bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-reported symptoms and admission pathways in stroke mimics versus confirmed stroke or transient ischaemic attack: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Sørensen Viktor Frederik Idin , Eddelien Heidi Shil , Butt Jawad Haider , Kruuse Christina
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To determine patient-reported symptoms and clinical factors associated with mimics and differences in health-seeking behaviour versus stroke.

Design

This is a post-hoc analysis of a cross-sectional survey of interviews on patient-reported factors in patients admitted with suspected stroke. Patients were categorised as genuine stroke or mimic. The surveys were conducted from February 2018 to January 2019.

Setting

Two non-comprehensive stroke centres in Denmark.

Participants

Patients≥18 years (no upper age limit) admitted with symptoms of stroke to one of the non-comprehensive stroke centres or transferred from a comprehensive- or primary stroke centre were eligible for inclusion. 592 patients were included.

Outcome measures

Symptoms or clinical factors associated with stroke mimics. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with mimics. Secondarily, the number of strokes versus mimics presenting at a healthcare facility within 3 hours contacted the emergency medical service (EMS) and arrived by ambulance.

Results

Of 592 suspected patients with stroke, 113 (19.1%) were mimics; most frequently peripheral vertigo (24.7%) and migraine (11.5%). Factors associated with a higher likelihood of mimics were female sex (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.79), high Scandinavian Stroke Scale scores (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.09, per point increase), and vertigo (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.95). Factors associated with a lower likelihood of mimics were increasing age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.98 per year increase), reported limb weakness (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.89) and difficulty steering (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.93).

There was no difference between groups in the proportion of patients for whom time from symptom onset to healthcare services contact exceeded 3 hours (52.2% vs 53.7%,p=0.78). Fewer mimics contacted the EMS first, were accepted at a primary stroke centre and arrived by ambulance (p<0.05 for all variables).

Conclusion

Patient-reported vertigo and migraine are common stroke mimics. Increasing age and unilateral limb symptoms increase the likelihood of a stroke. Although symptoms are similar, prehospital pathways differ between mimics and genuine patients with stroke.
A qualitative study exploring depressed participants’ experiences of receiving Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT)
Authors: Demetriou Kalliopi , Widnall Emily , Warbrick Laura , Reed Nigel , Marchant Katie , Geschwind Nicole , Watson Rebecca , Magner-Parsons Isabella , Barter Rachel , Wright Kim A , Dunn Barney
Published: February 2025

Objectives

The current study aimed to explore participants’ views on the acceptability, impact and mechanisms of change of Augmented Depression Therapy (ADepT), a novel wellbeing-focused and recovery-oriented psychological therapy for depression.

Design

A semi-structured qualitative interview design was used, with data analysed using the framework approach.

Participants

20 participants with anhedonic depression who had received up to 20 sessions of ADepT, sampled from a pilot randomised controlled trial of ADepT versus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Setting

A primary care psychological therapy clinic in Devon, UK, with interviews occurring between May 2018 and February 2020.

Results

Participants found the wellbeing focus of ADepT acceptable. Helpful aspects of therapy were a positive therapeutic bond, the structure and flow of therapy scaffolding the learning journey, the tools and techniques of therapy helping building wellbeing and booster sessions supporting long-term recovery. Negative aspects for some participants were therapy feeling too intense and triggering feelings of failure. Participants reported significant positive impacts of treatment on wellbeing, functioning and hope. Perceived mechanisms of change were reorienting to the positive, engaging with valued goals, taking a proactive life stance, gaining confidence and motivation for change, breaking down tasks into small steps, cultivating self-care and self-compassion, enhancing help seeking and interpersonal effectiveness, changing the relationship to depression, and rediscovering the self beyond depression.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the wellbeing focus of ADepT is acceptable and leads to positive impacts, supports the logic model underpinning the intervention, and warrants continuation to a definitive trial.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN85278228.
Forecasting stroke and stroke-driven dementia in a rapidly ageing population: a model-based analysis of alternative projection scenarios for Ireland
Authors: Sexton Eithne , O'Flaherty Martin , Hickey Anne , Williams David J. , Horgan Frances , Macey Chris , Timmons Suzanne , Collins Rónán , Bennett Kathleen E
Published: February 2025

Objective

Understanding future population needs is key for informing stroke service planning. This study aims to evaluate scenarios for future trends in stroke age-specific incidence and case fatality, and estimate their impact on projected stroke and poststroke dementia prevalence in Ireland.

Design

This is an epidemiological modelling study based on a probabilistic Markov model. We extrapolated trends in age-specific stroke incidence and case fatality from 1990 to 2019 and applied these to 2016 to 2046. We defined trend scenarios based on stability and low and high decline, broadly based on the lower and upper bounds of evidence for trends to date. We also examined nonlinear trends involving decelerating decline over time and varying trends by age.

Setting/participants

The study is conducted on the Irish population aged 40–89 years in the period 2022–2046. We used multiple data sources, including systematic review and observational evidence.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We projected the incidence and prevalence of stroke (International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes I60–I61, I63–I64), poststroke dementia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria) and poststroke disability (modified Rankin Scale 3–5).

Results

The stable scenario indicated a projected 85 834 stroke survivors in 2046 (95% uncertainty interval (UI)=82 366–89 655), an increase of 45.7% from 2022. Assuming a high incidence decline and low case-fatality decline indicated a 5.4% increase in prevalence. Intermediate scenarios based on lower rates of decline, or decline rates slowing over time, implied an increase between 25.8% and 40.3%. Results did not differ substantially when we varied trends by age.

In the stable scenario, we projected 16 978 poststroke dementia prevalent cases in 2046 (95% UI 14 958–19 157), an increase of 58.9% from 2022. In the high decline scenario, the increase would be 24.5%, with intermediate scenarios implying an increase between 41.3% and 56.3%.

Conclusions

Future stroke healthcare needs will vary substantially depending on epidemiological trends. There is an urgent need to both invest in prevention strategies and plan for likely increases in future stroke care needs.
Association between parity and gravidity & hypertension and blood pressure: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gulamhusein Nabilah , Pattar Badal S B , Dumanski Sandra M , Harrison Tyrone G , Butalia Sonia , Robert Magali , Schulz Jane A , Ahmed Sofia B
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women worldwide, and hypertension is one of the most prevalent and modifiable risk factors. Parity and gravidity, independent of pregnancy complications, have each been associated with hypertension, although results are conflicting. Therefore, we propose to estimate the association between parity and gravidity with hypertension and blood pressure in a systematic review of the literature.

Methods and analysis

A systematic review will be conducted to estimate the association between parity and gravidity and hypertension and blood pressure. Electronic databases (Excerpta Medica Database, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature Plus and Web of Science) will be searched from inception to January 2025. Two investigators will independently screen identified abstracts and select observational cohort studies, case-control studies and randomised controlled trials examining parity or gravidity and hypertension or blood pressure. Extracted data will include study and population characteristics, comorbidities, parity, gravidity, incidence of hypertension and changes in blood pressure, study quality and risk of bias. If there are sufficient data, they will be summarised using random effects meta-analysis to estimate the pooled risk ratio or odds ratio of hypertension. Stratified and subgroup analyses will be used to explore potential sources of heterogeneity.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42024560535.
Effect of intermittent urethral catheter clamping combined with active urination training (ICCAUT) strategy on postoperative urinary dysfunction after radical rectal cancer surgery: single-centre randomised controlled trial (ICCAUT -1) study protocol
Authors: He Tingting , Liang Sen , Guan Yunan , Sun Jianan , Hu Haiyan , Wang Quan , Guo Yuchen
Published: February 2025

Background

Urinary catheter placement is routinely performed after proctectomy. However, there is uncertainty regarding the need for bladder training before catheter removal. This trial aims to examine the effect of intermittent catheter clamping combined with active urination training (ICCAUT) on urinary retention and secondary catheterisation after proctectomy.

Methods and analysis

Eligible patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the ICCAUT group or the free-drainage (FD) group. In the ICCAUT group, patients will undergo intermittent clamping of the urinary catheter combined with active urination training before its removal, whereas the patients in the FD group will not receive any specific training. The urinary catheter will be removed on postoperative day 2 in both groups after emptying the bladder. The primary end point is the incidence of urinary dysfunction. Secondary end points include urinary tract infection, time to first urination after catheter removal, catheter-related bladder discomfort syndrome, postoperative morbidity and mortality and urinary function within 30 days.

Ethics and dissemination

This trial was approved by the Ethics Review Committee of the First Hospital of Jilin University (24K047-001). Written informed consent will be obtained before performing any study procedures. All primary and secondary outcomes will be reported in peer-reviewed publications and at conference presentations.

Trial registration number

The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov website,NCT06241703.
Predictive Models to Estimate Construction and Life Cycle Cost of Conventional and Prefabricated Bridges During Early Design Phases
Authors: Helaly Hadil , El-Rayes Khaled , Ignacio Ernest-John
Published: February 2025

State DOTs often need to decide during the early design phase whether to build their bridges using conventional or prefabricated construction methods based on overall cost-effectiveness. This often requires DOTs to develop reliable cost-estimates of these alternative construction methods with only limited available data during the early design phase. To support DOTs in this challenging task, this paper presents the development of a practical decision support tool that integrates novel bridge cost estimating models. These models were developed using stepwise, LASSO, and best subset regression techniques and a dataset of 241 conventional and prefabricated bridges. The developed LASSO model outperformed the two other models, achieving a mean absolute percentage error of 12.3% for conventional and 14.4% for prefabricated bridge projects. The developed DST and its cost-estimating models are expected to support bridge planners in identifying the most cost-effective bridge construction method during the early design phase.
Assessing BIM adoption in the Canadian construction industry: a fuzzy Bayesian network approach
Authors: Kankanamge Dilusha , Ruparathna Rajeev
Published: February 2025

Building information modeling (BIM) adoption has been recognized as a promising development within the construction industry. While BIM offers significant advantages for managing the entire lifecycle of construction projects, its uptake in the Canadian construction sector remains limited. This study employs Bayesian belief networks (BBN) to evaluate the factors influencing the successful implementation of BIM in Canada. Key drivers were identified through a comprehensive literature review, while occurrence probability data were gathered from Canadian construction professionals and analyzed using BBN. The results of this cross-sectional analysis indicate that under current conditions, the probability of successful BIM implementation is relatively low. To improve the likelihood of successful adoption, addressing the shortage of critical BIM resources is essential. The proposed BBN framework serves as a prototype for assessing BIM implementation success across various regions, providing valuable insights for industry stakeholders
Revisiting $$B\rightarrow K^*\pi $$ and $$B\rightarrow K\rho $$ decays using the modified perturbative QCD approach
Authors: Wang Ru-Xuan , Yang Mao-Zhi
Published: February 2025

We revisit

$$B\rightarrow K^*\pi $$

B
→

K
∗

π

and

$$B\rightarrow K\rho $$

B
→
K
ρ

decay processes using the modified perturbative QCD approach, which is developed based on the perturbative QCD approach with a few improvements. A critical infrared cutoff scale

$$\mu _c$$

μ
c

is introduced to separate hard and soft contributions in the decay process. Hard contributions with scale

$$\mu $$

μ

larger than

$$\mu _c$$

μ
c

are calculated with perturbative QCD, and soft contributions with

$$\mu <\mu _c$$

μ
<

μ
c

are described in terms of soft transition and production form factors. In addition, color-octet contributions are considered phenomenologically. The branching fractions and CP violations of

$$B\rightarrow K^*\pi $$

B
→

K
∗

π

,

$$K\rho $$

K
ρ

decays are calculated. With appropriate parameter inputs, the theoretical results can be in good agreement with experimental data.
Charged spherically symmetric and slowly rotating charged black hole solutions in bumblebee gravity
Authors: Liu Jia-Zhou , Guo Wen-Di , Wei Shao-Wen , Liu Yu-Xiao
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we study the scenario in which the matter field is an electromagnetic field nonminimally coupled to the bumblebee vector field. We present exact charged spherically symmetric black hole solutions and slowly rotating charged solutions in bumblebee gravity with and without a cosmological constant. The static spherically symmetric solutions describe the Reissner–Nordström-like black hole and Reissner–Nordström-(anti) de Sitter-like black hole, while the stationary and axially symmetric solutions describe the Kerr–Newman-like black hole and Kerr–Newman–(anti) de Sitter-like black hole. We utilize the Hamilton–Jacobi formalism to study the shadows of the black holes. Additionally, we investigate the effect of the electric charge and Lorentz-violating parameters on the radius of the shadow reference circle and the distortion parameter. We find that the radius of the reference circle decreases with the Lorentz-violating parameter and the charge parameter, while the distortion parameter increases with the Lorentz-violating parameter and the charge parameter.
Energy resolution values of GAGG:Ce crystals coupled to various SiPMs
Authors: Nikolaos Potiriadis , Aikaterini Skouroliakou , Panagiotis Liaparinos , Stratos David
Published: February 2025

GAGG:Ce (Gadolinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet doped with Cerium) crystals coupled with SiPMs (Silicon Photomultipliers) form a scintillation detector system commonly used in various fields such as medical imaging, high-energy physics, and radiation detection. The purpose of this study is to compare the energy resolution performance of GAGG:Ce crystals coupled to various SiPMs. Comparisons were conducted among crystals and photomultipliers from various companies, all featuring a pixel size of 3 × 3 mm2. The detector system consisted of a crystal optically coupled to a SiPM array, along with the photomultiplier electronics. The entire system was housed within a black box, positioned adjacent to a radiation source—a closed-type 137Cs isotope, intended for laboratory use—with a radioactivity value of 0.03 MBq. All crystals underwent surface polishing and were subsequently wrapped with multiple layers of Teflon. Additionally, an optical grease was applied between the crystal and the photomultiplier to enhance their optical properties. The size of the crystals and their coupling with the SiPMs were found to significantly impact the energy resolution. Excellent energy resolution values, up to 4.9%, were achieved for the majority of the crystals and SiPMs. Utilizing the 30035 C-Series SiPM from Onsemi, GAGG-HR single crystals exhibited the most favorable energy resolution values, achieving 5% for both 3 × 3 × 5 mm3 and 3 × 3 × 8 mm3 sizes. Furukawa GAGG:Ce crystals demonstrated consistent energy resolution ranging from 6.6% to 7.2%. Employing the PM3350 Trench type SiPM by Ketek, GAGG-HR single crystals achieved the best energy resolution values of 5.5% for 3 × 3 × 5 mm3 and 5.7% for 3 × 3 × 8 mm3 sizes. Furukawa GAGG:Ce samples of 3 × 3 × 5 mm3 crystals yielded an energy resolution value of 6.8%. When using the S10362-33 Series SiPM from Hamamatsu, the best energy resolution values were obtained with the S10362-33-050 SiPM coupled with 3 × 3 × 8 mm3 GAGG:HR crystals, resulting in an energy resolution of 8%.
Operational Research Models for E-Commerce Platforms: Business Model Innovation (Part 2)
Authors: Shen Bin , Dong Ciwei , Chan Hau-Ling
Published: February 2025

New technology innovations and operational research (OR) models can enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of e-commerce platforms. The rapid expansion of e-commerce has led to increased complexity in operations, including dynamic pricing, inventory management, last-mile delivery, and fraud detection. This special issue features nine articles exploring how advanced OR models, such as game-theory-based approaches, machine learning, and big data analytics, offer solutions to these challenges by enabling platforms to make data-driven decisions. As e-commerce evolves, these technological advancements, combined with OR models, will continue to drive platform innovation, improve efficiency, and strengthen resilience in the face of disruptions and fluctuating market demands.
First-principles analysis on the electronic structure, magnetic and optical properties of Fe-incorporated boron nitride zigzag nanotubes
Authors: Khalaf Abdulsalam M. , Motlak Moaaed , Humadi Manar A. , Rzaij Jamal M. , Nawaf Sameer , Their Othman M.
Published: February 2025

The influence of incorporating iron on the electronic structure, magnetic and optical properties of zigzag (10,0) boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) was investigated using first-principles calculations. The structures were incorporated with Fe according to B1[Formula: see text]Fe xN at various (x) contents (0.10, 0.20 and 0.30). Our calculations exhibited that adding additional Fe atoms reduced the energy gap of the structure. Incorporating more iron atoms creates additional sharp peaks within Fermi levels that come from the contribution of Fe-3d states. Doping with (Fe) also introduced magnetic moments in the BNNT structure. The optical parameters of the Fe-incorporated boron nitride nanotube are calculated. The real part of the dielectric function of pristine BNNT started to increase up to the middle of the UV region and then rapidly decreased between the wavelength range of 310–390 nm. Also, the pure boron nitride nanotube has no absorption in the visible light range and only detects UV radiation. The optical calculations showed that incorporating Fe shifted the absorption peaks of BNNTs into risky UV radiations, which helps researchers develop a vision for controlling and developing advanced materials for various electronic applications.
Hydrothermally grown cobalt phosphate hydrate microflowers for supercapacitors: Effect of reaction temperature
Authors: Salunkhe Ankita P. , Patil Satyajeet S. , Kulkarni Abhishek A. , Gaikwad Neha K. , Dahotre Rushikesh M. , Yadav Hemraj M. , Patil Pramod S. , Bhat Tejasvinee S.
Published: February 2025

In this work, cobalt phosphate hydrate (Co3(PO[Formula: see text]8H2O) was deposited on Ni-foam using the facile hydrothermal method with varied reaction temperatures as 120°C, 150°C and 180°C. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the C2/m space group of cobalt phosphate hydrate (CoPH) with a monoclinic crystal structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluates the effect of different reaction temperatures on the morphology of deposited thin film. The change in morphology from microflakes to three-dimensional (3D) microflowers is observed due to temperature variation. In the electrochemical study, the C2 (150°C) electrode delivers a specific capacitance of 8798[Formula: see text]mF/cm2 (specific capacity 1.466[Formula: see text]mAh cm–2) at 30[Formula: see text]mA cm[Formula: see text] current density. Here, 70.65% of coulombic efficiency was observed over 1500 cycles. The energy density of 0.439[Formula: see text]Wh/cm2 and power density of 9[Formula: see text]mW/cm2 were delivered by optimized CoP electrodes, respectively. EIS study reveals the Rs values of C1, C2 and C3 electrodes are 1.49, 0.97 and 1.3 [Formula: see text], respectively.
Pearson correlation coefficient as a tool to identify the composite vortex states in a two-band superconducting slab
Authors: Polo A. S. Mosquera , Martínez L. F. Muñoz , Ariza Echeverri E. A. , Deluque Toro C. E. , Faúndez J. , Aguirre C. , Barba-Ortega J.
Published: February 2025

In this study, we employed the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient ([Formula: see text]) to identify non-composite vortex states in a two-band superconducting slab. The fractional vortices were simulated using the two-component Ginzburg–Landau equations TDGL, with the link variable method and the healing coupling between the superconducting bands. The coefficient [Formula: see text] was calculated based on the square modulus of the order parameters of the two condensates, providing insight into the correlation between the two bands. Statistically, [Formula: see text] ranges from [Formula: see text]1 to 1, where values approaching 1 indicate composite vortices, while values nearing 0 suggest non-composite vortices. In this context, negative values of [Formula: see text] are irrelevant. The use of this tool enabled us to assess the degree of decoupling (coincidence of the position of the vortex centers in the superconducting bands) within the vortex lattice, allowing for the identification of specific fields and currents associated with the uncoupled vortex states in the superconducting slab. Such findings are crucial for managing energy dissipation in multi-band superconducting materials and manipulation of the vortices state in multi-band superconducting system.
A novel exploration of magnetized nano Jeffrey fluid flow over a chemically reacted permeable disk with ohmic heating
Authors: Dharmaiah G. , Goud B. Shankar
Published: February 2025

Swirling flows are important in rheological devices, spin coatings and lubrication, so we set out to investigate what makes chemically reactive non-Newtonian spinning flows across a disk with a radially applied magnetic field so interesting. Nanofluids are thermally enhanced working fluids with many interesting physical properties. This study takes its inspiration from rotating disk oxidations used in the medical techno industry and builds a mathematical model of a continuous convective von Kármán swirling flow including Jeffrey, magnetic, Joule/ohmic and chemical reactions. The wall anisotropy slips and the concentration-induced blowing effects are included. By using the bvp4c approach, the transformed boundary conditions (BCs) are addressed. Graphical representations of the effects of involved parameters on the density distribution of motile microorganisms, concentration, temperature and dimensionless velocity components are shown. Supporting evidence from prior research is included. Novel bioreactors, membrane oxygenators, bio-chromatography and food processing should take note of the study’s findings. As Jeffrey’s parameter upsurges, there is a decrease in radial velocity. As the Jeffrey parameter increases, there is a decrease in the circumferential velocity. Radial flow is significantly enhanced near the wall as the radial slip parameter ([Formula: see text] increases. As the Eckert number grows, the quantity of temperature increases. Concentration distribution closer to the disk to grow as Le increases. The concentration and diffusivity of microorganisms drop as the number of motile microorganisms thickens.
AI-powered Tools for Doctoral Supervision in Higher Education: A Systematic Review
Authors: Thong Chee Ling , Atallah Zainab , Islam Shayla , Lim WeiLee , Cherukuri Aswani Kumar
Published: February 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools are used to aid the learning and teaching process in higher education. AI technology aims to assist doctoral co-supervision through the model of humanised collaboration. It is discovered that there is a lack of literature review integrating generative AI (GenAI) with doctoral co-supervision processes. This paper investigates how GenAI facilitates the doctoral co-supervision process, including types of AI used, AI in education (AIED) components integration and the extent to which AI applications are useful in doctoral co-supervision. Four research questions posed have guided the study. The findings show AI to be supportive of personalised instruction and assessment and to be used as a collaborative tool. Furthermore, machine learning algorithms with a predictive nature were of immense aid in personalised advice. Nevertheless, the experience of the fusion of AI and mobile technologies in academic mentoring is relatively scarce in empirical studies. It was found that extended case studies and consumer experience were lacking in this area. Even though the potential benefits were clarified, a comprehensive assessment of the dynamic effects called for by more robust empirical investigations is required, considering further constraints. This paper summarises that future investigations and research are still needed.
A SERVICE-DOMINANT LOGIC FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION RESEARCH AND PRACTICE: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW, RESEARCH AGENDA, AND IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP
Authors: STEAD SUSAN , ANTONS DAVID , BREIDBACH CHRISTOPH , BRUST LEONA , CICHY PATRICK , SALGE TORSTEN-OLIVER
Published: February 2025

The interdisciplinary nature of digital transformation requires a shift from theorizing within disciplinary silos to leveraging theory in a way that helps bridge disciplinary boundaries. This study seeks to contribute to this objective by demonstrating that service-dominant logic (S-D logic) as a meta-theory has strong potential to connect IS, service, innovation, and marketing scholars as well as practitioners in understanding and shaping digital transformation. For this purpose, we conduct a computational literature review and create a map of the S-D logic research landscape. Based on this map, we assess how the S-D logic can help address some of the key gaps in our understanding of digital transformation leading to a cross-disciplinary agenda for future research. We argue that an S-D logic perspective on digital transformation can also be informative for practitioners involved in digital transformation activities, whom we equip with an actionable roadmap for implementation.
Evaluating risk in reservoir accumulation landslide: the role of instability pattern uncertainty
Authors: Zhang Shu , Li Qiang , Yuan Jin , Mao Yanpian , Xu Lanlan , Zhang Chao , Qin Liuzhi , Chen Hui
Published: February 2025

Reservoir accumulation landslides pose a significant challenge to hydropower projects, with their instability risks exacerbated by uncertainties in failure patterns due to the spatial variability of geo-material properties and dynamic environmental conditions. This study pioneers an in-depth investigation into the instability pattern uncertainty of reservoir accumulation landslides, a critical yet understudied aspect of landslide risk, exemplified by the Baijiabao landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) area. A stochastic finite element limit analysis (FELA), integrating comprehensive field investigations and laboratory experiments, was conducted to model the spatial variable shear strength in the sliding mass and slip zone. Employing the Gaussian Mixture Model-Expectation Maximization (GMM-EM) algorithm, the risk associated with instability patterns was identified and quantified, revealing a significant influence of seismic activity over water level on failure probabilities. The findings delineate two primary instability patterns of reservoir accumulation landslides: deep-seated instability along the slip zone and localized shallow instability within the sliding mass, all of which initiate at the leading edge, manifesting a sequence of retrogressive and progressive failures. This study offers a novel approach to understanding instability pattern uncertainty and establishes a feasible framework for risk assessment of reservoir landslides.
Towards Clinically Useful AI: From Radiology Practices in Global South and North to Visions of AI Support
Authors: Zając Hubert D. , Andersen Tariq O. , Kwasa Elijah , Wanjohi Ruth , Onyinkwa Mary K. , Mwaniki Edward K. , Gitau Samuel N. , Yaseen Shawnim S. , Carlsen Jonathan F. , Fraccaro Marco , Nielsen Michael B. , Chen Yunan
Published: February 2025

Despite recent advancements, real-world use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in radiology remains low, often due to the mismatch between AI offerings and the situated challenges faced by healthcare professionals. To bridge this gap, we conducted a field study at nine medical sites in Denmark and Kenya with two goals: (1) to understand the challenges faced by radiologists during chest X-ray practice; (2) to envision alternative AI futures that align with collaborative clinical work. This study uniquely grounds the AI design insights in the comprehensive characterisation of diagnostic work across multiple geographical and institutional contexts. Building on ideas articulated by interviewed radiologists (N=18), we conceptualised five visions that transcend the traditional notions of AI support. These visions emphasise that the clinical usefulness of AI-based systems depends on their configurability and flexibility across three dimensions: type of clinical site, expertise of medical professionals, and situational and patient contexts. Addressing these dependencies requires expanding the clinical AI design space by envisioning futures rooted in the realities of practice rather than solely following the trajectory of AI development.
Bans vs. Warning Labels: Examining Bystanders’ Support for Community-wide Moderation Interventions
Authors: Jhaver Shagun
Published: February 2025

Social media platforms like Facebook and Reddit host thousands of user-governed online communities. These platforms sanction communities that frequently violate platform policies; however, public perceptions of such sanctions remain unclear. In a pre-registered survey conducted in the US, I explore bystander perceptions of content moderation for communities that frequently feature hate speech, violent content, and sexually explicit content. Two community-wide moderation interventions are tested: (1) community bans, where all community posts are removed, and (2) community warning labels, where an interstitial warning label precedes access. I examine how third-person effects and support for free speech influence user approval of these interventions on any platform. My regression analyses show that presumed effects on others are a significant predictor of backing for both interventions, while free speech beliefs significantly influence participants’ inclination for using warning labels. Analyzing the open-ended responses, I find that community-wide bans are often perceived as too coarse, and users instead value sanctions in proportion to the severity and type of infractions. I report on concerns that norm-violating communities could reinforce inappropriate behaviors and show how users’ choice of sanctions is influenced by their perceived effectiveness. I discuss the implications of these results for HCI research on online harms and content moderation.
Decentralised Autonomous Organizations (DAOs): An Exploratory Survey
Authors: Tang Caiyan , Cai Qi , Dong Chengzu , Wang Qin , Chen Shiping
Published: February 2025

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) signify a groundbreaking approach to Internet-based management, enabled by blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, and are viewed as fundamental elements of the Web3 ecosystem. In this study, we delve into the concept of DAOs by thoroughly investigating their underlying structure, ideology, and operational principles. Furthermore, we present a novel DAO framework derived from a technical and organizational assessment and provide an overview of cutting-edge DAO tools currently available. This research enables the swift implementation of DAO creation or transformation customized to an organization's specific stage. Additionally, we recognize current challenges and shortcomings in existing DAOs and propose areas for future exploration.
CONGESTION, SCALING AND THE MARKET FOR SHARDS IN BLOCKCHAINS
Authors: Dimitri Nicola
Published: February 2025

Sharded blockchains have been introduced as a possible solution to scalability issues. In general, the platform decides how to allocate new transactions to the available shards. This is done according to the shards’ capacity, their level of occupancy and possible other criteria. In this paper we take an exploration into an alternative perspective, allowing the users to choose which shard to store a transaction into. It follows that such choice would generate a market for shards, where users select among available shards considering their performance and transaction fees. In the paper we characterize shards’ selection as a Nash Equilibrium of the relevant game. The main finding shows that, when free to choose, users would in general select different shards, therefore scaling the blockchain without main congestions. This is except for when there is a dominating shard, that is one which all users prefer regardless of how many users have chosen it. In the paper, we discuss possible measures to prevent such dominance.
In Situ 2D-XAS Imaging and Modeling Analysis of Cerium Migration in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Shinozaki Kazuma , Kitano Naoki , Kato Akihiko , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Kuwaki Akira , Shibata Masao
Published: February 2025

In-situ two-dimensional X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) imaging was employed to analyze cerium ion (Ce3+) migration in the through-plane direction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), offering fundamental insights supporting improvement of their power density and membrane durability. The transport of Ce3+ was visualized in both unreinforced thick Nafion membranes (Nafion 115, 127 μm) and reinforced thin (12 μm) perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes under either an electrical potential gradient or a water activity gradient. The diffusion coefficients of Ce3+ were ascertained based on its behavior after removal of these gradients in both membrane types. Additionally, using a one-dimensional cation transport model, the mobility and electroosmotic drag coefficients of Ce3+ were derived from experimentally obtained data of the thick Nafion membrane. Our measurements also demonstrate that the migration of Ce3+ in the thick membranes was notably impeded by the presence of ferrous ion (Fe2+) impurities. Because Fe2+ is known to accelerate membrane degradation by promoting hydroxyl radical formation, this effect might further exacerbate membrane degradation. It therefore warrants careful consideration.
A novel soluble guanylate cyclase activator, avenciguat, in combination with empagliflozin, protects against renal and hepatic injury in diabetic db/db mice
Authors: Sharma Nisha , Liu Wenjin , Tsai Xiao-Qing E. , Wang Zhou , Outtrim Connor , Tang Anna , Pieper Michael P. , Reinhart Glenn A. , Huang Yufeng
Published: February 2025

Whether combining an sGC activator with an SGLT2 inhibitor could better control diabetes-associated oxidative stress and NO-cGMP signal deficiency has not yet been explored. Using the type 2 diabetic db/db mouse model, this study underscores the sGC activator avenciguat as a novel therapy for diabetic nephropathy and liver injury beyond sGLT2 inhibitors. It also highlights the need for further investigation into the combined effects of these two treatments in managing diabetic complications.
Molecular Characterization of Cefoxitin‐Resistant Coagulase‐Negative Staphylococci From Frequently Touched Surfaces of Hospital and Urban‐Built Environments of Central India
Authors: Keshri Anushri , Gore Dilip Govardhan , Singh Indu , Sharma Divakar , Kolla Varaprasad
Published: February 2025

Coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CoNS) are the major pathogen (hospital as well as environmental) and their emerging multidrug‐resistant (MDR) strains complicate the treatment process. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of CoNS on frequently touched surfaces in hospital and urban built environments (UBEs) in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, India. A total of 200 isolates screened for Staphylococcus species and 55 methicillin‐resistant staphylococci isolates were identified, and among them, 19 were classified as cefoxitin‐resistant CoNS. These 19 cefoxitin‐resistant CoNS isolates were tested for the presence of the mecA gene by conventional PCR and only nine (47.36%) were found to be mecA-positive. mecA-positive strains were tested to check MIC for various antibiotics and three marker gene characteristics, namely, ß‐lactamase, cefoxitin screen, and inducible clindamycin resistance via the VITEK 2 system. These strains were 100% resistant to benzylpenicillin and oxacillin, and approximately 50% were resistant to vancomycin. Amplified mecA gene fragments were sequenced, and SNP analysis was performed alongside a standard sequence from Staphylococcus aureus (Acc no. NG_047938.1). In total, among the 466 nucleotides, 386 sequences were found to be invariable, and 80 polymorphic variables were identified (46 singleton variable sites and 34 parsimony information sites). The spread of antibiotic resistance is very common in both UBEs and hospital environments; thus, our study concluded that a surveillance program is recommended for the Vidarbha region for the assessment of co‐occurring CoNS and better infection control of the environment for future reduction in contact infection.
Challenges in the Repatriation Processes of a Foreign Citizen With Schizophrenia: A Case Report From Tanzania
Authors: Kiwango Frank
Published: February 2025

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder characterized by an array of symptoms, leading to impairment of functioning. Many patients with schizophrenia tend to have long‐stay hospitalizations due to several factors, one of them being the repatriation process.

Case Presentation: I report the case of a 29‐year‐old male foreign citizen who presented with auditory hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and aggressiveness. The patient had a history of multiple admissions due to poor drug adherence. After being admitted to the psychiatry ward, the patient was improved and ready for discharge after 4 weeks but struggled to remember his relatives’ phone numbers. Due to financial constraints and poor support, the repatriation process was delayed for 160 days.

Conclusion: The present case highlights the challenges in managing schizophrenia abroad, urging international protocols to streamline the repatriation process and address financial, logistical, and social barriers for improved outcomes.
Solar Irradiance Forecasting Using Temporal Fusion Transformers
Authors: Alorf Abdulaziz , Khan Muhammad Usman Ghani
Published: February 2025

Global climate change has intensified the search for renewable energy sources. Solar power is a cost‐effective option for electricity generation. Accurate energy forecasting is crucial for efficient planning. While various techniques have been introduced for energy forecasting, transformer‐based models are effective for capturing long‐range dependencies in data. This study proposes N hours‐ahead solar irradiance forecasting framework based on variational mode decomposition (VMD) for handling meteorological data and a modified temporal fusion transformer (TFT) for forecasting solar irradiance. The proposed model decomposes raw solar irradiance sequences into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) using VMD and optimizes the TFT using a variable screening network and a gated recurrent unit (GRU)‐based encoder–decoder. Our study specifically targets the 1‐h as well as different forecasting horizons for solar irradiance. The resulting deep learning model offers insights, including the prioritization of solar irradiance subsequences and an analysis of various forecasting window sizes. An empirical study shows that our proposed method has achieved high performance compared to other time series models, such as artificial neural network (ANN), long short‐term memory (LSTM), CNN–LSTM, CNN–LSTM with temporal attention (CNN–LSTM‐t), transformer, and the original TFT model.
Cold Storage Effects on Quality Attributes and Bioactive Compounds of Moroccan Pomegranate Varieties
Authors: El-Rhouttais Chaimae , Laaraj Salah , Chafki Loubna , El Kettabi Zahra , Ammadi Abdelillah , Elgoulli Mourad , Salmaoui Souad , Elfazazi Kaoutar
Published: February 2025

Pomegranate is a seasonal fruit known for its high nutritional quality but with a limited shelf life. Thus, cold storage is frequently utilized as a conservation technique to prolong the shelf life of pomegranate fruits. Nevertheless, the valuable nutritional properties and technological quality of pomegranates can degrade notably over storage time. The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemical and technological stability of five pomegranate cultivars (“Purple Queen,” “Smith,” “Mr100,” “Sefri Ouled Abdellah,” and “Kingdom”) during cold storage. These cultivars represent the most widely cultivated varieties in the region and are among the most significant and predominant in Morocco, but they have a limited postharvest shelf life. The study evaluated various aspects including technological quality (weight loss, color attributes (L∗, a∗, b∗, C∗, and h°)), physicochemical parameters (pH, total soluble solids (TSSs), and titratable acidity (TA)), and bioactive compounds (total phenolic content (TPC), total anthocyanin content (TAC), condensed tannins (CTs), and total flavonoid content (TFC)) over 120 days of cold storage at 4°C. The findings indicated that the weight loss and pH increased gradually for all cultivars, with “Mr100” showing a significant increase in weight loss (0%–29.12%) and pH (4.01 to 4.76). Regarding TPC, TFC, and TAC, all cultivars exhibited substantial reductions in bioactive compounds over storage period, with the “Kingdom” variety experiencing high TAC losses, averaging 84.82%, while “Sefri Ouled Abdellah” showed notable TPC losses, averaging 69.97%. In addition, “Mr100” and “Smith” showed high CTs and TFC losses. Briefly, cold storage significantly impacts the chemical composition and overall quality of pomegranate fruits. This study offers new insights into the storage stability, conservation aptitude, and potential shelf‐life enhancement of these specific cultivars over 120 days of cold storage at 4°C. These findings can be valuable for producers and the food industry, as they highlight the importance of monitoring storage conditions to optimize pomegranate quality and extend shelf life, ultimately improving consumer satisfaction and reducing waste.
Clinical Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in Pediatric Functional Constipation: Impact on Immunological Indicators and Gut Microbiota
Authors: Guo Piao , Zhang Xue Ning , Jin Xin Yu , Xia Wen Juan , Zhou Li , Sheng Wei Song , Zhu Dan Rong
Published: February 2025

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in treating pediatric functional constipation (FC) and to explore its mechanisms by analyzing changes in serum neurotransmitters and gut microbiota.

Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted on 60 children aged 4–14 years diagnosed with FC. Participants were divided into two groups, namely, one receiving TENS therapy three times a week for 4 weeks and the control group receiving lactulose. Pretreatment and posttreatment evaluations included serum neurotransmitters, immunological indicators, and gut microbiota composition.

Results: The TENS group demonstrated significant improvements in defecation frequency and constipation symptoms compared with the lactulose group (p < 0.001). Posttreatment, remarkable increases were detected in serum motilin and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels, along with a significant decrease in interleukin‐12 levels (p < 0.05), indicating anti‐inflammatory effects. Gut microbiota analysis revealed significant shifts in microbial composition, with an increase in the abundance of Bacteroidetes and a decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, suggesting improved gut health and metabolic function.

Conclusion: TENS effectively improves symptoms of pediatric FC and induces beneficial changes in immunological indicators and gut microbiota. These results suggest potential anti‐inflammatory and microbiota‐modulating effects. However, due to the limited sample size, further studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the long‐term benefits of TENS therapy.

Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR2200059549
Body Weight Changes During Ramadan Intermittent Fasting: A Cross‐Sectional Study of Healthy Adults in Turkey
Authors: Mektebi Ammar , Bozlar Mağfiret Abdulveli , Kanjo Noura , Al-Jebaili Muhammed Munir , Nasrallah Youssef , Faris MoezAlIslam , Khan Moien AB ,   ISRI Research Group
Published: February 2025

Introduction: This study explores the impact of observing Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) on body weight in Turkish residents, marking it as the first study conducted in Turkey to investigate the interplay of religious fasting with dietary changes amid the COVID‐19 pandemic. We hypothesized that observing Ramadan fasting would result in weight loss attributable to dietary changes, while decreased physical activity would correlate with weight gain during this period.

Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among Muslims aged 18+ in Turkey who fasted at least two days during Ramadan 2021. Data were collected via Google Forms, with 1669 participants recruited through social media. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and Pearson’s Chi‐square tests assessed weight change differences. Binary logistic regression identified predictors of weight gain, adjusting for factors such as sex, age, physical activity, water consumption, and diet.

Results: Of the 1669 respondents (53.6% female), 49.4% perceived their weight as normal, while 47.0% classified themselves as overweight or obese. Logistic regression indicated that decreased physical activity (AOR = 1.618, p = 0.001) and increased fat intake (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–2.9) were significant predictors of weight gain.

Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the importance of promoting healthy eating and regular physical activity during Ramadan.