bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MLFE‐UNet: Multi‐Level Feature Extraction Transformer‐Based UNet for Gastrointestinal Disease Segmentation
Authors: Garbaz Anass , Oukdach Yassine , Charfi Said , El Ansari Mohamed , Koutti Lahcen , Salihoun Mouna , Lafraxo Samira
Published: January 2025

Accurately segmenting gastrointestinal (GI) disease regions from Wireless Capsule Endoscopy images is essential for clinical diagnosis and survival prediction. However, challenges arise due to similar intensity distributions, variable lesion shapes, and fuzzy boundaries. In this paper, we propose MLFE‐UNet, an advanced fusion of CNN‐based transformers with UNet. Both the encoder and decoder utilize a multi‐level feature extraction (MLFA) CNN‐Transformer‐based module. This module extracts features from the input data, considering both global dependencies and local information. Furthermore, we introduce a multi‐level spatial attention (MLSA) block that functions as the bottleneck. It enhances the network's ability to handle complex structures and overlapping regions in feature maps. The MLSA block captures multiscale dependencies of tokens from the channel perspective and transmits them to the decoding path. A contextual feature stabilization block follows each transition to emulate lesion zones and facilitate segmentation guidelines at each phase. To address high‐level semantic information, we incorporate a computationally efficient spatial channel attention block. This is followed by a stabilization block in the skip connections, ensuring global interaction and highlighting important semantic features from the encoder to the decoder. To evaluate the performance of our proposed MLFE‐UNet, we selected common GI diseases, specifically bleeding and polyps. The dice coefficient scores obtained by MLFE‐UNet on the MICCAI 2017 (Red lesion) and CVC‐ClinicalDB data sets are 92.34% and 88.37%, respectively.
Solid State Light Valve Study
Authors: Calucci Edward J.
Published: January 2025

This paper reviews the results of an in‐the‐house investigation in the area of projection displays conducted at Rome Air Development Center. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a crystalline element which exhibits the Electro‐optic Effect, as the control layer of a light valve projection display system.

The scope of this investigation included a study of the Electro‐optic Effect, and the types of crystals which exhibit this effect. An experimental model consisting of a specially designed demountable cathode ray tube, electro‐optic crystal, associated optical components and electrical drive circuitry was assembled to demonstrate the technique and to determine the limitations of the various display parameters. A typical display system application was envisioned and realizable problems of efficiency, highlight brightness, contrast, aperture size and resolution were investigated based upon the performed experiments.

The results of the study indicated that the technique is definitely feasible and appears quite promising although presently limited in optical resolution. The KD2P crystal was best suited for the application since it possesses a lower half‐wave retardation voltage (3500 volts) and an inherent charge storage which makes the optical image appear brighter. The TV images that were generated by the experimental model indicated the technique has great potential for real‐time displays.
A Non‐invasive Lung Disease Study of Exhaled Breath Nitric Oxide Based on Ultraviolet Differential Absorption Spectroscopy Techniques
Authors: Li Chaoyang , Chen Xiaoning , Li Wei , Zhou Xuan , Gong Huiyuan
Published: January 2025

In this study, a non‐invasive device based on ultraviolet differential absorption spectroscopy (UV‐DOAS) technology for detecting fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)was developed and clinically validated in patients with various lung diseases. The diagnostic potential of FeNO was explored by analysing subgroups of patients with lung cancer, nodules, and other disease. The results showed that FeNO concentrations were significantly higher in patients with malignant tumours than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). The diagnostic efficacy of FeNO in different lung diseases was confirmed by ROC analysis: the AUC values were 0.925 for malignant tumours, 0.925 for suspected malignant/benign tumours, 0.792 for benign lesions, and 0.938 for infectious/inflammatory diseases. The significant postoperative FeNO level decrease supports the diagnostic use of FeNO in different stages of the disease. Compared with conventional electrochemical, chemiluminescent and fluorescent probe methods, the UV‐DOAS technique has significant advantages regarding sensitivity and portability, suggesting its potential for clinical application.
A Natural Autophagy Activator Castanea crenata Flower Alleviates Skeletal Muscle Ageing
Authors: Park So‐Hyun , Choi Pyeong Geun , Kim Hee‐Soo , Lee Eunyoung , Lee Da‐Hye , Kim Min Jung , Kim Daedong , Seo Hyo‐Deok , Hahm Jeong‐Hoon , Jeon Tae‐Il , Huh Yang‐Hoon , Ahn Jiyun , Ha Tae‐Youl , Jung Chang Hwa
Published: January 2025

Background

Sarcopenia, characterized by a gradual decline in skeletal muscle mass and function with age, significantly impacts both quality of life and mortality. Autophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle health. There is growing interest in leveraging autophagy to mitigate muscle ageing effects. The impact of natural autophagy activators on skeletal muscle ageing remains elusive. This study aims to identify natural autophagy activators and assess their effects on skeletal muscle ageing.

Methods

To discover novel autophagy activators, we screened 493 natural products and identified Castanea crenata flower extract (CCFE) as a promising candidate. We investigated the effect of CCFE on cellular senescence in C2C12 cells induced by etoposide. In animal experiments, aged mice (18 months old) were fed a diet supplemented with 0.1% and 0.2% CCFE for 3 months. We assessed exercise capacity, mitochondrial function and autophagic flux to determine the impact of CCFE on skeletal muscle ageing. The components present in CCFE were analysed using LC‐MS/MS, and their functional properties were examined.

Results

CCFE enhanced autophagic flux (LC3II 80% increase, p < 0.05) and reduced senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity (32.78% decrease, p < 0.001). In aged mice, a 3‐month supplementation with CCFE improved muscle weight (18% increase, p < 0.05) and function (treadmill performance increased by 60%, p < 0.5; grip strength increased by 25%, p < 0.05). It alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction (basal oxygen consumption rate increased by 59%, p < 0.05) and restored autophagy. CCFE enhanced autophagy by activating AMPK (80% increase, p < 0.01) and inhibiting Atg5 protein acetylation (65% decrease, p < 0.001), with contributions from ellagic acid and polyamines. CCFE supplementation restored polyamine levels (serum spermidine increased from 0.98 ± 0.08 to 2.22 ± 0.05 μg/mL, p < 0.001) and increased urolithin levels (serum urolithin A increased from 0 to 18.79 ± 0.062 ng/mL, p < 0.001), metabolites produced by the gut microbiome from ellagic acid in aged mice.

Conclusions

CCFE effectively suppressed skeletal muscle ageing by preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and restoring autophagic flux in aged mice. It achieved this by modulating AMPK and EP300 acetyltransferase activity, with contributions from its constituents, ellagic acid and polyamines. These findings highlight the potential of CCFE as a therapeutic agent for extending healthspan and mitigating sarcopenia, providing a basis for future clinical trials.
Pairs of rats cooperate more when responding to simultaneous reinforcement than to alternated reinforcement
Authors: da Silva Rafael Fernando , de Carvalho Lucas Couto , Couto Kalliu Carvalho , de Souza Lucas Codina , Coelho Cristiano , das Graças de Souza Deisy
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this experiment was to explore whether simultaneous access to consequences configures a defining functional feature of coordination. We evaluated whether coordination episodes are maintained when reinforcers are alternately presented to two cooperating rats across these episodes, in contrast to the delivery of reinforcers simultaneously for both rats and independently for each rat. Rat pairs responded under either a tandem fixed‐interval (FI) 10‐s FI 10‐s or a tandem variable‐interval (VI) 10‐s VI 10‐s schedules. In the baseline, lever presses of each rat were individually reinforced according to the tandem FI FI schedule. In two simultaneous reinforcement conditions, reinforcer deliveries depended on coordination episodes under either tandem schedule. In two alternated reinforcement conditions, rats accessed reinforcers in alternation under either tandem schedule. Two main findings are reported: (1) proportions of coordination were consistently higher under the simultaneous than under the alternated reinforcement condition regardless of the type of tandem schedules (FI or VI) and (2) proportions of coordination were similar in the individual and alternated reinforcement conditions. Although the obtained reinforcement rates limit a conclusive evaluation, these findings indicate that the simultaneous delivery of reinforcers (mutual reinforcement) is a critical variable in the operant selection of coordinated responding.
Bandwidth Enhancement of Epsilon‐Near‐Zero Supercoupling with Inverse‐Designed Metamaterials
Authors: Fu Pengyu , Li Peihang , Li Yue
Published: January 2025

Epsilon‐near‐zero (ENZ) materials exhibit unique electromagnetic properties that enable efficient wave transmission through channels of arbitrary geometry, which is known as ENZ supercoupling or tunneling. However, the supercoupling effect is typically confined to an inherent narrow bandwidth, which significantly restrict its practical applications. In this paper, a feasible method is proposed that enhanced the bandwidth of ENZ supercoupling. By optimizing the structure of an inverse‐designed pixel metamaterial inserted into the ENZ channel, multiple Fabry‐Perot (FP) modes are properly regulated and coupled, facilitating multimode superposition to enhance the bandwidth for high‐efficiency signal transmission in ENZ channels with arbitrary geometry. Furthermore, a prototype is constructed at microwave frequency to validate the performance of the proposed method, which opens new avenues for the development of broadband and geometry‐independent electromagnetic devices with the benefit of ENZ materials.
A Syndecan‐Mediated Journey
Authors: Couchman John R.
Published: January 2025

A brief, personal, retrospective on my career is presented, focusing on the path that led from studies on fibroblast focal adhesions to the signaling roles of syndecan‐4. This summary is framed against the backdrop of major discoveries in the cell adhesion field that influenced our research direction, ultimately leading to the discovery of signaling events that involve kinases, microfilament dynamics, and ion channels. Syndecan regulation of stretch‐activated transient receptor potential channels appears to be a property that extends back to invertebrates and is probably intrinsic to their origins.
Breastfeeding patterns among parturients with diabetes: A secondary analysis of the MOMPOD randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sarker Minhazur , Jacobs Marni B. , Boggess Kim , Battarbee Ashley N. , Refuerzo Jerrie , Zork Noelia , Eichelberger Kacey , Durnwald Celeste , Landon Mark , Aagaard Kjersti , Wallace Kedra , Scifres Christina , Longo Sherri , Stuebe Alison , Ramos Gladys A. ,   the MOMPOD Study Consortium
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Insulin resistance is associated with decreased milk supply in lactating people. Metformin is hypothesized to increase breast milk production by decreasing insulin resistance, suggesting use may increase breastfeeding success. We aimed to determine the association between metformin use during pregnancy and breastfeeding initiation and continuation.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of the MOMPOD randomized controlled trial of metformin versus placebo in addition to insulin therapy among pregnant people with type 2 diabetes and early diabetes. We included parturients who delivered a living neonate, received at least one dose of study drug or placebo, endorsed an intention to breastfeed, and completed a breastfeeding survey. Breastfeeding intentions and breastfeeding outcomes were collected utilizing a breastfeeding questionnaire at 24–30 weeks and 30 days postpartum, respectively. The primary outcome was breastfeeding at 30 days postpartum defined by exclusive or partial breastfeeding. Secondary outcomes included immediate breastfeeding defined as any breastfeeding during the postpartum hospital admission until at least postpartum day 3, onset of lactogenesis (days), breast and bra size, and breastfeeding challenges. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared using chi‐square, t‐test, or Wilcoxon tests, as appropriate.

Results

Among the 794 women randomized and receiving either placebo or metformin in the primary trial, 378 (47.6%) met inclusion criteria with 194 (51.3%) in metformin and 184 (48.7%) in placebo groups. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Immediate breastfeeding was comparable between groups (91.1% vs. 88.9%, p = 0.53) and there was no difference in onset of lactogenesis. Breastfeeding rates were lower among all parturients 30 days postpartum and there was no difference between metformin and placebo groups (76.0% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.11). Also, there were no differences in partial or exclusive breastfeeding, breast cup or bra size, or breastfeeding challenges.

Conclusion

Our data suggest no association between metformin use and breastfeeding patterns in those with type 2 or early diabetes in pregnancy. Antepartum metformin should not be recommended solely to improve breastfeeding success.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of One‐Pot Microwave‐Synthesized ZnO/CND Hybrid for Sustainable Environmental Remediation
Authors: Sawalha Shadi , Assali Mohyeddin , Farhoud Waleed , Abu‐Shqair Reem , Hamed Rinad , Qadi Aseel
Published: January 2025

The development of efficient photocatalytic electrodes holds immense promise for addressing environmental challenges. This study investigates the enhanced photocatalytic activity of a microwave‐synthesized hybrid nanocomposite, emphasizing its potential contribution to sustainable environmental remediation efforts. A hybrid nanocomposite is synthesized via a one‐pot microwave‐based method, combining carbon nanodots (CNDs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for methylene blue photodegradation. The CNDs are synthesized from D‐glucose precursor with a yield of 17.3%, while ZnO NPs have a higher yield of 27.7%. The hybrid (ZnO/CNDs) is formed with a 24.4% yield, leading to a size over 60 nm, indicating successful adsorption of CNDs on ZnO surfaces. This hybridization improves photocatalytic properties, decreasing the bandgap from 3 to 2.1 eV, and enhancing visible light photocatalysis. Furthermore, thin film electrodes of ZnO and hybrid materials are prepared on glass slides by spin coating. The hybrid electrode demonstrates a 70% degradation efficiency of methylene blue, surpassing ZnO (59%) after 120 min of light exposure. Its rate constant is 0.01162 min−1 compared to ZnO's 0.00943 min−1, with an apparent quantum yield of 0.023 (hybrid) versus 0.019 (ZnO). Stability tests confirms sustained efficiency over multiple cycles, highlighting the electrodes' environmental and economic benefits in sustainable photodegradation applications.
GDFold2: A fast and parallelizable protein folding environment with freely defined objective functions
Authors: Mi Tianyu , Xiao Nan , Gong Haipeng
Published: January 2025

An important step of mainstream protein structure prediction is to model the 3D protein structure based on the predicted 2D inter‐residue geometric information. This folding step has been integrated into a unified neural network to allow end‐to‐end training in state‐of‐the‐art methods like AlphaFold2, but is separately implemented using the Rosetta folding environment in some traditional methods like trRosetta. Despite the inferiority in prediction accuracy, the conventional approach allows for the sampling of various protein conformations compatible with the predicted geometric constraints, partially capturing the dynamic information. Here, we propose GDFold2, a novel protein folding environment, to address the limitations of Rosetta. On the one hand, GDFold2 is highly computationally efficient, capable of accomplishing multiple folding processes in parallel within the time scale of minutes for generic proteins. On the other hand, GDFold2 supports freely defined objective functions to fulfill diversified optimization requirements. Moreover, we propose a quality assessment (QA) model to provide reliable prediction on the quality of protein structures folded by GDFold2, thus substantially simplifying the selection of structural models. GDFold2 and the QA model could be combined to investigate the transition path between protein conformational states, and the online server is available at https://structpred.life.tsinghua.edu.cn/server_gdfold2.html.
β2‐Adrenergic Receptor Agonist Clenbuterol Protects Against Acute Ischemia/Reperfusion‐Induced Arrhythmia by Regulation of Akt/eNOS/NO/Cx43 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Fu Jing , Liu Li , Fu Qin , Zeng Xiaoman , Yang Xiaoyan
Published: January 2025

Ventricular arrhythmias induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury limits the therapeutic effect of early reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction. This study investigated the protective effects of the β2‐adrenergic receptor (β2‐AR) agonist clenbuterol against ischemia/reperfusion‐induced arrhythmias and the underlying mechanism. Anesthetized rats were subjected to 10‐min left coronary artery occlusion and 10‐min reperfusion in vivo. Langendorff‐perfused mice hearts were exposed to 10‐min global ischemia and 10‐min reperfusion. Arrhythmic events were recorded during early reperfusion. Hearts were collected for measuring nitric oxide (NO) concentration and immunoblotting of Connexin 43 (Cx43), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and protein kinase B (Akt). After the ischemia/reperfusion injury in anesthesia rats, clenbuterol markedly reduced the duration and incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, and arrhythmia score, which was abrogated by selective β2‐AR antagonist or Cx43 inhibitor. Furthermore, a marked increase in dephosphorylated Cx43 expression and a decrease in the ratio of phosphorylated Cx43 to total Cx43 were observed after the ischemia/reperfusion injury. Mechanistically, clenbuterol increased the phosphorylation of e‐NOS and NO concentration, while L‐NAME abolished Cx43 phosphorylation and the protective effect of clenbuterol. Clenbuterol also promoted Akt phosphorylation, and blockade of Akt inhibited eNOS phosphorylation and NO production, as well as Cx43 phosphorylation and protective effect of clenbuterol. The present study elucidates that β2‐AR stimulation activates the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway, augments NO bioavailability, maintains Cx43 phosphorylation, and prevents Cx43 remodeling, ultimately attenuating arrhythmia induced by ischemia/reperfusion.
Off‐Diagonal Ramsey Numbers for Slowly Growing Hypergraphs
Authors: Mattheus Sam , Mubayi Dhruv , Nie Jiaxi , Verstraëte Jacques
Published: January 2025

For a k‐uniform hypergraph and a positive integer , the Ramsey number denotes the minimum such that every ‐vertex ‐free ‐uniform hypergraph contains an independent set of vertices. A hypergraph is slowly growing if there is an ordering of its edges such that for each . We prove that if is fixed and is any non‐k‐partite slowly growing ‐uniform hypergraph, then for ,
In particular, we deduce that the off‐diagonal Ramsey number is of order , where is the triple system . This is the only 3‐uniform Berge triangle for which the polynomial power of its off‐diagonal Ramsey number was not previously known. Our constructions use pseudorandom graphs and hypergraph containers.
In‐Silico Screening, Molecular Dynamics, and DFT Analysis of ZINC and ChEMBL Library Compounds for SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease Inhibition
Authors: Verma Soumya , Dubey Amit , Singh Rashika , Tayade Rajratna , Mishra Vipin Kumar
Published: January 2025

Although COVID‐19 is no longer classified as a global emergency, the emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants highlights the urgent need for antiviral drug discovery. This study identifies potent inhibitors of the SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease, supporting future preparedness and advancing antiviral strategies. Using experimental drugs from the ZINC and ChEMBL libraries, a systematic workflow combining SwissSimilarity‐based screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations was employed for robust candidate assessment. Five potential inhibitors, sharing a 4‐(2‐pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐morpholine motif, were identified. Among them, Apilimod, known for its immunomodulatory properties, showed promising efficacy against viral replication in prior studies. Detailed interaction dynamics were analyzed through 2.5 microseconds of MD simulations (500 ns per complex), revealing critical insights into the stability, binding modes, and conformational dynamics of the drug‐protein complexes. MM/PBSA binding free energy calculations further demonstrated Apilimod’s superior binding affinity compared to other candidates. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Apilimod and its structural analogs as promising SARS‐CoV‐2 antivirals. By leveraging advanced computational techniques, this study provides valuable insights for combating COVID‐19 and addressing future viral threats.
Sustainable Synthesis of 1,4‐Disubstituted Piperazines Using Concentrated Solar Energy for Reductive Amination
Authors: Chikane Santosh S. , Patil Pranit B. , Kudale Pawan R. , Arote Nitin D. , Shinde Yogesh H. , Pinjari Dipak V.
Published: January 2025

Reductive amination plays a crucial role in synthetic chemistry due to its widespread applications in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and the general synthesis of amines. In the context of sustainable processes, our study harnessed concentrated solar radiation (CSR) as a renewable energy source to develop an energy‐efficient reductive amination of aromatic aldehydes using sodium triacetoxyborohydride to synthesize 1,4‐disubstituted piperazines. A range of piperazines, including pharmaceutical compounds such as Cinnarizine, Flunarizine, Clocinizine, and Teneligliptin intermediate, were synthesized on a gram scale. This method produced faster reactions (10–25 minutes), higher yields (78–94%), and a significant reduction in energy consumption (85–95%). Melting point, FT‐IR, and 1H NMR were used to characterize all produced compounds.
Workplace Violence Is Home Now for Healthcare Workers: Spillover Theory Perspective
Authors: Rehman Wali ur , Bilal Atif , Allen Matthew
Published: January 2025

In recent years, workplace violence has become an escalating concern, particularly within the healthcare sector. Healthcare workers, who dedicate their lives to caring for others, are increasingly facing violence within their workplaces as evidenced by existing studies. However, literature overlooks complex associations between workplace violence, workplace stress, and domestic violence and stress. This article explores the phenomenon of workplace violence among healthcare workers through the lens of Spillover Theory and investigates impact of workplace violence on domestic stress with single and sequential mediation of workplace stress and domestic violence. Our findings of MEDTHREE analysis of time‐lagged data indicate that individuals who experience workplace violence are more likely to exhibit stress, which ultimately becomes a cause of domestic violence. The study highlights how spillover theory can help to explain how workplace violence can trigger violence and stress in the home environment. The research highlights the need for a support system and targeted interventions to address the issue of workplace violence to mitigate its spillover effects into domestic violence. With the help of the findings, the organisational decision makers can develop comprehensive strategies to mitigate the harmful consequences of the workplace violence to provide safe and healthy environment at work and home settings.
Photo‐enhanced UiO‐66/Au Nanoparticles with High Phosphatase‐Like Activity for Rapid Degradation and Detection of Paraoxon
Authors: Wen Yating , Xu Weiqing , Jiang Wenxuan , Yang Wenhong , Liu Mingwang , Wu Yu , Fang Qie , Tang Yinjun , Li Fang , Hu Liuyong , Gu Wenling , Zhu Chengzhou
Published: January 2025

The severe environmental and human health hazards posed by organophosphorus compounds underscore the pressing need for advancements in their degradation and detection. However, practical implementation is impeded by prolonged degradation durations and limited efficiency. Herein, an effective interfacial modification approach is proposed involving the integration of photoactive Au nanoparticles (NPs) onto metal–organic frameworks, resulting in the synthesis of UiO‐66/Au NPs exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis activity under light excitation. Under illumination, UiO‐66/Au NPs trigger rapid hydrolysis of ethyl‐paraoxon within a mere 10‐min timeframe, yielding a discernible colorimetric response indicative of extensive hydrolysis. Mechanistic analyses reveal that Au NPs elevate the local catalytic microenvironment temperature of UiO‐66/Au NPs under light exposure, facilitating photo‐induced charge transfer that enhances the affinity between the Zr6 clusters within UiO‐66/Au NPs and the hydrolytic substrate. These cooperative mechanisms significantly boost the hydrolytic efficiency of UiO‐66/Au NPs, resulting in a remarkable 17.8‐fold enhancement in catalytic performance. Leveraging the superior photo‐enhanced hydrolytic capabilities of UiO‐66/Au NPs, a colorimetric sensor is developed for the rapid degradation and detection of ethyl‐paraoxon, offering a practical and effective solution for addressing the degradation and detection challenges associated with organophosphorus compounds.
High‐Density CuBi2O4 Photocathodes Using Well‐Textured Buffer Layers and Their Unassisted Solar Hydrogen Production Performances
Authors: Choi Ji Hoon , Jeong Ji Hye , Lee Hak Hyeon , Kim Dong Su , Lee Kun Woong , Yang Won Seok , Byeon Jee Won , Han Jae‐Hee , Cho Hyung Koun
Published: January 2025

Solar hydrogen production using photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells requires the selection of cost‐effective materials with high photoactivity and durability. CuBi2O4 photocathodes possess an appropriate bandgap for efficient hydrogen production. However, their performance is limited by poor charge transport and interface voids formed due to the porous structure during annealing, which complicates the deposition of passivation overlayers. To address this, effective suppression of the porous structure in CuBi2O4 is essential. Here, the study proposes the strategic use of an Sb‐Cu2O buffer layer with a uniform (111) crystal orientation prior to the electrodeposition of Cu‐Bi‐O. This buffer layer facilitates 2D film growth during electrodeposition, enhancing Cu supply via out‐diffusion from the buffer during annealing. Moreover, the uniform orientation of the buffer layer promotes the crystallization of CuBi2O4, significantly improving charge transport efficiency. By incorporating an Al‐ZnO/TiO2 overlayer, the study achieves a photocurrent of 2.56 mA cm−2 at 0 VRHE and an onset potential of 1.04 VRHE, with excellent stability exceeding 60 hours. In a glycerol oxidation reaction coupled with hydrogen production, an unassisted PEC cell with a BiVO4 photoanode demonstrates the highest H2 production (750.5 µmol cm−2) among Cu‐based ternary oxides, with 97% Faradaic efficiency over 20 hours while producing DHA, and formic acid.
Process‐Technology Fit Decisions: Evidence From an Expert Panel and Case Studies
Authors: Ahmad Tahir , Van Looy Amy
Published: January 2025

Business process management (BPM) combined with new technologies can trigger both incremental and disruptive improvements in how organizations operate. More specifically, today's fourth industrial revolution can bring rapid changes in an organization's process dynamics. Our study explores differences between possible process‐technology “fit” and “unfit” situations in BPM innovative projects. We extend relevant past studies and theories using a mix of qualitative techniques consisting of expert panel interviews and a case design using two field studies. Our findings reveal that, although alternative process‐technology “fit” and “no‐fit” situations exist, elements such as creativity, efficiency, integration, user friendliness, and proper task monitoring turn out to be the most promising factors to gain a process‐technology fit. Novelty in our work includes discovering “fit” and “no‐fit” factors in terms of process‐technology alignment, and the development of a decision framework with a generic set of suggestions for BPM practitioners and decision makers. Our mixed‐method approach is based on qualitative results by emphasizing in‐depth insights and lessons learned rather than building a generalizable theory. We intend to guide managers and decision makers to help them think about possible directions, as suggested by our experts and case participants at the time of their technology adoption in a BPM context.
Noise pollution as a major disturbance of avian predation in Amsterdam
Authors: Krijnen Bas , Hernández‐Agüero Juan Antonio
Published: January 2025

Trophic interactions play a key role in maintaining ecological balance. In urban environments, avian predation has been demonstrated to be particularly important due to its effects on community structure, pest control, and nutrient cycling. As humanity relies upon ecosystem services for sustenance, and with 70% of the global population projected to reside in urban areas by 2050, understanding the impact of urbanization on avian predation is becoming increasingly important. This study investigates the impacts of urban microclimates, shaped by impervious surfaces and green/blue infrastructure, and human‐induced disturbances, on avian predation in urban areas, with the aim of testing the increased disturbance hypothesis. To assess the avian predation rate, plasticine caterpillars were placed in Quercus robur trees in the city of Amsterdam for a period of two months. The analyses evaluated the impact of artificial lighting at night, human population density, the urban heat island effect, impervious surfaces, vegetation, noise pollution, and water bodies on predation rates. The results indicated a substantial increase in predation during the second month, which was likely caused by an increase in naïve fledglings or elevated ambient temperatures. Noise pollution was identified as the most frequent and robust predictor of predation, consistently leading to a reduction in predation rates, possibly due to avoidance behavior. Other predictors exhibited substantial temporal and spatial variability. The variables related to urbanization increased predation in the initial month, suggesting that insectivorous birds prey on areas with higher illumination and temperature. However, the effect diminished in the subsequent month, potentially due to the increased daylight hours or a reduction in heating effects. During the second month, all predictors exhibited a negative effect on predation, thereby supporting the increasing disturbance hypothesis. These findings underscore the complex relationship between urban factors and avian predation, emphasizing the necessity for mitigation efforts in urban planning.
B2B Service Innovation: How Business Customers Perceive Firm Innovativeness
Authors: Mehran Javaneh , Kristensson Per
Published: January 2025

Both academia and industry unanimously agree on the pivotal role of innovation in driving sustainable economic growth. Business-to-Business (B2B) services constitute a substantial portion of the global economy. The relative magnitude of the B2B market, in comparison with the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) market, is larger in terms of revenues, profits, assets, and overall value. Primarily, innovation in B2B service research has predominantly centered around knowledge and technology within the manufacturing industry, where the commercialization of ideas, in the form of new product development, is deemed as innovation. More precisely, B2B innovations have undergone analysis and discussion across various dimensions and categories, often with a primary focus on the core product. Generally, a firm-centric perspective has prevailed in defining innovation, while the manner in which customers perceive a firm’s innovativeness has been understated. The objective of this chapter is to propose a framework for categorizing B2B innovation features into six distinct types. By introducing the notion of an innovation dimension continuum, we elucidate how varying degrees of basic, advanced, and ecosystem integration solutions impact business customers’ perception of a firm’s innovativeness.
Service Innovation in Healthcare: Service Today Versus Service Tomorrow
Authors: Samuelsson Peter , Witell Lars , Gottfridsson Patrik , Elg Mattias
Published: January 2025

The growing cost of healthcare services, together with increasing demand, is a major concern for the healthcare sector. Innovation, particularly service innovation, has been put forward as a top priority to address the major challenges of healthcare. But how should a healthcare organization balance the needs of tomorrow through service innovation with the needs of today through high-quality care on a daily basis. What development practices and innovation types need to be implemented to deliver high-quality care, now and in the future? Through combining (a) how to work on service innovation with (b) what creates satisfied patients in healthcare organizations, the current study addresses how to balance quality improvement and service innovation. Our conclusions suggest that there are specific development practices that healthcare organizations need to apply to further develop the care of patients.
Service Management: Evolution and Moving Forward
Authors: Edvardsson Bo , Tronvoll Bård
Published: January 2025

This chapter describes the evolution of service management (SM) from focusing on services as a category of market offerings (as distinct from physical products) to a perspective on value creation. This evolution of SM can be described in three broad periods. The first was when services were understood as unproductive or additions to physical products. Management models from manufacturing and marketing of goods were used, but service organizations could not be managed by using models from manufacturing. This sparked the second period, in which research on service-based concepts and models was grounded in the service encounter, service quality, and customer relations in service organizations. However, no widely accepted view or definition of service and SM was developed during this time. About 20 years ago, in the third period, a new view on service was developed, and this view is still moving SM forward. Service (singular) was understood as a perspective of value creation. The Service-Dominant Logic was born and has developed into a systemic view of understanding service businesses. Recently, a somewhat different view—a practice-theory approach to SM—has been suggested, which still focuses on value creation through service.
Service Management Through Service Platforms and Digitalization
Authors: Tronvoll Bård , Edvardsson Bo
Published: January 2025

This chapter discusses service management from the perspective of the service ecosystem, which includes creating, proposing, and capturing value for all actors involved. Service management is becoming essential due to the increasing importance of the service sector in many economies worldwide and the servitization of manufacturing industries. This chapter highlights the challenges and opportunities for service management in the face of digitization and technological advances, including the emergence of service platforms as a dominant model and tool for service management. The chapter also emphasizes that service platforms should be understood as center-points in the service ecosystem, facilitating supply and demand among several actors. The service platform can also create opportunities for service managers to manage value co-creation effectively, facilitate collaboration, and provide tools and resources to customers. The chapter concludes by discussing the essential management considerations for service management, including multi-actor collaboration and ecosystem transformation.
Value Co-creation Through Collaboration: The Case of Efficient Load Out
Authors: Åkesson Maria , Löfberg Nina , Tronvoll Bård , Nissen Annika
Published: January 2025

Using the case of efficient load out (ELO), a digital solution offered by Volvo Group, this chapter illustrates how activities can lead to a service-oriented value co-creation approach among actors during the development of a digital solution. In particular, activities performed in the ELO project focused on the customer’s process, collaboration, and creating a win-win solution. Adopting these new dimensions of a service-oriented value co-creation approach resulted in outcomes for the actors that were directly involved in the project and for those actors experiencing the result. By broadening the scope from the company to the ecosystem, the digital solution became applicable, and deeper relationships were created with customers. The company gained specific domain competence and increased its competitive advantages.
A Little Bit of That Human Touch: Avoid and Recover Service Failures
Authors: Arsenovic Jasenko , Edvardsson Bo , Tronvoll Bård
Published: January 2025

Managers who handle complaints often assume that customers report all service failure and passively wait for service personnel to resolve the problem solution (i.e., the service recovery). Here, based on decades of service recovery research, we seek to problematize the common conceptualization of a service failure. In particular, we argue for a broader understanding of what constitutes a service failure, encompassing failures that are not necessarily associated with the service provision, but can cause interruptions in the service experience. Using this new understanding of service failures, we outline advice for service managers to consider to avoid causing failures, and optimize their recovery processes by emphasizing the importance of the human service employees.
Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for growth on xylose using an oxidative pathway
Authors: Tanaka Kenya , Yukawa Takahiro , Bamba Takahiro , Wakiya Miho , Kumokita Ryota , Jin Yong-Su , Kondo Akihiko , Hasunuma Tomohisa
Published: January 2025

The fermentative production of valuable chemicals from lignocellulosic feedstocks has attracted considerable attention. Although Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a promising microbial host, it lacks the ability to efficiently metabolize xylose, a major component of lignocellulosic feedstocks. The xylose oxidative pathway offers advantages such as simplified metabolic regulation and fewer enzymatic steps. Specifically, the pathway involves the conversion of xylose into 2-keto-3-deoxy-xylonate, which can be channeled into two distinct pathways, the Dahms pathway and the Weimberg pathway. However, the growth of yeast on xylose as the sole carbon source through the xylose oxidative pathway has not been achieved, limiting its utilization. We successfully engineered S. cerevisiae to metabolize xylose as its sole carbon source via the xylose oxidative pathways, achieved by enhancing enzyme activities through iron metabolism engineering and rational enzyme selection. We found that increasing the supply of the iron-sulfur cluster to activate the bottleneck enzyme XylD by BOL2 disruption and tTYW1 overexpression facilitated the growth of xylose and the production of ethylene glycol at 1.5 g/L via the Dahms pathway. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of xylonate dehydratases led to the identification of a highly active homologous enzyme. A strain possessing the Dahms pathway with this highly active enzyme exhibited reduced xylonate accumulation. Furthermore, the introduction of enzymes based on phylogenetic tree analysis allowed for the utilization of xylose as the sole carbon source through the Weimberg pathway. This study highlights the potential of iron metabolism engineering and phylogenetic enzyme selection for the development of non-native metabolic pathways in yeast.

Key points

• A 1.5 g/L ethylene glycol was produced via the Dahms pathway in S. cerevisiae.

• Enzyme activation enabled growth on xylose via both the Dahms and Weimberg pathways.

• Tested enzymes in this study may expand the application of xylose oxidative pathway.
The Port-Hamiltonian Structure of Continuum Mechanics
Authors: Rashad Ramy , Stramigioli Stefano
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we present a novel approach to the geometric formulation of solid and fluid mechanics within the port-Hamiltonian framework, which extends the standard Hamiltonian formulation to non-conservative and open dynamical systems. Leveraging Dirac structures, instead of symplectic or Poisson structures, this formalism allows the incorporation of energy exchange within the spatial domain or through its boundary, which allows for a more comprehensive description of continuum mechanics. Building upon our recent work in describing nonlinear elasticity using exterior calculus and bundle-valued differential forms, this paper focuses on the systematic derivation of port-Hamiltonian models for solid and fluid mechanics in the material, spatial, and convective representations using Hamiltonian reduction theory. This paper also discusses constitutive relations for stress within this framework including hyper-elasticity, for both finite and infinitesimal strains, as well as viscous fluid flow governed by the Navier–Stokes equations.
Biomarkers associated with anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy: a systematic review
Authors: Popa Călin , Schlanger Diana , Aiolfi Alberto , ElShafei Moustafa , Triantafyllou Tania , Theodorou Dimitrios , Skrobic Ognjan , Simic Aleksandar , Al Hajjar Nadim , Bonavina Luigi
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most important complications that occurs after upper gastrointestinal surgery, registering rates of 20–30% after esophagectomy. The role of systemic inflammatory biomarkers to predict anastomotic leaks is controversial and needs systematization.

Methods

A systematic review based on the PRISMA guidelines criteria was performed. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were queried using MESH Terms and All Fields key words to identify studies investigating a range of immune-inflammatory factors in predicting AL.

Results

Twenty-four studies were included in this review. The total number of included patients was 5903, ranging in each study from 42 to 612. The included studies reported patients that underwent different techniques of esophagectomy (Ivor Lewis, McKeown, Orringer or thoracoabdominal esophagectomy) and 23 out of 24 studies included patients that underwent neoadjuvant treatment. While different biomarkers at different timepoints were analyzed, most studies have indicated postoperative biomarkers, between day 3 and day 5 to reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Systemic inflammatory biomarkers represent potential risk stratification and predicting tools for AL after esophageal surgery, but more studies need to be conducted to validate their clinical utility.
Determination of adequate bony resection margins in inflammatory jaw pathologies using SPECT-CT in primary mandibular reconstruction with virtually planned vascularized bone flaps
Authors: Winnand Philipp , Lammert Matthias , Ooms Mark , Heitzer Marius , Katz Marie Sophie , Peters Florian , Raith Stefan , Mottaghy Felix M. , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: January 2025

Objectives

In advanced stages of osteoradionecrosis, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw, and osteomyelitis, a resection of sections of the mandible may be unavoidable. The determination of adequate bony resection margins is a fundamental problem because bony resection margins cannot be secured intraoperatively. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT-CT) is more accurate than conventional imaging techniques in detecting inflammatory jaw pathologies. The clinical benefit for virtual planning of mandibular resection and primary reconstruction with vascularized bone flaps has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the determination of adequate bony resection margins using SPECT computed tomography (SPECT-CT) for primary microvascular reconstruction of the mandible in inflammatory jaw pathologies.

Materials and methods

The cases of 20 patients with inflammatory jaw pathologies who underwent primary microvascular mandibular reconstruction after the bony resection margins were determined with SPECT-CT were retrospectively analyzed. The bony resection margins determined by SPECT-CT were histologically validated. The sensitivity was calculated as the detection rate and the positive predictive value as the diagnostic precision. Radiological ossification of the vascularized bone flaps with the mandibular stumps was assessed at least 6 months after reconstruction. The clinical course was followed for 12 months.

Results

The determination of adequate bony resection margins with SPECT-CT yielded a sensitivity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 94.7%. Of all the bony resection margins, 97.4% were radiologically sufficiently ossified with the vascularized bone flap and showed no complications in the clinical course.

Conclusions

SPECT-CT could increase the probability of determining adequate bony resection margins.

Clinical relevance

SPECT-CT could have a beneficial clinical impact in the context of primary microvascular bony reconstruction in inflammatory jaw pathologies.
Erholungs-Belastungs-Zustand und Wohlbefinden von Frauen im Rettungsdienst
Authors: Keck Elisabeth , Schumann Heiko , Thielmann Beatrice , Böckelmann Irina
Published: January 2025

Hintergrund

Frauen im Rettungsdienst erleben neben den allgemeinen Belastungen des Berufsfelds zusätzliche Belastungsfaktoren. Diese gründen meist in geschlechtsbezogener Diskriminierung und sexueller Belästigung.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel dieser Arbeit ist eine frauenfokussierte Betrachtung von Beanspruchung, Wohlbefinden und Erholung im Rettungsdienst.

Methodenteil

In den zwei fragebogengestützten quantitativen Querschnittsstudien wurden, neben einer Erfassung von soziodemografischen Daten, das Wohlbefinden sowie Erholungs- und Beanspruchungswerte von insgesamt 331 Rettungsdienstmitarbeiterinnen verglichen. Das Wohlbefinden wurde über den Wohlbefinden-Index der World-Health-Organization (WHO-5) erfasst. Für Erholungs- und Beanspruchungswerte wurde der Erholungs- und Belastungsfragebogen nach Kallus verwendet (EBF).

Ergebnisse

Die Werte des Belastungs- und Erholungsempfindens von Frauen im Rettungsdienst lagen durchschnittlich außerhalb des Optimumbereichs. Die Beanspruchungswerte nahmen im zweiten Zeitraum signifikant zu (t1: 2,81 ± 0,91; t2: 3,17 ± 1,06; p = 0,001), gleichsam sanken die Erholungswerte ebenfalls signifikant (t1: 2,87 ± 0,89; t2: 2,56 ± 0,84; p = 0,001). Weibliche Einsatzkräfte beurteilten ihr subjektives Wohlbefinden durchschnittlich als gering bzw. schlecht (44,8 ± 18,6). Im Vergleich der Erhebungszeiträume sank das subjektive Wohlbefinden signifikant (t1: 47,9 ± 18,2; t2: 42,2 ± 18,7; p = 0,004).

Diskussion

Die Studie zeigte eine starke Beanspruchung von Frauen im Rettungsdienst. Diskriminierung und Geschlechterstereotypen können dabei zusätzliche Stressfaktoren darstellen. Unter anderem können familiäre Verpflichtungen zu Übermüdung, Zeitdruck und sozialen Spannungen führen. Physische Erholung kann aufgrund biologischer Unterschiede geringer ausfallen. Diese Ergebnisse bieten eine Grundlage für künftige Studien und gezielte Präventionsmaßnahmen für Frauen im Rettungsdienst.