bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring management buy-ins and open innovation dynamics: current trends and future directions
Authors: Tsvetkov Nikolai , Pierrakis Yannis , Abdi Yaghoub
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper explores the intersection of Management Buyouts (MBOs), Management Buy-ins (MBIs), and Open Innovation (OI). While MBOs have been associated with innovation in numerous studies, MBIs and their role in fostering OI remain underexplored, especially in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

A Bibliometric-Systematic Literature Review (B-SLR) was conducted, analyzing 89 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science (1989–2022). Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified thematic clusters, including governance reforms, leadership entrepreneurship, and strategic partnerships, as critical enablers of OI in MBOs and MBIs.

Findings

The study highlights research directions, such as OI mechanisms, cross-industry comparisons, and performance evaluation frameworks. It underscores the differences in innovation outputs and organizational resilience between MBOs and MBIs, suggesting tailored strategies to optimize OI adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to literature from Scopus and Web of Science and focuses on conceptual frameworks rather than empirical testing. Future research should explore sector-specific dynamics and long-term innovation outcomes.

Practical implications

MBO/MBI managers can leverage the insights to foster OI, address innovation barriers, and build resilient businesses by adopting strategic partnerships and effective governance structures.

Social implications

The research highlights the potential of MBOs/MBIs to drive innovation and economic growth in SMEs, particularly in industries requiring collaborative innovation strategies.

Originality/value

This study fills a significant gap by connecting MBIs to OI, offering a conceptual framework and a research agenda that align buyout strategies with sustainable innovation practices.
Nexus Between Financial Development, Economic Growth, and Carbon Emissions (CO2) in Sub‐Saharan Countries
Authors: Ahmad Mushtaq , Jide Zhang , Haq Izhar ul
Published: January 2025

In the global pursuit of sustainable development, understanding the intricate interplay among financial development, economic growth, and environmental considerations is paramount. This study delves into the dynamics within 46 selected Sub‐Saharan countries from 2000 to 2020, investigating the nexus between financial development, economic growth, and CO2 emissions. Employing a rigorous methodological approach, we use carbon emissions (CO2) as the dependent variable, with financial development and economic growth as independent variables. Statistical tools include the Pesaran test for cross‐sectional dependency and Im‐Pesaran‐Shin, and Fisher‐type tests for unit root, ensuring methodological robustness. Various cointegration tests, such as the Kao, Pedroni, and Westerlund, were applied to validate long‐term relationships. To unveil the true dynamics of the long‐run impact of financial development on CO2 emissions, four methodologies were employed: Quantile Methods via Method of Moments (MMQR), Fully Modified OLS (FMOLS), Dynamic OLS (DOLS), and Canonical Correlation Regression (CCR). Our findings suggest that variables like AE, TO, NR, and GDP exert a positive and significant impact on CO2 emissions across all Quantiles. At the same time, foreign direct investment (FDI) exhibits a negative and significant influence on CO2 emissions. In light of these results, policymakers are urged to consider a nuanced approach to environmental policy formulation.
Feminist livelihood studies: Mapping future directions
Authors: Oberhauser Ann M. , Langill Jennifer C.
Published: January 2025

Feminist approaches to livelihoods deeply enrich development studies by focusing on gender, social difference, intrahousehold considerations, and other manifestations of power. In this paper, we suggest three pillars of feminist livelihood studies that advance debates in this field. First, postcolonialism and decoloniality are separate but related frameworks essential for situating feminist approaches to livelihoods. Second, social‐relational and intersectional analyses provide critical understandings of the forces of oppression and difference that co‐produce livelihoods. Finally, feminist research on the environment examines social‐ecological dimensions of livelihoods that complement studies in feminist political ecology. Feminist methodologies are highlighted throughout our discussion and include the application of decolonising methods, reflexivity, and socio‐spatial dynamics within livelihood research. Attention to these pillars through a critical feminist lens provides a transformative agenda for livelihood studies. In sum, the research and practice of feminist livelihoods presented here support new directions for development studies to disrupt colonial, masculinist, and racialised approaches and to decolonise the ways we interact with communities to affect change.
Electronic cigarettes and subsequent cigarette smoking in young people: A systematic review
Authors: Begh Rachna , Conde Monserrat , Fanshawe Thomas R. , Kneale Dylan , Shahab Lion , Zhu Sufen , Pesko Michael , Livingstone‐Banks Jonathan , Lindson Nicola , Rigotti Nancy A. , Tudor Kate , Kale Dimitra , Jackson Sarah E. , Rees Karen , Hartmann‐Boyce Jamie
Published: January 2025

Aims

To assess the evidence for a relationship between the use of e‐cigarettes and subsequent smoking in young people (≤29 years), and whether this differs by demographic characteristics.

Methods

Systematic review with association direction plots (searches to April 2023). Screening, data extraction and critical appraisal followed Cochrane methods. Our primary outcome was the association between e‐cigarette use, availability or both, and change in population rate of smoking in young people. The secondary outcomes were initiation, progression and cessation of smoking at individual level. We assessed certainty using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE).

Results

We included 126 studies. For our primary outcome, there was very low certainty evidence (limited by risk of bias and inconsistency) suggesting that e‐cigarette use and availability were inversely associated with smoking in young people (i.e. as e‐cigarettes became more available and/or used more widely, youth smoking rates went down or, conversely, as e‐cigarettes were restricted, youth smoking rates went up). All secondary outcomes were judged to be very low certainty due to very serious risk of bias. Data consistently showed direct associations between vaping at baseline and smoking initiation (28 studies) and smoking progression (5 studies). The four studies contributing data on smoking cessation had mixed results, precluding drawing any conclusion on the direction of association. There was limited information to determine whether relationships varied by sociodemographic characteristics.

Conclusion

At an individual level, people who vape appear to be more likely to go on to smoke than people who do not vape; however, it is unclear if these behaviours are causally linked. Very low certainty evidence suggests that youth vaping and smoking could be inversely related.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel 9H Purine Derivatives as Potent CDK9 Inhibitors
Authors: Tang Chunlei , Wang Dong , Wang Huabing , Cui Shengkai , Fan Weizheng , Zhang Yan
Published: January 2025

Cyclin‐dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) is considered as an important target in the research of antitumor drugs. Taking the CDK2/9 inhibitor CYC065 as the positive control and an in‐house library compound (64) as the lead compound, four classes of 22 target compounds with 9H purine as the core structure were designed to establish structure–activity relationships (SAR). In general, SAR of 9H purine CDK9 inhibitors is systematically described in this paper, resulting in the discovery of two compounds (B2 and B5) with further research value. After conducting selectivity testing against CDK2/9 kinase, compound B5 demonstrated approximately five‐fold greater selectivity towards CDK9‐cyclinT1 over CDK2‐cyclinE2. This work also provides a reference basis for the subsequent research on CDK9 inhibitors.
Targeted metabolomics reveals novel biomarkers for gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Xu Zhuangfei , Fang Jiali , Wang Yi , Wu Xiaoting , Liu Lan , Cui Xianwei , Zhong Hong , Zhong Tianying
Published: January 2025

Aims

The utilization of targeted metabolomics technology promises to facilitate the identification of novel metabolic markers in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which may in turn facilitate a more comprehensive investigation of the underlying mechanisms of gestational diabetes GDM.

Materials and Methods

In this study, we used targeted metabolomics to identify serum metabolites from women with or without GDM. The differential metabolites were categorized and analysed using pathway analyses, correlated with maternal glucose level, and assessed as predictors of GDM by receiver operating characteristics analysis.

Results

Notably, we detected 46 differential metabolites (24 upregulated and 22 downregulated) between GDM and normal pregnancy, which were catalogued into amino acids, peptides and analogues, and organic acids and derivatives, and others. Pathway analysis showed that amino acid metabolites were abnormally active. In addition, most of the metabolites were closely related to maternal glucose level. Of these, two metabolites were associated with fasting blood glucose, 22 correlated with 1‐h postprandial plasma glucose and 13 were related to 2‐h postprandial plasma glucose. Next, we identified metabolites that could better diagnose GDM with the area under the receiver operating characteristics above 0.75, including 2‐hydroxybutyric acid, itaconic acid, O‐acetylcarnitine, glutathione disulfide, P‐cresolsulfate, 2‐furoic acid, l‐asparagine, d‐biotin, choline and homovanillic acid.

Conclusion

We identified abnormal serum metabolites caused by GDM, which may contribute to our understanding of the pathomechanisms of GDM.
Actual weight loss trajectories after bariatric surgery compared with the SOPHIA prediction tool: An observational comparison study
Authors: Sankar Adhithya , McNeilage Caitlin , Alkhaffaf Bilal , Syed Akheel A.
Published: January 2025

Aims

Estimation of post‐bariatric surgery weight loss is important for informed clinical decisions, yet existing predictive models lack accuracy and reliability. We assessed the effectiveness of the validated Stratification of Obesity Phenotypes to Optimize Future Therapy (SOPHIA) bariatric weight trajectory prediction tool in our patient population.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 178 adults who underwent bariatric surgery over a 3‐year period. Actual weights at baseline and annually over 5 years of follow‐up were compared with predicted weights to calculate mean difference and median absolute deviation (MAD).

Results

The study comprised 157 women (88.2%) and 21 men (11.8%) with mean (standard deviation) age of 46.9 (10.6) years and baseline weight of 138.4 (23.5) kg. The bariatric surgical procedures included 148 (83.1%) gastric bypass, 19 (10.7%) sleeve gastrectomy and 11 (6.2%) gastric band operations. The proportion of patients with actual weights within the prediction interquartile range (IQR) was 50.7%, 43.2% and 38.8% at 12, 24 and 60 months, respectively. The mean difference between actual and predicted weight at 60 months was 0.6 (16.7) kg, p = 0.654 (paired t test). The mean MAD at 60 months was 12.9 (95% CI, 11.3–14.4) kg, indicating moderate predictive utility. The predictive accuracy was highest for gastric bypass. Subgroup analysis revealed greater accuracy in patients without diabetes/pre‐diabetes, and in nonsmokers.

Conclusions

The SOPHIA study tool provides accurate postoperative weight forecasts for some subgroups of patients, but its precision diminishes with time. This study reiterates the necessity for better personalized weight prediction tools to inform bariatric surgery decision‐making.
Stress and Confidence of Undergraduate Dental Students With Different Levels of Clinical Experience in Managing Endodontic Emergencies: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Chuy Virginie , Matyjasik Pierre , Devillard Raphaël , Kérourédan Olivia
Published: January 2025

Objectives

To describe the stress and confidence of dental students during the management of an endodontic emergency (EE) and investigate the associated factors.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 227 undergraduate dental students undergoing clinical training (i.e., in the fourth, fifth, or sixth year) who responded to questions asking for their overall level of stress during an EE and their level of confidence in their ability to manage 50 steps of EE management related to communication and technical skills, and clinical examination and decision‐making.

Results

Managing EE was perceived as slightly or fairly stressful by 70% of the fourth‐ to sixth‐year students. The fourth‐ and fifth‐year students felt significantly greater stress (p = 0.026) and lower confidence (p < 0.001) than the sixth‐year students, as did women (p < 0.001 for both). No significant difference in stress or confidence levels was observed across the clinical training environments evaluated. Just over half of the students reported being confident about discussing a case with their teacher. The situations in which students felt least confident were patient management, crack detection, lymph node palpation, locoregional or intrapulpal anaesthesia, and intraoral drainage, and those in which students gained the most confidence in the sixth year compared to the lower grades were clinical decision‐making.

Conclusions

Managing EE was perceived as slightly or fairly stressful for most students, and stress decreased, while confidence increased in the 3 years of clinical training. Although these findings are positive for the existing training program, there is still work to be done to improve students' learning experiences, especially on teacher receptiveness.
Financial Clout, Global Reputation, and Governance in UK Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Hasan Arshad , Anwar Waqas , Elmagrhi Mohamed H. , Ntim Collins G.
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the link between financial clout and the global reputation of higher education institutions (HEIs) and consequently examines the extent to which the financial clout–global reputation nexus is moderated by HEIs’ governing board mechanisms. Using a sample of UK HEIs from 2015 to 2022, we find that financial clout, as measured by higher financial flexibility and greater operating efficiency, positively impacts HEIs’ global reputation. Specifically, we find that high financial flexibility, as captured by greater research grants and contracts, positively influences HEIs’ global reputation. In contrast, low financial flexibility, as captured by tuition fees dependency and reliance on funding body grants, negatively impacts HEIs’ reputation. Furthermore, we find that greater operating efficiency, as measured by net cash inflow from operating activities and net liquidity days, positively impacts HEIs’ global reputation. However, a higher net surplus margin negatively impacts HEIs’ global reputation, which may imply ineffective utilization of excess resources on core teaching/research facilities. Further, we find that the extent to which financial clout influences HEIs’ global reputation is moderated by the quality of board governance mechanisms. Our findings offer empirical support for neoinstitutional theory, which suggests that obtaining institutional legitimacy can help HEIs build competitive advantages, achieve a higher perception of quality, and ultimately achieve a higher global reputation. Our findings also offer important policy implications that emphasize the need for adopting governance practices that balance short‐term financial health with long‐term academic excellence.
State of the Practice Worldwide: Developing Approaches to Transition from Active Remediation to Monitored Natural Attenuation
Authors: Adamson David T. , Hort Hiroko , Wilson John T. , Newell Charles J. , McHugh Thomas E.
Published: January 2025

A landmark National Research Council report from 2013 emphasized the need to transition to passive or less resource‐intensive management strategies like monitored natural attenuation (MNA) at sites where pump‐and‐treat and active remedies are providing diminishing returns. While this report is now more than a decade old, the process for implementing this type of transition assessment is still not well understood by practitioners. The objective of this study was to help address this gap by developing a software tool (TA2 Tool) that aids in gathering and analyzing data that are relevant for a site‐specific transition assessment. The implications of site complexities on achieving remedial objectives are a key component of transition assessment. This free web‐based tool has modules that perform quantitative assessment of concentration trends and project the remediation timeframe based on the current remedial approach. It has modules that predict how remediation timeframes are influenced by matrix diffusion to assess if additional remediation is warranted. Crucially, it includes modules that evaluate MNA as a transition technology, specifically by looking at plume stability, natural attenuation rates, and projections of plume concentrations at a downgradient point of compliance in the absence of further active treatment. This new tool complements existing resources on technology optimization and transitions, including ITRC guidance. The value of performing these types of assessments is highlighted through empirical data and case studies that show that it is not necessary to operate pump‐and‐treat systems in perpetuity and that many sites with these systems have either transitioned to other technologies or been closed.
Comparison of the Histological Structure of an Anterior as well as a Posterior Biopsy From the Human Palate: A Comparative Study
Authors: Bienz Stefan P. , Kuonen Jasmine , Hüsler Jürg , Gadzo Naida , Hitz Sonja , Jung Ronald E. , Thoma Daniel S.
Published: January 2025

Aim

To compare the histological structure of biopsies from the anterior and posterior regions of the human palate in order to gain insights into potential differences of soft tissue harvesting sites.

Methods

This comparative study involved 20 participants, from each of whom four samples from the palatal mucosa were collected. The biopsies were histologically processed and subsequently analysed. The thickness of the epithelium, lamina propria, and the length of the rete pegs were measured using a microscope. In addition, parameters such as collagen fibres, elastic fibres, elastic connective tissue, loose connective tissue and the background were measured.

Results

The mean epithelial thickness was 0.42 mm anteriorly and 0.37 mm posteriorly. The mean thickness of the lamina propria was 0.81 mm anteriorly and 0.85 mm posteriorly. Within the region of interest, collagen fibres were significantly less abundant anteriorly than posteriorly (p = 0.016). The loose connective tissue showed a significantly higher occurrence in the anterior compared with the posterior sampling site (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

This trial indicates no differences in terms of the thickness of the lamina propria. There was a higher concentration of collagen fibres and a lower concentration of loose connective tissue in the posterior region of the palate.
Parents' prohibitions of peer relationships: why do they undermine social adjustment? A commentary on Kaniusonyte and Laursen (2024)
Authors: Mounts Nina S.
Published: January 2025

Kaniusonyte and Laursen (2024) make an important contribution to our understanding of parental prohibitions of peer relationships and their relationship to other aspects of adolescent social functioning. This commentary develops several possible extensions to this interesting line of research with a goal of more specifically identifying the mechanisms that account for the relationships between prohibitions and adolescents' peer adjustment. Future investigations can build on this research by considering the role of conflict between parents and adolescents as a potential mediator or moderator in the process of prohibiting and considering the meaning of restrictive peer access to adolescents' peers across the developmental period. Further, investigations could consider daily diary and observational approaches to expand the field to better understand prohibitions at a microlevel. The commentary also encourages investigators to more fully examine bidirectionality, specifically child effects, which have received relatively little attention in this area.
Rarity and Sparseness in Plant Communities: Impact of Minor Species Removal on Beta Diversity and Canonical Ordination
Authors: Gillet François , Rouzet Adeline , Borcard Daniel , Legendre Pierre
Published: January 2025

Question

Among the “minor” species present in communities, we distinguish between true “rare” species, with infrequent occurrence (low occupancy) in a given regional data set, and “sparse” species, which may be present over most of the study area, but with low local abundance. Do rare and sparse species play a different role in the evaluation of beta diversity and in the constrained ordination of plant community data sets?

Methods

Based on their positions in the abundance‐occupancy scatterplots of six contrasted vegetation data sets, we distinguished core, rural, urban, and satellite species. To disentangle the role of rarity and sparseness, we applied to each data set a progressive removal of either the least frequent or the least locally abundant species. We assessed impacts on beta diversity (q = 0, 1 and 2), and on model performance of RDA, without or after pretransformation of absolute cover values.

Results

Multiplicative beta diversity decreased with the number of removed rare species, with slightly higher values for q = 2, whereas it increased when removing sparse species, with much higher values for q = 0. With raw data or after binary or by‐site transformation, the fraction of variation explained by RDA increased only slightly when removing rare species, with a more sensible increase of the relative contribution of the first canonical axis. By contrast, progressive elimination of sparse species, which mimics a lower sampling effort within each community, negatively affected model performance. Generally, the removal of rare species clearly improved the performance of RDA after double transformation (chi‐square transformation), contrary to the removal of sparse species.

Conclusions

The frequently observed positive correlation between occupancy and abundance hides profound differences with critical impacts on vegetation analysis. Providing that meaningful transformations are applied, there is no need to remove rare species prior to RDA. Focusing only on abundant species during sampling is likely to limit the performance of ecological empirical models.
A best practice guide for conducting healthy food retail research: A resource for researchers and health promotion practitioners
Authors: Scapin Tailane , Boelsen‐Robinson Tara , Naughton Shaan , Ananthapavan Jaithri , Blake Miranda , Ferguson Megan , Gomez‐Donoso Clara , Gupta Adyya , Hobbs Victoria , McMahon Emma Joy , Romaniuk Helena , Sacks Gary , Thompson Julia , Alston Laura , Backholer Kathryn , Bennett Rebecca , Brimblecombe Julie , Chan Jasmine , Duus Katrine S. , Huse Oliver , Maganja Damian , Marshall Josephine , Orellana Liliana , Rosewarne Emalie , Schultz Sally , Sievert Katherine , Sherriff Simone , Tran Huong Ngoc Quynh , Vargas Carmen , Wu Jason H. Y. , Peeters Anna , Cameron Adrian J.
Published: January 2025

Retail food environments play a pivotal role in influencing dietary behaviors, and therefore have huge potential as settings for promoting good nutrition and preventing obesity. Conducting research in retail settings can be challenging due to the varied motivations of the parties involved and the complex nature of retail environments. To improve the quality and consistency of research in this field, we have identified 16 thematic topics aimed at guiding researchers and public health practitioners on how to conduct healthy food retail research. A summary for each topic, encompassing existing methodologies, best practice examples, and knowledge gaps, was developed based on available literature and the collective experience and expertise of 32 multidisciplinary researchers from a high‐income perspective engaged in healthy food retail research in a diverse range of retail settings. A summary checklist describing key considerations at each stage of conducting healthy food retail research was also developed.
Plant‐based and sustainable diet: A systematic review of its impact on obesity
Authors: Mambrini Sara P. , Penzavecchia Claudia , Menichetti Francesca , Foppiani Andrea , Leone Alessandro , Pellizzari Marta , Sileo Federica , Battezzati Alberto , Bertoli Simona , De Amicis Ramona
Published: January 2025

The food system significantly affects the environment through land use, emissions from livestock, deforestation, and food waste. Diet sustainability considers the environmental effects of food production, distribution, and consumption. Animal products emit more greenhouse gases than plant‐based foods, prompting a shift towards plant‐focused diets for reduced emissions. Sustainable diets, like the EAT‐Lancet model, prioritize plant‐based foods, adjusting for regional eating habits. These diets aim to be both environmentally friendly and conducive to human health, addressing concerns like obesity and chronic diseases. Obesity is a major global health challenge, and its complex relationship with food production and consumption patterns calls for sustainable solutions to reduce pressure on ecosystems and promote healthier lifestyles. Tackling obesity requires holistic strategies that address not only individual health but also the broader environmental impacts of food systems. A systematic review examined the link between plant‐based diets and obesity focusing on studies assessing Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat assessment. Despite limited research, evidence suggests that adherence to a plant‐based diet, particularly a healthy one, is associated with lower obesity rates. More longitudinal and intervention studies are necessary for a stronger consensus on the matter.
Trimethylamine N‐Oxide (TMAO) and TNF‐α Levels in Periodontal Disease Associated With Smoking
Authors: Bal Ipek , Balci Nur , Sorguc Cem , Toygar Hilal Uslu , Serdar Ceyhan C. , Kurgan Sivge , Serdar Muhittin A.
Published: January 2025

Aims

Trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) is a compound involved in the pathogenesis of various systemic inflammatory diseases, including cardiovascular conditions. The aim of this study was to determine differences in saliva and serum levels of TMAO between periodontitis and healthy patients according to smoking status.

Methods

The study included four systemically healthy groups: periodontally healthy non‐smokers (NS‐Control; n = 25), non‐smokers with Stage‐III‐Grade‐B periodontitis (NS‐Periodontitis; n = 25), periodontally healthy smokers (S‐Control; n = 25), and smokers with Stage‐III Grade‐C periodontitis (S‐Periodontitis; n = 25). Periodontal parameters were recorded. TMAO levels were determined in saliva and serum samples using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). TNF‐α levels were measured by the ELISA method.

Results

Salivary TNF‐α and TMAO levels were significantly elevated in the smoking periodontitis group compared to other groups (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Serum TMAO levels were also significantly higher in the smoking periodontitis group compared to non‐smoking controls and non‐smoking periodontitis. TMAO/SFR ratios were notably higher in the smoking periodontitis group compared to other groups, and a strong positive correlation was observed between salivary TMAO and TNF‐α levels (r = 0.892, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The data suggested that TMAO and TNF‐α are associated with inflammatory mechanisms of periodontitis in cases where periodontitis coexists with smoking.

Trial Registration

NCT06580431
Deep Learning for Staging Periodontitis Using Panoramic Radiographs
Authors: Li Xin , Chen Kejia , Zhao Dan , He Yongqi , Li Yajie , Li Zeliang , Guo Xiangyu , Zhang Chunmei , Li Wenbin , Wang Songlin
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Utilizing a deep learning approach is an emerging trend to improve the efficiency of periodontitis diagnosis and classification. This study aimed to use an object detection model to automatically annotate the anatomic structure and subsequently classify the stages of radiographic bone loss (RBL).

Materials and Methods

In all, 558 panoramic radiographs were cropped to 7359 pieces of individual teeth. The detection performance of the model was assessed using mean average precision (mAP), root mean squared error (RMSE). The classification performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and confusion matrices were presented, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated.

Results

The mAP was 0.88 when the difference between the ground truth and prediction was 10 pixels, and 0.99 when the difference was 25 pixels. For all images, the mean RMSE was 7.30 pixels. Overall, the accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and micro‐average AUC of the prediction were 0.72, 0.76, 0.64, 0.68, and 0.79, respectively.

Conclusions

The current model is reliable in assisting with the detection and staging of radiographic bone levels.
In-situ analysis of flow and morphology properties at the pore scale during CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery
Authors: Wang Xin , Li Shaohua , Tong Baocai , Jiang Lanlan , Lv Pengfei , Ling Zheng , Song Yongchen
Published: January 2025

Enhanced oil recovery(CO2-EOR) is an essential technique to improve oil recovery while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the pore-scale flow dynamics and morphological characteristics during the EOR process remain unclear. This study employs X-ray micro-tomography (micro-CT) to perform a displacement experiment through CO2 flooding. The pore characteristics, in situ wettability, morphological parameters, and interfacial area are analyzed. The spatial distribution of pores and throats is discovered to be even, with both radii distributions exhibiting narrow peaks. The coordination number is predominantly located between 5 and 10, increasing with pore size. As the displacement process proceeds, the percentage of contact angle distribution between 105° and 140° increases, indicating the ability of CO2 to remove the oil phase from the solid surface. As CO2 is injected, the oil-solid interfacial area decreases while the CO2-solid interfacial area increases, demonstrating the reduction in oil-wettability of the sample. The predominant form of residual gas at the end of displacement is residual film gas, characterized by positive Euler number values, indicating its existence as a disconnected phase. The isolated oil phase, characterized by a small volume and simple structure, dominates the remaining oil phase during CO2 injection. The surface area and volume of the oil phase exhibit a power-law relationship with similar coefficients and exponents at various pore volumes (PVs). Some larger oil phases deviate from the fitted curve, possibly due to dissolution.
Casz1 is required for both inner hair cell fate stabilization and outer hair cell survival
Authors: Sun Yuwei , Ren Minhui , Zhang Yu , Li Shuting , Luo Zhengnan , Sun Suhong , He Shunji , Wang Guangqin , Zhang Di , Mansour Suzanne L. , Song Lei , Liu Zhiyong
Published: January 2025

Cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs) require different transcription factors for their cell fate stabilization and survival, suggesting separate mechanisms are involved. Here, we found that the transcription factor Casz1 was crucial for early IHC fate consolidation and for OHC survival during mouse development. Loss of Casz1 resulted in transdifferentiation of IHCs into OHCs, without affecting OHC production. However, long-term OHC survival was compromised in
Casz1
mutant mice. In addition, the transcription factor Gata3 was down-regulated in
Casz1
-deleted IHCs and overexpressing Gata3 partially rescued IHC properties, OHC numbers, and hearing in
Casz1
-deleted mice. Thus, Casz1 plays critical roles in early IHC fate stabilization and OHC survival and could potentially provide a lead for therapies aimed at regenerating both IHCs and OHCs.
Transforming achiral semiconductors into chiral domains with exceptional circular dichroism
Authors: Ugras Thomas J. , Carson River B. , Lynch Reilly P. , Li Haoyang , Yao Yuan , Cupellini Lorenzo , Page Kirt A. , Wang Da , Arbe Arantxa , Bals Sara , Smieska Louisa , Woll Arthur R. , Arteaga Oriol , Jávorfi Tamás , Siligardi Giuliano , Pescitelli Gennaro , Weinstein Steven J. , Robinson Richard D.
Published: January 2025

Highly concentrated solutions of asymmetric semiconductor magic-sized clusters (MSCs) of cadmium sulfide, cadmium selenide, and cadmium telluride were directed through a controlled drying meniscus front, resulting in the formation of chiral MSC assemblies. This process aligned their transition dipole moments and produced chiroptic films with exceptionally strong circular dichroism.
G
-factors reached magnitudes as high as 1.30 for drop-cast films and 1.06 for patterned films, approaching theoretical limits. By controlling the evaporation geometry, various domain shapes and sizes were achieved, with homochiral domains exceeding 6 square millimeters that transition smoothly between left- and right-handed chirality. Our results uncovered fundamental relationships between meniscus deposition processes, the alignment of supramolecular filaments and their MSC constituents, and their connection to emergent chiral properties.
Genome recombination on demand
Authors: Seczynska Marta , Steinmetz Lars M.
Published: January 2025

Large genome rearrangements in mammalian cells can be generated at scale
Replaying off the beaten path
Authors: Takigawa Masahiro , Bendor Daniel
Published: January 2025

Before the hippocampus goes down memory lane, it takes a detour
Scratching more than an itch
Authors: Ver Heul Aaron
Published: January 2025

Enhanced antibacterial skin inflammation is an adaptation of the itch-scratch cycle
Invoking Asilomar
Authors: Campos Luis A.
Published: January 2025

The historic meeting’s legacy resists simple lessons
Liposomal amphotericin B and complement activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA)
Authors: Thompson George R. , Sani Gelina M. , Donnelley Monica A. , Figueroa Jaimie K. , Ciuffetelli Ryan , Trigg Kate , Arredondo Juan , Koff Alan , Nearing Marie , Loque Ikaika C. , Bays Derek J. , Dandekar Satya
Published: January 2025

Infusion reactions (tachycardia, hypertension, fever, etc.) associated with liposomal amphotericin B are common. Animal models have found complement activation responsible, yet the pathophysiology has not been evaluated in human patients. We performed a prospective observational study and found complement activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA) responsible in those with infusion reactions.
Control of
Clostridioides difficile
virulence and physiology by the flagellin homeostasis checkpoint FliC-FliW-CsrA in the absence of motility
Authors: Zhu Duolong , Wozniak Katherine J. , Midani Firas , Wang Shaohui , Sun Xingmin , Britton Robert A.
Published: January 2025

Mutations affecting
Clostridioides difficile
flagellin (FliC) have been shown to be hypervirulent in animal models and display increased toxin production and alterations in central metabolism. The regulation of flagellin levels in bacteria is governed by a tripartite regulatory network involving
fliC
,
fliW
, and
csrA
, which creates a feedback system to regulate flagella production. Through genomic analysis of
C. difficile
clade 5 strains (non-motile), we identified they have jettisoned many of the genes required for flagellum biosynthesis yet retain the major flagellin gene
fliC
and regulatory gene
fliW
. We therefore investigated the roles of
fliC
,
fliW
, and
csrA
in the clade 5 ribotype 078 strain
C. difficile
1015, which lacks flagella and is non-motile. Analysis of mutations in
fliC
,
fliW
, and
csrA
(and all combinations) on
C. difficile
pathogenesis indicated that FliW plays a central role in
C. difficile
virulence as animals infected with strains carrying a deletion of
fliW
showed decreased survival and increased disease severity. These
in vivo
findings were supported by
in vitro
studies showing that mutations impacting the activity of FliW showed increased toxin production. We further identified that FliW can interact with the toxin-positive regulator TcdR, indicating that modulation of toxin production via FliW occurs by sequestering TcdR from activating toxin transcription. Furthermore, disruption of the
fliC-fliW-csrA
network results in significant changes in carbon source utilization and sporulation. This work highlights that key proteins involved in flagellar biosynthesis retain their regulatory roles in
C. difficile
pathogenesis and physiology independent of their functions in motility.

IMPORTANCE

Clostridioides difficile
is a leading cause of nosocomial antibiotic-associated diarrhea in developed countries with many known virulence factors. In several pathogens, motility and virulence are intimately linked by regulatory networks that allow coordination of these processes in pathogenesis and physiology. Regulation of
C. difficile
toxin production by FliC has been demonstrated
in vitro
and
in vivo
and has been proposed to link motility and virulence. Here, we show that clinically important, non-motile
C. difficile
strains have conserved FliC and regulatory partners FliW and CsrA, despite lacking the rest of the machinery to produce functional flagella. Our work highlights a novel role for flagellin outside of its role in motility and FliW in the pathogenesis and physiology of
C. difficile
.
Whole-genome sequence of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
diarizonae
serovar 17: l,v:z: a new serovar isolated from a nose-horned viper in Republic of Serbia
Authors: Matović Kazimir , Galić Natasa , Vidanović Dejan , Šekler Milanko , Dmitrić Marko , Vasković Nikola , Debeljak Zoran , Tešović Bojana , Simović Aleksandar , Bošnjak Ivan , Krnjaić Dejan , Linde Jörg , Methner Ulrich
Published: January 2025

We report the draft genome sequence of
Salmonella
enterica subsp.
diarizonae
serovar 17: l,v:z isolated from a nose-horned viper (
Vipera ammodytes
) in Republic of Serbia which might be considered a new serovar of
Salmonella
.
Diagnostic prediction model for screening of elevated low-density and non-high-density lipoproteins in young Thai adults between 20 and 40 years of age
Authors: Kiratipaisarl Wuttipat , Surawattanasakul Vithawat , Sirikul Wachiranun , Phinyo Phichayut
Published: January 2025

Background

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels are paramount in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk management. However, 94.4% of Thai young adult are unaware of their condition. A diagnostic prediction model may assist in screening and alleviating underdiagnosis.

Objectives

Development and internal validation of diagnostic prediction models on elevated LDL-C (≥160 mg/dL) and non-HDL-C (≥160 mg/dL).

Methods

Retrospective, single-centre, tertiary-care hospital annual health examination data from 29 March 2018 to 30 August 2023 was analysed. Two models with 11 predictors from anthropometry and bioimpedance are fitted with multivariable binary logistic regression predicting elevated LDL-C and non-HDL-C. Predictor selection used the backward stepwise elimination. Four performance metrics were quantified: discrimination using area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AuROC); calibration by calibration plot; utility by decision curve analysis and instability by performance instability plots. Internal validation was carried out using 500 repetitions of bootstrap-resampling.

Results

Dataset included 2222 LDL-C and 5149 non-HDL-C investigations, 303 were classed as elevated LDL-C (13.6%) and 1013 as elevated non-HDL-C cases (19.7%). Two predictors, gender and metabolic age, were identified in the LDL-C model with AuROC 0.639 (95% CI 0.617 to 0.661), poor calibration, and utility in the 7%–25% probability range. Three predictors—gender, diastolic blood pressure and metabolic age—were identified in the non-HDL-C model with AuROC 0.722 (95% CI 0.705 to 0.738), good calibration and utility in 9%–55% probability range.

Discussion and conclusion

Overall results demonstrated acceptable discrimination for non-HDL-C model but inadequate performance of LDL-C model for clinical practice. An external validation study should be planned for non-HDL-C model.
Impact of introducing transnasal endoscopy on expanding diagnostic endoscopy services
Authors: Crosby Ben Thomas , Munglani Laura , Wright Karen , Charles Kay , Evans Wendy , Mathias Megan , Davies Stevie , Abdalla Badr , Turner Jeff , Crosby Tom , Trudgill Nigel , Haboubi Hasan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Demand for endoscopic services is outstripping capacity in the UK. Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) utilises a narrow calibre endoscope to pass through the nasal passages, thereby reducing retching and discomfort. It is better tolerated compared with standard transoral endoscopy (TOE) but is still rarely used as a diagnostic modality. There is still uncertainty about how well it performs against TOE in diagnostic ability, cost and efficiency.

Methods

We explored utilising TNE to deal with the growing demand for endoscopy. We compared findings to TOE procedures undertaken during the same time period. We evaluated cost differences, duration/time in the department for procedures as well as quality of procedures (both in terms of performance indicators as well as image quality using the validated POLPREP score).

Results

A total of 241 upper gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures were evaluated (100 TNE and 141 matched TOE) between December 2021 and February 2022. TNE outperformed TOE in obtaining >95% success rate in nationally approved key performance indicators (retroflexion and duodenal intubation, both p=0.026). It also was associated with better image quality in the oesophagus with a POLPREP A3 Score (excellent image quality) in 36/98 available images compared with 26/136 TOE (p=0.028) and was equivalent to TOE in the stomach and duodenum. TNE was identified as having a key role in facilitating complex cases, previously failed via the TOE route with a success rate in 11/12 (91.7%) of such cases. TNE also shows promise in correcting misdiagnoses of short-segment Barrett’s oesophagus (39%) compared with TOE (14.8%) (p=0.087).

Conclusion

TNE is an emerging endoscopic modality, which shows great promise in replacing TOE in most diagnostic circumstances. In a modern healthcare service, TNE is cheaper, better tolerated and outperforms TOE in multiple domains.
Pion Boer–Mulders function using a contact interaction
Authors: Cheng Dan-Dan , Cui Zhu-Fang , Ding Minghui , Roberts Craig D. , Schmidt Sebastian M.
Published: January 2025

A symmetry preserving treatment of a vector 

$$\otimes $$

⊗

 vector contact interaction (SCI) is used as the basis for calculations of the two pion transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs); namely, that for unpolarised valence degrees-of-freedom and the analogous Boer–Mulders (BM) function. Amongst other things, the analysis enables the following themes to be addressed: the quark current mass dependence of pion TMDs; the impact of the gauge link model on the positivity constraint that bounds the BM function relative to the unpolarised TMD; the equivalence of direct diagrammatic and light-front wave function TMD calculations; and the size of the BM shift. Interpreted astutely, these SCI results enable one to draw insightful pictures of pion TMDs.
Generalized volume-complexity for Lovelock black holes
Authors: Emami Monireh , Parvizi Shahrokh
Published: January 2025

We study the time dependence of the generalized complexity of Lovelock black holes using the “complexity = anything” conjecture, which expands upon the notion of “complexity = volume” and generates a large class of observables. By applying a specific condition, a more limited class can be chosen, whose time growth is equivalent to a conserved momentum. Specifically, we investigate the numerical full time behavior of complexity time rate, focusing on the second and third orders of Lovelock theory coupled with Maxwell term, incorporating an additional term – the square of the Weyl tensor of the background spacetime – into the generalization function. Furthermore, we repeat the analysis for case with three additional scalar terms: the square of Riemann and Ricci tensors, and the Ricci scalar for second-order gravity (Gauss–Bonnet) showing how these terms can affect to multiple asymptotic behavior of time. We study how the phase transition of generalized complexity and its time evolution occur at turning point

$$(\tau _{turning})$$

(

τ

turning

)

where the maximal generalized volume supersedes another branch. Additionally, we discuss the late time behavior, focusing on proportionality of the complexity time rate to the difference of temperature times entropy at the two horizons

$$(TS(r_+)-TS(r_-))$$

(
T
S

(

r
+

)

-
T
S

(

r
-

)

)

for charged black holes, which can be corrected by generalization function of each radius in generalized case. In this limit, we also explore near singularity structure by approximating spacetime to Kasner metrics and finding possible values of complexity growth rate with different choices of the generalization function.
Implications of Raychaudhuri equation and geodesic focusing in interacting two fluid systems
Authors: Chakraborty Madhukrishna , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: January 2025

The present work analyses Raychaudhuri equation (RE) in Einstein gravity for two interacting fluids. Focusing theorem, a consequence of RE, is directly related to the singularity theorems of Penrose and Hawking. In the present work, the signature of the Raychaudhuri scalar or convergence scalar has been examined for two types of interaction forms namely, (i)

$$Q=H(\alpha \rho _1+\beta \rho _2)$$

Q
=
H
(
α

ρ
1

+
β

ρ
2

)

(linear) and (ii)

$$Q=\dfrac{H\xi \rho _1\rho _2}{\alpha \rho _1+\beta \rho _2}$$

Q
=

H
ξ

ρ
1

ρ
2

α

ρ
1

+
β

ρ
2

(non-linear). Finally, the phenomena of focusing of a congruence of geodesics and possible avoidance of singularity have been discussed based on the nature of the two fluids and the interaction term operating between them.