bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unifying Perspectives: All-encompassing Reality vs. All-inclusive Physics
Authors: Athalye Vikram
Published: February 2025

This article1 presents a two-part proposal aimed at exploring “reality” through unifying perspectives and universally consistent foundations. Both parts are inspired by Erwin Schrödinger’s principle of objectivation, particularly the function of the ‘Subject of Cognizance’ embedded within it, and the (seemingly unresolvable, yet inescapable!) issue of the ‘location’ of the boundary between the ‘observed’ and the ‘observer’ that arises in the interpretation of quantum theory. In the first part, it is argued that different interpretations of quantum theory could be viewed as complementary rather than as alternatives, for each interpretation provides insight into different aspects of reality, and thus, integrating perspectives from multiple quantum interpretations can offer a more holistic understanding of reality than relying on a single interpretation. The plausibility of this argument is explained with a brief reference to the phenomenon of electron double-slit interference. The second part of the proposal asserts that, it is essential to eliminate any discrepancy between the way in which the terms ‘physics’ and ‘reality’ are regarded in scientific inquiry, for developing a universal, all-encompassing and consistent world view of the latter — emphasising that not only the ‘observed’ but also the ‘observer’ (considered here as the measuring instrument or apparatus) and the ‘Subject of Cognizance’ (viewed here as the conscious observer) are integral parts of the whole reality. This assertion is supported by some specific remarks of Richard Feynman and David Bohm.
Orbital stability of bifurcating solutions in the nonlinear Schrödinger system with quadratic interaction
Authors: Wang Jun
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we study the existence of bifurcation solutions and the orbital stability of a class of coupled elliptic systems with quadratic nonlinearities. These systems are relevant to Raman amplification in plasma. Using the Crandall-Rabinowitz local bifurcation theorem, we prove the existence of positive bifurcation solutions. Additionally, we calculate the Morse index and establish the orbital stability and instability of these bifurcation solutions. Notably, we extend our study to the bifurcation results at the bifurcation point, addressing an open question posed by M. Colin, T. Colin, and M. Ohta (Ann. Inst. H. Poincaré C Anal. Non Linéaire 26 (2009), 2211–2226; SIAM J. Math. Anal. 44 (2012), 206–223). Furthermore, we discover that the bifurcation solution emerges from the semitrivial solution, indicating a stability exchange when the parameter is small in certain regions. This phenomenon is a particularly interesting finding in this context.
Using Nontraditional Checks
Authors: Deeks Ashley S
Published: February 2025

Chapter 5 focuses on the role that nontraditional actors play as checks on the executive branch, pushing back on the assumption that the actors discussed in Chapter 4 are the only ones positioned to track secret government activity and assess whether that activity comports with our public law values. These nontraditional actors include foreign allies that are U.S. partners in NATO or the Five Eyes, some U.S. state and local officials, and technology companies and defense contractors. These actors have specific expertise in new threats and targets, access to information or infrastructure that the federal government needs to execute its national security mission, and legal or political commitments not to reveal the information. The chapter explains how these actors can enhance government compliance with public law values and offers normative proposals for improving their efforts. It concludes by noting that the public itself can work to peel back the curtain of secrecy using lawful tools and, even absent classified information, can articulate its views about unclassified AI systems that may have classified analogues behind that curtain.
Conclusion
Authors: Deeks Ashley S
Published: February 2025

The Conclusion revisits key lessons and themes of the book. It returns to the hypothetical scenario with which the book started, demonstrating how the solutions proposed in prior chapters would help address the double black box problem that manifests itself in the scenario. This chapter concludes that there is no single solution to the double black box and that each actor discussed in Chapters 4 and 5 has an important role to play in ensuring that the U.S. government complies with its public law values. Deep down, it argues that all must remain active participants in this shared project.
A New El amor brujo
Authors: Hess Carol A
Published: February 2025

Falla took many of these critiques to heart. He decided to transform El amor brujo into a ballet, and in 1925, it premiered in his beloved Paris. This version, featuring the celebrated Spanish-Argentine dancer “La Argentina,” proved a great success. This chapter outlines Falla’s adjustments to the 1915 pantomime and tracks his development of the orchestral suite, the format in which El amor brujo is most frequently heard today. At the same time, the concert pianist Artur Rubinstein began performing and recording an arrangement for solo piano of the “Ritual Fire Dance,” the most famous number from El amor brujo. While Falla’s orchestral suite of El amor brujo began to acquire its international reputation the “Ritual Fire Dance” gained ground as a crowd-pleasing encore. Some artists even programmed it alongside “light” numbers such as “Variations on Yankee Doodle.” Thus the question raised by the 1915 premiere of El amor brujo persisted: serious or popular?
Assessing the Participation of Ex-Ministers as Constitutional Judges
Authors: Möschel Mathias
Published: February 2025

This chapter details the benefits and risks the participation of ex-ministers brings to constitutional courts. In terms of benefits those can be summarized as the possession of specific expertise and knowledge regarding the political machinery of the country, something that a law professor or judge might not necessarily have. Moreover, such personalities may bring a certain diversity of viewpoints and socio-professional background as well as a certain prestige and a standing to an institution that an unknown or anonymous judge or law professor may not have. As to the risks, they concern the question of politicization, separation of powers, independence and (objective) impartiality but also organizational ones arising from the difficulties to allocate cases or too much visibility when (political) scandals of ex-ministers drag constitutional courts into the public eye.
Deprescribing in cognitively vulnerable older people: development and validation of STOPPCog criteria
Authors: McGettigan Siobhan , Curtin Denis , O’Mahony Denis
Published: February 2025

Objective

To validate STOPPCog, a list of explicit criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in cognitively vulnerable older adults.

Design

A Delphi consensus survey of an expert panel comprising academic geriatricians, old age psychiatrists, general practitioners, and clinical pharmacists.

Setting

Ireland.

Subjects

Nine panellists.

Methods

STOPPCog criteria were initially created by the authors based on clinical experience and literature appraisal. Criteria were organised according to drug/drug class. Using Delphi consensus methodology, panellists ranked their agreement with each criterion on a 5-point Likert scale and provided written feedback. Criteria with a median value of 1 or 2 (strongly agree/agree) and a 25th centile value of ≤2 were included in the final list.

Results

All panellists completed two Delphi consensus validation rounds. Twenty-five criteria were proposed initially, twenty were accepted. One criterion was rejected (multi-vitamin supplements), and four criteria were rephrased (two of these were combined to one criterion for greater clarity). The final list comprised 23 criteria that are arranged in six subgroups i.e. (i) drugs with anticholinergic properties taken daily; (ii) drugs with sedative properties taken daily; (iii) drugs that may exacerbate psychotic symptoms in patients with alpha-synuclein pathology; (iv) drugs used for chronic pain; (v) drugs without proven efficacy for dementia taken daily; (vi) drugs that are of no proven benefit in advanced stage dementia i.e. clinical dementia rating of 3.0 where palliation may be appropriate.

Conclusion

STOPPCog comprises 23 criteria relating to medications that are potentially inappropriate in cognitively vulnerable older adults. STOPPCog may assist physicians in deprescribing medications in this patient population.
Utilisation of nursing home care before and after the 2015 Dutch national reform: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: MacNeil Vroomen Janet L , Wammes Joost D , Wouterse Bram , Smalbrugge Martin , Murphy Terrence E
Published: February 2025

Background

The Netherlands introduced abrupt, large-scale, long-term care (LTC) reforms in 2015 that promoted ageing-in-place. However, there has been no comprehensive population-level study evaluating how these reforms have impacted nursing home (NH) utilisation. This study examines the association between the 2015 reforms with national monthly rates of NH admissions and survival time amongst newly admitted older adults.

Methods

We analysed population data from Statistics Netherlands (2011–2019), conducting an interrupted time-series analysis to compare monthly NH admission rates before and after the 2015 reforms amongst adults aged 65 and older (N = 402 350). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the reform’s impact on mortality risk amongst newly admitted residents.

Results

The adjusted NH admission rate before the reform was 88.80 per 100 000 older adults (95% CI (confidence interval): 82.36–95.83), compared to 69.82 per 100 000 after the reform (95% CI: 65.91–73.78), indicating a significant reduction (incident rate ratio: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.74–0.86). Over a 3-year follow-up, the average survival time for those admitted after the reform was 608 days (95% CI: 608.72–610.74), compared to 622.52 days (95% CI: 620.59–624.45) for those admitted before the reform. The reform was associated with a slightly increased mortality risk (hazard ratio: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.07).

Conclusions

The 2015 Dutch LTC reform is associated with a reduction in national NH admissions and a decrease in average survival time of 2 weeks.
Training of postgraduate year 2 critical care pharmacists in care of the obstetric patient
Authors: Mohamed Adham A , Holmes Ashley K , Ploetz Jeannette , Day Kimberly N
Published: February 2025

Disclaimer

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to characterize the current state of training in the care of critically ill obstetric patients for postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) critical care pharmacy residents across the US. Additionally, we sought to compare the level of comfort in caring for these patients between those who received training during their residency and those who did not.

Methods

This was a descriptive analysis of the training provided to PGY2 critical care pharmacy residents. Two surveys were sent to residency program directors (RPDs) and to current residents and recent graduates of PGY2 critical care pharmacy training programs.

Results

A total of 44 RPDs responded to the survey. Of the respondents, 9% indicated that their program has an obstetrics rotation while 66% of programs include case reviews or topic discussions. Forty-two current residents and recent graduates of PGY2 critical care pharmacy training programs responded to the survey. Of those who responded, 24% indicated that they had a formal rotation experience. The median comfort level in care of critically ill obstetric patients was significantly higher for pharmacists who had received training vs those who had not (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

These survey results highlight an opportunity for more thorough training in care of critically ill obstetric patients for PGY2 critical care pharmacy residents. This training is associated with increased comfort level in caring for these complex patients.
Normative Data for the Modified Location Learning Test (m-LLT) in the French–Quebec Population Aged Between 50 and 89 Years
Authors: St-Hilaire Alexandre , Fuduche Camille , Belzile Florence , Macoir Joël , Hudon Carol
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study aims to establish normative data for the modified Location Learning Test (m-LLT), considering sociodemographic characteristics such as age, sex, and educational level.

Materials and Methods

One hundred eighty-nine middle-aged and elderly people aged 50 years and older were recruited from the French-speaking population in Quebec (Canada). The m-LLT procedure described by Kessels et al. (2006) was used. Percentiles were derived for performance scores (Trial 1, Total Displacement Score, Learning Index, Delayed Recall Displacements), stratified by sociodemographic characteristics where appropriate.

Results

Regarding the sex variable, the number of displacements in Trial 1 and for the Total Displacement Score were higher in men than in women. Age was positively associated with the Total Displacement Score and Delayed Recall Displacements and negatively associated with the Learning Index. Education was positively associated with the Learning Index and Delayed Recall Displacements. Two-thirds of the normative sample achieved a perfect score on the fifth and final learning trial.

Conclusions

Learning was better in women than in men, which may be explained by the use of verbal and nonverbal strategies and environmental awareness favoring women. The decline in learning and retrieval with age can be explained, among other reasons, by a less strategic approach during the encoding phase, a decline in other cognitive domains, or poorer imagery-based representations of the stimuli. The associations between education, strategic retrieval, and cognitive reserve are discussed. Overall, these normative data will enhance the detection of cognitive decline in geriatric clinical or research settings.
Effect of D-β-hydroxybutyrate on sleep quality in healthy participants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Katsuya Shohei , Kawata Yoshikazu , Kawamura Yosuke , Kawamura Jun , Tsubota Jun
Published: February 2025

We investigated the effects of D-β-hydroxybutyric acid on sleep quality in healthy Japanese adults. In this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-grouped study, each group comprised 30 healthy Japanese adults. They received either 1.5 g D-β-hydroxybutyric acid (low D-BHB group), 2.9 g D-β-hydroxybutyric acid (high D-BHB group), or placebo beverage (placebo group) for 14 days, respectively. Before and after the intervention, the Oguri–Shirakawa–Azumi sleep inventory, middle-aged and aged version (OSA-MA), and sleep state test were conducted. After 14 days, compared to the placebo group, the OSA-MA scores for “Sleepiness on rising” and “frequent dreaming” were significantly higher in both the low and high D-BHB groups. Additionally, the score for “Initiation and maintenance of sleep” was significantly higher in the low D-BHB group, and the score for “Refreshing on rising” was significantly higher in the high D-BHB group. We found that D-β-hydroxybutyric acid can improve sleep quality in healthy Japanese adults.
Characterization of the nucleoside monophosphate kinase from Thermus thermophilus phage p23-45 and its application in the biosynthesis of deoxynucleoside triphosphates
Authors: Cheng Nai-Wei , Kok Li-Ching , Cheng Hui-Chun , Chang Hwan-You
Published: February 2025

Nucleoside monophosphate kinases (NMKs) are essential enzymes in nucleotide biosynthesis. In this study, an NMK from Thermus thermophilus phage p23-45 (ϕNMK) was overexpressed and characterized, which exhibited relatively low sequence similarity (∼20%) to cellular NMKs. The enzyme demonstrated broad specificity for all four deoxynucleoside monophosphates (dNMPs) (KM: 0.27‒0.45 mM), optimal activity at 70 °C, and retained 95% activity after 8 h at 37 °C. Structural modeling and site-directed mutagenesis identified key catalytic roles for K39 and R66. A one-pot dNTP synthesis workflow using ϕNMK and T. thermophilus pyruvate kinase (TtPYK) enhanced ATP regeneration efficiency compared to acetate kinases, achieving > 85% conversion of all dNMPs to dNTPs. These findings highlight ϕNMK's thermostability and efficiency, establishing it as a promising candidate for industrial dNTP production.
FAIRification of the DMRichR Pipeline: Advancing Epigenetic Research on Environmental and Evolutionary Model Organisms
Authors: Salam Wassim , Wojewodzic Marcin W , Frisch Dagmar
Published: February 2025

Bioinformatics tools often prioritize humans or human-related model organisms, overlooking the requirements of environmentally relevant species, which limits their use in ecological research. This gap is particularly challenging when implementing existing software, as inadequate documentation can delay the innovative use of environmental models for modern risk assessment of chemicals that can cause aberration in methylation patterns. The establishment of fairness in ecological and evolutionary studies is already constrained by more limited resources in these fields of study, and an additional imbalance in tool availability further hinders comprehensive ecological research.

To address these gaps, we adapted the DMRichR package, a tool for epigenetic analysis, for use with custom, non-model genomes. As an example we here use the crustacean Daphnia, a keystone grazer in aquatic ecosystems. This adaptation involved the modification of specific code, computing three new species-specific packages (BSgenome, TxDb, and org.db), and computing a CpG islands track using the makeCGI package. Additional adjustments to the DMRichR package were also necessary to ensure proper functionality. The developed workflow can now be applied not only to different Daphnia species that were previously unsupported, but also to any other species for which an annotated reference genome is available.

Availability and implementation

Code and data are available at https://github.com/wassimsalam01/DMRichR-FAIRification and at https://github.com/folkehelseinstituttet/DMRichR-FAIRification as well as DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13366959. This work is open-source software available under the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL) version 3.0.
FoldX Force Field revisited, an improved version
Authors: Delgado Javier , Reche Raul , Cianferoni Damiano , Orlando Gabriele , van der Kant Rob , Rousseau Frederic , Schymkowitz Joost , Serrano Luis
Published: February 2025

Motivation

The FoldX force field was originally validated with a database of 1000 mutants at a time when there were few high-resolution structures. Here we have manually curated a database of 5556 mutants affecting protein stability, resulting in 2484 highly confident mutations denominated FoldX Stability Dataset (FSD), represented in non-redundant X-ray structures with less than 2.5 Å resolution, not involving duplicates, metals or prosthetic groups. Using this database, we have created a new version of the FoldX force field by introducing Pi stacking, pH dependency for all charged residues, improving aromatic-aromatic interactions, modifying the Ncap contribution and α-helix dipole, recalibrating the side chain entropy of Methionine, adjusting the H-bond parameters, and modifying the solvation contribution of Tryptophan and others.

Results

These changes have led to significant improvements for the prediction of specific mutants involving the above residues/interactions and a statistically significant increase of FoldX predictions, as well as for the majority of the 20 aa. Removing all training sets data from FSD (VFSD dataset), resulted in improved predictions from R = 0.693 (RMSE = 1.277 kcal/mol) to R = 0.706 (RMSE = 1.252 kcal/mol) when compared with the previously released version. FoldX achieves 95% accuracy considering an error of ± 0.85 kcal/mol in prediction, and an AUC = 0.78, for the VFSD, predicting the sign of the energy change upon mutation.

Availability

FoldX versions 4.1 & 5.1 are freely available for academics at https://foldxsuite.crg.eu/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
OoCount: A Machine-Learning Based Approach to Mouse Ovarian Follicle Counting and Classification
Authors: Folts Lillian , Martinez Anthony S , Williams Jaelyn A , Bunce Corey , Capel Blanche , McKey Jennifer
Published: February 2025

The number and distribution of follicles in each growth stage provides a reliable readout of ovarian health and function. Leveraging techniques for three-dimensional imaging of ovaries in toto has the potential to uncover total, accurate ovarian follicle counts. Due to the size and holistic nature of these images, counting oocytes is time consuming and difficult. The advent of machine-learning algorithms has allowed for the development of ultra-fast, automated methods to analyze microscopy images. In recent years, these pipelines have become more accessible to non-specialists. We used these tools to create OoCount, a high-throughput, open-source method for automatic oocyte segmentation and classification from fluorescent 3D microscopy images of whole mouse ovaries using a deep-learning convolutional neural network (CNN) based approach. We developed a fast tissue-clearing and imaging protocol to obtain 3D images of whole mount mouse ovaries. Fluorescently labeled oocytes from 3D images were manually annotated in Napari to develop a training dataset. This dataset was used to retrain StarDist using a CNN within DL4MicEverywhere to automatically label all oocytes in the ovary. In a second phase, we utilize Accelerated Pixel and Object Classification, a Napari plugin, to sort oocytes into growth stages. Here, we provide an end-to-end pipeline for producing high-quality 3D images of mouse ovaries and obtaining follicle counts and staging. We demonstrate how to customize OoCount to fit images produced in any lab. Using OoCount, we obtain accurate oocyte counts from each growth stage in the perinatal and adult ovary, improving our ability to study ovarian function and fertility.
Relational In/Justice Journeys: Revising Procedural Justice Theory Through An Analysis of Rape and Sexual Assault Victims’ Experiences of Police Investigations
Authors: Hohl Katrin , Jackson Jonathan , Bradford Ben
Published: February 2025

Procedural justice theory has much to say about police-citizen interactions, but the high-stakes, long-duration and quite specific nature of police investigations involving rape and sexual assault victims compel us to re-examine and re-conceptualize some of its core propositions. We draw on data from the largest national survey of rape and sexual assault victims’ experiences of the police in the United Kingdom. We find that negative officer behaviour can signal to sexual violence victims that they are not deserving of agency, connectedness, competence and care. For rape and sexual assault victims, police investigations are relational journeys of (mis)recognition and (mis)affirmation with profound impacts on victim’s personal well-being and subjective access to police safeguarding and criminal justice.
Metastatic malignant cylindroma arising on a background of digenic inheritance of BRCA2 and CYLD pathogenic variants targeted with PARP inhibition
Authors: Fostier William , Husain Akhtar , Namini Shirin , Mathew Bipin , Holt Georgie , Memari Yasin , Davies Helen , Koh Gene Ching Chiek , Nik-Zainal Serena , Rajan Neil
Published: February 2025

Background

CYLD cutaneous syndrome (CCS) is caused by germline heterozygous pathogenic variants in CYLD and results in progressive formation of cylindromas, spiradenomas, or trichoepitheliomas. Malignant cylindroma is a rare skin adnexal tumour occurring in CCS that can metastasize with lethal outcomes and has limited genomic characterization. BRCA2 loss in CCS is not described and may modulate the cutaneous cancer risk of CCS.

Objectives

To establish if BRCA deficiency drives metastatic malignant cylindroma and report the phenotype of three siblings with digenic inheritance of CYLD and BRCA2 pathogenic variants, one of whom developed metastatic cylindroma aged 28.

Methods

A kindred study reporting seven members of a CCS family was conducted in a tertiary hospital setting within the United Kingdom from April 2021 - February 2023. Clinical phenotype, pathological, radiological and genetic findings, and treatment data were collected. Whole genome sequencing of the primary malignant cylindroma occurring in one patient was performed to identify targetable driver mutations and signatures.

Results

Malignant cylindroma arose in one (proband) of the two male siblings with digenic inheritance of BRCA2 (c.5158insT) and CYLD (c.2689-2A>G) pathogenic variants. A further female sibling with digenic inheritance of the same BRCA2 and CYLD PVs developed early breast cancer. Whole genome sequencing of the primary malignant cylindroma in the affected patient showed loss of heterozygosity of both BRCA2 and CYLD. Bioinformatic analysis revealed confirmed homologous repair deficiency (HRD). These data supported the use of the poly ADP ribose (PARP) inhibitor, Rucaparib, to target HRD in a non-canonical BRCA deficient skin cancer.

Conclusions

Digenic inheritance of pathogenic variants in cancer predisposing genes should prompt clinicians to be vigilant for atypical malignant presentations. We demonstrate that rapid whole genome sequencing can inform the treatment of metastatic malignant cylindroma and identify novel systemic therapies.
The hidden interplay between sex and adverse outcomes in incident dialysis patients: the role of aortic calcification
Authors: Zhao Xue , Lei Zitong , Wang Meng , Liu Hua , Yan Mengyao , Huo Linhui , Gao Zhumei , Jiang Hongli , Wei Limin
Published: February 2025

Background

Research on the sex disparity in the prognosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly among those who are newly initiating dialysis, is limited and inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the associations between sex and all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE), with a particular focus on the presence of aortic calcification (AC).

Methods

We conducted a post hoc analysis of 1459 incident dialysis patients included in this prospective cohort study. The primary outcome of interest was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was a composite of MACE.

Results

During a median follow-up period of 3.55 years, 362 (269 male and 93 female) patients died and 477 (342 male and 135 female) patients developed MACE. The risks for all-cause mortality (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.47-0.79) and MACE (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60-0.93) were lower in females than in males. This finding was robust across multiple sensitivity analyses and most subgroups. Moreover, the associations between sex and adverse outcomes were significantly modified by AC status at dialysis initiation (p for interaction < 0.05). Specifically, among patients without AC, females exhibited lower risks for all-cause mortality (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29-0.69; p < 0.001) and MACE (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.93; p=0.015),whereas no differences were observed for all-cause mortality (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.59-1.15; p=0.256) or MACE (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.59-1.10; p=0.174) among patients with AC.

Conclusions

In patients with renal failure receiving dialysis, AC abolished the survival and cardiovascular protection observed in female versus male patients. This finding supports the need for greater awareness of the AC burden in female dialysis patients.
Ability of Upper Airway Metrics to Predict Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Taha Yara M , Abu el Sadat Shaimaa M , Gaber Ramy M , Farid Mary M
Published: February 2025

Objectives

The lack of consensus regarding the association between airway narrowing and the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) presents a significant challenge in understanding and diagnosing this sleep disorder. The study aimed to systematically review the literature to investigate the relationship between upper airway measurements and the severity of OSA defined by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).

Methods

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched on the 21st of March 2023 for articles of OSA patients as diagnosed by polysomnography, investigating the correlation between upper airway measurements and AHI using CBCT or MDCT. Quality assessment was done using the New Castle-Ottawa Scale. The results were subsequently synthesized descriptively.

Results

The database search identified 1253 results. Fourteen studies, encompassing 720 patients, met the eligibility criteria. Upper airway length showed moderate to weak positive correlation with AHI. Minimal cross-sectional area had varying correlations with AHI, ranging from strong negative to no correlation. Nasopharyngeal volumes showed moderate negative to weak correlations with AHI. Total upper airway volume ranged from strong negative to weak correlation with AHI. Other measurements exhibited weak or very weak correlations with AHI.

Conclusions

Among the variables investigated, the minimal cross-sectional area and, to a lesser extent, the volume of the upper airway in OSA patients demonstrated the most promising correlation with the AHI. However, the preponderance of evidence suggests that upper airway length, cross-sectional area and volume as measured by CBCT or MDCT are weak predictors of OSA.
Refusing Algorithmic Recognition
Authors: Petersmann Marie
Published: February 2025

The Black Technical Object retraces and problematizes the entanglements between technology, data and race. Ramon Amaro’s genealogy of racial sorting argues that machine learning is preconditioned by a prototypical Whiteness that relegates Black beings as objects measured against a White norm. In raising salient questions about technological, political and legal agency – which intersect with various modes of critique of algorithmic governance – I explore three main contributions the book makes to international law. First, machine learning and algorithmic decision-making are increasingly deployed in different domains of international law. The Black Technical Object speaks to emergent strands of scholarship that map how these developments reconfigure and disrupt key legal concepts and categories. Second, both the individual ‘subject’ and the collective ‘public’ of (international) law come into formation differently through these technological systems. Amaro helps us engage with these modalities of subject-making and understand their lineages and political stakes. Finally, the book provides a distinct political perspective of refusal and resistance – a refusal of recognition to resist the reinforcement of racial constructs (re)produced in the digital space.
Physical activity and heat stress shape water needs in pregnant endurance athletes
Authors: Sadhir Srishti , McGrosky Amanda , Swanson Zane S , Tavormina Anna , Tomechko Keri , Pontzer Herman
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives

Pregnancy, heat stress, and physical activity are all known to independently increase human water requirements. We hypothesize that climate conditions and behavioral strategies interact to shape water needs in highly active pregnancies.

Methodology

We recruited 20 female endurance runners who were pregnant (8-16 weeks gestational age; n=13) or planning to be pregnant (n=7) for an observational, prospective cohort study. At three timepoints in the study (preconception, 8-16 weeks, and 32-35 weeks), we measured water turnover using the deuterium dilution and elimination technique, physical activity using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometers, and heat index using historical temperature and humidity data. We also compared athletes to non-athletes from a previously published study.

Results

Athletes maintained high water turnover from preconception through the end of pregnancy. Physical activity was positively associated with water turnover among athletes for preconception and early pregnancy time periods, but not for the third trimester. Heat index weakly moderated the relationship between physical activity and water turnover in predicting a more positive slope in hotter and more humid weather conditions. Water turnover in athletes was higher than in non-athletes, but this difference attenuated during the third trimester, as non-athletes increased their water turnover.

Conclusions and Implications

Athletes experience higher water turnover with greater levels of physical activity, and this relationship is somewhat stronger in higher heat index conditions. With the threat of climate change expected to exacerbate extreme heat conditions, evidence-based, global policies are required for particularly vulnerable populations.
Interventions and Predictors of Transition to Hospice for People Living with Dementia: An Integrative Review
Authors: Murali Komal Patel , Gogineni Srija , Bullock Karen , McDonald Margaret , Sadarangani Tina , Schulman-Green Dena , Brody Abraham A
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives

Goal-concordant transition to hospice is an important facet of end-of-life care for people living with dementia. The objective of this integrative review was to appraise existing evidence and gaps focused on interventions and predictors of transition to hospice and end-of-life care for persons living with dementia across healthcare to inform future research.

Research Design and Methods

Using integrative review methodology by Whittemore and Knafl, five databases were searched (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews) for articles between 2000 and 2023. The search focused on dementia, hospice care, transitions, care management and/or coordination, and intervention studies.

Results

Fourteen articles met inclusion criteria after critical appraisal. Most were cross-sectional in design and conducted in nursing homes and hospitals in the U.S. persons living with dementia had multiple chronic conditions including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Interventions included components of hospice decision-making delivered through advance care planning, checklist-based care management for hospice transition, and palliative care for those with severe dementia. Predictors included increasing severity of illness including functional decline, organ failure, intensive care use, and the receipt of palliative care. Other predictors were related to insurance status, race and ethnicity, and caregiver burden. Overall, despite moderate to high-quality evidence, the studies were limited in scope and sample and lacked racial and ethnic diversity.

Discussion and Implications

Prospective, multisite randomized trials and population-based analyses including larger and diverse samples are needed for improved end-of-life dementia illness counseling and hospice care transitions for persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
Intestinal Ultrasound Identified Crohn’s Disease In Previously Undiagnosed Siblings
Authors: Krugliak Cleveland Noa , Bhondwe Khushi S , Duty Charlotte M , Rubin David T
Published: February 2025

Lay Summary

We present the clinical cases of 3 brothers, 1 with confirmed diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and 2 with inconclusive findings by endoscopy and histology and demonstrate the utility of intestinal ultrasound in confirming the diagnosis of CD.
On Normed 𝔼∞-rings in Genuine Equivariant Cp-spectra
Authors: Yang Lucy
Published: February 2025

Genuine equivariant homotopy theory is equipped with a multitude of coherently commutative multiplication structures generalizing the classical notion of an $ {{\mathbb{E}}}_\infty $-algebra. In this paper we study the $ C_{p} $-$ {{\mathbb{E}}}_\infty $-algebras of Nardin–Shah with respect to a cyclic group $ C_{p} $ of prime order. We show that many of the higher coherences inherent to parametrized algebras collapse; in particular, they may be described more simply and conceptually in terms of ordinary $ {{\mathbb{E}}}_\infty $-algebras as a diagram category which we call normed algebras. Our main result provides a relatively straightforward criterion for identifying $ C_{p} $-$ {{\mathbb{E}}}_\infty $-algebra structures. We visit some applications of our result to real trace theories.
GABA-induced monocytic reactive oxygen species impair CD4 restoration in treated HIV-1 adults
Authors: Younas Mehwish , Gimenez Sandrine , Lin Yea-Lih , Mettling Clément , Maiorano Domenico , Reynes Jacques , Pasero Philippe , Rondard Philippe , Psomas Christina K , Corbeau Pierre
Published: February 2025

Background

In order to better understand why about 15% of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (PWH) on highly active antiretroviral therapy do not restore their CD4 count, we explored the link previously reported between glutamate plasma level and CD4 count.

Methods

We recruited fourty-four adults living with HIV-1 aviremic under antiretroviral therapy. Their peripheral blood concentrations in glutamate and GABA were determined by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to detect GABA receptor, reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by monocytes, and programmed T cell death. DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) and p53 phosphorylation were analyzed by western blot. DNA damage was quantified by immunofluorescence.

Results

We show that i) some virologic responders present high plasma levels of glutamate and of its derivative, GABA; ii) monocytes express the GABA receptor GABA-B1; iii) GABA-B1 stimulation induces monocytic ROS production; iv) GABA-B1-overexpressing monocytes of PWH with high plasma levels of GABA release high amount of ROS; and v) monocyte-derived ROS oxidise the DNA of CD4+ T cells, creating double-strand breaks which activate DNA-PK and p53, and finally apoptosis. The intensity of this cascade of events is inversely correlated with the slope of CD4+ T cell recovery in treated PWH.

Discussion

We propose that DNA damage resulting from ROS produced by GABA-activated monocytes plays a key role in impaired immune restoration. Consequently, GABA-B1 antagonists and/or ROS inhibitors might be a promising therapy for non-immunologic responders. Furthermore, the same mechanism could be involved in CD4 loss in the natural course of the infection.
Fecal Microbiota-based Investigations of Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency and related Traits in a Landrace x Piétrain crossbred Population
Authors: Schmid Markus , Haas Valentin P , Sarpong Naomi , Rodehutscord Markus , Seifert Jana , Camarinha-Silva Amélia , Bennewitz Jörn
Published: February 2025

Improving protein efficiency in pork production is a desired goal regarding resource conservation and climate protection, whereby animal breeding has great potential for sustainable improvements. Nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) is an important trait but laborious to measure. As blood urea nitrogen (BUN) can be used to predict NUE, it is often used as indicator trait. Both NUE and BUN were found to be heritable, however, microbial studies have not yet been carried out. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in the context of N efficiency in different fattening phases. The dataset consisted of 450 Landrace x Piétrain pigs fattened in a two-phase feeding regime. All pigs were fecal sampled and phenotyped in two fattening phases, referred to as sampling period (SP) 1 and SP2 in week 13 and week 16 post natum, respectively. Microbial communities in feces were compared across SPs and significant differences were observed. Mixed linear models were applied to quantify the microbial variance and microbiability for NUE, BUN, and related traits within each of the SPs. Except for NUE in SP1, all microbiabilities were significant and ranged from 0.079 to 0.471. Microbiome-wide association studies revealed a polymicrobial trait architecture, characterized by the contribution of many genera, with each genus having a relatively small effect on the traits. In total, four and eleven microbial genera were significantly associated with NUE and BUN, respectively. Microbial correlations were estimated between traits within SPs via bivariate analyses. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly correlated with N intake and retention in SP1 but not in SP2. Fecal microbiota composition differed significantly between SPs and the use of microbiota data across SPs resulted in a remarkable drop in microbiability for nearly all traits. This implies that microbiota data should be representative of the time point of phenotyping to fully capture microbial contribution to trait expression. The results suggest that jointly using genomic and fecal microbial data might be expedient to improve protein efficiency in fattening pigs.
Genomics of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle
Authors: Hess Melanie K , McDermott Rebecca L , Erickson Galen E , Spangler Matthew L
Published: February 2025

The primary reason livers are condemned is due to abscesses, which are visible lesions detected on the liver during routine harvest of the animal. Condemned livers are deemed not fit for human consumption, and result in over $15M in lost income to the U.S. beef industry each year. Liver scoring is a 4-level measurement of abscess severity: 0 (no abscesses), A- (mild: 1-2 small abscesses), A (moderate: 2-4 active abscesses) and A+ (severe: 1 or more large, active abscesses). We quantified the degree to which known sources of variation, including genomic differences among animals, contribute to the incidence of liver abscesses in 1747 feedlot cattle fed a range of diets. Diets were grouped based on corn type (dry-rolled corn (DRC), high-moisture corn (HMC), DRC/HMC or steam-flaked Corn (SFC)) and byproduct (none, modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS), and Sweet Bran fed at 20%, 35% or 40%). A common set of SNP (n= 44,666) from the Illumina BovineSNP50 v2 and GGP Bovine 100K were used for genomic analyses. The posterior mean (posterior standard deviation) heritability estimate of liver score was 0.10 (0.05). Within-diet heritability estimates were not significantly different from zero but ranged from 0.02 (0.02) (MDGS) to 0.29 (0.32) (Sweet Bran fed at 35%). A BayesB Genome Wide Association Study with showed that liver score is a very polygenic trait with no large QTL segregating in this population. The genetic and phenotypic correlations of liver score with hot carcass weight, 12th rib fat, longissimus muscle area, or marbling score were not significantly different from zero. Results from the current study show that genomic selection for reduced liver score could be a useful tool to reduce the occurrence of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle, alongside current mitigation strategies; however, more data is needed to gain a better understanding of the genetic basis of liver score, as well as the relationship between liver score and other economically relevant traits, and potential genetic x diet interactions.
How neighborhood socioeconomic status, green space, and walkability are associated with risk for fracture among postmenopausal women
Authors: Wende Marilyn E , Lohman Matthew C , Friedman Daniela B , McLain Alexander C , Whitsel Eric A , Crandall Carolyn J , Cauley Jane A , Allison Matthew , Shadyab Aladdin H , Sealy-Jefferson Shawnita , Garcia Lorena , Cannell Michael B , Kaczynski Andrew T
Published: February 2025

Although most fractures, and about half of hip fractures, occur outdoors among older women, limited research has uncovered neighborhood predictors for fractures among older women. This study assessed the independent associations of neighborhood socioeconomic status, walkability, and green space with incident any and hip fracture among postmenopausal women. The Women’s Health Initiative recruited a national sample of postmenopausal women (50-79 years) across 40 U.S. clinical centers and conducted yearly assessments from 1993 to 2012 (n = 161 808). Women reporting a history of hip fracture or walking limitations were excluded from the analytic sample, yielding a final sample of 157 583 participants. Fracture events were self-reported and adjudicated annually. Walkability was calculated annually using measures of population density, land use mix, and presence/quantity of nearby high-traffic roadways. Neighborhood green space was calculated annually using measures of exposure to trees/vegetation. Neighborhood SES, walkability, and green space were categorized intro tertiles: high, intermediate, and low. The time-varying relationship between neighborhood environmental factors and age at first fracture (any; hip) was examined using extended Cox proportional hazards modeling with adjustment. Neighborhood socioeconomic status (intermediate vs low: hazard ratio = 1.03, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01-1.05; high vs low, hazard ratio = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.99-1.03) and green space (intermediate vs low, hazard ratio = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.12-1.18; high vs low hazard ratio = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.15-1.21) were associated with increased any incident fractures, while walkability had a mixed association (intermediate vs low hazard ratio = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.07; high vs low, hazard ratio = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-0.98). Neighborhood socioeconomic status, walkability, and green space did not have a relationship with hip fracture after adjustment for important covariates. Results indicate that macroscale neighborhood features did not protect against fractures. Additional research is needed to investigate more granual neighborhood features that might influence injury risk and support physical activity among postmenopausal women.
Explainable Artificial Intelligence twin for metaheuristic optimization: double-skin facade with energy storage in buildings
Authors: Tariq Rasikh , Recio-Garcia Juan A , Cetina-Quiñones Armando J , Orozco-del-Castillo Mauricio G , Bassam Ali
Published: February 2025

The double facade solar chimney along with energy storage components is a sustainable building technology that harnesses the power of the sun to regulate indoor temperatures. Extensive research has been conducted on the theoretical simulation of such systems. The novelty of this work is to explore the potential of explainable artificial intelligence in improving the design and optimization of the double-skin solar chimney. The need for this research is owing to the high computational limitations of the physical model of such systems, thus the application of explainable artificial intelligence based upon Artificial Neural Network can address this research gap. The paper solved a validated physical model and demonstrates the suitability of Artificial Neural Network twins as computational-efficient subrogates that can be later used by a multi-objective optimization function to find the optimal design values for the facades of double-skin buildings. The results of the comparison between the physical and the Artificial Neural Network model show the practical advantage of utilizing the digital twin model without compromising accuracy. The results have indicated that the Artificial Neural Network can achieve a high coefficient of determination ranging from 0.921 to 0.999 on different performance indicators which implies a high goodness of fit. Accordingly, the optimization study based upon a non-sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) has indicated a high ventilation rate of 2.86 1/h and an efficiency of 37.21%. The insights of this work have reflected that exploring the societal implications of sustainable building technologies such as the double facade solar chimney through educational initiatives can cultivate a new generation of society who not only understand the technical aspects but also appreciate the broader social and environmental contexts of their work, eventually to have future buildings with integrated passive systems.