bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low TTG‐IgA associated with isolated bulb pathology in pediatric celiac disease: Implications in a no‐biopsy approach era
Authors: Wang Qing Yin , Jantchou Prévost , Dirks Martha , Lavoie Sébastien B. , Oligny Luc L. , Dal Soglio Dorothée , Patey Natacha
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Duodenal involvement in celiac disease (CD) can be patchy, with a subset of patients demonstrating histopathological involvement limited to the bulb. This study evaluates whether bulb‐restricted CD represents a distinct subgroup associated with lower titers of immunoglobulin A anti‐tissue transglutaminase antibody (TTG‐IgA) compared to distal duodenal CD in pediatric patients. Additionally, we assess the impact of a no‐biopsy approach for pediatric CD with TTG‐IgA ≥10 times the upper limit of normal (TTG‐IgA ≥10× ULN) on the relative frequency of bulb‐restricted CD among biopsied patients.

Methods

Incident pediatric CD cases were identified retrospectively between 2017 and 2022. A no‐biopsy approach for TTG‐IgA ≥10× ULN was locally implemented in 2020. Serum TTG‐IgA was categorized as negative, equivocal, positive TTG‐IgA <10× ULN, and positive TTG‐IgA≥ 10× ULN. Biopsies were classified by Marsh score and site of involvement.

Results

Of the 405 cases included (mean age = 9.6 years, female‐to‐male ratio = 2.1:1), bulb‐restricted CD was present in 7.4%. TTG‐IgA was negative or equivocal in 60.0% of bulb‐restricted CD, compared to 5.3% of distal duodenal CD (odds ratio [OR] = 26.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [11.1–63.3], p < 0.001). Notably, no bulb‐restricted CD cases attained TTG‐IgA ≥10× ULN, compared to 48.5% of distal duodenal CD. Following local implementation of the no‐biopsy approach for TTG‐IgA ≥10× ULN, the relative percentage of bulb‐restricted CD significantly increased from 4.6% to 12.4% (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = [1.4–6.4], p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Pediatric CD with isolated bulb pathology presents with lower serum TTG‐IgA titers than cases with distal duodenal involvement. Implementation of the no‐biopsy approach increased the relative proportion of bulb‐limited CD, as these cases were not associated with TTG‐IgA ≥10× ULN.
Maximized Enhancement of Polarized and Unpolarized Emissions via Critical Coupling in Brillouin Zone Folding Metasurfaces
Authors: Han Jungho , Lim Yeonsoo , Lee Jeheon , Kim Seongheon , Jun Young Chul
Published: January 2025

Critical coupling can induce maximized field enhancement in resonant optical modes. Therefore, it is important for various photonic technologies. Here, it is shown that directional light sources with highly enhanced emission intensities can be realized via critical coupling. A clear experimental demonstration of maximized emission enhancement is presented in quantum dot (QD)‐coated Brillouin zone folding (BZF) metasurfaces. BZF dielectric metasurfaces support guided‐mode resonances, where the radiative quality factor can be gradually tuned by structural parameters, allowing critical coupling to occur at the QD emission wavelength. Maximized enhancements of polarized and unpolarized emissions are demonstrated in the normal direction, resulting in highly enhanced, directional, and narrow‐angled emissions. The investigations indicate that light emission from quantum emitters can be optimized via critical coupling and that BZF metasurfaces can provide a highly tunable platform for both polarization‐sensitive and polarization‐insensitive critical coupling. Maximized field enhancement and highly enhanced light–matter interactions in BZF metasurfaces are important for a wide range of photonic technologies such as light sources, photodetectors, sensors, nonlinear enhancement, and quantum photonic devices.
A Mobile Health Intervention for Improving Problem‐Solving Skills, Emotional Adaptation, and Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wu Fei‐Ling , Lin Chia‐Hung , Lin Chia‐Ling , Sun Jui‐Chiung , Juang Jyuhn‐Huarng
Published: January 2025

Mobile health (mHealth) enables health‐care professionals to assist patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in effective self‐management of the disease. Using a quasi‐experimental design, we evaluated the effectiveness of a nurse‐led mHealth problem‐solving program (mHealth‐PSP) in enhancing problem‐solving skills, improving emotional adaptation, and reducing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with T2D. The present study included 83 patients with T2D from two hospitals in northern Taiwan. All diagnoses were made at least 1 year before the study. Eligible patients were divided into an intervention group (n = 41; underwent an mHealth‐PSP for 4 months) and a usual care group (n = 42). Self‐report surveys and HbA1c measurements were performed at baseline (T0) and 6 (T1), 9 (T2), and 12 (T3) months after the intervention. The intervention group exhibited better problem‐solving skills and lower HbA1c levels at T3 than at T0; however, the usual care group exhibited no changes in these parameters. Furthermore, although the intervention group exhibited a slight increase in emotional adaptation scores between T0 and T1, these scores decreased significantly over time. Overall, mHealth‐PSP can optimize long‐term T2D management, enabling health‐care professionals to help patients achieve improved health outcomes.
Development of an offline and online hybrid model for the Integrated Forecasting System
Authors: Farchi Alban , Chrust Marcin , Bocquet Marc , Bonavita Massimo
Published: January 2025

In recent years, there has been significant progress in the development of fully data‐driven global numerical weather prediction models. These machine learning weather prediction models have their strengths, notably accuracy and low computational requirements, but also their weaknesses: they struggle to represent fundamental dynamical balances, and they are far from being suitable for data assimilation experiments. Hybrid modelling emerges as a promising approach to address these limitations. Hybrid models integrate a physics‐based core component with a statistical component, typically a neural network, to enhance prediction capabilities. In this article, we propose to develop a model‐error correction for the operational Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) of the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts using a neural network. The neural network is initially pre‐trained offline using a large dataset of operational analyses and analysis increments. Subsequently, the trained network is integrated into the IFS within the Object‐Oriented Prediction System (OOPS) so as to be used in data assimilation and forecast experiments. It is then trained further online using a recently developed variant of weak‐constraint 4D‐Var. The results show that the pre‐trained neural network already provides a reliable model‐error correction, which translates into reduced forecast errors in many conditions, and that the online training improves the accuracy of the hybrid model further in many conditions.
Environment, Cardiovascular Health, and Local and Global Inequities
Authors: Ruiz-Rudolph Pablo , Yohannessen Karla
Published: January 2025

We are all aware that globally we are experiencing severe environmental degradations. We can intuitively relate to well-known environmental problems, such as traffic and industrial pollution, but we might feel more distant as how climate change or the urban environment might affect our health and how disproportionate these effects can be. From this perspective, the two guiding questions of this chapter are (1) whether the environment can affect cardiovascular health and (2) whether some particular groups, at local or global level, can be more affected. In trying to answer these questions, we focus in three interconnected environmental problems: air pollution, climate change, and urban environment. Throughout the chapter, we present these environmental stressors, their drivers, mechanisms, and dynamics, while recognizing the presence of synergistic loops between them. These stressors are closely related to the effects on cardiovascular health, and we show the pathways that link them, as well as the unequal distribution of both exposures to environmental factors and cardiovascular diseases. We conclude with recommendations to confront environmental threats, from the individual level to a more collective level considering the full picture of the problem, including the environment, health, and equity at the local, regional, and global levels.
Re-evaluating creative labor in the age of artificial intelligence: a qualitative case study of creative workers’ perspectives on technological transformation in creative industries
Authors: Öztaş Yunus Emre , Arda Balca
Published: January 2025

This article explores how the emergence of creative AI technologies transforms creative workers’ self-apprehension in the context of critical theory and labor studies. The distinguishing contribution of this study resides in its focus on how CI laborers’ creativity perception and reception are affected by AI technologies’ intrusion into the creative domain. Creative AI technologies are expected to present new expressive capacities to creative workers and cost-cutting advantages for CIs’ production that put a lot of creative jobs at risk. Findings show that creatives perceive the adaptation of AI technologies as both an opportunity for their creative process and a requirement of their active presence in the market survival as a matter of technocratic rule. We critically analyze creative labor’s novel mods engaged with updated technology and present reflections on the favorable co-creation conditions to flourish an understanding of socially intelligible technology and thereby a creative livelihood against technocracy.
Hyperfiniteness and Borel asymptotic dimension of boundary actions of hyperbolic groups
Authors: Naryshkin Petr , Vaccaro Andrea
Published: January 2025

We give a new short proof of the theorem due to Marquis and Sabok, which states that the orbit equivalence relation induced by the action of a finitely generated hyperbolic group on its Gromov boundary is hyperfinite. Our methods permit moreover to show that every such action has finite Borel asymptotic dimension.
Normative measurements of the frontal nerve by magnetic resonance imaging in an Australia cohort
Authors: Perera Dinan , Rana Khizar , Caltabiano Carmelo , Patel Sandy , Selva Dinesh
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To report the normative dimensions of the frontal nerve (FN) on fat-suppressed suppressed gadolinium (fs-gad) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Method

A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent coronal fs-gad T1-weighted MRI. Orbits were excluded if there was unilateral or bilateral pathology of the FN or optic nerve sheath (ONS), incomplete MRI sequences, poor image quality or indiscernible FN on radiological assessment. The maximum diameter of the FN and ONS was measured.

Results

The mean age of participants was 58 ± 16 years and 50% were females (n = 42). The mean normative measurements (mean ± standard deviation) on coronal T1-weighted imaging: optic nerve sheath, 5.08 ± 0.67mm. On coronal fs-gad T1-weighted imaging: frontal nerve, 0.74 ± 0.18mm. No significant differences were found between male or female participants in both the frontal nerve (p = 0.913) or optic nerve sheath (p = 0.646). There was no significant correlation between age and mean diameter of the frontal nerve (r = 0.14, p = 0.067) or optic nerve sheath (r = 0.075, p = 0.336). Additionally, no significant difference was identified between the mean diameter of the frontal nerve (p = 0.075) and optic nerve sheath (p = 0.120) across age groups. The mean frontal nerve to optic nerve sheath ratio was 0.15 ± 0.04.

Conclusion

Normative dimensions of the FN may provide quantitative cut-offs that can aid the diagnosis of FN enlargement seen in instances such as IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) and neoplastic perineural spread.
Conservative SPDEs as fluctuating mean field limits of stochastic gradient descent
Authors: Gess Benjamin , Gvalani Rishabh S. , Konarovskyi Vitalii
Published: January 2025

The convergence of stochastic interacting particle systems in the mean-field limit to solutions of conservative stochastic partial differential equations is established, with optimal rate of convergence. As a second main result, a quantitative central limit theorem for such SPDEs is derived, again, with optimal rate of convergence. The results apply, in particular, to the convergence in the mean-field scaling of stochastic gradient descent dynamics in overparametrized, shallow neural networks to solutions of SPDEs. It is shown that the inclusion of fluctuations in the limiting SPDE improves the rate of convergence, and retains information about the fluctuations of stochastic gradient descent in the continuum limit.
CONELPABO: composite networks learning via parallel Bayesian optimization to predict remaining useful life in predictive maintenance
Authors: Solís-Martín David , Galán-Páez Juan , Borrego-Díaz Joaquín
Published: January 2025

Maintaining equipment and machinery in industries is imperative for maximizing operational efficiency and prolonging their lifespan. The adoption of predictive maintenance enhances resource allocation, productivity, and product quality by proactively identifying and addressing potential equipment anomalies through rigorous data analysis before they escalate into critical issues. Consequently, these measures strengthen market competitiveness and generate favorable economic outcomes. In many applications, sensors operate at high frequencies or capture data over extended periods. This work introduces CONELPABO (Composite Networks Learning via Parallel Bayesian Optimization), a framework for analyzing long time series data, particularly for predicting the remaining useful life of a system or component. It uses a divide-and-conquer strategy to manage the exponential growth in the hyperparameter search space during Bayesian Optimization and to accelerate model training by 50%. Additionally, this strategy enables the training of deeper networks with limited resources. The usefulness of the framework is demonstrated through two case studies, in which it achieves state-of-the-art results, showing that CNN-CNN and RNN-RNN architectures are highly effective for long time-series data. These architectures outperform many existing approaches and challenge the common academic focus on CNN-RNN hybrids.
Amino acid stable carbon isotopes in nail keratin illuminate breastfeeding and weaning practices of mother – infant dyads
Authors: Salahuddin Hana , Waters-Rist Andrea L. , Longstaffe Fred J.
Published: January 2025

Compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) is widely used in ecological studies to analyze food-webs and is gaining use in archaeology for investigating past diets. However, its use in reconstructing breastfeeding and weaning practices is not fully understood. This study evaluates the efficacy of stable carbon isotope analysis of amino acids in early life diet reconstruction by analyzing keratin from fingernail samples of three mother-infant pairs during late gestation and early postpartum periods. Our results show that stable carbon isotope ratios (δ
13C) of glycine, and to a lesser extent glutamate, effectively trace the onset of exclusive breastfeeding and the end of weaning in infants. We propose that glycine’s ‘conditionally essential’ metabolic pathway during infancy allows it to reflect maternal glycine δ
13C, indicating breastmilk consumption. Subtle changes in glutamate δ
13C likely result from its ‘non-essential’ status. Additionally, δ
13C values of glycine and glutamate indicate maternal physiological and pathological stress due to catabolic effects such as gluconeogenesis. These findings have significant implications for ecological and archaeological research using CSIA-AA for dietary reconstructions. They highlight the need to understand how metabolic pathways affecting δ
13C of amino acids may change over an individual’s lifespan or be altered due to various forms of stress.
Medical teleconsultation from the patient’s perspective. A demographic segmentation
Authors: Arenas-Gaitán Jorge , Ramírez-Correa Patricio E. , Ledesma-Chaves Pablo , Callarisa Fiol Luis J.
Published: January 2025

Medical teleconsultation is a tool that is here to stay among the services offered by health systems. Therefore, it is important to understand the process of adopting this technology. However, most studies have endorsed the point of view of health professionals. Our research adopts the patient’s point of view with a sample of 1500 patients who have used teleconsultation in Spain between May and November 2022, therefore, in a post-COVID-19 scenario. We started from a technology acceptance model, UTAUT, and applied a novel segmentation technique: Pathmox. As a result, we have obtained six segments of patients using teleconsultation with differentiated technology acceptance processes, and we also propose strategies adapted to each of them.
Protein kinase C iota (PKCι) and pVHL are both needed for lysosomal degradation of α5 integrin in renal carcinoma cells
Authors: Schurr Alissa F. , Dave Chandni S. , Shah Prachi J. , Meth Jennifer L. , Jaramillo Alexandria S. , Bartley Kelly , Schoenfeld Alan R.
Published: January 2025

Background

von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) hereditary cancer syndrome is caused by mutations in the VHL tumor suppressor gene and is characterized by a predisposition to form various types of tumors, including renal cell carcinomas, hemangioblastomas, and pheochromocytomas. The protein products of the VHL gene, pVHL, are part of an ubiquitin ligase complex that tags hypoxia inducible factor alpha (HIF-α) for proteosomal degradation. pVHL has also been reported to bind to atypical protein kinase C (aPKC).

Methods and results

To better understand the relationship between pVHL and aPKC, the PKC iota (PKCι) isoform of aPKC was knocked out in renal carcinoma cells, both pVHL-negative and those with replaced pVHL. Cellular properties associated with pVHL function were assayed. Knockout of PKCι in pVHL-expressing cells led to greater downregulation of HIF-α than seen with pVHL alone, suggesting that the presence of PKCι opposes complete regulation of HIF-α by pVHL. In contrast, absence of either pVHL or PKCι disrupted tight junction formation and led to upregulated levels of α5 integrin, both of which were phenocopied by lysosomal inhibition. LAMP1 (lysosome associated membrane protein 1), a marker for lysosomes, showed dysregulated localization and altered electrophoretic gel migration in the absence of pVHL. While the upregulated α5 integrin seen in the absence of either pVHL or PKCι loss was associated with increased cell adhesion, loss of pVHL caused increased cell motility whereas loss of PKCι decreased motility.

Conclusions

These data are consistent with a known role of PKCι in endocytosis of α5 integrin and suggest a subsequent novel role of pVHL in targeting a pool of endocytosed α5 integrin for lysosomal degradation.
Repeated examiner-attorney interaction and patent approval
Authors: Tur Elena M. , Markus Arjan
Published: January 2025

Can factors other than technical merit influence whether a patent application is approved and how long that approval takes? We posit that interactions between a given patent attorney-examiner pair related to former patenting procedures benefit subsequent application processes, increasing the likelihood and speed of an application being granted. Combining USPTO PatEx data with the PATSTAT database enabled us to study over 3 million applications dating from 2001 to 2014. This revealed that examiner-attorney interactions and the percentage of those leading to approval increased the probability of grant approval and reduced the length of the process. For an average patent, with a lag of 36.45 months, a one-standard deviation increase in the mean of previous examiner-attorney interaction speeds up future grant processes by around 11 days, and a one-standard deviation increase in successful interaction speeds them up by a further 65 days. We conclude that communication between examiners and attorneys enhances mutual understanding and reduces friction between applicants and granting institutions. Our findings have implications for diverse stakeholders in the patent process, including patent office examiners, patent attorneys, and companies applying for patents.
Human recreational activity does not influence open cup avian nest survival in urban green spaces
Authors: Cull Chloe A. , Guest Mackenzie J. , Frei Barbara , Ziter Carly D.
Published: January 2025

The breeding period of birds is a critical and sensitive portion of the annual cycle. Understanding how human use of urban green spaces affects nest survival can improve our understanding of conserving breeding bird populations in cities and support science-based management of urban green spaces that benefit both people and nature. We conducted a nest survival field study between April and August of 2023 in multiple green spaces in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the country’s second-largest city. We asked whether human presence (distance to trails and amount of human activity) influences the nest survival of four common open-cup nesting bird species: American robins (Turdus migratorius), gray catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis), Northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), and yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia). We also asked if variables traditionally associated with nest survival, such as vegetation concealment and seasonality, would influence nest survival. Our analyses surprisingly revealed no significant influence of human activity, vegetation concealment, and seasonality on nest survival for our target species. We found for nests that did fail, nests established during the earlier part of the nesting period failed faster. American robin nests were the most successful of our study’s four target species, whereas Northern cardinal nests were the least successful. Within the limitations of our study system, our findings suggest that human presence on trails is not negatively impacting the nesting success for our target bird species using urban green spaces. Our study provides integrated science advice to land managers so they can support opportunities for people to connect with nature without causing trade-offs with biodiversity conservation.
Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of WC-17Co Deposited Using Laser Direct Energy Deposition (LDED) and High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF)
Authors: Azarmi Fardad , Grabowski Theresa , McDonnell Martin
Published: January 2025

Recently, laser deposition technologies have made significant advancements in their ability to manufacture high-temperature metals and ceramics. One of these technologies, known as laser direct energy deposition (LDED), has the potential to deposit a wide range of materials from polymers to refractory materials, ceramics and functionally graded materials. This study evaluates major microstructural characteristics of WC-17 Co additively manufactured by LDED technology. A LDED-manufactured WC-Co sample was examined by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) experiment was also performed to validate results obtained from XRD test. This material is commonly used for deposition of protective coatings due to its high hardness and excellent wear resistance. To this end, hardness and wear resistance of the LDED-processed samples were also investigated in this study. All the tests were also repeated on high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF)-deposited WC-Co with the same composition for the purpose of comparison. LDED sample showed slightly higher porosity (~4%) compared to the HVOF one (~3%). Both samples experience decomposition of the carbides into compound phases as indicated by XRD results. EBSD test results also confirmed the ones obtained from XRD and detected WC, Co, W2C, and W3Co3C in both samples while some more complex phases such as W9Co3C4 was found in LDED sample. The LDED-deposited sample also displays unique dendritic and eutectic structures that improve the hardness and wear properties compared to the homogenous HVOF coating instead of higher porosity level. The higher wear resistance of LDED sample is also associated with its higher hardness.
Disciplinary practices and mental health among adolescents: a person-centered Approach
Authors: Valencia Pablo D. , Aguilar Leonardo , Contreras-Pizarro Carlos H. , Sequeda Gabriela , Reyes Ammy , Gamón Susana , Cárcamo-Zepeda Eduardo , Piguave Holguin Karla
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Disciplinary practices significantly impact adolescent behavior and mental health. This study aimed to identify discipline profiles reported by Mexican adolescents, examine sociodemographic factors associated with these profiles, and analyze their relationship with mental health outcomes, including depressive symptoms, suicide attempts, and alcohol use. Methods: Data were analyzed from the 2021 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT), including 3,373 adolescents (mean age = 13.42; 49.6% female) from various Mexican regions. Latent class analysis identified disciplinary patterns. Associations between sociodemographic variables and disciplinary profiles were examined using multinomial logistic regression. Logistic and linear regressions assessed the relationships between disciplinary practices and mental health outcomes. Results: Three disciplinary profiles were identified: low disciplinary control, non-physical disciplinary control, and coercive/physical disciplinary control. Adolescents living with their mothers or whose mothers had higher educational levels were more likely to experience non-physical discipline than low disciplinary control. Those living with their mother also had a higher probability of experiencing coercive/physical discipline. On the other hand, older adolescents evidenced a decreased likelihood of coercive/physical discipline. Both non-physical and coercive/physical discipline were associated with higher depressive symptoms, increased alcohol consumption and a higher likelihood of suicide attempts compared to low disciplinary control. Conclusions: The study highlights the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of disciplinary practices among Mexican adolescents. It underscores the negative mental health impacts of coercive disciplinary methods, emphasizing the need for interventions promoting healthier disciplinary practices to improve adolescent well-being.
Comparison of the 2023 ISCVID and ESC Duke clinical criteria for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis among patients with positive blood cultures for new typical microorganisms
Authors: Fourré Nicolas , Zimmermann Virgile , Senn Laurence , Monney Pierre , Tzimas Georgios , Tagini Florian , Tozzi Piergiorgio , Kirsch Matthias , Guery Benoit , Papadimitriou-Olivgeris Matthaios
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of the Duke clinical criteria of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC; 2015 and 2023 versions) and the 2023 International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID) in diagnosing infective endocarditis (IE) among patients with bacteraemia/candidaemia by pathogens introduced for the first time as typical microorganisms by ISCVID.

Methods

Retrospective study.

Setting

This study included adult patients with bacteraemia/candidaemia by such pathogens (coagulase negative staphylococci, Abiotrophia spp., Gemella spp., and Granulicatella spp., Cutibacterium. acnes, Corynebacterium striatum, C. jeikeium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, non-tuberculous mycobacteria, and Candida spp.) hospitalized at Lausanne University Hospital. Episodes were classified as IE by two expert clinicians.

Results

Among 463 episodes with bacteraemia/candidaemia by such pathogens, IE was diagnosed in 63 episodes (14%). IE prevalence was 17% among episodes with bacteraemia by Staphylococcus lugdunensis or Abiotrophia spp. No case of IE was identified among Granulicatella spp. and Gemella spp. bacteraemias. Among 113 episodes with intracardiac prosthetic material, IE prevalence was 51% in episodes with bacteraemia by S. epidermidis. Sensitivity for the 2015 Duke-ESC, 2023 Duke-ISCVID, and the 2023 Duke-ESC clinical criteria was calculated at 5%, 57%, and 8%, respectively. More episodes were classified as possible IE by the 2023 Duke-ISCVID (30%) compared to 2015 Duke-ESC (13%) and 2023 Duke-ESC (16%) clinical criteria.

Conclusion

The 2023 ISCVID version demonstrated superior sensitivity compared to both 2015 and 2023 Duke-ESC in diagnosing IE caused by new typical microorganisms, compared to the other criteria, albeit an increase in cases being classified as possible IE.
Outbreak of autochthonous dengue in Fano, Pesaro-Urbino Province - Marche region, Italy, September 2024
Authors: Santilli Luca , Canovari Benedetta , Balducci Maria , Corbelli Giovanni , Maracci Monia , Polenta Antonio , Farinaccio Ylenia , Ginevri Francesco , Anzalone Norma , Franca Lucia , Sterza Lucia , Barchiesi Francesco
Published: January 2025

Dengue is the most common arboviral disease globally. It is caused by four distinct but closely related Dengue viruses (DENV-1, -2, -3, and − 4) transmitted through bites of infected Aedes species mosquito vectors. In the last 50 years, incidence has increased 30-fold with increasing geographic expansion to new countries. Here we report the most important autochthonous Dengue epidemic in Italy ever recorded with a total of 86 confirmed cases occurring in September 2024 in Fano. They were caused by DENV-2. They were 61 Dengue fever, 21 Dengue with warning signs and no cases of severe Dengue. Our data underline the importance of considering Dengue not only as imported disease and rapidly testing all those patients with suggestive clinical pictures even if they have no travel history.
The Effects of a DRO and Self-Monitoring Program on Prisoners in an Italian Prison
Authors: Pascale Valeria , Pritchard Joshua K. , C. Felice P. , Iovino  , Bassani Sara , Wine Byron
Published: January 2025

This study examined the effectiveness of differential reinforcement of other behavior and self-monitoring in reducing challenging behavior among sixteen male inmates in an Italian prison. A multiple baseline design across groups was used to evaluate changes in property destruction, self-injury, and aggression. Results indicated a substantial reduction in these targeted behaviors across all participants. Social validity measures indicated improved inmate perception of their quality of life and interactions with others in the prison.
Novel Apexification Procedure as a Biotic Treatment Approach Using Amniotic Membrane Matrix and Biodentin Obturation for Immature Permanent Teeth: Case Series with Review of Literature
Authors: Roma M. , Hegde Shreya
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Regenerative therapy’s primary goal in endodontics is to revitalize the pulpo-dentinal system of immature permanent dental teeth in order to permanently seal the gaping apex of the tooth’s root end and complete the root’s growth. Apexification is a process employed in teeth with diseased pulps to preserve an apical development of a root that is still developing or to form a mineralized barrier in a root that has an open apex. Biodentine is an adaptable substance that can support thin dentinal walls and help achieve apical closure, enhancing overall prognosis and maintaining natural dentition. Amnion membrane contains growth factors that promote regeneration and epithelization.

Methodology

In this paper, cases of nonvital permanent tooth with an immature apex received treatment for the apexification process. Standard endodontic therapy was started after rubber dam isolation and under local anesthesia. Access cavities were prepared. ProTaper hand files up to size F3 were used for the cleaning and shaping process. For a duration of 2 weeks, two applications of calcium hydroxide dressing were applied to the root canals along with 3% sodium hypochlorite irrigation. At the subsequent appointment, the calcium hydroxide dressing was removed. The canals were dried using paper points, and then an amniotic membrane (Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India) plug was placed at the apex. The canal was filled with sterile cotton and temporized for 2 weeks. Following this, the entire root canal was obturated with Biodentin. Final restoration was done at subsequent visit with composite resin.

Results

Three cases with permanent immature teeth with open apices were treated in which all the protocols of the apexification procedure were followed. All the 3 cases treated showed signs of healing both clinically and radiographically.

Conclusion

Amniotic membrane is considered as one of the regenerative materials for the apexification procedure which helps in the closure of open apices within a span of 2 weeks. This membrane is considered as a viable option for the apexification of immature teeth without any adverse effects.
Mechanical behavior, microstructural evolution and texture analysis of AA2024-T351 processed by multi-layer friction surfacing with high build rates
Authors: Hoffmann Marius , Roos Arne , Klusemann Benjamin
Published: January 2025

Solid-state additive manufacturing (AM) processes such as multi-layer friction surfacing (MLFS) can overcome typical disadvantages of fusion-based AM such as high residual stresses, porosity or hot cracking. The tool-less process setup of MLFS prevents contamination of the resulting components, e.g., caused by wear or the use of lubricants. The present study investigates MLFS for the precipitation-hardenable alloy AA2024-T3 using a process parameter that yields a high build rate relevant for industrial applications. The fatigue performance is shown and the microstructural and the mechanical anisotropy is examined. The fatigue properties in deposition direction show a high cycle fatigue limit of 170.5 MPa and a decrease in the maximum stress level compared to the base material due to precipitate overageing. The microstructure shows a Brass

$$\{011\}\langle 211\rangle$$

{
011
}
⟨
211
⟩

texture at the bottom of the layers due to the application of high axial forces. In the center of the layer, no preferred texture was observed, while

$$\text {B}\{\bar{1}12\}\langle 110\rangle$$

B
{

1

¯

12
}
⟨
110
⟩

/

$$\bar{\text {B}}\{1\bar{1}\bar{2}\}\langle \bar{1}\bar{1}0\rangle$$

B

¯

{
1

1

¯

2

¯

}
⟨

1

¯

1

¯

0
⟩

shear textures were observed at the top part of the deposited layers. An elongated grain morphology with aspect ratios above 2 is present over the entire layer height. These microstructural characteristics cause anisotropy in mechanical properties, with highest ultimate tensile strength and elongation in deposition direction, i.e., 408 ± 5 MPa and 18 ± 3 % respectively, and the lowest values along the build direction, i.e., 377 ± 21 MPa and 9 ± 3 % respectively. The observed behavior is of considerable importance for the industrial design and application of components manufactured with MLFS as they show that MLFS can also result in anisotropic material properties, depending on the chosen process parameters. It requires careful selection of the right combination of stud material and process parameters to achieve isotropic properties in the deposited structure.
Asymptotic expansion of the invariant measure for Markov-modulated ODEs at high frequency
Authors: Monmarché Pierre , Strickler Edouard
Published: January 2025

We consider time-inhomogeneous ordinary differential equations (ODEs) whose parameters are governed by an underlying ergodic Markov process. When this underlying process is accelerated by a factor

$\varepsilon^{-1}$

, an averaging phenomenon occurs and the solution of the ODE converges to a deterministic ODE as

$\varepsilon$

vanishes. We are interested in cases where this averaged flow is globally attracted to a point. In that case, the equilibrium distribution of the solution of the ODE converges to a Dirac mass at this point. We prove an asymptotic expansion in terms of

$\varepsilon$

for this convergence, with a somewhat explicit formula for the first-order term. The results are applied in three contexts: linear Markov-modulated ODEs, randomized splitting schemes, and Lotka–Volterra models in a random environment. In particular, as a corollary, we prove the existence of two matrices whose convex combinations are all stable but are such that, for a suitable jump rate, the top Lyapunov exponent of a Markov-modulated linear ODE switching between these two matrices is positive.
THE MELANCHOLIA OF RADIGUEAN AESTHETICS
Authors: Mackenzie Michelle Helene
Published: January 2025

This article undertakes a Kleinian analysis of the early feedback works of Éliane Radigue. By reading the melancholic nature of these works – their fixation on the ‘lost objects’ of recorded sound, and the self-recursivity of their feedback techniques – as sonically generative rather than merely mournful, I argue that Radigue's feedback works transcend the signifying order of much elegiac music, offering a distinct intervention and epistemology within the history of musique concrète, electronic music and the sonic arts.
HISTORICISATION AND RUPTURE: ÉLIANE RADIGUE'S OCCAM OCÉAN
Authors: Osmun Douglas
Published: January 2025

The practice surrounding Éliane Radigue's Occam Océan works may be read as a new form of work concept, one which poses a productive contradiction against the work concept as it has been (and in some cases has been forgotten) and the work concept as we experience it today. Occam Océan poses a challenge to conventional conceptual understandings on many fronts, namely the practice's lack of notation; its collaborative creation; its particular structural criteria; its contingent, iterative and combinatorial manifestations; and, perhaps most significantly, its social reinscription within bodies. By historicising her work against the established work concept structures and identifying how its qualities create friction against them, Radigue's music is shown to create a small rupture at the heart of the concept itself, demonstrating the possibility of establishing radically alternative practices of music exchange and discourse.
REPETITIVE MODELS IN TWENTY-FIRST-CENTURY MUSIC: TEMPORALITY AND EXPRESSION
Authors: İncirlioğlu Füsun Köksal
Published: January 2025

Unlike the pointillist-serial aesthetics of the mid-twentieth century, contemporary music employs narrative strategies that stimulate listeners to form mental constructs. This involves using the potential of mid-level formal units to establish orientation points for the listener, exploring two repetitive models (deadlocked time and frozen time) that emerge as discrete building blocks from the current cognitive-theoretical perspective. Through analogical thinking, this article seeks to explain the potential references of these repetition-occurrences towards a temporal suspension and provides multiple examples based on selected passages from Ivan Fedele (b. 1953), Matthias Pintscher (b. 1971), Gérard Pesson (b. 1958), Unsuk Chin (b. 1961) and Michael Jarrell (b. 1958). This inquiry suggests an apprehension capable of bringing an expressive stand to the forefront. It also scrutinises how cognitive approaches revolving around analogical thinking can be employed extensively in the analysis of post-tonal music.
MICHAEL TIPPETT'S ‘LOST’ PRISON LETTER
Authors: Soden Oliver
Published: January 2025

The letters sent by the English composer Michael Tippett from Wormwood Scrubs Prison, where, a conscientious objector, he spent two months in summer 1943, form a remarkable and important sequence, illuminating not only Tippett's life and compositions but the experience of a gaoled objector to the Second World War. Four prison letters had been thought to survive, documenting in detail his imprisonment, which included turning pages for Benjamin Britten during a recital in the chapel, and conducting the prison orchestra. In 2023 a fifth letter was found, its discovery reported in the national press.1 Its publication is intended to complement the previously released documents, completing what is now a series of five until such time as a collected edition of Tippett's letters, of which only a fifth has seen print, can be undertaken.2
The concept of sustainable development in investment arbitration: A disconnect from investment policymaking and international adjudication
Authors: Marcoux Jean-Michel
Published: January 2025

Amidst initiatives and international agreements that call for a stronger consideration of sustainable development in international investment law, there is a need to assess whether the concept has found its way in decisions rendered by investment arbitration tribunals. References to the concept of sustainable development in investment arbitration can eventually make the adjudication of investment disputes more consistent with an increasingly important aspect of the context in which the terms of international investment agreements are embedded. Have arbitration tribunals acknowledged the relevance of the concept of sustainable development when adjudicating international investment disputes? To answer this question, this article adopts an exploratory research design and relies on a content analysis of 91 decisions that include at least one reference to the term ‘sustainable development’. It argues that the use of sustainable development by tribunals is both marginal and problematic, thus showing a strong disconnect from efforts deployed in investment policymaking and international adjudication. The article proceeds in three steps. First, it focuses on international initiatives encouraging the consideration of sustainable development in investment policymaking. Second, it briefly explores the reliance on sustainable development that has emerged in international adjudication, outside investment arbitration. Third, by analysing express references to sustainable development in international investment arbitration, it shows that these decisions demonstrate a general lack of engagement with the concept in the tribunals’ findings and a failure to fully acknowledge its integrative nature.
Eighty-five Percent of Menu Items from the Six Highest Selling Fast-food Restaurants in the United States are Ultra-processed
Authors: Basile Anthony J. , Noshirwani Nereus K. , Sweazea Karen L.
Published: January 2025

Objective:

While fast-food is typically considered highly processed, an analysis to demonstrate this has yet to be conducted. Therefore, the objective of this research was to examine the menu items and ingredients from six fast-food restaurant menus using the NOVA Classification.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Data were collected from the top six highest selling United States restaurants, per each food category, identified using the Quick Service and Fast Casual Restaurants (QSR) 2020 Report.

Participants:

A total of 740 menu items were identified and classified according to their degree of processing based on ingredient lists using the NOVA Classification: Minimally Processed (MPF), Culinary Processed Ingredient (CPF), Processed (PRF), or Ultra-processed (UPF). In addition, individual ingredients that appeared on at least three menus were classified into NOVA groups, and the 20 most common ingredients were identified based on frequency of appearance in ingredient lists.

Results:

Across all menus, 85% (Range: 70-94%) of items were UPFs with only 11% (Range: 6-25%) being MPF (p<0.001). Additionally, 46% of the ingredients that appeared on at least three menus were ultra-processed ingredients. Three ultra-processed ingredients appeared on all six menus: natural flavors, xanthan gum, and citric acid.

Conclusions:

These findings show that the vast majority of menu items from major fast-food restaurants are UPFs and there are few options for MPFs. Fast-food companies should consider reformulation or the addition of MPF to the menu to increase healthful food options for their patrons.
Dietary Intake and Micronutrient Adequacy among Adults in Rural Sri Lanka: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Baseline Survey
Authors: Joyce Caroline A. , Caswell Bess L. , Gelli Aulo , Hess Sonja Y. , Sitisekara Hasara , Stewart Christine P. , Tan Xiuping , Jayatissa Renuka , Peiris Kalana , Silva Renuka , Olney Deanna K.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To characterize food group consumption, assess the contribution of food groups to energy and micronutrient intake, and estimate usual nutrient intake among adults in rural Sri Lanka.

Design

A baseline survey (Dec 2020–Feb 2021) was conducted as part of an agriculture-based, nutrition-sensitive resilience program evaluation. Dietary intake was assessed using telephone-based 24-hour recalls (n=1283), with repeat recalls from 769 participants. Mean daily intake of food groups and their contribution to energy and nutrient intakes were calculated. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate usual intakes and the prevalence of adequate micronutrient intake (PAI). Differences by sex, district, and wealth were assessed using t-tests and ANOVA.

Setting

Forty-five rural villages throughout Sri Lanka.

Participants

Men and women from households in the program evaluation study area.

Results

On average, grains and coconut milk provided 56% and 12% of energy, respectively. Rice, fish, dairy, and pulses were the primary sources of micronutrients. Participants consumed 118±117g vegetables and 71±243g fruit per day. PAI was <25% for calcium; zinc; niacin; folate; and vitamins B6, B12, and C, reflecting low consumption of animal-source foods (ASF; 80 g/day), whole grains, fruits, and vegetables (F&V). Significant differences in food group consumption by sociodemographic subgroup were observed among districts and wealth quintiles.

Conclusions

We observed high consumption of rice and coconut milk and low prevalence of micronutrient adequacy. We recommend increasing ASF, whole grain, and F&V consumption to close nutrient gaps, as well as research to identify effective solutions to increase micronutrient intake.
The impact of climate change on vulnerable populations in pediatrics: opportunities for AI, digital health, and beyond—a scoping review and selected case studies
Authors: Campbell Elizabeth A. , Holl Felix , Marwah Harleen K. , Fraser Hamish S. , Craig Sansanee S.
Published: January 2025

Climate change critically impacts global pediatric health, presenting unique and escalating challenges due to children’s inherent vulnerabilities and ongoing physiological development. This scoping review intricately intertwines the spheres of climate change, pediatric health, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a goal to elucidate the potential of AI and digital health in mitigating the adverse child health outcomes induced by environmental alterations, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). A notable gap is uncovered: literature directly correlating AI interventions with climate change-impacted pediatric health is scant, even though substantial research exists at the confluence of AI and health, and health and climate change respectively. We present three case studies about AI’s promise in addressing pediatric health issues exacerbated by climate change. The review spotlights substantial obstacles, including technical, ethical, equitable, privacy, and data security challenges in AI applications for pediatric health, necessitating in-depth, future-focused research. Engaging with the intricate nexus of climate change, pediatric health, and AI, this work underpins future explorations into leveraging AI to navigate and neutralize the burgeoning impact of climate change on pediatric health outcomes.

Impact

Our scoping review highlights the scarcity of literature directly correlating AI interventions with climate change-impacted pediatric health that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, even though substantial research exists at the confluence of AI and health, and health and climate change respectively.

We present three case studies about AI’s promise in addressing pediatric health issues exacerbated by climate change.

The review spotlights substantial obstacles, including technical, ethical, equitable, privacy, and data security challenges in AI applications for pediatric health, necessitating in-depth, future-focused research.