bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients With Vertebral Bone Marrow Lesions
Authors: Li Wentian , Tu Ji , Zheng Jinjian , Das Abhirup , Yan Qi , Jiang Xiaotao , Ding Wenyuan , Bai Xupeng , Lai Kaitao , Yang Sidong , Yang Cao , Zou Jun , Diwan Ashish D. , Zheng Zhaomin
Published: January 2025

Background

Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a significant global health concern, often linked to vertebral bone marrow lesions (BML), particularly fatty replacement (FR). This study aims to explore the relationship between the gut microbiome, serum metabolome, and FR in chronic LBP patients.

Methods

Serum metabolomic profiling and gut microbiome analysis were conducted in chronic LBP patients with and without FR (LBP + FR, n = 40; LBP, n = 40) and Healthy Controls (HC, n = 31). The study investigates alterations in branched‐chain amino acids (BCAAs) levels and identifies key microbial species associated with BCAA metabolism. In vitro experiments elucidate the role of BCAAs in adipogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) via the SIRT4 pathway.

Results

Chronic LBP patients with FR exhibit depleted BCAA levels in their serum metabolome, along with alterations in the gut microbiome. Specific microbial species, including Ruminococcus gnavus, Roseburia hominis, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium 8 1 57FAA, are identified as influential in BCAA metabolism and BM‐MSCs metabolism. In vitro experiments demonstrate the ability of BCAAs to induce BM‐MSCs adipogenesis through SIRT4 pathway activation.

Conclusion

This study sheds light on the intricate relationship between the disturbed gut ecosystem, serum metabolites, and FR in chronic LBP. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiome may contribute to altered BCAA degradation, subsequently promoting BM‐MSCs adipogenesis and FR. Understanding these interactions provides insights for targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate chronic LBP associated with FR by restoring gut microbial balance and modulating serum metabolite profiles.
Solventless Dual‐Cure Liquid Resins Via Circular Use of Phthalic Anhydride for Recyclable Composite Applications
Authors: Musgrave Grant M. , Reese Caleb J. , Kirk Tyler A. , Wang Chen
Published: January 2025

Fiber‐reinforced composites (FRCs) possess a remarkable strength‐to‐weight ratio, making them ideal light‐weighing alternative materials of metals used in automotive, aerospace, and outdoor equipment applications, but their recycling is challenging. Chemically recyclable thermoset polymers can enable fiber recovery and reuse; however, challenges remain in the separation and purification of depolymerized small molecules for efficient polymer recycling. To this end, a series of liquid resins for chemically recyclable polymer networks is designed based on phthalic anhydride, a widely produced and inexpensive chemical. The straightforward sublimation of phthalic anhydride is leveraged to enable a simple and efficient separation process for polymer recycling. To liquefy phthalic anhydride, five mono‐acryloyl‐phthalates are synthesized to obtain stable liquid resins together with phthalic diglycidyl ester. These liquid resins undergo dual‐cure reactions that comprise photopolymerization of acrylate and, subsequently, heat‐mediated epoxy‐acid polymerization reactions. These liquid resins exhibit moderate viscosities (2600–6400 cP @ 22 °C), fast curing, and robust thermomechanical properties (Tgs from 71 to 116 °C). It is demonstrated that hydrolysis of the dual‐cured polymers completes within 2 h at 80 °C, and direct sublimation produces phthalic anhydride with 82% yield. This resin system is expected to provide a cost‐competitive, highly efficient platform for recyclable FRCs.
Robust Sampled‐Data Synchronization of Memristor Inertial Competitive Neural Networks With Two Delay Components
Authors: Subhashri A. R. , Radhika T.
Published: January 2025

The current study addresses the issue of synchronization in competitive neural networks that are based on memristors and involve an inertial term, parameter uncertainty, and two delay components using sampled‐data control. To achieve synchronization, appropriate Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functionals (LKFs) are constructed, which include double and triple integral terms that capture the information of time delay cross terms. Some sufficient synchronization conditions are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) using an improved reciprocally convex combination inequality and generalized free weighting matrices inequality. The effectiveness of the proposed findings is highlighted through an illustrative example, validating the robustness and reliability of the developed synchronization approach.
Exploring the feasibility of millimeter‐wave sensors for non‐invasive respiratory motion visualization in diagnostic imaging and therapy
Authors: Kosaka Hiroyuki , Kubo Kazuki , Matsumoto Kenji , Nakamura Yasunori , Monzen Hajime
Published: January 2025

Background

Management of respiratory motion during radiation therapy is essential for accurate dose delivery and minimizing the risk to organs. In diagnostic imaging, respiratory monitoring is required for confirmation of breath‐hold and four‐dimensional computed tomography (CT) reconstruction. Although respiratory monitoring systems are widely used in radiation therapy, they are not often used for diagnostic imaging, where they could improve image quality.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to use a millimeter‐wave sensor (MWS) to noninvasively visualize respiratory motion, confirm breath‐holding, and explore the potential for clinical implementation of an MWS in diagnostic x‐ray imaging, CT, and radiation therapy.

Methods

A 24 GHz microMWS was used in this study. The MWS directionality was determined using a radio‐wave dark‐box system. An antenna directionality test evaluated the effective azimuthal and elevational beamwidths. Respiratory waveforms were detected by optimizing the fast Fourier transform threshold and the cutoff frequencies of the bandpass filter. To confirm the reproducibility of the MWS, the detected waveforms were compared with those of a respiratory motion phantom (QUASAR), the amplitude of motion of which could be controlled. The time from valley to peak of the waveforms obtained by normalized MWS and the QUASAR were compared. The MWS was used to acquire respiratory waveforms of 20 healthy volunteers (including an infant and a child) in geometries adopted during chest CT (supine position; anteroposterior view; source‐to‐surface distance, 400 mm) and chest x‐ray imaging (standing position; posteroanterior view; source‐to‐surface distance, 1800 mm).

Results

The effective azimuthal and elevational beamwidths of the MWS were approximately ± 20° and ± 40°, respectively. By optimizing the acquisition parameters (high‐sensitivity setting; with noise cancelling; frequency range, 10–20 min−1), the waveforms detected using the MWS approximately matched those of the respiratory motion phantom at all amplitudes. The MWS was also used to confirm breath‐holding in 18 volunteers in both supine (anteroposterior view) and standing (posteroanterior view) positions. In addition, for an infant and a child who were unable to follow the instruction to stop breathing, a visual count of their inhalations matched the number of respiratory cycles measured using the MWS.

Conclusion

The 24 GHz MWS successfully monitored respiratory motion and breath‐holding during radiographic and CT imaging. With effective directionality and stability, this system holds promise for clinical management of respiratory motion during diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy.
Development of a CT radiomics prognostic model for post renal tumor resection overall survival based on transformer enhanced K‐means clustering
Authors: Wang Yiren , Li Yunfei , Chen Shouying , Wen Zhongjian , Hu Yiheng , Zhang Huaiwen , Zhou Ping , Pang Haowen
Published: January 2025

Background

Kidney tumors, common in the urinary system, have widely varying survival rates post‐surgery. Current prognostic methods rely on invasive biopsies, highlighting the need for non‐invasive, accurate prediction models to assist in clinical decision‐making.

Purpose

This study aimed to construct a K‐means clustering algorithm enhanced by Transformer‐based feature transformation to predict the overall survival rate of patients after kidney tumor resection and provide an interpretability analysis of the model to assist in clinical decision‐making.

Methods

This study was based on a publicly available C4KC‐KiTS‐2019 dataset from the TCIA database, including preoperative computed tomography (CT) images and survival time data of 210 patients. Initially, the radiomics features of the kidney tumor area were extracted using the 3D slicer software. Feature selection was then conducted using ICC, mRMR algorithms, and LASSO regression to calculate radiomics scores. Subsequently, the selected features were input into a pre‐trained Transformer model for feature transformation to obtain a higher‐dimensional feature set. Then, K‐means clustering was performed using this feature set, and the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan–Meier curves. Finally, the SHAP interpretability algorithm was used for the feature importance analysis of the K‐means clustering results.

Results

Eleven important features were selected from 851 radiomics features. The K‐means clustering model after Transformer feature transformation showed AUCs of 0.889, 0.841, and 0.926 for predicting 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year overall survival rates, respectively, thereby outperforming both the K‐means model with original feature inputs and the radiomics score method. A clustering analysis revealed survival prognosis differences among different patient groups, and a SHAP analysis provided insights into the features that had the most significant impacts on the model predictions.

Conclusions

The K‐means clustering algorithm enhanced by the Transformer feature transformation proposed in this study demonstrates promising accuracy and interpretability in predicting the overall survival rate after kidney tumor resection. This method provides a valuable tool for clinical decision‐making and contributes to improved management and treatment strategies for patients with kidney tumors.
Hormonal Regulation of Urokinase‐ and Tissue‐Type Plasminogen Activator in Mouse Sertoli Cells
Authors: Carosi Sara , Innocenti Federica , Monaco Lucia , Laurenzi Gaia , Saracino Rossana , Canipari Rita , Vicini Elena
Published: January 2025

A role for the plasminogen activator (PA) system has been postulated in mammalian gonads, considering the complex process of morphogenesis these organs undergo during their development. Our results show that mouse Sertoli cells under basal conditions produce both types of PA, tissue‐type PA (tPA) and urokinase‐type PA (uPA), and hormonal treatments increase the production of both enzymes. The increased enzyme secretion does not correlate with a parallel increase in their mRNAs. However, the proteolytic activity results from a balance between enzyme activity and inhibitors. Hormonal stimulation decreased the expression of the inhibitor PAI‐1, suggesting that the increase in proteolytic activity might depend on the decreased production of PAI‐1.

The expression of the two enzymes and their inhibitor depends on the seminiferous epithelium stage. We observed higher uPA mRNA levels at stages VII‐VIII and IX‐XII, tPA peaks at stages VII‐VIII, and PAI‐1 mRNA levels decreased at stages VII‐VIII and IX‐XII.

The testes from mice lacking the uPA gene (uPA−/−) presented statistically smaller sizes and weights. Histological analysis of uPA−/−animals showed tubular morphology defects and atypical residual bodies (RB), suggesting a defect in Sertoli cell phagocytosis. Moreover, we show lower sperm concentration and motility in uPA−/− mice. These data suggested an effective deficiency of testicular development in the absence of uPA.
Understanding smallholder decision‐making to increase farm tree diversity: Enablers and barriers for forest landscape restoration in Western Kenya
Authors: Bosshard Ennia , Carter Harrison , Aluso Lillian , Chumba Reuben , Kaiser‐Bunbury Christopher N. , Kettle Chris J. , Nuno Ana
Published: January 2025

Integrating diverse trees and shrubs (hereafter ‘trees’) in agricultural landscapes has emerged as a crucial nature‐based solution to the triple challenge of biodiversity loss, climate change and food security. The potential benefits of on‐farm trees for both people and nature, however, are often constrained by inadequate consideration of local socio‐ecological factors and an overall lack of species diversity. A deeper understanding of what drives farmers' decision‐making in diversifying farm trees is needed to ensure that scaling up tree‐based restoration efforts in smallholder landscapes delivers the promised benefits locally and globally.

We conducted surveys with 620 smallholder farmers across Vihiga County in Western Kenya using an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behaviour to investigate potential drivers of smallholder intentions to grow more diverse woody plants on their farms. Data was analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM).

We found that farmers were more likely to diversify on‐farm trees if they had completed education beyond secondary school, derived all their income from their farms, were household heads and were among the wealthiest 20% of farmers.

Our results revealed that farmers' decisions about increasing tree diversity were also influenced by socio‐psychological factors, namely their past experiences, the perceived behaviour and opinions of other farmers, their confidence in their ability to increase tree diversity, and their attitudes toward the expected outcomes of growing a wider range of tree species. Key barriers preventing farmers from diversifying were concerns about attracting harmful wildlife, decreasing soil fertility, small farm sizes, lack of time and knowledge, and certain cultural beliefs about planting trees.

Synthesis and applications. Understanding the factors influencing farmers' intentions to increase tree diversity on their farms has substantial implications for the success of nature‐based solutions in Western Kenya and other densely populated smallholder landscapes. Addressing the identified barriers and enablers is crucial to design targeted interventions to promote sustainable tree diversification practices among smallholders to bolster local livelihoods and food security while contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
‘CP 16‐1883’ a new sugarcane cultivar released for Florida organic soils
Authors: Coto Arbelo Orlando , Momotaz Aliya , Sood Sushma , Islam Md S. , Baltazar Miguel , Davidson Wayne , Sandhu Hardev S.
Published: January 2025

In South Florida, sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is cultivated on muck (organic) and sandy (mineral) soils. In 2022, 119,014 ha of sugarcane was grown on muck soil, which encompassed 72.2% of the total sugarcane acreage in Florida. The Canal Point (CP) sugarcane breeding program has the mandate of developing improved sugarcane cultivars for Florida growers. ‘CP 16‐1883’ (Reg. no. CV‐219, PI 705625), a sugarcane cultivar, and complex hybrid of Saccharum spp., was developed through cooperative research of the USDA‐ARS, the University of Florida, and the Florida Sugarcane League and was released to growers in Florida on June 6, 2023. CP 16‐1883 was selected from the cross CPX13‐0991 made at CP Sugarcane Field Station on December 9, 2013; varieties ‘CPCL 05‐1201’ and ‘CP 07‐1746’ were the female and male parents, respectively. CP 16‐1883 was selected from the early stages of selection based on its high cane yield, sucrose content, and sugar yield, and its acceptable resistance to main diseases affecting sugarcane in South Florida. Replicated trials, including CP 16‐1883, were planted on muck soils at five locations and harvested during three crops cycles at each location. The overall cane yield, commercial recoverable sucrose, sucrose content, and the economic index of CP 16‐1883 were higher than the reference cultivars. In addition, CP 16‐1883 displays good ratooning ability for cane yield and minimal Pol and sucrose decreases after freezing temperatures.
Review Paper on the Field Measurement of Parcel Packaging Drop for Testing Purposes
Authors: Böröcz Péter , Németh Zsófia
Published: January 2025

The parcel delivery shipping industry has developed rapidly all over the world in the last 10–15 years. These parcel packages are generally small and have a high risk of damage due to the numerous handling events during delivery services. Inefficient packaging solutions can lead to significant costs and increase the occurrence of product damage. This problem is widely known, and packaging engineers have tried to simulate field physical events in the laboratory to optimize the protective packaging system. Drop events during parcel delivery are one of the primary causes of damage for small individual shipments and need to be precisely simulated to achieve optimized product protection. Over the past 50 years, drop tests have become common practice as a pre‐shipment test for parcel packages, and many devices have been developed to measure and observe these physical events during package transit. Due to the nature of packages and their variations, different field measurements and observations have been presented across continents and countries and have been implemented in general practices. A review of drop event observations is required to summarize and critically evaluate recent results. This review begins with an overview of the drop observation methods [real drop height (RDH) and effective drop height (EDH)], then discusses methods proposed by standards organizations, followed by a focus on the setup and materials of measuring systems used by researchers to record the events. Finally, a summary of previous results is presented, which can serve as a guide for further research on the topic.
PEARL: Protein Eluting Alginate with Recombinant Lactobacilli
Authors: Tadimarri Varun Sai , Blanch‐Asensio Marc , Deshpande Ketaki , Baumann Jonas , Baumann Carole , Müller Rolf , Trujillo Sara , Sankaran Shrikrishnan
Published: January 2025

Engineered living materials (ELMs) made of bacteria in hydrogels have shown considerable promise for therapeutic applications through controlled and sustained release of complex biopharmaceuticals at low costs and with reduced wastage. While most therapeutic ELMs use E. coli due to its large genetic toolbox, most live biotherapeutic bacteria in development are lactic acid bacteria due to native health benefits they offer. Among these, lactobacilli form the largest family of probiotics with therapeutic potential in almost all sites of the body with a microbiome. A major factor limiting the use of lactobacilli in ELMs is their limited genetic toolbox. This study expands on recent work to expand the genetic programmability of probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 for protein secretion and encapsulate it in a simple, cost‐effective, and biocompatible core–shell alginate bead to develop an ELM. The controlled release of recombinant proteins is demonstrated, even up to 14 days from this ELM, thereby terming it PEARL – Protein Eluting Alginate with Recombinant Lactobacilli. Notably, lactobacillus encapsulation offered benefits like bacterial containment, protein release profile stabilization, and metabolite‐induced cytotoxicity prevention. These findings demonstrate the mutual benefits of combining recombinant lactobacilli with alginate for the controlled and sustained release of proteins.
Tailoring of Selective Chemo‐Responsiveness in Liquid Crystals via Organic Ionic Plastic Crystals
Authors: Choi Jin‐Kang , Jeong Kyeong‐Jun , Choi Yena , Kim Won‐Sik , Shin Jong Chan , Im Jun‐Hyung , Kim Hyein , Lee Minjae , Son Chang Yun , Kim Young‐Ki
Published: January 2025

Liquid crystals (LCs) are widely used as promising stimuli‐responsive materials due to their unique combination of liquid and crystalline properties, providing the capability to sense even molecular‐scale events and amplify them into macroscopic optical outputs. However, encoding a high level of selectivity to a specific intermolecular event remains a key challenge, leading to prior studies regarding chemically functionalized LC interfaces. Herein, we propose an integrative strategy to significantly advance the design of chemo‐responsive LCs through a deep fundamental understanding on the orientational coupling of LCs with new functional molecules, organic ionic plastic crystals (OIs), presented at LC interfaces. In combination with computational simulations and experimental validations, we reveal the correlative interplay between LCs and each functional group in OI (di‐cationic headgroup, aliphatic tails, and counter anions) to offer an excellent degree of freedom in tailoring the chemo‐responsive features in LCs. Especially, we find the crystalline nature of OIs to provide new insights into the effects of counter anions, generating distinct quadrupolar interactions with adjacent molecules. Overall, our results provide generalizable design principles for the chemo‐responsive materials that can explicitly distinguish the specific intermolecular event such as molecular bindings of OIs with acetic acid from those with propionic acid (one carbon difference).
Dual‐Source Evaporation Processed Novel NaBiS2 Absorber Material for Eco‐Friendly and Stable Photovoltaics
Authors: Yi Zijun , Zhang Long , Zhang Wenguang , Huang Yihuai , Xiong Yuchen , Huang Changkai , Shen Guibin , Basit Abdul , Ren Xuehong , Luo Yubo , Li Xin , Yang Junyou
Published: January 2025

Exploring and developing novel, low‐cost, and environmentally friendly photovoltaic materials is a vital trend in the evolution of solar cell technology. The distinctive properties of alkali bismuth ternary sulfides have spurred increased research and application in optoelectronic devices. In this study, a novel method is reported for preparing NaBiS2 film by sequential thermal evaporation of Na2S and Bi2S3 layers followed by heating post‐treatment for the first time, as well as the preparation of solar cells with NaBiS2 as the light‐absorbing layer. Based on X‐ray diffraction and Raman analysis, the prepared NaBiS2 film is confirmed to be a single‐phase material, without the presence of any secondary phases. Additionally, the photoelectric characteristics of NaBiS2 are investigated and incorporated this material into solar cell devices. By optimizing the device architecture, the solar cell utilizing NaBiS2 as the light‐absorbing layer achieved a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 2.91%, which is the highest efficiency reported for NaBiS2 solar cells up to now. The research has provided a valuable perspective and path for the development of novel photovoltaic materials in the solar cell field.
Dual‐Induced Directed Deposition Mechanism Based on Anionic Surfactants Enables Long Cycle Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Wu Bing , Lu Tiantian , Bai Xiang , Zhang Jiahui , Chang Xinyue , Hou Lifeng , Wei Yinghui , Wang Qian , Ni Jiangfeng
Published: January 2025

Aqueous zinc‐ion battery has low cost, and environmental friendliness, emerging as a promising candidate for next‐generation battery systems. However, it still suffers from a limited cycling life, caused by dendritic Zn growth and severe side reactions. Recent research highlights that the Zn (002) crystal plane exhibits superior anti‐corrosive properties and a horizontal growth pattern. However, achieving uniform deposition on the Zn (002) plane remains a formidable challenge. Here, preferential rapid growth of the Zn (002) plane is manipulated via the dual‐induced deposition effect of anionic surfactant (2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid, AMPS), achieving Zn metal anode with ultralong cycle life. AMPS can preferentially adsorb on the Zn (100) and Zn (101) crystal planes, exposing the Zn (002) plane as a nucleation site for Zn2+ ions, while the abundant presence of amide groups in AMPS can form fast ion channels, inducing rapid and uniform Zn deposition. Thus, even using 30 µm Zn foils, the symmetric cells can maintain a stable plating‐stripping process over 5000 h, and Zn.
Micro‐/Nanohierarchical Surfaces for Enhanced Pool Boiling in Large‐Area Silicon Multichips
Authors: Lee Youngseob , Kim Kiwan , Kim Yunseo , Kong Daeyoung , Park Jeonghwan , Son Daehyuk , Kang Sungchan , Hong Seogwoo , Lee Hyoungsoon
Published: January 2025

With the rising demand for data centers, the need for an efficient thermal management approach becomes increasingly critical. This study examines the enhancement in pool boiling heat transfer on a customized multichip module, designed to mimic artificial intelligence chip layouts for high‐performance computing. Experiments are conducted on smooth surfaces and hierarchical structures integrating micropillars and porous copper, specifically copper inverse opal (CuIO) and copper nanowire (NW). The results demonstrate significant enhancements in critical heat flux (CHF) and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) through these hierarchical structures. Notably, the NW‐CuIO‐integrated hierarchical structure exhibits the highest CHF (234 W cm−2), achieving a 166% enhancement over smooth silicon. The HTC enhancement is more pronounced for the CuIO‐integrated hierarchical structure; this structure achieves an HTC of 70.3 kW m−2 K−1, which represents a 166% improvement. The heater layout, engineered surfaces, and their synergistic effects are analyzed through visualization. The observed boiling inversion phenomena further underscore the importance of sequential activation of nucleation sites in improving boiling performance. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms governing the enhancement of boiling heat transfer and offers practical guidance for developing efficient thermal management solutions for data centers.
Group Transfer Learning for High‐Dimensional Linear Regression
Authors: Chen Chen , Xu Dawei , Ding Juan , Zhang Junjian , Xiong Wenjun
Published: January 2025

Transfer learning is a powerful technique for enhancing parameter estimation in target datasets by incorporating information from related source datasets. However, traditional transfer learning methods often assess the overall transferability of source data without fully considering partially transferable components. To address this, we propose a novel group transfer learning (GTL) algorithm that efficiently integrates both fully and partially transferable data by grouping parameters based on their transferability. Our approach includes an adaptive mechanism to identify transferable parameter groups when their transferability is unknown. We provide theoretical guarantees for the effectiveness of the GTL algorithm in parameter estimation and its ability to accurately detect transferable segments. Extensive simulations and real‐world case studies demonstrate that our method surpasses existing approaches in estimation accuracy and robustness.
Steam sterilisation of disposable surgical gowns does not compromise resistance to wet microbial penetration
Authors: Stael Janne , Haspeslagh Maarten , Beekhuis Ilse , Martens Ann
Published: January 2025

Background

Reuse of disposable medical products is common practice in veterinary medicine; however, studies on the safety of such reuse are often lacking. This study aimed to determine whether steam sterilisation of disposable surgical gowns compromises their resistance to wet microbial penetration.

Methods

Twenty surgical gowns were removed from their sterile packaging, manipulated, wetted, dried and subsequently repacked and steam sterilised. The protocol was performed once (groups A and C) or twice (groups B and D) for both spunbond/meltblown/meltblown/meltblown/spunbond (SMMMS) (groups A and B) and spunlace (groups C and D) fabric types. Wet microbial penetration tests, carried out according to the European Standard EN ISO 22610, were performed and the barrier index (IB) was calculated to assess the performance requirements.

Results

The mean IB of the SMMMS fabric (groups A and B) and the spunlace fabric (groups C and D) were 3.496, 3.182, 3.206 and 3.490, respectively. The mean IB for all groups was significantly greater than 2.8 (group A: p = 0.005; groups B, C and D: p < 0.001).

Limitations

This was an experimental study with a small sample size, and only one of nine performance requirements specified in the relevant European standards was tested. Furthermore, no cleaning process was implemented, so the test results cannot be directly extrapolated to real‐world clinical settings.

Conclusion

In terms of wet microbial penetration, as defined by European standards, disposable surgical gowns made of SMMMS or spunlace can be safely steam sterilised up to two times.
An online case‐based radiology course improves veterinary students’ day one competency in small animal radiographic interpretation
Authors: Devine Elizabeth , Hunt Julie A. , Mavromatis Marina V. , Anderson Stacy L.
Published: January 2025

Background

Accurate radiographic interpretation is an important day one skill. A case‐based radiology course (CBC) demonstrated better learning outcomes than a lecture‐based course (LBC) immediately and after a one‐semester period. The aim of this study was to compare long‐term learning outcomes of both groups.

Methods

Veterinary students who took both the CBC and LBC during their fourth or fifth semesters (n = 21) were compared to students who only completed the LBC (n = 17) regarding their ability to interpret small animal radiographs and write radiology reports at graduation (end of ninth semester).

Results

Students who completed the CBC scored better on both radiology reports than LBC students. All students reported similar frequency and role in interpreting radiographs during clinical training. However, students who took the CBC were more confident in their ability to interpret radiographs.

Limitations

Students who completed the CBC may have had more interest in radiology or may have been more self‐motivated to learn radiology. However, there were no measured differences in CBC and LBC students’ self‐reported role or frequency of reading radiographs during clinical training.

Conclusions

Introducing a CBC in students’ fourth or fifth semester improved students’ competency in radiographic interpretation and report writing upon graduation 2 years later. This study supports active learning methods in teaching radiology and the use of case‐based learning in the preclinical phase.
Service Innovation in the Eyes of Customers: The Swedish Innovation Index
Authors: Pilawa Joanna , Witell Lars , Kristensson Per
Published: January 2025

The growing importance of service has brought greater opportunities for service innovations to influence the market and improve both customers’ and firms’ situations. Despite efforts by firms to develop service innovations, they often fail to introduce new services on the market. Ultimately, customers are the ones to assess, buy, and use a new service. That is why the Swedish Innovation Index was introduced as a customer-centric perspective on service innovation, which measures firms based on customers’ perceptions of their innovations. This allows firms to predict the future adoption of new services and the relative attractiveness of the firms. The Swedish Innovation Index provides a new perspective that is independent of the firm-centric view of innovation. It opens avenues for both managers and academics to observe, predict, and better utilize the potential of service innovations.
Testing the light scalar meson as a non-$$ q\overline{q} $$ state in semileptonic D decays
Authors: Hsiao Yu-Kuo , Yang Shu-Qi , Wei Wen-Juan , Ke Bai-Cian
Published: January 2025

Abstract

While the light scalar mesons (S
0) are considered to be either ordinary

$$ q\overline{q} $$

q

q
¯

or exotic tetraquark states, we investigate the semileptonic decays D → S
0
e
+
ν

e
, by taking into account the resonant effects of S
0 → M
1
M
2, where S
0 = a
0(980), f
0(980), and f
0(500)/σ
0, and M
1(2) represents a pseudoscalar meson. For the first time, the D → S
0 form factors in the two quark structures are both presented. Subsequently, we calculate

$$ \mathcal{B} $$

B

(

$$ {D}_s^{+} $$

D
s
+

→ σ
0
e
+
ν

e
, σ
0 → π
+
π

−
) = (20.3 ± 1.8 ± 0.5) × 10
−4 in the

$$ q\overline{q} $$

q

q
¯

structure, showing significant 9σ deviations from the experimental upper limit of 3.3 × 10
−4. In contrast,

$$ \mathcal{B} $$

B

(

$$ {D}_s^{+} $$

D
s
+

→ σ
0
e
+
ν

e
, σ
0 → π
+
π

−
) = (

$$ {0.58}_{-0.57}^{+1.43} $$

0.58

−
0.57

+
1.43

± 0.01) × 10
−4 in the

$$ {q}^2{\overline{q}}^2 $$

q
2

q
¯

2

structure is within the allowed experimental range. Clearly, the light scalar meson is tested as a non-

$$ q\overline{q} $$

q

q
¯

state. We hence demonstrate a highly sensitive new approach for exploring the true nature of scalar mesons, which can be extended to non-leptonic D decays as well as B meson decays.
Diagnostic utility of chest wall vessel involvement sign on ultra-high-resolution CT for primary lung cancer infiltrating the chest wall
Authors: Uota Fuga , Iwano Shingo , Kamiya Shinichiro , Ito Rintaro , Nakamura Shota , Chen-Yoshikawa Toyofumi Fengshi , Naganawa Shinji
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Chest wall infiltration in primary lung cancer affects the surgical and therapeutic strategies. This study evaluates the efficacy of the chest wall vessel involvement in subpleural lung cancer (CWVI)　on ultra-high-resolution CT (UHR-CT) for detecting chest wall invasion.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of lung cancer cases with confirmed pleural and chest wall invasion was conducted from November 2019 to April 2022. Seventy-seven patients (mean ± standard deviation age 70 ± 8 years, 64 males) who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced UHR-CT were included. They were grouped into 51 non-chest wall infiltration (pl1 and pl2) and 26 chest wall infiltration (pl3). Clinical, histopathological, and UHR-CT findings were reviewed.

Results

Upper lobe tumors exhibited a higher chest wall invasion rate (p < 0.001). Rib destruction was evident in five patients with chest wall invasion but none with pleural invasion (p < 0.001). CWVI was present in 19 of 26 patients with chest wall invasion and 2 of 51 patients with pleural invasion (p < 0.001). The maximum tumor diameter (Dmax), arch distance which means the interface length between the primary tumor and the chest wall (Adist), and the ratio of Dmax to Adist were higher in chest wall invasion cases (all p < 0.001). After excluding patients with rib destruction, in multivariate logistic regression analysis, only CWVI was a significant predictor for chest wall invasion (odds ratio 29.22 (95% confidence interval 9.13–262.90), p < 0.001).

Conclusion

CWVI on UHR-CT can help diagnose lung cancer infiltrating the chest wall, offering a potential tool for clinical decision-making.

Key Points

Question

Chest wall infiltration in primary lung cancer has implications for the treatment plan, but diagnosis is often difficult with conventional CT.

Findings

Chest wall vessel involvement in subpleural lung cancer on ultra-high-resolution CT is a valuable predictor for diagnosing chest wall infiltration.

Clinical relevance

The delineation of chest wall vessels with contrast-enhanced ultra-high-resolution CT may improve the diagnosis of chest wall infiltration and allow accurate staging and optimal treatment options for subpleural primary lung cancer.

Graphical Abstract
Evaluating the role of moonlight-darkness dynamics as proximate spawning cues in an Acropora coral
Authors: de la Torre Cerro Rubén , Beauchamp Elizabeth , Buzzoni Daisy , Craggs Jamie , East Holly , Edwards Alasdair , Golbuu Yimnang , Humanes Adriana , Lachs Liam , Martínez Helios , Mill Aileen , van der Steeg Eveline , Ward Alex , Guest James R.
Published: January 2025

For sessile broadcast spawning marine invertebrates, such as corals, successful sexual reproduction depends on conspecifics spawning synchronously. The precise monthly, lunar, and diel timing and the extent of synchrony, i.e., proportion of population reproducing at the same time, are likely to play a key role in coral population recovery, persistence, and adaptation. Despite its importance, the mechanisms by which different environmental factors trigger corals to spawn on specific dates within the lunar cycle remain poorly understood. Periods of darkness post-sunset around full moon of the spawning month have been shown to induce spawning in merulinid corals, whereas for Acropora, moonlight is considered the main determinant driver of night of spawning. Here, we conducted two manipulative field experiments around full moon in Palau using the common table coral Acropora aff. hyacinthus to disentangle the role of moonlight and darkness post-sunset as proximate cues. Coral fragments were assigned to three treatments providing different post-sunset darkness conditions, versus control and procedural control fragments exposed to natural conditions. In contrast to previous studies on Acropora, we found that Acropora aff. hyacinthus can spawn synchronously in the absence of moonlight during the nights leading to spawning. Corals exposed to darkness post-sunset for at least two to three consecutive nights advanced their spawning compared to controls. This finding indicates that periods of darkness post-sunset can act as an inducer for spawning in Acropora as well as in merulinid corals, suggesting that this mechanism may be more widespread than previously thought.
Estimation of surface doses in the presence of an air gap under a bolus for a 6 MV clinical photon beam - a phantom study
Authors: Lobo Dilson , Srinivas Challapalli , Banerjee Sourjya , Athiyamaan M.S. , Johan Sunny K. , Krishna Abhishek
Published: January 2025

Goal of the present study was to develop and build a phantom that replicates the air gaps under a gel bolus and to estimate the surface dose (Dsurf) under normal incidence with a 6 MV photon beam. For this, an acrylic phantom with 10 plates, each including five open slots (one in the centre and four off axis) with a size of 2 cm × 2 cm at depths of 0.54 cm, 0.72 cm, 0.90 cm, 1.26 cm, and 1.62 cm from the phantom’s surface was used. Computed tomography image sets were obtained without and with a gel bolus (thickness: 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm) placed on top of the phantom. Dose calculations were performed with the XiO treatment planning system (TPS) for a 6 MV photon beam at normal incidence and a field size of 15 cm × 15 cm that covered all the slots. A virtual bolus in TPS was employed in CT picture sets that did not include a bolus. Six points of interest at a depth of 1 mm from the surface contour of each slot were used to determine the mean surface dose (Dsurf) estimated by the TPS with and without the presence of a bolus. It turned out that, as the depth of the air gap (between skin surface and bolus surface) increased from 0.54 cm to 1.62 cm, there was a 25.2% increase in Dsurf without bolus, followed by an increase of 7.6%, 6.4%, and 7.7% for a virtual bolus with 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm thickness, while corresponding increases were 14.8%, 14.3%, and 8.3% for an actual bolus, respectively. However, as the thickness of the air gap increased, Dsurf under the bolus decreased (from − 17.5% to -18.8%, and from − 10.4% to -16.9%, for a virtual and a physical bolus, respectively). It is concluded that, to ensure a homogeneous Dsurf across the treatment area, extra attention should be given while utilizing a bolus in clinical radiation applications, to avoid any air gaps under the bolus.
Modelling mortality by cause of death and socio-economic stratification: an analysis of mortality differentials in England
Authors: Villegas Andrés M. , Bajekal Madhavi , Haberman Steven
Published: January 2025

It is well known that more advantaged socio-economic groups – whether defined by educational attainment, occupation, income or area deprivation – have lower mortality rates and longer lives than less advantaged socio-economic groups. In many cases, affluent subpopulations also experience faster rates of improvement in mortality. Socio-economic differentials in mortality and longevity pose important challenges when designing public policies for tackling social inequalities; and for managing longevity risk in pension funds and annuity portfolios. The successful addressing of these social and financial challenges requires the best possible understanding of the drivers of socio-economic mortality differentials. A key step in achieving this understanding is to investigate how mortality trends for leading causes of death differ between socio-economic groups. Accordingly, the main purpose of this paper is to propose modelling techniques that enable the modelling and projection of mortality trends by cause of death and socio-economic stratification. We first extend the Lee-Carter model to allow for the consideration of coding changes in cause-specific mortality data. We then embed this model into a multiple population setting to allow for the quantification of socio-economic differences in cause-specific mortality. Using England mortality data for socio-economic subpopulations defined using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), we show that this modelling approach can be satisfactorily employed both in the assessment of the magnitude of historical mortality differentials for the main causes of death and in the projection of the possible future evolution of these differentials.
Rechtliche Herausforderungen der Wasserverfügbarkeit
Authors: Durner Wolfgang
Published: January 2025

Neben dem Klimawandel und dem Artensterben zeichnen sich in der Umweltforschung immer klarer auch
die Konturen einer globalen, Mensch und Umwelt gefährdenden Wasserkrise ab. Die drohende Wasserknappheit
erfordert als globale, europäische und deutsche Herausforderung auf allen Ebenen eine kritische Bestandsaufnahme
des geltenden Rechts. Das Völkerrecht bietet insoweit mit dem Grundsatz der angemessenen und nachhaltigen
Nutzung gemeinsamer Wasserressourcen Maßstäbe, die dem Anliegen der Wasserverfügbarkeit zwar
normativ gerecht werden, aber erheblichen Leistungsgrenzen unterliegen. Das Unionsrecht und das in seiner
Umsetzung erlassene deutsche Wasserwirtschaftsrecht zielen darauf ab, einen guten Gewässerzustand herbeizuführen,
der auch mengenmäßige Aspekte erfasst. Über das Bindeglied der wasserwirtschaftlichen Planung
ermöglicht dieses Recht eine weitreichende Steuerung der einzelnen Gewässerbenutzungen. Obwohl
auch im geltenden Wasserrecht Verbesserungspotenziale bestehen, liegt der maßgeblichen Reformbedarf
eher auf der Ebene des Vollzugs.
Comparative characterization of organ-specific phase I and II biotransformation enzyme kinetics in salmonid S9 sub-cellular fractions and cell lines
Authors: Martin Baptiste P. M. , Franco Marco E. , Schirmer Kristin
Published: January 2025

Advancing in vitro systems to address the effects of chemical pollution requires a thorough characterization of their functionalities, such as their repertoire of biotransformation enzymes. Currently, knowledge regarding the presence, activity magnitudes, and inducibility of different biotransformation pathways in vitro is scarce, particularly across organs. We report organ-specific kinetics for phase I and II biotransformation enzymes, under basal and induced conditions, in two in vitro systems using salmonid fish: S9 sub-cellular fractions from brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were compared with rainbow trout cell lines. Cyp1a and glutathione S-transferase (Gst) activities were the highest in liver S9 fractions and RTL-W1 liver cells, yet systems derived from the intestine, gills, and brain also displayed these biotransformation pathways. Cyp3a-like activity was only measurable in liver and intestinal S9 fractions, but all rainbow trout cell lines, including RTgill-W1 and RTbrain, displayed this type of activity. Furthermore, despite RTgutGC having the highest constitutive Cyp3a-like activity, its inducibility was the highest in RTL-W1 cells. Similarly, both RTL-W1 and RTgutGC cells displayed Cyp2b-like activity, but this was only measurable upon induction. Contrarily, S9 fractions from the liver, intestine and gills displayed constitutive Cyp2b-like activity. While these differences could be related to differential functionality of biological processes at the in vivo level, we provide important evidence of a broad spectrum of in vitro enzymatic activity in salmonid models. As such, both S9 fractions and cell lines represent important alternatives to animal testing for evaluating the biotransformation and bioaccumulation of environmental pollutants.

Graphical Abstract
Using winery effluents for cultivating microalgae as bio-additives for vineyards
Authors: Sousa Ana Cláudia , Dias Catarina , Martins Ana Rita , Gomes Ana Gabriela , Santos Carla Amarelo
Published: January 2025

The pursuit of sustainable food production and efficient water management has fostered collaborations among academia, industry, and producers to explore innovative business models. One such initiative involves cultivating microalgae using effluents from the wine production industry, transforming waste into valuable products, and creating circular economic benefits. Wineries can repurpose their effluents to grow microalgae, generating new revenue streams while promoting sustainability. Although microalgae biomass grown in winery effluents is unsuitable for direct human consumption due to potential contamination risks from the pollutants and microorganisms present in such effluents, it is rich in essential nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon, making it ideal for use as agro-industrial additives. The REDWine project investigates this potential by focusing on producing Chlorella vulgaris biomass as an agricultural product. The study focused on incorporating red wine production effluents in culture media to promote microalgae mixotrophic growth, conducted in 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks and a 1700 mL photobioreactor. The findings are promising, despite challenges such as growth inhibition and microbial contamination at higher effluent concentrations. Chlorella vulgaris demonstrated significant growth even at effluent concentrations of 30% (v/v), provided that the concentration of polyphenols in effluents is low, with optimal biomass productivity observed at 10% (v/v). This highlights the feasibility of using winery effluents to cultivate microalgae for sustainable agriculture. This study highlights the potential of using winery effluents to produce C. vulgaris strain A4F_Ma016 biomass, opening new avenues for innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture and the circular economy.