bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Case of Tracheobronchopathia Osteochondroplastica in an 82‐Year‐Old Patient From Saudi Arabia
Authors: Albitar Mohammed Hady , Mariyam Nida , Albitar Seba , Warrar Reem , Sultan Anas , Chaudhry Sarmad , AlMahmoud Abdullah
Published: February 2025

Background

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TPO) is a benign tracheobronchial disorder characterized by the presence of osseous or cartilaginous nodules, typically affecting the proximal large airways while sparing the posterior membranous trachea. Around 600 cases has been documented worldwide for this rare disorder. While most cases are asymptomatic, some patients may exhibit symptoms such as dyspnea and chronic cough. These symptoms could be attributed to either the ulceration of the nodules or the onset of an acute infection. As it is a vague and rare disease, TPO goes undiagnosed in most cases.

Case Description

This case represents an 82‐year‐old male with ischemic cardiomyopathy and a history of colon cancer who presented with a six‐month history of mild hemoptysis, occasional cough, and wheezing. Laboratory tests were normal except for a positive PPD test. Imaging showed tracheal thickening with nodularity and calcification, and bronchoscopy confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was managed with symptomatic treatment and close follow‐up. Over 2 years, he remained stable, experiencing only two self‐limiting hemoptysis episodes with resolution of other symptoms.

Conclusion

This is the first case of TPO reported in Saudi Arabia. Given its nonspecific presentation, clinicians consider TPO as a differential diagnosis for patients with recurrent respiratory symptoms that do not respond to standard medical treatment.

Level of Evidence

4.
A Scoping Review of Bullying and Harassment in Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations
Authors: Hodgins Margaret , Pursell Lisa , Itzkovich Yariv , MacCurtain Sarah , Rayner Charlotte
Published: February 2025

Approximately 15% of workers are exposed to bullying in their workplace. However, few studies appear to have been conducted in nonprofit and voluntary organizations. This scoping review explored prevalence and structural and contextual factors that influence bullying in nonprofit and voluntary organizations. From a capture of 671 papers, 54 were assessed for eligibility and 18 full‐text articles were reviewed. Bullying is prevalent in nonprofit and voluntary organizations at the same or higher levels as other sectors, with sexual harassment appearing to be a serious problem in the context of fundraising. A synthesis of papers found a suite of factors presented in four themes; complex and unique power relations, the exploitation of virtuosity, the exercise of hegemonic power, and asymmetrical power and extreme dependency, which together act to stabilize the presence of bullying in nonprofit and voluntary organizations. Such dynamics need to be disrupted for intervention to occur. Further research is needed on how volunteers “sense‐make” in the face of dissonance between organizational mission and behavior, intervention evaluation, and regulating philanthropic donation to reduce donor dependence.
Collaborative Design of Observer and Controller for Singular Systems With Transmission Delay Based on Dynamic Event‐Triggered
Authors: Wang Lida , Sun Chao , Huang Sheng‐Juan , Yi Suhuan
Published: February 2025

This article investigates the dynamic event‐triggered with communication delay fault estimation and fault‐tolerant control problem of singular systems in network environments under system faults and external disturbances. By considering both the current time and transmission delay output error, a fault diagnosis observer is constructed to estimate the system state and faults simultaneously based on dynamic event‐triggered sampling. On the basis of estimating the system state and fault signals, a fault‐tolerant controller is proposed to compensate for the impact of faults on the system and maintain its performance. Through the collaborative design of observers, controllers, and event‐triggering schemes, the required performance of the faulty system is ensured while reducing the consumption of communication resources. In addition by constructing a new enhanced Lyapunov functional and utilizing linear matrix inequalities and Lyapunov stability theory, the conditions for asymptotic stability of the system are less conservative and easily obtained. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method was verified through simulation results of two examples.
COVID‐19 Vaccine Response in Pediatric Oncology Patients
Authors: Kam Brittni , Wang Yiwen , Qin FeiFei , Long Adrienne H. , Klein Orly R. , Aftandilian Catherine
Published: February 2025

Pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients may fail to mount an appropriate immune response to COVID‐19 vaccinations. The immunologic response to initial SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination was studied in 93 pediatric patients with hematologic malignancy, solid tumors, or post‐HSCT. The majority of patients who were not receiving chemotherapy showed a positive humoral and cell‐mediated response to COVID‐19 vaccination. In contrast, variable responses to vaccination were seen in patients receiving chemotherapy. Patients with a normal lymphocyte count showed higher rates of seroconversion than their lymphocytopenic counterparts. This report details pediatric oncology and HSCT patients’ immunologic responses to COVID‐19 vaccination during all phases of treatment.
Psychosis and suicide attempt following a single use of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabiphorol: A case report
Authors: Greer Daniel , Atherton Jennifer , Girgis Justina
Published: February 2025

Background

Delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabiphorol (Δ9‐THCP) is a potent phytocannabinoid found naturally in the cannabis plant in small quantities. This cannabinoid is noted to potently bind to cannabinoid receptor 1 and cannabinoid receptor 2 and is reported to be highly psychoactive. A small amount of Δ9‐THCP is found naturally, which led to its isolation and synthetic production. This isolate is beginning to be sold at dispensaries. Information on Δ9‐THCP is sparse and case reports of adverse events add to the current literature.

Case Presentation

This case report describes a patient who was brought into the emergency department with a self‐inflicted stab wound to the chest after consuming 8 mg of Δ9‐THCP. The patient was a regular user of standard tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products from dispensaries and had no history of psychotic symptoms. The patient consumed the 8 mg just over 2 days prior to admission and noted psychotic symptoms for 48 h. The symptoms included depersonalization and a belief that he was already dead. A single dose of haloperidol 5 mg intravenous push was administered in the intensive care unit due to agitation. Afterwards, the patient refused all oral antipsychotics and the psychotic symptoms cleared prior to discharge.

Conclusion

The case adds to the evidence suggesting that Δ9‐THCP is highly potent and psychoactive. Even experienced users of THC may have adverse effects to Δ9‐THCP due to differences in binding and potency. Isolates of phytocannabinoids require caution prior to use.
Investigation of the Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of ABS Composite Reinforced With Bentonite and DEHPA‐Modified Bentonite
Authors: Karagöz İdris , Şimşiroğlu B. Şebnem , Özer Elif Nur , Sepetcioglu Harun , Hızal Jülide
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the mechanical, thermal, and surface characteristics of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) composites reinforced with bentonite and bis(2‐ethylhexyl) phosphate (DEHPA)‐modified bentonite. The addition of bentonite significantly reduced the tensile strength and elongation at break due to the filler's inherent brittleness. Pure ABS exhibited a tensile strength of 42.2 MPa, which decreased by 16.1% with the incorporation of 20% bentonite (ABS1). Impact strength tests showed that the inclusion of bentonite lowered impact resistance, particularly in notched samples. Bentonite also increased the hardness and density, reflecting improved rigidity but reduced flexibility. Surface gloss changed from semigloss to matte, and FT‐IR spectroscopy confirmed the successful integration of bentonite. Water absorption tests revealed that DEHPA‐modified bentonite composites had higher absorption over time, highlighting the modification's effect on hydrophilicity. While bentonite improves certain properties, the balance between mechanical strength and flexibility needs to be further explored to meet the requirements of specific applications such as automotive components, electronics casings, and construction materials.
Characterization of a Gliding Arc Plasmatron for the Plasma Assisted Pyrolysis of Methane to Acetylene and Hydrogen
Authors: Böddeker Simon , Göricke Jan , Kogelheide Bastian , Bibinov Nikita , Purcel Maximilian , Muhler Martin , Mussenbrock Thomas , Awakowicz Peter
Published: February 2025

A gliding arc plasmatron (GAP) is used for the production of hydrogen and acetylene via plasma‐assisted methane pyrolysis. The working gas consists of argon with variable admixtures of methane. By applying camera measurements and optical emission spectroscopy the temperatures and electron density inside the GAP are measured. Two temperature regions are determined: the filamentary plasma, with 3470–5960 K, and a diffuse region characterized by black body emission of hot carbon containing dust at a temperature of 2230–2770 K. An analysis of the product gas stream shows a maximum methane conversion of 44% at a specific energy input of and selectivities towards hydrogen and acetylene between 25%–81% and 75%–89%, respectively.
Testing Assumptions for Stable Isotope Analysis of Marine Mammal Dentin Growth Layer Groups
Authors: Bowen Kelly R. , Kurle Carolyn M.
Published: February 2025

Rationale

Stable isotope analysis of growth layer groups (GLGs) in mammal dentin is an increasingly prevalent and noninvasive approach to study animal foraging ecology. However, empirical evidence to support assumed proper methodologies for sampling GLGs is lacking. Here, we examine the effects of intratooth and intertooth variations with respect to targeted GLGs, as well as the effects of common pretreatments (e.g., formic acid and graphite) to enhance GLG visibility, on stable isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) from dentin.

Methods

We measured the δ13C and δ15N values of killer whale (Orcinus orca) dentin. We used dentin from 37 teeth to compare stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values from multiple locations within a GLG (intratooth variation), from corresponding GLGs among teeth of an individual (intertooth variation), and from treated and untreated teeth.

Results

We observed no significant differences in the δ13C or δ15N values when sampling a single GLG from multiple locations (intratooth variation) or when comparing the same GLG across duplicate teeth of individuals (intertooth variation). One tooth in a triplicate set showed a significantly different but likely biologically inconsequential δ13C value. Lastly, formic acid and graphite highlighting to accentuate GLGs did not significantly influence measured stable isotope values.

Conclusions

We validate several previous assumptions in this field of study. First, dentin samples for stable isotope analysis can be sampled from different locations across a GLG. Second, researchers can compare stable isotope values from the same GLGs of different teeth collected from the same individual in most cases, as the δ13C and δ15N values did not vary with the sampled tooth. Third, a common protocol of formic acid and graphite treatment to enhance GLG visibility does not bias the δ13C and δ15N values from dentin. We also describe factors to consider and cautions associated with these conclusions.
Theoretical Study on Interaction of Fluorine‐Containing Compounds Involving the Fourth Period Metal Elements With N‐base: Comparison With Halogen Bonds
Authors: Yu Hao , Zhao Qibo , Wang Kunhua , Fu Min , Ning Liangmin , Chen Wei , Guan Meili , Han Zongying , Yang Yanru , Li Hui , Gao Meng
Published: February 2025

The fourth period metal fluorides acting as a Lewis acid form binary compounds with nitrogen‐containing bases (HCN, NHCH2, and NH3), which the calculations are carried out at the MP2 ab initio level with the AVTZ and AVQZ basis set and employed by the CBS method. AIM and IGMH analyses further indicate that the metal‐N‐bases (M─N) bonding exists in the binary complexes. The strength of interactions is ranging from −4.76 to −56.54 kcal/mol. M─N bonding exhibits a partially covalent nature characterized with a negative energy density and large interaction energy. With the decrease of electronegativity of the substituents on the Lewis base, the interaction energies increase. The M─N interaction is dominated by electrostatic interaction in all complexes, whereas induction and dispersion energies cannot be ignored either.
SM‐Doped Ferric Molybdate Gives Oxygen Vacancies and Co‐Modified Carbon Nanotubes to Construct High‐Energy Supercapacitors
Authors: Lan Xiantan , Ma Tenghao , Hao Tingting , Hao Jian , Liu Chengcheng , Wang Jing
Published: February 2025

In this paper, nanorods doped with Sm rare earth elements were successfully prepared by the hydrothermal method. In view of the formation of oxygen vacancies by replacing Fe3⁺ with Sm3⁺, it was found that the performance was excellent at the doping ratio of 0.5%, and the growth time was 12 h, and the specific capacity was as high as 1902 F/g at a current density of 1 A/g, and after 700 cycles, there was still 1892 F/g, and the capacitance was guaranteed. The holding rate is 99.1%. When the scanning rate is 10 mV/s, the surface control contributes 56.1% of the current, and when the scan rate is 140 mV/s, the contribution rate of pseudocapacitance behavior control increases to 75%, and the asymmetric device Sm–Fe2(MoO4)3//CNTs is constructed with modified carbon nanotube anode material at a current density of 1 A/g, with a specific capacity of 265 F/g, and the device has been tested for 4000 cycles under the condition of 3 A/g, and the capacitance retention rate is 93.8%. It exhibits a high energy density of 79.3 Wh/kg and a high power density of 760 W/kg. It provides a new idea for the development of supercapacitors.
Exploring the Intricacies of Social Mobility Trajectories and Perceived Stress in Post‐Reform China
Authors: Lan Yaxin , Jin Lei
Published: February 2025

Among transitional societies, the impact of rapid and widespread intragenerational social mobilities on stress remains understudied. This empirical research explores the intricate relationship between various social mobility trajectories and perceived stress within the dynamic context of contemporary China. Drawing upon data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey spanning from 1991 to 2015, this study advances beyond conventional methodologies that typically categorise social mobility as either upward or downward. It employs the Growth Mixture Model to discern six latent mobility trajectories: ‘Fall into Poverty’, ‘Rise from Rags’, ‘Middle Class’, ‘Fall from Grace’, ‘Upper Middle Class’ and ‘Elite.’ The resulting findings then reveal the diverse impacts of these distinct mobility trajectories on perceived stress, emphasising gender‐specific patterns. Among men, those categorised as ‘Elite’ and ‘Fall from Grace’ report lower perceived stress levels in comparison to the middle‐class reference group, while individuals in the ‘Fall into Poverty’ category exhibit the highest stress levels. Conversely, for women, the ‘Upper Middle Class’ and ‘Elite’ categories are associated with lower stress levels, with ‘Upper Middle Class’ women experiencing the least stress. The findings unveiled in this study shed light on the multifaceted nature of social mobility and its consequences for stress within a rapidly changing society. These insights hold significant implications for public health interventions, underscoring the necessity of a more nuanced theoretical framework for understanding the stress experiences of Chinese residents amidst societal transformation.
High‐Performance Flexible Electronics Fabricated Using a Surface Energy‐Directed Assembly Process on Ultrathin Polyimide Substrates
Authors: Li Zetong , Chai Zhimin , Wang Guangji , Zhang Jingwei , Wang Tongqing , Zhao Dewen , Busnaina Ahmed A. , Lu Xinchun
Published: February 2025

Solution‐based processes are emerging in the fabrication of flexible electronics owing to their cost‐effectiveness, low‐temperature processing capabilities, and vacuum‐free operations. Currently, printing techniques, as the most widely used solution‐based processes, suffer from low resolution and poor pattern fidelity. Although surface energy‐directed assembly (SEDA) process enables unparalleled resolution and fidelity, multilayer fabrication and application on flexible substrates are rarely attempted. Here, a SEDA process is used for fabricating metal oxide thin film transistors (TFTs) on ultrathin and flexible polyimide (PI) substrates with a thickness of ≈35 µm. Comprehensive procedures to render PI substrates hydrophobic as well as to homogenize the hydrophobicity of the PI substrates and as‐assembled layers are developed. All‐solution‐processed flexible TFTs are constructed by assembling indium oxide semiconducting channels, indium tin oxide source/drain electrodes, aluminum oxide gate dielectric layers, and indium tin oxide gate electrodes ordinally. The metal oxide TFTs exhibit excellent electrical properties with an average mobility of 22.01 cm2 V−1 s−1 and stable operation under mechanical strain. Flexible inverters with a high voltage gain of 78 and a high dynamic operation frequency of up to 1 kHz are also constructed, representing new opportunities of the SEDA process for the fabrication of next‐generation flexible electronics.
Picofluidic Electro‐Osmosis Measurement of Cell Membrane Mechanical Properties
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Yuan , Zhou Ze‐Rui , Gong Li‐Juan , Wu Man‐Sha , Zhang Shi‐Yi , Lv Jian , Chen Bin‐Bin , Li Da‐Wei , Qian Ruo‐Can
Published: February 2025

Cells connect with their internal and external environments through plasma membranes, and the mechanical properties of cell membranes govern numerous biological events. Membrane detection techniques such as optical or magnetic tweezers have revealed mechanical strength by membrane‐anchored modifications, but it remains challenging to develop label‐free methods to reduce the influence of exogenous interference. Here picofluidic electro‐osmosis measurement (PEOM), which enables direct and efficient sensing of cell membrane mechanical properties by using a glass nanopipette without labeling, is presented. By generating a picoliter electroosmotic fluid at the nanopipette tip, periodic cell membrane vibration modes are observed from current traces, which carry information on membrane mechanical properties to indicate its biological state. Based on characteristic peaks in the frequency domain, a theoretical framework to describe the vibration modes, which contains two ideal spring vibrator models corresponding to stretching and bending vibrations of cell membrane respectively, is developed. Notably, the PEOM strategy represents a label‐free approach to reveal the mechanical properties of living cell membranes from two dimensions, which is completely different from other methods. Additionally, the exciting potential of PEOM is demonstrated for label‐free observation of membrane mechanical property changes during different bioprocesses, including cytoskeletal alteration, membrane tension change, and mechanical polarization.
Dense and Nanoporous Glasses as Host Matrices to Grow Quantum Dots for Optical and Photonic Applications
Authors: Bai Xue , Wu Lingzhi , Magan John J. , Jennings Brian , Zhou Wei , Wang Shenghao , Gun'ko Yurii K. , Wang Gaozhong
Published: February 2025

Quantum dots (QDs) grown within inorganic glasses (hereafter referred to as “QD glasses”) are promising candidates for an expanding list of applications such as nonlinear optical (NLO) devices. However, lots of research into NLO properties of QDs still uses polymer‐based matrices, whose low laser damage threshold hinders practical applications. This can be explained by the difficulties typically encountered by researchers wishing to grow QDs within glass matrices. Fortunately, much progress has been made, not only as regards dense glass but also in the use of nanoporous (NP)  glass which is prepared and explored as a macro‐matrix in the growth of QDs. In situ growth techniques for the preparation of QD glasses are more appealing than ex situ methods, as the former can effectively avoid agglomeration of the QDs and the need for application of prior treatments such as ligand exchange. Here, a review of advances in growth techniques of QDs in both dense and NP glasses is provided, with a discussion on the effect of glasses on the emission nature of the grown QDs, the routes to tune emission, enhancing optical performance and, finally, potential applications of QD glasses. The overview of directions and future challenges of this area are also presented.
Unveiling the Promotion of Sulfides Heterostructure on the Urea Oxidation Reaction: Role of Interface Engineering and Sulfate Adsorption
Authors: Song Yulan , Tang Cuilan , Huang Jinglin , Wang Tao , He Xiaoshan , Xie Chunping , Chen Guo , Liu Yansong , He Zhibing
Published: February 2025

The pursuit of efficient and stable urea oxidation reaction (UOR) electrocatalysts is paramount for the sustainable utilization of renewable energy sources and the treatment of wastewater with urea content. This research introduces the successful fabrication of (Fe0.5Ni0.5)0.96S/Co9S8/NF mesh heterojunction materials, which are replete with interfaces that facilitate enhanced catalytic activity. Benefiting from the electron transfer behavior from (Fe0.5Ni0.5)0.96S to Co9S8, and the promotion of surface adsorption of SO42−, the (Fe0.5Ni0.5)0.96S/Co9S8/NF electrocatalyst has excellent UOR catalytic performance. The experimental characterization and theoretical simulation show that the d‐band center/thermodynamic barrier of (Fe0.5Ni0.5)0.96S/Co9S8/NF is regulated by the redistribution of electrons at the heterojunction interface, and the adsorption of SO42− on the surface. The reaction barrier of the adsorption strength/rate‐controlling step of urea and reaction intermediates is optimized, which promotes the catalytic kinetics and thermodynamics of UOR, offering a promising strategy for advancing energy and environmental technologies.
Between the Elite and the Masses: Or the Hardships of Being a Revivalist Colporteur in 19th-Century Finland
Authors: Dahlbacka Jakob
Published: February 2025

Finnish society in general, and its religious scene in particular, underwent major changes in the latter part of the 19th century. A shift in power relations took place in which representatives of the revival movements established themselves at the expense of the Lutheran state church. This shift was not always carried out without tension and friction. The current chapter focuses on this tension between the official clergy and emerging revivalist colporteurs – or between the religious high and low culture, represented respectively by the clergy and the lay preachers. It does so by examining the previously unpublished autobiographies or spiritual journals by Gustaf Roos and Johannes Wirén, who were among the first colporteurs within the Lutheran Evangelical Association in Finland. In doing so, it offers a micro-historical account of the self-understanding and self-image of two colporteurs and a first-hand perspective on the loosening of the centuries-long monopoly on the religious field in Finland. It shows how the colporteurs saw themselves and their task, especially in relation to the representatives of the state church and with particular interest in when the contracting parties came into conflict with each other.
Toxicokinetics and analytical toxicology of the phenmetrazine-derived new psychoactive substance 3,4-methylenedioxyphenmetrazine studied by means of in vitro systems
Authors: Kroesen Matthias D. , Gampfer Tanja M. , Wagmann Lea , Meyer Markus R.
Published: February 2025

Compounds derived from known drugs are usually brought on the new psychoactive substance (NPS) market without any previous toxicological risk assessment. The European Union Drugs Agency issued an EU early notification for 3,4-methylenedioxyphenmetrazine (MDPM) in 2024. It is structurally related to the stimulants amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and phenmetrazine and expected to have similar effects. So far, no scientific reports are available describing its toxicokinetic and analytical profile. This study aimed to provide such data to allow a thorough risk assessment and to ease its analytical detectability in forensic and clinical toxicology and doping control. Data reported include the in vitro plasma protein binding, the in vitro half-life and in vitro metabolism of MDPM by human liver microsomes and S9 fraction (pHLS9) and by HepaRG cells. A monooxygenase mapping and the in vitro cytochrome P450 inhibition of MDPM was elucidated. Results showed that HepaRG cells and pHLS9 formed the same MDPM metabolites via demethylenation and O-methylation and that MDPM has a low plasma protein binding and is a low-turnover drug. Monooxygenase mapping revealed that the demethylenation was exclusively CYP2D6-mediated. MDPM showed strong inhibition of CYP2D6 and moderate inhibition of CYP1A2 and CYP3A4. Polymorphisms or the simultaneous intake of substances that are also CYP2D6 substrates can have a considerable impact on the toxicity of MDPM. Based on in vitro data, the demethylenyl-methyl metabolite of MDPM and the parent compound are recommended as analytical urine screening targets.
Early detection of myocarditis caused by immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab for advanced recurrent renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Todo Maki , Gatate Yodo , Nakano Shintaro , Kaneko Go , Hagiwara Masayuki , Takahashi Takayuki , Umezawa Yuta , Ueda Genji , Ishikawa Shiho , Makino Yoshinori , Oyama Masafumi , Shirotake Suguru
Published: February 2025

Combination therapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may cause immune-related myocarditis; however, its incidence in this cancer type and regimen remains unknown. At our institution, we measure biomarkers, such as high-sensitivity Troponin (hsTn), and perform electrocardiograms (ECGs) and echocardiography before and every month after the initiation of this therapy, and the findings obtained and patients’ symptoms are continuously monitored by physicians and pharmacists. A retrospective survey was conducted on physiological and biochemical test findings and immune-related adverse events in patients with advanced RCC who received combination therapy with nivolumab and ipilimumab between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2023. Patients suspected of having myocarditis consulted with cardiologists. Myocarditis due to this therapy was detected in 5 of the 86 patients (5.8%) assessed using the European Society of Cardiology 2022 guidelines. There were no fatal symptoms or death due to myocarditis. The median time to the onset of myocarditis was 25 days (21–86 days). The early detection of myocarditis caused by this therapy requires the monitoring of changes by periodically measuring hsTn and other cardiac markers and performing ECGs and echocardiography from the early stages of administration through to the end of treatment. In addition to checking symptoms, if these abnormalities are detected and myocarditis is suspected, prompt collaboration with cardiologists is recommended. Our management strategy of care by a onco-cardiology team may contribute to the early diagnosis and treatment of myocarditis.
Long-Term Durability of Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheters: Outcomes from a Single Institution 22-Year Experience
Authors: Zhang Austin , Clark Timothy WI , Trerotola Scott O.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To describe long-term physical durability of tunneled hemodialysis catheters, highlighted in the 2019 Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines as a specific area for future research.

Materials and Methods

Tunneled hemodialysis catheters with known outcomes and dwell times > 1 year were entered into this retrospective study. Data includes demographics, complications, catheter type, dwell time, reason for removal, access site, and placement via exchange or de novo. Catheter durability < 1 year dwell was analyzed as a secondary aim.

Results

272 catheters in 229 patients were included. Dwell times ranged from 366 to 3,802 days (median 504), totaling 162,439 catheter days. 17 (6%) catheters > 1 year dwell had broken external components. For these, dwell times until breaking ranged from 377 to 1,436 days (median 489), totaling 10,434 catheter days. 5 had a broken hub, 11 had a broken clamp, and 1 had broken hub and clamp. 12 were Ash Split Cath (n = 240) and 5 were Arrow-Clark VectorFlow (n = 32). In the durability < 1 year sub-analysis, 6,515 catheters with dwell times < 1 year in 3,693 patients were included, totaling 425,018 catheter days. 48 were damaged, with 24 broken hubs, 17 broken clamps, and 7 holes. Median time to breakage was 110 days. 38 were Ash Split Cath (n = 5,636) and 10 Arrow-Clark VectorFlow (n = 812). In both analyses, breakage was limited to hubs, clamps, and extensions.

Conclusions

Tunneled hemodialysis catheters are exceptionally durable, rarely requiring removal for hub-related issues after one year. Breakdown was not observed as a long-term durability issue. Further, broken external components can be replaced using external repair kits.

Level of Evidence

Level 2b, Retrospective Study.

Graphical Abstract
A turn-on fluorescent immunosensor for neurodegenerative disease related neurofilament light chain protein
Authors: Song Qingting , Zhang Hailong , Kong Jia , Wong Man Shing , Li Hung-Wing
Published: February 2025

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) pose significant challenges to both longevity and quality of life, affecting millions worldwide and ranking as a major cause of global morbidity and disability. There is an urgent need for less invasive, cost-effective diagnostic methods that can reliably detect ND-related biomarkers in readily available biofluids such as serum. In response to this need, we have developed an ultra-sensitive assay that utilizes magnetic nanoparticles and a novel, tailor-made turn-on fluorescent probe named F-SPG. This innovative assay enables the detection of neurofilament light chain (NfL) at femtomolar concentrations, with a remarkable detection limit of 24 fM which is at least 18 times more sensitive than the conventional ELISA kits. Our assay’s design eliminates the need for traditional secondary antibody in immunoassay, thereby streamlining the diagnostic process. Recoveries exceeding 95% underscore the assay’s precision and reliability. It has proven effective in distinguishing Alzheimer’s Disease patients from healthy individuals by quantifying serum NfL levels, showcasing its potential as a cost-effective, ultra-sensitive tool for the early screening of neurodegenerative diseases.

Graphical abstract
Interleaving static analysis and LLM prompting with applications to error specification inference
Authors: Chapman Patrick J. , Rubio-González Cindy , Thakur Aditya V.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a new approach to improve static program analysis using Large Language Models (LLMs). The approach interleaves calls to the static analyzer and queries to the LLM. The query to the LLM is constructed based on intermediate results from the static analysis, and subsequent static analysis uses the results from the LLM query. We apply our approach to the problem of error-specification inference: given systems code written in C, infer the set of values that each function can return on error. Such error specifications aid in program understanding and can be used to find error-handling bugs. We implemented our approach by incorporating LLMs into EESI, the state-of-the-art static analysis for error-specification inference. Compared to EESI, our approach achieves higher recall (from an average of 52.55% to 77.83%) and higher F1-score (from an average of 0.612 to 0.804) while maintaining precision (from an average of 86.67% to 85.12%) on real-world benchmarks such as Apache HTTPD and MbedTLS. We also conducted experiments to understand the sources of imprecision in our LLM-assisted analysis as well as the impact of LLM nondeterminism on the analysis results.
Is there still hesitancy towards SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among people with neurological disease– a survey of the NeuroCOVID-19 task force of the European Academy of Neurology
Authors: Hochmeister Sonja , Rakusa Martin , Moro Elena , Bereczki Daniel , Cavallieri Francesco , Fanciulli Alessandra , Filipović Saša R. , Guekht Alla , Helbok Raimund , Boneschi Filippo Martinelli , Özturk Serefnur , Priori Alberto , Willekens Barbara , Ramankulov Dauren , Sellner Johann
Published: February 2025

Background

An online 3-item survey was sent to the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) community and inquired about the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination skepticism and the underlying thoughts and factors restricting vaccine use among patients with neurological conditions.

Results

We obtained 616 responses from 84 countries, predominantly from Europe. In the view of the treating neurologist, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), neuroimmunological disorders (ND), and chronic neurological infections continued to have high levels of skepticism toward SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Patients with MS/ND were quoted as the most hesitant group, with 60% of the respondents sharing this impression. The patient group perceived as most confident towards immunization against COVID-19 and with the lowest level of distrust towards the vaccine were those with sleep disorders. For all other conditions, perceived distrust ranged between 42 and 52%. Fear of adverse events of vaccination or disease reactivation was perceived by 87% of patients with MS/ND and more than 70% of patients with stroke/vascular neurology, neuromuscular disorders, chronic neurological infections, and peripheral neuropathy. Patients with sleep disorders (54%), autonomic disorders (46%), movement disorders (43%), and dementia (43%) were sensed as less fearful of vaccine-related adverse events.

Conclusion

Despite the large body of evidence proving the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, patients with certain neurological disorders still have a surprisingly high percentage of distrust and fear of adverse events. Our observations emphasize the importance of continuous evidence-based information delivery and patient education by treating neurologists.
Health-related behaviours and depression incidence amongst UK adults aged 50+: Evidence from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: Evans Simon L.
Published: February 2025

Aim

Physical activity (PA), and dietary fruit and vegetable intake, are important lifestyle variables that reduce risk of serious illness and mortality. Nevertheless, many older adults do not achieve government recommendations for these, which has adverse long-term impact on their health outcomes. Further, depression is common in those aged 50+, which impacts severely on quality of life and again raises risk of serious age-related disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease). Here, we analyse data from the ELSA cohort study to provide up-to-date insights into the health-related behaviours and mental health status of UK adults aged 50–90.

Subject and methods

We used the most recent ELSA wave (Wave 10: 2021–2023). Regression models examined how sociodemographic factors influenced likelihood of meeting government PA and dietary fruit and vegetable recommendations. Then, we examined depression incidence and how PA/diet, as well as sociodemographic factors, are associated with depression.

Results

On PA guidance adherence, there were large disparities by wealth and education level. Higher age, current smoking, and low alcohol intake were also associated with lower adherence. Regarding dietary fruit and vegetable intake, increasing age, female sex, higher level of wealth and education, and non-smoking was associated with a higher likelihood of meeting guidelines. Depression was more common amongst females, those living alone, smokers, and those with lower wealth and education. Importantly, both PA and dietary adherence had significant beneficial effects on depression status.

Conclusion

This study provides crucial up-to-date insights, that can inform targeted interventions and public information campaigns to enhance the health of older adults; specifically, it points to the importance of promoting PA and dietary fruit and vegetable intake amongst lower wealth brackets.
Competitive Pricing Using Model-Based Bandits
Authors: Sliwinski Lukasz , Treetanthiploet Tanut , Siska David , Szpruch Lukasz
Published: February 2025

The use of learning algorithms for automatic price adjustments in markets is on the rise. However, these algorithms often assume that reward distributions for actions are uncorrelated and stationary, a condition that does not hold in competitive pricing environments. In this paper, we introduce a pricing environment, find conditions under which a unique Nash equilibrium exists and verify the assumptions numerically. Then, we propose a bandit algorithm that approximates the structure of the environment and extend it to accommodate non-stationary settings. We perform numerical tests in both stationary and competitive pricing environments, analysing the potential benefits and drawbacks of incorporating the structure of the environment within learning algorithms. While modelling the stationary environment improves the algorithm’s performance in a stationary setting, it does not offer an advantage in pricing competitions between non-stationary learning agents.
Customer-Centric Value Assessment of Cryptocurrency Adaptation
Authors: Fakhrullah Fakhrullah , Xiao DingDing , Suplata Marian , Khan Sher , Pawera René
Published: February 2025

This study examines Pakistani citizens’ behavioral intentions toward the adoption of cryptocurrency as a digital currency. Cryptocurrency refers to a form of currency that exists in digital or virtual form and relies on cryptography to ensure the security of transactions and regulate the generation of additional units. Cryptocurrencies have the potential to disrupt the global financial system. Cryptocurrency is a viable option for decentralized and secure transactions, offering enhanced transparency and lowering dependence on conventional financial institutions. The authors collected data from potential cryptocurrency customers or investors. Data were collected from Karachi (Pakistan). The study was conducted with the help of the diffusion of innovation theory (DOI), employing all its components (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability). The DOI model statements were modified and adapted to satisfy the requirements of this study. This empirical research report concludes that relative advantage (financial incentives, technology advancement, global accessibility, privacy and security, and P2P nature), compatibility (User-friendliness, Integration with existing systems, compatibility with digital lifestyles), and complexity (ease of use and mass adoption) contribute to the adoption. Trailability (lack of familiarity and risk aversion) and observability (limited exposure, lack of social proof, and negative stigma) are unrelated to customer behavior toward cryptocurrencies. In all these contexts, cryptocurrency adoption can enhance value co-creation. Finally, this study provides valuable insights for stakeholders.
Nature as a Co-Teacher in Early Childhood Language Education
Authors: Prins Jannette , Gaikhorst Lisa , Hovinga Dieuwke
Published: February 2025

Playing in nature-based places supports early childhood development. In previous years, studies have shown the benefits of nature play for healthy child development, including language development. For early childhood teachers it is insightful to learn together how to develop language education in nature that is supportive of their student’s language development. The aim of this study is to investigate how early childhood education (ECE) teachers make nature-based places function as language learning environments in EC language education. The study took a collaborative action-based research approach and worked in communities of practice (CoP). In these communities, 55 teachers across five schools gathered six times. Based on the analysis of the shared conversations we defined the supportive aspects of nature-based places and related them to the expected outcomes of early childhood language education. We also described the professional changes they made to be able to teach language in nature. These changes were summarized in a model that informs early childhood teachers how to include the pedagogical and linguistic function of nature-based places to work towards the outcomes of EC language education.
Designing responsible agents
Authors: Gudmunsen Zacharus
Published: February 2025

Raul Hakli & Pekka Mäkelä (2016, 2019) make a popular assumption in machine ethics explicit by arguing that artificial agents cannot be responsible because they are designed. Designed agents, they think, are analogous to manipulated humans and therefore not meaningfully in control of their actions. Contrary to this, I argue that under all mainstream theories of responsibility, designed agents can be responsible. To do so, I identify the closest parallel discussion in the literature on responsibility and free will, which concerns ‘design cases’. Design cases are theoretical examples of agents that appear to lack responsibility because they were designed, philosophers use these cases to explore the relationship between design and responsibility. This paper presents several replies to design cases from the responsibility literature and uses those replies to situate the corresponding positions on the design and responsibility of artificial agents in machine ethics. I argue that each reply can support the design of responsible agents. However, each reply also entails different levels of severity in the constraints for the design of responsible agents. I offer a brief discussion of the nature of those constraints, highlighting the challenges respective to each reply. I conclude that designing responsible agents is possible, with the caveat that the difficulty of doing so will vary according to one’s favoured reply to design cases.
Convergence to Bohmian Mechanics in a de Broglie-Like Pilot-Wave System
Authors: Darrow David
Published: February 2025

Bohmian mechanics supplements the quantum wavefunction with deterministic particle trajectories, offering an alternate, dynamical language for quantum theory. However, the Bohmian wavefunction evolves independently of these trajectories, and is thus unaffected by the observable properties of the system. While this property is widely assumed necessary to ensure agreement with quantum mechanics, much work has recently been dedicated to understanding classical pilot-wave systems, which feature a two-way coupling between particle and wave. These systems—including the “walking droplet” system of Couder and Fort (Couder and Fort (2006) Phys. Rev. Lett. 97:154101) and its various abstractions (Dagan and Bush (2020) CR Mecanique 348:555–571; Durey and Bush (2020) Front. Phys. 8:300; (2021) Chaos 31:033136; Darrow and Bush (2024) Symmetry 16:149)—allow us to investigate the limits of classical systems and offer a touchstone between quantum and classical dynamics. In this work, we present a general result that bridges Bohmian mechanics with this classical pilot-wave theory. Namely, Darrow and Bush ((2024) Symmetry 16:149) recently introduced a Lagrangian pilot-wave framework to study quantum-like behaviours in classical systems; with a particular choice of particle-wave coupling, they recover key dynamics hypothesised in de Broglie’s early double-solution theory (de Broglie (1970) Foundations Phys. 1:5–15). We here show that, with a different choice of coupling, their de Broglie-like system reduces exactly to single-particle Bohmian mechanics in the non-relativistic limit. Our result clarifies that, while multi-particle entanglement is impossible to replicate in general with local, classical theories, no such restriction exists for single-particle quantum mechanics. Moreover, connecting with the previous work of Darrow and Bush, our work demonstrates that de Broglie’s and Bohm’s theories can be connected naturally within a single Lagrangian framework. Finally, we present an application of the present work in developing a single-particle analogue for position measurement in a de Broglie-like setting.
Cohesive instability in elastomers: insights from a crosslinked Van der Waals fluid model
Authors: Lamont Samuel C. , Bouklas Nikolaos , Vernerey Franck J.
Published: February 2025

The resistance to volumetric deformations displayed by polymer networks is largely due to secondary and tertiary interactions between neighboring polymer chains. These interactions are both entropic and enthalpic in nature but are fundamentally different from the entropic forces that resist shearing in these networks. In this paper, we introduce a new depiction of elastomers as a crosslinked Van der Waals fluid. Starting from first principles, we develop constitutive equations that are implemented in a continuum model as well as a discrete network model. Our models predict that the failure of polymer networks may be driven by an instability in the underlying polymer bulk ‘fluid’ or by the breaking of polymer chains, depending on the loading path taken. The results of this study indicate that material failure in elastomers exposed to a purely triaxial state, such as in a poker chip experiment, may be driven by an entirely different mode of instability than those deformed in pure shear, such as in a uniaxial tension experiment.
A Study on Consumer-Centric Health Information Provision Strategy Using SWOT-AHP -Focusing on the National Health Information Portal
Authors: Baek Jaeeun
Published: February 2025

Approximately 70% of Koreans access health and medical information online. Health information providers play a crucial role in enhancing public health by ensuring that individuals can effectively consume and utilize this information according to their information-seeking behaviors. However, existing tools for evaluating health information websites have significant limitations. These tools are often one-size-fits-all and lack strategic recommendations for delivering consumer-centered health information. There is a clear need for alternative approaches beyond merely identifying the quality factors that satisfy consumers. A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats—Analytic Hierarchy Process (SWOT-AHP) evaluates both internal and external environmental factors of a health information website, which provides strategies based on the prioritization and weighting of quality factors. Specifically, the 'National Health Information Portal,' a platform provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, was assessed through a comprehensive review of prior research and a SWOT analysis, followed by an AHP survey involving 15 experts specializing in health information websites. The findings of the analysis indicate that the most effective development strategy is the SO (Strengths-Opportunities) strategy. This study highlights the need to move beyond uniform evaluation tools and consider the dynamic and complex nature of the Internet, emphasizing the importance of developing prioritized strategies based on evaluations from both consumers and providers.