bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bridging the gap between green mindfulness and new green product success: the role of green adaptive ability and green human capital
Authors: Özgül Burcu
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of the present study is to reveal the antecedents of the new green product success (NGPS) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that manufacture in Türkiye with a middle-income economy. To this end, a research model for the serial mediating role of green human capital (GHC) and green adaptive ability (GAA) in the relationship between green mindfulness (GM) and NGPS was developed and tested. Determining the driving forces of NGPS is essential due to the contributions of SMEs manufacturing, especially in middle-income economies, such as Türkiye, to the national economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypothesized relationships. The study hypotheses were tested in a sample of 396 manufacturing enterprises, qualified as SMEs in Türkiye with ISO 14001 certificates.

Findings

Empirical evidence indicates that GM, GHC and GAA act as significant antecedents of NGPS. Furthermore, empirical evidence demonstrates that GHC and GAA, in turn, mediate the relationship between GM and NGPS.

Research limitations/implications

Managers, especially in manufacturing SMEs, should be aware that they need to develop intangible resources to improve NGPS. Increased investment in GM results in higher levels of GHC and GAA, which collectively leads to improved NGPS.

Originality/value

The current literature has not previously explained the mechanism of the relationship between GM and NGPS. The originality of the present study, which discusses the relevant research gap, is to develop an integrated framework to investigate how GM impacts NGPS, specifically for SMEs, and to test it empirically.
The role of social community in influencing purchase intention in live-streaming E-commerce: a social learning theory perspective
Authors: Yin Yuan , Bai Bingfeng , Xu Sihua
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Live-streaming platforms emphasize dynamic social interaction and fan engagement. Users integrate into the live-streaming community through continuous social learning activities, such as sending bullet comments, reviewing comments and interacting with celebrities. However, comprehensive research on the transactional intricacies of live-streaming e-commerce from the perspectives of community and learning is still lacking.

Design/methodology/approach

Focusing on the behavior characteristics of the reference group represented by online celebrities and fans in the live-streaming environment, this study utilized social learning as the theoretical basis to examine how reference groups affect consumer purchase intention through a series of intermediary effects. An empirical investigation and machine learning algorithms were utilized to explore and verify the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results show that: (1) reference groups’ behavior positively stimulated social presence and enhanced consumer purchase intention through the chain-mediating effect of social presence and trust in online celebrities; (2) celebrity characteristics (professionalism, attractiveness and interactivity) positively impacted consumer trust; (3) in addition, machine learning algorithms substantiated that reference groups’ behavior, social presence, trust and celebrity characteristics had a remarkably robust predictive effect on purchase intention.

Originality/value

These findings hold theoretical implications for understanding how the social community affects consumers’ purchase intention in the live-streaming context and practical significance for marketing strategies toward live-streaming e-commerce.
URBICIDAL ECONOMICS AND THE RACIAL GEOGRAPHIES OF TRIAGE
Authors: Ferrer Alexander , Kirk Richard
Published: January 2025

The contemporary urban system in the United States is characterized by the historic dominance of a few metropolitan regions often termed ‘superstar cities’, while the national political environment is increasingly polarized along urban–rural lines. Furthermore, both inter‐urban and intra‐urban difference in the US are deeply racialized, a fact that suffuses both critical and reactionary discourses which seek to explain and address differences in the conditions of cities and neighborhoods. We contend the dominant urban economic paradigm in the US concerned with the level of the urban system seems primed to produce recommendations that exacerbate, rather than ameliorate, these issues. Undertaking a critical discourse analysis of national urban economic policy recommendations, with a particular focus on the work of prominent economist Ed Glaeser, we argue economists abuse the spatial equilibrium models dominant within this field in service of constructing recommendations for urban triage that betray an urbicidal logic. Facially dispassionate and racially neutral recommendations that conclude the state should not invest in improving life conditions for residents of declining urban regions, other than to facilitate their outmigration, both rely on and reproduce latent racialized and stigmatizing discourses about the viability of subordinated and racialized urban places.
Living in a bubble with profound difficulties—parents' experiences of extremely preterm survivors
Authors: Hansson Malin , Pivodic Aldina , Löfqvist Chatarina , Sävman Karin , Hallberg Boubou , Ley David , Morsing Eva , Lundgren Pia , Gyllén Jenny , Pfeiffer‐Mosesson Carola , Hellström Ann
Published: January 2025

Aim

To analyse the challenges faced by parents of extremely preterm infants born before 24 weeks of gestation and the potential buffering effect of perceived resources on the family's health continuum.

Methods

The qualitative data were obtained from 70 parents of 70 infants born before 24 weeks of gestation, through open‐ended questions in a survey. An inductive content analysis was conducted to identify themes and patterns in the parents' experiences. To enhance the understanding of the findings, salutogenic theory was incorporated to contextualise the emerging patterns of resources and deficits.

Results

Parents described the neonatal care as exemplary. However, the integrated results showed that parents reported profound difficulties characterised as ‘living in a bubble’ with comprehensive neonatal care and varied access to support and participation. In addition, the parents had to manage a preterm born child with medical complexities and encountered significant barriers between care levels.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the need to improve support systems and address challenges for families of preterm born children. Enhancing collaboration between healthcare providers and families, identifying and overcoming barriers during care, and providing comprehensive support services are crucial. Addressing the parents' experienced deficits may mitigate potential adverse effects on family health outcomes.
To move or not to move? The effect of active versus passive pre‐training on cognitive load and in‐game performance in an AR game
Authors: Arztmann Michaela , Alfaro Jessica Lizeth Domínguez , Hornstra Lisette , Wong Jacqueline , Jeuring Johan , Kester Liesbeth
Published: January 2025

A distinct feature of educational games using augmented reality (AR) is that the game is played through physically interacting with the environment, whereas physical interaction is typically rather limited in other digital games. Understanding and performing the interactive game mechanics can be cognitively demanding. Adding pre‐training could help students manage cognitive load during in‐game performance. However, traditional approaches of pre‐training (eg, paper‐based or video sequences) might not be sufficient, given the crucial role of physical interactions in educational AR games. In the present study, primary and early secondary school students (N = 255) were randomly assigned to an active pre‐training, which involved students practising the movements needed in the game or a passive pre‐training, where students watched a video explaining the game. The aim was to investigate whether active pre‐training reduces students' cognitive load and improves in‐game performance. It was also examined whether these effects were dependent on students' visuospatial working memory capacity (WMC). Results showed no significant differences between the conditions regarding students' cognitive load and in‐game performance. However, visuospatial WMC predicted students' dropout of the game. This suggests that observing the movements in the passive pre‐training might be similarly effective as enacting the movements. Nevertheless, more research is needed to gain a better understanding of how different levels of WMC impact learning with educational AR games and how students with low visuospatial WMC can be efficiently supported.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Working memory capacity influences students' ability to successfully perform complex tasks.

Not every learning medium is equally effective for students with different levels of working memory capacity.

Pre‐training in educational games can support learning and increases the academic performance of students.

Educational games with AR can be cognitively demanding, since students need to understand the interactions with the used device in addition to the game content and mechanics.

It is unclear how to sufficiently support students in AR environments.

What this paper adds

Both active and passive pre‐training are equally effective.

Students with lower working memory capacity were more likely to drop out during the educational AR game than students with high working memory capacity.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Both practising and watching movements may be helpful for students to learn the relevant game mechanics to interact with the AR environment.

There are students who do not optimally benefit when AR games are implemented in education and may need additional support.
Deciphering recent transposition patterns in plants through comparison of 811 genome assemblies
Authors: Huang Yan , Sahu Sunil Kumar , Liu Xin
Published: January 2025

Transposable elements (TEs) are significant drivers of genome evolution, yet their recent dynamics and impacts within and among species, as well as the roles of host genes and non‐coding RNAs in the transposition process, remain elusive. With advancements in large‐scale pan‐genome sequencing and the development of open data sharing, large‐scale comparative genomics studies have become feasible. Here, we performed complete de novo TE annotations and identified active TEs in 310 plant genome assemblies across 119 species and seven crop populations. Using 811 high‐quality genomes, we detected 13 844 553 TE‐induced structural variants (TE‐SVs), providing unprecedented resolution in delineating recent TE activities. Our integrative analysis revealed a mutual evolutionary relationship between TEs and host genomes. On one hand, host genes and ncRNAs are involved in the transposition process, as evidenced by their colocalization and coactivation with TEs, and may play a role in chromatin regulation. On the other hand, TEs drive genetic innovation by promoting the duplication of host genes and inserting into regulatory regions. Moreover, genes influenced by active TEs are linked to plant growth, nutrient absorption, storage metabolism and environmental adaptation, aiding in crop domestication and adaptation. This TE dynamics atlas not only reveals evolutionary and functional features linked to transposition activity but also highlights the role of TEs in crop domestication and adaptation, paving the way for future exploration of TE‐mediated genome evolution and crop improvement strategies.
3D PRINTING STUDY FOR BATIK CANTING PATTERN DRAWING
Authors: Sh Mohd Firdaus  , Wan Syahiran  , Dzullijah Binti Ibrahim  , Hamid Yusuf  , Hazimi Ismail  , Samsul Setumin  , Adi Izhar  , Doddy Irawan  , Eko Julianto
Published: January 2025

The new 3D printing technology has opened an opportunity for rapid prototyping, providing a relatively fast and cost-efficient product development. Previous research on the automation of Batik Lukis technology has shown that 3D printing technologies are applicable avenues for customising the automation of batik patterns and design. The printability of batik wax, which is dependent on the printhead mechanism to expel the wax, and the extrudability of paste-type filling, which is dependent on the rheology of the wax itself, are two major issues in paste printing. The first difficulty addressed in this project is the mechanism for ejecting the batik wax paste into a predetermined design. Although there are widely accessible CNC machines for this purpose, such as the Batik Klowong Machine, which are popular in the markets, particularly in Indonesia, this project attempts to use 3D printing to print batik wax by changing the printhead mechanism. Results shows that low extrusion steps of 8 extrusion steps per millimeter are potentially good extrusion speeds for viscous fluid like canting cold wax. Even though the wax line barrier produced by 8 extrusion steps has some increment in width of 1 to 2 mm, the line produced seems relatively more consistent than any other extrusion steps.
Astrocyte proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus is suppressed across the lifespan of dystrophin‐deficient mdx mice
Authors: Stephenson Kimberley A. , Peters Polly , Rae Mark G. , O'Malley Dervla
Published: January 2025

Absence of the structural protein, dystrophin, results in the neuromuscular disorder Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). In addition to progressive skeletal muscle dysfunction, this multisystemic disorder can also result in cognitive deficits and behavioural changes that are likely to be consequences of dystrophin loss from central neurons and astrocytes. Dystrophin‐deficient mdx mice exhibit decreases in grey matter volume in the hippocampus, the brain region that encodes and consolidates memories, and this is exacerbated with ageing. To understand changes in cellular composition that might underpin these age‐related developments, we have compared neurogenesis and the prevalence of immunofluorescently identified newly born and mature neurons, astrocytes and microglia in the dentate gyrus of mdx and wild‐type mice at 2, 4, 8 and 16 months of age. The number of adult‐born neurons was suppressed in the dentate gyrus subgranular zone of 2‐month‐old mdx mice. However, the numbers of granule cells and GABAA receptor, alpha 1‐expressing cells were similar in wild‐type and mdx mice at all ages. Strikingly, the numbers of astrocytes, particularly in the dentate gyrus molecular layer, were suppressed in mdx mice at all time points. Thus, dystrophin loss was associated with reduced hippocampal neurogenesis in early life but did not impact the prevalence of mature neurons across the lifespan of mdx mice. In contrast, normal age‐related dentate gyrus astrocyte proliferation was suppressed in dystrophic mice. Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the brain and are crucial in supporting neuronal function, such that loss of these cells is likely to contribute to hippocampal dysfunction reported in mdx mice.
ZnO and ZnFe2O4-functionalized graphitic carbon nitride: An XPS study
Authors: Marchiori Giacomo , Brugia Mattia , Sturaro Tommaso , Benedet Mattia , Barreca Davide , Gasparotto Alberto , Rizzi Gian Andrea , Maccato Chiara
Published: January 2025

Composite materials based on graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) and decorated with either ZnO or ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) have been fabricated and tested as (photo)electrocatalysts for the ethanol oxidation reaction. In this work, we report on the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of two representative composite specimens, obtained by electrophoretic deposition of gCN on carbon cloth substrates, and subsequent functionalization with ZnO or ZnFe2O4 NPs by means of radio frequency-sputtering under mild conditions. In particular, the data reported herein include survey spectra and high-resolution scans for C 1s, N 1s, O 1s, Zn 2p, and Fe 2p regions, together with Zn LMM Auger peaks. The main spectral features are analyzed by comparatively discussing the resulting material properties.
Comment on “Dolphin and porpoise detections by the F-POD are not independent: Implications for sympatric species monitoring” [JASA Express Lett. 4, 031202 (2024)]
Authors: Tregenza Nicholas , Ivanchikova Julia
Published: January 2025

Dolphin and porpoise detections by the F-POD are not independent: Implications for sympatric species monitoring, Cosentino, Marcolin, Griffiths, Sánchez-Camí, and Tougaard [(2024). JASA Express Lett. 4, 031202] address a significant issue, the reliability of the discrimination of dolphins and porpoises in recordings of their acoustic clicks by F-POD loggers, but unfortunately present a misleading interpretation of the process and results. The issues raised are already stated in a published description of the relevant KERNO-F classifier. We hope this response will clarify both the acoustic issues and how they can be best addressed.
On the integral upper limit in the Laplace transform formulation for evaluating the half-space Green's function over an extended reacting plane
Authors: Gu Zhi-Wei , Zhang Xiao-Zheng , Zhang Yong-Bin , Bi Chuan-Xing
Published: January 2025

Th e Laplace transform formulation proposed by Di and Gilbert [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 93, 714–720 (1993)] is an efficient and accurate method for calculating the half-space Green's function. However, the integral upper limit required in this formulation has not been examined in the context of an extended reacting reflecting plane, which is a critical parameter influencing both the accuracy and efficiency of the formulation. In this article, the Laplace transform formulation is further explored, and a novel method is proposed for identifying the integral upper limit, which is verified through numerical studies.
Nanostructured Gd2O3:Yb Micropowder for Antibacterial Hyperthermia
Authors: Shcherbinin D. P. , Bulyga D. V. , Saraeva I. N. , Tolordava E. R. , Peunkov A. A. , Dolgintsev D. M. , Babkina A. N. , Ivanov A. V. , Kudryashov S. I.
Published: January 2025

A method has been proposed for photoinduced hyperthermia of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa using Gd2O3:Yb micropowder. It is based on the possibility of laser excitation of anti-Stokes luminescence on ytterbium ions in the gadolinium oxide micropowder, which allows us, on the one hand, to heat the powder to the required temperature and, on the other hand, to accurately control the powder temperature using remote luminescent thermometry. It has been demonstrated that the long-term irradiation of the Gd2O3:Yb micropowder with 1035-nm nanosecond laser radiation changes the shape of anti-Stokes luminescence spectra associated with micropowder heating in the range from 27 to 63°C. The application of the proposed photoinduced hyperthermia method to a mixture of solutions of the Gd2O3:Yb micropowder and P. aeruginosa bacteria demonstrates a decrease in the bacterial population by 90%.
Protocol for the development of a guideline on post-extubation respiratory support for mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU
Authors: Hu Xiaofang , Cheng Jie , Hou Jialu , Zhang Min , Han Yan , Tian Jinhui
Published: January 2025

Prophylactic respiratory support for patients after extubation is effective in improving their outcomes and prognosis. However, the optimal post-extubation respiratory support for different populations and disease types of mechanically ventilated patients remains controversial, and there is a lack of detailed, multidisciplinary, evidence-based recommendations for clinical application.

Methods and Analysis

This protocol strictly follows the development process outlined in the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development and Guidelines 2.0, as well as the guidelines for the development of relevant methodological standards. Key steps in developing the guideline include: (1) establishing the guideline working groups, (2) defining the scope of guideline application, (3) selecting the priority clinical questions, (4) retrieving and screening evidence, (5) grading the quality of evidence, (6) forming recommendations and (7) conducting an external review.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted by Changzhi People’s Hospital (2023K023). Findings from this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications.

Guideline registration

PREPARE-2023CN418.
Does semaglutide reduce alcohol intake in Danish patients with alcohol use disorder and comorbid obesity? Trial protocol of a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial (the SEMALCO trial)
Authors: Klausen Mette Kruse , Kuzey Tugba , Pedersen Julie Niemann , Justesen Signe Keller , Rasmussen Line , Knorr Ulla B , Mason Graeme , Ekstrøm Claus Thorn , Holst Jens Juul , Koob George , Benveniste Helene , Volkow Nora D , Knudsen Gitte M , Vilsbøll Tina , Fink-Jensen Anders
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a massive burden for the individual, relatives and society. Despite this, the treatment gap is wide compared with other mental health disorders. Treatment options are sparse, with only three Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved pharmacotherapies. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have shown promising effects in reducing alcohol consumption in preclinical experiments, and clinical trials are in high demand to investigate these potentially beneficial effects in patients diagnosed with AUD.

Methods and analysis

The effects of the once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide will be investigated in a 26-week, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial. 108 patients diagnosed with AUD and comorbid obesity (body mass index (BMI)≥30 kg/m
2
)) will be randomised to treatment with either semaglutide or placebo in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy. A subgroup of the patients will have structural, functional and neurochemical brain imaging performed at baseline and after 26 weeks of treatment.
The primary endpoint
is the reduction in heavy drinking days, defined as days with excess consumption of 48/60 g of alcohol per day (women and men, respectively).
Secondary endpoints
include changes from baseline to week 26 in alcohol consumption, smoking status, quality of life, fibrosis-4 score, plasma concentration of phosphatidylethanol, brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels, alcohol cue reactivity, functional connectivity and white matter tract integrity.

Status

Recruitment started in June 2023.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the Ethics Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark, the Danish Board of Health and the Danish Data Protection Agency. All patients will sign the written consent form before being included in the trial. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. After the results are published, all de-identified data will be available in the Mendeley database.

Trial registration number

NCT05895643
.
Identifying people with post-COVID condition using linked, population-based administrative health data from Manitoba, Canada: prevalence and predictors in a cohort of COVID-positive individuals
Authors: Katz Alan , Ekuma Okechukwu , Enns Jennifer E , Cavett Teresa , Singer Alexander , Sanchez-Ramirez Diana C , Keynan Yoav , Lix Lisa , Walld Randy , Yogendran Marina , Nickel Nathan C , Urquia Marcelo , Star Leona , Olafson Kendiss , Logsetty Sarvesh , Spiwak Rae , Waruk Jillian , Matharaarachichi Surani
Published: January 2025

Objective

Many individuals exposed to SARS-CoV-2 experience long-term symptoms as part of a syndrome called post-COVID condition (PCC). Research on PCC is still emerging but is urgently needed to support diagnosis, clinical treatment guidelines and health system resource allocation. In this study, we developed a method to identify PCC cases using administrative health data and report PCC prevalence and predictive factors in Manitoba, Canada.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Manitoba, Canada.

Participants

All Manitobans who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during population-wide PCR testing from March 2020 to December 2021 (n=66 365) and were subsequently deemed to have PCC based on International Classification of Disease-9/10 diagnostic codes and prescription drug codes (n=11 316). Additional PCC cases were identified using predictive modelling to assess patterns of health service use, including physician visits, emergency department visits and hospitalisation for any reason (n=4155).

Outcomes

We measured PCC prevalence as % PCC cases among Manitobans with positive tests and identified predictive factors associated with PCC by calculating odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals, adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (aOR).

Results

Among 66 365 Manitobans with positive tests, we identified 15 471 (23%) as having PCC. Being female (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.58 to 1.71), being age 60–79 (aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.41) or age 80+ (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.46 to 1.80), being hospitalised within 14 days of COVID-19 infection (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.80 to 2.10) and having a Charlson Comorbidity Index of 1+ (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.78 to 2.14) were predictive of PCC. Receiving 1+ doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (one dose, aOR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.86; two doses, aOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.31) decreased the odds of PCC.

Conclusions

This data-driven approach expands our understanding of the prevalence and epidemiology of PCC and may be applied in other jurisdictions with population-based data. The study provides additional insights into risk and protective factors for PCC to inform health system planning and service delivery.
Prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus among people with Middle Eastern backgrounds living in high-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Dimassi Ahmad , Lunnay Belinda , Aylward Paul , Tyndall Jessica , Ward Paul R
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This systematic review aims to assess the available evidence on the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Middle Eastern (ME) populations residing in high-income countries (HICs). The review focuses on two key aspects: (1) evaluating the efficacy of interventions for improving health outcomes and (2) examining the barriers to and facilitators of the implementation and effectiveness of interventions.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

MEDLINE, ProQuest Central and Scopus were searched between 10 September 2023 and 10 October 2023.

Eligibility criteria

Studies published in English from 2000 to 2023 involving ME populations residing in HICs who are prediabetic or at high risk of T2DM. Interventions included behavioural, pharmacological and educational strategies, with outcomes assessed in terms of diabetes incidence, lifestyle changes and healthcare utilisation, as well as barriers and facilitators of intervention effectiveness.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data were extracted and synthesised based on study design, geographical location, participant characteristics, type of approach and key outcomes. A narrative synthesis was used to identify patterns in intervention effectiveness, barriers (eg, cultural and gender norms, language) and facilitators (eg, family support, religious considerations).

Results

20 studies were included and categorised into two groups: interventional studies (randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs) and qualitative and cross-sectional studies. Interventional studies demonstrated significant improvements in health outcomes, including weight loss, increases in physical activity and improved cardiometabolic markers. Qualitative studies revealed important insights into the sociocultural factors facilitating T2DM prevention that must be considered for effective interventions, including gender norms, family dynamics (relations, interactions, etc) and religious beliefs, with barriers including language, lack of health insurance, unaffordable financial costs and social isolation.

Conclusions

This systematic review highlights the effectiveness of culturally sensitive interventions in preventing T2DM among ME populations in HICs. It emphasises a need for co-designed, culturally appropriate interventions that involve people from ME populations in HIC with lived experience of T2DM, healthcare providers and community stakeholders.

PROSPERO registration number

PROSPERO, CRD42023457123.
Diabetic foot ulcer photography study: a study within a trial to assess the reliability of two-dimensional (2D) photography for the assessment of ulcer healing in patients with diabetes-related foot ulcers—protocol paper
Authors: Brown Sarah Tess , Collier Howard , Askew Lucy , Gilberts Rachael Mary , Sharples Linda D , Nixon Jane , McGinnis Elizabeth , Backhouse Michael , Game Frances , Faulks Phil , Ransom Myka , Everett Colin Charles , Nelson E Andrea , Russell David
Published: January 2025

Background

The primary endpoint in diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU) trials is often time to healing, defined as complete re-epithelialisation with absence of drainage, requiring clinical expert assessment as the gold standard. Central blinded photograph review for confirmation of healing is increasingly being undertaken for internal validity. The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Photography study aims to determine the agreement between blinded independent review panel members for assessing ulcer healing status in patients with DFUs.

Methods and analysis

Photographs of ulcers clinically assessed as healed or not healed across 300 participants recruited to one of two randomised controlled trials (MIDFUT and CODIFI2), will be independently reviewed by a central blinded panel consisting of four clinicians with expertise in ulcer healing assessment. Staff at recruiting sites will take photographs using a standardised camera and protocol. Photographs will be reviewed at three levels of magnification: raw image, image standardised to a measurement scale included in the photograph and standardised image with magnification permitted. Reviewers will assess the healing status and their confidence level in making a healing judgement, with reasons reported for a low confidence rating. Analysis at each level of magnification will estimate inter- and intra-rater reliability on the assessments of healing of photographs with the clinical assessment (primary) and confidence rating using multivariable logistic mixed models. Analysis of the learning curve for the assessment of healing and confidence rating will use exponential and two-phase models.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been granted by the National Research Ethics Service Committees (MIDFUT 17/YH/0055; CODIFI2 18-WS-0235). All participants will provide a written informed consent for photography before recruited onto the respective study. Photographs will be transferred to the trials’ coordinating centre via a secure file transfer service and saved in a restricted access folder on a secure server. Results will be disseminated via publications in scientific journals and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

MIDFUT (ISRCTN64926597) and CODIFI2 (ISRCTN74929588).
3D-DaVa: Enhancing 3D Point Cloud Data Reliability for Industrial Applications
Authors: Videsjorden Adela , GOKNIL Arda , Sen Sagar , Husom Erik , Nguyen Phu
Published: January 2025

The escalating incorporation of three-dimensional (3D) point cloud data across industrial applications highlights the necessity of assuring its reliability. The error-prone process of object digitization, the large data volumes, and equipment inaccuracies can lead to the degradation of 3D point cloud data quality by introducing varying degrees of noise, outliers, and missing values. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a generally applicable, comprehensive, and robust solution to effectively validate the integrity of point cloud data and assess its quality. Such a solution would empower professionals to rely on this data for critical decision-making, covering applications within many domains, such as manufacturing, automotive, and robotics. In this paper, we propose, apply, and assess the 3D Point Cloud Data Validation (3D-DaVa) pipeline, an automated 3D data validation system incorporating statistical and machine learning techniques. The pipeline takes a point cloud and its reference as input and outputs accuracy, validity, and completeness scores. We demonstrated the efficacy of 3D-DaVa through a rigorous evaluation using both real-world manufacturing data and openly available data, where we deliberately introduced distortions covering five distortion levels by simulating common inaccuracies. The data quality assessment results obtained by varying distortion levels reveal a decreasing trend with a distortion increase, thus underscoring the 3D-DaVa’s capability to quantify such deviations accurately.
A Mathematica Package for Certifying the Nonexistence of Darboux Polynomials
Authors: Bridoux Maxime , Ghorbal Khalil
Published: January 2025

We present a Mathematica package to help investigate the existence of Darboux polynomials for (polynomial) ordinary differential equations (ODE). If we denote the derivation encoded by a given ODE by
D
, the package infers and propagates necessary conditions for a
generic
ansatz
p
to be a Darboux polynomial for
D.
By generic, we mean that not only the coefficients of
p
are unknown, but also the exponent
d
of its leading monomial. We present some examples for which the package produces a formal certificate proving the nonexistence of nontrivial Darboux polynomials. The package complements well standard algorithms that search for Darboux polynomials up to a fixed bound on the total degree.
The Impact of Health Insurance on Mortality
Authors: Levy Helen , Buchmueller Thomas C.
Published: January 2025

A 2008 review in the Annual Review of Public Health considered the question of whether health insurance improves health. The answer was a cautious yes because few studies provided convincing causal evidence. We revisit this question by focusing on a single outcome: mortality. Because of multiple high-quality studies published since 2008, which exploit new sources of quasi-experimental variation as well as new empirical approaches to evaluating older data, our answer is more definitive. Studies using different data sources and research designs provide credible evidence that health insurance coverage reduces mortality. The effects, which tend to be strongest for adults in middle age or older and for children, are generally evident shortly after coverage gains and grow over time. The evidence now unequivocally supports the conclusion that health insurance improves health.
Recommendations from Imaging, Oncology, and Radiology Organizations to Guide Management in Prostate Cancer: Summary of Current Recommendations
Authors: Mew Andy , Chau Eva , Bera Kaustav , Ramaiya Nikhil , Tirumani Sree Harsha
Published: January 2025

This review highlights both the consensus and variation in current imaging guidelines for the diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of prostate cancer, as well as the methods and expertise that these recommendations originate from.
In Situ Quantification of Transition Metal Cation Leaching from a Pt-Alloy Cathode Catalyst in a PEM Fuel Cell
Authors: Schilling Markus A. , Lazaridis Timon , Meier Vivian , Hanauer Matthias , Gasteiger Hubert A.
Published: January 2025

The application of Pt-alloy cathode catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is hampered by the leaching of the alloyed transition metal into the ionomer phase of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). To date, accelerated stress tests used to assess the degradation of Pt-alloy catalysts lack non-destructive, facile diagnostics to quantify transition metal leaching in an operating PEMFC. Here, we present a method based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy that exploits the high sensitivity of the high frequency resistance (HFR) at low relative humidity (RH) to quantify transition metal cation contamination. A series of model MEAs with varying fractions of protons intentionally exchanged by Co2+ cations was fabricated. Based on these, we identified the HFR at 30% RH and zero current (i.e., at a homogenous Co2+ distribution in the ionomer phase) as a robust measure of Co2+ contamination. A calibration curve that correlates the HFR at 30% RH to the fraction of protons displaced by Co2+ in the model MEAs could be established, which then allowed quantitative tracking of the Co leached from a PtxCo/C cathode catalyst, both at the beginning-of-test (∼6%) and after 100,000 voltage cycles (∼30%). Capabilities and limitations of this method for Pt-alloy catalyst testing are discussed.
L-type Calcium Channel Blockade Worsens Glucose Tolerance and β-Cell Function in C57BL6/J Mice Exposed to Intermittent Hypoxia
Authors: Chen-Cardenas Stanley M. , Baker Tess A. , Shimoda Larissa A. , Bernal-Mizrachi Ernesto , Punjabi Naresh M.
Published: January 2025

Intermittent hypoxemia (IH), a pathophysiologic consequence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), adversely affects insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and glucose tolerance. Nifedipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker frequently used for treatment of hypertension, can also impair insulin sensitivity and secretion. However, the cumulative and interactive repercussions of IH and nifedipine on glucose homeostasis have not been previously investigated. Adult male C57BL6/J mice were exposed to either nifedipine or vehicle concurrently with IH or intermittent air (IA) over five days. IH exposure entailed cycling fractional inspired oxygen levels between 0.21 and 0.055 at a rate of 60 events per hour. Nifedipine (20 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was administered via subcutaneous osmotic pumps resulting in four groups of mice: IA-vehicle (control), IA–nifedipine, and IH-vehicle, IH–nifedipine. Compared to IA (control), IH increased fasting glucose (Mean Δ:33.0 mg/dl; p<0.001) and insulin (mean Δ: 0.53 ng/ml; p<0.001) with nifedipine having no independent effect. Furthermore, glucose tolerance was worse with nifedipine alone, and IH further exacerbated the impairment in glucose disposal (p=0.013 for interaction). Nifedipine also decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and the insulinogenic index, with addition of IH attenuating those measures further. There were no discernible alterations in insulin biosynthesis/processing, insulin content, or islet morphology. These findings underscore the detrimental impact of IH on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, while highlighting that nifedipine exacerbates these disturbances through impaired β- cell function. Consequently, cautious use of L-type calcium channel blockers is warranted in OSA patients, particularly in those at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Nail involvement in pemphigus: a clinical and dermsocopic prospective study
Authors: Zaouak Anissa , Chamli Amal , Mgdoud Oumayma , Frioui Reka , Hammami Houda , Fenniche Samy
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Nail involvement in pemphigus (NIP) was considered as a rare finding and a predictor factor of severity of pemphigus. The diagnosis of NIP can be challenging, as it can be mistaken for other nail disorders. The aim of our study is to provide an overview of NIP, with a focus on the dermoscopy role to detect these nail changes.
Methods: A monocentric prospective study was performed from January 2018 to December 2022, investigating clinically and with a dermoscope NIP.
Results: Our study included 6 patients with NIP. The mean age was 53 years old. The average duration of the disease at presentation was 4.5 months. Five patients (83%) had pemphigus vulgaris and one patient was diagnosed with paraneoplastic pemphigus. In five cases (83%) the disease was severe with 4 cases having frequent exacerbations (66.7%). The average number of nails involved was 9. In 3 cases, only the fingernails were involved. The nail lesions were concomitant to the mucocutaneous lesions in half our cases. Onycholysis and subungual hemorrhage were the most frequent dermoscopic findings (83%). Paronychia and dyschromia were seen in 4 patients. In 3 cases, cuticular loss and onychomadesis were seen.
Conclusion: Dermoscopic features such as subungual hemorrhage, onycholysis and paronychia can help distinguish pemphigus-related nail changes from other conditions.
Primary Gamma Knife Radiosurgery as a Treatment Option for Hamartoma of Floor of Fourth Ventricle: A case report of Pediatric Hemifacial Spasm
Authors: Verma Onam , Tripathi Manjul , Shahid Adnan Hussain , Ahuja Chirag , Kumar Narendra , Saini Arushi Gahlot , Sahu Jitendra Kumar
Published: January 2025

Introduction
Pediatric hemifacial spasm (HFS) is rare, presenting early in infancy, and often fraught with subsequent psychomotor and intellectual deficits. Fourth ventricular hamartoma (FVH) is a rare cause of HFS with only 5 cases reported in literature. While Gamma-knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been used to treat hypothalamic hamartomas, this is the first case of FVH treated with primary GKRS.

Case Presentation
A two-year-old female presented with persistent episodes of hemifacial spasms and dystonic posturing with an early resistance to medication. Thorough radiological profiling of the fourth ventricular tumor is the suggested tentative diagnosis of FVH. The patient’s guardians refused surgical intervention and gave consent for GKRS aware of the lack of literature on its use in FVH. She underwent frame-based GKRS covering a total target volume of 0.986cc with 13Gy@50% with Leksell Perfexion. The patient showed a phasic response to GKRS with remarkable seizure control at a 1.5-year follow-up.

Conclusion
Previous studies have suggested that gelastic seizures of hypothalamic hamartoma are comparable to hemifacial spasms of FVH. Our case exemplifies another key similarity between the two, i.e., a near-congruent phasic response to GKRS. This hints at the underlying pathophysiology of HFS in similar pathologies and GKRS as a treatment option in select patients.
Prediction of pancreatic cancer risk in patients with new-onset diabetes
Authors: Khan Salman
Published: January 2025

Background: Pancreatic cancer remains the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States despite its lower incidence, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis. While early detection could double survival rates, screening the general population is not cost-effective due to low disease prevalence and technical limitations.
Summary: This review examines the relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer, highlighting how diabetes types differently impact cancer risk. New-onset diabetes triples pancreatic cancer risk compared to the general population, while long-standing diabetes doubles it. Several prediction models have been developed to identify high-risk individuals among new-onset diabetes patients, with recent models achieving AUCs up to 0.91. Current biomarkers like CA 19-9 show improved utility when combined with other clinical parameters, though they remain inadequate for general population screening. Cost-effectiveness analysis suggests screening becomes viable when three-year cancer incidence exceeds 2% and 25% of cases are detected at a localized stage.
Key Messages:
● New-onset diabetes presents a stronger risk factor for pancreatic cancer than long-standing diabetes
● Multiple prediction models show promise but face challenges with missing data and cross-population validation
● Integrated approaches combining clinical parameters, biomarkers, and machine learning offer the most promising path forward for early detection
● Current detection rates fall below cost-effectiveness thresholds, highlighting the need for improved screening strategies
High-throughput drug screening identifies SMAC mimetics as enhancers of NK cell cytotoxicity in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Nygren Petra Johanna , Bouhlal Jonas Otto Vilhelm , Jokinen Emmi , Forstén Sofia , Laajala Essi , Dias Diogo Artur Alves , Adnan Awad Shady , Ianevski Aleksandr , Klievink Jay , Lähteenmäki Hanna , Kuusanmäki Heikki , Myllymäki Mikko , Kasanen Tiina , Saeed Khalid , Lee Dean A , Flagship iCAN , Hjorth-Hansen Henrik , Aittokallio Tero , Dufva Olli , Mustjoki Satu
Published: January 2025

Natural killer (NK) cells have proven to be safe and effective immunotherapies, associated with favorable treatment responses in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Augmenting NK cell function with oncological drugs could improve NK cell-based immunotherapies. Here, we used a high-throughput drug screen consisting of over 500 small-molecule compounds to systematically evaluate the effects of oncological drugs on primary NK cells against CML cells. We identified SMAC mimetics as potent enhancers of NK cell cytotoxicity in both cell lines and primary patient samples. In contrast, several drug classes, including glucocorticoids and tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as dasatinib, inhibited NK cell cytotoxicity. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed drug-induced transcriptomic changes in both NK and target CML cells. SMAC mimetics upregulated NF-κB target genes in NK cells, potentially contributing to their enhanced cytotoxicity. Inhibitory drugs dexamethasone, dasatinib, and sotrastaurin prevented NK cell transition to an activated state and suppressed the expression of IFN-γ by NK cells, thus preventing IFN-γ mediated target cell transcriptomic response. In conclusion, we discovered that SMAC mimetics sensitize cancer cells to NK cell mediated killing, with potential clinical applications especially in patients with advanced phase CML.
Population dynamics modeling reveals that myeloid bias involves both HSC differentiation and progenitor proliferation biases
Authors: Singh Apeksha , Chia Jennifer J , Rao Dinesh S. , Hoffmann Alexander
Published: January 2025

Aging and chronic inflammation are associated with overabundant myeloid-primed multipotent progenitors (MPPs) amongst hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). While HSC differentiation bias has been considered a primary cause of myeloid bias, whether it is sufficient has not been quantitatively evaluated. Here, we analyzed bone marrow data from the IκB- (Nfkbia+/-Nfkbib-/-Nfkbie-/-) mouse model of inflammation with elevated NFκB activity, which shows increased myeloid-biased MPPs. We interpreted these data with differential equations models of population dynamics to identify alterations of HSPC proliferation and differentiation rates. This analysis revealed that short-term (ST) HSC differentiation bias alone is likely insufficient to account for the increase in myeloid-biased MPPs. To explore additional mechanisms, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) measurements of IκB- and wild-type HSPCs to track the continuous differentiation-trajectories from HSCs to erythrocyte/megakaryocyte, myeloid, and lymphoid primed progenitors. Fitting a partial differential equations model of population dynamics to these data revealed not only less lymphoid-fate specification amongst HSCs, but also increased expansion of early myeloid-primed progenitors. Differentially expressed genes along the differentiation-trajectories supported increased proliferation amongst these progenitors. These findings were conserved when wild-type HSPCs were transplanted into IκB- recipients, indicating that an inflamed bone marrow microenvironment is a sufficient driver. We then applied our analysis pipeline to scRNA-seq measurements of HSPCs isolated from aged mice, as well as human myeloid neoplasm patients. These analyses identified the same myeloid-primed progenitor expansion as in the IκB- models, suggesting that it is a common feature across different settings of myeloid bias.