bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing biotextile applications with nanocomposite fibers: Molecular dynamics and interferometric analysis of the structural and mechanical properties of treated polypropylene
Authors: El‐Sayed Nayera M. , Ibrahim Medhat A. , El‐Bakary Mohammed A.
Published: February 2025

This study explores the enhancement of polypropylene (PP) fibers through the incorporation of titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2), with a comprehensive characterization of their molecular, optical, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties. Density functional theory (DFT) and the PM6 semiempirical method were used to investigate the electronic properties and structure–activity relationships of the fibers. Experimental analyses, including FTIR, mechanical testing, and interferometric measurements using a Mach–Zehnder interferometer, were conducted to assess the impact of TiO2 nanoparticles on the fibers' performance. The antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated using the shake flask method. Results indicate that the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles significantly improved the material's polarity, mechanical strength, and antimicrobial properties. Specifically, the total dipole moment (TDM) increased from 0.0706 Debye in neat PP to 3.7180 Debye in PP‐TiO2, and the band gap energy decreased from 10.58 to 1.14 eV, indicating a transition to semiconducting behavior. The mechanical properties of PP‐TiO2 demonstrated a yield strength of 206.83 MPa and an elastic shear modulus of 439.58 MPa, a notable improvement over neat PP. Moreover, PP‐TiO2 fibers exhibited enhanced birefringence and strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida species, underlining their potential for advanced applications in medical and hygiene‐related fields.

Highlights

Structural and optical properties of PP and PP‐TiO2 have been analyzed.

Advanced characterization with Mach–Zehnder interferometry and modeling has been used.

Opto‐mechanical behavior was studied via stress–strain and refractive index.

Antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated using the shake flask method.

PP‐TiO2 shows potential for biomedical applications like suture and dressings.
Collaborating for Gifted Students With Complex Educational Needs
Authors: Van Hooijdonk Mare , Van Weerdenburg Marjolijn , Kroesbergen Evelyn H.
Published: February 2025

This grounded theory study investigated collaboration methods among actors working with gifted students with complex educational needs and their parents. Through interviews with students, parents, educational professionals, and care providers, both successful and unsuccessful collaboration strategies were examined. Subsequently, a model was proposed to enhance effective collaboration for this unique, but heterogenous group of students. This model describes overarching collaboration conditions that preferably should be discussed beforehand with actors involved to establish a functional collaborative culture. Furthermore, this model describes specific tasks for all actors involved that could be applied accordingly to enhance collaboration practices. Lastly, a case coordinator should be assigned that ensures continuity, stability, and a constant flow of information. By following this model, educational professionals, care providers, parents, and policy makers may find ways to enhance their collaboration practices to support these students more adequately in their development.
The Role of Positive School Experiences and Trust in Teachers in Adolescents' Conflict Management Skills and Exposure to Bullying
Authors: Akçay Hilal Mercan , Demircioğlu Haktan
Published: February 2025

Previous studies have reported a negative relationship between adolescents' conflict management skills and their exposure to bullying. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship have not yet been fully clarified. This study examines the role of positive school experiences and trust in teachers in this relationship. The research, conducted with a cross‐sectional design, included 543 adolescents aged 11–14. Of the participants, 314 were girls and 229 were boys, providing a balanced sample in terms of gender distribution. The data revealed significant relationships between conflict management skills, positive school experiences, trust in teachers, and exposure to bullying. Positive school experiences and trust in teachers were found to partially mediate this relationship, while exposure to bullying was negatively associated with these variables. The results were discussed in light of the existing literature, and recommendations were provided.
Self‐Healing Ionogels Based on Ternary Polymer With Tunable Adhesion and Stretchability for Strain Sensing Applications
Authors: Hao Senyuan , Ma Qizhi , Cao Menghui , Jia Yunchao , Li Yilong
Published: February 2025

Ionogels play a significant role in advancing flexible electronic devices due to their exceptional ion conductivity, thermal stability, biocompatibility, and electrical reliability. However, achieving integrated high‐stretchability, self‐adhesiveness, and self‐healing properties simultaneously in a single system remains a huge challenge, which limits their range of applications. Here, a multifunctional ionogel is proposed for wearable strain sensors. The ionogel exhibits promising and adjustable mechanical properties, tunable adhesion, and good self‐healing properties. We demonstrate that ionogels exhibit high strength (~1.3 MPa) along with exceptional elongation (~1700% strain), fracture energy (~1300 J m−2), self‐healing capability, adhesion properties, and high sensitivity, thus expanding their potential applications to a wider range of scenarios. The method of adjusting the ionogel's molecular structure and enhancing its flexibility through a one‐step copolymerization can also be applied to other monomers and ionic liquids, demonstrating potential as engineering materials and wearable sensors.
Flexible α‐Diimine Ni(II) and Pd(II) Catalysts Featuring Backbone and Axial Cycloalkyl Substituents in Ethylene (Co)polymerization
Authors: Dai Jianjian , Dai Shengyu
Published: February 2025

Recently, axial flexible substituents have found widespread application in ethylene (co)polymerization catalyzed by late transition metals, yielding impressive results. In this research, we designed and synthesized a novel class of flexible α‐diimine Ni(II) and Pd(II) catalysts, distinguished by their flexible backbones and axial substituents that both incorporate cycloalkyl moieties. During nickel‐catalyzed ethylene polymerization, these flexible nickel catalysts demonstrated high activity (well above 106 g/(mol Ni·h)) and thermal stability, producing polyethylenes with very high molecular weights (up to 1022 kg/mol) and branching densities (up to 103/1000C). Interestingly, the catalyst reported in this study exhibits higher activity compared to nickel catalysts with classic and rigid backbones. The resultant polyethylene materials exhibited outstanding mechanical properties and elastic recovery (with a strain recovery (SR) of up to 79%), qualifying them as high‐performance thermoplastic elastomers. In contrast, during palladium‐catalyzed ethylene polymerization, these flexible palladium catalysts showed moderate activity (level of 105 g/(mol Pd·h)) and generated polyethylenes with high branching densities (up to 99/1000C) and molecular weights (up to 203 kg/mol). In the case of palladium‐catalyzed copolymerization of ethylene with methyl acrylate (MA), the copolymerization activity was notably reduced compared to homopolymerization, resulting in E‐MA copolymers with lower molecular weights and higher branching densities. However, under the experimental copolymerization conditions, we successfully obtained copolymers with significant incorporation (1.53–4.54 mol%) of MA. It is worth noting that the cyclohexyl group displayed superior chain transfer inhibition in both nickel and palladium systems compared to the cyclopentyl group. Nevertheless, a notable difference was observed in their influence on branching density regulation: in the nickel system, the cyclohexyl group facilitated the formation of polyethylenes with higher branching, while in the palladium system, it had the opposite effect when compared to the cyclopentyl group.
Spatio‐temporal Changes of Svalbard Lagoon Systems in the Post‐Little‐Ice‐Age Period
Authors: Owczarek Zofia
Published: February 2025

Barrier‐lagoon systems are among the most sensitive coastal environments, given that they accumulate the effects of environmental changes occurring on lands and in the sea. Globally, the stability of lagoons and associated barriers is controlled by the frequency and magnitude of storms approaching the coast, access to sediment supplies, and resilience to sea‐level shifts. However, the majority of studies have focused on midlatitude and tropical coastal zones, with limited insight into cold region lagoon responses. This study presents the preliminary findings of a remote sensing analysis of the post–Little Ice Age (LIA) evolution of Svalbard's barrier‐lagoon systems. A total of 430 lagoon systems were investigated to distinguish their genesis and the type of connection to the sea (closed, choked, restricted, or leaky). Since the termination of the LIA, a minimum of 98 lagoons have been formed, whereas eight have disappeared. The majority of lagoons present along the modern coast of Svalbard are of the choked type (almost 48%). Additionally, a new, previously unidentified lagoon type, the moraine‐controlled paraglacial lagoon, has been identified. These systems are formed by retreating marine‐terminating glaciers, which is a dominant process of new coast formation in the rapidly deglaciating Arctic.
EPSPS target site mechanisms confer glyphosate resistance in Arctotheca calendula
Authors: Zakaria Norazua , Han Heping , Khalil Yaseen , Ashworth Michael , Yu Qin , Flower Ken C
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

The first case of glyphosate resistance was reported in a capeweed population from Western Australia in our previous study. This current study investigates the resistance mechanisms in the population.

RESULTS

Target‐site EPSPS gene sequencing revealed two partial sequences of the EPSPS transcripts (1001 bp and 998 bp), and the full‐length sequence (1551 bp) containing the 1001‐bp transcript was cloned as it was found in the resistant plants. A known resistance‐endowing target‐site mutation in the 1551‐bp transcript was identified in the resistant plants, resulting in the Pro‐106‐Ser substitution. The subpopulation derived from these mutant plants exhibited >10‐fold resistance to glyphosate compared to the susceptible population. Additionally, the EPSPS gene (1551 bp) was constitutively expressed at a higher level (4.3‐fold) in the resistant than in the susceptible populations. However, 14C‐glyphosate foliar uptake was similar with no visual difference in 14C‐glyphosate translocation from leaves to other parts of a plant, between the resistant and susceptible population.

CONCLUSION

Glyphosate resistance in the studied population is associated with both a target‐site mutation (Pro‐106‐Ser) and increased EPSPS gene expression. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Isoflavones extracted from Millettia pachyloba prevent the infection of the rice blast fungus by inhibiting its conidial germination and appressorium formation
Authors: Lin Qitong , Guo Hong , Zhu Yanqiu , Gao Wenqiang , Zhu Xiaoying , Lai Daowan , Qi Linlu , Li Zhigang , Chen Deng , Lu Xunli , Zhao Wensheng , Peng You‐Liang , Zhang Zhenhua , Yang Jun
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

The ascomycete Magnaporthe oryzae is a destructive phytopathogenic fungus that causes rice blast disease and can greatly reduce rice yields. Due to the widespread use of synthesized chemical fungicides and the frequent occurrence of fungicide resistance and environmental pollution as a result, it has become increasingly urgent to develop environmentally friendly biocontrol alternatives, including plant crude extracts.

RESULTS

In this study, the crude extracts of the tropical plant Millettia pachyloba were screened out and exhibited excellent preventive effects against M. oryzae at 200 μg mL−1. Bio‐guided isolation of M. pachyloba was conducted and three isoflavonoids, rotenolone, durmillone, and durallone, whose chemical structures were determined using spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses, were obtained. The three isoflavonoids exhibited antifungal activities on conidial germination and appressorium formation in M. oryzae. Rotenolone had the strongest effect, with EC50 values of 57.81 μg mL−1 on conidial germination and 19.14 μg mL−1 on appressorium formation. Comparative metabolomics showed that differential metabolites were enriched in ABC transporter pathways and amino acid metabolic pathways when M. oryzae conidia were treated with rotenolone, suggesting that rotenolone interferes with amino acid transportation. Moreover, the M. pachyloba crude extract also effectively inhibited the infection of other fungal pathogens on tomato, apple, wheat, and maize.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that isoflavones extracted from M. pachyloba prevent rice blast by inhibiting the infection‐related morphogenesis of M. oryzae and may interfere with amino acid transport, demonstrating that M. pachyloba crude extract exhibits potential as a bio‐fungicide for controlling fungal diseases in plants. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Exposure‐Response of Subcutaneous Atezolizumab in Patients With Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Chan Phyllis , Liu Stephanie N. , Gosselin Nathalie , Sauve Zacharie , Marchand Mathilde , Lin Alyse , Herraez‐Baranda Luis , Zanghi James , Shearer‐Kang Esther , Liu Xiaoyan , Wu Benjamin , Chanu Pascal
Published: February 2025

IMscin001 is a two‐part dose‐finding (Phase Ib) and ‐confirmation (Phase III) study to evaluate atezolizumab pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous (SC) compared with intravenous (IV) administration in patients with locally advanced or metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The objectives of the current analyses were to characterize the population pharmacokinetics (popPK) of atezolizumab and to determine the relationship between atezolizumab exposure and safety and efficacy endpoints in IMscin001. A previously validated IV popPK model was extended to add SC absorption parameters using SC and IV data from Phase Ib and Phase III of IMscin001 (N = 435), and covariate effects were investigated on the SC absorption parameters. The exposure‐response (ER) investigation was performed using SC data following 1875 mg every three weeks (q3w) administration in the Phase III portion of IMscin001 (N = 246). The clinical endpoints were objective response rate, progression‐free survival, or overall survival for efficacy, serious adverse events, special interest adverse events, Grades 3–5 adverse events, infusion‐related reaction, or injection site reactions for safety. Atezolizumab SC absorption was characterized by a first‐order absorption with a bioavailability of 71.8% and an absorption rate constant of 0.304 day−1. The extended popPK model was adequate to predict atezolizumab PK after IV and SC administrations and to predict individual exposure metrics. For all efficacy and safety endpoints, atezolizumab exposure was not statistically significant (p‐value > 0.05) in the ER models. The non‐inferior popPK exposure and flat ER results supported atezolizumab SC dose at 1875 mg q3w.
Analytical Modeling and Design Optimization of High‐Performance ZnO‐Nanowire/CuO‐Thin Film/p+‐Si Multi‐Junction Solar Cells
Authors: Bhattacharya Anannya , Sikdar Subhrajit , Chattopadhyay Sanatan
Published: February 2025

In the current work, an optimized design window for the indium tin oxide (ITO)/n‐ZnO‐nanowire (NW)/p‐CuO‐thin film/p+‐Si multi‐junction solar cells is provided for achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE). The requisite model has been developed using the drift‐diffusion approach and validated against existing experimental data. The effects of various design parameters are thoroughly investigated and optimized to achieve higher PCE. Initially, by optimizing the lengths of ZnO NWs and the thickness of CuO films, a PCE of 22% is achieved. To enhance the PCE further, ZnO NWs are doped with cobalt (Co) (0–15%), and the CuO thin film is doped with graphene (Gr) (0–10%), independently. The impact of annealing of the top‐ITO layer on PCE has also been studied without any doping. Finally, optimizing the geometric parameters of ZnO‐NW (length of 200 nm), CuO thin film (thickness of 350 nm), doping concentrations of Co (5%) and Gr (5%), and the annealing temperature of ITO (450 °C), PCE of the proposed n‐ZnO‐NW/p‐CuO‐thin film/p+‐Si multi‐junction solar cell is obtained to be ≈40%. Thus, in this work, a comprehensive set of design parameters for ZnO‐NW/CuO‐thin‐film/Si‐based solar cells is provided to achieve high PCE.
Improved Microbial Carbon Use Efficiency With Low Tillage Intensity: Evidence and Research Gaps
Authors: Holm Lasse Busk , Elsgaard Lars , Zong Mingming , Liang Zhi
Published: February 2025

High microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) in agricultural soils can limit the return of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) from organic matter mineralisation and potentially increase soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation through the formation of microbial biomass and necromass. Therefore, soil management practices that increase microbial CUE are relevant for sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation. We conducted an exploratory literature review and evidence synthesis to compare microbial CUE between conventional tillage (CT) and low‐intensity tillage systems (reduced tillage, RT and no‐tillage, NT). The synthesis of 50 paired observations from 11 studies showed an overall increase in microbial CUE of 12% in soils under low‐intensity tillage compared to CT (p = 0.02). Separate tillage contrasts of RT and NT versus CT (i.e., RT/CT and NT/CT) also showed higher microbial CUE for soils under low‐intensity tillage with p = 0.06 and p = 0.05, respectively. The increase in CUE is likely due to improved substrate availability for microbial growth and/or changes in the microbial community induced by the contrasting tillage systems. However, the limited availability of quantitative data linking tillage‐induced changes in these drivers to microbial CUE constrains further analysis. We also extracted available SOC data from the eligible studies, but this data did not provide evidence that increases in microbial CUE were correlated with increases in SOC content. Future studies should extend the emerging empirical data set and clarify the abiotic and biotic drivers through which tillage practices can be refined for better SOC management and climate change mitigation strategies. Further studies should also aim to better understand the link between microbial CUE and SOC dynamics, which is important for the representation of CUE in global SOC models.
2‐Indolinone: An Anticancer Scaffold, Overview of the Studies and Approaches (2017–2024)
Authors: Koulani Taha , Temizer Asu Busra , Karali Nilgun
Published: February 2025

2‐Indolinone is a versatile scaffold that has been the central moiety in the structure of various drugs. Since the introduction of sunitinib malate, 2‐indolinones have been a principal pharmacophoric building block in many drug discovery studies, especially in the last few years. Compounds bearing the 2‐indolinone ring system have shown various therapeutic effects, including but not limited to, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐HIV, antimicrobial, antipsychotic, antiparkinson, and anticancer activities. Considering that cancer is among the major global causes of death, the antiproliferative activities of these compounds have been the goal of numerous studies. The present review presents an overview of the approaches and advances made during the last eight years (2017–2024) regarding the development of 2‐indolinone derivatives within the field of anticancer drug discovery. The derivates gathered herein are classified according to the therapeutic target of the developed compounds, and notable structure‐activity relationships as well as significant molecular docking interactions with the target enzymes have been highlighted in each instance. Accordingly, special attention has been paid to reporting derivatives with superior antiproliferative and enzymatic inhibitory effects that have emerged as lead compounds within each respective study.
Nanoscale Silicon Fingerprints for Counterfeit Prevention in Microchips
Authors: Liu Bo , Farhadi Amin , Bartschmid Theresa , Zhang Yamin , Guo Chunsheng , Feng Shiwei , Bourret Gilles R.
Published: February 2025

The increasing vulnerability of microchips to counterfeiting poses a significant threat to nations, companies, and the general public. Creating a unique “fingerprint” on each chip using intrinsic manufacturing variations can significantly prevent the number of fraudulent chips. Since Si‐based semiconductor fabrication processes are now flawless down to a few nanometers, finding a high‐entropy source at the nanoscale has become challenging. Inspired by the concept of physical unclonable function, this work reports the CMOS‐compatible and lithography‐free fabrication of unique nanostructured silicon “fingerprints.” Nanostructuring is achieved via low‐temperature dewetting and metal‐assisted chemical etching, which produces a high level of entropy and unique silicon‐based nanoscale fingerprints with linewidths tunable from ≈8 to 140 nm, commensurate with the dimensions of mainstream microfabrication processes. These Si nanofingerprints are highly reliable for chip authentication and against reverse engineering, providing a large encoding capacity of up to 216384/µm2. For practical applications, detection of fingerprints protected with a polymer coating is demonstrated using back‐scattered electron imaging.
Learning Phenotype Associated Signature in Spatial Transcriptomics with PASSAGE
Authors: Guo Chen‐Kai , Xia Chen‐Rui , Peng Guangdun , Cao Zhi‐Jie , Gao Ge
Published: February 2025

Spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT) is poised to advance the understanding of cellular organization within complex tissues under various physiological and pathological conditions at unprecedented resolution. Despite the development of numerous computational tools that facilitate the automatic identification of statistically significant intra‐/inter‐slice patterns (like spatial domains), these methods typically operate in an unsupervised manner, without leveraging sample characteristics like physiological/pathological states. Here PASSAGE (Phenotype Associated Spatial Signature Analysis with Graph‐based Embedding), a rationally‐designed deep learning framework is presented for characterizing phenotype‐associated signatures across multiple heterogeneous spatial slices effectively. In addition to its outstanding performance in systematic benchmarks, PASSAGE's unique capability in calling sophisticated signatures has been demonstrated in multiple real‐world cases. The full package of PASSAGE is available at https://github.com/gao‐lab/PASSAGE.
Experimental Performance Analysis of Data Consistency Levels in NoSQL Databases
Authors: Ferreira Saulo , Mendonça Júlio , Andrade Ermeson
Published: February 2025

Objective: NoSQL database management systems (DBMSs) are designed to handle large‐scale data for modern applications. These systems often operate in a distributed manner, allowing data to be spread across multiple nodes to ensure replication, reduce data loss, and facilitate recovery. The consistency level in these DBMSs determines how synchronized data is across nodes, influencing the trade‐off among consistency, availability, and system performance. Given that different applications have unique requirements, understanding the impact of various consistency levels is essential. This study conducts an in‐depth analysis of how consistency level choices affect the performance of three leading NoSQL DBMSs: Cassandra, MongoDB, and Redis.

Methods: These systems were evaluated under different consistency configurations, user loads, and workloads, with performance metrics including average response time and operations per second.

Results: Our results show that Cassandra and Redis handle write operations faster than MongoDB, though Cassandra experiences significant slowdowns of up to 200% when switching to strong consistency. This performance degradation is observed for both read and write operations, making Cassandra the most affected DBMS when opting for strong consistency.

Conclusion: The detailed findings offer valuable insights into the trade‐offs between performance and consistency in these DBMSs, providing guidance for database engineers in selecting appropriate consistency levels based on their application needs.
Cellular concrete: A viable low‐carbon alternative for developing countries in seismic regions?
Authors: Coral Estefani , Ávila Carlos , Gallegos Elvia , Salazar Andrés , Barros Liliana , Rivera Edgar
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the potential of cellular concrete as an environmentally friendly alternative for shear walls based structural systems in seismic‐prone areas. The construction industry significantly contributes to global energy consumption and carbon emissions, mainly through the use of conventional materials like concrete and steel. In seismic regions, the challenge is to build structures that are both sustainable and earthquake resistant. Through a “cradle‐to‐gate” life cycle assessment (LCA), the study analyses the environmental impact of constructing a seven‐story archetype residential building in Quito‐Ecuador. The research reveals that steel reinforcement is the primary source of CO2 emissions and energy consumption. Cellular concrete demonstrates a notable reduction in CO2 emissions compared with traditional concrete, emphasizing the potential of cellular concrete as a low‐carbon alternative. The findings underscore the need to integrate LCA into structural design to minimize ecological impact. While promising for developing cities, further research is essential to inform sustainable construction practices without compromising safety in seismic zones.
Service Design for ThaiHealth Food Program: Exploring Participatory Policy Development
Authors: van Willenswaard Wallapa ,   Integration Project 2020 Team
Published: February 2025

Without claiming to belong to any formal design school, Innovation Network International (INI), by means of its Integration Project, is creatively contributing to collaborative Food Policy Design in the framework of the ThaiHealth Food Program 2022–2032. This ten-year Food Program policy is developed by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). Thanks to expert consultations, the services that various partners deliver within the Program can be articulated with more precision and aspiration. This is an ongoing process gradually shaping the Integration Project as a service to make the Food Policy Design process more participatory, more integrated and collaborative, and more system and long-term oriented. The purpose of undertaking case studies was gradually understood as identifying prototypes for scaling. The case studies or flagship projects represent examples of how three ‘design for social innovation’—issues shape scalable models for transformation toward sustainable food systems, targeting “accessible, affordable and healthy food for all”. ‘Social innovation issues’ or ‘principles’ here imply impulses that provide social innovation processes with direction, and purposeful relationships of mutual care. The three inter-active designs for social innovation principles tentatively identified are Food Literacy, Food Citizenship, and Food Community. Together they constitute creative social dynamics driving the Food Program policy design and implementation. The chapter introduces Public Food Procurement Policy Design to create conditions for an envisaged scaling process.
Plurality of Service Design from a Cultural Perspective: Collective Discourses in East and Southeast Asia
Authors: Baek Joon Sang , Yu Eun , Lee Jung-Joo
Published: February 2025

In the domain of design, Asian countries predominantly engage with established frameworks and methodologies, often integrating them from other regions rather than pioneering new ones. This adaptation of philosophies, principles, and methods from various design domains—including human-centered design, interaction design, and user experience design—has been critiqued for its alignment with Western rationalism and neoliberalism, leading to a monolithic view of design. This issue is pronounced in service design, where dominant narratives overshadow the diverse cultural contexts of application. The trend of formalizing service design processes in Asian organizations risks perpetuating this monolithic perspective, neglecting socio-cultural nuances. To address this challenge, reflective dialogues among Asian service design practitioners and researchers are crucial. This chapter introduces an initiative fostering such dialogues, involving service design practitioners and researchers from Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. These discussions revisit service design concepts from cultural perspectives and identify practical challenges and strategies for effective implementation. The findings highlight the need for a nuanced approach to service design in East and Southeast Asia, proposing a future research agenda for its sustained development.
Design for Democratic Innovation in Taiwan
Authors: “Fang-Raye” Chang Fang-Jui , Lin Shu-Yang
Published: February 2025

This chapter takes a broader look at Service Design and design practice in terms of the resonance with co-creation and civic participation, which are core elements of democracy. Service Design helps innovate public services and policies through obtaining deep insights from different perspectives, reframing problems, co-creating, and testing with relevant stakeholders. At Public Digital Innovation Space (PDIS) in Taiwan, the ways of approaching challenges using the processes and methods of Service Design need to be re-examined and improved based on the ever-changing context of the Taiwanese central government and its complex systems. As the discipline of Public Service Design develops, it is crucial to reflect on its thinking, doing, and opportunities to support democratic innovation. Responses to questions like “Who designs services and policies?”, “Who and what do we prioritize?”, “Who and what are being left out of the design process?”, “How might we transcend the limitation of representation?”, “How might we truly co-create rather than fall into the trap of tokenistic participation?” and “How might we create civic spaces for co-creation?” will affect how society as a whole evolves. Strategies and approaches for democratic innovation through the lens of design are being elaborated on in this chapter, from accounting for all perspectives to institutionalization, followed by discussions and conclusions. Democratic innovation requires a robust civil society to support the work, and the work also reinforces a stronger civil society.
The impact of data from future lepton colliders on light hadrons fragmentation functions
Authors: Zhou Bin , Gao Jun
Published: February 2025

Abstract

In this work, we study the constraining power of future lepton colliders on fragmentation functions (FFs) to light charged hadrons from quarks and gluon in the framework of QCD collinear factorization. We perform analyses of FFs at NLO by including a wide range of pseudo-data from future lepton colliders, such as measurements on hadron multiplicities in the production of two jets and W boson pairs, at various center of mass energies, and from hadronic decays of the Higgs boson, including both to heavy quarks and to gluons. The high luminosity and high energies of future lepton colliders allow for quark flavor separations and ensure a precise determination of FFs based solely on data from electron-positron collisions. We find that either the CEPC, FCC-ee or ILC can significantly reduce the uncertainties of FFs in a wide kinematic range, compared to the NPC23 set obtained with a global analysis to current world data. We also discuss the impact of higher-order QCD corrections, and the potential constraints from measurements of three-jet production. Furthermore, we describe an update of the FMNLO program allowing for calculating hadron production cross sections at next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD, which is used in this study.
A note on background independence in AdS3 string theory
Authors: Knighton Bob
Published: February 2025

Abstract

In this note, we comment on the path integral formulation of string theory on

$$ \mathcal{M} $$

M

× S3 ×

$$ {\mathbbm{T}}^4 $$

T
4

where

$$ \mathcal{M} $$

M

is any hyperbolic 3-manifold. In the special case of k = 1 units of NS-NS flux, we provide a covariant description of the worldsheet theory and argue that the path integral depends only on the details of the conformal boundary

$$ \partial \mathcal{M} $$

∂
M

, making the background independence of this theory manifest. We provide a simple path integral argument that the path integral localizes onto holomorphic covering maps from the worldsheet to the boundary. For closed manifolds

$$ \mathcal{M} $$

M

, the gravitational path integral is argued to be trivial. Finally, we comment on the effect of continuous deformations of the worldsheet theory which introduce non-minimal string tension.
Information scrambling with higher-form fields
Authors: Sil Karunava , Maji Sourav , Christodoulou Stavros , Chowdhury Abhishek
Published: February 2025

Abstract

The late time behavior of OTOCs involving generic non-conserved local operators show exponential decay in chaotic many body systems. However, it has been recently observed that for certain holographic theories, the OTOC involving the U(1) conserved current for a gauge field instead varies diffusively at late times. The present work generalizes this observation to conserved currents corresponding to higher-form symmetries that belong to a wider class of symmetries known as generalized symmetries. We started by computing the late time behavior of OTOCs involving U(1) current operators in five dimensional AdS-Schwarzschild black hole geometry for the 2-form antisymmetric B-fields. The bulk solution for the B-field exhibits logarithmic divergences near the asymptotic AdS boundary which can be regularized by introducing a double trace deformation in the boundary CFT. Finally, we consider the more general case with antisymmetric p-form fields in arbitrary dimensions. In the scattering approach, the boundary OTOC can be written as an inner product between asymptotic ‘in’ and ‘out’ states which in our case is equivalent to computing the inner product between two bulk fields with and without a shockwave background. We observe that the late time OTOCs have power law tails which seems to be a universal feature of the higher-form fields with U(1) charge conservation.
On Ruijsenaars-Schneider spectrum from superconformal indices and ramified instantons
Authors: Kim Hee-Cheol , Nedelin Anton , Razamat Shlomo S.
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We discuss two physics-inspired approaches to derivation of the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of A

N
Ruijsenaars-Schneider model. First approach which was recently proposed by the authors relies on the computations of superconformal indices of class

$$ \mathcal{S} $$

S

4d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 2 theories with the insertion of surface defects. Second approach uses computations of Nekrasov-Shatashvili limit of 5d

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1* instanton partition functions in the presence of co-dimension two defect. We compare results of these two approaches for the low-lying levels of Ruijsenaars-Schneider model. We also discuss different previously proposed exact quantization conditions for the Coulomb branch parameters of the instanton partition functions and their interpretations in terms of index calculations.
Layering hyperintensity in T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging predicts gallbladder sludge: a retrospective cohort and diagnostic accuracy study in patients with significant liver disease
Authors: Pugliesi Rosa Alba , Siepmann Timo , Kaiser Daniel P. O.
Published: February 2025

Background

Layering hyperintensity in the gallbladder is frequently observed on T1-weighted (T1w) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but its association with hepatobiliary disorders is not well understood.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of T1w layering in the gallbladder and its correlation with ultrasound (US) findings and patient characteristics in a cohort with significant liver disease.

Methods

A single-center study from 2015 to 2022 included patients who underwent MRI and abdominal US within one week. Exclusion criteria were poor imaging quality and prior cholecystectomy. MRI findings were correlated with US and analyzed against patient characteristics.

Results

Among 415 patients (mean age 58.3 ± 14.8 years; mean BMI 28.0 ± 4.5 kg/m²), 67% had abnormal liver function tests, with high prevalences of cirrhosis (n = 260), transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) (n = 233), and choledocholithiasis (n = 106). T1w layering was observed in 56% (n = 232) and associated with higher BMI (p = 0.001) and with cholecystolithiasis (p < 0.001), but not with age, sex, or liver disease indicators. T1w layering was predictive of gallbladder sludge on US (odds ratio 17.2, 95% confidence interval 9.87–31.44, p < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 92.7% but moderate specificity (57.9%).

Conclusion

T1w layering on MRI strongly predicts gallbladder sludge detected on US and is associated with increased BMI in this cohort of patients with liver disease. However, the moderate specificity requires cautious interpretation, and our findings suggest that T1w layering may serve as a complementary diagnostic tool.
Distribution of different classes of CSF3R mutations and co-mutational pattern in 360 myeloid neoplasia
Authors: Maffei Rossana , Paolini Ambra , Conte Benedetta , Riva Giovanni , Nasillo Vincenzo , Cretì Federica , Martinelli Silvia , Giacobbi Francesca , Corradini Giorgia , Pilato Flora , Bernabei Daniela , Lancellotti Cesare , Debbia Giulia , Morselli Monica , Potenza Leonardo , Giusti Davide , Colaci Elisabetta , Bettelli Francesca , Bresciani Paola , Cuoghi Angela , Gilioli Andrea , Messerotti Andrea , Pioli Valeria , Maccaferri Monica , Leonardi Giovanna , Manfredini Rossella , Marasca Roberto , Eccher Albino , Luppi Mario , Forghieri Fabio , Candoni Anna , Tagliafico Enrico
Published: February 2025

The colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor (CSF3R) plays an essential role in differentiation, growth, and survival of granulocytes. Driver mutations in CSF3R gene represent a diagnostic marker of chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL). Less commonly, these mutations are observed in other myeloid neoplasms but their pathogenetic and prognostic role is still unclear. Here, we analyzed a large cohort of myeloid neoplasms to evaluate the incidence of CSF3R mutations and co-mutational profile. Mutational analysis was performed using targeted NGS myeloid panel in a consecutive cohort of 360 patients with myeloid neoplasms. Mutations in CSF3R were identified in 20/360 (5.6%) cases. A CSF3R gene mutation was present in 13/179 AML cases (7.3%), in 2/27 (7.4%) CMML cases, in 1/94 (1.1%) MDS cases and in 4/60 (6.7%) other myeloid neoplasms. The frequencies of patients with CSF3R mutations lowered to 2.8% in all cases and 3.4% in AML, excluding cases with variants of uncertain significance (VUS). A total of 23 mutations of CSF3R gene were detected, half localized in the extracellular domain, 5 in the transmembrane region (type I) and 6 mutations in the cytoplasmic domain (type II). In AML, CSF3R mutations were more frequent in patients harboring CBF alterations (25.0%) and CEBPA mutations (11.8%). Two cases with AML harboring pathogenic CSF3R variants were primary refractory to induction therapy. CMML cases with T618I variant showed a myeloproliferative phenotype. Overall, our findings support the notion that CSF3R variants, particularly type I and II pathogenic mutations, may modulate the phenotypic features of leukemic cells in myeloid neoplasia.
Menstrual and sexual functions in female patients after sleeve gastrectomy due to obesity: obesity and sexual function
Authors: Şimşek Hayal Uzelli , Varol Ece Nur , Güler Sertaç Ata , Şimşek Turgay , Şahin Enes , Cantürk Nuh Zafer
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Obesity is a systemic condition that is increasingly common. Obesity negatively affects sexual function and menstrual regularity. Therefore, losing excess weight is important for women's sexual and menstrual health.

Methods

The change in body mass index (BMI) and and excess weight loss (EWL) of sexually active female patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were evaluated by a general surgeon. The preoperative and postoperative periods were compared by a gynecologist using the survey method menstrual patterns, dysmenorrhea complaints, if any, and sexual function with the Female Sexual Function Scale (FSFI).

Results

The study included 55 patients with a mean ± standard deviation BMI on the day of the operation of 45.32 ± 5.82 kg/m2. In the first postoperative year, the mean BMI significantly reduced to 27.88 ± 1.99 (p < 0.001). The mean percentage of EWL at the end of 1 year was 73.09 ± 19.74 after LSG. The median (range) preoperative FSFI score of the patients was 26.30 (22.70–27.70). One year after LSG, the median FSFI score significantly improved to 34.50 (30.20–35.30) (p < 0.001). Compared to the period before surgery, the frequency of sexual intercourse increased from two-to-three times a week (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Women's sexual desires are a fundamental human right and contribute to female well-being. Thus, it is important to treat sexual dysfunction. The results of the present study demonstrate a significant improvement in sexual dysfunctions after LSG. LSG was an effective procedure that may be recommended to obese women with sexual dysfunction and menstrual problems.

Graphical abstract
Barriers and Facilitators to implementation of the Free Water Protocol in the Acute Stroke Unit Setting: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review
Authors: Eltringham Sabrina A. , Martindale Nicola , Lightbody Elizabeth , Pownall Sue , Booth Andrew , Smith Craig J.
Published: February 2025

Free water protocols (FWP) give patients at risk of aspiration the option to drink water between meals. Evidence is lacking about their use in acute stroke care. This systematic review evaluated the literature about barriers and facilitators to FWP implementation in acute stroke unit settings. Electronic databases and grey literature sources were systematically searched, eligible studies were critically appraised, and data extracted and mapped onto the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The results are presented in a narrative synthesis. Five studies were identified for inclusion: Two qualitative studies, 1 mixed method study, 1 randomised controlled trial and 1 pilot cohort study. Barriers and facilitators to implementation were identified across the 5 CFIR domains. Key barriers were a lack of evidence base and a standard protocol, trying to adapt and deliver a protocol designed for a different setting, complexity of patient selection and FWP design, culture of risk aversion, nursing staff availability and skills to deliver the FWP, and a greater use of agency nurses and transient workforce. Key facilitators were the existence of national guidance for research into its use, implementation of oral care protocols prior to FWP implementation, the unique characteristics of the acute stroke setting, leadership and modelling by senior clinicians, interdisciplinary working and accountability for roles and responsibilities for each discipline, regular communication and ongoing education, and involving patients in decision making and implementation. The findings of this review will guide the data collection of a feasibility study of the FWP in acute stroke.
Cervical pedicle screw placement with patient-specific 3D-printed guides: accuracy and safety in a clinical experience
Authors: Marengo Nicola , Colonna Stefano , Bue Enrico Lo , Pesaresi Alessandro , Saaid Ayoub , Allevi Mario , Ajello Marco , Mahieu Geert , Garbossa Diego , Cofano Fabio
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Cervical pedicle screw (CPS) instrumentation offers significant biomechanical advantages compared to lateral mass or transarticular fixation. Nonetheless, malpositioning complications constitute a relevant concern. Customized patient-specific 3D-printed templates have been developed to improve CPS placement accuracy and safety. The aim of this study is to present our experience with this surgical technique and its accuracy and safety in a clinical setting.

Methods

This single-center retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data included patients undergoing CPS fixation surgery using a patient-specific 3D template guide system. All patients underwent a 3D-volumetric high-resolution CT scan of the cervical spine for preoperative surgical planning. Postoperative CT scans were used to evaluate pedicle perforation, CPS trajectories, and deviations between the planned and the actual screw position.

Results

A total of 115 CPS were implanted in 25 patients, with 107 (93.1%) of the screws completely placed inside the pedicle. Cortical breach within 2 mm was observed in 8 (6.9%) cases, with no cases of more severe pedicle infractions or perioperative neurovascular complication. No differences of CPS accuracies were found between each metameric fusion level, and between monolateral or bilateral templates. Mean total deviations were 0.75 mm vertically and 0.51 mm horizontally at the screw entry point, and 0.72 mm vertically and horizontally at the narrowest pedicle point. Mean total sagittal and transverse angular deviations were 2.94° and 3.04°, respectively.

Conclusion

Cervical pedicle screw placement using patient-specific guides is safe and accurate, supporting the feasibility of this technique in posterior cervical spine fusion surgery.
Anchoring autonomy: understanding seafarers’ interaction with energy efficiency decision support systems for route planning and the role of basic psychological needs
Authors: Zoubir Mourad , Schwarz Benjamin , Heidinger Jan , Gruner Marthe , Jetter Hans-Christian , Franke Thomas
Published: February 2025

Onboard Decision Support Systems (DSS) for energy-efficient maritime route planning are key for global carbon reduction and sustainable transportation goals. Research indicates seafarers’ fuel reduction behaviors are hindered by goal conflicts and workload, affecting motivation and efficient use of automated systems. We studied seafarers’ (N = 22) interactions with a DSS in a high-fidelity bridge simulator, assessing Usability, User Experience, Workload, Basic Psychological Need (BPN) fulfillment, and conducted interviews. Positive system evaluations, particularly hedonic User Experience, contrasted with perceived reduced autonomy using the DSS. Seafarers often requested autonomy-enhancing features (e.g., route editing). Our findings underline the importance of BPNs, especially autonomy, in human-centered technology for maritime transportation, contributing to environmental and efficiency goals.