bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Atrial Fibrillation in Obesity- Insights from The National Inpatient Sample Database
Authors: Argueta Allan Santos , Garg Archit , Singh Birgurman , Paul Olayiwola Olalekan , Ali Junaid , Kaur Nirmal
Published: February 2025

Background

Obesity is considered a significant risk factor for numerous cardiovascular conditions. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is elevated among patients with obesity. Weight loss has been shown to reverse cardiac remodelling, leading to lower recurrence of AF despite the better prognosis in obese patients.

Methods

We utilized the National Inpatient Sample 2016-2019 to extract patients ≥18 years of age admitted with AF as the primary diagnosis based on ICD 10 codes. We performed univariate and multivariate regression analysis for known coronary risk factors. We divided patients based on their body mass index (BMI), and our primary outcomes were determining the odds of electrical cardioversion (ECV) and cardiac ablation (CA) due to AF.

Results

The analysis included 1,625,809 weighted patients. Patients include underweight (6.66%), normal BMI (4.03), overweight (6.51%), obesity class I (20.65%), obesity class II (21.45%), and obesity class III (40.7).

After multivariate regression analysis, patients with obesity class I, II, or III had higher odds of ECV, irrespectively of coronary risk factors (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.25-1.37, OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.32-1.43, OR 1.3, 95% CI1.29-1.38, respectively, with statistically significant P values).

However, underweight or normal BMI patients had fewer odds of ECV (OR 0.5 95%CI 0.49-0.61 and OR 0.6 95%CI 0.58-0.74, respectively, with P values <0.001). Meanwhile, there was no statistical significance between a BMI and the odds of CA.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the significant impact of BMI on managing AF, particularly regarding ECV. Patients in higher BMI categories (obesity class I to III) had increased odds of undergoing ECV, suggesting obesity influences treatment approaches and outcomes in AF management. Interestingly, BMI did not affect the likelihood of CA, indicating a complex relationship between body weight and AF treatment modalities warranting further investigation.
ACE-2-like Enzymatic Activity in COVID-19 Convalescent Patients with Persistent Pulmonary Symptoms Associated with Immunoglobulin
Authors: Song Yufeng , Mehl Frances , Muehling Lyndsey M. , Canderan Glenda , Enfield Kyle , Sun Jie , Yin Michael T. , Ratcliffe Sarah J. , Wilson Jeffrey M. , Kadl Alexandra , Woodfolk Judith , Zeichner Steven L.
Published: February 2025

Many difficult to understand clinical features characterize COVID-19 and Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC or Long COVID, LC). These can include blood pressure instability, hyperinflammation, coagulopathies, and neuropsychiatric complaints. The pathogenesis of these features remains unclear. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) binds Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the surface of host cells to initiate infection. We hypothesized that some patients may produce anti-RBD antibodies that resemble ACE2 sufficiently to have ACE2-like catalytic activity, that is they are ACE2-like proteolytic abzymes that may help mediate the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and LC. In previous work, we showed that some acute COVID-19 patients had immunoglobulin-associated ACE2-like proteolytic activity, suggesting that some COVID-19 patients indeed produced ACE2-like abzymes. However, it remained unknown whether ACE2-like abzymes were seen only in acute COVID-19 patients or whether ACE2-like abzymes could also be identified in convalescent COVID-19 patients. Here we show that some convalescent COVID-19 patients attending a clinic for patients with persistent pulmonary symptoms also have ACE2-like abzymes and that the presence of ACE2-like catalytic activity correlates with alterations in blood pressure in an exercise test.
Social, cognitive and sensory dimensions of cortical network overconnectivity in young children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Rodríguez-Herreros Borja , Mheich Ahmad , Almeida Osório Joana Maria , Richetin Sonia , Junod Vincent , Arnold Lorène , Aeschbach Victoria , Adamou Lilia Nora , Mendes Laura , Gschwend Katherina , Romascano David , Yu Paola , Hassan Mahmoud , Chabane Nadia
Published: February 2025

The heterogeneity in both the neurobiological mechanisms and the phenotypic presentation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) poses a major challenge to clinical and translational research. Early inefficiencies in functional connectivity (FC) have been associated with ASD, yet it remains unclear whether and how abnormal brain network properties may account for individual differences across ASD-related symptomatology and behaviors. We applied source-level reconstruction to resting-state high-definition EEG data in a cohort of 113 young children (40 with ASD) to identify early global and local alterations of cortical network connectivity. We subsequently used regularized canonical correlation analysis (rCCA) to characterize specific FC patterns linked to variation in cognitive, social and sensory dimensions within the autism spectrum. We found increased low-frequency FC in frontotemporal cross-hemispheric networks and lateral-occipital regions of young ASD children. RCCA revealed three distinct FC patterns in recurrent ASD-related networks, each contributing to predict individual differences in cognitive, social and sensory features. These linked FC-behavior dimensions may shed light on atypical brain network topology conferring risk for specific phenotypic manifestations of ASD, which may implicate unique underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
Elusive scents: neurocomputational mechanisms of verbal omissions in free odor naming
Authors: Chrysanthidis N. , Raj R. , Hörberg T. , Lindroos R. , Lansner A. , Laukka E.J. , Olofsson J.K. , Herman P.
Published: February 2025

Odor naming is considered a particularly challenging cognitive test, but the underlying cause of this difficulty is unknown. People often fail to report any source label to identify common odors, resulting in omissions (i.e., a lack of response). Here, with the support of a computational model, we offer a hypothesis about the neural network mechanisms underlying odor naming omissions. Based on an evaluation of behavioral data from almost 40,000 odor naming attempts, we suggest that high omission rates are driven by odors that are referred to by multiple linguistic labels. To explain this observation at the systems level, where olfactory perception and language (semantic) processing are produced by interacting cortical systems, we developed a computational model consisting of two associatively coupled attractor memory networks (odor and language networks), and investigated the effect of Hebbian-like learning on the simulated task performance. We used distributed network representations for the odor percepts and word label mental objects, and accounted for their statistical inter-relationships (correlations) extracted from collected data on odor perceptual similarity, and from a large Swedish odor language corpus, respectively. We evaluated a novel hypothesis, that Bayesian-Hebbian synaptic plasticity mechanisms can explain behavioral omissions in odor naming tasks, casting new light on the underlying mechanisms of this frequently observed memory phenomenon. Due to the nature of Bayesian-Hebbian associative learning connecting the two networks, there was a progressively weaker coupling for odors paired with multiple different labels in the encoding process (one-to-many mapping). Thus, when the model was cued with perceptual odor stimuli that established multiple word label associations (one-to-many mapping), the olfactory language network often produced subthreshold network responses, resulting in elevated omissions (opposite to one-to-few mapping scenario that led to improved performance scores). Our results are of theoretical interest, as they suggest a biologically plausible mechanism to explain a common, but poorly understood, behavioral phenomenon.
Maintaining tandem movement cohesion through antennal movements in termites
Authors: Mizumoto Nobuaki , Reiter Sam
Published: February 2025

How do animals coordinate their motion during migration? Traditional models of collective motion, for example, describing bird flocks or fish schools, rely on visual interactions. However, many animals are blind, requiring movement coordination through maintenance of physical contact. The risks and cost of becoming accidentally separated may encourage the evolution of compensatory strategies. Here we study tandem running in blind termites. We quantitatively investigate how these animals use their appendages to maintain stable pair movements. During tandem runs, male followers use shorter palps and longer antennae to maintain physical contact with female leaders. Our posture-tracking analysis revealed that termites dynamically change their antennal movements. Males stabilize their antennae to maintain contact with their partners while their palps are in contact. When the male palps lost contact with a female, males started swinging antennae while increasing movement speed. Antennae removal experiments revealed that antennal swinging contributes to pair maintenance, and males compensate for single antenna loss by increasing the swinging of the remaining one. By providing detailed information on contact-based movement coordination, our results contribute to understanding the diversity of animal collective behavior.
Controlling transfer and chirality of topological quantum state through dissipation in quantum walk
Authors: Tang Xing , Chen Tian , Zhang Xiangdong
Published: February 2025

Dissipation always exists in real environments, and it can cause decoherence during transfer of quantum states. To avoid decoherence, dissipation is usually shielded. However, dissipation is difficult to avoid in real cases. Thus, how to achieve efficient quantum state transfer in dissipation environments, although it will receive great attention, remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate that dissipation can be utilized to realize robust control of quantum state transfer instead of being avoided. Our scheme is realized by constructing Liouvillian exceptional point (LEP). By tuning dissipation, the exchange of eigenvectors and nonadiabatic transition near the LEP can be modulated, thereby controlling transfer and chirality of topological quantum state. Furthermore, we have experimentally validated such a scheme on a quantum walk platform. Our work opens up a different avenue for quantum information process in real systems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Optimal entanglement generation in optomechanical systems via Krotov control of covariance matrix dynamics
Authors: Chen Pengju , Luo Da-Wei , Yu Ting
Published: February 2025

We investigate the optimal control of a continuous variable system, focusing on entanglement generation in an optomechanical system without utilizing Fock basis cutoffs. Using the Krotov algorithm to optimize the dynamics of the covariance matrix, we illustrate how to design a control objective function to manipulate the dynamics of the system to generate a desirable target state. We show that entanglement between the macroscopic mechanical mirror and the quantum optical cavity can be reliably generated through imposing the control on the detuning of the external laser field. It has been shown that the control may still be achieved when imposing spectral constraints on the external field to restrict it to low-frequency components. In addition, we systematically study the effects of quantum control on non-Markovian open system dynamics. We observe that memory effects can play a beneficial role in mitigating detrimental impacts of environmental noises. Specifically, the generated entanglement shows a reduced decay rate in the presence of these memory effects.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Capability readiness model for green design practices for affordable housing delivery in Ghana
Authors: Kwofie Titus Ebenezer , Addy Michael Nii , Marful Alexander Boakye , Aigbavboa Clinton , Amos-Abanyie Samuel , Simons Barbara , Afram Samuel Owusu
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Creating green design capability readiness has become an emerging necessity toward increasing sustainable performance. However, the understanding of the green design readiness markers for housing delivery is lacking. The purpose of this study is to highlight a green design capability readiness model for affordable housing delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the use of the self-determination theory and the Technology–Organization–Environment framework, a comprehensive review of related literature revealed 23 indicators on motivational, technological, organizational and environmental markers for green design practices capability readiness for affordable housing delivery. Adopting a deductive design, a questionnaire was developed from these markers for a survey on practitioners with knowledge and experience in green design, sustainability and housing supply chain through purposive and snowballing sampling. Mean score analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation were subsequently used to develop the capability readiness model.

Findings

This study affirmed the markers and revealed the top indicators in each of the markers. The markers subsequently accounted for 28%, 29%, 17.7% and 25.3% of green design capability readiness for affordable housing delivery. Accordingly, technological and motivational markers had the greatest contributions to green design readiness for affordable housing followed by environmental marker and organizational being the least.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will contribute to developing the right motivations, technological capability and regulatory factors for green design practices to optimize the capability readiness for affordable housing delivery in Ghana.

Originality/value

The model serves as a valuable resource that could be used to objectively align actions and gauge readiness for green design practices toward sustainability performance improvement in affordable housing delivery. It could also aid in benchmarking the readiness potential of future regulations, policies and motivations for green design practices, concepts and technologies for housing delivery.
Capitalism in modern ignorance (jahilliyah): exploring Islamic alternatives to reshape human behaviour and provide solutions for the 21st century
Authors: Hasnat Md. Abu , Khandakar Hissan , Rahman Md. Azizur , Islam SM Nahidul , Hasan Khandakar Kamrul
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the research themes in Islamic finance, assess the extent to which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be achieved through implementing Islamic financial principles and explore the potential for reshaping human behaviour under an Islamic framework. The research aims to establish a paradigm that evaluates the role of Islamic finance in fostering social justice, environmental sustainability and ethical governance as a sustainable alternative to the capitalist system.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs a comprehensive literature review and thematic analysis to assess the alignment of Islamic finance with SDGs. Secondary data from peer-reviewed academic articles (2016–2024) were collected and analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Key themes include Islamic finance, maqasid ash-shariah and the role of Islamic finance in sustainable development. A conceptual framework is proposed to depict how Islamic financial practices can contribute to the SDGs.

Findings

The study identifies that Islamic finance, rooted in Shariah principles, offers a robust foundation for fostering social justice, ethical governance and environmental sustainability. By integrating zakat, donations, private investments and socially responsible investments, the Islamic financial model aligns with SDGs, addressing poverty (SDG 1), reducing inequality (SDG 10) and promoting sustainable economic growth (SDG 8). The findings underscore the potential of Islamic finance to address capitalism’s shortcomings, such as income inequality and unsustainable practices, while advocating for a paradigm shift in human behaviour through adherence to Islamic values.

Practical implications

Policymakers and financial institutions can leverage the insights from this research to design and implement Islamic financial models that promote equitable resource allocation, sustainable development and ethical practices. The framework offers a practical guide for integrating Islamic finance into conventional financial systems to achieve SDGs.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature by presenting a novel conceptual framework that integrates Islamic finance with sustainable development goals. It offers a unique perspective on transitioning from capitalism to an Islamic financial model, emphasizing behavioural and ideological changes to achieve equitable and sustainable economic outcomes.
Unveiling the key dimensions of service quality in automobile maintenance and repair for enhanced electric vehicle users' intentions in Thailand
Authors: Lapyen Rattapong , Darawong Chonlatis
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to propose measurements for assessing various service quality dimensions in the field of automobile maintenance and repair businesses. The study also examines the impact of service quality dimensions on continuance and recommendation intentions of electric vehicle (EV) users.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples comprised 397 EV users who experienced the services provided by automobile maintenance and repair centers. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were conducted to obtain suitable participants.

Findings

For continuance intention, the strongest dimension of service is reliability, followed by responsiveness, empathy, price fairness, queue and waiting management and physical environment. For recommendation intention, the strongest dimension of service quality is also reliability, followed by empathy, responsiveness, queue and waiting management, physical environment and price fairness.

Research limitations/implications

First, the samples of this study consisted of EV users only in Thailand. The findings may not be universally applicable to other nations due to varying levels of EV adoption. Second, the degree to which the six dimensions of service quality vary can be influenced by the demographic characteristics of customers.

Practical implications

Prioritize staff training in responsiveness, empathy and reliability to effectively meet customer needs. Enhance the physical environment for a comfortable experience. Promote transparent pricing aligned with service quality and explain the pricing rationale. Implement effective queueing and waiting management strategies for improved customer comfort during waits. These measures aim to enhance intention to reuse the service and positive recommendations.

Originality/value

This research undertakes an original survey comprising EV users who utilized services from automobile maintenance and repair centers in Thailand. The results sheds light on the influence of service quality on individual’s intentions.
Developments in the medical tourism market in Poland from the perspective of international factors
Authors: Białk-Wolf Anna
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The aim of this article is to present the changes in the medical tourism market due to shifting in consumer behavior, international competition and the influence of political factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on the author’s own qualitative research carried out between November 2023 and January 2024 within medical clinics dealing actively with medical tourism in Poland and is supported by partial statistical data as well as estimates of the entire phenomenon over a five-year period.

Findings

The most important factors influencing the change in the tourism market relate to the emergence of new international competitors, challenges related to the image of the country and region as a destination, the impact of changes in the healthcare system on tourists' needs and inbound medical tourism. The changes also relate to the services sought and are driven by megatrends. The article also indirectly points to barriers to the development of extensive cooperation for the creation of medical tourism destinations.

Research limitations/implications

The article provides practical knowledge from important players in the market on factors influencing success in the medical tourism market. It is also possible to deduce from the interviews which factors enable a sustainable competitive advantage in the market. This can serve as a guideline for other clinics.

Originality/value

The article provides practical knowledge from important players in the market on factors influencing success in the medical tourism market. It is also possible to deduce from the interviews which factors enable a sustainable competitive advantage in the market. This can serve as a guideline for other clinics. They should focus on very high-quality specialized procurements, as low prices are no longer a factor in gaining victory over the competition.
Unraveling Alveolar Fibroblast and Activated Myofibroblast Heterogeneity and Differentiation Trajectories During Lung Fibrosis Development and Resolution in Young and Old Mice
Authors: Lingampally Arun , Truchi Marin , Shi Xianrong , Zhou Yuqing , Vasquez‐Pacheco Esmeralda , Panagiotidis Georgios‐Dimitrios , Hadzic Stefan , Koepke Janine , Vazquez‐Armendariz Ana Ivonne , Herold Susanne , Samakovlis Christos , Cabrera‐Fuentes Hector A. , Chu Xuran , Seeger Werner , Zhang Jin‐San , El Agha Elie , Mari Bernard , Bellusci Saverio , Chen Chengshui
Published: February 2025

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an age‐associated disease characterized by the irreversible accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix components by activated myofibroblasts (aMYFs). Following bleomycin administration in young mice, fibrosis formation associated with efficient resolution takes place limiting the clinical relevance of this model for IPF. In this study, we used aged mice in combination with bleomycin administration to trigger enhanced fibrosis formation and delayed resolution as a more relevant model for IPF. Alveolosphere assays were carried out to compare the alveolar resident mesenchymal niche activity for AT2 stem cells in young versus old mice. Lineage tracing of the Acta2+ aMYFs in old mice exposed to bleomycin followed by scRNAseq of the lineage‐traced cells isolated during fibrosis formation and resolution was performed to delineate the heterogeneity of aMYFs during fibrosis formation and their fate during resolution. Integration of previously published similar scRNAseq results using young mice was carried out. Our results show that alveolar resident mesenchymal cells from old mice display decreased supporting activity for AT2 stem cells. Our findings suggest that the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the aMYFs formation and differentiation towards the Lipofibroblast phenotype are mostly conserved between young and old mice. In addition to persistent fibrotic signaling in aMYF from old mice during resolution, we also identified differences linked to interleukin signaling in old versus young alveolar fibroblast populations before and during bleomycin injury. Importantly, our work confirms the relevance of a subcluster of aMYFs in old mice that is potentially relevant for future management of IPF.
Seeds of Sustainability: Unveiling the Population Dynamics of Carapa procera, Lophira lanceolata, and Pentadesma butyracea for Adaptive Oilseed Value Chains
Authors: Tiétiambou Fanta Reine Sheirita , Kangbéni Dimobe , Salako Kolawolé Valère , Lankoandé Benjamin , Ouédraogo Amadé
Published: February 2025

Carapa procera, Lophira lanceolata, and Pentadesma butyracea are important non‐timber forest products providing species with promising value chains of their oils. To assess whether traditional uses of these species are sustainable, this study analysed their population structure and regeneration patterns in non‐protected sites. Three sites where the fruits of these species are exploited for oilseed production and trade were selected for each species, and 135 plots with 665 subplots were established for adults and regenerations inventories, respectively. The population structure and regeneration patterns were assessed using dendrometric characteristics (tree diameter at breast height—dbh and height), population density, and metrics of stability. C. procera had the highest dendrometric values at Diossogo and Koloko for adult individuals. Its populations were generally stable across all sites. For L. lanceolata, the highest dendrometric values were observed at Natindougou. However, populations at both Natindougou and Nafanasso showed signs of disturbance and instability. For P. butyracea, the highest values for mean diameter and Lorey's height of adult individuals were recorded at Sokouraba. Population densities were highest at Nafanasso, but populations were disturbed at Sokoroni and Sokouraba, with stability observed across all sites. Given the current condition of the stands of each species, implementing management actions tailored to site‐specific conditions is essential to ensure the long‐term sustainability and productivity of these valuable species in their natural habitats.
Clinical effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and usability of mobile health applications for epilepsy: A systematic review
Authors: Gotlieb Evelyn , Marzoughi Shahab , Kwon Churl‐Su , Harmon Michael , Kimura Maren , Truesdale Ashley , Sweetnam Chloe , Soudant Céline , Downes Margaret H. , Busis Neil A. , Kummer Benjamin R. , Jetté Nathalie
Published: February 2025

Mobile applications are widely used in epilepsy, although their impact on clinical effectiveness (CE) and their feasibility, acceptability, and usability (FAU) remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review investigating CE and FAU of epilepsy mobile applications using MEDLINE and Embase from database inception to June 21, 2024. We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses reporting standards. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019134848). In duplicate, we determined study quality using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOQAS) and the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Checklist (to determine eligibility for inclusion), risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and usability study quality using the 15‐point Silva scale. We identified 8953 studies, of which 20 were included. Twelve (60.0%) addressed CE, nine (45.0%) acceptability, five (25.0%) usability, and eight (40.0%) feasibility. Five (25.0%) evaluated CE and FAU. Studies comprised prospective cohort (n = 9, 45.0%), pilot (n = 3, 15.0%), randomized controlled trial (n = 7, 35.0%), and pre/post (n = 1, 5.0%) designs. Most apps were used for self‐management or to enhance education or communication between patients and providers. Cohort studies demonstrated fair quality (median NOQAS score = 5, interquartile range [IQR] = 5.0–5.8), whereas of seven randomized controlled trials, four (57.1%) had some concern for bias. Usability studies demonstrated high quality (median Silva score = 10, IQR = 10–11). Apps were predominantly intended for patient use (n = 9, 75.0%). Symptom reporting and medication management were the most common app targets in both CE and FAU studies (n = 8, 66.7%; n = 9, 69.2%), although FAU studies more frequently used monitoring or tracking (n = 10, 76.9%) and reminder setting (n = 10, 76.9%) than CE apps (n = 7, 58.3%). Investigations of application use most commonly studied CE and patient‐facing apps. Additional high‐quality evidence is necessary to evaluate the CE and FAU of app use in epilepsy to work toward the standardization of FAU metrics and development of implementation guidelines.
Habitat and Feeding Behaviour Influence Microbiome Composition in Rhabdocoela (‘Turbellaria’)
Authors: Bijnens Karolien , Monnens Marlies , Thijs Sofie , Artois Tom , Smeets Karen
Published: February 2025

1. Microbiome studies in Platyhelminthes have predominantly focused on a limited number of taxa, overlooking the vast diversity of turbellarian hosts. Here, we aimed to expand our understanding of microbial associations in a selection of free‐living representatives of Rhabdocoela, a group of turbellarian flatworms that is very species rich and ecologically diverse. 2. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we characterised the microbiomes of three species of Rhabdocoela, representing the two most speciose lineages within this taxon: Dalytyphloplanida and Kalyptorhynchia. The specimens were captured in the wild and obtained from marine or freshwater habitats. 3. The microbiomes of Gyratrix hermaphroditus (Kalyptorhynchia) and Mesostoma ehrenbergii (Dalytyphloplanida) were both dominated by Proteobacteria, while Phaenocora evelinae (Dalytyphloplanida) was predominantly associated with Cyanobacteria, more specifically Oxyphytobacteria (chloroplasts). 4. Based on the observed genera, our analysis revealed distinct microbial patterns, possibly associated with the habitat and lifestyle of the studied species. We could not exclude the presence of a phylosymbiotic signal as a limited core microbiome was present for each rhabdocoel species, although no set of bacteria common to all three rhabdocoel species was found. 5. This explorative study contributes to the expanding knowledge of invertebrate microbiomes, providing new insights into the microbial associations of a selection of turbellarians. The descriptive results presented here open up several promising avenues for future research, including the search for functional roles of turbellarian bacterial symbionts and exploring potential correlations between microbiome compositions, turbellarian phylogeny and environmental variables.
A Rare Case of Optic Disc Swelling Associated With Herpes Simplex Virus Infection
Authors: Yamaoka Minako , Kataoka Hiroshi , Sugie Kazuma
Published: February 2025

Ocular HSV infection is usually caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) which establishes latency in the trigeminal ganglion. Ocular involvement presents as a manifestation of primary infection or the recurrence of latent disease and affects all ocular tissues. Meningitis or encephalitis typically manifests as headaches and meningeal symptoms and is frequently associated with papilledema, a condition caused by elevated intracranial pressure. Here, we describe a rare case of optic disc swelling as a manifestation of HSV infection. Although the patient did not experience meningeal signs, headaches, or apparent intracranial hypertension, he presented with optic disc swelling without any ocular or retinal disorders. The intrathecal antibody titer index for HSV increases with pleocytosis. Antiviral treatment significantly reduced optic disc swelling, suggesting an association between HSV infection and swelling. Optic disc swelling can be the only presentation of an HSV infection, and antiviral medication may be an effective treatment.
End-to-end Trajectory Generation - Contrasting Deep Generative Models and Language Models
Authors: Zhang Liming , Mbuya Jonathan , Zhao Liang , Pfoser Dieter , Anastasopoulos Antonios
Published: February 2025

Due to the limited availability of actual large-scale datasets, realistic synthetic trajectory data play a crucial role in various research domains, including spatiotemporal data mining and data management, and domain-driven research related to transportation planning and urban analytics. Existing generation methods rely on predefined heuristics and cannot learn the unknown underlying generative mechanisms. This work introduces two end-to-end approaches for trajectory generation. The first approach comprises deep generative VAE-like models that factorize global and local semantics (habits vs. random routing change). We further enhance this approach by developing novel inference strategies based on variational inference and constrained optimization to ensure the validity of spatiotemporal aspects. This novel deep neural network architecture implements generative and inference models with dynamic latent priors. The second approach introduces a language model (LM) inspired generation as another benchmarking and foundational approach. The LM-inspired approach conceptualizes trajectories as sentences with the aim of predicting the likelihood of subsequent locations on a trajectory, given the locations as context. As a result, the LM-inspired approach implicitly learns the inherent spatiotemporal structure and other embedded semantics within the trajectories. These proposed methods demonstrate substantial quantitative and qualitative improvements over existing approaches, as evidenced by extensive experimental evaluations.
Influence Mechanism and Control Measures of Smooth Blasting Contour Formation in Jointed Rock Mass Tunnel
Authors: Ma Chenyang , Hu Yingguo , Yang Zhaowei , Liu Meishan
Published: February 2025

The flatness and damage zone of the tunnel excavation contour is critical to the safety and economy of the project. Considering the seriousness of over‐under‐excavation and the difficulty of contour formation in the blasting excavation of joint‐developing rock mass tunnels, a numerical model was first established by combining compression‐shear and tensile‐shear failure criterion. Then the analysis of the near‐zone stress field distribution and the crack evolution path of the blasthole under different joint characteristics was carried out. Results reveal that the inclination, thickness, and strength of the joints have a significant effect on the crack evolution between the blastholes. The over‐under‐excavation was most severe when the angle between the joint and blasthole was 45°, while the effect was minimal when the angle was 0° or 90°. The weaker the joint strength and the greater the width, the stronger the blocking effect and the tensile failure effect on the blasting stress wave. Finally, combined with a major engineering example, the smooth blasting scheme of the jointed rock tunnel was optimized and successfully verified. Based on the influence mechanism of joint characteristics, the contour blasting parameters and the technology of large jump delayed initiation and peripheral guiding empty hole were proposed, which significantly improved the smooth effect of the contour surface of the jointed rock mass tunnel.
Improvement of Concrete Characterization Using Nanomaterials: State‐of‐the‐Art
Authors: Alghrairi Nashat , N. Aznieta Farah , M. Ibrahim Amer , Wan Hu Jong , Mohammed Najm Hadee , Anas S. M.
Published: February 2025

The utilization of nanomaterials in concrete has undergone extensive research to enhance its properties. Nanosilica (NS), nanoalumina, nanometakaolin (NMK), nanoclay (NC), and nanocarbon dioxide have demonstrated the ability to improve the compressive strength of concrete at different ages, with a more pronounced impact on early strength. This study aims to systematically analyze the influence of nanomaterial additions on concrete properties, including strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. Noteworthy improvements and challenges associated with nanomaterial usage are highlighted. In our findings, the incorporation of various nanomaterials resulted in a notable enhancement of compressive strength, ranging between 12% to 50% when compared to the reference mixture. Nanosilica, nano–titanium oxide, nanoalumina, nano‐CaCO3, NC, and nanocarbons were investigated for their potential to increase flexural (2%–22%) and tensile (16%–55%) properties of cement and concrete. Moreover, combining nanomaterials and polypropylene fibers in concrete exhibited enhanced flexural, tensile, and compressive strength, along with improved split tensile strength and bond strength of reinforcement bars. The exploration of composite nanomaterials further demonstrated the capacity to elevate tensile properties, achieving high ultimate tensile strength and precise prediction accuracy. The unique properties of nanomaterials position them as superior alternatives to traditional materials, showcasing applicability in future construction endeavors. Continued research endeavors are anticipated to provide greater reliability and address significant challenges within the building and construction sector.
Profiling the Activity of the Potent and Highly Selective CDK2 Inhibitor BLU-222 Reveals Determinants of Response in CCNE1-Aberrant Ovarian and Endometrial Tumors
Authors: House Nealia C. , Brown Victoria E. , Chen Maxine , Yuan Liang , Moore Sydney L. , Guo Jian , Choi Yoon Jong , Muthuswamy Lakshmi , Ribich Scott , Ramsden Philip , Faia Kerrie L.
Published: February 2025

BLU-222 is an investigational, potent, highly selective, orally bioavailable CDK2 inhibitor in clinical development. BLU-222 demonstrated robust antitumor activity in select CCNE1-high ovarian and endometrial cancer models. We used a combination of CRISPR whole genome screens coupled with targeted genetic and pharmacologic approaches in ovarian and endometrial cell lines to identify biological determinants to predict BLU-222 monotherapy activity. Rb and p16 expression were biomarkers that enriched for CDK2-dependency/BLU-222 sensitivity in CCNE1 overexpressed, non-amplified cells. Further, intact Rb and low p16 expression predicted a BLU-222 and CDK4/6 inhibitor combination response. BLU-222 demonstrated robust activity in combination with carboplatin or paclitaxel in CCNE1-aberrant models, rendering chemotherapy-resistant tumors strongly sensitive to the combination. These findings demonstrate that response to CDK2 inhibition by BLU-222 can be further predicted using a combinatorial biomarker signature that could refine patient selection criteria in CCNE1-high patients and support clinical development.
Associations between Anti-Gay Prejudice, Traditional Masculine Self-Concept, and Colorectal Cancer Screening-Related Outcomes among Black and White Men in the US
Authors: Chen Tianen , Wicke Rebekah , King Andy J. , Margolin Drew , Chunara Rumi , Niederdeppe Jeff
Published: February 2025

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can reduce CRC risk, yet many men are not up to date with screening guidelines. While previous qualitative studies have suggested links among anti-gay prejudice, traditional masculine self-concept, racial identity, and CRC screening among men, scholars have yet to fully explore these associations using quantitative data. This study used a nationally representative sample of Black and White men in the US to test these associations and examine the sociodemographic correlates. Methods: Using the NORC/AmeriSpeak probability-based panel, we recruited a sample of Black and White men in the US aged 45 to 74 who had never been diagnosed with CRC (N = 909). Participants completed an online questionnaire measuring anti-gay prejudice, traditional masculine self-concept, sociodemographic variables, and screening-related outcomes (awareness of screening test options, screening intention, and adherence to screening recommendations). Results: Black participants reported higher levels of anti-gay prejudice and traditional masculine self-concept than White participants. Anti-gay prejudice was associated with lower awareness and lower screening intention. Black participants reported higher intention to follow screening recommendations but not higher odds of actual adherence than White participants. Conclusions: Men with anti-gay prejudice are less likely to be aware of CRC screening test options and less likely to intend to engage in CRC screening. Results have implications for the design and development of future interventions aimed at increasing CRC screening rates. Impact: Future studies could develop targeted interventions and observe subsequent changes or conduct longitudinal studies to further explore the role of anti-gay prejudice in CRC screening.
Legionnaire’s Disease Beyond the Lungs: A Rare Case of Severe Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Injury from a Possible Vaping Source
Authors: Wells Drew A. , Eick John
Published: February 2025

Legionnaires’ disease (LD), caused by Legionella pneumophila, often presents with pneumonia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and confusion. Severe LD can lead to a triad of pneumonia, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury (AKI), with less common complications such as liver injury. We report a case of a 32-year-old male with no prior medical history who presented with LD complicated by severe rhabdomyolysis, AKI requiring hemodialysis (HD), and acute liver injury. The patient reported 6 days of gastrointestinal symptoms, reduced mobility, and minimal urine output. The patient also reported a history of vaping. Diagnostic imaging revealed pneumonia and enterocolitis, while laboratory findings included leukocytosis, hyponatremia, significantly elevated creatinine kinase (201 000 U/L), and acute transaminitis. A positive Legionella urine antigen confirmed the diagnosis. Initial treatment with azithromycin for 7 days showed partial improvement; however, clinical and laboratory deterioration necessitated a switch to levofloxacin for an additional 7 days. This case highlights rare, severe multi-organ involvement in LD, with rhabdomyolysis and AKI being particularly pronounced. The possible association between vaping and Legionella infection is explored, given the patient’s history of vaping and limited prior documentation of such a link. Prompt recognition, accurate diagnosis, and escalation of therapy are critical in managing severe LD and reducing associated morbidity.
Narcofeminist affects: Gender, harm and fun in young women and gender diverse people’s experiences of alcohol and other drug consumption
Authors: Farrugia Adrian , Pienaar Kiran , Dennis Fay
Published: February 2025

While much sociological research suggests that gender dynamics can make alcohol and other drug consumption settings potentially unsafe, these practices can still be highly pleasurable and meaningful for young people. Analysis of influential understandings of young people’s alcohol and other drug consumption highlights how the notion of ‘harm’ is gendered, with men and masculinity rarely addressed, while women are constituted as uniquely vulnerable. Mobilising a concurrent focus on harms and benefits inspired by narcofeminisms and analysing qualitative interviews with 22 young women and gender diverse people, we examine what they find appealing and concerning about alcohol and other drugs, and how they navigate these dual forces in their consumption practices. Our analysis centres affective dynamics to examine how these practices can form part of meaningful modes of living in a world shaped by persistent concerns about the threat of gendered violence. Our participants characterise the conduct of men as central concerns during consumption events. However, their accounts also highlight the affective appeal of alcohol and other drug consumption in relation to experiencing social connections, embodied pleasures and new ways of being and doing in the world. In navigating this nexus of risk and reward, these young people describe efforts to maximise the generative potential of consumption while minimising the harms that men’s conduct can pose. We argue that responses to young people’s alcohol and other drug consumption could be productively informed by a narcofeminist politics that considers not only the reduction of harm but the desire to live well.
Remediation of herbicide mixtures in water using nanostructured adsorbents: Behavioral analysis
Authors: da Silva Francisca Daniele , da Silva Cydianne Cavalcante , Teófilo Taliane Maria da Silva , Silva Daniel Valadão , das Chagas Paulo Sérgio Fernandes , Fernandes Bruno Caio Chagas , Rodrigues Luma Lorena Loureiro da Silva , Hernández María Carolina Ramírez , de Lima Rafael Barbalho , Caldeira Vinícius Patrício Santos
Published: February 2025

The improper or excessive use of herbicides has caused soil and water contamination, increasing the demand for techniques for environmental remediation. In this research, we assessed the effectiveness of nanostructured adsorbents in removing the herbicides mixtures of diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl, with the goal of applying this technique in environmental remediation efforts. The nanomaterials employed were microporous beta zeolite (BT), Al-MCM-41 mesoporous silica (AL), hydrotalcite clay (HT), and microporous carbonate biochar (BIO). The nanostructured adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, elemental analysis, and nitrogen adsorption and desorption at 77 K, point of zero charge, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. The descending adsorption values of nanostructured adsorbents: for diuron BT (99.35%) > BIO (96.36%) > AL (88.33%), hexazinone, BT (97.26%) > AL (83.75%) > BIO (14.22%), and sulfometuron-methyl, AL (95.73%) > BT (90.96%) > BIO (34.92%). The time required for the adsorption equilibrium was 1 hour, with greater adequacy to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms showed the best fit of herbicide adsorption on the microporous BT and BIO, respectively. In the AL, the diuron and hexazinone experimental data fitted more precisely to Temkin's model and sulfometuron-methyl to Freundlich's model. Nanostructured adsorbents have different capacities to adsorb diuron, hexazinone, and sulfometuron-methyl herbicides present in aqueous media, with BT being the material with the highest adsorption capacity for the remediation of the mixture containing the three herbicides.
Scenario-based motion planning with bounded probability of collision
Authors: de Groot Oscar , Ferranti Laura , Gavrila Dariu M. , Alonso-Mora Javier
Published: February 2025

Robots will increasingly operate near humans that introduce uncertainties in the motion planning problem due to their complex nature. Optimization-based planners typically avoid humans through collision avoidance chance constraints. This allows the planner to optimize performance while guaranteeing probabilistic safety. However, existing real-time methods do not consider the actual probability of collision for the planned trajectory but rather its marginalization, that is, the independent collision probabilities for each planning step and/or dynamic obstacle, resulting in conservative trajectories. To address this issue, we introduce a novel real-time capable method termed Safe Horizon MPC that explicitly constrains the joint probability of collision with all obstacles over the duration of the motion plan. This is achieved by reformulating the chance-constrained planning problem using scenario optimization and predictive control. Out of sampled realizations of human motion, we identify which cases affect the optimization. This allows us to certify the planned trajectory in real-time. Our method is less conservative than state-of-the-art approaches, applicable to arbitrary probability distributions of the obstacles’ trajectories, computationally tractable and scalable. We demonstrate our proposed approach using a mobile robot and an autonomous vehicle in an environment shared with humans.
A cannibal reading of the Hebrew prophets
Authors: Graybill Rhiannon
Published: February 2025

This article explores the literary significance of cannibalism and cannibalistic motifs in the Hebrew Prophets. Occasionally, the texts describe cannibalism outright; more frequently, they use cannibalism as a literary motif to negotiate transgression, alterity, or anxiety over incorporation. Cannibalism, while a powerful symbol, is never fully stable. It is used to signify extreme suffering, to negotiate relations of power, to indulge readers’ sadism, and to explore the ‘contact zone’ with foreign peoples. It also offers a model for rethinking the composition of the prophetic literature. Prophetic textuality can also be understood as a cannibalistic process: prophets and texts cannibalize earlier texts and prophecies; a prophetic book, like a cannibal’s, is constituted of pieces taken from other (textual) bodies. The cannibal is significant because it illuminates the working of a number of significant categories. The article explores these questions across the prophetic corpus, with particular attention to the book of Jeremiah.