bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quorum quenching enzymes disrupt bacterial communication in a sex‐ and dose‐dependent manner
Authors: Syal Aneesh , Martell Maria , Sikdar Rakesh , Dietz Matthew , Ziegert Zachary , Jahansouz Cyrus , Elias Mikael H. , Staley Christopher
Published: February 2025

Background

Over the past 50 years, the incidence of obesity has gradually increased, necessitating investigation into the multifactorial contributors to this disease, including the gut microbiota. Bacteria within the human gut microbiome communicate using a density‐dependent process known as quorum sensing (QS), in which autoinducer (AI) molecules (e.g., N‐acyl‐homoserine lactones [AHLs]) are produced to enable bacterial interactions and regulate gene expression.

Methods

We aimed to disrupt QS using quorum quenching (QQ) lactonases GcL and SsoPox, which cleave AHL signaling molecules in a taxa‐specific manner based on differing enzyme affinities for different substrates. We hypothesized that QQ hinders signals from obesity‐associated pathobionts, thereby slowing or preventing obesity.

Results

In a murine model of diet‐induced obesity, we observed GcL and SsoPox treatments have separate sex‐dependent and dose‐dependent effects on intestinal community composition and diversity. Notably, male mice given 2 mg/mL SsoPox exhibited significant changes in the relative abundances of gram‐negative taxa, including Porphyromonadaceae, Akkermansiaceae, Muribaculaceae, and Bacteroidales (Kruskal–Wallis p < 0.001). Additionally, we used covariance matrix network analysis to model bacterial taxa co‐occurrence due to QQ enzyme administration. There were more associations among taxa in control mice, particularly among gram‐negative bacteria, whereas mice receiving SsoPox had the fewest associations.

Conclusions

Overall, our study establishes proof of concept that QQ is a targetable strategy for microbial control in vivo. Further characterization and dosage optimization of QQ enzymes are necessary to harness their therapeutic capability for the treatment of chronic microbial‐associated diseases.
Electrochemical Redox Synergism‐Enhanced Liquid Metal Locomotion for Unrestricted Circuit Substrate Patterning
Authors: Fan Yi , Shen Yigang , Zhang Wenli , Zeng Guochao , Liu Tete , Wang Yilan , Wang Shuli , Zheng Jing , Hou Xu
Published: February 2025

The critical challenge in advancing liquid metal circuits (LMCs) lies in achieving interfacial compatibility with diverse substrates while dynamically balancing fabrication efficiency and quality to ensure robust conductive stability. Here we introduce an electrochemical redox synergistic liquid metal (E‐rsLM) that enables the controllable generation of diverse intermetallic bond transition layers (Cu, Au, or Fe‐based) between liquid metal and unrestricted substrate surfaces, applicable in pH‐universal electrolytes. It involves enhanced locomotion of the liquid metal, driven by synergistic electrochemical energy transduction from cyclic changes in gallium redox states. Characterized by expansion‐contraction‐expansion, it enables unique self‐propelled bouncing, tuning spreading speed (up to ~26.8 mm/s) and elongation rate (up to 1192%) with a volume of only 80 μL. Additionally, we demonstrate the adaptability of E‐rsLM fabrication across 30 different substrates, highlighting its versatility. The patterning displays the superimposed efficiency and self‐indicated quality, leading to superior conductivity (with time‐cost savings of 30.7% and 13.4% in heating‐cooling cycles, and a nearly 90% reduction in output resistance). The practical viability of these circuits is further showcased by the assembly of integrated circuits, marking a significant step in expanding LMCs applications beyond laboratory‐scale prototypes.
Fabrication and Characterization of Polyester Fabric Surface‐Coated Indium Tin Oxide for Infrared Shielding Application
Authors: Chen Yida , Liu Yidan , Guo Shengnan , Ma Mingbo , Zhou Wenlong
Published: February 2025

Indium tin oxide (ITO) has attracted considerable in optoelectronics for wide bandgap, high conductivity, and infrared reflectance. Herein, 800 nm ITO films were deposited on common polyester fabric using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering to prepare durable infrared stealth polyester textiles. The prepared ITO films deposited fabric surface exhibited an emissivity of 0.38 in the 8–14 μm range, indicating infrared stealth performance. Additionally, the solar shielding ability in the 0.8–1.6 μm range was improved by 50%. The X‐ray diffractometer (XRD) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) results show the desired (400) crystalline plane of the ITO film. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images reveal a triangular cone‐shaped granular morphology on the film's surface. Significantly, The ITO coating adhered well to the polyester, showing no peeling after 12 domestic washes, despite some friction damage, and maintaining its infrared stealth performance. Moreover, the hand feel, tensile strength, and breathability of the fabric were not significantly affected by ITO coating, while improvements were observed in the fabric's water repellency, antistatic properties, and UV resistance. This study demonstrates that controlled RF magnetron sputtering can be used to fabricate durable ITO/polyester composites with infrared stealth properties and high‐performance wearability, offering a practical approach for advanced textile applications.
Phytic Acid/Sodium Alginate Coating to Enhance Flame Retardancy of Rigid Polyurethane Foam: A Novel Strategy for Fire Safety
Authors: Wang Hao , Lin Yongquan , Sun Junjie , Wang Xin , Yu Hailong , Deng Kai , Zeng Rong , He Minghai , Tang Gang , Tao Congxi
Published: February 2025

The precursor composed of phytic acid (PA) and sodium alginate (SA) was fabricated using the sol–gel technique and subsequently applied as a coating on the surface of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). PA/SA aerogel was obtained using freeze‐drying technology to enhance the fire resistance and flame‐retardant properties of the RPUF. Subsequent testing revealed that a 0.5 mm thick aerogel coating effectively enhances the flame retardancy of the composite. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) of the composites stands at an impressive 30.4 vol%, and it attains the V‐0 rating in UL‐94 vertical combustion testing. The Peak heat release rate (PHRR) measures 356.62 kW/m2, indicating a 27.60% reduction compared to that of pure RPUF. Thermogravimetric analysis shows a residual char residue of 20.78 wt%, representing a 52.46% increase compared to the pristine sample. Parameters such as the PHRR and fire growth index (FGI) exhibit significant reductions. This novel aerogel coating significantly enhances the fire safety of RPUF, effectively broadening applications of RPUF.
Study on Modified EBIR With Improving Filler Dispersion and Mechanical Properties of Filler‐Rubber Composites
Authors: Wang Yixiao , Zhu Guangqian , Hou Xiaogeng , Qin Bao , Wang Keqiang , Sui Feifei , Xu Guangqiang , Wang Qinggang , Hou Hongbin , Zhang Liang
Published: February 2025

Epoxidized butadiene‐isoprene rubber (EBIR) holds promising application prospects in high performance tires. However, there have been relatively few advancements in EBIR‐based composites so far, primarily due to challenges in fillers dispersion and rubber compatibility. A class of epoxidized butadiene‐isoprene rubber (EBIR) was developed through in situ epoxidation, and the application of the modified EBIR was also explored as a macromolecular compatilizer in the silica/BIR/BR composites system. The incorporation of highly epoxidized EBIR significantly increased the bound rubber content, improved interface interaction between silica and rubber, consequently lower Payne effect of the rubber composites, as observed with the rubber processing analyzer (RPA). Mechanical property characterization showed that the composites' tear strength and wear resistance were increased by 65.2% and 42.3% respectively when adding 9 phr EBIR, and the wet‐skid resistance was promoted by 27.3% by the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
Overexpression of Acetylation‐Defective Heat Shock Protein 60 Inhibits the Proliferation of Nucleopolyhedrovirus in Bombyx mori
Authors: Li Yao , Wu Jiannan , You Yi , Miao Meng , Yu Wei
Published: February 2025

Heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60), abundantly presents in mitochondria, is a highly conserved chaperone that maintains the stability and functionality of mitochondrial proteins, while also participating in the regulation of various cellular processes. As a member of the heat shock family, Hsp60 significantly influences viral proliferation. However, limited research is available on its role in the proliferation of entomopathogenic baculoviruses, particularly Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV). Our previous proteomics results showed a significant decrease of Hsp60 acetylation levels after BmNPV infection. To investigate the impact of Hsp60 deacetylation on viral proliferation, site‐direct mutagenesis was performed to generate a deacetylated (K/R) mimic of Hsp60. We found that the acetylation level of lysine 362 (K362) decreased after BmNPV challenge. Furthermore, overexpression of deacetylation‐mimicking Hsp60 reduced the chaperone activity of Hsp60, leading to impaired mitochondrial function, including increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced substrate protein Manganese‐containing superoxide dismutase (Mn‐SOD) activities, ultimately leading to inhibition of viral proliferation. This study establishes lysine 362 acetylation of Hsp60 as a model for Posttranslational modifications induced by host‐virus interactions, providing new insights into potential antiviral strategies.
The Impact of Affective Theory of Mind on Autistic Individual's Perception of Remorse
Authors: Tan Qi Sheng , Weber Nathan , Lim Alliyza , Young Robyn L.
Published: February 2025

Previous research indicates that difficulties with expressing remorse may contribute to the longer sentences autistic individuals receive within the criminal justice system. These differences in remorse expression may stem from their reduced ability to perceive emotions in others. This study investigated the association between an individual's level of autistic traits and their remorse perception ability. We also examined the influence of Affective Theory of Mind (ToM), the ability to understand others' emotional experiences, in remorse perception. We thought that the more autistic traits with which a person presented, the poorer their ability to perceive remorse would be, with overall ToM and affective ToM serving as mediating factors. Forty‐five autistic and 47 non‐autistic individuals assessed a series of facial expressions to determine the perceived level of remorse in each face. Results revealed that neither the combination of autistic traits nor any individual trait was significantly correlated with remorse perception ability. Additionally, autistic traits did not indirectly impact the perception of remorse through either overall ToM or affective ToM. These findings imply that individuals with high autistic traits, regardless of their perspective‐taking abilities, exhibit similar capacities for perceiving remorseful expressions to those with less autistic traits—at least when the stimuli are static. Future research should investigate the differences between autistic and non‐autistic individuals in perceiving remorse through different modalities of emotional expression, including behavioral and verbal cues.
Did court dismiss football player's discrimination claim?
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: February 2025

DeSanto Rollins was a football player at the University of Mississippi. Rollins struggled with injuries, mental health challenges, and the recent loss of his grandmother in his fourth year on the team. Additionally, he felt pressure to enter the transfer portal from his position coach, leaving him feeling “undervalued.”
Origanum Essential Oil and Antifungal Activity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mezzomo Leticia , Butzge Juliana , Fiorio Mariana , Bastian Caroline , Mezzari† Adelina , Fuentefria Alexandre , Anders Apel Miriam
Published: February 2025

Fungi are pathogens that affect humans, animals, food and plants. Many strains are resistant to currently available antifungals, which are also associated with high toxicity and can cause environmental pollution. Treatments are lengthy with low adherence rates. Given plant´s historical use in disease treatment, natural products, such as essential oils,have been studied and developed for fungal infection treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review on Origanum species commercialized in Brazil: Origanum compactum, O. minutiflorum, O. syriacum, and O. vulgare, focusing on the chemical composition of their oils and their antifungal activity. A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, using the databases ScienceDirect, Scielo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. O. vulgare presented the highest number of articles, and O. compactum showed the best results in terms of MIC and against the evaluated fungal species. Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., and Penicillium spp. were the most studied fungi. Carvacrol, thymol, p‐cymene, o‐cymene, and γ‐terpinene are key constituents linked to their antifungal effects. The findings of this review highlight the chemical diversity of the studied genera and underscore the potential of Origanum spp.essential oils as antifungal agents against a variety of fungi.
Factors Associated With ESG Investment Attitude
Authors: Dinh Van , Xiao Jing Jian
Published: February 2025

In recent years, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) oriented investments have grown significantly in terms of volume and influence within the global financial markets. However, there is also a notable countertrend against ESG investments in certain regions and sectors, driven by skepticism around ESG performance, regulatory concerns, and political opposition. Therefore, understanding factors that drive investor attitude towards these ESG assets is crucial. Using data from National Financial Capability Study (NFCS) in 2021, this study delved into exploring factors, specifically values, investment experience, and investment knowledge, that are correlated the ESG investment attitude of US investors. Findings showed that while valuing social responsibility was positively, extensive investment experience was negatively associated with ESG investment attitude. In addition, subjective investment knowledge was positively, while objective investment knowledge was negatively associated with ESG investment attitude. These factors collectively predicted 39% of the variability in ESG investment attitude. These findings highlighted the complex interaction among investment values, experience, and knowledge in determining individual attitudes towards ESG investment. The study implies the need for enhanced investor education on ESG issues and in designing strategies related to investment diversification, including ESG assets.
Artificial Intelligence‐Assisted Experimental Optimization of Water Oxidation Catalysts
Authors: Spitzenpfeil Henrik , Neumann Marius , Hausen Nick , Palkovits Regina , Palkovits Stefan
Published: February 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) methods are very often used to make predictions for datasets that were created externally in arbitrary experiments or on already literature known datasets. In this work, we try to make use of active learning techniques to search for an optimal strategy for the startup‐phase of bulk nickel electrodes in the oxygen evolution reaction. The data collected was afterwards reduced in dimensions and used to extract additional information that were learned via an artificial neural network (ANN) on the dataset, respectively.
Development of a bio‐xerogel from Kraft black liquor and tannin: Crosslinker analysis and property assessment
Authors: Moreira Wardleison Martins , Viotti Paula Valéria , Paschoal Sirlei Marques , dos Santos Gaudêncio Baptista Cristina Maria , Gimenes Marcelino Luiz
Published: February 2025

The increasing environmental impact of industrial waste has driven the search for new synthesis routes utilizing natural precursors. This study explores the production of a biobased polymer from crude Kraft black liquor and condensed tannin, crosslinked with less toxic aldehydes such as furfural and glyoxal, as alternatives to formaldehyde. The synthesized bio‐xerogels demonstrated varying viscosities and physical properties depending on the tannin content and type of crosslinker used. Results indicated that furfural‐based formulations successfully gelled and exhibited superior mechanical strength and stability compared to formaldehyde ones. The study highlights the feasibility of using lignin‐rich industrial by‐products and natural phenolic compounds to develop sustainable, high‐performance materials. This contributes to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and offers potential applications in various environmental, medical, and industrial sectors.
No Boundaries and Naturally‐Defined Boundaries Obtained via the Electrostatic Potential
Authors: Roos Goedele , Vanpoucke Danny E. P. , Murray Jane S.
Published: February 2025

This paper discusses the use of the electrostatic potential in both recent and older literature, with an emphasis upon a 2022 Molecular Physics article by Politzer and Murray entitled ”Atoms do exist in molecules: analysis using electrostatic potentials at nuclei”. We discuss electrostatic potentials at nuclei and how they easily lead to atoms in molecules, without physically separating the individual atoms. We further summarize the work by the Politzer group on definitions of atomic radii by means of the electrostatic potential. The earlier studies began in the 1970’s and continued through the 1990’s. Unfortunately, access to these older publications is often limited, cfr. digital libraries often limit the authorized access until a certain publication year, and these papers are often not cited in current publications. Although still being highly interesting and relevant, this older literature is in danger of being lost. Digging into this older literature thus opens up new views. Our feeling is that Peter passed ‘on’ a vision that boundaries do not exist between atoms in molecules, but that some useful and meaningful radii can be obtained using the electrostatic potential between atoms in molecules.
Wolfium bonds with π systems as electron donors
Authors: Wang Heting , Li Qingzhong , Liu Shaoli , McDowell Sean A. C.
Published: February 2025

The term "wolfium bond" is employed to denote attractive interactions between group 6 elements and electron‐rich moieties. A theoretical investigation of the wolfium bond involving the compounds WnF4O or WnF2O, where Wn represents Cr, Mo or W, and π systems such as C2H2, C2H4 and C6H6, was conducted using density functional theory (DFT) at the ωB97XD/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory. Interaction energies range from ‐3.74 to ‐10.86 kcal/mol upon formation of the π‐Wn bond. The electrostatic contributions to the interaction energy were found to be dominant. Notably, the WnF4O system exhibits greater stability than its WnF2O counterpart, with the exception of the CrFxO system. The charge transfer between the interacting molecules lies between 0.0114 and 0.0946e in magnitude. The predominant type of orbital interaction is πC‐C→BD*Wn‐O. Our theoretical investigation revealed the presence of weak, but significant, wolfium bonds between group 6 elements and electron‐rich π systems.
Workflow4Metabolomics (W4M): A User‐Friendly Metabolomics Platform for Analysis of Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Data
Authors: Delporte Cédric , Tremblay‐Franco Marie , Guitton Yann , Canlet Cécile , Weber Ralf J. M. , Hecht Helge , Price Elliott James , Klánová Jana , Joly Charlotte , Dalle Céline , Saint‐Vanne Julien , Thévenot Etienne , Schmitz Isabelle , Chéreau Sylvain , Dechaumet Sylvain , Diémé Binta , Giacomoni Franck , Le Corguillé Gildas , Pétéra Mélanie , Souard Florence
Published: February 2025

Various spectrometric methods can be used to conduct metabolomics studies. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with separation methods, such as liquid or gas chromatography (LC and GC, respectively), are the most commonly used techniques. Once the raw data have been obtained, the real challenge lies in the bioinformatics required to conduct: (i) data processing (including preprocessing, normalization, and quality control); (ii) statistical analysis for comparative studies (such as univariate and multivariate analyses, including PCA or PLS‐DA/OPLS‐DA); (iii) annotation of the metabolites of interest; and (iv) interpretation of the relationships between key metabolites and the relevant phenotypes or scientific questions to be addressed. Here, we will introduce and detail a stepwise protocol for use of the Workflow4Metabolomics platform (W4M), which provides user‐friendly access to workflows for processing of LC–MS, GC–MS, and NMR data. Those modular and extensible workflows are composed of existing standalone components (e.g., XCMS and CAMERA packages) as well as a suite of complementary W4M‐implemented modules. This tool suite is accessible worldwide through a web interface and is hosted on UseGalaxy France. The extensible Virtual Research Environment (VRE) provided offers pre‐configured workflows for metabolomics communities (platforms, end users, etc.), as well as possibilities for sharing among users. By providing a consistent ecosystem of tools and workflows through Galaxy, W4M makes it possible to process MS and NMR data from hundreds of samples using an ordinary personal computer, after step‐by‐step workflow optimization. © 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: W4M account creation, working history preparation, and data upload

Support Protocol 1: How to prepare an NMR zip file

Support Protocol 2: How to convert MS data from proprietary format to open format

Support Protocol 3: How to get help with W4M (IFB forum) and how to report a problem on the GitHub repository

Basic Protocol 2: LC–MS data processing

Alternate Protocol 1: GC–MS data processing

Alternate Protocol 2: NMR data processing

Basic Protocol 3: Statistical analysis

Basic Protocol 4: Annotation of metabolites from LC–MS data

Alternate Protocol 3: Annotation of metabolites from NMR data
Audit Quality and Materiality Disclosure Quality in Integrated Reporting: The Moderating Effect of Carbon Assurance Quality
Authors: Velte Patrick
Published: February 2025

This study concentrates on the link between audit quality and materiality disclosure quality in integrated reporting and the moderating effect of carbon assurance quality. The cross‐country study consists of 612 firm‐year observations from European and South African listed firms between 2017 and 2022. Regression analyses indicate that audit fees and big four audit firms are positively and significantly related to integrated reporting quality, whereas audit firms as carbon assurors, reasonable assurance level, and reference to international sustainability assurance standards strengthen this link. These findings are robust to several endogeneity and additional analyses. The study mainly contributes to the increasing research on the influence of financial audits on sustainability issues. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical study on the relationship between audit quality and integrated reporting quality, based on materiality disclosure. Moreover, the moderator effect of carbon assurance quality is included as an innovative complementary monitoring factor.
Exosomal ALKBH5 Alleviates Vascular Calcification by Suppressing Cell Apoptosis via m6A‐Modified GSDME
Authors: Xu Guian , Li Qingman , Zhu Lijie , Yang Tingjie , Yang Yapan , Yang Honghui
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to explore the function and regulatory mechanism of ALKBH5 in the progression of coronary artery calcification. Human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HA‐VSMCs) were treated with inorganic phosphate (Pi) and exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) carrying ALKBH5, a GSDME overexpression vector or si‐GSDME. The morphology and size of the exosomes were assessed using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Calcium deposition was measured using Alizarin red staining and cell pyroptosis was evaluated using Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The association between ALKBH5 and m6A modifications was confirmed by methylated‐RNA immunoprecipitation assay (MeRIP) and dot blot assays. The expression levels of ALKBH5 and GSDME were quantified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), and protein levels were quantified by western blot. BMSCs‐derived exosomes reduced calcium deposition and cell pyroptosis in Pi‐treated HA‐VSMCs. Exosomes containing ALKBH5 overexpression inhibited high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and cell apoptosis, thereby promoting vascular calcification, whereas ALKBH5 knockdown in exosomes exerted the opposite effect on calcification development. Additionally, ALKBH5 was found to regulate the m6A modification of GSDME. Overexpression of GSDME reversed the effects of ALKBH5 in exosomes on HMGB1 expression and cell apoptosis. Exosomal ALKBH5 mitigated HMGB1 expression and cell pyroptosis by modulating the m6A modification of GSDME, thus influencing the progression of coronary artery calcification.
Does Fluorine Make a Difference? How Fluoro Groups Influence the (Structural) Properties of MOFs
Authors: Ruschewitz Uwe
Published: February 2025

Herein, the influence of fluorine substituents on the structural and physical properties of MOFs with aromatic carboxylate ligands is investigated. To achieve this, the focus is limited to a few widely used ligand classes, e. g. terephthalates or trimesates. It is shown that the torsion angle between the phenyl ring and the carboxylate groups plays a decisive role. This can also be transferred to more complex ligands. These considerations clearly show why there are isostructural variants of some MOFs with perfluorinated ligands known (e. g. MIL‐53), while for others no successful synthesis has been reported up to now (e. g. HKUST‐1). In order to investigate the influence of the fluorination of the linker on the properties of the corresponding MOFs, isostructural systems were analysed more specifically. It was found that the thermal and chemical stability decreases with fluorination, while the absorption of CO2 in particular is enhanced. With regard to the specific surface area (SBET), the results are contradictory.
Having the Heart to Exercise Control: Cardiac Interoception Influences Self‐Paced Exercise Regulation
Authors: Butterworth J. B. , Dekerle J. , Greenhouse‐Tucknott A. , Critchley H. D. , Smeeton N. J.
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study was to examine the role of cardiac interoception on self‐regulated (Experiment 1) and externally prescribed (Experiment 2) exercises. Cardiac interoception was assessed using heartbeat tracking and discrimination tasks in both experiments. Based on heartbeat discrimination performance, participants were partitioned into groups demonstrating GOOD and POOR cardiac interoceptive accuracy. In Experiment 1, 20 participants completed two self‐regulated 20‐min cycling tasks at two intensities (light rated physical exertion [RPE on Borg Scale = 10] vs. hard‐to‐very hard, RPE = 16). During self‐regulated exercise, the POOR cardiac interoception group showed lower differences in their exercise work rates and physiological responses between light and hard‐to‐very hard intensity exercises. These differences were partly attributable to a higher work rate over the first 5 min of light intensity exercise and a higher initial rate of work in the first min of hard‐to‐very hard intensity exercise. In Experiment 2, 15 participants completed an externally prescribed, constant‐load cycling task performed at 80% of the peak power output, to task failure. During externally prescribed exercise, GOOD and POOR groups did not differ in their time‐to‐task failure nor in their physiological and perceptual responses to the exercise. Together these findings demonstrate that individual differences in interoceptive accuracy influence the regulation of self‐paced exercise but do not affect externally prescribed exercise tolerance under constant load.
Determining the Contextual Factors in a Decision‐Making Framework for a Rugby League Ball Carrier: A Rapid Review and Delphi Study
Authors: Bletsoe James , Whitehead Sarah , Poolton Jamie , Till Kevin
Published: February 2025

Using a two‐phase approach in the form of a rapid literature review and Delphi consensus, this study aimed to reach consensus on the terms, definitions and potential options to develop a framework that captures the contextual factors that can affect a rugby league ball carrier’s decision‐making, whilst also determining the perceived importance of these contextual factors. Forty terms, their definitions and potential options were extracted from the rapid review. In a two‐round Delphi survey, experts rated their level of agreement with each term, definition and potential options on a five‐point Likert scale. Consensus was defined by ≥ 80% agreement (with ≤ 10% in disagreement). The experts then rated the level of importance to a ball carrier’s decision‐making of each of the terms on a seven‐point Likert scale. Eighteen experts participated in round one and 15 participated in round two (response rate 83%). Five additional terms were suggested by the experts and reached consensus in the second round of the Delphi survey. In total, consensus was reached on 45 terms, their definitions and potential options, which were grouped into five themes (match context, offensive context, defensive context, offensive ball carrier skill and attacking outcomes). Seventeen of the 45 terms were perceived to be important or very important. Nine of these factors were associated with offensive context and eight factors were associated with defensive context. The framework can be used by coaches, performance analysts and researchers to better understand player in‐game decisions and to support the design of training interventions.
Quantifying Climate Change Impacts on Hydrological Dynamics and Sedimentation Using GIS and SWAT+ Modelling
Authors: Ahmad Sheharyar , Shazil Muhammad Shareef , Mahmood Syed Amer , Abdullah‐Al‐Wadud M. , Tariq Aqil
Published: February 2025

Climate change significantly impacts natural hydrological systems worldwide, affecting water availability and sedimentation dynamics. The upper Indus Basin is one of the most crucial basins in South Asia, which is undergoing severe climatic variations, resulting in extreme flooding. This study examines the impact of climate change on the hydrological cycle, water availability, and sedimentation dynamics in the Shyok River basin in the Karakoram region. The study focuses on investigating the increasing outflows on a seasonal basis, as found in the previous studies, by utilising daily river discharge data between 2003 and 2014 at Yugo hydrographic station operated by WAPDA with geographic information systems (GIS), SWAT+ (Soil and Water Assessment Tool), remote sensing, and statistical techniques. To analyse climatic variables, using only available ground weather stations inside the basin, we have utilised the ERA 5 reanalysis dataset to evaluate seasonal precipitation and temperature trends. The significance of ERA5‐derived climatic variables has been assessed using the Mann‐Kendall test, Sen's slope analysis and the Coefficient of Determination R2 from 2000 to 2020 on a monthly basis. Analysis of seasonal discharge data using SWAT+ reveals a decline in water flow from July to October and a general upward trend during the last 20 years, such as a significant decrease in streamflow in the simulated trend, which was 293 m3/s in 2005 and dropped to 158 m3/s in 2017. In contrast, the maximum actual vs. simulated discharge decreased by 10 m3/s in 2010 and 2019, respectively. The temperature has increased by approximately 1.5°C. Seasonal precipitation analysis reveals an increasing trend in winter, while other seasons have shown fluctuating trends. Where the precipitation trends were found to be non‐significant, with p > 0.05. An analysis of sediment load and discharge of the model output suggests active erosion in the channel at a rate of approximately 40 megatons/ha. The study highlights the impacts of climate change on water availability and sedimentation dynamics in the Shyok River basin in the Karakoram region. It attempts to contribute to the existing literature on the evaluation of climate‐induced changes in river channel morphology. The study also highlights the necessity of continuous climatic and hydrographic data at the basin scale.
New Families of Strength‐3 Covering Arrays Using Linear Feedback Shift Register Sequences
Authors: Shokri Kianoosh , Moura Lucia
Published: February 2025

In an array over an alphabet of symbols, a ‐set of column indices is covered if each ‐tuple of the alphabet occurs at least once as a row of the sub‐array indexed by . A covering array, denoted by CA, is an array over an alphabet with symbols with the property that any ‐set of columns is covered. Here, is the size and is the strength of the covering array. Raaphorst et al. (Des. Codes Cryptogr. (2014) 73:949‐968) give a construction for a CA, which we denote as , by using linear feedback shift register (LFSR) sequences with characteristic polynomial being a primitive polynomial over . The array corresponds to a covering perfect hash family. We give a construction of covering arrays of strength 3 based on horizontally concatenating copies of , for any prime power and . The coverage is completed by developing Roux‐type constructions that exploit the structure of and remove repeated rows. Some of these covering arrays improve the previous best‐known upper bound of the size of covering arrays with the same corresponding parameters.
Anxiety and Depression Disorders in Vietnamese Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Cross‐Sectional Clinic‐Based Study
Authors: Phan Trung Nam , Tran Quoc Khanh , Truong Xuan Long , Nguyen Thi Huyen Thuong
Published: February 2025

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder. Growing evidence suggests a significant association between IBS and psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Vietnamese patients diagnosed with IBS according to Rome IV criteria.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study recruited 186 consecutive patients who underwent outpatient clinic visits and colonoscopy for gastrointestinal symptoms. IBS diagnosis was established using the validated Rome IV criteria. Anxiety and depression were assessed using a validated Vietnamese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results

The mean age of IBS patients was 49.5 ± 12.0 years, with females comprising 53.8%. IBS‐M was the most prevalent subtype (39.8%), followed by IBS‐C (39.2%) and IBS‐D (21.0%). Using the HADS cut‐off of ≥ 11 points for probable anxiety and depression, the prevalence was 21.0% and 11.8%, respectively. Expanding the criterion to a HADS of ≥ 8, indicating significant symptoms, increased the prevalence to 55.9% for anxiety and 40.8% for depression disorders. Patients with IBS‐C, IBS‐D, or IBS‐M exhibited a significantly higher risk of depressive disorders compared to those without IBS, with odds ratios of 4.261, 7.013, and 6.585, respectively (p < 0.001). Additionally, men were less likely than women to experience depressive disorders.

Conclusion

The findings revealed a high prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among Vietnamese patients with IBS. Those with the IBS‐M or IBS‐D subtypes and a greater number of gastrointestinal symptoms were more likely to experience higher levels of depression and anxiety, particularly women.
The flowers extracts of Citrus aurantium regulates fat metabolism in obese C57BL/6J mice by improving intestinal microbiota disorders
Authors: Hao Ke‐Xin , Shen Chun‐Yan , Jiang Jian‐Guo
Published: February 2025

Background

Obesity can lead to many diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, which seriously affect people's quality of life and health.

Aims of the study

To investigate the main components and potential of n‐butanol extract from Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl to reduce lipid accumulation and to explore its modulatory effects on the gut microbiota.

Methods

The main components of n‐butanol extract were analyzed using liquid chromatography quadrupole trap mass spectrometry (LC‐QTRAP‐MS) and a high‐fat diet‐induced obese mouse model was established to analyze its effects on the determination of gene expression levels and intestinal microbiota using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and 16S rRNA gene sequence method.

Results

The n‐butanol extract mainly consists of 15 components, and it could significantly inhibit weight gain, reduce liver coefficient and improve oxidative damage. By regulating the expression of related genes, it inhibited hepatic steatosis and hypertrophy of epididymal tissue. The n‐butanol extract increased the diversity of intestinal microbiota, improved the composition and structure of the flora, and reversed the high‐fat diet‐induced disturbance of intestinal microbiota in mice.

Conclusion

These results indicated that the n‐butanol extract of C. aurantium could inhibit lipid accumulation and provide a more comprehensive basis for the development and utilization of C. aurantium in anti‐obesity activity. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Exploring Access to Care in Zimbabwe Using the 3‐Delay Model
Authors: Green Katerina J. , Matinhira Naboth N. , Jain Amiti , Vallecillo Tissiana , Arya Priya , Candelo Estephania , Katiro Munyaradzi , Nyamurowa Tafadzwa , Douse Dontre' M. , Wiedermann Joshua P.
Published: February 2025

Objective(s)

We aim to identify the diversity of barriers to care for otolaryngology‐head and neck surgery patients in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Methods

Interviews were conducted at four general otolaryngology clinics in Harare in October 2022.

The patient population included children and adults presenting to either government or private clinics. Via interpreter, six standardized questions were discussed with each patient. Survey responses were used to categorize patients into one or more of three types of delays: (1) deciding to seek care, (2) reaching the appropriate healthcare facility, and (3) receiving adequate care after reaching that facility.

Results

Forty‐six patients participated in this survey. The average time from problem presentation to treatment in this population was 16.3 months. Twenty‐six percent of patients experienced more than one type of delay. The most common type of delay was Type 3 (67%). Many of these patients reached appropriate facilities but could not receive timely treatment due to lengthy wait times. Type 1 delays affected 35% of patients. Notable causes were fear of doctors, preference for traditional healing, or ignorance to a treatable problem. Type 2 delays were also reported in 37%, commonly due to long distance and time to travel and insufficient finances for these journeys.

Conclusions

ENT patients in Zimbabwe experience a myriad of delays to receiving appropriate care. Systemic issues, including backlogged surgical lists, convoluted referral patterns, and poor transportation infrastructure, are significant contributors to patient delays. The 3‐delay model is useful for identifying barriers to care for future efforts to improve patient access to safe and affordable surgical care.

Level of Evidence

Level VI.
A Strong Approximation in L2$$ {L}^2 $$ for the Solutions of the Maxwell System With Highly Oscillating Periodic Coefficients
Authors: Casado‐Díaz Juan , Khedhiri Nourelhouda , Lazhar Tayeb Mohamed
Published: February 2025

We consider a Maxwell system on with highly oscillating periodic coefficients. It is known that the solutions converge in the weak‐ topology of to the solution of a similar problem with constant coefficients given as the ‐limits of the electric permittivity and the magnetic permeability, respectively, that is, the limit in the sense of the homogenization of linear elliptic equations with varying coefficients. However, it is not true that the elliptic corrector also provides a corrector for the solution of the Maxwell system, that is, an approximation of the solutions in the strong topology of . We shall prove that the oscillations in the space variable also produce oscillations in the time variable. We get a corrector consisting of adding to the elliptic corrector the sum of infinitely plane waves in the fast variable. Note that related results have been previously proved for the wave equation. Our proof is based on the two‐scale convergence theory for almost periodic functions. One of the novelties is to show how this contains the classical Bloch decomposition.
The Truncated Euler–Maruyama Method for Caputo Fractional Stochastic Differential Equations
Authors: Liu Jiajun , Zhong Qiu , Huang JianFei
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we firstly construct the truncated Euler–Maruyama (EM) method for Caputo fractional stochastic differential equations (Caputo FSDEs) with the local Lipschitz condition and the Khasminskii‐type condition on drift and diffusion functions. After that, the boundedness and strong convergence of the numerical solutions are theoretically analyzed. Moreover, the strong convergence order of this presented truncated EM method is proved as , where denotes the order of Caputo derivative and . In the end, numerical experiments are demonstrated to confirm the correctness of the theoretical results.
Patients' Perception of Missed Nursing Care in a Tertiary Hospital: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Sarpong Afia Achiaa , Towell‐Barnard Amanda , Gent Lucy , Afrifa‐Yamoah Ebenezer , Arabiat Diana
Published: February 2025

Aims

To identify types of patient‐reported missed nursing care and adverse events and identify the factor associated with missed care in a Western Australian tertiary hospital.

Background

Research in the domain of missed nursing care has established the association between missed nursing care and unsafe patient outcomes. However, there is a paucity of evidence on patient perception of missed nursing care and associated factors.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Method

A study of inpatients in a tertiary teaching hospital in Western Australia was carried out. Ninety‐eight patients admitted in 16 medical and surgical wards were sampled. The patient MISSCARE survey was used to capture patient‐reported types of missed care, prevalence of adverse events and the association between missed care, unit type, demographic characteristics and patient health problems. Descriptive and logistic analysis were performed using SPSS.

Findings

The most frequently reported missed nursing care activities included mouth care (63%), ambulation (35%), helping patient out of bed into a chair (31%), informing patient about tests or procedures (29%) and considering patient opinion (27%). The majority of reported missed care activities were from basic care domain followed by communication. The most common adverse events reported were intravenous infusion leaking into skin, intravenous fluid running dry, falls and development of pressure ulcer. Significant association was observed between missed nursing care and patient age.

Discussion

The findings of this study showed significant level of patient‐reported missed nursing care particularly in the domain of basic care. Although this study's limitations, including its small sample size and potential response bias, warrant caution in generalising the findings, the insights gained provide a valuable foundation for future research aimed at improving patient care.

Conclusion

Findings provide valuable insight about patient's perception of missed care and inform the need for effective interventions to reduce unsafe outcomes related to missed nursing care.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Healthcare systems need to make necessary efforts to ensure that patients receive the right amount of care needed to maintain and promote safe hospitalisation outcomes.

Reporting Method

The study was reported according to the STROBE guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

The development of this study protocol, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results were carried out through a collaborative effort between patients, families and the research team.
Localization Through Coordination? Implementing the Humanitarian‐Development‐Peace Nexus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Desrosiers Marie‐Eve , Swedlund Haley J.
Published: February 2025

As a global concept and initiative, the Humanitarian‐Development‐Peace Nexus (HDPN) aims to improve integration across the traditionally siloed humanitarian, development, and security sectors, while foregrounding the involvement of local actors. Using original empirical data on the implementation of the HDPN in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), we show how and why the approach has not delivered substantive localization in the Congolese context. In the DRC, nexus implementation has replicated gaps and inequalities between the national and provincial levels. This manifests in two ways: a persistent functional disconnect between work at the national and the provincial levels, and a substantive disconnect in the form of an inability of national‐level actors to leverage an organic nexus already found at the provincial level. Our analysis raises important questions about the compatibility of coordination and substantive localization.
Ag‐Deposited Pitch‐Based Carbon Fiber/Silicone Composites With Enhanced Thermal Conductivity Through Reducing Interfacial Thermal Resistance
Authors: Shen Jingbo , Feng Yakai
Published: February 2025

Thermal interface materials are crucial for the thermal management of modern electronic devices. The thermal conductivity of polymer‐based composites, as the widely used thermal interface materials, is still limited by the high interfacial thermal resistance between the polymer matrix and the filler. Herein, pitch‐based carbon fibers co‐modified with silane coupling agent and Ag nanoparticles were developed and used as thermally conductive fillers to prepare silicone composites with the purpose of improving interfacial compatibility and reducing interfacial thermal resistance. Under scanning electron microscope observation, the modified carbon fibers dispersed uniformly, and they were adhered to by a number of Ag nanoparticles. The thermal conductivity of the silicone composite with a 20 wt% filling amount of modified carbon fibers reached up to 1.624 W m−1 K−1, which was 1.46 times higher than that of the unmodified carbon fiber filled silicone composite. The silicone composite with a 20 wt% filling amount of modified carbon fibers also exhibited a relatively high heat transfer rate and excellent mechanical properties. The electrical insulation and dielectric properties of silicone composites filled with modified carbon fibers also satisfied the requirements for the use of thermal interface materials. This approach provided an effective strategy for the development of thermal interface materials with high thermal conductivity in the thermal management field.