bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non‐Additive Gene Expression in Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism Drives Growth Heterosis in Populus deltoides
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Weixi , Ding Changjun , Zhao Jun , Su Xuehui , Yuan Zhengsai , Chu Yanguang , Huang Qinjun , Su Xiaohua
Published: January 2025

Growth heterosis is crucial for Populus deltoides breeding, a key industrial‐timber and ecological‐construction tree species in temperate regions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying carbon (C)–nitrogen (N) metabolism coordination in regulating growth heterosis remain unclear. Herein high‐hybrids of P. deltoides exhibited high‐parent heterosis and mid‐parent heterosis in growth traits and key enzymes of C–N metabolism. In hybrids, gene expression patterns were mainly biased toward female parent. Parental contribution to growth heterosis in P. deltoides is differentiation, rather than absolute maternal or paternal dominance contributions. Parental genes were predominantly and dynamically inherited in a non‐additive manner, mainly with dominant expression patterns. A total of 44 non‐additive genes associated with photosynthetic C fixation, starch and sucrose metabolism, sucrose transport, photorespiration, and nitrogen metabolism coregulated growth heterosis by coordinating C–N metabolism. Growth‐regulating factors 4 interacted with DELLA genes to promote growth by enhancing this coordination. Additionally, five critical genes were identified. Briefly, the above genes in high‐hybrids improved photosynthesis and N utilisation by regulating carbohydrate accumulation and enzyme activity, while reducing respiratory energy consumption, thereby providing more energy for growth and promoting growth heterosis. Our findings offer new insights and theoretical basis for deep understanding genetic and molecular regulation mechanisms of tree heterosis and its application in precision hybrid breeding.
Agendas and instability in American local politics: A study of the Austin City Council Agenda 1900–2020
Authors: Mortensen Peter B. , Shannon Brooke Nicole
Published: January 2025

The 1993 publication of Agendas and Instability in American Politics transformed the study of policymaking in American politics, by systematically tracing stability and change in issue attention over time. The underlying data collection effort is essential to understanding its importance; thousands of measures of the policy agenda were collected and content coded to examine trends in policy outputs from various American political institutions. In this study, we apply a similar coding scheme at the local level to study stability and change in policy agendas at the local level. Using a 120‐year sample of all items from city council meeting minutes in Austin, Texas, content coded to the subtopic level, we identify long‐term trends in the local policy agenda and explores how the local policy agenda is influenced by the national policy agenda, by local population growth and by reforms of local political institutions.
Amenity Migration and Community Wellbeing in Washington's Kittitas County Post‐COVID‐19 Pandemic*
Authors: Theophilus Alexander , Ulrich‐Schad Jessica , Flint Courtney , Epperson Emma
Published: January 2025

Amenity migration in the Intermountain West is a rapidly evolving process that has greatly impacted wellbeing in many rural communities over the past several decades. While the impacts of amenity migration have been discussed through both individual community case studies and cross‐community comparative analysis, there is an ongoing need for research that continues to build upon our understanding of amenity migration's effects on individual and community wellbeing. Remote and hybrid work opportunities, expanded during the COVID‐19 pandemic, have allowed for an increasing number of people to live part or full‐time in highly desirable rural locations, particularly those proximate to larger urban areas. In this paper, we discuss the historical and current trends of amenity migration in Kittitas County, proximate to Seattle, Washington, on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains. Drawing upon perspectives shared in 80 interviews with key informants and community members about community wellbeing in three towns, we discuss the implications of amenity migration for the perceived quality of life of both longer‐term residents and newer community members. Additionally, the setting and scope of this research allows for comparison between high‐amenity rural communities with larger recreation economies, and adjacent less—amenity‐based rural communities. Findings indicate that amenity migration continues to evolve and impact community wellbeing, primarily via community cultural changes and socioeconomic and housing inequality. However, there are nuanced geographical and longitudinal differences in the impacts of amenity migration. Additionally, participants perceived an increase in amenity migration patterns and impacts in the years following the COVID‐19 pandemic. To conclude, we discuss ongoing and potential initiatives that may help support community wellbeing, as well as possibilities for further improvements in policy and planning to equitably increase the quality of life for all residents.
The impact of high discharge variability on sedimentology and architecture of bar deposits in the meandering Powder River (Montana, USA)
Authors: Maitan Riccardo , Fielding Christopher R. , Moody John A. , Finotello Alvise , Tognin Davide , D'Alpaos Andrea , Ghinassi Massimiliano
Published: January 2025

Point bars are emblematic deposits of meandering rivers. Classical facies models that define their architecture and sedimentology are essentially based on rivers with low to moderate peak discharge variability. However, many global rivers experience high peak discharge variability, which may significantly impact point‐bar sedimentological features. This study investigates how high peak discharge variability affects the sedimentology and architecture of point‐bar deposits along the meandering Powder River in south‐eastern Montana, USA. The analysis integrates detailed sedimentological data from trenches and natural exposures at four point bars where century‐long discharge records and more than four decades of geomorphic surveys are available. Sedimentological data reveals substantial deviations from classical facies models. Coarsening‐upward and blocky vertical grain‐size trends are common, in contrast with the classic fining‐upward model. Upper‐flow regime structures are abundant features that record rapid waning of high‐magnitude floods, whereas lateral accretion surfaces matching the original extent of bar slopes are rare due to frequent bar slope reworking. Chute channels are large, occupying significant portions of the bar area, with complex internal architectures of coarse‐grained upper‐flow regime deposits that further obscure lateral accretion geometries of the hosting bar. Oxidized mud layers suggest prolonged sub‐aerial exposure of most of the bar slope between floods. Results from this study challenge assumptions of classical point‐bar models and provide new criteria for recognizing ancient deposits of meandering rivers with high peak discharge variability, with implications for palaeohydrological reconstructions, understanding pre‐vegetation fluvial dynamics and interpreting deposits on other planetary bodies. This new evidence accounts for hydrological modulation effects on fluvial deposits, enabling more robust facies analysis of alluvial successions across a spectrum of discharge variability regimes.
Jurassic intercalated micrite and quartz silt lagoonal laminae: Cyclostratigraphic deposition indicative of Schwabe 11‐year solar cycles
Authors: Strasen James L. , Chafetz Henry S.
Published: January 2025

A 4 m thick deposit of intercalated thin micrite and silt‐sized quartz couplets is present within the Middle Jurassic Hulett Member of the Sundance Formation in Wyoming, USA. These deposits accumulated in a hyperarid restricted lagoon. The thicknesses of over 1300 couplets were measured, and each couplet has been interpreted as representing an annual deposit, i.e. a varve. Fast Fourier transform analyses identified an 11‐year periodicity in thicknesses of the laminations. This 11‐year occurrence of thicker laminae coincides with the pattern of the 11‐year Schwabe sunspot cycles. A minor number of deviations from this pattern were noted, possibly resulting from factors such as local climate variability, erosion and non‐cyclical or episodic depositional events. Based on the measurements and numbers of laminae couplets, it took marginally more than 7000 years for the infilling of the Jurassic lagoon, indicating a fairly rapid rate of accumulation. The findings demonstrate the significant impact of solar cycles on depositional periodicity and their influence on these thinly laminated strata, i.e. accumulation of a cyclostratigraphic depositional pattern.
RAPID RANDOM TREE AND DUBINS PATH ALGORITHM FOR DRONE OBSTACLE AVOIDANCE
Authors: Saparin Nur Aliah , Ab Wahid Mastura , Othman Norazila
Published: January 2025

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been commonly used for domestic and military surveillance. Path planning algorithms are one of the many tools that can be used to control UAVs to make the flight autonomous and decrease the involvement of human pilots. The purpose of this study is to develop and implement path planning algorithms to enhance the navigation capabilities of drones in complex environments. Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT) is one of the algorithms that uses sampling based methods to find possible flight paths in highly-dimension space. This research presents the simulation of the algorithm testing in various maps with randomly placed obstacles in MATLAB software to see whether the algorithm managed to manoeuvre around the obstacle successfully with minimum collisions. To further refine the generated path, Dubins path smoothing techniques are implemented in the simulation, to ensure a smoother and more feasible trajectories for drone navigation. The path generated is observed through the result shown in the simulation in both 2D view and 3D view for 3 different random cases. To summarize, the application of Dubins path smoothing significantly improves the efficiency of the path-planning algorithm and reduces the time to complete the obstacle navigation by 10-27% depending on the complexity of the map. The smoothed paths are more direct, involve fewer abrupt turns, and consistently reduce the time to reach the goal across different maps.
SMART SHOE: PORTABLE GAIT MONITORING SYSTEM UTILIZING INERTIAL MEASUREMENT UNIT (IMU)
Authors: Tarmizi Muhammad Iqbal , Hamid Aminuddin , Yusof Ya’akob
Published: January 2025

Gait analysis is a principal element to the field of biomechanics, with its application in sport, rehabilitation and correction of biomechanical dysfunctions to upgrade the quality of life. Complex gait analysis system, while important for human rehabilitation, often relies on expensive and high technology equipment like 3D optical monitoring device and force plate. This study presents the development of a portable, affordable gait monitoring system using MPU6050 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and ESP32 microcontroller. The system is integrated into a Smart Shoe, utilising a gyroscope within the MPU6050 sensor to capture ankle angle data. Healthy participants were selected and ankle angle data were recorded in real-time during walking trials. The ankle angle data were wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone through Blynk application. Results demonstrate that the Smart Shoe system is capable of detecting gait phases based on the collected ankle angle data which produce consistent gait pattern during normal walking condition. Despite its affordable price, it can produce result that is comparable with other wearable sensor device, offering a solution for broader application in rehabilitation and disease detection.
Generating Virtual Bone Scans for the Purpose of Investigating the Effects of Cortical Microstructure
Authors: Toth Zachary B. , Gargac Joshua A.
Published: January 2025

Evaluating the contribution of microstructure to overall bone strength is tricky since it is difficult to control changes to pore structure in human or animal samples. We developed an open-source program that can generate three-dimensional (3D) models of micron-scale cortical bone. These models can be highly customized with a wide array of variable input parameters to allow for generation of samples similar to micro-computed topography scans of cortical bone or with specific geometric features. The program can generate samples with specific desired porosities and minor deviations in pore diameter from human samples: 1.67% (±4.90) using literature values, and 1.36% (±2.39) with optimized values. When coupled with finite element analysis, this open-source program could be a useful tool for evaluating stress distributions caused by microstructural changes.
Estimation of Discretization Errors in Viscous Flow Simulations Based on the RANS Equations: Wall-Resolved Versus Wall-Functions
Authors: Eça L. , Kerkvliet M. , Toxopeus S. L.
Published: January 2025

In the present paper, we focus on the simulation of viscous flows at high Reynolds numbers using the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations. Time-averaging is used to define the mean flow properties and only deterministic simulations are considered. Therefore, numerical errors are a consequence of round-off, iterative and discretization errors. In carefully performed simulations, round-off and iterative errors are reduced to negligible levels when compared to the discretization error and so the numerical error is dominated by the contribution of the discretization error. The use of grid refinement studies is one of the most flexible and popular techniques for the estimation of discretization errors for steady simulations. Several methods have been proposed in the open literature and most of them share common features. The discretization error of a quantity of interest is described as a function of the typical cell size by power series expansions. The estimation of the exact solution requires numerical solutions in more than one grid and so a family of (nearly) geometrical similar grids needs to be generated. The requirement of grid similarity is a consequence of the definition of the typical cell size. In the numerical solution of the RANS equations, the determination of the shear-stress at the wall τw can be performed in two alternative ways: directly from its definition, or using wall functions. The grid refinement strategy required by each case is significantly different. In the first option, the near-wall cell must be systematically refined as all the remaining grid cells. When wall functions are used, the size of the near-wall cell size should remain fixed. In this paper, we present the consequences of using the wrong refinement strategy, i.e., by keeping the size of the near-wall cell fixed when τw is calculated from its definition and by refining the near-wall cell when τw is determined from wall functions. The selected test case is the flow over a flat plate at Reynolds numbers of 107 and 109. The results show that using the wrong grid refinement strategy can lead to misleading results that exhibit reasonable orders of grid convergence.
Effect of a-C:H:SiOx coating thickness on corrosion resistance and zeta potential level of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Grenadyorov A. S. , Chebodaeva V. V. , Khlusov I. А. , Semin V. O. , Madzhara N. E. , Solovyev A. A.
Published: January 2025

In this work, a-C:H:SiOx coatings with thicknesses of 300–1400 nm were synthesized by plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition on the surface of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4 V. The thickness dependence of the roughness of the coatings was determined by laser profilometry. This dependence is described by a parabolic function. The filtration potential method showed that in an acidic environment (pH = 3), an increase in coating thickness is accompanied by a decrease in zeta potential from +40 to −24 mV. In a more neutral environment (pH = 6–7.8), the zeta potential of the coatings varies from −30 to −40 mV. Potentiodynamic polarization curves of the samples, analyzed by extrapolation using the Tafel function method, show that an increase in coating thickness contributes to an increase in corrosion potential from 62 to 330 mV and a decrease in corrosion rate from 1.9 × 10−5 to 4.0 × 10−6 mm/year. Impedance spectroscopy shows that charge transfer resistance (Rct) and impedance modulus (|Z|0.1 Hz) reach maximum values for the thickest a-C:H:SiOx coatings. This indicates the formation of dielectric surface layers that hinder charge transfer in the electrical double layer.
Line wiggling due to plasma-induced film stress and prevention by surface roughness modification
Authors: Turnquist Amelia , Kofuji Naoyuki , Sebastian Joseph , Kou Hiroshi , Arai Takahiro , Fukuda Hideaki , Tomczak Yoann , Sun Yiting , Piumi Daniele , Roest David De
Published: January 2025

To investigate the impact of plasma-induced stress on line wiggling, pattern deformation was compared with and without hardmask exposure to the plasma during etching of porous SiOCH (p-SiOCH) with TiN hardmasks of 28 nm pitch. Wiggling occurred in patterns with low residual hardmask stress only upon plasma exposure. TiN films exposed to plasma showed a global increment in compressive stress, which explains the onset of wiggling in samples with low or tensile residual stress. These results establish the importance of controlling plasma-induced stress to reduce the risk of line wiggling at future nodes. When plasma exposure damaged the surface and roughened the hardmask, wiggling did not occur. A mechanism is proposed in which surface roughness prevented line collapse. Numerical analysis via the three-dimensional elastic finite element method (3D-FEM) demonstrates that elevated surface roughness increases the stress threshold for deformation and can prevent line wiggling. To validate the proposed mechanism, the selectivity of the p-SiOCH etch to TiN was increased to reduce plasma-induced surface damage, and wiggling was observed only with a smoother TiN surface. It is, therefore, concluded that plasma-induced stress and surface roughness are critical parameters for the selection of a back end of line hardmask material and etch package to mitigate line wiggling.
Underwater moving target detection using online robust principal component analysis and multimodal anomaly detection
Authors: Zou Shaofeng , Wang Xuyang , Yuan Tao , Zeng Kaihui , Li Guolin , Xie Xiang
Published: January 2025

In shallow water, reverberation complicates the detection of low-intensity, variable-echo moving targets, such as divers. Traditional methods often fail to distinguish these targets from reverberation, and data-driven methods are constrained by the limited data on intruding targets. This paper introduces the online robust principal component analysis and multimodal anomaly detection (ORMAD) method to address these challenges. ORMAD efficiently performs online low-rank and sparse decomposition while utilizing unsupervised multimodal anomaly detection to enhance detection performance. The multimodal anomaly detection process involves two phases: modality extraction and anomaly detection. During modality extraction, echo data are separated into echo structure and spatial trajectory modalities, providing complementary information that improves the network representation of both reverberation and moving targets. The subsequent anomaly detection phase unsupervisedly learns the modalities of fluctuating reverberation, thereby achieving stable reconstruction while maintaining sensitivity to moving targets. This sensitivity allows effective identification of moving targets by detecting reconstruction loss. Experimental results demonstrate that ORMAD effectively improves detection performance in complex reverberation scenarios. In a real-world sonar dataset, ORMAD increased the average precision for detecting diver targets from 60% to 75% compared to the state-of-the-art method.
Cropland expansion links climate extremes and diets in Nigeria
Authors: Khan Bhoktear , Mehta Piyush , Wei Dongyang , Ali Hanan Abou , Adeluyi Oluseun , Alabi Tunrayo , Olayide Olawale , Uponi John , Davis Kyle Frankel
Published: January 2025

Climate change threatens smallholder agriculture and food security in the Global South. While cropland expansion is often used to counter adverse climate effects despite ecological trade-offs, the benefits for diets and nutrition remain unclear. This study quantitatively examines relationships between climate anomalies, forest loss from cropland expansion, and dietary outcomes in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. Combining high-resolution data on forest cover and climate variables within random forest and panel regression models, we find that 25 to 31% of annual forest loss is linked to climate variability. Using georeferenced household survey data, we then find that changes in forest cover have a significant positive association with changes in child diet diversity—a key proxy of nutritional adequacy—while cropland expansion does not, suggesting that such forest conversions may be an ineffective climate adaptation strategy for improving nutrition. Our findings highlight the potential of nutrition-sensitive climate adaptation to enhance yields, promote nutritious cropping choices, and protect remaining forests.
Adaptive immune cells antagonize ILC2 homeostasis via SLAMF3 and SLAMF5
Authors: Wang Yuande , Li Dan , Liu Yehai , Chen Shasha , Dong Zhongjun
Published: January 2025

Type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) mainly reside in tissues with few lymphoid cells. How their tissue residency is regulated remains poorly understood. This study explores the inhibitory role of SLAM-family receptors (SFRs) on adaptive immune cells in ILC2 maintenance. We observed an increase in the population of ILC2s in Rag1-deficient mice. Homotypic engagement of SFRs between ILC2s and adaptive immune cells was identified as a potential mechanism. SFR deficiency led to an increase in ILC2s. Conditional deletion of SFRs on T and/or B cells led to an increased ILC2 abundance. Mechanistically, as ILC precursors differentiate into ILC2s, SFRs, primarily SLAMF3 and SLAMF5, are inhibitory, which impair IL-7–induced PI3K activation and enhance apoptosis via SHP-1. These findings reveal a mechanism by which adaptive immune cells negatively regulate the homeostasis of ILC2s and contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between innate and adaptive immune cells in the regulation of immune responses.
Optical control of spin waves in hybrid magnonic-plasmonic structures
Authors: Kuznetsov Nikolai , Qin Huajun , Flajšman Lukáš , van Dijken Sebastiaan
Published: January 2025

Magnonics, which harnesses the unique properties of spin waves, offers promising advancements in data processing due to its broad frequency range, nonlinear dynamics, and scalability for on-chip integration. Effective information encoding in magnonic systems requires precise spatial and temporal control of spin waves. Here, we demonstrate the rapid optical control of spin-wave transport in hybrid magnonic-plasmonic structures. By using thermoplasmonic heating in yttrium iron garnet films integrated with gold nanodisk arrays, we achieve a suppression of spin-wave signals by 20 dB using single laser pulses lasting just a few hundred nanoseconds. Our results reveal a strong correlation between plasmonic light absorption and spin-wave manipulation, as supported by micromagnetic simulations that emphasize the crucial role of magnonic refraction. This study establishes thermoplasmonics as a powerful tool for controlling spin-wave propagation, bridging the fields of magnonics and plasmonics, and paving the way for the development of multifunctional hybrid magnonic devices.
The influence of environmental factors on the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 variants in dormitory wastewater at a primarily undergraduate institution
Authors: Brooks Chequita , Brooks Sebrina , Beasley Josie , Valley Jenna , Opata Michael , Karatan Ece , Bleich Rachel
Published: January 2025

Testing for the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been crucial in tracking disease spread and informing public health decisions. Wastewater-based epidemiology has helped to alleviate some of the strain of testing through broader, population-level surveillance, and has been applied widely on college campuses. However, questions remain about the impact of various sampling methods, target types, environmental factors, and infrastructure variables on SARS-CoV-2 detection. Here, we present a data set of over 800 wastewater samples that sheds light on the influence of a variety of these factors on SARS-CoV-2 quantification using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) from building-specific sewage infrastructure. We consistently quantified a significantly higher number of copies of virus per liter for the target nucleocapsid 2 (N2) compared to nucleocapsid 1 (N1), regardless of the sampling method (grab vs composite). We further show some dormitory-specific differences in SARS-CoV-2 abundance, including correlations to dormitory population size. Environmental variables like precipitation and temperature show little to no impact on virus load, with the exception of higher temperatures for grab sample data. We observed significantly higher gene copy numbers of the Omicron variant than the Delta variant within ductile iron pipes but no difference in nucleocapsid abundance (N1 or N2) across the three different sewage pipe types in our data set. Our results indicate that contextual variables should be considered when interpreting wastewater-based epidemiological data.

IMPORTANCE

Testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been crucial in tracking the spread of the virus and informing public health decisions. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA is shed by symptomatic and asymptomatic infected individuals, allowing its genetic material to be detected and quantified in wastewater. Here, we used wastewater-based epidemiology to measure SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA from several dormitories on the Appalachian State University campus and examined the impact of sampling methods, target types, environmental factors, and infrastructure variables on quantification. Changes in the quantification of SARS-CoV-2 were observed based on target type, as well as trends for the quantification of the Delta and Omicron variants by sampling method. These results highlight the value of applying the data-inquiry practices used in this study to better contextualize wastewater sampling results.
Influence of the Spin Hall Effect on the Resonance Frequency and Magnetic Susceptibility of a Magnonic Waveguide
Authors: Temnaya O. S. , Nikitov S. A.
Published: January 2025

The effect of the variation of the spin current on the magnetic susceptibility of a magnonic waveguide in the form of a “ferromagnet–normal metal” heterostructure is investigated. Based on the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert model with the current term in the Slonczewski–Berger form, which describes the magnetization dynamics including the spin moment transfer, expressions are obtained for the real and imaginary parts of the magnetic susceptibility in the geometry of surface spin waves in the damping mode. The resulting model correctly approximates experimental data demonstrating an increase in the amplitude of spin waves propagating in a YIG/Pt heterostructure. It is shown that an increase in the spin current leads to an increase in the resonance frequency of spin waves and in the magnetic susceptibility tensor components in resonance. The results of this study can be used to design waveguides for spin waves with controllable losses and high-sensitivity magnetic field sensors.
Small-Scale Light Structures in a Kerr Medium
Authors: Ruban V. P.
Published: January 2025

A system of equations has been proposed for a monochromatic weakly nonlinear light wave in a Kerr medium. This system is equivalent up to the third order in electric field to the known equation $${\kern 1pt} {\text{curl}}\,{\text{curl}}{\mathbf{E}} = k_{0}^{2}[{\mathbf{E}} + \alpha {\text{|}}{\mathbf{E}}{{{\text{|}}}^{2}}{\mathbf{E}} + \beta ({\mathbf{E}} \cdot {\mathbf{E}}){\mathbf{E}}{\text{*}}]$$, but the new equations are much more convenient for numerical computation. Optical fields with small structures of two or three wavelengths have been simulated using this system. It has been found that a stable self-focused light beam (a two-dimensional vector soliton) in some parametric domain is possible even without modification of nonlinearity. “Inelastic” collisions between two such narrow beams with opposite circular polarizations have been calculated. Furthermore, examples of interacting optical vortices, spatial separation of the circular polarizations, and the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability have been given for defocusing nonlinearity.
Advanced-stage duodenal cancer in pregnancy
Authors: Root Emily , Feng Xiang Yu , Dong Brian , Miller Edward
Published: January 2025

This is a case report of a pregnant patient diagnosed with advanced-stage duodenal cancer in the second trimester. To the author’s knowledge, there are no studies that describe the management of advanced duodenal cancer during pregnancy and this case highlights the importance of creating a multidisciplinary team and incorporating shared decision-making when discussing diagnostic workup and treatment options, including the use of cytotoxic therapy during pregnancy, with patients. This study will also discuss maternal and fetal outcomes after the administration of FOLFOX (leucovorin, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin) chemotherapy during the second trimester.
Repair of Descemet’s membrane detachment following inadvertent intrastromal viscoelastic injection for hypotony: anterior and posterior approaches
Authors: Miller James RC , Kurniawan Emil , Ning Brigid
Published: January 2025

Descemet’s membrane (DM) detachment is a significant, if rare, risk of intracameral injection of viscoelastic to treat hypotony after glaucoma filtration surgery. We describe two cases of DM detachment following inadvertent injection of viscoelastic into the posterior stroma and the techniques used for their repair. In both cases, conventional air tamponade failed to resolve the detachment, and further surgical intervention was required. One underwent anterior drainage through venting incisions performed in the operating theatre, while the other had posterior drainage through the DM performed on the slit lamp. Both cases had complete resolution with a good visual outcome and preservation of the glaucoma surgery. Management of this type of detachment requires close coordination between corneal and glaucoma specialists, and the surgical option selected should be tailored to the specific detachment. When managed appropriately, a good visual outcome can be achieved without needing corneal graft surgery and minimising the bleb scarring process.
Cognitive impairment in PSP compared with PD: assessment by clinical subtype and longitudinal change
Authors: Tsuboi Takeharu , Tatsumi Hiroshi , Kobayasi Kosuke , Hashimoto Rina , Aiba Ikuko
Published: January 2025

Background

Longitudinal studies investigating cognitive function changes in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are limited. The variability of cognitive impairment across clinical subtypes of PSP remains unclear.

Objective

This study aimed to compare the longitudinal changes in cognitive function between patients with PSP and Parkinson’s disease (PD) and to assess differences in cognitive impairment among PSP subtypes.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted using neuropsychological testing data from patients with PSP and PD admitted to our hospital.

Results

The study included 38 patients with PD and 41 patients with PSP (23 PSP-Richardson’s syndrome, 14 PSP-progressive gait freezing (PSP-PGF), 3 PSP-Parkinsonism and 1 PSP-predominant corticobasal syndrome). At baseline, cognitive function was significantly lower in the PSP group than in the PD group. Over 12 months, patients with PSP exhibited significant declines in multiple cognitive domains, whereas no significant changes were observed in the PD group. Among PSP subtypes, PSP-RS showed a faster rate of cognitive decline than PD, while PSP-PGF demonstrated a lower progression than PSP-RS.

Conclusion

PSP is associated with progressive cognitive impairment, with rates of decline varying by subtype. PSP-PGF exhibited a slower progression than PSP-RS. Clinical management should consider subtype-specific differences in cognitive prognosis to tailor treatment and care.
Identifying high-impact-opportunity hospitals for improving healthcare quality based on a national population analysis of inter-hospital variation in mortality, readmissions and prolonged length of stay
Authors: Van Wilder Astrid , Bruyneel Luk , Cox Bianca , Claessens Fien , De Ridder Dirk , Vanhaecht Kris
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To study between-hospital variation in mortality, readmissions and prolonged length of stay across Belgian hospitals.

Design

A retrospective nationwide observational study.

Setting

Secondary and tertiary acute-care hospitals in Belgium.

Participants

We studied 4 560 993 hospital stays in 99 (98%) Belgian acute-care hospitals between 2016 and 2018.

Primary outcome measures

Using generalised linear mixed models, we calculated hospital-specific and Major Diagnostic Category (MDC)-specific risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality, readmissions within 30 days and length of stay above the MDC-specific 90th percentile and assessed between-hospital variation through estimated variance components.

Results

There was strong evidence of between-hospital variation in mortality, readmissions and prolonged length of stay across the vast majority of patient service lines. Overall, should hospitals with upper-quartile risk-standardised rates succeed in improving to the median level, a yearly 4076 hospital deaths, 3671 readmissions and 15 787 long patient stays could potentially be avoided in those hospitals. Our analysis revealed a select set of ‘high-impact-opportunity hospitals’ characterised by poor performance across outcomes and across a large number of MDCs.

Conclusions

Analysis of between-hospital variation highlights important differences in patient outcomes that are not explained by known patient or hospital characteristics. Identifying ‘high-impact-opportunity hospitals’ can help government inspection bodies and hospital managers to establish targeted audits and inspections to generate effective quality improvement initiatives.
Analysis of influencing factors of narrative medicine competence in the clinical nursing population in Hunan province, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Chao , Su Wanying , Qiu Hailing , Pan Yingyan , Qi Qiong , Zhang Siqi , Yin Hao
Published: January 2025

Objective

To explore the current status of clinical nurses’ narrative medicine (NM) ability and its related influencing factors, so as to provide a theoretical basis for nursing managers to develop targeted nurse training programmes.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

A total of 1792 clinical nurses from eight medical institutions in Hunan province were selected as participants using convenience sampling.

Main outcome measures

Online questionnaires were employed to collect general data, NM competence scores, empathy ability scores and personality trait scores from the participants.

Participants

A total of 1820 questionnaires were collected, with 28 deemed invalid due to contradictory responses. The final dataset included 1792 valid questionnaires, resulting in a valid recovery rate of 98.5%.

Results

The total NM competence score averaged at 153.37±18.34. Marital status, having children, hospital grade, empathy ability score and challenges faced in carrying out NM were identified as influential factors through multiple linear regression (p<0.01). These factors collectively explained 71.9% of the total variation in the NM competence of clinical nurses.

Conclusion

Clinical nurses in this study demonstrate an intermediate level of NM competence. Marital status, having children, hospital grade, empathy ability score and challenges in carrying out NM emerge as the primary factors affecting NM competence among nurses. The findings suggest that nursing managers should implement targeted measures to improve the NM competence of clinical nurses, thereby fostering their professional growth.
Development of a predictive model for loss of functional and cognitive abilities in long-term care home residents: a protocol
Authors: Yin Christina Y , Talarico Robert , Scott Mary M , Hakimjavadi Ramtin , Kierulf Jackie , Webber Colleen , Hawken Steven , Moledina Aliza , Manuel Douglas G , Hsu Amy , Tanuseputro Peter , Fung Celeste , Kaasalainen Sharon , Molnar Frank , Shamon Sandy , Ronksley Paul E , McIsaac Daniel I , Kobewka Daniel
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Long-term care (LTC) residents require extensive assistance with daily activities due to physical and cognitive impairments. Medical treatment for LTC residents, when not aligned with residents’ wishes, can cause discomfort without providing substantial benefits. Predictive models can equip providers with tools to guide treatment recommendations that support person-centred medical decision-making. This study protocol describes the derivation and validation of time-to-event predictive models for (1) permanent loss of independence in physical function, (2) permanent severe cognitive impairment and (3) time alive with complete dependence for those with disability starting from the date of onset.

Methods and analysis

We will use population-based administrative health data from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences of all LTC residents in Ontario, Canada, to construct the derivation and internal validation cohorts. The external validation cohort will use data from LTC residents in Alberta, Canada. Predictors were identified based on existing literature, patient advisors and expert opinions (clinical and analytical). We identified 50 variables to predict the loss of independence in physical function, 58 variables to predict the loss of independence in cognitive function and 36 variables to predict the time spent in a state of dependence. We will use time-to-event models to predict the time to loss of independence and time spent in the state of disability. Full and reduced models (using a step-down procedure) will be developed for each outcome. Predictive performance will be assessed in both derivation and validation cohorts using overall measures of predictive accuracy, discrimination and calibration. We will create risk groups to present model risk estimates to users as median time-to-event. Risk groups will be externally validated within the Alberta LTC cohort.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained through the Bruyère Research Institute Ethics Committee. Study findings will be submitted for publication and disseminated at conferences. The predictive algorithm will be available to the general public.
Importance of infarct topography in determination of stroke mechanism and recurrence risk: a post-hoc analysis of the dabigatran acute treatment of stroke trial
Authors: Cimen Erol , Ng Kelvin , Buck Brian H , Field Thalia , Coutts Shelagh B , Gioia Laura C , Hill Michael D , Miller Jodi , Benavente Oscar R , Sharma Mukul , Butcher Ken
Published: January 2025

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between infarct pattern, inferred stroke mechanism and risk of recurrence in patients with ischaemic stroke. The question is clinically relevant to optimise secondary stroke prevention investigations and treatment.

Design

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the dabigatran treatment of acute stroke II (DATAS II) trial (ClinicalTrials.gove NCTNCT02295826), in which patients underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at baseline and 30 days after randomisation to one of two antithrombotic therapies. Patients were classified as embolic, isolated small subcortical infarcts or transient ischaemic attack TIA (no infarct) at baseline and day 30. Stroke mechanism was determined by traditional and modified (based on DWI lesion findings) Trial of Org 10 172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria (DWI-TOAST).

Setting

Multicentre (6) tertiary acute stroke treatment hospitals.

Participants

305 adults with minor ischaemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score≤9).

Results

Of 305 patients, 148 had embolic pattern infarcts, 93 were isolated small subcortical infarcts and 64 had no infarct on baseline MRI (TIA). In the absence of DWI, TOAST classification indicated the mechanism was cryptogenic in 147 patients (48.2%), and small-vessel occlusion in 127 (41.6%). Using, DWI-TOAST, the number of cryptogenic strokes decreased to 123 (40.3%), and the number of small-vessel occlusion strokes increased to 151 (49.5%). Recurrent infarcts were seen in 13% of patients with an MRI-defined embolic infarct pattern and cryptogenic mechanism on DWI-TOAST. The relative risk of recurrent infarction in patients with undetermined aetiology was increased compared with other categories (standardised coefficient=1.0 (0.1, 1.9), p=0.029). The topography of recurrent infarcts was most often embolic (60.9%), but in 39.1% an isolated small subcortical infarct was seen.

Conclusions

Definitive identification of infarct topography with DWI has a significant impact on infarct mechanism classification. The variable relationship between baseline infarct patterns, clinical presentation and recurrent infarct distribution is a challenge to both the lacunar and embolic stroke of uncertain source (ESUS) concepts. Irrespective of aetiological classification, patients with MRI-defined cryptogenic embolic pattern infarcts are at high risk for recurrent events.

Trial registration number

Linked to the DATAS II trial. ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT02295826.
Effects of strategies to tackle racism experienced by healthcare professionals: a systematic review
Authors: Okeahialam Nicola , Salami Oluwatosin , Siddiqui Farah , Thangaratinam Shakila , Khalil Asma , Thakar Ranee
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training interventions on race inequalities experienced by healthcare professionals.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Cochrane, MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from database inception to February 2024.

Eligibility criteria

Randomised trials, observational studies and mixed-methods studies published in English were included. Studies that reported the effects of EDI training interventions targeting healthcare professionals were included.

Date extraction and synthesis

A narrative synthesis approach was used to evaluate the impact of EDI interventions on healthcare professionals.

Results

17 studies were included. EDI interventions were delivered using several methods including didactic, group discussion, game-based learning or a combination of methods. Out of nine studies, eight (88.9%) interventions resulted in an improvement in knowledge and awareness. Five studies reviewed the effect on cultural competence and four (80.0%) improved cultural competence. Out of eight studies, six (75.0%) resulted in willingness to change and skills gained to promote behavioural change. Most of the improvements seen were with theory-based, multimethod curriculum in comparison to a non-theory-based didactic approach. However, there was insufficient evidence to suggest that these interventions impact the racism that healthcare professionals from an ethnic/racial minoritised group experience.

Conclusions

EDI interventions may improve healthcare workers’ knowledge and awareness of racial inequalities and cultural competence. Although a willingness to change may occur and behavioural change is promoted, there is insufficient evidence from this review to suggest that this reduces the experience of racism.
Suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Quarshie Emmanuel Nii-Boye , Dickson Erica Danfrekua , Quarshie Sandra Naa-Shasha , Kpebu Sophia Ewuenye Adwoa , Oppong Asante Kwaku
Published: January 2025

Background

Globally, suicide is the third leading cause of death among girls aged 15–19 years. However, there is a growing concern that suicide research has paid little attention to pregnant adolescent girls, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, including Ghana, where nearly one in seven adolescents experiences (unwanted) pregnancy.

Aims

To assess the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt and the self-reported reasons for attempted suicide among pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana.

Methods

We collected cross-sectional data (between August 2022 and December 2023) using structured anonymous questionnaires from a sample of 449 pregnant adolescent girls (aged 14–19 years) drawn from the three geographical zones of Ghana. We applied bivariable and multivariable analysis techniques to the data.

Results

Overall, 28.51% (95% confidence interval (CI) 24.37% to 32.93%) reported suicidal ideation, and 18.04% (95% CI 14.59% to 21.91%) reported suicide attempt during the current pregnancy. Participants who reported attempted suicide endorsed more interpersonal reasons (eg, to communicate distress, to seek help or to influence others) than intrapersonal reasons for their attempted suicide. In the final adjusted logistic regression models, food insecurity (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.69; 95% CI 1.34 to 5.41; p=0.005) was uniquely associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation. Adverse childhood experiences (aOR=3.04; 95% CI 1.33 to 6.97; p=0.008), history of attempted suicide before current pregnancy (aOR=3.47; 95% CI 1.27 to 9.47; p=0.0.015) and depression (measured by the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index; aOR=0.31; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.77; p=0.012) were uniquely associated with increased odds of suicide attempt. Five variables were commonly associated with increased odds of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt: conflict with parents, alcohol use, pregnancy-related anxiety, history of attempted suicide and intimate partner violence. While being in junior high school was uniquely associated with reduced odds of suicidal ideation, intimate partner’s acceptance of paternity was commonly associated with reduced odds of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempt.

Conclusions

Although the prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt in this study are comparable with known rates among non-pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana, additional research is needed to nuance our understanding of the correlates identified in this study. The evidence also highlights a need for both routine antepartum primary care mental health screening for suicidality and related risks and targeted prevention and intervention programmes.
Towards the understanding of heavy quarks hadronization: from leptonic to heavy-ion collisions
Authors: Altmann J. , Dubla A. , Greco V. , Rossi A. , Skands P.
Published: January 2025

The formation of hadrons is a fundamental process in nature that can be investigated at particle colliders. As several recent findings demonstrate, with $$\textrm{e}^{+}\textrm{e}^{-}$$

e
+

e
-

collisions as a “vacuum-like” reference at one extreme, and central nucleus–nucleus as a dense, extended size system characterized by flow and local equilibrium at the opposite extreme, different collision systems offer a lever arm that can be exploited to probe with a range of heavy-flavour hadron species the onset of various hadronization processes. In this review, we present an overview of the theoretical and experimental developments. The focus is on open-heavy-flavour measurements. The comparison with model predictions and connections among the results in electron–positron, proton–proton, proton–nucleus, nucleus–nucleus collisions are discussed. After reviewing the current state, we suggest some prospects and future developments.