bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Hemocompatibility in ECMO Systems With a Fibrinolytic Interactive Coating: in Vitro Evaluation of Blood Clot Lysis Using a 3D Microfluidic Model
Authors: Witzdam Lena , Sandhu Samarth , Shin Suji , Hong Yeahwa , Kamal Shanzeh , Grottke Oliver , Cook Keith E. , Rodriguez‐Emmenegger Cesar
Published: January 2025

Blood‐contacting medical devices, especially extracorporeal membrane oxygenators (ECMOs), are highly susceptible to surface‐induced coagulation because of their extensive surface area. This can compromise device functionality and lead to life‐threatening complications. High doses of anticoagulants, combined with anti‐thrombogenic surface coatings, are typically employed to mitigate this risk, but such treatment can lead to hemorrhagic complications. Therefore, bioactive surface coatings that mimic endothelial blood regulation are needed. However, evaluating these coatings under realistic ECMO conditions is both expensive and challenging. This study utilizes microchannel devices to simulate ECMO fluid dynamics and assess the clot‐lysis efficacy of a self‐activating fibrinolytic coating system. The system uses antifouling polymer brushes combined with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to induce fibrinolysis at the surface. Here, tPA catalyzes the conversion of blood plasminogen into plasmin, which dissolves clots. This positive feedback loop enhances clot digestion under ECMO‐like conditions. This findings demonstrate that this coating system can significantly improve the hemocompatibility of medical device surfaces.
β‐Elemene Inhibits Adrenocortical Carcinoma Cell Proliferation and Migration, and Induces Apoptosis by Up‐Regulating miR‐486‐3p/Targeting NPTX1 Axis
Authors: Lin Yan , Guo Tailin , Che Lishuang , Dong Jieqiong , Yu Ting , Zeng Chaiming , Wu Ziyu
Published: January 2025

β‐elemene has a variety of anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor effects. Currently, the influence of β‐elemene on adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) malignant progression and action mechanism remains unclear. This research aims to explore the influence and action mechanism of β‐elemene on ACC progression. The impacts of β‐elemene on ACC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were investigated through CCK‐8 assay, clone formation assay, Transwell experiment, Wound healing assay, and flow cytometry. The miR‐486‐3p expression was analyzed utilizing RT‐qPCR. According to different databases, neuronal pentraxin 1 (NPTX1) is the predicted downstream target gene of miR‐486‐3p. Western blot and RT‐qPCR were utilized to examine NPTX1 expression. Silencing miR‐486‐3p or Overexpression NPTX1 in ACC cells further explored whether β‐elemene affects ACC cells by regulating miR‐486‐3p/NPTX1. Finally, a subcutaneous graft tumor model was constructed to investigate how β‐elemene may impact tumor growth in vivo. β‐elemene decreased the cell viability, hindered cell proliferation and migration capacity, and induced apoptosis of ACC cells. miR‐486‐3p level in ACC cells was notably reduced in comparison to normal cells, but treatment with β‐elemene markedly increased miR‐486‐3p expression. Additionally, ACC cells showed high level of NPTX1, while miR‐486‐3p targeted negative regulation of NPTX1. Overexpression miR‐486‐3p hindered the malignant progression of ACC cells, whereas overexpression NPTX1 reversed the impact of overexpression miR‐486‐3p. Silencing miR‐486‐3p or overexpression NPTX1 both attenuated the suppressive influence of β‐elemene on the malignant behavior of ACC cells. Additionally, tumor growth was suppressed and apoptosis was induced in tumor cells in vivo by β‐elemene. In conclusion, β‐elemene reduces ACC cell viability, hinders proliferation and migration, and induces apoptosis through the miR‐486‐3p/NPTX1 axis.
β‐alanine supplementation in adults with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Matthews Joseph J. , Creighton Jade V. , Donaldson James , Swinton Paul A. , Kyrou Ioannis , Bellary Srikanth , Idris Iskandar , Santos Lívia , Turner Mark D. , Doig Craig L. , Elliott‐Sale Kirsty J. , Sale Craig
Published: January 2025

Objective

Overweight and obesity are characterized by excess adiposity and systemic, chronic, low‐grade inflammation, which is associated with several metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and tolerability of β‐alanine supplementation and to explore the effects on cardiometabolic health and cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal function in adults with overweight and obesity.

Methods

A total of 27 adults (44% female; mean [SD], age: 58 [10] years, BMI: 31.1 [2.9] kg/m2, hemoglobin A1c: 39.8 [4.3] mmol/mol) received β‐alanine (4.8 g/day) or a matched placebo for 3 months. Feasibility and tolerability outcomes included adherence, side effects, recruitment, attrition, and blinding, and exploratory outcomes included biochemical markers, blood pressures, and transthoracic echocardiography parameters. Data were analyzed using a Bayesian approach presented with 95% credible intervals (CrI).

Results

β‐alanine was well tolerated and adhered to (adherence: placebo, 0.91 [95% CrI: 0.84–0.95]; β‐alanine, 0.92 [95% CrI: 0.85–0.95]), and side effects remained at or below baseline throughout. The probability that β‐alanine supplementation affected cardiometabolic, cardiovascular, or clinical biochemical outcomes was low.

Conclusions

Sustained‐release β‐alanine supplementation is well tolerated and adhered to in adults with overweight and obesity. Future research should consider more advanced metabolic conditions, which may benefit from longer duration supplementation.
Sensitivity and Specificity of a Signaling Question for Surveillance of Cognitive Functioning in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Hardy Steven J. , Connolly Megan E. , Forman Sydney , Nickel Robert S.
Published: January 2025

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) confers neurological risks that contribute to cognitive and academic difficulties. Clinical guidelines state that cognition should be monitored using signaling questions. However, evidence is lacking regarding the extent to which signaling questions accurately identify children with cognitive issues.

Procedure

Caregivers of youth with SCD between ages 7 and 16 years (n = 89) responded to a signaling question about their child's academic performance: “How would you rate your child's academic performance relative to their peers?” Response choices included below grade level, on grade level, or above grade level. Youth with SCD completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale of Intelligence, Fifth Edition to assess cognitive functioning.

Results

Most children were described by caregivers as being on grade level (67%), followed by below grade level (21%), and above grade level (11%). Cognitive testing revealed that 36% of participants had a low IQ (≤85; i.e., ≥1 SD below the mean), 60% had an IQ within normal limits (86–114; i.e., <1 SD below or above the mean), and 4% had a high IQ (≥115; i.e., ≥1 SD above the mean). Academic performance grouping was significantly associated with differences across cognitive domains (all p < 0.001). Cognitive functioning varied by academic grouping for younger (ages 7–11; all p ≤ 0.002) but not older children (ages 12–16; all p ≥ 0.05). The signaling question's sensitivity for identifying those with cognitive difficulties was low (42%–54%); specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value estimates were acceptable (87%–93%, 74%–84%, and 53%–79%, respectively).

Conclusions

Asking caregivers of children with SCD to report on academic performance is a simple method of monitoring cognition. Children rated as below grade level should be referred for cognitive screening or evaluation. However, this question will likely result in a high rate of false negatives, and additional questions may be necessary to determine when to refer patients without obvious academic concerns.
Engineering a Novel T‐Cell Epitope‐Based Vaccine Targeting PRAME in Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Bayat Zeynab , Majidi Zahra , Taherkhani Amir , Samie Lida
Published: January 2025

PRAME, a cancer/testis antigen, is often expressed abnormally in various cancers, making it a hopeful candidate for cancer immunotherapy. This study aimed to create a vaccine targeting PRAME using immunoinformatics methods. The PRAME protein sequence was obtained from UniProtKB, and a TLR4 agonist sequence from Mycobacterium tuberculosis was included as an adjuvant. Potential T‐cell epitopes were forecasted using the IEDB server and assessed for their antigenicity, lack of allergenicity, and binding affinities to human and murine MHC molecules. Selected epitopes were then combined into a multi‐epitope structure using suitable linkers. The vaccine's physical and chemical properties, 3D structure, and interaction with TLR4 were examined through computational analyses. Five promising MHC‐I and five MHC‐II epitopes from PRAME were pinpointed and incorporated into the multi‐epitope vaccine and the TLR4 agonist adjuvant. The vaccine displayed advantageous biochemical traits, including high stability, solubility, and antigenicity. Molecular docking simulations showcased a steady interaction between the vaccine and TLR4, with a binding energy of −250.5 kcal/mol. Molecular dynamics analyses confirmed the structural stability and minimal distortion of the vaccine‐TLR4 complex. This study introduces a fresh approach to vaccine design targeting PRAME, a cancer‐related antigen. The vaccine structure exhibits promising physical, chemical, and immunological characteristics, suggesting its potential to trigger robust cellular and humoral immune responses against PRAME‐positive cancers.
Addressing transferability and stability in Raman spectrometers
Authors: Rose Bjarke
Published: January 2025

The invention of lasers has enabled the widespread use of Raman spectroscopy in scientific laboratories, and recently Raman spectroscopy has been applied in industrial environments as well. Based on Ibsen Photonics' experience as an OEM supplier of Raman spectrometers for various applications, this article reviews key concerns that must be addressed when designing a Raman spectrometer for industrial applications.
Creating a virtual reality by ion beam technology
Authors: Gebhardt Mandy
Published: January 2025

Among the most significant technological challenges associated with augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) glasses is the production of optical waveguide combiners. For both technologies, surface relief gratings (SRG) are used as the in‐couplers and out‐couplers of the light into the near‐eye displays. This article shows the manufacture of slanted SRGs using ion beam processing as a crucial component of the waveguide.
A Unified Resource Allocation Framework and Impact Evaluation for NGSO Satellite Constellations
Authors: Pachler Nils , Jose Garau‐Luis Juan , Crawley Edward F. , Cameron Bruce G.
Published: January 2025

The new era of satellite communications will rely on thousands of highly flexible spacecraft capable of autonomously managing constellation resources, such as power or frequency. Previous work has focused on the automation of the individual tasks that compose the resource allocation problem (RAP). However, two aspects remain unaddressed: (1) A unified method that autonomously solves the RAP under nongeosynchronous conditions is still to be developed, and (2) the cost–benefit of using optimization methods remains to be studied. Note that these studies are critical for satellite operators to take appropriate decisions concerning the automation of communications constellations operations. To close this gap, this work proposes an adaptive framework to solve the RAP for high‐dimensional nongeosynchronous satellite constellations. The proposed framework uses a divide‐and‐conquer approach that solves each step of the RAP, leveraging different optimization algorithms at the subproblem level to produce a valid and efficient allocation of resources over long time horizons. When comparing the proposed method against scalable greedy solutions, the former achieves up to four times more constellation capacity and reduces the overall consumed power by up to a factor of 3. The cost–benefit analysis reveals which RAP subproblems should be prioritized depending on the operator's objectives. Studying diverse operational conditions, we find that optimization methods enhance capacity consistently yet might raise power consumption due to trade‐offs in the routing algorithms.
Novel Microwave‐Assisted Combustion Synthesis of AlFeO3 for Sonodegradation of Pollutants; Quantum Simulation of Adsorption on AlFeO3 Using Monte Carlo Adsorption Locator
Authors: Akbarzadeh Ali Reza , Parvaz Sina , Esmaeili Mir Saeed , Emami Seyedeh Golsa , Malekshah Rahime Eshaghi
Published: January 2025

This study introduces a novel microwave‐assisted combustion method for synthesizing AlFeO3 perovskite, a promising catalyst for environmental remediation. The synthesized perovskite was characterized using various techniques: FT‐IR, XRD, XRF, BET, VSM, EDAX, DRS, Raman, and FE‐SEM. The optimal operating conditions for Rhodamine B(RhB), Remazol Golden Yellow RNL (RGY), and α‐lipoic acid (ALA) ultrasonic degradation processes were established (30, 15, and 20 mg/L), (5, 5, and 9), and (1.00, 1.75, and 1.50 g/L), respectively. The addition of oxidants like H2O2 and K2S2O8 significantly enhanced the degradation efficiency. Furthermore, the antibacterial properties of the catalyst were assessed. Computational simulations using Monte Carlo adsorption locator were conducted to investigate pollutant molecules adsorption, orientation, and interaction energy on the catalyst surface, revealing spontaneous adsorption with negative binding energies. This study provides valuable insights into the potential application of AlFeO3 perovskite as an effective catalyst for environmental remediation.
Influence of Nitrogen Doping and Pre‐Carbonization on the Performance of Lignin‐Derived Activated Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Noor Navid , Rego Arjun , Plavniece Ance , Kaare Katlin , Schouten Anja , Espinoza Alejandra Ibarra , Volperts Aleksandrs , Kruusenburg Ivar , Higgins Drew
Published: January 2025

Nanostructured carbons are widely used as active materials for supercapacitor applications owing to their high specific surface area and electrical conductivity. Biomass waste‐derived materials can be sustainably produced. In this work, highly porous activated carbon was prepared from lignin waste for supercapacitor applications, and the effects of nitrogen doping and a pre‐carbonization treatment on the final performance were investigated. Particularly, activated carbonized lignin (ACL) and activated lignin (AL) samples were prepared with or without a pre‐carbonization step, respectively, and with or without nitrogen doping. Nitrogen doping of the samples was found to decrease the capacitance owing to the loss of critical oxygen‐containing functional groups, which provide pseudocapacitance. Meanwhile, the use of a pre‐carbonization treatment greatly improved the surface area and capacitance of the materials. Sorptometry analysis indicated that ACL and AL have high specific surface areas of 3174 and 2289 m2 g−1, respectively. ACL achieved a specific capacitance of 306.4 F g−1 and 292.1 F g−1 in 1  mol L−1 KOH and H2SO4, respectively. Furthermore, the contribution of a pre‐carbonization treatment to improve the surface area and maintain the presence of oxygen‐containing functional groups was identified as beneficial towards improving the pseudocapacitance properties of the porous carbon materials.
A New Feature Level‐Based Multi‐Biometric Identification System to Enable Secure and Reliable Communication Systems for Next‐Generation Smart Cities
Authors: Mohammed Bayan Omar
Published: January 2025

The concept of smart cities, which aims to improve urban lifestyles through innovative technologies and policies, has gained significant momentum over the last few years. As we transition into the next‐generation smart city era, it is crucial to review some of the fundamental technologies driving this evolution. Among these, security‐related challenges necessitate the implementation of effective authentication systems. This paper introduces a novel feature‐based multi‐biometric identification system designed to provide secure and reliable communication frameworks for next‐generation smart cities. The use of multi‐modal biometric identification for twins has long been a fascinating and valuable area of research. Because of its high reliability and acceptance, this approach significantly advances the domain of biometric identification for twins. The unique characteristics of twins are determined by variations in features extracted during the multi‐modal biometric process. However, many of these extracted features are superfluous, expanding the search space and complicating the generalization process. Therefore, the primary challenge lies in isolating the most salient features capable of accurately identifying twins through multi‐modal biometrics. To address this challenge, this research proposes an improved twin multi‐modal biometric identification framework. The proposed method employs a fusion of Dis‐Eigen features with the SailFish optimization algorithm to enhance both accuracy and efficiency. In this study, unique biometric features of twins were extracted and simplified using the Dis‐Eigen process, after which the Sailfish algorithm was applied to optimize model parameters and improve identification accuracy. As a result, the intra‐class similarity error decreased, while the inter‐class similarity error increased, improving twin identification. Consequently, several classifier applications achieved an identification rate exceeding 93%.
Micrometer‐Sized Liposome‐Based Systems: A Hierarchical Breakdown
Authors: Hamada Shogo , Sugiyama Hironori , Zhang Yiting , Iwabuchi Shoji , Hiroi Soichiro , Maruyama Toshiki , Balaji Yuktesh , Kumagai Sota , Murata Satoshi , Toyota Taro
Published: January 2025

Liposomes have attracted attention as a compartment for various synthetic biomolecular systems, including artificial cells and drug delivery carriers. Notably, micrometer‐sized liposomes (MSLs) have emerged as a key platform for engineering de novo biomolecular systems, extending beyond their role as model compartments in scientific research. However, there is still a lack of reviews on MSLs from the perspective of artificial systems across various disciplines from basic sciences to applied sciences and to engineering. In this review, we aim to fill this gap by providing a hierarchical breakdown that offers a systematic overview of MSL design and experimental methods. Primarily targeted at readers new to the field, our review presents a unified description of MSL‐based functional systems and guidance on experimental details such as lipid composition and preparation methods. Our approach seeks to present a consolidated perspective of functionalized liposomes as an artificial system, contributing to advancements across various disciplines.
Third‐Party International Student Pathway Providers: Stakes for TESOL and Higher Education
Authors: Jordan Jay
Published: January 2025

Private entities offering US‐based colleges and universities access to international student recruitment networks have expanded in recent years as institutions seek to bolster their international prestige and their enrollment revenue. Many resulting third‐party partnerships also provide curricular “pathway programs” and co‐curricular support for students who may not otherwise be admissible. The relative novelty of these programs, especially in the United States, has so far limited scholarly research. This report seeks to raise awareness of such programs among TESOL scholars, teachers, and administrators, as well as others who are often directly impacted by trends in international education. I briefly summarize the history and current landscape of third‐party pathway programs, describe and analyze emerging themes from scholarly literature, and suggest next steps for research and practice.
Acute Pancreatitis: An Update of Evidence‐Based Management and Recent Trends in Treatment Strategies
Authors: Beij Astrid , Verdonk Robert C. , van Santvoort Hjalmar C. , de‐Madaria Enrique , Voermans Rogier P.
Published: January 2025

Acute pancreatitis is a common gastrointestinal disease leading to hospitalisation. Recent advancements in its management have primarily focussed on the development of early phase medical interventions targeting inflammatory pathways, optimisation of supportive treatment (including fluid resuscitation, pain management and nutritional management), appropriate use of antibiotics, implementation of minimally invasive interventions for infected necrosis, and the necessity of follow‐up for long‐term complications. These advancements have significantly improved personalised management and overall outcomes of acute pancreatitis. Despite these efforts, early‐phase medical interventions to mitigate disease progression are still lacking and acute pancreatitis remains a heterogeneous disease. Future research and clinical trials are imperative to further optimise current strategies and develop new therapeutic approaches. This review presents an evidence‐based approach to the management of acute pancreatitis, highlighting recent developments.
Perturbations of positive semigroups factorized via AM- and AL-spaces
Authors: Barbieri Alessio , Engel Klaus-Jochen
Published: January 2025

In this note we extend perturbation results for positive

$$C_0$$

C
0

-semigroups on AM- and AL-spaces generalizing them to arbitrary Banach lattices in case the perturbation can be factorized appropriately. The abstract results are applied to domain perturbations of generators, a heat equation with boundary feedback and perturbations of the first derivative.
Asymptotic behavior of the equivalent Timoshenko linear beam model used in the analysis of tower buildings
Authors: Akil Mohammad , Dell’Oro Filippo , Fragnelli Genni , Régnier Virginie , Soufyane Abdelaziz
Published: January 2025

We study the asymptotic properties of a continuous Timoshenko linear beam model immersed in a three-dimensional space and used in the analysis of tower buildings. Assume that the bending and axial behaviors are coupled on the one hand, while the shear and torsional behaviors are coupled on the other hand. If the displacement vector is totally damped and the rotational vector is undamped, or if the rotational vector is totally damped and the displacement vector is undamped, then the system is proved to be exponentially stable, under some assumptions on the physical parameters involved in the problem. We also consider the case when the bending and axial behaviors and/or the shear and torsional behaviors are uncoupled. In this situation, the stability properties are different if the rotational or the displacement vector is damped or not: the system can be exponentially stable, polynomially stable or even unstable.
The effect of semi-cured elements on the quality of integrated composite structures
Authors: Radhakrishnan Arjun , Mavrogordato Mark , Zivkovic Petar , McMahon Turlough , Kratz James
Published: January 2025

There is a demand to ramp up the rate of production of primary aerostructures and as such new processing methods are required. This study investigates a two-stage process for integrating composite structures. In Stage 1, a series of doublers are infused and semi-cured to a target degree of cure (α). In Stage 2, these doublers are integrated into a preformed stiffened panel, to increase thickness locally, followed by infusion. The impact of this integration on quality in terms of thickness and void content of the semi-cured doublers is assessed through the processing stages. The results indicate that semi-curing elements to a higher degree of cure (α = 0.74) around the gel point (α = 0.70) of the epoxy matrix have minimal impact on the relative quality of the final structure. However, at a lower semi-cure (α = 0.47), the void (> 100 µm) content increased from 0.8 to 1.92% during the secondary stage. Tracking the thermal profile of the semi-cured elements through the stages combined with a Cure-Temperature-Transition diagram shows that at a lower degree of cure, the resin in the semi-cured doublers will be in a liquid phase during Stage 2 leading to the potential for resin reflow.
Year-to-year differentiation of black tea through spectroscopic and chemometric analysis
Authors: Yorulmaz Hilal , Cavdaroglu Cagri , Donmez Ozge , Serpen Arda , Ozen Banu
Published: January 2025

The compositions of food products such as tea can vary significantly from one harvest year to another, primarily due to factors such as shifting climatic conditions, and plant periodicity. These fluctuations in composition can significantly affect the overall product quality. Spectral methods combined with chemometric techniques can provide efficient tools to monitor and assess these variations. In this study, 205 black tea samples from two consecutive harvest years were analyzed using mid-infrared, UV–visible, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Mid-infrared spectra were collected for both infused and powdered samples, while only the infused samples were used for the other spectroscopic methods. The study used partial least-square discriminant (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least-square discriminant analyses (OPLS-DA) to differentiate samples by harvest year. These models, applied after various data transformations, achieved high correct classification rates. Mid-infrared spectroscopic data yielded rates of 93.33% and 90.33% for powdered and infused samples, respectively. Fluorescence and UV–visible spectra also showed excellent prediction accuracy, with success rates of 98.3% and 100%. The results indicate that these spectroscopic methods, combined with chemometric differentiation, are valuable tools for monitoring year-to-year changes in black tea.
Improvements in the aromatic composition of Tempranillo Blanco grapes after being sprayed with three concentrations of urea either at pre-veraison or veraison
Authors: Murillo-Peña Rebeca , Martínez-Vidaurre José María , Garde-Cerdán Teresa
Published: January 2025

Primary aromas are important to define the quality of grapes and wines. This work studied the effect of the foliar application of urea in Tempranillo Blanco grapevines. The goal was to assess the effect of applying three doses of urea at two phenological stages (pre-veraison and veraison) on the volatile composition of Tempranillo Blanco grapes, during two seasons. The urea treatments did not have an impact on the vineyard yield or general parameters of the grapes. Nevertheless, these treatments modified the grape volatile composition. Specifically, the lower urea dose improved terpenoids, C13 norisoprenoids, and benzenoid compounds. The application moment had a slight effect on grape volatile compounds. Moreover, the concentration of some terpenoids increased when urea was applied at veraison. Climatic conditions, especially warm and dry weather, were the main factors that modified the volatile compounds, stimulating the synthesis of C13 norisoprenoids and benzenoid compounds. Consequently, foliar applications of low urea concentrations could be an interesting viticulture practice in order to improve volatile compounds in Tempranillo Blanco musts.
Psychosomatische Störungen der Lenden-Becken-Hüft-Region
Authors: Aigner Martin
Published: January 2025

Die International Association for the Study of Pain definiert Schmerz „als eine unangenehme sensorische und emotionale Erfahrung, die mit tatsächlichem oder drohendem Gewebeschaden verbunden ist oder dieser ähnelt“. Dazu werden folgende Anmerkungen gemacht, die für die psychische Perspektive besonders bedeutend sind: 1) Schmerz ist immer eine persönliche Erfahrung, die in unterschiedlichem Maße von biologischen, psychologischen und sozialen Faktoren beeinflusst wird. 2) Schmerz und Nozizeption sind unterschiedliche Phänomene. Schmerzen können nicht allein aus der Aktivität sensorischer Neuronen abgeleitet werden. 3) Durch ihre Lebenserfahrungen lernen Menschen das Konzept des Schmerzes kennen. Der Bericht einer Person über eine Schmerzerfahrung sollte respektiert werden. 4) Obwohl Schmerzen normalerweise eine adaptive Rolle spielen, können sie negative Auswirkungen auf die Funktion sowie das soziale und psychologische Wohlbefinden haben. 5) Die verbale Beschreibung ist nur eines von mehreren Verhaltensweisen, um Schmerz auszudrücken. 6) Unfähigkeit zu kommunizieren, schließt nicht die Möglichkeit aus, dass ein Mensch Schmerzen erfährt. Die psychiatrisch-psychosomatische Perspektive kann bei einer gestörten Lenden-Becken-Hüft-Region dazu beitragen, die möglichen psychischen Risikofaktoren zu identifizieren oder Zusammenhänge mit der körperlichen Symptomatik zu erkennen und zu behandeln. Insbesondere bei chronischen Schmerzen ist ein Perspektivenwechsel notwendig. Die häufigste Form von Schmerzverhalten ist das Ignorieren von Schmerzen, um Alltagsaktivitäten aufrechtzuerhalten (suppressive Schmerzverarbeitung). Einseitig suppressives Verhalten kann genauso wie das von der Angst, sich zu schädigen, verstärkte Vermeidungsverhalten zu einer Chronifizierung beitragen. Eine Lösung aus der Schmerzspirale kann das flexible Schmerz-Coping darstellen. Durch die vernetzte Betrachtung von Körper und Psyche können psychosomatische Faktoren identifiziert werden, die zur Entstehung oder Aufrechterhaltung der Beschwerden beitragen. Eine entsprechende multidisziplinäre Behandlung kann dann sowohl körperliche als auch psychische Aspekte, wie z. B. Angst, Depression, Somatisierung, Traumatisierung, fehlgeleiteter Schmerzmittelgebrauch, Schlafstörungen, sexuelle Funktionsstörungen oder Suizidalität berücksichtigen, um die Genesung zu unterstützen und um aus der Chronifizierungsspirale des Schmerzes auszusteigen.
Acceptance of online therapy for children and adolescents with digital media use disorders: perspectives from child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychotherapists in Germany
Authors: Busch K. , ten Hoor G. A. , Paschke K. , Thomasius R. , Arnaud N.
Published: January 2025

Online therapies have the potential to improve access to psychological services for individuals in need while alleviating the burden on healthcare systems. However, child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychotherapists (CAPPs) rarely integrate these services into their daily practice. This exploratory study investigates CAPPs’ acceptance of online therapy, with a focus on treating children and adolescents with digital media use disorders (DMUD). The study aimed to examine attitudes toward online therapy for DMUD treatment and to identify barriers and facilitating factors to its implementation. A cross-sectional online survey (5–10 min) was distributed to 1000 members of a German practitioner network, with 142 respondents completing it in full. Attitudes toward online therapy were assessed using adapted versions of the Attitude towards Telemedicine in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (ATiPP) questionnaire. Barriers and facilitating factors were explored using open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and regressions were used to analyze the closed-ended questions, while responses to open-ended questions were categorized. CAPPs reported considerable experience with DMUD, but less experience with online therapy. Attitudes towards online therapy were generally neutral, with less favorable views on its use for DMUD treatment. Key barriers to implementation in outpatient care included technical challenges, lack of personal contact or control, and concerns about data security. Facilitators included access to adequate technical resources, user-friendly and evidence-based programs, interactive tools, and opportunities for regular face-to-face interactions. The results highlight the need to develop online therapy solutions that align practitioners’ needs and acceptance. However, further qualitative and quantitative research with more representative samples is essential for a more comprehensive understanding of this topic.
Digital forgetting in large language models: a survey of unlearning methods
Authors: Blanco-Justicia Alberto , Jebreel Najeeb , Manzanares-Salor Benet , Sánchez David , Domingo-Ferrer Josep , Collell Guillem , Eeik Tan Kuan
Published: January 2025

Large language models (LLMs) have become the state of the art in natural language processing. The massive adoption of generative LLMs and the capabilities they have shown have prompted public concerns regarding their impact on the labor market, privacy, the use of copyrighted work, and how these models align with human ethics and the rule of law. As a response, new regulations are being pushed, which require developers and service providers to evaluate, monitor, and forestall or at least mitigate the risks posed by their models. One mitigation strategy is digital forgetting: given a model with undesirable knowledge or behavior, the goal is to obtain a new model where the detected issues are no longer present. Digital forgetting is usually enforced via machine unlearning techniques, which modify trained machine learning models for them to behave as models trained on a subset of the original training data. In this work, we describe the motivations and desirable properties of digital forgetting when applied to LLMs, and we survey recent works on machine unlearning. Specifically, we propose a taxonomy of unlearning methods based on the reach and depth of the modifications done on the models, we discuss and compare the effectiveness of machine unlearning methods for LLMs proposed so far, and we survey their evaluation. Finally, we describe open problems of machine unlearning applied to LLMs and we put forward recommendations for developers and practitioners.
Accelerating machine learning queries with linear algebra query processing
Authors: Sun Wenbo , Katsifodimos Asterios , Hai Rihan
Published: January 2025

The rapid growth of large-scale machine learning (ML) models has led numerous commercial companies to utilize ML models for generating predictive results to help business decision-making. As two primary components in traditional predictive pipelines, data processing, and model predictions often operate in separate execution environments, leading to redundant engineering and computations. Additionally, the diverging mathematical foundations of data processing and machine learning hinder cross-optimizations by combining these two components, thereby overlooking potential opportunities to expedite predictive pipelines. In this paper, we propose an operator fusion method based on GPU-accelerated linear algebraic evaluation of relational queries. Our method leverages linear algebra computation properties to merge operators in machine learning predictions and data processing, significantly accelerating predictive pipelines by up to 317x. We perform a complexity analysis to deliver quantitative insights into the advantages of operator fusion, considering various data and model dimensions. Furthermore, we extensively evaluate linear algebra query processing and operator fusion utilizing the widely-used Star Schema and TPC-DI benchmarks. Through comprehensive evaluations, we demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of our approach in improving the efficiency of data processing and machine learning workloads on modern hardware.
Electrospinning vs Fluorescent Organic Nano-Dots: A Comparative Review of Nanotechnologies in Organoluminophores Utilization
Authors: Hancharova Marharyta , Dupla Aleksandra , Cabaj Joanna , Zając Dorota
Published: January 2025

This review explores the pivotal roles of two advanced nanotechnologies—electrospinning (ES) and fluorescent organic nano-dots (FONs) in the development and application of organoluminophores (OLs). As demand intensifies for innovative OL-based systems in fields such as biomedical imaging, drug delivery, materials engineering, sensing, and energy, ES and FONs present complementary yet distinct technological pathways. Each method offers unique advantages in optimizing material properties, compatibility, and optical performance, positioning them at the forefront of OL-based research. ES enables precise control over material structure, enhancing performance for scalable industrial applications. FONs deliver superior optical properties, particularly for bio-imaging, through environmentally friendly synthesis. This comparative analysis critically examines the strengths and limitations of both techniques, including aspects of synthesis complexity, material adaptability, functional enhancement, and industrial utilization. Furthermore, recent advancements, ongoing challenges, and future prospects within this rapidly evolving field are discussed, providing a comprehensive perspective on the potential of these luminescent technologies to drive next-generation OL applications.

Graphical Abstract
Thermal Transport in Long-Range Interacting Harmonic Chains Perturbed by Long-Range Conservative Noise
Authors: Andreucci Francesco , Lepri Stefano , Mejía-Monasterio Carlos , Ruffo Stefano
Published: January 2025

We study non-equilibrium properties of a chain of N oscillators with both long-ranged harmonic interactions and long-range conservative noise that exchange momenta of particle pairs. We derive exact expressions for the (deterministic) energy-current auto-correlation at equilibrium, based on the kinetic approximation of the normal mode dynamics. In all cases the decay is algebraic in the thermodynamic limit. We distinguish four distinct regimes of correlation decay depending on the exponents controlling the range of deterministic and stochastic interactions. Surprisingly, we find that long-range noise breaks down the long-range correlations characteristic of low dimensional models, suggesting a normal regime in which heat transport becomes diffusive. For finite systems, we do also derive exact expressions for the finite-size corrections to the algebraic decay of the correlation. In certain regimes, these corrections are considerably large, rendering hard the estimation of transport properties from numerical data for the finite chains. Our results are tested against numerical simulations, performed with an efficient algorithm.
Impaired visual and verbal statistical learning in children with Dyslexia in a transparent orthography
Authors: Mateus-Moreno Angélica , Lara-Diaz Maria Fernanda , Adrover-Roig Daniel , Aguilar-Mediavilla Eva , Jiménez-Fernández Gracia
Published: January 2025

Recent research suggests that performance on Statistical Learning (SL) tasks may be lower in children with dyslexia in deep orthographies such as English. However, it is debated whether the observed difficulties may vary depending on the modality and stimulus of the task, opening a broad discussion about whether SL is a domain-general or domain-specific construct. Besides, little is known about SL in children with dyslexia who learn transparent orthographies, where the transparency of grapheme-phoneme correspondences might reduce the reliance on implicit learning processes. The present study investigates the impact of SL in Spanish, a transparent orthography, among 50 children aged 9 to 12 years, with and without dyslexia. For this purpose, we used four SL tasks to evaluate two modalities (auditory/visual) and two stimulus type (verbal/nonverbal) and evaluated both accuracy and response times on each condition. The findings reveal that children with dyslexia in Spanish exhibit lower performance on SL tasks (accuracy) compared to the control group, regardless of the modality and stimulus type used. However, children with dyslexia struggle the most with tasks that involve visual material. This indicates that children with dyslexia in transparent orthographies have particular difficulties in extracting distributional probabilistic information in the absence of explicit learning instructions. Notably, difficulties were more pronounced in visual tasks involving verbal stimuli. The present results help to better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in reading acquisition in children with dyslexia.
Current drawbacks and future perspectives in the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility, with a focus on FSH treatment: an expert opinion
Authors: Santi D. , Corona G. , Salonia A. , Ferlin A.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse, affecting approximately 15–20% of couples in Western countries. It is a shared problem within the couple; when the main issue lies with one of the partners, it is preferable to refer to “male factor” or “female factor” infertility rather than simply male or female infertility. Despite male factor infertility accounting for half of all couple infertility cases, the clinical approach to the male partner is not uniformly standardized across international guidelines.

Methods

To provide an expert overview, we have comprehensively reviewed and critically analyzed the most up-to-date literature on this sensitive topic, leading to the development of a proposal for tailored assessment of the diagnostic-therapeutic pathway and preventive strategies. The diagnostic approach also considers that infertile men are objectively less healthy than their fertile counterparts of the same age and ethnicity.

Results

This article discusses the diagnostic flow, the classification of male factor infertility, the definition of idiopathic infertility, the involvement of general health, and treatment recommendations, emphasizing follicle-stimulating hormone treatment in selected groups of patients.

Conclusion

We provide expert opinion on current drawbacks and future perspectives in this field, with practical advice for the clinical practice of general practitioners and expert in reproductive medicine.
Healer’s Art in the Online Era: Successes, Challenges, and Implications
Authors: Manger Jeannette K. , McManamon Alyssa C. , Todd Amber , Stolfi Adrienne , Parmelee Dean X. , Andarsio Evangeline
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Healer’s Art (HART), a health professional elective course, shifted to online platforms during the pandemic year (2020–2021). Because HART focuses on affective domain aspects of such education, the question arose of its validity and efficacy in the online format. This study aimed to identify challenges and experiences of online versus in-person HART learners.

Methods

The authors compared students’ end-of-course evaluations between in-person and online cohorts across 3 years. The evaluations included Likert scale responses compared between cohorts with Fisher’s exact tests. Novel questions with narrative responses in the online cohort’s evaluation captured information on challenges with the online platform. Narrative responses were analyzed using constant comparative analysis.

Results

No difference was found between in-person (n = 654) and online cohorts (n = 570) in ratings of good/excellent for the overall course (1111/1203, 92.4%), course faculty (1184/1214, 97.5%), and small group experience (1142/1208, 94.5%). Thematic analysis of narrative responses indicated that online HART engagement supported student development of community, professional identity formation, self-care, and relationships.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that HART effectively supports affective domain learning in medical and health professional students whether delivered in-person or online. The authors share challenges and successes of online HART, thus increasing the delivery versatility of this course.
Local Permutation Polynomials of Maximum Degree Over Prime Finite Fields
Authors: Gutierrez Jaime , Jiménez Urroz Jorge
Published: January 2025

Let q be a power of a prime p,

$$\mathbb {F}_q$$

F
q

be the finite field with q elements, and

$$\mathbb {F}_q[x_1,\ldots , x_n]$$

F
q

[

x
1

,
…
,

x
n

]

be the ring of polynomials in n variables over

$$\mathbb {F}_q$$

F
q

. The construction and study of local permutation polynomials of

$$\mathbb {F}_q[x_1,\ldots , x_n]$$

F
q

[

x
1

,
…
,

x
n

]

is recently increasing interest among the experts. In this work, we study local permutation polynomials of maximum degree

$$n(q-2)$$

n
(
q
-
2
)

defined over the prime finite field

$$\mathbb {F}_p$$

F
p

. In particular, we explicitly construct families of such polynomials when

$$p\ge 5$$

p
≥
5

and

$$n \le p-1$$

n
≤
p
-
1

; and for any q of the form

$$q=p^{pr}$$

q
=

p

pr

when

$$r\ge 1$$

r
≥
1

and

$$p \ge 3$$

p
≥
3

.
Artificial intelligence’s (AI’s) role in enhancing tax revenue, institutional quality, and economic growth in selected BRICS-plus countries
Authors: Saba Charles Shaaba , Monkam Nara
Published: January 2025

The BRICS countries, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aim to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which emphasizes sustainable economic growth. This study adds to the empirical literature by examining the impact of tax revenue and institutional quality on economic growth, incorporating the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in selected BRICS-Plus countries (the above-mentioned five countries) from 2012 to 2022. Utilizing the innovative Cross-Sectional Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag estimation technique, the analysis reveals a long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. The study employs a modified Cobb–Douglas production function for its theoretical framework. The results indicate bidirectional causality between tax revenue and AI, economic growth and institutional quality, as well as institutional quality and tax revenue. Based on these findings, the study recommends that BRICS governments and policymakers enhance the integration of AI into tax systems to promote growth in both the short and long terms. However, it also advises caution regarding the interaction between AI and institutional quality, which did not support economic growth. While the AI and tax revenue interaction shows promise for fostering growth, robust measures are necessary to mitigate potential negative effects from AI’s interaction with institutional quality. Consequently, the study advocates for the development of AI-friendly institutional policies in BRICS countries, considering the dynamic and rapidly evolving AI sector.
Technology and the Labour Process: Insights from Indian E-Commerce Warehouses
Authors: Nataraj Manikantha , Taylor Philip , Briken Kendra
Published: January 2025

In the context of innovation in and the application of information and communication technology (ICT), this article seeks to understand how ICT-enabled tools, including algorithmic processing interfaces, cloud computing software, QR codes and barcodes, have become a new managerial equipment for organising, controlling, and disciplining the labour force in the warehouses of e-commerce enterprises in India. This article engages with labour process theory which accords analytical importance to technology in organising work, for managerial control and disciplinary regimes in furtherance of capital accumulation. The evidence here derives from four month’s field work in 2022–23 from Bangalore in south India. Data were generated from 74 semi-structured interviews with employees of, principally, Amazon and Flipkart. The major findings are that an integrated, digitised control system operating in tandem with direct human supervision, ensures the simultaneous processing of products orders and the monitoring of workers’ performance. Further, it investigates how they contribute to work intensification and exacerbated job-related insecurities and vulnerabilities. The outcome is extreme work intensity and the creation of new forms of worker insecurity and vulnerability.