bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All Together and Separately: Learning to Learn in the Studio
Authors: Koç Pınar
Published: February 2025

This study aims to develop learning to learn and self‐learning in the architectural design studio. The study considers that one of the ways in which the architectural design studio can be resistant to environmental conditions is to be aware of and manage the way the architecture student learns. The main theme of the methodological approach is learning how to learn, and its experients are first‐year architecture students. The method consists of design research and a questionnaire. Design research is configured as a two‐stage pedagogical approach: The first phase consists of an abstraction practice and results in a physical model. The second stage includes a single‐function small‐scale design task and imposes the use of design knowledge obtained from the physical model in the first stage as a mandatory condition. The study concluded in three basic positions: The first is that the first‐grade architecture student establishes the relationality of comprehending–understanding–making sense of self‐learning and learning mode. Second, the student has become a direct active learner, and finally, a way of making use of the built environment as an educational object has been discovered. Broadly, the study has enabled the students to become aware of self‐learning. Improving such a learning culture in architectural education can provide a way to prepare for an uncertain future.
An Outbreak of Cryptocaryon irritans in Aquarium Quarantine—New Variations of an Old Theme
Authors: Denk Daniela , Boylan Shane , Just Frank T. , Sommer Matteo , Clarke Elsburgh O.
Published: February 2025

An outbreak of Cryptocaryon irritans (Ci) occurred during the quarantine of marine teleost fish at a large aquarium facility, leading to 457 mortalities across 16 species. This study investigates the outbreak through a retrospective analysis of clinical and pathological findings, emphasising the role of detailed pathology in outbreak characterisation. Lesion diversity, host‐specific susceptibility and mortality rates were examined alongside molecular diagnostics to confirm Ci presence. Key findings include significant differences in susceptibility and pathological presentations among fish families, with Chaetodontidae and Acanthuridae exhibiting severe gill and skin pathology, whereas Labridae and Scaridae showed enhanced parasite clearance associated with mucus production. A variety of treatment modalities were used, including formalin bath, Leteux–Meyer mixture and chloroquine, with variable treatment responses and species‐specific drug sensitivities. Molecular analysis confirmed Ci with high sequence identity to isolates from the Red Sea and East Asia but highlighted primer limitations for frozen samples. This study outlines the challenges of managing a Ci outbreak in quarantine under unprecedented environmental conditions, underscores the importance of species‐specific management strategies and provides detailed insights into host–pathogen interactions and treatment responses.
Transcript and Lipid Profile Alterations in Astrocyte‐Neuron Mitochondrial Transfer Under Lipopolysaccharide Exposure: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Kan Yufei , Wang Hong , Lin Huaying , Li Yongfa , Pei Shuaijie , Cui Yan , Xie Keliang , Chen Hongguang , Yu Yonghao
Published: February 2025

Sepsis‐associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a brain dysfunction for which no effective therapy currently exists. Recent studies suggest that transferring mitochondria from astrocytes to neurons may benefit SAE patients, though the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We cultured astrocytes and neurons from mice in vitro. Astrocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h, and the astrocyte‐conditioned medium (ACM) was collected. Neuronal cultures were then treated with ACM or mitochondria‐depleted ACM (mdACM) for further analysis. Mitochondrial transfer was examined under a fluorescence microscope. Western blotting analyzed the protein expression of genes related to apoptosis and mitochondrial metabolism. RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry were employed to investigate the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial transfer. Astrocyte‐derived mitochondria migrated toward and connected with LPS‐exposed neurons. The addition of ACM significantly attenuated LPS‐induced alterations in the proteins linked to apoptosis and mitochondrial dynamics. RNA sequencing revealed notable alterations in the transcript profile of neurons upon ACM treatment, highlighting the involvement of mitochondria metabolism, inflammation, and apoptosis‐related factors. Additionally, mitochondrial transfer modified the lipid composition of neurons, increasing phosphatidylserine levels, which correlated with neuroinflammation and enriched pathways related to cytokine and MAPK signaling. Our findings suggest that astrocyte‐neuron mitochondrial transfer holds therapeutic potential for alleviating SAE, possibly through the anti‐inflammatory effects of lipids, particularly phosphatidylserine.

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A Natural Experiment in Education Reform: The Case of Upper‐Secondary Curriculum Compression
Authors: Ásgeirsdóttir Tinna Laufey , Gylfason Gisli , Zoega Gylfi
Published: February 2025

We use a change in Iceland's education system as a natural experiment to measure the effect of years spent in upper‐secondary school on subsequent first‐year outcomes at university. The duration of Iceland's upper‐secondary education was shortened by 1 year through compression of the curriculum. We find that shorter upper‐secondary education, 3 years instead of the previous four, leads to first‐year university students completing fewer credits, getting a lower average grade in completed courses, and being more likely to drop out. We find that this negative effect of the reform disproportionately affected the academic performance of male students and those who previously demonstrated weaker academic abilities, thus increasing academic disparities.
Footprints of Human Migration in the Population Structure of Wild Baker's Yeast
Authors: Peña Jacqueline J. , Scopel Eduardo F. C. , Ward Audrey K. , Bensasson Douda
Published: February 2025

Humans have a long history of fermenting food and beverages that led to domestication of the baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Despite their tight companionship with humans, yeast species that are domesticated or pathogenic can also live on trees. Here we used over 300 genomes of S. cerevisiae from oaks and other trees to determine whether tree‐associated populations are genetically distinct from domesticated lineages and estimate the timing of forest lineage divergence. We found populations on trees are highly structured within Europe, Japan, and North America. Approximate estimates of when forest lineages diverged out of Asia and into North America and Europe coincide with the end of the last ice age, the spread of agriculture, and the onset of fermentation by humans. It appears that migration from human‐associated environments to trees is ongoing. Indeed, patterns of ancestry in the genomes of three recent migrants from the trees of North America to Europe could be explained by the human response to the Great French Wine Blight. Our results suggest that human‐assisted migration affects forest populations, albeit rarely. Such migration events may even have shaped the global distribution of S. cerevisiae. Given the potential for lasting impacts due to yeast migration between human and natural environments, it seems important to understand the evolution of human commensals and pathogens in wild niches.
Worker Survival and Egg Production—But Not Transcriptional Activity—Respond to Queen Number in the Highly Polygynous, Invasive Ant Tapinoma magnum
Authors: Lenhart Anna , Majoe Megha , Selvi Sibel , Colgan Thomas J. , Libbrecht Romain , Foitzik Susanne
Published: February 2025

In social animals, reproductive activity and ageing are influenced by group composition. In monogynous (single‐queen) insect societies, queen presence affects worker fecundity and longevity, but less is known about worker responses to queen number variation in polygynous (multi‐queen) species or how queens age in these systems. We created queenless, one‐queen and two‐queen colonies of the invasive, polygynous ant Tapinoma magnum to examine the effect of queen number on worker survival, ovary and oocyte development, oxidative stress resistance and fat body gene expression. We also compared the fecundity and brain and fat body transcriptomes between young and old queens. Queenless workers experienced the highest mortality, contrasting with monogynous species, where queen removal typically extends lifespan. Workers lived longer and had more developing oocytes in their ovaries in single‐queen than in two‐queen colonies. Queen number did not directly affect oxidative stress resistance or fat body gene expression, though its effect on the latter differed between inside and outside workers. Furthermore, inside—likely younger—workers produced more oocytes, showed higher oxidative stress resistance and upregulated antioxidant genes compared to outside—likely older—workers. Minimal shifts in fecundity and gene expression of differently aged queens indicated their physiological stability. Our research highlights distinct caste‐ and tissue‐specific responses to varying queen numbers in workers of a highly polygynous species.
Major shifts in embryo size occurred early in the evolutionary history of angiosperms
Authors: Vandelook Filip , Carta Angelino
Published: February 2025

Seeds are the main dispersal and propagation units of angiosperms. Examining the relative allocation of seed reserves by quantifying the relative embryo size (ES) at dispersal (i.e. size of the embryo relative to the seed) across angiosperms, sets the basis to track the evolutionary history of this key reproductive trait related to germination timing and offspring survival.

We used a robust, dated phylogeny and sampling of ES for selected species across most angiosperm families to model the macroevolution of ES. Data on ES were collated from living specimens and primary literature.

Early angiosperms typically had a low ES, which is still reflected in contemporary magnoliids and ANA‐grade species. The analysis of major evolutionary shifts in ES throughout angiosperm phylogeny revealed that these shifts were predominantly associated with the formation of the main angiosperm lineages. The tempo and mode of ES evolution were not constant over angiosperm history, paralleling major paleo‐events.

This study provides crucial new insights in seed trait evolution, which contribute to understanding the diversification of reproductive strategies in angiosperms.
Carnivore community reassembly provides a test of Eltonian niche conservatism
Authors: Rodriguez Curras Mauriel , Manlick Philip J. , Pauli Jonathan N.
Published: February 2025

The repatriation of species is common, especially in conservation efforts aimed at restoring trophic interactions. Whether the Eltonian niches of restored species are conserved in reassembled ecological communities is largely unknown. Within mammalian carnivores, we hypothesized that the Eltonian niches of sympatric competitors would be structured by trophic facilitation from subsidies provided by large carnivores (i.e. carrion) and humans (i.e. food subsidies). Using stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N), we quantified the Eltonian niches of an apex predator, the grey wolf Canis lupus and two subordinate guild members, coyotes Canis latrans and red foxes Vulpes vulpes, from Michigan, USA across three periods that differed in community composition: a ‘historical' carnivore community (1910–1930), a ‘reduced' community which lacked wolves (1950–1970), and a ‘reassembled' carnivore community featuring wolves as well as human food subsidies (2000–2020). In historical and reassembled communities, wolves constrained the niche space of coyotes via resource facilitation, regardless of human presence, such that the consumption of deer by coyotes increased by an average of 1.4–1.8‐fold in the presence of wolves. Without wolves, coyotes exhibited an isotopic (dietary) niche breadth ~ 2–5× greater (3.33 ± 0.74‰2) than in the historical (0.64 ± 0.11‰2) and reassembled (1.66 ± 0.63‰2) communities. Conversely, we found that the niche breadth of foxes was conserved across the historical (1.91 ± 0.41‰2) and reduced (1.98 ± 0.75‰2) communities but increased ~ 4‐fold in the presence of human resource subsidies (7.52 ± 1.95‰2). Notably, we found that trophic facilitation by wolves and resource subsidies from humans altered the foraging strategies of individuals, resulting in disparate foraging strategies for foxes in the reassembled community. Our results highlight that Eltonian niche conservatism in carnivore communities is driven by resource subsidies, both from the provisioning of carrion by large carnivores to meso‐carnivores and from human foods subsidizing small carnivores. More broadly, our work suggests that large carnivore repatriation can restore some species interactions, while human resource subsidies can decouple others.
Select Demographic Data, Disaster‐Related Experience, and Disaster Attitudes as Predictors of Disaster Preparedness Among Student Nurses: A Descriptive Correlational Study
Authors: Tuquero Bernabe Noel G. , Tan Raymond Nicolas G. , Tango Guerlaine Janina G. , Tinasa Kiara Riel C. , De Leon Torres Alessandra Isobelle , Torres Andrea Sarah E. , Torres Ma. Angela Mae S. , Trinidad Carmichael Ethan V. , Pan Warren Kemuel M.
Published: February 2025

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the critical need to enhance disaster preparedness among nurses and nursing students due to concerns over their current levels of competency in disaster management.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the influence of demographic characteristics, disaster‐related experience, and attitudes toward disasters on the disaster preparedness of nursing students.

Design

A descriptive correlational design was employed to examine the relationships between selected variables and disaster preparedness.

Methods

A total of 235 nursing students participated in the study, selected through cluster sampling. Data were collected using Google Forms, incorporating demographic questions and three validated scales: Adapted Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET), Adapted Measurement of the Severity of Disaster Experience, and Adapted Attitudes toward Disaster Management Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation Coefficient using SPSS Version 23.0.

Results

The findings revealed statistically insignificant correlations between disaster preparedness and several demographic variables, namely: year level (r = –0.069, p = 0.292), monthly household income (r = 0.004, p = 0.957), and type of housing (r = 0.106, p = 0.104), and NSTP component taken (r = –0.015, p = 0.822). Additionally, disaster attitude (r = 0.091, p = 0.163) was not significantly associated with disaster preparedness among nursing students. However, disaster experience showed a significant relationship with disaster preparedness (r = 0.979, p = 0.001). This finding highlights the critical role of firsthand disaster exposure in shaping students’ readiness to respond effectively to emergencies which suggests that experiential learning opportunities, such as disaster simulations or active participation in disaster response efforts, may be more effective in enhancing preparedness than demographic factors or classroom‐based training alone.

Conclusion

The authors concluded that demographic factors and attitudes towards disasters were not significantly associated with disaster preparedness among nursing students. However, the findings revealed a positive relationship between previous disaster experiences and disaster preparedness of the participants, suggesting that firsthand exposure to disasters enhances preparedness. Future research should explore additional factors through qualitative and longitudinal approaches. Targeted educational interventions are recommended to address specific gaps identified in this study.
Effects of Electroporation Timing and Cumulus Cell Attachment on In Vitro Development and Genome Editing of Porcine Embryos
Authors: Torigoe Nanaka , Lin Qingyi , Liu Bin , Nakayama Yuichiro , Nakai Aya , Nagahara Megumi , Tanihara Fuminori , Hirata Maki , Otoi Takeshige
Published: February 2025

Pig genome editing using the oviductal nucleic acid delivery (GONAD) method with electroporation would allow the efficient obtention of genetically modified pigs. However, oocytes and zygotes at various stages after ovulation must be targeted, and cumulus cell attachment and mosaic mutations are major obstacles. Therefore, we investigated whether two parameters (electroporation timing and the cumulus cell attachment) influence the effectiveness of multiplex genome editing by electroporation in porcine oocytes or zygotes. Three gRNAs targeting either GGTA1, CMAH or B4GALNT2 were introduced individually into oocytes and zygotes with and without cumulus cells at three different time points, 0 h before in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and 5 h and 10 h after IVF initiation. The introduction of gRNAs into oocytes and zygotes did not significantly affect the rates of blastocyst formation and total mutation of the resulting blastocysts irrespective of cumulus cell attachment and electroporation timing. In conclusion, the electroporation timing and the cumulus cell attachment did not interfere with the efficient delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to the oocytes/zygotes, indicating that porcine genome editing in the oviduct using GONAD method may be possible.
Microplastic accumulation in soils around open dumping and scrapyard sites in Türkiye
Authors: Akca Muhittin Onur
Published: February 2025

Microplastic (MP) pollution is widespread and has become a significant global environmental concern. This study represents the first attempt to investigate the abundance of MPs in open dumping and scrapyard sites in Türkiye. Microplastics were identified in soils surrounding these areas, spanning eight provinces. The samples were analysed for MP distribution characteristics, including abundance, shape, size, colour and type. MPs were extracted using density separation with saturated K2CO3, followed by treatment with 30% H2O2. Chemical identification was conducted using ATR‐FTIR and μ‐FTIR. Various types of MPs were detected in the soil samples, with averages of 311.6 ± 113.9 particles kg−1 in open dumping areas and 463.3 ± 83.9 particles kg−1 in scrapyard areas. In open dumping areas, MPs were predominantly blue (35.3%), fragment‐shaped (36.6%), smaller than 500 μm (44.7%) and primarily polyethylene (81.5%). Similarly, in scrapyard areas, MPs were blue (33.1%), fragment‐shaped (63.4%), smaller than 500 μm (55.3%) and mostly polyethylene (70.1%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that soil properties, such as pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, aggregate stability, bulk density, average weight diameter, sand, clay and silt, significantly influenced the abundance and size of MPs in the soil. This study highlights potential concerns regarding soil contamination in three industrially developed regions of Türkiye because of the uncontrolled dumping of plastic waste in open dumping and scrapyard areas.
Coaching With Social Media: The Coach–Athlete Performance Team
Authors: Gorrell Elyse
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this research was to explore coaches’ perceptions of athletes’ social media use. There has not been a thorough examination of social media’s effects on coaches or the consequences of social media for meaningful relations between coach and athlete. This is an important area to investigate because previous literature suggests that social media has psychological ramifications that influence athletes’ behavior; that athletes may not be aware of, or understand, the implications that social media may have; and that athletes do not realize that social media platforms have an effect on their mental game in sport performance. Given that the coach–athlete relationship is important to sport-performance success, it is important to examine coaches’ perspectives on social media’s influence on athletes. Accordingly, a phenomenological approach was utilized to understand this experience. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six high-performance coaches of a variety of individual sports. The interviews underwent a phenomenological-analysis sequence to coconstruct meaning from the data and explore the topic. Although there is limited research on the topic of social media’s impact on coaches, research has recognized that athletes’ preoccupation with social media is a perceived challenge for coaches. The findings from the present study illustrate how coaches observe social media influencing their athletes’ behaviors, the persuasive qualities of social media, and how young athletes navigate their image on social media.
Development and Validation of the Well-Being in Sport Questionnaire and Sport Well-Being Enhancement Profile: Two Instruments to Measure and Promote Sport-Specific Well-Being
Authors: Rose Seth , Burton Damon , Stafford-Son Julie , Grindley Emma , Richardson Clarissa , Hammermeister Jon , Pickering Michael
Published: February 2025

Athletes’ overall well-being (WB) often intertwines with their sport WB and vice versa. While holistic WB measures have been explored in nonsport contexts, researchers aim to understand competitive athletes’ WB using psychometrically rigorous assessments. Consequently, two interrelated studies were conducted to develop and validate companion instruments: (a) the Well-Being in Sport Questionnaire to gauge outcome-related sport WB and (b) the Sport Well-Being Enhancement Profile to identify strategies for enhancing sport WB. Following contemporary instrument development recommendations, including item development, content, and factor validity, the instruments underwent exploratory factor analysis, exploratory structural covariance modeling, confirmatory factor analysis, and measurement invariance. By utilizing the Well-Being in Sport Questionnaire and Sport Well-Being Enhancement Profile, coaches, athletes, and practitioners can comprehensively understand athletes’ WB, facilitating strategies for daily enhancement alongside peak sport performance.
Zinc-limited
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
stimulate distinct responses in macrophages compared with standard zinc-replete bacteria
Authors: Marcantonio Endrei , Burger Allexa D. , Chang Kelly H. , Hoffmann Fukun W. , Fu Yuanyuan , Khadka Vedbar S. , Smagghe Benoit J. , Deng Youping , Hoffmann Peter R. , Prisic Sladjana
Published: February 2025

Tuberculosis (TB) is notoriously difficult to treat, likely due to the complex host-pathogen interactions driven by pathogen heterogeneity. An understudied area of TB pathogenesis is host responses to
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
bacteria (Mtb) that are limited in zinc ions. This distinct population resides in necrotic granulomas and sputum and could be the key player in tuberculosis pathogenicity. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that macrophages differentiate between Mtb grown under zinc limitation or in the standard zinc-replete medium. Using several macrophage infection models, such as murine RAW 264.7 and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs), as well as human THP-1-derived macrophages, we show that macrophages infected with zinc-limited Mtb have increased bacterial burden compared with macrophages infected with zinc-replete Mtb. We further demonstrate that macrophage infection with zinc-limited Mtb trigger higher production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause more macrophage death. Furthermore, the increased ROS production is linked to the increased phagocytosis of zinc-limited Mtb, whereas cell death is not. Finally, transcriptional analysis of RAW 264.7 macrophages demonstrates that macrophages have more robust pro-inflammatory responses when infected with zinc-limited Mtb than zinc-replete Mtb. Together, our findings suggest that Mtb’s access to zinc affects their interaction with macrophages and that zinc-limited Mtb may be influencing TB progression. Therefore, zinc availability in bacterial growth medium should be considered in TB drug and vaccine developments.
Supplemental Material: Sedimentological and paleoslope reconstruction of the Late Triassic Chinle Formation, western USA: Constraints on models for dynamic subsidence
Authors: Hayes Robert G. , al. et
Published: February 2025

Tables S1–S3.
Implementation of the children and young people’s health partnership model of paediatric integrated care: a mixed-methods process evaluation
Authors: Satherley Rose-Marie , Newham James , Cecil Elizabeth , Forman Julia , Kelly Clare , Wolfe Ingrid , Lingam Raghu
Published: February 2025

Objective

A process evaluation of the Children and Young People’s Health Partnership (CYPHP) model of integrated care for the interpretation of trial findings and building evidence on the implementation of integrated care for children.

Design

A mixed-methods process evaluation.

Setting

CYPHP was implemented at scale across two inner-city London boroughs in South London, England, as a pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial involving nearly 98 000 children, with a nested process evaluation.

Participants

Linked data were available from 73 000 participants. Qualitative data collection was through 102 interviews (group and 1:1) and observations.

Interventions

Local child health clinics delivered by paediatricians and general practitioners and a nurse-led early intervention service for children with tracer conditions (asthma, eczema and constipation), decision support, a primary care hotline, self-management support and health promotion.

Main outcome measures

Five domains of the RE-AIM implementation framework: Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance.

Results

Implementation varied depending on resource availability, competing priorities and natural changes over time. Successful implementation drivers included cohesive interprofessional and partnership collaboration.

Conclusions

Integrated care for children can be implemented at scale, but variability, particularly low reach, may limit measurable impact at the population level. Significant health system strengthening, implementation plasticity and contextual tailoring are crucial for ensuring the efficacy and sustainability of impactful integrated care for children.

Trial registration number

NCT03461848.
Castleman disease presenting as DOTATATE-positive retroperitoneal mass
Authors: Chan Stephanie J , Soderquist Craig R , Berger David M , Kuo Eric J
Published: February 2025

Castleman disease is a rare, heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders whose imaging characteristics can resemble malignancy. We present a case of a patient who initially presented with intermittent hypertension, palpitations, and chest pain. Despite a negative biochemical workup, CT imaging revealed a left retroperitoneal mass intimately associated with the left adrenal gland with 68Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) detecting uptake in the mass as well as several left para-aortic lymph nodes and bone lesions. Based on the imaging findings, the patient was taken to the operating room for resection of what was presumed to be a metastatic neuroendocrine tumour. However, the diagnosis on histopathological examination was hyaline-vascular Castleman disease. While DOTATATE PET/CT has high sensitivity and specificity for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), this case report highlights that non-neuroendocrine pathology may result in DOTATATE uptake, and that Castleman disease should be considered when encountering DOTATATE-positive masses on imaging.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of zinc on wound healing
Authors: Arribas Lopez Elena , Zand Nazanin , Ojo Omorogieva , Kochhar Tony
Published: February 2025

In times of metabolic stress, the demand for nutrients increases, which is essential to prevent delayed healing and development of chronic wounds. This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effect of zinc treatment on wound healing. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and included data from four electronic data bases. Five clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis suggested that zinc treatment may be associated with improvements in ulcers healing at the final endpoint MD: 1.41 (95% CI 1.04, 1.92, p = 0.03). Given the limitations of the included studies, a Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation assessment indicated a moderate quality of evidence.
Co-occurrence of depression, anxiety and increased alcohol use during the late stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan, Canada: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Muhajarine Nazeem , Dixon James , Ahmed Md Sabbir , Bukhari Ali , Clifford Jim , Adeyinka Daniel A , Novotna Gabriela , Dyck Erika
Published: February 2025

Background

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and substance use is well recognised. COVID-19 impacted Saskatchewan particularly hard as it has a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption than the national average. Our study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of co-occurrence of poor mental health and alcohol consumption (also referred to as dual experience) among Saskatchewan adults.

Method

Cross-sectional data of 1034 eligible adults collected between July and November 2022, were analysed. Dual experience was defined as mild to severe symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionaire-9) and/or anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7) AND increased alcohol consumption during the later stage of COVID-19 pandemic. Multivariable binary logistic regression models were fitted to identify the factors that are associated with dual experience.

Results

The prevalence of different forms of dual experience was 7.32% for depression and alcohol use, 6.09% for anxiety and alcohol use and 5.44% for co-occurrence of depression, anxiety and alcohol use. Dual experiences were less likely among participants from racialised groups, and more likely among those with household food insecurity, as well as concerns over alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

Our analysis suggests that Saskatchewan adults are still experiencing poor mental health due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a large proportion of people continue to consume alcohol at a higher rate than before the pandemic. Data driven interventions, for example, improving mental health and substance use treatment and counselling services, harm reduction strategies, especially targeting people living in food insecure households, are needed.
Demographic variation and socioeconomic inequalities in all forms of malnutrition among children aged 6 months to 9 years: findings from the Vietnamese General Nutrition Survey 2020
Authors: Tan Pui Yee , Som Somphos Vicheth , Nguyen Son Duy , Tan Xiaomian , Tran Do Tranh , Tran Nga Thuy , Tran Van Khanh , Dye Louise , Moore J Bernadette , Caton Samantha , Ensaff Hannah , Lin Xiaodong , Smith Geoffry , Gong Yun Yun
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a global public health challenge. This study examined the prevalence of population-level DBM, its demographic and socioeconomic determinants as well as the associations between anthropometric indicators of undernutrition and overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs), among Vietnamese children, using the data from the nationally representative General Nutrition Survey 2020.

Methods

Data on anthropometric parameters, micronutrient biomarkers, demographic and socioeconomic indicators for 7289 children aged 6 months to 9 years were analysed. Determinants of malnutrition were assessed using logistic regressions, reported as OR with 95% CIs.

Results

At national level, 12.7%, 10.5% and 4.7% of children were stunted, underweight and wasted/thin, while 7.3% and 7.1% were overweight and obese, respectively. Low serum zinc, anaemia and iron deficiency were the common MNDs observed, affecting 53.1%, 15.2% and 13.9% of the study participants. Older children aged 2–4 years (OR (95% CI) 1.43 (1.20, 1.72)), ethnic minorities (5.94 (3.78, 9.36)) and those living in mountainous areas (5.06 (1.18, 14.42)) had increased odds of stunting, whereas reduced odds were found in children from the richest quintile (0.13 (0.05, 0.32)). Similar determinants were associated with underweight and MNDs. Males (1.43 (1.16, 1.76)), children aged 5–9 years (10.02 (6.71, 14.97) and children from the richest quintile (2.91 (1.20, 7.05)) had increased odds of overweight. Children with anaemia, low serum retinol and low serum zinc had increased odds of stunting and underweight than non-micronutrient-deficient children (adjusted OR=1.43–1.71). Compared with children without MNDs, those with ≥3 MNDs had almost double the odds of stunting and underweight, whereas those with ≤3 MNDs had reduced odds of overweight (adjusted OR=0.38–0.60).

Conclusions

Significant demographic variation and socioeconomic inequalities in child malnutrition were identified. National policies and programmes in Vietnam should address age-specific, sex-specific, geographical and socioeconomic disparities to accelerate progress in reducing child malnutrition.
Phase I study of intratumoral administration of CV8102 in patients with advanced melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, or adenoid cystic carcinoma
Authors: Eigentler Thomas , Thomas Ioannis , Samoylenko Igor , Erdmann Michael , Heinzerling Lucie , Ochsenreither Sebastian , Krauss Jürgen , Oberoi Arjun , Robert Caroline , Lebbe Celeste , Martin-Liberal Juan , Koch Lukas , Richtig Erika , Terheyden Patrick , Weishaupt Carsten , Mohr Peter , Semiletova Yulia , Perez Casilda Llacer , Brossart Peter , Bauernfeind Franz Georg , Fluck Michael , Poltoratskiy Artem , Sekacheva Marina , Soria Ainara , Schmitt-Bormann Beate , Gonzalez Marina , Heß Jana , Wengenmayer Peter , Seibel Tobias , Koch Sven D , Quintini Gianluca , Codó Paula , Falk Martin , Schönborn-Kellenberger Oliver , Gnad-Vogt Ulrike
Published: February 2025

Background

CV8102, a toll-like receptor 7/8 and RIG I agonist, has demonstrated antitumor immune responses in preclinical studies. We investigated intratumoral (IT) administration of CV8102 in patients with anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy-naïve or anti-PD-1 therapy-refractory cutaneous melanoma (cMEL) and in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Methods

This open-label, cohort-based, phase I dose escalation study aimed to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose (RD), safety and preliminary efficacy of CV8102 as monotherapy or in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor. The preliminary efficacy of the RD was assessed in patients with cMEL in the expansion cohorts.

Results

Between September 2017 and October 2022, 98 patients were enrolled in monotherapy and combination therapy dose escalation and dose expansion cohorts. Two patients in the CV8102 monotherapy dose escalation cohort experienced relevant toxicities at the 900 µg dose level. One patient had Grade 3 aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransferase elevation which met dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) criteria. Another patient experienced Grade 3 immune-mediated pneumonitis. No DLTs occurred in the combination therapy dose escalation cohort. The MTD was not formally reached and the RD for expansion was 600 µg. Common treatment-emergent adverse events were fever (57%), chills (37%) and fatigue (25%). In the dose escalation part, objective responses occurred in 3/33 patients treated with CV8102 as monotherapy and in 2/25 patients treated with CV8102 plus a PD-1 inhibitor. In the expansion cohorts in patients with anti-PD-1 therapy-refractory melanoma, 0/10 patients treated with CV8102 as monotherapy and 5/30 patients (17%) treated in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor experienced objective responses.

Conclusions

IT CV8102 was generally well tolerated with preliminary signs of efficacy as monotherapy and in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor.

Trial registration number

NCT03291002.
Perioperative pembrolizumab in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): safety, efficacy, and exploratory biomarker analysis
Authors: Wood Cameron , Lyniv Liliana , Isaacs James M , Kaufman Jacob M , Oduah Eziafa I , Clarke Jeff , Crawford Jeffrey , Stinchcombe Thomas , Tong Betty C , Wang Xiaofei , Gu Lin , Wigle Dennis , Dragnev Konstantin H , Antonia Scott J , Weinhold Kent , Ready Neal
Published: February 2025

Background

Our study was designed to determine the safety, efficacy, and immunological effects of perioperative pembrolizumab in early-stage NSCLC.

Methods

This is a single-arm phase II study of perioperative pembrolizumab in patients with untreated, clinical stage IB to IIIA NSCLC. Patients received two doses of 200 mg pembrolizumab, surgery, standard adjuvant chemotherapy, followed by four doses adjuvant pembrolizumab. The primary objective of this study was to determine surgical feasibility rate, and secondary objectives are pathological response rate, treatment adverse events, efficacy data, and exploratory analysis of biomarkers.

Results

30 patients initiated perioperative pembrolizumab, and 25 completed tumor resection. At median follow-up of 59 months after surgical resection, seven patients had disease progression, while six had died representing. A 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) from time of surgery was 72.0% (56.4%–91.9%) and overall survival (OS) from time of surgery was 75.8% (60.7%–94.7%). Major pathological response (MPR) was found in seven tumors (28%) including two complete responses (4%). Across all treated patients, four receiving neoadjuvant and four receiving adjuvant pembrolizumab experienced treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or higher with no grade 5 events. Plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels increased across our patient cohort over time from baseline until postsurgery and remained elevated at the end of treatment. There was a significant difference between mean plasma PCSK9 levels for patients with MPR versus all other patients on study when checked postoperatively.

Conclusions

Perioperative pembrolizumab was safe and effective with promising MPR rate, PFS, and OS.
Factors affecting visual outcomes after dural venous sinus stenting in idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Authors: Wang Shuran , Raynald  , Zhang Runhua , Yang Hongchao , Tong Xu , Song Shuang , Liang Xiaofang , Wang Yilong , Miao Zhongrong , Mo Dapeng
Published: February 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to identify factors at baseline associated with visual outcomes of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with venous sinus stenosis who underwent venous sinus stenting.

Methods

The study eyes were divided into two groups according to mean deviation (MD) at 6-month post-stenting follow-up: MD better than −2.0 dB (the favorable visual outcome group) and equal to −2.0 or worse (the poorer visual outcome group). Variables at baseline between the two groups were compared. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to identify the factors at baseline associated with poorer MD outcomes at 6 months.

Results

The poorer recovery group had a lower incidence of tinnitus (5.9% vs 27.5%, P=0.015), worse initial best corrected visual acuity (0.22 vs 0, in logMAR, P=0.000), worse preoperative MD (−8.64 vs −3.05, P=0.000) and higher trans-stenotic gradient pressure (19.5 vs 16, P=0.002) and total cranial gradient pressure (TCGP) (25.75 vs 18, P=0.000), lower ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness (90.5 vs 99, P=0.005), higher focal loss volume percentage (2.35 vs 0.84, P=0.002) and global loss volume percentage (4.87 vs 1.8, P=0.012) of GCC. Multivariate analysis showed that worse preoperative MD and higher TCGP (OR 45.61, 95% CI 5.21 to 399.48; P=0.001 and OR 8.45, 95% CI 1.60 to 44.67; P=0.012, respectively) were associated with an increased risk of poorer MD outcomes at the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusion

This study found that worse preoperative MD and higher TCGP at baseline may be associated with poorer visual outcomes after stenting treatment.
Qualitative assessment of combat-related injury patterns and injury prevention in Ukraine since the Russian invasion
Authors: Lawry Lynn Lieberman , Mani V , Hamm TE , Janvrin M , Juman L , Korona-Bailey J , Maddox J , Berezyuk O , Schoenfeld AJ , Koehlmoos TP
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation represents one of the largest ongoing conventional military engagements in the last 20 years. Since the start of the war, an estimated 210 000 Ukrainian soldiers have been injured or killed as a result of combat. This experience could help prognosticate the nature of large-scale combat operations for modern militaries. The aim of this study was to assess current patterns of injuries among military combatants in Ukraine and identify prevention and mitigation methods.

Methods

We conducted a series of key informant interviews during the ongoing conflict using an expanded version of the global trauma system evaluation tool. We focused the analysis on injury patterns and prevention of combat-related injuries.

Results

We interviewed 36 participants from June 2023 to February 2024. Respondents described complex polytrauma as representing the injury norm, with prominent battle injuries, including blast wounds to the extremities, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord trauma. The primary source of injury prevention on the battlefield remains combat body armour. Military commanders and the Ministry of Defence were identified as principal bodies for the authorising equipment and tactical changes. Most respondents stated there was no formal process for using data to inform injury prevention initiatives.

Conclusion

The current conflict in Ukraine is characterised by a high prevalence of devastating combat-related injury, with limited measures for battlefield injury prevention. We believe that the provision of additional protective gear could mitigate the severity of some combat-related injuries, while the creation of a trauma registry would provide greater insight into prevention, wounding patterns, treatment and outcomes.
Cardiac events and procedures following COVID-19 compared with other pneumonias: a national register study
Authors: Øvrebotten Tarjei , Tholin Birgitte , Berge Kristian , Myhre Peder Langeland , Stavem Knut
Published: February 2025

Background

Studies have shown an increased risk of cardiac disease following COVID-19, but how it compares to pneumonia of other etiologies is unclear.

Aims

To determine the incidence and HRs of cardiac disease in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 compared with other viral or bacterial pneumonias.

Methods

Using nationwide registry data, we estimated the incidence of cardiac events after hospitalisation with COVID-19 (n=2082) in February to November 2020 vs hospitalisation with viral (n=9018) or bacterial (n=29 339) pneumonia in 2018–2019. We defined outcomes using ICD-10 codes for incident myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation/flutter, heart failure, ischaemic heart disease, other cardiac disease and total cardiac disease (any heart condition). We used Cox regression and logistic regression for analysis.

Results

Patients with COVID-19 had a mean (SD) age of 60 (18) years, compared with 69 (19) years for viral and 72 (17) years for bacterial pneumonia. Those with COVID-19 were more often male and had fewer comorbidities and fewer prior hospitalisations. Patients with COVID-19 had a lower hazard of new-onset cardiac disease compared with viral (HR 0.79 [95%CI 0.66 to 0.93]) and bacterial pneumonia (HR 0.66 [95%CI 0.57 to 0.78]), adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, hospital admission prior year and respiratory support. Results were similar when including recurrent events.

Conclusion

Patients hospitalised with COVID-19 had a lower hazard of new-onset cardiac disease during the first 9 months after hospitalisation compared with patients with other viral or bacterial pneumonias after adjusting for multiple possible confounders. However, there may still be residual confounding from other or unknown factors.
Exploring the evolution of structure growth in the universe with field-fluid interactions through dynamical stability analysis
Authors: Chatterjee Anirban , Bandyopadhyay Abhijit , Majumdar Debasish
Published: February 2025

We investigate an interacting quintessence dark energy – dark matter scenario and its impact on structure formation by analyzing the evolution of scalar perturbations. The interaction is introduced by incorporating a non-zero source term into the continuity equations of the two sectors (with opposite signs), modeled as

$$\bar{Q}_0 \equiv \alpha \bar{\rho }_\textrm{m}(H + \kappa \dot{\phi })$$

Q

¯

0

≡
α

ρ

¯

m

(
H
+
κ

ϕ
˙

)

. The coupling parameter

$$\alpha $$

α

and the parameter

$$\lambda $$

λ

involved in quintessence potential

$$V(\phi ) = V_0e^{-\lambda \kappa \phi }$$

V

(
ϕ
)

=

V
0

e

-
λ
κ
ϕ

, play crucial roles in governing the dynamics of evolution examined within the present framework. The cosmic evolution, within this context, is depicted as a first-order autonomous system of equations involving appropriately chosen dynamical variables. We analyzed the associated stability characteristics and growth rate of perturbations, and obtained domains in the (

$$\alpha -\lambda $$

α
-
λ

) parameter space for which fixed points can exhibit stable and non-phantom accelerating solutions. Depending on its magnitude, the coupling parameter

$$\alpha $$

α

has the potential to change the characteristics of certain critical points, altering them from attractors to repellers. This model effectively captures the evolutionary features of the universe across its various phases at both the background and perturbation levels. The issue of cosmic coincidence can also be addressed within the framework of this model. We also observed that for a moderate strength of coupling, the growth rate of matter perturbation extends into the distant future.
Continuous primitives for higher degree differential forms in Euclidean spaces, Heisenberg groups and applications
Authors: Baldi Annalisa , Franchi Bruno , Pansu Pierre
Published: February 2025

It is shown that higher degree exact differential forms on compact Riemannian [Formula: see text]-manifolds possess continuous primitives whose uniform norm is controlled by their [Formula: see text] norm. A contact sub-Riemannian analogue is proven, with differential forms replaced with Rumin differential forms.
Systems Correctness Practices at AWS
Authors: Brooker Marc , Desai Ankush
Published: February 2025

Building reliable and secure software requires a range of approaches to reason about systems correctness. Alongside industry-standard testing methods (such as unit and integration testing), AWS has adopted model checking, fuzzing, property-based testing, fault-injection testing, deterministic simulation, event-based simulation, and runtime validation of execution traces. Formal methods have been an important part of the development process - perhaps most importantly, formal specifications as test oracles that provide the correct answers for many of AWS's testing practices. Correctness testing and formal methods remain key areas of investment at AWS, accelerated by the excellent returns seen on investments in these areas already.