bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthetic Cannabinoids in Sierra Leone: Understanding the Use of ‘Kush’ Among Youths and Its Socioeconomic Impact in Sierra Leone and Sub‐Region
Authors: Lahai Michael , Vandy Ahmed , Turay Alvin , Kolipha‐Kamara Marie , Conteh Eugene
Published: February 2025

Sierra Leone and neighbouring countries are prone to the proliferation of illicit drugs due to porous borders, weak regulatory frameworks, and the activities of transnational criminal syndicates. Among the emerging drug threats in the region is the synthetic cannabinoid known as ‘Kush’, which has gained immense popularity. The use of this drug has surged in recent years, particularly among Sierra Leonean youths, leading to the declaration of a national state of emergency by the government. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has been tasked with establishing a National Task Force on drugs and substance abuse to identify treatment and mitigation measures to combat Kush addiction among affected individuals. This commentary highlights the current situation of Kush abuse among youths, its usage patterns and socioeconomic implications for Sierra Leone and the surrounding countries with key recommendations that will inform strategies for prevention, treatment and regulation.
Strategies to Strengthen Iraq's Primary Healthcare System: A Systematic Literature Review With Special Focus on Society 5.0
Authors: Rahim Fakher , Toguzbaeva Karlygash , Aidaraliev Arsen , Dzhusupov Kenesh
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims

The primary healthcare (PHC) system is a comprehensive, equitable, and efficient approach to supporting health and social well‐being by offering prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services close to living environments. The PHC system in Iraq is currently facing issues that limit its effectiveness and efficiency. This research aims to discover strategies to enhance the PHC system in Iraq.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search for articles on initiatives aimed at enhancing the PHC system, covering the period from 1980 to June 2024, using eight databases and Google Scholar. Included articles that met the criteria were analyzed with RevMan 5.3 software.

Results

A total of 18,705 articles were extracted. After removing duplicates and items without full text, 15,971 studies remained for title and abstract review, of which 14,175 were removed. Finally, 18 research articles related to PHC strengthening were used. Data collection methods included checking databases (12 studies), interviews (6 studies), focus groups (3 studies), questionnaires, and archival data (15 studies).

Conclusion

In the context of Society 5.0, smart technology's practical applications in healthcare aim to enhance decision‐making, patient care, and service delivery. Smart technologies can help policymakers and health administrators make clinical decisions in complex care situations and streamline procedures like paperwork. This ultimately will improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare services by providing accurate, timely, and personalized information to support decision‐making. When rebuilding and strengthening the PHC system, addressing the historical, social, cultural, and economic variables is important.

Trial Registration

Not applicable.
Learning‐Based Data‐Enable Predictive Control for Trajectory Tracking of Unknown Systems
Authors: Huang Teng , Dai Li , Li Sihang , Lin Min , Xia Yuanqing
Published: February 2025

This paper addresses the problem of tracking a reference trajectory with high‐accuracy for a controlled object with unknown system dynamics, subject to input and output constraints. To this end, we propose a novel learning‐based data‐enabled predictive control (DeePC) trajectory tracking algorithm, which consists of two main parts: Off‐line training of a Gaussian process regression (GPR) model and online high‐accuracy tracking control by using the probabilistic information obtained from the GPR model. To train the GPR model, we develop a method capable of predicting the output of an unknown system subjected to perturbations and obtaining probabilistic information about the distribution of predicted output. This enables us to utilize the uncertain nature of the predicted output to improve the accuracy of the tracking control. To track the reference trajectory for unknown systems, we extend the DeePC algorithm by leveraging the trained GPR model and behavioral theory. We transform the expected cost function and chance constraints into a more calculable form using the probabilistic information of the predicted output, which allows us to formulate the computationally efficient data‐driven predictive control optimization problem. To demonstrate the high‐accuracy in trajectory tracking performance of our proposed algorithm, we perform a comparison simulation with the DeePC method. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm in practical applications, we present a case study on the eight‐shaped trajectory tracking control of a mobile robot. This case study highlights the ability of our proposed algorithm to achieve high‐accuracy trajectory tracking in a real‐world scenario, while satisfying input and output constraints.
End of Life for Low Altitude Ski Resorts? Evidence From a Case Study in the Italian Alps
Authors: Duglio Stefano , Gnesi Ivan , Beltramo Riccardo
Published: February 2025

Ski tourism plays a fundamental role for the economic development of mountain areas, contributing to generating wealth for many mountain communities. The ski industry, however, is extremely climate‐sensitive and the increase in the level of temperature is threatening the future of ski resorts in several parts of the world, especially when considering low altitude installations. This contribution focuses on a micro ski resort in the Northwestern of the Italian Alps at 1550 m. Considering a climatic dataset from 1993 to 2023, we have estimated a time window between 2035 and 2045 in which the average winter minimum temperature will be around 0°C, with a potential of zero‐natural snowfall. These figures open concerns about managing the end of life of the ski resort, with a time window of around 20 years to define the best strategy to be adopted for the future development of the local community.
The Research on Wetting Behavior between Blast‐Furnace‐Type Slag and Carbon Materials
Authors: Jiang Chunhe , Liu Bo , Liang Wang , Li Jiaqi , Xue Cheng , Zhang Jianliang , Yang Jianhong , Li Kejiang
Published: February 2025

The wetting interactions between slag and carbonaceous materials are crucial for the permeability and fluidity in the blast furnace, thus affecting its efficient and stable operation. In this research, the effects of basicity, MgO, and FeOx contents on the wetting behavior of slags on graphite substrate, with MgO content specifically examined for the wetting behavior on coke substrate, are investigated. In the results, it is indicated that slag without FeOx does not undergo strong chemical reactions with the graphite substrate, resulting in bad wettability. The basicity and MgO in the slag have same effects on the surface tension of the slag. By controlling surface tension, the wetting properties at the slag–graphite interface can be altered. However, slag containing FeOx, due to its reduction reaction with the substrate, leads to the accumulation of Fe at the interface, which improves the properties at the slag–graphite interface and enhances wetting by slag. It is also observed that although slag exhibits bad wetting behavior on both graphite and coke surfaces, coke shows better wetting behavior than graphite. This is primarily because coke contains more ash components similar to slag, facilitating strong interaction between them. Moreover, coke has more pores, allowing slag to diffuse into the surface gaps within a certain range of surface tension, thereby improving wetting behavior.
Sparse testing designs for optimizing resource allocation in multi‐environment cassava breeding trials
Authors: Lubanga Nelson , Ifie Beatrice E. , Persa Reyna , Dieng Ibnou , Rabbi Ismail Yusuf , Jarquin Diego
Published: February 2025

The development of improved cultivars requires establishing multi‐environment trials (METs) to evaluate their performance under a wide range of environmental conditions. However, the high phenotyping costs often limit the capacity to evaluate genotypes in all the target environments. Our main objective was to explore the potential of implementing sparse testing in cassava breeding programs to reduce the cost of phenotyping in METs. The population used in this study consisted of 435 cassava genotypes evaluated in five environments in Nigeria for dry matter (dm) and fresh root yield (fyld). Sparse testing designs were developed based on non‐overlapping (NOL), completely overlapping (OL), and intermediates between NOL and OL genotypes. Three prediction models were assessed (one based on phenotypes only, while two had genomic data). All the three models had a higher predictive ability and a lower mean square error (MSE) when a large training set was used. Predictive ability increased and MSE reduced when genotype‐by‐environment interaction (G × E) was modeled for the same training set sizes and allocations. Predictive ability decreased while MSE increased with the increasing OL genotypes across the environments, suggesting that only a few OL genotypes may be required to set up METs for model training. Sparse testing using a model incorporating G × E could be implemented to reduce cost of phenotyping in cassava METs. If data were available, integrating crop growth models (CGMs) with genomic prediction holds the potential to improve predictive ability. The training population used for sparse testing could be optimized to determine the optimal size and distribution of genotypes to increase the predictive ability and reduce cost under a fixed budget.
Non-degenerate Anisocurved Surfaces in Homogeneous 3-Manifolds
Authors: Albujer Alma L. , dos Santos Fábio R.
Published: February 2025

In this manuscript we consider non-degenerate surfaces

$$\Sigma ^2$$

Σ
2

immersed in a 3-dimensional homogeneous space

$$\mathbb {L}^{3}(\kappa ,\tau )$$

L

3

(
κ
,
τ
)

endowed with two different metrics, the one induced by the Riemannian metric of

$$\mathbb {E}^3(\kappa ,\tau )$$

E

3

(
κ
,
τ
)

and the non-degenerate metric inherited by the Lorentzian one of

$$\mathbb {L}^3(\kappa ,\tau )$$

L

3

(
κ
,
τ
)

. Therefore, we have two different geometries on

$$\Sigma ^2$$

Σ
2

and we can compare them. In particular, we can consider the Gaussian curvature functions which respect to both metrics and study the geometry of the surfaces satisfying that both Gaussian curvature functions are opposite. We will call these surfaces anisocurved surfaces. In order to obtain our main results we also need to impose some extra assumptions regarding the extrinsic curvatures with respect to both metrics.
Partial tear of the medial gastrocnemius head
Authors: Berthold Daniel P. , Traub Fabian , Gilbert Fabian , Böcker Wolfgang , Holzapfel Boris , Bormann Markus
Published: February 2025

This case report presents the clinical findings and management of a 32-year-old male recreational athlete who presented with ongoing knee pain for 4 months, without a history of trauma. The patient experienced intermittent pain during walking, particularly after prolonged periods of sitting, and exhibited positive findings on meniscus tests. However, he was able to participate in sports activities without pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a partial tear of the medial gastrocnemius head, confirming the diagnosis. Conservative treatment, including rest, physical therapy, and a gradual return to sports activities, led to significant symptom improvement. This case highlights the importance of considering rare injuries, such as isolated tears of the medial gastrocnemius head, in patients with persistent knee pain and meniscal symptoms, even in the absence of traumatic events. Previous reports on this specific injury are sparse, indicating its rarity and underscoring the need for further understanding and documentation.
Type Ia supernova progenitors: a contemporary view of a long-standing puzzle
Authors: Ruiter Ashley Jade , Seitenzahl Ivo Rolf
Published: February 2025

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are runaway thermonuclear explosions in white dwarfs that result in the disruption of the white dwarf star, and possibly its nearby stellar companion. SNe Ia occur over an immense range of stellar population age and host galaxy environments, and play a critical role in the nucleosynthesis of intermediate-mass and iron-group elements, primarily the production of nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, and manganese. Though the nature of their progenitors is still not well-understood, SNe Ia are unique among stellar explosions in that the majority of them exhibit a systematic lightcurve relation: more luminous supernovae dim more slowly over time than less luminous supernovae in optical light (intrinsically brighter SNe Ia have broader lightcurves). This feature, unique to SNe Ia, is rather remarkable and allows their peak luminosities to be determined with fairly high accuracy out to cosmological distances via measurement of their lightcurve decline. Further, studying SNe Ia gives us important insights into binary star evolution physics, since it is widely agreed that the progenitors of SNe Ia are binary (possibly multiple) star systems. In this review, we give a current update on the different proposed Type Ia supernova progenitors, including descriptions of possible binary star configurations, and their explosion mechanisms, from a theoretical perspective. We additionally give a brief overview of the historical (focussing on the more recent) observational work that has helped the astronomical community to understand the nature of the most important distance indicators in cosmology.
Bacterial and Fungal Communities Respond Differently to Changing Soil Properties Along Afforestation Dynamic
Authors: Panico Speranza Claudia , Alberti Giorgio , Foscari Alessandro , Sciabbarrasi Giovanni Luca , Tomao Antonio , Incerti Guido
Published: February 2025

Spontaneous afforestation following land abandonment has been increasingly recognized as a nature-based solution to mitigate climate change and provide measurable benefits to biodiversity. However, afforestation effects on biodiversity, particularly on soil microbial communities, are still poorly characterized, with most previous studies focusing on artificial plantations rather than forest rewilding dynamics. Here, we assessed changes in topsoil physical–chemical properties and related dynamics of bacterial and fungal community composition and structure following spontaneous afforestation of abandoned grasslands in Northeast Italy over the last 70 years. With a space-for-time approach, we selected four chronosequences representing different successional stages: grassland, early (2000–2020), intermediate (1978–2000), and late (1954–1978). Results showed that spontaneous afforestation progressively reduced topsoil pH and total phosphorus (P), while soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), and C:N ratio increased. Correspondingly, the overall α-diversity of the fungal community, assessed by ITS DNA metabarcoding, progressively decreased after an initial increase from grassland conditions, following substrate acidification and trophic specialization. Bacterial diversity, assessed by 16S DNA metabarcoding, was highest at the initial stages, then progressively decreased at later stages, likely limited by lower organic matter quality. Shifts of fungal community composition included an increase of ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycota linked to topsoil’s higher SOC, N, and C:N ratio. Differently, bacterial community composition responded substantially to pH, with topsoil acidity favoring Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota) and Acidobacteria (Acidobacteriota) at the late afforestation stages. Our findings provide a first contribution to clarify how fungi and bacteria respond to spontaneous afforestation. This is particularly relevant in the context of climate change mitigation, considering the fundamental role of microorganisms in shaping soil carbon storage dynamics.
Evolutionary rescue of bacterial populations by heterozygosity on multicopy plasmids
Authors: Dewan Ian , Uecker Hildegard
Published: February 2025

Bacterial plasmids and other extrachromosomal DNA elements frequently carry genes with important fitness effects for their hosts. Multicopy plasmids can additionally carry distinct alleles of host-fitness-relevant genes on different plasmid copies, allowing for heterozygosity not possible for loci on haploid chromosomes. Plasmid-mediated heterozygosity may increase the fitness of bacterial cells in circumstances where there is an advantage to having multiple distinct alleles (heterozyogote advantage); however, plasmid-mediated heterozygosity is also subject to constant loss due to random segregation of plasmid copies on cell division. We analyze a multitype branching process model to study the evolution and maintenance of plasmid-mediated heterozygosity under a heterozygote advantage. We focus on an evolutionary rescue scenario in which a novel mutant allele on a plasmid must be maintained together with the wild-type allele to allow population persistance (although our results apply more generally to the maintenance of heterozygosity due to heterozygote advantage). We determine the probability of rescue and derive an analytical expression for the threshold on the fitness of heterozygotes required to overcome segregation and make rescue possible; this threshold decreases with increasing plasmids copy number. We further show that the formation of cointegrates from the fusion of plasmid copies increases the probability of rescue. Overall, our results provide a rigorous quantitative assessment of the conditions under which bacterial populations can adapt to multiple stressors through plasmid-mediated heterozygosity. Many of the results are furthermore applicable to the related problem of the maintenance of incompatible plasmids in the same cell under selection for both.
Dietary glycemic index and load during pregnancy and offspring behavioral outcomes: exploring sex differences
Authors: Cendra-Duarte Esther , Canals Josefa , Becerra-Tomás Nerea , Mateu-Fabregat Javier , Bulló Mònica , Arija Victoria
Published: February 2025

Given the importance of carbohydrates during pregnancy and the limited evidence on the impact of its excessive intake on offspring neurodevelopment, this study aimed to assess the associations between maternal glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) during early and late pregnancy and behavior problems in 4-year-old children, considering potential sex-related differences in susceptibility to maternal diet. This observational study included 188 mother–child pairs from the ECLIPSES study. GI and GL were estimated from a validated food frequency questionnaire. Offspring behavior was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5–5. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the association between GI, GL, and child behavior. Children of mothers in the highest tertile of GL during the first trimester of pregnancy showed elevated scores of both internalizing (β = 5.77; 95% CI, 2.28–9.26) and externalizing (β = 3.95; 95% CI, 0.70–7.19) problems, including anxiety and depression problems, withdrawn, attention problems, aggressive behavior, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity problems, as well as total (β = 5.24; 95% CI, 1.71–8.77) and autism spectrum problems (β = 3.30; 95% CI, 1.11–5.50). Similarly, higher odd ratios were observed for internalizing (OR = 2.37; 95% CI, 1.09–5.18), externalizing (OR = 3.46; 95% CI, 1.49–8.00), and total problems (OR = 3.83; 95% CI, 1.68–8.71). These associations were more pronounced in girls. No associations were observed during the third trimester. Regarding GI, no associations were found for the evaluated outcomes in any of the trimesters.

Conclusion: These findings indicated that elevated maternal GL during the early pregnancy, but not later stages, was associated with adverse behavioral outcomes in offspring.

Trial registration: EUCTR-2012–005480-28, NCT03196882.

What is Known: • Carbohydrate intake is important during pregnancy as glucose is the main energy source for an optimal fetal brain development.• Elevated prenatal glycemic index and glycemic load have been associated with adverse offspring outcomes but their impact on behavioral development remains insufficiently explored.

What is New:• A high maternal glycemic load during pregnancy may increase the risk of behavioral impairments in preschool-aged offspring.• Female offspring may be more vulnerable to behavioral disturbances to elevated maternal glycemic load during gestation.
Psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis
Authors: Zingler Hannah , Steinmann Diana , Ernst Jochen , Goerling Ute , Hermann Myriel , Hornemann Beate , Mehnert-Theuerkauf Anja , Zimmermann Tanja
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Due to the growing number of new oncological diagnosis and the accompanying psychosocial burden, needs-based psycho-oncological care is important. Adequate planning of psycho-oncological support services is therefore becoming increasingly important. In order to better implement psycho-oncological support services, we investigate psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho-oncological support offers in newly diagnosed cancer patients.

Methods

Based on a multicenter prospective study, we assessed the cross-sectional data on psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support in patients with different tumor entities within 2 months after initial diagnosis. Psychosocial distress was assessed using the Distress Thermometer (DT).

Results

Of 1,003 eligible patients who completed the questionnaire (53.0% men, mean age 60.3 years) 39.7% (n = 390) showed above-threshold psychosocial stress (DT: scores ≥ 5) and 21% (n = 207) indicated a perceived need for psycho- social support. 13.5% (n = 136) showed both, psychosocial distress and perceived need for psycho- social support. 15.2% (n = 150) out of all participating patients used psycho-oncology service, 60.7% (n = 597) were willing to accept such an offer. Women were significantly more likely to be psychosocially distressed and to express a need for support. They were also significantly more likely to seek and be willing to accept psycho- social support.

Conclusion

Although most patients would accept a psycho- social service, regardless of whether there is psychosocial distress or a need is perceived, the actual utilization was relatively low. It can therefore be assumed that barriers, e.g. structural or personal ones, prevent access. These should be investigated in more detail in future studies.
Buckling design optimization of tow-steered composite panels and cylindrical shells considering aleatory and epistemic uncertainties
Authors: Fina Marc , Bisagni Chiara
Published: February 2025

Aerospace structures are thin-walled shell structures whose load-bearing capacity is often limited by buckling phenomena. The application of variable angle tow (VAT) composites allows to increase the buckling resistance by tailoring the fiber paths. Fiber placement technologies such as automated fiber placement and continuous tow shearing for VAT composites have been improved enormously in recent years. However, induced material and geometric uncertainties from the manufacturing process have a major influence on the structural performance. The paper focuses on appropriate uncertainty quantification for VAT composites, selecting various uncertainty models based on available data. Different uncertainty models are introduced to quantify the natural variability (aleatory uncertainty) and lack of knowledge (epistemic uncertainty). An uncertain fiber path definition with fuzzy variables is presented to model fiber path deviations. In addition, geometric imperfections are modeled as random fields and as Fourier series to analyze the imperfection sensitivity. Based on this, a design optimization of VAT composites is performed in presence of uncertainties. The introduced methods are demonstrated on a VAT composite panel and a cylindrical shell. Geometric imperfection measurements are provided for the VAT composite cylindrical shell to validate the approach based on experimental results. This paper contributes to a better understanding of uncertainties of tow-steered structures. The results reveal a potential conflict in optimizing the robustness measures (e.g. minimizing the variation of the buckling loads) and enhancing the performance measures (e.g. maximizing the mean value of the buckling loads) visualized by Pareto fronts. This emphasizes the need to consider uncertainties in a design process of VAT composite shells based on multi-objective optimization.
Navigation as a system approach: A qualitative descriptive study to inform a statewide cancer navigation approach in Australia
Authors: Agbejule Oluwaseyifunmi Andi , Joseph Ria , Merchant Sue , Johal Jolyn , Ramsey Imogen , Bender Jacqueline L. , Jennings Cally , Osborn Michael , Crawford-Williams Fiona , Chan Raymond J.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aimed to identify challenges and facilitators in accessing cancer care in South Australia, from the perspectives of cancer survivors and caregivers, to inform responsive cancer navigation approaches.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using an online qualitative survey (n = 75) and video, phone, and in-person semi-structured interviews (n = 22) with cancer survivors and caregivers (herein cancer consumers). Data analysis was performed in two phases: content analysis categorised consumer challenges and facilitators, while a subjective-inductive approach guided by the supportive care framework was used to develop a statewide navigation approach.

Results

Key challenges reported by consumers included perceived invalidation of medical concerns, delayed diagnoses, poor communication, inadequate information provision, fragmented care, and limited logistical, cultural, and psychological support. Inductive analysis identified four key themes: 1) cancer consumers have dynamic care needs that can evolve throughout a patient’s cancer experience, 2) cancer consumers require a foundational level of information to support navigation, 3) some cancer consumers express a preference for community-based navigation services to help them manage their care, and 4) individuals with more complex care needs may require more intensive professional navigation services. A conceptual needs-based navigation approach (the Flinders Needs-Based Approach to Cancer Navigation) was developed based on these insights. This approach consists of three levels of navigation interventions: level 1 involves providing information-based navigation to all individuals affected by cancer, level 2 involves community-based navigation support offered to those requiring or wanting additional supported assistance, and level 3 offers professional navigation for individuals with complex needs.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the importance of tailoring cancer navigation services to meet the evolving needs of patients, emphasising the role of both community and professional support, particularly for individuals with complex care requirements. Findings will inform further co-design discussions involving consumers, health professionals, and policymakers to implement cancer navigation services across South Australia.
A Hardy-Hénon equation in $${\mathbb {R}}^N$$ with sublinear absorption
Authors: Iagar Razvan Gabriel , Laurençot Philippe
Published: February 2025

Consider

$$m>1$$

m
>
1

,

$$N\ge 1$$

N
≥
1

and

$$\max \{-2,-N\}<\sigma <0$$

max
{
-
2
,
-
N
}
<
σ
<
0

. The Hardy-Hénon equation with sublinear absorption

$$\begin{aligned} - \Delta v(x) - |x|^\sigma v(x) + \frac{1}{m-1} v^{1/m}(x)= 0, \qquad x\in {\mathbb {R}}^N, \end{aligned}$$

-
Δ
v

(
x
)

-

|
x
|

σ

v

(
x
)

+

1

m
-
1

v

1
/
m

(
x
)

=
0
,

x
∈

R

N

,

is shown to have at least one solution

$$v\in H^1({\mathbb {R}}^N)\cap L^{(m+1)/m}({\mathbb {R}}^N)$$

v
∈

H
1

(

R

N

)

∩

L

(
m
+
1
)
/
m

(

R

N

)

, which is non-negative and radially symmetric with a non-increasing profile. In addition, any such solution is compactly supported, bounded and enjoys the better regularity

$$v\in W^{2,q}({\mathbb {R}}^N)$$

v
∈

W

2
,
q

(

R

N

)

for

$$q\in [1,N/|\sigma |)$$

q
∈
[
1
,
N
/
|
σ
|
)

. A key ingredient in the proof is a particular case of the celebrated Caffarelli-Kohn-Nirenberg inequalities, for which we obtain the existence of an extremal function which is non-negative, bounded, compactly supported and radially symmetric with a non-increasing profile. A by-product of these results is the existence of compactly supported separate variables solutions to a porous medium equation with a spatially dependent source featuring a singular coefficient.
Comprehensive insights and In silico analysis into the emerging role of LincRNAs in lung diseases pathogenesis; a step toward ncRNA precision
Authors: Hamdy Nadia M. , Zaki Mohamed Bakr , Abdelmaksoud Nourhan M. , Elshaer Shereen Saeid , Abd-Elmawla Mai A. , Rizk Nehal I. , Fathi Doaa , Doghish Ahmed S. , Abulsoud Ahmed I.
Published: February 2025

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as essential regulators of gene expression, significantly influencing various biological processes. Approximately half of all lncRNAs are classified as long intergenic non-coding RNAs (lincRNAs), which are situated among coding genes. Recent studies have documented the role of lincRNAs in the pathogenesis of lung diseases, including lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. These lincRNAs can modulate gene expression through various mechanisms, including epigenetic modifications, transcriptional regulation, and post-transcriptional regulation. By functioning as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs), lincRNAs can affect the activity of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their corresponding target genes. This review delves into the intricate mechanisms by which lincRNAs contribute to the development and progression of various lung diseases. Furthermore, it discusses the potential of lincRNAs as therapeutic targets.
Pushing the boundaries of neurosurgical oncology: evaluating the superiority of supratotal resection over gross total resection in intraoperative MRI-guided glioma surgery
Authors: Mirzayeva Leyla Salimli , Uçar Murat , Budak Sümeyye Nur , Kaymaz Ahmet Memduh , Yaylı Nezih
Published: February 2025

Using intraoperative MRI (iMRI) in glioma surgery can enhance the extent of resection (EOR) and improve survival rates for patients diagnosed with low grade gliomas (LGG) or high grade gliomas (HGG). This study focused on patients who underwent iMRI-guided surgery for LGG and HGG at our center. Our objective was to compare the patient survival time and recurrence rate between supratotal resection (SpTR) and gross total resection(GTR). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing SpTR with GTR using iMRI in glioma surgery. This study included 71 patients who had undergone iMRI-guided GTR and SpTR. The volume of the tumors was measured using postcontrast 3D T1W series and 3D FLAIR series taken the day before surgery, and the volume of the operation cavity was calculated from iMRI images. The effects of SpTR and GTR on overall and progression-free survival (OS and PFS) were analyzed by the log-rank test using Kaplan‒Meier curves. The associations between the extent of resection and tumor grade, and between recurrence and tumor grade were examined using the chi-square test. The rate of recurrence in patients diagnosed with HGG was greater than that in patients diagnosed with LGG (p = 0.022). While patients who received SpTR had a greater OS time (105.9 months) than did those who underwent GTR (92.8 months), the difference was not statistically significant. The patients with LGG had a significantly longer PFS time than did the patients with HGG (86.5 ± 5.9 months, 95% CI = 74.9–98.2, p < 0.0001). Of 23 patients diagnosed with HGG, SpTR was achieved in 9 and GTR was achieved in 14. The median OS time was longer in patients who underwent SpTR than in those who underwent GTR, but there was no statistically significant difference [101.2 ± 20.5 months (95% CI: 80.7–121.7) vs. 70.6 ± 9.9 (95% CI: 60.7–80.5) p = 0.9]. Neurosurgeons are increasingly choosing SpTR, especially in LGGs. Despite their slow growth, LGGs retain the potential for malignant transformation. This situation underscores the importance of maximum safe resection in the surgery of LGGs. iMRI-guided resection makes it easier for surgeons to show the EOR concurrent with the operation.
Methodology for evaluation of lithium-ion black-mass battery recycling
Authors: Anticoi Hernan , Garcia Lidia , Dan Gabriel , Sola Pau , Dorado Antonio D.
Published: February 2025

In response to the growing demand for critical raw materials, the European Commission is actively pursuing strategies to recycle these materials from various sources, including disused batteries. One of the significant challenges in this endeavor is the heterogeneous nature of the materials arriving at recycling plants, necessitating effective process evaluation. In this study, crushed scooter batteries were utilized, and a range of analytical techniques were employed to initially characterize the composition of the raw material and subsequently evaluate previous physical separation processes efficiently, effectively, and economically. The analytical methods utilized included scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-rays spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), loss of ignition (LOI), and differential scan calorimetry (DSC). In addition, two separation techniques were conducted: froth flotation and sink-and-float tests. The cathode's oxide type was identified through XRD analysis, and statistical methods were applied to all XRF analyses. Furthermore, the other analytical methods facilitated the determination of flux compositions, enabling the assessment of process performance. Regarding the robustness of the presented method, as is well known, performing a complete characterization of a material, including XRD, AAS, XRF, DSC, and SEM, could comprise a relatively high time if it is to identify the efficiency of a process (we estimate in several days, and even weeks). However, by reducing the analytical methods to LOI, XRF, and stream sampling, it is possible to conduct process efficiency evaluation in a few hours. This methodology would give the opportunity to achieve effective verifications in a short time and reduce possible efficiency problems in a treatment plant of this type of material.
Overgrazing triggers cascading effects on a top avian scavenger: long-term changes in diet and breeding success
Authors: Fernández-Gómez Lola , Sánchez-Zapata José A. , Donázar José A. , de la Riva Manuel , Barbosa Jomar M.
Published: February 2025

Wildlife feeding and nutrition are key drivers of several demographic parameters, such as breeding success and survival, influencing long-term population viability. To comply with the diet requirements that ensure offspring survival, parents adapt their forage strategies to the environmental conditions and resource availability. This is especially important for central-place foragers like raptors, where prey availability in the surroundings of nest and livestock carcasses significantly impact both foraging efforts and breeding success. Here we take advantage of 20 years extensive monitoring (2001–2020) of the Canarian Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus majorensis) on the Fuerteventura Island (Canary Islands, Spain) to assess (1) what factors drive vulture diet diversity and, (2) how the number of livestock and diet diversity coupled together with environmental conditions affect breeding success and, ultimately, the conservation of vulture populations. We identified 3,787 prey items belonging to 37 different species. Diet diversity was positively related to the number of wild prey and to low livestock grazing pressure periods. Breeding success was positively related to the number of wild prey, low herbivory pressure and, to a lesser extent, to diet diversity. These results demonstrate the importance of wild prey on Canarian Egyptian vulture’s diet, albeit livestock carcasses are the most abundant feeding resource. We argue that livestock have controversial conservation implications for this species because it provides a stable feeding resource, but, in turn, is one of the major ecosystem disruptors. Overgrazing by livestock can negatively affect wild primary consumers, which are essential for this endemic vulture population.
Weight Gain in Family-Based Treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) with and Without Autism
Authors: Lien Cathrine Terese , Reichel Nicola , Micali Nadia , Bentz Mette
Published: February 2025

Health-threatening underweight and poor growth is a frequent consequence of Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and should be a priority for treatment in children and adolescents (young people, YP). Coexisting autism is more prevalent in YP with ARFID than in YP with other eating disorders. Treatment studies are still sparse for ARFID, and it is not known whether treatment response is lower in those with coexisting autism, as it is documented in other eating disorders. In this study we examined if family-based treatment for ARFID (FBT-ARFID) was associated with weight gain in underweight young people (YP) with ARFID and if coexisting autism affected weight gain. A clinical naturalistic prospective case series of 33 YP aged 6.3–18 years with ARFID presentations and underweight were offered a manualized FBT-ARFID with weight monitoring. We examined changes in body weight between start and end of treatment in those with and without diagnosed coexisting autism. The majority of participants (N = 26, 79%) had a weight gain between 1 and 15 kg, whereas 7 YP (21%) had a stable body weight between start and end of treatment (differences between − 0.6 kg and + 0.9 kg). At the group level, weight gain was statistically significant between start and end (Median = 3.9 kg (4.0, -0.6 -15.1) z = 4.491, p <.001). There was no significant difference in weight gain between participants with (N = 14, 42%) and without (N = 19, 58%) coexisting autism. Participants had a significant weight gain at the group level, suggesting that FBT-ARFID is associated with weight gain in the majority of underweight ARFID patients, both with and without coexisting autism. However, a subgroup may need additional interventions in order to secure weight rehabilitation.
Conserving Nemo: Genomic insights into the history and status of the endangered anemonefish Amphiprion mccullochi and its sister species Amphiprion akindynos
Authors: Lei Chuan , Hobbs Jean-Paul A. , Riginos Cynthia , Prata Katharine E. , Heatwole Siobhan J. , Popovic Iva
Published: February 2025

Endemic species are often at greater risk of extinction and therefore should be a high priority for conservation. Lord Howe Island is a biodiversity hotspot with numerous endemic species, including the iconic McCulloch’s anemonefish, Amphiprion mccullochi. This study investigates the genetic relationship between A. mccullochi and its closely related sister species, Amphiprion akindynos, to clarify whether these species are genetically distinct; assess historical and contemporary gene flow; and evaluate genomic diversity and effective population sizes. We sampled across the range distribution of both species and used genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data. Clustering analyses showed a clear partition between A. mccullochi and A. akindynos with no evidence of recent gene flow, while demographic modelling indicated historical unidirectional gene flow from A. akindynos to A. mccullochi. Genetic diversity metrics revealed lower nucleotide diversity (π) and effective population size (Ne) in A. mccullochi, reflecting its restricted distribution and suggesting heightened extinction risk. Our findings provide genomic context and baseline information for the conservation management of A. mccullochi. Given the current trend of declining A. mccullochi populations, our findings suggest that conservation efforts should emphasize preserving population sizes and genetic diversity and ultimately preventing extinction of this endemic reef fish.
Study well-being profiles, recovery strategies, and academic performance among university students: a person-oriented approach
Authors: Vilhunen Elisa , Kiuru Noona , Mäkikangas Anne , Vasalampi Kati , Kastarinen Pihla , Rantanen Johanna
Published: February 2025

The present study introduces a circumplex model of study well-being as an application of occupational well-being research to a higher education context. Accordingly, the first aim was to identify what kind of study well-being profiles (SWP), representing different levels and combinations of study engagement, burnout, satisfaction, holism, and boredom; there are among university students and how stable the SWPs are during the academic school year. The second aim was to investigate how the identified SWPs are related to students’ recovery strategies and perceived academic performance. A total of 812 Finnish university students filled in an e-survey at the end of the fall semester (T1) and 316 of them did it again at the end of the spring semester (T2). Latent transition analysis revealed altogether four SWPs (at T1/T2): Moderate (44/42%), Engaged-Satisfied (26/25%), Engaged-Holists (17/17%) and Bored-Burned out (13/16%). Latent transition analysis showed that the detected SWPs were highly stable: 86% of the participants remained in their SWP across the academic year. However, where transitions occurred from one profile to another, they were mainly from better to worse. Furthermore, the results showed that students from Moderate or Engaged-Satisfied profiles reported more beneficial recovery strategies and experienced better academic performance than students from Engaged-Holists or Bored-Burned out profiles. In conclusion, this study highlights that study engagement and holism can co-exist, particularly in performance-oriented, success-tracking, and evaluative environments such as academia, without necessarily advancing academic performance and posing a threat to recovery from study-related stress.
Returns from rare coins: a machine learning approach
Authors: Sagarra Marti , Vici Laura , Zanola Roberto
Published: February 2025

Despite the existence of several studies on collectibles, the rare coin market is still underexplored. This paper examines this market with a sample of 5553 Spanish columnarios (1732–1772) auctioned from 1992 to 2021, investigating the key factors influencing auction prices using a dataset with an extensive number of covariates. Traditional hedonic models face challenges with large datasets, including multicollinearity, overfitting, and parameter complexity, which compromise clear and reliable interpretation. To address these limitations, this study employs the cross-fit partialing-out LASSO regression to select key explanatory variables, resulting in unbiased estimates and insights for investors and researchers. An interrupted time series analysis is subsequently conducted to compare indices derived from the traditional and LASSO hedonic methods. Findings confirm that LASSO approach outperforms the traditional hedonic regression method in terms of estimation accuracy.
A note on isomorphisms of sheaves of endomorphisms of locally finitely presented $$\mathscr {O}_X$$-modules with involution
Authors: Ntumba Patrice
Published: February 2025

We interpret in the setting of modules over schemes classical results pertaining to involutions of the first kind on algebras

$${{\,\textrm{End}\,}}_R(V)$$

End

R

(
V
)

, where V is a faithfully projective R-module.
Web Analytics to Objectively Measure the Success of Educational Resources in Human Anatomy
Authors: Alberola-Zorrilla Pilar , Zaragozá-Colom Rosa , Gimeno-Monrós Amparo , Sánchez-Zuriaga Daniel
Published: February 2025

Traditional human anatomy teaching relies on face-to-face models, although new methodologies based on virtual platforms can enhance autonomous learning. However, the specific type of online tools preferred by the students remains unclear. This study compared student engagement with two teaching tools: (1) online unidirectional lessons and (2) an interactive Instagram profile, @eldeanato. Both tools incorporated new anatomical illustrations and detailed dissection photographs. The Instagram profile included questionnaires via the Instagram stories quiz sticker. Students’ satisfaction was assessed by means of online surveys. Engagement with each of the interventions was evaluated using objective measures of web analytics: percentages of interaction with the questionnaires on Instagram and adding Google Analytics tools to the online lessons’ website code. Student satisfaction with both types of material was high, but the participative material had much higher engagement scores. The Instagram profile allowed continuous participation, with increasing followers and interaction levels. Our results show the importance of objective engagement measurements to evaluate the success of innovative teaching interventions. In order to increase student adherence, teaching interventions should be participative and integrated with popular social networks, like Instagram, even though this is a field that could be seen as estranged from academic teaching.
Multifunctional Carbon Foam with Nanoscale Chiral Magnetic Heterostructures for Broadband Microwave Absorption in Low Frequency
Authors: Zhang Hao , Kuang Kaili , Zhang Yifeng , Sun Chen , Yuan Tingkang , Yin Ruilin , Fan Zeng , Che Renchao , Pan Lujun
Published: February 2025

The construction of carbon nanocoil (CNC)-based chiral-dielectric-magnetic trinity composites is considered as a promising approach to achieve excellent low-frequency microwave absorption. However, it is still challenging to further enhance the low frequency microwave absorption and elucidate the related loss mechanisms. Herein, the chiral CNCs are first synthesized on a three-dimensional (3D) carbon foam and then combined with the FeNi/NiFe2O4 nanoparticles to form a novel chiral-dielectric-magnetic trinity foam. The 3D porous CNC-carbon foam network provides excellent impedance matching and strong conduction loss. The formation of the FeNi-carbon interfaces induces interfacial polarization loss, which is confirmed by the density functional theory calculations. Further permeability analysis and the micromagnetic simulation indicate that the nanoscale chiral magnetic heterostructures achieve magnetic pinning and coupling effects, which enhance the magnetic anisotropy and magnetic loss capability. Owing to the synergistic effect between dielectricity, chirality, and magnetism, the trinity composite foam exhibits excellent microwave absorption performance with an ultrabroad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 14 GHz and a minimum reflection of loss less than − 50 dB. More importantly, the C-band EAB of the foam is extended to 4 GHz, achieving the full C-band coverage. This study provides further guidelines for the microstructure design of the chiral-dielectric-magnetic trinity composites to achieve broadband microwave absorption.