bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebellar hemorrhage in neonates: pattern analysis by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Choi Gayoung , Choi Young Hun , Lee Seul Bi , Cho Yeon Jin , Lee Seunghyun , Cheon Jung-Eun , Shin Seung Han , Je Bo-Kyung
Published: January 2025

Background

Cerebellar hemorrhage in neonates is increasingly being identified but is still underdiagnosed. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the optimal imaging modality for cerebellar hemorrhage evaluation, ultrasonography (US) is commonly used for screening. Characterizing the patterns and distribution of cerebellar hemorrhage lesions can help facilitate its detection by aiding to focus on prevailing type of cerebellar hemorrhage.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the patterns of cerebellar hemorrhage in neonates, comparing US findings with MRI.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective study of 765 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)-admitted neonates who underwent brain MRI due to various clinical and radiological requirements. Two pediatric radiologists reviewed brain MRI and US in consensus, and cerebellar hemorrhage patterns were classified based on MRI findings: type 1, punctate cerebellar hemorrhage without cerebellar volume loss; type 2, focal cerebellar hemorrhage with cerebellar volume loss; type 3, ovoid/crescent cerebellar hemorrhage in the periphery of the cerebellar hemisphere; type 4, isolated vermian cerebellar hemorrhage; type 5, cerebellar hemorrhage involving almost the entire cerebellar hemisphere. The distribution and US detection rates of cerebellar hemorrhage were compared according to the cerebellar hemorrhage type.

Results

A total of 56 (33 male, 23 female) cases (7.32%) among 765 MRIs showed cerebellar hemorrhage (median gestational age, 27 + 1 weeks [IQR 5 + 2]; median birth weight, 955 g [IQR 882.5]). The most common pattern was type 1 (60.7%). Type 3 cerebellar hemorrhage was more commonly observed in the inferior and peripheral cerebellum compared to types 1 and 2 cerebellar hemorrhage (P=0.002). In retrospective review of images, type 3 was the most commonly missed type of cerebellar hemorrhage (initial US detection rate, 33.3%; retrospective US detection rate, 75%).

Conclusion

This study underscores the importance of understanding cerebellar hemorrhage patterns and suggests that careful inspection of inferior and periphery of the cerebellum is important to avoid missed diagnosis of cerebellar hemorrhage.

Graphical Abstract
Implications of the HF/H2O2 effect on the electrochemical etching formation of macroporous silicon at various etching times
Authors: Helaly Amirah A. , Farag M. A. , Youssef G. M.
Published: January 2025

This study presents the development of macroporous silicon (MPS) structures via electrochemical anodization of unpolished p-type silicon in hydrofluoric acid (HF)-based solutions containing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ethanol (C2H5OH). The process was conducted without external illumination and under the effect of various etching durations. MPS networks are materials that are ideally suited for tubular structures at the micrometer scale. The incorporation of H2O2 into its formation enhances the oxidation rate and facilitates the production of more well-defined pore structures. The resulting MPS layers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometry. SEM images revealed the formation of various structures, including deep pores, tree-like features, cracks, islands, and spongy networks. The pore sizes ranged from 0.43 to 2 microns, with pore depths reaching around 6.4 microns into the bulk silicon. Optical studies showed that the addition of H2O2 significantly altered the photoluminescence (PL) emission intensity highlighting changes in the material’s recombination efficiency.
Evolution of competitive ability and the response to nutrient availability: a resurrection study with the calcareous grassland herb, Leontodon hispidus
Authors: Karitter Pascal , Corvers Emma , Karrenbauer Marie , March-Salas Martí , Stojanova Bojana , Ensslin Andreas , Rauschkolb Robert , Godefroid Sandrine , Scheepens J. F.
Published: January 2025

Rapid environmental changes across Europe include warmer and increasingly variable temperatures, changes in soil nutrient availability, and pollinator decline. These abiotic and biotic changes can affect natural plant populations and force them to optimize resource use against competitors. To date, the evolution of competitive ability in the context of changes in nutrient availability remains understudied. In this study, we investigated whether the common calcareous grassland herb Leontodon hispidus recently evolved its competitive ability and response to nutrient availability. We compared ancestors sampled in 1995 and descendants sampled in 2018 and applied a competition treatment in combination with weekly nutrient treatments (no fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, and both). We found evidence for evolution of increased competitive ability, with descendants producing more vegetative biomass than ancestors when grown under competition. Furthermore, supplementing nutrients (especially N) reduced differences in competitive ability between ancestors and descendants, suggesting that nutrients are a limiting factor in interspecific competition, which could be linked to the decreasing nitrogen emissions into the atmosphere since the 1990s. Our study demonstrates rapid contemporary evolution of competitive ability, but also the complexity of the underlying processes of contemporary evolution, and sheds light on the importance of understudied potential selection agents such as nutrient availability.
Acquired cystic kidney disease in children with kidney failure
Authors: Ma Justin Ming-yin , Fung Kin-fen Kevin , Tong Pak-Chiu , Lai Wai-ming , Ma Alison Lap-tak , Chan Eugene Yu-hin
Published: January 2025

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, contributing factors, and clinical outcomes of acquired cystic kidney disease (ACKD) in children undergoing kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, territory-wide study at the designated pediatric nephrology center in Hong Kong. ACKD was defined as the presence of ≥ 3 cysts in the native kidneys, excluding congenital or hereditary cystic diseases. Between June to December 2023, all paediatric patients receiving KRT in Hong Kong underwent ultrasonography, non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or both. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed for patients with complex cysts.

Results

Forty-three children (56% female; median age 14.7 years; IQR, 11.7–18.7) were included in the analysis. ACKD was detected in 18 children (42%). Nine subjects had complex cysts (grade 2, n = 5; grade 2F, n = 2; grade 3, n = 2). Most patients with ACKD (89%) were asymptomatic. One patient (5.5%) developed back pain and gross haematuria 72 months after initiation of KRT. Another patient (5.5%) developed infected cyst with back pain and clinical sepsis 60 months following KRT initiation. A dialysis duration of ≥ 28 months was the only significant factor associated with ACKD development (77.8% vs. 40%; p = 0.028; ORadj 6.09, 95% CI 1.43–25.82, p = 0.014). The diagnostic yield of paired ultrasound and MRI was superior to ultrasound alone.

Conclusions

ACKD is prevalent among children and adolescents with kidney failure, with most cases being asymptomatic, however serious complications may arise. Longer duration of dialysis is significantly associated with ACKD development. Therefore, early transplantation and active ACKD surveillance are crucial for children receiving KRT.

Graphical abstract
A novel energy-based modeling framework
Authors: Altmann R. , Schulze P.
Published: January 2025

We introduce an energy-based model, which seems especially suited for constrained systems. The proposed model generalizes classical port-Hamiltonian input–state–output systems and exhibits similar properties such as energy dissipation as well as structure-preserving interconnection and Petrov–Galerkin projection. In terms of time discretization, the midpoint rule and discrete gradient methods are dissipation-preserving. Besides the verification of these properties, we present ten examples from different fields of application illustrating the great flexibility of the proposed framework.
Revisiting recommender systems: an investigative survey
Authors: Ibrahim Osman Ali Sadek , Younis Eman M. G. , Mohamed Ebtsam A. , Ismail Walaa N.
Published: January 2025

This paper provides a thorough review of recommendation methods from academic literature, offering a taxonomy that classifies recommender systems (RSs) into categories like collaborative filtering, content-based systems, and hybrid systems. It examines the effectiveness and challenges of these systems, such as filter bubbles, the "cold start" issue, and the reliance on collaborative filtering and content-based approaches. We trace the development of RSs, emphasizing the role of machine learning and deep learning models in overcoming these challenges and delivering more accurate, personalized, and context-aware recommendations. We also highlight the increasing significance of ethical considerations, including fairness, transparency, and trust, in the design of RSs. The paper presents a structured literature review, discussing various aspects of RSs, such as collaborative filtering, personalized recommender systems, and strategies to improve system robustness. It also points out the limitations of the existing approaches and suggests promising research directions for the future. In summary, this paper offers a comprehensive analysis of RSs, focusing on their evolution, challenges, and potential future improvements, particularly in enhancing accuracy, diversity, and ethical practices in recommendations.
Virtual reality game-based training for preventing falls among community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a pilot randomized control trial study
Authors: Ip Wing Keung , Soar Jeffrey , James Christina , Wang Szu-Yao , Fong Kenneth N. K.
Published: January 2025

Using a Virtual Reality (VR) game-based application represents an innovative approach to falls prevention in community aged care service. The study investigated the effects of VR training on falls prevention among community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effects of full-immersive VR training with group-based exercise (Baduanjin) training on falls prevention. Eighteen participants were recruited through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to either the VR group or the non-VR exercise group. Both groups participated in 16 falls prevention training sessions over eight weeks. Participants, identified with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), underwent three fall risk measurements. They had been screened using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (HK-MoCA). The primary outcomes assessed included changes in physical risk factors of falls (i.e. functional mobility, walk speed and postural balance), and the secondary outcomes assessed included changes in executive function and fall efficacy. The measurement of physical outcomes was Time Up and Go test (TUG), Berg balance scale (BBS) and Six-minute Walk Test (6MWT). The participants’ executive function and fear of falling were assessed through the Trail marking test (TMTA and TMTB) and the Fall Efficacy International scale (FES-I). The results showed that the VR group had significantly greater improvement than the non-VR group on measures of cognitive-motor performance, such as global cognition, functional mobility, balance and walk speed over time. However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in executive functions and the fall efficacy. The study provides potential evidence that VR game-based cognitive-motor training can be effective for fall prevention in community dwelling older adults with MCI. However, the findings do not support significant improvements in secondary outcomes. Despite this, the growing trend of VR research suggests increasing interest and potential for future applications in aged care and rehabilitation services.
Higher rank prioritary bundles on ruled surfaces and their global sections
Authors: Costa L. , Tarrío I. Macías
Published: January 2025

Let X be a ruled surface over a nonsingular curve C of genus $$g\ge 0$$

g
≥
0

. The main goal of this paper is to construct simple prioritary vector bundles of any rank r on X and to give effective bounds for the dimension of their module of global sections.
A quality assurance protocol for reliable and reproducible multi-TI arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging in rat livers
Authors: Zhao Wan-Ting , Herrmann Karl-Heinz , Wei Weiwei , Krämer Martin , Dahmen Uta , Reichenbach Jürgen R.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To establish an arterial spin labeling (ASL) protocol for rat livers that improves data reliability and reproducibility for perfusion quantification.

Methods

This study used respiratory-gated, single-slice, FAIR-based ASL imaging with multiple inversion times (TI) in rat livers. Quality assurance measures included: (1) introduction of mechanical ventilation to ensure consistent respiratory cycles by controlling the respiratory rate (45 bpm), tidal volume (10 ml/kg), and inspiration: expiration ratio (I:E ratio, 1:2), (2) optimization of the trigger window for consistent trigger points, and (3) use of fit residual map and coefficient of variance as metrics to assess data quality. We compared image quality, perfusion maps, and fit residual maps between mechanically ventilated and non-ventilated animals, as well as repeated ASL measurements (session = 4 per animal) in two mechanically ventilated animals.

Results

Perfusion measurements over multiple sessions in mechanically ventilated rats exhibited low perfusion data variability and high reproducibility both within and between liver lobes. Image quality and perfusion maps were significantly improved in mechanically ventilated animals compared to non-ventilated animals.

Discussion

The implementation of mechanical ventilation and optimized quality assurance protocols enhanced the reliability and reproducibility of FAIR-based multi-TI-ASL imaging in rat livers. Our findings demonstrate these measures as a robust approach for achieving consistent liver perfusion quantification in preclinical settings.
A data-centric framework for combating domain shift in underwater object detection with image enhancement
Authors: Folkman Lukas , Pitt Kylie A. , Stantic Bela
Published: January 2025

Underwater object detection has numerous applications in protecting, exploring, and exploiting aquatic environments. However, underwater environments pose a unique set of challenges for object detection including variable turbidity, colour casts, and light conditions. These phenomena represent a domain shift and need to be accounted for during design and evaluation of underwater object detection models. Although methods for underwater object detection have been extensively studied, most proposed approaches do not address challenges of domain shift inherent to aquatic environments. In this work we propose a data-centric framework for combating domain shift in underwater object detection with image enhancement. We show that there is a significant gap in accuracy of popular object detectors when tested for their ability to generalize to new aquatic domains. We used our framework to compare 14 image processing and enhancement methods in their efficacy to improve underwater domain generalization using three diverse real-world aquatic datasets and two widely used object detection algorithms. Using an independent test set, our approach superseded the mean average precision performance of existing model-centric approaches by 1.7–8.0 percentage points. In summary, the proposed framework demonstrated a significant contribution of image enhancement to underwater domain generalization.
Novel Selective Cardiac Myosin-Targeted Inhibitors Alleviate Myocardial Ischaemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Yusof Nur Liyana Mohammed , Yellon Derek M. , Davidson Sean M.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Reperfusion of the ischaemic heart is essential to limit myocardial infarction. However, reperfusion can cause cardiomyocyte hypercontracture. Recently, cardiac myosin-targeted inhibitors (CMIs), such as Mavacamten (MYK-461) and Aficamten (CK-274), have been developed to treat patients with cardiac hypercontractility. These CMIs are well tolerated and safe in clinical trials. We hypothesised that, by limiting hypercontraction, CMIs may reduce hypercontracture and protect hearts in the setting of ischaemia and reperfusion (IR).

Methods

We investigated the ability of MYK-461 and CK-274 to inhibit hypercontracture of adult rat cardiomyocytes (ARVC) in vitro following ATP depletion. A suitable dose of CMIs for subsequent in vivo IR studies was identified using cardiac echocardiography of healthy male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were anaesthetized and subject to coronary artery ligation for 30 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Prior to reperfusion, CMI or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally. Ischaemic preconditioning (IPC) was used as a positive control group. Infarct size was assessed by tetrazolium chloride staining and extent of hypercontracture was assessed by histological staining.

Results

Treatment with CMIs inhibited ARVC hypercontracture in vitro. MYK-461 (2 mg/kg) and CK-274 (0.5 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg) significantly reduced infarct size vs. vehicle. IR caused extensive contraction band necrosis, which was reduced significantly by IPC but not by CMIs, likely due to assay limitations. GDC-0326, an inhibitor of PI3Kα, abrogated CK-274-mediated protection following IR injury. GDC-0326 reduced phosphorylation of AKT when administered together with CK-274.

Conclusion

This study identifies CMIs as novel cardioprotective agents in the setting of IR injury.
Design and fabrication of mesh-like four-warp leno cotton fabric based on self-locking effect: outstanding mechanical performance and breathability
Authors: Tian Xiao , Yao Meiyu , Li Ying , Li Li
Published: January 2025

Achieving a fabric with good mechanical performance and breathability is significant for the development of protective clothing. The leno structure is a desirable fabric design for enhancing these properties due to its advantageous characteristics, such as flexibility, lightness, diamond-shaped structure, and increased yarn interlacing. However, there is a lack of studies focused on developing novel leno structures because of the difficulty of weaving and exploring the mechanical behavior and breathability of various leno fabrics with different structural characteristics. In this study, we leveraged advanced weaving techniques with improved needle-shaped heald frames to develop a programmed mesh-like four-warp leno cotton fabric that offers outstanding mechanical performance and breathability. The efficacy of the self-locking effects, achieved by manipulating the yarn interweaving to simultaneously regulate yarn friction and fabric porosity, is experimentally demonstrated. Compared to plain structures of the same density, the four-warp leno (FL) fabric exhibits nearly twice the tensile strength and strain in the warp direction. Additionally, the four-warp leno fabric demonstrates greater displacements to reach the junction rupture force point than plain structure of the same density in the yarn pull out tests, owing to the self-locked interweaving of the warp yarns. The yarn pull-out behavior of the FL was analyzed to illustrate the variation in load and displacement. Moreover, the high porosity of the four-warp leno woven fabric results in excellent air permeability, thermal conductivity, and water vapor transmission. This study provides an effective strategy for designing and fabricating four-warp leno fabric with outstanding mechanical performance and breathability for diverse applications.
Near real-time change detection tool for photogrammetric flood preparedness
Authors: Kögel Michael , Carstensen Dirk
Published: January 2025

Through the mobilization of movable objects due to the extreme hydraulic conditions during a flood event, blockages, damage to infrastructure, and endangerment of human lives can occur. To identify potential hazards from aerial imagery and take appropriate precautions, a change detection tool (CDT) was developed and tested using a study area along the Aisch River in Germany. The focus of the CDT development was on near real-time analysis of point cloud data generated by structure from motion from aerial images of temporally separated surveys, enabling rapid and targeted implementation of measures. The differences identified in the study area using distance comparison (M3C2) were segmented into individual components and categorized. Subsequently, the data was compared to existing two-dimensional hydrodynamic numerical calculation results (HQ100). The implementation of the CDT is feasible for a variety of RGB camera-equipped aerial vehicles due to the point cloud-based analysis and postprocessing. By overlaying and visualizing the detected changes with numerical simulation results, a quick assessment of the hazard potential in the event of a possible flood can be made. In the case of the study area along the Aisch River, the localization of construction materials, a steel container with debris pile, and a motor vehicle in the flood hazard zone of a potential HQ100 event could be confirmed, although no mobilization of the materials was to be expected due to the expected hydraulic conditions of a flood event.
The Aberrant Behavior Checklist in a Clinical Sample of Autistic Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Co-Occurring Mental Health Problems: Psychometric Properties, Factor Structure, and Longitudinal Measurement Invariance
Authors: Kildahl Arvid Nikolai , Hellerud Jane Margrete Askeland , Halvorsen Marianne Berg , Helverschou Sissel Berge
Published: January 2025

The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) was originally developed to evaluate interventions, and is a well-established assessment tool for challenging behaviours in people with intellectual disabilities and autistic people. However, whether the ABC displays longitudinal measurement invariance (i.e., whether it captures the same constructs over time) has been sparsely explored. The aim of the current study is to explore the factor structure, longitudinal measurement invariance, and clinical correlates of the ABC in autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities. Using data from a multicentre study of mental health assessment and treatment in autistic people with intellectual disabilities, the intake ABC scores of 200 autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities were used to explore the ABC factor structure, internal consistency, and clinical correlates (age, gender, level of intellectual disability, autism characteristics, communication skills). Scores across three time points (intake, post-intervention, follow-up) were used to explore longitudinal measurement invariance and internal consistency over time. The original five-factor structure showed a non-optimal but acceptable fit, which was similar or slightly improved compared to previous studies. Associations for some ABC subscales were found to be positive for autism characteristics and negative for communication skills. Four of the five subscales (irritability, social withdrawal, stereotypic behaviour, inappropriate speech) showed residual levels of longitudinal measurement invariance, while one subscale showed noninvariance (hyperactivity/noncompliance). The current study demonstrates the construct validity and applicability of the ABC in autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities, while also indicating that caution is advised for one of its subscales in comparisons across time.
Wellbeing and the Lived Experience of Injured Workers Following Finalisation of a Workers’ Compensation Claim
Authors: Weir James , Fary Robyn , Lee Samantha , Mitchell Tim , Johnston Venerina , Wyatt Mary , Guthrie Robert , Myers Bronwyn , Beales Darren
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Workers’ compensation claims can negatively affect the wellbeing of injured workers. For some, these negative effects continue beyond finalisation of the workers’ compensation claim. It is unclear what factors influence wellbeing following finalisation of a workers’ compensation claim. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore wellbeing through the lived experience of individuals who have finalised a workers’ compensation claim in the state of Western Australia.

Methods

A qualitative study with individual, in-depth, semi-structured interviews was performed (n = 20, 55% female, average claim length 22.9 months, average time since claim end 33.4 months). Claim finalisation modes included full medical recovery, claim settlement with permanent impairment, direct settlement with the insurer and settlement with the insurer facilitated by a lawyer. The interview schedule was informed by a previous scoping review and cross-sectional survey completed by this research team. Qualitative data were analysed utilising a reflexive, interpretative phenomenological analysis approach.

Results

Five superordinate and their associated subordinate themes were identified; (1) The role of support; (2) Stigma and discrimination; (3) A new normal; (4) The importance of information; and (5) Recommended resources.

Conclusions

Injured workers experience a range of outcomes related to their wellbeing and employment following the finalisation of their workers’ compensation claim. Based on their experiences, resources to facilitate a transition and adjustment to life following a claim have been suggested by injured workers, including information regarding seeking employment, seeking welfare support, educational materials regarding future expectations, and individualised support care packages.
Maximal line-free sets in $$\mathbb {F}_p^n$$
Authors: Elsholtz Christian , Führer Jakob , Füredi Erik , Kovács Benedek , Pach Péter Pál , Simon Dániel Gábor , Velich Nóra
Published: January 2025

We study subsets of

$$\mathbb {F}_p^n$$

F
p
n

that do not contain progressions of length

$$k$$

k

. We denote by

$$r_k(\mathbb {F}_p^n)$$

r
k

(

F
p
n

)

the cardinality of such subsets containing a maximal number of elements. In this paper we focus on the case

$$k=p$$

k
=
p

and therefore sets containing no full line. A trivial lower bound

$$r_p(\mathbb {F}_p^n)\ge (p-1)^n$$

r
p

(

F
p
n

)

≥

(
p
-
1
)

n

is achieved by a hypercube of side length

$$p-1$$

p
-
1

and it is known that equality holds for

$$n\in \{1,2\}$$

n
∈
{
1
,
2
}

. We will however show that

$$r_p(\mathbb {F}_p^3)\ge (p-1)^3+p-2\sqrt{p}$$

r
p

(

F
p
3

)

≥

(
p
-
1
)

3

+
p
-
2

p

, which is the first improvement in the three-dimensional case that is increasing in

$$p$$

p

. We will also give the upper bound

$$r_p(\mathbb {F}_p^{3})\le p^3-2p^2-(\sqrt{2}-1)p+2$$

r
p

(

F
p
3

)

≤

p
3

-
2

p
2

-

(

2

-
1
)

p
+
2

as well as generalizations for higher dimensions. Finally, we present some bounds for individual

$$p$$

p

and

$$n$$

n

, in particular

$$r_5(\mathbb {F}_5^{3})\ge 70$$

r
5

(

F
5
3

)

≥
70

and

$$r_7(\mathbb {F}_7^{3})\ge 225$$

r
7

(

F
7
3

)

≥
225

which can be used to give the asymptotic lower bound

$$4.121^n$$

4
.

121
n

for

$$r_5(\mathbb {F}_5^{n})$$

r
5

(

F
5
n

)

and

$$6.082^n$$

6
.

082
n

for

$$r_7(\mathbb {F}_7^{n})$$

r
7

(

F
7
n

)

.
Borderline personality disorder and moral responsibility
Authors: Baehni Agnès
Published: January 2025

This paper seeks to determine the extent to which individuals with borderline personality disorders can be held morally responsible for a particular subset of their actions: disproportionate anger, aggressions and displays of temper. The rationale for focusing on these aspects lies in their widespread acknowledgment in the literature and their plausible primary association with blame directed at BPD patients. BPD individuals are indeed typically perceived as “difficult patients” (Sulzer 2015:82; Bodner et al. 2011), significantly more so than schizophrenic or depressive patients (Markam 2003). The “responsibility question” for patients with BPD has already been raised (Martin 2010; Zachar and Potter 2009; Bray 2003), but this paper tackles it from a novel perspective. First, I narrow down the category of things for which the responsibility question is specific to individual with BPD. After that, I argue that some of the diagnosis criteria of BPD such as emotional instability or impulsivity might serve as excusing factors targeting the “control condition” on moral responsibility. Second, this paper also considers another widely accepted condition on moral responsibility: the epistemic condition. The view defended in the paper is that the answer to the responsibility question for individuals with BPD, concerning both the control condition and the epistemic condition, hinges on an understanding of their epistemic profile.
Molecular and computational analysis of a novel pathogenic variant in emopamil-binding protein (EBP) involved in cholesterol biosynthetic pathway causing a rare male EBP disorder with neurologic defects (MEND syndrome)
Authors: Bibi Hadiba , Ahmad Riaz , Rahman Fatima , Maqbool Shazia , Naeem Muhammad , Efthymiou Stephanie , Houlden Henry
Published: January 2025

Background

Male EBP disorder with neurologic defects (MEND syndrome) is an extremely rare disorder with a prevalence of less than 1/1,000,000 individuals worldwide. It is inherited as an X-linked recessive disorder caused by impaired sterol biosynthesis due to nonmosaic hypomorphic EBP variants. MEND syndrome is characterized by variable clinical manifestations including intellectual disability, short stature, scoliosis, digital abnormalities, cataracts, and dermatologic abnormalities. The goal of this study was to investigate the disease-causing variants in a family of two patients affected with MEND syndrome.

Methods

The genomic DNA of the two patients with MEND syndrome was subjected to whole exome sequencing to identify disease-causing variants. Segregation of the identified variant was tested through Sanger sequencing. Several in-silico tools were used to evaluate the pathogenicity of the variant. Protein’s 3D structure analysis systems were used to predict the impact of the identified variant on the binding and function of the mutated EBP protein including AlphaFold, PyMOL, AutoDock, ChimeraX and Discovery Studio.

Results

A novel pathogenic missense EBP variant NM_006579.3:c.556T > C (Trp186Arg) was found segregating in the affected family. In-silico analysis and molecular docking results supported the pathogenicity of the identified variant.

Conclusion

Our study expands the mutation spectrum of EBP and adds to the restricted reports of MEND patients. It strengthens the body of evidence that supports the role of EBP in the MEND syndrome phenotype. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this disorder from Pakistan.
Challenges of Investigating Compartmentalized Brain Energy Metabolism Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in vivo
Authors: Duarte João M. N.
Published: January 2025

Brain function requires continuous energy supply. Thus, unraveling brain metabolic regulation is critical not only for our basic understanding of overall brain function, but also for the cellular basis of functional neuroimaging techniques. While it is known that brain energy metabolism is exquisitely compartmentalized between astrocytes and neurons, the metabolic and neuro-energetic basis of brain activity is far from fully understood. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been widely used to detect variations in metabolite levels, including glutamate and GABA, while 13C NMR spectroscopy has been employed to study metabolic compartmentation and to determine metabolic rates coupled brain activity, focusing mainly on the component corresponding to excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission. The rates of oxidative metabolism in neurons and astrocytes are both associated with the rate of the glutamate-glutamine cycle between neurons and astrocytes. However, any possible correlation between energy metabolism pathways and the inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission rate in the living brain remains to be experimentally demonstrated. That is due to low GABA levels, and the consequent challenge of determining GABAergic rates in a non-invasive manner. This brief review surveys the state-of-the-art analyses of energy metabolism in neurons and astrocytes contributing to glutamate and GABA synthesis using 13C NMR spectroscopy in vivo, and identifies limitations that need to be overcome in future studies.
Shifting units, shifting views: how product mass and protein content influence environmental impact of Icelandic lamb
Authors: Shrivastava Sankalp , Gudjónsdóttir María , Thorkelsson Gudjon , Ögmundarson Ólafur
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Lamb meat is a crucial protein source in Icelanders’ diets. Extensive grazing lands, locally grown hay feed, and traditional farming methods are often used as arguments for Icelandic lamb meat’s environmental friendliness. However, no life cycle assessment (LCA) study exists to corroborate these arguments. This study conducts a national-level LCA to evaluate the environmental performance of lamb meat based on two functional units to identify key hotspot processes in its production.

Method

This study conducts a cradle-to-farm gate LCA at the national level for two functional units: 1 kg of edible lamb meat (ELM) and 100 g of ELM protein produced in Iceland in 2019. The multifunctionality between wool and meat is handled using mass allocation.

The environmental impacts were estimated using the ReCiPe 2016 v1.1 mid-point (H) impact assessment method, emphasizing selected environmental categories: global warming, fossil resource scarcity, land use, and terrestrial ecotoxicity. In addition, the study conducts a scenario-based variability analysis by taking minimum and maximum values of inventory data to estimate the possible range of environmental impacts. Lastly, an overall uncertainty analysis and a global sensitivity analysis of the key hotspot process shed light on the variability and sensitivity of the LCA results.

Result and discussion

For the 18 ReCiPe impact categories, animal and feed (hay) production are the hotspot processes, followed by feed (grazing) as a hotspot for land use. The global warming impact for 1 kg of ELM ranges 41–53 kg CO2 equivalent, and for 100 g of protein, 19–29 kg CO2 equivalent. Fossil resource scarcity impact for 1 kg of ELM impact ranges 2.5–3.6 kg oil equivalent, and for 100 g protein, 1–2 kg oil equivalent. Terrestrial ecotoxicity impacts for 1 kg of ELM range 46–69 kg 1,4-DCB, and for 100 g protein, 21–37 kg 1,4-DCB. Lastly, land use impacts for 1 kg of ELM range 562–2448 m2a crop equivalent, and for 100 g protein, 261–1324 m2a crop equivalent.

Conclusion

With its traditional farming practices, Icelandic lamb meat production is close to an extensive farming system, which is in line with its higher global warming impact per kg ELM. Additionally, due to low hay yield and high fertilization rate, the impact on other impact categories is still higher compared to an extensive system. This perspective shifts when analyzed per 100 g of protein, where it performs close to the global average.
Frailty and neurocognitive impairments in Chinese survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Wei Yihui , Deng Weishang , To Kenneth Kin-Wah , Lam Teddy Tai-Ning , Tso Winnie Wan-Yee , Chan Agnes Sui-Yin , Ness Kirsten K. , Li Chi Kong , Cheung Yin Ting
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of frailty and the association between frailty and neurocognitive impairments among Chinese survivors of childhood cancer.

Methods

A total of 185 survivors of childhood cancer were recruited from a long-term follow-up clinic in Hong Kong (response rate: 94.4%; 48.1% female; mean age 28.9 years, standard deviation = 6.7 years). Frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty criteria. Neurocognitive outcomes were evaluated using a performance-based test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of frailty. Multivariable generalized linear models were used to explore the associations between frailty and cognitive outcomes.

Results

The proportions of survivors with frailty and pre-frailty were 22.7% and 27.0%, respectively. “Frail” survivors were more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87–0.99, P = 0.041) and to have coexisting chronic health conditions (OR = 4.63, 95% CI: 1.68–12.80, P = 0.003) than “non-frail” and “pre-frail” survivors. Survivors with frailty exhibited worse attention detectability (unstandardized point estimate [Est] = 4.57, standard error [SE] = 1.69, P = 0.007), omissions (Est = 3.68, SE = 1.15, P = 0.001), and cognitive flexibility (Est = 8.08, SE = 3.08, P = 0.009) than “non-frail” and “pre-frail” survivors.

Conclusions

More than one fifth of the participating Chinese survivors of childhood cancer were identified as phenotypically frail. Frailty was associated with worse performance in attention and executive function.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

The findings highlight the needs for regular monitoring and early interventions that can modify the aging pathway in the cancer continuum, to mitigate frailty and improve psychosocial outcomes during long-term cancer survivorship.
Navigating the Economic Burden of Multiple Myeloma: Insights into Cost-effectiveness of CAR-T and Bispecific Antibody Therapies
Authors: Keesari Praneeth Reddy , Samuels Diana , Vegivinti Charan Thej Reddy , Pulakurthi Yashwitha Sai , Kudithi Revathi , Dhar Meekoo , Janakiram Murali
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

Multiple myeloma is a chronic malignancy and with evolving treatment options, understanding the economic burden and cost-effectiveness of therapies is crucial for clinicians and researchers.

Recent Findings

In this, we review the recent approval of Bispecific antibodies and CAR-T for myeloma and their cost implications, including direct and indirect costs. We compare this to current regimens and provide cost comparisons in this review.

We conclude that the use of more effective therapies such as CAR-T in earlier lines of therapies may be more cost-effective depending on the country and model used. Further studies are essential to better understand the cost-effectiveness of bispecific antibodies including head-to-head comparisons to CAR-T therapy.
Neurotheology: Practical Applications with Regard to Integrative Psychiatry
Authors: Newberg Andrew B.
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

Neurotheology is a nascent field of research and scholarship that seeks to understand the relationship between the brain and religious and spiritual phenomena. In the context of integrative psychiatry, neurotheology offers an intriguing intermediary between understanding how spirituality and religion affect brain function, and how this might be related to changes in mental health.

Recent Findings

A number of research studies over the years have observed that religious and spiritual beliefs, practices, and experiences can have a profound impact on a person’s psyche. Many times, the effects are positive leading to lower depression, anxiety and distress. However, there are times that religion and spirituality can lead to negative beliefs and behaviors. Neurotheology seeks to understand both the positive and negative effects of religion and spirituality on mental health from a brain perspective. In addition, neurotheology offers important philosophical insights into the nature of the human mind and how we perceive the reality around us.

This review evaluates these many topics as it considers how neurotheology can have practical applications with regard to integrative psychiatry.
Examining viewers’ impulsive buying behaviour in sports livestreaming commerce
Authors: Liu Haoyu , Tan Kim Hua , Chung Leanne , Yoshie Osamu , Ieiri Yuya
Published: January 2025

Livestreaming commerce is increasingly influencing the sports industry’s supply chain. This study seeks to understand how the quality of the service characteristics enhance customer flow experiences and encourage buying behaviour. It also delves into the relationship between flow experience and impulsive buying behaviour, particularly examining how fan identification moderates this dynamic. Data from 274 participants, who recounted their recent shopping experiences while watching sports on SLSPs, were analysed. Structural equation modelling analysis largely confirmed the hypothesis that content quality, para-social interactivity, and ease of use significantly contribute to viewers’ flow experiences, which, in turn, affect impulsive buying behaviour. Moreover, fan identification was found to amplify the positive effect of flow experience on impulsive buying behaviour. This research adds depth to the fields of platform service operations by exploring the links between service characteristics, impulsive buying behaviours, and the role of fan identification within SLSP contexts. The findings offer valuable insights for SLSP operations managers looking to influence viewers’ purchasing decisions and increase sales and enhance business performance.
Assignment of the N-terminal domain of mouse cGAS
Authors: Aucharova Hanna , Linser Rasmus
Published: January 2025

Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a DNA-sensing enzyme that is a member of the nucleotidyltransferase (NTase) family and functions as a DNA sensor. The protein is comprised of a catalytic NTase core domain and an unstructured hypervariable N-terminal domain (NTD) that was reported to increase protein activity by providing an additional DNA-binding surface. We report nearly complete 1H, 15N, and 13C backbone chemical-shift assignments of mouse cGAS NTD (residues 5-146), obtained with a set of 3D and 4D solution NMR experiments. Analysis of the chemical-shift values confirms that the NTD is intrinsically disordered. These resonance assignments can provide the basis for further studies such as activation by DNA and protein-protein interactions.
Boys’ Love as Conditional Resilience: How Gay and Bisexual Men from Hong Kong Consume Boys’ Love
Authors: Chui Don Lok Tung , Chan Lik Sam
Published: January 2025

Boys’ Love (BL) is a fictional genre that depicts homoerotic relationships between two men. As it is often regarded as created by women and for women, most BL-related studies have focused on its female participants. In recent decades, the BL subculture has transformed into a transnational cultural phenomenon. Although such popularity may suggest that more homoerotic media products are available to gay/bisexual men, the heteronormative nature of BL may drive away gay/bisexual audiences. This study investigates the experiences of consuming BL among gay/bisexual men in Hong Kong. The findings show that gay/bisexual audiences enjoy the aspects of BL that resonate with their personal experiences and fantasies. Through the process of queer reading, BL helps gay/bisexual audiences develop resilience to cope with the stresses that they encounter as sexual minorities in Hong Kong. However, due to the gap between what is depicted in BL and reality, such resilience is circumscribed, which means that BL only provides conditional resilience to its gay/bisexual audience in Hong Kong.
On the Isoperimetric and Isodiametric Inequalities and the Minimisation of Eigenvalues of the Laplacian
Authors: Farrington Sam
Published: January 2025

We consider the problem of minimising the k-th eigenvalue of the Laplacian with some prescribed boundary condition over collections of convex domains of prescribed perimeter or diameter. It is known that these minimisation problems are well-posed for Dirichlet eigenvalues in any dimension

$$d\ge 2$$

d
≥
2

and any sequence of minimisers converges to the ball of unit perimeter or diameter respectively as

$$k\rightarrow +\infty $$

k
→
+
∞

. In this paper, we show that the same is true in the case of Neumann eigenvalues under diameter constraint in any dimension and under perimeter constraint in dimension

$$d=2$$

d
=
2

. We also consider these problems for Robin eigenvalues and mixed Dirichlet–Neumann eigenvalues, under an additional geometric constraint.
Enhanced drug delivery in cancer therapy: role of TMPRSS4 protease in liposomal engineering
Authors: Kim Ji Hoon , Kwak Jeong Hun , Choi Ho Joong , Lee Dosang , Park Jung Hyun , Kim Ok-Hee , Kim Say-June
Published: January 2025

This research centers on leveraging the proteolytic activity of TMPRSS4 (transmembrane protease, serine 4), a transmembrane protease frequently found on tumor cell membranes, for the development of anticancer therapeutics. A novel liposome design was developed, incorporating transmembrane peptides (TMPRSS4-cleavable peptides; TCPs) on the surface that are selectively degradable by TMPRSS4, aimed at improving intracellular delivery efficiency. The efficacy of TCP-liposomes (TCP-L) in targeting tumor cells and delivering cargo was evaluated in comparison to control liposomes (CL). The liposomes were manufactured using a microfluidic technique, where TCPs were attached via sonication, and doxorubicin (DOX) was encapsulated as necessary. To compare the efficiency of intracellular cargo delivery, the fabricated liposomes were tested across various cancer cell lines and in an in vivo xenograft model of gastric cancer. In vitro studies showed DOX TCP-L significantly enhanced doxorubicin release in lung, colon, gastric, and pancreatic cancer cell lines compared to DOX CL (P < 0.05). In vivo experiments using the gastric cancer xenograft model demonstrated the highest Total Radiant Efficiency (TRE) in the 100 μg DOX TCP-L group (P < 0.05), followed by 50 μg DOX TCP-L, 100 μg DOX CL, and 50 μg DOX CL. Immunohistochemical staining of excised xenograft tumor tissues revealed an increase in the pro-apoptotic marker Bax and a decrease in the anti-apoptotic marker Mcl-1 in the DOX TCP-L group compared to the DOX CL group. The findings suggest that TCP-L enhance intracellular cargo delivery, likely due to TMPRSS4-induced liposomal destabilization in cancer cells, showcasing the potential of TCP-L for improved drug delivery in cancer treatment.
TICK: A Knowledge Processing Infrastructure for Cognitive Trust in Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: Diab Mohammed , Demiris Yiannis
Published: January 2025

In order to assess trust within domains necessitating Human–Robot Interaction (HRI), such as social and assistive robotics, a multifaceted cognitive infrastructure is essential to facilitate shared knowledge among the participants. This knowledge encompasses information pertaining to the behaviour, beliefs, intentions, and situational awareness of the participants, including assessments of vulnerability, reliability, and risk. The developed knowledge takes the form of a domain-agnostic ontology with multiple layers, allowing for reusability across diverse HRI tasks, and resulting in actions that can be undertaken by a participant to establish trust with the other party. This research introduces the concept of Trust-Inferring Infrastructure for Cognitive Knowledge (TICK) for domains requiring HRI, comprising three key constructs: performance, process, and purpose. Subsequently, the proposed infrastructure is evaluated through real-world scenarios involving humans as trustors and robots as trustees. To validate TICK in these real scenarios, a multimodal sensory module has been integrated into the reasoning mechanism, enhancing the robots’ capabilities in understanding human intentions, perceiving the current situation, offering advice to humans, personalising their behaviour to build human trust, and evolving the robot’s trustworthiness based on its performance during interactions. Trust is automatically assessed based on proximity and adherence to the robots’ recommendations. Furthermore, to quantitatively assess the scalability and flexibility of the proposed approach, a series of experiments were conducted involving a kitchen domain handover task between humans and a table-top robotic arm in a lab setting, encompassing various types of objects and different scene contexts.