bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wendell Berry and Martin Luther on Creatureliness in a Technological Age
Authors: Fredstrom William G.
Published: February 2025

Abstract: We can observe a flight from creatureliness in the modern and late modern age. Agrarian philosopher and essayist Wendell Berry helps us understand that the loss of creatureliness results from several factors, yet a significant reason is the contemporary belief in technology to transcend our creaturely limitations and our life together with fellow creatures in the creation. Berry often laments that Christianity has contributed to rather than hindered the contemporary flight from creatureliness. However, Martin Luther offers a theological vision that embraces creatureliness and the creation. By employing a credal framework as an organizing principle, we can observe how, in Luther's thought, the triune God is at work to restore human creatures to our creatureliness so that creation is "reopened" to us as a gift to delight in and receive with thanksgiving. Following this credal analysis, this article describes two disciplines God's restored creatures should cultivate that arise from living in our vocations "down and among" other creatures in our technological age: 1) learning to pray and 2) nurturing place.
The (Re)production of
Racialized Inequality among
Hispanic-Serving Institutions:
A Study of Forms of Capital
Mobilized in the Competitive
Grantscape
Authors: Aguilar-Smith Stephanie , Villarreal Cynthia D.
Published: February 2025

Concerned by competitive grantmaking’s role in the racialized (re)
production of inequality, we applied a Bourdieusan lens and postsecondary
racial neoliberalism to examine Title V—a competitive, federal grant program
for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) poised to mitigate racially patterned
funding inequality. Specifically, employing a critical qualitative methodological
approach, we interviewed 29 institutional actors across 17 HSIs and showed
that even an equity-aspiring program like Title V could (re)produce inequality
among HSIs and magnify the racialized stratification of resources across the field, particularly given the institutional and resource diversity among
HSIs. Precisely, seemingly at odds with Title V’s goals and the possibilities
of Hispanic-servingness, this neoliberal program is set to privilege places
with better grant-related infrastructure, more money, and other less tangible
resources (e.g., grantisan knowledge). To better realize this federal investment’s
transformative potential, we emphasize implications for public policy
and offer possibilities for HSI scholars and practitioners, particularly in grant
development and administration.
Design and characterization of an optical phantom for mesoscopic multimodal fluorescence lifetime imaging and optical coherence elastography
Authors: Chavez Luis , Gao Shan , Pandey Vikas , Yuan Nanxue , Ragab Saif , Li Jiayue , Hepburn Matt S. , Smith Percy , Edelheit Caroline , Corr David T. , Kennedy Brendan F. , Intes Xavier
Published: February 2025

We developed a novel methodology for manufacturing multimodal, tissue-mimicking phantoms that exhibit both molecular and biomechanical contrast. This methodology leverages the immiscibility of silicone and hydrogels to create solid mesoscale phantoms with localized regions of precisely controlled fluorescence, including fluorescence lifetime properties, and adjustable stiffness, without requiring physical barriers. Mechanical, fluorescent, and optical characterization confirmed the tunability of the phantoms across a range of values relevant to biomedical applications. A macroscale 3D phantom was fabricated, and its properties were validated through fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI) and optical coherence elastography (OCE). Validation demonstrated the successful tuning of both mechanical and fluorescence lifetime contrasts within a 3D structure, highlighting the feasibility of multimodal FLI-OCE. This new phantom manufacturing process is expected to support the development and validation of new multimodal imaging approaches to study molecular and biomechanical properties of the tumor microenvironment (TME), as well as their impact on therapeutic efficacy, and to enhance targeted therapies.
On the localization of the high-intensity region of simultaneous space-time foci
Authors: Archer Emily , Sun Bangshan , Walczak Roman , Booth Martin , Hooker Simon
Published: February 2025

Simultaneous space-time focusing (SSTF) is sometimes claimed to reduce the longitudinal extent of the high-intensity region near the focus, in contradiction to the original work on this topic. Here we seek to address this confusion by using numerical and analytical methods to investigate the degree of localization of the spatio-temporal intensity of an SSTF pulse. The analytical method is found to be in excellent agreement with numerical calculations and yields, for bi-Gaussian input pulses, expressions for the three-dimensional spatio-temporal intensity profile of the SSTF pulse, and for the on-axis bandwidth, pulse duration, and pulse-front tilt (PFT) of the SSTF pulse. To provide further insight, we propose a method for determining the transverse input profile of a non-SSTF pulse with equivalent spatial focusing. We find that the longitudinal variations of the peak axial intensities of the SSTF and spatially equivalent (SE) pulses are the same, apart from a constant factor, and hence that SSTF does not constrain the region of high intensity more than a non-SSTF pulse with equivalent focusing. We demonstrate that a simplistic method for calculating the pulse intensity exaggerates the degree of intensity localization, unless the spatio-temporal couplings inherent to SSTF pulses are accounted for.
Luminescence characterization and performance modulation of CaScBO4: Eu2+ near-infrared phosphors for night vision lighting applications
Authors: Li Mengjiao , Zhang Xiaoshuai , Ma Xiaoyi , Li Jia , Gong Jie , Li Panlai , Yu Xiaoyan , Wang Zixuan , Liu Chengrun , Zhang Guodong , Wang Zhijun
Published: February 2025

To facilitate the development of near-infrared light sources for photovoltaic and night-vision lighting applications, it is crucial to obtain novel near-infrared emitting phosphors. Herein, a novel Eu2+-activated broadband near-infrared emitting phosphor CaScBO4: Eu2+ is reported. Under 558 nm light excitation, CaScBO4: Eu2+ exhibits broadband near-infrared emission centered at 780 nm with a full width at half maxima of 147 nm. The luminescence intensity is significantly enhanced by 7-fold through a cation modulation strategy using Ba2+ for Ca2+ substitution. The mechanism of the increase of the luminescence intensity is explained in detail by the change in the symmetric stretching force of the B-O bond before and after the substitution. Finally, the Ca0.85Ba0.15ScBO4: Eu2+ phosphor was encapsulated in a 558 nm chip to form a phosphor-converted light-emitting diode device, and exploratory experiments were performed to explore the applications in night vision lighting. The results show that the phosphor has great potential for application in the field of night vision lighting.
Fabry-Perot resonance cavity for ultra-thin GaAs negative electron affinity photocathodes
Authors: Peng Xincun , Jiang Linlin , Wang Yu , Zou Jijun , Deng Wenjuan
Published: February 2025

Electron accelerator and photodetector require negative electron affinity photocathode (NEA-PC) with high quantum efficiency (QE), short response time and low mean transverse energy (MTE). Finding a NEA-PC that simultaneously meets all these requirements is challenging. Here, a Fabry-Perot (F-P) cavity with a high reflective silver (Ag) mirror was used for GaAs NEA-PC, which was analyzed by a coupled Monte Carlo opto-electronic model. For the concerned wavelengths of 532 and 780 nm, enhanced light absorption peaks with Q-factor > 20 were obtained in a 100 nm ultra-thin GaAs NEA-PC layer by the standing wave resonance of the F-P cavity, which lead to the enhanced QE higher than that of the normal thick ones, the picoseconds short response time, and the MTE less than 70 meV, respectively. Given these properties, Ag F-P resonant ultra-thin GaAs NEA-PC represent a promising photocathode to provide the high-brightness short-pulse electron beams and high-sensitive fast-response detectors for the electron accelerator and photodetection applications, respectively.
Research on solid-state lasers with adjustable pulse width based on the controllable release of the inverted population
Authors: Zhang Zhiyan , Wang Hongyang , Wu Zhuo , Yan Fanjiang , Zhao Shusen , Zhiyong Liang , Lin Xuechun
Published: February 2025

A laser with an adjustable pulse width is very important for laser processing and scientific research. In this study, we propose a theoretical model to adjust laser pulse width by controlling the diffraction loss of the resonator cavity in an acousto-optic Q-switched solid-state laser system. The varies of the diffraction loss are in accordance with a set function, then modulating the release of the inverted population. Analyzing the impact of the diffraction loss function in the process of inverted particle release, we determined the dividing line of control parameters that distinguish normal modulation and pulse distortion and obtained the optimal adjustment parameters. The method and theoretical model were verified by experiment, resulting in a pulse width adjustment range of 27 ns to 62 ns under fixed resonator structure and pumping rate conditions. An adjustable pulse width laser system utilizing the method has a simple laser resonant cavity, and the output pulse width can be adjusted in real-time.
Purity and composite petal-like mode laser emission with tunable topological charge from 1 to 35
Authors: Zhu Haiyong , Zhang Zihan , Liu Jie , Zhang Yongchang , Jin Xinxin , Li Zhihong , Yan Lifen , Duan Yanmin
Published: February 2025

In this work, we demonstrate the generation of low-order petal mode beams with tunable topological charge from a laser system utilizing an axicon based annular pump shaping system. By tuning the shape of the pump beam and axially displacing the laser gain crystal, it was possible to generate petal-like vortex beams with variable topological charge ranging from 1 to 35 and with a maximum power of ∼ 3 W. Excellent mode purity is maintained at low pump powers, while at higher pump powers, composite modes comprising the superposition of multiple vortex modes are produced. The experimental work presented was supported by theoretical modelling from which the spatial intensity profiles of composite modes are generated. In the case of petal-like mode emission with a topological charge of 35, a maximum output power of 2.65 W was obtained with a conversion efficiency of 31.2%. Our results demonstrate the versatility of axicon-lens pump-shaping systems for the generation of a wide variety of vortex beam types with unique mode structures. We anticipate that such unique laser modes may enable what we believe to be new methodologies and techniques in cutting-edge applications spanning laser micro- and nano-machining to free-space communications.
Energy ratio controlled gate-tuning four-wave mixing in monolayer graphene
Authors: Wan Chenyu , Song Renkang , Liu Anhang , Zhao Shen-ao , Zeng Xiangkun , Zhou Lei , Wang Jin , Wang Fang , Wang Zhanshan , Cheng Xinbin , Huang Di , Jiang Tao
Published: February 2025

Monolayer graphene, with a gapless conical electronic band structure, demonstrates scale invariance, showing universal linear optical responses. The impacts of this feature on nonlinear optical responses remain unclear. Our work reveals that the gate-tunable difference-frequency four-wave mixing (DFM) responses in monolayer graphene are significantly influenced by the energy ratios between excitation photons. This effect arises from scale invariance, rather than their absolute energies. Through theoretical analysis, we show that these energy ratios critically impact the DFM response relative to the chemical potential by tailoring the sequence, magnitude, and phase of resonant channels involved. Our findings deepen the understanding of the gate-tuning behavior in the nonlinear optical responses from materials featuring Dirac cones, paving the way for innovative nonlinear photonic applications.
High responsivity lateral GaN film photoconductive semiconductor switch based on sapphire substrates for high-power application
Authors: Cai Ping , Xu Jiankai , Zhou Miao , Feng Chun , Wang Qian , Li Wei , Wang Xiaoliang , Xiao Hongling , Luan Chongbiao , Jiang Lijuan
Published: February 2025

Gallium nitride (GaN) materials have high absorption coefficient and wide bandgap. In this work, an excellent ohmic contact electrode with low specific contact resistivity of 5.9 × 10−6 Ω·cm2 is prepared on semi-insulating GaN material grown by MOCVD. Moreover, the high-responsivity lateral GaN photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) is developed on a GaN film with a thickness of only 2.5 microns at a laser trigger having a wavelength of 355 nm. For the GaN PCSS with an electrode gap of 3 mm, when the input voltage is 10 kV and the laser energy is 2 mJ, the output peak current reaches 137.6 A and the responsivity is up to 5 × 10−4 A/W. The results of experiment and simulation could prove that the silicon ion implantation improves the ohmic contact quality of the device, regulates the electric field distribution during on-state, and reduces the peak electric field.
Scalable Erbium-Doped Waveguide Amplifier with External Fiber-to-Fiber Gain Using Reactively Sputtered Polycrystalline Aluminium Oxide
Authors: Garcia-Blanco Sonia , Martinez Carlos Osornio , Bonneville Dawson , Dijkstra Meindert
Published: February 2025

We demonstrate reactively sputtered polycrystalline Al₂O₃:Er³⁺ waveguide amplifiers exhibiting external fiber-to-fiber net gain, broadband amplification, and low noise figure. With an erbium concentration of 1.5 × 10²⁰ ions/cm³, a 30 cm amplifier length, and bi-directional pumping at 1480 nm, >14 dB of external gain at 1550 nm is shown with off-chip output powers of over 56 mW measured at the output fiber, as well as sustained gain across 60 nm of bandwidth featuring a fiber-to-fiber NF of 5.6 dB at 1566 nm. Such a device is made possible using polycrystalline Al₂O₃:Er³⁺ capable of high temperature LPCVD SiO₂ cladding, and therefore low coupling and background waveguide losses down to 2.5 dB/facet and ~5 dB/m respectively due to high conformality and optical quality. This demonstration highlights the importance and advantages of using polycrystalline Al₂O₃:Er³⁺ for applications that require optical amplification on a scalable and versatile photonic waveguide platform.
Gambling in Connecticut adolescents: Prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, trauma exposure, suicidality, and other risk behaviors
Authors: Stefanovics Elina A. , Zhai Zu Wei , Potenza Marc N.
Published: February 2025

Adolescent gambling is a public health concern and has been linked to suicidality, various risk behaviors, and poor health outcomes. However, there is a limited understanding of specific risk and protective factors that may influence gambling behavior in Connecticut adolescents, especially in changing gambling environments. This study examines relationships between adolescents reporting gambling in the past-year and a range of health risk behaviors including vaping, traumatic experiences, academic performance, and receipt of social support. Data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey in Connecticut high school students stratified by gambling status were examined in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Among 1,807 adolescents, past-year gambling was reported by 453 individuals [25.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 22.7–28.1%]. Gambling prevalence was higher among older males and lower in adolescents of Asian origin. Gambling was further associated with suicidality and risk behaviors including substance use, smoking [traditional tobacco and electronic vapor use], risky use of digital technologies, unsafe sex, and aggressive behaviors. Gambling was also associated with traumatic experiences, depression/dysphoria, poor academic performance, and less familial social support. The results provide an up-to-date estimate of the current prevalence and correlates of gambling among Connecticut adolescents. The results provide recent estimates of the prevalence and correlates of gambling among Connecticut adolescents. The findings highlight the need for further investigation of specific factors like social support that help with designing and implementing tailored interventions.
Insilico targeting of virus entry facilitator NRP1 to block SARS-CoV2 entry
Authors: Bibi Nousheen , Shah Maleeha , Khan Shahzad , Chohan Muhammad Shahzad , Kamal Mohammad Amjad
Published: February 2025

The entry and infectivity of a virus are determined by its interaction with the host. SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, utilizes the spike (S) protein to attach to and enter host cells. Recent studies have identified neuropilin-1 (NRP1) as a crucial facilitator for the entry of SARS-CoV-2. The binding of the spike protein to the b1 domain of NRP1 has been shown to enhance viral infection twofold. Consequently, targeting NRP1 to disrupt this interaction represents a promising strategy to mitigate viral infection. In this study, a small molecule library of approximately 10,000 compounds was screened to identify those that could inhibit the interaction between NRP1 and the spike protein by targeting the b1 domain of NRP1. The crystallographic structure of the b1 domain of human NRP1 (PDB entry: 7JJC) was used for this purpose. Following virtual screening, docking studies, and evaluation of binding affinity and ADMET properties, 10 compounds were shortlisted. The top two candidates, AZD3839 and LY2090314, were selected for molecular dynamics simulation studies over 100 ns to assess binding stability. MM/GBSA calculations indicated that both AZD3839 and LY2090314 exhibited strong and stable binding to the b1 domain of NRP1. Computational modeling of the interaction between the b1 domain of NRP1 and the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein suggested that AZD3839 and LY2090314 could effectively hinder the NRP1-spike interaction. Therefore, these compounds may serve as potential drug candidates to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectivity.
Power beacon-assisted energy harvesting symbiotic radio networks: Outage performance
Authors: Hung Tran Cong , Minh Bui Vu , Nguyen Tan N. , Voznak Miroslav
Published: February 2025

The evolution of next-generation Internet-of-Things (IoT) in recent years exhibits a unique segment that wireless communication paradigms are oriented towards not only improved spectral efficiency transmission but also energy efficiency. This paper addresses these critical issues by proposing a novel communication model, namely power beacon-assisted energy-harvesting symbiotic radio. In particular, the limited energy primary IoT source communicates with its destination by first harvesting energy from a dedicated power beacon and then performing information exchange, while the backscatter device communicates by exploiting the available radio frequency emitted by the primary IoT source. The destination uses successive interference cancellation mechanisms to decode both its received signals. To assess the performance quality of the proposed communication model, we theoretically derive the coexistence outage probability (COP) in terms of highly accurate expressions and upper-bound and lower-bound approximations. Subsequently, we carry out a series of numerical results to verify the developed theory frameworks on the one hand, and on the other hand, analyze the COP performance against the variations of system key parameters (transmit signal-to-noise ratio, the time-splitting coefficient, the energy conversion efficiency factor, the reflection coefficient, and the coexistent decoding threshold). Our numerical results demonstrate that the proposed communication model can potentially work well in practices with reliable communication over 90% (COP is less than 0.1). Additionally, it also demonstrates that optimizing the reflection coefficient at the backscatter device can facilitate achieving minimal COP performance.
Assessing the application of adapted theory of planned behaviour in predicting postpartum family planning intentions in a pragmatic randomized control trial in Western Kenya
Authors: Shisanya Morris Senghor , Kipmerewo Mary , Morema Everlyne , Ouma Collins
Published: February 2025

Introduction

In developing countries like Kenya, addressing the high population growth rate necessitates a focus on early Postpartum Family Planning (PPFP) use. Despite the critical need for PPFP, few researchers explore the application of health behaviour change theories to enhance FP use among postpartum women. This study assesses the application of adapted Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in predicting intention for early PPFP in postpartum women in Western Kenya.

Methods

This randomized control trial included pregnant women aged 15 to 49 attending Antenatal Care (ANC) clinics, randomly assigned to the "Nurses’ arm," "Community arm," or "Control arm." The intervention provided family planning (FP) counseling. Trained nurses and Community Health Workers (CHW) delivered counseling in their respective arms, while the control arm received routine care. Adapted TPB was integrated into client exit interviews to identify constructs influencing early PPFP intentions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to predict the intention for early PPFP in the adapted TPB.

Results

The SEM was optimized with the removal of client knowledge on early PPFP. The final model retained satisfaction with PPFP counseling, perceived normative beliefs, attitude towards PPFP, behaviour control of PPFP choice, and perceived risk of early postpartum pregnancy. Only satisfaction with counseling (P = 0.001), perceived normative beliefs (P<0.0001), attitude towards PPFP (P<0.0001), and behaviour control of PPFP choice (P = 0.018) significantly influenced early PPFP intention.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates a viable application of the adapted TPB model in predicting early PPFP intention in an interventional study.

Trial registration

The study was registered by the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry on 03 July 2021 with a Trial Registration Number PACTR202107891858045. The trial was prospectively registered.
Impoundments facilitate upstream invasion and introgression: Case studies of fluvial black basses (Micropterus spp.) in the southeastern USA
Authors: Taylor Andrew T. , Tringali Michael D. , Long James M.
Published: February 2025

Impoundment construction has resulted in the alternation and loss of fluvial habitats, threatening the persistence of many native fishes. Compounding this threat, non-native species stocked into impoundments often invade interconnected fluvial habitats, where they may negatively affect native species. Black basses (genus Micropterus) are popular sportfishes with divergent ecologies: some taxa are tolerant of impoundments and widely stocked to create fishing opportunities, whereas others are endemic fluvial specialists that are threatened by introgression with non-native congeneric taxa. We investigated whether impoundments facilitate non-native invasion and introgression in two case study systems: Lake Lanier, Georgia, and Lake Tenkiller, Oklahoma. In both case studies, native fluvial taxa inhabited upstream tributaries and a non-native was established within the downstream impoundment. Results from longitudinal surveys of upstream tributaries provided clear evidence that non-natives invaded upstream from impoundments, and in some cases, extensive introgression with native taxa also occurred. Variation in spatial trends of invasion and directionalities of introgression across case studies provided insights into eco-evolutionary drivers. Within the riverscapes studied, proximity to impoundment appeared to influence invasion and introgression dynamics, and in one case, stream size was also influential. Introgression rates also varied markedly across the species pairs studied–from very little introgression to the onset of hybrid swarming–illustrating the importance of underlying eco-evolutionary mechanisms such as habitat alteration, propagule pressure, and reproductive isolation. Our results underscore the need to consider the upstream influences of impoundments, and the non-natives that invade from them, to create more holistic riverscape conservation plans for fluvial fishes, including native black basses.
Feasibility and efficiency of microalgae cultivation for nutrient recycling and energy recovery from food waste filtrate
Authors: Chen Yanghang , Wan Wing-Wai , Cui Kai-Hui , Lau Bonnie Pui-Ying , Lee Fred Wang-Fat , Xu Steven Jing-Liang
Published: February 2025

With the continuous growth of economic and population, the generation of food waste has significantly increased in recent years. The disposition of food waste, typically through incineration or landfill, can lead to severe health and environmental problems, accompanied by high additional costs. However, the leachate produced from food waste during collection, transportation and landfill operations predominantly contains high levels of nutrients necessary for microalgae growth. The integration of microalgae cultivation into waste treatment for nutrient recycling presents a potential route for energy recovery from food waste. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of microalgae cultivation for food waste filtrate treatment. In addition, the optimal cultivation conditions and nutrient removal efficiency for microalgae in food waste filtrate treatment were investigated. The results indicated that Cyanobacterium aponinum exhibited the highest growth rate (0.530 cells d-1) and maximum cell density (9.6 × 106 cells mL-1) among eight potential microalgal species in 10% food waste filtrate treatment under 10,000 lux and 32°C. It was also observed that C. aponinum had significantly higher biomass productivity and nutrient removal efficiency under a 5% CO2 concentration. The successful cultivation of C. aponinum demonstrated that food waste filtrate could be a promising growth medium, reducing the high cost of cultivation with synthetic medium. However, further efforts should be made to utilize microalgae in food waster filtrate treatment, transitioning from laboratory condition to a pilot scale.
Impact and perceptions of Active Learning Classrooms on reducing sedentary behaviour and improving physical and mental health and academic indicators in children and adolescents: A scoping review
Authors: Sánchez-López Mairena , Violero-Mellado Jesús , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente , Laukkanen Arto , Sääkslahti Arja , Visier-Alfonso María Eugenia
Published: February 2025

Prolonged sitting in school harms children’s physical and mental health and reduces the ability to focus on classroom tasks. ’Active Learning Classrooms’ (ALCs) aim to decrease sitting time, following current pedagogical trends, though research on the effects of ALCs on these aspects is still an emerging field. The aims of this review were to: (i) synthesise the available literature on the impact of ALCs on reducing sedentary behaviour, increasing physical activity (PA), physical and mental health, and academic indicators in children and adolescents; and (ii) describe the educational community’s perceptions and teaching practices used in ALCs. This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Methods and PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. We searched for peer-reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies published in English that examined the impact of ALCs on movement patterns, physical or mental health, and academic indicators in children and adolescents, as well as those that explored the perceptions of members of the educational community and the teaching practices used in ALCs. Databases research included MEDLINE (PubMed), ERIC, SCOPUS and ProQuest Education. Nineteen studies were included, of which 11 were experimental, 4 were cross-sectional, and 4 were qualitative. The analysis revealed a predominantly positive influence of ALCs on children’s sedentary behaviour, learning engagement and psychological well-being; and mixed results on PA, physical health and academic performance. Our results also suggest that learning spaces are positively perceived and well accepted by the entire educational community, and that teachers teaching in ALCs are more prone to use student-centered and collaborative pedagogies than in traditional classrooms. Although this review shows a positive impact on key health and education variables, the evidence is limited and lacks depth. In addition, the small number of studies and their methodological weaknesses prevent robust conclusions, but the results still help to guide future decisions.
Turning puzzle games into fashion: Exploring personal outfits through symbol-based clothing assembly
Authors: Bhuyan Farhad Ahmed , Rahman Mahbubor , Akram Washim , Talim Tanvir
Published: February 2025

The intersection of gaming and fashion opens a novel avenue for personal expression through symbol-based clothing assembly, akin to puzzle games. This study delves into the transformative potential of integrating the mechanics of puzzles into creating personal outfits, fostering a platform for individuals to manifest their distinctive style and creativity. The research scrutinizes the design process, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between self-expression and individuality, and the cognitive stimulation provided by the puzzle-solving aspect that enhances the wearer’s brainstorming capabilities. Implementing this concept poses a unique set of challenges and opportunities, aiming to redefine the paradigms of fashion design. Ultimately, this innovative approach seeks to revolutionize personal style, creating a dynamic and interactive experience that resonates with the wearer’s identity and ingenuity.
Kortárs női körkép – A magyar nőirodalom utóbbi másfél évtizedéről (2008−2023)
Authors: Kéry Anna Lilla
Published: February 2025

A női irodalom napjainkban, lassan harminc évvel a feminista irodalomkritika fogalmának hazai helyfoglalása után is vitatott és óvatosan kezelt fogalom. Németh Zoltán 2012-ben egy új kánon, a női irodalom alakulástörténetéről és helykereséséről ír, s bár egyre több elismert női alkotót tart számon a kortárs kritika ennek a kánonnak mintha csak nyomait látnánk. Dolgozatomban az elmúlt tizenhat év főbb kérdései, vitaindító szövegei és eseményei nyomán keresem ennek a kettősségnek a miértjét a női irodalom kétirányú, fogalmi és irodalomszociológiai megközelítésén keresztül. Kutatásom ez utóbbi része tartalmazza a Litera online folyóirat Kritikarovatának 2008−2023 közötti vizsgálatát. Itt a női szerzők láthatóságának komponensei közül a kritika figyelmének működését, s az itt recenzált szövegekhez kapcsolódóan műfaji és tematikus összefüggéseket vizsgáltam.
Predictors for chronic opioid use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease – a population based cohort study
Authors: Nørgård Bente Mertz , Thorarinsson Caroline Thingholm , Nielsen Jan , Dalal Rahul S. , Andersen Mette Louise , Lund Ken , Friedman Sonia , Knudsen Torben , Kjeldsen Jens
Published: February 2025

Background:

A significant proportion of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) become opioid users, but data pertaining to predictors of chronic opioid use remain sparse.

Objective:

We examined predictors for chronic opioid use in CD/UC.

Design:

A nationwide cohort study based on Danish registries, comprising incident patients with CD/UC (≥ 18 years) from January 1, 1996-December 31, 2021. Chronic opioid use was defined as >1 prescriptions in at least two of three consecutive quarters. Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted Hazard Ratios (aHRs) for predictors for chronic opioid use. Several variables and time-varying covariates (IBD surgery, IBD and psychotropic medications) were included.

Results:

In 15,092 CD patients, 4,141 (27.4%) became chronic opioid users (median follow up 7.35 years, 25%-75% percentiles (IQR) 3.40-13.66 years). The three most important predictors were surgery (4.20, 95% CI 3.72-4.75), hypnotics/sedatives (2.02, 95% CI 1.81-2.25), and age > 50 years (1.92, 95% CI 1.77-2.09). In 30,416 UC patients, 6,777 (22.3%) became chronic users (median follow up 8.80 years, IQR 4.20-15.22 years). The three most important predictors were surgery (4.81, 95% CI 4.20-5.52), age > 50 years (2.62 (95% CI 2.44-2.82), and hypnotics/sedatives (2.11, 95% CI 1.95-2.29).

Conclusion:

An alarming proportion of patients became chronic opioid users. These results are helpful to risk-stratify patients to prevent chronic opioid use. Clinicians should be particularly attentive in patients who have had surgery, who use hypnotics/sedatives, and who are elderly. We need evidence regarding pain management strategies, efficacy of non-opioid analgesics, and opioid cessation strategies.
Inequalities in developing cirrhosis complications over time: A cohort study
Authors: Cholankeril George , Taylor Thomas , Kramer Jennifer R. , Liu Yan , Hernaez Ruben , Patidar Kavish R. , Flores Avegail , Lee Tzu-Hao , Rana Abbas , Samuel Ronald , Asch Steven , Kanwal Fasiha
Published: February 2025

Introduction:

Current knowledge of cirrhosis progression is derived from outdated data. We examined the progression patterns of cirrhosis in a contemporary cohort.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients diagnosed with compensated cirrhosis at 130 Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities from 10/1/2010 to 08/30/2015, with follow-up through 08/31/2023. A semi-Markov multistate model with 7 states and 15 transitions was used to evaluate progression from compensated cirrhosis to ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), multiple complications, or death, considering age and etiology (cured/active HCV, alcohol, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease [MASLD]) as time-varying factors. Results: We identified 24,679 patients with compensated cirrhosis. Over a median follow-up of 5.3 years, 49.8% progressed to a single complication, with ascites (30.3%) being the most common, and 3.1% progressed to multiple complications. A total of 12.9% transitioned directly to death from non-liver-related causes, while 26% remained compensated. The two-year risk of transitioning to death was 13.5%, exceeding the risk of any complication state. Younger patients and those with alcohol-related cirrhosis had faster progression, while older patients and those with active HCV had a higher incidence of HCC. Transition rates were similar for patients with alcohol and MASLD.

Discussion:

In a contemporary cirrhosis cohort, half of patients progressed, while others remain compensated, and a large fraction transitioned directly to death, with age and etiology significantly influencing outcomes. These data highlight the importance of interventions in the high-yield period before the first complication.
Supply chain performance in the age of Industry 4.0
Authors: Khan Tahsina , Emon Md Mehedi Hasan
Published: February 2025

Goal: This study investigates the impact of Industry 4.0 adoption on supply chain performance in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector, emphasizing the mediating roles of digital supply chain integration, supply chain innovation, and supply chain visibility.
Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire distributed to 570 manufacturing professionals in Bangladesh, with 350 valid responses collected. Structural equation modeling (SEM) using SmartPLS was applied to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationships.
Findings: The findings reveal that Industry 4.0 adoption significantly enhances digital supply chain integration (DSCI), supply chain innovation (SCI), and supply chain visibility (SCV), which collectively improve overall supply chain performance. Specifically, Industry 4.0 adoption strengthens DSCI by enabling real-time communication, reducing process fragmentation, and supporting more efficient decision-making. It also fosters SCI by driving innovative practices, adaptability, and continuous improvement within the supply chain. Furthermore, Industry 4.0 adoption improves SCV, enhancing traceability, transparency, and risk management. These mediating factors demonstrate the critical role of Industry 4.0 technologies in achieving superior supply chain outcomes.
Research limitations/implications: The study's limitations include the use of convenience sampling and data from a single industry sector within a developing country, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research could explore additional variables and contexts to further validate these results.
Practical implications: The study provides actionable insights for manufacturing firms in developing economies on leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance supply chain performance. It also offers guidance for policymakers in supporting digital transformation initiatives.
Social implications: By highlighting the benefits of digital supply chain integration, the study contributes to broader societal goals of economic development and industrial competitiveness in emerging markets.
Originality/value: This study is among the first to empirically examine the impact of Industry 4.0 adoption on supply chain performance in Bangladesh, providing valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers.
El officium legati en época justinianea: un estudio histórico-jurídico
Authors: Fernández Delgado Aitor
Published: February 2025

El propósito principal perseguido por el trabajo que el lector procede a iniciar es doble: por una parte, presentar y tratar de sistematizar la regulación más relevante que, en materia de ius legatorum, previó el Ordenamiento jurídico romano en un momento concreto y determinado de su milenaria existencia: el siglo VI d.C.; y, por otra, en aras de su global comprensión, su necesaria contextualización histórica.
Positive pressure ventilation improves oxygen saturation at altitude during recreational aviation: A pilot study
Authors: Taylor Jenna L. , Downs Aidan K. , Danner Crystal L. , Downs J. Hunter , Donkor Josh , Johnston Jessica I. , Rozendaal Douglas , Larsen Peter L. , Johnson Bruce D. , Summerfield Douglas T.
Published: February 2025

Aim

We investigated whether a commercial bi‐level positive airway pressure (BPAP) device, would improve peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) during recreational aviation up to 12,500 feet without supplemental oxygen. Ten adults with recreational flight experience (age:47 ± 14; female = 5) completed a standardized flight profile in an unpressurised aircraft, involving randomized crossover design at 8,000 feet and 12,500 feet with BPAP or control. SpO2, middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and relative tidal volume (TV) index were measured continuously. Psychomotor vigilance test (3‐min) assessed reaction time halfway through taxi and altitude stages. Altitude significantly (p < 0.05) decreased mean SpO2, MCAv, and RR, and increased TV index and HR. There was no effect of altitude (p > 0.05) on reaction time. BPAP increased mean SpO2 at 8,000 feet [Control: 92 ± 1%; BPAP: 94 ± 2%; mean difference (MD) = 2 ± 2%; p = 0.002] and 12,500 feet [Control: 86 ± 4%; BPAP: 89 ± 4%; MD = 2 ± 3%; p = 0.013]. BPAP lowered MCAv at 8,000 feet [Control: 53 ± 10 cm/s; BPAP: 50 ± 9 cm/s; MD = ‐3 ± 2 cm/s; p = 0.001] and 12,500 feet [Control: 52 ± 10 cm/s; BPAP: 50 ± 8 cm/s; MD = ‐2 ± 3 cm/s; p = 0.041]. BPAP increased TV index at 8,000 feet (Control: 6.6 ± 1.3; BPAP:8.1 ± 1.8; MD = 1.9 ± 0.8; p < 0.001) but not 12,500 feet, without effect on RR or reaction time. This study provides preliminary results that BPAP may improve mean SpO2 for recreational aviators up to 12,500 feet without supplemental oxygen.
On a question of permutation groups acting on the power set
Authors: Li Jinbao , Yang Yong , You Mengxi
Published: February 2025

In this work, we settle a conjecture about the number of set-orbits of permutation group acting on the power set.
An allegory of Fama and Historia: rumor studies, collective memory, and semiotics
Authors: Song Hongjin
Published: February 2025

Compared with history, which is a compendium of statements of what happened in human past, rumors are a fleeting phenomenon that escapes scholarship from historiography. However, rumors, as the manifestation of local beliefs and the power relationships at the time, can expand the horizons of history by providing decentralized perspectives towards various events. The semiotic relationship between rumor and collective memory delves into respective cultures of social groups on both synchronic and diachronic planes. On the one hand, collective memory provides an integrated framework of rumor studies, which can be stratified by different layers, reaching different depths of the collective concern. On the other hand, it can contextualize rumors in the rich archive of cultural texts preceding rumor texts. In this regard, collective memory functions both as the corpus for rumor discourses to generate and as the context for such discourses to mesmerize the public by pre-selecting the audience as model readers, especially under a particular social concern. Moreover, these discourses can be sedimented for future recurrence of rumors of the same schema under certain social circumstances, which demonstrates the dynamics of culture as new rumor texts are generated out of the cultural context. Rumors, therefore, are framed in cultural history, which leads to further discussions on explosion as a cultural phenomenon.
Verbesserte luftakustische Diagnose von Druckluftleckage mithilfe merkmalsbasierter maschineller Lernverfahren
Authors: Diaz Ocampo Daniel , Lyashenko Mariya , von Dosky Stefan , Heizmann Michael
Published: February 2025

Druckluftsysteme sind ein wichtiger Bestandteil der technischen Infrastruktur in einer industriellen Anlage. Ebenso ist Druckluft ein sehr teurer Energieträger in der Industrie. In jedem Drucklufterzeugungs- und -verteilsystem treten Leckagen auf, die den Energieverbrauch und somit die entstehenden Kosten unnötig erhöhen können. Die frühzeitige Erkennung von Leckagen und die Minimierung von Leckagemengen ist daher essenziell für den wirtschaftlichen Betrieb von Anlagen. In diesem Beitrag wird eine Methode zur Erkennung von Druckluftleckagen vorgestellt. Auf der Grundlage von Merkmalen, die aus luftakustischen Signalen gewonnen werden, findet die Klassifikation von Leckagen statt. Dabei kommt eine Vielzahl von Merkmalen, u. a. statistische Merkmale und Merkmale zur Beschreibung der spektralen Energieverteilung zum Einsatz. Die am besten geeignetsten Merkmale können mittels einer Varianzanalyse ausgewählt werden. Für die Klassifikation erweist sich ein naiver Bayes-Klassifikator als geeignet. Ergebnisse an Testdaten aus einer experimentellen Anlage zeigen die sehr gute Eignung der Vorgehensweise.
Effective medium theory of a concentric metamaterial bifunctional cloak
Authors: Rybin Oleg , Raza Muhammad , Shulga Sergey , Rehman Najma Abdul
Published: February 2025

This study investigates a bifunctional cloak composed of concentric metamaterials arranged in 4N thin layers, where N denotes the number of periodic layer pairs within the structure. The structure includes an inner circular domain, an outer domain, and alternating sequences of 2N layers between them. We explore two models: one using isotropic materials and another one using anisotropic materials. The anisotropic model demonstrates superior cloaking performance for both electrical and thermal fields. Analytical solutions based on the Effective Medium Theory and boundary-value problems reveal the structure’s response under quasi-static conditions. Numerical simulations using COMSOL validate these findings, highlighting the cloak’s and concentration’s ability to manipulate external thermal and electric fields efficiently.
Insight into in vitro thymidine phosphorylase and in silico molecular docking studies: identification of hybrid thiazole bearing Schiff base derivatives
Authors: Mumtaz Sundas , Rahim Fazal , Hussain Rafaqat , Khan Shoaib , Abid Obaid Ur Rahman , Sardar Asma , Iqbal Tayyiaba , Islam Mohammad Shahidul , Almutairi Tahani Mazyad
Published: February 2025

In pursuit of effective thymidine phosphorylase inhibitors, a series of hybrid analogs of thiazole-hydrazone derivatives (1–15) were synthesized and evaluated for their enzyme inhibitory potential using 7-deazaxanthine as a positive control. The goal was to determine these derivatives’ effectiveness in suppressing thymidine phosphorylase activity, a target relevant to antitumor strategies due to the enzyme’s role in angiogenesis and tumor growth. Biological evaluations indicated that all synthesized analogs displayed significant to moderate inhibitory activity, with IC50 values between 3.93 ± 0.90 and 25.75 ± 4.30 µM. Particularly, compounds 12, 9, and 28 exhibited superior potency, with IC50 values of 3.93 ± 0.90, 4.10 ± 1.10, and 4.50 ± 1.10 µM, respectively, surpassing the standard inhibitor 7-deazaxanthine (IC50 = 16.8 ± 2.20 µM). Additionally, molecular docking studies were performed to elucidate the binding interactions of the synthesized thiazole-hydrazone derivatives with the active site of thymidine phosphorylase. The docking results aligned well with experimental data, revealing favorable binding conformations and significant interactions that support the observed inhibitory activities, particularly in the most potent compounds. These findings underscore the promise of thiazole-hydrazone derivatives as effective thymidine phosphorylase inhibitors, suggesting that targeted structural modifications could further enhance their activity. Further investigations, including in vivo studies, are warranted to explore their potential applications in anticancer therapies. This study highlights the valuable role of molecular docking in understanding the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of thiazole-hydrazone derivatives, emphasizing the potential of these compounds in advancing thymidine phosphorylase inhibition strategies for therapeutic purposes.