bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
General anaesthesia in special care dentistry: Part 3. case series
Authors: Yeo Xin Hui , Gillway Daniel , Kahatab Ahmed , Doshi Mili , Shehabi Zahra , Geddis-Regan Andrew
Published: February 2025

General anaesthesia is frequently used to provide comprehensive dental care to the varied groups of patients treated in special care dentistry services, as discussed in Parts 1 and 2 of this case series. General anaesthesia provision also offers an opportunity for multidisciplinary team working to support holistic patient care, particularly if investigations are difficult, impossible or compromised owing to patient factors. Thorough patient assessment and consideration, as well as a collaborative approach between the different teams, are required for successful patient-centred care. Reasonable adjustments are often crucial for special care patients, requiring thoughtful planning and consideration from admission to safe discharge. This article presents five case examples of the use of general anaesthesia to provide dental care in complex circumstances.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Examples are presented of how the use of general anaesthesia in special care dentistry requires careful consideration and planning.
Agriculture and Environmental Conflict in Costa Rica, 1800-1879
Authors: Blanco Obando Edgar Eduardo
Published: February 2025

This article, through the review and analysis of primary sources, statistical data in population and agricultural surveys, and secondary sources such as scientific books and articles, demonstrates the way in which the Costa Rican agricultural system has developed during most of the 19th century, supported by livestock, crops and wood extraction, causing a severe environmental impact reflected mainly in the reduction of forests. This pressure on forests has caused the emergence of environmental conflicts, understood as a certain form of exploitation and administration of forest resources that social actors value as exclusive and contrary to common welfare.
Examining the flavor descriptors of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches in the Philippines: Regulatory challenges and opportunities
Authors: Ackary Samantha J. , Cabrera Patrik James D.L. , Santiago Alen Josef A. , Amul Gianna Gayle H.
Published: February 2025

In the Philippines, the regulation of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products (HTPs), and nicotine pouches under Republic Act 11900 or the Vape Law is crucial as their use continues to rise. As e-cigarettes are rapidly gaining popularity due to their social appeal, perceived novelty, ever-changing flavors, and sensations that are attractive to consumers, HTPs and nicotine pouches are continuously developing as well. This study aims to characterize e-cigarette, HTP, and nicotine pouch flavor descriptors in the Philippines and to assess the regulatory implications of existing policies regulating these products. We adapted the Tobacco Pack Surveillance System (TPackSS) data collection protocol developed by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control and employed both inductive and deductive thematic analyses to categorize flavor descriptors from 278 e-cigarette, HTP, and nicotine pouch products. We identified 11 categories of flavor descriptors: colors (18.08%), fruits (15.07%), codes or acronym-like descriptors (13.70%), concept descriptors (12.05%), menthol (10.96%), beverages (9.86%), sweet (8.22%), miscellaneous (5.48%), pop culture (3.56%), tobacco (2.47%), and nuts (0.55%). We also examined the flavor imagery, marketing tactics, and promotional strategies on these products. To effectively regulate e-cigarettes, HTPs, and nicotine pouches, we recommend streamlining their governing policies. Establishing a complete flavor ban on appealing flavors, descriptors, and imagery is crucial to curbing use. Additionally, increasing taxation and implementing plain packaging can reduce the marketing appeal of these products, thereby enhancing prevention and control efforts.
Prevalence and causes of blindness and vision impairment among people 50 years and older in Nepal: A national Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness survey
Authors: Kumar Mishra Sailesh , Shah Ranjan , Gogate Parikshit , Sapkota Yuddha Dhoj , Gurung Reeta , Shrestha Mohan Krishna , Mactaggart Islay , McCormick Ian , Shahi Brish Bahadur , Khandekar Rajiv , Burton Matthew
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To determine the prevalence and causes of blindness and vision impairment among people 50 years and older in Nepal.

Methods

We conducted seven provincial-level Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) cross-sectional, population-based surveys between 2018–2021. Provincial prevalence estimates were weighted to give nationally representative estimates. Sampling, enumeration, and examination of the population 50 years and older were done at the province level following standard RAAB protocol.

Results

Across seven surveys, we enrolled 33,228 individuals, of whom 32,565 were examined (response rate 98%). Females (n = 17,935) made up 55% of the sample. The age-sex-province weighted national prevalence of blindness (better eye presenting visual acuity <3/60) was 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–1.2%), and any vision impairment <6/12 was 20.7% (95% CI 19.9–21.5%). The prevalence of blindness was higher in women than men (1.3% [95% CI 1.1–1.5%] vs 0.9% [95% CI 0.7–1.0%]). Age-sex weighted blindness prevalence was highest in Lumbini Province (1.8% [95% CI 1.3–2.2%]) and lowest in Bagmati Province (0.7% [95% CI 0.4–0.9%]) and Sudurpaschim Province (0.7% [95% CI 0.4–0.9%]). Cataract (65.2%) was the leading cause of blindness in our sample, followed by corneal opacity (6.4%), glaucoma (5.8%) and age-related macular degeneration (5.3%). Other posterior segment diseases accounted for 8.4% of cases. Cataract was also the leading cause of severe vision impairment (83.9%) and moderate vision impairment (66.8%), while refractive error was the leading cause of mild vision impairment (66.5%).

Conclusion

The prevalence of blindness was higher among women than men and varied by province. The Lumbini and Madesh Provinces in the Terai (plains) region had higher prevalence of blindness than elsewhere. Cataract was the leading cause of blindness, severe vision impairment and moderate vision impairment while refractive error was the leading cause of mild vision impairment.
Effects of exogenous EBR on the physiology of cold resistance and the expression of the VcCBF3 gene in blueberries during low-temperature stress
Authors: Fan Jiahe , Tang Xuedong , Cai Jiaxin , Tan Ruiyang , Gao Xue
Published: February 2025

The northern highbush blueberry variety ‘Duke’ was used as the test material, and different concentrations of 2,4-Epibrassinolide (EBR) (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg·L-1) were applied during the bud expansion stage, with a second application administered at one-day intervals following the first. Samples were collected at the bud, flower, and fruit stages and subsequently treated with artificial low temperatures (2°C) after sampling. The effects of various concentrations of exogenous EBR on the physiological indices of cold resistance and the expression of the cold resistance gene VcCBF3 in blueberry buds, flowers, and young fruits were investigated through comprehensive evaluation and correlation analysis. The objective was to identify the optimal concentration of EBR to enhance the cold resistance of blueberries. The results indicate that: (1) Under low temperature stress, the contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein and proline increased, along with the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase. The expression of the VcCBF3 gene expression and the ascorbate-glutathione cycling system were up-regulated, and with the increase of EBR concentration, the expression of the VcCBF3 gene initially rose and then declined. The content of malondialdehyde and the production rate of superoxide anion radicals decreased, and with the increase of EBR concentration, the content of malondialdehyde first decreased and then increased. (2) Overall low temperature resistance, flowers > buds > young fruits. (3) Appropriate concentrations of exogenous EBR can effectively mitigate freezing damage in blueberries caused by low temperatures. A comprehensive evaluation and correlation analysis of each cold tolerance index and the expression of the VcCBF3 gene revealed that a treatment concentration of 0.4 mg·L-1 had the most significant mitigating effect among the sprayed EBR concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mg·L-1.
Comparative SIR/SEIR modeling of the Antonine Plague in Rome
Authors: Karasaridis Anestis , Chalupa Aleš
Published: February 2025

Some scholars consider the Antonine Plague to have been a major disease outbreak in the 2nd century CE that caused a significant decline in the population of the Roman Empire. Although there is currently no molecular evidence of the specific pathogen, literary evidence indicates the parameters of the disease that it caused and how significant the impact on Roman society was. One way to advance the current discussion concerning the Antonine Plague’s impact on the Roman Empire’s population is to examine the currently available sources and comparatively model the spread of different pathogens in a specific location with known demographic data for the relevant period. To accomplish this, we developed a series of dynamic ordinary differential equation models of the spread of disease in Rome between 165 and 189 CE for several pathogens. We found that daily disease deaths in the final years of the pandemic were inconsistent with estimates reported in primary sources, suggesting that either (a) the impact of the Antonine Plague may have been exaggerated in the descriptions of ancient authors, or (b) the daily deaths in ca. 189 CE were caused by a different disease event than the Antonine Plague, or (c) seasonality might have been a significant factor changing the intensity of disease spread, with the population more severely affected during the winter months. Although none of the pathogens we analyzed emerged as the likely causative agent of the Antonine Plague, the models show that the overall mortality rate would have increased maximally by 7%. This result contradicts the mortality rate accepted by historians who defend the thesis of the significant impact of this epidemic on the demography of the Roman Empire.
Exploring burnout, perfectionism, and moral injury among UK physiotherapists: A qualitative study on professional fulfilment and well-being
Authors: Skamagki Glykeria , Blackburn Laura , Biggs Daniel , Kolitsida Maria , Black Cameron , Shanmugam Sivaramkumar
Published: February 2025

Background

Burnout, perfectionism, and moral injury are prevalent issues among healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists. The demanding nature of the profession, compounded by high workloads, emotional and physical exhaustion, and systemic challenges, has significant implications for the well-being and professional satisfaction of physiotherapists. This study aimed to explore these issues, by providing a qualitative exploration of UK physiotherapists’ lived experiences.

Objectives

To explore the lived experiences of UK physiotherapists regarding burnout, perfectionism, and moral injury, and to develop a comprehensive understanding of the personal and professional impacts of these issues to inform the development of effective support systems and interventions.

Methods

This qualitative exploratory study involved semi-structured interviews with 12 UK physiotherapists. Framework approach was used to identify key themes and patterns in the data, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by physiotherapists.

Results

Four primary themes emerged: (1) Physiotherapy Under Pressure: Workload, Burnout, and Perfectionism, (2) Interpersonal Dynamics and Support Systems, (3) Professional Fulfilment and Identity, and (4) Work-Life Balance and Well-being. Physiotherapists reported high levels of burnout and exhaustion due to relentless workloads, exacerbated by and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Perfectionism further contributed to emotional exhaustion and feelings of inadequacy. Inconsistent management support, bureaucratic challenges, and a lack of career progression opportunities were significant stressors. Effective team dynamics and support systems were crucial in mitigating stress, yet many faced interpersonal challenges such as criticism and bullying. Achieving work-life balance was a persistent struggle, highlighting the need for organisational changes to support flexibility and well-being.

Conclusion

Burnout, perfectionism, and moral injury significantly impact physiotherapists’ well-being and professional satisfaction. Addressing these issues requires systemic changes within healthcare organisations to provide robust support systems, flexible working conditions, and opportunities for professional development.
Exploring the underlying mechanisms of customers’ intention to adopt product recommendations from live streamers: A moderated mediation approach
Authors: Zhang Liping , Wu Xueping
Published: February 2025

Live streaming has emerged as one of the indispensable channels for product information dissemination. Product recommendations from live streamers play an increasingly important role in customers’ purchasing decisions. Our study aims to understand the mechanism behind individuals’ intention to adopt product recommendations in live streaming. To that end, we implemented a moderated mediation model to test the direct and indirect effects of perceived value on customers’ intention to adopt product recommendations from live streamers, the mediating role of perceived credibility in the relationship between perceived value and adoption intention, the moderating role of sense of telepresence in the link between perceived value and perceived credibility, and the moderating role of self-identification in the association between perceived credibility and adoption intention. Results show that perceived credibility plays a partial intermediary role in the link between perceived value and adoption intention, sense of telepresence can positively predict perceived credibility but cannot significantly moderate the relationship between perceived value and adoption intention, and self-identification can positively buffer the association between perceived credibility and adoption intention, but negatively moderate the relationship between perceived value and adoption intention. This study advances theoretical research on product recommendations in the live-streaming context and provides practical inspiration for live streamers and managers of social commerce companies.
The impact of carbohydrate quality on gut health: Insights from the NHANES
Authors: Hu Lanshuo , Huang Xuanchun , Liu Shan , Fang Lihui , Zhang Jiaqi , Tang Xudong
Published: February 2025

Background

High- and low-quality carbohydrate diets are linked to gut health. However, their specific relationship with constipation or diarrhea is unclear. This study uses 2005–2010 NHANES data to examine the relationship between carbohydrate quality and constipation and diarrhea, and to identify suitable populations for different carbohydrate diets.

Methods

Chronic constipation was defined as BSFS types 1 and 2, and chronic diarrhea as types 6 and 7. Dietary intake data were provided by the FPED, using data from the NHANES database. Subjects recalled foods and beverages consumed in the past 24 hours, and intake was averaged and divided into quartiles (Q). After adjusting for covariates, associations between high- and low-quality carbohydrate diets and constipation or diarrhea were assessed using weighted RCS curves and multivariate logistic regression. Results were expressed as weighted ORs and 95% CIs, with subgroup analyses performed.

Results

A total of 11,355 people participated, with 10,488 in the constipation group and 10,516 in the diarrhea group. Multiple regression showed that high-quality carbohydrates were negatively associated with constipation (OR: 0.852, 95% CI: 0.796–0.912, P = 0.0001). Low-quality carbohydrates were positively associated with constipation (OR: 1.010, 95% CI: 1.002–1.018, P = 0.0295). There was no significant direct association between carbohydrate quality and diarrhoea (P = 0.5189, P = 0.8278). Segmented regression results showed a non-significant association between low quality carbohydrate intake above 40.65 servings/day and constipation, while quality carbohydrate intake above 3.84 servings/day was not significantly associated with diarrhoea. Subgroup analyses showed differences in carbohydrate quality and constipation or diarrhoea across populations.

Conclusions

High-quality carbohydrates lowered constipation risk by 33.7% and reduced diarrhea risk with intake up to 3.84 servings/day. In contrast, low-quality carbohydrates increased constipation risk by 83.4%, with risk stabilizing beyond 40.65 servings/day. These effects varied across groups, suggesting that better carbohydrate quality supports gut health, especially in sensitive individuals.
Digital mental health service engagement changes during Covid-19 in children and young people across the UK: Presenting concerns, service activity, and access by gender, ethnicity, and deprivation
Authors: Knipe Duleeka , de Ossorno Garcia Santiago , Salhi Louisa , Afzal Nimrah , Sammut Samaryah , Mainstone-Cotton Lily , Sefi Aaron , Marchant Amanda , John Ann
Published: February 2025

The adoption of digital health technologies accelerated during Covid-19, with concerns over the equity of access due to digital exclusion. The aim of this study was to assess whether service access and presenting concerns differed before and during the pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity, and deprivation level) were examined to identify disparities in service use. To do this we utilised routinely collected service data from a text-based online mental health service for children and young people. A total of 61221 service users consented to sharing their data which represented half of the service population. We used interrupted time-series models to assess whether there was a change in the level and rate of service use during the Covid-19 pandemic (April 2020-April 2021) compared to pre-pandemic trends (June 2019-March 2020) and whether this varied by sociodemographic characteristics. The majority of users identified as female (74%) and White (80%), with an age range between 13 and 20 years of age. There was evidence of a sudden increase (13%) in service access at the start of the pandemic (RR 1.13 95% CI 1.02, 1.25), followed by a reduced rate (from 25% to 21%) of engagement during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic trends (RR 0.97 95% CI 0.95,0.98). There was a sudden increase in almost all presenting issues apart from physical complaints. There was evidence of a step increase in the number of contacts for Black/African/Caribbean/Black British (38% increase; 95% CI: 1%-90%) and White ethnic groups (14% increase; 95% CI: 2%-27%), sudden increase in service use at the start of the pandemic for the most (58% increase; 95% CI: 1%-247%) and least (47% increase; 95% CI: 6%-204%) deprived areas. During the pandemic, contact rates decreased, and referral sources changed at the start. Findings on access and service activity align with other studies observing reduced service utilization. The lack of differences in deprivation levels and ethnicity at lockdown suggests exploring equity of access to the anonymous service. The study provides unique insights into changes in digital mental health use during Covid-19 in the UK.
Promoting the implementation of clinical decision support systems in primary care: A qualitative exploration of implementing a Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)-guided decision support system in asthma consultations
Authors: Morton Kate , Santillo Marta , Van Velthoven Michelle Helena , Yardley Lucy , Thomas Mike , Wang Kay , Ainsworth Ben , Tonkin-Crine Sarah
Published: February 2025

Background

Clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) can promote adherence to clinical guidelines and improve patient outcomes. Exploring implementation determinants during the development of CDSSs enables intervention optimisation to promote acceptability, perceived appropriateness and fidelity during subsequent implementation. This study sought to explore how clinicians perceive the use of a CDSS which makes recommendations for asthma management based on factors including Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide testing, and how CDSSs can be designed to promote their implementation.

Methods

Twenty-three interviews were conducted with clinicians to explore perceptions about the CDSS. Participants included asthma nurses, pharmacists, General Practitioners and respiratory nurse specialists involved in conducting asthma reviews in primary care. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were developed: Appreciating the recommendations of the CDSS, whilst wanting to retain control; Doubt about appropriateness of CDSS recommendations, especially when you can’t see how they were produced; and Potential for the CDSS to increase patients’ trust and adherence to their treatment. Clinicians perceived the CDSS could help them prioritise management options and consider broader factors relating to patients’ asthma symptoms, but it was important to be able to override the recommendation. Lack of transparency over how recommendations were generated and concern about appropriateness of recommendations for specific patients led to uncertainty about adhering to the CDSS. Clinically tailored recommendations were perceived to help reassure patients and/or to support their adherence to asthma management.

Conclusions

Even small changes to the content of CDSS recommendations, such as explaining how recommendations were generated and showing they are consistent with guidance, may help to overcome barriers to acceptability and perceived appropriateness for clinicians. Focusing on implementation during the development of CDSS interventions is worthwhile to help reduce the evidence-practice gap.
DAPE cloning with modified primers for producing designated lengths of 3’ single-stranded ends in PCR products
Authors: Lee Seoee , Kim Hyunyoung , Aqsa  , Jeung Kwangjin , Won Minho , Ro Hyunju
Published: February 2025

For in vitro DNA assembly, enzymes with exonuclease activities have been utilized to generate relatively long recessed ends on DNA fragments, which can anneal to other DNA fragments if they have complementary nucleotide sequences. The combined construct can be directly delivered to competent cells, where the gaps and nicks between the fragments are completely rectified. We introduce a versatile sequence- and ligation-independent cloning (SLIC) method called ’DNA Assembly with Phosphorothioate (PT) and T5 Exonuclease’ (DAPE), which generates precise lengths of 3’ overhangs at both ends of linearized DNA. In contrast to conventional SLIC techniques, which are not suitable for cloning DNA fragments smaller than 50 base pairs (bp) due to overzealous exonuclease activity, such as with gRNA and epitope tags, DAPE can efficiently and precisely assemble several fragments in a single reaction regardless of the size of the DNA. Thus, DAPE, as an advanced toolkit for DNA cloning and synthetic biology, may further expedite the construction of more elaborate multi-gene circuitry.
SugarViT—Multi-objective regression of UAV images with Vision Transformers and Deep Label Distribution Learning demonstrated on disease severity prediction in sugar beet
Authors: Günder Maurice , Yamati Facundo Ramón Ispizua , Barreto Abel , Mahlein Anne-Katrin , Sifa Rafet , Bauckhage Christian
Published: February 2025

Remote sensing and artificial intelligence are pivotal technologies of precision agriculture nowadays. The efficient retrieval of large-scale field imagery combined with machine learning techniques shows success in various tasks like phenotyping, weeding, cropping, and disease control. This work will introduce a machine learning framework for automatized large-scale plant-specific trait annotation for the use case of disease severity scoring for CLS in sugar beet. With concepts of DLDL, special loss functions, and a tailored model architecture, we develop an efficient Vision Transformer based model for disease severity scoring called SugarViT. One novelty in this work is the combination of remote sensing data with environmental parameters of the experimental sites for disease severity prediction. Although the model is evaluated on this special use case, it is held as generic as possible to also be applicable to various image-based classification and regression tasks. With our framework, it is even possible to learn models on multi-objective problems, as we show by a pretraining on environmental metadata. Furthermore, we perform several comparison experiments with state-of-the-art methods and models to constitute our modeling and preprocessing choices.
Is the relative age effect just a European problem? A comprehensive analysis of birth date distribution and its impact on player selection at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Authors: Pérez-González Benito , León-Quismondo Jairo , Bonal José , Iván-Baragaño Iyán , Fernández-Luna Álvaro , Burillo Pablo
Published: February 2025

This study examines the presence and implications of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, focusing on the distribution of players’ birth dates across continents and professional levels. Utilizing a sample of 735 players, a Poisson regression was conducted on the weekly birth frequency to determine the significance of the fit to a Poisson regression curve. Despite the lack of a significant RAE across the overall player population, our findings reveal notable geographical and positional variations. Specifically, European players, particularly goalkeepers and defenders, alongside the top 4 classified teams and nations with a substantial number of federation licenses, exhibit a significant RAE, suggesting a substantial impact on player selection favouring those born earlier in the year. Conversely, players from Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania do not show a significant RAE, indicating variability in its manifestation across different football environments.
Investigating the safety of physical rehabilitation with critically ill patients receiving vasoactive drugs: An exploratory observational feasibility study
Authors: Woodbridge Huw R. , Alexander Caroline M. , Brett Stephen J. , Antcliffe David B. , Chan Ee Lyn , Gordon Anthony C.
Published: February 2025

Background

Physical rehabilitation of critically ill patients may improve physical outcomes; however, the relative benefits and risks with patients requiring vasoactive drugs is currently unknown. A feasibility study is needed to inform the design of a future trial required to address this issue.

Methods

A two-phase exploratory observational feasibility study was carried out:

A retrospective study to clarify the current practice of rehabilitation with patients receiving vasoactive drugs to inform future trial interventions and design.

A prospective study exploring recruitment and outcome measurement. Intensive care patients receiving vasoactive drugs were recruited and asked about the acceptability of a future trial. The feasibility of using an adverse event tool was measured during rehabilitation. Patients were followed up after 60 days to describe the feasibility of measuring outcomes for a future trial.

Results

Retrospective study (n = 78): Twenty-one percent of patients took part in physical rehabilitation whilst receiving vasoactive drugs. Of 321 days with vasoactive drugs administered, physical rehabilitation occurred on 27 days (8%).

Prospective study (n = 40): Eighty-one percent of participants indicated acceptability of being recruited into a future trial (n = 37). Eighty-eight percent of clinicians found it acceptable to randomise patients into either early rehabilitation or standard care. The adverse event tool was implemented by researchers with 2% loss of information. Finally, a 100% follow-up rate at day 60 was achieved for mortality outcomes. Follow-up rates were 70% for the EQ-5D (5 level), 65% for the World Health Organisation’s Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 and RAND 36-item Health Survey 1.0 and 26% for the 6-minute walk test.

Conclusions

This study found a low frequency of physical rehabilitation occurring with intensive care patients receiving vasoactive drugs. A high proportion of clinicians and patients found a future RCT within this patient group acceptable. Mortality and patient-reported outcomes were the most feasible to measure.
Understanding the aliya pulsed electric field dose-response relationship: Implications for ablation size, thermal load, and immune response in an orthotopic murine breast cancer model
Authors: Nafie Ebtesam H. O. , Pastori Chiara , Acharya Rupsa , Kaviani Rosa , Hunter David , Shalaby Waleed , Krimsky William S. , Neal Robert E.
Published: February 2025

Aliya®Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology is an emerging strategy in the field of cancer treatment, offering a novel approach to ablation therapy that does not rely on thermal mechanisms. By employing a multi-stage experimental setup, including potato tuber, porcine liver, and murine breast cancer models, we explored the dose-response relationship on ablation and immune modulation by varying the pulse packets delivered from 20 to 100. The biologic response observed with 60 packets represented a minimum effective dose yielding reproducible ablation parameters, immune response, and efficacy which could be augmented with immune checkpoint blockade. This pre-clinical analysis provides a first step toward understanding the therapeutic index for PEF technology beyond ablation, a consideration that will require robust clinical validation in well-designed prospective studies.
Digital transformation and liquidity creation in commercial banks: Evidence from the Chinese banking industry
Authors: Wen Wen , Liang Ying
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on the liquidity creation among banks in China, focusing on 127 commercial banks from 2010 to 2021. The research is driven by the observed decline in the real economy function of China’s financial services in recent years. To analyze this trend, the study employs a panel fixed effect model and an intermediary effect test model. The findings indicate that the implementation of digital transformation in the banking sector resulted in a significant enhancement in liquidity generation. The intermediary transmission pathways through which digital transformation influences liquidity creation include optimization of loan loss provision, enhancement of risk tolerance, and mitigating financial disintermediation. Furthermore, the research indicates that the relationship between digital transformation and liquidity generation varies across banks operating in different contexts.
Effect of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an adjunctive therapy in distinct stages of patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gu Jin-Min , Zhang Shu-Nan , Xiao Si-Yao , Jia Ming-Yue , Tu Jian-Feng , Han Gui-Ling
Published: February 2025

Background

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to millions of infected cases and deaths worldwide. Clinical practice and clinical trials in China suggested that integrated Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and conventional Western monotherapy (ICW) have achieved significant clinical effectiveness in treating COVID-19 patients.

Objectives

This article aims to systematically evaluate the effects of ICW in treating patients at distinct stages of COVID-19. The most frequently used components of the CHM formulas have been summarized to define the most promising drug candidates.

Methods

In this meta-analysis, seven databases up to May 20, 2024, were systematically searched to collect relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies (CSs). Difference in mean (MD) or ratio risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was utilized for data processing analysis.

Results

A total of 46 studies, consisting of 24 RCTs and 22 CSs, and 10492 patients were included. ICW group showed significant improvement over the conventional Western monotherapy (CWM) group at all stages of COVID-19 patients. ICW therapy was effective in improving recovery rate of chest CT (RR = 1.21, 95%CI [1.13,1.29]), shortening negativity time of nucleic acid (MD = -2.14,95% CI [-3.70, -0.58]), suppressing the transition of mild/moderate patients into severe conditions (RR = 0.45, 95% CI [0.33,0.62]), and reducing mortality (RR = 0.45, 95% CI [0.37,0.55]) for severe/critical COVID-19. Furthermore, compared with severe/critical patients, mild/moderate COVID-19 patients proved more effective after being treated with ICW therapy. They had a higher recovery rate of chest CT manifestations (75.4% vs. 69.1%), shorter negativity time of nucleic acid (9.21 d vs. 14.89 d), reduced time to clinical symptom reduction (3.85d vs. 11d) and shortened days of hospital stays (15.9d vs 19.1d). As for inflammatory markers analysis, ICW regimens decreased the level of lymphocytes in mild/moderate and severe/critical patients (MD = -0.15, 95% CI [-0.18, -0.13]), but no statistical difference was observed in white blood cell count and neutrophils count (MD = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.14, -0.18]; MD = 0.22,95% CI [-0.7, 1.15], respectively). A different tendency was found in the C-reactive protein level, which significantly decreased at the early stage of COVID-19 in the ICW group (MD = 2.56, 95%CI [1.28,3.83]).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrates the significant superiority of ICW over single western monotherapy in improving clinical efficacy at distinct stages of Chinese COVID-19 patients. Subgroup analysis further showed that the earlier intervention of CHM may contribute to a better therapeutic effect.

Trial registration

PROSPERO ID: CRD42023401200.
Teledentistry—Dental students’ preparedness and patients’ experiences
Authors: Math Swarna , Nga Janice Diong Li , Lim Huey Fen , Amin Maryam , Pacheco-Pereira Camila
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To explore dental students’ preparedness, experiences and confidence levels in utilizing teledentistry (TD) for patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the dental needs and experiences of patients receiving treatment from dental students through TD.

Methods

Two online surveys were administered through Google Forms, incorporating both five-point Likert scales and open-ended questions alone for the student questionnaire. The patient questionnaire, available in English and Mandarin, was distributed during or after teleconsultations. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data.

Results

Out of 125 students, 88% (N = 110) were contacted by 318 patients. Of them, 79.1% reported no telecommunication problems, 91.8% faced no language barriers, and 87.2% encountered no technological barriers. Most students (67.3%) agreed they would need further training in TD. Low confidence levels were observed among 26.3% of students in managing crowns and bridges and among 18.2% of students in managing mucosal conditions. From the patient perspective, 76.4% contacted the students via WhatsApp Messages and 21.0% used the Voice Call mode. About 44.0% of patients enquired about the next available appointment. Their most common concern was tooth pain (15.1%) followed by denture problems (9.1%), chipped fillings (6.6%), and crowns and bridge problems (6.3%). Overall, 82% patients reported effective communication during teleconsultation, 85% were satisfied with the questioning process, and expressed satisfaction with the diagnoses provided. However, 10% of patients chose to ignore their concerns, and 5% sought assistance from medical practitioners.

Conclusion

Most dental students were confident in addressing patient concerns but recognized the need for additional training for managing complex cases. Both students and patients reported positive experiences with TD, including effective communication and satisfaction. These findings highlight the importance of integrating TD training into dental curricula, addressing technical and privacy concerns, and improving patient education for secure and effective TD use in routine care.
SkyMaintain: ai-backed predictive aircraft maintenance system
Authors: Olushola Onilede Moses
Published: February 2025

SkyMaintain is an AI-powered aircraft maintenance system designed to predict potential faults (snags) in aircraft systems before they occur while providing technicians with real-time, regulation-compliant maintenance guidance. The system integrates predictive analytics, historical maintenance data, and regulatory compliance protocols to offer proactive maintenance solutions and reduce aircraft downtime. The system enhances decision-making during aircraft maintenance procedures by incorporating AI algorithms capable of learning from real-time sensor inputs, operational metrics, and environmental factors. This paper presents the design, implementation plan, and testing framework for SkyMaintain, highlighting its innovative potential in revolutionizing aircraft maintenance practices. The system’s architecture, which includes a user-friendly interface, cloud-based maintenance logs, and an automated compliance checker, ensures ease of use and adherence to aviation safety regulations. The study concludes by discussing the system’s impact on maintenance efficiency, future scalability, and its potential to enhance safety and reliability in aviation operations.
Impact of loans to farmers on rice production in funtua local government area katsina state, north west Nigeria
Authors: Lawal Ruma Yazid , Bernard Amedu , Lawal Rumah Aisha
Published: February 2025

This research examined the impact of loans to farmers on rice production in Funtua Local Government Area, Katsina State. Three hy-pothesis; there is no significant difference in the loans lend to farmers for their rice production; there is no significant difference on those farmers that collect loans for rice production and those that did not; there is no significance difference, that loans lend to farmers can affect their production, were tested. The quasi experimental-control group design involving pre and post-tests were used. The target population for this study was thirty thousand, two hundred and thirty one (30,231) farmers within the study Area. The sample of the study consists of one hundred and fifty (150) farmers randomly drawn from five (5) selected towns/villages within the study Area. The data was divided into experimental and control groups. Questionnaire was used in gathering data, the respondents will chose the right opinion running from strongly agreed, agreed, uncertain, disagreed and strongly disagreed based on their experience or perception. Percentage score, Mean and standard deviation of differences between the mean impact of loan to farmers on rice production of experimental and control group and gender were used to answer research questions. The null hypothesis were tested with the aid of SPSS Package using ANOVA and t-test at p =0.05 level of significance. The result obtained shows that: there is no significant difference between farmers that collect loan and those that did not within the mean of 2.4533 and 1.8800 respectively.
Creative accounting - innovation or fraud?
Authors: Okarma Klaudia
Published: February 2025

The aim of this article is presentation of typical issues that concern definition and interpretation of the nature of creative accounting, and also difficulties faced with differentiation between creative accounting and book-keeping fraud. Historical and contemporary views as well as own interpretation of creative accounting have been proposed.Â
Perception of students about primary science classes of GPS of Bangladesh
Authors: A K M Obaydullah Dr.
Published: February 2025

According to the record most of the PEC examination, the quality of science was the below among other subjects. Even internal examination results also showed the same picture. Students cannot achieve satisfactory level of the competency of science. This study analysis revealed varies dimensions of the studentsâ€™ perceptions that relate to different aspects of the teacherâ€™s pedagogy and the learning environment created by the teachers, like: student center learning, class Environment, use of teaching aids and modern equipments, positive attitude of teacher, feedback, etc. The study was qualitative and quantitative in nature. It was decided to select samples from Dhaka and Gazipur district under the Dhaka division of Bangladesh. Total 40 government primary schools (GPS) selected from the selective area. For this study, data collected from 80 student focus group discussion (FGD) by questionnaire method from 40 different GPS. Also 80 science classes were observed for realizing actual teaching-learning situations and document study. Most of the school hasnâ€™t use of multimedia, modern class room, library and science equipment. Utmost of the teachers never used teaching aids. Students always needed help from others. Maximum students don't interaction with the teacher in the classrooms. At the annual and PEC examinations of 2018 the students who failed in different subjects, they also failed in science. The study recommended that student teacher ratio should be reduced by appointing new teacher, quality based supervision should be improved. Science subject training are much needed for all school. Science class time should be increase.Â Â Â
Fractional order models of infectious diseases: a review
Authors: Khalil M. , Said M. , Osman H. , Ahmed B. , Ahmed D , Younis N , Maher B , Osama M , Ashmawy M
Published: February 2025

The aim of this paper is to present a succinct review on fractional order models of infectious diseases. Fractional order derivative is a potential tool which gives a better understanding of the impact of memory on spread of infectious diseases. This paper reviews different infectious diseases models with constant, variable or complex fractional order. Fractional order models with time delay are presented in this paper as well. We argue that, such models are essential for decision makers in health organizations.Â Â Â
Clean air: an outlook for achieving sustainable development goals: the state of the indoor environment in Michika area of Adamawa state, Nigeria
Authors: D. Philemon Sylvester , Esemuze Lucky
Published: February 2025

This study assessed the health implications of air quality decline in residential, workplace, and school indoor environments and its implications on the health of the inhabitants of the Michika Area of Adamawa State. Pollutants such as PM, CO, NO2, and SO2 were evaluated in the morning and evening hours within 10 days using an in situ gas sampler. The data were compared to WHO and NESREA limits for human exposure. Anova and student t-test statistics were adopted to hypothesize the mean differences in the diurnal and spatial conditions of indoor air pollutants. The air quality index was estimated using the US EPA equation to determine the level of indoor air quality in relation to health implications. The study found, among other things, that ambient pollutant concentrations were statistically different in the respective indoor environments for CO (P value = 0.000), SO2 (P values of 0.02 and 0.000), NO2 (P value = 0.000), and PM2.5 (P = 0.001 and 0.0001). The residential indoor environment was reportedly dangerous for sensible groups due to the poor AQI rating for SO2, NO2 and PM10. In conclusion, air pollution is evident in the Michika area of Adamawa State, and the rate of exposure is particularly higher in the residential indoor space.
The essence of capital in economics
Authors: KoÅ›nik Anita
Published: February 2025

Capital is one of the most important economic categories of modern market economy, related to the economic activity of entities. The concept of "capital" is a very complex, controversial issue, it exists in many meanings and contexts. Has many definitions. Nowadays, we can call everything capital because it is an abstract term. Capital is an essential element of any enterprise. It can be classified in different ways. It is most often grouped into physical, financial and human capital. Human capital is one of the most important factors influencing the development of a company, so it also has a strong impact on the development of national economies. This article presents the definition of human capital by G. Åukasiewicz.Â Â
The EAF model as a tool for company wage fund management
Authors: Jurij Renkas  , Kacper Rosa
Published: February 2025

This article aims to address recent debates on wage increases, the flattening wage structure, and effective labor remuneration systems by developing a model that assesses real wage levels, human capital utilization, and management quality within a company. Using mixed meth-ods, including a literature review and a case study of Komfort-Eko Ltd., the study highlights the importance of the constant a =0.08 [1/year] in analyzing wage systems. Key findings led to the development of the Economic Activity Function (EAF), which estimates the Management Index M, the Labour Productivity Index Q, and the overall wage level based on financial data, providing a new framework for evaluating management performance and forecasting future remuneration levels. The EAF model enables simulation of financial scenarios, aiding policymakers and managers in optimizing remuneration strategies and enhancing employee motivation systems. This study contrib-utes to human resource management literature by deriving the Management Index M and refining a model for labor productivity measure-ment, supported by the theoretical role of a constant parameter, while using the EAF to forecast future wage funds, including bonuses.
Applying nanocarbon prepared from coal as an anode in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Huong Do Tra , Van Tu Nguyen , Linh Ha Xuan , Hien Lan Nguyen Thi , Dung Nguyen Quoc , Nhuong Chu Manh , Long Nguyen Khanh , Vuong Truong Xuan , Tran Thi Kim Ngan
Published: February 2025

Carbon materials is a commonly used electrode material because of its low cost, good conductivity, and structure that allows lithium ions to intercalate between layers in the carbon network. In this article, carbon nanomaterials (CP) have been successfully manufactured from Vietnamese coal. CP is a two-dimensional, leaf-shaped nanomaterial with a specific surface area of 16.7799 m2·g−1. In the symmetric supercapacitor system, the CP electrode has a high specific capacitance rate of 275 F·g−1 with a current density of 0.1 A·g−1, an energy density of 6.4 W h·kg−1 g−1, and outstanding cyclic stability with capacitance retention of 83.1% after 1,000 cyclic voltammetry curves in 6 M potassium hydroxide electrolyte solution. When using the CP electrode as the anode in a lithium-ion battery (LIB) with a solution of lithium hexafluorophosphate, dimethyl carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and diethyl carbonate at 1:1:1 (v/v/v) ratio and concentration of 1.0 M. LIB has a specific capacity of 336.0 mA h·g−1 at C/10 and 425.5 mA h·g−1 at C/20 (C = 372 mA h·g−1). When discharged, the CP electrode operates stably and can integrate Li ions well. Therefore, excellent electrochemical performance verifies the potential of nanocarbon materials production from coal on a large scale for high-performance anode in LIBs.