bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calculation of the critical bound-continuum limit of the one-electron atoms interacting with the generalised exponential cosine screened potential using scattering formalism
Authors: Ghosh Santu , Das Biswajit , Das Netai , Ghoshal Arijit
Published: February 2025

The critical values of the screening parameters (β and θ) of the generalised exponential cosine screened potential (GECSCP), characterising the critical bound-continuum limit of the one-electron atoms interacting with this potential, have been calculated accurately by exploring the scattering state solution of the corresponding Schrodinger equation at the zero-energy. It is shown that the scattering length (SL) corresponding to an attractive potential becomes singular and the zero-energy resonance occurs when the potential loses the ability of supporting any bound state. More generally, when the potential loses the ability of holding a particular s bound state, the SL becomes singular. In order to obtain the SL, correct up to the twelfth decimal place, for the attractive GECSCP as a function of β and θ, the corresponding Schrodinger equation is solved numerically within the framework of the Numerov method containing an error of order 0.1 × 10-16. The quantitative and qualitative natures of the SL are then analysed in detail to obtain the accurate critical values of the screening parameters that correspond to the singularities of the SL. Special emphasis is given to study the critical behaviour of the cosine Coulomb potential. Our present results for the critical bound-continuum limit are in nice agreement with the hitherto established results.
Study of the settling and interactions of a pair of two-dimensional bottom-heavy squirmers in a vertical channel
Authors: Qi Ting ting , Lin Jianzhong , Ouyang Zhenyu
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT In this study, the squirmer model with a prescribed tangential velocity is used as a model for swimming microorganisms where its geometric center is offset from the center of mass (bottom-heavy). The settling behavior and interactions of two bottom-heavy squirmers in a vertical channel are simulated numerically under low Reynolds number. Five settling modes, i.e., stable vertical settling, stable inclined settling, wall-attracting oscillatory, oscillatory, and chaotic motion are identified. In addition to the swimming Reynolds number Res (0.1-1.0), density ratio γ (1.1-2.1), and swimming strength β (-7-7), another bottom-heavy parameter ER (the ratio of the distance from the center of mass to the geometric center relative to the radius, in the range of 0-0.75a0) is introduced. The effects of these parameters on the settling modes of bottom-heavy squirmers, terminal Reynolds number Ret, and interactions of the two bottom-heavy squirmers are discussed. The results showed that a pair of neutral bottom-heavy squirmers more easily achieved a stable structure at the channel center. In contrast, a pair of bottom-heavy pushers were more likely to be captured by the channel walls, leading to a stable structure near the walls. The stable symmetric structure of a pair of bottom-heavy pullers was disturbed, resulting in turbulence. Increasing the swimming strength β accelerates the settling of a pair of pushers. For different ER, the settling speed of two bottom-heavy pushers is greater than that of two bottom-heavy pullers. Additionally, the difference in settling speed between two bottom-heavy squirmers becomes more pronounced with an increase in Res. As γ increases, the settling behavior of bottom-heavy squirmers with high β differs from that of those with low β. Moreover, Ret of a pair of pushers gradually approaches that of neutral bottom-heavy squirmers.
Phonon-Assisted Photoluminescence and Exciton Recombination in Monolayer Aluminum Nitride
Authors: Yadav Pushpendra , Agarwal Amit , Bhattacharya Sitangshu
Published: February 2025

Efficient solid-state photon emitters with longer operating lifetimes in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range are crucial for optoelectronic devices. However, finding suitable material candidates has been a significant challenge. Here, we investigate wide bandgap hexagonal aluminum nitride (h-AlN) monolayers, a potential material candidate for efficient UV light source. From first-principle calculations, we investigate impact of electron-phonon interaction on single-particle spectrum and temperature-dependent bandgap renormalization of h-AlN monolayer. Additionally, temperature-dependent optical absorption and emission studied from finite-temperature Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) show significant impact of electron-phonon interaction. We calculate temperature-dependent non-radiative linewidths using the exciton-phonon coupling function that gives a parameter free exciton lifetimes. We demonstrate that h-AlN monolayers exhibit strong photoluminescence (PL) emission within the UV range of 3.94-4.05 eV. Furthermore, from the finite-momentum exciton spectrum calculation using BSE, we show that the PL emissions in indirect bandgap AlN are facilitated by phonon modes with finite lattice momentum. These phonon modes promote efficient recombination of electrons and holes having finite momentum difference q. Our findings provide a foundation for developing advanced optoelectronic devices and efficient UV light sources based on hexagonal AlN monolayers.
Ionically gated transistors based on two-dimensional materials for neuromorphic computing
Authors: Fullerton-Shirey Susan , Xu Ke
Published: February 2025

Neuromorphic computing is a low-power and energy efficient alternative to von Neumann computing that demands new materials and computing architectures. Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials and ions are a particularly favorable pair for neuromorphic computing. The large surface to volume ratio of 2D layered materials makes them sensitive to the presence of ions, detected as orders of magnitude change in electrical resistance. Quantum confinement of 2D crystals limits carrier scattering and enhances mobility, which decreases power consumption. Moreover, the 2D crystal-ion pair can provide volatile and non-volatile responses in the same device, as well as dynamic synaptic properties, such as spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). These dynamic properties are particularly relevant because they mirror the mechanisms involved in biological learning and memory. In this perspective, we first summarize recent progress in the field, categorize 2D crystal-ion devices in terms of their mechanisms (either electrostatic or electrochemical), and highlight key synaptic functionalities these devices can replicate. We underscore the differences between artificial and biological synapses, and between devices meant to emulate biological functions versus those optimized for compatibility with digital artificial neural networks (ANNs). We note that the use of ionically gated transistors based on 2D crystals (2D IGTs) in ANNs has primarily focused on their non-volatile memory functions, rather than fully exploiting their dynamic synaptic properties. We assert that the energy-efficient operation of ionically gated transistors based on 2D crystals, enabled by their high capacitance density and tunable ion dynamics, makes them particularly suited for low-power edge computing applications. Finally, our perspective is that realizing the full potential of 2D crystals and ions in neuromorphic systems will require bridging the gap between demonstrated synaptic functionalities and their practical implementations in neural networks.
Cu(Pd)-N-C catalysts with ORR activity were prepared through magnetron sputtering and ion implantation.
Authors: Li Tengfei , Yan Nongyang , Wang Kun , Wu Zhengwei
Published: February 2025

Developing efficient and clean energy conversion technologies is paramount in depleting fossil fuel resources and escalating environmental pollution. Hydrogen fuel cells are increasingly seen as a potential answer to energy needs, thanks to their high energy conversion efficiency and clean, zero-emission function. Nonetheless, the slow pace of the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction and the high costs associated with platinum catalysts have restricted their widespread use. This study employed magnetron sputtering and ion implantation techniques to address the challenge of preparing Cu-N-C and Cu(Pd)-N-C catalysts. Experiments were conducted using glass carbon as the substrate. Cu-N-C catalyst films were successfully prepared by adjusting parameters such as the Ar and N2 ratio, sputtering power, and sputtering time. Subsequently, Cu(Pd)-N-C catalysts were synthesized by implanting different doses of Pd metal into the Cu-N-C films using ion implantation technology. The catalysts' morphology, structure, and elemental composition were analyzed using SEM, EDS, XRD, and XPS characterization techniques. Electrochemical performance tests revealed that, compared to the Cu-N-C catalyst without Pd implantation, the Cu(Pd)-N-C catalyst at an ion implantation dosage of 1×10¹⁷/cm² exhibited a significant enhancement in ORR performance, with the Eonset and E1/2 being 98 mV and 163 mV higher, respectively. A substantial increase in current density at 0.75 V. These findings underscore the effectiveness of magnetron sputtering and ion implantation in preparing catalysts and offer valuable insights for advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology. Mainly, they highlight the potential of non-platinum catalysts in reducing costs and enhancing the efficiency of fuel cells, which could be a significant step forward in the realm of clean energy.
On the Feasibility of an Online Brain-Computer Interface-based Neurofeedback Game for Enhancing Attention and Working Memory in Stroke and Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients
Authors: T A Suhail , Ramakrishnan Subasree , Vinod A P , Alladi Suvarna
Published: February 2025

Background: Neurofeedback training (NFT) using Electroencephalogram-based Brain Computer Interface (EEG-BCI) is an emerging therapeutic tool for enhancing cognition. Methods: We developed an EEG-BCI-based NFT game for enhancing attention and working memory of stroke and Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. The game involves a working memory task during which the players memorize locations of images in a matrix and refill them correctly using their attention levels. The proposed NFT was conducted across fifteen subjects (6 Stroke, 7 MCI, and 2 healthy). The effectiveness of the NFT was evaluated using the percentage of correctly filled matrix elements and EEG-based attention score. EEG varitions during working memory tasks were also investigated using EEG topographs and EEG-based indices. Results: The EEG-based attention score showed an enhancement ranging from 4.29-32.18% in the Stroke group from the first session to the third session, while in the MCI group, the improvement ranged from 4.32% to 48.25%. We observed significant differences in EEG band powers during working memory operation between the stroke and MCI groups. Significance: The proposed neurofeedback game operates based on attention and aims to improve multiple cognitive functions, including attention and working memory, in patients with stroke and MCI. Conclusions: The experimental results on the effect of NFT in patient groups demonstrated that the proposed neurofeedback game has the potential to enhance attention and memory skills in patients with neurological disorders. A large-scale study is needed in the future to prove the efficacy on a wider population.
Jewish Law and Incorporation of Local Law: Theories of Why, What, and When
Authors: Broyde Michael J , Elazar-De Mota Yehonatan
Published: February 2025

This chapter explores the complex relationship between Jewish law and local secular legal systems, examining the historical and jurisprudential theories that govern when and why Jewish law incorporates external laws. Through the principle of dina demalkhuta dina (the law of the land is law), Jewish law acknowledges the validity of secular law, particularly in areas such as commerce and civil matters, while maintaining its autonomy in ritual law. The chapter reviews four key rabbinic theories that justify when external legal systems are integrated into Jewish law, exploring the nuanced conditions under which such integration occurs. It also covers the legal and ethical foundations for respecting foreign legal systems and treaties, demonstrating Jewish law’s pragmatic adaptability in interactions with other legal traditions.
Jewish Law and International Law: The Present
Authors: Broyde Michael J , Elazar-De Mota Yehonatan
Published: February 2025

This chapter explores the contemporary relationship between Jewish law and international law, particularly within the modern State of Israel. It examines how Israeli rabbinic authorities and legal scholars navigate the tensions between Jewish legal autonomy and the obligations of international legal frameworks, especially in areas such as human rights, state sovereignty, and global governance. The chapter also highlights the intellectual debates within Israeli legal circles regarding how Jewish law interacts with international norms, exploring the balance between preserving Jewish legal distinctiveness and engaging with the global legal community. It underscores the dynamic and ongoing integration of these two systems in the present era.
‘The Greatest Permanent Link between this Country and the East’: Cricket Diplomacy at the End of the British Empire in South Asia, c.1932–1950
Authors: Naha Souvik
Published: February 2025

This article examines England’s cricketing contacts with India and Pakistan in the 1930s-1940s and the extent to which cricket constituted a situational diplomatic tool for Britain’s bid to retain close ties with its former colonies in the Indian subcontinent. Through a study of cricket diplomacy, it deepens our understanding of the end of the British Empire in South Asia and the provenance of the Commonwealth system. Seeking to analyse cricket’s significance for state-led policy of reconciliation, the article makes three important contributions to the study of imperial and Commonwealth history and the history of sport. First, it calls for a rethinking of the nature of Britain’s co-operation and conflict with South Asia by examining a form of cultural exchange (in this case, cricket) as a forum of diplomacy at both public and institutional levels. Secondly, it enhances the understanding of sport’s role in Britain’s Commonwealth and postcolonial relations. It gives special attention to political consciousness in Britain around the question of decolonising South Asia by analysing views on cricket as a vehicle for internationalism. Thirdly, it offers new insights into the internal tensions and divergent interests of state and non-state actors in mediating post-war international collaboration and the British sphere of influence. In this regard, it discusses cultural diplomacy as a means of shaping Britain’s international outlook, and enriches the historiography of state-led cultural missions.
Enhancing clinical documentation with ambient artificial intelligence: a quality improvement survey assessing clinician perspectives on work burden, burnout, and job satisfaction
Authors: Albrecht Michael , Shanks Denton , Shah Tina , Hudson Taina , Thompson Jeffrey , Filardi Tanya , Wright Kelli , Ator Gregory A , Smith Timothy Ryan
Published: February 2025

Objective

This study evaluates the impact of an ambient artificial intelligence (AI) documentation platform on clinicians’ perceptions of documentation workflow.

Materials and Methods

An anonymous pre- and non-anonymous post-implementation survey evaluated ambulatory clinician perceptions on impact of Abridge, an ambient AI documentation platform. Outcomes included clinical documentation burden, work after-hours, clinician burnout, and work satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and proportional odds logistic regression to compare changes for concordant questions across pre- and post-surveys. Covariate analysis examined effect of specialty type and duration of AI tool usage.

Results

Survey response rates were 51.9% (93/181) pre-implementation and 74.4% (99/133) post-implementation. Clinician perception of ease of documentation workflow (OR = 6.91, 95% CI: 3.90-12.56, P <.001) and in completing notes associated with usage of the AI tool (OR = 4.95, 95% CI: 2.87-8.69, P <.001) was significantly improved. Most respondents agreed that the AI tool decreased documentation burden, decreased the time spent documenting outside clinical hours, reduced burnout risk, and increased job satisfaction, with 48% agreeing that an additional patient could be seen if needed. Clinician specialty type and number of days using the AI tool did not significantly affect survey responses.

Discussion

Clinician experience and efficiency was improved with use of Abridge across a breadth of specialties.

Conclusion

An ambient AI documentation platform had tremendous impact on improving clinician experience within a short time frame. Future studies should utilize validated instruments for clinician efficiency and burnout and compare impact across AI platforms.
Effects of soybean gums and soybean soapstocks on weanling pig growth performance, fecal dry matter, and apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter
Authors: Gaffield Katelyn N , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , Denny Gordon , Slipher Carmen , Krishnan Hari B , Gebhardt Jordan T
Published: February 2025

Depending on the processing plant, gums and soapstocks may be added back to soybean meal. There is potential for these by-products to serve as an affordable energy source for swine due to their residual oil content. A total of 350 pigs (Line 241 × 600, DNA; initially 5.3 ± 0.02 kg) were weaned at approximately 19 d of age and used in a 42-d experiment. At weaning, pigs were randomly assigned to pens and allotted to 1 of 5 treatments. There were 5 pigs per pen and 14 pens per treatment. Diets were fed in 3 phases: phase 1 from weaning to d 11, phase 2 from d 11 to 23, and phase 3 from d 23 to 42. Treatments included a control diet containing soybean meal with no added soybean by-products. Two additional diets contained gums or soapstocks at 4% of the soybean meal level in the diet. Another treatment diet contained soybean meal with 2% added soybean gums and 2% added soybean soapstocks. Lastly, a negative control contained 4% less soybean meal with no added by-products to have equal protein from soybean meal to diets with added gums or soapstocks. Feces were collected on d 11 and 23 from 3 pigs per pen to determine fecal dry matter (DM). Fecal samples taken on d 23 were used to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM. From d 0 to 11 (phase 1) and d 11 to 23 (phase 2), there was no evidence of differences (P > 0.10) for any growth response criteria. From d 23 to 42 (phase 3), pigs fed soybean meal with added gums had increased (P = 0.05) average daily gain (ADG). However, there was no evidence for differences (P > 0.10) in average daily feed intake (ADFI) or gain-to-feed ratio (G:F). For the overall experimental period (d 0 to 42), there was no evidence of differences (P > 0.10) due to dietary treatment for ADG, ADFI, or G:F. Fecal DM was approximately 19% on both d 11 and 23 and was not affected (P > 0.10) by treatment. There was an interaction (P = 0.019) between soybean gum and soapstocks for the ATTD of DM. When adding 4% gums to the diet, there was an improvement in the ATTD of DM; however, there was no evidence of differences when adding 4% soapstocks or 2% gums and 2% soapstocks to soybean meal. These data suggest adding soybean processing by-products to soybean meal has minimal effects on nursery pig growth performance. However, there is a potential for improved ADG in the late nursery period when soybean meal containing added gums is included in the diet.
Evaluating knowledge of ticks and tick-borne diseases among Indiana healthcare professionals
Authors: Sherpa Phurchhoki , Kaur Jasleen , Murgia Maria V , Sadof Clifford , Pfeiffer Linda , Hill Catherine A
Published: February 2025

Ticks and tick-borne disease (TBD) risks are increasing in Indiana and North America. The successful prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TBDs requires healthcare professionals be well-informed and prepared. This study reports the findings of a 2020 online survey of 465 Indiana healthcare professionals, designed to assess their knowledge of ticks and TBDs and identify factors influencing total knowledge scores. The survey included 24 discrete/ordinal questions and one open-ended question. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, t-tests, and the Boruta algorithm, were conducted in R. Indiana healthcare professionals scored 30.8% for tick- and 57.9% for disease-related questions. Professionals scored higher on most disease-related questions, including (i) the importance of prompt tick removal to reduce TBD transmission risk, (ii) that not all Lyme disease cases present with bull’s-eye rash, and (iii) the signs and symptoms of TBDs. They scored lower on tick-related questions, including (i) the tick species capable of transmitting diseases to humans, (ii) TBDs considered endemic, (iii) the distribution of Ixodes scapularis (deer tick), and (iv) regions considered higher risk for Lyme disease transmission in Indiana. Knowledge scores varied across demographic categories, with the use of online resources identified as the most important predictor of total knowledge scores. These findings highlight the importance of increasing awareness of existing resources, expanding online educational materials to cover TBDs beyond Lyme disease, and promoting self-guided learning. Achieving these goals will require collaboration among state and public health agencies, healthcare professionals, research institutions, and community outreach partners.
D-vine Generalized Additive Model copula-based quantile regression with application to ensemble postprocessing
Authors: Jobst David , Möller Annette , Groß Jürgen
Published: February 2025

The D-vine copula-based quantile regression (DVQR) is a powerful tool for weather forecasting, as it is able to select informative predictor variables from a large set and takes account of nonlinear relationships among them. However, DVQR shows in its current form a lack in adaptively modelling strongly varying effects among variables, such as temporal and/or spatial effects. Consequently, we propose an extension of the current DVQR, where we specify the parameters of the bivariate copulas in the D-vine copula through Kendall’s τ to which additional covariates are linked. The parameterization of the correlation parameter allows generalized additive models (GAMs) to incorporate, e.g. linear, nonlinear, and spatial effects as well as interactions. The new method is called GAM-DVQR, and its performance is illustrated in a case study on postprocessing 2 m surface temperature ensemble weather forecasts. We investigate constant as well as time-dependent Kendall’s τ correlation models. The results indicate that the GAM-DVQR models are able to identify time-dependent correlations and significantly outperform state-of-the-art postprocessing methods. Furthermore, the introduced temporal parameterization allows a more economical and faster model estimation in comparison to DVQR using a sliding training window. To complement this article, we provide an R-package for our method called gamvinereg.
Marginal ulcer perforation after one anastomosis gastric bypass: a case report
Authors: Rios Christian , Verboonen Sergio , Romero Jeffry , Ponce de Leon Jaime , Ribadeneira Alex Guachilema
Published: February 2025

One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) has gained popularity and it is currently the third most frequently performed bariatric procedure worldwide. A marginal ulcer (MU) at the anastomosis site between the gastric pouch and the small intestine is a common complication of gastric bypass procedures but a rare complication of OAGB. Risk factors for MUs include cigarette smoking, alcohol misuse, and Helicobacter pylori infection. MU symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting; however, some patients are asymptomatic. MU perforations are repaired as follows: laparoscopy with or without ulcer debridement, omental patch closure, conversion into Y gastric bypass, or reoperation. This report describes MU perforations in two patients after OAGB.
Three Good Questions for Faculty and Their Mentors in Support of Academic Career Development
Authors: Freeland Deborah G. , Verbsky Jennifer , Babbott Stewart
Published: February 2025

Faculty mentorship is essential for a successful career in academic medicine, and effective support includes a commitment between a faculty member and mentor to navigate through competing interests and priorities. Many faculty mentorship programs have been described. However, the program content, including guidance tools and guiding questions, are less often defined.

To address this gap, the authors draw on their faculty mentor-mentee experience in academic medicine to propose a set of guiding questions in this Commentary called “3 good questions.” This supplemental tool encourages mentors to ask of their mentees: (1) Are you doing what you love? (2) Are you making it count twice? (3) Are you staying focused? These questions can be incorporated during mentorship discussion sessions and can be answered in a stepwise approach to reflect, confirm, and explore a mentee’s needs in the short- and long-term for a successful career in academic medicine.
Propranolol As an Anxiolytic to Reduce the Use of Sedatives for Critically Ill Adults Receiving Mechanical Ventilation (PROACTIVE): An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Downar James , Lapenskie Julie , Kanji Salmaan , Watpool Irene , Haines Jessica , Saeed Uzma , Porteous Rebecca , Polskaia Nadia , Burry Lisa , Himed Shuhira , Anderson Koby , Fox-Robichaud Alison
Published: February 2025

OBJECTIVES:

Surges in demand for sedatives for mechanical ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic caused shortages of sedatives globally. Propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker, has been associated with reduced agitation and sedative needs in observational studies. We aimed to test whether propranolol could reduce the dose of sedatives needed in mechanically ventilated patients.

DESIGN:

Open-label randomized controlled trial.

SETTING:

Three academic hospitals.

SUBJECTS:

Any nonparalyzed patient receiving mechanical ventilation and requiring high-dose sedatives.

INTERVENTIONS:

Enteral propranolol 20–60 mg every 6 hours titrated to effect in the intervention group; all participants received protocol-titrated sedation with propofol or midazolam.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Mean change in 24 hours dose of sedative from baseline to day 3, proportion of sedation scores within target, and occurrence rate of adverse events. We enrolled a planned 72 patients between January 2021 and October 2022. Sixty-nine percent were male with a mean (sd) age of 54 years (15.91 yr). Most were admitted for COVID or non-COVID pneumonia. Intervention participants received propranolol for a mean of 10 days (mean daily dose, 90 mg). There was a significantly larger decrease in sedative dose from baseline (54% vs. 34%; p = 0.048) and more sedation assessments within target range (48% vs. 35%; p < 0.0001) in the intervention group compared with controls. There were no differences in mortality or adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS:

Propranolol is an inexpensive drug that effectively lowered the need for sedatives in critically ill patients managed in the COVID-19 pandemic. Propranolol may help preserve limited supplies of sedatives while achieving target sedation.
Ultrasound Measurement of Thyroid Volume in Healthy Children
Authors: Özdikici Mete
Published: February 2025

Various thyroid diseases can lead to changes in the volume of the gland. Therefore, it is important to know the normal thyroid volume. The primary aim of this investigation was to establish normative values for thyroid gland volume using ultrasonography in children aged 0–18 years in Turkey.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on thyroid ultrasound findings from 800 children (400 boys, 400 girls) between 2019 and 2020. Pediatric age groups were classified into 20 categories for children aged 0–18. Among these 20 groups, the initial 3 pertain to the 0–1 age range, encompassing infants aged 0–1 month, 1–6 months, and 6–12 months. Each age group consisted of 20 boys and 20 girls.

The volume of each thyroid lobe was computed in milliliters using Brunn's formula, which involves multiplying the maximal anteroposterior diameter, mediolateral diameter, and craniocaudal diameter of the lobe by the correction factor 0.479.

Data analysis employed the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS version 24.0. All analyses were conducted at a 95% confidence interval, and significance was set at P < 0.05.

Mean thyroid volumes of 800 children were determined for each age group. Thyroid volume exhibited a strong correlation with age. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.987 (P = 0.001).

Given the scarcity of comprehensive studies in the literature focusing on thyroid volume in children aged 0–18 across various age groups, we believe that our findings for each age group can provide valuable insights for daily clinical practice.
New Surgical Frailty Scoring Tool: Modified 4-Factor Functional Frailty Index (mFF-4)
Authors: Agathis Alexandra Z , Wu Jeanne , Divino Celia M
Published: February 2025

Background:

Frailty is the age-related decline in functional reserve, resulting in physical and disease vulnerability. The established 5-Factor Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5), based on the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, is predictive but does not encompass core components of frailty – namely physical abilities, cognitive status, and nutrition. Thus, we sought to establish a scoring index more indicative of the frailty phenotype.

Study Design:

Our retrospective study included patients ≥ 75 years of age, from NSQIP 2021-2022. The Modified 4-Factor Functional Frailty Index (mFF-4) is calculated by summing each present variable: prior falls, dementia, low body mass index, and non-independent functional status. Patients were stratified into frailty levels: none (mFF-4=0), intermediate (mFF-4=1), and high (mFF-4=2+). Area under the curve (AUC) and Akaike information criterion (AIC) values assessed predictability relative to the reference mFI-5. Odds ratios for 30-day outcomes were calculated using logistic regression.

Results:

The sample included n=265,041. Median age was 79 (interquartile range 77-84). The mFF-4 AUCs were consistently higher than mFI-5; mFF-4=2+ AUCs were 0.8679 for mortality, 0.7298 for postoperative complications, and 0.7645 for geriatric outcomes. Delta(AICs) values exceeded 2, favoring mFF-4 models. Compared to non-frail, mFF-4=2+ had increased odds of mortality (odds ratio 2.47, confidence interval 2.31-2.63), postoperative complications (1.37, 1.32-1.43), and geriatric outcomes (4.54, 4.30-4.79).

Conclusions:

The new mFF-4 scoring tool embodies the true frailty phenotype to accurately predict 30-day outcomes across surgical subspecialties and the overall population. It can serve as a new NSQIP “frailty” definition, while also providing a framework for surgeons and patients alike to conceptualize the elevated risks it poses.
Winding and magnetic helicity in periodic domains
Authors: Xiao Daining , Prior Christopher B. , Yeates Anthony R.
Published: February 2025

In simply-connected Euclidean domains, it is well-known that the topological complexity of a given magnetic field can be quantified by its magnetic helicity, which is equivalent to the total, flux-weighted winding number of magnetic field lines. Often considered in analytical and numerical studies are domains periodic in two lateral dimensions (periodic domains) which are multiply-connected and homeomorphic to a 2-torus. Whether this equivalence can be generalised to periodic domains remains an open question, first posed by Berger (Berger 1996
J. Geophys. Res
.
102
, 2637–2644 (
doi:10.1029/96JA01896
)). In this particle, we answer in the affirmative by defining the novel periodic winding of curves and identifying a vector potential that recovers the topological interpretation of magnetic helicity as winding. Key properties of the topologically defined magnetic helicity in periodic domains are also proved, including its time-conservation in ideal magnetohydrodynamical flows, its connection to Fourier approaches, and its relationship to gauge transformations.
The benefits and risks of maternal RSV vaccination on mortality in South Africa: a modelling study
Authors: Monoi Ayaka , Endo Akira , Procter Simon R , Leuba Sequoia I. , Flasche Stefan , Jit Mark ,   Maternal RSV vaccine benefit-risk advisory group, Beutels Philippe , Cohen Cheryl , Feikin Daniel R. , Koltai Mihaly , Madhi Shabir A. , Moyes Jocelyn , Munywoki Patrick K. , Nyiro Joyce , Nyawanda Bryan O. , Sparrow Erin , Zar Heather J
Published: February 2025

Background

Maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, RSV prefusion F protein vaccine (RSVpreF (Abrysvo®)), was found to be safe and efficacious in its phase III trial. However, post-hoc stratified analyses identified an excess of preterm births in the intervention arm in two upper middle-income countries, most prominently in South Africa. This study weighs the potential benefits and risks in mortality associated with maternal RSV vaccination in South Africa, assuming the increased risk of preterm births observed in the trial was caused by vaccination.

Methods and Findings

We compared the estimated RSV-associated infant deaths averted by vaccination (benefits) and neonatal mortality potentially associated with vaccine-associated risk in preterm birth (risks) in South Africa. The benefit model estimated the South African RSV disease burden in 2011-16 and waning vaccine protection during infancy. The risk model estimated excess neonatal mortality using gestational age (GA)-specific mortality data from a South African cohort study and the GA-specific birth distribution in South Africa in the trial, but did not incorporate the mortality risk found in the vaccine trial in which no excess deaths occurred.

The benefit model estimated that vaccination would reduce RSV-associated infant deaths by 31 (95% Credible Interval (Crl): 27, 35) per 100,000 live births born to vaccinated mothers in South Africa. The risk model suggested that neonatal deaths would increase by 44 (95%CrI: −43, 210) with vaccination at 24-36 GA weeks, totaling 1.4 (95%CrI: −1.4, 7.0) excess neonatal deaths for every infant RSV death prevented. Using the data for infants born to mothers vaccinated at 27-36 GA weeks, the predicted risks sharply dropped and in 98% of the simulations the benefits outweighed the risks.

Conclusions

If RSVpreF increases preterm birth risk, and if this increases neonatal mortality, then the benefit-risk analysis did not show that the direct benefits of vaccination in reducing RSV-associated infant mortality would substantially outweigh the risks of preterm birth-associated neonatal mortality in South Africa with vaccination from 24 GA weeks. There was large uncertainty in the analyses due to small numbers of preterm births. With vaccination from the third trimester, the benefit-risk analysis favoured vaccination.
Joint linear modeling of transcriptomics and proteomics is predictive of cancer metastasis
Authors: Sharma Ronit , Meimetis Nikolaos , Begzati Arjana , Nagar Shashwat Depali , Kellman Benjamin , Baghdassarian Hratch M.
Published: February 2025

Cancer metastasis, a process in which cancer cells migrate to secondary sites, accounts for 90% of cancer deaths. While machine learning has been used to predict metastasis in a variety of ways, they tend to be specific to tumor types or classification tasks. Here, we provide a pan-cancer machine learning model that is easily interpretable and directly links the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles of hundreds of cancer cell lines from DepMap with metastasis in a tissue-agnostic manner. We show that, for the relatively small sample size here, linear models perform just as well as non-linear models, including neural networks. We also demonstrate that transcriptomics outperforms proteomics for predictive tasks. However, the combination of both transcriptomics and proteomics leads to an overall increase in performance, indicating that these modalities can complement each other. Finally, we demonstrate that those features identified as most important by the joint omics linear model fit are over-represented in biological pathways related to metastasis, suggesting that the model learns relevant information that may be useful in identifying universal biomarkers or therapeutic targets of cancer metastasis.
Hypoxia-Induced Cardiopulmonary Remodeling and Recovery: Critical Roles of the Proximal Pulmonary Artery, Macrophages, and Exercise
Authors: Ramachandra Abhay B. , Sharma Prapti , De Man Ruben , Nikola Fadi , Guerrera Nicole , Doddaballapur Pramath , Cavinato Cristina , Choi Rira , Raredon Micha Sam Brickman , Szafron Jason M. , Zhuang Zhen W. , Barnthaler Thomas , Justet Aurelien , Akingbesote Ngozi D. , Abu Hussein Nebal S. , Diggs Lonnette , Perry Rachel J. , Adams Taylor S. , Singh Inderjit , Kaminski Naftali , Yan Xiting , Tellides George , Humphrey Jay D. , Manning Edward P.
Published: February 2025

Hypoxemia impairs cardiopulmonary function. We investigated pulmonary artery remodeling in mice exposed to chronic hypoxia for up to five weeks and quantified associated changes in cardiac and lung function, without or with subsequent normoxic recovery in the absence or presence of exercise or pharmacological intervention. Hypoxia-induced stiffening of the proximal pulmonary artery stemmed primarily from remodeling of the adventitial collagen, which resulted in part from altered inter-cellular signaling associated with phenotypic changes in the mural smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Such stiffening appeared to precede and associate with both right ventricular and lung dysfunction, with changes emerging to similar degrees regardless of the age of onset of hypoxia during postnatal development. Key homeostatic target values of the wall mechanics were recovered by the pulmonary arteries with normoxic recovery while other values recovered only partially. Overall cardiopulmonary dysfunction due to hypoxia was similarly only partially reversible. Remodeling of the cardiopulmonary system due to hypoxia is a complex, multi-scale process that involves maladaptations of the proximal pulmonary artery.
Small, Open-Source Text-Embedding Models as Substitutes to OpenAI Models for Gene Analysis
Authors: Gan Dailin , Li Jun
Published: February 2025

While foundation transformer-based models developed for gene expression data analysis can be costly to train and operate, a recent approach known as GenePT offers a low-cost and highly efficient alternative. GenePT utilizes OpenAI’s text-embedding function to encode background information, which is in textual form, about genes. However, the closed-source, online nature of OpenAI’s text-embedding service raises concerns regarding data privacy, among other issues. In this paper, we explore the possibility of replacing OpenAI’s models with open-source transformer-based text-embedding models. We identified ten models from Hugging Face that are small in size, easy to install, and light in computation. Across all four gene classification tasks we considered, some of these models have outperformed OpenAI’s, demonstrating their potential as viable, or even superior, alternatives. Additionally, we find that fine-tuning these models often does not lead to significant improvements in performance.
Regional and whole-brain neurofunctional alterations during pain empathic processing of physical but not affective pain in migraine patients
Authors: Liu Dan , Li Menghan , Jiang Heng , Mi Yiqi , Xu Xiaolei , Zhou Yali , Hou Yaxian , Shen Yuquan , Maes Michael , Xiao Xiao , Zhou Feng , Giani Luca , Kendrick Keith M. , Becker Benjamin , Ferraro Stefania
Published: February 2025

Background

Accumulating evidence suggests that migraine patients present abnormal brain responses to salient sensory and emotional stimuli. However, it is still unclear whether this is a generalized or domain-specific phenomenon. Employing a well-validated fMRI paradigm, we investigated pain empathic reactivity across two domains: observation of physical pain (noxious stimulation) and affective pain (facial expressions). On the basis of a generalized hyperexcitability/hyperreactivity in migraine, we hypothesized abnormal responses to both dimensions of pain empathy.

Methods

We collected fMRI and psychometric data from 21 migraine patients and matched controls. Univariate and multivariate neuroimaging analyses were utilized to examine domain-specific dysregulations in (a) neural reactivity in meta-analytically defined shared regions of pain-empathy processing, and (b) whole-brain neurofunctional signatures of physical and affective pain empathy (VPS, Zhou et al., 2020). Logistic regression models and machine learning-based classification were employed to determine differences between groups (migraine or control).

Results

Migraine patients exhibit increased neural responses during empathy for physical pain in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus (slightly more pronounced on the right side), with alterations on the right significantly associated with the pain experienced during the attack. On the whole-brain level, the predictive accuracy of the VPS for physical pain empathy was shown to be significantly higher for patients as compared to controls, reaching 100% accuracy. Across analyses, we did not find evidence of altered empathy processing for affective pain.

Conclusion

Contrary to our hypothesis, our results indicate that migraine patients present a domain-specific increased brain responsivity, localized in the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus but also extending to subtle whole brain patterns, during empathy for physical pain stimuli, but not during empathy for affective pain. Based on the evidence that the neural pathways for empathy for physical pain and experimental pain robustly overlap, these results indicate a specific hyperresponsivity of the pain pathways, with the inferior frontal gyrus likely playing a regulatory role in modulating pain-related processes. Finally, the results underscore the translational application potential of neuroaffective multivariate signatures as neuromarkers for pathological dysregulations in affective and pain-related processes.
Relationship Between Circulating FGF21 and Bone Mineral Density: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Peterson Matthew , Czanstkowski Sydney , Richardson Kathleen A. , Funderburk LesLee
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has metabolic regulating effects on the body and exhibits endocrine-like effects on the body. Prior research has indicated that FGF21 may modulate bone density; however, the extent to which FGF21 can alter bone density and the effect of biological sex remains understudied.

Methods

A total of 25 individuals (Female = 13, Male =12) volunteered to have their whole body bone density measured using Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and blood drawn on two separate occasions. Serum samples were analyzed for FGF21 concentration and concentration value was averaged between the two samples, all blood samples were drawn during the mid-follicular phase in female participants. The relationship between FGF21 and markers of bone density was examined using Pearson correlations.

Results

Whole-body BMD (wb-BMD) was negatively correlated with FGF21 across the whole sample (r= -0.53,p< 0.05). When stratifying the sample by biological sex, wb-BMD was negatively correlated with FGF21 in females (r= -0.72,p< 0.05) and in males (r= -0.18,p> 0.05); however, in males this relationship was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

FGF21 appears to be negatively correlated to bone density in humans with a significant relationship in females but not in males.
Transepithelial/endothelial electrical measurement using a low-cost and customizable Arduino-based sensor
Authors: Lattanzi Davide , Montesi Ludovica , Sartini Alice , Rauti Rossana
Published: February 2025

Transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) is a label-free assay that is commonly used to assess tissue barrier integrity. Although commercial TEER meters are available, they are expensive and difficult to customize, which hinders researchers hoping to incorporate them in other research platforms. In the past few years, microcontrollers have risen in popularity for electrical signaling and general programming, of which Arduino is the most popular platform due to its scalability, simplicity and low price. This work presents the development of a completely customized, user-friendly and low-cost TEER meter that is Arduino-based and capable of continuous measurements and automated data collection. We demonstrate the stability of the instrument to measure long-term real-time barrier formation and disruption of an epithelial and endothelial cell line. The design simplicity and low-cost of the components make this technology transferrable to other laboratories for TEER and biological barriers research.
Optochemical control over mRNA translation by photocaged phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotides in vivo
Authors: Tarbashevich Katsiaryna , Ghosh Atanu , Das Arnab , Kuilya Debajyoti , Nath Shrama Swrajit , Sinha Surajit , Raz Erez
Published: February 2025

A key regulatory step in protein synthesis is the initiation of mRNA translation. We developed an efficient, robust, and broadly applicable system for light-induced protein translation to control the production of proteins of interest and study their function. The method is based on the displacement of a single type of antisense morpholino from RNA by the uncaged guanidinium-linked morpholino (GMO)- phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligonucleotide (PMO) chimera upon UV irradiation. The GMO-PMO chimera designed here is cell-permeable and the GMO part can be produced employing a new mercury-free approach compatible with the synthesis on solid support. We demonstrate the function of this novel optochemical approach in live embryos by inducing, at desired times and locations, the expression of proteins that label specific cells, ablate tissue regions, and affect embryonic development. Together, our results demonstrate that the cell-permeable GMO-PMO chimera offers a unique strategy for controlling the function of mRNAs of interest. This method allows for the production of proteins at specific times and positions within live organisms, facilitating numerous applications in biomedical research and therapy.