bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Science Attitude Scale for Middle School Students with Special Needs Studying in Inclusive Education Program
Authors: Kolomuç Ali , Demir Sağlam Münire
Published: January 2025

The attitudes of students with special needs towards science course may not be the same as other students due to their individual differences, and science attitude scales in the literature may not be subjective enough to express their attitudes. It is believed that the development of a customized scale to measure the attitudes of students with special needs towards science course will contribute to both teachers and students and to the literature. This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable science attitude scale for secondary school students with special needs in inclusive education. In addition, the developed science scale was also used to investigate how the variables of duration of support education, gender, grade level and number of siblings of students with special needs affect the science attitudes of secondary school students with special needs in inclusive education. The scale was administered to 310 middle school students receiving inclusive education in 10 different cities in Turkey in the 2021–2022 academic year. A 5-point Likert-type scale was used within the cross-sectional survey model. In the first stage of the scale development process, the theoretical infrastructure of attitudes towards science was formed by examining the relevant national and international literature. After the science attitude scale was checked by the experts, necessary corrections were made for the final form of the scale. During the preparation of the scale, a literature review was conducted, expert opinions were received, and the attitudes scale was created as a result of necessary corrections and analyses of obtained the data. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed to reveal the construct validity of the attitudes scale. According to the results of the analysis of the one-dimensional and 10-item scale, it was seen that the model fitted well with the data set and the reliability coefficients were acceptable values. To examine the “Science Attitude Scale for Inclusion Students” in terms of some variables, it was applied to 95 middle school students with special needs in inclusive education. The effects of gender differences, receiving support education in support rooms, support education duration, and the number of sibling were analyzed via t-test and the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that the scale had a valid and reliable structure, and student’s grade level and support education status affected students’ attitudes. It can be recommended to carry out similar studies with different sample groups and different variables that may affect the attitudes of students with special needs.
Disability Benefit and Gambling Disorder: A Longitudinal Study Based on National Registry Data
Authors: Kolberg Eirin , Smith Otto R. F. , Leino Tony , Pallesen Ståle , Griffiths Mark D. , Mentzoni Rune Aune , Syvertsen André
Published: January 2025

Rates of gambling disorder (GD) have been found to be higher among people receiving disability benefit, but few studies have investigated whether receiving disability benefit prospectively actually increases the risk of GD. The present study investigated whether those with a disability benefit had an increased risk of developing GD using a case-control design. The study sample was retrieved from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR, N = 5,131) and consisted of all adults in Norway (18 years and older) who had received a GD diagnosis (F63.0 according to ICD-10) between 2008 and 2018. The study group was age and sex matched with a random sample from the (1) general population (FD-trygd, n = 30,164), and (2) and individuals with other somatic or psychiatric illnesses (NPR, n = 30,476). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that people receiving disability benefit had higher odds of later being diagnosed with GD compared to the general population (odds ratio [OR] = 2.27, 95% CI [2.02, 2.54]), and compared to individuals in the NPR (OR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.90, 2.38]). Recipients of disability benefit constitute a group who is vulnerable in terms of developing GD. Although the present study found evidence for a prospective association, causality could not be established. The study identified a cohort that may benefit from targeted prevention and intervention strategies regarding gambling behavior.
Teaching Spirituality in Nursing: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Afonso Ana , Sitefane Sara , Fabri Janaína , Rabiais Isabel , Caldeira Sílvia
Published: January 2025

The study of spirituality in nursing education has become an emerging academic field, making it important to understand its evolution using bibliometric indicators. To achieve this, a search was conducted on July 8, 2024, using the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Titles and abstracts were screened in Rayyan, and data analysis was performed using Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny in the R language. A total of two hundred thirty documents published between 1981 and 2024 were included. The United States contributed the most publications (n = 70), and Wilfred McSherry was the most prolific author, with 16 publications and the highest h-index. Nurse Education Today was the journal with the most publications. Transition themes identified include spiritual competence and spiritual care education.
DELTO Study: Delphi Consensus on Long-Term Textbook Outcome After Metabolic Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Kuipers Ellen A. M. , van der Laan Lindsy , Kaijser Mirjam A. , Timmerman Josien G. , Veeger Nic , van Beek André P. , Emous Marloes , van Det Marc J.
Published: January 2025

Background

This study aimed to create a comprehensive Core Outcome Set (COS) for assessing the long-term outcome (≥ 5 years) after Metabolic Bariatric Surgery (MBS), through the use of the Delphi method.

Methods

The study utilized a three-phase approach. In Phase 1, a long list of items was identified through a literature review and expert input, forming the basis for an online Delphi survey. In Phase 2, Dutch healthcare professionals involved in MBS care, defined as having at least 1 year of experience in routine follow-up or managing issues arising during follow-up, rated the importance of these items over three Delphi rounds using a 5-point Likert scale. Participants had the option to suggest additional items. Consensus was defined as 75% agreement among panelists. In Phase 3, the final COS was validated at a national conference.

Results

Thirty-one professionals participated in the first Delphi round. Of these, 28 (90%) completed the second round, and 24 (77%) completed the third round. The final COS, validated by 18 healthcare professionals, included various domains: short-term textbook outcome, weight loss, remission of comorbidities, quality of life, micronutrient deficiencies, lifestyle, psychopathology, long-term complications, and preoperative indication.

Conclusions

The final COS offers a multidimensional approach to evaluate long-term outcomes after MBS. This COS is expected to enhance the measurement and benchmarking of MBS care, providing a more holistic view of patient outcomes.
BDCN_UNet: Advanced shoreline extraction techniques integrating deep learning
Authors: Mahmoud Amira S. , Mohamed Sayed A. , Helmy Ashraf K. , Nasr Ayman H.
Published: January 2025

The delineation of shorelines, marking the dynamic boundary between land and sea, is crucial for coastal management and ecological conservation. This research investigates various methods for automatic shoreline extraction from satellite images, utilizing cost-effective and regularly available remote sensing data. A deep learning framework is used for the comparison that combines semantic segmentation (UNEt) and edge detection (Bi-Directional Cascade Network, or BDCN) to make the results more accurate. The study focuses on the northern coast of Egypt, a region with diverse landscapes and significant human interventions. We’ve made progress in our methods by using advanced image processing, the CoastSat Toolkit, the BDCN_UNet framework, time series analysis, and deep learning networks to look at and keep an eye on Egypt’s North Coast’s future plans in more detail. This study captures the intricate interplay between natural and human factors in coastal environments, offering valuable insights for sustainable coastal development. The performance analysis of four models (UNet, Pyramid Scene Parsing Network, DeepLabV3, and BDCN_UNet) applied to three satellite datasets (Sentinel-2, PlanetScope, and Pleiades) showed that PlanetScope and Pleiades consistently yield higher accuracy (0.90–0.99), while Sentinel-2 proved more challenging, particularly for Pyramid Scene Parsing Network and DeepLabV3. UNet and BDCN_UNet exhibited robust performance across all datasets, especially with Pleiades delivering the best results overall.
Carboxylic Acid Production from Kitchen Waste and Sewage Sludge Digestate Inoculation via Acidogenic Fermentation at High Organic Load
Authors: Rózsenberszki Tamás , Kalauz-Simon Veronika , Fejes Róbert , Bakonyi Péter , Koók László , Kurdi Róbert , Nemestóthy Nándor , Bélafi-Bakó Katalin
Published: January 2025

The research interest about the volatile fatty acid (VFA) formation from food or kitchen waste are significantly increasing from the last few years. Assisting the ongoing tendency, in this work, kitchen waste as low-cost carbon source was treated by acidogenic fermentation with sewage sludge digestate as inoculum for VFA production. Due to the remarkable amount of kitchen waste generated annually, investigations were made at high organic loads that simulate favourable practical needs due to the higher volumetric efficiency. Information was obtained about the pH related VFA profiles, unpretreated sludge addition, batch and fed-batch operation. Without pH control, the low pH conditions (under pH 5.5) led mostly to acetic (60.2%), isobutyric (21.7%) and propionic acids (16.8%). Relatively high VFA yield (0.31 g TVFA g-1 VS) with the domination of n-butyric acid was reached by daily pH elevation to 6.0 in the fourth day. Unpretreated inoculum addition showed higher hexanoic acid production (0.055 g g− 1 VS). In the case of fed-batch operations, VFA content and yield could be increased. Based on the results, further research directions were identified, and the potential of kitchen waste as a cheap feedstock for VFA production through acidogenic fermentation, even at elevated organic loads, was demonstrated.
Pancreas-guided C-shaped surgical procedure: a safer and more efficient procedure for laparoscopic left hemicolectomy in obese patients
Authors: Zhang Huaqi , Wang Sen , Chen Zhensheng , Luo Tedong , Cao Jinpeng , Li Zhicheng , Ji Yong
Published: January 2025

The surgical risk is higher for obese patients undergoing laparoscopic left hemicolectomy. To enhance the surgical safety and efficacy for obese patients, we have innovatively integrated the advantages of various surgical approaches to modify a pancreas-guided C-shaped surgical procedure. The safety and quality were assessed through a retrospective analysis. Colon cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic left hemicolectomy were categorized into two groups, C-shaped group and Medial-to-lateral group. Baseline data, operative safety indices, operative quality indices and learning curve were subjected to statistical analysis. The complete mesocolic excision rate and R0 resection rate were 100% in both groups. In terms of surgical safety, C-shaped group experienced significantly less blood loss (50(20) mL vs. 50(50) mL, p = 0.002), shorter total operative time (252.65 ± 50.43 min vs. 280.12 ± 70.45 min, p = 0.004) and no organ damage occurred. All patients were classified into four BMI grades (I: BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; II: 18.5 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m2; III: 24 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m2; IV: BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2). The total operative time and estimated blood loss were significantly lower in obese patients (BMI grade III and IV) of C-shaped group. In addition, intra-group analysis further confirmed that this modified surgical technique could effectively enhance safety and efficiency for obese patients. Learning curve analysis revealed a significant reduction in total operative time after the completion of 20 surgeries. Utilization of the pancreas-guided C-shaped surgical procedure in obese patients ensures reliable surgical outcomes and significantly increases safety and efficiency. In addition, it is easier to learn and master.
Controlled anaerobic water retting of flax as part of an innovative biorefinery process
Authors: Harsányi Judit , Poraj-Kobielska Marzena , Wedwitschka Harald , Tirsch Matthias , Kretzschmar Jörg
Published: January 2025

Due to the increased interest in durable, sustainable and recyclable fabrics, natural fibres are currently experiencing a renaissance. This study investigated controlled anaerobic water retting of flax as a potential process step in a future biorefinery, allowing the simultaneous production of high-quality fibres, stalks, organic acids or biomethane. Anaerobic water retting of flax resulted in the formation of a retting effluent containing 1.745 ± 605 mg L−1 acetic acid, 1.051 ± 354 mg L−1 butyric acid, 145 ± 38 mg L−1 propionic acid and 190 ± 96 mg L−1 caproic acid. Furthermore, 38.0 ± 7.2 mL g oDM−1 hydrolysis gas with 41.6–54.2% CO2 and 45.3–58.1% H2 was produced. Anaerobic digestion tests resulted in a specific biomethane potential range of 221 ± 14 to 261 ± 13 mL CH4 g COD−1 for the retting effluent. The average yield of fibres and stalks from flax was 22% and 51%, respectively. The flax fibres obtained were mainly composed of cellulose (75.1% of dry matter). Hemicellulose and lignin accounted for 7.1 ± 0.3% and 1.9 ± 0.3%, respectively. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the fibres were 354 ± 130 MPa and 35 ± 8 GPa, respectively. The annual product yields for a cultivation area of 1 ha of flax were estimated at 0.67 t of fibres, 1.55 t of stalks and 117 m3 biomethane.
The Relationship Among Obesity, Diabetes, and Oral Health: a Narrative Review of Real-World Evidence
Authors: Miyazawa Itsuko , Morino Katsutaro , Harada Kayo , Ishikado Atsushi , Kume Shinji
Published: January 2025

Purpose of the Review

The interplay among diabetes, obesity, and periodontal disease is well-established. In addition to diabetes and obesity, numerous factors contribute to the risk of tooth loss, including age, smoking status, and oral care practices. However, most previous studies included fewer than 10,000 participants, limiting the ability to conduct comprehensive quantitative analyses of remaining teeth. This review examines the impacts of diabetes and obesity on the number of remaining teeth using large-scale data, such as national databases, to provide real-world evidence.

Recent Findings

Recent studies have identified linear relationships between the number of remaining teeth and factors such as fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and body mass index across different age groups. Periodontal disease exacerbation has emerged as an important mechanism of tooth loss. Hyperglycemia-associated chronic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are suspected to worsen periodontal disease, which would constitute a causal link between systemic and periodontal conditions. Furthermore, several clinical trials have demonstrated that resolution of periodontal disease can improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in individuals with insulin resistance. This evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases.

Large-scale data analyses have provided clearer insights into the cyclical relationship among diabetes, obesity, and periodontal disease, emphasizing its potential role in preventing tooth loss.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Moral Injury Outcome Measures
Authors: Griffin Brandon J. , Price Larry R. , Jenkins Zakery , Childs Alexis , Tong Lauren , Raciborski Rebecca A. , Weber Marcela C. , Pyne Jeffrey M. , Maguen Shira , Norman Sonya B. , Vogt Dawne
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

As evidence accumulates for the pernicious effects of exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) on mental health, the need for improved measurement of moral injury has grown. This article summarizes the psychometric properties of scales that assess cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual concerns linked to PMIE exposure and uses meta-analysis to describe associations between these scales and measures of posttraumatic stress and depression.

Findings

We reviewed 104 articles reporting results from 110 samples, in which 13 different scales were administered to assess the impacts of PMIE exposure (i.e., moral injury). Overall, the scales exhibited good to excellent internal consistency and moderate to large bivariate associations with posttraumatic stress (r = .63, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] [.55, .71]) and depression (r = .59, 95% CI [.51, .66]). Measures varied as to whether they indexed problems to a specific event, had a unidimensional or multidimensional factor structure, used a unipolar or bipolar response format to record item responses, used a cut score to distinguish moral injury from normative distress, were assessed for sensitivity to change over time, and were validated for use with multiple at-risk populations.

Assessment of moral injury has progressed tremendously. Recent scales extend prior work that focused on whether respondents endorsed PMIE exposure by measuring the potential impacts of an exposure. Mental health clinicians and researchers can use this article to choose a scale that best fits their moral injury measurement needs.
Recent Progress in Sustainable Energy Systems Development: Investment, Operations, and Decarbonization
Authors: Duggan Joseph E.
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

This paper focuses on providing an overview of recent research relevant to the sustainable development of energy systems and the integration of renewable energy sources, with a particular emphasis on investment, operations of the energy system with renewable resources, and decarbonization tools. Recent works on renewable energy auctions, demand response, battery storage, and microgrids are surveyed in addition to relevant research on carbon pricing and carbon capture.

Recent Findings

Previous studies indicate the promise and importance of well-designed renewable energy auctions, and the growing role of demand response and battery storage in energy systems characterized by the increasing prevalence of renewable energy sources. Recent works on carbon pricing indicate the importance of social attitudes towards decarbonization policy.

The findings discussed herein indicate the continued importance of studying energy markets in light of the increasing penetration of renewable generation, sustainable development goals, and decarbonization. Improvements in demand response, battery storage, and microgrid architecture, as well as policies around carbon pricing and capture, indicate a growing role for research and policy design informing and supporting one another.
Potential Influence of Antifungal-drug Resistant Pathogens in Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma and the Application of Nanoparticle Mechanisms as Novel Antifungal and Anticancer Agents
Authors: Achilonu Conrad Chibunna , Ramatla Tsepo , Maleke Maleke , Kumar Promod , Igbalajobi Olumuyiwa A. , Noel Colin B.
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most lethal and common malignant tumours that occur in the bile ducts. Although it is relatively rare, it is prevalent with an annual incidence rate of 0.3–6% per 100,000 people globally. The onset of CCA can be influenced by several risk factors, including exposure to invasive fungal pathogens. Immunocompromised patients with CCA that undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are susceptible to invasive fungal infections (IFIs) caused by the World Health Organization (WHO) priority list of critical fungal pathogens. This potentially leads to harbouring of antifungal-drug resistant pathogens (AFDRPs) that could have a detrimental impact on disease treatment as a result of their resistance mechanisms.

Recent Findings

In this article, we reviewed the prevalence and impact of AFDRP colonisation in CCA patients undergoing ERCP. The potential influence of AFDRPs on the development of CCA tumours or the response to treatment. Lastly, we addressed the potential application of drug delivery systems based on nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of antifungal and anticancer agents to AFDRPs in CCA patients.

Understanding the mechanisms of nanoparticles (NPs) in manipulating fungal cells and CCA cells as these interactions are complex. Therefore, the development effective NP-based strategies as antifungal and anticancer agents in important for the treatment of cancer and fungal infections.
Leader Positive Relational Energy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cabrera Victoria , Keelin Christine , Shapiro Jamie , Donaldson Stewart I.
Published: January 2025

Positive relationships at work have been found to be beneficial, leading to outcomes such as improved well-being and work performance. One reason positive relationships are believed to be beneficial at work is that they are a source of positive relational energy—an increased level of psychological resourcefulness generated through interactions with others that leads to an increased capacity to do work. Leaders have been identified as especially important for generating positive relational energy. For example, Cameron (2021) has argued that the most successful leaders are typically positively energizing leaders who, through virtuous behaviors characteristic of positive leadership, energize followers, which leads to better work performance. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the empirical evidence to determine whether positive leadership generates positive relational energy among followers, leading to their improved work performance.
Regional Back‐Analysis of Earthquake Triggered Landslide Inventories: A 2D Method for Estimating Rock Strength From Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Medwedeff William G. , Clark Marin K. , Zekkos Dimitrios
Published: January 2025

Landslides occur where the stresses below the surface exceed the shear strength of the material. Landslide inventories thus offer opportunities to investigate patterns in subsurface strength provided that the stress conditions at failure can be estimated. Clues to the failure stresses are encoded in the inclination of the slope that failed and the thickness of the sliding mass. We use this insight to develop a two‐dimensional (2D) landslide back‐analysis model that estimates bedrock strength over the broad scales relevant to earthquake‐triggered landslide hazard and landscape evolution. A unique aspect of our model is the incorporation of independent landslide thickness measurements for each landslide, which are provided by differencing pre‐ and post‐failure elevation data or estimated from a volume‐area scaling relationship. This approach represents an innovation compared to previous regional‐scale models that have assumed constant thickness or have used projections to estimate the depth to the failure plane, and it provides rock strength estimates as a function of depth below the surface. We evaluate our modeling approach in applications to two landslide inventories and compare the results against geotechnical field data. The back‐calculated strength estimates are low for rock, which we hypothesize to reflect the contribution of weathering and fracturing, as well as the fact that landslides represent a small part of the entire study area and are likely associated with particularly weak material that is susceptible to failure. Finally, the two applications of our model indicate systematic variations in strength parameters below the surface and along an elevation profile, which we attribute to gradients in chemical and physical weathering.
Limited Effect of Future Land‐Use Changes on Human Heat Stress and Labor Capacity
Authors: De Hertog Steven J. , Orlov Anton , Havermann Felix , Guo Suqi , Manola Iris , Pongratz Julia , Lejeune Quentin , Schleussner Carl‐Friedrich , Menke Inga , Humpenöder Florian , Popp Alexander , Lawrence Peter , Hurtt George C. , Chini Louise , Vanderkelen Inne , Davin Edouard L. , Reerink Thomas , Seneviratne Sonia I. , Verbeeck Hans , Thiery Wim
Published: January 2025

To achieve the 1.5°C target of the Paris agreement, rapid, sustained, and deep emission reductions are required, which often includes negative emissions through land‐based mitigation. However, the effects of future land‐use change on climate are often not considered when quantifying the climate‐induced impacts on human heat stress and labor capacity. By conducting simulations with three fully coupled Earth System Models, we project the effects of land‐use change on heat stress and outdoor labor capacity for two contrasting future land‐use scenarios under high‐ambition mitigation. Achieving a sustainable land‐use scenario with increasing global forest cover instead of an inequality scenario with decreasing forest cover in the Global South causes a global cooling ranging between 0.09°C and 0.35°C across the Earth System Models. However, the effects on human heat stress are less strong, especially over the regions of intense land‐use change such as the tropics, where biogeophysical effects on near‐surface specific humidity and wind speed counteract the cooling effect under warm extremes. The corresponding influence on outdoor labor capacity is small and inconsistent across the three Earth System Models. These results clearly highlight the importance of land‐use change scenarios for achieving global temperature targets while questioning the adaptation potential for reduction in heat stress.
Chemical Weathering and Physical Erosion Fluxes From Serpentinite in Puerto Rico
Authors: Moore Angus K. , Méndez Méndez Kimberly , Hughes K. Stephen , Granger Darryl E.
Published: January 2025

Weathering of ultramafic rocks emplaced at low latitude during arc‐arc and arc‐continent collisions may provide an important sink for atmospheric CO2 over geologic timescales. Accurately modeling the effects of ultramafic rock weathering on Earth's carbon cycle and climate requires understanding mass fluxes from ultramafic landscapes. In this study, physical erosion and chemical weathering fluxes and weathering intensity are quantified in 15 watersheds across the Monte del Estado, a serpentinite massif in Puerto Rico, using measurements of in situ 36Cl in magnetite, stream solute fluxes, and sediment geochemistry. Despite high relief in the study watersheds, erosion fluxes are moderate (22–109 tons km−2 yr−1), chemical weathering fluxes are large (55–143 tons km−2 yr−1), and weathering intensities are among the highest yet reported for silicate‐rock weathering (up to 0.88). We use these data to parameterize power‐law relationships between weathering, erosion, and runoff. We interpret the relative importance of climate versus erosion in setting weathering fluxes and CO2 consumption from the best‐fit power‐law slopes. Weathering fluxes from tropical, montane serpentinite landscapes are found to be strongly controlled by runoff and weakly controlled by the supply of fresh rock to the weathering zone through physical erosion. The strong runoff dependence of weathering fluxes implies that, to the extent that precipitation rates are coupled to global temperature, ultramafic landscapes may be important participants in the negative silicate weathering feedback, increasing (decreasing) CO2 consumption in response to a warming (cooling) climate. Thus, serpentinite landscapes may help stabilize Earth's climate state through time.
Modes of Deformation in Sedimentary Multilayers Interacting With Sub‐Décollement Structures: Insights From 3D Seismic Interpretation in the Eastern Jura Fold and Thrust Belt
Authors: Zambrano M. , Mazzoli S. , Mosar J. , Pedini M.
Published: January 2025

The Jura fold and thrust belt is characterized by dominant thin‐skinned thrusting and variable interaction with inherited structures and deep‐seated (i.e., sub‐décollement) faults. Using 3D seismic data, the styles of deformation and the relationships with inherited structures at the eastern termination of the fold and thrust belt are documented in an area located NW of the city of Zürich. The investigated seismic volume includes two major, ENE trending fold‐thrust zones involving the Triassic‐Jurassic epicontinental platform succession and the stratigraphically overlying Cenozoic Molasse Basin deposits. The location of both fold‐thrust zones appears to be controlled by variable interaction between the décollement level hosted in the Triassic evaporites of the Muschelkalk Group and faults linked to an underlying Permian‐Carboniferous graben. Different modes of interaction of the Mesozoic multilayer (including the weak evaporite level close to its base) and underlying upper Paleozoic basin fill with inherited faults produced a marked contrast in structural style (pop‐up and triangle zone geometry) between the N and S fold‐thrust zones. We suggest that the different types of structures provide an unprecedented record of the transition from thin‐skinned thrusting (dominant in the N fold‐thrust zone) to deeply rooted deformation controlled by the inherited structural architecture of the upper Paleozoic basin. Such a transition was characterized by focusing of strain from the upper Paleozoic section to a narrow belt of Mesozoic strata, triggering coeval buckling and reverse faulting (manifested in the S fold‐thrust zone). Propagation of sub‐décollement faults and segment linkage eventually led to breaching of the regional detachment.
Assessing competency in less invasive surfactant administration: simulation-based validity evidence for the LISA-AT scores
Authors: Breindahl Niklas , Bay Emma Therese , Heiring Christian , MacLean-Nyegaard Ingrid Rose , Gudiksen Amalie , Frithioff Andreas , Henriksen Tine Brink , Tolsgaard Martin Grønnebæk , Aunsholt Lise
Published: January 2025

Background

The Less Invasive Surfactant Administration Assessment Tool (LISA-AT) was developed to support operator training and competence assessment. This study aimed to gather validity evidence in the simulated setting to support using the LISA-AT scores.

Methods

Validity evidence was gathered using the Messick framework. The lowest quartile (Q1) for the median of the experts’ LISA-AT scores defined the minimum passing score.

Results

Ten experts and 23 novices were enrolled in this study. Eight of the original 15 LISA-AT metrics effectively discriminated between novices and experts and demonstrated high test-retest reliability (Spearman’s rho = 0.87), high internal consistency, and good inter-rater reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88 and 0.82, respectively). The LISA-AT discriminated between novices’ and experts’ first two attempts with median [IQR] scores of 29 [26–32] vs 39 [39–40]). The minimum passing score was defined as 39/40 points, and the novices used a median [IQR] of 6 [5–7] attempts, ranging from 4 to 9 attempts, to reach this score. Compared with the expert group, the novices’ laryngoscopy skills and time remained significantly different even after attaining the minimum passing score.

Conclusion

We found strong validity evidence to support using the LISA-AT scores to train new LISA operators to the minimum passing score to ensure competence in the simulated setting.

Impact

This study showed robust validity evidence for using the Less Invasive Surfactant Administration Assessment Tool (LISA-AT) to train LISA novices with a high test-retest reliability, high internal consistency, and good inter-rater reliability.

Eight of the original 15 LISA-AT metrics effectively discriminated between novices and experts, with a minimum passing score of 39/40 points, corresponding to the lowest quartile (Q1) of the experts’ performances. Novices typically needed six attempts in the simulated setting, ranging from four to nine. However, their laryngoscopy skills and duration remained significantly different from experts.

Using the LISA-AT score can ensure competence in the simulated setting before advancing to supervised clinical procedures.
Inhibition of KLF5 promotes ferroptosis via the ZEB1/HMOX1 axis to enhance sensitivity to oxaliplatin in cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Xu Huaxiang , He Junyi , Hu Qiangsheng , Liu Yuxin , Xu Zijin , Lou Wenhui , Wu Wenchuan , Zhang Lei , Pu Ning , Shi Chenye , Xu Yaolin , Wang Wenquan , Liu Liang
Published: January 2025

As a novel form of nonapoptotic cell death, ferroptosis is developing into a promising therapeutic target of dedifferentiating and therapy-refractory cancers. However, its application in pancreatic cancer is still unknown. In the preliminary research, we found that F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) inhibited the migration and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells through its substrate c-Myc. We further found that another key substrate of FBW7, KLF5, could inhibit ferroptosis. Inhibiting KLF5 significantly enhances the cytotoxicity of oxaliplatin rather than other chemotherapy drugs. Mechanistically, we found that KLF5 inhibited the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) via repressing zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). Inhibition of KLF5 facilitated the cytotoxic effect of oxaliplatin via promoting ferroptosis. Oxaliplatin combined with KLF5 inhibitor significantly potentiated cell death in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo compared with either treatment alone. These results reveal a critical role of KLF5 in sensitized chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer, and suggest that ferroptosis combined with platinum-based chemotherapy rather than gemcitabine-based chemotherapy is expected to bring better therapeutic effects.
Incidence of optic nerve kinking in a cohort of patients with Normal tension glaucoma
Authors: Pircher Achmed , Berberat Jatta , Remonda Luca , Roberts Cynthia J. , Neutzner Albert , Killer Hanspeter E.
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To report on the incidence of optic nerve kinking in a series of patients diagnosed with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) compared to an age- and gender matched control group without known optic nerve diseases.

Subjects and Methods

All patients with NTG who underwent imaging (computed tomography cysternography (CTC) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) of the orbits and cranium between 2012 and 2022 were included, totalling 57 patients (27 females and 30 males; 57 eyes; mean age 69 ± 10 years). 57 age- and gender matched subjects without known optic nerve diseases who underwent MRI of the orbits and cranium served as controls. Radiographic images of the orbits were analysed for the presence of optic nerve kinking.

Results

In the axial plane at least one optic nerve kink was found in 49 of 57 (86%) optic nerves in patients with NTG and in 10 of 57 (18%) optic nerves in controls (p < 0.0001) while in the sagittal plane in 28 of 57 (49%) optic nerves in patients with NTG and in 1 of 57 (2%) optic nerves in controls (p < 0.0001) (Fisher’s two-tailed exact test).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a high statistically significant incidence of optic nerve kinking in patients with NTG compared to controls without known optic nerve diseases. Its possible role involved in the pathophysiology of NTG needs to be evaluated.
Reverse mutational scanning of SARS-CoV-2 spike BA.2.86 identifies epitopes contributing to immune escape from polyclonal sera
Authors: Bdeir Najat , Lüddecke Tatjana , Maaß Henrike , Schmelz Stefan , Rand Ulfert , Jacobsen Henning , Metzdorf Kristin , Kulkarni Upasana , Cossmann Anne , Stankov Metodi V. , Hoffmann Markus , Pöhlmann Stefan , Blankenfeldt Wulf , Dopfer-Jablonka Alexandra , Behrens Georg M. N. , Čičin-Šain Luka
Published: January 2025

The recently detected Omicron BA.2.86 lineage contains more than 30 amino acid mutations relative to BA.2. BA.2.86 and its JN.1 derivative evade neutralization by serum antibodies of fully vaccinated individuals. In this study, we elucidate epitopes driving the immune escape of BA.2.86 and JN.1 via pseudovirus neutralization. Here we generate 33 BA.2.86 mutants, each reverting a single mutation back to BA.2. We use this library in an approach that we call reverse mutational scanning to define distinct neutralization titers against each epitope. Mutations within the receptor binding domain at K356T, V483Δ, and to a lesser extent N460K, A484K, and F486P enhance immune escape. Interestingly, 16insMPLF within the spike N-terminal domain and P621S within S1/S2 also significantly contribute to antibody escape of BA.2.86. Upon XBB.1.5 booster vaccination, neutralization titers against JN.1 and BA.2.86 improve considerably, and residual immune escape is driven by 16insMPLF, N460K, E554K, and to a lesser extent P621S, and A484K.
Schlieren texture and topography induced confinement in an organic exciton-polariton laser
Authors: Le Roux Florian , Mischok Andreas , Tenopala-Carmona Francisco , Gather Malte C.
Published: January 2025

Non-linearities in organic exciton-polariton microcavities represent an attractive platform for quantum devices. However, progress in this area hinges on the development of material platforms for high-performance polariton lasing, scalable and sustainable fabrication, and ultimately strategies for electrical pumping. Here, we show how introducing Schlieren texturing and a rough intra-cavity topography in a liquid crystalline conjugated polymer enables strong in-plane confinement of polaritons and drastic enhancement of the lasing properties. In high-Q distributed Bragg reflector microcavities, polariton lasing was observed at unprecedented thresholds of 136 fJ per pulse. Morphology tuning also permitted polariton lasing in more lossy metallic microcavities while maintaining a competitive lasing threshold. The facile fabrication of these cavities will drastically reduce the complexity of integrating polariton lasers with other structures and the high conductivity of metallic mirrors may provide a route to electrical pumping.
Decoding the m6A epitranscriptomic landscape for biotechnological applications using a direct RNA sequencing approach
Authors: Liu Chuwei , Liang Heng , Wan Arabella H. , Xiao Min , Sun Lei , Yu Yiling , Yan Shijia , Deng Yuan , Liu Ruonian , Fang Juan , Wang Zhi , He Weiling , Wan Guohui
Published: January 2025

Epitranscriptomic modifications, particularly N6-methyladenosine (m6A), are crucial regulators of gene expression, influencing processes such as RNA stability, splicing, and translation. Traditional computational methods for detecting m6A from Nanopore direct RNA sequencing (DRS) data are constrained by their reliance on experimentally validated labels, often resulting in the underestimation of modification sites. Here, we introduce pum6a, an innovative attention-based framework that integrates positive and unlabeled multi-instance learning (MIL) to address the challenges of incomplete labeling and missing read-level annotations. By combining electrical signal features with base alignment data and employing a weighted Noisy-OR probability mechanism, pum6a achieves enhanced sensitivity and accuracy in m6A detection, particularly in low-coverage loci. Pum6a outperforms existing methods in identifying m6A sites across various cell lines and species, without requiring extensive parameter tuning. We further apply pum6a to study the dynamic regulation of m6A demethylases in gastric cancer under hypoxia, revealing distinct roles for FTO and ALKBH5 in modulating m6A modifications and uncovering key insights into m6A -mediated transcript stability. Our findings highlight the potential of pum6a as a powerful tool for advancing the understanding of epitranscriptomic regulation in health and disease, paving the way for biotechnological and therapeutic applications.
A metal-trap tests and refines blueprints to engineer cellular protein metalation with different elements
Authors: Clough Sophie E. , Young Tessa R. , Tarrant Emma , Scott Andrew J. P. , Chivers Peter T. , Glasfeld Arthur , Robinson Nigel J.
Published: January 2025

It has been challenging to test how proteins acquire specific metals in cells. The speciation of metalation is thought to depend on the preferences of proteins for different metals competing at intracellular metal-availabilities. This implies mis-metalation may occur if proteins become mis-matched to metal-availabilities in heterologous cells. Here we use a cyanobacterial MnII-cupin (MncA) as a metal trap, to test predictions of metalation. By re-folding MncA in buffered competing metals, metal-preferences are determined. Relating metal-preferences to metal-availabilities estimated using cellular metal sensors, predicts mis-metalation of MncA with FeII in E. coli. After expression in E. coli, predominantly FeII-bound MncA is isolated experimentally. It is predicted that in metal-supplemented viable cells metal-MncA speciation should switch. MnII-, CoII-, or NiII-MncA are recovered from the respective metal-supplemented cells. Differences between observed and predicted metal-MncA speciation are used to refine estimated metal availabilities. Values are provided as blueprints to guide engineering biological protein metalation.
Relationship between inherited genetic variation and survival from colorectal cancer stratified by tumour location
Authors: Wills Christopher , Watts Katie , Houseman Amy , Maughan Timothy S. , Fisher David , Al-Tassan Nada A. , Houlston Richard S. , Escott-Price Valentina , Cheadle Jeremy P.
Published: January 2025

The location of a patient’s colorectal cancer (CRC) influences their outcome but inherited factors may also be involved. We studied 1899 patients with advanced CRC (514 had proximal colonic, 493 distal colonic and 892 rectal tumours) and carried out genome-wide association studies for survival. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) suggestive of association (P < 1.0 × 10–5) were tested for replication in 5078 CRC patients from the UK Biobank. We investigated the relationship between Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase Type 2 Beta (PI4K2B) expression in colorectal tumours and survival in 597 patients from The Human Protein Atlas (THPA). We also analysed 3 SNPs previously associated with survival by anatomical site. We found that SNPs at 54 independent loci were suggestive of an association with survival when stratified by tumour location. rs76011559 replicated in patients with proximal tumours (COIN, COIN-B and UK Biobank combined Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.53, 95% Confidence Intervals [CI] = 1.19–1.86, P = 7.5 × 10–7) and rs12273047 replicated in patients with rectal tumours (combined HR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.09–1.46, P = 4.1 × 10–7). In gene analyses, PI4K2B associated with survival in patients with distal cancers (P = 2.1 × 10–6) and increased PI4K2B expression in colorectal tumours was associated with improved survival (P = 9.6 × 10–5). No previously associated SNPs were replicated. Our data identify novel loci associated with survival when stratified by tumour location.
Evaluation of the corrosion resistance of bronze patina or/and protective coating on the surface of the archaeological coins
Authors: Saleh Saleh M. , El-Badry Abd El-Hakim A. , Abdel-karim Amal M.
Published: January 2025

Archaeological coins are considered essential sources of historical documentation. Over time, they are subjected to corrosion processes that gradually alter their appearance, shape, and composition. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the patina and/or protective coating on the corrosion process. Protection of the original coin surface was crucial following the completion of the cleaning protocol. Various finishes of coin fragments (uncoated, aged, and freshly coated) were investigated to determine their chemical composition, nature of the patina, and corrosion products on their surface using stereo microscopy(SM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The analysis revealed that the coins were composed of a Cu–Sn- and Pb bronze alloy. Furthermore, the efficiency of the patina and/or protective coatings on the coin fragments was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The highest protection was achieved for patinated-freshly protective coated fragments, while the most corrosive fragments were those affected by bronze diseases.
A stereochemical model and origins of selectivity for the rhodium-catalyzed hydroselenation of styrene
Authors: Shan Chunhui , Luo Xi , Luo Xiaoling , Long Rong
Published: January 2025

A three-layer chirality relay model is proposed for the Rh(i)-catalyzed hydroselenation of styrene, which explains the origins of enantioselectivity through this mechanism.
Discovery of a novel pyrimidine derivative for treatment of acute lung injury through reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response
Authors: Jian Yu Jie , Lv Qi , Du Leran , Lei Cen Cen , Zhi Li Ping , Liu Xin Hua
Published: January 2025

An effective compound treatment of ALI by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response was discovered.
Erbium: key to simultaneously achieving superior temperature-stability and high magnetic properties in 2 : 17-type permanent magnets
Authors: Long Zan , Zhang Chaoyue , Li Yuqing , Zhang Baoguo , Bian Mengying , Ling Chong , Kang Youning , Zhang Hongguo , Wu Qiong , Yue Ming
Published: January 2025

The 2 : 17-type Er-magnets exhibit high magnetic properties [(BH)max, Hcj and Br] and superior temperature stability, which can be expected to meet the demand for permanent magnet materials applying in efficient and miniaturized precision instruments.
Oversaturated iron sites on mesopore-rich carbon nanocages boost adsorption and transformation of polysulfides for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Zhu Zhuo , Fan Guilan , Huang Hai , Guo Yan , Gu Xiaojun , Chen Jun Song
Published: January 2025

Oversaturated Fe–N5 moieties incorporated into N-doped carbon nanocages are fabricated to facilitate polysulfide adsorption and sulfur redox reactions for Li–S batteries, which achieve excellent specific capacity and long-term cycle stability.
A scalable 3–15 GHz 256‐element active phased array for ultra‐wideband multi‐functional RF sensor systems
Authors: Yu Daqun , Mi Jian , Miao Zhuo‐Wei , Hao Zhang‐Cheng
Published: January 2025

This letter presents a 256‐element ultra‐wideband active phased array tile spanning 3–15 GHz. The array employs Vivaldi antennas arranged in a triangular lattice, optimizing the T/R module count. The ultra‐wideband T/R module, based on system‐in‐package (SiP) technology, integrates power amplifiers, low‐noise amplifiers, and multifunctional chips. A prototype was fabricated and measured, with the active layer, including T/R modules, having a thickness of just 8.4 mm. Measured results show a scanning range of ±60° at 10 GHz, ±15° at 13 GHz, and ±5° at 15 GHz, with an instantaneous bandwidth of 1.0 GHz. The prototype achieves 49 dB W EIRP and 1.3 dB/K G/T at 10 GHz, and 5.21% EVM for a 64‐QAM modulated signal. These results establish the array as a viable solution for cost‐effective, scalable, ultra‐wideband multi‐functional RF sensor systems.