) energy from one CFT is fully transmitted to the other CFT, while from the other CFT, energy can neither be transmitted nor reflected, i.e., it gets lost in the interface. This boundary condition is also responsible for the thermal energy spectrum which mimics Hawking radiation. This is analogous to the black hole where the horizon plays the role of a one-sided ‘membrane’, which accumulates all the interior degrees of freedom and radiates thermally in the presence of quantum fluctuation. Stimulated by this observation, we comment on some plausible construction of wormhole analogues.
The bacterial DNA sliding clamp, β-clamp: structure, interactions, dynamics and drug discovery
Authors: Simonsen Signe , Søgaard Caroline K. , Olsen Johan G. , Otterlei Marit , Kragelund Birthe B.
Published: May 2024

DNA replication is a tightly coordinated event carried out by a multiprotein replication complex. An essential factor in the bacterial replication complex is the ring-shaped DNA sliding clamp, β-clamp, ensuring processive DNA replication and DNA repair through tethering of polymerases and DNA repair proteins to DNA. β -clamp is a hub protein with multiple interaction partners all binding through a conserved clamp binding sequence motif. Due to its central role as a DNA scaffold protein, β-clamp is an interesting target for antimicrobial drugs, yet little effort has been put into understanding the functional interactions of β-clamp. In this review, we scrutinize the β-clamp structure and dynamics, examine how its interactions with a plethora of binding partners are regulated through short linear binding motifs and discuss how contexts play into selection. We describe the dynamic process of clamp loading onto DNA and cover the recent advances in drug development targeting β-clamp. Despite decades of research in β-clamps and recent landmark structural insight, much remains undisclosed fostering an increased focus on this very central protein.
Geophysical Investigation and 3D Modeling of Bedrock Morphology in an Urban Sediment-Filled Basin: The Case of Bolzano (Northern Italy)
Authors: Giulia Sgattoni , Corrado Morelli , Giovanni Lattanzi , Silvia Castellaro , Maurizio Cucato , Werner Chwatal , Volkmar Mair
Published: May 2024

Bedrock mapping is essential for understanding seismic amplification, particularly in sediment-filled valleys or basins. However, this can be hard in urban environments. We conducted a geophysical investigation of the sediment-filled Bolzano basin in Northern Italy, where three valleys converge. This study uses low-impact, single-station geophysical methods suitable for urban areas to address the challenges of mapping in such environments. A dataset of 574 microtremor and gravity measurements, along with three seismic reflection lines, allows for the inference of the basin’s deep bedrock morphology, even without direct stratigraphic data. The dataset facilitates a detailed analysis of the spatial patterns of resonance frequencies and amplitudes, revealing 1D and 2D characteristics of the resonances. Notably, 2D resonances predominate along the Adige valley, i.e., the deepest part of the basin with depths up to 900 m. These 2D resonances, which cannot be interpreted through simple 1D frequency-depth relationships, are better understood by integrating gravity data to develop a depth model. The study identifies resonance frequencies ranging from 0.27 to over 3 Hz in Bolzano, affecting different building types during earthquakes. Maximum resonance amplitudes occur at lower frequencies, specifically at 2D resonance sites, therefore primarily impacting high structures. The 2D resonances are directional, with the most significant amplification occurring longitudinally along the valley axes. The resulting 3D bedrock model aids in seismic site response modeling, hydrogeological studies, and geothermal exploration and provides insights into the geological history of the basin, highlighting the role of the Adige Valley as a major drainage pathway.
Loggerhead Sea Turtles as Hosts of Diverse Bacterial and Fungal Communities
Authors: Filek Klara , Vuković Borna Branimir , Žižek Marta , Kanjer Lucija , Trotta Adriana , Di Bello Antonio , Corrente Marialaura , Bosak Sunčica
Published: May 2024

Research on microbial communities associated with wild animals provides a valuable reservoir of knowledge that could be used for enhancing their rehabilitation and conservation. The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a globally distributed species with its Mediterranean population categorized as least concern according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as a result of robust conservation efforts. In our study, we aimed to further understand their biology in relation to their associated microorganisms. We investigated epi- and endozoic bacterial and endozoic fungal communities of cloaca, oral mucosa, carapace biofilm. Samples obtained from 18 juvenile, subadult, and adult turtles as well as 8 respective enclosures, over a 3-year period, were analysed by amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and ITS2 region of nuclear ribosomal gene. Our results reveal a trend of decreasing diversity of distal gut bacterial communities with the age of turtles. Notably, Tenacibaculum species show higher relative abundance in juveniles than in adults. Differential abundances of taxa identified as Tenacibaculum, Moraxellaceae, Cardiobacteriaceae, and Campylobacter were observed in both cloacal and oral samples in addition to having distinct microbial compositions with Halioglobus taxa present only in oral samples. Fungal communities in loggerheads’ cloaca were diverse and varied significantly among individuals, differing from those of tank water. Our findings expand the known microbial diversity repertoire of loggerhead turtles, highlighting interesting taxa specific to individual body sites. This study provides a comprehensive view of the loggerhead sea turtle bacterial microbiota and marks the first report of distal gut fungal communities that contributes to establishing a baseline understanding of loggerhead sea turtle holobiont.