bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Potential of Cross‐Border Energy Trade in SAARC Countries for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Authors: Zidan Hassan , Malik Maaz Tahir , Rafique Usman , Azeem Fawad , Manzoor Tareq , Manzoor Habib Ullah
Published: February 2025

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) aims to develop a ring for sustainable generation of energy that caters for the needs of the member nations. Being a primarily underdeveloped region, the union of SAARC countries is facing a serious energy crisis, owing to rapid increase in population and industrialization. All the member countries predominantly rely upon imported fossil fuels for power generation. In line with the vision of SAARC, this research explores the potential of renewable energy and provides a quantitative cross‐border electricity trade assessment and its social‐economical‐technical (SET) impact on the SAARC region. The research presented in this article signifies the need for cross‐border electricity trade to fulfill the ever‐increasing demand‐supply gap in the region by providing a rudimentary framework. This approach has the viable potential for alleviating the substandard quality of life in the region. The paper highlights near‐border cities of SAARC countries that can potentially perform cross‐border electricity trade in the SAARC region. In the first phase, near‐border cities of the SAARC countries are highlighted. Moreover, as a part of social impact, this study analyzes the social needs of energy suppliers and receiving regions and maps it with the United Nations' sustainable development goals. The SDG mapping process is based on the societal needs of the supplier and receiver countries. The societal needs are assessed and mapped with the corresponding SDGs. Results reveal that India can potentially provide power to the neighboring countries through wind and solar power generating 125.9 million US dollars and providing 2485 GWh of energy which is 85% of the total generation in the SAARC region which is 2896.51 GWh. A total of 2.2 Ton/GWh of CO2 mitigation can be achieved through green generation whereas 13 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be achieved through social impacts between the energy trading countries.
There Is No Place Like Home: The Impact of Public Home‐Based Care on the Mental Health and Well‐Being of Older People
Authors: Carrino Ludovico , Reinhard Erica , Avendano Mauricio
Published: February 2025

Despite a significant policy shift from institutional to home‐based care for older adults, evidence on the effectiveness of policies incentivizing home care is limited. This study provides novel evidence on the causal effect of public home‐based care on the mental health and well‐being of older people. To address endogenous selection, we implement a novel instrumental variable approach that exploits eligibility rules for long‐term care as defined in national legislations. We link longitudinal data from the Survey of Health, Aging & Retirement in Europe (SHARE, 2004–2017) to national LTC eligibility rules in France, Germany, Spain and Belgium (disaggregated for Wallonia and Flanders regions) and examine how exogenous variation in the use of long‐term care caused by varying eligibility rules impacts depressive symptoms (EURO‐D scale), quality of life (CASP scale) and loneliness (R‐UCLA scale). We find that receiving formal home‐based care significantly reduces depressive symptom scores by 2.6 points (large effect size measured by Cohen's d) and the risk of depression by 13 percentage points. The use of home‐based formal care also increases quality of life as measured by the CASP scale, particularly by increasing feelings of control over life. We show that one potential mechanism involves the impact of home‐based care on loneliness: we estimate that receiving formal home‐based care reduces the risk of loneliness by 6.7 percentage points. Our results provide evidence that an increase in home‐based care coverage is justified in terms of improved mental health and well‐being outcomes for older people.
‘I Want People to Know out There, Just How Many Caregivers Struggle Between Work and Home’: Feminist Intersectional Research Exploring Caregiving Lived Experiences in New Zealand
Authors: Durville Laura Grace
Published: February 2025

Issue Addressed

Caregiving carries risks to caregivers because of the burdens associated with it, including impacts on caregiver health and wellbeing. It also has the potential to increase existing health inequities for women and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC). This exploratory research asked: What are the lived experiences of women and people who are double‐duty caregivers (those with both formal and informal caregiving roles), what are the impacts on health and wellbeing and how do socio‐cultural gender roles impact these experiences?

Methods

A qualitative feminist intersectional approach was used in this study. Data were collected through individual semi‐structured interviews with four women who were double‐duty caregivers, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Health and wellbeing were seen to be affected by caregiving roles and responsibilities, which were influenced by socio‐cultural pressures. These impacts were either alleviated or compounded by intersections of caregivers' identities with wider social systems of power.

Conclusions

Double‐duty caregivers need more support and resources to do their jobs well and look after their own wellbeing.

So What?

The need for caregivers will only increase due to ageing populations. Findings from this research point to intersectional inequities in caregiver burdens, which need to be addressed by health promotion as a matter of social justice.
Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Fetal Thymic‐Thoracic Ratio in Pregnant Women With Asthma
Authors: Agaoglu Zahid , Tanacan Atakan , Laleli Koc Bergen , Bozkurt Ozdal Burcu , Akgun Aktas Betul , Atalay Aysegul , Kara Ozgur , Sahin Dilek
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To investigate the thymic‐thoracic ratio (TTR) in pregnant women with asthma to determine whether fetal thymus size is affected in this condition.

Methods

A total of 139 patients, 69 patients diagnosed with asthma and 70 controls were prospectively included in the study at a single tertiary center. Eighteen of the patients diagnosed with asthma experienced at least one asthma attack, while 51 patients did not have any asthma attacks during pregnancy. TTR was calculated from the anterior‐posterior dimensions of the thymus and intrathoracic mediastinal measurements.

Results

TTR was found to be statistically significantly lower in patients with asthma compared to the controls (p < 0.001). The rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission was higher and the TTR value was lower among the cases presenting with an asthma attack during pregnancy compared to patients without asthma attack and controls (p = 0.043 and p = 0.001, respectively). A statistical difference was found between patients with and without asthma attacks regarding the use of medication for asthma (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The fetal thymus has been found to be affected in patients with asthma. The TTR is lower in patients who have asthma attacks during pregnancy and in patients taking medication for treatment, which may be related to chronic inflammatory process as well as to the use of exogenous steroids.
Ultrasound‐Guided Hydro‐Dissection of the Superficial Fascia for Cervical Myofascial Pain: A Case Series
Authors: Razaq Sarah , Ricci Vincenzo , Ricci Costantino , Özçakar Levent
Published: February 2025

The fascial system has recently gained attention for its potential role in various painful disorders. With the advancement of our understanding regarding the rich innervation of the fascia, it has emerged as a potential pain generator and a target for treatment in many cases. The superficial fascia presents a rich plexiform intrinsic neural network and runs within the subcutaneous fat tissue. It is pierced by several cutaneous nerves originating from the spine and reaching the dermo‐epidermal complex along the posterior surface of the trunk. Unlike the deep fascia that envelopes the paraspinal muscles and for which several interventional techniques have been described, poor scientific data about ultrasound‐guided procedures targeting the paravertebral superficial fascia are available. In this sense, this brief report describes three relevant cases whereby hydro‐dissection of the cervical superficial fascia has been performed under ultrasound guidance to manage myofascial pain non‐responsive to first‐line conservative treatments. Likewise, we discuss the potential role of this often‐forgotten anatomical structure in chronic cervical myofascial pain, cervicogenic dizziness, and paresthesias with non‐dermatomal distribution of the cervical and periscapular region.
Early detection of cerebrospinal fluid/serum glucose ratio: A promising value for mortality prognosis in patients with acute bacterial meningitis
Authors: Khodashenas Nasrin , Rajaei Ghafouri Rouzbeh , Jafari Rouhi Asghar , Balafar Moloud
Published: February 2025

Background/Aims

Given that acute bacterial meningitis (ABM), as community‐acquired meningitis, is considered a life‐threatening medical emergency, early diagnosis and immediate onset of antibiotic therapy are of great importance. Here, we aimed to compare both the laboratory and glucometer assessment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum glucose ratio in patients with suspected ABM. In addition, the prognostic value of the CSF/serum glucose ratio on the mortality rate was also evaluated.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional, single‐center study, all demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who attended the emergency department were evaluated. A total of 200 patients with clinical suspicion of ABM underwent lumbar puncture (LP) and were simultaneously recruited for CSF and serum glucose measurement using both laboratory tests and a point‐of‐care glucometer device. Data analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 20.0.

Results

Out of 200 suspected subjects with a mean age of 52.66 ± 6.64 years (male = 113, 56.5%), 23 patients (11.5%) were identified with confirmed ABM. The study findings showed a close correlation between the laboratory and glucometer‐measured CSF/serum glucose ratio. The sensitivity and specificity of the glucose ratio measured by the laboratory test were 91.3% and 86.4%, respectively. A similar result was also observed by glucometer measurement (Sensitivity: 91.3%, Specificity: 89.3%, p < 0.001). However, the mean time needed for CSF glucose measurement was significantly longer in the laboratory method compared to the glucometer‐based assessment (p < 0.0001). Notably, the CSF/serum glucose ratio was considerably lower in deceased patients (n = 9, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Despite the similar accuracy of the CSF/serum glucose ratio using either a laboratory test or glucometer for ABM diagnosis, the present study highlighted that the laboratory turnaround time was significantly improved using a glucometer, which could be considered a reliable aid to the prognosis of mortality.
Recent Progress on Preparation of Anisotropic Block Copolymer Particles Self‐Assembled in 3D Emulsion Droplets
Authors: Yan Nan , Ning Cong , Liu Xuejie , Zhu Yutian
Published: February 2025

Self‐assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) into anisotropic colloidal particles within 3D emulsion droplets has attracted considerable interest since the confined assembly in deformable geometries offers significant potential for designing and constructing specific anisotropic polymer materials for various applications. By precisely controlling the deformation of emulsion droplets, nucleation, and deposition sequence of BCP segments at the oil/water interface, various anisotropic polymer assembly particles with tunable shapes and internal structures can be generated. This review summarizes the recent advancements in the design and formation of anisotropic polymer assembly particles via confined assembly of BCPs, including an overview of emulsification techniques and methods, the regulation of particle shapes and internal structures, as well as the diverse applications of resulting anisotropic particles. Typically, the regulation of anisotropic shapes can be achieved through experimental approaches, such as the volume ratio and interactions between blocks, surfactant selectivity, crystallization‐induced deformation, stimuli‐responsive additives, evaporation rate, post‐annealing, confinement degree, and disassembly of prepared polymer colloids. Finally, the further perspectives and challenges in the construction anisotropic functional polymer materials are discussed.
Synergistic Molecular Engineering of Fully Non‐fused Ring Acceptors for Achieving Efficient Zigzag Charge Transport Channel and Low Non‐Radiative Voltage Loss
Authors: Ru Xiao‐Peng , Huang Zhan , Sun Wen‐Jing , Gan Sheng‐Min , Tang Xin , Ma Rui , Cui Tianqiang , Wang Wen‐Cai , Wang Jia , Yang Yongrui , Kan Bin , Meng LingXian , Zhang Yamin , Zhang Hao‐Li
Published: February 2025

Fully non‐fused ring acceptor (FNFRA) are potentially important for boosting the performance and lowering the material costs of organic solar cells (OSCs). Despite their potential, FNFRA‐based OSCs have not yet matched the performance of their fused ring and partial non‐fused ring counterparts due to limited molecular engineering research. In this work, by incorporating a synergistic strategy of tailoring the β‐side chain and end‐group of FNFRA with the cyclic “belt” simultaneously, a FNFRA named C6FT‐2F2Cl is constructed. Compared with other symmetric FNFRAs, C6FT‐2F2Cl features a shorter π–π stacking distance and an efficient zigzag charge transport channel, leading to enhanced and balanced charge carrier mobilities, lower non‐radiative energy loss and a higher short‐circuit current density. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the C6FT‐2F2Cl‐based OSC reached 13.19%, which is among the best in FNFRA‐based devices. This work provides new valuable insights for the charge transport mechanism associated FNFRAs and paves a new route to the materials design toward high‐performance and low‐cost OSCs.
Architectural Resilience for Sustainable Development: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Mouhcine Benaicha
Published: February 2025

Resilience has emerged as a critical focus in architecture, addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change, rapid urbanization, and socio‐economic disruptions. This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive analysis of resilience research in architecture, leveraging data from Scopus and Web of Science to explore trends, influential contributions, and thematic clusters. Key findings highlight the evolution of resilience concepts, including adaptive reuse, climate adaptation, and socio‐ecological integration, and underscore the interdisciplinary nature of the field, bridging architecture, engineering, and social sciences. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital twins, are identified as transformative tools for resilience planning, with potential to enhance adaptability and robustness in architectural and urban systems. The study also maps resilience challenges across scales, from individual buildings to city‐wide systems, illustrating the interplay between environmental, structural, and social dimensions. Comparative analysis of global and local resilience strategies emphasizes the need for region‐specific approaches, particularly in underrepresented contexts like low‐income and vernacular settings. By identifying gaps, such as the lack of standardized metrics and harmonized evaluation frameworks, this research proposes future directions to support a more resilient built environment. This work contributes actionable insights for architects, urban planners, and policymakers, providing a foundation for integrating resilience into sustainable development practices. It calls for collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts to advance resilience research and address the complexities of contemporary urban challenges.
A Graph‐Theoretic Approach to Detection of Parkinsonian Freezing of Gait From Videos
Authors: Liu Qi , Bao Jie , Zhang Xu , Shi Chuan , Liu Catherine , Luo Rui
Published: February 2025

Freezing of Gait (FOG) is a prevalent symptom in advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD), characterized by intermittent transitions between normal gait and freezing episodes. This study introduces a novel graph‐theoretic approach to detect FOG from video data of PD patients. We construct a sequence of pose graphs that represent the spatial relations and temporal progression of a patient's posture over time. Each graph node corresponds to an estimated joint position, while the edges reflect the anatomical connections and their proximity. We propose a hypothesis testing procedure that deploys the Fréchet statistics to identify break points in time between regular gait and FOG episodes, where we model the central tendency and dispersion of the pose graphs in the presentation of graph Laplacian matrices by computing their Fréchet mean and variance. We implement binary segmentation and incremental computation in our algorithm for efficient calculation. The proposed framework is validated on two datasets, Kinect3D and AlphaPose, demonstrating its effectiveness in detecting FOG from video data. The proposed approach that extracts matrix features is distinct from the prevailing pixel‐based deep learning methods. It provides a new perspective on feature extraction for FOG detection and potentially contributes to improved diagnosis and treatment of PD.
Racemic Assembly of Octahedral Metallomesogens via Δ−Λ Chiral Interaction: Detection of Novel VCD Signals in Quasi‐Racemate
Authors: Yoshida Hideyo , Nishimoto Kozue , Yuge Hidetaka , Mandai Takuyoshi , Yoshida Shintaro , Sato Shunsuke , Sato Hisako , Hara Mitsuo , Watanabe Go , Yoshida Jun
Published: February 2025

The liquid crystalline columnar assemblies have been developed by using racemic metal complexes with Δ, Λ chirality (M‐C8, M = Ru or Ir) as mesogens. A racemic M‐C8 exhibits rectangular columnar (Colr) and hexagonal columnar (Colh) phases upon cooling from their isotropic phases, which are analyzed by the combination of grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffraction (GI‐XRD) measurements and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. In the Colh phase, with lattice parameter a = 3.2 nm, single molecules are proposed to stack and form columns. By contrast, a large lattice with dimensions a = 12.4 nm and b = 2.6 nm is formed in the Colr phase. MD simulations demonstrated that two columns, each formed by the alternating stacking of Δ and Λ isomers, form a pair that subsequently assembles to construct a rectangular lattice. The paired columns are proposed to separate into individual columns in the Colh phase at the higher temperature, with each column behaving independently. A quasi‐racemic assembly of Δ‐Ru‐C8 and Λ‐Ir‐C8 or vice versa is further prepared via the Δ−Λ interaction. It is found to have the same structure as rac‐M‐C8 and exhibit different vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) signals from the individual enantiomers.
An Explainable Deep Learning Framework for Mandibular Canal Segmentation from Cone Beam Computed Tomography Volumes
Authors: Barzas Konstantinos , Fouad Shereen , Jasa Gainer , Landini Gabriel
Published: February 2025

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is an indispensable imaging modality in oral radiology, offering comprehensive dental anatomical information. Accurate detection of the mandibular canal (MC), a crucial anatomical structure in the lower jaw, within CBCT volumes is essential to support clinical dentistry workflows, including diagnosis, preoperative treatment planning, and postoperative evaluation. In this study, we present a deep learning-based (DL) approach for MC segmentation using 3D U-Net and 3D Attention U-Net networks. We collected a unique dataset of CBCT scans from 20 anonymous hemisected mandibular bones, which were further processed for analysis. The samples were scanned using a CBCT scanner after inserting a wire through the whole length of the MC to identify its location in space (as a gold standard). Our experimental results demonstrate that the 3D Attention U-Net outperforms the standard 3D U-Net in detecting the MC’s location, with Dice similarity score, Precision, and Recall values of 0.65, 0.75, and 0.60, respectively. Unlike current DL-enabled methods for MC segmentation, which face deployment and trust challenges due to their “black-box” nature, our approach incorporates a post-hoc visual explainability feature through the Grad-CAM++ (Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping) algorithm. This tool highlights important regions within the CBCT volumes that influence the model’s predictions, providing valuable insights into the segmentation process, and bridging the gap between cutting-edge DL technology and clinical practice.
Large Amplitude Quasi-Periodic Traveling Waves in Two Dimensional Forced Rotating Fluids
Authors: Bianchini Roberta , Franzoi Luca , Montalto Riccardo , Terracina Shulamit
Published: February 2025

We establish the existence of quasi-periodic traveling wave solutions for the

$$\beta $$

β

-plane equation on

$${\mathbb {T}}^2$$

T

2

with a large quasi-periodic traveling wave external force. These solutions exhibit large sizes, which depend on the frequency of oscillations of the external force. Due to the presence of small divisors, the proof relies on a nonlinear Nash-Moser scheme tailored to construct nonlinear waves of large size. To our knowledge, this is the first instance of constructing quasi-periodic solutions for a quasilinear PDE in dimensions greater than one, with a 1-smoothing dispersion relation that is highly degenerate - indicating an infinite-dimensional kernel for the linear principal operator. This degeneracy challenge is overcome by preserving the traveling-wave structure, the conservation of momentum and by implementing normal form methods for the linearized system with sublinear dispersion relation in higher space dimension.
Fracture Risk Assessment in Metabolic Syndrome in Terms of Secondary Osteoporosis Potential. A Narrative Review
Authors: Armutcu Ferah , McCloskey Eugene
Published: February 2025

Osteoporosis is a major global public health problem with the associated bone fractures contributing significantly to both morbidity and mortality. In many countries, osteoporotic fractures will affect one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50. Similarly, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are among the leading public health problems due to their worldwide prevalence and burden on health budgets. Although seemingly disparate, metabolic disorders are known to affect bone health, and the interaction between fat and bone tissue is increasingly well understood. For example, it is now well established that diabetes mellitus (both type 1 and 2) is associated with fracture risk. In this narrative review, we focus on the potential link between MetS and bone health as expressed by bone mineral density and fracture risk. This narrative review demonstrates the association of MetS and its components with increased fracture risk, and also highlights the need for fracture risk assessment in patients with obesity and MetS.
CT-like image based on 3D fast low-angle shot: superior diagnostic performance of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Authors: Kim Sujin , Lee Guen Young , Chung Bo Mi
Published: February 2025

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of 3D fast low-angle shot (FLASH) compared with conventional MRI sequences for detecting OPLL.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 106 patients who underwent cervical spine MRI and CT. Thirty-nine and 67 patients were enrolled in the OPLL and control groups, respectively. Diagnostic performance and reader confidence for detecting OPLL were compared between conventional MRI using turbo spin echo (TSE) and conventional MRI plus 3D FLASH. Interobserver agreement was also calculated. Three subgroups were defined within the OPLL group according to the sequences required for detecting OPLL (TSE group: cases that were diagnosed as OPLL by reviewing only TSE; 3D FLASH group: cases that were diagnosed by reviewing both TSE and 3D FLASH; none group: cases that were not diagnosed on MRI). The thickness of the OPLL was compared between the subgroups.

Results

The diagnostic performance of both readers improved when 3D FLASH was added to conventional MRI, and the difference was statistically significant for reader 2 (p = 0.006). After adding 3D FLASH, reader confidence significantly increased (p < 0.001), and interobserver agreement improved from good to excellent. The three subgroups exhibited significantly different OPLL thicknesses (p = 0.008), with the thickest in the TSE group (4.5 mm), followed by the 3D FLASH (3.4 mm) and None groups (2.4 mm).

Conclusion

3D FLASH can be helpful for detecting OPLL when combined with conventional T1- and T2-weighted imaging.
Efficacy of hypertonic nasal spray with algae in rhinosinusitis
Authors: Öztürk Zeynel , Bayar Muluk Nuray , Koca Rahime , Özçelіk Necdet , Alaskarov Elvin , Çukurova İbrahim , Çetіnkaya Erdem Atalay , Yörük Özgür , Bal Cengiz , Tatar Arzu , Susaman Nihat , Erdoğmuş Küçükcan Nagehan Dilşad , Atayoğlu Ayten Güner , Güngör Enes , Taş Burak Mustafa , Cingi Cemal
Published: February 2025

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nasal irrigation sprays at treating rhinosinusitis by easing congestion in the nose and other symptoms.

Methods

A total of 1700 individuals diagnosed with rhinosinusitis were assigned to the following groups: One group used Sinomarin® hypertonic nasal spray (n = 600), another used Sinomarin® Plus Algae ENT hypertonic nasal spray (n = 600), and a third used an isotonic saline nasal spray (n = 500). Before and after therapy, patients had their symptoms and turbinates examined, overall symptoms scored, and quality of life (QoL) evaluated.

Results

The findings showed that both groups saw a decrease in symptom scores for anterior discharge, postnasal drip, headache, and obstruction with therapy, as well as an improvement in turbinate color and edema (p < 0.05). Quality of life (QoL) ratings rose, and total symptom scores fell during therapy. The group that used hypertonic nasal spray with algae had considerably fewer overall symptom scores than the other groups (hypertonic nasal spray and saline). The hypertonic nasal spray group reported substantially fewer symptoms than the saline group. For what concerns quality of life, the saline group had significantly worse scores than groups 1 and 2; groups 1 and 2 were similar to one another.

Conclusion

We found that compared to hypertonic and saline nasal sprays, the algae-containing hypertonic spray reduced total symptom scores more than the other sprays. This indicated that irrigation based on algae-containing hypertonic nasal sprays could be the treatment of choice for the management of symptoms in rhinosinusitis patients.

Clinical trial number

The study was registered to ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System (PRS) with a Clinical trial number of E-95961207-202.3.02-2955.
Counteracting uncertainty: exploring the impact of anxiety on updating predictions about environmental states
Authors: Harris David , Arthur Tom , Wilson Mark , Le Gallais Ben , Parsons Thomas , Dill Ally , Vine Sam
Published: February 2025

Anxious emotional states disrupt decision-making and control of dexterous motor actions. Computational work has shown that anxiety-induced uncertainty alters the rate at which we learn about the environment, but the subsequent impact on the predictive beliefs that drive action control remains to be understood. In the present work we tested whether anxiety alters predictive (oculo)motor control mechanisms. Thirty participants completed an experimental task that consisted of manual interception of a projectile performed in virtual reality. Participants were subjected to conditions designed to induce states of high or low anxiety using performance incentives and social-evaluative pressure. We measured subsequent effects on physiological arousal, self-reported state anxiety, and eye movements. Under high pressure conditions we observed visual sampling of the task environment characterised by higher variability and entropy of position prior to release of the projectile, consistent with an active attempt to reduce uncertainty. Computational modelling of predictive beliefs, using gaze data as inputs to a partially observable Markov decision process model, indicated that trial-to-trial updating of predictive beliefs was reduced during anxiety, suggesting that updates to priors were constrained. Additionally, state anxiety was related to a less deterministic mapping of beliefs to actions. These results support the idea that organisms may attempt to counter anxiety-related uncertainty by moving towards more familiar and certain sensorimotor patterns.
Emerging trends in nucleic acid and peptide aptamers in plant science research
Authors: Sanjay Kannath U. , Vinay Chigateri M. , Prabhu Navya B. , Rai Padmalatha S.
Published: February 2025

Main conclusion

Aptamer technology has significantly advanced the field of plant research, emerging as a tool for enhancing agricultural productivity, plant growth, and environmental monitoring.

Aptamers are short nucleotide or amino acid sequences that can bind to a range of target molecules with high affinity and selectivity. In recent years, these affinity molecules have piqued the interest of researchers across various scientific fields, including pharmaceuticals, analytical chemistry, and plant science. Advancements in aptamer technology have significantly broadened the horizons of plant science, particularly in the areas of plant analyte detection, pathogen targeting, and protein function analysis. Despite the use of various other bioassays and molecular techniques for plant analyte detection, the small size, chemical stability, and cost-effective synthesis of aptamers make them invaluable tools for unravelling the complexities of plant cells. Here, we discuss the progress in the development of nucleic acid and peptide aptamers and summarize their applications in plant biotechnology. The principles and signalling methods of various aptamer-based biosensors and their prospects as biotechnological tools for functional genomic studies, pathogen resistance, and bioimaging are discussed. Finally, the present challenges and future perspectives of aptamer-based technology in plant research are also summarized.
Impact of Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons-certified supervisors and patient factors on manipulation time during single-incision laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Sanmoto Yohei , Kawami Akio , Goto Yudai , Masumoto Kouji
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To assess the influence of supervisory surgeons certified by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgeons (JSPS) and patient-related factors on the manipulation time of single-incision laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (SILPEC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 469 SILPEC procedures that were performed between 2017 and 2023. Procedures were categorized based on whether or not the attending surgeons possessed JSPS certification as supervisors, and patient characteristics and manipulation time were compared. A multivariate analysis was also performed to evaluate the factors affecting manipulation time.

Results

In male patients, procedures attended by JSPS-certified supervisory surgeon had a shorter median (IQR) manipulation time (491.5 [396, 626.3] s) than those attended by non-certified surgeons (581 [445.3, 753] s; P = 0.0092). However, no significant difference was observed in female patients (367 [267.8, 623] vs. 399 [269.5, 593] s; P = 0.94). A multivariate analysis showed that, in males, attendance by a certified supervisor was associated with shorter manipulation times, whereas a history of hernia incarceration lengthened them. Furthermore, asymptomatic contralateral patent processus vaginalis repair was associated with shorter manipulation times in females.

Conclusion

Attendance by JSPS-certified supervisory surgeons significantly reduced manipulation time in male SILPEC cases. Considering patient background and procedural complexity, assigning JSPS-certified supervisory surgeons as attending surgeons may further enhance surgical efficiency.
Beyond the beats: a systematic review of the underlying inflammatory pathways between atrial fibrillation and cognitive decline
Authors: Machado Ana Mónica , Ferraz Ana Sofia , Pereira M. Graça , Leite Fernanda
Published: February 2025

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and cognitive decline represent significant health challenges with increasing prevalence and significant socioeconomic implications. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between AF and cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Inflammation has emerged as a key mediator in cardiovascular and neurological diseases, encouraging an investigation into its role in the atrial fibrillation-cognition association. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating possible inflammatory mechanisms bridging AF and cognitive decline. Studies were assessed for quality and relevance, and data were synthesized using a narrative approach. Five papers were included, with only two longitudinal studies. Inflammatory biomarkers emerged as significant factors associated with both AF and cognitive decline. Three studies revealed a correlation between high-sensitivity CRP (HS-CRP) levels and cognitive decline in patients with AF, AF patients with cerebral infarction, and elderly individuals with AF. However, conflicting results were observed, as one study did not identify any associations between cognitive decline and HS-CRP levels. The scientific literature on this topic is scarce, and the results of existing studies often lack consistency in their findings, highlighting the need for further research to better understand and prevent this significant health burden in patients with AF. So, the results of this study are expected to inform future research directions and cognitive decline risk stratification, guiding the development of targeted interventions aimed at preserving cognitive function and improving outcomes in patients with AF.
Development of an Automated CAD System for Lesion Detection in DCE-MRI
Authors: Andreadis Theofilos , Chouchos Konstantinos , Courcoutsakis Nikolaos , Seimenis Ioannis , Koulouriotis Dimitrios
Published: February 2025

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has been recognized as an effective tool for early detection and characterization of breast lesions. This study proposes an automated computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system to facilitate lesion detection in DCE-MRI. The system initially identifies and crops the breast tissue reducing the processed image region and, thus, resulting in lower computational burden. Then, Otsu’s multilevel thresholding method is applied to detect and segment the suspicious regions of interest (ROIs), considering the dynamic enhancement changes across two post-contrast sequential phases. After segmentation, a two-stage false positive reduction process is applied. A rule-based stage is first applied, followed by the segmentation of control ROIs in the contralateral breast. A feature vector is then extracted from all ROIs and supervised classification is implemented using two classifiers (feed-forward backpropagation neural network (FFBPN) and support vector machine (SVM)). A dataset of 52 DCE-MRI exams was used for assessing the performance of the system in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision. A total of 138 enhancing lesions were identified by an experienced radiologist and corresponded to CAD-detected ROIs. The system’s overall sensitivity was 83% when the FFBPN classifier was used and 92% when the SVM was applied. Moreover, the calculated area under curve for the SVM classifier was 0.95. Both employed classifiers exhibited high performance in identifying enhancing lesions and in differentiating them from healthy parenchyma. Current results suggest that the employment of a CAD system can expedite lesion detection in DCE-MRI images and, therefore, further research over larger datasets is warranted.
Semi-supervised Label Generation for 3D Multi-modal MRI Bone Tumor Segmentation
Authors: Curto-Vilalta Anna , Schlossmacher Benjamin , Valle Christina , Gersing Alexandra , Neumann Jan , von Eisenhart-Rothe Ruediger , Rueckert Daniel , Hinterwimmer Florian
Published: February 2025

Medical image segmentation is challenging due to the need for expert annotations and the variability of these manually created labels. Previous methods tackling label variability focus on 2D segmentation and single modalities, but reliable 3D multi-modal approaches are necessary for clinical applications such as in oncology. In this paper, we propose a framework for generating reliable and unbiased labels with minimal radiologist input for supervised 3D segmentation, reducing radiologists’ efforts and variability in manual labeling. Our framework generates AI-assisted labels through a two-step process involving 3D multi-modal unsupervised segmentation based on feature clustering and semi-supervised refinement. These labels are then compared against traditional expert-generated labels in a downstream task consisting of 3D multi-modal bone tumor segmentation. Two 3D-Unet models are trained, one with manually created expert labels and the other with AI-assisted labels. Following this, a blind evaluation is performed on the segmentations of these two models to assess the reliability of training labels. The framework effectively generated accurate segmentation labels with minimal expert input, achieving state-of-the-art performance. The model trained with AI-assisted labels outperformed the baseline model in 61.67% of blind evaluations, indicating the enhancement of segmentation quality and demonstrating the potential of AI-assisted labeling to reduce radiologists’ workload and improve label reliability for 3D multi-modal bone tumor segmentation. The code is available at https://github.com/acurtovilalta/3D_LabelGeneration.
Thermo-mechanical modelling of a gravitational slope deformation overlying an active hydrothermal system (Ischia, Italy) in a multiple hazard framework
Authors: Marmoni G. M. , Martino S.
Published: February 2025

The interaction between geothermal and mechanical processes can be considered relevant for the quantification of scenarios of slope stability in volcanic islands. The present research focuses on Ischia Island, which experienced a history of volcanic flank collapses in the last 10 ka. In the most uplifted sector of the resurgent caldera, a gravity-induced slope deformation took place and evolved in the area of Mt. Nuovo, where ultimate failure conditions have not yet been reached. To better understand the factors controlling the evolution of this slope deformation and to validate the hypothesised future instability scenario, a multiscale and multiphysical modelling approach was developed. This involved fine-tuning a 2D model of the deep hydrothermal system and combining it with a thermomechanical stress–strain model of the deforming slope. The numerical analysis examined the mechanics and rheology of tuffs, already constrained in laboratory, assuming present-day geothermal conditions and verifying the kinematics of the slope deformation process with respect to geomorphological time-volume targets. A strain-softening approach and viscosity thermal weakening were thus incorporated to back-analyse the rock mass creep process, reconstructing the size and mechanism of the slope deformation while aligning with geomorphological and temporal constraints. The study points out the preparatory role of geothermal anomalies in the evolution of large slope scale deformations, suggesting that thermally and strain-controlled viscosity reductions could lead to an acceleration of the process by approximately 10,000 years. Despite the formation of localised shear zones, no global paroxysmal failure was observed. This indicates that external or internal triggers, such as seismic or volcanic-hydrothermal transient events, are required to cause a slope collapse.
New insights into pulmonary arterial hypertension: interaction between PANoptosis and perivascular inflammatory responses
Authors: Su Xianli , Sun Yinhui , Dai Aiguo
Published: February 2025

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by various etiologies, with pulmonary vascular remodeling recognized as a main pathological change. Currently, it is widely accepted that vascular remodeling is closely associated with abnormal pulmonary vascular cell death and perivascular inflammation. The simultaneous activation of various pulmonary vascular cell death leads to immune cell adhesion and inflammatory mediator releases; And in turn, the inflammatory response may also trigger cell death and jointly promote the progression of vascular remodeling. Recently, PANoptosis has been identified as a phenomenon that describes the simultaneous activation and interaction of multiple forms of programmed cell death (PCD). Therefore, the relationship between PANoptosis and inflammation in PAH warrants further investigation. This review examines the mechanisms underlying apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and inflammatory responses in PAH, with a focus on PANoptosis and its interactions with inflammation. And it aims to elucidate the significance of this emerging form of cell death and inflammation in the pathophysiology of PAH and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target.
Escalating threat: increasing impact of the polyphagous shot hole borer beetle, Euwallacea fornicatus, in nearly all major South African forest types
Authors: Townsend G. , Hill M. , Hurley B. P. , Roets F.
Published: February 2025

The polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB; Euwallacea fornicatus), is an invasive ambrosia beetle and poses a significant threat to a wide range of tree species globally. Despite its potential impact, research on the beetle's spread and impacts in natural ecosystems remains limited. This study examines the interactions between PSHB and native forest ecosystems in two regions in South Africa. Over 5 years, PSHB invaded all but one forest type with colonization being recorded on numerous native tree species, often resulting in severe infestations and sometimes mortality. Many tree species and families had higher than expected infestation rates. An increase in PSHB-attacked trees and infestation severity was observed over the course of the study with trees having a ~ 7.5% increased chance of PSHB infestations per year and PSHB holes increasing by over 10% annually. Significant temporal and regional effects on PSHB infestations were also noted. There were higher infestation levels in the tropical KwaZulu-Natal region than in the more temperate Western Cape. Monitoring plots closer to PSHB source populations had higher infestation rates. Higher tree species richness resulted in lower PSHB attacks, whereas higher densities of competent host species led to increased infestations. This study underscores the importance of extended monitoring of invasive species and provides key insights for the potential management of PSHB in natural forest ecosystems. The ecological effects of this invasion may be severe, with many important tree species sustaining infestations. Over time this invasion could have adverse effects to ecosystem functioning and resilience.
Using global occurrence data to predict suitable habitats for widely distributed marine species in data-scarce regions
Authors: De Wysiecki Agustín M. , Barnett Adam , Sánchez-Carnero Noela , Cortés Federico , Milessi Andrés C. , Trobbiani Gastón A. , Jaureguizar Andrés J.
Published: February 2025

This study addresses the challenge of advancing habitat use knowledge of widely distributed marine species populations when regional data is scarce. We use an approach based on ecological niche models (ENMs) calibrated with global presence data to estimate the global niche of species, enabling indirect predictions of suitable habitats and potential distribution in one or more regions of interest. The method leverages a range of global occurrence records, including scientific papers, government data, biodiversity repositories, and citizen science contributions, to overcome regional data scarcity, which are then integrated with environmental variables to predict habitat suitability. As a case study, we apply this method to predict suitable habitats of copper (Carcharhinus brachyurus) and sand tiger (Carcharias taurus) sharks in the Southwest Atlantic, two species of conservation concern in a region with limited data. Suitable habitats for both species were predicted, providing critical information for guiding conservation efforts. Environmental factors (i.e., bottom temperature, distance to the coast, and surface temperature) were key to shaping predicted distribution patterns of these large predatory sharks, aligning with previous knowledge and historical records of their latitudinal ranges. The results have implications for conservation planning and sustainable management of shark populations in the Southwest Atlantic, contributing to broader efforts in marine biodiversity conservation. Additionally, the study highlights the potential of ENMs to identify essential habitats even in the absence of effort data, underscoring their value in marine conservation. This study advances the use of niche modelling in marine systems and demonstrates its applicability for area-based conservation initiatives, particularly in data-poor regions.
Physical Health and Health Behaviours of Australians with Psychosis
Authors: Happell Brenda , Platania-Phung Chris , Furness Trentham , Scholz Brett , Niyonsenga Theo , Watkins Andrew , Curtis Jackie , Wang Zijian , Khanijou Supriya , Stanton Robert
Published: February 2025

People living with psychosis live up to 20 years less compared to the general population. Cardiometabolic ill-health and barriers to health-related behaviour are significant contributors. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of cardiometabolic health and health behaviours of consumers attending a public community mental health service in an Australian city. One hundred and fourteen consumers currently living with psychosis participated. Standard measures of cardiometabolic health, quality of life and, health-related behaviours were utilised. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The cohort reported higher fruit intake and physical activity, and lower excess alcohol use compared to previous studies. Health-related behaviours including smoking and vegetable intake were poorer than previously reported. Participants had low levels of cardiometabolic health (e.g. abnormal lipids). Physical and mental quality of life was also lower than for general populations. Improved efforts to address physical health for people with mental health conditions are urgently needed.