bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding preferences for self-sampling in a national cervical screening programme: a protocol for a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Thapa Shabnam , Davies Jennifer C. , Crosbie Emma J. , Payne Katherine , Wright Stuart J.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The NHS cervical screening programme (NHSCSP) currently involves a healthcare professional collecting a cervical sample in a healthcare setting. This method of screening has barriers associated with access to screening appointments, and the poor acceptability of the speculum examination. Primary screening through HPV testing has led to the development of self-sampling screening methods including vaginal and urine self-sampling, with many UK studies comparing these screening methods with the current NHSCSP. It is not known what features of self-sampling influence individual’s preferences and cervical screening uptake. To understand these preferences, we plan to undertake a discrete choice experiment (DCE). This protocol aims to describe the steps taken to design the DCE and the proposed approach to fielding the DCE to identify preferences for different sampling approaches in cervical screening.

Methods and analysis

An online survey comprising a DCE was designed to understand preferences of individuals for self-sampling methods within the NHSCSP. Attributes and levels for the DCE were generated through an iterative process including a literature review of qualitative studies about self-sampling cervical screening methods, input from cervical screening clinical experts and a patient and public involvement group (n=6). A D-efficient design was used to create choice sets for the DCE survey. Regression based analysis will be used to estimate the impact of each attribute and level on individual choices.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by The University of Manchester Proportionate Research Ethics Committee (2024-20767-37669). The results of the DCE will be submitted for publication in a relevant peer review journal and the results will be presented at national and international conferences.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY

To our knowledge, this study will be the first to quantify stated preferences for self-sampling methods within a CSP focusing on all individuals who are eligible for screening in the UK.

The attributes and levels will be selected based on previous qualitative work as well as from multiple discussions with relevant stakeholders, including clinicians and public contributors.

The results will contribute towards understanding what aspects of self-sampling methods within a CSP are important for the target population.

Since the survey will only be available online, there is a potential to miss individuals without technological access and literacy.
Sex-specific effects of appetite suppressants and stereotypy in rats
Authors: Lopez Axl , Gil-Lievana Elvi , Gutierrez Ranier
Published: February 2025

This study investigated the sex-specific effects of commonly prescribed appetite suppressants on body weight and the manifestation of motor side effects, specifically stereotypy. Employing video recordings and DeepLabCut (DLC) for precise behavioral quantification, we analyzed stereotypy, defined as purposeless, repetitive motor behaviors, in male and female rats. Under control (saline) conditions, male rats exhibited a greater propensity for weight gain compared to females. However, in contrast, female rats demonstrated greater and more homogenous weight loss than males following the administration of diethylpropion and tesofensine. Phentermine and mazindol induced comparable weight loss in both sexes, whereas cathine elicited weight reduction exclusively in males. 5-HTP and d-amphetamine administration only prevented weight gain relative to controls. Analysis of motor side effects revealed that drugs primarily targeting dopamine pathways – specifically, phentermine, mazindol, diethylpropion, cathine, and d-amphetamine – induced pronounced stereotypies, particularly head-weaving, in both sexes. Interestingly, tesofensine elicited head-weaving behavior exclusively in female subjects, albeit to a lesser extent than that observed with other dopaminergic agents; conversely, tesofensine was most frequently associated with orolingual dyskinesia. Moreover, one of the most potent forms of stereotypy—backward locomotion, here referred to as “moonwalking”—was sporadically observed only following the administration of phentermine, diethylpropion, cathine, and mazindol, with diethylpropion inducing it most frequently. Male subjects treated with these same drugs exhibited an unexpected effect: spontaneous ejaculations, potentially attributable to the combined effects on dopamine and serotonin signaling in brain regions regulating sexual function. Network analysis and Markov transition matrices revealed distinct behavioral profiles associated with head-weaving, which emerged as the dominant attractor state, suggesting potential mechanistic differences among these drugs. Collectively, this study provides a valuable database characterizing the behavioral side effects of appetite suppressants.
Cortical control of innate behavior from subcortical demonstration
Authors: Keller Jason A. , Kwak Iljung S. , Stark Alyssa K. , Pachitariu Marius , Branson Kristin , Dudman Joshua T.
Published: February 2025

Motor control in mammals is traditionally viewed as a hierarchy of descending spinal-targeting pathways, with frontal cortex at the top1–3. Many redundant muscle patterns can solve a given task, and this high dimensionality allows flexibility but poses a problem for efficient learning4. Although a feasible solution invokes subcortical innate motor patterns, or primitives, to reduce the dimensionality of the control problem, how cortex learns to utilize such primitives remains an open question5–7. To address this, we studied cortical and subcortical interactions as head-fixed mice learned contextual control of innate hindlimb extension behavior. Naïve mice performed reactive extensions to turn off a cold air stimulus within seconds and, using predictive cues, learned to avoid the stimulus altogether in tens of trials. Optogenetic inhibition of large areas of rostral cortex completely prevented avoidance behavior, but did not impair hindlimb extensions in reaction to the cold air stimulus. Remarkably, mice covertly learned to avoid the cold stimulus even without any prior experience of successful, cortically-mediated avoidance. These findings support a dynamic, heterarchical model in which the dominant locus of control can change, on the order of seconds, between cortical and subcortical brain areas. We propose that cortex can leverage periods when subcortex predominates as demonstrations, to learn parameterized control of innate behavioral primitives.
Pseudo-Majorana functional renormalization for frustrated XXZ spin-
12
models with field or magnetization along the spin-
Z
direction at finite temperature
Authors: Bippus Frederic , Schneider Benedikt , Sbierski Björn
Published: February 2025

The numerical study of high-dimensional frustrated quantum magnets remains a challenging problem. Here we present an extension of the pseudo-Majorana functional renormalization group to spin-1/2 XXZ-type Hamiltonians with field or magnetization along spin-Z direction at finite temperature. We consider a U(1) symmetry-adapted fermionic spin representation and derive the diagrammatic framework and its renormalization group flow equations. We discuss benchmark results and application to two antiferromagnetic triangular lattice materials recently studied in experiments with applied magnetic fields: First, we numerically reproduce the magnetization data measured for CeMgAl11O19 confirming model parameters previously estimated from inelastic neutron spectrum in high fields. Second, we showcase the accuracy of our method by studying the thermal phase transition into the spin solid up-up-down phase of Na2BaCo(PO4)2 in good agreement with experiment.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Exploring CSR authenticity and cognitive CSR proximity: engaging Chinese consumers in virtual CSR
Authors: Feng Zhonghui , Kuppelwieser Volker
Published: February 2025

Purpose

CSR authenticity reflects the perceived trustworthiness of CSR activities. Despite its importance, research on CSR authenticity in virtual contexts remains limited. This study investigates how specific dimensions of CSR authenticity influence consumer engagement in virtual CSR initiatives by focusing on the mediating role of cognitive cause proximity (i.e. cause salience and cause relevance).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a structured online survey on Chinese social media, which yielded 389 valid responses. Structural equation modelling using AMOS 24 was employed to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that perceived benevolence and the broad impact of CSR authenticity positively affect consumer engagement in virtual CSR. Significantly, cause relevance mediates the relationship between the broad impact of CSR and CSR engagement. However, cause salience unexpectedly reduces consumer engagement in virtual CSR initiatives.

Originality/value

This study extends construal level theory (CLT) and social exchange theory (SET) to virtual corporate social responsibility, offering fresh insights into how consumers respond to authentic CSR efforts. Practitioners can enhance CSR authenticity by highlighting its broad impact and benevolence to drive engagement while being cautious about overemphasising cause salience, which may risk alienating consumers.
Trust as the engine of change: a conceptual model for trust building in zakat institutions
Authors: Jamaludin Husna , Zhang Hengchao , Syed Salleh Sharifah Nabilah , Lacheheb Zakaria
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that influence people’s behaviour in paying zakat, explore their perceptions of the institutions, examine the factors that influence their trust and analyse the impact of trust on their behaviour in paying zakat to the institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was distributed to 740 potential Zakat payers in the Federal Territory, Malaysia. In designing the questionnaire, a systematic literature review, focus group discussions and pilot study were conducted. Descriptive analysis and partial least squares structural equation model were used with SmartPLS software.

Findings

The result shows that trust, intention to pay zakat and age of the respondents have statistically significant impacts on people’s behaviour to pay zakat through institutions. Intention to pay zakat is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. In addition, the main common concerns expressed were lack of awareness of the importance of paying zakat, lack of transparency in zakat administration, especially in collection and distribution, and inefficiency in administration and distribution. Moreover, trust in the institutions could be established if the institution is able to fulfil its mission of collecting and distributing zakat to the entitled Asnaf and improve their welfare, as trust not only has a direct impact on people’s behaviour, but also strengthens people’s intention and influences their behaviour to pay zakat to the institutions.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on a specific geographical area and zakat institution; hence, the study’s generalisability is limited. The use of self-reported and cross-sectional data may introduce bias and fail to capture the dynamic change of trust, intention and behaviour across time. The proposed solution of leveraging digital platforms may provide numerous hurdles and obstacles for adoption by the zakat institution.

Originality/value

This study shows the significant role of trust in influencing people’s intentions and behaviour in supporting organisations. Therefore, it can serve as an indicator of the performance or success of a particular institution. Thus, there is a need to find strategies to gain people’s trust by improving their ability, integrity and benevolence in performing their tasks.
Sex‐dependent effects of infection on guppy reproductive fitness and offspring parasite resistance
Authors: Weiler Isabella L. G. , Kramp Rachael D. , Rovenolt Faith , Stephenson Jessica F.
Published: February 2025

Infection imposes energetic costs on hosts. Hosts typically respond by shifting resources, potentially affecting the quantity and quality of offspring they produce. As the sexes differ in their optimal reproductive strategies, the infection of mothers versus fathers may affect offspring quantity and quality in different ways.

Here, we test how experimental infection of guppies Poecilia reticulata with the ectoparasite Gyrodactylus turnbulli affects parental reproductive fitness and offspring parasite resistance. We compared breeding pairs in which one or neither parent had previously been infected.

In terms of reproductive fitness, pairs in which fathers had been infected produced more offspring than those in which mothers had been infected. Additionally, fathers who experienced the heaviest infections produced offspring ~55 days sooner than average. This result may represent terminal investment by males, especially those most affected by infection, or that males invest in reproduction at the expense of parasite defence.

We found that offspring age, parental infection experience, and parental infection severity together strongly predicted offspring parasite resistance. Only among pairs in which one parent had been infected did older offspring, which were those born soonest after the parent's infection, tend to experience heavier infections. This result may reflect temporary infection‐induced reductions in parental investment in offspring quality. Beyond this effect of offspring age, offspring of infected mothers experienced 105 fewer worm days than those of infected fathers: fathers, but not mothers, who experienced heavy infections themselves produced offspring that also experienced heavy infections. The parent‐offspring regression for infected fathers is consistent with previous evidence that parasite resistance is heritable in this system and yields a narrow sense heritability estimate of 0.62 ± 0.12. By contrast, the mother‐offspring regression (slope: −0.12 ± 0.14) provides novel insight that mothers may engage in transgenerational immune priming.

Our results suggest that the sexes strike a different balance between offspring quantity and quality when faced with infection, with potentially broad implications for disease and host–parasite co‐evolutionary dynamics in nature.
Human disturbance and aridity influence biomass harvesting by leaf‐cutting ants with impacts on nutrient dynamics in a Caatinga dry forest
Authors: Santos‐Neto Pedro E. , de Oliveira Fernanda M. P. , Wirth Rainer , Tabarelli Marcelo , Leal Inara R.
Published: February 2025

Human activities have converted mature forests into mosaics of successional vegetation and chronically disturbed habitats, altering the patterns of population distribution, foraging ecology and thus, the flow of matter and nutrients through ecosystems. Although the effects of human disturbance are mostly harmful, hyperabundant native generalist species can emerge and increase their populations under disturbance, such as leaf‐cutting ants (LCA), prominent herbivores that are considered ecosystem engineers.

Here, we examined the population response of two LCA species of the Caatinga dry forest (Acromyrmex balzani and A. rugosus) to increasing levels of chronic anthropogenic disturbance and aridity, and assessed the foraging activity, biomass and nutrients harvested by their colonies.

We found that colony densities increased at more disturbed habitats, varying considerably from 0 to 81 nests/ha, but aridity had no effect. The two species exhibited markedly different foraging activities (44.66 ± 28.76 and 294.6 ± 260.53 ants foraging daily), with the foraging rate increasing in more arid conditions for a species with smaller nests, but with no response to disturbance. Biomass consumption varied distinctly between species, ranging from 0 to 4.81 g (7.24 kg ha.year−1, in A. balzani) and from 5.6 to 74 g (174.39 kg ha.year−1, in A. rugosus). Furthermore, there was no effect of disturbance and aridity on the biomass harvesting of individual colonies. However, there was a considerable increase in the biomass harvested by the populations of colonies in the plots (i.e. accounting for colony densities). Moreover, the species A. balzani foraged upon more nutrient‐rich material at more disturbed and arid habitats, with plant material containing higher concentrations of N, Ca, S, Sr, Fe and Mn, as well as a lower C:N ratio in these areas.

Our results suggest that Acromyrmex species (1) can achieve larger populations in more disturbed habitats, though not directly associated with aridity, (2) operate as a key herbivore able to fit harvesting/diet through the entire environmental gradient and forage complementarily (monocot vs. dicot) and (3) reallocate expressive amount of forest biomass, resulting in temporary nutrient sinks with potential impacts on Caatinga resilience.
Phylogenetic and Functional Diversity of Soluble Di‐Iron Monooxygenases
Authors: Yang Sui Nin Nicholas , Kertesz Michael A. , Coleman Nicholas V.
Published: February 2025

Monooxygenase (MO) enzymes are responsible for the oxidation of hydrocarbons and other compounds in the carbon and nitrogen cycles, are important for the biodegradation of pollutants and can act as biocatalysts for chemical manufacture. The soluble di‐iron monooxygenases (SDIMOs) are of interest due to their broad substrate range, high enantioselectivity and ability to oxidise inert substrates such as methane. Here, we re‐examine the phylogeny and functions of these enzymes, using recent advances in the field and expansions in sequence diversity in databases to highlight relationships between SDIMOs and revisit their classification. We discuss the impact of horizontal gene transfer on SDIMO phylogeny, the potential of SDIMOs for the biodegradation of pollutants and the importance of heterologous expression as a tool for understanding SDIMO functions and enabling their use as biocatalysts. Our analysis highlights current knowledge gaps, most notably, the unknown substrate ranges and physiological roles of enzymes that have so far only been detected via genome or metagenome sequencing. Enhanced understanding of the diversity and functions of the SDIMO enzymes will enable better prediction and management of biogeochemical processes and also enable new applications of these enzymes for biocatalysis and bioremediation.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind—Explaining and Challenging the Re‐Institutionalisation of People With Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic People
Authors: Glasby Jon , Waring Justin , Miller Robin , Glasby Anne‐Marie , Ince Rebecca
Published: February 2025

During the twentieth century, many countries underwent processes of ‘de‐institutionalisation’—closing ‘asylums’ for people with mental health problems, learning disabilities and dementia. Despite this, the UK has witnessed a subsequent process of ‘re‐institutionalisation’ with the creation of new public/private sector facilities providing ‘secure’ care to large numbers of people, who can be residents for many years with no sense of when they may leave. In 2023, 2035 people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people were receiving inpatient hospital care in England, with 54% in hospital for over two years. Drawing on the lived experience of people in hospital/families, and the practice knowledge of front‐line staff, this paper critically analyses why this process of re‐institutionalisation may be taking place. Our argument is that institutional forms of care have gradually been re‐introduced—despite the influence of neoliberal health policies that have previously aimed at deinstitutionalisation and self‐care—because some people are viewed as ‘too difficult’ to govern through the prevailing dispositive of self‐care, and therefore become the subjects of more disciplinary forms of power. Once in hospital, the primary routes to ‘escape’ require performative acts of ‘good conduct’ that give confidence to professionals of a person’s capacity for self‐government.
An Observational Study Evaluating the Safety of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Combined With Chemotherapy in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ye Xin , Miao Jinbai , Li Hui , Hu Bin
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study was conducted to investigate the safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients undergoing surgery for resectable stage III non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Overall, 68 surgical patients with stage III NSCLC who underwent neoadjuvant therapy at the Thoracic Surgery Department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from June 2019 to September 2021 were included, including 19 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy and 49 who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone. Both groups of patients were diagnosed with NSCLC before treatment and had resectable stage III tumors. The surgical duration, blood loss volume, average postoperative hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and complication rate were compared between the two groups.

Results

The group treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy demonstrated higher values than the group treated with chemotherapy alone for surgical duration, blood loss volume, and rate of conversion to thoracotomy; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The incidence of postoperative complications in the group treated with neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy was significantly higher than that of the group treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy was safe and effective and did not increase the difficulty of surgery for NSCLC; however, it was associated with a higher incidence of complications than neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone (p < 0.05).
Associations Between Stress and Hair Cortisol and Their Relationship to Alcohol Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults: An Epidemiological Cohort Study
Authors: Plettenberg Lena , Kräplin Anja , Voss Catharina , Beesdo‐Baum Katja , Kische Hanna
Published: February 2025

The relationship between stress, hair cortisol and alcohol consumption has mostly been investigated among clinical and adult study samples, with inconsistent findings. The present study aimed to examine cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between chronic stress, hair cortisol and average past‐year alcohol consumption within a population‐based sample of adolescents and young adults. At baseline of the epidemiological cohort study, N = 1180 individuals aged 14–21 from Dresden, Germany, were assessed (11/2015–12/2016). A maximum N = 1055 were analysed in cross‐sectional analyses and a maximum N = 722 in longitudinal analyses (1‐year follow‐up). Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to reveal cross‐sectional associations between perceived chronic stress, hair cortisol concentration and average past‐year alcohol consumption in males and females. Longitudinally, weighted linear regression models examined relationships between (a) perceived chronic stress at baseline and altered hair cortisol concentration over 1 year, (b) perceived chronic stress/hair cortisol concentration at baseline and altered average alcohol consumption over 1 year and (c) average past‐year alcohol consumption at baseline and altered stress/hair cortisol concentration over 1 year. Cross‐sectionally, no significant relationships were found between stress, hair cortisol and average past‐year alcohol consumption at baseline. In females, higher baseline perceived chronic stress was associated with an increase in hair cortisol concentration over 1 year, whereas no relationship was found in the cross‐sectional analysis between baseline perceived chronic stress and baseline past‐year average alcohol consumption. When using hair cortisol as a biomarker for stress perception, the focus of future research should be on potential time lags between perceived chronic stress and hair cortisol increase.
Effects of Dietary Replacement of Alfalfa Hay With Corn Silage on Energy Utilization Efficiency and Metabolizable Energy Requirements in Crossbred Hu Ewes During Early Lactation
Authors: Qing Qing , Tsubo Mitsuru , Du Wuchen , Tsunekawa Atsushi , Hou Fujiang , Ichinohe Toshiyoshi
Published: February 2025

We evaluated the effect of dietary substituting corn silage (CS) for alfalfa hay (AH) on feed intake, lactation performance, and energy utilization efficiency of crossbred Hu ewes. In a completely randomized experiment, 12 lactating crossbred ewes (3 ± 1.5 DIM) were fed one of three isoenergetic diets with forage‐to‐concentrate ratio of 70:30. The three experimental diets (CON, CS1, and CS2) were formulated by replacing AH with different levels of CS (0%, 30%, and 60%, respectively). Energy balance was determined through a metabolism and respiration trial. We observed identical trends for feed intake and gross energy intake (GEI); the GEI ranged from 0.97 to 1.34 (MJ/kg BW0.75 day) among the treatments. Around 26%–33% of the GEI was lost as feces, 56%–60% for heat production, 14%–16% for milk production, 5%–6% for methane emission, and 3% for urinary energy. The metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance of crossbred Hu ewe was estimated to be 484.7 kJ/kg body weight0.75/day. Furthermore, the energy digestibility and metabolizability of the CS diets were significantly greater than those of the CON diet. Substituting AH for up to 60% CS increased energy utilization efficiency without detrimental effects on milk production in crossbred Hu ewes fed a forage‐based diet.
Mechanisms and outcomes of a very low intensity intervention to improve parental acknowledgement and understanding of childhood overweight/obesity, embedded in the National Child Measurement Programme: A sub‐study within a large cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (MapMe2)
Authors: Evans Elizabeth H. , Jones Christopher M. , Adamson Ashley , Jones Angela R. , Basterfield Laura , Greca João Paulo de Aguiar , Sermin‐Reed Letitia , Patterson Maddey , McSweeney Lorraine , Dhami Raenhha , Ells Louisa , Gahagan Alison , Robinson Tomos , Shahrokhabadi Mohadeseh Shojaei , Teare Dawn , Tovée Martin J. , Araújo Soares Vera
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Parental underdetection of child underweight and overweight/obesity may negatively affect children's longer‐term health. We examined psychological/behavioural mechanisms of a very low‐intensity intervention to improve acknowledgement and understanding of child weight after feedback from a school‐based weight monitoring programme.

Design

This sub‐study was nested within a larger 3‐arm cluster‐RCT (1:1:1; N = 57,300). Parents in all groups received written postal feedback on their child's weight classification. Intervention participants received an enhanced feedback letter with computer‐generated photorealistic images depicting children of different weight classifications, and access to a website about supporting healthy weight, once (intervention one) or twice (intervention two; repeated 6 months after first ‘dose’).

Methods

A quantitative process and outcome evaluation using baseline and 12‐month BMI z‐scores of an opt‐in sub‐sample of 502 children aged 4–5 and 10–11. Children completed dietary reports, used accelerometers (MVPA), and self‐reported self‐esteem; 10–11‐year‐olds also self‐reported quality of life and dietary restraint. Parents reported perceptions of child's weight classification, and their intentions, self‐efficacy, action planning and coping planning for child physical activity, dietary intake; parents of 4–5‐year‐olds reported their child's quality of life.

Results

Neither intervention differentially improved parental acknowledgement or understanding of weight classification at follow‐up, although parents in all groups reported better acknowledgement after receiving feedback. The interventions did not affect behavioural/psychological determinants, weight outcomes, children's self‐esteem, dietary restraint or quality of life.

Conclusions

The interventions neither improved parental acknowledgement of child weight, child BMI z‐scores and their psychological/behavioural determinants, nor worsened psycho‐social sequelae.
Emergency Admission Plasma D‐Dimer and Prothrombin Activity: Novel Predictors for Clinical Outcomes After Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke With Large Artery Occlusion
Authors: Jiang Shandong , Guo Peizheng , Cai Linxin , Qian Cong , Yu Jun , Xu Liang , Li Xu , Chen Xianyi , Bing Fang , Yuan Yuan , Tan Zhongju , Xu Jing , Li Jianru
Published: February 2025

Background

The coagulation system is intrinsically linked to pathological mechanisms and progression of ischemic stroke. However, the role of preoperative coagulation function in determining the functional outcomes of acute ischemic stroke patients following large artery occlusion (AIS‐LVO) has not been extensively evaluated in peer‐reviewed literature.

Methods

We utilized logistic regression analyses, complemented by the construction of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, to identify significant predictive factors for poor prognosis following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted to further assess the prognostic efficacy of coagulation function across different subgroups.

Results

A total of 607 patients were enrolled, with 335 (55.19%) experiencing an unfavorable outcome. Multivariate regression analysis identified preoperative D‐dimer and PTA as independent predictors of 3‐month prognosis. After adjusting for confounders, elevated preoperative D‐dimer levels (≥ 715 mg/L), identified by cut‐off value, were a significant predictor of poor prognosis, with 2.51‐fold higher risk compared to the normal range. Conversely, elevated PTA levels (≥ 85.5%) were significantly and inversely associated with poor prognosis, indicating a reduced risk of 0.39 times. Furthermore, the combination of elevated D‐dimer and reduced PTA demonstrated a synergistic effect, markedly increasing the risk of poor outcomes in AIS‐LVO patients. Subgroup analyses revealed that failed recanalization, comorbid diabetes, and non–middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion significantly influence the predictive value of D‐dimer and PTA for clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

Elevated admission D‐dimer and reduced PTA levels are independent predictors of poor prognosis in patients with AIS‐LVO, and there is a synergistic interaction between the two variables.
The Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Metformin and the Natural Product Goldenseal Is Metformin Dose‐Dependent: A Three‐Arm Crossover Study in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Nguyen James T. , Arian Christopher M. , Tanna Rakshit S. , Cherel Maxey G. , Layton Matthew E. , White John R. , Thummel Kenneth E. , Paine Mary F.
Published: February 2025

Pharmacokinetic drug interactions can lead to unexpected changes in plasma concentrations of the object drug, potentially increasing the risk for adverse effects and/or decreasing therapeutic efficacy. The botanical product goldenseal was previously shown to decrease metformin systemic exposure in healthy adults. This three‐arm, open‐label, crossover clinical study assessed the pharmacokinetic goldenseal–metformin interaction in adults with type 2 diabetes stabilized on therapeutic doses of metformin (500–2550 mg daily). The aggregate pharmacokinetic data indicated no clinically meaningful interaction as determined by the metformin area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC) geometric mean ratio [90% confidence interval] of 0.93 [0.86–1.01] laying within the predefined no‐effect range (0.80–1.25). However, metformin AUC decreased by ~20%, 14%, and 0% after goldenseal coadministration at low (500–750 mg), moderate (1000–1500 mg), and high (2000–2550 mg) metformin doses, respectively; renal clearance and half‐life remained unchanged throughout. The exploratory pharmacodynamic endpoint, HbA1c, decreased on average from 6.8% to 6.5%, regardless of the effects of goldenseal on metformin pharmacokinetics. The decreasing effect of goldenseal on metformin systemic exposure with increasing metformin dose, coupled with no changes in renal excretion and elimination half‐life, indicated that both the pharmacokinetic goldenseal–metformin interaction and the nonlinear absorption of metformin are governed by saturable, intestinal transport mechanism(s). The disconnect between changes in metformin systemic exposure and therapeutic effects emphasizes the need to evaluate clinical biomarkers to comprehensively assess drug interaction risks, particularly those involving natural products. Healthcare providers may consider cautioning patients about supplementing metformin pharmacotherapy with goldenseal to avoid risks for undesired changes in glycemic control.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05081583
Timing Matters: Viticultural Land Use Determines Responses in Structure and Function of Fungal Stream Communities Across One Growing Season
Authors: Schreiner Verena C. , Link Moritz , Amelung Gesa , Ohler Katharina , Salis Romana , Leese Florian , Schäfer Ralf B.
Published: February 2025

Fungal communities are critical for leaf decomposition, a central ecosystem function in streams. A wide range of anthropogenic stressors can alter their structure and function (i.e., leaf decomposition). Additionally, fungal communities are subject to seasonal turnover due to natural processes. Despite this, seasonality in interaction with varying stressor exposure has rarely been studied in the context of leaf decomposition. We investigated fungal community composition and leaf decomposition over one agricultural growing season by deploying leaf bags at least impacted forest and viticultural sites of 10 streams. Additionally, we transplanted leaf bags that had been colonised at the forest sites to viticultural sites to investigate how changes in stressor exposure affect the structure and function of fungal communities. Leaf decomposition was repeatedly lower in the viticultural treatment than in the forest treatment, which was partly explained by the environmental variables. The decomposition of the transplanted leaves varied across the time points and was overall more similar to that of the forest treatment. The fungal communities in April were similar across treatments, whereas all exhibited different seasonal community turnover. At later time points (June, August and September), the fungal communities from the forest and transplant treatment remained similar, likely triggered by the priority effects of the location of colonisation (forest). The viticultural treatment, however, deviated at these time points, which coincided with the timing of fungicide application. Overall, we show that both community composition and function of leaf decomposition exhibit seasonal and stressor‐related variability. Thus, our study demonstrates that seasonality and the actual stressor regime need to be considered and well described when investigating land use effects on leaf decomposition and associated fungal communities.
Static optimization of a semiflexible on‐demand public bus line for peak hours
Authors: Aktaş Dilay , Sörensen Kenneth , Vansteenwegen Pieter
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we study a public bus line operating between a terminal and a city center for which there exists a clear demand imbalance between the two directions during peak hours. Despite the demand imbalance, traditional public bus systems typically operate with a fixed‐route and fixed‐timetable scheme in both directions. To increase the efficiency of service during peak hours, in this paper, we propose an on‐demand operation that allows vehicles to take some shortcuts between the city center and the terminal, based on the passenger requests that are collected before the peak hours. We develop a variable neighborhood search (VNS) algorithm to optimize the operational decisions of this system. Based on the received requests, the VNS algorithm decides the following: (1) shortcut decisions: which shortcuts to take by each bus in each direction, (2) departure time decisions: when to depart from the city center and the terminal, and (3) passenger assignment decisions: which service serves each passenger. Experiments show that the total passenger travel time improves up to 45% on a real‐size line compared to its traditional fixed‐route operation. The performance of the system is also analyzed under different circumstances.
Does Carbon Risk Influence Stock Price Crash Risk? International Evidence
Authors: Bose Sudipta , Lim Edwin KiaYang , Minnick Kristina , Schorno Patrick J. , Shams Syed
Published: February 2025

This article examines the relationship between carbon risk and future stock price crash risk, focusing on an international sample of firms. Inherently, complex and deep uncertainties of carbon risk limit investors’ ability to fully understand and incorporate carbon risk into equity pricing and create room for opportunistic managers to hide bad news about poor carbon performance. Such pricing uncertainties and information asymmetry can result in significant overpricing of stocks (i.e., underpricing of carbon risks), especially for carbon‐intensive firms, thereby exposing these stocks to future stock price crash risks. In line with this argument, we find that carbon risk is positively associated with future stock price crash risk. However, we find that better carbon disclosure quality reduces pricing uncertainties and information asymmetry, which attenuates the positive effect of carbon risk on future stock price crash risk. Similarly, internal monitoring (e.g., corporate governance) and external monitoring (e.g., institutional investors and financial analysts) help alleviate information asymmetry related to carbon risk, thus reducing crash risk. In countries with stakeholder‐oriented business cultures, high climate change performance, and financial transparency, as well as for companies that link compensation to climate change performance, the positive association between carbon risk and stock price crash risk is weaker.
Usability and User's Satisfaction of an Electronic Case Report Form Implemented in the REDCap System in the HIV Clinical Research Context: The Use Case of DOLAM Clinical Trial
Authors: De Lazzari Elisa , Laguno Montserrat , Mallolas Josep , Martínez Esteban
Published: February 2025

Background

The clinical data management within biomedical research has gained importance over the last decade producing an increasing need of a web‐based software application providing electronic data capture and clinical data management functionalities to ensure high quality data. We chose REDCap system over OpenClinica (free‐distribution) to implement the electronic case report form (eCRF) at our HIV Unit. We then evaluated eCRF usability and stakeholder satisfaction in an upcoming Phase 4 clinical trial.

Methods

We assessed the perceived usability of the eCRF by different professional users, including nurses, researchers, study monitors and coordinators of the phase‐4 clinical trial, and their satisfaction using the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire and the Net Promoter Score (NPS).

Results

Nineteen out of 21 persons involved agreed to participate. All were female, with mean age of 35 years (SD: 7), 11 were study coordinators or monitors, 5 nurses and 3 clinicians/researchers. The median SUS was 72.5 (IQR: 62.5; 80.0): monitors/study coordinators had median score of 77.5, researchers/clinicians, 72.5 and nurses, 57.5. Less Information Technology (IT) or computer‐experienced scored higher 92.5 (57.5; 95.0) versus more experienced 71.3 (62.5; 78.8). The overall NPS (% promoters–% detractors) was 21.1, 7 (37%) users were promoters, 9 (47%) passives and 3 (16%) detractors.

Conclusions

When adopting a new system, measuring user's perceived usability and satisfaction in a quantitative manner and with validated measures may be useful to identify users' uncovered needs and to improve future interaction user‐system that will positively affect the quality of data managed in clinical research.
Aggression and emotional forgiveness in a group of juveniles: A two‐wave study
Authors: Konaszewski Karol , Skalski‐Bednarz Sebastian Binyamin , Toussaint Loren L. , Hansen Carina , Waszkiewicz Izabela , Surzykiewicz Janusz
Published: February 2025

The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between anger, hostility, physical aggression, verbal aggression, and emotional forgiveness (positive emotional forgiveness and reduction of negative emotions) in a longitudinal study design. Data were analyzed from 366 juveniles aged 10–18 (M = 15.18, SD = 1.63) who completed questionnaires during two waves. The procedure for both measurements consisted of completing questionnaires measuring emotional forgiveness and aggression. In order to achieve the aim of the study, we decided to evaluate a partial cross‐lagged model. Our analyses showed that the reduction in negative emotions toward the offender at T1 was a significant predictor of anger and hostility at T2. Sex was a significant covariate for verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. This study adds to the current literature by supporting previously theorized relationships. It suggests the possibility of training forgiveness skills in juveniles, reducing aggressive and potentially delinquent behavior, especially in response to injustice and events that trigger anger and hostility.
Conjuring an Enemy: US Discourse and Policy on Iran, 1979–88
Authors: Tracy Samuel Annie
Published: February 2025

This study traces the development of US policy toward and narrative on Iran in the first decade after the 1978–79 Iranian revolution. It examines how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iran‐Iraq War (1980–88) were portrayed in the mainstream English‐language (primarily American) news media, based on an analysis of nearly 1,200 reports. It argues that the narrative constructed by policymakers and the press significantly impacted US‐Iran relations, and this established patterns of discourse and action that have persisted to this day. This process helped solidify the official and popular conception of Iran as a dangerous threat antithetical to US values and interests, necessitating a policy of enmity and confrontation.
‘Getting Everyone on the Same Page’: Long‐Term‐Care Nurses' Experiences With Advance Care Planning
Authors: Krishnan Preetha , McClement Susan , Thompson Genevieve , Edwards Marie , St. John Philip
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Much of the literature examining the experiences of advance care planning (ACP) in long‐term care (LTC) has been from the perspectives of residents and their families. Largely absent from the literature are the perspectives of LTC nurses, who are key members of the healthcare team most involved with LTC residents/families and well positioned to facilitate the ACP process. The purpose of this study was to develop an inductively derived empirical model to address this gap in empirical knowledge.

Methods

A constructivist grounded theory (CGT) methodology was used in this study of 25 nurses working in 18 different LTC facilities in central Canada. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire; in‐depth, semi‐structured, audio‐recorded and face‐to‐face/telephone interviews; field notes; and memos. Descriptive statistics and specific CGT coding procedures were used to analyse the data.

Results

The basic social process that emerged from the data was that of nurses trying to identify an ACP level and craft a corresponding care plan that they believed would optimise residents' comfort in LTC during both acute medical events and at the end‐of‐life (EOL). The empirically derived theoretical model that captured the experiences, processes and strategies of nurses to address the identified social process was orchestrating comfort: getting everyone on the same page. This model encompassed two main processes, downgrading and upgrading ACP levels, and two preconditions, piecing together the big picture and selling the big picture.

Conclusions

Ensuring comfort for LTC residents at the end‐of‐life or during acute events by getting everyone on the same page is a complex process. The ability of nurses to downgrade or upgrade the ACP level to orchestrate comfort for LTC residents involves many factors related to the resident, family, healthcare providers and the context in which the ACP discussions take place.

Implications of Practice

Providing ACP/dementia information in LTC admission packages and through informational sessions can raise family awareness of these topics and dementia's complications. Clinical rotations in LTC facilities for medical, nursing, and paramedic students could also improve their understanding of the sector's complexities.
Burial depth and temperature effects on the germination and viability of Giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) seeds
Authors: Savić Aleksandra , Ringselle Björn , Barroso‐Bergadà Didac , Bohan David A. , Bergkvist Göran
Published: February 2025

Ambrosia trifida is a problematic weed species in many annual crops, and its allergenic pollen can be harmful to human health. Understanding the latency and germination rates of this weed species is crucial for planning effective weed management strategies. The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction of burial depth (5, 10, 15, 25 and 40 cm) and temperature (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30°C) on % germination, viability and latency in A. trifida using seeds from one population from Nebraska, North America, and two populations from Serbia, Europe. Nebraskan seeds were three times heavier than the Serbian seeds and had a higher seed viability and germination rate and lower germination latency. Despite this, burial depth and temperature affected the seeds from all populations in a similar way: the germination rate decreased and latency increased with increasing burial depth, while germination rate increased and latency decreased with increasing temperature. At shallow burial depths (5 cm), almost all seeds had very low levels of dormancy, while seeds buried deep (40 cm) did not germinate at any temperature treatment. We conclude that burial depth and temperature have opposite effects on A. trifida germinate rate and latency, but at very shallow or very deep soil depths, the seeds will germinate or will not germinate, respectively, regardless of the tested temperatures. The low dormancy at shallow soil depths means that A. trifida may be vulnerable to management strategies that focus on quickly emptying the seedbank without burying the seeds.
Fast Response Gripper Based on Asymmetric Bistable Dual-Triangle Tensegrity Structure
Authors: Yang Wenlong , Luo Jiahui , Xu Xiaoming , Liu Kun , Lu Zhenbo
Published: February 2025

Robots require compliant actuators capable of reducing tremendous stress shocks while maintaining fast response and lightweight. Bistable tensegrity structures have excellent performances such as fast response and high efficiency. In this study, a novel fast-response gripper based on dual-triangle bistable tensegrity structure was explored. The bistable properties of the dual-triangle tensegrity structure were analyzed from the perspective of the energy landscape. Two optimization methods were employed to adjust the structural parameters of it, aiming to achieve the desired energy landscape and agility properties. One of these optimization methods is innovative, utilizing equilibrium constraints to optimize with higher accuracy and computational efficiency. Its distinguishing feature is the ability to optimize the energy differences of bistable structures in precise equilibrium configurations without the need for discretization. By applying this method, a gripper based on the dual-triangle tensegrity structure was designed. The gripper demonstrated excellent performances in fast response and easy-trigger, verifying the feasibility of this method. This research is significant for developing fast response grippers, morphing structures, and multi-stable robots, which have potential applications in foldable robots, bird-like micro aerial vehicles, fruit-picking mechanisms, and more.