bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Singlet fission in carotenoid dimers – the role of the exchange and dipolar interactions
Authors: Ichert Alexandru G. , Barford William
Published: January 2025

We present a theory of singlet fission in carotenoid dimers based on ultrafast internal conversion to a triplet-pair state which is the intermediate behind the formation of unentangled, separated triplets observed experimentally.
Triazenide based metal precursors for vapour deposition
Authors: O'Brien Nathan J. , Pedersen Henrik
Published: January 2025

This perspective provides an overview of 1,3-dialkyltriazenides as potential CVD/ALD precursors. Initial studies with this new class of compounds demonstrates their significant potential as metal precursors for future ALD/CVD applications.
An integrated paper-based microfluidic platform for screening of early-stage Alzheimer's disease by detecting Aβ42
Authors: Duan Sixuan , Cai Tianyu , Chen Lizhe , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhang Shuailong , Han Bing , Lim Eng Gee , Hoettges Kai , Hu Yong , Song Pengfei
Published: January 2025

A single rotary-valve assisted paper-based immunoassay device (RAPID) for early screening of Alzheimer's disease (AD), enables fully automated and efficient detection of the AD biomarker.
Revolutionizing green catalysis: a novel amla seed derived biochar modified g-C3N4·SO3H catalyst for sustainable and versatile synthesis of bis-indoles
Authors: Soni Shivani , Teli Sunita , Teli Pankaj , Agarwal Shikha
Published: January 2025

Synthesis of a biochar-modified g-C3N4·SO3H catalyst for synthesizing a library of bis-indole derivatives efficiently.
Dextran stabilised hematite: a sustainable anode in aqueous electrolytes
Authors: Panagiotidou Sofia , Vasilaki Evangelia , Katsarakis Nikos , Vernardou Dimitra , Vamvakaki Maria
Published: January 2025

Hybrid anode electrodes comprising hematite particles as the active material and dextran cross-linked via hydrazone bonds as the binder, exhibited high cyclability and promising electrochemical performance for multivalent aqueous batteries.
Visible-light-driven anion relay chemistry (ARC): construction of fully substituted pyrazoles
Authors: Lu Guodan , Zhang Tao , Cheng Xionglve , Qian Kehan , Wang Yong , Wan Xiaobing
Published: January 2025

An unprecedented visible-light-driven anion relay chemistry (ARC) strategy for constructing fully substituted pyrazoles under mild conditions was well established.
Taylor dispersion analysis and release studies of β-carotene-loaded PLGA nanoparticles and liposomes in simulated gastrointestinal fluids
Authors: Fortunatus Roman M. , Balog Sandor , Sousa Flávia , Vanhecke Dimitri , Rothen-Rutishauser Barbara , Taladriz-Blanco Patricia , Petri-Fink Alke
Published: January 2025

Taylor dispersion analysis for evaluating the stability of β-carotene-loaded PLGA and liposome nanoparticles in gastrointestinal fluids.
Photocatalytic [3 + 2]-annulation via sodium tetraarylborate: a fundamental approach for synthesizing 1,4,2-diazaborole analogs
Authors: Qin Hao-Ni , Jiang Hao-Wen , Zhao Yi , Qurban Saira , Wang Ke-Chun , Xu Peng-Fei
Published: January 2025

Nitriles stabilize neutral diarylboryl radicals, generating the RCN-BAr2 complex, an efficient boron-nitrogen synthon that reacts with imines and olefins for photocatalytic synthesis of boron–nitrogen heterocycles, such as 1,4,2-diazaboroles.
Fungal pretreatment methods for organic wastes: advances and challenges in biomass valorization
Authors: Chaurasia Pankaj Kumar , Bharati Shashi Lata , Singh Sunita , Sivalingam Azhagu Madhavan , Shankar Shiv , Mani Ashutosh
Published: January 2025

The image displays various biowastes, important constituents, and possible products of the pretreatment process.
Interfacial engineering of Z-scheme CsPbBr3/BiOCl heterojunction via solvothermal ion exchange for enhanced CO2 photoreduction
Authors: Zheng Song , Lu Ping , Idris Ahmed Mahmoud , Chen Bo , Jiang Xinyan , Jiang Guocan , Wang Jin , Li Sheng , Li Zhengquan
Published: January 2025

An intimate CsPbBr3/BiOCl Z-scheme heterojunction is developed via solvothermal ion exchange method with strong interfacial interactions and modulation of optoelectronic properties enhance charge transfer and CO2 photoreduction efficiency.
Modulation of electron transfer in electrochemiluminescence: synergistic utilization of doping effects in the material and composite effects of Au in the core–shell structure
Authors: Zhang Shaopeng , Jiang Mingzhe , Li Hongling , Liang Wenjin , Lai Wenjing , Ren Haoyi , Hong Chenglin , Xu WeiHua
Published: January 2025

Elucidating the electron transfer mechanism and its regulatory strategy in the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) phenomenon is undoubtedly a challenging task.
Boosting hydrogen production from alkaline water splitting via electrochemical active surface reconstruction of transition metal sulfide electrocatalysts
Authors: Shi Chenhao , Zhou Jing , Boda Muzaffar Ahmad , Zhao Kunfeng , Yang Zhiquan , Yuan Dingwang , Yi Zhiguo
Published: January 2025

The degree of surface reconstruction reaction of sulfide catalyst is controlled, 20 s-NMSO could reach a current of 1 A cm−2 at an ultra-low overpotential of 231 mV, and the voltage only increased by 0.06% after 6 days of constant current testing.
High-throughput screening and an interpretable machine learning model of single-atom hydrogen evolution catalysts with an asymmetric coordination environment constructed from heteroatom-doped graphdiyne
Authors: Zhao Ying , Gao Shuai-Shuai , Ren Peng-Hui , Ma Li-Shuang , Chen Xue-Bo
Published: January 2025

Exploring high-activity and low-cost electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction is the key to developing new energy sources, but it faces major challenges.
Integrated passivation strategy using multifunctional additives for tin–lead mixed perovskite solar cells
Authors: He Dong , Zhou Gongcheng , Niu Zeyu , Guo Guoqiang , Cheng Tianle , Su Gangsen , Chen Haojie , Tang Siyuan , He Jiacheng , Zhang Wenhua , He Zhubing
Published: January 2025

An integrated passivation strategy was employed to simultaneously suppress Sn oxidation and interfacial defect states of tin–lead mixed perovskite films effectively using p-guanidinobenzonitrile hydrochloride.
A promising mesoporous silica carrier material for the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases: recent research advances
Authors: Sun Zihao , Li Xiaofang
Published: January 2025

The therapeutic diagnosis of liver diseases has garnered significant interest within the medical community.
Retraction: Antiulcer secondary metabolites from Elaeocarpus grandis, family Elaeocarpaceae, supported by in silico studies
Authors: Mohie El-Dien Radwa Taher , Maher Sherif A. , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , AboulMagd Asmaa M. , Fouad Mostafa Ahmed , Kamel Mohamed Salah
Published: January 2025

Retraction of ‘Antiulcer secondary metabolites from Elaeocarpus grandis, family Elaeocarpaceae, supported by in silico studies’ by Radwa Taher Mohie El-Dien et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 34788–34799, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0RA06104B.
Speech Production of Mandarin Lexical Tones Among Canadian Elementary Students Enrolled in Mandarin–English Bilingual Schools
Authors: Lin Youran , Pollock Karen E. , Li Fangfang
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

This study investigates how Mandarin–English bilingual students in Canada produce Mandarin tones and how this is influenced by factors such as tone complexity, cross-linguistic influences, and speech input.

Method:

Participants were 82 students enrolled in a Chinese bilingual program in Western Canada. Students were recruited from Grades 1, 3, and 5 and divided into two groups based on their home language backgrounds: The heritage language group had early and strong input in Mandarin, and the second language (L2) group received mostly English input at home. Single-word tone productions were audio-recorded and transcribed by Mandarin-native listeners for match (accuracy) and pattern analyses. Acoustic measurements were extracted to provide phonetic details.

Results:

First, Tone3 (dipping tone) was challenging across groups due to its complexity. Second, L2 students' productions were more influenced by English as a nontonal language and showed signs of categorical confusion. Third, increased tone match rates were related to both home input and school input, but bilingual students did not reach more than 90% of match rates in Grade 5. Instead, L2 students produced phonetic features less accurately in higher grades. This was attributed to reduced pronunciation instruction and limited home input.

Conclusions:

Bilingual students' speech development in a minority language indicates unique influences of home and school input but also the universal influences of tone complexity. This study provides evidence for bilingual speech theories in the suprasegmental domain and has implications for the pedagogy of a minority language in the context of bilingual education.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.28098206
Effects of Recording Condition and Number of Monitored Days on the Discriminative Power of the Daily Phonotrauma Index
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Hamzeh , Hillman Robert E. , Van Stan Jarrad H. , Mehta Daryush D.
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

The Daily Phonotrauma Index (DPI) can quantify pathophysiological mechanisms associated with daily voice use in individuals with phonotraumatic vocal hyperfunction (PVH). Since DPI was developed based on weeklong ambulatory voice monitoring, this study investigated if DPI can achieve comparable performance using (a) short laboratory speech tasks and (b) fewer than 7 days of ambulatory data.

Method:

An ambulatory voice monitoring system recorded the vocal function/behavior of 134 females with PVH and vocally healthy matched controls in two different conditions. In the laboratory, the participants read the first paragraph of the Rainbow Passage and produced spontaneous speech (in-lab data). They were then monitored for 7 days (in-field data). Separate DPI models were trained from the in-lab and in-field data using the standard deviation of the difference between the magnitude of the first two harmonics (H1–H2) and the skewness of neck-surface acceleration magnitude. First, 10-fold cross-validation evaluated the classification performance of the in-lab and in-field DPIs. Second, the effect of the number of ambulatory monitoring days on the accuracy of in-field DPI classification was quantified.

Results:

The average in-lab DPI accuracy computed from the Rainbow Passage and spontaneous speech were 57.9% and 48.9%, respectively, which are close to chance performance. The average classification accuracy of the in-field DPI was significantly higher with a very large effect size (73.4%, Cohen's
d
= 1.8). Next, the average in-field DPI accuracy increased from 66.5% for 1 day to 75.0% for 7 days, with the gain of including an additional day on accuracy dropping below 1 percentage point after 4 days.

Conclusions:

The DPI requires ambulatory monitoring data as its discriminative power diminished significantly once computed from short in-lab recordings. Additionally, ambulatory monitoring should sample multiple days to achieve robust performance. The result of this research note can be used to make an informed decision about the trade-off between classification accuracy and cost of data collection.
Audiologists' Awareness and Use of Resilience-Building Strategies
Authors: O'Brien Julia , Emanuel Diana C. , Brewer Katherine , Imtiaz Faizan
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Audiologists face occupational stressors that put them at risk for burnout, which can impact personal well-being and lead to poor patient care. Resilience building can mitigate the impact of occupational stressors. The purpose of this study was to explore audiologists' awareness and use of various resilience-building strategies.

Method:

In this qualitative study, 12 audiologists completed a virtual interview focused on occupational stressors and resilience building.

Results:

Five of the 12 participants (42%) stated they understood the term “resilience building” when queried at the start of the interview. When provided with clarification, many limited their commentary to specific examples provided by the interviewer, without expanding their responses to more diverse resilience-building strategies. Participants described the ways they used strategies proactively to mitigate the long-term impact of stress (sleep, exercise, boundaries) and reactively for managing acute stress (psychotherapy), with some strategies used both proactively and reactively across participants (connections, mindfulness/meditation).

Conclusions:

All participants described using at least one strategy to combat occupational stressors, but there did not appear to be a clear understanding of the holistic nature of resilience building or an overall strategy to apply diverse strategies to build resilience. Barriers to the use of resilience-building strategies included exhaustion, lack of time, and motivation. Gaps in awareness and application suggest audiologists may benefit from education on resilience building as a holistic approach to combating occupational stress and decreasing burnout.
Passivity‐based event‐triggered frequency control in power system using dynamic pricing
Authors: Shibata Yasutomo , Kang Heng , Namerikawa Toru
Published: January 2025

The integration of renewable energy resources in modern power systems promotes flexible demand response but poses challenges to power balance and frequency stability due to their intermittent generation. To address this problem, this study deals with the frequency control of power system in the presence of demand responses. The dynamic electricity pricing scheme enabling both demand response participants and suppliers to contribute to the frequency regulation via their own decision‐making process is proposed. The main concern in the controller design is the integration of physical and human systems on the same timescale, encompassing controllers based on frequency dynamics and dynamic pricing. Therefore, event‐triggered conditions are proposed to decrease the communication frequency while ensuring system stability, leveraging the passivity property of the system. Under the proposed event‐triggered conditions, the authors clearly demonstrate the asymptotic stability around the equilibrium point of the entire system. Furthermore, a numerical simulation using a four areas power network system is performed, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme and the stability of the system.
Design of tuned mass damper for the electric reactor based on finite element method
Authors: Luo Jiajun , Xiao Weimin , Li Xianhui , Liu Yunan
Published: January 2025

The reliable operation of the electric reactor is critical for ensuring energy transmission in the power system. Vibration is an important influencing factor. This study focused on the vibration response characteristics of the electric reactor during the operation process. The vibration at the measuring points on four side surfaces and the top of the oil tank is measured and analysed by applying the rated voltage at the rated frequency on the reactor. The frequency corresponding to the maximum vibration amplitude at the measuring point between the reinforced iron on the side surface of the reactor is determined. The tuned mass damper (TMD) is designed and the material is prepared. The specific frequency tuning mechanism is designed to suppress the reactor's vibration. The damper's optimal structural size is determined based on finite element method according to modal analysis results. According to the simulation results, the designed TMD can provide an inertia force at the target frequency for the controlled structure along the opposite direction, significantly reducing the electric reactor's vibration amplitude and effectively suppressing the vibration at a single frequency. In addition, static analysis and model strength checks are also conducted to ensure the damper's stability and safety in actual applications.
Constraining differential rotation in γ Doradus stars from the properties of inertial dips
Authors: Barrault L. , Mathis S. , Bugnet L.
Published: January 2025

Context. The presence of dips in the gravity mode period spacing versus period diagram of γ Doradus stars is now well established thanks to recent asteroseismic studies. Such Lorentzian-shaped inertial dips arise from the interaction of gravito-inertial modes in the radiative envelope of intermediate-mass main sequence stars with pure inertial modes in their convective core, and allow us to study stellar internal properties. This window onto stellar internal dynamics is extremely valuable in the context of the understanding of angular-momentum transport inside stars, as it allows us to probe rotation in their core.

Aims. We investigate the signature and the detectability of a differential rotation between the convective core and the near-core region inside γ Doradus stars from the properties of inertial dips.

Methods. We studied the coupling between gravito-inertial modes in the radiative zone and pure inertial modes in the convective core in the sub-inertial regime, allowing for a two-zone differential rotation from the two sides of the core-to-envelope boundary. We solved the coupling equation numerically and matched the result to an analytical derivation of the Lorentzian dip properties. We then used typical values of measured near-core rotation and buoyancy travel time to infer ranges of parameters for which differential core to near-core rotation would be detectable in current Kepler data.

Results. We show that increasing the convective core rotation with respect to the near-core rotation leads to a shift of the period of the observed dip to lower periods. In addition, the dip gets deeper and thinner as the convective core rotation increases. We demonstrate that such a signature is detectable in Kepler data, given appropriate dip-parameter ranges and near-core structural properties.

Conclusions. Studying the dip properties in asteroseismic data thus allows us to access core to near-core radial differential rotation and to better understand the transport of angular momentum at convective–radiative interfaces in intermediate-mass main sequence stars.
PITSZI: Probing intra-cluster medium turbulence with Sunyaev–Zel’dovich imaging
Authors: Adam R. , Eynard-Machet T. , Bartalucci I. , Cherouvrier D. , Clerc N. , Di Mascolo L. , Dupourqué S. , Ferrari C. , Macías-Pérez J.-F. , Pointecouteau E. , Pratt G. W.
Published: January 2025

Turbulent gas motions are expected to dominate the non-thermal energy budget of the intracluster medium (ICM). The measurement of pressure fluctuations from high angular resolution Sunyaev–Zel’dovich imaging opens a new avenue to study ICM turbulence, complementary to X-ray density fluctuation measures. We developed a methodological framework designed to optimally extract information on the ICM pressure fluctuation power spectrum statistics, and publicly released the associated software named PITSZI (Probing ICM Turbulence from Sunyaev–Zel’dovich Imaging). We applied this tool to the New IRAM KIDs Array (NIKA) data of the merging cluster MACS J0717.5+3745 to measure its pressure fluctuation power spectrum at high significance, and to investigate the implications for its non-thermal content. Depending on the choice of the radial pressure model and the details of the applied methodology, we measured an energy injection scale Linj ∼ 800 kpc. The power spectrum normalization corresponds to a characteristic amplitude reaching AδP/P̄(kpeak) ∼ 0.4. These results were obtained assuming that the ICM of MACS J0717.5+3745 can be described as pressure fluctuations on top of a single (smooth) halo, and were dominated by systematics due to the choice of the radial pressure model. Using simulations, we determined that fitting a radial model to the data can suppress the observed fluctuations by up to ∼50%, while a poorly representative radial model can induce spurious fluctuations, which we also quantified. Assuming standard scaling relations between the pressure fluctuations and turbulence, we find that MACS J0717.5+3745 presents a turbulent velocity dispersion σv ∼ 1200 km/s, a kinetic to kinetic plus thermal pressure fraction Pkin/Pkin + th ∼ 20%, and we estimate the hydrostatic mass bias to bHSE ∼ 0.3 − 0.4. Our results are in excellent agreement with alternative measurements obtained from X-ray surface brightness fluctuations, and in agreement with the fluctuations being adiabatic in nature.
A multi-wavelength view of the isolated neutron star eRASSU J065715.3+260428
Authors: Kurpas J. , Pires A. M. , Schwope A. D. , Pan Z. C. , Zhang Z. L. , Qian L. , Haberl F. , Ji L. , Traulsen I.
Published: January 2025

On the premise of a soft spectral distribution and absence of counterparts, the X-ray source eRASSU J065715.3+260428 was recently identified as a likely thermally emitting isolated neutron star (XINS) in a search in the SRG/eROSITA All-Sky Survey. We investigated the nature and evolutionary state of the neutron star through a dedicated multi-wavelength follow-up observational campaign with XMM-Newton, NICER, FAST, and ESO-VLT, complemented by the analysis of archival Fermi-LAT observations. The coherent timing analysis of the X-ray observations unveiled the rotation period of the XINS, P = 261.085400(4) ms, and its spin-down rate, Ṗ = 6−4+11 × 10−15 s s−1 (errors are 1σ confidence levels). The nearly sinusoidal pulse profile has a pulsed fraction of ∼15% (0.2 − 2 keV). No optical counterparts are detected down to 27.3 mag (5σ, R band) in the ESO-VLT FORS2 imaging, implying a large X-ray-to-optical flux ratio above 5200. The X-ray spectrum of the source is best described by a composite phenomenological model consisting of two thermal components, either a double blackbody continuum with temperatures 90 eV and 220 eV or a hydrogen neutron star atmosphere of temperature log(T/K)∼5.8 combined with a hot blackbody of 250 eV, in both cases modified by an absorption feature at low energies, ∼0.3 keV with an equivalent width of ∼100 eV. The presence of faint non-thermal hard X-ray tails is ruled out above (2.1 ± 1.8)% of the source unabsorbed flux. Radio searches at 1 − 1.5 GHz with FAST yielded negative results, with a deep upper limit on the pulsed flux of 1.4 μJy (10σ). Similarly, no significant spatial or pulsed signals were detected in sixteen years of Fermi-LAT observations. The most likely interpretation is that the source is a middle-aged spin-powered pulsar, which can also be identified as PSR J0657+2604. The absence of non-thermal X-ray, radio, or gamma-ray emission within current limits suggests either an unfavourable viewing geometry or unusual magnetospheric properties. Additional observations are needed to check for faint hard X-ray tails, investigate the presence of diffuse emission from a pulsar-wind nebula, and obtain a more accurately sampled timing solution.
Computational study of partial discharge events in electric drives with segmented power supply
Authors: Lanciotti Noemi , Galli Giacomo , Krebs Guillaume , Béthoux Olivier , Labouré Eric , Odic Emmanuel
Published: January 2025

The transportation industry (automobile, aerospace) is undergoing a significant shift towards higher voltage supply, to increase embedded power. Increasing the voltage can lead to an increase in the occurrence of partial discharges which have a deleterious impact on the insulators, and therefore of the system lifetime. The current study investigates two electric drives architecture, namely first a combination of a conventional motor with a single inverter and, second, a multi-Three-Phase machine based on highly coupled windings and combined with dedicated sub-inverter. The latter is based on CTAF concept (Chaîne de Traction à Alimentation Fractionnée for Electric Drive based on Segmented Power Supply). This innovative power supply concept is presented in the case study section. According to the goal of this study, a 54-turns coil is developed and modelled as the equivalent circuit, while the related lumped parameters are determined by a frequency-dependent electrostatic and magnetostatic COMSOL simulation. Subsequently, a MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation of the equivalent electric circuit enables assessing the voltage potential distribution. The latter is injected as input into the COMSOL electrostatic simulation to compute the electric field. Consequently, the maximum voltage supply without breakdown is determined, for both studied cases. The comparative study concludes that, between the two case studies analyzed, the minimum among the maximum voltage supplies without breakdown is observed in the system powered with the CTAF approach.
Outcome of a Mix-and-Match Approach with a Monofocal Aspherical and a Bifocal Extended Depth-of-Focus Intraocular Lens to Achieve Extended Monovision in Cataract Patients
Authors: Nagyova Dana , Tappeiner Christoph , Blaha Andrej , Goldblum David , Kyroudis Dimitrios
Published: January 2025

Background Extended monovision is a novel mix-and-match approach that has been recently introduced. It involves implanting an aspherical monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) for distance vision in the dominant eye, and a bifocal extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOL in the nondominant eye. The target refraction for the nondominant eye is − 1.25 diopters (D), and provides good intermediate vision at 80 cm, with an additional 1.5 D power for near vision at 36 cm. This study evaluates the visual outcomes and patient-reported experiences with this extended monovision strategy in cataract patients.

Patients and Methods Patients underwent uneventful conventional or femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and implantation of an aspherical monofocal IOL (Hoya Vivinex XC1-SP, Hoya Surgical Optics, Tokyo, Japan) in the dominant eye [with a target refraction closest to the spherical equivalent (SE) of 0 D] and a rotationally asymmetric refractive bifocal EDOF IOL with an additional power of + 1.5 D (Lentis Comfort-LS-313 MF15, Teleon Surgical B.V, Spankeren, Netherlands) in the nondominant eye (target refraction closest to SE − 1.25 D). These patients were included in this retrospective study. Uncorrected distance, intermediate and near visual acuity (UDVA, UIVA, and UNVA, respectively), and binocular defocus curves were determined. Additionally, uncorrected contrast sensitivity, stereoscopic depth perception, and halometry were measured. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the PRSIQ and NEI-RQL-42 questionnaires.

Results A total of 26 eyes from 13 patients were included in the study. The mean postoperative binocular UDVA, UIVA, and UNVA were 0.05 ± 0.09, − 0.08 ± 0.11, and 0.06 ± 0.07 logMAR, respectively. The defocus curve peaked at 0.0 D (6 m), with a mean visual acuity of 0.04 ± 0.09 logMAR. Functional vision above the cutoff value of 0.3 logMAR extended across the defocus steps from + 1.0 to − 3.5 D. The mean dependence on correction score reached a mean of 89.4 ± 23.9, with an overall satisfaction rate of 83.1 ± 13.2.

Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the combination of a monofocal IOL for distance vision and a rotationally asymmetric refractive bifocal EDOF IOL for intermediate and near distances, with the aim of achieving extended monovision. This approach demonstrated good visual acuity for all distances and a high patient satisfaction. It may be considered a promising alternative to multifocal IOLs.
Unifying terminology, reporting, and bowel preparation standards in colon capsule endoscopy: Nyborg Consensus
Authors: Lei Ian Io , Koulaouzidis Anastasios , Schelde-Olesen Benedicte , Turvill James , Cortegoso Valdivia Pablo , Rondonotti Emanuele , Plevris John N. , Keuchel Martin , Saurin Jean-Christophe , Dray Xavier , Brodersen Jacob Broder , McAlindon Mark , Toth Ervin , Robertson Alexander , Arasaradnam Ramesh
Published: January 2025

Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is becoming increasingly popular in Europe. However, development of quality assurance and standardized terminology has not kept pace with clinical integration of this technology. As a result, there are significant variations in reporting standards, highlighting the need for a standardized terminology and framework. We used the RAND process to achieve a consensus of experts to determine the terminology in CCE, bowel cleansing assessment, and quality assurance reporting and future research priorities.

A panel comprising 14 European CCE experts evaluated 45 statements during the international REFLECT symposium (Nyborg, Denmark) through three survey rounds and face-to-face and virtual discussions in the initial two rounds. Participants anonymously rated statement appropriateness.

Twenty-eight consensus statements were developed. Eight statements focus on consistent terminology for confirming CCE-detected polypoid and inflammatory colonic lesions with colonoscopy. To ensure standardization and quality assurance, 13 mandatory fields were recommended for inclusion in a CCE report. Three endorsed reporting methodologies were suggested, emphasizing prompt notification for suspected malignant findings, recommending a generic disclaimer regarding stomach and small bowel visualization intentions, and establishing reporting timelines at an interdepartmental level based on urgency. Four bowel preparation scale-related statements led to the recommendation to adoptithe Colon Capsule CLEansing Assessment and Reporting (CC-CLEAR) scale as the preferred scale.

This study established a framework for terminology, reporting, and assessment of bowel cleansing for CCE. Future research should focus on optimizing bowel preparation regimens and exploring artificial intelligence applications in CCE.
Bewertung des Substanzkonsums in Deutschland anhand einer
retrospektiven Auswertung von Daten aus einem toxikologischen Labor mit dem
Schwerpunkt von Routineuntersuchungen bei Opioidabhängigen
Authors: Mähler Julietta Ursula , Wilhelm Lars , Riem Fabian , Kramer Jan
Published: January 2025

Ziel dieser Arbeit war es zu zeigen, ob eine retrospektive Auswertung von
Labordaten aus einem toxikologischen Routinelabor als Instrument zur
Beschreibung der Drogensituation in Deutschland verwendet werden kann.
Hierfür wurden die ermittelten Daten mit den Daten der PREMOS-Studie (1) und
der ESA-Befragung (2) vergleichen.

Es wurde ein Datensatz aus dem Jahr 2020 verwendet, der den Kriterien einer
Querschnittstudie entsprach. Verglichen wurde die Anzahl an Aufträgen in
Bezug auf das Geschlecht, das Lebensalter, das nachgewiesene Substitut und
positiven Aufträgen in den jeweiligen Toxidromgruppen. Die statistische
Auswertung fand mittels Pearson-Chi-Quadrat Test und eines Post-Hoc-Tests
statt.

Männer konsumierten etwas häufiger als Frauen. Jüngere Patienten hatten
häufiger positive Nachweise von Substanzen aus dem Sympathomimetischen und
dem Sedativen Syndrom und seltener aus dem Anticholinergen Syndrom. Bei
Patienten mit einer nachgewiesenen Buprenorphinsubtitution kam es seltener
zum Beikonsum, als bei einer Methadonsubstitution. Die Ergebnisse spiegelten
in weiten Teilen die Erkenntnisse aus der PREMOS-Studie wieder.

Zusammengefasst ist die retrospektive Auswertung ein sinnvolles Instrument,
um die Drogensituation in Deutschland zu beschreiben. Vorteilhaft ist der
minimale Kostenaufwand. Zusätzlich kann die Auswertung zukünftig sehr
zeitnah erfolgen was eine hohe Aktualität und Nutzbarkeit für eines
Frühwarnsystems darstellt.
MicroRNA Profiling in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Their Role in Arteriogenesis
Authors: Ismail Muhamad T. , Setianto Budi Y. , Haryana Sofia M. , Anggrahini Dyah W.
Published: January 2025

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents poses a substantial threat with escalating mortality and amputation rates. Despite the existence of various clinical techniques for diagnosing CLTI, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in arteriogenesis remains ambiguous. Comprehensive knowledge on miRNAs may facilitate the advancement of targeted therapy pertaining to the enhancement of collateral blood flow in obstructed vessels. Therefore, this study aimed at analyzing arteriogenesis-associated plasma miRNA profiles in patients with CLTI using gene expression. Samples were acquired from the collateral arteries (CA group, n = 3) and the contralateral healthy limb (healthy artery; HA group, n = 3) of a single set of patients with CLTI. The RNA extracted from the samples was assessed for concentration and purity. A normalization factor was used to address variations in analyte abundance and/or quality across the samples. Subsequently, individual RNA molecules were directly quantified and subjected to comparative analysis between the CA and HA groups to identify the miRNAs involved in arteriogenesis. The five arteriogenesis-related miRNAs exhibiting maximum upregulation were miR-301b–3p, miR-221–5p, miR–639, miR-34a–5p, and let-7a–5p, while the five most downregulated miRNAs included miR-151a–5p, miR-371a–5p, miR-651–5p, miR-510–5p, and miR-660–5p. Summarily, this study documented marked upregulation and downregulation of miRNAs associated with arteriogenesis in the collateral arteries of patients with CLTI as compared with their contralateral healthy limbs. Possible mechanisms involved, including the regulation of YAP/TAZ pathway, TGFBR3 mRNA, SIRT1 expression, and other processes have shown to be modulated by miRNAs fluctuations.
Anorectal malformation with rectoperineal fistula in males treated with a posterior rectal advancement anoplasty (PRAA) – report of early outcomes.
Authors: Xu Thomas O , samuk inbal , Feng Christina , Wood Richard J , Badillo Andrea , Levitt Marc A
Published: January 2025

Aim:
A novel modification of the cutback procedure, a posterior rectal advancement anoplasty (PRAA) for select male patients with an anorectal malformation and a rectoperineal fistula was recently described which incised only within the limits of the sphincteric ellipse and eliminated an anterior rectal dissection, thus avoiding any possibility of a urethral injury. This report provides longer term postoperative outcomes after PRAA.
Method
A retrospective, single institution study was performed examining male patients with a rectoperineal fistula between 1/2020-12/2023. PRAA was done only if the rectoperineal fistula was located within the anterior extent of the sphincteric ellipse, which was true for all patients encountered during this study period. We assessed post-operative outcomes, length of stay, time to first feeding, and early stooling patterns.
Results
Eighteen patients underwent PRAA at a median age of 5.4 months (range 1 day-8 months) with median follow up of fourteen months (range 4-40). Seven patients (39%) were repaired within the first month of life. Thirteen (72%) were repaired primarily and five (28%) had a diverting ostomy placed before referral. There were no instances of wound dehiscence, rectal prolapse, or urethral injury. Two (11%) patients developed an anal stricture requiring dilation or Heineke-Mikulicz anoplasty. All patients resumed feeds on post operative day one. Median discharge was on post operative day one (range 1-6). Fifteen (83%) were utilizing laxatives at their most recent follow up.
Conclusions
The PRAA avoids any potential urethral injury or perineal dehiscence, has a low rate of anal stenosis (11%), and appears to be applicable to all male patients with a rectoperineal fistula. The technique allows for early return to diet and discharge and can be safely done in the neonatal period or in a delayed fashion without the need for a stoma.
Clinical and Genetic Characterization of 51 Patients with Congenital Fibrinogen Disorders from China
Authors: Cai Yaohua , Lu Hui , Lin Wenyi , Xia Yunqing , Wu Tingting , Cheng Zhipeng , Tang Liang V. , Hu Yu
Published: January 2025

Objective To investigate the classification, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and genetic mutations associated with hereditary fibrinogen disorders in Chinese population.

Methods Between February 2015 and February 2022, 65 patients with congenital fibrinogen disorders (CFD) were identified at Wuhan Union Hospital. Comprehensive data were available for 51 patients, allowing for a retrospective analysis.

Results The cohort comprised 17 males (33.3%) and 34 females (66.7%), with a median diagnosis age of 35.0 years (interquartile range: 25.5–42.5). Of the patients, 35 (68.6%) were diagnosed with dysfibrinogenemia, 8 (15.7%) with hypofibrinogenemia, 7 (13.7%) with hypodysfibrinogenemia, and 1 (2.0%) with afibrinogenemia. The median diagnosis ages for the asymptomatic, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 groups were 44.5 years (range: 37–58.5), 28 years (22.5–36.5), 35.5 years (21.75–41), and 28 years (22.75–30.75), respectively. The asymptomatic group had the latest diagnosis age, whereas Grade 3 had the earliest. A negative correlation was observed between Fg:C levels and bleeding severity (rs = − 0.2937, p = 0.0365). In total, 52 variants were found in 51 unrelated patients, with one patient carrying two mutations. The 37 distinct mutations included 11 in FGA, 3 in FGB, and 23 in FGG.

Conclusion This study investigates the clinical, laboratory, and genetic characteristics of patients with CFD in China, revealing a negative correlation between Fg:C levels and bleeding severity. Female patients are at higher risk for gynecological complications due to physiological traits. Additionally, R35 in FGA and R301 in FGG were identified as hotspot mutations.
Factor VIIa–Antithrombin Complexes are Increased in Asthma: Relation to the Exacerbation-Prone Asthma Phenotype
Authors: Bazan-Socha Stanislawa , Mastalerz Lucyna , Cybulska Agnieszka , Zareba Lech , Jakiela Bogdan , Zabczyk Michal , Iwaniec Teresa , Undas Anetta
Published: January 2025

Background Asthma is associated with a prothrombotic state. Plasma factor VIIa–antithrombin complex (FVIIa-AT) concentrations indirectly reflect the interaction of tissue factor (TF) with FVII. Since TF is a key initiator of coagulation in vivo, we hypothesized that FVIIa-AT concentrations are higher in asthma.

Methods In 159 clinically stable adult asthma patients and 62 controls, we determined FVIIa-AT in plasma and analyzed their relation to circulating inflammatory and prothrombotic markers together with the total plasma potential for fibrinolysis (clot lysis time, CLT) and thrombin generation. We recorded clinical outcomes, including asthma exacerbations, during 3-year follow-up.

Results Asthma patients were characterized by 38.5% higher FVIIa-AT (p < 0.001), related to bronchial obstruction (FEV1: r = −0.397, p < 0.001), asthma severity (r = 0.221, p = 0.005), and duration (r = 0.194, p = 0.015) compared to controls. FVIIa-AT showed weak positive associations with C-reactive protein (r = 0.208, p = 0.009), fibrinogen (r = 0.215, p = 0.007), and CLT (r = 0.303, p < 0.001) but not with thrombin generation parameters. In the follow-up (data obtained from 151 patients), we documented 151 severe asthma exacerbations in 51 (33.8%) patients, including 33 (21.9%) with ≥2 such events. Exacerbation-prone asthma phenotype was related to 13.1% higher FVIIa-AT (p = 0.012), along with asthma severity and control (p < 0.003, both). High FVIIa-AT (that is ≥100.1 pmol/L), defined on receiver operating characteristic curves, was linked to exacerbation-prone asthma phenotype (odds ratio 1.85; 95%CI: 1.23–2.80, p = 0.003) and shorter time to first exacerbation (p = 0.023).

Conclusion This study is the first to show that FVIIa-AT concentrations are higher in asthma in relation to its severity and may help identify individuals at risk of the exacerbation-prone asthma phenotype.
A Concise Synthesis of a Key Azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane Building Block for N-Heteroaryl Indazole LRRK2 Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Candito David A. , Simov Vladimir , Liu Ping , Ardolino Michael J. , Martinot Theodore , Lyons Thomas , Qi Ji , Yin Jingjun , Hao Jinglai , Hu Bin , Chen Meng , Zhang Jun , Lam Yu-hong , Fuller Peter H. , Ellis J. Michael , Maddess Matthew
Published: January 2025

Increasing the fraction of sp3 character in lead compounds has been shown to increase their drug-likeness by improving their potency, selectivity, and physicochemical properties. Azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexanes have recently garnered much interest in the synthetic community as pyrrolidine analogues for their interesting biological properties and stereoelectronic effects. During the course of our optimization of N-heteroaryl LRRK2 inhibitors, we discovered that this unique bicyclic system leads to improvements in solubility and metabolic clearance. Herein, we outline a match-pair analysis showcasing the broad impact of this unique azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane system on key drug-like properties, as well as a concise and scalable synthesis of this building block, featuring an intramolecular cyclization to forge a strained amide bond.
To Identify and Discuss the Enablers or Facilitators and Barriers to International Medical Graduates Adapting to the United Kingdom National Health Service in a Defined Surgical Trainee Population: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Oberoi Ajit Singh , Selvasekar C.R. , Murali S.R. , Kumar B. Nirmal , Aggarwal Shreyas , Aggarwal Shyam , Rawat Soumitra
Published: January 2025

Background International medical graduates (IMGs) play a crucial role in the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS), yet they encounter significant challenges adapting to the NHS environment. This study aims to identify the enablers and barriers affecting the adaptation of IMGs, specifically focusing on surgical trainees in the Master of Surgery (MCh) program at Edge Hill University.

Methods A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing an interpretivist philosophy and descriptive design. Data were collected through focus group discussions with first-year MCh surgical trainees. Thematic analysis was conducted to extract key themes related to adaptation.

Results Three focus groups with a total of seven participants revealed several enablers and barriers. Enablers included robust administrative support, effective communication courses, comprehensive mentorship programs, and supportive hospital staff. Barriers identified were limited access to formal teaching, a fast-paced academic environment, language and cultural differences, and variations in medical practice.

Conclusions The successful integration of IMGs into the NHS hinges on strong support systems, including administrative assistance, mentorship, and cultural and communication training. Addressing these barriers can facilitate smoother adaptation, enhance retention, and improve patient care.

Recommendations To enhance IMG adaptation, the study recommends extensive induction programs, improved mentorship and support networks, cultural competence training, and better access to formal teaching with feedback.
Utilizing Diffusion Tensor Imaging to Differentiate High-Grade Gliomas and Solitary Brain Metastases
Authors: K. Shreyas Reddy , S. Sandeep , Kumaran Sunitha P. , K. Shravan Reddy , Kancharla Meghana
Published: January 2025

Background Brain tumors, encompassing a spectrum of neoplastic disorders, significantly impact patient morbidity and mortality. Distinguishing between high-grade gliomas (HGGs) and solitary brain metastases (SBMs) is crucial for tailored clinical management. Conventional structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) faces challenges in this differentiation, leading to the exploration of advanced imaging modalities such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

Materials and Methods In this prospective study, 41 patients with solitary enhancing brain lesions underwent total or subtotal resection, confirmed by histopathology. Imaging involved a 3-Tesla MRI scanner, and DTI data were analyzed for metrics including mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, as well as planar, spherical, and linear (CL) anisotropy coefficients.

Results Peritumoral FA and CL exhibited significant differences (p = 0.0217 and p = 0.039, respectively) between HGG and SBM. The area under the curve for peritumoral FA and CL in differentiating HGG and SBM were 0.2791 and 0.6984, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the other diffusion metrics.

Conclusion This study contributes to understanding DTI-derived metrics for HGG and SBM differentiation. Peritumoral FA and CL show promise as potential discriminators, offering insights for enhanced clinical decision-making and treatment planning in brain tumor patients. Future research with larger cohorts and advanced diffusion imaging techniques could further refine these findings.
The interface of Latinos, language and space in restaurant naming in Philadelphia
Authors: Matus-Mendoza Mariadelaluz
Published: January 2025

Considering the growth of the Hispanic or Latino population reported by the 2020 Census Bureau in Philadelphia and an increase of Latino restaurants bearing names in Spanish in the city, this article explores the use of Spanish in eighty three restaurant names to determine the types of meanings that Spanish construes, the restaurateurs’ apparent motivation, and its relevance within Latino studies in a city and state that do not historically have a large number of Latinos. The qualitative analysis relies on a linguistic landscapes approach, specifically Scollon and Scollon’s (2003) and Ben-Rafael’s (2009) frameworks. The analysis reveals that the use of Spanish not only functions as a sign of identity and group membership, but also serves to create the restaurateurs’ social space and to distinguish their establishments. These dynamics increase the visibility of some of these Latino groups and of the Latino community as a whole, in a city where their presence and visibility has not yet received much attention.
Magnetic resonance in quasi-one-dimensional compound [(CH3)3NH]NiCl3 · 2H2O with a strong anisotropy
Authors: Anders A. G. , Borisenko V. G. , Volotskii S. V. , Pereverzev Yu. V.
Published: January 2025

The frequency-field dependence of magnetic resonance at 1.5 K is measured in the frequency range from 18 to 78 GHz in magnetic fields up to 30 kOe perpendicular to the easy magnetization axis. The angular dependence of the resonance field in the basal ac plane is investigated. Resonance frequencies are calculated by using the model of a rhombic single-sublattice magnet with spin S + 1, which takes into exact account the single-ion anisotropy. The parameters of principal magnetic interactions are determined from the comparison with experimental data (J0 = 60 ± 10 kOe, D = 29.9 ± 0.5 kOe, and E = 5.2 ± 0.5 kOe).
Electron-diffraction studies of radiation effects in CO2 crystals
Authors: Kovalenko S. I. , Solodovnik A. A.
Published: January 2025

Ratiation effects in CO2 crystals exposed to 80 keV electrons are studied by using the electron diffraction technique. The measurements made in the temperature interval from 6 to 85 K reveal the nature of structural defects which are found to be mainly of orientational type. It is shown that for maximum doses (about 1019 electron/cm2) and T = 6 K, the orientational ordering coefficient for molecules in the crystal decreases by more than 20%. According to the results of measurements, an intense relaxation of defects takes place at temperatures below 0.3T melt of the crystal.
Variation of micro- and macroplasticity of Pb- and In-based alloys in superconducting transition
Authors: Pal’-Val’ L. N. , Shepel’ I. A.
Published: January 2025

The effect of superconducting transition on micro- and macro-plasticity of Pb- and In-based alloys with different impurity contents is studied by the methods of amplitude-dependent internal friction and active deformation. It is shown that the variations of the typical stresses (Δσ0NS and ΔτNS) of micro- and macroplasticity with the average length L of dislocation segments and with the binding energy U with impurities are similar: Δσ0NS and ΔτNS are proportional to L−1 and increase with U. An analysis of the obtained results and of those available in literature by using quantitative data on dislocation-impurity interaction parameters and taking into account the conditions of dislocation motion allows us to consider possible mechanisms of the effect of superconducting transitions on dynamics of dislocations.