bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BMN-like sectors in 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM with boundaries and interfaces
Authors: Chaney Andrea , Uhlemann Christoph F.
Published: January 2025

Abstract

4d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 SYM admits half-BPS boundaries, defects and interfaces as well as compactifications to 3d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 4 SCFTs, realized as intersections of D3, D5 and NS5 branes. We explore operators with large R-charge. We identify Penrose limits in the holographic duals with geometry AdS4 × S2 × S2 × Σ, which describe, for each theory, a spectrum of ‘seed’ operators which each give rise to a BMN-like sector described by a pp-wave. We relate the number of BMN-like sectors to the flavor symmetry of the CFT. For a sample of theories including the Janus interface, D3/D5 BCFTs and BCFTs with 3d SCFTs on the boundary, we determine the spectra of nearby operators and discuss the field theory realization of the seed operators. We further identify families of Penrose limits which give rise to more general pp-wave sectors.
All near-horizon symmetries of the Schwarzschild black hole in linearised gravity
Authors: Aggarwal Ankit , Gaddam Nava
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Asymptotic symmetries are known to constrain the infrared behaviour of scattering processes in asymptotically flat spacetimes. By the same token, one expects symmetries of the black hole horizon to constrain near-horizon gravitational scattering. In this paper, we take a step towards establishing this connection. We find all near-horizon symmetries that can be potentially relevant to gravitational scattering near the horizon of the Schwarzschild black hole. We study large diffeomorphisms of linearised perturbations of the Schwarzschild black hole in a partial wave basis and in a gauge that allows for gravitational radiation crossing the event horizon. This setup is ideally suited for studying processes involving near-horizon gravitons like scattering and black hole evaporation. We find the most general near-horizon symmetries that are consistent with finite perturbations at the horizon. Since we do not impose any further boundary conditions, these symmetries represent the biggest set of symmetries in this setting. We find the associated covariant charges to be finite and non-zero showing that these symmetries are physical. Interestingly, for a large black hole, the dominant symmetries are just two copies of u(1).
Scalar-tensor theories of gravity from a thermodynamic viewpoint
Authors: Bhattacharya Krishnakanta , Chakraborty Sumanta
Published: January 2025

Abstract

In any diffeomorphism invariant theory of gravity, one can define a Noether charge arising from the invariance of the Lagrangian under diffeomorphisms. We have determined the Noether charge for scalar-tensor theories of gravity, in which case the gravity is mediated by the metric tensor as well as by a scalar degree of freedom. In particular, we demonstrate that the total Noether charge within an appropriate spatial volume can be related to the heat content of the boundary surface. For static spacetimes, in these theories, there exist an “equipartition” between properly defined bulk and surface degrees of freedom. While the dynamical evolution of spacetime in these theories of scalar-tensor gravity arises due to the departure from the equipartition regime. These results demonstrate that thermodynamical interpretations for gravitational theories transcend Einstein and Lovelock theories of gravity, holding true for theories with additional scalar degrees of freedom as well. Moreover, they hold in both the Jordan and the Einstein frames. However, it turns out that there are two dynamically equivalent representations of the scalar-tensor theory in the Jordan frame, differing by total derivatives in the action, which are thermodynamically inequivalent. This depicts the importance of having a thermodynamic description, which can be used in distinguishing various dynamically equivalent representations of gravity theories beyond Einstein.
Quiver polymerisation
Authors: Hanany Amihay , Kalveks Rudolph , Kumaran Guhesh
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Two new diagrammatic techniques on 3d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 quiver gauge theories, termed chain and cyclic quiver polymerisation are introduced. These gauge a diagonal SU/U(k) subgroup of the Coulomb branch global symmetry of a quiver (or pair of quivers) with multiple legs. The action on the Coulomb branch is that of a SU/U(k) hyper-Kähler quotient. The polymerisation techniques build and generalise known composition methods from class $$ \mathcal{S} $$
S
. Polymerisation is used to generate a wide range of magnetic quivers from various physical contexts. These include polymerisation constructions for Kronheimer-Nakajima quivers, which generalise the ADHM construction for the moduli space of k SU(N) instantons on ℂ2 to A-type singularities. Also a polymerisation construction of the magnetic quiver for the 6d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 0) theory coming from two $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

M5 branes probing an E6 Klein singularity. We find a method of extending magnetic quivers for Class $$ \mathcal{S} $$
S
theories to cure the incomplete Higgsing that arises when gluing punctures into the loops associated with higher genus theories. Other novel constructions include a unitary magnetic quiver for the closure of a height four nilpotent orbit of SO(7). We explore the relationships between the Coulomb and Higgs branches of quivers under polymerisation.
Impact of SMEFT renormalisation group running on Higgs production at the LHC
Authors: Maltoni Fabio , Ventura Giuseppe , Vryonidou Eleni
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We study the effects of the one-loop renormalisation group running/mixing of the Wilson coefficients in the standard model effective field theory on the predictions for Hj, $$ t\overline{t}H $$
t

t
¯

H
and HH production at the LHC. We focus on a subset of operators closed under QCD corrections and explore the differences between employing a fixed or dynamical scale on the SMEFT predictions for key observables such as the Higgs transverse momentum and the Higgs pair invariant mass. We then study the impact of consistently taking into account renormalisation group effects on the constraints that can be obtained on the Wilson coefficients through current and future measurements at the LHC.
Non-holomorphic modular A5 symmetry for lepton masses and mixing
Authors: Li Cai-Chang , Lu Jun-Nan , Ding Gui-Jun
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We perform a comprehensive bottom-up study of all the simplest lepton models based on non-holomorphic A5 modular flavor symmetry, in which neutrinos are assumed to be Majorana particles and their masses are generated by the Weinberg operator or the type I seesaw mechanism. In the case that the generalized CP (gCP) symmetry is not considered, we find that 21 Weinberg operator models and 174 seesaw models can accommodate the experimental data in lepton sector, and all of them depend on six dimensionless free parameters and two overall scales. If gCP symmetry compatible with A5 modular symmetry is imposed, one more free parameter would be reduced. Then only 4 of the 21 Weinberg operator models and 100 of the 174 seesaw models agree with the experimental data on lepton masses and mixing parameters. Furthermore, we perform a detailed numerical analysis for two example models for illustration.
Renormalization of the SMEFT to dimension eight: Fermionic interactions I
Authors: Bakshi S. D. , Chala M. , Díaz-Carmona Á. , Ren Z. , Vilches F.
Published: January 2025

Abstract

This is the third of a series of works [1, 2] aimed at renormalizing the Standard Model effective field theory at one loop and to order 1/Λ4, with Λ being the new physics cut-off. On this occasion, we concentrate on the running of two-fermion operators induced by pairs of dimension-six interactions. We work mostly off-shell, for which we obtain and provide a new and explicitly hermitian basis of dimension-eight Green’s functions. All our results can be accessed in https://github.com/SMEFT-Dimension8-RGEs.
Holographic boundary conformal field theory within Horndeski gravity
Authors: Santos Fabiano F. , Pourhassan Behnam , Saridakis Emmanuel N. , Sokoliuk Oleksii , Baransky Alexander , Kahya Emre Onur
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We investigate entanglement islands and the Page curve in the framework of Horndeski gravity on a Karch-Randall braneworld background. In particular, treating the holographic boundary conformal field theory analytically we find that the Horndeski parameters significantly alter the behavior of the Page curve compared to standard general relativity, a feature caused by the nontrivial geometry induced by the Horndeski scalar field. Interestingly enough, the geometry far from the AdS limit plays a more significant role compared to previous studies. This suggests that Horndeski gravity introduces important modifications to the distribution of quantum information in the holographic model. Finally, we claim that holographic consistency can be used reversely to impose constraints on Horndeski gravity itself, providing a new tool for probing the validity of modified gravity theories.
Exploring confinement in Anti-de Sitter space
Authors: Ciccone Riccardo , De Cesare Fabiana , Di Pietro Lorenzo , Serone Marco
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We study Yang-Mills theory on four dimensional Anti-de Sitter space. The Dirichlet boundary condition cannot exist at arbitrarily large radius because it would give rise to colored asymptotic states in flat space. As observed in [1] this implies a deconfinement-confinement transition as the radius is increased. We gather hints on the nature of this transition using perturbation theory. We compute the anomalous dimensions of the lightest scalar operators in the boundary theory, which are negative for the singlet and positive for non-trivial representations. We also compute the correction to the coefficient CJ and we estimate that the singlet operator reaches marginality before the value of the coupling at which CJ = 0. These results favor the scenario of merger and annihilation as the most promising candidate for the transition. For the Neumann boundary condition, the lightest scalar operator is found to have a positive anomalous dimension, in agreement with the idea that this boundary condition extrapolates smoothly to flat space. The perturbative calculations are made possible by a drastic simplification of the gauge field propagator in Fried-Yennie gauge. We also derive a general result for the leading-order anomalous dimension of the displacement operator for a generic perturbation in Anti-de Sitter, showing that it is related to the beta function of bulk couplings.
SPECTER: efficient evaluation of the spectral EMD
Authors: Gambhir Rikab , Larkoski Andrew J. , Thaler Jesse
Published: January 2025

Abstract

The Energy Mover’s Distance (EMD) has seen use in collider physics as a metric between events and as a geometric method of defining infrared and collinear safe observables. Recently, the Spectral Energy Mover’s Distance (SEMD) has been proposed as a more analytically tractable alternative to the EMD. In this work, we obtain a closed-form expression for the Riemannian-like p = 2 SEMD metric between events, eliminating the need to numerically solve an optimal transport problem. Additionally, we show how the SEMD can be used to define event and jet shape observables by minimizing the distance between events and parameterized energy flows (similar to the EMD), and we obtain closed-form expressions for several of these observables. We also present the Specter framework, an efficient and highly parallelized implementation of the SEMD metric and SEMD-derived shape observables as an analogue of the previously-introduced Shaper for EMD-based computations. We demonstrate that computing the SEMD with Specter can be up to a thousand times faster than computing the EMD with standard optimal transport libraries.
Two-loop running effects in Higgs physics in Standard Model Effective Field Theory
Authors: Di Noi Stefano , Gröber Ramona , Mandal Manoj K.
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We consider the renormalization group equations within the Standard Model Effective Field Theory and compute two-loop contributions proportional to the top quark Yukawa coupling for the operator generating an effective Higgs-gluon coupling, focusing on the Yukawa-like operator. These two-loop running effects are relevant for processes where the effective Higgs-gluon coupling contributes at a lower loop order compared to the Standard Model contribution and where a dynamical scale choice is adopted. Such a situation arises, for instance, in the Higgs transverse momentum distribution and Higgs pair production. We investigate the phenomenological impact of our computations on these two processes and find that the two-loop contributions are significant and can lead to deviations of up to 20% in the scenarios we consider.
Tidal Love numbers of static black holes in anti-de Sitter
Authors: Franzin Edgardo , Frassino Antonia M. , Rocha Jorge V.
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Tidal Love numbers of anti-de Sitter black holes are understood as linear response coefficients governing how the holographically dual plasma polarizes when the geometry of the space, in which the plasma lives, is deformed. So far, this picture has been applied only to black branes with plane wave perturbations. We fill the gap in the literature by performing the computation of tidal Love numbers for the four-dimensional Schwarzschild solution in global anti-de Sitter, which is dual to a conformal plasma on S2. We conclude about the effect of the bulk gravitational perturbations on the boundary metric and stress tensor, responsible for the geometric polarization. The computation of the tidal Love numbers is performed in both Regge-Wheeler gauge and the Kodama-Ishibashi gauge-invariant approach. We spell out how to convert the tidal Love numbers determined in these two formalisms and find perfect agreement. We also relate the Kodama-Ishibashi formalism with the Kovtun-Starinets approach, which is particularly well suited for the holographic analysis of black branes. This allows us to compare with the tidal Love number results for black branes in anti-de Sitter, also finding agreement in the relevant regime.
Generalised antenna functions for higher-order calculations
Authors: Fox Elliot , Glover Nigel , Marcoli Matteo
Published: January 2025

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the definition, the construction and the implementation of generalised antenna functions for final-state radiation up to Next-to-Next-to-Leading Order (NNLO) in QCD. Generalised antenna functions encapsulate the singular behaviour of unresolved emissions when these occur within multiple hard radiators and not just two of them, as for traditional antenna functions. The construction of such objects is possible thanks to the recently proposed algorithm for building idealised antenna functions from a target set of infrared limits. Generalised antenna functions bring major simplifications in the assemblage of subtraction terms in the context of the antenna scheme at NNLO and beyond, as well as a substantial computational speedup of higher-order calculations. We discuss in detail the improvements on the formal and practical side for the computation of the NNLO correction to three-jet production at electron-positron colliders, providing a thorough numerical validation of the newly proposed scheme. For this calculation one can expect almost an order of magnitude speedup with respect to the original implementation.
Orbifold ETW brane and half-indices
Authors: Hatsuda Yasuyuki , Lin Hai , Okazaki Tadashi
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We study the half-indices of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills theories of orthogonal and symplectic gauge groups. We find precise matching pairs of the half-indices as strong evidence of dualities of the half-BPS boundary conditions and interfaces. The half-indices encode the spectra of excitations on the holographically dual orbifold ETW brane and giant gravitons. The exact form of the index for the orbifold ETW giant gravitons is obtained from the giant graviton expansion of the half-index.
Impact of extreme magnetic fields on the QCD topological susceptibility in the vicinity of the crossover region
Authors: Brandt B. B. , Endrődi G. , Hernández J. J. Hernández , Markó G.
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We present the first determination of the topological susceptibility from lattice QCD in the presence of strong background magnetic fields. Our simulations employ 2+1 flavours of stout-improved staggered quarks with physical masses and cover a broad range of temperatures and magnetic field values. The results are extrapolated to the continuum limit using four different lattice spacings and an eigenvalue reweighting technique to reduce discretisation errors. For low temperatures, our calculations show an enhancement of the topological susceptibility due to the magnetic field, compatible with predictions from chiral perturbation theory. At high temperatures, we observe the impact of inverse magnetic catalysis on the susceptibility.
Development and in-house validation of two real-time PCR methods for the detection of genome-editing events in soybean FAD2 gene variants
Authors: Heinz Steffen , Neusius Daniel , Eckermann Kolja Neil , Pietsch Klaus , Guertler Patrick
Published: January 2025

Since the commercialization of the first genetically modified (GM) crops, their relevance in agricultural applications has increased. Soybean (Glycine max) ranks as the most widely cultivated GM crop globally. With the advancements in site-specific genome-editing tools, the development of GM organisms (GMO) using new genomic techniques has accelerated, particularly in agriculture. In the US, a genome-edited soybean variety, Calyno, was developed with altered fatty acid composition by inactivating two members of the fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2) gene family, FAD2-1A and FAD2-1B, using TALEN technology. Although deregulated in the US, Calyno soybeans are not authorized for cultivation or import in the European Union and therefore cannot be placed on the European market. To address the need for reliable detection methods in routine analysis for GMO by public authorities, two event-specific qPCR methods were developed to detect the FAD2-1A-Δ63bp and FAD2-1B-Δ23bp gene variants in the Calyno soybeans. In the absence of reference material, methods were validated in-house using synthetic plasmids carrying the target regions’ sequences, following European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) guidelines. Both assays meet the minimum performance requirements for GMO testing, demonstrating high sensitivity, qPCR efficiency, specificity and robustness. An interlaboratory comparison study further confirmed the reliability of these methods. These qPCR assays provide an effective tool for detecting the FAD2-1A-Δ63bp and FAD2-1B-Δ23bp gene variants in Calyno soybeans, supporting GMO testing requirements in the European Union and ensuring accurate monitoring of GM crops.
On Korteweg–de Vries and associated reciprocal moving boundary problems
Authors: Rogers Colin
Published: January 2025

Classes of moving boundary problems of Stefan-type are here shown to be exactly solvable in terms of classical Airy functions both for the linearised and solitonic Korteweg–de Vries equations. In the latter case, a Miura transformation is applied to a class of Airy-type similarity solutions derived via a Painlevé II reduction of the mKdV equation. Reciprocal transformations are then applied to obtain, in turn, Airy-type solution of associated moving boundary problems for both a nonlinear evolution equation of magma theory and a novel reciprocal Korteweg–de Vries equation which incorporates a source term.
Geometry modifications of circular saw blades to reduce aeroacoustic noise emissions
Authors: Güzel Kamil , Möhring Hans-Christian
Published: January 2025

In the manufacturing industries, noise is one of the most common health hazards at workplaces. In wood machining, for instance, circular sawing processes in particular produce high noise emissions that often exceed the permitted limits. The main source of noise is the rotating circular saw blade, whose aeroacoustic behavior is influenced by air turbulence on the tool contour. So far, no numerical approach to study and optimize the aeroacoustic noise emissions from circular saw blades has been investigated. This paper addresses this deficit and presents a methodology for modeling the flow-induced sound generation on rotating circular saw blades based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. With the implementation of the acoustic analogy according to Ffowcs-Williams/Hawkings, the sound pressure levels could be calculated with sufficient accuracy. With deviations between 7 and 10%, the influence of the rotational speeds could be plausibly modeled. Based on the validated numerical model, geometry variants with various modifications were investigated regarding their potential for reducing sound pressure levels. Based on a conventional reference geometry, different chip space volumes and various modifications to the tooth rim and tooth shape were investigated and evaluated as part of simulative parameter studies. Sound pressure level reductions in the range of 2.2–10.8 dB were achieved. The results obtained and the systematic approach investigated provide a suitable set of instruments for industrial practice. Digital prototypes can be designed at an early stage in the product development phase of circular saw blades regarding their aeroacoustic properties.
Nanoscale reference and test materials for the validation of characterization methods for engineered nanomaterials — current state, limitations, and needs
Authors: Abram S.-L. , Tavernaro I. , Johnston L. J. , Zou S. , Resch-Genger U.
Published: January 2025

The rational design of engineered nanomaterials (NMs) with improved functionality and their increasing industrial application requires reliable, validated, and ultimately standardized characterization methods for their application-relevant, physicochemical key properties such as size, size distribution, shape, or surface chemistry. This calls for nanoscale (certified) reference materials (CRMs; RMs) and well-characterized reference test materials (RTMs) termed also quality control (QC) samples, assessed, e.g., in interlaboratory comparisons, for the validation and standardization of commonly used characterization methods. Thereby, increasing concerns regarding potential risks of NMs are also addressed and the road for safe and sustainable-by-design concepts for the development of new functional NMs and their use as nanomedicines is paved. With this respect, we will provide an overview of relevant international standardization and regulatory activities, definitions, and recommendations on characterization methods and review currently available organic or inorganic nanoscale CRMs, RMs, and RTMs, including their characterization or certification. In addition, we will highlight typical applications to streamline the regulatory approval process and improve manufacturability including the special challenges imposed by the colloidal nature and sometimes limited stability of NMs. Subsequently, we will critically assess the limitations of currently available nanoscale RMs and RTMs and address the gaps to be filled in the future such as the availability of NMs that come with reference data on properties other than commonly addressed particle size, such as surface chemistry or particle number concentration, or more closely resemble commercially available formulations or address application-relevant matrices.

Graphical Abstract
Trigeminal artery anatomical aspects
Authors: Bulbuc Ionuț , Iliescu Dan Marcel , Dina Constantin , Ionescu Constantin , Bordei Petru
Published: January 2025

Purpose and background

The trigeminal artery is a rare anatomical variant, representing an embryonic vestige of the anastomosis between the internal carotid artery and the posterior circulator system, that can be asymptomatic or could have vast clinical manifestations produced by insufficient flow or by vascular nervous conflicts. This study is an anatomical presentation of 3 trigeminal artery cases observed at Medimar Imagistic Services Constanta.

Methods

The 3 trigeminal artery cases were discovered on a 860 magnetic resonance angiographies (0.35% of cases), made on a GE HD/e 8ch 1.5 T.

Results

In all 3 cases, the arteries were rising from the right internal carotid artery and one from the left internal carotid artery, in 2 cases the origin was on the superior surface, and in one case, on the anterolateral surface, in all 3 cases from C4 horizontal cavernous segment. The artery caliber was between 2.7 mm and 5.1 mm; the artery length was between 26 and 32 mm. Other associated vascular malformations were: partial or total basilar artery hypoplasia, in one case posterior communicant artery agenesis, contralateral vertebral artery hypoplasia, posterior cerebral artery hypoplasia (in 2 cases), and no anastomosis between the P1 segment of the posterior cerebral artery with the posterior communicating artery (one case).

Conclusions

While the trigeminal artery is a rare anatomical variant, it’s still a very important vessel situated in the posterior cerebral fossa, which needs to be taken into account in the case of neurosurgical interventions.
Supersonic discharge of cold gas inflators into rectangular ducts
Authors: Schnorr Eduard , Schütte Dennis , Scholz Peter , Radespiel Rolf
Published: January 2025

We discuss the supersonic discharge of cold gas inflators into confined ducts typical of curtain airbag inflation. The medium discharged from the cold gas inflators is helium. For this purpose, two different generic duct geometries are chosen to obtain one case without and one with wall interaction of the underexpanded jet. In the latter case, a so-called shock train develops, which dominates the flow topology. To quantify the flow field, time-resolved pressure transducers measure the static pressure at the duct walls and time-resolved particle image velocimetry measures the velocity in the far field of the underexpanded jet. Schlieren images illustrate the topology of the flow field. A simplified numerical model is then created that drastically reduces the required resources. The numerical model is verified against the experimental data and provides deeper insight into the outflow process. In particular, the interaction of the underexpanded jet with the duct walls and thus the resulting shock train are found to be sensitive. The numerical model can reconstruct the flow topology, pressure and velocity within acceptable limits. The experimental data and numerical results may serve as a basis for subsequent studies on airbag inflation or physically similar processes, especially for the validation of numerical methods.

Graphical abstract
Special screw corridors and imaging in pelvic ring trauma
Authors: Gänsslen Axel , Lindahl Jan , Lindtner Richard A. , Krappinger Dietmar , Staresinic Mario
Published: January 2025

Adequate intraoperative visualization is mandatory for implant application in pelvic ring injuries. Several fluoroscopic X-ray views are in practical use. The gold standard primary X-ray is the anteroposterior view of the pelvis. In addition to this view, oblique views for pelvic ring instabilities and acetabular fractures are well defined. Combinations of these views allow better identification of osseous corridors for screw applications. These corridors are based on the 3-ring concept of the hemipelvis. For pelvic ring stabilization the main osseous corridors include the retrograde and antegrade superior ramus/anterior column corridor, the supraacetabular corridor and the gluteus medius pillar corridor. The radiographic anatomy of these corridors is described in detail for screw applications with definition of image intensifier angulations, risk zones and corridor parameters. This allows for intraoperative safe implant application.
Shifting trends in outpatient hand trauma care: a 16-year analysis at a major center in northern Germany
Authors: Tamulevicius Martynas , Bucher Florian , Dastagir Nadjib , Obed Doha , Vogt Peter M. , Dastagir Khaled
Published: January 2025

Background

Hand injuries are a leading cause of emergency department visits. Recent trends in hand trauma management reflect a shift toward outpatient care, driven by factors such as a shortage of skilled personnel or increasing cost pressures. This study analyzed these trends to propose updated management strategies for hand injuries.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study included 14,414 patients treated at a certified major hand surgical trauma center between 2007 and 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: the earlier cohort (EC, 2007–2014) and the current cohort (CC, 2015–2022). Trends in inpatient and outpatient care, as well as hospitalization durations, were analyzed.

Results

During the study period, approximately one-third of all patients required inpatient treatment, with one-third of hospitalized patients staying at least one week, one-fifth staying two weeks, and one-tenth staying three or more weeks. Inpatient treatment rates decreased annually by 7%, while outpatient care increased by 5.3% annually. A significant shift toward outpatient management was noted for various injuries, including fractures, burns, lacerations, dislocations, complex injuries, and infections. Despite declining hospitalization rates, patients in the CC group had significantly longer hospital stays, reflecting the increasing complexity and severity of cases requiring admission (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study reveals a growing trend toward outpatient care for hand injuries, reflecting improved efficiency without compromising quality. Although fewer patients are hospitalized, those admitted require more intensive care, highlighting a shift toward ambulatory management for moderately severe cases. These findings emphasize the importance of initial injury management and underscore the need for expanding outpatient hand surgical care to meet growing demand in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Level of evidence

III.
Respiratory support strategies in neonatal transport in the UK and Ireland
Authors: Jenkinson Allan , Dassios Theodore , Ratnavel Nandiran , Greenough Anne
Published: January 2025

Infants requiring interhospital transfer for a higher level of care in the neonatal period are at increased risk of adverse outcomes. Optimising respiratory management is an important priority. The aim of this survey was to investigate current respiratory support strategies in neonatal transport and identify opportunities for the optimisation of clinical care and future research. A survey of all 18 transport groups in Ireland and the UK was performed. A 10-item structured questionnaire was administered through consultant neonatologists or lead nurses from each transport group between May and June 2024. There was a 100% response rate. There was variation in the types of neonatal ventilator used, and they differed from those on NICUs. A variety of invasive strategies were used, but volume-targeted ventilation was the most common, although different ventilators can deliver different volumes despite apparently the same settings. Non-invasive strategies were used by all, with humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHFNC) being the most common. Continuous carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring was used by most teams (94%): endotracheal CO2 assessments by 94% and transcutaneous monitoring by 70%. Only two teams employed closed loop automated oxygen control (CLAC).

Conclusion: There is heterogeneity in the ventilators and respiratory strategies used by transport groups. Future research opportunities should include the comparison of those strategies on short- and long‐term outcomes, as well as whether continuous CO2 monitoring and CLAC have important benefits.

What is Known:• Nearly one quarter of neonatal transfers in the UK and Ireland are in infants mechanically ventilated.• Optimising respiratory support strategies and reporting respiratory outcomes are research priorities in neonatal transport.

What is New:• Volume targeted ventilation is the most common respiratory support strategy used in neonatal transport groups in the UK and Ireland, with a heterogeneity of ventilators in use in neonatal transport versus in NICUs.• There is a paucity of data reporting respiratory outcomes following neonatal transport including outcomes related to mode of ventilation, continuous carbon dioxide monitoring and closed loop automated oxygen control.
The hematopoietic tissue of the freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus: organization and expression analysis
Authors: Kruangkum Thanapong , Söderhäll Kenneth , Söderhäll Irene
Published: January 2025

The hematopoietic tissue (HPT) and anterior proliferation center (APC) are the main hemocyte-producing organs of the freshwater crayfish, Pacifastacus leniusculus. To deepen our understanding of immune responses to various pathogens, it is essential to identify distinct hemocyte subpopulations with specific functions and to further explore how these cells are generated. Here we provide an in-depth histological study of the HPT and APC in order to localize cell types in different developmental stages, and to provide some information regarding the hemocyte differentiation in the crayfish. We localized mRNA expression of previously identified genes in the HPT/APC and hemocytes by RNA-FISH. The expression of hemolectin and transglutaminase 1 was shown to be co-localized in a high number of the HPT cells, while transglutaminase 2 was expressed in different cell types mainly associated with epithelium or endothelium. Furthermore, by double RNA-FISH for hemolectin and a previously unidentified PDGF-like factor, combined with immunostaining for prophenoloxidase, we could identify several different subtypes of hemocytes, indicating that the immune function of hemocytes in crayfish is more diversified and complex than previously appreciated.
A comprehensive study of fisheye image compression and perception for autonomous driving
Authors: Barakat Basem , Sobh Ibrahim , Wong Chup-Chung , Islam Muahmmad
Published: January 2025

Fisheye cameras are widely used in various fields, including automotive contexts for

$$360^{\circ }$$

360
∘

near-field vision around vehicles, as well as in photography, robotics, underwater imaging, and virtual reality. However, conventional image compression techniques do not take into account the specific characteristics of fisheye images, such as radial distortion and wide-angle field of view, especially when operating at low bit rates. This can lead to degradation of image quality and distortion of geometric features that are essential for computer vision (CV) applications such as object detection, semantic segmentation, and motion estimation. Recent studies have highlighted the impact of various noise factors on automotive camera sensors, the challenges of correcting radial lens distortion, and the effects of image compression artifacts on fisheye camera visual perception tasks. In this work, a comprehensive study of fisheye image compression and perception using deep learning-based techniques is conducted. It is demonstrated that deep learning-based techniques achieve better compression performance and perceptual quality than conventional techniques, particularly at low bitrates crucial for automotive applications.
Cytokine dynamics and quality of life: unraveling the impact of cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy in ovarian cancer patients
Authors: Ito Rikako , Kagabu Masahiro , Sato Sho , Takatori Eriko , Kaido Yoshitaka , Nagasawa Takayuki , Shoji Tadahiro , Hirayama Takashi , Terao Yasuhisa , Baba Tsukasa
Published: January 2025

Background

The quality of life (QOL) of ovarian cancer patients is often impaired by refractory ascites. Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is a palliative treatment for refractory ascites, but adverse events, such as fever, are problematic. Several cytokines have been suggested to be responsible for the adverse events, but they have not been investigated in detail. Thus, we comprehensively analyzed cytokines in ascites fluid (AF) and serum before and after CART to determine the influence of cytokines on the safety and efficacy of CART.

Methods

Thirteen ovarian cancer patients with refractory malignant ascites who underwent CART were enrolled. We comprehensively analyzed 27 cytokines in AF and serum before and after CART. Simultaneously, vital measurements, blood tests, adverse event recordings, and QOL assessments were performed to examine the relationships between the cytokines in AF and serum.

Results

Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, IL-10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels were increased in the concentrated AF and in the serum immediately after reinfusion, but they decreased after 24 h. Body temperature also increased immediately after reinfusion, and decreased after 24 h. The CRP level at 24 h after reinfusion was increased, and was positively correlated with the IL-6 level. A QOL assessment using the Cancer Fatigue Scale revealed significantly lower scores after CART.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the cytokine-induced fever and increased inflammatory response after CART were temporary, and that CART is safe. Additionally, QOL improved after CART. Thus, CART appears safe and effective for treating patients with refractory cancerous ascites.
A word of caution in the functional monitoring of patients after rectal cancer surgery: a multicentre observational study
Authors: Planellas P. , Fernandes-Montes N. , Golda T. , Alonso-Gonçalves S. , Elorza G. , Gil J. , Kreisler E. , Abad-Camacho M. R. , Cornejo L. , Marinello F.
Published: January 2025

Background

Patients with rectal cancer often experience adverse effects on urinary, sexual, and digestive functions. Despite recognised impacts and available treatments, they are not fully integrated into follow-up protocols, thereby hindering appropriate interventions. The aim of the study was to discern the activities conducted in our routine clinical practice outside of clinical trials.

Methods

This multicentre, retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery between January 2016 and January 2020 at six tertiary Spanish hospitals.

Results

A total of 787 patients were included. Two years post surgery, gastrointestinal evaluation was performed in 86% of patients. However, bowel movements per day were only recorded in 242 patients (46.4%), and the values of the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) questionnaire were recorded in 106 patients (20.3%); 146 patients received a diagnosis of fecal incontinence (28.2%), while 124 patients were diagnosed with low anterior resection syndrome (23.8%). Urogenital evaluation was recorded in 21.1% of patients. Thirty-seven patients (5.1%) were detected to have urinary dysfunction, while 40 patients (5.5%) were detected to have sexual dysfunction. A total of 320 patients (43.9%) had their quality of life evaluated 2 years after surgery, and only 0.8% completed the Quality of Life questionnaire. Medication was the most used treatment for sequelae (26.9%) followed by referral to other specialists (15.1%).

Conclusions

There is a significant deficit in clinical follow-ups regarding the functional assessment of patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. It is crucial to implement a postoperative functional follow-up protocol and to utilize technologies such as Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to enhance the evaluation and treatment of these sequelae, thereby ensuring an improved quality of life for patients.
Can indigenous carabid beetles confer biotic resistance to invasion of native grassland remnants by alien slugs?
Authors: Kapuscinski NK , Nash Michael A. , Morgan John W.
Published: January 2025

Invasive alien slugs alter plant community assemblages via selective herbivory, yet evidence of their impacts on indigenous plant species in threatened Australian native grasslands are scarce. Carabid beetles have been explored as biocontrol agents of pest slugs in agriculture, with native grassland habitat adjoining agricultural fields thought to be a potential source of beneficial carabid predators. The association between indigenous carabid beetles and invasive alien slugs within remnant native grassland vegetation patches, however, is unquantified. Studies were conducted to identify (i) The extent and determinants of slug invasion into remnant native grassland, and (ii) Whether carabid beetles can confer biotic resistance to native plant species in remnant grasslands. The interaction between alien slugs, carabid beetles and a rare grassland forb was explored in microcosm experiments to test the hypothesis that carabid beetles, by regulating slug herbivory, influence plant survival and growth. Slugs were found at 90% of the remnant native grasslands surveyed; carabid beetles were infrequent and their active abundance was low. There was little evidence that landscape or site-level parameters influence slug density, although species-specific patterns were apparent for the two most abundant slug species. This may reflect the importance of propagule pressure from source populations (the agricultural matrix) affecting slug invasion success, suggesting that native grassland habitat features are of secondary importance. The microcosm experiments provided evidence that slug herbivory may significantly impact the survival of a native forb at the seedling stage, but less so at a mature plant stage. We found that carabid beetles can markedly reduce the impact of alien slugs on plants, provided that encounters between the two taxa occurs. Interactions in the field are likely to be density-dependent such that beneficial impacts of carabid beetles are only apparent when their abundance is high. The high abundance of alien slugs in remnant grasslands, and lack of evidence for biotic resistance via carabid beetle predation, indicates that grassland conservation management may need to include slug baiting to mitigate the potential for negative impacts of slugs on seedling recruitment of threatened native plant species.
Rapid response of moss-associated nitrogen fixation to nutrient additions in tropical montane cloud forests with different successional stages
Authors: Clasen Lina Avila , Alvarenga Danillo Oliveira , Wang Yinliu , Andersen Rune Fromm , Rousk Kathrin
Published: January 2025

Nitrogen (N) fixation in association with mosses could be a key source of new N in tropical montane cloud forests since these forests maintain high humidity levels and stable temperatures, both of which are important to N fixation. Here, nutrient availability could be a prominent control of N fixation processes. However, the mechanisms and extent of these controls, particularly in forests at different successional stages, remains unknown to date. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the impact of N, phosphorus (P) and molybdenum (Mo) additions on moss-associated N fixation in tropical montane cloud forests of two successional stages, an old-growth forest and an early-successional natural regrowth forest. We hypothesized that if N is available, N fixation rates would be rapidly reduced, while P and Mo would promote nitrogenase activity. Our results show that Mo additions did not affect N fixation rates, whereas N and P additions, in different doses and combinations, immediately reduced N fixation in both forests. Nonetheless, rates recovered within 1 year of nutrient additions. Nitrogen fixation rates associated with ground-covering mosses were similar in both forests. Interestingly, one year after the nutrient additions, N fixation rates across all the treatments were higher in the natural regrowth forests than the mature forests, suggesting more nutrient limitation in these regrowing forests, likely as a result of higher demand for growth. Our study highlights how moss-associated N fixation responds to changes in nutrient availability across distinct successional stages, deepening our understanding of processes that contributes to tropical montane cloud forests.
Employing a Phased, Interdisciplinary Approach Across Healthcare and School Settings: mHealth Adaptations for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder At-Risk of Experiencing Obesity
Authors: Emerson Caroline , Koob Caitlin , Sease Kerry , Griffin Sarah
Published: January 2025

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at nearly twice the risk of experiencing obesity, compared to youth without ASD. Wellness Education to Create Healthy habits and Actions to Thrive (WE CHAT) is a novel chatbot that engages participants to enhance primary care delivery and associated care coordination services through mobile health (mHealth) technology focused on social determinants of health (SDOH) and social-emotional health. This study examines multiple perspectives regarding the development and implementation of innovative mHealth technology among youth with ASD. The phases of this study include (1) discussion among individuals and parents of children with ASD, (2) in-depth interviews with primary care providers (PCPs) who treat youth with ASD, and (3) in-depth interviews with interdisciplinary rehabilitation providers who treat youth with ASD. Phases 1 and 2 employed rapid qualitative analysis, and Phase 3 involved inductive thematic analysis to provide context to gaps identified in prior phases. Key themes across the three phases included the variability of symptoms among individuals with ASD, the differences in perceived value of mHealth technology, the importance of family-centered care, and the role of interdisciplinary support. Participants recommended the development of branching logic to increase the flexibility of mHealth technology designed for youth with ASD. This study gathered insight from multiple perspectives to identify opportunities for supporting independent participation in mHealth technology while reducing associated caregiver burden among youth with ASD. These findings may inform refinement and expansion of WE CHAT for patients with varying health needs.
Experiences and outcomes of young carers living in low-and middle-income countries: a scoping review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Raji Naseem Akorede , Liverpool Shaun , Bannerman Fariba , Fletcher Ken A.
Published: January 2025

Internationally, there is growing evidence suggesting that children and young people who assume the role of carer for ill relatives are negatively impacted. However, the evidence from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) appear to be limited. This scoping review aimed to summarise and synthesise the available evidence on the experiences and outcomes of young carers (YCs) living in LMICs. CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, LILACS, AMED, and Google Scholar were searched until April 2023. Records were screened against predefined criteria and suitable articles were retrieved. Relevant information was then charted and summarised. Qualitative content analysis and a narrative synthesis was then conducted to identify overarching themes. From 776 records retrieved, 20 publications met our inclusion criteria. Most of the included studies were conducted in African countries, with the remaining studies in Malaysia, Pakistan, and Mexico. YCs included children and young people between 5 and 24 years who cared for parents, grandparents, and other elderly relatives. Six overarching themes describing the experiences and outcomes of YCs were identified. The themes described caring responsibilities, socio-cultural expectations, early employment and impact on education, social connections and mental, physical, and emotional health and wellbeing. Our findings highlight key factors that decision-makers should consider when developing policy and practice guidelines. More research is needed in underrepresented countries and understudied themes to help develop and evaluate suitable interventions and programmes.