bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption of ions from aqueous solutions by ferroelectric nanoparticles
Authors: Kalinin Sergei V. , Eliseev Eugene A. , Morozovska Anna N.
Published: January 2025

The fundamental aspect of the physics of ferroelectric materials is the screening of uncompensated bound charges by the dissociative adsorption of ionic charges from the environment. The adsorption of ions can be especially strong when the ferroelectric undergoes a temperature-induced transition from the paraelectric phase to the ferroelectric state. Here, we demonstrate that the adsorption of ions and free radicals by the polar surface of ferroelectric nanoparticles can be very efficient in aqueous solutions due to the strong ferro-ionic coupling in the nanoparticles. The obtained results can be useful for the development of alternative methods and tools for adsorption of the cations (Li+,K+,Na+, etc.), anions (Cl−,Br−,J−), and/or free radicals (CO−, NH4+, etc.) from aqueous solutions using lead-free uniaxial ferroelectric nanoparticles. The results may provide an alternative approach to the environment-friendly laboratory-scale purification of different aqueous solutions from ionic contamination using controllable cyclic temperature variations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Hydrostatic behaviour of highly inert Fomblin and Halocarbon fluids as pressure-transmitting media in high-pressure experiments
Authors: Motaln Klemen , Uran Erik , Giordano Nico , Parsons Simon , Lozinšek Matic
Published: January 2025

A pressure-transmitting medium (PTM) plays an important role in diamond anvil cell (DAC) experiments as it ensures that the sample is exposed to hydrostatic pressure. Although PTMs that are liquids under ambient conditions are the easiest to handle and load, the selection of chemically inert liquid media with established hydrostatic properties is limited. To widen the choice of highly inert PTMs for high-pressure experiments, the hydrostatic behaviours of Fomblin Z60, Fomblin Z25, Fomblin Y LVAC 06/6 and Halocarbon Oil 11-14 were investigated. The ruby fluorescence method was used to monitor the evolution of pressure gradients across the DAC sample chamber during compression and decompression. Fomblin Z60 and Fomblin Z25 perfluoropolyethers, which are hydrostatic to 1.7 and 1.5 GPa, respectively, exhibited the best hydrostatic performance, followed by Halocarbon Oil 11-14 with a limit of 1.2 GPa, whereas the non-hydrostatic behaviour of Fomblin Y LVAC 06/6 was observed above only 0.6 GPa.
Modelling undulators in ray tracing simulations
Authors: Sanchez del Rio Manuel , Reyes-Herrera Juan
Published: January 2025

We introduce a model that can accurately simulate radiation from undulator sources for ray tracing applications. It incorporates several key effects relevant to fourth-generation synchrotron sources, such as electron emittance, energy spread, and diffraction-limited beam size. This code has been developed as part of SHADOW4, the latest version of the widely used SHADOW X-ray optics ray tracing program. The approach relies on calculating the field distribution in the far field, which determines the ray divergences. The integration of existing models for electron energy spread is also addressed. Rays sampled at the source follow a size distribution derived by backpropagating the far-field radiation. These models are detailed, and several examples are provided.
Green giants: how high–tech manufacturers in China foster supplier green innovativeness for sustainable development
Authors: Xin Chong , Wang Qi , Chen Ting ting
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Based on the social exchange theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of green supplier development (GSD) on supplier green innovativeness (SGI), the mediating role of buyer–supplier cooperation and the moderating role of preferred customer status (PCS).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses stratified regression analysis to test the hypothesized relationships with data collected from 385 Chinese high-tech manufacturing enterprises.

Findings

The results of regression analysis show that GSD has a significant positive effect on buyer–supplier cooperation and SGI; buyer–supplier cooperation plays a partially mediating role between GSD and SGI; PCS strengthens the positive relationship between buyer–supplier cooperation and SGI and enhances the mediating role of buyer–supplier cooperation between GSD and SGI.

Practical implications

Supplier participation in green innovation is of great significance to the green development transformation of China’s manufacturing industry. This study reveals the positive impact of GSD on enhancing SGI and provides specific suggestions for manufacturing enterprises to realize efficient supplier management and build mutually beneficial and win-win cooperative relationships.

Originality/value

This study enriches and expands the related research on SGI antecedents and reveals the mediating mechanism and boundary conditions therein, which better makes up for the lack of attention to GSD in the existing research on supplier management and can provide lessons and references for the subsequent related researches targeting the enhancement and utilization of SGI.
Pleasurable emotional states in health-care organizations: the mediation role of employee wellbeing on transformational leadership and job satisfaction
Authors: Kyambade Mahadih , Namatovu Afulah
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between transformational leadership, employee well-being and job satisfaction, focusing on the mediating role of employee well-being in the association between transformational leadership and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this purpose were gathered by the authors through a questionnaire survey, with 180 employees at health center IV hospitals in Uganda serving as the sample. To test the theoretical model, a PROCESS Model Type 4 mediation analysis was performed.

Findings

The findings demonstrate a slightly favorable association between transformational leadership and job satisfaction, transformational leadership is positively related to employee well-being as well as a positive association between employee well-being and job satisfaction. Moreover, the outcomes of the mediation analysis verify that employee well-being acts as a mediator in the association between transformational leadership and job satisfaction.

Practical implications

Health-care organizations should invest in leadership training programs that develop transformational leadership skills. Leaders, who can inspire, intellectually stimulate and provide individualized consideration can significantly enhance employee well-being, which in turn boosts job satisfaction. Establish ongoing development initiatives to ensure that leadership skills remain sharp and evolve with changing health-care demands.

Originality/value

This study adds to the body of knowledge in organizational behavior by examining the relationship in detail between transformational leadership, employee well-being and job satisfaction. In addition, this study was carried out in a developing nation, which might usually produce results that differ from those of studies carried out in developed nations.
Decline in plant species richness with a chronic decrease of precipitation: The mediating role of the dominant species
Authors: Ónodi Gábor , Kertész Miklós , Bede‐Fazekas Ákos , Batáry Péter , Kröel‐Dulay György , Botta‐Dukát Zoltán
Published: January 2025

Despite the increased frequency and severity of droughts in many regions and declining biodiversity, existing experimental evidence for changes in plant species richness associated with altered water availability is limited. The growing extent of drylands highlights the need to predict precipitation‐related changes in species richness, which requires a better understanding of the mechanisms.

We carried out a field experiment applying a single extreme drought event and combined it with subsequent chronic alteration of summer precipitation for 7 years in a water‐limited temperate grassland. We assessed how altered precipitation regimes and a previous extreme drought affect species richness. We compared a simple analysis assuming only the net effect of precipitation on species richness to a complex approach by structural equation modelling that included both the direct effects of precipitation and indirect effects through the biomass of dominant grass species.

Using simple analysis, we found significant positive and nonsignificant precipitation–species richness relationships in the presence and absence of extreme drought, respectively. The complex analysis disentangled direct and indirect pathways between precipitation and species richness. The indirect pathway acted only in the absence of drought. In this case, increasing precipitation increased the biomass of dominant species, which, in turn, decreased species richness, acting as a mediator variable. The direct relationship was positive, independent of the presence of drought.

Synthesis. Consistent with the global relationship between water availability and species richness, we experimentally showed that decreasing precipitation decreases species richness. Furthermore, we found that increasing precipitation may also decrease plant species richness via an indirect pathway acting through the biomass of the dominant species. Our results highlight that species richness can become more sensitive to changes in precipitation after extreme drought events that eliminate or set back dominant species.
Short‐term prescribed fire frequency manipulation alters community response to subsequent fires in a southeastern pine savanna
Authors: Simha Anita , Wright Justin P.
Published: January 2025

Disturbances can have enduring impacts on ecological communities due to ‘legacy effects’, which result in community structure that varies with the history of recent disturbance. Further, such legacy effects can influence community—and population‐level responses to future disturbance.

We leveraged a landscape‐scale fire frequency experiment in a longleaf pine savanna to assess legacy effects in understory community richness, structure, and in community response to subsequent fire. Further, we investigated species‐level responses to fire based on their burn history and attempted to explain these responses using relevant functional traits.

Fire suppression for just 4 years resulted in more woody‐dominated communities. Fire suppression also resulted in more overall plant abundance. This buildup of plant material is consistent with our further finding that a greater interval between fires resulted in greater loss of cover with the next fire.

Greater fire return interval led to more vegetative cover loss immediately post‐fire, but this effect attenuated within a year of recovery time. Lowland shrub‐dominated communities also experienced greater cover loss due to fire. There was no effect of fire return interval on change in species richness.

Woody species responded more negatively to fire than herbaceous species. Intraspecific variation in specific leaf area increased resistance to fire only for shorter species, and it decreased resistance for taller species. Only some of the abundant species showed a sensitivity to fire history.

Synthesis. Overall, our findings provide evidence that short‐term changes to disturbance regimes can create alternative responses to future disturbance at the community and species level. This work suggests that short‐term pauses to longer term burn regimes can facilitate woody encroachment and have lasting impacts through altered community responses to future fires.
Microbiome Stability Is Linked to Acropora Coral Thermotolerance in Northwestern Philippines
Authors: Baquiran Jake Ivan P. , Quijano John Bennedick , van Oppen Madeleine J. H. , Cabaitan Patrick C. , Harrison Peter L. , Conaco Cecilia
Published: January 2025

Corals associate with a diverse community of prokaryotic symbionts that provide nutrition, antioxidants and other protective compounds to their host. However, the influence of microbes on coral thermotolerance remains understudied. Here, we examined the prokaryotic microbial communities associated with colonies of Acropora cf. tenuis that exhibit high or low thermotolerance upon exposure to 33°C (heated) relative to 29°C (control). Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we show that the microbial community structure of all A. cf. tenuis colonies was similar to each other at control temperature. Thermotolerant colonies, however, had relatively greater abundance of Endozoicomonas, Arcobacter, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. At elevated temperature, only thermosensitive colonies showed a distinct shift in their microbiome, with an increase in Flavobacteriales, Rhodobacteraceae and Vibrio, accompanying a marked bleaching response. Functional prediction indicated that prokaryotic communities associated with thermotolerant corals were enriched for genes related to metabolism, while microbiomes of thermosensitive colonies were enriched for cell motility and antibiotic compound synthesis. These differences may contribute to the variable performance of thermotolerant and thermosensitive corals under thermal stress. Identification of microbial taxa correlated with thermotolerance provides insights into beneficial bacterial groups that could be used for microbiome engineering to support reef health in a changing climate.
Archaeal Signalling Networks—New Insights Into the Structure and Function of Histidine Kinases and Response Regulators of the Methanogenic Archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans
Authors: Georgiev Nora F. K. , Andersson Anne L. , Ruppe Zoe , Kattwinkel Loriana , Frankenberg‐Dinkel Nicole
Published: January 2025

The methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans has one of the largest known archaeal genomes. With 53 histidine kinases (HK), it also has the largest set of signal transduction systems. To gain insight into the hitherto not very well understood signal transduction in Archaea and M. acetivorans in particular, we have categorised the predicted HK into four types based on their H‐box using an in silico analysis. Representatives of three types were recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography. All investigated kinases showed ATP binding and hydrolysis. The MA_type 2 kinase, which lacks the classical H‐box, showed no autokinase activity. Furthermore, we could show that M. acetivorans possesses an above‐average number of response regulators (RR), consisting of only a REC domain (REC‐only). Using the hybrid kinase MA4377 as an example we show that both intra‐and intermolecular transphosphorylation to REC domains occur. These experiments are furthermore indicative of complex phosphorelay systems in M. acetivorans and suggest that REC‐only proteins act as a central hub in signal transduction in M. acetivorans.
Mapping the Social Organisation of Neglect in the Case of Fibromyalgia: Using Smith's Sociology for People to Inform a Systems‐Focused Literature Review
Authors: Cupit Caroline , Finlay Teresa , Pope Catherine
Published: January 2025

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterised by persistent unexplained pain and fatigue. People with fibromyalgia report receiving little support to manage symptoms, difficult interactions with healthcare practitioners and stigma associated with this contested condition. In this article, we employ Dorothy E Smith's Sociology for People to undertake a systems‐focused literature review from the standpoint of people with fibromyalgia, moving beyond individual subjectivities to map how problems are socially organised. This is a novel application of a Sociology for People which, although previously used to structure research projects, has not previously been reported as a framework for literature review. Our findings highlight how, within a biomedically orientated healthcare system, practitioners' activities are organised to withdraw support from people with fibromyalgia and characterise problems as “psychological”. Those looking to make service improvements for this patient group need to specifically challenge biomedical systems and ideology, in order to promote alternative models of care. We highlight a Sociology for People as a powerful lens for systems‐focused literature review that links frontline experiences with dominant power relations, and provides an alternative to traditional qualitative evidence syntheses. Additionally, the theoretically‐grounded and creative use of published literatures is an ethical approach adding value to extant research.
Repeated cycles of binge‐like ethanol consumption and abstinence alter neuropeptide mRNA in prefrontal and insular cortex, amygdala, and lateral hypothalamus of male and female C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Dankert Anne M. , Kash Thomas L. , Thiele Todd E.
Published: January 2025

Background

Binge drinking is a risky pattern of alcohol (ethanol) consumption associated with a variety of negative outcomes, including the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Many neuropeptide systems are thought to become dysregulated in AUD; however, whether repeated cycles of binge‐like ethanol consumption and abstinence following binge‐like drinking alter neuropeptide mRNA in key brain regions, such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), insular cortex (IC), amygdala, and lateral hypothalamus (LH), remains unknown.

Methods

Male and female mice underwent 0, 3, or 6 cycles of binge‐like ethanol consumption using the “Drinking in the Dark” (DID) paradigm. Brain tissue was collected either immediately following the final session of DID or after a 24‐h period of abstinence, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to assess how repeated cycles of binge‐like ethanol intake and abstinence alter relative mRNA expression for 22 neuropeptide‐related targets.

Results

We observed that repeated cycles of binge‐like ethanol consumption and abstinence altered relative mRNA expression for 11 targets in the mPFC, five targets in the IC, eight targets in the amygdala, and two targets in the LH. Two of these alterations were specific to female mice, while one was specific to male mice.

Conclusions

These data suggest that neuropeptide mRNA is altered by repeated cycles of binge‐like ethanol intake and abstinence in a brain region and sex‐dependent manner. The current findings provide a useful foundation from which to explore potential targets to decrease binge‐like ethanol consumption and prevent the development of AUD.
Mobilising the Entrepreneurial Self to Manage the Crisis: Community Group‐Buying during the Shanghai Lockdown
Authors: Wang Ying , Lu Tingting , Ouyang Can , Wu Fulong
Published: January 2025

The COVID pandemic disrupted traditional entrepreneurial governance arrangements. When the state's action could not effectively govern society, the “entrepreneurial self” began to emerge and manage the crisis. Using Shanghai as a case study, this research examines the dynamics of “community group‐buying” during its city‐wide lockdown in 2022. It shows how a small group of residents, known as group‐buying entrepreneurs (tuanzhang), mobilise community members and organise collective food purchases to address the resource shortage during the lockdown. We find that group‐buying is not merely a rediscovery of the community in times of crisis. Despite its spontaneous formation, we demonstrate that group‐buying is ultimately captured, endorsed, and instrumentalised by the local state for crisis management. Through this, we present a new manifestation of the “entrepreneurial self” and its paradoxical functions—exercising community self‐organisation while simultaneously extending state power in territorial forms. We also highlight the state's central role in China's entrepreneurial governance, even in the crisis mode when its capacities were under pressure.
Novel Insights in Perioperative Neuroprotection in Neonatal Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Garcés‐Sánchez Sonia , Solaz‐García Álvaro , Guillén José L. López , Torrejón‐Rodríguez Laura , Sáenz‐González Pilar , Navarro Pilar Argente , Aguar‐Carrascosa Marta
Published: January 2025

Congenital heart disease (CHD) includes defects of intrauterine cardiac development that result in alterations to the morphology and/or physiology of the heart, usually expressed early in fetal or postnatal life. This group represents one of the most common congenital anomalies of all living newborns worldwide. Neurodevelopmental deficits are a reality in patients with CHDs and may contribute to significant sequela and long‐term morbidity beginning in infancy and extending into adulthood. There is general agreement that the perioperative period of neonatal cardiac surgery may be responsible for a significant burden of lifelong neurological injury in patients with CHDs. Recent research has advanced understanding of neurodevelopmental trajectories, factors that increase neurodevelopmental risk, and neuroprotective strategies for patients with these disorders. In the present study, we aim to describe the different emerging strategies for neuroprotection in the perioperative period in neonatal patients with congenital heart disease.
Chronic Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors Is Associated With Reduced 30‐Day Mortality From Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Fischman Maya , Elias Adi , Klein Amir , Cohen Yaron , Azzam Zaher S. , Ghersin Itai
Published: January 2025

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) decrease pancreatic exocrine secretions. There has been interest in the impact of their short‐term in‐hospital administration on acute pancreatitis (AP) outcomes. It is unknown whether long‐term use affects AP outcomes. We investigated the association between chronic PPI use and short‐term AP outcomes. We included all (2308) patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of AP (625 on chronic PPI use) between January 2008 and June 2021 and evaluated any association between chronic PPI use and 30‐day all‐cause mortality by univariate logistic regression. Compared to non‐users, patients on chronic PPIs were older (p < 0.001) and had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score (p < 0.001). Mortality rates at 30 days were 1.6% in chronic PPI users and 4.4% in non‐users (OR 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17–0.66; p < 0.002). [Correction added on 18 February 2025, after first online publication: Mortality rates at 30 days in chronic PPI users and non‐users were updated in this version.]
Recognition of ophthalmology consultation and fundus examination among individuals with diabetes in Japan: A cross‐sectional study using claims‐questionnaire linked data
Authors: Yamamoto Kouko , Ihana‐Sugiyama Noriko , Sugiyama Takehiro , Yamaoka Takuya , Wakui‐Kimura Akiko , Imai Kenjiro , Kuroda Naoaki , Ohsugi Mitsuru , Ueki Kohjiro , Yamauchi Toshimasa , Tamiya Nanako
Published: January 2025

Aims

This study aimed to assess the relationship between individuals' recognition of ophthalmology consultation recommendations, their knowledge of the recommended frequency of diabetic retinopathy screening, and the likelihood of undergoing fundus examinations.

Materials and Methods

This cross‐sectional secondary analysis linked claims and health checkup data to a questionnaire survey. Questionnaires were distributed to randomly sampled National Health Insurance beneficiaries in Tsukuba City, using data from claims and health checkups. Weighting was applied based on sample extraction and response rates. We calculated the proportions of fundus examinations and knowledge of screening frequency according to the recognition of ophthalmology consultation recommendations. The association between visits to medical facilities with diabetes specialists and diabetic retinopathy screening was also examined.

Results

Among 290 participants, 47.6% recognized ophthalmology consultation recommendations. Those who recognized these recommendations had better knowledge of the screening frequency (93.4% vs. 49.6%) and were more likely to undergo fundus examinations (72.9% vs. 30.1%; adjusted risk ratio 2.36; 95% CI, 1.65–3.38). Participants who visited medical facilities with diabetes specialists were more likely to recognize recommendations, have knowledge of screening frequency, and undergo fundus examinations.

Conclusions

Recognition of ophthalmology consultation recommendations was associated with better knowledge of screening frequency and higher participation in fundus examinations. Increasing awareness through healthcare provider recommendations may improve diabetic retinopathy screening rates, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to promote eye care among individuals with diabetes.
Got your six? Veterans and the family court system
Authors: Hill Roger , Bedestani Erhan
Published: January 2025

Status as a Veteran or military Servicemember (SM) can negatively impact custody determination in family court. Veterans and Servicemembers (SMs) must contend with unique barriers. The first barrier is a dueling media narrative of extremes, in which they are both idolized and demonized, extremes that shape the view that much of American society takes with respect to Veterans and SMs. The second barrier is the Permanent Change of Station (PCS) system. PCS forces SMs to move frequently and they have no formal mechanism to decline a PCS in order to maintain an existing child custody arrangement. The third barrier is an alarmingly high and incorrect over‐association of military service and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) coupled with the incorrect assertion that PTSD manifests itself primarily in a violent manner. The fourth barrier is a unique administrative hearing process within each of the military services known as the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Incident Determination Committee (IDC) / Case Review Committee (CRC) which reviews claims of spousal or child abuse and is empowered to substantiate abuse claims without affording procedural due process protections. This paper is important because informing the body of professionals who comprise family court matters about these barriers will ideally lead to improved child custody outcomes for Veterans and SMs as well as push for additional research into the subject to understand how and in what manner SMs and Veterans are negatively impacted in custody determinations.
Comparative Effectiveness of Cinacalcet Taken at‐Home Versus Three Times Weekly In‐Center on Controlling Calcium, Phosphate, and Parathyroid Hormone Levels
Authors: Ratkalkar Vishal , Marlowe Gilbert , Sibbel Scott , Tentori Francesca , Brunelli Steven M. , Karpinski Steph
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease‐mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD), is a common syndrome in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients, is marked by dysregulation of electrolytes and hormones, including calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Calcimemetics are a cornerstone of PTH lowering therapy; cinacalcet, an oral calcimemetic, is the most used and typically prescribed as a daily administration, thus contributing to the high total pill burden of this population. Recent clinical trials have provided evidence that administration of cinacalcet at the dialysis unit three times a week might be a safe and effective treatment option. In this study we sought to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of cinacalcet delivered daily at‐home versus three times weekly in‐center.

Methods

This was a retrospective matched cohort study of 2894 adult in‐center hemodialysis patients a between January 01, 2008 and September 30, 2022 who were started on cinacalcet for the first time (group 1: at‐home use or group 2: in‐center administration). Patients were matched (1:1) on: age, body mass index, cinacalcet dose, and baseline phosphorous, calcium, and PTH. Patients were followed until censoring (i.e., lost to follow up) or 12 months after baseline, whichever occurred first. The primary outcome was achieving triple control of PTH, phosphorous, and calcium.

Results

Overall, the patients had a median patient age of 63 (IQR: 55, 71) years, were predominately Black (41.6%) and male (56.5%), and well matched on other baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, including etiology of ESKD. Fitted proportion model results show no statistical difference between the intermittent in‐center or daily at home cinacalcet use group in achieving the primary outcome (triple control). The secondary outcomes of control of phosphorous or PTH, showed similar results. Calcium control was the same for 9 of 12 months, and better controlled in the in‐center group during the remaining months.

Conclusion

In a well‐matched cohort, no clinical difference exists between administering cinacalcet thrice weekly in‐center and prescribing cinacalcet daily at‐home.
Interactional governing activities: A novel perspective on how actors co‐develop field governance
Authors: Mityushina Natalia , Hehenberger Lisa
Published: January 2025

We advance a novel perspective to study how field actors co‐develop field governance through continuous interactions. Field governance determines the formal and informal rules of a field, defining membership boundaries and core practices. Prior research has mostly studied the establishment of top‐down regulations or the work of advocacy and social movement organisations to influence or overthrow existing regimes. We review 147 previously disconnected articles on field governance and institutional work and identify interactional governing activities (IGAs), the concept we advance and define as the strategic and interactional activities actors deploy to develop, disrupt and maintain field governance. Depending on field conditions, we propose that actors combine IGAs in various interaction modes to either oppose the existing order, lobby for change or collaborate to jointly develop field governance. We contribute to the scholarly understanding of field governance development by proposing a continuous process that extends beyond influencing regulatory decision‐making to include knowledge‐building and interactional infrastructure‐development activities. Our study provides novel insights on collaborative institutional work for field governance co‐development by heterogeneous actors. By defining and categorising IGAs, we contribute to both a more integrative theoretical understanding of field governance as well as a playbook for practitioners, collective interest organisations and regulators engaged in field‐building work.
Out‐of‐home care placement patterns of children within the Swedish child welfare system: Findings from group‐based trajectory modelling
Authors: Rajesh Tanishta , Straatmann Viviane S. , Almquist Ylva B.
Published: January 2025

Children and adolescents in out‐of‐home care (OHC) represent a diverse population influenced by various family and placement characteristics, which significantly impact their development and long‐term outcomes. However, there is a dearth of research exploring OHC placement characteristics, essential for understanding and supporting this population effectively. This study aimed to identify subgroups within the OHC population that share similar patterns of OHC placements across age and to describe these subgroups' distinct family and placement characteristics. Group‐based trajectory modelling (GBTM) was applied to a total sample of Swedish children born 1990–1999 to identify subgroups with similar placement patterns. Six distinct trajectories of OHC placements were identified, revealing varying patterns of placement onset, duration, and type. Parental characteristics differed across trajectories, with a higher prevalence of disadvantaged factors among children entering care at younger ages. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention strategies and family‐centred approaches for preventing OHC placements.
Investigating the Suitability of the Forensic Mental Health Nursing Clinical Reasoning Cycle for Nurses Working in Generalist Mental Health Settings
Authors: Maguire Tessa , Furness Trentham , Olasoji Michael , Willetts Georgina , Levett‐Jones Tracy
Published: January 2025

The clinical reasoning cycle was designed to guide nursing care and assist with clinical‐reasoning and decision‐making. While originally developed with an acute health lens, more recently an adapted version has been created for forensic mental health nurses. It is possible that such a framework may also be helpful for mental health nurses working in generalist settings. This study aimed to explore the utility of the original cycle and adapted forensic version with mental health nurses across the state of Victoria, Australia, to determine if the cycle might be suitable to their practice and if any adaptations were necessary. Eighteen nurses participated in focus groups or interviews to explore both versions of the cycle. Following thematic data analysis from phase one, a Nominal Group Technique was used to facilitate exploration of adaptations. Verbal and written responses were collected and participants (n = 6) voted on changes. Three main themes were interpreted from phase one: (1) the mysterious disappearance of nursing frameworks, (2) the CRC fits with what we do, says what we do, and demonstrates what we do, and (3) The CRC becomes more relevant without the word “forensic” in the title. In the nominal group, consensus was reached on 4 of 10 suggested changes from phase one, and the mental health nursing‐clinical reasoning cycle was developed. There was concern that many nurses did not have a framework to guide decision‐making, and the newly adapted cycle was seen as offering a way of demonstrating the contribution of mental health nursing care to safe practice.
The Nicene Creed, the Church, and Christian Mission
Authors: Knoetze Johannes J.
Published: January 2025

This article critically examines the significance of the Nicene Creed for mission within the evolving missional context of 2025, particularly in Southern Africa. In an era defined by the globalized nature of mission, the church is no longer viewed as the sender but as the one being sent, reflecting the missio Dei framework. The article explores the role of the Nicene Creed in light of current shifts in mission: the dissolution of a binary view of Christian and non‐Christian worlds, the inherently missionary nature of the church, and the importance of partnerships in mission. From a decolonized perspective, the author questions the ongoing relevance of the trinitarian God as professed in the creed, particularly within the diverse ecclesiastical landscape of Southern Africa, where independent churches are prominent. The article argues that the Nicene Creed, while not explicitly missional, remains foundational to the church's mission as it affirms the church's unity, catholicity, and apostolicity. In conclusion, the article advocates for a continued reflection on the Nicene Creed, recognizing its central role in shaping the mission, faith, and unity of the church, particularly in a decolonized and ecumenical context.
Reliability and Validity of the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Scale
Authors: Mai Shumin , Li Lu
Published: January 2025

Background: The patient's perception of physician empathy has a positive influence on patient behavior and treatment effects. The scale of Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) scale has been widely used to measure patients' perceptions of doctor empathy. However, the CARE scale lacks a standardized Mandarin version. In this study, we developed a Mandarin version of the CARE scale and validated its quality. Methods: There were 341 patients with hypertension and/or diabetes from four primary healthcare centers in Zhejiang Province, China participated in the primary test. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to explore the underlying structure of the scale. Furthermore, the test‐retest reliability of the scale was evaluated during this phase. Results: A total of 1085 patients from six primary‐level clinics participated in the secondary test. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to confirm the underlying structure of the scale. The analysis result demonstrated that the Mandarin version of the CARE scale comprises 10 items and 3 dimensions. In the secondary test, the overall Cronbach's α of the scale was 0.91, and the CRs of the 3 dimensions were 0.90, 0.90, and 0.88, respectively, indicating acceptable Internal consistency reliability and composite reliability (CR) of the scale. The average variance extracted (AVE) ranged between 0.65 and 0.79, and all square root values of the AVE for the three dimensions were higher than their Spearman correlations, indicating the good convergent and discriminant validity. Conculsion: The scale could serve as an evaluation tool for patients' perceptions of doctors' empathy in primary‐level medical service settings in Chinese mainland.
Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis II: Translation, Cross‐Cultural Adaptation and Measurement Properties
Authors: da Cunha Taísi Antunes , Chaves Thaís Cristina , Pereira Júnior Francisco José , de Godoi Gonçalves Daniela Aparecida , Alstergren Per , Biasotto‐Gonzalez Daniela Aparecida
Published: January 2025

Background

The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) is a biaxial tool for TMD assessment. To implement a translated version in the Brazilian context, standardised adaptation and validation are necessary.

Objective (s)

To translate, adapt and verify the measurement properties of the DC/TMD Axis II instruments Pain Drawing (PD), Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS), Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS) and Oral Behaviours Checklist (OBC).

Methods

The translation and cross‐cultural adaptation processes of orofacial‐related Axis II instruments followed the Guidelines for Establishing Cultural Equivalency. The validation research was carried out with 117 Brazilians with TMD, in two assessment days. Structural validity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, measurement error, construct validity—hypothesis testing, and ceiling and floor effects were tested.

Results

PD showed substantial reliability (Kappa 0.63), and GCPS, JFLS and OBC showed excellent reliability over time (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.85). The internal consistency was adequate for all instruments (Cronbach's alpha > 0.77) except for the functional activities domain of OBC (Cronbach's alpha = 0.48). Construct validity was good for all instruments (75% hypotheses confirmed), except for the OBC total score. Regarding parameters of structural validity, GCPS showed Goodness of Fit Index = 0.98 for the solution with two domains. JFLS and OBC presented Goodness of Fit Index < 0.90 for the solutions with three and two domains, respectively.

Conclusion

The Brazilian Portuguese version of DC/TMD Axis II can be used in Brazil, but more studies are necessary to find an adequate structure for JFLS and OBC in a Brazilian sample.
Radiologic Specific Growth Rate of Ameloblastomas: A Clinicopathological Correlation
Authors: Smit Chané , Robinson Liam , van Heerden Marlene B. , Meyer Pieter W. , Fonseca Felipe P. , van Heerden Willie F. P. , Uys André
Published: January 2025

Background

The study aimed to assess the radiologic‐specific growth rate of ameloblastomas, evaluating potential associations with demographics, radiologic features, histopathologic variants and proliferation indices. The results of this study will hopefully establish if any clinical or histopathologic features can elude fast‐growing ameloblastomas.

Methods

Patients presenting with multiple radiographs before surgical intervention due to various healthcare constraints or patient factors were included in the study. The measurements from each radiograph included the lesion's length, height, width and amount of expansion in these dimensions. Furthermore, the circumference of the lesion was measured in sagittal, coronal and axial planes. The radiologic‐specific growth rate was assessed by calculating the difference in measurements from the initial to follow‐up radiographs divided by the duration between the visits to calculate the growth rate per year.

Results

The specific growth rate was analysed between age groups, histopathologic variants and Ki‐67 values, with no statistically significant correlations found in all dimensions measured. A statistically significant faster growth (p = 0.04) was seen in females when measuring the mesial‐distal length. When comparing radiologic features, ameloblastomas with loss of border demarcation, severe cortical destruction and tooth displacement demonstrated statistically significant faster growth.

Conclusion

This study found significant correlations with the growth rate of ameloblastomas, specifically in coronal dimensions, supporting the notion of buccal‐lingual growth/expansion for which ameloblastomas are known.
Towards a global understanding of tree mortality
Authors:   International Tree Mortality Network
Published: January 2025

Rates of tree mortality are increasing globally, with implications for forests and climate. Yet, how and why these trends vary globally remain unknown. Developing a comprehensive assessment of global tree mortality will require systematically integrating data from ground‐based long‐term forest monitoring with large‐scale remote sensing. We surveyed the metadata from 466 865 forest monitoring plots across 89 countries and five continents using questionnaires and discuss the potential to use these to estimate tree mortality trends globally. Our survey shows that the area monitored has increased steadily since 1960, but we also identify many regions with limited ground‐based information on tree mortality. The integration of existing ground‐based forest inventories with remote sensing and modelling can potentially fill those gaps, but this requires development of technical solutions and agreements that enable seamless flows of information from the field to global assessments of tree mortality. A truly global monitoring effort should promote fair and equitable collaborations, transferring funding to and empowering scientists from less wealthy regions. Increasing interest in forests as a natural climate solution, the advancement of new technologies and world‐wide connectivity means that now a global monitoring system of tree mortality is not just urgently needed but also possible.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Leaf Extract Promotes Endo180 Production in Dermal Fibroblasts and has Antiwrinkle Effect on Human Skin
Authors: Iwahashi Hiroyasu , Kawashima Yoshihito , Masaki Hitoshi , Taga Atsushi
Published: January 2025

Background

The collagen receptor Endo180 participates in extracellular matrix remodeling by clearing the pericellular environment and recognizing and internalizing collagen degradation products. In photoaged skin, Endo180 expression in fibroblasts is decreased, and collagen fragments accumulate in the pericellular environment, leading to a decrease in type I collagen production and an increase in matrix metalloproteinase 1 production. This suggests that a decrease in Endo180 production may promote wrinkle formation by decreasing the dermal collagen fibril volume. Therefore, this study aimed to identify materials that promote Endo180 production in vitro and investigate whether promoting Endo180 production could prevent and improve wrinkles in vivo.

Methods

Endo180 gene expression and protein production in fibroblasts were evaluated after screening 71 natural extracts. The conditioned medium of UVB‐irradiated keratinocytes and Endo180 production‐promoting extract were added to fibroblasts, and Endo180 and type I collagen production were evaluated. In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study, a cream formulated with an Endo180 production‐promoting extract or placebo was topically administered to each side of the face of 20 healthy women twice daily for 8 weeks.

Results

Screening results showed that 50 μg/mL of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) leaf extract (MOLE) resulted in the highest levels of both Endo180 mRNA and protein at 178.1% and 127.4%, respectively. Its major component rosmarinic acid also promoted Endo180 production by 143.9% at a concentration of 20 μg/mL. MOLE at 200 μg/mL almost completely inhibited the decrease in Endo180 and type I collagen production in UVB‐irradiated keratinocyte‐conditioned medium. Furthermore, eye‐corner wrinkles were reduced by treatment with the MOLE formulation compared to that in response to the placebo formulation.

Conclusions

MOLE may act as an antiwrinkle agent that inhibits the decline in collagen levels by promoting Endo180 production.
Recognizing People's Agency Amidst Disadvantage: How to Study Inequality Using a Holistic Approach That is Accurate and Non‐Stigmatizing
Authors: A. Bauer Christina , Miller‐Cotto Dana , Silverman David M. , Frankenhuis Willem E.
Published: January 2025

In understanding the psychology of social inequalities, research has often portrayed groups of individuals in disadvantaged positions as lacking in agency, skills, or motivation–portrayals that can stigmatize these groups. Countering this stigma, recent developments have been made in so‐called “strength‐based” research to better understand and acknowledge the agency, skills, and motivation people in disadvantaged positions often show. Yet, this research is not focused on understanding how inequalities emerge. The present research explores ways to study inequalities without risking to stigmatize people. For example, how can we address disparities in certain motivational factors (e.g., belonging, or confidence) without stigmatizing groups as lacking motivation? And how can we study the way people experience disadvantage without reducing them to the role of weak, passive victims? To answer such questions, we integrate traditional social‐inequality research with recent advances in strength‐based research in what we call a “holistic approach” to studying inequality. At the core of this approach is a simultaneous recognition of context‐level disadvantage (a focus of traditional inequality research) and individual‐level agency (a focus of strength‐based research). This approach allows for a broader–a holistic–perspective on existing inequality‐research, and points to underexplored research questions within social psychology (e.g., how do people actively respond to disadvantage?). After outlining this approach, we distill it into 10 practical guidelines and illustrate how to implement guidelines in an existing research agenda. In doing so, we hope to support authors, reviewers, editors, and other stakeholders aiming for an accurate and non‐stigmatizing study of inequalities.
Assessment of the Tribological Performance of Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings for Differential Shafts for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Dufils Johnny , Macron Etienne , Héau Christophe
Published: January 2025

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the tribological performance of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on differential shafts. The study first developed an analytical approach to identify the lubrication regimes in which the differential shaft/planet gear contact operates. The contact primarily experiences boundary lubrication, with mixed lubrication possible at high rotation speeds. This analysis provided information for the design of a test setup and protocol that used real components and commercially available coatings. Two types of DLC coatings, hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) and non-hydrogenated tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C), were compared to standard electroless nickel plating (e-nickel) commonly used in differentials of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. After an 8-hour test in tribological conditions designed to promote wear, the e-nickel coating experienced significant wear, losing about one-third of its thickness. In contrast, the a-C:H and ta-C coatings exhibited much lower wear, losing less than 10% and 5% of their thickness, respectively. The superior wear resistance of the DLC coatings was attributed to their higher hardness. Despite their low friction properties, the DLC coatings did not significantly reduce friction compared to e-nickel, with all coatings maintaining a friction coefficient between 0.08 and 0.10. DLC coatings exhibited excellent wear resistance under testing conditions that simulated the planet gear/differential shaft application, outperforming the standard electroless nickel solution. Consequently, these coatings should be considered effective surface treatments for enhancing durability in this application, particularly for electric vehicles.