bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acceptance of global positioning system (GPS) technology among artisanal fishers in the Central Region, Ghana: An extended technology acceptance model
Authors: Asante Isaac Kwasi , Kassah Jemimah Etornam , Ocran John Kwesi , Badu Eugenia B
Published: January 2025

The study examined the acceptance of global positioning system (GPS) technology among artisanal fishers in the Central Region of Ghana using the extended technology acceptance model. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 161 artisanal fishers using multistage sampling techniques. Descriptive statistics and partial least squares structural equation modelling were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that perceived usefulness and subjective norm significantly predicted 31% of the variation in behavioral intention of the fishers to adopt the GPS technology for fishing activities. Behavioral intention on the other hand accounted for 5% of the variance in the use behavior of the fishers in the Central Region. Therefore, extension agents should leverage on the inherent capabilities of the GPS technology, and the influence of family, friends, and canoe owners to improve on the adoption of the technology in order to improve on productivity, performance, and the effectiveness of fishing among artisanal fishers in the Central Region.
Report of a prostate abscess mistakenly diagnosed as benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Wu Zhihuang , Zhang Minjie , Wu Yangbiao
Published: January 2025

Given the intricacy involved in diagnosing prostatic abscess and the associated risk of severe complications, we present a case involving a 72-year-old male patient initially suspected of urinary retention due to benign prostatic enlargement, only to reveal multiple prostatic abscesses during surgical intervention. The objective is to raise awareness among clinicians regarding the potential presence of latent prostatic abscess and to prevent the occurrence of serious complications. Timely implementation of aggressive antimicrobial therapy and surgical drainage has been shown to significantly enhance patient prognosis and mitigate the risk of serious complications.
Recalcitrant tinea capitis in WHIM syndrome
Authors: Meltzer Jasmine C , Strong Jennifer , Martinez Sophia , Salancy Abigail , Adhanom Rutha , Cowen Edward W , Castelo-Soccio Leslie , Murphy Philip M , McDermott David H , Brownell Isaac
Published: January 2025

WHIM syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency typically caused by autosomal dominant activating mutations in the CXCR4 gene. WHIM refers to warts, hypogammaglobulinaemia, infections and myelokathexis, which are the primary phenotypes of the syndrome. Here we describe a case of tinea capitis in a patient with WHIM syndrome that was unresponsive to multiple systemic antifungal treatments for over 10 years. The patient’s recalcitrant tinea infection was ultimately cured after treatment with posaconazole. These findings suggest that the CXCR4 defects in WHIM syndrome may confer susceptibility to dermatophyte infections.
Sonographer Experiences of Interprofessional Ultrasound Education: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Cormack Carolynne J. , Childs Jessie , Kent Fiona
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) technology has evolved rapidly and is being embraced by many health professionals as a valuable clinical tool. Sonographers are now teaching ultrasound skills to other health professionals in the clinical setting, including doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, and physiotherapists. The purpose of this study was to understand the breadth of the opportunities, transitions, and challenges experienced by sonographer educators navigating new interprofessional teaching roles.

Methods:

Sonographers, who had participated in an initial phase Delphi study defining sonographer competencies in POCUS education, were invited to participate in a follow-up interview. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the interview data were thematically analyzed to understand the experiences and perceptions of participants.

Results:

Twenty sonographer educators were interviewed. Participants were clinically experienced sonographers from Australia and New Zealand with diverse professional experience in clinical teaching, university academic, ultrasound leadership, health management, and corporate roles. The transition to teaching interprofessional cohorts of learners in different clinical settings was substantial. The experiences of sonographers undertaking these new roles were described under the themes of “sonographer perceptions”; “educator knowledge”; “understanding learners”; “teaching dynamics”; and “ultrasound evolution.”

Conclusion:

This study is the first to describe the experiences of sonographers engaged in interprofessional POCUS teaching. The results provide insight into the training needs of sonographers in this emerging area and will be used to inform the development of continuing education resources.
Simplified Technique for Correcting Intraocular Lens Decentration in Scleral-Sutured Fixation Surgery
Authors: Shi Jiemei , Zong Yuan , Wu Kaicheng , Jiang Chunhui
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

To describe a simplified technique for correcting intraocular lens (IOL) decentration during scleral-sutured IOL fixation surgery.

Methods:

During surgery, Purkinje images were utilized to assess IOL positioning. A straightforward IOL decentration adjustment technique was employed when necessary. Patients in whom IOL position were corrected and who were followed up for at least three months after surgery were included in the study.

Results:

From June 2023 to February 2024, six patients with noticeable IOL decentration were successfully treated using this technique. After a mean follow-up of 3.17 ± 0.37 months, there was a significant change in spherical equivalent (preoperative +10.55 ± 2.48 D, postoperative -1.58 ± 2.19 D). While the best-corrected visual acuity, refractive cylinder, intraocular pressure, and corneal endothelium density remained unchanged. Importantly, the IOL was well-centered in all six patients, with average horizontal and vertical IOL decentration of 0.21 ± 0.16 mm and 0.20 ± 0.15 mm, respectively.

Conclusion:

This simple IOL decentration correction technique demonstrated favorable results and may enhance IOL positioning in scleral fixation procedures.
Combined Pars Plana Vitrectomy and Novel Scleral Fixation of the Light Adjustable Lens
Authors: Ton Nhuong-Sao , Kruger Matthew , Adam Murtaza K.
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

The light adjustable lens (LAL) (RxSight, Aliso Viejo, CA) is a premium intraocular lens that allows for correction of residual refractive error and astigmatism following implantation. Herein, we describe the surgical approach and evaluate the visual outcomes of patients following scleral fixation of the LAL.

Methods:

Retrospective, single-surgeon surgical case series of 3 patients (3 eyes) with intraocular lens complications, who underwent combined pars plana vitrectomy and sutureless needle assisted intrascleral haptic fixation of the LAL between April 2022, to August 2023.

Results:

A total of 3 patients (73.3 ± 4.4 years) underwent off-label application of sutureless intrascleral haptic fixation of the LAL. Indications for surgery included pseudophacodonesis (N=1), dislocated subluxed IOL with secondary vitreous hemorrhage (N=1), and multifocal IOL intolerance (N=1). Preoperative average visual acuity of 0.2 ± 0.1 (20/30) LogMAR improved to 0.03 ± 0.03 LogMAR (20/20) at 1 month follow-up after LAL ultraviolet light treatments. Preoperative sphere of +0.25 ± 0.9 improved to +0.0 ± 0.0 and preoperative cylinder of +0.4 ± 0.4 improved to +0.0 ± 0.0 postoperatively. No surgical complications were noted.

Conclusion:

Scleral fixation of the LAL is a viable option for eyes without capsular support to maximize postoperative uncorrected visual acuity outcomes.
Drusen Regression Following Macular Hole Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Berzack Shannan , Parekh Prashant K.
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

To report a case of drusen regression following pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peel (ILMP) in a patient with a full-thickness macular hole and dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods:

A 67-year-old gentleman presented in April 2024 with a full-thickness macular hole in OS and intermediate dry AMD OU. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy, ILMP, and an injection of sulfur hexafluoride gas for macular hole repair in OS. The patient’s macular changes were monitored through visual acuity, fundus examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging at baseline and follow-up visits.

Results:

The macular hole was closed and there was early stability of the macular drusen in OU. At a five-month follow-up in September 2024, he reported improved vision from 20/100 baseline to 20/40. Fundus examination as well as OCT imaging demonstrated a significant reduction of macular drusen in the operated eye, which was not observed in the fellow eye.

Conclusion:

This case demonstrates successful surgical management of a full-thickness macular hole in a patient with concomitant drusen regression. The regression of drusen was limited to the operated eye, which suggests that surgical interventions may influence the course of AMD in certain patients.
Impact of Glaucoma Surgery on Corneal Graft Survival After Keratoplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tawfik Abdelrahman M. , Kasem Rawan A. , Wesh Zeyad M. , Abo Daif Sara M. , Elmansoury Abdulla Aly , Korish Raouf , Bazzazeh Mohammad , Chen Kai-Yang , Ramadan Alaa , Attalla Almoatazbellah A. , GabAllah Nada M.
Published: January 2025

Precis:

Glaucoma surgery impacts corneal graft survival differently by procedure type, with GDDs being most effective at reducing intraocular pressure. However, graft survival rates are comparable across trabeculectomy, CPC, and GDDs. Trabeculectomy improves visual acuity best but often requires additional interventions.

Purpose:

To investigate the impact of different glaucoma procedures on corneal graft survival and corneal endothelium health.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify eligible studies. Studies were included based on predetermined criteria. The primary outcome was corneal graft survival, and secondary outcomes included intraocular pressure (IOP) control, visual acuity, antiglaucoma medications, additional glaucoma surgery, and postoperative complications. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models, and heterogeneity was assessed using the (I2) test.

Results:

Our results included 27 studies involving 905 patients were analyzed. However, there were no randomized comparative studies. The overall proportion of corneal graft survival at last follow-up was 66.4%, with the three subgroups of trabeculectomy, cyclophotocoagulation (CPC), and Glaucoma drainage devices (GDD) showing similar survival rates of 66.6%, 64.8%, and 65.6%, respectively. Short term graft survival (6 months) was similar across groups, however 2-year survival favoured trabeculectomy. GDDs were the most effective in reducing IOP with an average reduction of 21.4 mmHg compared to 18.9 mmHg for trabeculectomy and 14.8 mmHg for CPC. CPC yielded the best improvement in visual acuity reported as BCVA. GDD required the fewest postoperative antiglaucoma medications. Trabeculectomy had the highest proportion of patients needing additional surgery for glaucoma. The most common complications were hypotony, uveitis and tube obstruction.

Conclusion:

There were no significant differences in corneal graft survival rates among various glaucoma surgical techniques, but these findings must be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of primary research. GDDs effectively reduced IOP and minimized the need for antiglaucoma medications. Trabeculectomy may be associated with the greatest visual acuity improvement but may carry a higher likelihood of requiring further glaucoma surgery.
Mechanisms of increased pain discrimination by contingent reinforcement: a perceptual decision-making and instrumental learning account
Authors: Hubschmid Fabrice , Flury Melissa Luna , Löffler Martin , Desch Simon , Becker Susanne
Published: January 2025

Recent evidence highlights that monetary rewards can increase the precision at which healthy human volunteers can detect small changes in the intensity of thermal noxious stimuli, contradicting the idea that rewards exert a broad inhibiting influence on pain perception. This effect was stronger with contingent rewards compared with noncontingent rewards, suggesting a successful learning process. In the present study, we implemented a model comparison approach that aimed to improve our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie thermal noxious discrimination in humans. In a between-subject design, 54 healthy human volunteers took part in a pain discrimination task with monetary rewards either contingent or noncontingent on successful discrimination of small changes in the intensity painful heat stimulation. We used models from 2 traditions in decision-making research, perceptual decision-making, and instrumental learning. Replicating the previous findings, only rewards contingent on behavior enhanced pain discrimination. Drift diffusion modelling revealed increased sensory signal strength and decreased response caution and nondecision times as mechanisms underlying this effect of contingent rewards on pain discrimination. In addition, reinforcement learning models indicated a temporal evolution of discriminative abilities reflected by a trial-by-trial increase of perceived signal strength only with contingent rewards but not with noncontingent rewards. Modelling of separate learning rates for positive and negative prediction errors indicated that this temporal evolution of discriminative abilities was driven by positive reward prediction errors. These results might indicate increased sensitivity towards better-than-expected outcomes in the temporal adaptation of pain discrimination abilities to a rewarding context in humans.
Incidence of chronic pelvic pain after childbirth and its causal association with C-section
Authors: Sousa Shimamura Lia Keiko , Bettiol Heloisa , Moura da Silva Antonio Augusto , Nogueira Antonio Alberto , Barbieri Marco Antonio , Rosa-e-Silva Júlio César , Poli-Neto Omero Benedicto
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to report the incidence of chronic pelvic pain in women 12 to 24 months postpartum, to identify the independently associated factors, and to conduct a causal inference with C-section as the exposure. This was a cross-sectional study nested within 2 distinct prospective cohorts from 2 Brazilian cities. Chronic pelvic pain was the dependent variable. Independent variables were collected. Fisher exact test or Pearson χ2 test and t test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test were performed as appropriate, with P-values adjusted. Data were assumed to be missing at random, and multivariate imputation by chained equations was performed. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using complete cases. Multicollinearity was assessed by computing the variance inflation factor. Binomial logistic regression was used to obtain an interpretable model. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used as measurements. A directed acyclic graph was used for causal inference. A total of 2160 women were included. The incidence of chronic pelvic pain was 12.7%. C-sections doubled the odds of developing chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Additional factors associated with increased odds included city of birth, feelings of discrimination, severe symptoms of anxiety, dissatisfaction with the care received during childbirth, and mental suffering. Women who underwent C-sections had a 6.1% higher incidence of CPP compared to those who did not undergo the procedure. The incidence of CPP postpartum is high, and there is a potential causal effect of C-sections. City of birth, discrimination, anxiety, dissatisfaction with the care, and mental suffering were also associated with an increased odds.
Alport syndrome: an update
Authors: Savige Judy
Published: January 2025

Purpose of review

The recent widespread availability of genetic testing has resulted in the diagnosis of many more people with Alport syndrome. This increased recognition has been paralleled by advances in understanding clinical consequences, genotype-phenotype correlations and in the development of new therapies.

Recent findings

These include the international call for a change of name to ‘Alport spectrum’ which better reflects the diverse clinical features seen with autosomal dominant and X-linked Alport syndrome; the demonstration of how common Alport syndrome is in people with haematuria, proteinuria, or kidney failure; the inability of current genetic testing to detect all pathogenic variants in suspected Alport syndrome; the different genotype-phenotype correlations for autosomal dominant and X-linked disease; and the novel treatments that are available including SGLT2 inhibitors for persistent albuminuria despite renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blockade, as well as early studies of gene-modifying agents.

Autosomal dominant Alport syndrome is the commonest genetic kidney disease and X-linked Alport syndrome is the second commonest genetic cause of kidney failure. Both these diseases are frequently seen in the renal clinic, and clinicians should be aware of their likelihood in a person with persistent glomerular haematuria, proteinuria or kidney failure. Autosomal dominant Alport syndrome is so common that it also occurs coincidentally in other kidney diseases especially IgA nephropathy.
The Healing Power of Gratitude
Authors: Zimmermann Deborah
Published: January 2025

Gratitude is a powerful emotion. In healthcare, where patients and families navigate the complexities of illness and recovery, expressing gratitude can become a significant force for healing and connection. The DAISY Award, established to honor the extraordinary compassion and skill of nurses, has become a conduit through which patients and families can articulate their appreciation. This column explores how expressions of gratitude facilitate healing for patients and families, highlight meaningful care attributes, and foster a deeper connection to the healthcare organization.
Hourglass Constriction of a Single Fascicle of the Anterior Interosseous Nerve
Authors: Sreedharan Sadhishaan , Shukla Lipi , Edmondson Mark , Ferris Scott
Published: January 2025

Hourglass fascicular constrictions have been reported in fewer than 100 cases globally and only in the upper limb. The etiology remains unknown. Patients often present with self-limiting pain in the affected limb followed by flaccid paralysis. As the external architecture of the nerve remains normal on traditional radiological studies, the diagnosis can be missed. The purpose of this case report is to describe this rare clinical entity and a successful treatment approach including ultrasound localization and targeted intraneural microsurgical neurolysis followed by excellent functional recovery.
Predictors for clinically significant prostate cancer detection: Insights from transperineal software-assisted fusion biopsy and transperineal cognitive fusion biopsy
Authors: Jong Bor-En , Lo Chi-Wen , Yang Stephen Shei-Dei , Yu Chih-Chin , Hsu Chun-Kai , Li Ming-Wei , Tseng Shen-Shiou , Tsai Pin-Hsuan , Chou Yi-Ju , Chang Chia-Lun , Tsai Yao-Chou
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

To compare the effectiveness of transperineal software-assisted fusion biopsy (TSAFB) and transperineal cognitive fusion biopsy (TCFB) in identifying predictors for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa).

Materials and methods:

Conducted from December 2022 to December 2023 at a single center, this retrospective cohort study included male patients with prostate-specific antigen levels >4 ng/mL or positive digital rectal examination findings and suspicious lesions on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Prostate Imaging and Reporting Data System ≥3). The study compared TSAFB using the KOELIS Trinity MRI TPUS Biopsy System with TCFB. The primary outcome was the detection rate of csPCa. Secondary outcomes included the detection rate of clinically insignificant prostate cancer (cisPCa) and the overall detection rate combining csPCa and cisPCa.

Results:

The study analyzed 31 TSAFB and 17 TCFB procedures. Baseline demographic and clinical parameters showed no significant differences between the cohorts. TSAFB had higher median total and targeted core counts. Both TSAFB and TCFB demonstrated similar detection rates for prostate cancer, csPCa, and cisPCa. Adopting a targeted-only strategy with TCFB led to nearly 20% of cancers going undetected. Logistic regression identified prostate-specific antigen density >15% and lesion/prostate ratio as significant predictors for csPCa detection.

Conclusion:

TSAFB and TCFB are comparably effective in detecting csPCa. Prostate-specific antigen density >15% and lesion/prostate ratio as strong predictors for csPCa detection highlights the importance of high-quality imaging modalities such as 3T MRI for precise volume measurements of the prostate and lesions. Nevertheless, the study underscores the critical importance of incorporating systematic biopsies in TCFB to avoid missing prostate cancer cases.
Modelling host–pathogen interactions: Galleria mellonella as a platform to study Pseudomonas aeruginosa response to host-imposed zinc starvation
Authors: Michetti Emma , Mandava Tulasi Abinya , Secli Valerio , Pacello Francesca , Battistoni Andrea , Ammendola Serena
Published: January 2025

Nutritional immunity, a key component of the vertebrate innate immune response, involves the modulation of zinc availability to limit the growth of pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa counteracts host-imposed zinc starvation through metabolic adaptations, including reprogramming of gene expression and activating efficient metal uptake systems. To unravel how zinc shortage contributes to the complexity of bacterial adaptation to the host environment, it is critical to use model systems that mimic fundamental features of P. aeruginosa-related diseases in humans. Among available animal models, Galleria mellonella has recently emerged as a promising alternative to mammalian hosts. This study aims to evaluate whether G. mellonella can recapitulate the zinc-related nutritional immunity responses observed in mammalian infections. Our results show that, upon P. aeruginosa infection, the larvae upregulate several zinc transporters, suggesting an active redistribution of the metal in response to the pathogen. Additionally, P. aeruginosa colonizing the larvae induces Zn uptake regulator-controlled genes, consistent with bacterial adaptation to zinc starvation. Disruption of bacterial zinc uptake capability significantly reduces P. aeruginosa virulence, underscoring the importance of zinc acquisition in pathogenesis also within this model host. As a proof of concept, we also demonstrate that this in vivo model can serve as a viable preliminary screening tool to unveil novel players involved in P. aeruginosa response to zinc starvation, offering valuable insights into the host–pathogen battle for micronutrients.
AI.zymes – A modular platform for evolutionary enzyme design
Authors: Merlicek Lucas Primus , Neumann Jannik , Lear Abbie , Degiorgi Vivian , de Waal Moor , Cotet Tudor-Stefan , Mulholland Adrian J. , Bunzel Hans Adrian
Published: January 2025

The ability to create new-to-nature enzymes would substantially advance bioengineering, medicine, and the chemical industry. Despite recent breakthroughs in protein design and structure prediction, designing biocatalysts with activities rivaling those of natural enzymes remains challenging. Here, we present AI.zymes, a modular platform integrating cutting-edge protein engineering algorithms within an evolutionary framework. By combining programs such as Rosetta, ESMFold, ProteinMPNN, and FieldTools in iterative rounds of design and selection, AI.zymes optimizes a broad range of catalytically relevant properties, such as transition state affinity and protein stability. Notably, AI.zymes can also improve properties that are not targeted by the employed design algorithms. For instance, AI.zymes enhanced electrostatic catalysis by iteratively selecting variants with stronger catalytic electric fields. AI.zymes was benchmarked by improving the promiscuous Kemp eliminase activity of ketosteroid isomerase, yielding a 7.7-fold increase in activity after zero-shot experimental validation of only 7 variants. Due to its modularity, AI.zymes can readily incorporate emerging design algorithms, paving the way for a unifying framework for enzyme design.
Phase transitions in
H2−HD−D2
mixtures up to 350 GPa
Authors: Xu Haian , Xu Wan , Wang Pu , Liu Lin , Liu Xiao-Di , Gregoryanz Eugene
Published: January 2025

Utilizing the high-pressure low-temperature Raman and optical transmission/absorption spectroscopies, we have mapped out the phase diagram of H2-HD-D2 alloy with the initial H:D concentration 50:50 up to 350 GPa between 10 and 300 K. We followed the phase lines between all known solid phases [I, II, III, IV, and IV′ (IV+V)] of pure H2 and D2 constraining their locations in the wide space. We trace the phase boundary separating phases III and IV(IV′)/V demonstrating that this phase line has a steep negative slope (−0.95 K/GPa), which becomes shallower at above 250 GPa (−0.55 K/GPa). The phase line follows the trend observed in the pure species. Additionally, we find that the band gap of the mixture between 300 and 360 GPa is close to those of the pure species suggesting that alloying one isotope by another would not significantly shift the metallization pressure. These observations imply that hydrogen deuteride (HD) has very similar properties to those exhibited by the pure species.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
What we can learn from the angular differential rates from semileptonic
B→D*ℓνℓ
decays
Authors: Martinelli G. , Simula S. , Vittorio L.
Published: January 2025

We present a simple approach to the study of semileptonic B→D*ℓνℓ decays based on the angular distributions of the final state particles only. Our approach is model independent and never requires the knowledge of |Vcb|. By studying such distributions in the case of light leptons, a comparison between results from different datasets from the Belle and BelleII Collaborations and between data and Standard Model calculations is also given for several interesting quantities. A good consistency is observed between some of the experimental results and the theoretical predictions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Maximally entangled gluons for any
x
Authors: Hatta Yoshitaka , Montgomery Jake
Published: January 2025

Individual quarks and gluons at small x inside an unpolarized hadron can be regarded as Bell states in which qubits in the spin and orbital angular momentum spaces are maximally entangled. Using the machinery of quantum information science, we generalize this observation to all values 0<x<1 and describe gluons (but not quarks) as maximally entangled states between a qubit and a qudit. We introduce the conditional probability distribution P(lz|sz) of a gluon’s orbital angular momentum lz given its helicity sz. Restricting to the three states lz=0,±1, which constitute a qutrit, we explicitly compute

P

as a function of x.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Do finite density effects jeopardize axion nucleophobia in supernovae?
Authors: Di Luzio Luca , Fiorentino Vincenzo , Giannotti Maurizio , Mescia Federico , Nardi Enrico
Published: January 2025

Nucleophobic axion models, wherein axion couplings to both protons and neutrons are simultaneously suppressed, can relax the stringent constraints from SN 1987A. However, it remains uncertain whether these models maintain their nucleophobic property under the influence of finite baryon density effects. These are especially relevant in astrophysical environments near saturation density, such as supernovae (SNe). In this study, we demonstrate that the nucleophobic solution remains viable also at finite density. Furthermore, we show that the SN axion bound relaxes significantly in nucleophobic models, even when accounting for the integration over the nonhomogeneous environment of the SN core.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Rarity of precession and higher-order multipoles in gravitational waves from merging binary black holes
Authors: Hoy Charlie , Fairhurst Stephen , Mandel Ilya
Published: January 2025

The latest binary black hole population estimates argue for a subpopulation of unequal component mass binaries with spins that are likely small but isotropically distributed. This implies a nonzero probability of detecting spin-induced orbital precession and higher order multipole moments in the observed gravitational-wave signals. In this work we directly calculate the probability for precession and higher-order multipoles in each significant gravitational-wave candidate observed by the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaborations. We find that only one event shows substantial evidence for precession: GW200129_065458, and two events show substantial evidence for higher-order multipoles: GW190412 and GW190814; any evidence for precession and higher-order multipole moments in other gravitational-wave signals is consistent with random fluctuations caused by noise. We then compare our observations with expectations from population models, and confirm that current population estimates from the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaborations accurately predict the number of observed events with significant evidence for precession and higher-order multipoles. In particular, we find that this population model predicts that a binary with significant evidence for precession will occur once in every ∼50 detections, and a binary with significant evidence for higher-order multipoles will occur once in every ∼70 observations. However, we emphasize that since substantial evidence for precession and higher-order multipoles have only been observed in three events, any population model that includes a subpopulation of binaries yielding ∼2% of events with detectable precession and higher-order multipole moments will likely be consistent with the data.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Single Kerr-Schild metric for Taub-NUT instanton
Authors: Kim Joon-Hwi
Published: January 2025

It is shown that a complex coordinate transformation maps the Taub-Newman-Unti-Tamburino instanton metric to a Kerr-Schild metric. This metric involves a semi-infinite line defect as the gravitational analog of the Dirac string, much like the original metric. Moreover, it facilitates three versions of classical double copy correspondence with the self-dual dyon in electromagnetism, one of which involves a nonlocal operator. The relevance to the Newman-Janis algorithm is briefly noted.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Image classification with rotation-invariant variational quantum circuits
Authors: Sein Paul San Sebastian , Cañizo Mikel , Orús Román
Published: January 2025

Variational quantum algorithms are gaining attention as an early application of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. One of the main problems of variational methods lies in the phenomenon of , present in the optimization of variational parameters. Adding geometric inductive bias to the quantum models has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate this problem, leading to a new field called geometric quantum machine learning. In this work, an equivariant architecture for variational quantum classifiers is introduced to create a label-invariant model for image classification with C4 rotational label symmetry. The equivariant circuit is benchmarked against two different architectures, and it is experimentally observed that the geometric approach boosts the model's performance. Finally, a classical equivariant convolution operation is proposed to extend the quantum model for the processing of larger images, employing the resources available in NISQ devices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Understanding the effect of galvanic corrosion on the sulfide stress corrosion cracking of X80/Inconel 625 weld overlay
Authors: Liu Bosheng , Zhang Yan , Wang Qinying , Liu Li , Dong Lijin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of galvanic corrosion on the sulfide stress corrosion cracking (SSCC) of X80/Inconel 625 weld overlay by altering the cathode/anode area ratios, Na2S2O3 concentrations and temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of galvanic corrosion on X80/Inconel 625 weld overlay SSCC were investigated by immersion test, galvanic corrosion current test, electrochemical measurement, four-point bending experiment, hydrogen permeation experiment and scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

The anodic dissolution of the fusion boundary was enhanced as the cathode/anode area ratio increased, which is necessary for the SSCC of the X80/Inconel 625 weld overlay. However, severe galvanic corrosion reduced the SSCC susceptibility. The SSCC susceptibility showed a linear increase with Na2S2O3 concentration in the range of 10−4 ∼ 10−2 mol/L. However, further increasing the Na2S2O3 concentration to 10−1 mol/L resulted in the disappearance of SSCC. This is likely because sufficient hydrogen was required for SSCC initiation even under severe anodic dissolution conditions, which was further supported by the reduced SSCC susceptivity at elevated temperatures.

Originality/value

Limited studies aim to establish the relationship between the galvanic corrosion and SSCC of welded joints through altering the cathode/anode area ratios, Na2S2O3 concentrations and temperatures. This work will pave the way for understanding the effect of galvanic corrosion on the SSCC of dissimilar weld joints.
The role of intuition and rationality in the causation-effectuation decision-making puzzle
Authors: Zimmermann Clarice , de Vasconcellos Silvio Luis , Faccin Kadigia , Tontini Gerson , Parente Ronaldo Couto
Published: January 2025

Purpose

We aim to explore the role of the interplay between intuition and rationality in the causation-effectuation decision-making processes of small creative businesses during their international expansion.

Design/methodology/approach

We developed process research to investigate the causation-effectuation decision-making processes during the internationalization of a creativity-intensive small business located in Brazil. In just three years, its cartoon reached screens in 80 countries.

Findings

We discovered an orthogonal relationship between causation and effectuation moderated by the balance between intuition and rationality, enabling small creative businesses to successfully navigate internationalization by adapting to contractual demands and exploring creative opportunities. To explain these relationships, we offer five process-based propositions for further studies.

Research limitations/implications

We reconstructed the internationalization process based on retrospective interviews, so eliminating all biases from rationalization may have been impossible. We elucidate the interrelationship between causation-effectuation decision-making logic and demystify that decision-making effectuation logic is predominantly intuitive. We provide evidence that rational thinking permeates the entire decision-making process as a process of building the future.

Practical implications

Understanding causation-effectuation decision-making processes in creativity-intensive small businesses can be helpful for other businesses because they nurture production on a large scale.

Social implications

The study emphasizes the importance of creativity-intensive small businesses to countries’ economies. Creativity-intensive businesses grow in other industries and generate many jobs in mature industries.

Originality/value

We demystify the decision-making assumption that effectuation logic is predominantly intuitive while causation logic is rational. Instead, we show that these logics coexist and interact orthogonally and dynamically.
Understanding novice school leaders’ turnover intentions: the role of leadership dynamics
Authors: Richard Tobias
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study investigated how leader characteristics, interpersonal dynamics, and situational context may predict turnover intentions among novice principals and assistant principals.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was administered to 1,945 novice school leaders in Sweden. Linear regression analysis was conducted to identify factors contributing to turnover intentions and to compare the predictive influences between principals and assistant principals.

Findings

The results indicate that leader characteristics such as gender, emotional stability and self-efficacy, interpersonal dynamics like trust and emotional containment and situational context factors including role demands and managerial support, significantly shape turnover intentions. The overall pattern of factors influencing turnover intentions was similar for both principals and assistant principals, with some differences observed.

Practical implications

The study underscores the limitations of one-dimensional strategies, advocating for a comprehensive approach to enhancing school leader retention. Effective interventions should address individual attributes, foster trust within teams and strengthen organizational support structures.

Originality/value

This research provides fresh insights into the turnover intentions of novice school leaders, emphasizing that a combination of factors across different domains predicts turnover intentions. The findings support the development of multi-faceted, context-sensitive strategies for retaining school leaders.
Examining integrated care training and practice implementation within academic medical settings: perceptions, attitudes and barriers
Authors: Lister Holly , Toto Anna Marie , Marcello Stephanie , O’Kane Thomas , Hilton Katie
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Integrated care (IC) improves patient outcomes, patient and provider experiences and healthcare costs. Still, education and interprofessional experiential training in IC is limited. There is a lack of studies examining current practices, perceptions and barriers to implementing IC training. Specifically, no studies to date assess training and practice across multiple health professions and roles (student/faculty/clinicians) within an academic medical institution or university, a gap this study sought to address.

Design/methodology/approach

This cross-sectional study examined current clinical and training practices, attitudes about IC and barriers to IC practice, learning and training through a survey distributed to faculty, clinicians and students (n = 220) in nine departments of health professions within a large academic health system.

Findings

The majority of respondents reported that activities promoting IC occur often, including consultation with other professions in patient care settings, incorporation of IC concepts into teachings and interprofessional learning opportunities. Respondents endorsed willingness to practice IC, high perceived benefits of IC on patient outcomes and cultural benefits of IC. The most strongly endorsed barriers were related to resources and organizational culture. Knowledge barriers were not strongly endorsed.

Originality/value

In the most comprehensive study of attitudes toward IC to date, clinicians, students and faculty alike endorsed favorable attitudes about IC, supporting the acceptability of incorporating IC education and training into curricula. IC is seen as enhancing experiences, competence and professional marketability of providers-in-training, indicating it is a desired focus of future practice for many healthcare providers.
How do digital knowledge resources affect the carbon emission intensity of the pig industry?
Authors: Xie Yanhua , Yang Yimin , Yang Lulu
Published: January 2025

Purpose

By exploring the impact of digital knowledge resources (DKR) on the carbon emission intensity of the pig industry (PCEI), this study aims to reveal the role of DKR in reducing PCEI.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on provincial panel data in China from 2011 to 2021, this study uses the entropy and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change coefficient methods to calculate the evaluation index system of DKR and PCEI, respectively. Empirical analysis using a panel fixed-effects model examines the influence of DKR on PCEI and its underlying mechanisms.

Findings

DKR can significantly reduce PCEI. This conclusion still holds even after undergoing endogeneity treatment and a series of robustness tests. Mechanism test results indicate that DKR can operate indirectly through the mediation mechanism of rural human capital (RHC) and pig breeding technology innovation (PTI), while environmental regulation intensity (ERI) plays a positive moderating role in the relationship between DKR and PCEI. The magnitude of the impact of DKR on PCEI depends on ERI. Further studies found that the impact of DKR on PCEI has obvious heterogeneity characteristics, and the promotion effect is more obvious in regions with good integration degrees and high development potential.

Practical implications

This paper divides DKR into three dimensions: digital technology knowledge (DTK), digital management knowledge (DMK) and digital application knowledge (DAK), providing a new framework for research and enriching the understanding of the relationship between DKR and PCEI. Furthermore, the research results reveal the application potential of DKR in the pig industry, particularly in terms of resource allocation efficiency. This is of great significance for promoting low-carbon development in the pig industry and provides insights for the low-carbon transformation of other industries. In addition, the study emphasizes the moderating effect of ERI on the mechanism of carbon reduction in the pig industry through DKR. This offers a new perspective for understanding the relationship between knowledge management and environmental governance, providing a reference basis for policy formulation in related fields.

Originality/value

This paper further enriches the role of DKR in the livestock industry. Integrating DKR with traditional industries promotes knowledge innovation, information distribution and utilization and scientific decision-making. This has significant value in promoting the development and application of carbon reduction technologies, enhancing industrial competitive advantages, and other aspects.
Fashion countdown to Halloween: a study of dress practices within American Halloween consumer culture
Authors: Smith-Glaviana Dina Cherise , Shields Delaney
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to explore the dress practices of American (US) consumers who wear Halloween fashion products to extend theories related to dress and appearance.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, exploratory study using an online survey with open-ended and close-ended questions. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Sixty-two survey responses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results provided insight into social norms for wearing holiday fashion products and that consumer perceptions of the ideal timing for wearing Halloween fashion products may vary based on individuals’ enthusiasm for Halloween. Rather than the social and physical setting, timing restricted or increased the level at which wearers could express their enthusiasm for Halloween. Earlier in the year, respondents felt their freedom of expression was restricted, driving them to wear subtle Halloween fashion products. As Halloween day approached, respondents experienced more freedom in expressing their enthusiasm for the holiday by wearing clothing and accessories more explicitly related to Halloween.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends theory relating to dress and appearance as it acknowledges timing as an element of social context in which identities are established through appearance.

Practical implications

Retailers may consider selling Halloween fashion items that are small and/or less Halloween-specific, “spooky”, gothic earlier in the year.

Originality/value

This study is original in that it explores the timing in which consumers use holiday fashion products. Except for investigating consumer perceptions regarding the timing of retail promotions, researchers have seldom investigated timing as a consideration in constructing an individuals’ identity and appearance.
Optimizing urban block layouts and density distribution: a generative design framework for neighborhood performance
Authors: Mavahebi Tabatabai Ghazal , Tahsildoost Mohammad , Ardekani Amirreza , Zomorodian Zahra Sadat
Published: January 2025

Purpose

In many countries, urban block layouts follow rigid and outdated design guidelines; however, these approaches fail to effectively address settlement construction, neighborhood planning, the design of old urban contexts and the rapid development of emerging cities, as seen in the new towns of Iran and various other regions worldwide. Revising these guidelines requires early-stage decision-making to evaluate building layouts based on their impact on the built environment. This study introduces a workflow for optimizing urban block layouts with constant density while considering design constraints, climate and environmental performance. This framework assists planners and policymakers in refining site density distribution and building massing.

Design/methodology/approach

A computational urban design method was developed utilizing a grasshopper-based algorithm and Python for data generation. It introduces an innovative approach by incorporating buildings’ placement coordinates as design variables alongside dimensions and orientation. The Wallacei tool optimizes layouts by considering energy use intensity (EUI), outdoor thermal comfort and facades’ received radiation employing Ladybug Tools. Spatial daylight autonomy (sDA) and urban heat island (UHI) effects are also integrated into the workflow. The framework is applied to a hypothetical residential district in Tehran, consisting of nine blocks, each containing nine plots.

Findings

The results for a set of optimal solutions demonstrate that beyond existing urban design policies, environmentally prioritized designs are achievable. Radiation differences between the optimal models and the conventional parallel layout range from 41.3 to 61.1%. However, changes in EUI and universal thermal climate index (UTCI) are minimal; significant improvements are observed in sDA, with 7, 8 or all 9 buildings meeting the acceptable threshold compared to none in the parallel layout. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the design method framework proposed in this research, which has the potential to significantly influence urban planning practices across various regions globally.

Originality/value

The methodology of this study provides a flexible decision-making framework for early design phases, enabling policymakers, architects and urban designers to address the gap between current urban design methods and environmentally driven approaches. Sensitivity analysis of optimal solutions further offers valuable insights into the correlation between design variables and evaluation metrics.
Surface-plasmon-resonance-based microstructured fiber sensor for refractive index sensing
Authors: Wang Qiang , Wang Erlei , Cheng Quan , Zhou Xiaodong
Published: January 2025

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