bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green Alignment, Green Vocational Education and Training, Green Skills and Related Subjects: A Literature Review on Actors, Contents and Regional Contexts
Authors: Albertz Annabell , Pilz Matthias
Published: February 2025

This study conducts an exploratory and integrative literature review to investigate the discourse on various concepts and terms related to the green alignment of vocational education and training (VET). The study focuses on the key actors setting the discourse, the content within it and the regional contexts in which the discourse occurs. A review of 85 international publications reveals that the discourse is predominantly shaped by the perspectives of policy and research, with international organisations playing a prominent role in the policy strand. While green skills are primarily associated with green jobs in the labour market, green VET encompasses the process of greening VET providers. This discourse appears to be especially prevalent in the Asia‐Pacific region and in Africa. The results of the study provide policy and research actors with a nuanced understanding of the discourse, enabling policy actors to integrate scientific insights more effectively into their decision‐making processes and foster a more constructive dialogue between policy and research.
“We Only Escort Women to the Health Facility”: Traditional birth attendants and the performance of indicator‐driven care in rural Tanzania
Authors: Cogburn Megan D. , Yunus Rafiq Mohamed
Published: February 2025

Global health regimes have reversed the role of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) from partners in the fight against maternal and child mortality to barriers to indicator‐driven care. In rural Tanzania, widespread fear of government surveillance and punishment for non‐compliant individuals and organizations that climaxed during the presidency of the late John Magufuli (2015–2021) put increased pressure on TBAs. To negotiate tensions, TBAs adopted the position that they only escort women to health facilities for birth. We argue that TBAs’ insistence on this only both occludes and protects their multiple caring roles and responsibilities in a context of harsher home birth penalties, yet limited efforts to improve systemic shortages in the rural health system. TBAs’ performance of “we only escort women” operates both as the sedimentation of policies, a way to resist them, and means to hold space for TBAs in the wake of ambiguous global and national health policies.
Rate of Interest and Intertemporal Preferences in Multisectoral Frameworks: A Critical View
Authors: Bellino Enrico , Brondino Gabriel
Published: February 2025

This paper analyses a closure of Sraffa's price system found in some neoclassical literature, which involves equating the rate of interest with the rate of time preference. This closure aims to reconnect the rate of interest with individuals' intertemporal preferences. We identify two significant shortcomings of this approach: its reliance on the notion of capital as a single factor and the restrictions on individual preferences arising from intertemporal consumption choices. These limitations cast doubt on the plausibility of linking the interest rate to intertemporal preferences, particularly regarding the thriftiness of an economic system, thereby highlighting ongoing challenges in neoclassical capital theory.
Categorising Instrumental Playing Techniques in Terms of Gestures: the Case of Pression for One Cellist by Helmut Lachenmann
Authors: Féron François‐Xavier
Published: February 2025

Pression (1969–70; rev. 2010) for one cellist, by Helmut Lachenmann, features a wide variety of extended playing techniques. The goal of the composer was to develop his concept of musique concrète instrumentale based on the organisation of complex sound structures and to highlight the energy hidden behind sound production. The score, which is essentially prescriptive, indicates via detailed schemes and textual information the actions to be performed by the musician. The physical instrument itself is meticulously scrutinised by the cellist, who plays sometimes with the bow, sometimes directly with his/her hands on the strings, the bridge, the top, the tailpiece and even on the bow itself. Through various gestures, he/she reveals unexpected and extraordinary sounds. This article proposes a conceptual framework to describe and classify all of Pression’s instrumental techniques. To this end, I use notions developed by Claude Cadoz with respect to gestures in music, especially the distinction between excitation gestures and modification gestures. Excitation gestures produce the vibratory phenomenon, whereas modification gestures adjust the parameters of the vibrating object. Each extended technique can be decomposed into a combination of these two fundamental gestures. The framework I have designed aims to help musicians as well as musicologists to better understand this singular piece for cello solo.
Nutri‐Farming! Estimating the Impacts of a Nutritional Security Programme on Agricultural Productivity
Authors: Agarwal Sarthak , Chatterjee Somdeep
Published: February 2025

While global efforts towards enhancing nutrition security have been accelerating through agricultural interventions, surprisingly little is known about the causal impacts of such targeted programmes on crop yields. Using longitudinal data from the ICRISAT‐DLD, we study India's flagship ‘Nutri‐Farms Scheme’ and find that the programme led to an increase in wheat yields to the tune of 6.4%. Our identification strategy relies on plausibly exogenous variation generated by the institutional features of implementation of the programme. As potential mechanisms for these effects, we find evidence of increased investments in inputs and changes in production technology. Our results are robust to various checks for threats to identification including event‐study analysis, alternate control group, test of randomisation, allowing for linear time trends and controlling for various potential confounders. Back‐of‐the‐envelope calculations suggest that these unintended spillovers can potentially recover approximately 2% of the costs of the programme annually.
Erratum to: Initiation of the Shape Memory Effect by Fast Neutron Irradiation
Authors: Bobrovskii V. I. , Afanasyev S. V. , Voronin V. I. , Kazantsev V. A. , Kataeva N. V. , Parkhomenko V. D. , Proskurnina N. V. , Sagaradze V. V.
Published: February 2025

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X24120019
Erratum to: Electro-Optic Effect in Hexagonal Compounds RFeO3
Authors: Menshenin V. V. , Nosov A. P.
Published: February 2025

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X24120020
Erratum to: A Study of the Effect of Magnetic Scattering on the Analysis of the Nanostructure of Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened Steels by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering
Authors: Rogozhkin S. V. , Klauz A. V. , Gorshkova Yu. E. , Bokuchava G. D. , Khomich A. A. , Bogachev A. A. , Nikitin A. A. , Almásy L. , Kopitsa G. P.
Published: February 2025

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X24120044
Familial glucocorticoid deficiency: genetic insights and treatment strategies in resource-limited settings
Authors: Tresa Anu , Jahagirdar Rahul , Deshpande Ruma , Datar Chaitanya
Published: February 2025

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency disorders are a group of autosomal recessive disorders with variable phenotypes. Early diagnosis aids with effective treatment. This case discusses a couple who had come with a history of neonatal deaths and a spontaneous abortion for genetic counselling regarding the current pregnancy. On obtaining relevant family and antenatal history, a targeted genetic testing showed that the fetus had a homozygous melanocortin-2 receptor (MC2R) gene mutation. Subsequently, the baby was delivered late preterm, with hyperpigmentation. Hydrocortisone was initiated early and post-treatment, and the baby showed stable electrolytes and did not develop hypoglycaemia. The case emphasises the importance of early genetic testing and counselling, especially in consanguineous couples, for better disease management. A multidisciplinary approach, involving paediatric genetics, endocrinology and neonatology, was crucial in achieving a positive outcome. This case highlights the potential of next-generation sequencing tools in identifying hereditary adrenal insufficiency, enabling timely intervention and improved patient care.
Necrotising fasciitis post-trauma
Authors: Mahendran Maria Infant Majula Shifani , Gopalakrishnan Vinoj , Saravanan Vaijayanthi , Vaithianathan Rajan
Published: February 2025

The case involves a man in his 30s, otherwise healthy, who developed necrotising fasciitis (NF) after a minor injury. He presented with severe symptoms including intense pain, swelling and fever, which led to a rapid diagnosis confirmed through clinical evaluation and imaging. Immediate surgical intervention was performed to debride the affected tissue, and broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered to address the infection. The patient achieved full recovery within 2 weeks without complications, highlighting the crucial role of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment in managing NF effectively.
Fetus in fetu: the importance of autopsy in uncovering hidden abnormalities
Authors: Gurusamy Umamaheswari , Goel Vartika , Devadasan Shyama
Published: February 2025

Fetus in fetu (FIF) is a rare anomaly of embryogenesis in which a malformed parasitic twin is found within the body of the normally developed host twin. It has a reported incidence of 1 per 500 000 births with a 2:1 male predominance. The authors present a unique case of FIF, where autopsy investigation played a pivotal role in identifying this exceptionally rare anomaly, rarely documented in the literature. A primigravida woman in her early 20s was diagnosed with FIF at 13+3 weeks of gestation. She opted for medical termination of her pregnancy. The postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of FIF. Malformations in both fetuses, namely, partial urorectal septum malformation in the parasitic twin and heterotaxy syndrome in the host twin, were unmasked by fetal autopsy.

The significance of autopsy examination in FIF cases is underscored by our case, as it facilitates the diagnosis of this rare entity and the reporting of congenital anomalies in the aforementioned.
Unusual scrotal infection in a neonate
Authors: Ali Safaa Mohamed Gasim , El-Dakrouri Ahmed Farouk , Ahmed Farheen S
Published: February 2025

We report a term baby who presented soon after delivery with bilateral tender scrotal swelling with skin discolouration, which was subsequently diagnosed as rapidly progressive cellulitis. The scrotal swelling was treated as cellulitis with a broad spectrum of antibiotics, covering anaerobes, considering the absence of signs and ultrasonographic features of testicular torsion. He also had meconium aspiration pneumonia, complicated by pulmonary hypertension, and required non-invasive oxygen supplementation and intravenous antibiotics. The swelling slowly improved over 2 weeks without complications. In conclusion, early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment are essential to prevent the spread of infection and serious complications.
Herpes simplex-2 meningitis presenting with headache in pregnancy
Authors: Dunphy Louise , Ulaganathan Premalatha , Furara Samira
Published: February 2025

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a double-stranded DNA virus, whose primary target is epithelial cells. It is disseminated by hematogenous spread. HSV type 2 (HSV-2) usually causes genital infection with mucocutaneous lesions or it may be asymptomatic. HSV-2 is also an important cause of meningitis either during primary infection or by (recurrent) reactivation of dormant virus within the central nervous system. The authors present the case of a nulliparous woman in her mid-20s presenting to the emergency department at 22 weeks’ gestation with acute onset of headache. CT of the head and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were unremarkable. She received broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy for suspected meningitis. Her cerebrospinal fluid culture detected HSV-2. She denied a history of oral or genital herpes. She commenced treatment with intravenous acyclovir 10 mg/kg 8 hourly for 7 days. She responded clinically and her headache resolved. There remains a relative dearth of cases of HSV-2 meningitis reported in the literature hence making pregnancy management and delivery planning challenging for obstetricians. This case demonstrates the importance of the multidisciplinary team involvement of genitourinary medicine and sexual health physicians, obstetricians and neonatologists with formal documentation of a birth and postnatal care plan.
Superior mesenteric artery syndrome and nutcracker syndrome in a patient with pectus carinatum and spine scoliosis
Authors: Saini Vikram , Singh Mahendra Pratap , Bansal Ujjwal , Lalan Lokesh
Published: February 2025

A male patient with pectus carinatum and spine scoliosis deformity presented with a 7-day history of recurrent episodes of nausea, vomiting and abdominal distention. He reported a weight loss of about 10 kg in the last 6 months and an altered eating habit. The contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen revealed a significant compression of the third part of the duodenum, reduced the aortomesenteric distance and left renal vein compression between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery. A diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome with nutcracker syndrome was made. The patient’s symptoms persisted on conservative management, and surgical correction was planned where a side-to-side anastomosis of the second part of the duodenum and jejunum was performed. The nutcracker syndrome was managed conservatively with ongoing surveillance. The patient did well postoperatively and was discharged without any complications. Until 4 months of follow-up, his weight improved, and urine examination did not show haematuria.
How can we best manage ovarian sebaceous carcinomas arising from mature cystic teratomas?
Authors: Peng Hong Min Shaye , Chew Sung Hock , Ng Yang Huang Grace , Chin Felicia Hui Xian
Published: February 2025

Sebaceous carcinoma arising from ovarian mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) is exceedingly rare, with only 19 cases reported in the literature. We present a novel case of a woman in her 60s who experienced lower abdominal pain and a large pelvic mass. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, lymph node dissection, omentectomy and peritoneal washings. Intraoperative frozen section analysis confirmed a malignant tumour, favouring squamous cell carcinoma, possibly arising from an MCT. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and she remains disease free after 28 months.

Our review revealed that most cases presented at early International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages (70%), with unilateral tumours averaging 16.7 cm. Surgery was the mainstay of treatment, with salpingo-oophorectomy performed universally. Adjuvant chemotherapy was infrequent (20%), and mismatch repair deficiency was noted in 57.1% of tested cases. The median disease-free interval was 19 months. This case underscores the rarity of sebaceous carcinoma in MCTs and highlights the critical need for further research to establish evidence-based guidelines for optimal management and prognosis.
A malnourished child with metastatic tuberculous abscesses
Authors: Persoglia Marco , Maschio Massimo , Di Cecco Caterina , Barbi Egidio
Published: February 2025

Gummatous tuberculosis, also known as metastatic tuberculous abscesses, represents an uncommon manifestation of cutaneous tuberculosis, marked by the presence of persistent subcutaneous abscesses. We report the case of a malnourished Malagasy child with no family history of tuberculosis, presenting with chronic skin lesions lasting about a year, alongside systemic symptoms such as low-grade fevers, night sweats and weight loss. Despite initial negative microscopy for Koch’s bacilli, the diagnosis was confirmed by GeneXpert PCR analysis. This case highlights the diagnostic difficulties associated with tuberculosis in high-burden countries. The chronicity of the skin lesions, the endemicity of tuberculosis, the child’s immunosuppression from malnutrition and systemic symptoms raised clinical suspicion. Chronic abscesses with unusual presentations should prompt consideration of gummatous tuberculosis, particularly in endemic areas, where diverse and prolonged cutaneous manifestations warrant thorough evaluation.
Early increase in carotid intima-media thickness in women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes compared with healthy peers: the Norwegian Atherosclerosis and Childhood Diabetes study
Authors: Simeunovic Aida , Brunborg Cathrine , Heier Martin , Berg Tore Julsrud , Dahl-Jorgensen Knut , Margeirsdottir Hanna Dis
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The risk of cardiovascular disease is increased in individuals with type 1 diabetes, despite good glycemic control. This study aims to evaluate early signs of atherosclerosis and predisposing factors in individuals with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes compared with healthy controls.

Research design and methods

The Atherosclerosis and Childhood Diabetes study is a prospective population-based cohort study with follow-up every fifth year. The cohort consists of 329 subjects with type 1 diabetes and 173 controls. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) was measured at baseline and 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Data from the Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Registry were used in assessment of traditional risk factors.

Results

Mean cIMT in young women with type 1 diabetes increased significantly over a 10-year period compared with healthy controls (∆0.019 mm (0.001–0.035), p=0.035). At the 10-year follow-up the group with type 1 diabetes had a mean age of 24.2±2.9 years (13.7±2.8 years at baseline), diabetes duration of 15.6±3.4 years (5.4±3.3 years at baseline) and HbA1c of 8.2±3.6% (66±16 mmol/mol) (8.4±3.4% (68±13 mmol/mol) at baseline). Women with type 1 diabetes had significantly higher mean weight, body mass index, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, while men with type 1 diabetes had significantly higher mean DBP and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio compared with the control group. Mean cIMT change over time was not associated with long-term HbA1c or LDL-cholesterol burden in childhood and adolescence.

Conclusion

Young women with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes of relatively short diabetes duration had a higher mean cIMT over a 10-year period compared with their healthy female controls, with values similar to males.
Successful strategies that address gender-related barriers and promote bodily autonomy within efforts to scale up and sustain postpregnancy contraception: a scoping review
Authors: Castro Arachu , Kabra Rita , Coates Anna , Kiarie James
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Acknowledging the integral role of bodily autonomy in advancing gender equality, our study aimed to assess the extent to which strategies used in postpartum and postabortion contraception have effectively equipped women, girls and gender-diverse individuals with the tools, knowledge and resources required to make autonomous decisions that align with their diverse life experiences.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review using the databases PubMed, EBSCOhost, EMBASE and SciSpace. We included implementation, evaluation and experimental studies published in any language between 2013 and 2023 and excluded studies not meeting these criteria. We used a WHO scale to determine the level of gender responsiveness.

Results

We found 30 implementation, evaluation and experimental studies published in any language between 2013 and 2023. We categorised the strategies following the WHO scale as gender-transformative (4 studies), gender-specific (24 studies) and gender-sensitive (2 studies). None of the studies reported strategies hindering reproductive health and rights. All strategies involved women and girls, and none explicitly targeted gender-diverse people capable of childbearing.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of integrating gender-transformative activities into postpregnancy contraceptive strategies and underscores the necessity of understanding and addressing local gender norms and the broader health system context to promote bodily autonomy effectively. The findings suggest that success should not be solely measured by contraceptive uptake but also by how well interventions address gender-related barriers.
Exploration of trust in participatory health research partnerships across two timepoints: a network approach
Authors: Gilfoyle Meghan , Salsberg Jon , Macfarlane Anne , McCarthy Miriam , MacCarron Padraig
Published: February 2025

Background

The value of a participatory approach to the generation of evidence for health and social services from a moral, methodological and policy level continues to gain recognition globally. Trust is a crucial mechanism in the participatory health research (PHR) process and is strongly influenced by context. However, gaps remain in conceptualising and operationalising trust over time in PHR partnerships.

Objective

This case study seeks to address these gaps by exploring the evolution of trust multidimensionally across two timepoints.

Setting and participants

Participants in a PHR project called the Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) Ignite Network in Ireland (n=57 (T1); n=56 (T2)) were invited to complete a network survey at two timepoints. The PPI Ignite Network had local and national partners.

Network measures

Several core social network measures were calculated at both timepoints to characterise the differences between trust dimensions and between local and national partners.

Results

Subtle changes were observed across most network measures over the two timepoints. While there was a slight decrease in the number of connections for each trust dimension throughout the PPI Ignite Network, connections that were consistently nominated in both timepoints increased slightly. Some trust dimensions, such as vulnerability and integrity, were more similar, while others, like integrity and shared values, visions and goals, differed greatly, where national partners consistently received more incoming connections compared with local partners.

Conclusion

These findings (1) provide empirical support for using social network analysis to operationalise trust comprehensively and multidimensionally over time in a participatory partnership, (2) offer nuanced insights into the trust development process within the PPI Ignite Network and (3) enhance our understanding of trust in the community-based participatory research model.
Relationship between household food insecurity and minimum dietary diversity among pregnant women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Fiche town, Oromia region, Central Ethiopia: A facility-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Lemi Tadese Bulto , Ababor Gali Nega , Abdulahi Misra
Published: February 2025

Background

Pregnant women experiencing food insecurity often compromise the quality of their nutrition by consuming a monotonous diet. Food insecurity and dietary monotony, defined as lack of variety in one’s diet, are two importan vt factors that cause undernutrition. Different studies focused on the factors associated with minimum dietary diversity, and there is limited evidence regarding the relationship between minimum dietary diversity and household food insecurity. Therefore, this study aims to assess the relationship between household food insecurity and minimum dietary diversity among pregnant women at health facilities in Fiche town.

Objective

To determine whether there was a relationship between the household food insecurity and minimum dietary diversity among pregnant women in Fiche town health facilities in Oromia region, Central Ethiopia.

Design

A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2022, involving 422 pregnant women.

Setting

The study was conducted in Fiche town, located in the North Showa Zone of Oromia region in Ethiopia. The town is home to one specialised hospital and two health centres.

Methods

A structured questionnaire administered by an interviewer was used to collect data. Data were gathered using KoboToolbox V.2022.2.0 and analysed with SPSS V.23. A χ2test and binary logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between household food insecurity and minimum dietary diversity (defined as consuming at least 5 out of 10 specified food groups in the previous day or night). Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the predictors of minimum maternal dietary diversity.

Results

The study found that only 34.6% of the participants met the minimum dietary diversity criteria. A significant relationship was identified between household food insecurity and minimum dietary diversity, χ2(2, n=32.43, p value=0.001). The variables that were found to be significant included being severely food-insecure (adjusted OR (AOR)=4.25, 95% CI: 1.26 to 14.38), having a history of illness in the last 2 weeks prior to assessment (AOR=2.14, 95% CI: 1.04 to 4.57) and lacking nutritional counselling during antenatal care (ANC) follow-up (AOR=9.24, 95% CI: 4.92 to 17.36). These factors were found to be significantly associated with both household food insecurity and minimum dietary diversity.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of addressing household food insecurity and enhancing dietary diversity among pregnant women. It recommends interventions such as improving access to nutritious food, providing support during illness and offering comprehensive nutritional counselling during ANC visits.
Resilience-promoting social networks among unpaid dementia caregivers: protocol for a mixed-methods, 2-year exploratory study
Authors: Peckham Allie , Guest M Aaron , Pituch Keenan , Hook Jane , Mporanyi Marlene Umubyeyi , Sadow Sage
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Unpaid caregivers of people living with dementia often experience lower levels of perceived life satisfaction and higher rates of depression and anxiety compared with those caring for individuals without Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. While research on unpaid caregiver well-being and satisfaction has primarily focused on the characteristics of people living with dementia and their dyadic relationships, it has not adequately explored the role of social networks in supporting unpaid caregiver well-being. In this study, we aim to fill this gap by taking an egocentric social network approach to understand the multiple dimensions of social relations among unpaid caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a mixed-method, 2-year exploratory study that involves a structured survey-based telephone interview in year 1 and semistructured interviews in year 2 with caregivers of PLWD recruited through community and healthcare partners. Participants will participate in 1 60-min interview in year 1 (n=100) and a 45–60 min semistructured interview in year 2 (n=75). Eligibility for caregivers includes being an unpaid caregiver, aged 40 years or older, residing and providing care in Arizona or Nevada. The survey consists of questions about caregiver and care recipient demographics, caregiver background, caregiver stress, resilience, well-being and egocentric social network data. Network composition attributes, such as tie strength, the function of the relationship and reliance on network members, will also be assessed. In year 2, qualitative semistructured interviews will supplement these quantitative measures to understand network selection, perceived network changes over time and network strength.

Ethics and dissemination

The Arizona State Institutional Review Board (00018191) approved this study. All participants will receive electronic informed consent documents to review and sign. During the initial interview, participants will be asked if they have any questions about the informed consent documents. We will confirm that participants have completed the required consent form before the start of any research activity. The findings of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles, academic and community presentations, and community-focused publications targeting caregivers.
Understanding the role of culture in shaping attitudes and beliefs on urinary incontinence: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Panesar Simran , Rajabali Saima , Kennedy Megan , Wagg Adrian
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition among older adults with adverse consequences to health and well-being. Shame, stigma and cultural perspectives can prevent treatment-seeking behaviour. Although there is an abundance of studies in the health research literature that explore the physiological basis of UI, there is limited evidence on the role culture plays in shaping knowledge of, attitudes to and beliefs about UI. This review aims to answer what is known about the role of culture in shaping the attitudes and beliefs on UI to identify gaps in the literature and direct future research.

Methods and analysis

The Joanna Briggs Institute method for scoping reviews will be used to conduct the review, in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulated Index in Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EBSCOhost, Scopus databases and WHO Index Medicus databases will be searched, without any restriction on language and publication date, enhancing the comprehensiveness and inclusivity of the review. A preliminary search of MEDLINE was conducted (09 February 2024) to identify articles. The screening and analysis of the search results from the databases will be managed using Covidence software. Two authors will screen articles, with a third involved as needed to resolve any differences. Findings will be organised using tables and key themes will be identified.

Ethics and dissemination

Formal ethics approval is not required for this review as it does not involve any human or animal participants. Findings will be disseminated in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal with a focus on open-access publication at conferences and used to inform studies on the development of culturally sensitive management programmes for UI with the full involvement of patients.

Trial registration

Open Science Frameworkhttps://osf.io/3d97f
Regional variations in healthcare in people living with dementia in Germany: protocol for a mixed-methods study
Authors: Scheibner Hannah Julia , Gesell Daniela , Hauptmann Michael , Heinze Martin , Horenkamp-Sonntag Dirk , Koller Daniela , Kubat Denise , Marschall Ursula , Meixner Johannes , Michalowsky Bernhard , von Peter Sebastian , Platen Moritz , Riederer Cordula , Schroth Jennifer , Swart Enno , Weirauch Lea , Dahling Volker
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Care for people living with dementia is both important and complex, and there is evidence of large regional variations in the quality of care. This study protocol describes design, methods and objectives of an investigation of regional variations in the utilisation, the quality and the costs of care for people living with dementia in Germany.

Methods and analysis

An exploratory, naturalistic, mixed-methods study is being conducted with three modules:Module A:A quantitative analysis of claims data of statutory health insurance will be conducted to investigate regional variations in the utilisation and costs of care.Module B:In selected regions of interest that deviate significantly from the average in terms of utilisation in Module A, the quality of care and patient characteristics, variations and possible causes of these variations in care will be examined in more detail using quantitative and qualitative assessments.Module C:The claims and primary data from modules A and B will be combined, synthesised and evaluated to elicit recommendations for regional healthcare using a participatory consensus method.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is overseen by the German Alzheimer’s Association. The study’s ethics and data protection plan was approved by the data and ethics committee of the leading university, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (reference number: 152092023-BO-E) as well as the data committee of the three participating health insurances. Dissemination plans include dissemination of our main results to the general public, people affected, the scientific community and funding-, policy- and decision makers. Study outcomes and conclusions will be published on our own and the funder’s websites, through presentations at conferences and in scientific journals. The funder ensures dissemination of main study results and recommendations for action to relevant organisations and institutions. Publication of the study’s main results is planned within 6 months of the study’s conclusion.

Trial registration number

DRKS00031944 (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=DRKS00031944).
Resident encounters with disruptive workplace behaviours in Japan: findings from a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Watari Takashi , Sheffield Virginia , Gupta Ashwin , Taniguchi Kaori , Tokuda Yasuharu , Nishizaki Yuji
Published: February 2025

Importance

Disruptive workplace behaviours (DWBs) between healthcare professionals compromise patient care quality and organisational culture, impacting staff morale, communication and teamwork. Residents are particularly vulnerable to it from nurses and supervisors.

Objective

Elucidate factors associated with DWBs experienced by residents.

Design

Nationwide cross-sectional study using a web-based survey.

Setting

Japanese postgraduate clinical training hospitals.

Participants

First- and second-year postgraduate residents were surveyed between 15 and 31 January 2023, immediately after participating in the nationally administered computer-based residency exam.

Exposure

None.

Main outcomes and measures

Primary outcomes include previously published eight types of DWBs experienced by residents. Resident characteristics at the time of the study were used. Hospital data (location of the training hospital, number of beds, number of emergency transports, average length of hospital stays, number of outpatients per day and the actual number of residents, full-time physicians and nurses) were obtained from Japan’s largest hospital information database.

Results

Of 5403 residents analysed, 68.3% were males, and 84.9% were under 28 years of age. Residents reported encountering DWBs from physicians and nurses approximately 35% of the time, a roughly equivalent percentage from both groups. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, the likelihood of encountering DWBs from nurses increased with hospital size (>700 beds; adjusted OR (aOR) 2.19; 501–700 beds; aOR 1.45 and 301–500 beds; aOR 1.26, all statistically significant). Furthermore, DWBs from nurses were significantly more prevalent in settings with higher admissions per nurse (aOR 1.70). DWBs from physicians were significantly more prevalent towards male (vs female) residents (aOR 1.60) and less likely among the second-year postgraduate (vs first-year postgraduate) residents (aOR 0.87).

Conclusions

DWBs from nurses are significantly more common with increasing hospital bed numbers and increase with the number of admissions per nurse. No such correlation was observed with DWBs from physicians. Male residents experience more DWBs than female residents.
Enhancing clinical decision-making for CNVs of uncertain significance in neurodevelopmental disorders: the relevance (or uselessness) of scoring and segregating
Authors: Da Silva Jorge Diogo , Maia Nuno , Jorge Paula , Sousa Vanessa , Tkachenko Nataliya , Soares Ana Rita
Published: February 2025

Background

Clinicians often deal with copy-number variants of unknown significance (CNVUS) when managing neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Variant classification is often complemented with textual comments, while the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)/Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) numerical scores are rarely reported. Our aim was to determine if the application of ACMG/ClinGen scoring and inheritance/segregation studies are relevant for the reclassification of CNVUS.

Methods

We retrieved 167 CNVUS (112 duplications, 55 heterozygous deletions) from test reports of 141 patients with NDD in a 5-year period. None of those testing reports included ACMG/ClinGen scoring information for the CNVUS. One clinical and one laboratorial geneticist independently applied the ACMG/ClinGen scoring system for CNVs. Final scores/categories were assessed for potential modification when adding inheritance/segregation criteria.

Results

138 (83%) of the CNVUS retained the VUS classification, 14 (8%) changed to benign and 15 (9%) to (likely) pathogenic. Variants deemed benign (11 duplications, 3 deletions) mostly overlapped with ClinGen-established benign regions or were common in the general population; variants deemed (likely) pathogenic (all deletions) were either associated with unrelated autosomal recessive/later-onset autosomal dominant (AD) conditions, or with an AD NDD phenotype in a single case. Inheritance studies were available for 20 (12%) variants (17 inherited, 3 de novo), and none led to a change in classification. A simulation showed that adding inheritance information would also not change the classification of any other variant.

Conclusion

Application of the ACMG/ClinGen scoring system led by itself to reclassification of 17% of VUS, despite a very low increase in diagnostic yield (1/141, 0.7%). Additionally, segregation/inheritance studies in CNVUS were mostly irrelevant in most NDD cases, challenging their routine broad application in clinical practice.
Inter-proceduralist variability in angiographic outcomes after stroke thrombectomy and the importance of quality over quantity of passes
Authors: Chen Huanwen , Njonkou-Tchoquessi Rosy L , Iyyangar Ananya , Skorseth Paige , Majmundar Shyam , Cherian Jacob , Miller Timothy R , Sheth Sunil A , Gandhi Dheeraj , Colasurdo Marco
Published: February 2025

Background

Complete recanalization (CR, modified Treatment in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) score of 2c or better) is associated with favorable outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for stroke patients. However, the degree of inter-proceduralist differences in CR rates is unknown, and whether higher CR rates are being achieved by performing more passes or by focusing on first-pass effectiveness is also unclear.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective study of anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke patients in the United States from 2016 to 2022. Patients treated by proceduralists with at least 50 cases were included. CR rates for each proceduralist were assessed and proceduralists were divided into tertiles. First-pass effect (FPE, defined as CR after one pass) and the number of passes for patients treated by the top tertile of proceduralists were compared with the bottom tertile. Mediation analyses were conducted to assess causal links between CR rates and number of passes or FPE.

Results

A total of 1096 EVTs performed by 11 proceduralists were identified. CR rates were highly variable across providers (43.1% to 75.3%, p<0.001). Patients treated by the top tertile were more likely to experience FPE (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.49 to 2.67, p<0.001) and did not undergo more passes (p=0.69) compared with the bottom tertile. Higher rates of FPE among patients was a significant mediator of higher odds of CR among patients treated by the top tertile (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Angiographic outcomes among EVT proceduralists are highly variable. Proceduralists who achieve higher rates of CR are doing so with higher rates of FPE, not more passes.
‘DEFEND, DEFEND, DEFEND’: women’s HIV health activism, embodied feminist performance-making and radical kindness
Authors: Low Katharine E , Petretti Silvia , Lowry Chuck Blue , Shaharuddin Maryam
Published: February 2025

This article shares the learning from our project,Positively Past, Positively Present(PPPP), which started in 2022 in partnership with Positively UK, formerly known as Positively Women, a UK HIV support and advocacy organisation. The PPPP project is an archival, oral herstory project which focuses on capturing the herstories and experiences of women and others who were part of Positively Women. Our aim was to consolidate these women’s herstories and by sharing this knowledge prevent these extraordinary narratives from being invisibilised again. In this article we articulate how our use of embodied feminist performance-making in health activism can help to nurture the roots and interconnections of these knowledges, and in doing so, ‘DEFEND’ the loss of these stories.
Probing the double-beta decay of $$^{104}$$Ru through precise Q-value measurements and nuclear matrix element calculations
Authors: Ruotsalainen Jouni , Kauppinen Elina , Eronen Tommi , Kankainen Anu , Kotila Jenni , Mougeot Maxime
Published: February 2025

The Q value of the double-beta (

$$\beta ^-\beta ^-$$

β
-

β
-

) decay of

$$^{104}$$

104

Ru (

$$Q_{\beta ^-\beta ^-}$$

Q

β
-

β
-

-value) was determined using the JYFLTRAP double Penning trap mass spectrometer employing the Phase-Imaging Ion Cyclotron Resonance (PI-ICR) method. The obtained value of 1297.705(36) keV is in agreement with the current literature value of 1299.4(27) keV but is over 70 times more precise. As a consistency check on a 100 eV level, we also measured the precisely known

$$^{102}$$

102

Pd double-electron capture Q value,

$$Q_\textrm{ECEC}=1203.531(92)$$

Q
ECEC

=
1203.531

(
92
)

 keV, which agrees with the literature value of 1203.47(4) keV. The measured Q value of

$$^{104}$$

104

Ru

$$\beta ^-\beta ^-$$

β
-

β
-

decay was used in calculations of the phase-space factors of the double-beta decay. Also, the nuclear matrix elements were calculated using the microscopic interacting boson model (IBM-2) as a nuclear model and compared with other available results. With these theoretical calculations based on the measured Q value, the estimates for the two-neutrino and neutrinoless double-beta decay half-lives of

$$^{104}$$

104

Ru were calculated to be

$$t_{1/2}^{2\nu \beta \beta }>5.449\times 10^{21}$$

t

1
/
2

2
ν
β
β

>
5.449
×

10
21

years and

$$t_{1/2}^{0\nu \beta \beta }>5.775\times 10^{26}$$

t

1
/
2

0
ν
β
β

>
5.775
×

10
26

years, respectively. The calculated

$$2\nu \beta ^-\beta ^-$$

2
ν

β
-

β
-

half-life is longer than the current experimental lower limit but short enough to be potentially within reach with future high precision experiments.
Two‐Stage Optimal Operation of Integrated Energy System Considering Electricity–Heat Demand Response and Time‐of‐Use Energy Price
Authors: Wang Xiuyun , Jiao Yang , Cui Benwang , Zhu Hongbin , Wang Rutian
Published: February 2025

Integrated energy systems (IESs) can realize the conversion and complementarity of various energy sources, which provides opportunities and challenges for the energy market. Considering that the user’s energy consumption is affected by the energy price difference, there is a problem that the new energy output in the comprehensive energy system does not fully match the user’s energy demand period. In order to solve the above problems, this paper proposes a two‐stage optimization model of “open source and reducing expenditure” to give full play to the potential of multiple energy sources on the load side to participate in demand response (DR) and combine low‐carbon technology and market mechanisms to realize the low‐carbon economic operation of the comprehensive energy system. In the first stage, a collaborative optimization strategy for electric and thermal DR is constructed from the aspect of “reducing expenditure,” a comprehensive load fuzzy DR mechanism based on the logistic function is constructed for electric load, and the load curve and time‐of‐use (TOU) energy price are optimized considering the coupling characteristics of user energy consumption, and nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA‐II) solution to achieve peak shaving and valley filling. In the second stage, a joint operation model of carbon capture power plant (CCPP) and power‐to‐gas (P2G) equipment is built from the aspect of “open source,” and the ladder‐type carbon trading mechanism is considered to rationalize the unit output and achieve low‐carbon emission reduction. The calculation results obtained through examples show that the total cost of the model is slightly reduced by 5.44%, but the actual total carbon emission of the system is greatly increased by 50.73%. It proves that the high‐carbon power plant transformation and TOU energy price optimization strategy are effective for the low‐carbon economic operation of the system and realize both economic benefits and benefits of the system.
Automatic Segmentation of the Cisternal Segment of Trigeminal Nerve on MRI Using Deep Learning
Authors: Hsu Li-Ming , Wang Shuai , Chang Sheng-Wei , Lee Yu-Li , Yang Jen-Tsung , Lin Ching-Po , Tsai Yuan-Hsiung
Published: February 2025

Purpose: Accurate segmentation of the cisternal segment of the trigeminal nerve plays a critical role in identifying and treating different trigeminal nerve–related disorders, including trigeminal neuralgia (TN). However, the current manual segmentation process is prone to interobserver variability and consumes a significant amount of time. To overcome this challenge, we propose a deep learning–based approach, U‐Net, that automatically segments the cisternal segment of the trigeminal nerve.

Methods: To evaluate the efficacy of our proposed approach, the U‐Net model was trained and validated on healthy control images and tested in on a separate dataset of TN patients. The methods such as Dice, Jaccard, positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity (SEN), center‐of‐mass distance (CMD), and Hausdorff distance were used to assess segmentation performance.

Results: Our approach achieved high accuracy in segmenting the cisternal segment of the trigeminal nerve, demonstrating robust performance and comparable results to those obtained by participating radiologists.

Conclusion: The proposed deep learning–based approach, U‐Net, shows promise in improving the accuracy and efficiency of segmenting the cisternal segment of the trigeminal nerve. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first fully automated segmentation method for the trigeminal nerve in anatomic MRI, and it has the potential to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of various trigeminal nerve–related disorders, such as TN.