bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: Opportunities and Challenges for Non‐EU Countries
Authors: Erdogdu Erkan
Published: January 2025

The European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) represents a groundbreaking policy to address global climate change by mitigating carbon leakage and aligning international trade with environmental objectives. As the first initiative of its kind, CBAM imposes carbon pricing on imported goods, encouraging non‐EU producers to meet stringent environmental standards. This mechanism not only supports the EU's ambitious Green Deal targets but also drives innovation, fostering a global transition to low‐carbon technologies. This paper offers an analysis of CBAM's design, phased implementation, and possible impacts. While CBAM drives technological advancements and strengthens climate governance, it also poses challenges, including compliance burdens for developing nations and potential geopolitical tensions. CBAM also promotes sustainable economic transformation by encouraging exporters in carbon‐intensive sectors to adopt green technologies, enhancing competitiveness and resilience. However, without financial and technical assistance, compliance costs risk deepening global inequalities. This study underscores CBAM's dual role as an environmental policy and a catalyst for equitable sustainability, linking economic, environmental, and technological dimensions. The findings highlight how trade policies can address global challenges, drive innovation, and reshape international climate governance, offering insights for policymakers navigating the complexities of sustainable development.
Configure to Conquer: Implementing Configurators to Improve Competitiveness
Authors: Netz Johan , Padhi Pritam , Magnusson Peter , Odhe JanErik , Skrinning Mattias , Windfäll Åsa
Published: January 2025

Recent advancements in technology have created new possibilities for customizing product design without significantly changing the costs of production. By using so-called configurators, which are a form of platform-based technology, firms now have the means to customize products more efficiently. Previous research has mainly focused on the technical side of configurators, whereas the business and organizational issues involved during their introduction are much less understood. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the challenges of adopting configurators in an organization. We combine a literature review from 1980 to the present with findings from an empirical study of a newly developed sales configurator for maritime components.
Enhancing the Phygital Customer Experience in the Digital World
Authors: Gustafsson Amie , Öberg Christina , Shams Poja
Published: January 2025

This chapter explores the concepts of customer experience (CX), phygital customer experience, and digital customer experience. We begin by examining the evolution of the concept of experience in the economy, including the challenges of effectively understanding and measuring experiences. We then delve into the challenges of understanding CX in the context of digitalization and automation, specifically through the lens of self-service technology. This chapter provides an in-depth examination of the conceptualization of CX in unmanned stores and offers insights into how researchers and practitioners can navigate this evolving landscape.
Improved π0, η, η′ transition form factors in resonance chiral theory and their $$ {a}_{\mu}^{\textrm{HLbL}} $$ contribution
Authors: Estrada Emilio J. , Gonzàlez-Solís Sergi , Guevara Adolfo , Roig Pablo
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Working with Resonance Chiral Theory, within the two resonance multiplets saturation scheme, we satisfy leading (and some subleading) chiral and asymptotic QCD constraints and accurately fit simultaneously the π
0
, η, η′ transition form factors, for single and double virtuality. In the latter case, we supplement the few available measurements with lattice data to ensure a faithful description. Mainly due to the new results for the doubly virtual case, we improve over existing descriptions for the η and η′. Our evaluation of the corresponding pole contributions to the hadronic light-by-light piece of the muon g − 2 read:

$$ {a}_{\mu}^{\pi^0-\textrm{pole}}=\left(61.9\pm {0.6}_{-1.5}^{+2.4}\right)\times {10}^{-11} $$

a
μ

π
0

−
pole

=

61.9
±

0.6

−
1.5

+
2.4

×

10

−
11

,

$$ {a}_{\mu}^{\eta -\textrm{pole}}=\left(15.2\pm {0.5}_{-0.8}^{+1.1}\right)\times {10}^{-11} $$

a
μ

η
−
pole

=

15.2
±

0.5

−
0.8

+
1.1

×

10

−
11

and

$$ {a}_{\mu}^{\eta^{\prime }-\textrm{pole}}=\left(14.2\pm {0.7}_{-0.9}^{+1.4}\right)\times {10}^{-11} $$

a
μ

η
′

−
pole

=

14.2
±

0.7

−
0.9

+
1.4

×

10

−
11

, for a total of

$$ {a}_{\mu}^{\pi^0+\eta +{\eta}^{\prime }-\textrm{pole}}=\left(91.3\pm {1.0}_{-1.9}^{+3.0}\right)\times {10}^{-11} $$

a
μ

π
0

+
η
+

η
′

−
pole

=

91.3
±

1.0

−
1.9

+
3.0

×

10

−
11

, where the first and second errors are the statistical and systematic uncertainties, respectively.
New insights into the biology of the commercial holothurian Parastichopus regalis (Cuvier, 1817) and their ecological implications
Authors: Ramón Montserrat , Baeta Marc , Pérez-Ruzafa Angel , Galimany Eve
Published: January 2025

Holothurians provide important ecosystem services by enhancing sediment health through bioturbation. The sea cucumber Parastichopus regalis has a wide distribution in the Mediterranean Sea. Even though it is a commercially exploited species, little is known about its ecological traits and there is no information on the bioturbation potential resulting from its feeding activity. To address these knowledge gaps, the population density, demographic structure, musculature and evisceration of P. regalis were investigated on Arenys de Mar, NW Mediterranean. Food assimilation efficiency, and feeding and bioturbation rates were assessed through field and laboratory experiments. The exploited population exhibited a healthy distribution of sizes/ages, and the density values were similar to or greater than those described in other Mediterranean areas. This species did not show seasonal evisceration, and seasonal patterns in muscle weight depended on year and body size. The field results indicated that P. regalis selected organic matter from the sediment as food. The average individual feeding rate was 8.6 g wet sediment d−1. The bioturbation role of the P. regalis population in the studied area was especially important at depths between 81 m and 124 m, where it consumed between 7.6 and 13.8 t of wet sediment y−1 km−2. These results highlight the important role that this species play in deep habitats as sediment bioturbator, controlling the accumulation of dead organic matter.
Trophic ecology of squids in the Benguela Upwelling System elucidated by combining stomach content, stable isotope and fatty acid analyses
Authors: Kremer Kira Izabela , Hagen Wilhelm , Oesterwind Daniel , Duncan Sabrina , Bode-Dalby Maya , Dorschner Sabrina , Dudeck Tim , Sell Anne F.
Published: January 2025

Squids occur worldwide in marine ecosystems and play a major role in pelagic food webs by connecting lower and higher trophic levels. Their high feeding intensities and pronounced diel vertical migrations make squids important components of nutrient cycles in marine ecosystems. This study assessed the trophic position and nutritional ecology of a squid species assemblage in the Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) by combining stomach content, stable isotope and fatty acid trophic marker analyses. Samples were collected in the northern (nBUS) and southern (sBUS) BUS in austral spring 2021. A total of 20 squid species from eleven families were identified. Stomach content analyses showed that squid species preyed on a variety of organisms ranging from crustaceans to lanternfishes (Myctophidae) and flying squids (Ommastrephidae). Stable isotope analyses revealed significant differences in δ15N values of small squids (dorsal mantle length < 10 cm) between the two subsystems, but none in those of large squids (dorsal mantle length > 10 cm). Trophic levels ranged from 2.2 to 5.0. Isotopic niche width was widest in the families Ommastrephidae and Cranchiidae. Principal component analyses of fatty acid compositions displayed distinct clusters separating squid families and different prey taxa. This study shows that nBUS and sBUS squids exploit a large variety of pelagic prey organisms and that trophic differences are primarily dependent on squid species and size. The results emphasize the squids’ importance as interlinking element in pelagic food webs and their key function in energy transfer between epi- and mesopelagic layers.
Differentiating Kawasaki Disease and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Using Blood Composite Scores: Insights into Clinical Outcomes and Predictive Indices
Authors: Ulu Kadir , Çağlayan Şengül , Coşkuner Taner , Vazgeçer Ebru Oğultekin , Öner Taliha , Sözeri Betül
Published: January 2025

The study sought to assess the clinical utility of complete blood count-derived composite scores, suggesting their potential as markers of inflammation and disease severity in Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) with Kawasaki-like features. This retrospective study analyzed data from 71 KD and 73 MIS-C patients and 70 healthy controls. The KD group showed a higher rate of coronary involvement (26.7% vs. 10.9%), while the MIS-C group had a higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate (34.2% vs. 2.8%). Platelet counts, lymphocyte counts, mean platelet volume (MPV), MPV/Lymphocyte (MPVLR), and MPV/Platelet (MPVPR) ratios demonstrated the highest specificities in distinguishing MIS-C than KD (84.5%, 83.1%, 91.1%, 88.7%, and 88.7%, respectively). Monocyte counts, MPV, and MPVPR demonstrated the highest specificities to predictive ICU admission in the MIS-C group (83.3%, 89.6%, and 89.6%, respectively). Lymphocyte counts, platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), MPVLR, and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII) parameters were found to have high negative predictive values for predicting KD patients without coronary artery lesions (CALs) (85.7%, 86.1%, 87.1%, 87.1%, and 85.7%, respectively)., Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), MPVPR, and CRP were independently predictive of ICU admission in the MIS-C group, and lymphocyte count and IVIG resistance were also identified as significant predictors of CALs in the KD group. NLR, MPVLR, MPVPR, and NPR indices effectively differentiate MIS-C from KD and predict ICU admission in MIS-C. NLR, PLR, MPVLR, and SII are valuable in excluding CALs in KD with high negative predictive values. In addition, SIRI and MPVLR were independent predictors of ICU admission in MIS-C, and lymphocyte count was identified as an independent predictor of CALs in KD.
Morphometric analysis of the greater palatine foramen: a CBCT study in Portugal
Authors: Martins Tomás , Guedes Vanessa , Martins Eugénio , Mesquita Pedro
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The greater palatine foramen (GPF) represents the inferior opening of the greater palatine canal and is located posterolaterally on both sides of the hard palate. The aim of this study is to morphometrically characterise the GPF and to determine its anatomical relationships in a Portuguese population.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed based on the clinical records which included all permanent teeth erupted and a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of the entire maxilla. The diameters of the GPF and its distances to posterior nasal spine (PNS), posterior border of the hard palate (PBHP), anterior nasal spine (ANS), midline maxillary suture (MMS) and incisive foramen (IF) were measured. Its position in relation to molars and the shape and direction of opening towards the oral cavity were classified. Global descriptive and comparative analysis were conducted.

Results

N = 100. Metric analysis (mean in millimetres): anteroposterior diameter 5.35, lateromedial diameter 2.24, GPF-PNS 16.26, GPF-PBHP 4.83, GPF-ANS 49.94, GPF-MMS 14.74, GPF-IF 35.18. Position in relation to molars (%): 0% anterior to 2nd molar, 3% opposite 2nd molar, 15% between 2nd and 3rd molars, 77% opposite 3rd molar, 5% distal to 3rd molar. Shape (%): oval 71%, slit 26%, round 1%, other 2%. Metric variables were higher in males than in females (95% CI). There were no differences between genders for categorical variables or between sides for any variable (95% CI).

Conclusion

The most common shape of the GPF is oval and its most common position is opposite the 3rd molar.
Advancing eco-friendly adsorption: a sustainable approach for rapid and efficient methylene blue removal
Authors: Erdem Yayayürük Aslı , Çankaya Nevin , Yayayürük Onur
Published: January 2025

Synthetic dyes, particularly methylene blue (MB), pose significant environmental challenges due to their persistent presence in water bodies. This study introduces a sustainable polymer adsorbent, poly(LIM-co-DVB-co-AcM), synthesized using d-limonene and 4-acryloylmorpholine. Comprehensive characterization using FTIR, SEM, TGA, and BET analysis revealed its thermal stability, surface morphology, and adsorption properties. Adsorption experiments demonstrated optimal MB removal at pH 7.0 with a 20 mg dosage and a 60-min contact time. The Langmuir isotherm model showed monolayer adsorption with a capacity of 54.2 mg g−1, while kinetic studies confirmed the suitability of the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a spontaneous and exothermic process. The polymer achieved over 99% MB removal efficiency across diverse water matrices, highlighting its potential as a scalable and eco-friendly solution for water purification.
Natural variability masks climate change sea surface temperature signals: a comparison between the Baltic Sea, North Sea and North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Poul H. Mashayekh , Gröger M. , Karsten S. , Mayer B. , Pohlmann T. , Meier H. E. M.
Published: January 2025

Climate variability in marine environments, particularly sea surface temperature (SST), is influenced by natural fluctuations occurring at various temporal and spatial scales. Distinguishing between anthropogenic climate change trends and natural variability is crucial for understanding the complex dynamics of ocean temperatures. This study applies the concept of Time of Emergence (ToE) to estimate when the signal of long-term climate change becomes distinguishable from natural variability in SST for different seasons. The study focuses on the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and North Atlantic Ocean, utilizing 30 ensemble members of simulation from a regional climate model system, MPIOM-REMO, with slightly different initial conditions. The results reveal that winter ToEs emerge earlier than summer ToEs in all study areas, mainly driven by larger winter SST changes and show that shallow coastal seas like the North and Baltic Seas experience earlier ToEs than the deep central North Atlantic. These findings emphasize the influence of regional processes, such as sea ice dynamics and changes in stratification, on the spatial and temporal variability of ToE patterns.
Current practice and barriers for transition of care (TOC) in pediatric surgery: perspectives of adult surgeons from different subspecialties
Authors: Sia Woon Teen , Tay Jia Chyi , Lee Tiong Chan , Nah Shireen Anne , A. Nallusamy Mohan Arunasalam , Mahendran Hans Alexander
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The advancements in neonatal resuscitation and surgical care have enabled children with congenital abnormalities to receive corrective surgeries and achieve lifespans well into adulthood. These patients may require long-term follow-up as they continue to have risks of developing sequelae from their original diseases or surgical interventions.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the current practice and barriers to the transition of care (TOC) from the perspectives of adult surgeons.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with purposive sampling of adult surgeons from different subspecialties. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed.

Results

There were 60 respondents. 62% of the respondents had experience managing referrals for continuation of care or complications in patients with congenital abnormalities. 38% of the respondents believed that TOC should be implemented when patients reached ages 17–18 years. 93% of the respondents agreed that a proper TOC model would greatly benefit patient care, and 97% asserted the need to develop TOC pathways in Malaysia. The absence of a proper guideline was the greatest barrier to a smooth TOC.

Conclusion

This study offered insights into the obstacles to TOC based on the perspectives and experiences of adult surgeons who participated. While not exhaustive, our study provided a better understanding of the challenges in developing the appropriate referral pathways for the continued care of these patients.
Fasting glucose levels at diagnosis and delivery are associated with postpartum glucose abnormalities in GDM women
Authors: Gu Ying , Chen Yu , Hu Lingli , Chen Sha , Wang Lin , Chen Mengting , Gu Yanfang , Chen Qi
Published: January 2025

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Although the increased glucose levels typically return to normal range after delivery for most GDM women, a significant proportion of GDM women develop impaired glucose tolerance or overt diabetes after delivery. Several factors associated with postpartum glucose abnormalities have been identified, yet the link between fasting glucose levels at diagnosis of GDM and postpartum glucose abnormalities remains unclear. In this retrospective study with 866 GDM women, we found that 12.5% presented with abnormal postpartum fasting glucose levels (prediabetes). Among those with postpartum fasting glucose abnormalities (n = 109), 63 (57%) women had abnormal fasting glucose levels at diagnosis, indicating an odds ratio of 1.662 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.479, p < 0.001) for these GDM women developing postpartum fasting glucose abnormalities, compared to those GDM women with normal postpartum fasting glucose levels. Additionally, of GDM women with abnormal postpartum glucose levels (n = 109),70 (64%) presented with abnormal fasting glucose levels one day before delivery. The odds ratio for these GDM women presenting with abnormal postpartum fasting glucose levels was 3.751 (95% CI: 2.462, 5.664, p < 0.001) compared to those GDM women with normal postpartum fasting glucose levels. Furthermore, GDM women with additional insulin treatment or delivered an LGA infant significantly increased the risk of developing postpartum fasting glucose abnormalities. Our findings suggest that abnormal fasting glucose levels at diagnosis or shortly before delivery could be a predictive indicator for postpartum glucose abnormalities in GDM women.
Validation of mortality risk scores after esophagectomy
Authors: Schiefer Sabine , Crnovrsanin Nerma , Rompen Ingmar F. , Jorek Nicolas , Al-Saeedi Mohammed , Schmidt Thomas , Nienhüser Henrik , Sisic Leila
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Oncological esophagectomy is the mainstay in esophageal cancer treatment, but perioperative mortality remains a significant concern. Various scoring systems exist to identify patients at high risk for postoperative complications and death. In the following, we aim to evaluate and compare these different scoring systems.

Methods

We analyzed data from 714 patients who underwent esophagectomy between 2002 and 2021. Each patient’s risk was calculated using three models: the International Esodata Study Group (IESG) 90-day mortality risk prediction, the Steyerberg 30-day mortality score, and the Fuchs et al. preoperative in-hospital mortality score (Fuchs score). The diagnostic performance of these models was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

Of the 714 patients, the majority (87.67%) underwent abdomino-thoracic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis. The IESG score classified 52.1% as very low, 26.6% low, 17.5% middle, 2.8% high, and 1% as very high risk, while the Fuchs score identified 94.5% as low-risk and 5.5% as high-risk patients. Mortality rates were 6.9% at 90 days, 3.4% at 30 days, and 6.7% in-hospital. The area under the ROC curve was 0.634 (95%CI: 0.557–0.712) for the IESG model, 0.637 (95%CI: 0.526–0.747) for the Steyerberg score, and 0.686 (95%CI: 0.611–0.760) for the Fuchs score.

Conclusions

Existing risk score systems provide a possibility for preoperative risk stratification, particularly for identifying high-risk patients. However, due to their limited predictive ability, improvements are needed to apply these strategies effectively in clinical practice.
A framework for nurturing champions of digital innovation
Authors: Horstmann Svea , Drechsler Katharina , Chandra Kruse Leona
Published: January 2025

Information Systems (IS) champions enthusiastically promote a digital innovation project throughout its development by obtaining the necessary resources. These individuals shape the innovativeness of an organization, as they initiate digital innovation projects and lead them toward successful completion. We still know little about how these champions can be identified and nurtured in organizations. We follow the Design Science Research approach in developing a framework for nurturing IS champions that can guide human resource practitioners. Our framework offers a strategic view of the champion journey and prescribes recommendations for action. The design decisions were derived from literature on digital innovation and innovation champions, and the framework was subsequently refined and evaluated meticulously. The design underwent two stages based on expert interviews from the IT industry (formative evaluation) and was subsequently evaluated by experts in digital innovation project management and human resource development in the IT industry (summative evaluation). The results demonstrate the feasibility of the framework and offer further insights into the problem and solution space of nurturing IS champions.
Prediction and decoding of metaverse coin dynamics: a granular quest using MODWT-Facebook’s prophet-TBATS and XAI methodology
Authors: Ghosh Indranil , Megaravalli Amith Vikram , Abedin Mohammad Zoynul , Topuz Kazim
Published: January 2025

The growing media buzz and industry focus on the emergence and rapid development of Metaverse technology have paved the way for the escalation of multifaceted research. Specific Metaverse coins have come into existence, but they have barely seen any traction among practitioners despite their tremendous potential. The current work endeavors to deeply analyze the temporal characteristics of 6 Metaverse coins through the lens of predictive analytics and explain the forecasting process. The dearth of research imposes serious challenges in building the forecasting model. We resort to a granular prediction setup incorporating the Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transformation (MODWT) technique to disentangle the original series into subseries. Facebook's Prophet and TBATS algorithms are utilized to individually draw predictions on granular components. Aggregating components-wise forecasted figures achieve the final forecast. Facebook's Prophet is deployed in a multivariate setting, applying a set of explanatory features covering macroeconomic, technical, and social media indicators. Rigorous performance checks justify the efficiency of the integrated forecasting framework. Additionally, to interpret the black box typed prediction framework, two explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) frameworks, SHAP and LIME, are used to gauge the nature of the influence of the predictor variables, which serve several practical insights.
Interventions to Teacher Well-Being and Burnout A Scoping Review
Authors: Avola Pauliina , Soini-Ikonen Tiina , Jyrkiäinen Anne , Pentikäinen Viivi
Published: January 2025

Teacher burnout, stress, and turnover are increasing globally, underscoring the need to explore ways to reduce burnout and support teacher well-being. This scoping review identifies the contents, characteristics, and results of interventions to increase teacher well-being and reduce burnout. The search was conducted using two databases (Education Research Complete and ERIC). Out of 958 studies, 46 addressed interventions to support teacher well-being or reduce teacher burnout. The data covered 7369 participants in 15 countries. Of the 46 studies, 14 used mixed methods, four qualitative approaches, and 28 used quantitative approaches. The content of the interventions primarily focused on improving individual well-being, with some interventions incorporating communal activities. The qualitative content analysis revealed a broad spectrum of intervention activities, including physical activity, mindfulness and meditation, professional development, therapy-based techniques, gratitude practices, and a mix of multiple activities. The PERMA-H model of positive psychology is applied to unify the heterogeneous field of teacher well-being intervention research. The PERMA-H model's contents were broadly consistent with the intervention's contents, emphasising engagement (E), positive emotions (P), relationships (R), and health (H). The gratitude interventions, therapy-based interventions, physical activity interventions, and most mindfulness and meditation interventions, professional development and mixed activities interventions positively contributed to teacher well-being. Overall, the review highlights the diverse methods and theoretical frameworks employed to address teacher well-being, which the PERMA-H model can unify.
Tetrahedron instantons on orbifolds
Authors: Szabo Richard J. , Tirelli Michelangelo
Published: January 2025

Given a homomorphism

$$\tau $$

τ

from a suitable finite group

$${\mathsf {\Gamma }}$$

Γ

to

$$\textsf{SU}(4)$$

SU
(
4
)

with image

$${\mathsf {\Gamma }}^\tau $$

Γ

τ

, we construct a cohomological gauge theory on a non-commutative resolution of the quotient singularity

$$\mathbbm {C}^4/{\mathsf {\Gamma }}^\tau $$

C
4

/

Γ

τ

whose BRST fixed points are

$${\mathsf {\Gamma }}$$

Γ

-invariant tetrahedron instantons on a generally non-effective orbifold. The partition function computes the expectation values of complex codimension one defect operators in rank r cohomological Donaldson–Thomas theory on a flat gerbe over the quotient stack

$$[\mathbbm {C}^4/\,{\mathsf {\Gamma }}^\tau ]$$

[

C
4

/

Γ

τ

]

. We describe the generalized ADHM parametrization of the tetrahedron instanton moduli space and evaluate the orbifold partition functions through virtual torus localization. If

$${\mathsf {\Gamma }}$$

Γ

is an abelian group the partition function is expressed as a combinatorial series over arrays of

$${\mathsf {\Gamma }}$$

Γ

-coloured plane partitions, while if

$${\mathsf {\Gamma }}$$

Γ

is non-abelian the partition function localizes onto a sum over torus-invariant connected components of the moduli space labelled by lower-dimensional partitions. When

$${\mathsf {\Gamma }}=\mathbbm {Z}_n$$

Γ
=

Z
n

is a finite abelian subgroup of

$$\textsf{SL}(2,\mathbbm {C})$$

SL
(
2
,
C
)

, we exhibit the reduction of Donaldson–Thomas theory on the toric Calabi–Yau four-orbifold

$$\mathbbm {C}^2/\,{\mathsf {\Gamma }}\times \mathbbm {C}^2$$

C
2

/

Γ
×

C
2

to the cohomological field theory of tetrahedron instantons, from which we express the partition function as a closed infinite product formula. We also use the crepant resolution correspondence to derive a closed formula for the partition function on any polyhedral singularity.
Efficacy and Safety of Boswellia serrata and Apium graveolens L. Extract Against Knee Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Degeneration: A Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Vaidya Narendra , Agarwal Ramshyam , Dipankar D. G. , Patkar Hrishikesh , Ganu Gayatri , Nagore Dheeraj , Godse Chhaya , Mehta Anirudh , Mehta Dilip , Nair Sujit
Published: January 2025

Background

Osteoarthritis is the prevailing form of inflammatory condition in joints of adults and the aging population, leading to long-term disability and chronic pain. Current therapeutic options have variable therapeutic efficacy and/or several side effects.

Methods

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 62 participants using a nutraceutical [standardized Boswellia serrata Roxb. gum resin (300 mg) and Apium graveolens L. seed extract (250 mg)], to determine its safety and efficacy for supporting cartilage health and reduction in knee osteoarthritis symptoms. All participants were assessed for physical function and pain with the help of WOMAC, VAS, Physicians' Global Assessment for the six-minute walk test/pain. Knee X-ray, KOOS questionnaire score, and FACIT-F score were assessed. Additionally, inflammatory, cartilage degeneration and regeneration biomarkers in serum and urine were evaluated at baseline and after 90 days of treatment.

Results

Oral administration of the nutraceutical resulted in prolonged symptomatic relief with reduced pain, stiffness, and swelling. Inflammatory (serum IL-7, IL-1, IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α, ESR) and cartilage degeneration biomarkers (serum CTX-II, COMP, MMP-3 and urinary CTX-II) were decreased in the nutraceutical group compared to baseline and placebo. Furthermore, serum N-propeptide of collagen IIA (PIIANP) and procollagen-type-C propeptide (PIICP) levels were increased in the nutraceutical group, suggesting collagen synthesis contributing to cartilage regeneration. At given doses for 90 days, there were no adverse effects based on the clinical examination, biochemical, hematological, and ECG analysis.

Conclusions

Taken together, the combination of Boswellia and celery could be a safe and promising herbal nutraceutical option for managing osteoarthritis and cartilage health effectively.
The negative relationship between brain-age gap and psychological resilience defines the age-related neurocognitive status in older people
Authors: Gu Yue , Wong Nichol M. L. , Chan Chetwyn C. H. , Wu Jingsong , Lee Tatia M. C.
Published: January 2025

Biological brain age is a brain-predicted age using machine learning to indicate brain health and its associated conditions. The presence of an older predicted brain age relative to the actual chronological age is indicative of accelerated aging processes. Consequently, the disparity between the brain’s chronological age and its predicted age (brain-age gap) and the factors influencing this disparity provide critical insights into cerebral health dynamics during aging. In this study, we employed a Lasso regression model and analyzed multimodal imaging data from 124 participants aged 53 to 76 to formulate and predict brain age. Additionally, we conducted partial correlation analyses to explore the complex relationship between the brain-age gap and network metrics, cognitive assessments, and emotional evaluations, while controlling for chronological age, gender, and education. Our findings highlight psychological resilience as a significant mitigating factor against premature brain aging. It is established that psychological resilience significantly influences the modulation of the brain-age gap. Moreover, psychological resilience and the brain-age gap exhibit a high accuracy (above 0.72) in segregating Montreal Cognitive Assessment score–based cohorts. This observation underscores significant insight into the potential of utilizing the brain-age gap as a diagnostic tool for the early detection of accelerated aging. It advocates for the timely application of interventions, including the development of programs aimed at bolstering psychological resilience.
Finding relevant stakeholders and related social topics for the implementation of Social Life Cycle Assessment in the multistorey timber construction sector
Authors: Bruno Morena , Zanchi Laura , Patrizi Nicoletta , Neri Elena , Rusen Madalina , Elisei Pietro , Gioia Carmela , Pulselli Federico Maria , Bastianoni Simone
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to identify the most relevant stakeholder groups and related social topics for the multistorey timber construction sector and provide first insights on the potential social effects—negative (risks) and positive (benefits)—produced by the prospective increase of multistorey timber constructions in Europe considering their whole life cycle.

Methods

The advancement of social materiality assessment was conducted to unveil the most relevant stakeholder groups and related social topics of the building sector by considering what is proposed by the UNEP Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment and Handbook for Product Social Impact Assessment. To verify selected social topics and collect information on their level of relevance, we based our research approach on stakeholder engagement through a dedicated online workshop and interviews.

Results

Seventeen social topics were selected as material for the multistorey timber construction sector according to the literature review and the stakeholder engagement activities. No significant variance in relevance level was observed according to a five-level Likert scale (from 1, not at all relevant, to 5, very relevant), all rating above level 3 (relevant); the ones perceived as very relevant being “Health and safety” (Users), “Safe and healthy living conditions” (Local Community), and “Fair salary” (Workers).

Conclusions

This study highlights how conducting a social materiality assessment and engaging stakeholders play a crucial role in identifying an initial set of critical social topics to focus on for further evaluation of potential impacts and performance. Since there is not yet a standardized approach for the S-LCA application in the construction sector, results from this work represent an initial step towards the prioritization process of social topics. This prioritization process aims to assign priority levels to a list of social topics derived from a review process based on various sources.
18F-FDG PET/CT radiomic analysis and artificial intelligence to predict pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients
Authors: Urso Luca , Manco Luigi , Cittanti Corrado , Adamantiadis Sara , Szilagyi Klarisa Elena , Scribano Giovanni , Mindicini Noemi , Carnevale Aldo , Bartolomei Mirco , Giganti Melchiore
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Build machine learning (ML) models able to predict pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer (BC) patients based on conventional and radiomic signatures extracted from baseline [18F]FDG PET/CT.

Material and methods

Primary tumor and the most significant lymph node metastasis were manually segmented in baseline [18F]FDG PET/CT of 52 newly diagnosed BC patients. Clinical parameters, NAC and conventional semiquantitative PET parameters were collected. The standard of reference considered was surgical pCR after NAC (ypT0;ypN0). Eight-hundred-fifty-four radiomic features (RFts) were extracted from both PET and CT datasets, according to IBSI; robust RFTs were selected. The cohort was split in training (70%) and validation (30%) sets. Four ML Models (Clinical Model, CT Model, PET Model_T and PET Model_T + N) each one with 3 learners (Random Forest (RF), Neural Network and Stochastic Gradient Descendent) were trained and tested using RFts and clinical signatures. PET Models were built considering robust RFTs extracted from either primary tumor alone (PET Model_T) or also including the reference lymph node (PET Model_T + N).

Results

72 pathological uptakes (52 primary BC and 20 lymph node metastasis) at [18F]FDG PET/CT were segmented. pCR occurred in 44.2% cases. Twelve, 46 and 141 robust RFts were selected from CT Model, PET Model_T and PET Model_T + N, respectively. PET Models showed better performance than CT and Clinical Models. The best performances were obtained by the RF algorithm of the PET Model_T + N (AUC = 0.83;CA = 0.74;TP = 78%;TN = 72%).

Conclusion

ML models trained on PET/CT radiomic features extracted from primary BC and lymph node metastasis could concur in the prediction of pCR after NAC and improve BC management.
On invariants of free metabelian bicommutative algebras
Authors: Öğüşlü Nazar Şahin , Fındık Şehmus
Published: January 2025

An algebra is bicommutative if it satisfies left and right symmetries; i.e.,

$$a(bc)=b(ac)$$

a
(
b
c
)
=
b
(
a
c
)

and

$$(ab)c=(ac)b$$

(
a
b
)
c
=
(
a
c
)
b

. Let K be a field of characteristic zero, and

$$M_n$$

M
n

,

$$n\ge 3$$

n
≥
3

, be the free metabelian bicommutative algebra generated by a set

$$X_n=\{x_1,\ldots ,x_n\}$$

X
n

=

{

x
1

,
…
,

x
n

}

of variables, in which the identity

$$(xy)(zt)=0$$

(
x
y
)
(
z
t
)
=
0

is being satisfied. We define the action of the alternating group

$$A_n$$

A
n

on

$$M_n$$

M
n

as follows.

$$\pi f(x_1,\ldots ,x_n)=f(x_{\pi (1)},\ldots ,x_{\pi (n)})$$

π
f

(

x
1

,
…
,

x
n

)

=
f

(

x

π
(
1
)

,
…
,

x

π
(
n
)

)

, where

$$\pi \in A_n$$

π
∈

A
n

and

$$f\in M_n$$

f
∈

M
n

. The set

$$M_n^{A_n}=\{f\in M_n\mid \pi f=f\ , \forall \pi \in A_n\}$$

M
n

A
n

=

{
f
∈

M
n

∣
π
f
=
f

,
∀
π
∈

A
n

}

is a subalgebra of

$$M_n$$

M
n

called the algebra of invariants of the group

$$A_n$$

A
n

. In the first part of this study, we describe the elements of the algebra

$$M_n^{A_n}$$

M
n

A
n

. We also give the description of the algebras

$$M_2^{C_2}$$

M
2

C
2

,

$$M_2^{C_3}$$

M
2

C
3

,

$$M_2^{C_2\times C_2}$$

M
2

C
2

×

C
2

, and

$$M_2^{C_4}$$

M
2

C
4

of invariants of the groups

$$C_2$$

C
2

,

$$C_3$$

C
3

,

$$C_2\times C_2$$

C
2

×

C
2

, and

$$C_4$$

C
4

of order up to 4, respectively, as a subgroups of the general linear group

$$\text {GL}_2(K)$$

GL
2

(
K
)

.
Individuals’ Desire for Social Needs Sharing Among Healthcare Providers: Findings from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey
Authors: Olvera Ramona G. , Swoboda Christine M. , Joseph Joshua J. , Bose-Brill Seuli , McAlearney Ann Scheck , Walker Daniel M.
Published: January 2025

Background

Increasingly, health systems are collecting and using social needs data, yet there is limited information about individuals’ preferences for how social needs information is shared among providers for treatment purposes.

Objective

To explore the connection between experiencing social needs and concerns about healthcare providers sharing social needs information.

Design and Participants

A nationally representative, cross-sectional study of 6252 US community-dwelling adults (≥ 18 years of age) who responded to the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6) (response rate 28.1%) from March to November 2022.

Main Measures

Core measures include experiencing social needs in the past year (food, transportation, housing issues), and comfort with providers sharing social needs information with each other for treatment purposes. Other key independent variables included patient-centered communication, discrimination, trust, and quality of care.

Key Results

Odds of reporting experiencing a social need varied by age, race, education, and income, yet those 75 years or older (compared to ages 18–34) had higher odds of reporting feeling comfortable with providers sharing information about social needs. Those who reported having experienced discrimination in healthcare had lower odds of reporting comfort with providers sharing information about food (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-0.98) and transportation (aOR, 0.64; 95%CI, 0.44-0.94) needs. Those who trusted the healthcare system had higher odds of being comfortable with providers sharing information about unmet needs for food (aOR, 1.33; 95%CI, 1.07-1.65). Also, those who report better patient-centered communication and quality of care had higher odds of being comfortable with providers sharing information on unmet social needs.

Conclusions

Individuals’ preferences regarding social needs information sharing for treatment purposes, as well as experience of discrimination, trust in healthcare, quality of care, and patient-provider communication, should be considered in health system efforts to capture social needs information.
Novel protocol for isolation and transient transformation of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) protoplasts
Authors: Maybery-Reupert Kellie , Giri Khageswor , Hayden Matthew , Cogan Noel , Isenegger Daniel
Published: January 2025

Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) is a warm-season C4 grass currently grown as a forage in some tropical regions, with anticipated future application in areas affected by climate change. However, there are few resources available for this grass, with few genomic resources and only one established transformation system, thus limiting the application of biotechnology methods for its improvement. Protoplast transformation can be used as a time- and resource-efficient way to examine gene pathways and functions of transcriptional elements via proteomics and transcriptomics, and to validate gene constructs. The aim of this work was therefore to establish the first Rhodes grass leaf mesophyll protoplast isolation and transient transformation protocol. A range of protoplast isolation factors were examined, including enzyme quantity and vacuum infiltration time. Up to 4.13 × 106 protoplasts were isolated per gram of fresh weight with an average 94.8% viability from an overnight digestion protocol with 4% (w/v) cellulase R10, 0.8% (w/v) Macerozyme R10, and no vacuum infiltration. Transformation conditions were optimized via Taguchi’s orthogonal array, which compared combinations of three levels each of green fluorescent protein (GFP) plasmid DNA quantity, polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration, and transformation time. A transient transformation efficiency of up to 27.88% was observed by GFP expression. DNA quantity was identified to be the only factor from those tested effecting transformation efficiency (p < 0.001) in a linear way. Work here represents the first report for Rhodes grass protoplast isolation and transformation, which could facilitate genome editing and transcriptome and proteome studies.
Interdisciplinary Boundary Spanning – Guidance for Collaboration Between the Disciplines of Information Systems, Law, and Ethics
Authors: Kurtz Christian , Burmeister Fabian , Wittner Florian , Jacobs Mattis , Semmann Martin , Simon Judith , Schulz Wolfgang , Schirmer Ingrid , Böhmann Tilo
Published: January 2025

The relationship between information technology (IT) and society is marked by a dual normativity, where societal norms and values shape IT development and deployment, while the use of novel technologies in turn influences and potentially transforms societal norms, values, and practices. With a distinctive and evolving understanding of IT, the information systems (IS) field has the potential not only to address legal compliance but to support value judgment issues and to promote a productive and informed discourse. This research note describes how researchers from IS, law, and ethics collaborated while enhancing each discipline individually and the discipline intersections. In doing so, the authors specify an interdisciplinary, boundary-spanning framework that can help other researchers to foster research at these disciplinary intersections. This approach involves a reciprocal process around boundary objects in form of phenomena, concepts, and values. Additionally, this research note offers further recommendations to mitigate the diverse challenges that can arise in interdisciplinary research.
Tell me more: integrating LLMs in a cultural heritage website for advanced information exploration support
Authors: Cossatin Angelo Geninatti , Mauro Noemi , Ferrero Fabio , Ardissono Liliana
Published: January 2025

Cultural Heritage websites’ capability to satisfy diverse information needs is limited by their high-quality but constrained knowledge bases. Thus, we investigate their extension with external large language models (LLMs), enriching the provision of cultural content by leveraging LLMs’ continuous collection and integration of information from heterogeneous data sources. This extension raises important challenges in synchronizing the LLM’s behavior with the user’s browsing activity on the website to offer a unified interaction environment. To address these challenges, we propose a loosely coupled integration model that provides users with curated content and an assisted question-answering function to answer information needs that the system’s knowledge base fails to cover. Our model is agnostic to the LLM and synchronizes its behavior with the user’s browsing activity through implicit prompt engineering. We tested a baseline website without LLM integration, one with free-text interaction with the LLM, and another that combines free-text interaction with the suggestion of context-dependent questions. In a user study involving 44 participants, we found that the LLM-powered website has higher usability and that context-dependent question suggestions further enhance user experience, especially for people with low curiosity levels (according to Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II - CEI-II) who are guided in formulating effective questions. This shows the potential of LLMs to enrich engagement with existing Cultural Heritage websites.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Assessing the Impact of Improved Cookstove Technology Trials (ICTs) on Household Air Pollution and Human Health in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Dillon David , Reigh Samara , Rappazzo Kristen M. , Luben Thomas J. , Weaver Anne M.
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

A major contributor to household air pollution (HAP) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is unclean cooking fuel. Improved cookstove technology (ICT) interventions have been promoted as a solution, but their impacts on health are unclear. Our aim is to conduct a systematic review to explore the impacts of ICT interventions on health outcomes in SSA. We conducted a systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, on ICT interventions in SSA from 2000-present. We performed this search in MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Web of Science CABI, and EMBASE via ProQuest. Two reviewers assessed each study using predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria and extracted data. We evaluated each study on participant selection, exposure assessment, control comparability, outcomes, analyses, and biases.

Recent Findings

From 4,461 articles, k = 23 (n = 31,261 individuals) articles described results of ICT interventions on health outcomes. Pooled mean exposure estimates for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in control and intervention groups were 102.88 µg/m3 (95% confidence interval [CI]I: 52.63, 153.14; I2 96.9%) and 101.76 µg/m3 (95%CI: 57.47, 146.06; I2 98.2%), respectively. Estimates for pooled mean carbon monoxide (CO) were 2.40 ppm (95% CI: 0, 8.33; I2 99.0%) and 1.66 ppm (0, 4.91; I2 98.5%) respectively. Of health outcomes, 19.4% were reported as significantly different between control and intervention groups.

There is mixed evidence that ICT interventions influence health outcomes due to heterogeneity in study designs, sample size, stove stacking, etc. ICT interventions may decrease HAP, but other sources of air pollutant exposure are not addressed by improved cookstoves.