bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring experiences of dementia post-diagnosis support and ideas for improving practice: A co-produced study
Authors: Dooley Jemima , Webb Joe , James Roy , Davis Harry , Read Sandy
Published: January 2025

It takes time to adjust to a diagnosis of dementia. Post-diagnosis support has an important part to play in navigating this transition. However, it is often scarce and variable according to location. This co-produced study explored experiences of support across the UK. The project was co-designed and implemented with people living with dementia. Five focus groups were attended by 18 people with dementia and 10 spouses from across the UK. The aim was to find out what support people currently received, what aspects they valued, and what they would like to see done differently. Most participants reported feeling abandoned after diagnosis, with little continuity of care. Many felt the burden of navigating post-diagnosis life was on them and their loved ones, with a perceived scarcity of support, and difficulties navigating the benefits system. Peer/voluntary support was seen as vital in promoting confidence, a source of relational support, and finding out crucial information relating to benefits, healthcare, and management of symptoms. Participants felt dementia was stigmatised, receiving less support than other medical conditions. Participants identified aspects of post-diagnosis support they valued, and collaborated on ideas for support structures and services they would like to see introduced. In concluding this study, we argue that post-diagnosis support services could be improved with the input of people living with dementia. This could reduce the burden on those receiving the diagnosis to find advice and support outside of health and social care systems. For future research, the financial implications of a dementia diagnosis have rarely been discussed and warrants further exploration.
Social representations of dementia. A qualitative inquiry into perspectives of people with dementia, professionals, and informal caregivers
Authors: Romaioli Diego , Pesce Edoardo , Chiara Giacomo
Published: January 2025

Using a theoretical framework that underscores the social dimension of meaning-making processes, this study delved into the social representations of dementia in the Italian context and the personal meanings expressed by three distinct groups of participants. The study involved ninety-two episodic interviews with people living with dementia and those who had provided care as professionals or informal caregivers. The collected data underwent various types of analysis. A hierarchical descending analysis was initially conducted using IRaMuTeQ to elucidate the lexical worlds that form the shared idea of dementia. This was followed by a more interpretative thematic analysis using Atlas.ti. The results reveal the diverse perspectives of the groups in articulating the contents of social representations, which can guide actions in the care and management of the disease.
Environmental and economic effects of using bio-heavy oil in small ships
Authors: Jang Ha-Seek , Kim Jun-Soo , Lee Min-Ho , Na Yong-Gyu , Baek Cheol-Ho , Choe Su-Jeong , Jee Jae-Hoon , Lee Won-Ju , Choi Jae-Hyuk
Published: January 2025

As regulations on air pollutants emitted by ships are strengthened, the demand for the development of eco-friendly alternative fuels is increasing. Bio-heavy oil (BHO), a by-product of biodiesel manufacturing, is an eco-friendly fuel produced from biodiesel pitch. This study verified the possibility of using BHO as an eco-friendly alternative fuel for ships by analyzing the environmental and economic effects of using BHO in small ships. Compared to bunker A, BHO showed NOx emissions that increased by 5%, but SOx 9%, total hydrocarbons 9%, CO 4%, and CO2 emissions decreased by 6%, confirming the effect of reducing greenhouse gases and air pollutants. There was also no difference in the engine performance. Furthermore, no discoloration, sludge generation, or fuel separation was observed when the fuel was stored for 90 days. During a total of 120 h of maritime demonstration, there were no engine problems and almost no sediment was produced. It has been proven to be a suitable replacement for ship fuel. The use of the BHO generated social benefits worth $ 2,256,749 per year. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the use of BHO in small ships.
Anomaly characterization for the condition monitoring of rotating shafts exploiting data fusion and explainable convolutional neural networks
Authors: Parziale Marc , Yeung Yip Fun , Youcef-Toumi Kamal , Giglio Marco , Cadini Francesco
Published: January 2025

Condition monitoring of rotating shafts is a critical task in the maintenance of mechanical systems. Rotating shafts are essential components in many machines, and their failure can result in serious consequences, including system downtime, production loss, equipment damage, and safety issues. Advanced sensor technologies and deep learning algorithms have facilitated data collection and processing, providing vital insights into system health. However, despite the vast availability of sensors, the data used to train these algorithms often consists of single-nature signals, and systems are typically damaged to simulate different faulty scenarios. Additionally, the perceived opacity of deep learning algorithms, often referred to as black-box models, has raised concerns about their credibility in critical domains. Hence, this paper addresses these challenges by (i) proposing various explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods in a rotating shaft case study, (ii) using a novel data-fusion approach to combine multiple signals, and (iii) leveraging data from an innovative experimental set-up mimicking real-world industrial machines. The employed experimental set-up is equipped with a diverse array of sensors capable of capturing signals of varying nature, and it streamlines the automated introduction of four distinct fault types in an innovative manner. Applied to convolutional neural networks, the employed XAI methods enhance transparency in deep learning models, providing practical insights for complex systems. This approach not only addresses the limitations associated with single-nature signals and simulated faults but also contributes to the credibility and interpretability of deep learning models in critical applications.
Changes in food preferences after oral semaglutide administration in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: KAMOGAWA-DM cohort
Authors: Hironaka Junya , Ushigome Emi , Kondo Yuriko , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Osaka Takafumi , Majima Saori , Nakanishi Naoko , Okada Hiroshi , Senmaru Takafumi , Hamaguchi Masahide , Yamazaki Masahiro , Fukui Michiaki
Published: January 2025

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral semaglutide on the changes in food preference of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This retrospective multicenter study included 75 patients with type 2 diabetes who received oral semaglutide. The primary outcome was the change in the score of brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ) score 3 months after the initiation of oral semaglutide treatment. The secondary outcome was the change in the Control of Eating Questionnaire (CoEQ), HbA1c, and body mass index (BMI) after 3 months.

Results

The median age, BMI, and HbA1c of the 23 participants were 64.0 years, 26.9 kg/m2, and 7.6% (59 mmol/mol). The BDHQ results showed total energy was significantly reduced. Among the individual nutrients, carbohydrates most decreased. The CoEQ results particularly showed declines in cravings for something sweet, chocolate or chocolate flavored foods, and starchy foods, satisfaction at meals, frequency and intensity of food craving, difficulty of resisting the craving for food, and frequency of eating in response to cravings for food were significantly lower after 3 months. The mean HbA1c and BMI significantly decreased.

Conclusions

In Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes, oral semaglutide treatment decreased total energy intake and changed food preferences.
The experience of adults with cystic fibrosis using long-term domiciliary non-invasive ventilation
Authors: Choyce Jocelyn , Hewison Alistair , Swift Amelia , Whitehouse Joanna L
Published: January 2025

Background: The use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with advanced cystic fibrosis (CF) has increased in recent years. Research evidence supports its clinical benefits, but less is known about the patients’ experience of its long-term use in a domiciliary setting.

Objective: To investigate patients’ lived experience of using long-term domiciliary NIV.

Methods: Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with adults with CF using long-term domiciliary NIV for respiratory failure. The data collected were subject to thematic analysis.

Results: Nine adults (6 female), 5 of whom were awaiting lung transplantation, with a mean age of 39 years and mean FEV1 per cent predicted of 28%, were recruited. Data analysis revealed 2 themes: gratitude, and determination despite challenges. Patients identified some troubling side effects from NIV but were grateful for its symptomatic relief and were determined to continue using it to improve their quality of life.

Conclusions: Participants reported experiences of NIV to be generally positive in terms of symptom relief and quality of life. These findings provide an initial insight into patients’ experience of NIV and have the potential to help guide and improve care.
The Impact of Surgeon Experience—Consultant Versus Supervised Trainees After Elective Infrarenal EVAR: Short-term to Mid-term Outcomes
Authors: Ribeiro Tiago F , Fidalgo Helena , Soares Ferreira Rita , Amaral Carlos , Bastos Gonçalves Frederico , Ferreira Maria Emília
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Vascular trainees are required to have a comprehensive training program, encompassing the completion of clinical, surgical, and research tasks. To fulfill their surgical abilities and performance, sufficient supervised operating time is mandatory. After open vascular procedures, it has been observed that trainee involvement does not lead to detrimental outcomes. On the contrary, its impact during endovascular procedures, which require distinct technical skills, is scarcely reported. The authors aim to analyze the impact of primary operator experience on the outcomes of elective infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) performed within a teaching institution over a 14-year period.

Methods:

This is a single-center, retrospective, comparative study. All consecutive patients submitted to elective EVAR (2011-2023) were considered. Two groups were defined: supervised trainee (ST) and consultant (C), according to the experience of the primary operator. The primary outcome was the incidence of 30-day major adverse events (MAEs). The secondary outcomes were contrast usage, operative time, bleeding, length of stay (LOS), return to operating room (OR), and freedom from aortic-related interventions up to 2 years.

Results:

Overall, 507 patients were included (62.1% ST vs 32.5% C). Seventy-two MAEs occurred in 8.1%, with no differences across groups (7.0% ST vs 9.9% C, p=0.31, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.46-1.91 for ST-performed procedures), even when MAE components were depicted individually. After adjustment for confounders, no significant differences were found in contrast usage ≥120 mL (aOR=0.89, 95% CI=0.50-1.56), operative time ≥160 minutes (aOR=0.73, 95% CI=0.45-0.18), bleeding (aOR=1.13, 95% CI=0.60-2.12), intensive care unit admission (aOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.40-1.17), prolonged LOS (aOR=0.93, 95% CI=0.60-1.43), return to OR (aOR=0.91, 95% CI=0.37-2.20), and mid-term freedom from aortic-related interventions (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=1.39, 95% CI=0.69-2.79).

Conclusion:

In carefully selected cases, elective EVAR performed by supervised trainees seems as safe and effective at mid-term as operations performed by consultants. These findings may have important implications for training programs. Further studies to confirm and clarify our findings are required.

Clinical Impact

In carefully selected cases, elective EVAR performed by supervised trainees seems safe, when compared to operations performed by consultants. Short-term major adverse events, contrast usage, operative time, bleeding, secondary interventions and length of stay appear similar. Mid-term freedom-from aortic interventions is comparable. These findings may have important implications for vascular training programs.
Endovascular Coiling Combined With Tissue Glue Embolism to Treat 20 Cases of Iliac Arteriovenous Fistula Secondary to Deep Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Liu Zhengli , Zhao Boxiang , Gu Jianping , Wang Tao , Gong Maofeng , Su Haobo , He Xu , Kong Jie
Published: January 2025

Objective:

The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of endovascular coiling combined with tissue glue embolism for the treatment of iliac arteriovenous fistula (AVF) secondary to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities. In addition, we aim to summarize the treatment methods and enhance understanding of the disease.

Methods:

This research analyzes the clinical data and medical imaging materials of 20 cases with iliac AVF secondary to lower extremity DVT, ranging from December 2014 to December 2020, at our hospital. The patients underwent endovascular coiling and tissue glue embolism during their hospital stay. We collected and summarized the clinical and imaging data, evaluated the efficacy of treatment methods, assessed the incidence of complications, and conducted long-term follow-up observations.

Results:

All 20 surgeries were successful. Endovascular coiling combined with tissue glue embolism significantly relieved limb swelling. The diameter difference above the patella in patients before and after treatment was 9.38±3.58 versus 4.13±1.64 cm, P<0.001. No serious complications occurred during treatment, and no patients showed signs of AVF recurrence during follow-up after surgery.

Conclusion:

Endovascular coiling combined with tissue glue embolism can be used to treat iliac AVF secondary to DVT of the lower extremities, which has high clinical value and is safe.

Clinical Impact

For clinicians, AVF secondary to DVT is a complication that cannot be ignored. It also needs to be treated aggressively to improve patients’ quality of life. We presented a minimally invasive method to treat iliac arteriovenous fistula secondary to deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities, which is also an innovative intervention technique. Endovascular coiling combined with tissue glue embolism can achieve better embolic blockade in this type of iliac arteriovenous fistula. This will move the management of postoperative complications in the direction of minimally invasive.
Evaluation of anti-vibration properties in work gloves using novel 3D knitted padding
Authors: Wang Yi-Lei , Chen He-Rong , Yu Annie , Masuda Arata , Takeuchi Shunji
Published: January 2025

Elastomeric materials are commonly used as the padding of anti-vibration gloves for damping purposes. This study investigates the use of a breathable 3D knitted padding for vibration isolation in anti-vibration gloves. Sixteen (16) knitted fabric samples with different spacer structures, silicone inlay patterns, and inlay materials are produced to evaluate their effect on vibration transmissibility for a frequency range of 0-1000 Hz according to ISO13753:2008. The samples with the spacer structure that shows the best vibration isolation performance are made into the paddings for an anti-vibration glove which is then compared with four commercially available anti-vibration gloves in terms of vibration transmissibility based on ISO10819:2013. The results show that a thicker spacer structure with a larger number of needles in between the tuck stitches and inlaid with silicone hollow tubes can better isolate vibration. The vibration isolation performance of the 3D knitted fabric padded glove outperforms two commercially available gloves, though it falls short of the certified options. The findings show the possibility of using 3D knitted fabric as padding for anti-vibration gloves. However, further improvements to the glove and fabric design are needed to enhance the function and effectiveness of the glove. The development of lightweight breathable knitted padding can promote the wearing comfort of anti-vibration gloves which benefits the workers using vibrating hand tools and advances the development of personal protection equipment.
Clinical Significance and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Long Non-Coding RNA TRPM2-AS in Cancers
Authors: Huang Shichen , Li Bowen , Chen Huanyu , Rong Cheng , Yang Zheng , Zhang Xianqin
Published: January 2025

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to play vital roles in human cancers. LncRNA TRPM2-AS has been found to be upregulated in various types of cancers. The elevated levels of TRPM2-AS are associated with important clinicopathological parameters such as tumor size, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis, revealing that TRPM2-AS could be a potential target for cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Moreover, TRPM2-AS is involved in regulating the cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, drug or radio resistance by serving as a competing endogenous RNA, directly bounding to proteins and regulating multiple signaling pathways. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the latest knowledge on the aberrant expression of TRPM2-AS, the relationship between TRPM2-AS and clinical features, and the detailed mechanisms of potential functions of TRPM2-AS in various cancer types. The current study highlights the potential of TRPM2-AS as a prognostic and therapeutic target in cancers.
STIT-Net- A Wavelet based Convolutional Transformer Model for Motor Imagery EEG Signal Classification in the Sensorimotor Bands
Authors: S Chrisilla , Shantha SelvaKumari R.
Published: January 2025

Motor Imagery (MI) electroencephalographic (EEG) signal classification is a pioneer research branch essential for mobility rehabilitation. This paper proposes an end-to-end hybrid deep network “Spatio Temporal Inception Transformer Network (STIT-Net)” model for MI classification. Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is used to derive the alpha (8–13) Hz and beta (13–30) Hz EEG sub bands which are dominant during motor tasks to enhance the performance of the proposed work. STIT-Net employs spatial and temporal convolutions to capture spatial dependencies and temporal information and an inception block with three parallel convolutions extracts multi-level features. Then the transformer encoder with self-attention mechanism highlights the similar task. The proposed model improves the classification of the Physionet EEG motor imagery dataset with an average accuracy of 93.52% and 95.70% for binary class in the alpha and beta bands respectively, and 85.26% and 87.34% for three class, for four class 81.95% and 82.66% were obtained in the alpha and beta band respective EEG based motor signals which is better compared to the results available in the literature. The proposed methodology is further evaluated on other motor imagery datasets, both for subject-independent and cross-subject conditions, to assess the performance of the model.
Preoperative Ultrasound Correctly Localized Peripheral Nerve Abnormalities for Operative Guidance: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Cha Noah , Zusstone Esther , Ko Lydia , Lee Steve K. , J. Milani Carlo , Feinberg Joseph H. , Wolfe Scott W. , Nwawka O. Kenechi
Published: January 2025

Background:

Correct localization and characterization of nerve abnormality is of critical importance to appropriate intervention. Ultrasound (US) is known to be accurate in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and in preoperative localization of nerve abnormalities and skin marking.

Purpose:

We sought to investigate the utility of US-guided preoperative skin marking for the localization of peripheral nerve abnormality and to compare the US findings to electrodiagnostic (EDx) reports.

Methods:

Using the radiology information system at a single institution, we identified US examinations performed for preoperative localization of peripheral nerve abnormality from July 2016 to March 2023. Data collected included US characterization, surgical description, and EDx report of neuropathy.

Results:

Search parameters identified 67 nerves in 55 patients treated surgically after US-guided localization of the nerve with skin marking. The EDx characterization was performed in 36 (54%) of these cases. The US diagnoses included neuroma, transection, perineural scarring, hardware impingement, and intraneural fascicular constriction. There was 100% accuracy of US findings as confirmed by operative notes. Skin marking by US guidance correlated to the sites of the nerve documented in operative reports of all 67 cases.

Conclusion:

In this single-institution retrospective review, US-guided preoperative skin marking of nerve abnormality was used to correctly localize peripheral nerve abnormality, and US diagnoses were corroborated by intraoperative findings. Further higher-level study is needed to support these findings suggesting the efficacy of US in mapping the course of peripheral nerves.
The impact of pre-treatment aneurysm angulation. What happens with WEB devices at follow-up?
Authors: Muñoz Romina , Dazeo Nicolás , García Camila , Janot Kevin , Bankole Nourou Dine Adeniran , Narata Ana Paula , Rouchaud Aymeric , Larrabide Ignacio
Published: January 2025

Background

WEB shape modification has been analyzed in relation to the aneurysm occlusion outcome and techniques have been presented with one-dimensional measurements of the device to quantify the change after implantation. In this work, we present an analysis of pre-treatment vascular morphology and hemodynamics of cases treated with WEB devices, which were three-dimensionally quantified in morphology and position to detect modifications.

Methods

Seventeen WEB-treated aneurysms with pre-treatment, post-treatment and follow-up 3D flat-panel CT were included. Three-dimensional measurements of the WEB morphology and position were made at post-treatment and at follow-up. Differences between acquisitions of all measured variables were statistically evaluated (Wilcoxon signed-rank paired test, P-value = 0.05). Pre-treatment aneurysm angles were three-dimensionally measured and CFD simulations were performed to evaluate the influence of flow on WEB changes.

Results

WEB height and diameter presented statistically significant changes. Modification of the angle between the WEB axis and parent artery was significantly higher in the group with WEB shape modification (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.05). In this group, the median pre-treatment aneurysm angle was smaller than in the group without shape modification (8.16° vs. 13.14°, P = 0.06). Inflow ratio was higher in the WEB shape modification group.

Conclusions

An association between the magnitude of morphological changes of the WEB with the direction of its axis within the aneurysm was found. The analysis of pre-treatment morphological and hemodynamic conditions would allow the detection of aneurysm cases in which the WEB will undergo a more pronounced modification.
Enhancing Qualitative Research: The Use of Design Probes and Cooking Sessions Deepens the Understanding of 9- to 11-Year-Old Children’s Food Perceptions
Authors: Pater Lotte , Zandstra Elizabeth H. , Fogliano Vincenzo , Steenbekkers Bea L. P. A.
Published: January 2025

Qualitative research with children is critical for tailoring interventions and decisions that directly impact their well-being and future. Yet, the involvement of children in the field of sustainable food perception is still limited because of children’s unique cognitive needs. This research aims to reflect upon design probes, one-to-one interviews, and cooking sessions as complementary qualitative research methods for understanding children’s perception of plant-based food products. A three-stage study was designed to holistically address children’s competences, communication preferences, and experiences. In the first stage, children received a design probe box with assignments to be performed individually at home, aiming at gathering data about their everyday life and experiences in a familiar, informal setting. In the second stage, one-to-one interviews were conducted to reflect upon the assignments and to dive deeper into the reasons behind children’s experiences. In the final stage, children created a pizza with their classmates in groups of 3–6 children at their schools. This paper focuses on the evaluation of these different qualitative research methods for understanding children’s perceptions. Results demonstrate that utilizing a combination of methods to explore food perceptions of children aged 9 to 11 can lead to a more comprehensive and profound understanding of their viewpoint. Design probe activities and cooking sessions create feelings of empowerment amongst children as children are the creators of crafts or products. These new child-centered qualitative participatory research methods enable to perform the intervention in a natural and real-life context, favouring the expression of thoughts about the research topic. The findings provide evidence that participatory methods should be combined with traditional methods, such as one-to-one interviews, to get richer and more detailed insights into children’s food perceptions in real-world contexts.
Fatigue life prediction of the drilling mast for rotary drilling rig using an improved hybrid algorithm
Authors: Yang Heng , Lu Qing , Ren Yuhang , Xu Gening , Guo Wenxiao , Geng Qianbin
Published: January 2025

To address the demand for accurate fatigue life prediction of the drilling mast for rotary drilling rig in engineering, an improved hybrid Aquila-African Vulture Optimization Algorithm (IAOAVOA) is proposed to optimize the BP neural network method for predicting the fatigue life of drill masts. Firstly, the exploration stage of the Aquila Optimizer (AO) and the development stage of the African Vulture Optimization Algorithm (AVOA) are combined, and the improved Tent chaotic mapping strategy and the multi-point Levy improvement strategy are introduced. The BP neural network is optimized to obtain the IAOAVOA-BP prediction model. Finally, the life prediction of the drill mast of a rotary drill rig is accomplished based on the dataset established by ANSYS and compared with other life prediction models. The research results show that the established IAOAVOA-BP rotary drilling rig mast life prediction model has high accuracy compared to the test sample point set. Compared with AVOABP and AOBP, the MAE value, RMSE value, and MAPE value have decreased by 53.57%, 56.52%, 53.89%, 39.71%, 99.9%, and 100%, respectively. The average relative error of IAOAVOABP is only 0.92%. The minimum life of the drill mast occurs near the large disk with a minimum number of cycles of 26,683.
Displaying devotion in social media: Letter TikToks by the partners of incarcerated people
Authors: Şot Irem , Celik-Rappas Ipek A
Published: January 2025

This article examines TikTok videos created and shared by partners of incarcerated individuals, using hashtags including #prisonwifetiktok, #prisonwifelife, #prisonlove, #prisongirlfriends, and #prisonmail. The research explores how these partners depict their relationships with incarcerated people on TikTok and how prison communities use the platform to discuss shared challenges. A key focus is on videos showcasing letter exchanges between couples, which are longer, more frequent, and emotionally intense than other videos. These TikToks serve as a platform for sharing grievances and connecting with others in similar situations, making private emotions public to spark conversations about the hardships faced by incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. The study analyzes 74 “letter TikToks” from five accounts run by prison partners, focusing on videos that highlight communication challenges, the emotional struggles of maintaining a prison relationship, the sentimental rewards of #prisonlove, attempts to destigmatize both themselves and their partners, and efforts to leverage their image as devoted partners to build trust as influencers. The article argues that these TikToks act as alternative archives, reshaping communication between prison partners by remediating letters through a medium free from penitentiary control and incorporating supportive prison communities into the couples’ dialogue.
Measured hygrothermal performance of energy activated facade in cold climate
Authors: Talvik Martin , Kalamees Targo , Ilomets Simo
Published: January 2025

This study assesses the hygrothermal performance of the Photovoltaic External Thermal Insulation Composite System (PV ETICS), using a thick layer of mortar with Phase Change Material (PCM) granules as a passive heat sink. The experimental scenario involved the wall system exposure to real outdoor climate conditions during a 20-month long measurement period. Measured data were compared with results from the hygrothermal modelling. The findings reveal that with carefully designed diffusion channels the PV ETICS demonstrated no accumulation of moisture behind the vapour-tight PV panel. Long term hygrothermal modelling for PCM mortar moisture content with a previously calibrated model predicted stable moisture content around 0.03 m3/m3, significantly lower than the moisture content during first 2 years. Relative humidity behind the PV panel falls into the hygroscopic range on the second spring after the construction. The annual maximum temperatures for PCM mortar during two summers were 69°C, occurring in mid-August. Risk analysis was conducted with historic climate data to understand, whether higher PCM temperatures could be reached in the same climate for different years. Overall, the wall system showed no signs of extensive moisture damage during the testing period, but slight discolouring of the PCM mortar was recorded. This study contributes valuable insights into the practical viability of PV ETICS with PCM mortar, reaffirming its potential for application on larger scale on real building facades.
Tighter bounds on the Gaussian Q-function based on wild horse optimization algorithm
Authors: Etesami Reza , Madadi Mohsen
Published: January 2025

The Gaussian Q-function (GQF) is widely used in various scientific and engineering fields, especially in telecommunications and wireless communication. However, the lack of a closed-form expression for this function has led to considerable research efforts to achieve more accurate approximations. This study introduces a new approximate method that provides high accuracy for the boundaries of the GQF. The proposed approach utilizes parametric functions for both the lower and upper bounds of the GQF. The parameters of these functions are estimated using the Wild Horse Optimization (WHO), a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm, with the aim of minimizing the distance between the proposed functions and the actual GQF. The optimization process targets the minimization of the maximum absolute error and the mean absolute error, ensuring that the proposed bounds provide a tight and accurate approximation of the GQF. Numerical experiments and comparisons with existing bounds demonstrate the superior accuracy of the proposed method. The new lower and upper bounds achieve significantly lower maximum absolute error and mean absolute error values compared to previous approaches. Furthermore, the study evaluates the effectiveness of the proposed bounds in estimating the symbol error probability (SEP) for various digital modulation schemes, showing that the new bounds provide more accurate estimates of the SEP compared to the existing bounds. The results highlight the practical significance of the proposed method in enhancing the reliability of error probability estimation in communication systems.
Mechanical and degradation behavior of Mg-1%Sn-x%HAp composite for biomedical application
Authors: Jhamb Sandeep Kumar , Goyal Ashish , Pandey Anand
Published: January 2025

Metal implants are preferred for orthopedics due to their strength and durability. A biodegradable metal with a density similar to bone, magnesium (Mg) is being considered for medical implants. This study examines the mechanical and corrosive properties of Mg-1%Sn-x%HAp composites with weight percentages of 0, 2, 5, and 7. Mechanical alloying is used to fabricate the composites. Adding hydroxyapatite (HAp) improves corrosion resistance and biocompatibility characteristics. SEM, XRD, and electrochemical tests were used for characterization. The results showed that adding HAp improved composite mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. SEM and EDS confirmed that Sn and HAp were uniformly distributed in Mg. Additionally, the XRD found α-Mg, Mg2Sn, and CaSn3 phases are present in the composite. Density, hardness, compressive and polarization test were performed to analyze the mechanical and chemical properties of the composite pallets. The Mg-1%Sn-2%HAp composites have a density of 1.744 g/cm³, close to human cortical bone. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) increased Vickers hardness by 26% in the Mg-1%Sn-7%HAp composite compared to the alloy. The Mg-1%Sn-7%HAp composite has 121.14 MPa ultimate compressive strength due to greater HAp content. This enhancement increased brittleness and decreased compressive strain. Electrochemical corrosion studies showed that the Mg-1%Sn-2%HAp composite had the lowest corrosion rate (0.28568 mm/year) and current density (12.502 µA/cm²). Due to a protective apatite layer and Sn-based oxides, the composite exhibits good corrosion resistance. The Mg-1%Sn-2%HAp composite showed good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance as a biodegradable orthopedic implant material.
Vaccination coverage and its determinants in patients with multiple sclerosis—a multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Schade Paula , Nguyen Hai-Anh , Steinle Julia , Hellwig Kerstin , Pelea Teodor , Franken Philipp , Elias-Hamp Birte , Becker Veit , Merkelbach Stefan , Richter Stephan , Wagner Bert , Geis Christian , Schwab Matthias , Rakers Florian
Published: January 2025

Background:

Complete vaccination coverage is recommended by multiple sclerosis (MS) societies for patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) to mitigate infection risks associated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs).

Objectives:

To analyze vaccination coverage and its determinants in pwMS compared to healthy controls, considering vaccination hesitancy, MS-specific vaccination beliefs, trust in information sources, and the role of general practitioners (GPs).

Methods:

This cross-sectional multicenter observational study was conducted in six German MS centers. The primary endpoint was a vaccination index (VI) comprising eight standard vaccinations (range 0–1, with higher VI indicating better vaccination coverage). Secondary endpoints included validated measures of general vaccination hesitancy, MS-specific vaccination beliefs, and trust in information sources. Data were collected through questionnaires, vaccination card analysis, and a survey of GPs who vaccinate pwMS.

Results:

VI tended to be lower in pwMS ( n = 397) compared to healthy controls ( n = 300; 0.58 ± 0.30 vs 0.62 ± 0.31, p = 0.057). In pwMS receiving highly effective DMTs, VI did not differ significantly from those on no/platform DMTs. Vaccination hesitancy was comparably low, with no differences between pwMS and controls. Vaccination hesitancy, beliefs, and trust in information sources explained only 10%–16% of the variance in VI. Among 109 GPs, 82% cited reluctance to vaccinate pwMS due to concerns about MS-related side effects or interactions with DMTs.

Conclusion:

Despite clear recommendations from MS societies for full vaccination of all pwMS, vaccination coverage remains worryingly low. Approximately half of the patients lack standard vaccination coverage, even those on highly effective DMTs. In fact, vaccination coverage in pwMS tended to be even lower than in healthy controls. Vaccination hesitancy and other intrinsic factors do not sufficiently explain the low vaccination rates. Inconsistent vaccination recommendations from GPs due to uncertainties about vaccine safety and DMT interactions likely contribute.
Improving safety in the performance of robotic urinary diversions: a narrative review
Authors: Doersch Karen M. , Gonzalez Rebeca , Flynn Brian J. , Kukreja Janet B.
Published: January 2025

Urinary diversions are performed for a wide variety of indications, including bladder removal for cancer treatment, post-cancer treatment complications, trauma, or bladder pain. The robotic approach has been increasingly used in performing urinary diversions since the introduction of the surgical robot. A PubMed keyword search was performed on September 14, 2023 with the terms: robotic and urinary diversion. A narrative review of the literature was then conducted, with a focus on outcomes and complications following urinary diversion. Studies demonstrated that the robotic approach to cystectomy with urinary diversion was safe and productive, whether the diversion was performed intracorporeally or extracorporeally, and that outcomes are comparable to the open approach. Despite reports of successes and technique improvements, the complication rate following robotic cystectomy with urinary diversion is over 50%. Common complications associated with urinary diversion include bowel complications, ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures, urine leak, urinary tract infections, internal hernias, and parastomal hernias. Many strategies have been developed to improve the complication rate following robotic urinary diversion, including specialized training programs and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. In conclusion, with the increasing adoption of the robotic approach for urinary diversions, it is important to continue to develop strategies to mitigate surgical risk. Future research should focus on further refinement of training and surgical approaches to prevent and treat complications following robotic urinary diversions.
Rare epithelial gastric cancers: a review of the current treatment knowledge
Authors: Petrillo Angelica , Ottaviano Margaret , Pompella Luca , Giunta Emilio Francesco , Pisapia Pasquale , Marte Gianpaolo , Tufo Andrea , Di Lorenzo Sara , Orefice Jessica , Miceli Chiara , Malapelle Umberto , Daniele Bruno , De Vita Ferdinando
Published: January 2025

Gastric cancer (GC), one of the tumours with the highest mortality worldwide, is not a homogeneous disease, showing different features according to location, macroscopic aspect, histotype and molecular alterations. Adenocarcinoma is the most frequent epithelial GC (95%), the remaining 5% comprising rare epithelial tumours with their peculiarities, behaviour and incidence <6 cases/100,000/year. Due to the low number of cases, many aspects must be elucidated in this context. In this narrative review, we highlight the importance of a better understanding of rare GCs to personalize the cures in the light of the precision medicine concept. Our main aim is to translate the scarce evidence from the literature into daily clinical practice, never forgetting that all the clinicians dedicated to rare GCs should encourage such patients’ enrolment in clinical trials and promote international collaborations. Hence, we focused on the treatment of the following rare GCs: rare gastric adenocarcinomas (hepatoid adenocarcinoma, medullary carcinoma with lymphoid stroma, Paneth cell carcinoma and Salivary Gland carcinoma); squamous cell carcinoma; adenosquamous carcinoma; neuroendocrine gastric neoplasms; gastroblastoma.
Toward individual heterogeneity and neurobiological subtypes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Bu Xuan , Xia Mingrui , Cui Zaixu , He Yong
Published: January 2025

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a biologically and clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition, which hinders the identification of biologically rooted evidence for treatment choices and clinical predictions. Identifying brain-based homogenous ADHD subtypes with neuroimaging data to reduce this heterogeneity is promising for elucidating specific neural mechanisms underlying complex clinical presentations, which may enable the development of personalized treatments and the identification of precise therapeutic targets. In this review, we first discuss the large individual differences among ADHD patients indicated by neuroimaging findings from both large-scale group-level studies and individual-level studies, which motivated new efforts to discover neurobiological subtypes. Next, we review recent research on neuroimaging-based ADHD subtypes in terms of three aspects: sample selection, subtyping methodology (i.e., neuroimaging features, subtyping algorithms, and validation strategies), and subtype findings. Eleven studies utilizing multiple single neuroimaging modalities or multimodal neuroimaging were identified. Through diverse features and approaches, current studies have revealed a range of different ADHD neurobiological subtypes characterized by distinct neural and clinical profiles, providing important insight into the heterogeneous nature of ADHD. Despite the current progress, most ADHD subtypes still have little biological relevance, limited clinical utility, and generalizability, slowing down the pace of their clinical translation. We highlight several crucial considerations to overcome these challenges and contribute to more useful and reproducible subtype identification. With the increasing access to large datasets, deliberate features/methods selection, and adequate validation strategies, we believe that ADHD neurobiological subtypes could be used to inform the development of personalized treatments, thereby advancing ADHD clinical practice towards precision psychiatry.
Application of Western models of posttraumatic stress disorder in Nepal: Confirmatory factor analysis in earthquake survivors and in spinal cord injury patients
Authors: Griffin Siobhán M. , Acharya Khagendra , Parajuli Bikash , McMahon Grace , Armour Chérie , Muldoon Orla T.
Published: January 2025

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often diagnosed by counting the number of symptoms experienced in specified symptom clusters, as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of mental illness. However, PTSD measurement tools and this method of diagnosing and treating PTSD, even in non-Western countries, is based on Western concepts of the underlying factor structure. While some research has suggested that PTSD is a disorder found in Western, or “WEIRD” (White, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) countries and it may not translate to non-Western cultural contexts, other research has documented PTSD in a variety of non-Western countries including India, China, and the Philippines. We examined if the underlying factor structure of PTSD was evident in another non-Western context—in Nepal. We translated and back-translated the PTSD Checklist Specific Stress Version (PCL-S), adapting it for use with populations with low literacy affected by two life changing traumas. We then tested a series of theoretical models of PTSD across two different trauma samples—in survivors of the 2015 earthquake ( N = 392) and in people who experienced a life-changing spinal cord injury ( N = 163). Using confirmatory factor analysis, we found some evidence that PTSD symptoms appear to map onto Western factors, with evidence of the four-factor Dysphoria model (Re-experiencing, Avoidance, Dysphoria, and Hyperarousal symptoms) in both populations, and demonstrating scalar invariance across samples. However, exploratory factor analyses suggested a different underlying structure. Further, measurement invariance testing suggested gendered responses to PTSD items. The results demonstrate PTSD symptoms in this non-Western context somewhat fit hypothesized Western concepts of PTSD but point to a holistic approach to diagnosing PTSD in such contexts, as opposed to using clusters or PTSD cut-offs.
From blood vessels to brain cells: Connecting the circulatory system and Parkinson's disease
Authors: Olaoye Oyedele J , Farrow Sophie L , Nyaga Denis M , Cooper Antony A , O’Sullivan Justin M
Published: January 2025

Parkinson's disease (PD) is traditionally recognized as a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor dysfunction and α-synuclein protein accumulation in the brain. However, recent research suggests that the circulatory system may also contribute to PD pathogenesis through the spread of α-synuclein beyond the brain. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), a key regulator of molecular exchange between the bloodstream and the brain, may become compromised in PD, allowing harmful substances, including pathogenic forms of α-synuclein, to infiltrate the brain and promote neurodegeneration. Transport mechanisms such as P-glycoprotein and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein (LRP-1) further modulate the movement of α-synuclein across the BBB, influencing disease progression. Additionally, extracellular vesicles are emerging as crucial mediators in the dissemination of α-synuclein between the brain and peripheral tissues, facilitating its spread and accumulation. The lymphatic system, responsible for clearing α-synuclein, may also contribute to PD pathology when impaired. This review highlights the growing evidence for a circulatory axis in the initiation and progression of PD. We propose that future research should explore the hypothesis that the circulatory system contributes to the pathogenesis of PD by aiding the distribution of α-synuclein throughout the body.
An Exploration of the Contemporary U.S. Academic Physician Experience with the Formal Rationalization of Health Care
Authors: Rogers David A. , Meese Katherine A. , Cain Cindy L.
Published: January 2025

It has been over three decades since it was predicted that the processes of formal rationalization would lead to dire consequences for all physicians. Prompted by a social concern about elevated burnout rates in U.S. physicians, there have been some investigations about organizational influences on their work lives. However, these studies have not used formal rationalization as a conceptual framework. This exploratory study was undertaken to examine the work lives of a group of academic physicians in the United States using McDonaldization thesis features as the organizing framework. Eighteen academic physicians were recruited from a single academic medical center in the United States. Focus groups were conducted by a physician and a medical sociologist, and the transcripts analyzed. Academic physicians could identify programs consistent with the McDonaldization of health care and reacted variably to them. The features were found to interact in differing ways with control over work being superordinate to the other three features. There was evidence for the consequence of irrationality in that inefficiency was increased and the quality of the patient interaction reduced. Physicians’ reactions to overall changes to their work are variable ranging from distress to varying degrees of acceptance.