bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leadership Styles in Non-Profit Institutions: An Empirical Study for the Validation and Reliability of a Scale in the Latin American Context
Authors: Espejo-Pereda Javier Enrique , García-Salirrosas Elizabeth Emperatriz , Villar-Guevara Miluska , Fernández-Mallma Israel
Published: January 2025

There is no doubt that leadership is one of the most researched and disseminated topics in recent years, and over time, some distinguished models have developed a solid foundation and a reputable structure. From this perspective, this study analyzes the evidence of validity and reliability of a scale that assesses leadership styles in non-profit institutions. The study had an instrumental design. The sample consisted of 272 workers from nine Latin American countries, aged between 19 and 68 years (M = 34.08 and SD = 8.61), recruited through non-probabilistic sampling. A validity and reliability analysis of the scale confirmed the nine items and three original factors (servant, empowering and shared leadership). The KMO test reached a high level (0.898 > 0.70), and the Bartlett test reached a highly significant level (Sig. = 0.000). The scale also showed good internal consistency (α = 0.918 to 0.956; CR = 0.918 to 0.957; AVE = 0.755 to 0.880). Likewise, for the Confirmatory Factor Analysis, a measurement adjustment was performed, obtaining excellent and acceptable fit indices for Model 2 (CMIN/DF = 1.794; CFI = 0.993; SRMR = 0.023; RMSEA = 0.054; Pclose = 0.369). This study provides a brief and useful tool to measure leadership styles in Latin America, as a scale used specifically for this context would allow for a more accurate and valid assessment. This is crucial for generating effective organizational interventions, fostering the development of authentic leaders, and improving the competitiveness of non-profit institutions.
Exploring the Role of Foveal and Extrafoveal Processing in Emotion Recognition: A Gaze-Contingent Study
Authors: Estudillo Alejandro J.
Published: January 2025

Although the eye-tracking technique has been widely used to passively study emotion recognition, no studies have utilised this technique to actively manipulate eye-gaze strategies during the recognition facial emotions. The present study aims to fill this gap by employing a gaze-contingent paradigm. Observers were asked to determine the emotion displayed by centrally presented upright or inverted faces. Under the window condition, only a single fixated facial feature was available at a time, only allowing for foveal processing. Under the mask condition, the fixated facial feature was masked while the rest of the face remained visible, thereby disrupting foveal processing but allowing for extrafoveal processing. These conditions were compared with a full-view condition. The results revealed that while both foveal and extrafoveal information typically contribute to emotion identification, at a standard conversation distance, the latter alone generally suffices for efficient emotion identification.
Evaluating the Pattern of Relationships of Speech and Language Deficits with Executive Functions, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Facets of Giftedness in Greek Preschool Children. A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Sofologi Maria , Chatzikyriakou Georgia , Patsili Chrysoula , Chatzikyriakou Marina , Papantoniou Aphrodite , Dinou Magda , Rachanioti Eleni , Sarris Dimitris , Zaragas Harilaos , Kougioumtzis Georgios , Katsarou Dimitra V. , Moraitou Despina , Papantoniou Georgia
Published: January 2025

Speech and language deficits often occur in preschool children, and empirical studies have indicated an association between language impairments and challenges in different cognitive domains. The primary aim of the current study was to evaluate the associations between speech and language deficits, executive function (EF) impairments, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and aspects of giftedness in Greek preschoolers based on assessments from their teachers. Investigating the associations between aspects of EFs, ADHD, and giftedness was another objective of the current study. Finally, we examined on a sample of Greek preschool children the convergent validity of the LAMP screening test in relation to the following questionnaires: the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI), the ADHD-IV Questionnaire, the Gifted Rating Scales-Preschool/Kindergarten Form (GRS-P), and the Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS). For the purpose of the present study, 20 kindergarten teachers and 71 Greek preschoolers (41 boys and 30 girls) were included in the sample. Data analysis revealed that according to teachers’ estimations, speech and language deficits are positively associated to a statistically significant degree with ADHD and with deficits in working memory (WM) and inhibition. On the other hand, aspects of preschool-aged creativity and giftedness were significantly correlated negatively with speech and language deficits. Additionally, the findings demonstrated a negative correlation between aspects of giftedness and ADHD symptoms as well as poor achievement on working memory (WM) and inhibition assessment tests. Furthermore, there was no association between hyperactivity/inhibition deficit and creativity, which is an aspect of giftedness. The moderate positive associations of the LAMP screening test with the psychometric tools of measurement of ADHD and executive function (EF) deficits, and the negative associations with the scales of giftedness showed the good convergent and distinct validity of the LAMP assessment test.
Leveraging Sentiment–Topic Analysis for Understanding the Psychological Role of Hype in Emerging Technologies—A Case Study of Electric Vehicles
Authors: Costello Francis Joseph , Kim Cheong
Published: January 2025

This study presents a novel approach to examining the psychological impact of emerging technologies through the development of a Hype Cycle Model (HCM), utilizing sentiment analysis and topic modeling. Focusing on electric vehicles, we investigate how public sentiment—captured via social media comments—reflects the psychological effects of technology adoption and hype. Our model integrates both qualitative and quantitative analyses, utilizing sentiment scoring and topic modeling to explore thematic psychological trends. An analysis of approximately 43,000 social media comments on electric vehicles demonstrated that the integration of expert knowledge with public sentiment provides a comprehensive understanding of technology hype dynamics. The results revealed that sentiment analysis enables real-time tracking of emotional responses to emerging technologies, while Correlated Topic Modeling (CTM) offers contextual insights into the positioning of technologies within the HCM. These findings demonstrate that understanding public sentiment towards emerging technologies can provide valuable insights for both organizations and policymakers in technology forecasting and adoption planning. Our approach transforms the traditional black box implementation by Gartner Inc. into a transparent framework that illuminates the psychological underpinnings of technology hype, revealing how collective excitement, expectations, and emotional responses shape the trajectory of emerging technology adoption.
Father Phubbing and Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms: The Roles of Relationship Satisfaction and Need to Belong
Authors: Wang Jilong , Wang Pengcheng , Yue Yongjie , Yin Lipeng , Wang Wei , Zhang Guohua , Yin Yulong
Published: January 2025

Recent research indicates that parental phubbing is a risk factor for adolescents’ depressive symptoms; however, limited research has examined the association between father phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. The present study tested the association between father phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the mediating and moderating effects underlying this link were examined. A total of 1319 participants (39.5% were boys, mean age = 16.15 years) completed measures regarding father phubbing, father–child relationship satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and the need to belong. By using a two-wave longitudinal design, the results showed that father–child relationship satisfaction mediated the association between father phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms, and the need to belong exacerbated the association between father phubbing and father–child relationship satisfaction. Limitations and implications of this study were elaborated.
The Crucial Role of the Eyes in Predicting Facial Attractiveness from Parts
Authors: Gao Xiaolan , Li Hongjie , Han Xiao , Ren Yong , Qi Yue , Chen Wenfeng
Published: January 2025

Perceiving facial attractiveness based on partial information is a common experience in social interactions, where we often view only parts of faces. However, our understanding of predictions of the whole face from its parts remains limited. This study investigated this by dividing faces into the top and bottom halves (Study 1) and the forehead, eyes, nose, and mouth (Study 2). We compared how attractiveness was predicted from these parts versus when the whole face was fully observed. In the findings, overestimations occurred when predicting from the eyes (or the top half). Similarly, predictions from the nose resulted in overestimations, though to a lesser extent. In contrast, no difference was found between the predicted and observed attractiveness of the whole face when predicting from the mouth (or the bottom half). Further analysis revealed that the eyes were the most significant predictor of facial attractiveness across all facial features. Interestingly, higher attractiveness of the eyes was associated with a greater extent of overestimations in predictions from the eyes, whereas predictions from other parts exhibited a reduced extent of overestimations. These findings implied that predictions were influenced by the eyes, underscoring the critical role the eyes play in the process of predicting facial attractiveness.
The Pore Structure Characteristics of Mortar and Its Application in the Study of Chloride Ion Transport Performance
Authors: Rong Zhidan , Ouyang Hanliang , Gao Yun , Chen Hao
Published: January 2025

The cement-based materials widely used in infrastructure construction, such as bridges and ports, are subjected to seawater erosion and medium erosion during their service life, and their durability has always been a concern. The diffusion coefficient of chloride ions is an important indicator in the research of cement-based materials’ durability, and the pore structure is one of the most fundamental reasons affecting the diffusion behavior of chloride ions. In this paper, Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Nitrogen adsorption method (NAD) were used to analyze the pore structures of mortars with different volume fractions of sands. The relationship between mortar pore structure and chloride ion diffusion coefficient was established to predict its chloride ion diffusion coefficient. It may provide a new idea for studying the durability of cement-based materials. Results indicated that similar to cement paste, the pore structure of mortar satisfied the fractal characteristics of solid phase within a certain range of pores. The most probable gel pore diameter of mortars with different sand volume fractions was about 4 nm, while the most probable capillary pore diameter was approximately 46 nm, and the critical pore diameter was ranging from 50 to 60 nm. MIP results indicated that with the increase in sand volume fraction (ϕagg), the total porosity (fmip) of the mortar decreased, satisfying the relationship of fmip = 0.1859 − 0.0789ϕagg. However, the porosity of the matrix (fbase) increased with the increase in sand volume fraction, which was due to the introduction of more interfaces by the addition of aggregates. The effective chloride ion diffusion coefficient (Dcp,base) of the matrix can be obtained by fitting. Based on this, the interface transition zone (ITZ) and the cement matrix were comprehensively considered as a whole fractal phase. The predicted value of the chloride ion diffusion coefficient obtained by the Mori–Tanaka homogenization method was in good agreement with the results obtained from rapid chloride migration (RCM) experiments, and the maximum error between the simulated and experimental values did not exceed 11%. This finding can provide new ideas for accurately predicting the chloride ion diffusion coefficient of mortar and even concrete.
Detection of Central Compartment Lymph Node Metastasis of Thyroid Cancer: Usefulness of Intraoperative Thyroglobulin Measurement in Fine Needle Aspiration Washout with and Without Blue Dye Injection
Authors: Mura Chiara , Canu Gian Luigi , Lanzolla Giulia , Cappellacci Federico , Medas Fabio , Mariotti Stefano , Calò Pietro Giorgio , Boi Francesco
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The management of lymph node metastases of the central neck compartment (CNC) in differentiated thyroid carcinoma is debated. The intraoperative measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg) has gained attention in accurately detecting metastases, reducing unnecessary CNC dissections. Methods: A total of 37 patients underwent surgery. An intraoperative assay of thyroglobulin from fine needle aspiration (Tg-FNA) was performed on CNC lymph nodes, identified by blue dye injection in 15 patients (23 nodes, group A) and by palpation in 22 patients (35 nodes, group B). The Tg-FNA values were compared with histology to calculate the diagnostic accuracy. Results: In group A, the blue dye diffused widely, complicating lymph node identification: 2 were metastatic and 21 non-metastatic, with median Tg-FNA levels of 6236 ng/mL and 99.20 ng/mL, respectively. In group B, 8 were metastatic and 27 benign, with median Tg-FNA levels of 4063 ng/mL and 121 ng/mL (p < 0.0001), respectively. ROC analysis identified 500 ng/mL as a cutoff, achieving 100% sensitivity and 74% specificity in group B and 90% sensitivity and 70% specificity overall. Finally, among the non-metastatic lymph nodes, group A exhibited some cases of very high Tg-FNA values compared to group B, with lower accuracy for the cutoff, suggesting that colorant injection might lead to increased Tg-FNA levels. Conclusions: Blue dye injection showed low accuracy. Intraoperative Tg-FNA was reliable in detecting CNC metastases, although a higher cutoff is needed in this compartment compared to what has been reported for lateral lymph nodes. Lymphatic drainage and surgical manipulation might explain these findings. The careful interpretation of Tg-FNA in CNC should be adopted.
Palliative Radiotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients on CDK4/6 Inhibitors: Safety Analysis
Authors: Ceylan Furkan , Mehdiyev Mirmehdi , Bilgin Burak , Tenekeci Ateş Kutay , Yalçın Bülent , Akıncı M. Bülent , Dede Didem Şener , Şendur Mehmet Ali Nahit , Algın Efnan , Yücel Şebnem
Published: January 2025

Purpose: CDK4/6 inhibitors require meticulous monitoring due to their potential to cause hematological toxicities and hepatotoxicity. This study evaluates the safety of combining CDK4/6 inhibitors with palliative radiotherapy in patients with metastatic hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer. Patients and Methods: This study included 188 patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors between January 2021 and June 2024. Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment interventions were extracted from medical records. The primary focus was on the incidence of grade ≥ 3 hematologic toxicities and hepatotoxicity, assessed according to CTCAE 5.0 criteria, in those receiving concurrent palliative radiotherapy. Results: With a median follow-up of 18.5 months, the 18-month PFS and OS rates were 67% and 85%, respectively. The median age was 57.5 years, and 79% of patients were post-menopausal. Bone and liver metastases were present in 66% and 23% of patients, respectively. Concurrent palliative radiotherapy was administered in 25% of the cohort. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 hematologic toxicity was comparable between those who received radiotherapy and those who did not. Ribociclib use was associated with lower rates of grade 3 hematologic toxicity (OR: 0.37), neutropenia (OR: 0.41), dose interruptions (OR: 0.30), and dose reductions (OR: 0.37). Pre-menopausal status was linked to fewer dose reductions (OR: 0.17). Rates of treatment interruption, dose reduction, and withdrawal were 55%, 24%, and 2%, respectively. Conclusions: The concurrent use of CDK4/6 inhibitors and palliative radiotherapy does not increase the incidence of hematological adverse events in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Mesoporous Ce-Ti Catalysts Modified by Phosphotungstic Acid and Chitosan for the Synergistic Catalysis of CVOCs and NOx
Authors: Ma Mingyang , Zhang Ruhan , Shen Yanan , Zhou Xin , Zhai Yumeng , Han Yumeng , Wang Dan , Zhang Longjin , Song Xinru , Fang De , Gong Pijun
Published: January 2025

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are major environmental pollutants, posing severe risks to human health and ecosystems. Traditional single-component catalysts often fail to remove both pollutants efficiently, making synergistic catalytic technologies a critical research focus. In this study, a mesoporous HPW-CS-Ce-Ti oxide catalyst, modified with H3PW12O40 (HPW) and chitosan (CS), was synthesized via self-assembly. The optimized 10HPW-CS-Ce0.3-Ti catalyst achieved nearly 100% NO conversion at 167–288 °C and a T90 of 291 °C for CVOC conversion, demonstrating superior dual-pollutant removal. HPW and chitosan facilitated mesoporous structure formation, enhancing mass transfer and active site availability. HPW doping also modulated the Ce4+/Ce3+ ratio, boosting redox capacity and surface-active oxygen species, while increasing acidity to promote NH3 and CVOC adsorption. This study presents a novel catalyst and synthesis method with significant potential for environmental protection and human health.
Innovative Production of 3D-Printed Ceramic Monolithic Catalysts for Oxidation of VOCs by Using Fused Filament Fabrication
Authors: Car Filip , Zekić Nikolina , Vrsaljko Domagoj , Tomašić Vesna
Published: January 2025

In this work, ceramic monolithic catalyst carriers based on zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) were produced using fused filament fabrication (FFF). The active catalyst components were deposited on the resulting carriers using the wet impregnation method. The activity of the prepared monolithic catalysts was evaluated by catalytic oxidation of a mixture of aromatic volatile organic compounds: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene (BTEX). The efficiency of the prepared monolithic catalysts was investigated as a function of the geometry of the monolithic carrier (ZDP, Z, and M) and the chemical composition of the catalytically active component (MnFeOx, MnCuOx, and MnNiOx) during the catalytic oxidation of BTEX compounds. The mechanical stability of the catalyst layer and the dimensional stability of the 3D-printed monolithic catalyst carriers were investigated prior to the kinetic measurements. In addition, thorough characterization of the commercial ZrO2-based filament was carried out. The results of the efficiency of the prepared monolithic catalysts for the catalytic oxidation of BTEX showed that the 3D-printed model M, which contained MnFeOx as the catalytically active component, was the most successful catalyst for the oxidation of BTEX compounds. The mentioned catalyst enables the catalytic oxidation of all components of the BTEX mixture (>99% efficiency) at a temperature of 177 °C.
Monensin Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in Mice by a Na+-Dependent Cytotoxic Action Unrelated to Cytostatic Effects
Authors: Fiorilla Simone , Tasso Francesco , Clemente Nausicaa , Trisciuoglio Tommaso , Boldorini Renzo , Carini Rita
Published: January 2025

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, defined by its limited therapeutic options and poor outcomes. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of targeting Na+ homeostasis in TNBC cells to induce TNBC inhibition. For this purpose, BALB/c mice were inoculated with 4T1-Luc2 breast cancer cells and treated with the Na+ ionophore monensin (8 mg/kg) or vehicle alone. Tumor development and cellular Na+ content were assessed using vivo live imaging techniques, while intracellular Na+ variations and cytotoxicity were evaluated through live cell analysis. Monensin treatment increased Na+ levels in cancerous tissues and reduced TNBC mass (monensin: 0.146 ± 0.06; vehicle: 0.468 ± 0.2 cm3; p < 0.001). This treatment induced extensive necrosis in TNBC tumors while preserving the structural and functional integrity of healthy organs and maintaining the proliferative activity of both tumor and normal tissues. Monensin did not alter the expression of proliferating nuclear antigen (PCNA) in 4T1-Luc2 cells but triggered cytotoxicity preceded by intracellular Na+ accumulation. Na+-free conditions prevented both Na+ accumulation and 4T1-Luc2 cell death. Thus, monensin exerts its antitumor effects in TNBC through a Na+-dependent and tumor-specific cytotoxic mechanism, without inducing cytostatic effects on normal or transformed tissues. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of Na+ ionophores as promising therapeutic agents for TNBC.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Gas-Phase Studies of Spin-Spin Couplings in Molecules
Authors: Jackowski Karol
Published: January 2025

This paper overviews gas phase experiments with respect to one fundamental part of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. Indirect spin-spin coupling is an important parameter of NMR spectra and is observed as the splitting of spectral signals. A molecule containing two different magnetic nuclei (e.g., hydrogen HD, HT, or DT) exhibits this interaction in an external magnetic field measured as the spin-spin coupling parameter, nJ(NN′). Modern quantum chemical methods allow the precise calculation of spin-spin coupling, but it is never easy because nJ(NN′) is modified by temperature and intermolecular interactions. Accurate calculations can be performed only for small isolated molecules. NMR spectroscopy can deliver measurements of spin-spin couplings for isolated molecules if nJ(NN′) parameters are observed in the gas phase as a function of density. The extrapolation of such measurements to the zero-density limit permits nJ0(NN′) determination free from intermolecular interactions. The latter technique can also be applied to liquid vapors in molecules like acetonitrile or water. Spin-spin couplings across one chemical bond (1J0(NN′)) are the largest and most important for theoretical modeling. The present review reports numerous 1J0(NN′) parameters recently measured by multinuclear NMR spectra of gaseous samples.
Mode of Delivery and Neonatal Transition: Insights from Electrical Cardiometry
Authors: Soliman Reem M. , Elgendy Marwa M. , Metwalli Eman M. , Ezz ElDin Zahraa , Abdel Massih Antoine F. , Aly Hany
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Examining hemodynamic changes during the early transition period aids in identifying variations in neonatal outcomes linked to ante- or intrapartum events. It facilitates the recognition of potential impacts stemming from common intrapartum management practices. The current literature provides scant insights into cardio-circulatory changes during the crucial first 10 min after birth. The application of Electrical Cardiometry (EC) emerges as a valuable noninvasive clinical tool for measuring neonatal hemodynamics. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess hemodynamic variables, including heart rate (HR), stroke volume index (SVI), index of contractility (ICON), and cardiac output index (COI) during the first hour of life in late preterm and full-term infants. Additionally, this study investigated the relationship between the mode of delivery and cardiovascular adaptation. Methods: Two hundred infants, encompassing both full-term and preterm, were enrolled, with categorization into four groups based on mode of delivery and gestational age. Hemodynamic variables were continuously evaluated using an EC device throughout the first hour of life. Findings: A significant decreasing trend was observed in HR, SVI, COI, and ICON over the first hour of life (p < 0.001). Infants delivered vaginally exhibited significantly higher HR, COI, SVI, and ICON compared to those born via Cesarean section (CS) (p = 0.006 and <0.001 and 0.035 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: This study highlights a consistent decreasing trend in HR, SVI, COI, and ICON over the first hour of life in both full-term and preterm infants. Notably, hemodynamic variables exhibited heightened levels in infants delivered vaginally compared to those born by CS.
Repetitive Sprinting and Running Fatigue in Children with Different Levels of Motor Competence
Authors: Coetzee Dané , du Plessis Wilmarié , Smits-Engelsman Bouwien
Published: January 2025

Background: Children with motor delays often experience challenges in health-related fitness, but the impact on running skills remains unclear. Previous research has shown that children with motor coordination problems have lower cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, endurance, and higher body weight compared to peers. Few studies have examined anaerobic capacity, muscular power, endurance, running performance, and fatigue in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). This study aims to compare repetitive running and running-induced fatigue in typically developing children and those with varying degrees of motor coordination problems. Methods: Groups were classified using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (MABC-2), as probably having DCD (p-DCD, ≤5th percentile, age 9.7 (SD 1.6), n = 141), at risk for DCD (r-DCD, 6th–16th percentile, age 9.9 (SD1.6), n = 160), and typically developing (TD, >16th percentile, age 9.6 (SD 1.6), n = 191). Anaerobic fitness and fatigue were assessed using the Children’s Repetitive and Intermittent Sprinting Performance test (CRISP), while lower and upper body muscular strength, running, and agility were measured with the performance and fitness (PERF-FIT) test battery Power and Agility subscale. Age groups (6–9 and 10–12 years) were analyzed to determine when performance deficits emerged. Results: The p-DCD group was significantly slower, had less power, and fatigued more than the r-DCD and TD children (p < 0.01). This was already clearly the case in the 6–9-year-olds, who slowed down already after the first runs, while the older poorly coordinated children started slower than their peers and showed a more gradual decrease in performance over the runs. Conclusions: Moderate coordination differences between r-DCD and TD children did not significantly impact fatigue, but p-DCD children exhibited greater fatigue due to overestimating their start speed, higher body weight, lower power, and reduced agility, especially in younger age groups. (Too) High starting speed, especially in the younger less coordinated children (p-DCD), is likely to lead to more fatigue.
Risk Factors and Outcome of Pneumatosis Intestinalis in Children
Authors: Heikal Noha , Mari Alessandra , Köglmeier Jutta
Published: January 2025

Objectives: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is rare in childhood. The aetiology remains poorly understood. Our aim was to assess its associated risk factors and outcome. Methods: Retrospective data collection of all children (>1 month of age) with radiological evidence of PI identified from 1991 to 2021 in a large children’s hospital. Poor outcome was defined as loss of enteral autonomy, or death within one month of PI diagnosis. Results: A total of 31 patients (21 male, 67.7%) were included, with a median age of 5 years. The underlying diagnosis was heterogenous. Cerebral palsy and acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) were most common (5/31 for each, 16.13%). A share of 12/31 (38.7%) developed PI 2–15 months post-bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Most patients (n = 15, 48.4%) had no pre-existing gastroenterological disorder. In the majority (11/31, 35.5%), PI was an incidental finding. Abdominal pain was the most common presentation in symptomatic children (7/31, 22.6%). All (31/31, 100%) were managed conservatively with gut rest and antibiotics, and 6/31 (19.4%) had a poor outcome (1/31 permanent feeding intolerance, 5/31 died). When comparing patients who did well (group 1) to those with a poor outcome (group 2), worse prognosis was associated with a lower platelet count (p = 0.016), raised CRP (p = 0.008), higher creatinine (p = 0.006), and higher urea (p = 0.013). Conclusions: The overall prognosis of PI in childhood is good but associated with significant morbidity and mortality in a small number of patients. Our data suggest that lower platelet count, and higher urea, creatinine, and CRP levels might be risk factors.
Dental Manifestations in Children Affected by Hypophosphatemic Rickets: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Allam Aesha , Cirio Silvia , Elia Francesca , Salerno Claudia , Cagetti Maria Grazia
Published: January 2025

Background: Hypophosphatemic rickets (HR) is a bone disorder affecting phosphate–calcium metabolism, with both skeletal and dental manifestations. This review aims to analyze dental manifestations of HR in children and, where possible, compare them to those in healthy children or affected adults. Methods: The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42024596022). The study conformed to the PRISMA guidelines. Three databases were searched for studies reporting the prevalence or incidence of any dental manifestation in children with HR. Risk of bias was assessed using JBI, RoB 2.0, and ROBINS-E tools, and Stata/SE 18.0 was used for meta-analysis. Meta-regression was used to examine the effects of therapy duration and mean age on dental manifestations’ prevalence. The study received no funding. Results: A total of 1308 records were identified, with 660 screened after removing duplicates. Forty-six studies were eligible for full-text evaluation; sixteen were included in the qualitative analysis and twelve in the meta-analysis. The dental manifestations observed included dental abscesses, developmental defects of enamel and dentin, dental caries, taurodontism, and large pulp chambers. Dental abscesses were the most common manifestation, with a pooled prevalence of 0.39. Meta-regression showed no association between therapy duration and abscess occurrence but revealed a negative association between mean age and abscess prevalence. Conclusions: Dental abscesses were the most frequent manifestation in children with HR. The role of therapy in improving oral health remains unclear due to insufficient data, indicating a need for further studies on the impact of HR on children’s oral health.
Effects of Songs Recorded by Parents on the Vital Signs of Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Aoki Yoshinori , Kota Yuusaku , Shimada Mika , Taniguchi Tomoko , Yamauchi Saya , Matsusaka Misaki , Hamasuna Kaoru , Watanabe Yuuko , Kodama Yuki , Moritake Hiroshi
Published: January 2025

Background: Preterm infants often have unstable vital signs and prolonged hospital stays that can hinder parent–infant bonding, especially under COVID-19 restrictions. This study aimed to evaluate whether listening to songs recorded by parents was effective in stabilizing the condition of premature infants. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted at the University of Miyazaki Hospital from October 2022 to March 2024 during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The participants were preterm infants born at less than 33 weeks gestation and their parents, all of whom recorded songs. The recorded songs were played daily to the infants in the intervention group, while the control group received usual care. Primary outcomes included vital signs (respiratory rate, pulse oximetry saturation, heart rate) and activity level. Results: Data for 33 preterm infants (intervention, n = 17 [total 749 sessions]; control, n = 16 [total 721 sessions]) were analyzed for changes in vital signs and activity levels. The intervention reduced infants’ respiratory rates (4.1 [95% CI: 2.5–5.6], p < 0.001) and slightly but statistically significantly increased pulse oximetry saturation (0.6 [95% CI: 0.02–1.2], p < 0.044). Conclusions: Recorded parental songs were found to safely stabilize the respiratory status of preterm infants and may serve as an accessible intervention to support parent–infant attachment, particularly in settings with restricted parental visitation.
Optimization of Forward Osmotic Dewatering on Resource Utilization of Microalgae: A Review
Authors: Zhang Shengfei , An Wenhui , Li Runshan , Zhang Xu , Ge Haiyu , Liu Hongbo
Published: January 2025

Microalgae have attracted wide attention due to their extensive application potential. Dewatering is a necessary work for the application of microalgae, especially in biofuel production, where forward osmosis (FO) research is relatively advanced but still faces technical bottlenecks hindering large-scale commercialization. Based on the current research in recent years, the research progress in the causes and control of membrane fouling, the development of membrane materials and optimization of membrane structure, and the energy saving and efficiency of the process are reviewed in this paper. We found that different species of algae have direct effects on membrane fouling. Chlorella vulgaris has a low membrane fouling trend, but the mechanisms of fouling need further investigation. The material development and structure optimization of membranes are the main research methods to reduce membrane fouling, but there are still some defects, such as complicated preparation and low water flux, which are difficult to apply on a large scale. The research progress of reducing costs by using seawater, urine, fertilizer, etc. as new draw solutions (DS) is reviewed. At present, many aspects of FO microalgae dewatering technology are still not well understood, and future research should focus on scaling up the existing technologies.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation Prediction Based on the Global Atmospheric Oscillation in CMIP6 Models
Authors: Serykh Ilya V.
Published: January 2025

In this work, the preindustrial control (piControl) and Historical experiments results from climatic Earth system models participating in the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) are analyzed for their ability to predict the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Using the principal component method, it is shown that the Global Atmospheric Oscillation (GAO), of which the ENSO is an element, is the main mode of interannual variability of planetary anomalies of surface air temperature (SAT) and atmospheric sea level pressure (SLP) in the ensemble of 50 CMIP6 models. It turns out that the CMIP6 ensemble of models reproduces the planetary structure of the GAO and its west–east dynamics with a period of approximately 3.7 years. The models showed that the GAO combines ENSO teleconnections with the tropics of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and with temperate and high latitudes. To predict strong El Niño and La Niña events, we used a predictor index (PGAO) obtained earlier from observation data and reanalyses. The predictive ability of the PGAO is based on the west–east propagation of planetary structures of SAT and SLP anomalies characteristic of the GAO. Those CMIP6 models have been found that reproduce well the west–east spread of the GAO, with El Niño and La Niña being phases of this process. Thanks to this, these events can be predicted with approximately a year’s lead time, thereby overcoming the so-called spring predictability barrier (SPB) of the ENSO. Thus, the influence of global anomalies of SAT and SLP on the ENSO is shown, taking into account that it may increase the reliability of the early forecast of El Niño and La Niña events.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Wetting Transitions on Micro/Nanopillared Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Li Yufeng , Dong Jialong , Liu Junyan , Han Sheng
Published: January 2025

The low adhesion of water drops on superhydrophobic surfaces is a prerequisite for their widespread potential industrial applications. The wetting transition between different wetting states significantly influences the dynamic behavior of water drops on solid surfaces. Although some theoretical studies have addressed wetting transitions, the underlying mechanisms by which local micro- and nanostructure parameters on superhydrophobic surfaces affect the wetting transition have not been fully elucidated. This study investigates three-dimensional micropillared and micro/nanopillared superhydrophobic surfaces, deriving thermodynamically the equation for the free energy barrier of wetting transition, which is influenced by the overall roughness of the entire superhydrophobic surface and its local micro/nanostructures. Theoretical calculations are performed to investigate the effects of various micro- and nanostructure parameters on the free energy barrier and wetting transition. Based on the principle of energy minimization and the calculated free energy barrier, the possible wetting states on superhydrophobic surfaces are analyzed and compared with experimental results. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of wetting transitions and may guide the design of superhydrophobic surfaces for diverse applications.
The Incorporation of Nano-MoSi2 Particles into a Black PEO Coating on Ti Alloy and Its Corrosion Performance
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zhu Jiayi , Wang Binbin , Xia Jingpeng , Fu Kai , Han Jiaping
Published: January 2025

Tinted plasma electrolytic oxidized (PEO) coatings have been widely applied on the surface of Ti alloys in aerospace field. In this study, a black PEO coating was successfully developed on TC4 alloy, incorporating MoSi2 nanoparticles in situ within the coating matrix to enhance its corrosion resistance. The results indicated that the incorporation of MoSi2 nanoparticles noticeably influence the coating morphology. The pore size decreased while coating thickness decreased from 15 μm to 12 μm. The incorporation of MoSi2 enhanced the barrier property of the inner PEO layer, as well as decreased the surface roughness and increased the coating hardness, which improved the corrosion resistance. The icorr dropped to 1.49 ± 0.58 × 10−7 A/cm2 after the incorporation of the nanoparticles. A black PEO coating with particle addition was suggested for broader application on Ti alloys.
Can Self-Reported Symptoms Be Relied on for COVID-19 Screening in Low-Resource Settings?
Authors: Senjam Suraj Singh , Goel Garima , Lomi Neiwete , Balhara Yatan Pal Singh , Gupta Yashdeep , Ray Animesh
Published: January 2025

Background: Understanding the extent of the disease penetration and assessing its impact is critical during a pandemic. However, laboratory-based COVID-19 estimation can be resource-intensive and may not be feasible during an emergency, particularly in low-resource settings. Aim: To investigate whether self-reported symptoms can be used for COVID-19 screening to estimate the burden among individuals aged 18 years and above in a rural setting. Methods: A community-based cross-section study was conducted in a rural district of Haryana, a state in north India, using a self-reported semi-structured questionnaire developed on a digital platform. Information on COVID-19 manifestations as essential and non-essential, confirmed laboratory tests, and disability data using Washington Groups of Short Set were obtained. The sensitivity of the COVID-19 symptoms was estimated against laboratory-confirmed true positives. A chi-square or Fisher exact test for association and a multivariable regression to determine the predictors of the prevalence was carried out. Results: In total, 2954 respondents (79.8%), out of 3700 enumerated, were interviewed. The mean age of respondents was 42 years (SD 17.2), with 54.8% female respondents. The prevalence of COVID-19 based on self-reported symptoms was 6.2% (95%CI: 5.3–7.1). The age-adjusted prevalence was 6.04% (95%CI: 5.9–6.1). Of the total COVID-19 cases, 170 (5.7%, 95%CI: 4.9–6.5) revealed a laboratory-confirmed test. Given three essential symptoms to declare provisionally COVID-19 cases, the sensitivity was 82.9% (141/170), but considering two or more essential symptoms along with two or more non-essential, the sensitivity reached up to 91.8% (156/170). The multivariable analysis showed that increased age, higher education attainment, students, entrepreneurs, persons working in private sectors, and participants with poor hygiene were predictors. Conclusions: A symptoms-based identification of COVID-19 cases can give a reliable estimate and valuable insight into the extent of the penetration, especially in low-middle-income countries, and can be a supplement, not a replacement, to a laboratory test.
Study of the Hibridation of Ablation Casting and Laser Wire Metal Deposition for Aluminum Alloy 5356
Authors: Fernández-Calvo Ana Isabel , Madarieta Mikel , Solana Ane , Lizarralde Ibon , Rouco Mikel , Soriano Carlos
Published: January 2025

The rapidly growing field of metal additive manufacturing (AM) has enabled the fabrication of near-net-shape components with complex 3D structures in a more reliable, productive, and sustainable way compared to any other manufacturing process. The productivity of AM could be significantly increased combining conventional and AM technologies. However, the application at an industrial level requires the validation of the AM process itself and the assurance of the soundness of the junction between the substrate and the deposited metal at a sufficiently rapid metal deposition rate. In this work, the validation of additively manufactured samples of Al-5356 alloy was performed. These were manufactured partially via an ablation casting process and partially via laser metal deposition using a metallic wire (LMwD). The deposited material showed low porosity levels, i.e., below 0.04%, and a small number of lack-of-union defects, which are detrimental to the mechanical properties. In the tensile samples centred at the junction between the ablated and deposited materials, it was found that when the AM part of the sample exhibited no lack-of-union defects, the region manufactured using LMwD showed higher strength than the ablation-cast part. These results suggest that the combination of ablation casting and LMwD is a competitive technique for the manufacturing of Al-5356 alloy parts with complex geometries.
Four Polymorphs of the Bioactive Diuretic Drug 4-Chloro-5-chlorosulfonyl Salicylic Acid
Authors: Miclaus Maria Olimpia , Borodi Gheorghe , Turza Alexandru
Published: January 2025

4-chloro-5-chlorosulfonyl salicylic acid [C7H4Cl2O5S] is a derivative of salicylic acid and a diuretic agent. Its ability to form polymorphs through recrystallization from various solvents was demonstrated. As a result, four polymorphs were successfully obtained and analyzed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and powder X-ray diffraction, which represents a novelty regarding the polymorphism of this compound of pharmaceutical interest. The solid-state properties were investigated by evaluating crystal lattice energies and intermolecular interactions.
Tamm Plasmons: Properties, Applications, and Tuning with Help of Liquid Crystals
Authors: Reshetnyak Victor Yu. , Pinkevych Igor P. , McConney Michael E. , Bunning Timothy J. , Evans Dean R.
Published: January 2025

This article provides a brief overview of the research on localized optical states called Tamm plasmons (TPs) and their potential applications, which have been extensively studied in recent decades. These states arise under the influence of incident light at the interface between a metal film and a medium with the properties of a Bragg mirror, or between two media with the properties of a Bragg mirror. The localization of the states in the interfacial region is a consequence of the negative dielectric constant of the metal and the presence of a photonic band gap of the Bragg reflector. Optically, TPs appear as resonant reflection dips or peaks in the transmission and absorption spectra in the region corresponding to the photonic band gap. The relative simplicity of creating a Tamm structure and the significant sensitivity of TPs to its parameters make them attractive for applications. The formation of broadband and tunable TP modes in hybrid structures containing, in particular, rugate filters and porous distributed Bragg reflectors are considered. Considerable attention is paid to TP designs that include liquid crystals, which allow for the remote tuning of the TP spectrum without the mechanical restructuring of the system. The application of TPs in sensors, thermal emitters, absorbers, laser generation, and the experimental capabilities of TP-liquid crystal devices are also discussed.
A Pilot Study Investigating the Relationship Between Choroidal Thickness and Choroidal Vascular Index and Coronary Artery Ectasia
Authors: Comerter Dogukan , Cinar Tufan
Published: January 2025

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare changes in choroidal thickness (ChT) and choroidal vascular index (CVI) between patients with coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and healthy individuals. Methods: This study included 34 patients with CAE and 40 age-matched healthy subjects with normal coronary arteries. Measurements of ChT and CVI were taken using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, employing the binarization method for CVI calculation. Additional parameters, including central macula thickness (CMT), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell layer (GCC) thickness, were also documented. Results: The results indicated no significant differences in either subfoveal ChT or in ChT at 1500 µm both nasal and temporal to the fovea. However, significant differences were noted in ChT at the 500 µm nasal and temporal areas. The CVI was found to be significantly lower in the CAE group compared to the healthy controls. Furthermore, this study noted a significant difference in GCC thickness between the two groups, while no significant differences were observed in CMT and RNFL measurements. Conclusions: The findings suggest that patients with CAE exhibit decreased ChT and CVI in comparison to healthy controls. This highlights the potential role of ChT and CVI as important markers of disease in coronary artery ectasia, offering valuable insights into systemic cardiovascular health.
Defining Global Thresholds for Serum Ferritin: A Challenging Mission in Establishing the Iron Deficiency Diagnosis in This Era of Striving for Health Equity
Authors: Cancado Rodolfo Delfini , Leite Lauro Augusto Caetano , Muñoz Manuel
Published: January 2025

Iron deficiency (ID) is a critical public health issue globally and the most prevalent cause of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) affects approximately 1.2 billion individuals worldwide, and it is estimated that non-anemic iron deficiency (NAID) is at least twice as common as IDA. Yet, there is still uncertainty about how to diagnose it in clinical practice. The serum ferritin (SF) threshold of <15 ng/mL proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) has been questioned over the last decade. The current SF thresholds are inappropriately low, and, therefore, a large portion of the population at the most significant risk of ID remain undiagnosed and untreated. The correlation between SF, hepcidin, and the physiological upregulation of iron absorption in healthy adults suggests that SF of <50 ng/mL indicates a more precise threshold for diagnosing ID in adults. Therefore, adopting the SF threshold <50 ng/mL would break up the perpetuation of an inequitable cycle of disadvantage for ID individuals, especially among women.