bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploiting venom toxins in paratransgenesis to prevent mosquito-borne disease
Authors: French Stephanie , Da Silva Rachael , Storm Janet , Wastika Christida E. , Cullen India , Have Martijn ten , Hughes Grant L. , Modahl Cassandra M.
Published: January 2025

Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of numerous pathogens, including Plasmodium parasites, arboviruses and filarial worms. They pose a significant risk to public health with over 200 million cases of malaria per annum and approximately 4 billion people at risk of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). Mosquito populations are geographically expanding into temperate regions and their distribution is predicted to continue increasing. Mosquito symbionts, including fungi, bacteria and viruses, have desirable traits for mosquito disease control including spreading horizontally and vertically through mosquito populations and potentially colonising multiple important vector species. Paratransgenesis, genetic modification of mosquito symbionts with effectors to target the pathogen rather than the vector, is a promising strategy to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. A variety of effectors can be expressed but venom toxins are excellent effector candidates because they are target specific, potent and stable. However, the only toxins to be explored in mosquito paratransgenesis to date are scorpine and mutated phospholipase A2. To enhance the scope, effectiveness and durability of paratransgenesis, an expanded arsenal of effectors is required. This review discusses other potential toxin effectors for future paratransgenesis studies based on prior in vitro and in vivo antiparasitic and antiviral studies and highlights the need for further research and investment in this area. In terms of mosquito-borne diseases, paratransgenesis strategies have been developed to target Plasmodium. We postulate the potential to apply this principle to target arboviruses using antiviral toxin effectors.

Graphical Abstract
Development and application of a clinical core data set for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease, dystonia or tremor: from data collection to data exchange and data sharing
Authors: Hofmann Anna-Lena , Widmann Jonas , Brandstetter Lilly , Selig Udo , Haug Fabian , Haug Julian , Pryss Rüdiger , Mecklenburg Jasper , Kreichgauer Andrea , Capetian Philipp , Hartmann Christian J. , Niklas Christian , Ritter Petra , Krause Patricia , Schnitzler Alfons , Volkmann Jens , Kühn Andrea A. , Heuschmann Peter , Haas Kirsten
Published: January 2025

Background

Comprehensive clinical data regarding factors influencing the individual disease course of patients with movement disorders treated with deep brain stimulation might help to better understand disease progression and to develop individualized treatment approaches.

Methods

The clinical core data set was developed by a multidisciplinary working group within the German transregional collaborative research network ReTune. The development followed standardized methodology comprising review of available evidence, a consensus process and performance of the first phase of the study. To ensure high data quality, measures for standardized training, monitoring as well as plausibility and data quality tests were implemented.

Results

The clinical core data set comprises information about medical history, clinical symptoms, information about deep brain stimulation surgery, complications and outcome for the main neurological movement disorders Parkinson’s disease, tremor, and dystonia. Its applicability as well as data exchange and quality control was tested within the first phase of the study in 51 patients from Würzburg.

Conclusions

Within the ReTune project, a standardised clinical core data set for Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and tremor was developed. The collection as well as concepts for the implementation of monitoring and data exchange were elaborated and successfully tested.

Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov (DRKS-ID: DRKS00031878).
Research on the lightweight detection method of rail internal damage based on improved YOLOv8
Authors: Wu Xiaochun , Yu Shuzhan
Published: January 2025

To address the challenges of high computational costs, large storage demands, and low detection accuracy in internal rail damage identification, we propose a lightweight detection model, GhostMicroNet-YOLOv8n, as an enhancement of YOLOv8n. This model offers efficient and reliable technical support for detecting and classifying internal rail damage in rail flaw detection tasks. The proposed model introduces four key innovations. Firstly, the GhostHGNetV2 network is adopted as the feature extraction backbone, which reduces computational costs through structural optimization. Secondly, the Triplet Attention (TA) mechanism is incorporated to enhance the model’s ability to distinguish internal rail damage from complex backgrounds, thereby improving detection accuracy. Thirdly, the network structure is refined to better capture the scale characteristics of damage in B-scan data, improving small-target detection. Finally, the model is compressed using the Layer-Adaptive Sparsity for Magnitude-Based Pruning (LAMP) technique, significantly reducing model complexity while maintaining performance. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed model, achieving a 2.67% improvement in detection accuracy, a 91.67% reduction in parameters, a 64.20% decrease in computational cost, and an 84.87% reduction in model size compared to YOLOv8n. The model achieves an optimal balance between detection accuracy and computational efficiency, addressing the railroad industry’s demand for real-time defect detection and ensuring accurate flaw identification in resource-constrained Rail Fault Detection (RFD) vehicles.
Key Strategies to Promote Professional Wellness and Reduce Burnout in Oncology Clinicians
Authors: Lapen Kaitlyn , Chino Fumiko , Noble Amanda , Jin Jill O. , Levit Laura A. , Kirkwood Kelsey , Schenkel Caroline , Subbiah Ishwaria M.
Published: January 2025

Burnout in oncologists has been increasing, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. This is concerning because burnout can have both personal and professional repercussions, as well as a negative impact on patients and organizational financial health. Drawing on information and ideas discussed at an ASCO Town Hall session at the 2023 Annual Meeting developed by the State of Cancer Care in America Editorial Board, this study reviews key organizational strategies for improving professional well-being and argues for the importance of measuring and researching the well-being of the oncology workforce to ensure healthy work environments. Although both individual- and organizational-level interventions to mitigate burnout are valuable, organizational interventions have been shown to be the most effective. Thus, strategies to ensure professional wellness should focus on developing organizational policies, cultures, and best practices that create healthy work environments. Specific policies and best practices for organizations to prioritize include the following: (1) Eliminating low-value work, including processes related to electronic health record systems. (2) Restructuring teams to efficiently complete work. (3) Promoting clinician work-life integration. (4) Promoting psychological safety in the workplace to prevent workplace discrimination. (5) Identifying individual practice stressors. (6) Fostering community within the organization.
Reuse and Iconoclasm in the Medieval Deccan
Authors: Manohar Mohit
Published: January 2025

While instances of both reuse and iconoclasm are well known from several medieval buildings in South Asia, the conjunction of these two related-but-distinct processes have seldom been analyzed. In this article, I present two architectural case studies from Daulatabad, a major fortified city in Deccan India, that include unexamined cases of reuse and iconoclasm: its principal eastern gate and the shrine of the Sufi shaykh Ganj-i Rawan. Although occurring within an Islamic context, the instances of reuse and iconoclasm within these palimpsestic spaces are not coeval with what is seen in early Indian mosques—the structures through which issues of reuse and iconoclasm have been most extensively analyzed in existing scholarship. Nor can stereotypical ideas of “Islamic iconoclasm” explain the complex iconographic program of the city gate or the unexpected rituals at the Sufi shrine. I argue that reuse and iconoclasm at the city gate served a political purpose, whereas that at the Sufi shrine had a religious significance. I also propose a way to collectively examine instances of reuse and iconoclasm in the built environment. While the logic of these two processes appears to be in an inherent tension, I theorize that the deployment of reuse and iconoclasm in the built environment served to reinforce a particular agenda—in the current case, a political and a religious one, respectively—and was not guided by disparate concerns. Alongside, I develop the concept of “ideational reuse,” in which later occupant(s) of a site creatively reused narratives and rituals associated with earlier occupant(s).
Surgical Fixation of Thoracolumbar Fractures in Patients Older than 80 Years
Authors: Zaw Shane , Sen Lin , Koh Joshua Zhi En , Ow Lilian , Shree Kumar Dinesh , Teo Hong Lee Terry , Chew Zhihong , Koh Ree Yi , Yang Zhen , Yeo Andy Kuei Siong , Lee Lester
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The global average life expectancy has been increasing steadily as the quality of healthcare continues to improve. However, there is a paucity of data looking at surgical fixation of thoracolumbar spine fractures in patients ≥80 years (super-elderly). Aim of this study is to look at whether there is higher rate of complications from surgical fixation of thoracolumbar fractures in this group of patients.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent surgical fixation of thoracolumbar spine fractures from 2019 to 2023. Patients were dichotomized into those who were 80 years old and above (super-elderly) and those younger than 80 years (control). Variables include sex, age, Charleston comorbidity index, presence of osteoporosis, length of hospital stay, complications, 6- and 12-months' implant status, and mortality. Incidence of revision surgery, rate of implant loosening, and mortality between the 2 groups were analyzed.

RESULTS:

Total of 108 patients were included, 43 patients in the super-elderly group and 65 in the control group. Despite the super-elderly having a higher rate of osteoporosis and higher proportion of patients with severe comorbidities (P < .0001), there was no significant difference in the rate of implant loosening at 12 months' follow-up (P = .467) or all-cause mortality (P = .158). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding revision surgery (P = .923) needed either.

CONCLUSION:

The super-elderly had a higher incidence of osteoporosis and worse comorbidities, but there was no significant difference regarding implant complications, revision surgery required, or all-cause mortality. Hence, surgical fixation of thoracolumbar spine fractures in people older than 80 years should be considered despite their advanced age.
Feasibility, Safety, and Impact of Awake Resection for Recurrent Insular Diffuse Gliomas in Adults
Authors: Demasi Marco , Elia Angela , Simboli Giorgia Antonia , Moiraghi Alessandro , Paun Luca , Hudelist Benoit , Hamza Meissa , Schumacher Xavier , Trancart Bénédicte , Seneca Maimiti , Dezamis Edouard , Muto Jun , Chretien Fabrice , Oppenheim Catherine , Roux Alexandre , Zanello Marc , Pallud Johan
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The risk-to-benefit ratio of transopercular awake resection for recurrent insular diffuse gliomas is poorly studied. We assessed feasibility, safety, and efficacy of awake surgical resection of recurrent insular diffuse gliomas in patients with previous treatments (resection and/or radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy and/or combination).

METHODS:

Observational, retrospective, single-institution cohort analysis (2010-2023) of 123 consecutive adult patients operated on for an insular diffuse glioma (2021 World Health Organization classification) under awake conditions. Comparison between awake resection for an insular diffuse glioma as first-line treatment (n = 87) and after previous treatments (n = 36).

RESULTS:

Function-based transopercular awake resection for a recurrent insular diffuse glioma (1) did not increase intraoperative adverse events compared with first-line resection; (2) was associated with a higher rate of intraoperative insufficient cooperation in patients with a previous combined oncological treatment (33.3%), compared with patients with a previous monotherapeutic modality (7.4%), and compared with patients with a first-line surgery (8.1%, P = .046); (3) resulted in resection rates similar to those of awake resection at first-line surgery (median 91.9%, vs 90.1%); (4) did not increase surgery-related complications or duration of hospital stay; (5) did not worsen the 6-month Karnofsky Performance Status score, seizure control, and sick leave; (6) did not influence the 6-month sick leave from work, but was associated with longer sick leave in patients with high-grade gliomas (38.0% vs 7.7%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION:

Function-based transopercular awake resection seems feasible and safe at recurrence of a previously treated insular diffuse glioma, with similar resection rates and outcomes than first-time surgery.
Effect of Ibuprofen on Markers of Acute Kidney Injury, Intestinal Injury, and Endotoxemia after Running in the Heat
Authors: Specht Jonathan W. , Bailly Alyssa R. , Garcia Serena , Klepacz Steven , De Oliveira Suzana Andrade , Lucero David , McKenna Zachary J. , Schlader Zachary J. , Amorim Fabiano T.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that ibuprofen ingestion exacerbates markers of acute kidney injury (AKI), gastrointestinal (GI) injury, and endotoxemia after running in the heat.

Methods

Using a randomized double-blind crossover design, eleven physically active individuals (six women) ingested 600 mg of ibuprofen or placebo 12- and one-hour prior to running one-hour in a heated chamber (35 °C, 20%-60% R.H.) at an intensity of 60% V̇O2peak. Blood and urine samples were collected pre-, post-, and one-hour post-exercise to assess cytokines and markers of AKI, GI injury, and endotoxemia.

Results

One hour of running in the heat increased markers of AKI (urinary product of IGFBP7•TIMP2 [Placebo: ∆ 1.8 ± 0.8 log10(ng/ml)2/1000, Ibuprofen: ∆ 1.8 ± 0.9 log10(ng/ml)2/1000], urinary NGAL, and serum cystatin C), GI damage (I-FABP [Placebo: ∆ 631 ± 446 pg/ml, Ibuprofen: ∆ 576 ± 455 pg/ml]), and inflammatory cytokines (TNFα [Placebo: ∆ 5.2 ± 3.5 pg/ml, Ibuprofen: ∆ 6.2 ± 4.9 pg/ml], IL-6, IL-10, and MCP-1), but these changes were not exacerbated by ibuprofen ingestion. There were effects of time (p < 0.001) and condition (p = 0.03) for serum IL-8, with greater concentrations in the ibuprofen (pre: 11.4 ± 5.1 pg/mL, post: 15.5 ± 7.3 pg/ml) trials than placebo (pre: 9.7 ± 4.2 pg/mL, post: 11.7 ± 5.4 pg/mL). There were no effects of time or condition on markers of endotoxemia (LBP [Placebo: ∆ -1.2 ± 3.2 μg/ml, Ibuprofen: ∆ 1.0 ± 1.6 μg/ml], sCD14).

Conclusions

These findings indicate that ibuprofen ingestion does not worsen intestinal or renal injury experienced during one hour of exercise in the heat, but increases pro-inflammatory IL-8.
Συνύπαρξη ενδομητρίωσης και όγκων γεννητικών κυττάρων των ωοθηκών
Authors: Καλαϊτζόπουλος Δημήτριος-Ραφαήλ
Published: January 2025

Εισαγωγή: Η ενδομητρίωση όπως και οι όγκοι των γεννητικών κυττάρων των ωοθηκών με πιο συχνό εύρημα τις δεμοειδείς κύστες (τεράτωματα), είναι δύο οντότητες χαρακτηρίζονται από την ύπαρξη καλά διαφοροποιημένων κυττάρων σε έκτοπη (διαφορετική από την φυσιολογική) θέση και κυρίως στην πύελο και τις ωοθήκες είναι εμφανίζονται κυρίως σε γυναίκες αναπαραγωγικής ηλικίας. Σκοπός της μελέτης μας είναι η αξιολόγηση της συνύπαρξης μεταξύ των δύο αυτών οντοτήτων, η σύνοψη των κλινικών χαρακτηριστικών γυναικών που διαγνώστηκαν και με τις δύο οντότητες, καθώς και η παρακολούθηση των συμπτωμάτων μετά τη διάγνωση και τη θεραπεία.Υλικά και μέθοδοι: Η παρούσα μελέτη είναι μία αναδρομική μελέτη με ασθενείς από το Νοσοκομείο του Καντονιού του Σαφχάουζεν και την Β΄ Πανεπιστημιακή Μαιευτική Γυναικολογική Κλινική του Ιπποκράτειου Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Θεσσαλονίκης, οι οποίοι χειρουργήθηκαν μεταξύ 2011 και 2019. Η ιστολογική διάγνωση ενδομητρίωσης ή όγκων των γεννητικών κυττάρων ωοθηκών ήταν προϋπόθεση για την ένταξη στη μελέτη. Ένα ερωτηματολόγιο παρακολούθησης στάλθηκε ταχυδρομικώς σε όλες τις ασθενείς που συμπεριλήφθηκαν σε αυτή την μελέτη με συνύπαρξη ενδομητρίωσης με όγκων γεννητικών κυττάρων των ωοθηκών. Το βασικό αποτέλεσμα αυτής της μελέτης είναι η συνύπαρξη της ενδομητρίωσης με τους όγκους των γεννητικών κυττάρων των ωοθηκών και τα δευτερογενή αποτελέσματα είναι τα δεδομένα από την μετεγχειρητική παρακολούθηση των παραπάνω ασθενών. Η δοκιμασία paired t-test χρησιμοποιήθηκε για σύγκριση αριθμητικών μεταβλητών και το chi-square για σύγκριση κατηγορικών μεταβλητών. Η τιμή του p μικρότερη του 0.05 θεωρήθηκε ως στατιστικά σημαντική. Αποτελέσματα: Στην παρούσα διατριβή βρήκαμε ότι το 26.5% των ασθενών με ώριμα κυστικά τερατώματα εμφανίζει συνύπαρξη ενδομητρίωσης. Η παρακολούθησης των παραπάνω ασθενών έδειξε σημαντική μείωση στην ύπαρξη της δυσμηνόρροιας και 5 από της 11 γυναίκες με επιθυμία μελλοντικής κύησης μετεγχειρητικά είχαν τουλαχιστόν μία εγκυμοσήνη. Η συσχέτιση της ενδομητρίωσης με τους υπόλοιπους όγκους των γεννητικών κυττάρων ποικίλει από 0% (καρκινοειδή, όγκοι του λεκιθικού ασκού, άωρα τερατώματα) εώς 100% (πολυεμβρίωμα), ωστόσο οι όγκοι των γεννητικών κυττάρων των ωοθηκών εκτός των τερατωμάτων είναι εξαιρετικά σπάνιοι, γεγονός που δείχνει τη δυσκολία της συσχέτισης τους με την ενδομητρίωση. Κανένας από τους κακοήθεις όγκους των γεννητικών κυττάρων των ωοθηκών δεν υποτροπίασε. Συμπεράσματα: Οι γυναικολόγοι θα πρέπει να γνωρίζουν την παραπάνω συσχέτιση και να συμβουλεύουν τις γυναίκες κατάλληλα προεγχειρητικά σχετικά με τις τεχνικές διατήρησης της γονιμότητας, καθώς ο παραπάνω πληθυσμός έχει αυξημένο κίνδυνο μείωσης των ωοθηκικών αποθεμάτων μετεγχειρητικά.
TOOLS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN PEDAGOGICAL ACTIVITY
Authors: Zhelnina Evgeniya V. , Lyubavina Natalia V.
Published: January 2025

Background. The article is devoted to the topic of using artificial intelligence tools in teaching, which is relevant in the conditions of modern political and economic reality. The subject of the analysis is the factors influencing the teacher’s decision to use AI in his work.
Purpose. The authors aim, through the analysis of empirical data, to determine the level of awareness of teaching staff with the capabilities of AI tools, as well as to identify the types of teaching staff who use artificial intelligence tools in their professional activities.
Methodology. The method of sociological research is an expert survey, the respondents of which were 162 teaching staff. The expert survey was conducted in October-November 2024.
Results. The achieved results consist in the creation of an original typology of teaching staff using artificial intelligence tools in their professional activities.
Practical implications. The results of the study can be applied in the field of education to formulate goals and objectives for the development and advanced training of teaching staff.
Becoming myself - existential analysis in psychotherapy of a person with relational trauma
Authors: Nowakowska Agnieszka Małgorzata , Draczyńska Dorota
Published: January 2025

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie procesu psychoterapii indywidualnej w nurcie analizy egzystencjalnej i paradygmacie czterech fundamentalnych motywacji (4FM) oraz wskazanie przemian, jakie nastąpiły w każdej z nich u pacjentki, pani K. 25-letniej kobiety, starszej siostry, która po trzech latach mieszkania za granicą i zakończeniu związku powróciła do domu rodziców. Chciała się poczuć bezpiecznie, a tak się nie stało. Nie rozumiała swoich reakcji, tłumiła złość, nie potrafiła postawić granic. W relacji z rodzicami czuła się „jak kiedyś”. W konsekwencji pojawiały się objawy lękowe (deficyty bezpieczeństwa w 1FM) oraz depresyjne (2FM — relacja do życia). Czując rozpacz, uruchamiała wewnętrzną, krytyczną narrację (3FM — brak rozumienia siebie, brak zgody na bycie sobą). W konsekwencji nie odnajdywała sensu w swoim aktualnym życiu, pojawiały się myśli rezygnacyjne i zwiewne myśli samobójcze (trudności w obszarze czwartej 4FM, czyli poszukiwania sensu życia oraz w trzech poprzednich). W trakcie terapii stopniowo poznawała siebie, swoje objawy, nauczyła się samoregulacji. Zbudowała swoją autonomię. Dom rodziców stał się portem, z którego wypłynęła w świat. Za sterem stanęła pani K. akceptująca swoją rodzinę pochodzenia i to, jaki rodzina miała na nią wpływ. Nauczyła się budować dystans do swoich myśli (1FM), rozumieć swoje emocje, wyrażać je i regulować (2FM) oraz stawiać granice (3FM). Poznała siebie i uznała, że ma prawo do swoich granic, przekonań i potrzeb (3FM), odnalazła sens (4FM), nie czekając, aż rzeczywistość będzie zgodna z jej oczekiwaniami, co — jak wie — nie jest możliwe. W codzienności odnajduje swoje „tak” dla życia.
Dreaming as a source of transformative processes according to Wilfred R. Bion.
The analysis of Ms. Ines' psychotherapeutic struggles in achieving individuation
Authors: Mirucka Beata , Wnuczek - Michalczewska Alicja
Published: January 2025

Celem artykułu jest — oparta na interpretacji snów — analiza fenomenu przekształcenia w procesie psychoterapeutycznym. Wybrane marzenia senne mają zobrazować myślenie przekształceniowe według teorii Biona, które ostatecznie posłużyło osiągnięciu pożądanej separacji i indywiduacji. Materiał wyjściowy, poddawany obróbce psychoterapeutycznej, pochodził z trzech źródeł określonych jako: i/ introspekcyjne (wspomnienia), ii/ — wyśnione (marzenia senne) oraz iii/ wyfantazjowane (marzenia na jawie). Zasadniczym przedmiotem terapeutycznych analiz stało się osiem snów pacjentki, wyśnionych w okresie między sesją pierwszą a pięćdziesiątą, podczas dwuletniej pracy psychoterapeutycznej (obejmującej łącznie 102 sesje). Sny zostały opisane przez samą pacjentkę, na podstawie transkrypcji sesji spisanych już po zakończeniu całego procesu terapii. Dołączony do nich komentarz psychoterapeutki powstał także z materiału transkryptowego. Dzięki zastosowaniu wyjątkowej metody — równoległego, niezależnego opisu: 1/ istotnego doświadczenia pacjentki wraz z jej rozumieniem i perspektywą; 2/ analizy materiału psychicznego (wspomnień, marzeń sennych itp.) dokonanej z perspektywy psychoterapeutki, możliwe stało się prześledzenie części złożonego procesu przekształceniowego. Rozumienie oraz prezentacja skomplikowanego zadania dochodzenia do prawdy, najważniejszego efektu myślenia przekształceniowego, została zakorzeniona w koncepcji Biona oraz teorii Junga. Jest ona próbą odpowiedzi na ważkie i zarazem intrygujące pytanie: jakie znaczenie ma aktywność śnienia w procesie przekształcania doświadczenia pacjentki, prowadzącym ją do psychicznej dojrzałości — indywiduacji?
Cutaneous coccidioidomycosis presenting as a facial rash
Authors: Remmert Nicole , Feuillet Pablo , Rangaswamy Barath
Published: January 2025

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection caused by the inhalation of Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii spores. After inhalation, the infection can spread hematogenously or through lymphatics to any organ, so the clinical presentation of coccidioidomycosis can vary greatly. A 38-year-old man with obesity was referred to an infectious disease clinic due to a cutaneous coccidioidomycosis infection of his face. The patient initially presented to his primary care physician with symptoms of fatigue, knee pain, and a facial rash that had persisted for a couple of months. Initial treatment involved a course of oral antibiotics, yielding no improvement. Subsequently, the patient sought evaluation at a dermatologist's office for multiple lesions on his face and scalp. Another round of oral antibiotics and topical mupirocin ointment was prescribed. The lesions were biopsied, and a culture tested positive for Coccidioides immitis. He was then referred to infectious disease for management.         The physical examination revealed a scaling, erythematous rash located on the right cheek, forehead, and scalp. Vital signs were normal. A chest computed tomography was positive for multiple pulmonary nodules consistent with a history of coccidioidomycosis infection. Laboratory results revealed a cocci IgM titer of 1.2, IgG titer of 8.8, and an antibody by complement fixation titer of 1:128. The patient was started on oral fluconazole 200 mg daily, which was later increased to 400 mg twice daily. The patient began to show improvement in his skin lesions. We report an unusual presentation of cutaneous coccidioidomycosis as a facial rash. Clinicians, especially in endemic areas, should be aware of the differing presentations of Coccidioides infections.
 
Keywords: cutaneous coccidioidomycosis; Coccidioides immitis, fluconazole
Intraluminal duplication cyst of the terminal ileum imitating acute appendicitis: a rare clinical case presentation
Authors: Bird Devin , Kondoor Vishaal , Murray Dylan , Nirgiotis Jason , Murray Richard
Published: January 2025

Duplication cysts are rare congenital cystic lesions that form along the gastrointestinal tract at various locations. They may be asymptomatic, present with ambiguous symptoms, or mimic other clinical presentations, such as acute appendicitis. We present a unique case of an 11- year-old boy with a preliminary diagnosis of acute perforated appendicitis and abdominal abscess; however, the patient’s appendix was unremarkable during surgery, and he was later found to have an intraluminal duplication cyst within the distal ilium extending into the ileocecal valve. Follow-up imaging with abdominal ultrasound helped guide the diagnosis, and an ileocecal resection proved to be curative.
Keywords: Enteric duplication cyst, intraluminal duplication cyst, appendicitis, ultrasound, case report
Addison's disease in pregnancy
Authors: Hasan Mehedi , Sharmin Farzana , Haque Samiul , Afrin Sabrina , Paul Shibani , Al Masud Abdullah , Rimu Afrina Hossain
Published: January 2025

Addison's disease presents a unique challenge when it occurs during pregnancy due to its potential for maternal and fetal complications if left untreated. This review synthesizes present information about the pathophysiology and clinical aspects of Addison's disease during pregnancy using information from case reports. Pregnancy-induced physiological changes can complicate the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency as clinical symptoms of the disease overlap with typical pregnancy symptoms; a high index of suspicion is therefore necessary. Diagnostic tests include short synacthen tests and measurement of serum electrolytes, adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, and cortisol levels. Adequate hormone supplementation is crucial for ensuring maternal and fetal well-being. Pregnancy and Addison's disease can have favorable outcomes with proper management, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
The Application of Incretin-Based Pharmacotherapy in the Contemporary Management of Type 2 Diabetes: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Waszczyński Jakub , Kulej Wojciech , Biesiada Wiktor , Kulej Piotr , Woźniak Justyna , Kmieć Justyna Weronika , Chernysh Anna Mariia , Dusińska Aleksandra , Fuczyło Kamila , Stankević Karolina
Published: January 2025

IntroductionType 2 diabetes is a critical global health issue due to its rising prevalence and severe complications, including cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and neuropathies, which reduce quality of life and increase mortality risk. While metformin remains a cornerstone of treatment, incretin-based therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors provide additional benefits, including glycemic control, weight management, and organ protection, making them essential in personalized care.

Aim of the StudyThis study evaluates the mechanisms, efficacy, and benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors in improving glycemic control, reducing cardiovascular risk, managing weight, and protecting renal function.

Materials and MethodsData was sourced from recent clinical trials and literature (post-2020) from PubMed, Google Scholar, Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, Nature, American Diabetes Association, Research Gate.

Results
GLP-1 receptor agonists demonstrated significant benefits, including a 27% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a 32% decrease in kidney disease progression, and notable weight loss (e.g., 15.2% with semaglutide). These drugs also improved glycemic and metabolic parameters, though initial gastrointestinal side effects were common but temporary.
DPP-4 inhibitors showed nephroprotective effects, reducing albuminuria and slowing eGFR decline, and were associated with a lower hypoglycemia risk compared to sulfonylureas, particularly in advanced CKD. While less effective in weight management, they offered a weight-neutral option for patients with mild hyperglycemia or advanced CKD.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are ideal for high-risk or obese patients due to their strong glycemic and weight benefits, whereas DPP-4 inhibitors are safer for those with advanced CKD.
A structured taxonomy for effective digital transformation project implementation: Development, validation, and practical insights
Authors: Tarannum Rahnuma , Ngereja Bertha Joseph , Hussein Bassam
Published: January 2025

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a taxonomy designed to assist organizations in formulating their Digital Transformation Project implementation strategies. In creating this taxonomy, we sought to blend both conceptual frameworks and empirical data. The initial phase involved a scoping review that synthesized existing literature to lay the foundation for the taxonomy. Subsequently, we aimed to validate the taxonomy by gathering feedback from industry experts in Germany using a closed card sorting technique, complemented by case study analysis. This structured compilation of information regarding implementation strategies, presented through the taxonomy, simplifies the process for practitioners. Such a taxonomy enables practitioners to adopt a standardized vocabulary, which supports decision-making, encourages learning from previous successes and challenges, and facilitates the application of these lessons to their projects. Additionally, we have included practical case scenarios within the taxonomy, offering guidance for organizations on leveraging it in the execution of digital transformation projects.
Short of Capital: Stock Market Implications of Short Sellers’ Losses
Authors: Gargano Antonio , Sotes-Paladino Juan , Verwijmeren Patrick
Published: January 2025

We provide evidence that losses constrain short sellers but not the transmission of information to prices. Using unique data on U.S. equity lending, we document a negative impact of the mark-to-market losses of a stock’s short sellers, but no impact of their gains, on the future shorting of the stock. Consistent with funding and institutional constraints limiting short selling, we further show that the effect is highly asymmetric across different loss levels and stronger among stocks facing higher margin requirements. However, loss-making short selling has no impact on price efficiency or predictive power for returns, suggesting that these constraints affect mostly uninformed shorting activity.

This paper was accepted by Agostino Capponi, finance.

Funding: This work was supported by the University of Melbourne [Faculty Research Grant].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.01356 .
Prolonged femoral compression post percutaneous coronary intervention leading to deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Abu-Shanab Amer , Unas Jillianne , Nasr Hamzeh , Albdour Zain , Abdulraheem Ahmad , Du Doantrang
Published: January 2025

Deep vein thrombosis is an uncommon yet significant complication of percutaneous coronary interventions. Prolonged manual compression at the access site, a common practice for achieving hemostasis, can inadvertently exacerbate thrombosis risks, including venous stasis and endothelial injury. We present the case of an 84-year-old female with coronary artery disease who underwent staged percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement in the left circumflex and left anterior descending arteries. After the procedure, manual pressure was applied to the femoral access site for over 30 minutes, after which the patient developed hypotension and leg pain. Point-of-care ultrasound revealed a large deep vein thrombosis in the right femoral vein, extending into the profunda and saphenous veins. The patient was treated with a heparin drip and monitored without surgical intervention. Her condition improved, and follow-up imaging confirmed resolution of the deep vein thrombosis. This case underscores the risks associated with extended manual compression and highlights the importance of adhering to guidelines for post percutaneous coronary intervention care. The use of vascular closure devices may reduce the likelihood of such complications. Additionally, early recognition and management of deep vein thrombosis is critical in preventing further thromboembolic events and improving patient outcomes.
(Re)-Colonization on the Move: The Case of Belarus
Authors: Liskovets Irina
Published: January 2025

Abstract: This paper aims to describe, discuss, and analyze the new wave of creeping Russification currently occurring in the Republic of Belarus. The language situation in the country can be characterized as stable, closely related Russian-Belarusian bilingualism, with an overwhelming dominance of the Russian language. This dominance has intensified following the defeat of the Belarusian Revolution of Dignity in 2020. The paper thoroughly examines both the reasonsfor this dominance, its current specifics, and the attitudes of Minsk residents toward it. The analysis is based on data obtained from a longitudinal field study conducted in Minsk from 1999 to 2024, as well as from media and internet sources.
1  kHz, 70  mJ, high-energy hundred-picosecond fiber–solid-state hybrid laser amplification
Authors: Yang Guangdao , Meng Xianghao , Jiao Tianmeng , Mao Dun , Gong Zhaoqing , Zhao Xianglong , Liu Haiyang , Yang Jie , Shao Xin , Li Pingxue
Published: January 2025

We have demonstrated a 1 µm fiber–solid-state hybrid high-energy laser in the hundred-picosecond range. Operating at a repetition rate of 1 kHz, the output energy was 71.1 mJ with a pulse duration of 63.8 ps. By simulating and analyzing the pumped laser intensity inside crystals of different cross-section diameters, and by utilizing the spherical aberration self-compensation effect, the positive spherical aberration thermal lens of the crystal could be reasonably utilized to compensate for the spherical aberration of the beam; the beam quality is M
x
2=2.10 and M
y
2=2.43. This high-energy multi-stage laser, which does not require pumping optical coupling or insertion of additional spherical aberration compensating elements, can be used in the fields of non-linear frequency conversion and industrial precision machining.
Multispectral photoacoustic imaging of breast cancer tissue with histopathology validation
Authors: Zhang Junhao , Arroyo Junior , Lediju Bell Muyinatu A.
Published: January 2025

Intraoperative multispectral photoacoustic pathology assessment presents a promising approach to guide biopsy resection. In this study, we developed and validated a novel photoacoustic technique to differentiate between healthy and cancerous tissues. Our method consisted of photoacoustic contrast calculations as a function of wavelength, followed by projections of the resulting spectra from training data into a two-dimensional space using principal component analysis to create representative spectra, then calculation of the average cosine similarity between the spectrum of each pixel in test data and the representative spectra. The test healthy tissue region had a 0.967 mean correlation with the representative healthy tissue spectrum and a lower mean correlation (0.801) with the cancer tissue spectrum. The test cancer tissue region had a 0.954 mean correlation with the cancer tissue spectrum and a lower mean correlation (0.762) with the healthy tissue spectrum. Our method was further validated through qualitative comparison with high-resolution hematoxylin and eosin histopathology scans. Healthy tissue was primarily correlated with the optical absorption of blood (i.e., deoxyhemoglobin), while invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer tissue was primarily correlated with the optical absorption of lipids. Our label-free histopathology approach utilizing multispectral photoacoustic imaging has the potential to enable real-time tumor margin determination during biopsy or surgery.
Nondeterministic wavefront estimation based on deep learning for multi-band synchronous high-resolution reconstruction technology
Authors: Zhang Lingxiao , Zhong Libo , Guo Youming , Gong Xiaoying , Rao Changhui
Published: January 2025

To enhance the quality of the images observed by the ground telescopes, image post-processing technology is usually required. Multi-band synchronous high-resolution reconstruction technology utilizes a phase retrieval algorithm to estimate the instantaneous wavefront based on the deconvolved focal plane point spread function (PSF) in high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) bands, then it uses the estimated wavefront to calculate the PSF of other bands to achieve the fast and high-resolution reconstruction of multi-band images. However, due to a single-frame focal plane PSF corresponding to a pair of complex conjugate wavefronts, this ambiguity makes existing phase retrieval algorithms difficult to converge, seriously affecting their accuracy of wavefront estimation, and further affecting the estimation accuracy of multi-band PSFs. Therefore, existing phase retrieval algorithms are difficult to meet the requirements of multi-band synchronous high-resolution reconstruction technology and need to be further optimized. In response to the shortcomings of the existing methods, this research proposes a nondeterministic estimation (ND-Estimation) method that modifies the datasets and loss function during the training process to enable the network to update and learn toward one direction of a pair of complex conjugate wavefronts based on the network initial state. These improvements enable the network to accurately estimate the nondeterministic wavefront corresponding to a single-frame focal plane deconvolved PSF, thereby achieving precise estimation of multi-band PSFs. We also built an effective lightweight single-frame focal-plane residual network (SF-ResNet). Simulation and experimental results show that the SF-ResNet combined with the ND-Estimation method can achieve high-precision wavefront estimation under different turbulence intensities, and further realize subsequent high-precision estimation of multi-band PSFs. Its inference time is 2.7566 ms, reaching the millisecond level. This approach significantly improves the accuracy of wavefront estimation compared to existing phase retrieval algorithms based on single-frame focal plane information. This study provided a feasible method for multi-band synchronous high-resolution reconstruction technology.
Efficient tunable nonlinearity in high Q-factor lithium niobate metasurface harnessing electric-field-induced second harmonic generation
Authors: Kanyang Ruoying , Fang Cizhe , Wang YiBo , Liu Yan , Hao Yue , Han Genquan
Published: January 2025

Electric-field-induced second harmonic generation (EFISH), an intriguing third-order nonlinear process, not only breaks the limitation of second-order susceptibilities to strengthen the second harmonic (SH) intensity but also imparts metasurfaces with tunability, making them more adaptable and effective in diverse applications. However, attaining a robust nonlinear modulation with EFISH remains a challenge due to the intrinsically weak interactions. In this work, a tunable lithium niobate (LiNbO3) metasurface based on a multi-mode Fano mechanism, dubbed Super Fano, is proposed and investigated. Combining the giant confined field and excellent material properties of LiNbO3, both SHG conversion and its nonlinear modulation efficiency are boosted. Our LiNbO3 achieves an EFISH modulation depth of ∼900% per volt. As demonstrated, a nonlinear optical switch with an on-off ratio of ∼ 29 is attained. The Super-Fano-enhanced EFISH metasurface opens up new avenues for the design and construction of on-chip nonlinear optical devices.
Evaluation of a photonic lantern spatial demultiplexer-based receiver for optical communication
Authors: Billault Vincent , Leviandier Luc , Bourderionnet Jérome , Pierre Christophe , Sanquer Raynald , Castaing Marc , Brignon Arnaud
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we present a method based on a modal decomposition to quantify the efficiency of photonic lanterns (PLs) based free space optical (FSO) communication receivers. We fabricate a seven-port PL, and we evaluate numerically the free space to fiber coupling efficiency based on a reconstruction of the fields at the PL FSO multimode port. We validate the numerical approach with an experimental characterization of the PL. Then we compare the PL to a commercial multiplane light converter spatial demultiplexer. The PL shows better coupling efficiency for low-order spatial modes with orders of magnitude of demultiplexer size reduction. Finally, we evaluate the PL receiver with a simulation of received optical wavefront in a FSO communication.
Energy disturbance-induced collision between soliton molecules and switch dynamics in fiber lasers: periodic collision, oscillation, and annihilation
Authors: Ju Zhentao , Si Zhizeng , Ren Longfei , Feng Haoyu , Yan Xin , Zhang Jiahao , Liu Wei , Dai Chaoqing
Published: January 2025

The collision dynamics of soliton molecules (SMs) demonstrate significant complexity. In this study, a carbon black/graphene oxide composite material is utilized as a saturable absorber. By enabling precise control of intracavity polarization and loss states, it is demonstrated that soliton molecule collisions can effectively function as switches for different soliton states. Post-collision energy perturbations destabilize the equilibrium between nonlinear and dispersive effects, leading to phenomena including periodic collisions, oscillations, and soliton annihilation. Theoretical simulations reveal the mechanism of state switching driven by soliton collisions and show that precise control over collision processes and subsequent state transitions can be achieved by tuning small-signal gain, pulse saturation energy, and second-order group velocity dispersion. These findings provide what we believe to be novel perspectives for the optimization of nonlinear optical devices and the study of soliton dynamics.
Compact CMOS-compatible 1 × 2 MMI coupler based on a hybrid silicon-rich nitride-thin-film lithium niobate platform
Authors: Sunder Meetei Toijam , Lee Yong-Tak , Ei Yu Nan
Published: January 2025

This paper presents the design and demonstration of a compact CMOS-compatible 1 × 2 multimode interference (MMI) coupler based on a hybrid silicon-rich nitride-thin-film lithium niobate (SRN-LNOI) platform. The MMI coupler design is optimized to ensure low-loss and uniform power splitting. Simulation results indicate excess losses of around −0.16 dB and −0.22 dB for the fundamental TE and TM modes, respectively, at an operation wavelength of 1550 nm. In comparison, the fabricated SRN-LNOI MMI coupler exhibits measured excess losses of −0.36 dB and −0.89 dB for the same modes. Additionally, the proposed MMI coupler demonstrates measured transmittance values ranging from −3.2 dB to −3.77 dB for the TE00 mode and from −3.55 dB to −4.3 dB for the TM00 mode across the wavelength range from 1520 nm to 1580 nm. This hybrid SRN-LNOI MMI coupler features low loss, compact design, and CMOS compatibility, making it an excellent platform for the development of efficient next-generation photonic devices for photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
The role of oscillations in grid cells’ toroidal topology
Authors: Sarra Giovanni di , Jha Siddharth , Roudi Yasser
Published: January 2025

Persistent homology applied to the activity of grid cells in the Medial Entorhinal Cortex suggests that this activity lies on a toroidal manifold. By analyzing real data and a simple model, we show that neural oscillations play a key role in the appearance of this toroidal topology. To quantitatively monitor how changes in spike trains influence the topology of the data, we first define a robust measure for the degree of toroidality of a dataset. Using this measure, we find that small perturbations ( ~ 100 ms) of spike times have little influence on both the toroidality and the hexagonality of the ratemaps. Jittering spikes by  ~ 100-500 ms, however, destroys the toroidal topology, while still having little impact on grid scores. These critical jittering time scales fall in the range of the periods of oscillations between the theta and eta bands. We thus hypothesized that these oscillatory modulations of neuronal spiking play a key role in the appearance and robustness of toroidal topology and the hexagonal spatial selectivity is not sufficient. We confirmed this hypothesis using a simple model for the activity of grid cells, consisting of an ensemble of independent rate-modulated Poisson processes. When these rates were modulated by oscillations, the network behaved similarly to the real data in exhibiting toroidal topology, even when the position of the fields were perturbed. In the absence of oscillations, this similarity was substantially lower. Furthermore, we find that the experimentally recorded spike trains indeed exhibit temporal modulations at the eta and theta bands, and that the ratio of the power in the eta band to that of the theta band, Aη∕Aθ, correlates with the critical jittering time at which the toroidal topology disappears.