bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Talk to the Hand: Reading as Refusal
Authors: Pindyck Maya
Published: February 2025

This visual-verbal essay is a modified version of the script for a virtual performance that I did as part of the “Scholarly Reading Practices” session at the ICQI conference in May 2022. It is a work of “autotheory” (McCrary, 2015) that explores the literacy and cultural implications of my mother’s acts of editing my childhood books. I treat the script and its visuals, now absent of performance or verbalization in the context of that panel, as an invitation for future performances by other scholarly readers who might relate to this content. The essay, in short, moves the script initially intended for the author’s performance at a virtual conference into an offering for any scholar who reads, or any reader who scholarizes. This is a laughing abstract, trying hard not to split its sides out of respect for the conventions of its form. This abstract is already falling apart. The author worries it is no longer an abstract and now part of the piece. Having turned to third person out of fear she may not be read seriously by her reader, likely a scholar, she ends here.
Early comorbidities and diagnostic challenges in people with multiple sclerosis with possible impact on disease management
Authors: Makarov Christine , Donnachie Ewan , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Hemmer Bernhard , Gasperi Christiane
Published: February 2025

Background

Comorbidities in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) can affect disease course and quality of life.

Objectives

To investigate comorbidities in the five years after diagnosis, timing of comorbidity occurrence, age and sex effects, and differences between multiple sclerosis (MS) and other chronic autoimmune diseases (AIDs).

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we systematically assessed differences in diagnosis frequencies in newly diagnosed PwMS ( n = 9,880) compared to matched controls (noAID, n = 29,640) and individuals with other AIDs (psoriasis, n = 29,640; Crohn's disease, n = 9,880).

Results

Some comorbidities of PwMS are similarly frequent in other AIDs, while others, such as depression, are more prevalent in PwMS (odds ratio (OR) vs noAID = 2.03(1.94–2.13)). We found that personality disorders are more frequently recorded in PwMS before (OR  = 1.34(1.21–1.49)) and after MS diagnosis (OR  = 1.32(1.16–1.5)), especially in women (OR  = 1.39(1.2–1.6)). PwMS are more frequently diagnosed with Lyme disease (OR  = 1.98(1.69–2.33)), which was predominantly recorded by general practitioners after presentation with neurological symptoms. We observed lower acute tonsillitis frequencies in PwMS (OR  = 0.8(0.75–0.85)).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that PwMS might have a generally increased risk for specific personality disorders. More frequent Lyme disease recordings for PwMS suggest misdiagnoses of MS symptoms. Lower tonsillitis frequencies suggest a link between MS and protection from specific infections.
Does It Pay for Banks to be Different? Evidence from a Developing Economy
Authors: Domeher Daniel , Apanga Michelle Ayog-Nying , Akotey Joseph Oscar
Published: February 2025

Financial innovations are bringing about significant changes in the design and delivery of banking services in both developed and developing countries. Despite the fact that studies have looked at the connection between innovation and bank performance, no known empirical study has attempted to investigate this relationship using micro-level data in Ghana. Using dataset obtained from 31 banks from 2011 to 2017 and the generalized method of moments regression technique, we find that: first, banking innovations positively impact their profit levels. Second, the effect of innovation is consistent in the long run but much larger than in the short run. Third, being innovative improves firm profits just as improvements in profitability enhance banks’ innovativeness, albeit this conclusion may vary depending on the measure of innovation used. We recommend that banks in the country deploy sufficient resources to develop innovative products that will make banking more affordable and convenient, in that the profit benefits will be enjoyed in the short to the long run. We further suggest that policies should speed up digitization efforts and lay the appropriate information technology infrastructure base required by the banks to develop various innovations that will spur the country’s financial inclusion agenda.
High-performance Work Systems and Affective Commitment: The Mediating Role of Job Embeddedness and Perceived Organizational Support
Authors: Thakral Priyanka , Dash Sanket Sunand , Sharma Dheeraj , Ghosh Koustab
Published: February 2025

High-performance work systems (HPWS) are critical for fostering an effective and efficient environment for superior organizational outcomes. HPWS have been positively linked with various outcomes like employee engagement, productivity, organizational performance, job satisfaction, and employee commitment. However, past literature has scant research on mediators that link HPWS with its outcomes. Therefore, this article investigates how HPWS impacts the affective commitment (AC) of employees. By utilizing social exchange theory (SET), we propose that HPWS positively impacts AC through the mediating role of job embeddedness (JE). Further, drawing from organizational support theory, it is also postulated that the relationship between HPWS and AC is mediated by perceived organizational support (POS). We surveyed 332 full-time employees. The analysis utilized structural equation modeling. The findings state that JE and POS mediate the impact of HPWS on employees’ AC. The contribution of the study lies in explaining the mechanisms through which HPWS leads to AC among employees. The study gives organizations the valuable knowledge that HPWS is a widely used framework, and organizations should concentrate on its successful implementation. The study offers managers valuable insights into the significance of effectively adopting HPWS.
Laser beam characterization for experiments in quantum optics
Authors: Yadav Krishna , Ali Syed Akbar , Sirohi Sugandh , Nautiyal Ambika , Viswanathan Balakrishnan , Prabhakar Anil , Bisht Prem B.
Published: February 2025

Ultrafast laser-based micromanufacturing is essential for fabricating high-precision quantum devices such as quantum gates, photonic circuits, and waveguides. Besides the area of micromachining, recent applications of laser beams also include quantum imaging and sensing. The laser beams have been characterized for their wavelength and pulse durations. The techniques include homemade setups of intensity autocorrelation, frequency-resolved optical gating (FROG), and spectral phase interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction (SPIDER) besides the commercial spectrographs. Beams obtained from non-collinear optical parametric amplifier (NOPA) capable of delivering tunable ultrafast pulses are also described. The dark core beams through Hermite Gaussian (HG) modes and thermal effects are also generated. All these beams are capable of generating polarization-entangled photons by the nonlinear-optical phenomenon of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). After describing the construction of the entangled photon source (EPS), an interferometric setup for imaging based on extracting the phase and intensity of an object is discussed. The application areas of the EPS for quantum imaging, multi-photon applications and adaptive imaging are also highlighted. We propose that quantum imaging can overcome the existing challenges of real-time feedback during micromanufacturing and help prevent the wastage of resources.
Nirogacestat—the pathway to approval of the first treatment for desmoid tumors, a rare disease
Authors: Kummar Shivaani , Bui Nam , Messersmith Wells A. , Whiting Jeanne , Portnoy Marlene , Lim Allison , Smith L. Mary
Published: February 2025

Drug development for rare diseases can be long, complex, and costly. Desmoid tumors (DT), a rare type of soft-tissue tumor, are associated with substantial and debilitating burden, including disease-specific symptoms (e.g., pain, impaired mobility), reduce functioning for daily activities, and worsen quality of life for patients with this condition. These tumors can be potentially life-threatening when they invade surrounding tissues, affect vital structures, or interfere with the body’s functions. Until recently, there were no approved treatments specific to DT and little alignment on disease management. However, on November 27, 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration approved nirogacestat, an oral, targeted, and selective gamma secretase inhibitor, indicated for adult patients with progressing DT who require systemic treatment. This development milestone ascribes to nirogacestat the first approval of a gamma secretase inhibitor for human clinical use and the first therapy specifically indicated for treating patients with DT, thus addressing a long-term unmet need in this patient population. In the DeFi phase III trial of nirogacestat in adults with DT (NCT03785964), nirogacestat demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival, objective response rate, DT-specific symptom burden (including pain), physical functioning, role functioning, and overall quality of life. This review chronicles the clinical development journey of nirogacestat from 2009 to the present day. Motivated to improve patient outcomes—and navigating considerable skepticism and uncertainty—the dedicated efforts of individuals within academic and medical institutions, industry, and patient advocacy groups shepherded nirogacestat through the development process, including those times when development stalled and might otherwise have been abandoned. Nirogacestat’s pathway to becoming a treatment for DT demonstrates how critically important collaboration and coordination are for identifying unique, creative solutions to overcome challenges in rare disease drug development.
Study on Dry Electrical Discharge Assisted Grinding of SiCp/Al Composite
Authors: Lu Yanjun , Huang Yuming , Liu Xiaobu , Cheng Rong , Zhan Shunda
Published: February 2025

SiC-reinforced aluminum matrix (SiCp/Al) composite is widely utilized in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics industries due to the combination of ceramic hardness and metal toughness. However, the significant disparity in properties between SiC particles and the aluminum matrix results in severe tool wear and diminished surface quality during conventional machining. This study proposes an environmentally friendly and clean dry electrical discharge assisted grinding process as an efficient and low-damage machining method for SiCp/Al. An experimental platform was set up to study the impact of grinding and discharge process parameters on surface quality. The study compared the chip formation mechanism and surface quality between dry electrical discharge assisted grinding and conventional grinding, revealing relationships between surface roughness, grinding force, grinding temperature, and related parameters. The results indicate that the proposed grinding method leads to smaller chip sizes, lower grinding forces and temperatures, and an average reduction of 19.2% in surface roughness compared to conventional grinding. The axial, tangential, and normal grinding forces were reduced by roughly 10.5%, 37.8%, and 23.0%, respectively. The optimized process parameters were determined to be N = 2500 r/min, v
f = 30 mm/min, a = 10 µm, E = 15 V, f = 5000 Hz, d
c = 80%, resulting in a surface roughness of 0.161 μm.
Health inequality and improvement gap in the prevalence of gynecological cancers among perimenopausal women globally, 1990–2019
Authors: Yang Chenglin , Zou Jianqin , Luo Xiaochen , Ou Yangjiang , Lin Xiaoru , Wang Xinyu , Guan Qing , Zeng Fanxiang , Liang Dong , Lin Xiuquan
Published: February 2025

Background

Perimenopausal women are a high-risk group for gynecological cancers; however, the spatiotemporal heterogeneity in prevalence and its association with socioeconomic development have not been fully explored. This study aimed to analyze the global burden of cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers among perimenopausal women, examine health inequalities, and investigate their relationship with socioeconomic levels.

Methods

We assessed the disease burden of gynecological cancers in perimenopausal women using the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study (GBD2019) data, utilizing prevalence and Years of Life Lost (YLL) rates. Health inequality and frontier analyses were performed based on age-standardized prevalence rates for cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers, coupled with associated socio-demographic index (SDI) data.

Results

Over the past thirty years, global prevalence rates of cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers among perimenopausal women have risen, while the number of YLLs has declined. Correlation analysis with the SDI showed that ovarian and uterine cancer prevalence rates positively correlated with SDI, whereas cervical cancer prevalence was inversely related to it. Moreover, the burden of these cancers demonstrated marked inequalities in relation to SDI, with cervical cancer disparities intensifying—the absolute value of the inequality slope index rose from 100.98 in 1990 to 170.17 in 2019. Ovarian cancer experienced a slight decrease in inequalities, while uterine cancer saw a significant increase, with its inequality slope index jumping from 176.51 in 1990 to 226.01 in 2019. Additionally, there existed regional health disparities in the disease burden of ovarian cancer among perimenopausal women; notably, in regions where YLLs rates for ovarian cancer were increasing, economically developed areas actually exhibited a decline.

Conclusion

Globally, the prevalence of gynecological cancers in perimenopausal women showed an increasing trend. The health inequality gap for cervical and uterine cancer has widened, while disparities in ovarian cancer are particularly pronounced across regions. There remains scope for improvement in managing the prevalence of gynecological cancers among perimenopausal women across countries with varying SDI levels.
Maintained gait in persons with arthrogryposis from childhood to adulthood
Authors: Bartonek Åsa , Reimeringer Mikael , Eriksson Marie
Published: February 2025

Background

Individuals with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) exhibit a range of modes of ambulation, from walking independently to requiring a wheelchair. Presence of joint contractures and muscle strength plays a crucial role, and, in some patients, orthoses are necessary to facilitate or enable walking.

Methods

Gait was assessed with a three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis, calculated as a gait deviation index (GDI) of nine kinematic variables, and compared between childhood and adulthood.

Results

A total of 12 persons, 8 with community and 4 with household ambulation, who had undergone a 3D gait analysis in childhood (CH) and as an adult (follow-up, FU) at the same gait laboratory were enrolled in the study. At the FU, three, five, and four participants respectively were categorized based on need of joint stabilization while walking as AMC1 using knee-ankle-orthoses (KAFOs) with locked knee joints, AMC2 using KAFOs with free-articulating knee joint or ankle–foot-orthoses (AFOs) and AMC3 using insoles or shoes. Two participants in AMC2 had changed from AFOs to insoles or shoes between CH and FU. There were no differences in joint contractures between the AMC groups at CH or FU. Two participants had orthopaedic surgery between CH and FU. The GDI of the leg with the lowest GDI score at CH vs FU was median [min, max] 55.67 [41.79, 65.14] vs 48.4 [42.67, 56.30] (p = 1.000) in AMC1, 81.25 [59.42, 84.12] vs 68.96 [47.68, 70.33] (p = 0.043) in AMC2, and 73.15 [43.94, 91.72] vs 73.46 [50.82, 75.24] (p = 1.000) in AMC3. Time and distance parameters of cadence, walking speed, step length, and step width did not differ between the CH and FU, nor were there differences in satisfaction with the device or the service at the FU.

Conclusion

A difference in the GDI was found in one of the AMC groups between childhood and adulthood that could not be explained by factors such as contractures or muscle strength. This study reflects that gait is maintained in ambulating persons with AMC who were offered an orthosis program that has been available from childhood into adulthood.
The influence of the hidden curriculum on the risk of burnout in junior doctors in a palliative medicine rotation – a qualitative exploratory study
Authors: Ong Eng Koon , Govindasamy Ranitha , Sim Wen Shan , Krishna Lalit Kumar Radha
Published: February 2025

Background

Palliative Care (PC) provides person-centred care for patients with life-limiting diseases and their families. Studies have shown that healthcare professionals delivering PC are predisposed to moral distress and burnout due to constant exposure to death and dying and aspects of the hidden curriculum (HC) through which culture and values are transmitted implicitly. However, there are limited studies focusing on the latter through the lens of junior doctors. Using the Ring Theory of Personhood (RToP) and the Krishna-Pisupati Model (KPM), which categorize and map conflicts between personal and professional values, beliefs, and principles within the four domains of personhood, this study investigates the impact of palliative care experiences on the risk of burnout in junior doctors.

Methods

This qualitative exploratory study was conducted at the Division of Supportive and Palliative Care in the National Cancer Centre Singapore, involving medical residents who had completed at least one month with the division between 2020 and 2022. 13 participants were recruited for individual semi-structured interviews carried out by an independent research assistant. Acknowledging HC and burnout as sociocultural constructs, we adopted a constructivist ontological position and a relativist epistemological lens to guide thematic analysis of the data.

Results

The themes identified were: (1) The Nature of PC (2), Moral Distress, and (3) Impact of Environment on Wellbeing. Junior doctors saw the value of the philosophy of care in PC and felt compelled to adopt values espoused by the discipline. However, compounded by consistent exposure to death and dying and limitations to manpower and time, elements of the HC, such as staff support measures, proved to be significant stressors—contributing to burnout and moral distress.

Conclusion

This is the first study on the effects of the HC on burnout for junior doctors in a PC rotation. It provides unique insights into the impact of complex clinical, personal, social, ethical and organizational factors on burnout and suggests that all factors need to be addressed in tandem for any attempts at staff support to be successful. This study can guide current and future research and programs that support wellbeing for junior doctors.
Haematology dimension reduction, a large scale application to regular care haematology data
Authors: Joosse Huibert-Jan , Chumsaeng-Reijers Chontira , Huisman Albert , Hoefer Imo E. , van Solinge Wouter W. , Haitjema Saskia , van Es Bram
Published: February 2025

Background

The routine diagnostic process increasingly entails the processing of high-volume and high-dimensional data that cannot be directly visualised. This processing may provide scaling issues that limit the implementation of these types of data into research as well as integrated diagnostics in routine care. Here, we investigate whether we can use existing dimension reduction techniques to provide visualisations and analyses for a complete bloodcount (CBC) while maintaining representativeness of the original data. We considered over 3 million CBC measurements encompassing over 70 parameters of cell frequency, size and complexity from the UMC Utrecht UPOD database. We evaluated PCA as an example of a linear dimension reduction techniques and UMAP, TriMap and PaCMAP as non-linear dimension reduction techniques. We assessed their technical performance using quality metrics for dimension reduction as well as biological representation by evaluating preservation of diurnal, age and sex patterns, cluster preservation and the identification of leukemia patients.

Results

We found that, for clinical hematology data, PCA performs systematically better than UMAP, TriMap and PaCMAP in representing the underlying data. Biological relevance was retained for periodicity in the data. However, we also observed a decrease in predictive performance of the reduced data for both age and sex, as well as an overestimation of clusters within the reduced data. Finally, we were able to identify the diverging patterns for leukemia patients after use of dimensionality reduction methods.

Conclusions

We conclude that for hematology data, the use of unsupervised dimension reduction techniques should be limited to data visualization applications, as implementing them in diagnostic pipelines may lead to decreased quality of integrated diagnostics in routine care.
How is autonomy supported for people with dementia living in a nursing home, to what extent and under what circumstances? A realist evaluation
Authors: van der Weide Henny , Lovink Marleen H. , Luijkx Katrien G. , Gerritsen Debby L.
Published: February 2025

Background

Being autonomous is important for people with dementia living in nursing homes. Our recent realist review indicated that supporting their autonomy depends on various aspects.

Objective

This study aimed to uncover how people with dementia, their family members and care and treatment professionals experience the support of autonomy in daily care practice: what works, to what extent and under what circumstances.

Design

A realist evaluation was performed using qualitative methods.

Methods

We applied a realist approach through interviews with family members and care and treatment professionals, as well as on-site observations: due to their cognitive condition we could not exchange mutual views with residents directly. We performed these interviews and observations on site to find out how, to what extent and under what circumstances, supporting autonomy interventions work in daily practice situations. Causal assumptions were derived from the empirical data, leading to Context (C) –Mechanism (M) – Outcome (O) configurations.

Results

Data extraction from 24 interviews and 8 observations resulted in 19 CMO configurations on four themes: A. Autonomy and boundaries: providing maximum autonomy influenced by safety and health restrictions. B. Organization of daily care processes: the influence of attempting to increase efficiency by working routines. C. Team competences and collaboration: the possibilities of care professionals to acquire the relevant competences and an appropriate level of team collaboration. D. Interaction and relationships: the accomplishment of a working relationship between residents, their family and care and treatment professionals.

Conclusion

The results showed that supporting autonomy was valued highly by all stakeholders. In streamlining care processes, working routines were influential to supporting autonomy. Weighing risky choices for people with dementia in their decision making was another factor. Our study indicated that realizing autonomy is facilitated by a capable and collaborative team of professionals and by a working relationship between persons living with dementia, family members and professionals.
Evaluating the impact of avian paramyxovirus type 1 infection in poultry at live bird markets in Nigeria: defining hurdles to sustainable agriculture
Authors: Ekiri Abel B. , Wakawa Aliyu , Reid Scott M. , James Joe , Ross Craig , Byrne Alexander M. P. , Lewis Thomas , Lynton-Jenkins Joshua , Adebowale Kehinde , Mijten Erik , Varga Gabriel , Brown Ian H. , Banyard Ashley C. , Cook Alasdair J. C.
Published: February 2025

Background

Infectious diseases including Newcastle disease (ND) impair poultry productivity and represent a significant burden to sustainable agriculture in Nigeria. This study aimed to investigate the active circulation and seroprevalence of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) caused by virulent forms of avian paramyxovirus type-1 (APMV-1) in poultry at live bird markets (LBMs) across Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 18 LBMs was conducted within three states in Nigeria (Kano, Oyo, and Abuja). Paired swab and tissue samples (n = 413) were collected from birds on FTA cards and tested for APMV-1 using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). A subset of rRT-PCR-positive samples were selected for whole genome sequencing based on the originating species (chicken, duck, geese), date, and market location to provide a broad range of isolates for characterisation. Blood samples (n = 405) were also collected from birds and the seroprevalence of APMV-1 antibodies was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

APMV-1 RNA was detected in 21.5% (89/413) of samples from LBMs by rRT-PCR. At least one APMV-1 positive sample was detected in 55.6% (10/18) of LBMs. The largest proportion of APMV-1-positive markets was in Kano (83.3%, 5/6), whereas the lowest was in Oyo (16.7%, 1/6). Assessment of genetic data demonstrated that genotype XIV.2 APMV-1 was circulating within Nigeria with the viruses detected clustering closely with other Nigerian isolates described previously. The seroprevalence of APMV-1 in birds was 45.9% (186/405) and 94.4% (17/18) of LBMs had at least one APMV-1 seropositive sample (i.e., with at least one APMV-1-antibody-positive bird). The LBMs in Kano had the lowest seroprevalence (88.3%, 5/6).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that APMV-1 continues to circulate in LBMs in Nigeria. LBM traders, poultry producers, and related industry and policy stakeholders should be aware of the occurrence of APMV-1 and how ND may negatively impact upon poultry production and the livelihoods of poultry farmers and LBM traders. Training initiatives aimed at improving the knowledge of APMV-1 infection and improvements in biosecurity practises and the role of disease mitigation through vaccination are required to reduce the impact of this threat to food security.
Televisit with TytoHome™ device in medically complex child in long-term mechanical ventilation: a pilot study
Authors: Onofri Alessandro , Ullmann Nicola , Verrillo Elisabetta , Paglietti Maria Giovanna , Pavone Martino , Cutrera Renato
Published: February 2025

Background

During the pandemic, the pneumology team at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital highlighted that telemedicine was a valuable tool for remotely managing the medical needs of children with medical complexity (CMC). Following the telemedicine experience during the emergency phase, a telemedicine service was established, and new tools were tested to optimize televisits and the overall eHealth approach for patients. In this context, the TytoHome™ device was tested for performing objective examinations remotely. This pilot study, conducted at our hospital, explored the management of CMC patients on long-term mechanical ventilation via the telemedicine platform and the TytoHome™ device.

Methods

This study involved the treatment of 10 pediatric patients over one year using this approach. The patients were already receiving care at our hospital and were undergoing long-term mechanical ventilation (LTV) at home—4 on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and 6 on non-invasive ventilation (NIV). A database was developed to collect patient data, including personal details, vital parameters, objective examinations, audio quality, and patient satisfaction. A descriptive analysis was subsequently performed using the data collected during the earlier stages of the study.

Results

The utility of the TytoCare device for medically complex children was evaluated. The families were “satisfied” with the remote follow-up visits, and healthcare personnel rated the audio quality of the visits as “good.”

Conclusions

In conclusion, the remote management of these patients using the Tyto device offered several advantages. In our experience, Tyto proved to be a useful tool for the remote medical management of complex patients.
A review of filarial nematodes parasitizing tick vectors: unraveling global patterns in species diversity, host associations, and interactions with tick-borne pathogens
Authors: Ajileye Oluwaseun D. , Verocai Guilherme G. , Light Jessica E.
Published: February 2025

Ticks are well-known vectors of pathogens, including filarial nematodes, which can affect animal and human health. This review synthesizes current knowledge of filarial nematodes that utilize ticks as vectors, focusing on the Onchocercidae. Five genera of onchocercid filarial nematodes (Cercopithifilaria, Cherylia, Cruorifilaria, Monanema, and Yatesia) have demonstrated vector–parasite relationships with ticks, while Acanthocheilonema has only demonstrated molecular detection without confirmed vector competence. Vector competence has been experimentally proven for several species through documented development to infective stages. However, our understanding of tick-borne filarial nematodes remains limited owing to insufficient detection efforts and methodological challenges. Detection methods include traditional dissection, advanced imaging techniques such as microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), and molecular approaches, each with distinct advantages and limitations. To address knowledge gaps, future research should focus on conducting large-scale surveys of tick populations and wildlife to investigate vector competence, health impacts, and coinfection dynamics. Multi-disciplinary collaboration and community involvement in tick surveillance will advance our understanding of tick-borne filarial nematode ecology and epidemiology. Future research priorities include confirming vector competence where only molecular detection exists, investigating natural transmission patterns, and understanding the mechanisms influencing successful development in tick vectors. By addressing these knowledge gaps through systematic surveillance and experimental studies, we can better understand these complex host–parasite–vector relationships and their implications for animal health.

Graphical Abstract
Screening and management of hospital hyperglycemia in non-critical patients: a position statement from the Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD)
Authors: Marino Emerson Cestari , Momesso Denise , Toyoshima Marcos Tadashi Kakitani , de Almeida Maria Fernanda Ozorio , Schaan Beatriz D. , Negretto Leandra Anália Freitas , Santomauro Junior Augusto Cezar , Cukier Priscilla , Genestreti Paulo Roberto Rizzo , Feitosa Alina Coutinho Rodrigues , da Silva Soares Pinto Jorge Eduardo , Ribeiro Rogerio Silicani , Lamounier Rodrigo Nunes , Lyra Ruy , Bertoluci Marcello Casaccia
Published: February 2025

Background

Hospital Hyperglycemia (HH) is linked to poorer outcomes, including higher mortality rates, increased ICU admissions, and extended hospital stays, and occurs in both people living with diabetes or not. The prevalence of HH in non-critical patients ranges from 22 to 46%. This panel reviewed the evidence and made recommendations for the best care for hospitalized hyperglycemic patients, with or without diabetes mellitus.

Methods

The methodology was published previously and was defined by the internal institutional steering committee. The SBD Acute and Hospital Complications Department drafted the manuscript, selecting key clinical questions for a narrative review using MEDLINE via PubMed. The best available evidence was reviewed, including randomized clinical trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and high-quality observational studies related to Hospital Hyperglycemia.

Results and conclusions

The department members and external experts developed 23 recommendations for the management of patients with HH, including screening, initial interventions, treatment adjustments, and care for potential complications. Based on the best available evidence, our article provides safe and effective management strategies for both public and private healthcare settings.
Food oral immunotherapy
Authors: McHenry Mary , Bégin Philippe , Chan Edmond S. , Latrous Meriem , Kim Harold
Published: February 2025

Food oral immunotherapy (OIT) is an option for the treatment of immunoglobin E (IgE)‐mediated food allergy that involves administering gradually increasing doses of an allergenic food over time (under medical supervision) with the goal of desensitizing an individual to the food allergen. Current Canadian clinical practice guidelines for OIT recommend this form of therapy as an option in patients with food allergy. The intervention should be prioritized in the infant and toddler population, in which it is particularly well tolerated and can lead to sustained unresponsiveness (also sometimes referred to as remission). In this article, we provide an overview of OIT and discuss the role non-allergist clinicians can play in caring for patients undergoing OIT.
Protocol for a single-arm feasibility trial of virtual family-centered rounds: increasing opportunities for family engagement among caregivers with language preference other than English
Authors: Hoyt-Austin Adrienne E. , Zerda Erika N. , Tancredi Daniel J. , Marcin James P. , Ketchersid Audriana , Horath Elva T. , Bushong Trevor R. , Merriott Daniel S. , Romano Patrick S. , Hoffman Kristin R. , Rosenthal Jennifer L.
Published: February 2025

Background

Telehealth use during family-centered rounds in the neonatal intensive care unit has been shown to shorten length of hospitalization and improve breastfeeding outcomes. For families who speak languages other than English, access to and use of telehealth technologies can be impeded by lack of interpreter services. We aim to evaluate the feasibility of telehealth use during family-centered rounds in the neonatal intensive care unit for families who speak languages other than English.

Methods

In this study proposal, we will conduct an intervention evaluation using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework to assess the feasibility of telehealth use during family-centered rounds among families who speak languages other than English in a single-arm feasibility trial. We will provide language-appropriate materials to assist parents with accessing the telehealth technology and bring interpreters into the telehealth encounter directly with neonatal providers. All eligible infants whose families speak languages other than English in a single-site level 4 neonatal intensive care unit during the study period will be included. These families can participate in hospital rounds via telehealth, in-person, or not participate in hospital rounds. We will examine feasibility objectives that assess parental uptake of telehealth for rounds, parental participation in rounds, presence of a certified medical interpreter, telehealth technical issues, and parental survey response rates. We will conduct a mixed methods implementation evaluation using the RE-AIM framework. Exploratory outcomes include parent attendance, length of hospitalization of the infant, human milk feeding, frequency of medical error, parent-reported experience, parental comfort with their child’s care, and parental quality of life will be collected.

Discussion

This study will aid in understanding gaps to telehealth care in languages other than English. We believe this approach will improve health outcomes for hospitalized premature infants, understanding of medical conditions, improve parental quality of life, and reduce inequities in access to healthcare via telehealth technologies.

Trial registration

NCT05917899 Limited English Proficiency Virtual Family-Centered Rounds, first posted June 26, 2023, last update posted November 11, 2024.
Susceptibility of Anopheles gambiae s.l. to the neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin in eighteen sites located along the south–north transect of Benin
Authors: Hougbe Steve Zinsou , Sovi Arthur , Koumodji Koffi , Ahouandjinou Minassou Juvénal , Affolabi Zul-kifl , Towakinou Linda , Chitou Saïd , Agbo-Ola Andil , Tokponnon Filémon , Zoungbédji David Mahouton , Sagbohan Hermann , Kpanou Casimir , Padonou Germain Gil , Baba-Moussa Lamine , Ossé Razaki A.
Published: February 2025

Background

The widespread resistance of malaria vectors to traditional neurotoxic insecticides has stimulated the search for new insecticide classes with novel modes of action. For that, the present study was designed to collect data on the susceptibility of field-collected Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) to clothianidin, a neonicotinoid insecticide used in agriculture and that recently received WHO approval for use in indoor residual spraying.

Methods

An. gambiae s.l. were collected as larvae and pupae from 18 sites located along the south–north transect of Benin, and reared to adulthood. Female mosquitoes aged 2–5 days were exposed to clothianidin-impregnated papers (2% weight by volume (w/v) of SumiShield™ 50WG dissolved in distilled water). Due to the delayed action of clothianidin, mortality was daily recorded over 7 days. Polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the molecular species composition in the An. gambiae s.l. complex and the frequency of knockdown resistance (kdr) and insensitive acetylcholinesterase (Ace-1

R
) mutations.

Results

Mortality rates of field-collected An. gambiae s.l. were very high (≥98%) between 2- and 7-day post-exposure, indicating full susceptibility to clothianidin. Molecular species identification revealed the presence of An. coluzzii (53.7%), An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) (42.5%), and An. arabiensis (3.8%) in the An. gambiae s.l. complex. kdr and Ace-1

R
mean frequencies were 84% (95% CI 82–86) and 3% (95% CI 2–4) in An. coluzzii, and 88% (95% CI 87–90) and 4% (95% CI 3–6) in An. gambiae s.s., respectively.

Conclusions

Findings of the present study indicates that An. gambiae s.l. populations collected along the north–south transect of Benin remain susceptible to clothianidin. This broadens the portfolio of indoor residual spraying products that the national malaria control programme can deploy to better control pyrethroid-resistant populations of vectors.
Praziquantel plasma concentration and its metabolic ratio suboptimally predict schistosomiasis cure among infected children
Authors: Mnkugwe Rajabu Hussein
Published: February 2025

Background

In recent years, biomarkers or surrogate endpoints have been shown to be vital in predicting treatment response. In schistosomiasis treatment using praziquantel, it has been suggested that drug level quantified at 4 hours post drug intake is an optimal sampling time for monitoring of its systemic exposure. However, no studies have established whether it is the parent drug plasma concentration or its major metabolic ratio which better predict treatment outcome. In addition, the cutoff threshold values for these biomarkers in predicting cure have not been studied.

Results

A total of 287 participants were enrolled and followed up for 21 days. The median age of the study population was 12 years (range 7–16 years). The cutoff point for praziquantel concentration in predicting schistosomiasis cure was ≥ 222 ng/dL (Youden’s index = 0.341, AUC = 0.688), while for metabolic ratio was ≥ 0.038 ng/dL (Youden’s index = 0.276, AUC = 0.661). Praziquantel plasma concentration had a sensitivity of 63% (95% CI 56.5–69.2%), specificity of 71.2% (95% CI 56.9–82.9%) and diagnostic accuracy of 64.5% (95% CI 58.6–70.0%). While the positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were 90.8% (95% CI 83.5–94.8%) and 29.8% (95% CI 22.0–38.7%), respectively. The AUC for praziquantel plasma concentration was found to be 68.8% (95% CI 61.0–76.6%) (p < 0.001). Metabolic ratio had a sensitivity of 46.8% (95% CI 40.3–53.4%), specificity of 80.8% (95% CI 67.5–90.4%) and diagnostic accuracy of 53% (95% CI 47.0–58.9%). While the PPV and NPV were 91.7% (95% CI 85.2–95.9%) and 25.2% (95% CI 18.8–32.4%), respectively. The AUC for metabolic ratio was found to be 66.1% (95% CI 58.4–73.8%) (p = 0.0003). There was no statistically significant difference in the discriminatory power of praziquantel plasma concentration (AUC = 68.8%) and metabolic ratio (AUC = 66.1%) in predicting schistosomiasis cure (p = 0.25).

Conclusion

Despite praziquantel plasma concentration having significantly higher sensitivity and negative predictive value than the metabolic ratio, both biomarkers suboptimally predicted schistosomiasis cure at 21 days follow-up.
BIG: a framework integrating brain-inspired geometry cell for long-range exploration and navigation
Authors: Sun Zhen , Ma Kehui , Xia Songpengcheng , Wu Qi , Xiong Chaoran , Xiang Yan , Pei Ling
Published: February 2025

Recently, the brain-inspired mechanisms beneficial to efficient navigation in mammals have exhibited huge research potential. Specifically, the geometry cell model has shown significant insights into the ability of mammals, which is used to model the geometric information of their surroundings during movement. Meanwhile, the process of general exploration will consume large amounts of computing resources when agents with high-performance computing equipment accomplish autonomous tasks. This paper focuses on the long-range autonomous exploration and navigation tasks in which they are conducted by agents within complex indoor and outdoor environments. To reduce the computational demands, we propose a framework integrating the Brain-Inspired Geometry-awareness namely BIG for two autonomous tasks. The exploration task named BIG-Explorer involves efficiently searching untouched areas by embedding the geometry cell model. It identifies expanding frontiers using geometric assigners and takes into account relevant factors such as boundary information. The navigation task named BIG-Navigator builds upon insights gained during the exploration phase and guides agents to a predefined destination. We conduct comprehensive experimental assessments within third-party simulation environments. The evaluation metrics employed in this paper include the number of nodes, the length of a path, algorithm execution time, and the size of exploration space. Finally, the results of the evaluation demonstrate that the incorporation of geometry cell model increases the efficiency in both exploration and navigation processes by at least

$$20\%$$

20
%

, compared with four benchmark methods.
Exploring the effects of hemodialyzers on clinical outcomes in pediatric cardiac surgery during cardiopulmonary bypass: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Abdelazim Ahmed M. , Amer Akram M. , Elsobky Yasmin , Shelbaya Khaled , Fadaly Ahmed S.
Published: February 2025

Background

Hemofiltration during and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) reduces levels of proinflammatory cytokines and total interstitial body water. Because of economic causes, hemofilters became less available in low- and middle-income countries, which forced the perfusionists to use hemodialyzers instead. This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of pediatric patients who had hemodialyzers instead of hemofilters during CPB. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 46 pediatric patients who underwent cardiac surgery between January 1st, 2023, and September 30th, 2023. Patients included were those who required hemofiltration during CPB.

Results

The median age and weight were 0.95 years [0.28, 2.76] and 7.5 kg [5.2, 13.6], respectively. Tetralogy of Fallot repair represented 24% of cases. CPB and aorta cross-clamp times averaged 93.0 ± 32.6 min and 60.1 ± 24.2 min, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 6.5% (n = 3). Among the deceased, all had RACHS-1 (Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery) score 4. Mortality in the deceased group was linked to several significant factors compared to the survivors, including, lower CPB temperature (28 °C vs. 32 °C), higher lactate levels (2.9 ± 0.9 vs. 1.9 ± 0.7 mmol/L), longer mechanical ventilation duration (288 vs. 21 h), and prolonged Intensive Care Unit stay (12 vs. 3 days). CPB time, aorta cross-clamp time, or post-CPB hematocrit did not significantly differ between survived and deceased patients.

Conclusions

In this retrospective analysis of 46 pediatric patients, the use of hemodialyzers for hemofiltration during CPB could be safe with acceptable mortality rate. While these preliminary findings are promising, the sample size and retrospective design limit generalizability. Further prospective studies with larger cohorts are warranted to more effectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of hemodialyzers as an alternative to hemofilters.
Investigation of multiple-vehicle scenarios to improve system identification for indirect health monitoring of bridge networks
Authors: Abuodeh Omar , Redmond Laura
Published: February 2025

Vibration data from passing vehicles can theoretically be leveraged for indirect health monitoring (IHM) of bridges. However, vibration data collected from vehicles on bridges are often tainted with noise, including vehicle harmonics, road conditions, and environmental factors. Researchers employ system identification (SI) techniques to extract pertinent bridge features from this noisy data yet face limitations due to user-defined parameters and validation with sparse datasets. This study leverages supercomputing and an automated postprocessing framework to identify testing protocols and vehicle parameters that enhance SI across the bridge network using Vehicle-Bridge Interaction (VBI) models. Vehicle properties for four vehicle classes are gathered from literature, while six bridge properties are derived from tested bridges and department of transportation records. Findings reveal that heavier and faster leading vehicles facilitate bridge frequency extraction. Challenges such as masking of bridge frequencies by road roughness and low-pass effects of vehicle suspension on bridges with higher natural frequencies are identified. Solutions include employing faster trailing vehicle speeds shift the road roughness frequency bands away from the bridge’s frequency and using heavier leading vehicles to enhance bridge response. In addition, an advanced signal processing technique, autonomous peak picking variational mode decomposition (APPVMD), successfully extracts bridge frequencies for problematic bridges.