bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome: a case study of a frequently missed diagnosis
Authors: Gega Zephania D. P. , Lyimo Henry I. , Kitua Daniel W. , Mwanga Ally H.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS) is a relatively common complication of pelvic inflammatory disease. However, this diagnosis is frequently overlooked due to its nonspecific symptomatology that often mimics hepatobiliary disorders. This report presents a case of FHCS and offers a review of pertinent clinical considerations.

Case

We describe a case of a 33-year-old sexually active female previously treated for vaginal discharge syndrome, who presented to our facility with worsening right upper quadrant pain. Initial laboratory and imaging findings were inconclusive. However, diagnostic laparoscopy revealed perihepatic “violin string” adhesions consistent with FHCS.

Conclusion

This case underscores the importance of considering FHCS in the differential diagnosis of right upper quadrant pain, especially in individuals with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. Awareness of this syndrome and its clinical manifestations is crucial for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management.
Relative efficacy of systemic treatments for patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a network meta-analysis according to 17p deletion/TP53 mutations
Authors: Kim Jinchul , Cho Jinhyun , Lim Joo Han , Lee Moon Hee
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This network meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relative efficacy of systemic treatments in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (R/R CLL), focusing on key genetic mutations, specifically the 17p deletion and TP53 mutations.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review to identify all publicly available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane database, and meeting abstracts published through December 2023. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for progression-free survival (PFS) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and to determine the ranking of the included regimens.

Results

Twelve trials involving 4,437 patients and 13 treatment options were included in the meta-analysis. Venetoclax plus rituximab and zanubrutinib emerged as the most effective treatments for the overall R/R CLL population, showing the lowest PFS HR (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.32–1.20 and HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.49–0.86, respectively) versus ibrutinib, and were ranked as the best agent (surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA] value of both 90%, respectively) among the included drugs. In the 17p deletion/TP53 mutation subgroup, zanubrutinib demonstrated the most favorable efficacy (HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.31–0.88 versus ibrutinib) with the highest SUCRA value (97%). In patients without these mutations, venetoclax plus rituximab was the most effective (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26–0.94 versus ibrutinib) with a SUCRA value of 94%.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the superior efficacy of venetoclax plus rituximab and zanubrutinib for treating R/R CLL and confirm that the role of each regimen may vary depending on the clinically significant mutations.
Investigating changes in mediastinal anatomy on severe trauma using post-mortem CT scans and multiparametric 3-D reconstructions: a case series of major trauma
Authors: Midiri Mauro , Re Giuseppe Lo , Salerno Sergio , Barberi Marika Triscari , Fornasari Maria Grazia , Galia Massimo , Malta Ginevra , Argo Antonina , Zerbo Stefania , Albano Giuseppe Davide
Published: January 2025

Major trauma from high-impact events, such as road traffic accidents and crush injuries, often results in fatal injuries with complex and varied mechanisms affecting different regions of the body. In this paper, we review a case series of major trauma involving four unique accidents of destruction to physiological mediastinal anatomy and the aim is to evaluate post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) with 3D multiparametric reconstruction unusual findings scan with alteration of mediastinal anatomy and then compare with those of traditional autopsy. PMCT is a helpful tool in highlighting traumatic bone injuries, major visceral and vascular lesions of the mediastinum, as well as the presence of foreign body, pneumothorax and hemothorax, guiding the subsequent autopsy. The presence of hemothorax and blood in the mediastinal area reduces the diagnostic effectiveness of the PMCT, limiting the detection of minor vascular and visceral injuries.
Feminism, Corpus-assisted Research and Language Inclusivity
Authors: Formato Federica
Published: January 2025

This Element presents an investigation into the use of the gender inclusive strategy schwa in a corpus of tweets; the schwa is employed in Italian to overcome grammatical (feminine and masculine) morphological inflections, having at its core linguistic and social binarism. The investigation is set in a country where LGBTQIA communities still face institutional discrimination, yet it is contextualised in the growing work on inclusivity discussed in languages and contexts worldwide. The corpus is examined quantitatively and qualitatively, as well as read through a triangulation of two frameworks: Corpus-Assisted Discourse Studies and Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis. The findings, obtained from corpus-assisted research and digital ethnography, show that the new linguistic strategy is used creatively, functionally, and not exclusively as a self-representation tool but is also a viable and powerful replacement for generic sexist language.
Judges, Judging, and Judgment
Authors: Oldfather Chad M.
Published: January 2025

In Judges, Judging, and Judgment, Chad M. Oldfather offers an accessible, interdisciplinary account of the constraints and pressures on judges in our polarized world. Drawing on law, political science, psychology, and philosophy, Oldfather examines how these constraints have changed over time and the interpretive methodologies that have gained traction in response. The book emphasizes the inescapable need for judges to exercise judgment and highlights the value of selecting judges who possess good judgment and character. The book builds on prior work that emphasizes the importance of judicial character, specifically practical wisdom, and intellectual humility. The work underscores the need to foster a legal culture that values and rewards judges of character. Judges, Judging, and Judgment is a valuable resource for academics, students, lawyers, judges, and anyone else interested in the legal system's inner workings.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of the iPeer2Peer program in adolescents with sickle cell disease: A mixed method study
Authors: Kelenc Lauren , Wiles Brittany , Nishat Fareha , Lalloo Chitra , Nair Anya , Eling Craig , Kirby-Allen Melanie , Simpson Ewurabena , Sinha Roona , Ward Richard , Zempsky William T. , Ahola Kohut Sara , Stinson Jennifer N.
Published: January 2025

Background and objectives:

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is hallmarked by recurrent episodes of severe acute pain and the risk for chronic pain. Remote peer support programs have been shown to effectively improve health outcomes for many chronic conditions. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an online peer mentoring program (iPeer2Peer program) for adolescents with SCD.

Method:

A waitlist pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. Adolescents randomized to the intervention group were matched with trained peer mentors (19–25 years; successfully managing their SCD), consisting of up to 10 sessions of approximately 30-min video calls over a 15-week period. The control group received standard care. The primary outcomes were rates of accrual, withdrawal, and adherence to iP2P program/protocol, with secondary outcomes identifying topics of mentorship–mentee conversations through qualitative analysis.

Results:

Twenty-eight participants (14 intervention; 14 control) were randomized to the study (mean age: 14.8 ± 1.7 years; 57% female). Accrual rate was 80% (28/35) and withdrawal rate was 18% (5/28), with 28% (4/14) adhering to the iP2P program; however, 71% (10/14) of adolescents in the intervention completed at least one call. Based on content analysis of 75 mentor–mentee calls, three distinct content categories emerged: impact of SCD, self-management, transitioning to adulthood with SCD, and general topics.

Conclusion:

The results from this pilot study suggest that the current iteration of the iP2P SCD program lacks feasibility. Future research with the iP2P program can focus improved engagement via personalized mentoring, variable communication avenues, and an emphasis on gender.
Disaster Health Care and Resiliency: A Systematic Review of the Application of Social Network Data Analytics
Authors: Rasouli Panah Hamidreza , Madanian Samaneh , Yu Jian
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This systematic literature review explores the applications of social network platforms for disaster health care management and resiliency and investigates their potential to enhance decision-making and policy formulation for public health authorities during such events.

Methods

A comprehensive search across academic databases yielded 90 relevant studies. Utilizing qualitative and thematic analysis, the study identified the primary applications of social network data analytics during disasters, organizing them into 5 key themes: communication, information extraction, disaster Management, Situational Awareness, and Location Identification.

Results

The findings highlight the potential of social networks as an additional tool to enhance decision-making and policymaking for public health authorities in disaster settings, providing a foundation for further research and innovative approaches in this field.

Conclusions

However, analyzing social network data has significant challenges due to the massive volume of information generated and the prevalence of misinformation. Moreover, it is important to point out that social network users do not represent individuals without access to technology, such as some elderly populations. Therefore, relying solely on social network data analytics is insufficient for effective disaster health care management. To ensure efficient disaster management and control, it is necessary to explore alternative sources of information and consider a comprehensive approach.
Optimizing Triage in Chemical Disasters: Validation of Modified IGSA Criteria for Hydrofluoric Acid Exposure
Authors: Shin Heejun , Oh Se Kwang , Lee Han You , Chung Heajin , Moon Ji Eun , Kang Hee Do
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to develop and validate the modified irritant gas syndrome agent (IGSA) criteria, utilizing readily available triage information and epidemiologic data to efficiently segregate patients based on the severity of hydrofluoric acid (HFA) exposure.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 160 patients exposed to HFA was performed to develop the criteria and assess the criteria’s efficacy, focusing on age, respiratory rate, and compliance with IGSA standards. The criteria’s validity was assessed by comparing clinical outcomes between patients meeting the modified IGSA (mIGSA) criteria and those who did not as external and internal.

Results

The mIGSA criteria (or AIR criteria) consisting of the 3 clusters of age greater than 49, IGSA criteria satisfied, and respiratory rate greater than 19 was developed. The area under curve of receiver operating characteristic curve for prediction of the risk of confirmed HFA injury according to AIR criteria was 0.8415 at the external validation.

Conclusions

The mIGSA criteria offer a significant improvement in the triage of HFA exposure incidents, facilitating rapid identification and prioritization of patients with potentially severe outcomes. Future research should aim to further validate these criteria across diverse emergency scenarios, reinforcing their utility in global health emergency preparedness.
Nature-Based Community Recovery Post-Natural Disaster: Black Summer Bushfires
Authors: Porter Joanne E. , Soldatenko Daria , Simic Megan , Miller Elizabeth M. , Hualda Luis Antonio T.
Published: January 2025

Objective

Natural disasters can cause widespread death and extensive physical devastation, but also harmfully impact individual and community health following a disaster event. Nature-based recovery approach can positively influence the mental health of people and community’s post-natural disasters. In response to the Australian bushfire season of 2019-2020, Zoos Victoria, in partnership with the Arthur Rylah Institute, worked with local communities in East Gippsland to support people’s recovery through experiencing, supporting, and witnessing nature’s recovery.

Methods

This mixed-method study explored how nature improved the recovery of remote and rural communities affected by the Black Summer bushfires in East Gippsland. The research studied the individuals’ feelings about being involved in nature-based community events and their lived experiences. Data were collected from June to September 2023 through a nature-based community recovery project survey and community interviews.

Results

The findings demonstrated that engagement with natural environments promotes positive psychological, mental, and general well-being of people from bushfire-affected communities. Positive feedback from participants indicated the success of the Nature-Based Community Recovery Project in East Gippsland after the Black Summer bushfire.

Conclusions

This research provides insights for future recovery projects and ensures that sustainable nature-based recovery solutions for bushfire-impacted communities can be established.
Estimating high-resolution profiles of wind speeds from a global reanalysis dataset using TabNet
Authors: Baki Harish , Basu Sukanta
Published: January 2025

The growing demand for global wind power production, driven by the critical need for sustainable energy sources, requires reliable estimation of wind speed vertical profiles for accurate wind power prediction and comprehensive wind turbine performance assessment. Traditional methods relying on empirical equations or similarity theory face challenges due to their restricted applicability beyond the surface layer. Although recent studies have utilized various machine learning techniques to vertically extrapolate wind speeds, they often focus on single levels and lack a holistic approach to predicting entire wind profiles. As an alternative, this study introduces a proof-of-concept methodology utilizing TabNet, an attention-based sequential deep learning model, to estimate wind speed vertical profiles from coarse-resolution meteorological features extracted from a reanalysis dataset. To ensure that the methodology is applicable across diverse datasets, Chebyshev polynomial approximation is employed to model the wind profiles. Trained on the meteorological features as inputs and the Chebyshev coefficients as targets, the TabNet more-or-less accurately predicts unseen wind profiles for different wind conditions, such as high shear, low shear/well-mixed, low-level jet, and high wind. Additionally, this methodology quantifies the correlation of wind profiles with prevailing atmospheric conditions through a systematic feature importance assessment.
Assessing the Post-Lisbon European Union’s System of Delegated Powers at Fifteen
Authors: Hofmann Herwig C.H. , Coman-Kund Florin , Xhaferri Zamira
Published: January 2025

The aim of this article and the ensuing Special Issue is to assess, après fifteen years, the effects on the EU legal and political system of the overhaul of executive delegated powers inaugurated by the Lisbon Treaty. It identifies core parameters – i.e. (institutional) balance of powers, (democratic) legitimacy, control and accountability, effectiveness of EU policy implementation – considered by the contributions to this Special Issue to map and examine, both constitutionally and normatively, the EU system of delegated powers in law and practice. It also puts forward seven overarching reflections revealing some of the core issues and challenges posed by the current stage of development of the post-Lisbon EU system of delegated powers.
Long-term stable timing fluctuation correction for a picosecond laser with attosecond-level accuracy
Authors: Li Hongyang , Liu Keyang , Tian Ye , Song Liwei
Published: January 2025

Rapid advancements in high-energy ultrafast lasers and free electron lasers have made it possible to obtain extreme physical conditions in the laboratory, which lays the foundation for investigating the interaction between light and matter and probing ultrafast dynamic processes. High temporal resolution is a prerequisite for realizing the value of these large-scale facilities. Here, we propose a new method that has the potential to enable the various subsystems of large scientific facilities to work together well, and the measurement accuracy and synchronization precision of timing jitter are greatly improved by combining a balanced optical cross-correlator (BOC) with near-field interferometry technology. Initially, we compressed a 0.8 ps laser pulse to 95 fs, which not only improved the measurement accuracy by 3.6 times but also increased the BOC synchronization precision from 8.3 fs root-mean-square (RMS) to 1.12 fs RMS. Subsequently, we successfully compensated the phase drift between the laser pulses to 189 as RMS by using the BOC for pre-correction and near-field interferometry technology for fine compensation. This method realizes the measurement and correction of the timing jitter of ps-level lasers with as-level accuracy, and has the potential to promote ultrafast dynamics detection and pump–probe experiments.
Multi-stage harmonic cascade at seeded free-electron lasers
Authors: Zeng Li , Yu Yong , Wang Xiaofan , Li Qinming , Sun Jitao , Li Xinmeng , He Zhigang , Yang Jiayue , Wu Guorong , Zhang Weiqing , Yang Xueming
Published: January 2025

External seeded free-electron lasers (FELs) have exhibited substantial progress in diverse applications over the last decade. However, the frequency up-conversion efficiency in single-stage seeded FELs, particularly in high-gain harmonic generation (HGHG), remains constrained to a modest level. This limitation restricts its capability to conduct experiments within the ‘water window’. This paper presents a novel method for generating coherent X-ray FEL pulses in the water window region based on the HGHG scheme with multi-stage harmonic cascade. Without any additional modifications to the HGHG configuration, simulation results demonstrate the generation of intense 3 nm coherent FEL radiation using an external ultraviolet seed laser. This indicates an increase of the harmonic conversion number to approximately 90. A preliminary experiment is performed to evaluate the feasibility of this method. The proposed approach could potentially serve as an efficient method to broaden the wavelength coverage accessible to both existing and planned seeded X-ray FEL facilities.
Linear analysis characterizes pressure gradient history effects in turbulent boundary layers
Authors: Gomez Salvador R. , McKeon Beverley J.
Published: January 2025

Adverse pressure gradient (APG) turbulent boundary layers (TBL) require an understanding of the details of the pressure gradient, or history effect, to characterize the associated variation of spatiotemporal turbulent statistics. The streamwise-varying mean pressure gradient is reflected in the streamwise developing mean flow field and thus resolvent analysis, which captures the amplification of the Navier–Stokes equations linearized about the turbulent mean, can be used to understand linear amplification in APG TBLs. In particular, by using a biglobal approach in which the amplification is characterized by a temporal frequency and spanwise wavenumber, the streamwise and wall-normal inhomogeneities of the APG TBL can be resolved and related to the APG history. The linear response is able to identify multiscale phenomena, identifying a near-wall peak with

$\lambda _{z}^+\approx 100$

for zero pressure gradient TBLs and mild to moderate APG TBLs as well as large-scale modes whose amplification increases with APG strength and Reynolds number. It is shown that the monotonic growth in the turbulent statistics with increasing APG is reflected in the linear growth in the associated resolvent amplification. Collapse in the Reynolds stresses is obtained through an augmented hybrid velocity scale, which replaces the local APG strength measure in the hybrid velocity scale presented in Romero et al. (Intl J. Heat Fluid Flow, vol. 93, 2022, 108885) with a velocity that encapsulates the pressure gradient history. While this resolvent approach is applicable to any APG TBL, it is shown from a scaling analysis of the linearized Navier–Stokes equations that the linear growth observed in the resolvent amplification with the history effect is limited to near-equilibrium APG TBLs.
Moment of momentum integral analysis of turbulent boundary layers with pressure gradient
Authors: Kianfar Armin , Johnson Perry L.
Published: January 2025

Turbulent boundary layers on immersed objects can be significantly altered by the pressure gradients imposed by the flow outside the boundary layer. The interaction of turbulence and pressure gradients can lead to complex phenomena such as relaminarization, history effects and flow separation. The angular momentum integral (AMI) equation (Elnahhas & Johnson, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 940, 2022, A36) is extended and applied to high-fidelity simulation datasets of non-zero pressure gradient turbulent boundary layers. The AMI equation provides an exact mathematical equation for quantifying how turbulence, free-stream pressure gradients and other effects alter the skin friction coefficient relative to a baseline laminar boundary layer solution. The datasets explored include flat-plate boundary layers with nearly constant adverse pressure gradients, a boundary layer over the suction surface of a two-dimensional NACA 4412 airfoil and flow over a two-dimensional Gaussian bump. Application of the AMI equation to these datasets maps out the similarities and differences in how boundary layers interact with favourable and adverse pressure gradients in various scenarios. Further, the fractional contribution of the pressure gradient to skin friction attenuation in adverse-pressure-gradient boundary layers appears in the AMI equation as a new Clauser-like parameter with some advantages for understanding similarities and differences related to upstream history effects. The results highlight the applicability of the integral-based analysis to provide quantitative, interpretable assessments of complex boundary layer physics.
Instability of falling films of discontinuously shear-thickening fluid
Authors: Balmforth Neil J.
Published: January 2025

Aqueous suspensions of cornstarch abruptly increase their viscosity on raising either shear rate or stress, and display the formation of large-amplitude waves when flowing down inclined channels. The two features have been recently connected using constitutive models designed to describe discontinuous shear thickening. By including time-dependent relaxation and spatial diffusion of the frictional contact density responsible for shear thickening, an analysis of steady sheet flow and its linear stability is presented. The inclusion of such effects is motivated by the need to avoid an ill-posed mathematical problem in thin-film theory and the resulting failure to select any preferred wavelength for unstable linear waves. Relaxation, in particular, eliminates an ultraviolet catastrophe in the spectrum of unstable waves and furnishes a preferred wavelength at which growth is maximized. The nonlinear dynamics of the unstable waves is briefly explored. It is found that the linear instability saturates once disturbances reach finite amplitude, creating steadily propagating nonlinear waves. These waves take the form of a series of steep, shear-thickened steps that translate relatively slowly in comparison with the mean flow.
Multi-Group Regularized Gaussian Variational Estimation: Fast Detection of DIF
Authors: Lyu Weicong , Wang Chun , Xu Gongjun
Published: January 2025

Data harmonization is an emerging approach to strategically combining data from multiple independent studies, enabling addressing new research questions that are not answerable by a single contributing study. A fundamental psychometric challenge for data harmonization is to create commensurate measures for the constructs of interest across studies. In this study, we focus on a regularized explanatory multidimensional item response theory model (re-MIRT) for establishing measurement equivalence across instruments and studies, where regularization enables the detection of items that violate measurement invariance, also known as differential item functioning (DIF). Because the MIRT model is computationally demanding, we leverage the recently developed Gaussian Variational Expectation–Maximization (GVEM) algorithm to speed up the computation. In particular, the GVEM algorithm is extended to a more complicated and improved multi-group version with categorical covariates and Lasso penalty for re-MIRT, namely, the importance weighted GVEM with one additional maximization step (IW-GVEMM). This study aims to provide empirical evidence to support feasible uses of IW-GVEMM for re-MIRT DIF detection, providing a useful tool for integrative data analysis. Our results show that IW-GVEMM accurately estimates the model, detects DIF items, and finds a more reasonable number of DIF items in a real world dataset. The proposed method has been integrated into R package VEMIRT (https://map-lab-uw.github.io/VEMIRT).
Bayesian Analysis of the Ordinal Markov Random Field
Authors: Marsman Maarten , van den Bergh Don , Haslbeck Jonas M. B.
Published: January 2025

Multivariate analysis using graphical models is rapidly gaining ground in psychology. In particular, Markov random field (MRF) graphical models have become popular because their graph structure reflects the conditional associations between psychological variables. Despite the fact that most psychological variables are assessed on an ordinal scale, the analysis of MRFs for ordinal variables has received little attention in the psychometric literature. To fill this gap, we present an MRF for ordinal data that so far has not been considered in network psychometrics. We present statistical methodology to test the structure of the proposed MRF, which requires us to determine the plausibility of the opposing hypotheses of conditional dependence and independence. To this end, we develop a Bayesian approach using the inclusion Bayes factor to quantify the (lack of) evidence for a given edge. We use a Bayesian variable selection approach to model the inclusion and exclusion of edges in the network, and Bayesian model averaging to compare network structures with and without the given edge. We provide an implementation in the new R package bgms, evaluate its performance in simulations, and illustrate it with empirical data.
A high-resolution record of Late Holocene drought in the eastern Sierra Nevada (California, USA) from June Lake carbonate geochemistry
Authors: Lyon Eva C. , Erhardt Andrea M. , Streib Laura C. , Zimmerman Susan R.H. , McGlue Michael M.
Published: January 2025

As historic drought conditions become more common in western North America, Late Quaternary hydroclimate records become vital for putting present anthropogenic conditions into a longer-term context. Here, we establish a high-resolution record of drought for the eastern Sierra Nevada (California) using lacustrine carbonates from well-dated sediment cores. We used oxygen and carbon stable-isotope ratios, combined with high-resolution scanning X-ray fluorescence counts of calcium (Ca) and titanium (Ti), to reconstruct the drought record over the last 4600 years in June Lake. We found elevated δ18O and δ13C carbonate isotope values coinciding with peaks in both total inorganic carbon and Ca/Ti, suggesting enhanced carbonate precipitation in response to evaporative concentration of lake water. At least six intervals of prolonged (centennial-scale) carbonate deposition were identified, including three pulses during the Late Holocene Dry Period (LHDP; ~3500–2000 cal yr BP), the Medieval Climate Anomaly (~1200–800 cal yr BP), and the Current Warm Period, which began around 100 cal yr BP. This record highlights the complexities of the LHDP, an interval that was more variable at June Lake than has been previously described in regional records.
Sensorineural hearing loss in stroke: an age-matched retrospective study
Authors: Neilson Sam J , Sooby Paul , Huang Xuya , Kontorinis Georgios
Published: January 2025

Objective

To compare characteristics between stroke populations with and without sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and assess the impact of SNHL on stroke outcome.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients admitted with stroke was carried out. Patients were divided into two groups, where group A were diagnosed with SNHL and group B were without SNHL. Baseline age, gender, vascular risk factors and disability were compared. Logistic regression analyses were performed with three-month mortality and SNHL as dependent variables.

Results

A total of 631 admissions were reviewed, with mean age 79.2 years, including 305 patients with SNHL and 326 without. More severe disability was more prevalent in patients with SNHL. Sensorineural hearing loss was not associated with increased mortality (odds ratio = 1.1, 95 per cent confidence interval = 0.7–2.0, p = 0.668). Hypertension was present in 210 (68.9 per cent) with SNHL versus 189 (58 per cent) without SNHL (p = 0.005). Small-vessel disease aetiology was more prevalent in SNHL 51 (16.7 per cent) versus 30 (9.2 per cent) without SNHL (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Sensorineural hearing loss appears to have an association with stroke of small-vessel disease aetiology and hypertension. Sensorineural hearing loss does not affect three-month mortality but is associated with increased disability.
Turbulent magnetic decay controlled by two conserved quantities
Authors: Brandenburg Axel , Banerjee Aikya
Published: January 2025

The decay of a turbulent magnetic field is slower with helicity than without. Furthermore, the magnetic correlation length grows faster for a helical than a non-helical field. Both helical and non-helical decay laws involve conserved quantities: the mean magnetic helicity density and the Hosking integral. Using direct numerical simulations in a triply periodic domain, we show quantitatively that in the fractionally helical case the mean magnetic energy density and correlation length are approximately given by the maximum of the values for the purely helical and purely non-helical cases. The time of switchover from one to the other decay law can be obtained on dimensional grounds and is approximately given by

$I_{H}^{1/2}I_{M}^{-3/2}$

, where

$I_{H}$

is the Hosking integral and

$I_{M}$

is the mean magnetic helicity density. An earlier approach based on the decay time is found to agree with our new result and suggests that the Hosking integral exceeds naive estimates by the square of the same resistivity-dependent factor by which also the turbulent decay time exceeds the Alfvén time. In the presence of an applied magnetic field, the mean magnetic helicity density is known to be not conserved, and we show that then also the Hosking integral is not conserved.
Self-organization of collisionless shocks: a ‘phase transition’ from a planar stationary profile to a rippled structure
Authors: Gedalin Michael
Published: January 2025

It is common wisdom that collisionless shocks become non-planar and non-stationary at sufficiently high Mach numbers. Whatever the shock structure, the upstream and downstream fluxes of the mass, momentum and energy should be equal. At low Mach numbers, these conservation laws are satisfied when the shock front is planar and stationary. When this becomes impossible, inhomogeneity and time dependence, presumably in the form of rippling, develop. In this study, we show that the shock structure changes as a kind of ‘phase transition’ when the Mach number is increased while other shock parameters are kept constant.
Navigation of biped wall-climbing robots using BIM and ArUco markers
Authors: Gu Shichao , Fu Ziyang , Chen Weinan , Guan Yisheng , Wu Hongmin , Zhou Xuefeng , Zhu Haifei
Published: January 2025

Biped wall-climbing robots (BWCRs) serve as viable alternatives to human workers for inspection and maintenance tasks within three-dimensional (3D) curtain wall environments. However, autonomous climbing in such environments presents significant challenges, particularly related to localization and navigation. This paper presents a pioneering navigation framework tailored for BWCRs to navigate through 3D curtain wall environments. The framework comprises three essential stages: Building Information Model (BIM)-based map extraction, 3D climbing path planning (based on our previous work), and path tracking. An algorithm is developed to extract a detailed 3D map from the BIM, including structural elements such as walls, frames, and ArUco markers. This generated map is input into a proposed path planner to compute a viable climbing motion. For path tracking during actual climbing, an ArUco marker-based global localization method is introduced to estimate the pose of the robot, enabling adjustments to the target foothold by comparing desired and actual poses. The conducted experiments validate the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed navigation framework and associated algorithms, aiming to enhance the autonomous climbing capability of BWCRs.
Analysing breast dose in female mediastinal lymphoma patients who received radiotherapy: a retrospective audit
Authors: Massey Andrew , Turtle Louise , Wilson Nathan , Stewart-Thomson Bethan , Robson Peter
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Second primary breast cancers are among the most common risks to female patients who have received radiotherapy for mediastinal lymphoma.

This study aims to audit breast dose in women who received mediastinal radiotherapy for lymphoma and compare the combined dose parameter values measured to those in the literature.

Methods:

Twenty-three patient datasets from 2017 to 2021 were obtained. Inclusion criteria, such as female gender and 30Gy prescription dose, were applied. Target volumes were delineated using involved site radiotherapy and planned on Eclipse (Varian, Palo Alto, CA) using either fixed field or VMAT. Breast contours were retrospectively outlined according to RTOG/EORTC guidance and descriptive statistics were used to compare findings to those from the literature.

Results:

Differences were found in V4gy, V5Gy and mean dose compared to the literature with mean dose being 2Gy in the literature and 4Gy in this audit.

Conclusions:

Breast dose parameter values between patients in this study vary due to multiple factors. These include the treatment delivery method used and the position of the treatment field in relation to the location of breast tissue. Mean dose and V4% and V5% to breast tissue found in this study differ from that found in the literature. This study highlights the importance of accurate contouring and optimising breast tissue when possible.
The Potential Benefits of Assimilating Future CubeSat‐Constellation Microwave Radiances on Regional NWP for Typhoon and Heavy Rainfall With a Rapid‐Update Convection‐Permitting 4DEnVar
Authors: Wang Yuanbing , Chen Haoyu , He Jieying , Chen Yaodeng , Min Jinzhong
Published: January 2025

The microwave sounding instruments have been providing humidity and temperature profiles critical for improving numerical weather prediction (NWP). In recent years, advanced microwave sounders have been proposed to be onboard future CubeSats that are less expensive than traditional satellites, providing unprecedented rapid‐update and low‐earth‐orbit microwave observations that can follow the evolution of the typhoon and convective weather systems. In this study, the potential values of assimilating future CubeSat constellation microwave radiances in clear‐sky condition for regional NWP are preliminarily assessed with observing system simulation experiments using the convection‐permitting 4DEnVar for the prediction of typhoon “Infa” and its associated “7.20” heavy rainfall event that occurred in China in July 2021. This constellation is assumed to include 12 CubeSats equipped with microwave sounders obtaining radiances sensitive to water vapor and temperature. The results show the CubeSat constellation radiances demonstrate positive impacts on the analyses and forecasts of typhoon's track, intensity, precipitation, and dynamical conditions. The forecast errors of typhoon's maximum wind speed, minimum sea level pressure, and track are reduced by 17.9%, 14.3%, and 27.9%, respectively. The wind, temperature, and humidity of 6‐hr forecasts are improved by 4.95%, 7.89%, and 5.17%, respectively. The rainfall forecast scores in terms of fraction skill score and equitable threat score are also improved by 7% and 5.9% with the ameliorative prediction of magnitude and pattern of rainfall maximum centers for both the landfall typhoon and “7.20” heavy rainfall event. This study indicates the potential benefits of microwave radiances from a low‐earth‐orbit CubeSat constellation with rapid revisits using advanced data assimilation on the regional NWP in the future.
One‐Fit‐All Transformer for Multimodal Geophysical Inversion: Method and Application
Authors: Jiang Yiran , Ma Jianwei , Ning Jieyuan , Li Jiaqi , Wu Han , Bao Tiezhao
Published: January 2025

The increasing variety of geophysical data sets enhances inversion constraints but also poses significant challenges for conventional methods in terms of precision and efficiency due to factors like non‐linearity and limited observation coverage. While deep learning has the potential to address these challenges, issues such as data representation and domain transformation limit the development of universally applicable deep learning‐based inversion methods across various geophysical scenarios. To address these issues, we propose a novel Transformer‐based inversion framework named G(eophysics)‐Query for multimodal geophysical data by expanding the vector representation concept and incorporating query adjusting in the attention mechanism. It can adapt to diverse inversion settings—across different observation systems, targets, and prior information—within a single network, and thus eliminates the need for specific design adjustments and repeated training. Additionally, the framework incorporates a novel semi‐supervised training strategy to explore empirical relationships for prediction uncertainty estimation, ultimately providing more comprehensive inversion results. The framework is applied in the joint inversion of surface waves and receiver functions and successfully obtains the lithospheric structure of the conterminous U.S., demonstrating high precision, efficiency, and universal capability.
Discovery of novel dual-target inhibitors of LSD1/EGFR for non-small cell lung cancer therapy
Authors: Wei Yu , Sun Ming-ming , Zhang Rui-li , Wang Lin , Yang Li-hong , Shan Chang-liang , Lin Jian-ping
Published: January 2025

Histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is overexpressed in various solid and hematological tumors, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target, but there are currently no LSD1 inhibitors available on the market. In this study we employed a computer-guided approach to identify novel LSD1/EGFR dual inhibitors as a potential therapeutic agent for non-small cell lung cancer. Through a multi-stage virtual screening approach, we found L-1 and L-6, two compounds with unique scaffolds that effectively inhibit LSD1 with IC50 values of 6.24 and 9.26 μM, respectively. Using molecular similarity-based screening, 48 analogs of L-1 and L-6 were retrieved from ChemDiv library, 18 analogs were selected for biological activity analysis. Eight compounds showed weaker inhibitory activity against LSD1, with IC50 values of 19.79 – 35.70 μM. Moreover, L-1, L-6, and two analogs of L-6 (D-14 and D-16) were found to inhibit triple-mutant EGFR (L858R/T790M/C797S) with potencies ranging from 5.01 to 86.70 μM, and to inhibit double-mutant EGFR (T790M/L858R) with potencies ranging from 2.06 to 64.36 μM. In BaF3 cells that stably express EGFR (L858R/T790M/C797S), the inhibitory activity of L-1, L-6, D-14 and D-16 ranged from 2.72 to 8.99 μM. L-1 that shows the highest biological activity across BaF3 cell, mutant EGFR kinase and LSD1 assays due to its dual targeting of LSD1/EGFR, emerges as a promising lead compound for non-small cell lung cancer treatment. This study demonstrates that L-1 efficiently inhibits lung cancer growth in vitro and in vivo, suggesting it as a potential lead for non-small cell lung cancer treatment, highlighting the utility of virtual screening methods in discovering multi-target inhibitors and strategies for other diseases.
Nucleosome wrapping states encode principles of 3D genome organization
Authors: Wen Zengqi , Fang Ruixin , Zhang Ruxin , Yu Xinqian , Zhou Fanli , Long Haizhen
Published: January 2025

Nucleosome is the basic structural unit of the genome. During processes like DNA replication and gene transcription, the conformation of nucleosomes undergoes dynamic changes, including DNA unwrapping and rewrapping, as well as histone disassembly and assembly. However, the wrapping characteristics of nucleosomes across the entire genome, including region-specificity and their correlation with higher-order chromatin organization, remains to be studied. In this study, we investigate the wrapping length of DNA on nucleosomes across the whole genome using wrapping-seq. We discover that the chromatin of mouse ES cells forms Nucleosome Wrapping Domains (NRDs), which can also be observed in yeast and fly genomes. We find that the degree of nucleosome wrapping decreases after DNA replication and is promoted by transcription. Furthermore, we observe that nucleosome wrapping domains delineate Hi-C compartments and replication timing domains. In conclusion, we have unveiled a previously unrecognized domainization principle of the chromatin, encoded by nucleosome wrapping states.
DSIF factor Spt5 coordinates transcription, maturation and exoribonucleolysis of RNA polymerase II transcripts
Authors: Kuś Krzysztof , Carrique Loic , Kecman Tea , Fournier Marjorie , Hassanein Sarah Sayed , Aydin Ebru , Kilchert Cornelia , Grimes Jonathan M. , Vasiljeva Lidia
Published: January 2025

Precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) is processed into its functional form during RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription. Although functional coupling between transcription and pre-mRNA processing is established, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We show that the key transcription termination factor, RNA exonuclease Xrn2 engages with Pol II forming a stable complex. Xrn2 activity is stimulated by Spt5 to ensure efficient degradation of nascent RNA leading to Pol II dislodgement from DNA. Our results support a model where Xrn2 first forms a stable complex with the elongating Pol II to achieve its full activity in degrading nascent RNA revising the current ‘torpedo’ model of termination, which posits that RNA degradation precedes Xrn2 engagement with Pol II. Spt5 is also a key factor that attenuates the expression of non-coding transcripts, coordinates pre-mRNA splicing and 3’-end processing. Our findings indicate that engagement with the transcribing Pol II is an essential regulatory step modulating the activity of RNA enzymes such as Xrn2, thus advancing our understanding of how RNA maturation is controlled during transcription.
A flexible catheter-based sensor array for upper airway soft tissues pressure monitoring
Authors: Shang Jiang , Ma Xiaoxiao , Zou Peikai , Huang Chenxiao , Lao Zhechen , Wang Junhan , Jiang Tingshu , Fu Yanzhe , Li Jiebo , Zhang Shaoxing , Li Ruya , Fan Yubo
Published: January 2025

Obstructive sleep apnea is a globally prevalent concern with significant health impacts, especially when coupled with comorbidities. Accurate detection and localization of airway obstructions are crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment, which remains a challenge for traditional sleep monitoring methods. Here, we report a catheter-based flexible pressure sensor array that continuously monitors soft tissue pressure in the upper airway and facilitates at the millimeter level. The sensor’s design and versatile 3D femtosecond laser fabrication process enable adaptation to diverse materials and applications. In vitro testing demonstrates high sensitivity (38.1 Ω/mmHg) and excellent stability. The sensor array effectively monitors distributed airway pressure and accurately identifies obstructions in an obstructive sleep apnea animal model. In this work, we highlight the potential of this catheter-based sensor array for long-term, continuous upper airway pressure monitoring and its prospective applications in other medical devices for pressure measurement in human body cavities.
Asynchronicity of deglacial permafrost thawing controlled by millennial-scale climate variability
Authors: Yan Xinwei , Zhang Xu , Liu Bo , Mithan Huw T. , Hellstrom John , Nuber Sophie , Drysdale Russell , Wu Junjie , Lin Fangyuan , Zhao Ning , Zhang Yuao , Kang Wengang , Liu Jianbao
Published: January 2025

Permafrost is a potentially important source of deglacial carbon release alongside deep-sea carbon outgassing. However, limited proxies have restricted our understanding in circumarctic regions and the last deglaciation. Tibetan Plateau (TP), the Earth’s largest low-latitude and alpine permafrost region, remains underexplored. Using speleothem growth phases, we reconstruct TP permafrost thawing history over the last 500,000 years, standardizing chronology to investigate Northern Hemisphere permafrost thawing patterns. We find that, unlike circumarctic permafrost, TP permafrost generally initiates thawing at the onset of deglaciations, coinciding with Weak Monsoon Intervals and sluggish Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) during Terminal Stadials. Modeling elaborates that the associated Asian monsoon weakening induces anomalous TP warming through local cloud–precipitation–soil moisture feedback. This, combined with high-latitude cooling, results in asynchronous boreal permafrost thawing. During the last deglaciation, however, anomalous AMOC variability delayed TP and advanced circumarctic permafrost thawing. Our results indicate that permafrost carbon release, influenced by millennial-scale AMOC variability, may have been a non-trivial contributor to deglacial CO2 rise.
Dynamics of specialization in neural modules under resource constraints
Authors: Béna Gabriel , Goodman Dan F. M.
Published: January 2025

The brain is structurally and functionally modular, although recent evidence has raised questions about the extent of both types of modularity. Using a simple, toy artificial neural network setup that allows for precise control, we find that structural modularity does not in general guarantee functional specialization (across multiple measures of specialization). Further, in this setup (1) specialization only emerges when features of the environment are meaningfully separable, (2) specialization preferentially emerges when the network is strongly resource-constrained, and (3) these findings are qualitatively similar across several different variations of network architectures. Finally, we show that functional specialization varies dynamically across time, and these dynamics depend on both the timing and bandwidth of information flow in the network. We conclude that a static notion of specialization is likely too simple a framework for understanding intelligence in situations of real-world complexity, from biology to brain-inspired neuromorphic systems.