bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanism Study of Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. on Diabetes Retinopathy Based on Liver–Eye Axis by UHPLC‐MS
Authors: Yang Hongxia , Zhang Yuan , Hou Shuzhen , Liu Jing , Shi Yumeng , Chen Xiaopeng
Published: February 2025

Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (CT) has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, which can be used to treat red‐eye swelling. At present, there are studies on CT treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Diabetes can affect the function of the eyes, which is closely related to the liver. The connection between the liver and the eyes is valued as the liver–eye axis. There are no reports on the mechanism of CT action on the liver in DR. This study analyzed the differences in the liver in DR rats before and after administration using network pharmacology, LC‐MS‐based non‐targeted metabolomics, and energy substances metabolism. Then, a joint analysis of hepatomics, plasma metabolomics, energy metabolism, and network pharmacology results was conducted to discover the overall biological axis pattern. Non‐targeted metabolomics revealed the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and riboflavin pathway are the main enriched metabolic pathways, closely related to energy metabolism. Energy substance metabolism revealed CT regulates liver energy metabolism, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle is the main enriched metabolic pathway. Integrated analysis revealed the PPP is the upstream key pathway. The research reveals the mechanism of CT treatment for DR based on the liver and provides a reference for studying the liver–eye axis.
Application of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Bioactive Compounds From Cat's Whiskers Leaves
Authors: Mamat Hasmadi , Mohd Faizal Azrul Nurfaiz , Mohd Amin Siti Faridah , Julmohammad Norliza , Kobun Rovina , Mohamad Nurul Elyani , Md Sarip Mohd Sharizan , Putra Nicky Rahmana , Ahmad Zaini Muhammad Abbas , Abdul Aziz Ahmad Hazim
Published: February 2025

Cat's whiskers, scientifically known as Orthosiphon stamineus, is a widely used herbal remedy in Malaysia for various health issues. This herb is rich in bioactive compounds, particularly phenolics and flavonoids, which are responsible for its therapeutic properties. To enhance the extraction of these beneficial compounds, the bench‐scale supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction method was employed. The study was conducted at various extraction conditions from 10 to 30 MPa of pressure and from 40°C to 80°C of temperature, while keeping the carbon dioxide flow rate, mean particle size of the sample, and extraction duration constant at 10 g/min, 300 µm, and 2 h, respectively. The highest extract yield was obtained at optimized condition of 29 MPa and 79°C with 28.12 g/10 g of sample. The highest total phenolic content of approximately 124.324 ppm was obtained at 60°C and 30 MPa, whereas the maximum total flavonoid content reached around 840.595 ppm at 80°C and 30 MPa. This research successfully established the high content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds from cat's whiskers leaves using bench‐scale SCCO2 extraction that the extract is applicable for food and pharmaceutical industries.
An environmentally friendly method to produce nano‐chitin from shrimp by‐product
Authors: Nguyen Huyen Anh , Do Thi Yen , Nguyen Tien Thanh , To Kim Anh , Pham Tuan Anh
Published: February 2025

Shrimp by‐products have received much attention in recent years as a good source of chitin. However, the conventional method of extracting chitin from shrimp shells and producing nano‐chitin poses a great threat to the environment when used and generates a large amount of toxic and corrosive chemical compounds. Therefore, in this study, a greener process using Lactobacillus plantarum NCDN4 fermentation followed by environmentally friendly ammonium persulfate treatment was developed and evaluated for the production of nano‐chitin. The nano‐chitin obtained by this process had diameters ranging from 7 to 11 nm with characteristics similar to those obtained by conventional chemical treatments. These findings highlight a new direction for the environmentally friendly production of nano‐chitin from shrimp by‐products.
Sero‐Prevalence of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease in Cattle in Selected Districts of Jimma Zone, South‐Western Ethiopia
Authors: Batu Geremew , Abera Zelalem , Wakgari Moti , Gazagn Eshetu
Published: February 2025

Background

Foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) is highly contagious and results in a high economic loss in the world.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 in three selected districts to determine the sero‐prevalence of FMD. A total of 384 cattle sera samples were collected and tested for antibodies against FMD virus using FMD NSP c‐ELISA.

Results

The overall sero‐prevalence of 25.3% was determined. Sero‐prevalence of 31.0%, 32.37% and 4.5% was seen in the districts. Higher sero‐prevalence was observed in Limmu Seka, and the disease was statistically significant in both Limmu Kosa and Limmu Seka districts (p < 0.05). Higher sero‐prevalence was seen at Ambabesa Sadeka Peasant Association (42.86%). However, except Ambabesa Sadeka peasant association (PA), there was no statistically significant association (p > 0.05) of FMD occurrence among the nine PAs. Higher sero‐prevalence was recorded in females (33.65%), old age (39.1%), poor body condition (43.0%) and herd size (43.1%). Therefore, sex, age, body condition of the animals and herd size showed significant association (p < 0.05) in the occurrence of FMD in the study areas. Purchased animals were highly infected (56.4%), and there was also a statistically significant association in the origin of the animals (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Overall, FMD is an economically important disease in the study areas.

Recommendation

Further studies are warranted to characterize FMD virus serotypes in the areas and investigation in wildlife and small ruminants is needed to determine their roles in FMD virus maintenance and transmission.
Significance of amalgamated impacts of slip effect and viscous dissipation on viscous fluid flow with varying fluid specifications
Authors: Kalita Bhrigu Kumar , Dey Bamdeb
Published: February 2025

This investigation aims to examine the combined impacts of viscous dissipation and slip repercussions when combined with changing thermal conductivity and viscosity for a fluid flow that is incompressible, viscous, and electrically conductive. It is presupposed that thermal conductivity and fluid viscosity fluctuate with the ambient temperature. The calamitous effects of thermal stability and solutal buoyancy, and alongside the additional thermal source, further increase the flow entities. The conveyance abilities have been enhanced by the current need in multiple industries that rely on the provided thermal energy. When determining the right dimensions and configuration for a product that an industry manufactures, these tangible characteristics are best to us. An assortment of nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) that adhere to specific boundary conditions represents the flow. The coupled ensemble of PDEs has transformed from PDEs to ODEs with the appropriate similarity transformations. Using the sophisticated MATLAB solver technique, the resulting coupled system of ODEs is computed numerically. Study findings highlighted that fluid velocity as well as the temperature elevated in response to increased combustion of heat and plummeted in expectation of increased heat retention. Numerous values of the flow's specifications have been computed numerically for the temperature curves, velocity, Nusselt number, and surface friction coefficient. Physical aspects that blend into the flow incidents are explored using illustrative graphs and arrays. When this study's findings are contrasted with a prior study that has been published, they demonstrate substantial agreement.
Influence of variable thermal conductivity on Darcy Forchhimer flow of Walter‐B‐hybrid nanofluid flow with elastic deformation
Authors: Khan Husna A. , Iqbal Shaukat , Nazeer Ghazala , Inc Mustafa
Published: February 2025

Thermal conductivity is the potential of a material to transfer heat. The several empirical and theoretical discoveries have suggested a strong connection among temperature change and thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity is fundamental to the structural barriers insulation and energy efficiency. The impact of variable thermal conductivity and thermopherotic deposition effect in Walter‐‐hybrid nanofluid flow over a cone with elastic deformation and mixed convection has been modeled mathematically in this article. Similarity transformations are applied to obtain nondimensional differential equations from the governing differential equations. The homotopy analysis technique is used to solve transformed equations that govern. The behavior of variable thermal conductivity, elastic deformation, and thermopherotic effect on velocity component, temperature profile, and hybrid nanoparticles concentration profile are analyzed for various dimensionless parameters. For increasing values of thermal conductivity, the velocity components such as (axial, radial, tangential) show decreasing behavior, and reverse behavior is observed for viscoelastic parameter. The Temperature profile decreases when Eckert and Prandtl numbers are enhanced, while showing increasing behavior for the volume fraction parameter and Darcy number. The concentration profile displays diminishing behavior for rising values of the Schmidt number and thermopherotic parameter.
Two‐phase flow of dusty Carreau nanofluid with dual‐Cattaneo–Christov heat flux and non‐uniform heat source over a disk
Authors: Grace D. Serafin , Durgaprasad P.
Published: February 2025

The main aim of the present work is to examine a mathematical model for the flow and heat transfer characteristics of a Carreau nanofluid with suspended dust particles over a rotating disk. It explores the influence of dual Cattaneo–Christov heat flux models, which combine relaxation and thermal retardation effects, on the temperature distribution in the fluid. By integrating theoretical models with real‐world engineering problems, this study advances our understanding of expertise in optimizing systems such as dusty flows and nanofluids. The BVP4C built‐in solver in MATrix LABoratory (MATLAB) software is used to solve the governing equations using the shooting technique. A graphic representation of the relationship between temperature, velocity, concentration, skin friction coefficients, heat, and mass transfer rates over the rotating disk is displayed for a range of values of the pertinent parameters, such as interaction parameter , Weissenberg number , mass concentration Hartmann number , Thermal radiation , Thermophoresis , Brownian motion , fluid temperature , Space‐dependent parameter , the specific heat ratio . The Graphs and tables illustrate the impacts of active parameters on the fluid's transport properties. An increase in Hartmann's number decelerates the radial and azimuthal velocities for fluid and dusty flow cases. For the radiation parameter (Rd = 0.5), the Nusselt number is 4.8. When the Radiation parameter increases to 1.5, the Nusselt number improves to 6.3, representing a 31.25% enhancement in heat transfer efficiency. Also, it was observed that the temperature profile increases as the Nusselt number rises, indicating better thermal transport due to thermophoretic forces.
Not-so-inelastic Dark Matter
Authors: Garcia Giovani Dalla Valle , Kahlhoefer Felix , Ovchynnikov Maksym , Schwetz Thomas
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Models of inelastic (or pseudo-Dirac) dark matter commonly assume an accidental symmetry between the left-handed and right-handed mass terms in order to suppress diagonal couplings. We point out that this symmetry is unnecessary because for Majorana fermions the diagonal couplings are not strongly constrained. Removing the requirement of such an ad hoc symmetry instead relaxes the relic density constraint due to additional annihilation modes. We consider a simple UV-complete model realizing this setup and study constraints from (in)direct detection, beam dump experiments and colliders. We identify two viable mass regions for the dark matter mass, around a few hundred MeV and around a few GeV, respectively. The former region will be fully tested by near-future analyses of the NA64 and Belle II data, while the latter turns out to be challenging to explore even with future experiments.
How to uplift D = 3 maximal supergravities
Authors: Inverso Gianluca , Rovere Davide
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We prove necessary and sufficient algebraic conditions to determine whether a D = 3 gauged maximal supergravity can be obtained from consistent Kaluza-Klein truncation of ten- or eleven-dimensional supergravity. We describe the procedure to identify the internal geometry and explicitly construct the frame encoding the reduction ansatz. As byproducts, we derive several results on twistings, deformations and global aspects of E8(8) exceptional geometry and define E8(8) generalised diffeomorphism for massive IIA supergravity. We devise simple algebraic conditions for imposing compactness of the internal space and derive no-go results for the uplift of compact gaugings and of a large class of gauged maximal supergravities with

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= (8, 0) AdS3 solutions.
“Unification” of BSM searches and SM measurements: the case of lepton+

and mW
Authors: Agashe Kaustubh , Airen Sagar , Franceschini Roberto , Kim Doojin , Kotwal Ashutosh V. , Ricci Lorenzo , Sathyan Deepak
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We develop the idea that the unprecedented precision in Standard Model (SM) measurements, with further improvement at the HL-LHC, enables new searches for physics Beyond the Standard Model (BSM). As an illustration, we demonstrate that the measured kinematic distributions of the ℓ + "Image missing" final state not only determine the mass of the W boson, but are also sensitive to light new physics. Such a search for new physics thus requires a simultaneous fit to the BSM and SM parameters, “unifying” searches and measurements at the LHC and Tevatron. In this paper, we complete the program initiated in our earlier work [1]. In particular, we analyze (i) novel decay modes of the W boson with a neutrinophilic invisible scalar or with a heavy neutrino; (ii) modified production of W bosons, namely, associated with a hadrophilic invisible Z′ gauge boson; and (iii) scenarios without an on-shell W boson, such as slepton-sneutrino production in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). Here, we complement our previous MSSM analysis in [1] by considering a different kinematic region. Our results highlight that new physics can still be directly discovered at the LHC, including light new physics, via SM precision measurements. Furthermore, we illustrate that such BSM signals are subtle, yet potentially large enough to affect the precision measurements of SM parameters themselves, such as the W boson mass.
Holographic homogeneous superfluid on the sphere
Authors: Gao Meng , Ning Zhuan , Tian Yu , Zhang Hongbao
Published: February 2025

Abstract

In this paper, we extend the study of holographic superfluids from planar topology to spherical topology, inspired by recent studies on Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) on shell-shaped geometry. We investigated the superfluid phase transition from normal fluid and its Quasi-Normal Modes (QNMs) on the sphere. It turns out that the critical temperature for the superfluid phase transition on the sphere is higher than that in the planar case. We investigated four different solutions in the backgrounds of large and small black holes. The calculation of free energy selects the most stable solution. Finally, after calculating the quasi-normal modes and their dynamic behavior, we obtained three different channels similar to the planar superfluid case, along with the “first” hydrodynamic excitation mode.
Asymptotic curvature divergences and non-gravitational theories
Authors: Marchesano Fernando , Melotti Luca , Wiesner Max
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We analyse divergences of the scalar curvature R of the vector multiplet moduli space of type IIA string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau X, along infinite-distance large volume limits. Extending previous results, we classify the origin of the divergence along trajectories which implement decompactifications to F-theory on X and/or emergent heterotic string limits. In all cases, the curvature divergence can be traced back to a 4d rigid field theory that decouples from gravity along the limit. This can be quantified via the asymptotic relation R ~ (ΛWGC
/Λsp)2ν
, with ΛWGC ≡ g
rigid
M
P and Λsp the species scale. In the UV, the 4d rigid field theory becomes a higher-dimensional, strongly-coupled rigid theory that also decouples from gravity. The nature of this UV theory is encoded in the exponent ν, and it either corresponds to a 5d SCFT, 6d SCFT or a Little String Theory.
Singularity structure of the four point celestial leaf amplitudes
Authors: Mandal Raju , Misra Sagnik , Paul Partha , Roy Baishali
Published: February 2025

Abstract

In this paper, we study the four-point celestial leaf amplitudes of massless scalar and MHV gluon scattering. These leaf amplitudes are non-distributional decompositions of the celestial amplitudes associated with a hyperbolic foliation of the Klein spacetime. Bulk scale invariance imposes constraints on the total conformal weights of the massless scalars or gluons. Using this constraint we show that the four-point leaf amplitudes have a simple pole singularity at z =

$$ \overline{z} $$

z
¯

, where, z,

$$ \overline{z} $$

z
¯

are two real independent conformal cross ratios. The distributional nature of the four-point celestial amplitudes is recovered by adding the leaf amplitudes in the timelike and spacelike wedges of the spacetime. We also verify that the MHV gluon leaf amplitudes satisfy a set of differential equations previously obtained for celestial MHV gluon amplitudes by considering the soft gluon theorems and the subleading terms in the OPE expansion between two positive helicity gluons.
Gravitational EFT for dissipative open systems
Authors: Lau Pak Hang Chris , Nishii Kanji , Noumi Toshifumi
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We elaborate on the effective field theory (EFT) construction for dissipative open systems coupled to dynamical gravity, in light of recent developments on the EFT of dissipative hydrodynamics (HydroEFT). Our construction is based on the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism and its symmetries as well as microscopic unitarity. A key aspect of dynamical gravity is that gravity couples to all degrees of freedom universally, hence the EFT has to take into account the energy-momentum tensor of the environment to which the energy escapes from the dissipative system of interest. We incorporate this effect by modeling the environment based on HydroEFT, assuming validity of the derivative expansion of the environment sector. For illustration, we apply our EFT recipe to a dissipative scalar field coupled to dynamical gravity that can be used, e.g., for dissipative inflation. In particular we quantify impacts of fluctuations in the environment sector on the scalar dynamics. We also apply the same framework to dissipative gravity, discussing dissipative gravitational waves and the generalized second law of black hole thermodynamics.
Utilization of waste tire and rubber from automobiles in the manufacturing of particleboards and evaluation of its properties
Authors: Čabalová Iveta , Krilek Jozef , Bubeníková Tatiana , Ružiak Ivan , Nemec Miroslav , Lee Seng Hua , Lubis Muhammad Adly Rahandi , Darabošová Anna , Mancel Vladimír , Kristak Lubos , Todaro Luigi , Giudice Valentina Lo
Published: February 2025

The objective of this work was to investigate the selected properties of particleboard (PB) containing waste rubber – a mixture of carpets and isolators (GWR) and tires (GWT) from discarded automobiles. Mechanical (tensile strength (IB), bending strength (BS), physical (water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS) after 2 and 24 h of immersion), chemical (volatile compounds - VOC using GC-MS method), thermo-physical (thermal conductivity and diffusivity, specific heat capacity) and sound absorption coefficient were analyzed. In addition, a density profile and microscopic analysis of the particleboards were performed. The addition of 10% rubber to the PB either maintains the IB or improves the BS of the composite. The best results for WA after 24 h (97.94%) and TS after 24 h (30.74%) were achieved for composites containing tire granulates. For this reason, these PBs are the most suitable for utilization in areas with higher humidity. Adding 20% of GWR to PB decreased the total content of VOC emissions by 85% so it can be stated that the rubber probably acts as a VOC sorbent. Control PBs had significantly lower thermal conductivity and diffusivity, and comparable specific heat capacity values than PBs containing GWR and GWT. The best sound insulation properties were obtained for PBs containing 20% of GWR. Microscopic analysis pointed to greater GWT and GWR contents resulting in higher C content in the PB. All PBs containing GWR have a higher mean density compared to that of control, ranging from 597 kg·m−3 to 615 kg·m−3. On the other hand, PB containing GWT had comparable or lower density values.
Assessing the Impact of Customary Ownership of Trees and Socioeconomic Factors on the Participatory Forest Management in Jharkhand, India
Authors: Kar Sabyasachi , Subedi Mukti Ram , Kadam Parag , Dwivedi Puneet
Published: February 2025

Customary ownership over trees on forested public lands is a traditional practice that grants individuals or groups rights and duties to access, use, and manage trees. This unique ownership model, where the Indian Government owns the forested land, but trees on that land are customarily owned by the households or community, plays a critical role in community participation in Participatory Forest Management (PFM). No study has yet quantitatively analyzed the relationship between customary ownership over trees and participation in PFM activities. Therefore, this study fills this gap by analyzing the relationship between households’ participation in PFM, the number of trees under customary ownership on forested public lands, and socioeconomic variables in Jharkhand, India. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and participatory rural appraisal. Factor analysis and multivariate linear regression were employed to analyze this relationship. We found that households’ customary ownership over a higher number of trees enabled them to earn a higher income and motivated them to relocate for better education and healthcare access, resulting in reduced PFM participation. Households with larger forest landholdings participated more regularly in PFM activities, motivated to legalize ownership of their long-used forestlands. Displaced households experienced reduced PFM participation. Higher caste and wealth groups were associated with greater PFM participation due to better resource access and stronger decision-making power. The study findings inform policymakers to improve inclusive participation in PFM activities and provide a pathway for achieving India’s environmental commitments by reducing socioeconomic disparities, improving tribal livelihoods, and promoting sustainable management of forestry resources.
Impact of positive surgical margin location after radical prostatectomy: a network meta-analysis
Authors: John Athul , Milton Thomas , Gupta Aashray , Nguyen Mau T. , Stretton Brandon , Hewitt Joseph , Virgin James , Kovoor Joshua , Catterwell Rick , Selth Luke , Callaghan Michael O.
Published: February 2025

Objective

To perform a network meta-analysis comparing the impact of different positive surgical margin locations (Comparisons and intervention) on biochemical recurrence (Outcome) in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy (Population).

Methods

According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, a protocol was registered (PROSPERO: CRD42022119025) and a search across four databases was conducted (the MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane). The primary outcome was biochemical recurrence (BCR). A network meta-analysis was conducted. Further subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate studies exploring robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RALP).

Results

Our search yielded 1249 unique results; 22 studies were analysed. Anterior margins had the highest risk of BCR (HR 2.46, 95%CI 1.67–3.61, I2 = 76%) followed by posterior (HR 2.29, 95%CI 1.43–3.66, I2 = 0%), bladder base (HR 2.06, 95%CI 1.61–2.64, I2 = 69%), apical (HR 1.88, 95%CI 1.51–2.35, I2 = 59%), and posterolateral margins (HR 1.70, 95%CI 1.14–2.25, I2 = 60%). Given significant heterogeneity, subgroup analysis was performed. In the RALP subgroup, anterior margins also demonstrated the highest recurrence risk (HR 3.74, 95%CI 2.47–5.66, I2 = 0%), followed by apical (HR 2.43, 95%CI 1.97–8.00, I2 = 0%), posterior (HR 2.23, 95%CI 1.47–3.38), base (HR 1.65, 95%CI 1.29–2.11, I2 = 0%), and posterolateral margin (HR 1.54, 95%CI 1.07–2.22).

Conclusions

The risk of BCR after radical prostatectomy varies by PSM location, with the highest recurrence risk observed at anterior margins.
The European Council of Legal and Forensic Medicine: its role and work in progressing harmonised standards and recommendations in Forensic and Legal Medicine investigation procedures, training and teaching through pursuit of internationally agreed and peer-reviewed published guidelines
Authors: Cusack Denis A.
Published: February 2025

Specialists and Practitioners in Forensic Medicine and Pathology have onerous duties and obligations in the examination of both the dead and living victims of alleged criminal assault and injury and in the examination of the alleged perpetrators of criminal actions. Forensic physicians and pathologists work in close collaboration with scientific colleagues and law enforcement agencies and present their independent and unbiased findings to the criminal, civil and coronial courts to assist in the administration of justice. Approved and established forensic standards for reporting and certifying investigations and conclusions are core prerequisites for the maintenance of evidential credibility and scrutiny and of justice. Judges, Investigating Magistrates, Coroners and Prosecution and Defence Lawyers as well as Government Departments of Justice and Health are recipients of such expert reports and testimony in framing their respective tasks for society within their countries’ legal frameworks. The European Council of Legal and Forensic Medicine has published collaborative papers on international standards and guidelines for forensic examinations by forensic physicians and pathologists of deaths and injuries in the areas of accreditation of pathology services; on-site scene and corpse investigation; examination of victims of sexual assault and of elder abuse; and also in undergraduate and postgraduate forensic teaching and training, in pursuit of international harmonisation.
Specific contribution of cognitive and motor impairments with functional capacity and dependence in Huntington’s disease
Authors: Gil-Salcedo Andres , Lunven Marine , Jacquemot Charlotte , Massart Renaud , Bachoud-Levi Anne-Catherine
Published: February 2025

Background

Huntington’s disease (HD) leads to increasing dependence. Unlike psychiatric disorders, motor and cognitive deficits evolve progressively over time. Understanding their specific impact on daily activities is crucial for preserving autonomy. However, because cognitive tasks in HD rely on motor functions, and motor tasks demand cognitive processing, disentangling their specific impact remains a challenge.

Objective

To identify the specific contribution of cognitive and motor impairments on global functional capacity, basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL), and work-related activities (WRA) in HD.

Methods

158 HD mutation carriers, enrolled in the BioHD (NCT01412125) and RepairHD (NCT03119246) studies, were evaluated with the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale and the SelfCog. The SelfCog assesses motor processing separately from memory, language, executive functions and visuospatial processing. Linear regressions were fitted to assess how functional capacity declined with motor and cognition impairments. Odds of dependence in ADLs, IADLs and WRAs were estimated using logistic regressions.

Results

Cognitive and motor performance were independently associated with functional capacities, though motor performance showed a stronger association than cognitive performance. Decline of all SelfCog cognitive domains contributed to functional decline, with stronger association with global and executive scores compared to language, visuospatial, and memory domains. Higher global and executive deficits were associated with an increased risk of dependence in ADLs, IADLs, and WRAs.

Conclusion

The independent contributions of motor, followed by cognitive—mainly executive—functions to functional decline suggest targeted interventions to preserve autonomy and quality of life in HD.
Prognostic determinants in surgical critial patients undergoing emergency surgery for Stage III or higher colorectal cancer
Authors: Kim Hyun Ho , Hwang Sanguk , Cho Jinbeom
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Emergency surgery in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with elevated mortality and morbidity compared to elective operations. This study was conducted to identify the factors influencing both short and long term outcomes in emergent CRC operations, particularly in critically ill patients.

Method

This single center retrospective analysis focuses on patients with stage III or higher CRC who underwent emergency surgery and were admitted to the intensive care unit postoperatively.

Results

Among 64 patients, 46 presented with generalized peritonitis due to free perforation. Non-survivors at 90 days had a higher incidence of preoperative shock (53.3% vs. 4.1%, P = 0.000), elevated perioperative Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores (P = 0.000; P = 0.013), and fewer retrieved lymph nodes (LN) (P = 0.010). Multivariate analysis identified LNs retrieval as a significant predictor of 90-day mortality (AUC = 0.727). For overall survival, younger age, lower American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, absence of metastasis, adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx), and lower LN ratio (LNR) were associated with improved outcomes. Multivariate analysis showed ASA physical status and adjuvant CTx as significant predictors. In predicting 3-year recurrence (51% of patients), the Random Forest model achieved 65% accuracy. Age and LNR were major predictors, with 0.01 unit increase in LNR raising recurrence risk by 1.025-fold and each additional year of age by 1.035-fold.

Conclusion

The number of retrieved LNs was identified as a predictor of 90 day survival, ASA physical status and adjuvant CTx were identified as prognostic factors for overall survival, and age and the LNR were found to be predictors of disease recurrence within three years.
Large deformation analysis of sandwich beams using compound $$C^1$$ continuous finite element approximation
Authors: Vetyukov Yury , Razgordanisharahi Ali
Published: February 2025

A novel computational framework for the geometrically nonlinear elastic response of sandwich rods, plates and shells is proposed and investigated in the context of statics of a straight sandwich beam. Particular attention is paid to the local effects associated with thickness deformation. Modeling the face sheets as geometrically exact 1D rods with bending and tension/compression, and the soft core as a 2D continuum at plane stress, is efficient with the

$$C^1$$

C
1

continuous approximation of displacements using the corresponding bonding conditions. The benchmark problems include bending of the sandwich beam under distributed loading and under the action of a concentrated force, buckling under compression, and local wrinkling analysis at force bending. The mesh convergence of the numerical model is established, and the solutions are validated for a wide range of core stiffness against other reference results obtained with commercial finite element software as well as against analytical results available in the literature.
A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of the dental status and needs of patients taking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonists
Authors: Raucci Alexander , France Katherine
Published: February 2025

Objectives

There is growing literature related to the dental effects of biologic agents. However, little research has evaluated the dental needs of these patients and limited data is available on patients taking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonists.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed patients taking VEGF antagonists and their respective dental treatments from 2017 to 2023. Patient demographics, decayed, missing, and filled tooth (DMFT) status, and treatment details were recorded and evaluated descriptively. DMFT from this population was compared to patients taking other biologic agents using t-tests.

Results

Twenty-three patients taking VEGF antagonists received dental treatment. Periodontal treatments were the most common (n = 18, 78%), followed by restorative treatments (n = 17, 74%). DMFT data for patients taking VEGF antagonists were not significantly different than values for patients taking other biologic agents, except for patients taking TNF-α Inhibitors, who had significantly fewer missing teeth than patients taking VEGF antagonists (3.88 vs. 8.10, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The necessity of dental treatment in patients taking VEGF Antagonists is still unknown. Periodontal and restorative treatments were the most common modalities with no complications observed from treatment. While preventive periodontal treatment is routinely recommended, high usage of targeted periodontal and restorative treatments is seen in this population.

Clinical relevance

Minimal evidence exists to date on the delivery of and need for routine dental treatment among patients taking VEGF antagonists. This paper presents a first estimate of dental needs in this population.
Fracture resistance of endocrowns made from different CAD/CAM materials after prolonged fatigue aging
Authors: Dinçtürk B Arslandaş , Garoushi Sufyan , Alp C Kedici , PK Vallittu , MB Üçtaşlı , Lassila L
Published: February 2025

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of endocrowns made of experimental short fiber-reinforced CAD/CAM block (SFRC CAD) in comparison with different commercial CAD/CAM materials.

Materials and methods

In this study, 60 sound mandibular molar teeth with similar occlusal sizes (± 1 mm) were used. Standard preparations simulating an endocrown cavity were prepared and the teeth were divided into four groups randomly. After the digital photoimpression of the prepared cavities using a dental intraoral scanner (CEREC), the restorations were designed (4 mm high) and milled using IPS e.max, Cerasmart 270, Katana Avencia and SFRC CAD blocks (n = 15/per group). Restorations were cemented with self-adhesive dual-cure resin cement (G-Cem One). The specimens were immersed in a 37 °C water bath within the chewing simulator. Following cyclic fatigue aging for 1.000.000 cycles (Fmax=150 N), a quasi-static load was applied using a universal testing machine at a speed of 1 mm/min. Fractography analysis was conducted using optical microscopy.

Results

According to the data obtained, there are statistically significant differences in fracture resistance values between different CAD/CAM materials (p < 0.05). The highest values were observed in the experimental SFRC CAD group (3025 N), while the lowest values were observed in the IPS e.max group (2295 N).

Conclusions

The type of CAD/CAM restorative material influences the fracture resistance of endocrowns. SFRC CAD blocks could potentially serve as an alternative material for endocrown restorations in the future.

Clinical relevance

Endocrowns fabricated from SFRC CAD blocks have demonstrated promising fracture behavior, suggesting their suitability for clinical testing.
Evolutionary drivers of caching behaviour in corvids
Authors: Daw Fran , Beheim Bret A. , Wascher Claudia A. F.
Published: February 2025

Caching has recurrently evolved across a range of animal taxa to withstand fluctuations in food availability and in the context of intraspecific competition. It is widespread in the corvid family, which exhibit considerable interspecific variation in their behavioural and morphological adaptations to caching. However, the evolutionary drivers responsible for this diversity have seldom been explored. The present study systematically reviews the literature on caching behaviour in corvids globally to determine (1) which food caching strategies species have adopted (specialist, generalist or non-cacher) and (2) whether ecological factors affect the occurrence of different strategies, namely (a) climate breadth, (b) trophic niche, (c) habitat breadth, (d) centroid latitude, (e) centroid longitude, (f) breeding system, and (g) body mass. In addition, the ancestral states of caching are reconstructed to assess the evolutionary trajectory of each strategy. Caching strategies were identified in 63 species from 16 genera (out of 128 corvid species and 22 genera). Ancestral state analysis suggested specialist caching as the ancestral state in corvids. Type of caching is associated with distance from equator and by average body mass, with generalist caching concentrated around the equatorial zone and among heavier corvids, while specialist caching occurring more commonly in smaller species found farther from the equator. Although specialist caching most likely was the ancestral state in corvids, both specialist and generalist caching evolved several times independently in the family of corvids. Our results show caching to be widespread in corvids and affected by body size and latitude but ecological factors such as topic niche and habitat breadth and breeding system, not to be strong drivers shaping caching behaviour.
High prevalence and incidence of HSV-2 among people who inject drugs in Hai Phong, Vietnam, and risk factors associated with seroconversion
Authors: D’Ottavi Morgana , Scialabba Ilenia , Huong Duong Thi , Giang Hoang Thi , Khue Pham Minh , Vinh Vu Hai , Vallo Roselyne , Michel Laurent , Rapoud Delphine , Quillet Catherine , Thanh Nham Thi Tuyet , Bouniol Juliette , Oanh Khuat Thi Hai , Feelmyer Jonathan , Perre Philippe Vande , Laureillard Didier , Jarlais Don Des , Nagot Nicolas , Molès Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Genital Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) epidemic is highly active worldwide and can be associated with severe morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and incidence of HSV-2 infection among a vulnerable population of active heroin injectors in Hai Phong, Vietnam, and identify associated risk factors.

Method

Associations between HSV-2 infection and socio-demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors were explored in a univariable analysis of seroprevalence. Risk factors were defined using a multivariable Poisson regression accounting for time of follow-up.

Results

HSV-2 seroprevalence at baseline was 20.8% [95%CI: 17.8–22.2] for the 1281 men people who inject drugs (PWID), and 67.4% [95%CI: 60.1–74.1] for the 184 women PWID. For HSV-2 incidence, we accumulated a follow-up time of 1156.0 and 85.9 years for men and women, respectively. Standardised incidence rate was 4 [95%CI: 2.2–7.5] and 17.5 [95%CI: 5.7–53.8] infections per 100 person-years for men and women, respectively. Factors independently associated with HSV-2 seroconversion were HIV and injecting drug use for 5–10 years for men, and declared an uncontrolled HIV viral load and the use of street methadone.

Conclusion

High HSV-2 prevalence and incidence among PWID in Hai Phong point out the burden of sexually transmissible infections in this population. Together these results advocate for a reinforcement of HSV-2 care and prevention in this population and identify PWID as future beneficiaries of upcoming therapeutic/prophylactic vaccines.
Shared population trends but no annual synchrony in duck species across Europe and North America
Authors: Messmer David J. , Guillemain Matthieu , Drever Mark C. , Langendoen Tom , Clark Robert G.
Published: February 2025

Few studies have explored population dynamics of species sharing life-history traits and common environmental drivers but living in widely separated regions or continents. Large-scale climate cycles can impact habitats and populations over broad geographic areas and may act as global forces shaping animal population dynamics. We tested for synchronous population dynamics of eight ecologically equivalent duck species in Western Europe (WEU) and central North America (NA) from 1976 to 2019. We investigated the extent to which the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation (AMO) may have induced shared climatic conditions on the breeding areas of these populations and whether the index was correlated with duck population dynamics. Evidence of annual and long-term population synchrony was assessed by estimating correlation in annual growth rates and population abundances, respectively. Shared (increasing) long-term trends in WEU and NA were found in four species-pairs, but no species-pair had synchronous population growth on an annual basis. Three species-pairs sharing trends were positively correlated with the AMO index which increased during the study period. Positive cycling of the AMO was correlated with increased temperature and precipitation in breeding areas of both continents, which may have produced favorable conditions (earlier springs, more ponds) for some duck populations. Differences in the local effects of weather on environmental conditions and other continent-specific extrinsic factors may mask annual synchrony in the response of continental populations to climate. Potential links between the AMO trends and extrinsic factors such as shared changes in anthropogenic drivers (e.g., climate and land use change) should be addressed in future studies.
Injecting complexity in simulation models: Do selection and social influence jointly promote cooperation?
Authors: de Matos Fernandes Carlos A. , Flache Andreas , Bakker Dieko M.
Published: February 2025

This paper employs a simulation model to investigate the effectiveness of cooperation selection (“selecting similar others”) and social influence (“do as others do”), since both mechanisms promote cooperation in theoretical analyses and experimental studies. However, it is unclear how effective cooperation selection and social influence are in simulation models where both mechanisms operate simultaneously alongside additional social dynamics, such as reciprocity and transitivity. This paper relies on a model loosely based on an empirical case in which students selected others based on how cooperative they perceive the other. Using existing theoretical cooperation models as a benchmark, we insert relational, behavioral, and contextual assumptions into our model and build on data from 95 students when we vary the strength of cooperation selection and social influence relative to empirically observed levels. We take co-evolution stochastic actor-oriented models as basis because the model inherently accounts for the interdependence of behavior and network selection. Our simulations reveal that cooperation benefits most when cooperation selection and social influence are strongly positive. Through the combination of cooperation selection and social influence, the simulations show that cooperators form dense local clusters, influencing their peers to keep cooperating while insulating themselves from social influence from defectors. Robustness checks confirm the stability of these findings across diverse parameter configurations.
The Vocational and Educational Index: An Update to the Vocational Index to Reflect Contemporary Postsecondary Educational Options for Autistic Adults
Authors: Taylor Julie Lounds , Carlson Sarah Roberts , DaWalt Leann Smith , Burke Meghan M. , Herbert Grace A. , Mailick Marsha R.
Published: February 2025

The Vocational Index, a tool to reliably capture the range of vocational and educational activities in which adults with autism engage, is regularly used in studies of adult outcomes in autism. However, recently it has been noted that there are some activities (primarily postsecondary education options) that were infrequently available when the index was developed and thus are not fully represented in the current categories. The purpose of this report is to describe the process and results of updating the Vocational Index coding categories to reflect this wider range of activities. An iterative process was used to develop updated codes (called the Vocational and Educational Index). The original Vocational Index and updated Vocational and Educational Index codes were applied to a sample of 384 autistic young adults, and differences between original and updated codes were described. The major changes to the codes involved the development of a parallel educational dimension, benchmarked to the vocational dimension in level of integration, supports, and number of hours. Applying original Vocational Index and updated Vocational and Educational Index codes resulted in few differences in the overall distribution of codes but provided additional information about the contribution of vocational versus educational activities to the overall code. Limitations of the Vocational and Educational Index and future directions for research are discussed.
The Role of Family as a Source of Health Information Among College Students
Authors: Cohen Karthika S. , Fallik Dawn , Cappola Anne R.
Published: February 2025

The internet has increasingly become a major source of health information, especially for college-age adults, who spend a significant amount of time online. This article investigates sources used by US college students to acquire health information. College students aged 18–25 years old (n = 189) from 18 colleges were surveyed between November 2022 and February 2023. The survey was conducted using the online survey platform SurveyMonkey. Participants were asked to select their main sources of health information under three different categories: general medical, mental health, and Covid-19 related information. Survey data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The survey found that parents/guardians, the internet, and medical providers were the top information sources in each category. Although previous surveys have shown that the internet is the main source of health information for most adults, when asked about their primary source of information, college-age adults reported predominantly relying on family for general medical information. However, they turned to online sources for mental health information, with Instagram as the top social media resource. The internet was the primary source for Covid-19 information. These data suggest that including parents in health messaging for college- age adults could help with dissemination of health information to this age group particularly when addressing general medical information such as vaccines, medical care and seasonal illnesses like flu. They also suggest that this group seeks alternative sources—like peers and social media— for topics that have associated stigma, such as mental health. Providing shareable resources with mental health information through college communication programs and networks may help disseminate accurate information to students.