bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NO and melatonin interplay augment Cd‐tolerance mechanism in eggplants: ROS detoxification and regulation of gene expression
Authors: Ansari Waquar Akhter , Shahid Mohammad , Shafi Zaryab , Farah Mohammad Abul , Ilyas Talat , Al‐Anazi Khalid Mashay , Niyazi Shareen
Published: February 2025

Global crop productivity is consistently threatened by cadmium (Cd) soil contamination. Crosstalk between nitric oxide (NO) and melatonin (MT) in enhancing crop resilience to heavy metal stress has gained significant attention. Here, we evaluated the joint effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 200 μM as NO donor) and MT (100 μM) on Cd‐stressed eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Cd stress significantly reduced plant growth, biomass yield, leaf pigments, and biochemical properties. Conversely, SNP, MT, and particularly their combined (SNP + MT) application reduced Cd toxicity and enhanced growth and physio‐biochemical traits of eggplants. For instance, at 50 mg Cd kg−1 soil, SNP, MT, and SNP + MT increased root biomass (41.6, 30, and 47%), total chlorophyll (30.7, 26.3, and 46%), soluble protein (20.5, 17.6 and 37%) and RLWC (23, 17.5, and 29%) over their respective control. Furthermore, SNP + MT significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced levels of EL, H2O2, proline, and MDA by 54.5, 66, 61 and 70%, respectively, in Cd‐stressed eggplants. SNP + MT interplay enhanced antioxidant defense responses in leaf tissues under Cd stress. Besides, SNP and MT upregulated transcript levels of POD, SOD, CAT, and GPX genes in eggplants under Cd stress. SNP and MT applications improved essential nutrient cation homeostasis in Cd‐stressed shoot tissues of eggplants. Moreover, SNP + MT lessens metal‐induced toxicity by decreasing Cd uptake, translocation (TF) and bioconcentration (BCF) factors. Conclusively, these findings validated the beneficial defensive interaction between SNP and MT in regulating Cd tolerance in eggplants. However, further research is needed to uncover the underlying defensive mechanisms of these synergistic effects.
Detection of the HLA‐C*14:02:41 Allele via Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Lee Seung Yeob , Choi Hyun‐Jung
Published: February 2025

The HLA‐C*14:02:41 allele is distinguished from HLA‐C*14:02:01:01 by a single synonymous change at c.606G>C.
Avicenna on the PSR and Causal Necessity in the Natural World
Authors: Richardson Kara
Published: February 2025

Avicenna's account of causal necessity in the natural world is a key part of his metaphysical system and it is also historically significant. Yet, there is little scholarly discussion of the philosophical basis of his view. This is surprising not only because the topic is important, but also because the view is challenging to interpret. Scholars frequently locate Avicenna's main defense of causal necessity in Metaphysics I.6.6 of The Book of Healing. A few look to Metaphysics II.1 of The Book of Salvation, where he seems to liken causal necessity to logical necessity using the example of fire's power to burn a suitable patient. In this paper, I maintain that neither of these arguments provides a satisfactory defense of the claim that causes necessitate their effects, or the related claim that natural bodies function as necessitating causes. In this paper, I examine a different Avicennian path to these claims, spanning Metaphysics IV.1 and Physics I.13 of The Book of Healing, which I call ‘the argument from the PSR’. I maintain that, through this argument, Avicenna makes his best case for causal necessity in the natural world.
Development and validation of an indigenous questionnaire for assessing clinician's knowledge towards transfusion medicine and bedside transfusion practices
Authors: Gupta Anubhav , Dhawan Hari Krishan , Jain Romesh , Sharma Ratti Ram , Kaushal Vipin , Singh Amarjeet , Marwaha Neelam
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Due to the non‐availability of formal training during residency for clinicians in transfusion medicine, there is a prevalent knowledge gap for transfusion practices, which leads to increased patient risks and elevated healthcare costs. There is no indigenous questionnaire available, which could be used for knowledge assessment. This study aims to develop and validate an Indigenous questionnaire to assess clinicians' knowledge of transfusion medicine and bedside transfusion practices.

Materials and Methods

The questionnaire was designed using a nominal group technique involving subject experts, considering the type of information required, themes, appropriate wording, layout, and presentation. The questionnaire consisted of 25 knowledge‐based questions and 4 general questions. Piloting of the questionnaire was done to check for feasibility, validation, and reliability. Content validity was assessed by six experts using the Content Validity Index (CVI). Reliability was assessed using test–retest and split‐half methods, with a sample of 56 participants. Cronbach's alpha and Kappa statistics were used to measure internal consistency and agreement, respectively.

Results

The questionnaire displayed acceptable feasibility with a mean difficulty score of 6.93 on a scale of 1–10, with test–retest responses showing near‐perfect agreement (kappa value 0.8–0.99). All experts gave more than 70% agreement on the relevance of content, with a mean CVI of 85%. Test–retest reliability showed near‐perfect agreement (Kappa 0.8–0.99, p = 0.008) and good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.806). The split‐half method yielded a Cronbach's α of 0.89 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88 (95% CI 0.57, 0.97, p = 0.001) Construct validity was confirmed through factor analysis.

Conclusion

The developed indigenous questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for assessing the knowledge of clinicians towards transfusion medicine and bedside transfusion practices. The detailed, methodical strategy used to prepare and validate the questionnaire ensures its applicability and relevance in various clinical settings and can be easily adopted by others intending to prepare similar questionnaires. The questionnaire is available with the author and, on demand, may be provided for knowledge assessment.
Apologising in Nigerian English
Authors: Unuabonah Foluke Olayinka , Gut Ulrike , Oyebola Folajimi
Published: February 2025

This article provides the first comprehensive account of the forms and functions of apologies in Nigerian English, with a view to examining the factors that condition speakers’ choice of the linguistic forms of apologies in different text types as well as potential differences between apologies elicited via discourse completion tasks and those found in corpus data. Analysing the data from a postcolonial pragmatics approach, the article identifies nativised forms of apologising due to influence from indigenous Nigerian languages and reveals that the linguistic forms of apologies produced by Nigerian English speakers are systematically conditioned by the communicative situation. It suggests that it is the written mode of language production that allows speakers to choose speech acts without time pressure rather than the type of data as such, which influences the choice of linguistic forms of speech acts. Thus, the study contributes to the description of pragmatic variation in Nigerian English.
More than a bag of tricks – Curriculum schema for chronic lower extremity wound healing
Authors: Jung Enjae , De Lima Bryanna , Ortega‐Loayza Alex G. , White‐Chu E. Foy
Published: February 2025

Chronic wound treatment is a huge burden on our healthcare system, yet wound healing is not broadly taught in U.S. medical schools. Chronic lower extremity wounds (CLEW) often have delays in diagnosis of the underlying aetiology and inappropriate evaluation before referral. We devised a CLEW healing curriculum in 2019 for medical students in their clinical years. The curriculum includes a session of brief online learning modules, a multi‐disciplinary face‐to‐face workshop, and an online vignette. Pre‐session surveys found that students felt most comfortable describing aetiologies and least comfortable choosing a wound product. Self‐reported confidence was significantly higher across all wound types following the online modules (p < 0.001). Performance on the peripheral arterial occlusive disease online modules remained low throughout. Future work aims to determine the success of long‐term memory encoding of this curriculum as well as address potential biases that students may have when caring for patients with chronic wounds.
Systematic Review and Comparative Outcomes Analysis of NHP Liver Allotransplants and Xenotransplants
Authors: Shirini Kasra , Meier Raphael P. H.
Published: February 2025

Patients with fulminant liver failure ineligible for transplantation have a high mortality rate. With recent progress in genetic modifications and clinical achievements, using pig livers as a bridge‐to‐transplant has regained popularity. Preclinical testing has been done in small cohorts of nonhuman primates (NHP), and maximum survival is limited to 1‐month. We conducted a systematic review and comparative outcomes analysis of NHP‐liver xenotransplantation and gathered 203 pig‐to‐NHP and NHP‐to‐NHP transplants reported in 23 studies. Overall, NHP survival after pig‐liver xenotransplantation was limited (1, 3, 4 weeks: 18.0%, 5.6%, 1.1%), compared to NHPs after allotransplantation (1, 3, 4 weeks: 60.6%, 47.4%, 45.4%). A focus on pigs with genetic modifications evidenced some short‐term survival benefits (1, 3, 4 weeks: 29.1%, 9.1%, 1.8%). The use of the auxiliary transplant technique was also associated with better short‐term results (1, 3, 4 weeks: 40.9%, 9.1%, 4.5%). Causes of graft and animal loss were mostly rejection and liver failure in allotransplants, while bleeding, liver, and respiratory failure predominated in xenotransplants. Notably, the 1‐month survival rate for NHP‐allotransplants was significantly lower than the national > 98% rate for human liver transplants. This data confirms the short‐term improvements brought by genetic modifications and auxiliary implantation in the NHP model, which remains imperfect.
Mitochondrial efficiency in resting skeletal muscle in vivo: a novel non‐invasive approach using multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in humans
Authors: Erol Muhammet Enes , Bannon Sean T. , Matias Alexs A. , Siokas Triantafyllia , Nagarajan Rajakumar , Fur Yann Le , Park Song‐Young , Layec Gwenael
Published: February 2025

Mitochondrial efficiency is a critical metabolic parameter with far‐reaching implications for tissue homeostasis. However, the direct measurement of oxygen consumption (VO2) and ATP production from a large tissue sample in vivo remains challenging. Using phosphorus (31P) and proton (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), this study aimed to non‐invasively quantify the skeletal muscle ATP synthesis rate and VO2 to determine mitochondrial efficiency at rest and during muscle contraction in humans. We assessed mitochondrial efficiency in the plantar flexor muscles of 12 healthy adults (21 ± 1 years) using 31P and 1H MRS within a 3T MR system. MRS data were acquired at rest and during constant workloads to quantify oxidative ATP synthesis (ATPox) rate and myoglobin‐derived oxygen consumption (Mb‐derived VO2). At rest, ATPox was 0.85 ± 0.24 mm min−1, and Mb‐derived VO2 was 0.46 ± 0.11 mm min−1, resulting in a P/O ratio of 1.95 ± 0.68. During graded exercise, end‐exercise PCr concentration decreased from 29 ± 5.7 mm to 18 ± 4.8 mm, and end‐exercise Mb oxygenation declined linearly to 47 ± 11%. ATPox synthesis rate increased linearly with exercise workload (r = 0.65 ± 0.31), whereas there was no significant change in Mb‐derived VO2 (r = −0.19 ± 0.60), leading to non‐physiological P/O values during exercise (>3). The results indicate that combined 31P/1H‐MRS at rest offers a promising approach for non‐invasively quantifying mitochondrial efficiency in large muscle samples, suggesting its potential as a clinical endpoint of mitochondrial function. However, further refinement is needed for use during exercise.

image

Key points

Mitochondrial efficiency, converting chemical energy from carbon fuels into ATP, is a vital metabolic parameter for tissue homeostasis, but measuring oxygen consumption (VO2) and ATP production in vivo has been challenging.

This study used phosphorus (31P) and proton (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to non‐invasively quantify the skeletal muscle ATP synthesis rate and VO2 at rest and during muscle contraction in humans.

At rest, the oxidative ATP synthesis (ATPox) and myoglobin‐derived VO2 (Mb‐derived VO2) were measured, resulting in a P/O ratio of 1.95 in the plantar flexor muscles.

During exercise, the ATPox rate increased with workload, but Mb‐derived VO2 did not change significantly, leading to non‐physiological P/O ratios.

The findings suggest that 31P/1H‐MRS at rest is a promising method for assessing mitochondrial efficiency and could be used as a clinical endpoint for mitochondrial function in vivo, although further refinement is needed for exercise conditions.
Análisis de las consecuencias psicológicas en la población española por el confinamiento debido a la COVID-19
Authors: Solera Hernández Eva , Gutiérrez Gómez-Calcerrada Sonia , Calmaestra Villén Juan
Published: February 2025

La rápida expansión de la COVID-19 provocó que la OMS la considerara pandemia y la mayoría de los países confinara a la población. Dado el reducido número de investigaciones en España, se considera necesario analizar los cambios psicosociales de la población española durante el confinamiento. Se realizó un análisis exploratorio, en el que 208 personas respondieron a un cuestionario en línea durante del Estado de Alarma con el fin de recabar información sobre datos sociodemográficos, ambientales, actividades y sintomatología relacionada con la ansiedad y la depresión. Se utilizaron pruebas t para muestras independientes, coeficiente de correlación de Spearman, prueba H Kruskal-Wallis y la prueba U de Mann-Whitney, y tamaño del efecto en los niveles de significación. El 20.7 % de los participantes mostró niveles de ansiedad y el 13.9 % de depresión correspondientes a un trastorno.principalmente en los participantes con género femenino, con menor nivel de estudios, con menor número de rutinas diarias, y que vivían en pareja o con sus padres. Los datos aportan una visión concreta de la situación durante el confinamiento, ayudando a diferentes organismos gubernamentales y a la población a adoptar medidas adecuadas para evitar el malestar.
Numerical Investigation of a Vapor Chamber-Assisted Liquid Cooling System for Cylindrical Battery Thermal Management
Authors: Chen Xu , Han Xinyue , Lai Peigen
Published: February 2025

An efficient battery thermal management system (BTMS) is critical for ensuring the performance and lifespan of the battery module. To enhance the module’s thermal performance, a new liquid cooling (LC) system integrating with vapor chambers for a cylindrical battery module is proposed in this article. Systematically, numerical studies are carried out to compare the performance of three BTMSs: LC, liquid cooling with vapor chamber (LC-VC), and liquid cooling with two-end vapor chambers (LC-2VCs). Results highlight that integrating VC reduces the maximum temperature of the battery module (Tmax) and shows a preferable temperature distribution. It is detected that LC-VC displays excellent temperature uniformity performance along a coolant flow path with the maximum temperature difference (ΔTmax) of 6.65 K at a 3C discharge rate compared to the LC case with ΔTmax of 9.18 K. However, it still suffers from a noticeable temperature gradient from the top to the bottom thermal transfer paths. In contrast, LC-2VCs further enhances the temperature uniformity with ΔTmax of 4.72 K and controls Tmax of 306.89 K. Then, the effects of the battery axial thermal conductivity, VC effective thermal conductivity, fin height, and inlet velocity on the cooling performance of LC-VC and LC-2VCs are examined. Finally, the cooling performance under optimal conditions is compared to initial conditions. The results show that Tmax and ΔTmax for LC-2VCs are controlled at 305.58 K and 3.51 K under 3C discharge rate, and reduce by 1.31 K and 1.21 K, respectively, compared to initial conditions.
Computational Prediction of Total Fatigue Life With an Integrated Approach
Authors: Li Siqi , Zhang Zhong , Liu Rong , Wu Xijia
Published: February 2025

This research tackles the fundamental issue of computational fatigue studies by developing an effective approach that combines the crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) with the Tanaka–Mura–Wu (TMW) model for crack nucleation and the Tomkins model for fatigue crack propagation, to provide Class-A predictions of the total coupon-fatigue life (crack initiation and growth lives) for a nickel-based superalloy, Haynes 282. To gain a statistical significance accounting for the microstructure inhomogeneity, 11 3D Representative Volume Elements (RVEs) are created utilizing Dream.3d to represent the polycrystalline material with different grain structures and orientations in equivalence to the experimental microstructure data. The CPFEM model is calibrated to the material's hysteresis behavior, and then, the microstructural plastic strain from the RVE is taken to calculate the fatigue life. The prediction is found in good agreement with the fatigue test data, validating the effectiveness of the proposed approach in predicting the fatigue life and scatter due to microstructural variability for Haynes 282 alloy. In addition, the effects of local grain attributes including grain orientation and adjacent grain arrangement on fatigue crack nucleation are analyzed quantitatively. It is suggested that grain orientation influences plastic deformation by inducing the active slip systems, and the slip transfer across grain boundaries also contributes to fatigue crack nucleation.
Impact of Non-Uniform Surface Temperature on the Apparent Radiative Properties of Cavity Receivers
Authors: Mofidipour Ehsan , Jones Matthew R. , Iverson Brian D.
Published: February 2025

Radiative surface properties play a critical role in the design, analysis and optimization of solar thermal systems. Cavity receivers increase the efficiency of solar-thermal energy systems through the cavity effect. The cavity effect refers to increased absorption of radiation due to multiple reflections within a cavity. Apparent radiative surface properties of a cavity characterize the effective interactions of radiation passing through an imaginary surface covering the cavity aperture. In this study, we investigate the extent to which the apparent emissivity of a cavity with a non-uniform surface temperature profile may be estimated using an isothermal enclosure model. A cylindrical cavity was assumed to have a linearly increasing, linearly decreasing or parabolic temperature profile. The cavity's apparent emissivity and absorptivity was calculated for various length-to-diameter ratios (L/D) and intrinsic emissivity (ε). This work shows that a spatially varying surface temperature can significantly affect the apparent emissivity and absorptivity especially for shallow cavities with low intrinsic emissivity. Moreover, under non-isothermal conditions, changes in the cavity's geometry result in larger changes in the apparent radiative properties than observed for isothermal cases. For a cavity with an intrinsic emissivity of 0.3, the percent difference between non-isothermal and isothermal conditions reaches ∼25% for L/D ratios of 4 and 8 for cavities with linearly increasing or parabolic temperature profiles. Similarly, for ε = 0.9 and ΔTw/T0 = 0.1, this difference is <1% across all three wall temperature cases when L/D = 4.
A positive correlation between C/L-band radar backscatter and grain size of coarse alluvial deposits in the Mojave Desert
Authors: Maue Anthony D. , Burr Devon M. , Thomson Bradley J. , Draper Jake R. , Jarquin Manfredo J.
Published: February 2025

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a powerful tool for understanding planetary surfaces as the intensity of backscatter depends on the chemical and mineralogical (e.g., dielectric) and physical (e.g., roughness) properties of the surface. For sedimentary deposits in arid to hyperarid deserts imaged at decimeter-scale wavelengths, grain-scale properties directly influence the radar backscatter. Thus, fine-scale granulometric information can be assessed through such remote sensing. A Mie scattering model informs our expectation that SAR backscatter should increase with coarser grain size and greater roundness. We tested the response of radar backscatter to grain shape and size sorting based on field measurements near Death Valley, California, USA. Results show a strong positive correlation between C-band (λ = 5.55 cm) and L-band (λ = 23.5 cm) backscatter to grain size over the tested median b-axis size range of 0.5−18.6 cm. Very weak or negligible effects of roundness and sorting are indicated. End-member measurements of classic roughness parameters (i.e., root mean square height and correlation length) at the study sites also predict the radar backscatter, though with less statistical power. The field results are consistent with a Mie scattering model if the higher backscatter magnitude in the model is explained by the shorter radar wavelength. Additionally, the limited success of the advanced integral equation model highlights the importance of further studying radar backscatter for very rough surfaces with realistic properties. Nonetheless, the strong positive correlation between grain size and radar backscatter supports the remote characterization of sedimentary deposits in arid environments. With SAR-based estimates of grain size, shape, sorting, and the spatial variation of such properties as provided in this work, the style and intensity of geologic processes on remote terrestrial and planetary surfaces can be effectively studied.
Hypokalaemic quadriparesis due to distal renal tubular acidosis unmasking underlying Sjögren’s disease
Authors: Koithara Bryan , Makashir Prachee
Published: February 2025

We report the case of a female in her 40s who presented to our emergency department with acute weakness in all limbs for 1 day. Clinical examination alongside point-of-care investigations confirmed acute areflexic flaccid quadriparesis due to severe hypokalaemia. She was found to have distal renal tubular acidosis on further investigation. A detailed clinical history and judicious use of laboratory diagnostic services systematically ruled out idiopathic cause of distal renal tubular acidosis. Neglected sicca symptoms were retrospectively unearthed after a positive Schirmer’s test. A diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease was considered after initial auto-immune screening. Subsequent definitive serology tested positive for anti-Sjogren’s syndrome-associated antigens A (SS-A) and B (SS-B). This case is distinct in that the presenting symptom of Sjögren’s disease was acute areflexic quadriparesis. We hope to highlight Sjögren’s disease as a likely differential for seemingly idiopathic renal tubular acidosis even in the absence of overt sicca symptoms.
Perforated peptic ulcer disease as the initial presentation of previously unknown multiple myeloma and sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Gowell Matthew Ross , Morrow Ahrin Anna
Published: February 2025

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common cause of abdominal pain which can present acutely with gastrointestinal perforation. This report presents an exceptionally rare case of a patient whose presentation of perforated PUD heralded a new diagnosis of both multiple myeloma and sickle cell disease (SCD). Histological analysis of the ulcer tissue, following omental patch repair, did not demonstrate features of extramedullary myeloma or amyloid light chain deposition, two pathologies traditionally thought to drive PUD in this patient group. Instead, we suggest malignant hypercalcaemia stimulating gastric acid secretion, in combination with mucosal ischaemia caused by SCD, may have led to gastric mucosal erosion. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges in managing patients with complex comorbidities and the need to consider atypical causes of PUD in the workup of this patient group.
Massive parapneumonic effusion leading to hypercapnic respiratory failure in a patient withLegionella pneumophilainfection
Authors: Allan Liam , Thomas Stephen
Published: February 2025

We present a case of a patient who was successfully treated for a critical illness involving a large parapneumonic effusion and hypercapnic respiratory failure secondary to infection withLegionella pneumophila. This pathogen is thought to have originated from a commercially available mushroom growing kit.
Embedding risk monitoring in infectious disease surveillance for timely and effective outbreak prevention and control
Authors: Ingelbeen Brecht , van Kleef Esther , Mbala Placide , Danis Kostas , Macicame Ivalda , Hens Niel , Cleynen Eveline , van der Sande Marianne A B
Published: February 2025

Epidemic intelligence efforts aim to predict, timely detect and assess (re-)emerging pathogens, guide and evaluate infectious disease prevention or control. We emphasise the underused potential of integrating the monitoring of risks related to exposure, disease or death, particularly in settings where limited diagnostic capacity and access to healthcare hamper timely prevention/control measures. Monitoring One Health exposures, human behaviour, immunity, comorbidities, uptake of control measures or pathogen characteristics can complement facility-based surveillance in generating signals of imminent or ongoing outbreaks, and in targeting preventive/control interventions or epidemic preparedness to high-risk areas or subpopulations. Low-cost risk data sources include electronic medical records, existing household/patient/environmental surveys, Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems, medicine distribution and programmatic data. Public health authorities need to identify and prioritise risk data that effectively fill gaps in intelligence that facility-based surveillance can not timely or accurately answer, determine indicators to generate from the data, ensure data availability, regular analysis and dissemination.
Social franchising in healthcare: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of implementation and outcomes
Authors: Rahman Md Hafizur , Perkins Janet E. , Usmani Nasimul Ghani , Manna Ridwana Maher , Sajib Md Refat Uz Zaman , Akter Ema , Shomik Mohammad Sohel , Ahmed Anisuddin , El Arifeen Shams , Tasnim Hossain Aniqa , Rahman Ahmed Ehsanur
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The growing prominence of social franchising in healthcare underscores the need to analyse its implementation and impacts; however, substantial research gaps remain. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and narrative synthesis of evidence to analyse the social franchise models, implementation and outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search in February 2024 on Medline, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and Scopus using terms related to ‘social franchising’ in healthcare. We conducted a qualitative narrative synthesis of study findings into five thematic areas: client impact and utilisation, healthcare outcomes, financial sustainability, innovative technologies and awareness activities.

Results

From 4184 search results, 47 studies were included in the analysis. We identified 29 social franchises across 25 countries. Social franchises were mostly present in Africa, Asia and Central America. Most franchises focused on sexual, reproductive and maternal health (n=18) and family planning (FP) (n=25), and most included training (n=21), service provision (n=17) and financial support (n=12). Franchising improved client volumes, satisfaction and contraceptive continuation rates and increased access to healthcare. Vouchers and subsidised services reduced the financial burden among clients. Telemedicine and call centres enhanced healthcare delivery, and community outreach and marketing increased awareness and modern contraceptive use. However, franchises struggled to reach poorer populations due to high fees and competition from public services. It often did not improve FP, reproductive healthcare and child nutrition and had limited branding and promotional activities. Additionally, heavy reliance on donor funding threatened long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

Social franchising presents a potential strategy for expanding healthcare access and improving service delivery, though outcomes regarding the effectiveness of social franchising vary across regions. More research is needed to evaluate digital technology use and the long-term impact, equity and sustainability of social franchising.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022328104.
Coproducing a culturally sensitive storytelling video intervention to improve psychosocial well-being: a multimethods participatory study with Nepalese migrant workers
Authors: Paudyal Priyamvada , Wasti Sharada Prasad , Neupane Pimala , Sapkota Jib Lal , Watts Carol , Kulasabanathan Kavian , Silwal Ram , Memon Anjum , Shukla Prajaya , Pathak Ram Sharan , Michelson Daniel , Berry Clio , Moult Alice , Simkhada Padam , van Teijlingen Edwin R , Cassell Jackie
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study aimed to coproduce a culturally adaptive storytelling video intervention to support the psychosocial well-being of Nepalese migrant workers.

Design

A multimethods participatory study was conducted involving three different but interconnected phases: (1) formative research involving a systematic review, pilot survey and stakeholder consultations; (2) exploration and analysis of Nepalese literature relevant to contemporary migration; and (3) coproduction of a storytelling video intervention, using participatory workshops.

Participants and settings

Convenience sample of outgoing and returnee migrant workers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, their families and other relevant stakeholders in Dhading District of Bagmati Province, Nepal.

Results

The systematic review of 33 included studies identified five key health issues: mental health; occupational hazards; sexual health; healthcare access; and infectious diseases. In the survey (n=60), workers reported various health problems including fever/common cold (42%); mental health problems (25%); and verbal abuse (35%). Twenty interviewees identified issues related to physical health (eg, pneumonia, kidney disease) as well as mental health (eg, anxiety, depression). Nepalese literary resources primarily portrayed themes of: separation; hopelessness and helplessness; and poor workplace environments. Drawing on these findings and iterative workshops with stakeholders, a culturally sensitive storytelling video intervention was coproduced to support the psychosocial well-being of Nepalese migrant workers in GCC countries. The intervention used an animated video format with audio narration and subtitles, presenting a story centred around the struggles of an archetypal male migrant worker and their use of coping strategies for dealing with adversities.

Conclusions

This is a feasibility study conducted in a single district of Nepal; as such, the findings should be generalised cautiously. Despite these limitations, the project is testament to the value of participatory methods in the development of culturally sensitive public health interventions for marginalised groups, and points to the utility of coproduced storytelling formats in migrant health contexts. Future research is needed to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of the intervention as well as the outcomes and experiences of migrant workers who engaged with the video.
COVID-19 and risk of long-term mortality in COPD: a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Lee Hyun , Kim Sang Hyuk , Jeong Cho Yun , Chung Jee-Eun , Kim Youlim , Min Kyung Hoon , Yoo Kwang Ha , Kim Jong Seung , Moon Ji-Yong
Published: February 2025

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a risk factor for severe COVID-19. However, mortality after COVID-19 recovery in this population remains unclear.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled individuals with COPD from the Korean National Health Insurance database. We compared the mortality rate in individuals with COPD who recovered from COVID-19 between 8 October 2020 and 31 December 2021 (COVID-19 cohort, n=2499) with that in 1:1 propensity score-matched controls (n=2499). The study population was followed until either death or 30 September 2022, whichever came first.

Results

The COVID-19 cohort had a 4.8% mortality rate vs 2.7% in matched controls during a median follow-up of 319 days (IQR, 293–422 days), including 14 days of recovery time. The COVID-19 cohort had a higher risk of death than matched controls (adjusted HR (aHR)=1.81, 95% CI=1.35 to 2.45). The risk of mortality was notably higher in individuals with severe COVID-19 (aHR=5.05, 95% CI=3.65 to 6.97), especially during the first 180 days of recovery (highest during the first 30 days (aHR=20.25, 95% CI=7.79 to 52.64)). Non-severe COVID-19 does not increase the risk of mortality compared with controls (aHR=0.85, 95% CI=0.57 to 1.28).

Conclusion

Individuals with COPD recovering from COVID-19 showed an increased risk of long-term mortality, particularly within the first 180 days post-recovery, especially those who experienced severe COVID-19.
ActiLup: is it feasible? High-intensity interval training in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with fatigue: protocol for a prospective, monocentric proof-of-concept study
Authors: Dreher Matthias , Petros Sameer , Engelhardt Sarah , Geselle Laura , Baab Johannes , Wicke Tobias , Schwarting Andreas
Published: February 2025

The symptoms of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) potentially lead to inactivity, muscle loss and social isolation. In addition to medical treatment, the current EULAR recommendations describe the relevance of physical activity, exercise and training as a non-pharmacological management option in patients with SLE. A positive interaction between fatigue and the basic health-promoting effects of exercise is well established. Still unclear is what kind of training, setting, and intensity show optimal objective and subjective outcomes. The study will include 40 adult SLE patients with moderate to severe fatigue. The study lasts 28 weeks and is divided into a 12-week “real-world” monitoring phase before rehabilitation, a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation phase, and a 12-week maintenance activity and training phase after the rehabilitation. The parameters consisted of physical performance parameters, laboratory parameters, physician and patient-related questionnaires and activity data based on a fitness watch. During rehabilitation, patients receive individual high-intensity interval training (HIIT), basic endurance training and functional interval training. This proof-of-concept trial aims to investigate if high-intensity interval training is feasible and how VO2peak is increased. Additionally, the effect of the severity of fatigue measured by patient-related outcomes and the number of anti-NR2 antibodies is focussed. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Association of Rhineland-Palatinate and complies with the standards of the Declaration of Helsinki. All participants will sign a written informed consent. Trial registration number: DRKS00022933.
Can $$1/N_c$$ corrections be treated in the Pomeron calculus?
Authors: Levin Eugene
Published: February 2025

The main goal of the paper is to show that we can treat the

$$1/N_c$$

1
/

N
c

QCD corrections in the Pomeron calculus. We develop the one dimensional model which is a simplification of the QCD approach that includes

$$I\!\!P\rightarrow 2 I\!\!P$$

I

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→
2
I

P

,

$$2 I\!\!P\rightarrow I\!\!P$$

2
I

P
→
I

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and

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2
I

P
→
2
I

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vertices and gives the description of the high energy interaction, both in the framework of the parton cascade and in the Pomeron calculus. In this model we show that the scattering amplitude can be written as the sum of Green’s function of n-Pomeron exchanges

$$G_{n I\!\!P} \propto e^{ \omega _n \tilde{Y}}$$

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∝

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n

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~

with

$$\omega _n = \kappa \,n^2$$

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=
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at

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1

. This means that choosing

$$\kappa = 1/N^2_c$$

κ
=
1
/

N
c
2

we can reproduce the intercepts of QCD in

$$1/N_c$$

1
/

N
c

order. The scattering amplitude is an asymptotic series that cannot be sum using Borel approach. We found a general way of summing such series. In addition to the positive eigenvalues we found the set of negative eigenvalues which corresponds to the partonic description of the scattering amplitude. Using Abramowsky, Gribov and Kancheli cutting rules we found the multiplicity distributions of the produced dipoles as well as their entropy

$$S_E$$

S
E

.
Multimodal Detection of Offensive Content in Hindi Memes
Authors: Dubey Kriti , Srivastava Vaishnavi , Sharma Garima , Sharma Nonita , Sharma Deepak , Ghosh Uttam , Alfarraj Osama , Tolba Amr
Published: February 2025

Activities like sharing of thoughts, advertising business, connecting with peers, and staying updated in this world are highly facilitated by social media platforms. In the unique form of media called memes, information is conveyed through the image-to-text or text-to-image dependency relationship. Popular memes are often driven by viewers rather than marketing or advertising techniques, which indicates the level of engagement of social media users with memes. Given the popularity of memes, a demand for a solution to identify and counteract hate-spreading memes on social media platforms is raised. In this study, a multimodal machine learning approach to detect offensive memes is presented, where the text of memes are spelled in the Devanagari script of the Hindi language. A dataset of 9262 images has been created, and they have been labeled as offensive or not offensive. As the dataset is highly imbalanced, another dataset which has 3732 images is created by undersampling the total dataset and the models are trained for both the imbalanced dataset as well as the balanced dataset. Finally, the classification problem is solved through a multimodal Logistic Regression classifier that utilizes concatenated feature representations of image and text. An accuracy of 0.81 is achieved by the model.
MixSong: Diverse and Strictly Formatted Chinese Poetry Generation
Authors: Song Xinglong , Song Changlin , Yu Haolu , Zhu Yonghua , Yao Hong
Published: February 2025

Chinese poetry, renowned for its elegance and simplicity, is a hallmark of Chinese culture. While neural networks have made significant advancements in generating poetry, balancing diversity with adherence to rigid structural formats remains a challenge. Research indicates that factors such as themes, emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness), and sentiments (e.g., positive, negative) play a crucial role in poetic creation, influencing both the diversity and quality of the generated content.In this paper, we propose MixSong, an autoregressive language model based on the Transformer architecture, designed to incorporate a wide range of conditional factors. MixSong utilizes adversarial training to integrate these factors, enabling the model to implicitly learn distributional information in the latent space. Additionally, we introduce several uniquely customized symbol sets, including paragraph identifiers, position identifiers, rhyme identifiers, tune identifiers, and conditional distinctive identifiers. These symbols help MixSong effectively capture and enforce the constraints necessary for generating high-quality poetry.Extensive experimental results demonstrate that MixSong significantly outperforms existing models in both automatic metrics and human evaluations, achieving notable improvements in both diversity and quality of the generated poetry.
Room Temperature Annealing of Gamma Radiation Damage in Zener Diodes
Authors: Rahman Md Hafijur , Chavda Chintan , Warner Luke , Stafford Shawn , Carvajal Jorge , Haque Aman , Ren Fan , Pearton Stephen , Wolfe Douglas E.
Published: February 2025

Gamma radiation is detrimental to semiconductor-based sensors or instrumentation. The ensuing damage can be very difficult to repair with conventional annealing approaches, particularly in as-deployed conditions. This study proposes application of the non-thermal electron wind force (EWF) to restore device performance and thus improve resilience to radiation exposure. The technique is demonstrated on Zener diodes exposed to Co-60 gamma radiation doses up to 2.65 Mrad (Si), which resulted in significant degradation of forward and reverse bias currents due to the formation of radiation-induced defects. EWF annealing, conducted at near-ambient temperatures for just one minute, not only completely restored the forward current affected by 2.65 Mrad (Si) of gamma radiation but also enhanced it beyond the pristine condition. In terms of reverse bias, the treatment achieved a recovery of 74.5%. Raman spectroscopy revealed increased full width at half maximum values of the characteristic peak of phonon mode of crystalline Si following the EWF annealing, indicating healing of lattice disorder and defects. Thermal annealing at 100 °C for 90 min showed no recovery or even more degradation, probably due to additional thermal stress. Because EWF annealing requires only electrical connections, it can be implemented “in-operando,” extending lifetime of semiconductor devices in radiation environments.
Data from HBV Remodels PP2A Complexes to Rewire Kinase Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Turnham Rigney E. , Pitea Adriana , Jang Gwendolyn M. , Xu Zhong , Lim Huat Chye , Choi Alex L. , Von Dollen John , Levin Rebecca S. , Webber James T. , McCarthy Elizabeth , Hu Junjie , Li Xiaolei , Che Li , Singh Ananya , Yoon Alex , Chan Gary K.L. , Kelley Robin K. , Swaney Danielle L. , Zhang Wei , Bandyopadhyay Sourav , Theis Fabian J. , Eckhardt Manon , Chen Xin , Shokat Kevan M. , Ideker Trey , Krogan Nevan J. , Gordan John D.
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections promote liver cancer initiation by inducing inflammation and cellular stress. Despite a primarily indirect effect on oncogenesis, HBV is associated with a recurrent genomic phenotype in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), suggesting that it impacts the biology of established HCC. Characterization of the interaction of HBV with host proteins and the mechanistic contributions of HBV to HCC initiation and maintenance could provide insights into HCC biology and uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities. In this study, we used affinity purification mass spectrometry to comprehensively map a network of 145 physical interactions between HBV and human proteins in HCC. A subset of the host factors targeted by HBV proteins were preferentially mutated in non–HBV-associated HCC, suggesting that their interaction with HBV influences HCC biology. HBV interacted with proteins involved in mRNA splicing, mitogenic signaling, and DNA repair, with the latter set interacting with the HBV oncoprotein X (HBx). HBx remodeled the PP2A phosphatase complex by excluding striatin regulatory subunits from the PP2A holoenzyme, and the HBx effects on PP2A caused Hippo kinase activation. In parallel, HBx activated mTOR complex 2, which can prevent YAP degradation. mTOR complex 2–mediated upregulation of YAP was observed in human HCC specimens and mouse HCC models and could be targeted with mTOR kinase inhibitors. Thus, HBV interaction with host proteins rewires HCC signaling rather than directly activating mitogenic pathways, providing an alternative paradigm for the cellular effects of a tumor-promoting virus.

Significance: Integrative proteomic and genomic analysis of HBV/host interactions illuminated modifiers of hepatocellular carcinoma behavior and key signaling mechanisms in advanced disease, which suggested that HBV may have therapeutically actionable effects.
Data from Breast Cancer Subtype–Specific Organotropism Is Dictated by FOXF2-Regulated Metastatic Dormancy and Recovery
Authors: Jiang Wen-Jing , Zhou Tian-Hao , Huang Huan-Jing , Li Lin-Sen , Tan Hao , Zhang Rui , Wang Qing-Shan , Feng Yu-Mei
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Breast cancer subtypes display different metastatic organotropism. Identification of the mechanisms underlying subtype-specific organotropism could help uncover potential approaches to prevent and treat metastasis. In this study, we found that forkhead box F2 (FOXF2) promoted the seeding and proliferative recovery from dormancy of luminal breast cancer (LumBC) and basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) cells in the bone by activating the NF-κB and BMP signaling pathways. FOXF2 promoted LumBC cell seeding but not proliferative recovery in the lung by activating the BMP signaling pathway. Conversely, FOXF2 suppressed the seeding and proliferative recovery of BLBC cells in the lung by repressing the TGFβ signaling pathway. FOXF2 directly upregulated RelA/p65 transcription and expression in LumBC and BLBC cells by binding to the RELA proximal promoter region and RelA/p65 bound to the FOXF2 proximal promoter region to upregulate expression, forming a positive feedback loop. Targeting the NF-κB pathway efficiently prevented the metastasis of FOXF2-overexpressing breast cancer cells to the bone, whereas inhibiting TGFβ signaling blocked the metastasis of BLBC with low FOXF2 expression to the lung. These findings uncover critical mechanisms of breast cancer subtype–specific organotropism and provide insights into precision assessment and treatment strategies.

Significance: FOXF2 regulates signaling pathways in a subtype-specific manner to coordinate the fate of disseminated breast cancer cells in distant organs, suggesting that FOXF2 functions could be harnessed to prevent organ-specific metastasis.

See related commentary by Bado, p. 639
Figure 1 from The Prostaglandin EP4 Antagonist Vorbipiprant Combined with PD-1 Blockade for Refractory Microsatellite-Stable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Phase Ib/IIa Trial
Authors: Pietrantonio Filippo , Morano Federica , Niger Monica , Ghelardi Filippo , Chiodoni Claudia , Palazzo Michele , Nichetti Federico , Manca Paolo , Cristarella Eleonora , Doldi Valentina , Zaffaroni Nadia , Sabella Giovanna , Brambilla Nadia , Benincasa Elena , Giacovelli Giampaolo , Vitalini Cristina , Girolami Federica , Rovati Lucio C.
Published: February 2025

Trial profile and clinical response. Trial profile showing the number of patients screened, the patients enrolled, and, finally, the number of patients discontinued by the treatment groups (A). Swimmer plot showing the duration of treatment with vorbipiprant and balstilimab and RECIST overall tumor assessments (B). LM, liver metastases; PD, progressive disease. Spider plot showing the tumor burden over time presented as percentage change in the sum of the target lesions (C). Waterfall plot reporting treatment response according to PD-L1 CPS (D). NA, not assessable. Vorbipiprant dose always combined with the PD-1 inhibitor balstilimab, if not indicated.
Table S2 from Multiomics Reveals the Immunologic Features and the Immune Checkpoint Blockade Potential of Colorectal Medullary Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Chao , Zou Haoyi , Ruan Yuli , Fang Lin , Wang Bojun , Cui Luying , Wu Tong , Chen Zhuo , Dang Tianjiao , Lan Ya , Zhao Wenyuan , Zhang Chunhui , Meng Hongxue , Zhang Yanqiao
Published: February 2025

Supplementary Table 2. TMB and MSI information
Supplementary Data 2 from Circulating Tumor DNA Dynamics and Clinical Outcome in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Front-Line Chemotherapy
Authors: Ghidini Michele , Hahne Jens Claus , Senti Chiara , Heide Timon , Proszek Paula Z. , Shaikh Ridwan , Carter Paul , Hubank Mike , Trevisani Francesco , Garrone Ornella , Cappelletti Maria Rosa , Generali Daniele , Cattaneo Monica , Gnocchi Nicoletta , Donati Gianvito , Gobbi Angela , Grizzi Giulia , Lampis Andrea , Elghadi Raghad , Tanzi Giulia , Tomasello Gianluca , Ratti Margherita , Pinato David J. , Fassan Matteo , Vlachogiannis Georgios , Sottoriva Andrea , Cortellini Alessio , Passalacqua Rodolfo , Valeri Nicola
Published: February 2025

Supp Table S2