bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The electroencephalogram in the diagnosis and classification of status epilepticus: a practical guide
Authors: Ford Hannah , Seneviratne Udaya
Published: January 2025

Status epilepticus is a serious neurological emergency requiring swift recognition and treatment. Presentations with prominent motor features are easily recognised but it can be challenging to diagnose those with subtle or no motor features. Electroencephalogram (EEG) remains indispensable in diagnosing, classifying, monitoring and prognosticating of status epilepticus. There are several separate classification systems for seizures, epilepsy and status epilepticus, incorporating clinical features, causes and EEG correlates. This review focuses on using EEG in status epilepticus and provides a practical approach to diagnosis and classification aligning with the current International League Against Epilepsy and American Clinical Neurophysiology Society definitions.
Dealing with data gaps for TianQin with massive black hole binary signal
Authors: Wang Lu , Chen Hong-Yu , Lyu Xiangyu , Li En-Kun , Hu Yi-Ming
Published: January 2025

Space-borne gravitational wave detectors like TianQin might encounter data gaps due to factors like micro-meteoroid collisions or hardware failures. Such events will cause discontinuity in the data, presenting challenges to the data analysis for TianQin, especially for massive black hole binary mergers. Since the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) accumulates in a non-linear way, a gap near the merger could lead to a significant loss of SNR. It could introduce bias in the estimate of noise properties, and the results of the parameter estimation. In this work, using simulated TianQin data with injected a massive black hole binary merger, we study the window function method, and for the first time, the inpainting method to cope with the data gap, and an iterative estimate scheme is designed to properly estimate the noise spectrum. We find that both methods can properly estimate noise and signal parameters. The easy-to-implement window function method can already perform well, except that it will sacrifice some SNR due to the adoption of the window. The inpainting method is slower, but it can minimize the impact of the data gap.
Introduction to the Special Collection from FM 2023
Authors: Chechik Marsha , Katoen Joost-Pieter
Published: January 2025

This special collection arose from the 25th Symposium on Formal Methods (FM 2023), organized by the Institute for Software Engineering and Programming Languages, University of Lübeck, and held at the University of Lübeck, Germany, in March 2023. The Symposium on Formal Methods 2023 was organized under the auspices of Formal Methods Europe (FME), an independent association whose aim is to stimulate the use of and research on formal methods for software development. The topics covered included the development and application of formal methods in a wide range of domains, including software, cyber-physical systems, and integrated computer-based systems.
Natural Language Understanding and Inference with MLLM in Visual Question Answering: A Survey
Authors: Kuang Jiayi , Shen Ying , Xie Jingyou , Luo Haohao , Xu Zhe , Li Ronghao , Li Yinghui , Cheng Xianfeng , Lin Xika , Han Yu
Published: January 2025

Visual Question Answering (VQA) is a challenge task that combines natural language processing and computer vision techniques and gradually becomes a benchmark test task in multimodal large language models (MLLMs). The goal of our survey is to provide an overview of the development of VQA and a detailed description of the latest models with high timeliness. This survey gives an up-to-date synthesis of natural language understanding of images and text, as well as the knowledge reasoning module based on image-question information on the core VQA tasks. In addition, we elaborate on recent advances in extracting and fusing modal information with vision-language pretraining models and multimodal large language models in VQA. We also exhaustively review the progress of knowledge reasoning in VQA by detailing the extraction of internal knowledge and the introduction of external knowledge. Finally, we present the datasets of VQA and different evaluation metrics and discuss possible directions for future work.
FirmCAN: Sensitive CAN Knowledge Leakage from Automotive ECUs
Authors: Hao Xinpeng , Li Xiangxue
Published: January 2025

As de facto standards of in-vehicle network communications among various ECUs (Electronic Control Units), CAN (Controller Area Network) protocols invented by Bosch rely on the
privately-defined
unique identifiers CAN ID in CAN messages which do not convey any destination address. On the other hand, sticking to error handling mechanisms in CAN protocols, an ECU with an amount of transmission errors would enter bus-off state (i.e., go offline thereupon) and shall be recovered according to some
prescribed
bus-off recovery mode (BOM). All these sensitive CAN knowledge concealed inside an ECU by OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) shall not be revealed and could be found extensive practical applications to both adversarial behavior (e.g., target ECU attacks) and security enhancement mechanisms (e.g., intrusion detection system designs).

The paper presents FirmCAN, the first automatic analysis framework to dope out sensitive CAN knowledge (CAN IDs and bus-off recovery mode in particular) compiled in automotive ECU firmwares. FirmCAN first identifies base address (using accurate absolute function entry addresses), and then performs CAN module API positioning and sensitive configuration information resolution. We buckle down to automotive ECUs that resort to fixed-address mailboxes as CAN module transmission buffers (e.g., Renesas SuperH/RA series) and present concrete algorithms for each analysis phase. Our experimental evaluations first investigate firmwares extracted from real automotive ECUs. We then develop our own applications using RA6M4 development boards, which not only produce required firmwares to evaluate FirmCAN, but also create ground truth through hardware debugging. All evaluations demonstrate that FirmCAN can accurately garner above-mentioned sensitive CAN knowledge. FirmCAN can be trivially generalized to engage in extended frames and CAN modules with similar transmission logic, e.g., TI (Texas Instruments), ST (ST Microelectronics), etc.
Internal and External Performance Fuzzing of Well-Defined Constraints for the B Method
Authors: Dunkelau Jannik , Leuschel Michael
Published: January 2025

The B method is a formal method supported by a variety of tools. Those tools, like any complex piece of software, may suffer from performance issues and vulnerabilities. In this work, we leverage performance fuzzing to generate inputs that uncover potential performance issues in the
ProB model checker and its employed constraint solving backends. These backends include a mix of constraint solvers which are directly implemented in ProB or are bindings to third-party solvers such as Z3. During constraint solving, any such backend can be selected to solve a given constraint. As performance fuzzing algorithm we utilise BanditFuzz. BanditFuzz utilises two multi-armed bandit agents to control a fuzz generator and mutator. This way, the algorithm can generate targeted input benchmarks which are well-formed inputs to ProB yet exhibit significant performance differences between the employed constraint solvers. We describe how we adapted BanditFuzz for the B method, what differences exist to the original implementation for the SMT-LIB standard, and how we ensure well-definedness of the randomly generated benchmarks. Further, we consider two opposed approaches to integrate BanditFuzz with ProB: as an external tool which considers ProB as a black box, and as an internal tool which has direct dependency onto ProB’s source code and can capitalise on available, internal functionalities. Our experiments successfully uncovered performance issues in specific backends and even external tooling, providing valuable insights into areas which required improvement. Ultimately, we conclude that BanditFuzz is a valuable tool for development, and advocate for the external architecture as its benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Beyond Dependencies: The Role of Copy-Based Reuse in Open Source Software Development
Authors: Jahanshahi Mahmoud , Reid David , Mockus Audris
Published: January 2025

In Open Source Software, resources of any project are open for reuse by introducing dependencies or copying the resource itself. In contrast to dependency-based reuse, the infrastructure to systematically support copy-based reuse appears to be entirely missing. Our aim is to enable future research and tool development to increase efficiency and reduce the risks of copy-based reuse. We seek a better understanding of such reuse by measuring its prevalence and identifying factors affecting the propensity to reuse. To identify reused artifacts and trace their origins, our method exploits World of Code infrastructure. We begin with a set of theory-derived factors related to the propensity to reuse, sample instances of different reuse types, and survey developers to better understand their intentions. Our results indicate that copy-based reuse is common, with many developers being aware of it when writing code. The propensity for a file to be reused varies greatly among languages and between source code and binary files, consistently decreasing over time. Files introduced by popular projects are more likely to be reused, but at least half of reused resources originate from “small” and “medium” projects. Developers had various reasons for reuse but were generally positive about using a package manager.
Compression Approaches for LiDAR Point Clouds and Beyond: A Survey
Authors: Wang Miaohui , Huang Runnan , Xie Wuyuan , Ma Zhan , Ma Siwei
Published: January 2025

With the widespread use of LiDAR sensors in autonomous driving, LiDAR point cloud compression (LPCC) plays an important role in effectively managing the storage, transmission, and perception of the growing volume of LiDAR data. Despite this need, there has been a noticeable absence of comprehensive investigations specifically dedicated to LPCC methods. To address this issue, this paper presents a systematic survey of existing LPCCs, aiming to summarize recent progress and inspire future research in this field. We begin by providing a general introduction of LPCC fundamentals, covering the latest LiDAR point cloud (LPC) datasets, distinctive attributes, evaluation metrics, and data formats. We then conduct a careful review and comparison of LPCCs, examining image-based, octree-based, deep-learned, and other approaches, offering valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of cutting-edge models. Finally, we propose future research directions based on the limitations of recent LPCCs. We believe that the findings presented in this paper will contribute to a deeper understanding of LPCCs and promote further development of LiDAR sensor-based systems.
Performance Analysis and Optimisation During Machining of Al‐ZrB2 Reinforcement‐Based Metal Matrix Nanocomposites Using Coated and Uncoated Insert
Authors: Yerigeri Seema V. , Yerigeri Vaijanath V.
Published: January 2025

Lightweight and high‐strength composites attract attention towards the different industrial applications. Reinforcement in base material makes composite operate at high working temperatures. The continuous pursuit of improving machining processes in the manufacturing industry has led to the development of these advanced materials and innovative tooling techniques. In this present research, focus is on the experimental study of the performance enhancement during machining operations on the fabricated different aluminium‐based metal matrix nanocomposites (Al‐MMNC) by employing temperature sensors and a dynamometer to monitor the material behaviours. The investigation involves a comparative analysis of cutting force (CF) and temperature at the tool tip to understand their respective effects on machining performance. Through comprehensive experimental trials conducted, the CF, material removal rate (MRR), temperature and surface roughness (Ra) values are quantified to determine the performance between both coated and uncoated inserts. Enhancement of these characteristics depends on factors like alloy grade, reinforcement type and its wt.%, speed and feed applied during machining. Main aim of the present work is to obtain the optimum combination of factors and their levels. Al 7075, Al6082 and Al 6063 are selected alloy levels, while zirconium diboride (ZrB2) reinforcement levels are set at 6, 9 and 12 wt.%. Speed levels are set at 112, 180 and 280 rpm, and feed rates are set at 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25 mm/rev. Al 7075 alloy with 12% ZrB2 reinforcement set at speed rate 280 rpm and feed rate at 0.20 mm/rev at constant depth of cut of 0.5 mm using uncoated insert gave the optimum values of response variables at the composite desirability of 0.69 from the Taguchi statistical analysis. The effects of CF, MMR, Ra and temperature on machining analysis of nanocomposites are provided in the article.
Development of Active Chitosan Film Based on Bacterial Cellulose Nanofiber Incorporated With ZnO Nanoparticles for Monitoring Hamburger Spoilage
Authors: Ghadami Amin , Esmaeilpour Mehrnaz
Published: January 2025

Food safety is a global concern due to the dangers posed by microbial pathogens, toxins, and food spoilage. Hence, antibacterial and antioxidant compounds have been widely studied for food packaging. This research was aimed at the effect of chitosan (C) film containing bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) on the hamburger shelf life. Four types of films including C, chitosan + bacterial cellulose (C‐BC) nanofibers, and chitosan + bacterial cellulose nanofiber + zinc oxide nanoparticle at two concentrations of 1% (C‐BC‐ZnO NP‐1) and 2% (C‐BC‐ZnO NP‐2) were prepared. The results showed that adding of ZnO NPs decreased the thickness and water vapor permeability, increased the opacity, and improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of films (p < 0.05). C‐BC‐ZnO NP‐1 had higher tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus of elasticity (ME), and melting temperature (Tm) than other nanocomposites. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed a good distribution of ZnO NPs in the film matrix. The nanocomposites had a significant effect on the chemical and microbial characteristics of hamburger. The lowest pH; total volatile nitrogen (TVN) compounds; peroxide value; thiobarbituric acid; and the total count of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria, mold, and yeast population were observed in C‐BC‐ZnO NP‐1 and C‐BC‐ZnO NP‐2 groups (p < 0.05). In the sensory evaluation, the nanocomposite containing 1% ZnO NPs showed higher overall acceptance than 2%. In general, adding ZnO NPs improves the physical properties of C film and can be used as active packaging in meat products.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Coxiellosis at the Human–Animal–Environment Interface in the South Asian Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Islam Md Mazharul , Dutta Pronesh , Bansal Devendra , Gongal Gyanendra , Farag Elmoubashar , Magalhaes Ricardo J. Soares , Alawneh John I. , Heller Jane , Hassan Mohammad Mahmudul
Published: January 2025

Coxiellosis, a zoonotic bacterial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii, affects diverse mammalian hosts and is prevalent worldwide, including in South Asia. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of Coxiellosis in South Asia, focusing on distribution, host diversity, prevalence, and associated risk factors at the human–animal–environment interface. Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and a registered protocol, online searches were conducted in Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science on August 6, 2023, to retrieve articles from the South Asian countries without restrictions on hosts or timeframe. Two authors independently reviewed, extracted data, and assessed quality based on predefined criteria, which were then evaluated and compiled into a single document and analyzed. The review identified 112 articles published between 1954 and 2023. Among humans, the estimated pooled seroprevalence (EPSP) was 9.2%, and the estimated pooled carrier prevalence (EPCP) was 6.2%. Ruminant herd‐level EPSP and EPCP were 77.3% and 74.6%, and at the individual level, were 11.9% and 5.3%, respectively. Seroprevalence was significantly influenced by country, tick infestation, reproductive disorders, age, and body condition of ruminants. Nonruminant mammals, such as dogs (16.8%), horses (6.0%), pigs (3.9%), and rodents (14.8%), were also seropositive. Several avian and reptile species showed EPSP rates of 14.5% and 29.2%, respectively. Bacterial DNA was detected in ticks and soil samples, with EPCP of 1.0% and 3.3%, respectively. We recommend prioritizing One Health surveillance and intervention to prevent infections among humans, livestock, poultry, pets, and wildlife. Special emphasis should be placed on aged and emaciated animals, tick infestations, and animals with reproductive disorders.
Supplementary Figure S5 from Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Cell Stemness by Blocking Fibronectin-Binding Integrins on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Authors: Wu Chengsheng , Von Schalscha Tami , Sansanwal Diva , Qian Chen , Jiang Qinlin , Shepard Ryan M. , Wettersten Hiromi I. , McCormack Stephen J. , Weis Sara M. , Cheresh David A.
Published: January 2025

BsAb treatment does not impact CAF mRNA expression of ECM proteins
Supplementary Figure S3 from Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Cell Stemness by Blocking Fibronectin-Binding Integrins on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Authors: Wu Chengsheng , Von Schalscha Tami , Sansanwal Diva , Qian Chen , Jiang Qinlin , Shepard Ryan M. , Wettersten Hiromi I. , McCormack Stephen J. , Weis Sara M. , Cheresh David A.
Published: January 2025

Effect of αvβ3/α5β1 bispecific antibody on ECM assembly
Supplementary Figure S2 from Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Cell Stemness by Blocking Fibronectin-Binding Integrins on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Authors: Wu Chengsheng , Von Schalscha Tami , Sansanwal Diva , Qian Chen , Jiang Qinlin , Shepard Ryan M. , Wettersten Hiromi I. , McCormack Stephen J. , Weis Sara M. , Cheresh David A.
Published: January 2025

FN and COL co-patterning requires FN
Supplementary Figure S1 from Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Cell Stemness by Blocking Fibronectin-Binding Integrins on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Authors: Wu Chengsheng , Von Schalscha Tami , Sansanwal Diva , Qian Chen , Jiang Qinlin , Shepard Ryan M. , Wettersten Hiromi I. , McCormack Stephen J. , Weis Sara M. , Cheresh David A.
Published: January 2025

Validation of KP4-luc orthotopic pancreatic cancer model
Figure 6 from Targeting Pancreatic Cancer Cell Stemness by Blocking Fibronectin-Binding Integrins on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Authors: Wu Chengsheng , Von Schalscha Tami , Sansanwal Diva , Qian Chen , Jiang Qinlin , Shepard Ryan M. , Wettersten Hiromi I. , McCormack Stephen J. , Weis Sara M. , Cheresh David A.
Published: January 2025

BsAb treatment reduces the fibrotic effect of human CAFs co-injected with tumor cells. A–D, BsAb-treated tumors contain less CAF-produced FN, fibrosis, and angiogenesis. Serial formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of tumors were processed for IHC detection of hFN (A) or CD31 (D), shown in brown. Mason's trichrome (B) and picrosirius red (PSR; C) histologic stains were used to visualize COL. Graphs depict the quantification of IHC staining using QuPath, with each dot representing the mean value for each tumor slice examined. P values were computed using the Student t test.
The type material of the Neotropical bee genus Habralictus Moure (Apidae, Halictinae) in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany
Authors: Melo Gabriel A.R. , Liz Júlia Alberti de
Published: January 2025

The type material of species of Habralictus Moure, 1941 housed in the Museum für Naturkunde (ZMB), in Berlin, Germany, was studied, and lectotypes are designated for Neocorynura banghaasi Schrottky, 1910, Neocorynura ligea Schrottky, 1911 and Neocorynura metallica Friese, 1916. Taxonomic notes, diagnosis and redescriptions are presented. Remarks and photographs of the type specimens are also provided, including for Halictus xanthogastris Vachal, 1911.
A (sub)versão do patrimônio industrial: uma abordagem a partir da prática de exploração urbana nas ruínas industriais de Pelotas (RS)
Authors: Goularte Daniela Vieira
Published: January 2025

This study is about urban explorers and their historical experiences with regard to abandoned factories from the Zona do Porto in the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It is a part of a research about the developedphenomenological relations between subjects from different groups and the industrial heritage, comprising distinct socioeconomic contexts. The objective for this study was to acknowledge the different versions of thathistorical patrimony and identify possible ways for its preservation. The following methodology was used: dialectic analysis, and the combination of visual and oral narratives. It was concluded that these historical oldbuildings, on their condition of heritage ruins, act as places for breathing, creativity and resignification, and also demonstrate a close relation with artistic production and counterculture.
Era um som que eu via — Maria Velho da Costa e o engajamento entre o verbo e a imagem
Authors: Vieira Susana
Published: January 2025

“La Dame à la Licorne”, tapeçarias do século XV, são uma alegoria dos cinco sentidos e o mote que interrogou Maria Velho da Costa, escritora portuguesa do contemporâneo literário experimentalista que, sobre esse universo, viajou “Para que uma nova viagem — a do leitor — comece, por sua vez”. É o texto “A vista” (inserido na obra coletiva Poética dos cinco sentidos) um desafio aos “contos na boca”, às “mãos que me afagaram na infância”, ao “bafo no primeiro espelho”. Apesar do recurso a um mecanismo de retórica ecfrástica, há um processo inverso na expansão do inespecífico, porquanto MVC procura a palavra na tela pintada, o “incriado”, não fosse a escrita um agente, por excelência, da metamorfose. A interseção entre verbo e imagem resulta numa estrutura da ordem do sensível, que problematiza os limites impostos pela poética clássica. Numa condição pós-moderna, o novo objeto estético profana a lei do pertencimento e desloca, confunde, funde os diversos meios de expressão num diálogo polifónico. Mais que um discurso que descreve, há uma inscrição do eu, na medida em que, convocando os diferentes sentidos, percebe-se a formulação de um corpo que se ensaia “da passagem dos animais e dos sons”, como um “paraíso íntimo” que se dá à contemplação, até formar um “lugar próprio”, o do “puro desejo”. Questionar-se-á se este corpo poroso, atravessado pela palavra e imagem, poderá ser uma construção do sentido, não obstante tratar-se de desvio e fratura, num mundo em que, na base da inteligibilidade dos fenómenos, se deve a uma classificação que delimita e anuncia. Seguindo Floquet, Cluver, Agamben, Garramuño, Ducrot, Orlandi ou Greimas, problematiza-se a convergência dos planos artísticos, uma vez que o verbo não traduz o que vê; o observado é fragmentado no gesto da reposição escrita. Por isso, no seu intento, o texto é sempre uma falha.
Registro projetual do processo experimental do livro-brinquedo: O Quintal do Erê
Authors: Queiroz Eunice Gonçalves , Souza Cyntia Carneiro de , Silva Josivan Pereira da , Morettin Renata de Oliveira Domingos
Published: January 2025

Este artigo aborda os processos e experimentação projetual para o desenvolvimento de um livro-brinquedo intitulado O Quintal Do Erê, direcionado às crianças e aos adultos interessados em temas vinculados à ancestralidade africana no Brasil. O objetivo é registrar as reflexões resultantes da observação do percurso projetual envolvido no desenvolvimento de um livro. Buscou-se resquícios materiais e imateriais advindos da cultura africana através do “candomblé’’, com foco nos orixás e nos erês, que são seus representantes infantis. O estudo tem como propósito despertar no leitor a curiosidade para desbravar a história por trás de páginas não convencionais de um livro na forma de objeto. A pesquisa se estrutura em literatura, nos fundamentos do brincar sob a ótica da criança e na observação da construção conceitual e prática do design do livro-objeto. Valida-se a importância da experimentação como ferramenta capaz de auxiliar profissionais e estudantes em seus processos do cotidiano.
Traduzindo Eily em The Lesser Bohemians (2016): o modernismo contemporâneo de Eimear McBride
Authors: Fernandes Alinne Balduino Pires
Published: January 2025

Aqui apresento a tradução comentada de um excerto do romance The Lesser Bohemians (2016) da escritora irlandesa Eimear McBride. Selecionei um trecho que corresponde ao primeiro encontro dos personagens centrais, Eily e Stephen. Eily é uma estudante de teatro, enquanto que Stephen é um ator profissional, mais velho e mais experiente. O encontro é determinante para a vida de ambos. Narrado em primeira pessoa e sempre sob a perspectiva de Eily, o romance mergulha em seu fluxo de consciência, naquilo que escuta e vivencia. A quase que completa falta de pontuação, o uso de fontes em tamanhos alternados e espaços a mais entre palavras marcam a narrativa de modo a sinalizar os pensamentos de Eily e suas interações com os outros. Traduzir The Lesser Bohemians é mergulhar na mente de Eily e recriar seus pensamentos em português do Brasil na linguagem coloquial de uma jovem estudante em seus primeiros anos fora de casa e de seu país. A obra é o segundo romance de McBride e inédita no Brasil. Seus críticos referem-se à McBride como aquela que trouxe nova vida ao modernismo no século XXI (O’MALLEY, 2016; GILLIGAN, 2018).
“Nora”: uma pequena tradução entre o Liffey
Authors: Silva Victor Fermino da
Published: January 2025

In this article, we seek to translate the first chapter of the novel Nora, by Irish author Nuala O’Connor. The novel weaves its biographical narrative of Nora Barnacle using fiction and nonfiction devices to chronicle the life of James Joyce’s wife and muse. Before that, I explain a little about the decision to translate this book and this specific excerpt using as a theoretical basis the translation writings of Dirce Waltrick do Amarante on what constitutes a translation. At the end of the work, we explain a little more about the reasons why we believe that this text represents an important paradigm shift in the culture of Joycean studies around the world.
Ainda e sempre Hiroshima: respostas poéticas irlandesas
Authors: Gazola Marina Bertani , Silva Rafael Teles da
Published: January 2025

Apresentamos a tradução ao português de uma parte do capítulo Você não viu nada em Hiroshima do livro The Japanese Effect in Contemporary Irish Poems (2012) de Irene de Angelis, além de quatro poemas na íntegra: Para o seu próprio eu, 8:16:42, Agora você vê, Enamorados, a fim de refletir sobre transposição temática: Japão na Irlanda, conforme pensado pela Professora Irene De Angelis na Itália e Gisele Wolkoff no Brasil.
Long-Term Prognostic Implications of Non-Culprit Lesions in Patients Presenting With an Acute Myocardial Infarction: Is It the Angiographic Stenosis Severity or the Underlying High-Risk Morphology?
Authors: Dai Jiannan , Zhao Jiawei , Xu Xueming , Chen Yuzhu , Sun Sibo , Li Shuang , Cui Lina , Wang Yini , Li Lulu , Guo Ruirong , Huang Dongxu , Ma Xianqin , Zhao Rui , Yu Huai , Chen Tao , Tan Jinfeng , Liu Xiaohui , Jiang Senqing , Hou Jingbo , Fang Chao , Mintz Gary S. , Yu Bo
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Patients with acute myocardial infarction and angiographically obstructive non-culprit lesions are at high risk for recurrent major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). However, it remains largely unknown whether events are due to stenosis severity or due to the underlying high-risk lesion morphology.

METHODS:

Between January 2017 and December 2021, 1312 patients with acute myocardial infarction underwent optical coherence tomography of all the 3 main epicardial arteries after successful percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients and lesions were categorized according to the presence or absence of (1) 1 or more non-culprit angiographic obstructive stenoses with a visual diameter stenosis of ≥50% and (2) 1 or more lesions with an underlying high-risk morphology defined as an optical coherence tomography thin-cap fibroatheroma (TCFA). Patients were followed for up to 5 years (median 4.1 [interquartile range: 3.0–5.0] years). MACEs comprised cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and unplanned coronary revascularization.

RESULTS:

Overall, 492 patients had at least 1 obstructive non-culprit lesion, 352 had a single lesion, and 140 had multiple obstructive non-culprit lesions. The presence and number of angiographic obstructive non-culprit lesions correlated with the proportion and number of optical coherence tomography–derived TCFAs. At the lesion level, the prevalence of TCFA was twice as high in obstructive lesions compared with nonobstructive lesions. Patients with obstructive non-culprit lesions had an increased risk of overall MACEs (17.7% versus 12.8%; hazard ratio, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.02–1.91]) and non-culprit lesion–related MACEs (8.7% versus 3.9%; HR, 2.13 [95% CI, 1.26–3.59). Results were similar when patients were categorized on the basis of the underlying TCFA. A proportionally higher rate of overall and non-culprit lesion–related MACEs was observed as the number of obstructive stenoses or TCFAs in non-culprit segments increased. The lesion-specific HRs for obstructive lesion and TCFA were 2.03 (95% CI, 1.06–3.89) and 2.39 (95% CI, 1.29–4.43), respectively. Optical coherence tomography–derived TCFA, but not angiographic obstructive stenosis, was independently predictive of recurrent MACEs in both patient-level and lesion-level multivariable models in which these 2 characteristics were introduced simultaneously.

CONCLUSIONS:

The long-term prognostic implications of the presence and extent of angiographic obstructive non-culprit lesions in patients with acute myocardial infarction are primarily due to their correlation with the underlying high-risk morphology, which confers an increased risk of recurrent MACEs.
Efficacy and Safety of Aldosterone Synthase Inhibitors for Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Systematic Review
Authors: Marzano Luigi , Merlo Matteo , Martinelli Nicola , Pizzolo Francesca , Friso Simonetta
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Hypertension is a major global health issue. Aldosterone synthase inhibitors (ASIs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for blood pressure control.

METHODS:

A thorough search of the MEDLINE and Embase databases up to March 30, 2024, identified randomized trials comparing ASIs with a placebo for hypertension treatment. Data extraction was done independently by 2 authors. Both random-effects (REML) and fixed-effects meta-analyses were conducted to account for diversity and study size, respectively. Risk ratios for binary outcomes and mean differences for continuous outcomes were calculated.

RESULTS:

Seven randomized controlled trials involving 1440 patients (mean age, 60 years; 39% women) were included. The analysis showed that ASIs reduced office systolic blood pressure by 6.3 mm Hg ([95% CI, –8.8 to –3.8];
P
<0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure by 2.2 mm Hg ([95% CI, –4.2 to –0.2];
P
=0.03). The risk ratio for adverse events was 1.1 ([95% CI, 0.9–1.2];
P
=0.3), with a similar trend for serious adverse events (risk ratio, 1.0 [95% CI, 0.5–2.3];
P
=0.95). No treatment-related deaths occurred. However, the risk of hyperkalemia was higher with ASIs (risk ratio, 2.5 [95% CI, [1.2–5.4];
P
<0.02).

CONCLUSIONS:

ASIs effectively reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients and have a tolerable safety profile. The increased risk of hyperkalemia requires careful monitoring. These findings suggest ASIs are a potential treatment option for hypertension, pending further research in larger studies.
Beyond “Trapped Pets” and “Red Buttons”: Bioinformatics as an Experimental Discipline
Authors: Ratti Emanuele , D’Agostino Giuseppe
Published: January 2025

The past few years have witnessed a growth of interest in the historical and philosophical dimensions of bioinformatics as a discipline. Despite the importance of bioinformatics in addressing the issues raised by the growing amount of biological data, data management is often seen as all it has to offer to biology. However, the emphasis on data management may come at the expense of understanding how bioinformatics generates genuine biological knowledge beyond its instrumental value for bench biologists. Some authors have taken the first steps beyond data management, and towards the characterization of bioinformatics as a unique epistemic endeavor by stressing how its experimental practices can be conducive to biological knowledge. In this article, we build upon these attempts, and by using a detailed case study from the field of single cell transcriptomics (i.e., RNA velocity), we provide a fully-fledged characterization of bioinformatics as an experimental discipline.
The China Cultural Centre Project
Authors: Wang Minglei
Published: January 2025

China Cultural Centres (CCC s) are cultural promotion organisations established outside the People’s Republic of China by its Ministry of Culture and Tourism. By 2023, there were 48 centres set up globally. So far, few attempts have been made to explain how CCC s work. Using media reports and policy documents, this article maps out CCC s’ working modes, namely, global coordination, partnership with Chinese provincial- level governments and collaboration with local partners. Drawing on the case of the CCC in Sydney and interviews in Australia, it highlights characteristics and implications of CCC s’ programming. It shows that CCC s’ operation demonstrates a mix of Chinese and international perspectives on cultural diplomacy, providing a nuanced understanding of China’s overseas cultural endeavours. Based on the Australian case, it further argues that events under the first two working modes generate little impact in local society, whereas collaboration with local partners leads to demonstrable benefits.
Life Cycle of Hadronema militare Uhler (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae)
Authors: CLARK AARON
Published: January 2025

Lupine (Lupinus L.) and goldenbanner (Thermopsis R. Br.), herbaceous legumes (Fabaceae) in the subfamily Faboideae, are plants that support the nymphal development of the orthotyline plant bug Hadronema militare Uhler. In Wyoming, H. militare is univoltine, overwinters as eggs, and completes nymphal development, reproduction, and oviposition before mid-summer host senescence. At a mid-elevation (1675 m amsl) study site in 2024, overwintering eggs hatched in late April, coincident with initiation of active growth of the host Thermopsis rhombifolia (Nutt. ex Pursh) Nutt. ex Richardson. Nymphs developed in the litter under the host throughout May. In mid-May, the first adults were observed in the litter feeding on host plants. Mating began in early June, and oviposition occurred in the host’s stems a few days after mating. Adults persisted at the site until host senescence in early July. The eggs and nymphs are described, and a new state record for Nebraska is provided. Other legume hosts at a low-elevation site in Nebraska (Lupinus argenteus Pursh) and a higher-elevation site in Wyoming (L. argenteus and T. divaricarpa A. Nelson) are noted.
The effect of positive feedback on primary school students’ academic self-concept: Gender heterogeneity in a light-touch randomized intervention
Authors: Keller Tamás
Published: January 2025

This study analyzes the causal effect of positive feedback on students’ task-specific math self-concept using data from a randomized field experiment conducted among rural Hungarian primary school students. It examines how academic self-concept (ASC) responds to the smallest possible dose of positive feedback—a single instance—and explores treatment heterogeneity by gender. The results show that all students who received randomized positive performance feedback experienced a statistically significant (albeit small) improvement in task-specific math self-concept. The positive treatment effect was primarily driven by girls, who experienced a large and statistically significant effect—over 50% greater than the non-significant treatment effect observed among boys. However, the difference in treatment effects between girls and boys, as well as the corresponding decrease in the gender gap between treated and controlled students was not statistically significant. Thus, the results suggest that, while a single instance of positive feedback can temporarily boost students’ ASC, it is not a panacea for reducing gender inequalities in ASC. Nevertheless, because girls were particularly responsive to positive feedback treatment and boys were not harmed by it, the results suggest that positive feedback interventions may act as a policy lever for improving girls’ self-concept if the intensity of the treatment is enhanced.
Life After the Storm: An Examination of Bereavement and Posttraumatic Growth Among Urban Adolescents
Authors: Platt Keturah J. , Marshall Heather , Bogusz Patrick Artur , Jason Leonard A. , Carter Jocelyn Smith , Grant Kathryn E.
Published: January 2025

Although the challenges of bereavement among adolescents are well-documented, there is potential for loss to foster growth, development, and positive psychological changes during this developmental period. To examine this possibility, 408 adolescents (46.6% male; 53.4% female) in grades 6-12 from three urban schools were surveyed about their experiences with bereavement and posttraumatic growth (PTG), along with several hypothesized moderators: type of loss, relationship with the deceased, active and ruminative coping, and social support. Seventy-six percent of the participants reported signs of PTG. Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed significant main effects for bereavement, active coping, and social support on PTG, but found no evidence of moderation for any variables. The findings are discussed in the context of systemic racism and cultural strengths, with directions for future research provided.
Gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy for stage III–IVA nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A real-world study
Authors: Van Dang Nguyen , Viet Son Nguyen , Phu Gia Hoang
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combining induction chemotherapy with concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with stage III–IVA nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), particularly focusing on cases associated with Epstein–Barr virus infection. The primary focus is on treatment response and disease control.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 81 patients with stage III–IVA NPC (excluding T3N0M0) treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin as induction chemotherapy, followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy at the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital. Patient data and follow-up information were collected between June 2021 and June 2024, focusing on disease-free survival (DFS) as the primary outcome and secondary outcomes including factors affecting DFS and treatment-related toxicity.

Results:

In the initial 3-month period, 76 out of 81 patients achieved a complete response, and five patients achieved a partial response. The follow-up period averaged 18.7 ± 5.3 months, with a 2-year DFS rate of 77.6%. Key factors influencing DFS included patient age, N stage, disease stage, and treatment interruptions. Grade 3 toxicities observed included neutropenia (17.3%) and mucositis (32.1%), while grade 4 toxicity was limited to nausea (2.4%). Additionally, 2.6% of patients experienced delayed grade I–II toxicities, with some presenting grade III anorexia.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy, followed by chemoradiotherapy, may result in a high response rate and effective disease control with manageable toxicity. However, further research is needed to evaluate long-term outcomes and potential delayed adverse effects to confirm these initial observations.
Automating container damage detection with the YOLO-NAS deep learning model
Authors: Nguyen Thi Phuong Thanh , Cho Gyu Sung , Chatterjee Indranath
Published: January 2025

Ensuring the integrity of shipping containers is crucial for maintaining product quality, logistics efficiency, and safety in the global supply chain. Damaged containers can lead to significant economic losses, delays, and safety hazards. Traditionally, container inspections have been manual, which are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and error-prone, especially in busy port environments. This study introduces an automated solution using the YOLO-NAS model, a cutting-edge deep learning architecture known for its adaptability, computational efficiency, and high accuracy in object detection tasks. Our research is among the first to apply YOLO-NAS to container damage detection, addressing the complex conditions of seaports and optimizing for high-speed, high-accuracy performance essential for port logistics. Our method showcases YOLO-NAS's superior efficacy in detecting container damage, achieving a mean average precision (mAP) of 91.2%, a precision rate of 92.4%, and a recall of 84.1%. Comparative analyses indicate that YOLO-NAS consistently outperforms other leading models like YOLOv8 and Roboflow 3.0, which showed lower mAP, precision, and recall values under similar conditions. Additionally, while models such as Fmask-RCNN and MobileNetV2 exhibit high training accuracy, they lack the real-time assessment capabilities critical for port applications, making YOLO-NAS a more suitable choice. The successful integration of YOLO-NAS for automated container damage detection has significant implications for the logistics industry, enhancing port operations with reliable, real-time inspection solutions that can seamlessly integrate into predictive maintenance and monitoring systems. This approach reduces operational costs, improves safety, and lessens the reliance on manual inspections, contributing to the development of “smart ports” with higher efficiency and sustainability in container management.
Exploring Design Strategies for Student Career Portfolios
Authors: Pandey Shyam
Published: January 2025

This study explores technical and professional communication (TPC) students’ design of multimodal career portfolios, focusing on their strategies amid technological advancements and shifting workplace dynamics. The study analyzed 155 artifacts from 31 students, including resumes, video resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and rhetorical and modal analyses, using MAXQDA for discourse analysis. The results highlight the importance of research synthesis, intertextuality, audience awareness, personal branding, and adaptability in portfolio development. TPC students effectively create portfolios that meet company expectations across boundaries. A multimodal approach in TPC curricula is recommended, along with further research on emerging technologies’ impact on portfolios.
Developing Effective Small Team Army Leaders: A Quasi-Randomized Controlled Trial of the Squad Leader Development Course
Authors: Gutierrez Ian A. , Smith Carl D. , Adrian Amanda L. , Allard Yvonne S.
Published: January 2025

Effective leadership is critical to mission success in military organizations. However, instances of unethical and ineffective leadership remain an ongoing concern. To address the need for improved small team leadership, the U.S. Army developed the Squad Leader Development Course (SLDC) to provide junior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) with training and education on Army doctrine, ethical leadership, authentic leadership, and related competencies. Findings from a quasi-randomized controlled trial of SLDC conducted with NCOs ( N = 219) found that trainees viewed SLDC as beneficial to themselves, their soldiers, and the Army. Trainees demonstrated improvements in knowledge and competencies related to leadership doctrine; fostering trust, cohesion, psychological safety within their units; and coaching and mentoring their subordinates. No significant effects of training were found with respect to ethical leadership, authentic leadership, or morale. We examine the utility of SLDC for leadership development in the Army and explore implications for military organizations globally.
Towards net-zero futures: Modular Passivhaus design as a solution to meeting national carbon targets for new housing
Authors: Estales Raine , Coley David
Published: January 2025

Much of the world has an urgent need for housing yet simultaneously have set binding targets on reaching zero-carbon. The buildings sector is responsible for 31% of global CO2 emissions, 50% of which results from operational energy use in housing and 18% from embodied carbon emissions. Previous research has claimed that reducing both operational and embodied carbon to net zero is impossible with current building methods. In this paper, we introduce a new time-series based whole-life carbon analysis methodology for examining such problems globally. This combines operational and embodied modelling together with current and predicted grid carbon intensities. As a demonstration of the approach, a model for UK housing demand was created, predicting the carbon impact if a modular Passivhaus approach was used to meet the housing target of 300,000 homes per year. By 2050, this housing solution only consumes 90% of the total embodied and operational carbon budget allocated to new housing (545 of 604 MtCO2e). It is therefore concluded that with a modular approach, the housing target can be met whilst remaining within the carbon budget, suggesting that the approach has the potential to help solve housing need and the need to reach net zero rapidly and globally.

Practical Application

If the construction industry is to stay buoyant yet not undermine carbon targets it needs to move towards construction techniques that simultaneously reduce operational and embodied emissions. Although once upon a time sustainability was seen as a move in a direction, it is increasingly framed as a numeric target – zero. Hence the industry needs approaches that meet this target and accountancy methods that make this evident. This work demonstrates both.
The Time to Succeed: CEO Appointment Phase Entrainment and Post-Succession Firm Operational Performance
Authors: Villalpando Diego , Campbell Robert J. , Pérez-Nordtvedt Liliana
Published: January 2025

Given the inevitability of CEO successions and the importance of CEOs to firm performance, a stream of research explores the effects of new CEO appointments on post-succession firm performance. Yet, scholarly findings regarding the performance outcomes provoked by CEO succession are decidedly mixed. We argue that a temporal explanation, particularly one focusing on the dates at which new CEOs are appointed to their positions (i.e., when they begin their tenures), may offer critical insight into this relationship. As such, to advance the CEO succession literature, we define CEO appointment phase entrainment as timing the start day of a newly appointed CEO to coincide with the beginning of well-known zeitgebers, and we offer arguments—leveraging organizational entrainment theory—suggesting that entraining CEO appointments to the start of the calendar or fiscal year zeitgebers results in heightened operational performance. Further, we argue that entraining such appointments to these zeitgebers will be more effective when the new CEO is an outsider, young, or an occupational minority. Across numerous analyses, we find empirical evidence consistent with our theory. We therefore make important theoretical contributions to the CEO succession and organization entrainment literatures.