bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-B alleles with inclusion body myositis risk: A systematic review, a meta-analysis, a meta-regression and a trial sequential analysis
Authors: Dhaouadi Tarak , Riahi Awatef , Ben Abdallah Taïeb , Gorgi Yousr , Sfar Imen
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

Although, several studies have assessed the association of HLA Class I and II genes with inclusion body myositis (IBM), results were inconsistent and between-studies heterogeneity needs to be investigated.

Objectives:

The aim of this review was to summarize existing data on the contribution of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-B alleles to IBM susceptibility and to investigate the between-studies heterogeneity by subgroup analyses and meta-regressions.

Design:

This study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Methods:

An electronic literature search for eligible studies among all papers published prior to January 29, 2025, was conducted through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, and Scopus databases. Meta-analyses together with subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were performed for the two following HLA genes: HLA-DRB1 and HLA-B.

Results:

Combined analyses revealed a significant increase in IBM risk conferred by the HLA-DRB1*03 allele (9.21 (7.05–12.01)), the DRB*03:01 allele (8.44 (6.85–10.41)), the DRB1*01 allele (2.31 (1.82–2.93)), the DRB1*01:01 allele (2.63 (1.95–3.55)), the DRB1*15:02 allele (3.49 (2.12–5.75)), the B*08 allele (4.05 (2.58–6.38)), and the DQB1*02 allele (6.62 (4.5–9.74)), all p-values < 0.001. In addition, the DRB1*15:01 allele was found to be protective against IBM in all populations (0.48 (0.32–0.72)). Conversely, the DRB*11 allele was not associated with IBM risk, OR (95% CI) = 0.91 (0.54–1.51), p = 0.703.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis demonstrated that HLA-DRB1, DQB1, and B loci could play a major role in IBM pathogenesis.

Registration:

This review has been registered on PROSPERO on June 25, 2024: CRD42024557948, Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024557948
Infinitely Many Sign-Changing Solutions for Coupled Schrödinger System
Authors: Zhang Jing
Published: February 2025

In this article, we study the following coupled Schr[Formula: see text]dinger system with subcritical exponent: [Formula: see text]Here, either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] is a smooth bounded domain in [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]; positive constants [Formula: see text] and the coupling constant [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the critical Sobolev exponent. We show that, this system has infinitely many radially symmetric sign-changing solutions and infinitely many radially symmetric semi-nodal solutions. Moreover, we obtain a least energy sign-changing solution for [Formula: see text] in the following sense: one component is positive and the other one changes sign which has exactly two nodal domains.
Psychiatrists should champion the care of those with severe mental illnesses experiencing climate change-related heat stress
Authors: Allison Stephen , Bastiampillai Tarun , Kisely Steve , Cornell Hayden , Looi Jeffrey C.L.
Published: February 2025

Objective

The Australian climate has warmed by 1.51°C since preindustrial times, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) predicts further warming with an increased risk of extreme heat events. This article discusses how the most recent Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ (RANZCP) position statement dealt with the impact of climate change-related heat stress on people living with severe mental illness.

Conclusions

The RANZCP statement focuses on the impact of climate change on common mental disorders and suicide rates without specific mention of severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe major depression. However, people with severe mental illness face higher risks of morbidity and mortality in a hotter Australian climate. Based on equity for those with greater needs and higher levels of risk, we argue that psychiatrists should advocate for enhanced social and psychiatric care to improve heat-resilience amongst patients with severe mental illness. Future research is needed on the biopsychosocial mechanisms of increased heat-related morbidity and mortality for people with severe mental illness.
Low-rank multi-view subspace clustering via adaptive weight
Authors: Jiao Yuanyuan , Ouyang Xiao , Fan Ruidong , Hou Chenping
Published: February 2025

Multi-view subspace clustering, which aims to partition a set of multi-source data into a common space, has recently attracted wide attention in the field of data analysis and machine learning. Traditional algorithms may face the problem of high complexity in calculating the self-expression matrix and in turning parameter. This paper proposes a novel multi-view subspace clustering model termed as Low-rank Multi-view Subspace Clustering via Adaptive Weight (LMSCAW). LMSCAW decomposes the self-expression matrix into the product of two low-rank representation matrices and thus can fix the rank of the self-expression matrix of each view to increase the stability of the algorithm. In addition, in order to learn the common representation matrix better, LMSCAW fuses the self-expression matrices among multiple views and implicitly weights each view by the Frobenius norm without additional parameters. Extensive experimental results on multiple benchmark datasets are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and its superior performance over other state-of-the-art methods.
Exhaled breath is feasible for mild cognitive impairment detection: A diagnostic study with portable micro-gas chromatography
Authors: Lai Wanlin , Li Debo , Wang Junqi , Geng Qian , Xia Yilin , Fu Yutong , Li Wanling , Feng Yong , Jin Ling , Yang Ruiqi , Huang Zijie , Lin Yuhang , Zhang Han , Chen Sitong , Chen Lei
Published: February 2025

Background

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an important prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD), affecting 69 million individuals worldwide. At present, there is a lack of a community-applicable tool for MCI screening. Exhaled breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been used to distinguish MCI from cognitively normal (CN) individuals only in small sample size studies and the efficacy has not been compared with blood biomarkers.

Objective

This diagnostic study aimed to assess the feasibility of using exhaled breath VOCs detection by a portable micro-gas chromatography (μGC) device as a screening tool to discriminate MCI from CN individuals in a community population.

Methods

A detection model was developed and optimized from five distinct machine learning algorithms based on the differential VOCs between 240 MCI and 241 CN individuals. Among these 481 participants, five plasma biomarkers were measured in 397 individuals (166 MCI and 231 CN).

Results

The final model (481 individuals) incorporating eight differential VOCs showed good performance with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.83–0.85). The AUC of the VOC model (0.80, 95% CI: 0.69–0.90) was higher than that of the plasma model (0.77, 95% CI: 0.65–0.88) (397 individuals).

Conclusions

The detection of exhaled breath VOCs by a portable μGC device is feasible for MCI screening in community populations, potentially facilitating early detection and intervention strategies for individuals at high risk.
Collaborative Creation of a Logic Model and Performance Metrics for Evaluating a Violence Reduction Program
Authors: Roman Caterina G. , Talley Autumn , Sierka Chloe , George Kadelia , Water Kendra Van de , Aye James
Published: February 2025

This paper describes a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to evaluation used by an academic-practitioner partnership to refine the logic model for a violent crime reduction program and develop associated performance measures. Through qualitative and quantitative data collection, including semi-structured interviews, engagement with program stakeholders (e.g., program leaders and staff, peer researchers, community residents), community trainings, and review of program records, the research team worked through a six-phase participatory model to enhance stakeholders’ capacity for systematic progress assessment and data-driven decision-making. Key methodological contributions include making youth perspectives a central part of the logic model building process through in vivo qualitative data analyses and co-creating rigorous performance measures that holistically capture program outputs and outcomes. Although some challenges were encountered, such as delays in data collection and turnover of peer researchers, the CBPR approach strengthened organizational capacity for internal monitoring and program improvement, and set the stage for context-specific, responsive future impact evaluation.
EXPRESS: Looks like SNARC spirit: Coexistence of short- and long-term associations between letters and space
Authors: Roth Lilly , Huber Julia F. , Kronenthaler Sophia , van Dijck Jean-Philippe , Cipora Krzysztof , Butz Martin V. , Nuerk Hans-Christoph
Published: February 2025

Many studies have demonstrated spatial-numerical associations, but the debate about their origin is still ongoing. Some approaches consider cardinality representations in long-term memory, such as a Mental Number Line, while others suggest ordinality representations, for both numerical and non-numerical stimuli, originating in working or long-term memory. To investigate how long-term memory and working memory influence spatial associations and to disentangle the role of cardinality and ordinality, we ran three preregistered online experiments (N = 515). We assessed spatial response preferences for letters (which only convey ordinal but no cardinal information, in contrast to numbers) in a bimanual go/no go consonant-vowel classification task. Experiment 1 (‘no-go’ trials: non-letter symbols) validated our setup. In Experiments 2 and 3, participants learned an ordinal letter sequence prior to the task, which they recalled afterwards. In Experiment 2, this sequence was merely to be maintained (‘no-go’ trials: non-letter symbols), whereas in Experiment 3, it needed to be retrieved during the task (‘no-go’ trials: letters outside the sequence). We replicated letter-space associations based on the alphabet stored in long-term memory (i.e., letters earlier/later in the alphabet associated with left/right, respectively) in all experiments. However, letter-space associations based on the working memory sequence (i.e., letters earlier/later in the sequence associated with left/right, respectively) were only detected in Experiment 3, where retrieval occurred during the task. Spatial short- and long-term associations of letters therefore seem to coexist. These findings support a hybrid model that incorporates both short- and long-term representations, which applies similarly to letters as to numbers.
Histone deacetylase in inflammatory bowel disease: novel insights
Authors: Li Chunxiao , Gu Shaobo , Zhang Yihong , Zhang Zhenruo , Wang Junzhuo , Gao Ting , Zhong Kangpeng , Shan Keshu , Ye Guoliang , Ke Yini , Chen Yi
Published: February 2025

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is characterized by chronic nonspecific intestinal inflammation. Despite considerable efforts, IBD remains a heavy burden on society and human health, with increasing morbidity. Posttranslational modification, especially histone acetylation, is a key process in controlling DNA transcriptional activity. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a vital role in the mechanism of IBD pathogenesis through histone and nonhistone protein deacetylation. Herein, we present a summary of different categories of HDACs as well as HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) and analyze the role of HDAC inhibition in alleviating IBD along with its mechanism, as well as clinical potential of HDACis in IBD treatment.
Learning curve for endoscopic submucosal dissection in early gastric neoplasm using a multibending endoscope
Authors: Lee Gil Ho , Lee Eunyoung , Lim Sun Gyo , Park Bumhee , Shin Sung Jae , Lee Kee Myung , Noh Choong-Kyun
Published: February 2025

Background:

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a representative treatment modality for early gastric neoplasms. However, the learning curve for beginners performing ESD using a multibending endoscope has not been introduced.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the learning curves of operators undergoing intensive training using a multibending endoscope.

Design:

This was a retrospective single center study.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed data of over 1500 consecutive gastric ESDs performed by two operators using a multibending endoscope. A change-point analysis with 50 cases of moving average speeds was used to determine the new target resection speed. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was used to identify the cases required for proficiency in ESD. Risk-adjusted CUSUM (RA-CUSUM) analysis was performed for each operator after adjusting for confounding factors influencing the resection speed.

Results:

In total, 1491 cases were enrolled, with early gastric cancer accounting for 43.2% ( n = 644). Overall, the en bloc resection, R0 resection, and curability rates were 97.7%, 96.0%, and 92.3%, respectively. The mean resection speed was 19.8 cm2/h. Because both operators surpassed the commonly used benchmark resection speed of 9 cm2/h in the first 50-case block, we established a new target benchmark of 17.9 cm2/h in the change-point analysis. CUSUM analysis indicated that performing 166 cases overall was required to achieve the benchmark, with the 2 operators needing 153 and 69 cases to meet this target speed after RA-CUSUM analysis.

Conclusion:

Using a multibending endoscope for gastric ESD can help beginners achieve safe and excellent outcomes. These findings will serve as a useful guide for beginners attempting to use a multibending endoscope.
Recommendations for dengue vaccine implementation in the elderly population
Authors: Giang Nguyen Ngoc Truong , Taylor-Robinson Andrew W.
Published: February 2025

Dengue is a mosquito-borne flaviviral disease that is endemic to tropical and subtropical regions, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Although it was once considered a neglected disease, the incidence and mortality rates of dengue have surged over the past decade, in part due to the expanding distribution of the Aedes spp. vector facilitated by changing climatic factors. While most infections are asymptomatic or cause mild flu-like symptoms, some cases can develop into severe forms, leading to serious complications. The burden of the disease is gradually shifting from primarily affecting children, whose immune systems are immature, to increasingly impacting the older population, who typically experience waning immune responsiveness and comorbidities. With no specific treatment available, the development of a prophylactic vaccine is crucial for long-term control and prevention. School-age children are the primary target group for immunization programs of the two recently licensed dengue vaccines. However, there is limited information on the efficacy of either vaccine among the elderly or of two further immunogenic preparations currently undergoing clinical trials. This review gives an update on dengue vaccine implementation and provides recommendations for the vaccination of persons aged 60 years and above.
Body Acupuncture Conjunction with Rehabilitation for Upper Limb Improves Motor Functions in Children with Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Wang Hui , Du Yu , Chen Tong , Mao Zheng-huan , Xu Jia-yu , Ding Li , Ruan Wen-cong , Li Hai-feng
Published: February 2025

Objective

Aimed to investigate the effectiveness of body acupuncture on motor function of the upper limb in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) conjunction with rehabilitation program.

Design

The study is a randomized controlled experimental trial. Children with CP were randomly divided into the acupuncture group (body acupuncture with rehabilitation) and the rehabilitation group. The muscle volume difference between the upper limbs, the fine motor scores of the Peabody developmental motor scale-2 (PDMS-FM) and the surface electromyography (SEMG) parameter-root mean square (RMS)-on upper limb muscles (biceps brachii, radial wrist extensors and pronator teres) of both groups were measured before and after a 12-week treatment.

Results

37 children completed the study. In the two groups, differences in muscle volume, PDMS-FM scores and RMS values (biceps brachii, radial wrist extensors and pronator teres) were significantly improved, except PDMS-FM score difference and difference of RMS values (biceps brachii, radial wrist extensors and pronator teres) between the upper limbs in the rehabilitation group. Comparison post-treatment/pre-treatment change for two groups showed significant difference in affected upper limb PDMS-FM total score, PDMS-FM score difference between the upper limbs, affected upper limb RMS values and RMS value difference between the upper limbs in favor of the acupuncture group.

Conclusion

Our preliminary research indicates that body acupuncture therapy combined with rehabilitation may be more effective than rehabilitation alone, further improving muscle strength of affected upper limb and possibility of bimanual coordination in children with spastic hemiplegic CP.
The potential and challenges of AI for collective intelligence
Authors: Riedl Christoph , De Cremer David , Lucarelli Gina , Antoine-Souklaye Erika , Bullock Seth , Ajmeri Nirav , Batty Mike , Black Michaela , Cartlidge John , Challen Robert , Chen Cangxiong , Chen Jing , Condell Joan , Danon Leon , Dennett Adam , Heppenstall Alison , Marshall Paul , Morgan Phil , O’Kane Aisling , Smith Laura GE , Smith Theresa , Williams Hywel , Pescetelli Niccolo , Denis Georgina
Published: February 2025

Tackling large scale problems like climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals, requires taking a collective approach. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers tremendous potential to enhance collective intelligence, both as an actor that contributes to the solution directly, and as a tool and mentor that helps coordinate human collective intelligence. Collective Intelligence invited experts and practitioners to highlight key challenges and explain how they employ AI to advance novel solutions — Christoph Riedl & David De Cremer.
Groundtruthing the Digital Twin
Authors: Halegoua Germaine
Published: February 2025

More recently, coverage and promotion of urban digital twins within mainstream media outlets, urban and technology focused publications, trade press, and scholarly journals has increased visibility and awareness of these 3D, interactive images as tools for urban management and urban planning. Rose offers compelling theoretical foundations for understanding these types of urban data imaginaries and technologized visions of cities. In this response, I recognize the importance of Rose's cultural reading and critique of urban digital twins while briefly looking at the discursive construction of digital twins through slightly different cultural comparisons. It is imperative to investigate the types of changes enacted, ethnographic understandings of how decisions are made, technological affordances that inform these decisions, and the types of places created through the use of urban digital twins. In considering similar issues of race and gender in the “volumetricisation” of the city, I want to suggest that urban digital twins are more closely related to spectacles of prevention and preparation than disaster as well as sensory experiences of media that spotlight the apparatus of their own production (satellite or live television, video games, operational aesthetics) rather than disaster films. In fact, there may be a de-emphasis of disaster in the discursive construction of “actually existing” urban digital twins. The mundane simulation of risk and risk mitigation may indicate a shift in smart city rhetoric overall, albeit not in the socio-technical imaginaries and power relations that substantiate and benefit from “smartness”.
Tennessee 2022: Shortages and Future Needs for TVIs and O&M Specialists
Authors: Schles Rachel Anne , Low Jasmine , Johanns Grace
Published: February 2025

Shortages of teachers of students with visual impairments (TVIs) and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists are well documented in the United States, though specific research has not been conducted in Tennessee. The following report documents the results of two statewide surveys in Tennessee during the 2021–2022 school year that explored the current vacancies, caseload size, and experiences of TVIs and O&M specialists. One survey was sent to TVIs and O&M specialists and the second survey was sent to special education administrators in the state. Results indicate that more than half of TVIs and O&M specialists are planning to leave their position in the next 5 years, while administrators anticipate lower numbers departing than professionals report. Caseload size parallels national averages, which are above the recommended caseload size. Districts in rural areas are more likely to have long-term vacancies. Implications and next steps are discussed.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) symptoms in gender diverse adults and their relation to autistic traits, ADHD traits, and sensory sensitivities
Authors: Thomas Kai S. , Keating Jennifer , Ross Avalon A. , Cooper Kate , Jones Catherine R. G.
Published: February 2025

Background

There is emerging evidence to suggest gender diverse people are overrepresented in avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) samples. However, the mechanisms underlying elevated risk for ARFID in this group are currently unknown. Gender diversity and neurodivergence commonly co-occur, with elevated sensory sensitivities reported to be a shared experience common across autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and ARFID. We aimed to examine the unique contribution of sensory sensitivities, including hypo- and hyper-sensitivity, in predicting ARFID symptoms in gender diverse adults, whilst controlling for autistic and ADHD traits.

Methods

Gender diverse adults (N = 182; 142 assigned female at birth; M age = 28.6 years) in the UK participated in an online survey. We examined correlations between their self-reported ARFID symptoms, sensory sensitivities, autistic traits (not including sensory sensitivities), and ADHD traits whilst controlling for weight and shape concerns. We then used hierarchical multiple regression to investigate the unique contribution of sensory sensitivities to ARFID symptoms whilst controlling for the other neurodivergent traits.

Results

In our gender diverse sample, higher levels of ARFID symptoms were associated with higher levels of sensory sensitivities, autistic traits, and ADHD traits, after controlling for weight and shape concerns. Furthermore, sensory sensitivities, specifically hyper-sensitivity, uniquely predicted levels of ARFID symptoms once we accounted for autistic and ADHD traits.

Conclusions

When considering neurodivergence, sensory hyper-sensitivities may be particularly relevant to ARFID symptomatology in gender diverse adults. Future research should explore associations between ARFID presentations and sensory sensitivities in large samples of gender diverse adults, to enable separate analyses by gender identity.
Epidemiological trends of mechanically ventilated acute respiratory distress syndrome in the twenty-first century: a nationwide, population-based retrospective study
Authors: Bardají-Carrillo Miguel , López-Herrero Rocío , Aguilar Gerardo , Arroyo-Hernantes Irene , Gómez-Sánchez Esther , Camporota Luigi , Villar Jesús , Tamayo Eduardo
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a prevalent respiratory condition associated with significant mortality. Current literature on ARDS epidemiology reports a wide range of incidence (7.2–78.9/100,000 population/year), hospital mortality (32–51%), and associated costs ($8476–$547,974). We have analyzed epidemiological trends of mechanically ventilated ARDS (MV-ARDS) in Spain from 2000 to 2022 using the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS), focusing on MV-ARDS incidence, associated mortality, and economic impact.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide, population-based retrospective study of all hospitalizations for MV-ARDS in Spanish hospitals—from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2022—using MBDS records, with an estimated coverage of 99.5%. The study reports MV-ARDS incidence per 100,000 population/year, hospital mortality rate, and mean cost per patient. We also considered the effect of COVID-19 on MV-ARDS epidemiology.

Results

We analyzed 93,192 records of patients with a new diagnosis of MV-ARDS during the study period. MV-ARDS incidence ranged from 2.96 to 20.14/100,000 population-years, peaking in 2021. Mortality ranged between 38.0 and 55.0%, showing a declining trend, while the cost per patient increased, stabilizing ~€30,000–€40,000 after reaching a peak of €42,812 in 2011. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital stay lengthened (p < 0.001), while hospital mortality decreased (p < 0.001). There was an increased proportion of patients with obesity and diabetes mellitus, with fungal or viral etiologies.

Conclusion

This is the largest epidemiological study on ARDS in Europe. MV-ARDS incidence has stabilized in recent years, with mortality showing a declining trend. ARDS-related costs have increased nearly fourfold. MBDS data could enhance ARDS understanding and guide future studies.
Appropriate shape of a stylet for tracheal intubation using the McGrath® MAC videolaryngoscope in neonates: a randomized crossover simulation study
Authors: Masui Katsuhide , Tsunoda Naoyuki , Ito Ayaka , Asai Takashi
Published: February 2025

Background

Guidelines on airway management in neonates and infants recommend using a stylet when a videolaryngoscope is used, but it is not clear if the use of a stylet facilitates tracheal intubation and which shape of the stylet is suitable in neonates.

Methods

As a preliminary simulation study of a randomized controlled cross-over design, 25 anesthesiologists (3 specialists, 11 senior residents, and 11 junior residents) used a McGrath® MAC videolaryngoscope (Covidien, Medtronic, Tokyo, Japan) blade 1 for tracheal intubation (of a 3.5-mm ID Shiley™ tube with a cuff), with one of four differently shaped stylets (C-shaped, J-shaped, hockey stick-shaped and double C-shaped) or without a stylet in a manikin of a neonate, and compared intubation times.

Results

Compared with intubation time without the use of a stylet, intubation time was significantly longer with the use of the J-shaped stylet (P = 0.007; median (95% CI) difference: 2 (1 to 2) s) or with the hockey stick-shaped stylet (P = 0.0002; median (95% CI) difference: 9 (9 to 10) s). In contrast, intubation time was similar between no stylet and the C-shaped stylet (P = 0.90; median (95% CI) difference: 0 (0 to 0) s) or between no stylet and the double C-shaped style (P = 0.60; median (95% CI) difference: 0 (0 to 0) s).

Conclusions

In conclusion, while time to tracheal intubation would be similar with and without the use of a stylet, the shape of the stylet would affect intubation time in neonates.
Effects of the Lorentz symmetry violation on relativistic neutral scalar bosons: Scattering and bound states
Authors: Castro Luis B. , de Castro Antonio S.
Published: February 2025

In this letter, we investigate the effects of Lorentz symmetry violation on a relativistic neutral scalar boson within the framework of the Klein-Gordon formalism. We consider a tensor $(K_F)_{\mu \nu \alpha \beta}$ out of the Standard Model Extension, which describes the field configuration consisting of a constant magnetic field $\vec{B}=B\hat{z}$ and a cylindrical electric field $\vec{E}=\frac{\lambda}{r}\hat{r}$. We analyze and discuss the effects of Lorentz symmetry violation on the equation of motion and show that the presence of a specific Lorentz symmetry violation parameter is essential to obtain analytical solutions for scattering and bound states. Employing the partial wave approach in cylindrical coordinates, we calculate the relativistic phase shift, scattering amplitude and $S$-matrix, and discuss the effects of Lorentz symmetry violation on the phase shift. Furthermore, we obtain bound-state solutions by examining the poles of the $S$-matrix and compare our findings with those reported in the literature. Our results reveal that bound-state solutions are only feasible for a restrict range of Lorentz symmetry violation parameters, which contradict previous studies.
Transcriptomic reaction norms highlight metabolic depression as a divergence in phenotypic plasticity between oyster species under ocean acidification
Authors: Lutier Mathieu , Pernet Fabrice , Vanaa Vincent , Di Poi Carole , Le Luyer Jérémy
Published: February 2025

Ocean acidification occurs at a rate unprecedented for millions of years, forcing sessile organisms, such as oysters, to respond in the short term by relying on their phenotypic plasticity. Phenotypic plasticity has limits, tipping points, beyond which species will have to adapt or disappear. These limits could be related to the adaptation of species to different habitat variabilities. Here we expose juvenile pearl oysters, Pinctada margaritifera, to a broad range of pH and determine the response at the gross physiological, lipidome and transcriptome levels. Thus, we identify its high tolerance with low tipping points at pH 7.3-6.8 below which most physiological parameters are impacted. We then compare the transcriptomic reaction norms of the tropical subtidal P. margaritifera, with those of an intertidal temperate oyster, Crassostrea gigas, reusing data from a previous study. Despite showing similar tipping points with C. gigas, P. margaritifera exhibits strong mortalities and depletion of energy reserves below the tipping points, which is not the case for C. gigas. This divergence relies mainly on the induction of metabolic depression, an adaptation to intertidal habitats in C. gigas, but not in P. margaritifera. Our method makes it possible to detect divergences in phenotypic plasticity, probably linked to the species’ specific life-history strategies related to different habitats, which will determine the survival of species to ongoing global changes. Such an approach is particularly relevant for studying the physiology of species in a world where physiological tipping points will be increasingly exceeded.
Assessing recovery of Drosophila melanogaster photoreceptors with different wavelengths of red and infrared light
Authors: Meece Michael , Rathore Shubham , Zagazeta Diego , Buschbeck Elke K.
Published: February 2025

It has previously been shown that near-infrared light can positively affect the physiology of damaged tissue. This is likely mediated by the modulation of metabolic activity via cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the rate of ATP production, and generation of reactive oxygen species. It has been suggested that this process can be influenced by light, with different wavelengths potentially having different efficacy. The impact of these effects on retinal health is not yet well understood. To answer this question, we first induced photoreceptor damage in the eyes of white mutant D. melanogaster through prolonged exposure to bright light. We then investigated the recovery of retinal health following exposure to different wavelengths of near-infrared light (670, 750, 810, 850, and 950 nm) over the course of 10 days. Retinal health was assessed through electroretinograms and fluorescent imaging of live photoreceptors. We found that all treatments except for 950 nm light facilitated the recovery of the electroretinogram response in previously light-damaged flies — though efficacy varied across treatments. All near-infrared exposed groups showed at least some improvement in retinal organization and auto-fluorescence compared to an untreated recovery control. We also showed that our results do not stem from a fly specific artifact relating to opsin photoconversion. Finally, we made use of a bioassay to show enhanced ATP levels in light treatments. This study represents a much-needed direct comparison of the effect of a multitude of different wavelengths and contributes to an emerging body of literature that highlights the promise of phototherapy.
Additive Effect of EPO and Altitude on Hemoglobin Mass but not Peak Oxygen Uptake
Authors: Bonne Thomas Christian , Andersen Andreas Breenfeldt , Bejder Jacob , Loures Joao Paulo , Dam Christine , Huertas Jesús Rodríguez , Nordsborg Nikolai Baastrup
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study evaluated whether recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) treatment combined with hypoxia provided an additive effect on hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and V̇O2peak compared to altitude or rhEpo alone.

Methods

39 participants underwent two interventions, each containing 4 weeks baseline (PRE 1-4), 4 weeks exposure at sea level or 2,320 m of altitude (INT 1-4), and 4 weeks follow-up (POST 1-4). Participants were randomly assigned to 20 IU·kg-1 rhEpo or placebo injections every second day for 3 weeks during the exposure period at sea level (SL-EPO n = 25, SL-PLA n = 9) or at altitude (ALT-EPO n = 12, ALT-PLA n = 27).

Results

Hbmass displayed a significant time×treatment effect (P < 0.001) when comparing ALT-EPO and ALT-PLA. Specifically, the increase in Hbmass was higher (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) for ALT-EPO from INT 2 to POST 3 except for POST 2. Similarly, a significant time×treatment effect (P < 0.001) existed for changes in Hbmass when comparing ALT-EPO with SL-EPO, with the increase in Hbmass being higher (P < 0.01 to P < 0.001) for ALT-EPO from INT 2 to POST 4. A significant time×treatment effect was present when SL-PLA was compared with ALT-PLA (P < 0.05) and SL-EPO (P < 0.05). For V̇O2peak the time×treatment interaction was not significant when comparing ALT-EPO to ALT-PLA. However, when ALT-EPO was compared with SL-EPO, a significant time×treatment interaction existed (P < 0.001) due to a decrease in V̇O2peak during altitude.

Conclusions

The combined treatment of micro-doses of rhEpo and altitude exposure results in an additive increase in Hbmass but does not significantly enhance V̇O2peak compared to each treatment alone.
Aprendizaje basado en problemas y alemán como lengua extranjera.
Authors: Corbacho Sánchez Alfonso
Published: February 2025

Pocos dudan hoy en día de que el aprendizaje basado
en problemas (ABP) se ha revelado como muy eficaz
en la enseñanza y aprendizaje de la mayor parte de las
disciplinas y esto también incluye la enseñanza de una
lengua extranjera. En este artículo, que se centra en los
ejercicios y actividades relacionados con este método,
se valoran las ventajas del ABP aplicado a la enseñanza
del alemán como lengua extranjera. Se defiende la
hipótesis de que esa innumerable variedad de aspectos
y escenarios que se contemplan en la comunicación,
junto con el elemento lúdico que puede acompañar a
las actividades propias del ABP, hacen que este enfoque
resulte especialmente eficaz y atractivo, aunque también
pueden presentarse algunas dificultades con el uso de
esta metodología.
Ecos de la pandemia en la internacionalización de la educación superior: proyecto Sello de Competencia Global de la Red Mutis
Authors: Duncan Ortega Ericka
Published: February 2025

El capítulo está compuesto de cuatro secciones. En la primera se presenta la evolución del concepto de internacionalización de la educación superior en la última década, el cual servirá para dar un marco de
referencia sobre el alcance, propósito e impacto esperado del concepto. En la segunda sección se analizan los principales efectos de la pandemia sobre la internacionalización de la educación superior, evidenciando
que la pausa en la movilidad afectó principalmente a los principales destinos de estudiantes internacionales, y para el caso del sur global, la pandemia se convirtió en una oportunidad para fortalecer y crear
nuevas iniciativas de internacionalización en casa. El tercer apartado presenta un ejemplo del tipo de iniciativas de internacionalización en casa que fueron el resultado de la pandemia, un proyecto orientado a
ofrecer una internacionalización para todos los estudiantes a través de la construcción del Sello de Competencia Global, encaminado a definir dos competencias globales e interculturales para un grupo de nueve
instituciones de educación superior de Colombia, Perú y República Dominicana, y del diseño de un modelo para garantizar el desarrollo las mismas. En la última sección se presentan unas reflexiones finales
y unas conclusiones.
Cómo aprendí a dejar de preocuparme y a amar la internacionalización del currículo
Authors: Artigiani Mauro
Published: February 2025

En este capítulo, la creación de estos procesos fue lo que me llevó a entender que la internacionalización va mucho más allá de la movilidad estudiantil y profesoral,1 y es un abanico de posibilidades, herramientas y experiencias que permiten formar y fortalecer habilidades inter y multiculturales en todos los miembros de una institución universitaria.
A is for airway: intubation guide for common species (part 1)
Authors: Flintoff Marcus
Published: February 2025

Endotracheal intubation is a vital aspect of anaesthetic management in veterinary patients. It enables the delivery of volatile inhalants with 100% oxygen, reduces hypoxia risk, prevents environmental pollution and safeguards the airway against regurgitation and aspiration. Successful intubation requires knowledge of patient anatomy, appropriate endotracheal tube (ETT) and species-specific techniques. Proper measurement of ETTs, especially in smaller species, prevents complications such as bronchial intubation, which can cause uneven ventilation and hypoxia. This article reviews the types of ETTs, including Magill, Murphy, Cole and armoured tubes, discussing their materials, uses and features. It also addresses managing difficult intubations, highlighting essential preparation, equipment and techniques for challenging cases. A thorough understanding of intubation principles and preparation is essential for safe anaesthetic outcomes in veterinary practice.
Recurrent acute pancreatitis as an initial presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism in juvenile patient
Authors: Lackovic Milena M , Joksimovic Bojan D , Babovic Jelena C , Isenovic Esma R , Gluvic Zoran M
Published: February 2025

Acute pancreatitis recurrence should always alert clinicians to primary hyperparathyroidism, especially in younger patients and those with a hereditary condition. When parathyroid abnormalities are adequately recognized and addressed, more recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis are unlikely to occur.
Atypical presentation of painless acute pancreatitis: A case report
Authors: Sargon Keon , Al-Sabea Nadeem , Elango Arnold , Scarbrough Brent , Wong Jamesina , Ebrahim Simran
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Painless acute pancreatitis (PAP) is a slowly progressive disease that involves inflammation, scarring, and thickening of pancreatic cells, which can happen due to either alcohol, idiopathic, or genetic. Clinicians usually miss PAP due to lack of pain and additional symptoms of hypotension and fever can lead to an infectious work-up instead. In this case report, we discuss the importance of the rapid discovery of this condition to prevent devastating complications like diabetes, necrotizing pancreatitis, or even death.

CASE SUMMARY

A 47-years old male with past medical history of hypotension and alcohol abuse presented for loss of consciousness. Patient was found with pinpoint pupils, hypoglycemia, and hypotensive. He received Narcan, dextrose, and IV fluids and became responsive. In the emergency department, the patient was hypotensive and the physical exam was only significant for diaphoresis. Patient denied abdominal or radiating pain. Labs significant for elevated lipase, metabolic acidosis, and hyponatremia with imaging positive for AP without chronic inflammation. Based on imaging, lipase and absence of pain, PAP was diagnosed. Patient had multiple episodes of hypoglycemia and remained hypotensive requiring pressor support and intubation. After intubation, he had pulseless electrical activity cardiac arrest. Return of spontaneous circulation achieved but the patient had worsening acidosis, acute kidney injury, liver injury, and bandemia. Empiric antibiotics started, dexamethasone, and maxed on five pressors and transferred to the medical intensive care unit for management of severe AP (SAP).

CONCLUSION

This case report featured PAP without chronic inflammation which is an even rarer disease than PAP which progressed to SAP.
Hyperleukocytosis associated with pertussis: Two case reports
Authors: Han Hong-Wu , Wang Xi-Xia , Wang Ying , Zhang Wei-Hua
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Pertussis is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by Bordetella pertussis . Although the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus vaccine is widely administered, there are still a number of patients with severe pertussis each year, which can lead to death, especially in infants and young children. Hyperleukocytosis is a factor related to the severity of pertussis and a risk factor for death. Reducing the leukocyte number by plasma exchange is a treatment method in clinical practice.

CASE SUMMARY

Two children with pertussis with cough as the initial symptom, developed pneumonia during the course of the illness. White blood cell counts were significantly increased with the highest values of 87.34 × 109/L and 55.46 × 109/L. Following anti-infection, plasma exchange, and ventilator treatment, both children recovered.

CONCLUSION

Early identification of children with pertussis complicated with hyperleukocytosis and timely plasma exchange can improve the prognosis and reduce mortality.
The manipulative facet of translating implicit communication: challenges and implications from both theoretical and empirical perspectives
Authors: Masia Viviana
Published: February 2025

This paper examines the implications of translation choices that fail to consistently render implicit strategies from a source language into a target language. In the heterogeneous framework of implicit communication phenomena, this paper investigates the translation of presuppositions, implicatures, and topic-focus structures. Furthermore, it highlights how their consistent or inconsistent rendering into other languages might make a translated text manipulative. These instances are substantiated by examples from different text genres, including novels and official translations of political speeches in the English-Italian, English-Spanish, and Spanish-Italian language directions. Besides suggesting strategies for implicit communication that prevent translated texts from becoming dangerously manipulative, this paper seeks to raise awareness about (i) the ways linguistic manipulation can affect the target readership and (ii) the risks posed by manipulating translations to socially constructed knowledge as well as the creation of a democratically grounded consensus.
Fluktuationen in den psychometrischen Kennwerten des hessischen „Kindersprachscreenings“ während und nach der Validierung
Authors: Zaretsky Eugen , Lange Benjamin P. , Hey Christiane
Published: February 2025

Most German states assess German language skills of children of the late kindergarten age in large-scale language screening programs. In the state of Hesse, language test “Kindersprachscreening” (“Language screening for children”, KiSS) was developed for this purpose. Its target group are kindergarten children aged four- to four-and-a-half years. In the present study, changes in the psychometric characteristics of KiSS – level of difficulty, item-total correlations, internal consistency – and possible explanations for these changes were scrutinized. For this purpose, seven KiSS samples were re-analysed retrospectively: five from KiSS validation studies and two from the Hessian language screening program. Psychometric characteristics of KiSS improved for the monolingual German-speaking children in the language screening program in comparison with KiSS validation studies. Fluctuations in the item-total correlations and internal consistency were linked to changes in the difficulty level of KiSS tasks. In the data of bi-/multilingual children, no fluctuations of psychometric characteristics were detected. Some findings point at a selection bias – an unexpectedly high proportion of children needing language therapies – in the samples of KiSS validation studies and of the language screening program. This bias can result in incorrect KiSS cut-off values, if these are updated on the basis of data from the language screening program.
Study of microbubble defects in high-NA silicate-glass multi-core imaging fibers fabricated by the stack-and-draw method
Authors: Yu Fei , Xu Bingsheng , shen henan , Wu Dakun , Wang Ning , Liu Yan , Lin Xin
Published: February 2025

The fabrication of multicore imaging fiber (MCIF)/fiber bundle by the stack-and-draw method is favorable to achieve a hyperfine spatial imaging resolution without the rising of lattice defect, such as the core breakage and dislocation. MCIFs made of silicate glasses as host materials usually present high numerical aperture (NA), lower bend loss and low inter-core crosstalk, bringing in an excellent imaging capability. In this paper, we focus on the microbubble defect (MD) in the high-NA silicate-glass MCIF fabricated by the stack-and-draw method. MDs are a type of local defect in a scale of micrometer or smaller, distributing randomly along the fiber length. Some MD would cause the abrupt variation of core shape in neighbor which gives rise to a local scattering loss up to 103 dB/m according to the numerical simulation. The origin of MD is still uncertain and our investigation shows that MD could be possibly mitigated or even eliminated in principle by minimizing the difference of softening temperature between core and cladding glasses.
Enhanced Nanoparticle Identification Using Momentum-Space Filtering for Interferometric Scattering Microscopy (iSCAT)
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Meng Xuan
Published: February 2025

Although interferometric scattering microscopy (iSCAT) is a powerful tool for single-particle tracking, nanoparticle identification remains challenging due to interference feature degradation caused by noise and reference light. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel method leveraging frequency component analysis in the Fourier domain to enhance interference patterns and improve nanoparticle identification. Our analysis identifies significant signal attenuation arising from both high-frequency noise and reference light within the interferometric scattering framework. By combining high-frequency noise filtering with strategic reweighting of key frequency components, our approach effectively restores the bright-dark-rings feather, enabling reliable detection even at sub-noise contrast levels. Experiments with gold nanoparticles validate this method, demonstrating its potential to advance single-particle tracking by enhancing background suppression in iSCAT applications.