bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Untersuchung des Einflusses von virtuellem Training auf den kurz- und mittelfristigen Lernerfolg in der gefäßchirurgischen Ausbildung
Authors: Bonietzki Alexandra , Bürger Matthias , Hoffmann Grischa , Rusch Melanie , Rusch René , Berndt Rouven
Published: February 2025

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

Aufgrund von begrenzten operativen Trainingsmöglichkeiten in der gefäßchirurgischen Ausbildung besteht die Notwendigkeit für innovative Lehrkonzepte. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht daher den Lernerfolg nach virtuellen Trainingseinheiten zum Erlernen von mikrochirurgischen Techniken.

Material und Methoden

Innerhalb von 11 Monaten nahmen 10 Proband*innen an einem standardisierten mikrochirurgischen Training teil. Fünf der zehn Proband*innen absolvierten ein virtuelles Trainingsmodul. Fünf Proband*innen absolvierten stattdessen eine klassische theoretische Lerneinheit mit einem Senior-Instructor aus der Gefäßchirurgie. Anschließend erfolgte das identische mikrochirurgische Training im mikrochirurgischen „wet lab“. Der kurz- und mittelfristigen Lernerfolg wurde anhand von drei Lernkontrollen (Tag 1, Woche 1, Woche 4) untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Die VT-Gruppe zeigte eine signifikant (p < 0,05) höhere Erfolgsrate (98,48 %) bei der Durchführung der praktischen Übung im mikrochirurgischen „wet lab“ gegenüber der Non-VT-Gruppe (90,28 %). Bei der Untersuchung des kurz- und mittelfristigen Lernerfolges repetierte die VT-Gruppe nach 4 Wochen die erlernten Inhalte mit einer Erfolgsrate von 95 % im Gegensatz zu 82,5 % in der Non-VT-Gruppe. Bei der benötigen Zeit zur Durchführung der praktischen Übungen konnten keine signifikanten Unterschiede festgestellt werden.

Diskussion

Es konnte ein möglicher positiver Einfluss des selbstständig durchgeführten virtuellen Trainings auf den kurz- und mittelfristigen Lernerfolg von praktischen und theoretischen Inhalten gezeigt werden. Bei der praktischen Durchführung der Übungen konnte möglicherweise durch das virtuelle Training das Einhalten der korrekten Operationsabläufe positiv beeinflusst werden.

Graphic abstract
Co-designing critical thinking in health professional education: a 360 immersive environment case study
Authors: Stretton T. , Cochrane T. , Sevigny C. , Stander J. , Merolli Mark
Published: February 2025

Critical thinking is essential in health disciplines though is reportedly underdeveloped in student health professionals. Immersive mobile extended reality (mXR) may facilitate critical thinking in health education though has not yet been fully explored. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of co-designing a virtual environment on the facilitation of critical thinking in health education students. Second-year graduate-entry Doctor of Physiotherapy students (n = 25) co-designed health-related case scenarios over six weeks in a web-based 360-degree immersive environment. This included embedding exercise prescription videos that incorporated prompts for critical thinking of a target population. The evaluation included pre- and post-evaluation surveys, the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT-N) and the System Usability Scale (SUS). The results of this study demonstrated a positive effect on critical thinking skills- particularly in analysis, interpretation, inference, deduction, numeracy and overall (p < .05). Participants reported favourable perceptions of mXR usability and the learning experience, although challenges such as cybersickness and technical complexities were noted. Peer feedback suggested that the virtual environment promoted engagement and authenticity in learning. Recommendations for future iterations include enhancing population representation, addressing challenges in system usability, and refining instructional design elements. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of mobile immersive reality to enhance critical thinking and foster authentic learning experiences in health education. Further design principles and implications for research design are proposed in the study.
Haptoglobin as a novel predictor of visceral involvement and relapse in adult IgAV patients
Authors: Bajželj Matija , Visočnik Nina , Poljšak Katjuša Mrak , Hladnik Matjaž , Lakota Katja , Hočevar Alojzija
Published: February 2025

Introduction

IgA vasculitis (IgAV) can present as skin-limited or systemic disease, which can be severe in adults. Predictive markers for visceral involvement are suboptimal. Considering haptoglobin’s role as an acute phase reactant, we evaluated whether its differential expression in IgAV patients’ skin and leukocytes is also reflected systemically in a larger cohort of adult IgAV patients. Additionally, soluble form of haptoglobin scavenger receptor CD163 was measured in IgAV patient serum.

Methods

We re-analyzed RNA sequencing data from leukocytes and skin biopsies of treatment-naïve adult IgAV patients: (1) IgAV nephritis (n = 3), (2) skin-limited IgAV (n = 3), and healthy controls (n = 3). Haptoglobin serum level was measured in 178, and haptoglobin genotyping was performed in 91 treatment-naïve adult IgAV patients. Serum sCD163 was measured in 60 IgAV patients and 22 HC.

Results

Transcriptomic data of leukocytes and skin of IgAV nephritis patients identified haptoglobin as a hub gene, based on protein–protein interaction network. Haptoglobin serum level was elevated in IgAV patients with nephritis or gastrointestinal involvement compared to other IgAV patients. Patients who relapsed during follow-up had decreased haptoglobin serum level at disease presentation compared to non-relapsing patients. Haptoglobin genotyping did not show differences between genotype groups regarding clinical presentation and laboratory parameters. Serum sCD163 was significantly higher in IgAV nephritis patients compared to HC.

Conclusion

We identified haptoglobin as a novel marker of visceral involvement and relapse in adult IgAV, while sCD163 is linked to renal involvement. Further studies will confirm the clinical utility of haptoglobin as biomarker in IgAV.

Key Points• Haptoglobin expression is upregulated in leukocytes and skin of adult IgAV with renal involvement.• Haptoglobin serum level is elevated in IgAV patients with visceral involvement.• Patients with IgAV relapse have lower haptoglobin at disease presentation.
Neurologic features in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a prospective cohort in a catalan hospital
Authors: Barrachina-Esteve Oriol , Anguita A. , Reverter A. , Espinosa J. , Lafuente C. , Rubio-Roy M. , Crosas M. , Vila-Sala C. , Acero C. , Navarro M. , Cánovas D. , Ribera G. , Jodar M. , Estela J.
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To study the prevalence and timing of neurological manifestations, including cognitive involvement, in patients hospitalized for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To analyze the pathogenic mechanisms and any association they have with disease severity.

Methods

Longitudinal cohort study with prospective follow-up of patients who required hospitalization. Patients under 65 who had no pre-existing cognitive impairment and did not require an ICU stay were evaluated 3 and 12 months after discharge using a battery of neuropsychological tests.

Results

Of 205 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, 153 (74.6%) presented with neurological manifestations. The most frequent were myalgia (32.7%), headache (31.7%), dysgeusia (29.2%), and anosmia (24.9%). Patients with more severe illness at the time of hospitalization presented fewer neurological manifestations. Of the 62 patients who underwent neuropsychological examination 3 months after discharge, 22.6% had impaired attention, 19.4% impaired working memory, 16.1% impaired learning and retrieval, 9.7% impaired executive functions, and 8.2% impaired processing speed. Patients with anosmia also presented with more headache (OR 5.45; p < 0.001) and greater risk of working memory impairment (OR 5.87; p 0.03). At follow-up 12 months after hospital discharge, 14.3% of patients still showed impaired attention, 2.4% impaired working memory, 2.5% impaired executive functions, and 2.5% impaired processing speed.

Discussion

Neurological manifestations are common in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 regardless of severity. The high prevalence of anosmia and its association with headache and working memory impairment at 3 months, suggest potential direct or indirect damage to the prefrontal cortex via invasion of the olfactory bulb by COVID-19.
Transanal repair of anastomotic leakage after oncologic low anterior resection: a prospective cohort
Authors: Lossius W. , Stornes T. , Bernstein T. E. , Wibe A.
Published: February 2025

Background

Anastomotic leakage is a common complication after low anterior resection for rectal cancer, often resulting in a permanent stoma. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of early detection, sepsis control, and transanal repair in managing anastomotic leakage.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study conducted from January 2018 to June 2022 at a Norwegian university hospital, patients undergoing resectional surgery for rectal cancer were assessed for anastomotic leaks. Early detection involved CT with rectal contrast and flexible endoscopy. Repair eligibility required involvement of less than half the anastomotic circumference and no ischemia or retraction of the colon. The cavity outside the anastomotic defect was cleaned using a catheter for intermittent irrigation or endoluminal vacuum therapy. A diverting stoma was created, and a transabdominal pelvic drain was inserted if not already present. Once sepsis was controlled and the cavity was clean, the defect was sutured using a transanal minimally invasive surgery access platform or an open transanal technique, based on anastomosis level. Healing was confirmed via computed tomography (CT) with rectal contrast and rigid proctoscopy before reversing diverting stomas, and again at 12 months. A supplementary video demonstrates the technique.

Results

Of 22 identified anastomotic leaks, 11 underwent transanal repair, resulting in healed anastomosis for nine patients and restored bowel continuity for eight. Among these, five reported major low anterior resection syndrome. Median hospital stay was 20 days, with no 90-day mortality.

Conclusions

This anastomosis-preserving approach for treating anastomotic leakage shows promise, potentially preserving bowel function and reducing permanent stoma rates.
Speeding-up fuzzing through directional seeds
Authors: Koffi Koffi Anderson , Kampourakis Vyron , Kolias Constantinos , Song Jia , Ivans Robert C.
Published: February 2025

Fuzzing is an automated process for discovering inputs in a program that may trigger unexpected behavior. Today, fuzzing has become a standard practice for the discovery of bugs and security vulnerabilities. However, the main issue with such practices is that the exploration of the input space of programs can often be prohibitively expensive. Therefore, several alternative fuzzing strategies have been introduced during the last few years. Some fuzzing techniques rely on human expertise to provide a plausible set of initial input examples, namely, seeds. However, the process of handcrafting seeds for fuzzing purposes often becomes strenuous for humans as it requires a deeper understanding of the Program-Under-Test (PUT). Also, the use of known inputs to programs often does not trigger vulnerable program behavior or may not reach potentially vulnerable code locations. To address those issues, we propose a seed generation framework that enables Human-In-The-Loop (HITL) directed fuzzing where the human assumes a more active role in the creation of seeds that can penetrate and assess desired locations of the PUT. Our proposed framework uses Symbolic Execution (SE) to generate seeds that exercise paths to target program locations. Moreover, our framework enables the visualization of the explored execution paths in the binary of the PUT for the generated seeds. We evaluated our approach on a set of 12 carefully designed C programs with diverse characteristics that mimic real-world programs. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach in improving the performance of standard fuzzing tools such as the American Fuzzy Lop ("Image missing"). Specifically, our solution can generate seeds that substantially enhance the performance of the fuzzer, achieving speedups ranging from

$$1.46\times $$

1.46
×

to

$$68.53\times $$

68.53
×

for branch conditions,

$$1.39\times $$

1.39
×

to

$$254.62\times $$

254.62
×

for branch depths,

$$14,879.59\times $$

14
,
879.59
×

to

$$30,295.88\times $$

30
,
295.88
×

for branch widths over traditional seeds. Additionally, the speedup increases with the number of target function ranging from

$$12,260\times $$

12
,
260
×

to

$$22,856.07\times $$

22
,
856.07
×

over traditional seeds while only requiring less than 15 seconds on average for the seed generation step.
The Formal Structure(s) of Analogical Inference
Authors: Gebharter Alexander , Osimani Barbara
Published: February 2025

Recently, Dardashti et al. (Stud Hist Philos Sci Part B Stud Hist Philos Mod Phys 67:1–11, 2019) proposed a Bayesian model for establishing Hawking radiation by analogical inference. In this paper we investigate whether their model would work as a general model for analogical inference. We study how it performs when varying the believed degree of similarity between the source and the target system. We show that there are circumstances in which the degree of confirmation for the hypothesis about the target system obtained by collecting evidence from the source system goes down when increasing the believed degree of similarity between the two systems. We then develop an alternative model in which the direction of the variation of the degree of confirmation always coincides with the direction of the believed degree of similarity. Finally, we argue that the two models capture different types of analogical inference.
Tail classification using non-linear regression on model plots
Authors: Beirlant Jan , Bladt Martin
Published: February 2025

Selecting an appropriate statistical model is a crucial initial step in various statistical analyses, particularly when estimating extreme values. Empirical plots, such as Pareto, log-normal, and Weibull plots, serve as valuable tools for visualising the data and identifying patterns that can suggest a suitable model. Focusing on probability plots, we apply non-linear regression so as to enable the visualisation of extreme data in terms of their compatibility with widely accepted tail models. We further develop asymptotic theory for the non-linearity parameter, which, in turn, allows us to formalise classification procedures to distinguish between specific sets of tail models. The finite sample behaviour is investigated with simulations and illustrated on real data comprised of weekly maxima of hourly precipitation measures at different weather stations in France.
State-Level Spending on Children Associated with Unequal Benefits to School Readiness
Authors: Morrissey Taryn W. , Engel Katherine , Jackson Margot I.
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To examine associations between state-level public investments in programming for children and parents’ reports of their children’s kindergarten readiness.

Methods

We use regression approaches with publicly available, nationally representative data to examine how time and state variation in public spending on children relates to parents’ concerns about children’s development. We link data on annual state-level spending on health and early learning from the Urban Institute’s State-by-State Spending on Kids Dataset and the National Institute for Early Education Research to child-level data from the 2003/2004, 2007/2008, and 2011/2012 waves of the National Survey of Children’s Health (NCHS), focusing on a subsample of parents with one or more children under age six (N = 56,736).

Results

Child-related public spending on both health and early education is associated with decreases in parents’ concerns about their children’s physical health and motor development. A 15% increase in average health spending and early education spending per child per year is associated with a reduction in parents’ concerns about children’s health and motor development of about 3% and 2% of a standard deviation (SD), respectively. Associations between spending and concerns about early learning and social-emotional development are negative but not significant. Among socioeconomically disadvantaged or racial and ethnic minority parents, spending is associated with smaller reductions in concerns.

Conclusions for Practice

Public spending on children is associated with fewer parents’ concerns about their children’s development, but less so among disadvantaged families. It is possible that public spending levels are not adequate to narrow disparities in early opportunity and outcomes.
Riding with strangers: profiling potential users and refusers of shared autonomous vehicles in Swedish cities
Authors: Dolins Sigma , Karlsson MariAnne , Smith Göran , Strömberg Helena
Published: February 2025

In exploring the societal readiness for shared autonomous vehicles (SAVs) in Swedish cities, this study profiles two distinct user groups—potential users and refusers—based on their willingness to share rides with strangers. By analyzing responses from a significant sample in Stockholm and Gothenburg, the study reveals key traits of these groups: potential users tend to be progressive, environmentally conscious men with public transport habits and positive experiences with AVs, while refusers are often women with traditional values, less formal education, and a preference for private cars, exhibiting concerns about safety and privacy. The research underscores the necessity of addressing the unique concerns of refusers to foster broader acceptance of SAVs. It highlights the potential of SAVs to revolutionize urban transport if societal concerns are aptly managed through policy and education, leveraging positive public transport experiences as a gateway to shared autonomous mobility.
Role of Public Justification in pledge to policy linkage: Evidence from India’s Uniform Civil Code
Authors: Mariam Sania
Published: February 2025

The paper examines the public justifications regarding the contentious pledge of the Uniform Civil Code versus Personal Laws in India, from its historical evolution to the deliberative processes followed in the transition from pledge to policy. Using a Habermasian framework of deliberative democracy, the study empirically maps the public reasons provided by various stakeholders, including political parties, religious organizations, and civil society groups, spanning the period from 1947 to 2023. The findings reveal diverse arguments for and against the UCC, mostly anchored in shared constitutional values. While proponents emphasize national integration and gender equality, opponents advocate for cultural diversity and religious freedom. The contentious nature of the pledge highlights the broader ideological conflicts and the necessity for consensus-building through public deliberation to achieve democratic legitimacy.
Consecutive Friedel–Crafts acyl rearrangements and Scholl reactions of dinaphthyl ketones
Authors: Oded Yaacov Netanel , Mala’bi Tahani , Pogodin Sergey , Cohen Shmuel , Bogoslavsky Benny , Biedermann P. Ulrich , Agranat Israel
Published: February 2025

The three dinaphthylketone constitutional isomers, 1,1′-NA

2

CO, 1,2′-NA

2

CO, and 2,2′-NA

2

CO, have been subjected to Friedel–Crafts Acylation (polyphosphoric acid (PPA), 90–300°C, 12 h) and Scholl reaction (AlCl3/NaCl, 120–300°C, 4 h). The resulting product mixtures are analyzed by NMR and separated by column chromatography. The starting ketones and the products have been calculated with DFT, B3LYP/6-311G**, to support analysis of the reaction mechanisms. The three dinaphthyl ketones have three, four, and three E,Z-conformations, which may potentially give ten Scholl reaction products by ortho-ortho, ortho-peri, and peri-peri couplings. In PPA, the products formed at relatively low temperatures are due to Scholl reactions of the starting ketones. At higher temperatures, naphthalene is formed and Friedel Crafts acyl rearrangements (FCAcRs) 1,1′-NA

2

CO → 1,2′-NA

2

CO → 2,2′-NA

2

CO are observed. At high temperatures, additional Scholl products show that complex multi-step reactions occur including FCAcRs in both directions and cyclic FCAcRs of Scholl products. The reactions in AlCl3/NaCl are highly selective, giving only the 6-ring Scholl cyclization products 13H-dibenzo[a,i]fluoren-13-one and 7H-benzo[hi]chrysen-7-one (B

hi

CO) and 7H-benzo[de]naphthacen-7-one (B

de

NCO). Up to 240°C 1,1′-NA

2

CO forms B

hi

CO and up to 220°C 1,2′-NA

2

CO forms B

de

NCO. At higher temperatures, both polycyclic aromatic ketones are formed from each of the three dinaphthyl ketones indicating FCAcRs. The detailed analysis of the experimental data in combination with the DFT calculations shows that FCAcRs are reactions in both directions in PPA and AlCl3/NaCl, substantiating Gore’s 1955 proposition that the Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction of reactive aromatic hydrocarbons is a reversible process. The lower onset temperatures and selectivity of cyclization products suggest lower activation energies for Scholl reactions as compared to FCAcRs in PPA and even more pronounced in AlCl3/NaCl. The common network of reaction pathways underlying the reactions in both media highlights the linkage between Friedel–Crafts acyl rearrangements and Scholl reactions.

Graphical Abstract
Electron density derived from dual-energy CT for predicting thrombolytic therapeutic efficacy in patients with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Nagano Hiroaki , Takumi Koji , Nagano Erina , Nakanosono Ryota , Nakajo Masatoyo , Kamimura Kiyohisa , Nakajo Masanori , Kanzaki Fumiko , Ejima Fumitaka , Ayukawa Takuro , Hasegawa Tomohito , Nakano Tsubasa , Hirahara Mitsuho , Yoshiura Takashi
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To clarify the usefulness of electron density (ED) using dual-energy CT (DECT) parameters for predicting treatment response in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).

Materials and methods

The study population comprised 30 patients with PE (49 thrombi) who underwent pretreatment DECT. The study coordinator diagnosed PE using contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) as the gold standard and annotated the location of thrombi on CECT prior to the DECT image analyses. CT attenuation values on conventional 120 kVp, 40 keV, and 70 keV virtual monochromatic (VM) images; effective atomic number; and ED of pretreatment pulmonary thrombi were measured on unenhanced CT. Thrombi were classified into dissolved and residual groups according to the findings of posttreatment follow-up CT. DECT parameters were compared between the two groups using the Mann–Whitney U test. For statistically significant parameters, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate their performance for differentiating two groups. Diagnostic accuracy for predicting treatment response in patients with PE was determined by calculating the area under the ROC curve (AUC).

Results

ED values, CT values on conventional 120 kVp imaging, and those on 70 keV VM imaging were significantly higher in thrombi in the dissolved group than the residual group (p < 0.001, p = 0.012, p = 0.009, respectively). AUC values for predicting dissolution response by ED, conventional 120 kVp imaging, and 70 keV VM imaging (cut-off value, 3.49 × 1023/cm3, 53.4 HU, and 50.7 HU, respectively) were 0.856, 0.744, and 0.755, respectively. AUC was significantly higher for ED than for conventional 120 kVp imaging and 70 keV VM imaging (p = 0.032, p = 0.016).

Conclusions

ED derived from unenhanced DECT may help predict therapeutic efficacy in patients with PE.
Optimizing donations for End-of-life healthcare: investments in service diversity initiatives
Authors: Starkey Christopher M. , Vaezinejad Soode , Schniederjans Dara
Published: February 2025

End-of-life (EoL) healthcare facilities, relying on government funding, face restrictive per diem payment options, which has led to a renewed focus on donations from third parties. In this study, the role of diversity in donations at EoL facilities is examined, in which internal diversity is analyzed via patient diversity and external diversity through providers, referral sources, and service providers. General linear regression is employed on a dataset from 5,010 EoL facilities. The findings show that patient racial diversity in an EoL facility is positively associated with donations, whereas diversity in referral sources, providers, and service providers is negatively associated with donations.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor restores daily function in patient with microsatellite instability (MSI)-high advanced endometrial cancer and poor performance status
Authors: Matsui Ayaka , Yoshida Taichi , Takahashi Yuya , Fukuda Koji , Shimazu Kazuhiro , Taguchi Daiki , Shinozaki Hanae , Kodama Naoaki , Kato Shunsuke , Waki Hironori , Nanjo Hiroshi , Shibata Hiroyuki
Published: February 2025

The immune checkpoint system suppresses T-cell activity. Unlike cytotoxic anticancer drugs that directly kill cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are generally safer by stimulating tumor immunity. However, most clinical trials require patients to have a better performance status (PS), leaving limited evidence for those with poorer PS. In practice, patients may be classified with poor PS due to tumor-induced pain and motor dysfunction, even if major organs remain functional. Real-world data on non-small cell lung cancer has shown no safety difference between patients with PS 3/4 and those with lower PS. Approximately 20–30% of endometrial cancer cases show microsatellite instability-high (MSI-high), the highest among common malignancies. A 46-year-old patient with advanced, recurrent endometrial cancer resistant to standard chemotherapy, and PS of 4 from severe pelvic pain, was diagnosed with MSI-high. Pembrolizumab was initiated and continued for 19 courses, after which lesions had disappeared or calcified, leading to drug discontinuation. Now, 4 and a half years post-treatment, she has regained independent mobility and returned to work, and her PS has improved to approximately 1. Side effects included Grade 2 or lower thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and hypoadrenalism, manageable with hormone replacement therapy and temporary pembrolizumab suspension. This case underscores the need to test for MSI-high/mismatch repair deficiency in endometrial cancer and to consider ICI therapy in patients with poor PS but no major organ dysfunction. In such cases, ICI can rapidly improve overall condition, a phenomenon known as a Lazarus-type response, as seen in other cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer.
Efficacy of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Cell Replacement Therapy in a Vascular Dementia Animal Model
Authors: Kim Jang Hun , Kang Ho-Young , Lee Jihun , Kim Jong-Hoon , Geum Dongho , Park Dong-Hyuk
Published: February 2025

Background

Cell replacement therapy is the only treatment that restores or repairs the function of impaired tissues in neurodegenerative diseases, including vascular dementia (VaD); however, current VaD treatments focus on slowing or mitigating the underlying small vessel disease progression. We aimed to verify the improvement in neurocognition after administering human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from in a VaD animal model.

Methods

After anesthesia, 10–12-week-old male C5BL/6 mice underwent sham or bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) surgeries. For BCAS, 0.18-mm micro-coils were wound around the bilateral common carotid arteries to induce chronic vascular insufficiency in the global brain. One day after surgery, the mice were administered phosphate buffer solution or NPC from hiPSCs via the tail vein for 15 d, and divided into sham (n = 6), VEH (n = 6), and NPC (n = 7) groups. Three months after the surgery, neurobehavioral tests including the Y-maze test (YMT), passive avoidance test (PAT), and novel object recognition test (NORT) were performed. Finally, mice brains were sectioned for evaluating microglia (Iba-1), astrocyte (GFAP) activation, and myelin (MBP) degeneration through immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results

PAT latency (p = 0.01) and discrimination index in the NORT (p = 0.043) increased considerably in the NPC group than in the VEH group. However, alterations in YMT were not considerably higher in the NPC group than in the VEH group (p = 0.65). IHC tests revealed that the GFAP- and IBA-1-positive cell number was remarkably lower in the NPC group than in the VEH group (p < 0.05). Moreover, MBP density was higher in the NPC group.

Conclusion

hiPSC-derived NPCs have therapeutic potential in cerebral hypoperfusion VaD mice; it improves the working memory of VaD animals by diminishing inflammatory reactions and protecting them from demyelination.
Comment on the paper “computational 3D-modeling and simulations of generalized heat transport enhancement in cross-fluids with multi-nanoscale particles using galerkin finite element method, Abdulaziz Alsenafi, M. Nawaz, computational particle mechanics https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-024–00727-w”
Authors: Pantokratoras Asterios
Published: February 2025

Many serious errors exist in the above paper.
Bergman spaces and reproducing kernel for the biquaternionic Vekua equation
Authors: Vicente-Benítez Víctor A.
Published: February 2025

We analyze the main properties of the Bergman spaces of weak

$$L_p$$

L
p

- solutions for a biquaternionic Vekua equation of the form

$$\begin{aligned} {\textbf{D}}w(x)-{\textbf{Q}}_Aw(x)=0 \end{aligned}$$

D
w

(
x
)

-

Q
A

w

(
x
)

=
0

on bounded domains of

$${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

, where the operator

$${\textbf{Q}}_A$$

Q
A

involves quaternionic conjugation and multiplications, both left and right, by essentially bounded functions. Properties such as completeness, separability, and reflexivity are shown. It is demonstrated that the solutions belonging to the Bergman spaces are locally Hölder continuous and that the evaluation maps are bounded in the

$$L_p$$

L
p

-norm. Consequently, for the case

$$p=2$$

p
=
2

, we obtain a reproducing integral kernel and an explicit formula for the orthogonal projection onto the Bergman space. For

$$1<p<\infty $$

1
<
p
<
∞

, the explicit form for the annihilator of the Bergman space in the dual

$$L_{p'}$$

L

p
′

is presented, along with an orthogonal decomposition for

$$L_2$$

L
2

.
Waste-Derived Geopolymers for Artificial Coral Development by 3D Printing
Authors: Martins J. R. , Novais R. M. , Hotza D. , Labrincha J. A. , Senff L.
Published: February 2025

Coral reefs are vital to marine ecosystems, providing habitat and protection for marine life and serving as natural barriers against coastal erosion. However, coral degradation due to climate change, coastal development, and marine exploration require alternatives like artificial corals. This study explores the use of geopolymers based on industrial waste, specifically biomass fly ash and red mud, for creating artificial corals. Geopolymers offer an eco-friendly solution by repurposing waste materials and providing resistance to environmental stressors like saline water. This research investigates the mineralogical and mechanical properties of geopolymers formed using 3D printing and casting. The 3D-printed samples exhibited compressive strengths ranging from 4 to 10 MPa, sufficient to withstand marine environmental stresses, although lower than the 20 to 30 MPa observed in cast samples. The mineralogical analysis showed the presence of compatible phases including hematite and calcium carbonate, which enhance environmental compatibility. The study highlights the potential of waste-based geopolymers as sustainable materials for artificial corals, emphasizing the benefits of using 3D printing to generate complex geometries and endow marine integration.

Graphical Abstract
Tip-over stability estimation and simulation of a manipulator using the mean normal ground reaction criterion
Authors: García-Hernández Juan C. , Gonzalez-Villela Victor J. , Souza-Jimenez Jose A. , Meda-Campaña Jesús A.
Published: February 2025

The possibility of a robot failing to perform its task can be influenced by factors related to its movement and the load it carries. This concern is particularly important in mobile robots where these factors are more noticeable. Many researchers have conducted studies to quantify the loss of stability in different types of robots. However, these studies often require expensive and complex equipment for replication. Therefore, this research proposes an alternative approach to estimate tip-over stability in a simulated environment made in MATLAB/Simulink. The methodology involves using a 3-degree-of-freedom serial manipulator placed on an angular positioning table which are imported from CAD files respectively. The stability measure is determined by applying a criterion based on the average normal reactions at the base of the manipulator. Case studies are conducted to simulate operating conditions of both systems in order to assess the potential for tipping over based on the trajectory between two desired points. Estimation of tip-over is demonstrated by the values obtained by the reaction of the stability values of each edge of the system and the normalized stability for each case. Limitation of the process is discussed.
CoCoSo method based on generalized distance measure with trapezoidal fuzzy multi-numbers for solving multi-criteria decision-making method problems
Authors: Kocasakal Eda Gül , Uluçay Vakkas
Published: February 2025

In this study, the authors develop the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method on trapezoidal fuzzy multi-numbers, where all the decision information takes the form of trapezoidal fuzzy multi-numbers. To construct the method, generalized distance measures between two trapezoidal fuzzy multi-numbers are presented. Finally, a real example is introduced and compared with different methods to show the applicability and feasibility of the proposed multi-attribute decision-making method.
Nutrient Interaction in the Soil-Plant System and Tree Physiological Functional Traits in an Urban Green Infrastructure
Authors: Scartazza Andrea , Vannucchi Francesca , Peruzzi Eleonora , Macci Cristina , Scatena Manuele , Manzini Jacopo , Masciandaro Grazia , Hoshika Yasutomo , Paoletti Elena
Published: February 2025

Soil-plant indicators are useful to select tree species suitable for the urban conditions and to maximize the benefits provided by green infrastructures (GE). To identify effective indicators for GE, soil-plant nutrient interaction and related physiological responses were assessed in evergreen (Cupressus sempervirens L.) and deciduous (Acer opalus Mill., Acer rubrum L., Tilia platyphyllos Scop., Ulmus ‘Plinio’) tree species, in a novel urban GE (Florence, Italy). Soil and leaf nutrient contents and the soil enzyme stoichiometry were applied as indicators of plant nutrient status and bioavailability. Gas exchange and stable isotopes of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were used as indicators of tree physiological status and resource-use strategies, respectively. The soil was suitable for tree growth, however, the enzyme activities estimated N limited condition. Trees differed in leaf nutrient composition and stoichiometry. Acer rubrum and A. opalus leaves had manganese concentration below and above the plant optimal range, respectively, leading to alteration in the nutrient uptake and on the leaf stoichiometry between C, N and phosphorus (C: N:P), with consequence for tree health status. Tilia platyphyllos and Ulmus ‘Plinio’ had the best photosynthetic performance, while photosynthesis in A. rubrum was severely impaired. Interspecific differences in N- and water-use strategies were observed. Tilia platyphyllos showed the highest water-use efficiency, leaf C: P and N: P compared to the other species. Tree nutritional and physiological traits gave insights into soil-plant nutrient interaction and may be proposed as useful indicators for choosing the most suitable species to improve GE management in urban environments.
Diet of the Florida spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius ambarvalis) in a dry prairie ecosystem
Authors: Harris Stephen N. , Flaherty Elizabeth A. , Doonan Terry J. , Hewett Ragheb Erin L. , Jachowski David S.
Published: February 2025

The Florida spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius ambarvalis) is disjunct from other eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius) subspecies and has rarely been studied. Declines in eastern spotted skunk populations elsewhere underscore the importance of better understanding the Florida subspecies’ ecology and resource use, including its potential impacts as a nest predator of imperiled ground-nesting birds. The objective of our study was to gather baseline information on Florida spotted skunk diet in the dry prairie ecosystem of Central Florida. We conducted a stable isotope analysis using hair samples from 39 skunks and compared these with 106 samples from potential food items in dry prairie in 2016 and 2017 at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area in Osceola County, Florida. Our resultant Bayesian mixing model indicated that the most prevalent food items in the Florida spotted skunk diet were millipedes (Diplopoda; ~ 42% of the diet) and a group consisting of amphibians and reptiles (~ 16%). Less prevalent were the groups including ground-nesting birds—one group containing granivorous or herbivorous species (~ 15%) and another containing insectivorous species (~ 13%). Our study provides evidence that Florida spotted skunks in the dry prairie ecosystem likely have a generalist diet, like spotted skunks outside of Florida, as no food item composed a majority (> 50%) of their diet. This study provides the first insights into the diet of free-ranging Florida spotted skunks and fills a key knowledge gap in the ecology of this important predator of the Florida dry prairie ecosystem.
Comparison of Metabolic and Hormonal Profiles between Low-Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and Standard AGEs-Containing Weight-Loss Diets in Overweight Phenotype-A PCOS Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ozdemir Merve , Mumusoglu Sezcan , Bilgic Pelin
Published: February 2025

This study aims to investigate the effects of a low-advanced glycation end products(AGEs) diet versus a standard AGE-containing weight-loss diet on metabolic and hormonal profiles of overweight phenotype-A polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) patients.A randomized controlled interventional study.A total of 44 Rotterdam phenotype-A PCOS patients aged 19–35 were enrolled between January 2022 and May 2023. They were randomly assigned to 12-weeks of an energy-restricted Standard-AGEs diet(S-AGEs) or an energy-restricted Low-AGEs diet(L-AGEs). At baseline and after 12-weeks of intervention, weight loss, oligo-amenorrhea, hormonal profiles, plasma lipid profiles, and inflammation markers were evaluated. During the intervention, 8 participants from the L-AGEs group and 6 from the S-AGEs group dropped out. Completers had similar baseline characteristics to dropouts. In the per-protocol analysis, similar weight loss was observed in the L-AGEs(n = 14) and S-AGEs(n = 16) groups compared to baseline weight [-8.4 [-10.3 to -5.8] vs. -5.2 [-8.8 to -4.6] kg, respectively, p = 0.183]. However, in the L-AGEs group, fasting glucose levels decreased significantly more compared to the S-AGEs group (-8.5 [-11.5 to -3.5] vs. -0.5 [-3.7 to 0.7] mmol/L, respectively, p = 0.027). Following the diet intervention in the L-AGEs group, the waist-to-hip circumference ratio, LDL-cholesterol, TNF-α, total testosterone (TT), free-androgen index (FAI), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels significantly decreased compared to baseline levels, while sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels increased. In contrast, there was no statistically significant change in these parameters in the S-AGEs group.In addition to weight-loss, reducing dietary AGEs intake resulted in significantly greater improvements in metabolic and hormonal profiles among phenotype-A PCOS patients. Clinicaltrials.gov registration no. NCT05830487.
A pilot study for the preliminary validation of the Negative Emotions Scale (NES)
Authors: O’Farrell Dominic L. , Collard James J. , Norton Peter J.
Published: February 2025

The classification of emotional distress has significant diagnostic and treatment implications in psychological therapy. Traditionally models of distress have favoured a unitary model of emotions where an emotional reaction is dysfunctional according to the severity of its experience. An alternative to this is the binary model of emotional distress, which deems an emotion dysfunctional on the basis of the quality of the emotion itself. This is determined by rational or irrational beliefs and behavioural drives associated with the emotion. Some research has sought to investigate the binary model. However, attempts to find support for its theoretical assumptions have been challenging, specifically including a lack of psychometrically sound measures relevant to its investigation. Accordingly, this paper aimed to address this issue by creating a new measurement scale (the Negative Emotions Scale) to provide preliminary validation of the binary model. A pilot study sample of adults (N = 108, M

age
 = 39, Males = 26.9%, Females = 72.2%) completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Attitudes and Beliefs Scale II (ABS-II), the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), and the Negative Emotions Scale (NES). Exploratory factor analyses indicated adequate loading of NES items to distinguish between functional and dysfunctional emotional pairings for depression/sadness, anxiety/concern, and anger/annoyance. Differences in association between rational and irrational beliefs were not found for anger-annoyance and shame-guilt constructs. However, depression-sadness showed difference according to rationality, and concern-anxiety to irrationality. These findings indicate initial support for the binary model of distress in this pilot study. This suggests future research with more robust analysis (such as CFA) and a larger sample may enhance these findings and provide practical utility for the clinical assessment of emotional distress.
Advancing early warning mechanisms: an augmented intelligence-driven model for predicting multidimensional vulnerability levels in Afghanistan
Authors: Aras Damla , Westlake Timothy
Published: February 2025

The complex socioeconomic landscape of conflict zones demands innovative approaches to assess and predict vulnerabilities for crafting and implementing effective policies by the United Nations (UN) institutions. This article presents a groundbreaking Augmented Intelligence-driven Prediction Model developed to forecast multidimensional vulnerability levels (MVLs) across Afghanistan. Leveraging a symbiotic fusion of human expertise and machine capabilities (e.g., artificial intelligence), the model demonstrates a predictive accuracy ranging between 70% and 80%. This research not only contributes to enhancing the UN Early Warning (EW) Mechanisms but also underscores the potential of augmented intelligence in addressing intricate challenges in conflict-ridden regions. This article outlines the use of augmented intelligence methodology applied to a use case to predict MVLs in Afghanistan. It discusses the key findings of the pilot project, and further proposes a holistic platform to enhance policy decisions through augmented intelligence, including an EW mechanism to significantly improve EW processes, thereby supporting decision-makers in formulating effective policies and fostering sustainable development within the UN.
Transition to the buoyancy-dominated regime in a planar temporal forced plume
Authors: Puggioni L. , Boga G. , Cimarelli A. , Crialesi Esposito M. , Musacchio S. , Stalio E. , Boffetta G.
Published: February 2025

We study the transition from the momentum- to buoyancy-dominated regime in temporal jets forced by gravity. From the conservation of the thermal content and of the volume flux, we develop a simple model which is able to describe accurately the transition between the two regimes in terms of a single parameter representing the entrainment coefficient. Our analytical results are validated against a set of numerical simulations of temporal planar forced plumes at different initial values of Reynolds and Froude numbers. We find that, although the the pure jet-scaling law is not clearly observed in simulations at finite Froude number, the model correctly describes the transition to the buoyancy-dominated regime which emerges at long times.
Minimal H-factors and covers
Authors: Danielsson Joel Larsson , Federico Lorenzo
Published: February 2025

Given a fixed small graph H and a larger graph G, an H-factor is a collection of vertex-disjoint subgraphs $H'\subset G$, each isomorphic to H, that cover the vertices of G. If G is the complete graph $K_n$ equipped with independent U(0,1) edge weights, what is the lowest total weight of an H-factor? This problem has previously been considered for $H=K_2$, for example. We show that if H contains a cycle, then the minimum weight is sharply concentrated around some $L_n = \Theta(n^{1-1/d^*})$ (where $d^*$ is the maximum 1-density of any subgraph of H). Some of our results also hold for H-covers, where the copies of H are not required to be vertex-disjoint.
Absorption, accumulation and metabolism of cetoleic acid from dietary herring oil in tissues of diabetic male Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Rimmen Eira V. , Mjøs Svein Are , Søfteland Eirik , Gudbrandsen Oddrun A.
Published: February 2025

Accumulation of exogenous fatty acids such as the long-chain n-11 MUFA cetoleic acid (CA, C22:1n-11) may induce functional changes, through direct effects or by affecting the amounts of other fatty acids through changes in catabolic and anabolic processes including desaturation of fatty acids or by other processes. The primary aim of the present study was to investigate if dietary CA was absorbed and accumulated in a TAG-rich tissue for storage (white adipose tissue), a stable phospholipid-rich tissue (brain), metabolically active tissues (liver and skeletal muscle), or circulating in the blood (blood cells) and metabolised. Secondary aims included to investigate any effects on the levels of EPA and DHA. Eighteen male Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley rats were fed diets with herring oil (HERO) containing 0.70 % CA or anchovy oil (ANCO) devoid of CA, or a control diet with soyabean oil for 5 weeks. The HERO and ANCO diets contained 0.35 and 0.37 wt% EPA+DHA, respectively. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. CA from dietary HERO was absorbed, and CA and its chain-shortened metabolites were found in blood cells, liver, white adipose tissue and (WAT) and muscle, but n-11 MUFAs were not found in the brain. The concentrations of EPA and DHA were similar in liver lipids (TAG, cholesteryl esters and NEFA) as well as in WAT, muscle and brain from rats fed the HERO or ANCO diets. To conclude, CA was taken up by tissues but did not affect levels of EPA and DHA in this diabetic rat model.
Do Extreme Weather Events Increase Public Concern, Knowledge, and Attention to Climate Change in China?
Authors: Cao Xun , Su Zheng
Published: February 2025

Do climate change-related extreme weather events affect public concern, knowledge, and attention to climate change in China? Matching extreme weather events data from the Emergency Events Database with the 2010 Chinese General Social Survey, we first test whether people in prefectures with more extreme weather events consider climate change more damaging and have a better knowledge of it. We find no such associations. Moreover, we collect 2020 data on extreme whether events from local newspapers for five Eastern and Southeastern Chinese provinces and test whether these events increase public attention to climate change, measured by Baidu search volume index. No associations are found. Interestingly, in prefecture-days with more Covid cases, local population conducted more Baidu searches on climate change and the environment, supporting the ‘great reflection’ thesis, i.e., major shocks like the pandemic put a spotlight on fundamental challenges facing the humanity and have gotten us to reassess our priorities.