bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of volumetric and linear measurements of intestinal inflammation and treatment response in children with newly diagnosed ileal Crohn disease
Authors: Derinkuyu Betul E. , Bard Andrew , Naim Iyad , Tkach Jean A. , Denson Lee A. , Dillman Jonathan R.
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To compare the responsiveness of linear and volumetric assessments of intestinal inflammation in children with newly diagnosed ileal Crohn disease (CD) into treatment.

Materials and methods

Twenty children with ileal CD (8 girls; mean age = 14.0 years) between May 2019 and April 2021 underwent research MRI at three time points—diagnosis, 6 weeks, and 6 months into treatment. For each examination, a radiologist measured the maximum wall thickness and length of disease. Then, the inflamed ileum was manually and semi-automatically segmented to measure the tissue volume. Mixed-effects models were used to assess the changes over time. Intra-class correlation was used to assess agreement between manual and semi-automated segmentation.

Results

Length of disease decreased with medical treatment (19.2 vs. 12.2 vs. 8.0 cm; p = 0.002), 36% from baseline to 6 weeks and 58% from baseline to 6 months, while maximum bowel wall thickness also decreased over time (7.6 vs. 5.8 vs. 4.5 mm; p < 0.0001), 24% from baseline to 6 weeks and 41% from baseline to 6 months. Manual volumetric measurements demonstrated a significant treatment response (19.8 vs.11.6 vs.5.1 mL; p < 0.0001), 41% decrease from baseline to 6 weeks and 74% from baseline to 6 months. Using semi-automated segmentation, the volume decreased significantly over time as well (24.0 vs.15.1 vs.9.1 mL; p = 0.0007), 37% from baseline to 6 weeks and 62% from baseline to 6 months. There was good agreement between manual and semi-automated volumetric assessments (ICC = 0.78 [95% CI: 0.57–0.88]).

Conclusion

Volumetric measurement of inflammation is responsive to medical treatment in CD and, as percentage compared to baseline, may show greater treatment response than linear measurements.

Key Points

Question

Volumetric measurements of intestinal inflammation related to Crohn disease may be superior to traditional linear measurements.

Findings

Volumetric measurements showed greater treatment response when compared to linear measurements, and there was good agreement between manual and semi-automated volumetric measurements of intestinal inflammation.

Clinical relevance

Volumetric assessment is a promising tool that may provide a novel biomarker for evaluating intestinal inflammation and treatment response in Crohn Disease.
Analysis of laser-induced damage threshold of circular grating waveguide structures exposed to sub-picosecond laser radiation centered at a wavelength of 1030 nm
Authors: Didychenko Denys , Li Fangfang , Savchenko Anton , Zideluns Janis , Stehlik Marek , Gallais Laurent , Lumeau Julien , Lemarchand Fabien , Karvinen Petri , Kuittinen Markku , Pruss Christof , Jamon Damien , Graf Thomas , Abdou Ahmed Marwan
Published: February 2025

The laser-induced damage threshold of a grating waveguide output coupler (GWOC) exposed to laser radiation at a wavelength of 1030 nm and with a pulse duration of 500 fs was investigated. The GWOC is a combination of a sub-wavelength circular grating and a partial reflector based on a Nb2O5 and SiO2 multilayer sequence. It was designed to be used as an output coupler of a thin-disk laser cavity for the generation of beams with radial polarization. The results revealed a laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) fluence of 0.36 J/cm² for single-pulse tests and 0.26 J/cm² for multiple-pulse conditions with up to 1000 shots. These threshold values are comparable to those of an unstructured output coupler with Nb2O5 and SiO2 coating layers, highlighting the minor influence of the grating on the LIDT.
Observing Solid–Solid Phase Transitions in Two Alkanes and Natural Wax with Multidimensional NMR Relaxometry
Authors: Nelson Madison L. , Thrane Linn W. , Codd Sarah L. , Cape Jonathan L. , Craig Christopher D. , Pluntze Amanda , Seymour Joseph D.
Published: February 2025

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spin–spin T
2 relaxation is applied to characterize structural rearrangements in solid–solid phase transitions of lipids. 1D T
2 relaxation distributions as a function of temperature indicate solid–solid transitions not easily discernible by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). T
2–T
2 correlation exchange measurements are demonstrated to be sensitive to spin-diffusion, allowing measurement of morphological length scales related to solid–solid molecular structure rearrangement by NMR relaxometry. T
2 dispersion distributions indicate radio frequency pulse separation time dependence which alters with morphology and temperature. The NMR relaxometry data are complementary to DSC and has potential for bench top low field NMR implementation.
An interpretable approach to detect case law on housing and eviction issues within the HUDOC database
Authors: Mohammadi Mohammad , Wieling Martijn , Vols Michel
Published: February 2025

Case law plays a critical role in shaping our understanding of human rights, including the right to adequate housing. However, analyzing large legal databases like HUDOC, which contains over 40,000 cases, is a challenging task that requires automated solutions. This study focuses on detecting cases related to housing—a topic encompassing issues such as eviction, access to adequate housing and etc.—from the HUDOC database. For this, we developed classifiers to identify cases related to both housing and eviction issues. We first constructed a dataset using an unsupervised process refined through manual corrections. Then, we trained the Adaptive Chordal Distance-based Subspace Learning Vector Quantization models. These models achieved classification accuracies of 93% for housing-related cases and 91.5% for eviction-specific cases, matching the performance of transformer-based models while requiring fewer computational resources. Furthermore, they provide interpretability by assigning word-level importance scores, helping legal scholars understand and verify the reasoning behind the model’s predictions. The models identified 2,305 potentially housing-related cases. Manual reviews confirmed that 278 of 340 reviewed cases were indeed relevant. By detecting overlooked cases and enriching legal datasets, this study highlights the utility of NLP methods in facilitating the analysis of human rights case law. This approach supports a deeper exploration of housing rights and eviction-related decisions under the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), offering transparency, efficiency, and scalability for legal research.
Prevalence of cannabis and medication use by indices of residential urbanicity and deprivation among Ohio cancer patients
Authors: Brasky Theodore M. , Lee Shieun , McBride Bella , Newton Alison M. , Baltic Ryan D. , Wagener Theodore L. , Conroy Sara , Hays John L. , Stevens Erin E. , Adib Anita , Krok-Schoen Jessica L.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

There is increasing interest in the use of cannabis products to alleviate symptom burden among cancer patients. Although data remain limited, some evidence suggests that state legalization of cannabis is associated with reduced opioid use. Indices of area-level social determinants of health may provide insights into the patterns of symptom-managing behaviors in the context of health equity.

Methods

Residential ZIP codes from 854 Ohio residents diagnosed with invasive cancer at an academic cancer center were used to assign rural–urban commuting area (RUCA) codes and social deprivation index (SDI) values. RUCA was categorized as metropolitan and non-metropolitan, and SDI was dichotomized at the median. Participants completed a one-time cannabis-focused questionnaire which included items on medications used to alleviate symptoms.

Results

The prevalence of self-reported cannabis (19% vs. 13%) and opioid use (30% vs. 21%) were higher among patients living in areas of higher social disadvantage vs. lower. No differences were observed for use of benzodiazepines or for any product by residential urbanicity.

Conclusion

Larger, multi-institutional studies with detailed measurement of cannabis and medications and an increased capacity to examine additional social determinants of health are needed to confirm and explain these descriptive findings.
Monotonicity, Bounds and Acceleration of Block Gauss and Gauss–Radau Quadrature for Computing $$B^T \phi (A) B$$
Authors: Zimmerling Jörn , Druskin Vladimir , Simoncini Valeria
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we explore quadratures for the evaluation of

$$B^T \phi (A) B$$

B
T

ϕ

(
A
)

B

where A is a symmetric positive-definite (s.p.d.) matrix in

$$\mathbb {R}^{n \times n}$$

R

n
×
n

, B is a tall matrix in

$$\mathbb {R}^{n \times p}$$

R

n
×
p

, and

$$\phi (\cdot )$$

ϕ
(
·
)

represents a matrix function that is regular enough in the neighborhood of A’s spectrum, e.g., a Stieltjes or exponential function. These formulations, for example, commonly arise in the computation of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transfer functions for diffusion PDEs. We propose an approximation scheme for

$$B^T \phi (A) B$$

B
T

ϕ

(
A
)

B

leveraging the block Lanczos algorithm and its equivalent representation through Stieltjes matrix continued fractions. We extend the notion of Gauss–Radau quadrature to the block case, facilitating the derivation of easily computable error bounds. For problems stemming from the discretization of self-adjoint operators with a continuous spectrum, we obtain sharp estimates grounded in potential theory for Padé approximations and justify averaging algorithms at no added computational cost. The obtained results are illustrated on large-scale examples of 2D diffusion and 3D Maxwell’s equations and a graph from the SNAP repository. We also present promising experimental results on convergence acceleration via random enrichment of the initial block B.
California Pharmacists’ Perspectives and Experiences with Prayer and Spiritual Conversations with Patients: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Gavaza Paul , Kyrillos Soryal , Rawal Bhaktidevi , Taylor Elizabeth Johnston
Published: February 2025

This exploratory study examined the spiritual care beliefs of California pharmacists and their perspectives and experiences with prayer and spiritual conversations with patients. An online survey was utilized to collect data from members of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists in Spring 2021. Most of the 85 respondents (3.4% response rate) were Christian (61%), spiritual (73%) and had a spiritual or religious conversation with a patient (60%) and many had prayed for a patient (48%). Respondents believed that pharmacists can initiate prayer (32%) and spiritual conversations (45%) with a patient.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of MgH2 nanoparticles for hydrogen storage applications
Authors: Ocampo Robinson Aguirre , Arias-Velandia Julian , Lenis Julian A. , Gil Alejandro A. Zuleta , Bello Sindy , Correa Esteban , Arrieta Carlos , Bolívar Francisco J. , Echeverria Echeverria Félix
Published: February 2025

Magnesium’s high storage capacity, with a theoretical value of about 7.6 wt.%, makes it a viable candidate for hydrogen storage. However, slow kinetics and strong thermodynamic stability lead to a rather high desorption temperature, usually above 350 °C. It has been demonstrated that nanosizing magnesium-based materials is a successful strategy for simultaneously improving the kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of MgH2 during hydrogen absorption and desorption. MgH2 nanoparticles were obtained by microwave assisted synthesis. To the best of our knowledge, synthesis of MgH2 nanoparticles by this method has not been reported. It was possible to produce MgH2 nanoparticles smaller than 20 nm. MgO and Mg(OH)2 were also present in the produced nanoparticles, although these compounds may enhance the processes involved in the release and absorption of hydrogen.
Holomorphic projection for sesquiharmonic Maass forms
Authors: Allen Michael , Beckwith Olivia , Sharma Vaishavi
Published: February 2025

We study the holomorphic projection of mixed mock modular forms involving sesquiharmonic Maass forms. As a special case, we numerically express the holomorphic projection of a function involving real quadratic class numbers multiplied by a certain theta function in terms of eta quotients. We also analyze certain shifted convolution L-series involving mock modular forms and bound certain shifted convolution sums.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) and its signaling
Authors: Halmos Gabor , Szabo Zsuzsanna , Dobos Nikoletta , Juhasz Eva , Schally Andrew V.
Published: February 2025

The hypothalamic polypeptide growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulates the secretion of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary through binding and activation of the pituitary type of GHRH receptor (GHRH-R), which belongs to the family of G protein-coupled receptors with seven potential membrane-spanning domains. Various splice variants of GHRH-R (SV) in human neoplasms and other extrapituitary tissues were demonstrated and their cDNA was sequenced. Among the SVs, splice variant 1 (SV1) possesses the greatest similarity to the full-length GHRH-R and remains functional by eliciting cAMP signaling and mitogenic activity upon stimulation by GHRH. In this review, we briefly discuss the activation, regulation, molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of GHRH-Rs and their SVs in various tissues and also summarize the expression, biological activities and potential function of GHRH, its analogs and their receptors. A large body of work have extensively studied and evaluated potential clinical applications of agonists and antagonists of GHRH in diverse fields, including oncology, endocrinology, obesity, diabetes, other metabolic dysfunctions, cardiology, immune functions, mood disorders, Alzheimer’s and lung disease, ophthalmology, inflammation, wound healing and other applications. These results strongly support the potential therapeutic use of GHRH analogs in human medicine in the near future.
Exploring trajectories in supply chain integration: a systematic analysis of emerging themes
Authors: Kieu Manh-Kha , Nayak Rajkishore , Akbari Mohammadreza , George Majo , Panwar Tarun
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this research is to holistically examine the development of supply chain integration (SCI) domain over the preceding economic cycle to project emerging themes that will shape the trajectory of future research. We conduct a systematic literature review to explore the trajectories in SCI domain with articles retrieved from aggregating databases. A total of 152 articles, which satisfied the evaluation and selection process, were analysed. The analysis reveals the intricate correlation between SCI and performance and highlights the progressively pivotal role of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and environmental exigency in SCI adoption. Our findings suggest the need for further research into the impact of SCI on corporate social responsibility performance and on SCI adoption practice in specific industries. Tiered sample collection research is encouraged in this field. However, this paper only included high–ranking peer-reviewed publications. Future SLR papers can incorporate wider sources of data to include meaningful information. By identifying and elucidating key themes, this study offers valuable insights that can inform and guide future research directions in the field of SCI.
Building a Low-Threshold Model for HCV Diagnosis and Treatment Among Formerly Incarcerated Patients in Alabama
Authors: Hayden Margaret , Kishore Sanjay , Bradford Davis , Dedona Mikaela , Hunter Meghan , Luck Mary Ellen , Pratt Ryan
Published: February 2025

Background

Millions of Americans remain infected with hepatitis C (HCV). Innovation in care delivery is required to achieve the goal of national elimination.

Aim

Develop a low-threshold HCV treatment program.

Setting

Free clinic with mobile unit providing transitional care to people leaving jails and prisons across Alabama.

Participants

Formerly incarcerated persons, many of whom are uninsured and live in rural areas.

Program Description

We utilized point-of-care diagnostics to condense the HCV screening and pre-treatment evaluation into a single encounter. Patient assistance programs were used to obtain medications for uninsured patients. Clinical support was provided through in-person and telehealth care.

Program Evaluation

From January 2023 to December 2024, 369 patients were screened for HCV; 104 (28.1%) were HCV antibody positive, and 71 (19.2%) were viremic. Of these patients, 70 completed pre-treatment diagnostics, 54 started treatment, 41 confirmed completion, 20 had SVR12 collected, with 19 achieving cure (94% cure rate). The median time from diagnosis to treatment initiation was 27 days.

Discussion

It is possible to both diagnose HCV and complete the entire pre-treatment evaluation in a single encounter and initiate treatment within 1 month, even for predominantly uninsured populations in rural areas.
Phase Equilibria in the V-Rich Region of the V-Si-B System at 1400 °C
Authors: Yang Weiguang , Hasemann Georg , Carrion Saldaña Mustafa , Gorr Bronislava , Schwaiger Ruth , Krüger Manja
Published: February 2025

The phase equilibria in the V-rich region of the V-Si-B system, including the V8SiB4 phase, have been experimentally investigated. Eleven alloys with key compositions were produced by arc-melting or levitation-melting. The samples were then annealed at 1400 °C for 100/200/300 h under high vacuum condition. The as-cast and heat-treated alloys were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. The isothermal section at 1400 °C of the V-rich V-Si-B system was determined and compared with the one at 1600 °C. The determined isothermal section can be applied to the design of V-Si-B alloys.
Efficacy and safety of the thiotepa–busulfan conditioning regimen as for autologous stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory systemic diffuse large B cell lymphoma: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Io Katsuhiro , Nagai Kenichi , Kakihara Bunta , Izumi Kiyotaka , Kitagawa Tomoya
Published: February 2025

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is a standard treatment for relapsed diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The BEAM regimen is widely used, but the MEAM regimen is more common in Japan due to the unavailability of carmustine. This retrospective analysis evaluated the efficacy of the thiotepa and busulfan (TT/BU) regimen compared with other regimens in 27 patients with systemic DLBCL who underwent ASCT at our institution from December 2013 to March 2022. Fourteen patients received the TT/BU regimen, while 13 received alternative regimens. The TT/BU regimen demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to other regimens, with a 3 year PFS of 84.4% and OS of 91.7%. The TT/BU group also had fewer severe adverse events, particularly regarding renal function. Our findings suggest that the TT/BU regimen is a well-tolerated and effective alternative for relapsed/refractory DLBCL and provide valuable insights for future treatment strategies.
Numerical technique based on Bernstein polynomials approach for solving auto-convolution VIEs and the initial value problem of auto-convolution VIDEs
Authors: Aourir E. , Dastjerdi H. Laeli , Oudani M. , Shah Kamal , Abdeljawad Thabet
Published: February 2025

This study introduces a computational technique aimed at solving the auto-convolution Volterra integral equation (AVIE) and the auto-convolution Volterra integro-differential equation (AVIDE). In this approach, we use the Bernstein approximation method to estimate solutions for these equations. By leveraging the characteristics of Bernstein polynomials, we simplify the problem, transforming these equations into a manageable system of algebraic equations. We provide a detailed description of the approach, and then its practicality for the suggested equations is presented. The suggested algorithm is computationally efficient, has greater stability, is straightforward to implement on computers, and demands less computer memory. This approach first converts these equations into a class of integral equations and then uses the proposed approach to estimate the solution. Some theorems have been proposed to demonstrate the existence and uniqueness of the suggested approach. In addition, an estimate of the error bound for this approach is provided. A comparison of this technique with previously known methods is examined. Finally, representative numerical tests are reported to demonstrate the precision and efficiency of the proposed solving method.
Identification of T cell dysfunction molecular subtypes and exploration of potential immunotherapy targets in BRAF V600E-mutant colorectal cancer
Authors: Gu Tiefeng , Qi Haonan , Wang Jiaqi , Sun Liangwei , Su Yongqi , Hu Hanqing
Published: February 2025

Background

Immunotherapy is an effective treatment for BRAF V600E-mutant colorectal cancer, but currently, only a few benefit from it. Therefore, exploring new immunotherapy strategies is essential.

Methods

We obtained RNA sequencing data and clinical information of colorectal cancer patients from the TCGA and GEO databases. The impact of the BRAF V600E mutation on tumor microenvironment characteristics, gene expression, and signaling pathways was evaluated using bioinformatics approaches. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were used to identify core genes associated with T cell dysfunction. Consensus clustering was applied for subtype construction. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Random Forest (RF) algorithms were employed to filter potential immunotherapy targets.

Results

We found that BRAF V600E mutation has a complex impact on the immune profile of colorectal cancer. It increases immune cell infiltration and activates immune-related signaling pathways, yet it also severely restricts T cell function. We subsequently identified 39 core genes associated with T cell dysfunction and constructed subtypes of BRAF V600E colorectal cancer based on their expression profiles. Significant heterogeneity was observed between these subtypes in immune signaling pathway activity, immune infiltration patterns, immune phenotype scores, and mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy. Ultimately, using machine learning algorithms and bioinformatics validation, we identified IDO1 as a potential immunotherapy targets for BRAF V600E-mutant colorectal cancer.

Conclusion

This study constructed novel T cell dysfunction molecular subtypes for BRAF V600E-mutant colorectal cancer and identified IDO1 as a potential immunotherapy target, providing a new strategy for immunotherapy.
A critique of the needs-based funding model in public schools: principals and their experiences of funding
Authors: Rowe Emma E.
Published: February 2025

Australia’s approach to school funding has long been underwritten by ‘the concept of need’, both as an empirical measure and theoretical concept, evident in major government reviews of funding, instrumentalised in central agreements, and it continues to be a core component of Australia’s funding policy architecture. Taking this as its central focus, this paper critiques Australia’s ‘needs-based’ school funding model, drawing on survey data and interviews with principals from public schools in Australia, to examine principals’ day-to-day experiences of ‘needs-based funding’, arguing that systemic under-funding marginalises public schools and their leaders. Amidst a national teacher shortage and the high cost of emergency relief teachers, the principals did not describe public school funding as needs-based, responsive to context, or flexible. In contrast, the majority of interviewed principals experienced funding as punitive, extractive and disempowering. Principals reported challenges in funding student wellbeing programs and school infrastructure. However, I suggest that the interviewed principals simultaneously engaged in forms of resistance to crisis narratives of public schools that tend to buttress systemic under-funding, emphasising that the budgetary challenges they experienced increased their school’s aptitude and resilience.
Relationship between dietary consumption of live microbes with mortality in adults with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Han Jianxin , Zhang Huan , Li Xinchun , Tang Yumei , Du Yunfei , Zhang Haiyan , Liao Dan
Published: February 2025

Background

The connection between gut dysbiosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized, but, the effect of dietary intake of live microbes on the prognosis of CKD is still unclear. This analysis examined the relationship of dietary live microbe intake with mortality among adults with CKD.

Methods

For this study, information was gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2018, which included 8725 adult participants with CKD. MedHi refers to the live microbial content of food beyond 104 CFU/g. To elucidate the link between MedHi dietary live microbe intake and mortality from all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD), we implemented a weighted multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

In contrast to survivors, non-survivors had a lower intake of dietary live microbes. The findings from the multivariable model indicated a negative and linear relationship between an increment of 100 g in MedHi foods and reduced mortality from all-causes and CVD. Likewise, participants in the highest MedHi food group exhibited a 20% and 26% decreased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively, compared to those in the lowest MedHi food group. Stratified analyses conducted on various subgroups yielded consistent findings.

Conclusion

A significant inverse linear relationship was found between high dietary live microbe consumption and reduced all-cause and CVD mortality.

Graphical abstract
A Decision-Theoretic Approach to Model Choice
Authors: Karhunen Markku
Published: February 2025

Model choice algorithms are usually compared based on their accuracy, i.e. ability to find true models. However, conservative algorithms (such as BIC minimisation) are accurate when no true effects exist, while more liberal algorithms (such as Lasso) are accurate when there are plenty of true effects. There is ambiguity, then, regarding the correct algorithm. The purpose of this paper is to show how expected utility maximisation and Monte Carlo simulations can be used to compare model choice algorithms. Two loss functions are derived from the expected utility function of the researcher. Both loss functions turn out to be linear combinations of specificity and one or two kinds of sensitivity which are discussed in this paper. Subsequently, this paper experiments with four parametrisations of these loss functions, and then uses these parametrised versions to compare nine algorithms within the contexts of both logistic and Gaussian regression. The results demonstrate that researchers who avoid false positives should either use BIC or BICc for model choice or report nothing at all. AIC does not seem to be the optimal method for the range of parameters covered in this study.
Evaluation of United Kingdom (UK)—Windsor Framework and Comparison Against European Union (EU) Regulations for Medicines Regulation
Authors: Ankitha R. B. , Dewan Shailee , Fernandes Francis , Verma Sharad , Bhat Gowri M. , Muragundi Pradeep M.
Published: February 2025

The United Kingdom (UK)’s regulatory profile is changing following the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU). As a consequence, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) became more independent. Since then, numerous attempts have been made to ease the separation of the UK from the European Union, focusing mainly on Northern Ireland (NI), which is part of the UK but shares a land border with the EU. The Windsor Framework facilitates the relationship between the EU and the UK, including the role of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and MHRA in NI. The review throws light on the implementation of the Windsor Framework detailing the key aspects, and the pre- and post-implementation changes in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. The Framework is useful for industries such as pharmaceuticals where regulatory approval and an uninterrupted supply chain are critical. Evaluating the Framework illuminate’s areas for improvement, threats, and scope for cooperation between the UK and EU authorities. The review details efficiency, costs, and market accessibility of medicines, to give a better representation of the regulatory position in NI. The study reveals the pros and cons of the Framework, to assist stakeholder evaluation of Marketing Authorisation Holders (MAHs) that have registered both in UK and EU markets.
Development of an Early Years Outcomes Framework and Implementation Plan Using Integrated Knowledge Translation
Authors: O’Connor Amanda , Cunningham Helen , White Sue , Melder Angela , Savaglio Melissa , Skouteris Helen
Published: February 2025

Tracking, measuring, and reporting outcomes fosters improvement and adoption of best practices. It enables identification of what is and is not working and can contribute towards greater effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery and engagement of programs and interventions. The early years of a child’s life significantly influence life-long health and wellbeing, learning and behaviour outcomes. Due to the complexity of parenting during the early years of a child’s life many parents and caregivers seek support and guidance to improve their parenting knowledge and confidence. In Victoria, Australia, Early Parenting Centres support families with their parenting practices through a range of programs. Evidence of the impact of Early Parenting Centres programs has been limited with minimal data collected focusing on the outcomes of Early Parenting Centres program involvement and delivery. To gain a detailed understanding of the impact of Early Parenting Centres programs the development of a Victorian Early Parenting Centres Outcomes Framework was commissioned. This paper provides a methodological roadmap for Outcomes Framework and Implementation Plan development which is underpinned by co-creating Knowledge Translation Framework and Integrated Knowledge Translation and exchange approaches. Steps one to three of the co-creating Knowledge Translation Framework were utilised and resulted in the development of an Outcomes Framework and Implementation Plan for the Victorian Early Parenting Centres sector. Additionally, this blueprint of outcomes framework development addresses a significant gap in the literature—the lack of guidance, research, and clarity in developing an Outcomes Framework for Early Parenting Centres.
The design and construction of an efficient modular zero-energy solar house—a case study of solar decathlon China project “24+35 Housing Home”
Authors: Li Guopeng , Jiao Feipeng , Liu Jiyuan , Zhao Xiangyu
Published: February 2025

This paper, taking Solar Decathlon China competition project “24 + 35 Housing Home” designed and constructed by Dalian University of Technology as an example, systematically summarizes the design concepts implemented throughout the entire process of the project’s design, production, transportation, and construction, focusing on human habitability, efficient prefabrication, sustainability in energy, and intelligent connectivity. The project is closely aligned with practical situations, with an emphasis on issues of human habitation health in the design of architectural spaces and the configuration of residential equipment. It explores an efficient modular system that merges long-distance transportation with rapid assembly, while also optimizing the design of sustainable energy systems in conjunction with climates and environments. Simultaneously, it integrates smart connectivity technologies, aiming to explore the possibilities of future human habitats. This paper intends to consolidate the strengths and advantages of the competition project and offers insights for expediting the construction of zero-energy solar houses.
Staphylococcus aureus susceptibilities from wounds of patients who use illicit fentanyl
Authors: Dickinson Drew T. , Saw Stephen , Dutcher Lauren , Maguire Christina , Terico Adrienne , Lowenstein Margaret , Patel Sonal
Published: February 2025

Objective:

Develop a Staphylococcus aureus wound antibiogram among patients who use fentanyl (PWUF) presenting with acute S. aureus skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Design:

Retrospective, multisite cohort study.

Patients and Setting:

Individuals presenting to emergency departments or admitted to inpatient units of four Penn Medicine hospitals with an acute S. aureus SSTI and illicit fentanyl use within the previous year.

Methods:

We described susceptibilities of S. aureus isolated from wound cultures among the PWUF cohort and compared these to the health system’s wound antibiogram. We compared frequency of in-hospital medication treatment for opioid use disorder among patients who left the hospital prior to vs after the availability of S. aureus susceptibilities.

Results:

Among 131 S. aureus isolates from 131 PWUF, 35/131 (26.7%) were susceptible to oxacillin, 73/121 (60.3%) were susceptible to clindamycin, 77/122 (63.1%) were susceptible to tetracycline, and 119/126 (94.4%) were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. PWUF displayed significantly reduced susceptibility to oxacillin and tetracycline compared to the health system’s outpatient wound S. aureus antibiogram. Compared to patients discharged prior to susceptibility availability, more patients discharged after the reporting of susceptibilities were administered buprenorphine or methadone in the hospital (82.0% vs 51.4%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

High nonsusceptibility to clindamycin and tetracycline suggests these agents should not be prescribed as empiric therapy for acute S. aureus SSTI in PWUF in Philadelphia. PWUF would benefit from joint management by infectious diseases and addiction medicine experts to ensure prescription of active therapy. Additional study is needed of PWUF in other regions.
Standardization in the management of gram-negative bloodstream infections after implementation of a clinical care guideline at a large academic, safety-net institution: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Deaney Michael A. , Shihadeh Katherine C. , Craig Alexandra , Cooper Margaret M. , Paratore Paul D. , Jenkins Timothy C.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of implementing a clinical care guideline for uncomplicated gram-negative bloodstream infections (GN-BSI) within a health system.

Design:

Retrospective, quasi-experimental study.

Setting:

A large academic safety-net institution.

Participants:

Adults (≥18 years) with GN-BSI, defined by at least one positive blood culture for specific gram-negative organisms. Patients with polymicrobial cultures or contaminants were excluded.

Interventions:

Implementation of a GN-BSI clinical care guideline based on a 2021 consensus statement, emphasizing 7-day antibiotic courses, use of highly bioavailable oral antibiotics, and minimizing repeat blood cultures.

Results:

The study included 147 patients pre-intervention and 169 post-intervention. Interrupted time series analysis showed a reduction in the median duration of therapy (–2.3 days, P = .0016), with a sustained decline (slope change –0.2103, P = .005) post-intervention. More patients received 7 days of therapy (12.9%–58%, P < .01), oral antibiotic transitions increased (57.8% vs 72.2%, P < .05), and guideline-concordant oral antibiotic selection was high. Repeat blood cultures decreased (50.3% vs 30.2%, P < .01) without an increase in recurrent bacteremia. No significant differences were observed in 90-day length of stay, rehospitalization, recurrence, or mortality.

Conclusions:

Guideline implementation was associated with shorter antibiotic therapy durations, increased use of guideline-concordant oral antibiotics, and fewer repeat blood cultures without compromising patient outcomes. These findings support the effectiveness of institutional guidelines in standardizing care, optimizing resource utilization, and promoting evidence-based practices in infectious disease management.
Swedish Copper, Spanish Hulls: Hans Jacob Gahn, a Global Arms Race, and Consuls’ Economic Impact (1780–1784)
Authors: Almbjär Martin , Olofsson Sven
Published: February 2025

Interregional and global economic connections continued to grow in the eighteenth century, but we know less about consuls’ impact on commodity chains that were stretched thin across large distances. Using a microhistorical approach, we look at the activities of a Swedish consul in Cadiz, Hans Jacob Gahn, who supplied large amounts of copper sheets to the Spanish navy. It was Gahn’s position as an official representative, not merely his networks in Spain and Sweden, that was crucial for winning and executing the contract: his consular post enabled him to leverage his social, political, and financial capital to drastically alter trade flows for the years he held the contract. As contractors, consuls had a significant economic function for both their sending and receiving states.
Edge Statistics for Lozenge Tilings of Polygons, II: Airy Line Ensemble
Authors: Aggarwal Amol , Huang Jiaoyang
Published: February 2025

We consider uniformly random lozenge tilings of simply connected polygons subject to a technical assumption on their limit shape. We show that the edge statistics around any point on the arctic boundary, that is not a cusp or tangency location, converge to the Airy line ensemble. Our proof proceeds by locally comparing these edge statistics with those for a random tiling of a hexagon, which are well understood. To realize this comparison, we require a nearly optimal concentration estimate for the tiling height function, which we establish by exhibiting a certain Markov chain on the set of all tilings that preserves such concentration estimates under its dynamics.
Roles of interfacial-exchange kinetics and interfacial-charge mobility on fluid-sphere electrophoresis
Authors: Hill Reghan J.
Published: February 2025

Electrophoretic characterization of nano- and micro-metre scaled bubbles and drops is increasingly important in environmental and health sciences. Despite more than a hundred years of study, the interpretation of bubble electrophoresis data remains an unresolved fundamental problem that bridges fluid mechanics and interfacial science. This paper examines, from a theoretical perspective, how the electrophoretic mobility of small drops and bubbles responds to the interfacial kinetic-exchange rate and interfacial-charge mobility: factors that have been largely overlooked, but which provide new insights on the interpretation of

$\zeta$

-potentials, which are routinely used to assess surface charge density. A variety of outcomes are demonstrated, each reflecting subtle balances of hydrodynamic and electrical forces, modulated by interfacial thermodynamics and transport. Among the findings is that irreversibly bound charge with low interfacial mobility furnishes rigid-sphere behaviour; whereas interfacial charge with high mobility produces the characteristically high electrophoretic mobilities of non-conducting, uniformly charged fluid spheres. Outcomes are more complex when drops and bubbles have interfacial charge that seeks local equilibrium with the immediately adjacent electrolyte. For example, the present model shows that interfacial-charge mobility regularizes the singular behaviour predicted by theories for fluid spheres bearing high, perfectly uniform surface charge.
Do Political Leaders Understand Public Opinion Better than Backbenchers?
Authors: Walgrave Stefaan , Sevenans Julie , Varone Frédéric , Sheffer Lior , Breunig Christian
Published: February 2025

How elected representatives think about public opinion affects the degree to which policies are congruent with the public’s policy preferences. This is especially true for politicians occupying leadership positions, their perceptions matter even more. Extant work concluded that politicians in general do not exhibit a high perceptual accuracy, but direct evidence of the relative accuracy of leaders’ perceptions of public opinion is missing. Drawing on surveys among politicians and citizens in four countries, this study examines the accuracy of the public opinion perceptions of leaders and backbenchers. Irrespective of how leadership is defined and operationalized – executive or party leadership, formal or informal leadership, current or past leadership – we find low perceptual accuracy levels among leading politicians. Compared to backbenchers, and although politicians themselves consider leaders to have a special nose for public opinion, leading politicians do not possess a special public opinion rating skill.
Dysfunction in the hierarchy of morphometric similarity network in Alzheimer’s disease and its correlation with cognitive performance and gene expression profiles
Authors: Zheng Chuchu , Zhao Wei , Yang Zeyu , Guo Shuixia ,   the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: February 2025

Background

Previous research has shown abnormal functional network gradients in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Structural network gradient is capable of capturing continuous changes in brain morphology and has the ability to elucidate the underlying processes of neurodevelopment. However, it remains unclear whether structural network gradients are altered in AD and what associations exist between these changes and cognitive function, and gene expression profiles.

Methods

By constructing an individualized structural network gradient decomposition framework, we calculated the morphological similarity network (MSN) gradients for 404 subjects (186 AD patients and 218 normal controls). We investigated AD-related alterations in MSN gradients, along with the associations between MSN gradients and cognitive function, MSN topological properties, and gene expression profiles.

Results

Our findings indicated that the principal MSN gradient alterations in AD were primarily characterized by an increase in the primary and secondary sensory cortices and a decrease in the association cortex 1. The primary and higher-order cortices exhibited opposite associations with cognition, including executive function, language skills, and memory processes. Moreover, the principal MSN gradients were found to significantly predict cognitive function in AD. The altered gradient pattern was 14.8% attributable to gene expression profiles, and the genes demonstrating the highest correlation are involved in metabolic activity and synaptic signaling.

Conclusions

Our results offered novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of structural brain network impairment in AD patients, enhancing our understanding of the neurobiological processes responsible for impaired cognition in patients with AD, and offering a new dimensional structural biomarker for AD.
The role of multiword sequences in fluent speech
Authors: Takizawa Kotaro , Suzuki Shungo
Published: February 2025

This study explored how second language (L2) speakers’ use of multiword sequences in speech predicted perceived fluency ratings while controlling for their utterance fluency. A total of 102 Japanese speakers of English delivered an argumentative speech, which was analyzed for bigram and trigram measures (frequency, proportion, and mutual information) and utterance fluency measures capturing three subdimensions: speed, breakdown, and repair fluency (Tavakoli & Skehan, 2005). Perceived fluency was assessed by 10 experienced L2 raters. Mixed-effects regression analyses revealed that after establishing the parsimonious model solely by UF predictors (marginal R2 = .61), a frequency-based n-gram predictor––bigram proportion––slightly but significantly explained the remaining variance of fluency rating scores (0.8%). The results indicated that multiword sequences in speech had a small but systematic impact on perceived fluency, even controlling for the effects of utterance fluency. This finding contributes to the discussion concerning the role of multiword sequences in fluent speech production.
(Mehr) Raum für Demokratie
Authors: Macha Katrin , Urban Mathias , Lonnemann Jan , Wronski Caroline , Hildebrandt Frauke
Published: February 2025

Zusammenfassung: Ein demokratisches Zusammenleben zu gestalten und Partizipation für Kinder lebendig werden zu lassen sind Kernziele für die pädagogische Arbeit in Kitas. Ob und wie Kinder dies erleben, zeigen Ergebnisse aus der Erhebung von Kinderperspektiven im Rahmen einer qualitativen Studie zur Partizipationskultur in Kitas, die in diesem Artikel vorgestellt werden. Dabei wird deutlich, dass Kinder auch in einem Klima partizipativen Zusammenlebens in der Kita die Erwachsenen als machtvolle Akteure erleben und sich selbst wenig Gestaltungsraum bei Entscheidungen zuschreiben. Auf der Grundlage eines ganzheitlichen Demokratiebegriffs entwickelt der Artikel Strategien für die pädagogische Praxis in der Arbeit mit den Kindern und für ein „kompetentes System“ der Kindertagesbetreuung.
Subduction Zone Obliquity Dictates Global Trench‐Parallel Inner Forearc Deformation
Authors: Morell Kristin D. , Gilroy Kellan , Finley Theron , Harrichhausen Nicolas
Published: February 2025

Although subduction zones are characterized by convergence, the upper plates of subduction zones exhibit a diverse range of deformation styles that are often inconsistent with regional convergence. While several theories have been proposed to explain these variations, the underlying factors driving these differences are still not fully understood. In this study, we analyze 24,000 km of active global subduction zones around the globe to determine how subduction zone obliquity affects deformation in the trench‐parallel and horizontal directions on land above subduction zones. We take advantage of recently published worldwide data sets of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) velocities and global active fault catalogs in order to examine deformation at 13 of the world's forearcs. We analyze deformation over both short (decadal) timescales, captured by GNSS, and long (millennial to million‐year) timescales, observed through trench‐parallel active forearc faults. The results reveal a strong link between subduction obliquity and both the sense and amount of forearc rotation detected by GNSS, as well as the sense and rate of deformation along trench‐parallel strike‐slip faults. Unlike previous studies indicating that subduction obliquity affects forearc deformation only beyond a certain threshold, we demonstrate that even low to moderate obliquity significantly influences the observed deformation.