bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Loading of Extracellular Vesicles with Nucleic Acids via Hybridization with Non‐Lamellar Liquid Crystalline Lipid Nanoparticles
Authors: Bader Johannes , Rüedi Pascal , Mantella Valeria , Geisshüsler Silvana , Brigger Finn , Qureshi Bilal Muhammad , Ortega Arroyo Jaime , Montanari Elita , Leroux Jean‐Christophe
Published: January 2025

The translation of cell‐derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) into biogenic gene delivery systems is limited by relatively inefficient loading strategies. In this work, the loading of various nucleic acids into small EVs via their spontaneous hybridization with preloaded non‐lamellar liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles (LCNPs), forming hybrid EVs (HEVs) is described. It is demonstrated that LCNPs undergo pH‐dependent structural transitions from inverse hexagonal (HII) phases at pH 5 to more disordered non‐lamellar phases, possibly inverse micellar (L2) or sponge (L3) phases, at pH 7.4, which are particularly suitable for inducing a controlled hybridization process with EVs. State‐of‐the‐art single‐particle analysis techniques reveal that LCNPs interact with various EV subpopulations at physiological conditions and that ≈40% of HEVs are loaded with the genetic cargo. Importantly, this study demonstrates that EV membrane proteins remain accessible on HEV surfaces, with their intrinsic enzymatic activity unaffected after the hybridization process. Finally, HEVs show in vitro improved transfection efficiencies compared to unhybridized LCNPs. In summary, this versatile platform holds potential for loading various nucleic acid molecules into native EVs and may help developing EV‐based therapeutics.
A Machine Vision Perspective on Droplet‐Based Microfluidics
Authors: Wang Ji‐Xiang , Wang Hongmei , Lai Huang , Liu Frank X. , Cui Binbin , Yu Wei , Mao Yufeng , Yang Mo , Yao Shuhuai
Published: January 2025

Microfluidic droplets, with their unique properties and broad applications, are essential in in chemical, biological, and materials synthesis research. Despite the flourishing studies on artificial intelligence‐accelerated microfluidics, most research efforts have focused on the upstream design phase of microfluidic systems. Generating user‐desired microfluidic droplets still remains laborious, inefficient, and time‐consuming. To address the long‐standing challenges associated with the accurate and efficient identification, sorting, and analysis of the morphology and generation rate of single and double emulsion droplets, a novel machine vision approach utilizing the deformable detection transformer (DETR) algorithm is proposed. This method enables rapid and precise detection (detection relative error < 4% and precision > 94%) across various scales and scenarios, including real‐world and simulated environments. Microfluidic droplets identification and analysis (MDIA), a web‐based tool powered by Deformable DETR, which supports transfer learning to enhance accuracy in specific user scenarios is developed. MDIA characterizes droplets by diameter, number, frequency, and other parameters. As more training data are added by other users, MDIA's capability and universality expand, contributing to a comprehensive database for droplet microfluidics. The work highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in advancing microfluidic droplet regulation, fabrication, label‐free sorting, and analysis, accelerating biochemical sciences and materials synthesis engineering.
Hospitals serving high concentrations of patients with dementia are associated with lower mortality rates for patients with dementia
Authors: Hoffman Geoffrey J. , Sol Ketlyne , Nguyen Thuy
Published: January 2025

INTRODUCTION

While hospital‐related spending is substantially higher for ADRD populations, it is unknown whether differences exist in the use of hospital services in those hospitals serving high proportions of patients with dementia.

METHODS

We used 2014–2019 Medicare claims to compare hospitals treating high (321 high dementia concentration hospitals [HDCH]) and low (2887 non‐HDCHs) proportions of dementia populations according to finances, utilization, and quality.

RESULTS

More than one‐quarter of HDCH patients have dementia. HDCHs are small, treat minoritized patient populations, have low‐profit margins and poor overall performance, but are associated with lower 1‐month mortality risk for dementia populations.

DISCUSSION

Large proportions of patients treated at a subset of small, poorly resourced, and poorly performing US hospitals have dementia. However, unlike at larger, better‐performing hospitals, those treated at HDCHs appear to have lower mortality risk. This may reflect the benefits of specialization or other benefits of treatment at smaller, community hospitals.
Evaluation and management of pediatric refractory constipation: Recommendations from the NASPGHAN neurogastroenterology and motility committee
Authors: Kilgore Alexandra L. , Rogers Boruta Mary K. , Ambartsumyan Lusine , Suarez Roberto Gomez , Patel Dhiren , Wood Richard J. , Darbari Anil , Rodriguez Leonel
Published: January 2025

Refractory constipation (RC) in pediatric patients should be recognized as a distinct condition with long‐term impacts on patient and family quality of life. RC requires a more targeted diagnostic evaluation and complex management strategy that may involve management by pediatric neurogastroenterology and motility specialists and multidisciplinary teams including surgeons. Currently, there is a lack of a clear definition, evaluation, and management strategies for RC. This is the first North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition position paper to address pediatric RC regarding its definition, evaluation, and management.
Comparison of Сore‐Shell Colloids of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Capped by Arabinogalactan
Authors: Aleksandrova Galina P. , Gasilova Ekaterina R
Published: January 2025

Ecologically friendly green synthesis of plasmonic silver and gold nanoparticles with the help of polysaccharides acting both as reducing and capping agents became popular nowadays due to numerous applications of such nanobiocomposites. However, the formation of their core‐shell structures is not at all clear. The core‐shell structures of Au and Ag nanoparticles (NP) synthesized with the help of Siberian Larch arabinogalactan (ARB) is compared. The series of ARB@AgNP is studied with respect to metal content by light scattering (static, dynamic, and electrophoretic one), transmission electron microscopy, FT‐IR, and UV–vis. spectroscopy. The results are compared with those of ARB@AuNP series (J. Phys. Chem C 2011, 115, 24627). Higher redox potential of Au3+ ions is responsible for formation of thicker shells of oxidized and hydrolyzed ARB surrounding AuNPs and more negative zeta‐potentials of these colloids. Contrary to ARB@AgNP colloids with single spherical AgNP in the core, the ARB@AuNP colloids contained a fraction of AuNP dumbbells responsible for the depolarization of scattered light. The position of a slipping plane at which the zeta‐potentials are determined is attributed to the hydrodynamic radii of colloids (Rh). Thus, the decrease of zeta‐potentials with the metal content is explained by the growth of Rh.
Introduction: History of Inflow Studies in Texas
Authors: Montagna Paul A. , Longley William L. , Gomaa Elizabeth , Brown Jen Corrinne
Published: January 2025

Interest in developing freshwater inflow needs or standards for Texas estuaries occurred in three eras over a 50-year period. In 1967, the concept that water is needed for preservation of bays and estuaries was first proposed. In 1975, the first law was enacted to study effects of freshwater inflow on estuaries. In the 1980s, the first detailed freshwater inflow needs studies were completed for all bays based on hydrology, salinity, and fisheries harvest. In 1994, three Texas state agencies cooperated to synthesize all the studies performed in the 1980s into one volume describing the state methodology and recommending new standards. Following major legislative changes in 2007, science and stakeholder teams were formed to recommend inflow regimes for each of the seven bay systems, and by 2014, inflow standards were adopted for all bay systems. Over time, the laws and standards evolved from a species management approach to an ecosystem-based management approach.
Plankton Dynamics in Texas Estuaries
Authors: Quigg Antonietta , Steichen Jamie L. , Beecraft Laura , Wetz Michael S.
Published: January 2025

Plankton (phytoplankton, zooplankton) form the base of the food web. Inflow variability modulates plankton concentration, community composition, and productivity in estuaries. This chapter synthesizes data on plankton and their relationship with inflow from individual bay systems along the Texas coast where sufficient data exists. This will be primarily the Trinity-San Jacinto Estuary (also known as Galveston Bay) and Baffin Bay (located in the Upper Laguna Madre complex) with some details for San Antonio Bay, Mission Aransas Estuary, and Nueces-Corpus Christi Bay. In the former two systems, there is a lot of knowledge on key harmful algal bloom-forming taxa. This chapter will also highlight deficiencies in our current knowledge and future data needs. Given the general lack of data on zooplankton in Texas estuaries, this part of chapter is descriptive in nature. We end with providing a synthesis and recommendation for future efforts.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Budgets for Texas Estuaries
Authors: Marshall Danielle A. , Montagna Paul A.
Published: January 2025

Productivity in estuaries is dependent upon nutrient influx and cycling. However, increasing urbanization and socioeconomic activities continue to influence nutrient dynamics and thus estuarine organisms. The western Gulf of Mexico coast lies in a climatic gradient that drives differences in hydrology among Texas estuaries providing a natural experiment to determine how hydrology affects nutrient biogeochemical budgets. One modeling approach is the land-ocean interaction in the coastal zone (LOICZ) guideline. The LOICZ budgets were calculated for all major estuaries in Texas to compare long-term water, salt, and nutrient budgets. The budgets were calculated based on daily averages using various datasets from multiple Texas agencies. Separate nutrient and water budgets were calculated for the Lower Laguna Madre Estuary and the Upper Laguna Madre Estuary. The climatic gradient along the coasts drives the water budgets because precipitation difference is the main factor influencing inflow balance. Inflow balance is the main factor influencing differences in salinity and nutrient concentrations among the estuaries. However, elevated nutrient levels in two estuaries are caused by urbanization, return flows, and agricultural runoff. Draining the adjacent large city of Houston, Texas, USA, the Trinity-San Jacinto Estuary had higher daily average dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and total phosphorus (TP) levels compared to the other estuaries. These high levels are likely caused by high use of detergents and wastewater return flows that include fecal and urine waste. At the opposite end of the coast, the Upper Laguna Madre Estuary has higher total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) compared to the other estuaries due to its unique features including hypersalinity and low inflow dominated by sewage and agricultural runoff. The Texas budgets are comparable to budgets in estuaries in Asia, South America, and Africa with similar hydrology. This study demonstrates that hydrology controls nutrient transport and altered hydrology can alter the nutrient dynamics. Altered nutrient dynamics can affect biological productivity and water quality in estuaries.
Social and Economic Values of Environmental Flows to the Coast
Authors: Yoskowitz David W.
Published: January 2025

Environmental flow (EF) has been shown to have a significant economic value and impact. These values are often in the form of ecosystem services (ES). In Texas, science and policy on EF are well advanced, but operationalizing the protection of it is still lacking. Institutional alignment at a state level is part way there, but more work can be done to facilitate transactions for all water, including EF. Socio-behavioral-economic tools can be used for valuing ES provided by EF and determining the true value of water beyond the cost of water infrastructure.
Historical Perspective and Context of Freshwater Inflow Policy and Law in Texas
Authors: Hess Myron J.
Published: January 2025

This chapter provides an overview of water rights management in Texas, emphasizing policy and legal aspects of environmental flow protection, particularly freshwater inflows. It seeks to summarize the regulatory setting in which freshwater inflow science has been, and is being, applied. Rights to use state-owned surface water have been recognized since the 1800s, with regular consideration of environmental flow beginning only in 1985. Because older rights have the first claim to water, that legacy of older, perpetual rights lacking flow protections creates challenges for maintaining adequate flows. In 2007, the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 3 seeking a comprehensive approach for flow protection. That approach, which remains only partially implemented, includes setting aside for flow protection reasonable amounts of water not already authorized for use, adopting flow standards with flow-protection requirements for new permits and targets for proactive protection efforts, and pursuing proactive strategies for voluntary efforts to move some existing rights to flow protection. It also provides for adaptive management to continue refining those elements. Following an initial flurry of activity through 2014, implementation has largely stalled. Recent developments may lead to renewed activity and a chance to address important shortcomings in flow protection.
Influence of Inflows on Estuary Sediments
Authors: Douglas Audrey R. , Montagna Paul A. , Dellapenna Timothy
Published: January 2025

Rivers deliver sediments, organic matter/carbon, contaminants, and nutrients from watersheds. Sediments form delta, estuarine, marsh, and wetland habitats. Most of the sediments are derived from weathered rocks that are transported by rivers during floods as both bedload (sand and gravel) and suspended load (silts and clays, i.e., mud). Siliciclastic sand can enter the estuary naturally through four mechanisms, which are: (1) shoreline erosion; (2) inflow from rivers; (3) advection into the bay via the flood tide, through tidal inlets and cuts; and (4) barrier island overwash. River-mouth/saltwater wedge dynamics trap the bedload (coarse fraction) within bayhead deltas of estuaries, with only the suspended load (mud fraction) being delivered to the estuaries under most conditions. Sand entering the bay through the tidal inlets/cuts, are trapped in the flood tidal delta proximal to the bay mouth. Barrier island overwash sands are also trapped proximal to the overwash sites. As a result, the interior of most estuarine sediment is muddy, with sandy shorelines, shoreline shoals, bayhead, and flood tidal deltas. Carbonate sands also form in situ by the abrasion of shells, most notably, oyster shells, forming shell shoals and oyster reef. Over time, the greatest “natural” changes to sediment distribution within estuaries are caused by extreme storms and floods that can deliver the equivalent of decades worth of “average fluvial sediment load” to bays within a few days. Additionally, sediment distributions and loads within estuaries can be altered by anthropogenic activities, including dredging and formation of dredge spoil island, formation of mitigation oyster reefs and wetlands, alterations in shoreline protection, and alteration of bay configurations and size. The carbon content of sediments increases with decreasing inflow and increasing salinity across the state where Sabine Lake averages 1% and Laguna Madre averages 2.5%. The nitrogen content of sediments is generally low, always <0.1%, but can be as high as 0.25% in Laguna Madre. Sedimentation rates generally range from 0.07 to 2.2 cm year−1. There has been sediment compaction and subsidence over time.
The Memoir-Activism Circuit: The Afterlives of Guantánamo Diary in Cultural Memory
Authors: Kennedy Rosanne
Published: January 2025

Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s internationally celebrated memoir, Guantánamo Diary (2015), written while he was still imprisoned without charge, has been described as the ‘true witness’ of Guantánamo. Translated into multiple languages, it has featured in activist campaigns and has inspired readings, films, podcasts, plays, and panel discussions. As such, the memoir and its remediations have been vital in the remembrance of both everyday life and torture and terror at America’s most infamous post-9/11 prison. To explore the afterlives of Guantánamo Diary, I introduce the memoir-activism circuit, which builds on insights from cultural and collective memory studies and life writing studies, especially intersections of testimony, witnessing, and human rights. To map the remediations of the memoir, its uptake in activism, and the significance of these in the cultural remembrance of Guantánamo, I identify four stages in the circuit: (1) pre-publication memoir advocacy (contesting government secrecy); (2) memoir advocacy (memoir as a medium for making a case); (3) memoir activism (promoting the memoir to seed activism for a cause); (4) memoir in cultural and collective memory (remediating memoir in new cultural forms which may facilitate new cycles of remembrance, remediation, and activism). While these stages will not all be present in other cases of memoir activism, my hope is that this framework will serve as an analytic tool for mapping the place of the literary—and specifically memoir—in both short-term memory activism and longer-term cultural memory, and for tracing the dynamics of memory and forgetting over time.
Missing Mum: Reframing Imprisoned Childhoods in Autobiography and Activism in the Iranian Context
Authors: Mousavi Nafiseh
Published: January 2025

This chapter studies the entanglements of autobiographical writing with activism in the work of Hamed Farmand (1976–), an Iranian child rights activist who lives in the diaspora. Farmand spent five years of his childhood in 1980s Iran without his mother, who was a political prisoner during this period. As an adult, he began reflecting on this experience and writing about his life across different media, which gradually led him to become a child rights activist with a specific focus on the children of imprisoned parents. Farmand’s work, and its rootedness in lived experience, is of special importance in the Iranian context, where most types of activism are criminalised and many children endure the hardships of a tense political atmosphere. This chapter maps out Farmand’s trajectory from autobiographical writing to activism and demonstrates how, in his case, the formation of a child subject through continuous autobiographical practice has created a foundation for activism. Farmand’s case, as the chapter argues, exemplifies a productive practice of reframing a traumatic past into future-oriented activism by way of autobiographical practices.
Life Writing as Solidarity Work in the 1970s Turkish Left
Authors: Erbil Duygu
Published: January 2025

This chapter analyses the dialectic of cultural memory and political solidarity in Three Saplings on the Gallows (Darağacında Üç Fidan) by the Turkish socialist writer Nihat Behram. First published in 1976 to commemorate the 1972 executions of the Marxist-Leninist revolutionaries Deniz Gezmiş, Hüseyin İnan, and Yusuf Aslan, Three Saplings on the Gallows constitutes one of the most widely circulated life narratives in the history of the Turkish left, undergoing its 125th print in 2022 despite being banned for two decades. Situating the book as relational life writing and as a “portable monument” in Turkey’s leftist memory culture, I argue that Behram’s commemoration of these figures’ lives constitutes activist memory work that conceptualises and practices remembrance as a foundation for political solidarity, establishing memory work as solidarity work. Situating memory work as auto/biographical, I first trace how Behram conceptualises witnessing as a way of forging solidarity through self-reflective acts of remembrance. Then, I examine the ways in which Behram’s own life narrative was inscribed into later editions of the book through paratextual additions to evidence his solidaristic self-sacrifice. I argue that the book’s formative role in left-wing cultural memory in Turkey relies on its conceptualisation and defiant practice of bearing witness to the deaths of ‘three saplings’ as a form of building and sustaining political alliance.
Nicaragua in the Rearview Mirror: Life Writing by Leftist US Activists Since the 1980s
Authors: Baier Verena
Published: January 2025

The legacy of 1980s leftist Nicaragua activism in the US is still evident in the life writing of former US activists, revealing a dynamic interplay between past experiences and present-day reflections. Through an examination of six works of life writing published between 1991 and 2022, this chapter offers a mosaic of perspectives on the remembrance of 1980s Nicaragua activism. Drawing on Enzo Traverso’s concept of left-wing melancholia, this chapter explores the production and negotiation of cultural memory within the US Nicaragua peace and solidarity movement (PSM) post-1990, alongside the mobilisation of past narratives for contemporary socio-political endeavours. It thus underscores the role of life writing in maintaining activist engagement and shaping the discourse surrounding the movement’s legacy which, in some instances, challenges previously unified assessments within PSM circles and scholarly communities.
The Syrian Prison: From Autobiography to the Creation of Identity
Authors: Baker Jaber
Published: January 2025

If we can understand and analyse Syrian identity under a prison microscope, we can protect Syrians. Over the past century, the Syrian Prison has developed and grown to play a supreme role in Syrian political life. It has evolved from a mere penal institution to a political space that reflects its impact on public political life outside it; then, it turned into an eternal prison, then an extermination prison. The Syrian Prison has a clear imprint on Syrian society and identity. Therefore, writing an autobiography of this prison is a great challenge. But how do we write the prison’s autobiography without official sources and government documents? How do the life narratives of former prisoners contribute to building the collective autobiography of the prison? Are the witness accounts of former detainees sufficient as the sole source for this process? What about oral histories? How can I, a former political prisoner myself, interview others to collaborate on writing the autobiography of the Syrian Prison that lives through us? What technique should be used for these interviews? If it is possible to write the autobiography of prison, how can this work help us understand and reshape Syrian collective identity? How can this research as a practice of life writing and memory work contribute to building this identity? These are the questions I seek to reflect on in this chapter.
Temporal Closeness for Enhanced Cross-Modal Retrieval of Sensor and Image Data
Authors: Yamamoto Shuhei , Kando Noriko
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a new approach to dense retrieval across multiple modalities, emphasizing the integration of images and sensor data. Traditional cross-modal retrieval techniques face significant challenges, particularly in processing non-linguistic modalities and creating effective training datasets. To address these issues, we propose a method that uses a shared vector space, optimized with contrastive loss, to enable efficient and accurate retrieval across diverse modalities. A key innovation of our approach is the introduction of a temporal closeness metric, which evaluates the relationship between data points based on their timestamps. This metric helps automatically extract positive and hard negative samples related to the query, improving the training process and enhancing the retrieval model’s performance. We validate our approach using the Lifelog Search Challenge 2024 (LSC’24) dataset, one of the largest multi-modal datasets, including non-linguistic data such as egocentric images, heart rate, and location information. Our evaluation shows that incorporating temporal closeness into the dense retrieval process significantly improves retrieval accuracy and robustness in real-world, multi-modal scenarios. This paper’s contributions include developing a novel dense retrieval framework, introducing the temporal closeness metric, and successfully applying these innovations to a comprehensive multi-modal dataset.
Linear and nonlinear record high optical birefringence in anisotropic van der Waals crystals
Authors: Sortino Luca
Published: January 2025

Multilayered van der Waals (vdW) materials are semiconductors composed of atomically thin crystal layers, held together by weak vdW forces. They offer unique crystal structures and electronic properties, distinct from conventional semiconductors, making them a promising platform for linear and nonlinear optics. In this context, the large refractive indexes given by highly polarizable transition metals, combined with excitonic resonances and unconventional crystalline structures, provides a toolbox for exploring non-linear physics and strong light–matter interactions with unprecedented opportunities for nanoscale optics. Recent reports highlight novel vdW materials, particularly PdPSe, a pentagonal crystal with strong nonlinear responses, and As2S3, a record high birefringence crystal, as favorable candidates to engineer nonlinear responses and miniaturization of optical components, owing to the combination of high refractive index and strong optical anisotropy of the underlying crystal structures. While still in its infancy, research on vdW materials promise a florid ground for fundamental studies, bridging the gap between material science and nanoscale optics.
Metrology with a twist: probing and sensing with vortex light
Authors: Cheng Mingjian , Jiang Wenjie , Guo Lixin , Li Jiangting , Forbes Andrew
Published: January 2025

Optical metrology is a well-established subject, dating back to early interferometry techniques utilizing light’s linear momentum through fringes. In recent years, significant interest has arisen in using vortex light with orbital angular momentum (OAM), where the phase twists around a singular vortex in space or time. This has expanded metrology’s boundaries to encompass highly sensitive chiral interactions between light and matter, three-dimensional motion detection via linear and rotational Doppler effects, and modal approaches surpassing the resolution limit for improved profiling and quantification. The intricate structure of vortex light, combined with the integration of artificial intelligence into optical metrology, unlocks new paradigms for expanding measurement frameworks through additional degrees of freedom, offering the potential for more efficient and accurate sensing and metrological advancements. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances and future trends in optical metrology with structured light, specifically focusing on how utilizing vortex beams has revolutionized metrology and remote sensing, transitioning from classical to quantum approaches.
Light People: Prof. Henry Snaith’s (FRS) perovskite optoelectronics journey
Authors: Xia Ruidong , Hu Ying
Published: January 2025

Editorial

In 2012, Prof. Henry Snaith demonstrated the first solid-state perovskite solar cell (PSC) with an efficiency of 10.9%, igniting a surge of interest and research into perovskite materials for their potential to revolutionize the photovoltaic (PV) industry. Over the past two decades, perovskite optoelectronics have made remarkable progress, with significant improvements in efficiency, stability, and commercial viability, which has transformed these materials from a scientific curiosity into a leading platform for a wide range of applications, particularly in PVs and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Prof. Henry Snaith’s election as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) credits to his groundbreaking discovery of the use of perovskites in efficient solar cells. In addition to his academic role, Henry co-founded and served as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of two spin-off companies, Oxford PV Ltd. and Helio Display Materials Ltd., which focus on commercializing metal halide perovskite PVs and light-emitting applications, respectively. His team has led the global R&D community in advancing the fundamental understanding and practical use of perovskites since 2012. On 5th September 2024, Oxford PV announced the world’s first commercial sale of next-generation perovskite tandem solar panels, which generate up to 20% more energy than a standard silicon panel. In an insightful conversation with Light: Science & Applications, Prof. Henry Snaith, a pioneer of metal halide perovskite optoelectronics, shared his story on how scientific curiosity, close observation to unexpected results, and serendipity led to the discovery of perovskite as a solid light absorber, as well as the key findings and breakthroughs to achieve the remarkable efficiency of PSCs. He highlighted the significant contribution of his team to the progress of PSC technology from its initial discovery to its current exciting commercialization status; this includes the development of tandem solar cells and the exploration of p-i-n configurations for better stability. Moreover, he expressed his views on the future of perovskite LEDs and environmental and safety concerns related to perovskite optoelectronics technology. The interviews further explored Henry’s journey from an undergraduate physics student to a renowned scientist. His career success is undoubtedly driven by his ambition for immediate real-world impact and his relentless pursuit of more efficient, low-cost, and sustainable energy solutions to address global environmental challenges. When asked about the potential for a Nobel Prize, Henry acknowledged that PSC technology could be worthy of such recognition, given its scientific advancements and significant contributions to addressing the global challenge of climate change. Looking ahead, Henry has expressed an interest in contributing to public policy, particularly in the areas of renewable energy and education reform, with an emphasis on the creation of an inclusive education system that better supports neurodiversity.
Quantum entanglement: A modern perspective
Authors: Terhal Barbara M. , Wolf Michael M. , Doherty Andrew C.
Published: January 2025

It’s not your grandfather’s quantum mechanics. Today, researchers treat entanglement as a physical resource: Quantum information can now be measured, mixed, distilled, concentrated, and diluted.
One-step smoothing splines instrumental regression
Authors: Beyhum Jad , Lapenta Elia , Lavergne Pascal
Published: January 2025

We extend nonparametric regression smoothing splines to a context where there is endogeneity and instrumental variables are available. Unlike popular existing estimators, the resulting estimator is one-step and relies on a unique regularization parameter. We derive rates of the convergence for the estimator and its first derivative, which are uniform in the support of the endogenous variable. We also address the issue of imposing monotonicity in estimation and extend the approach to a partly linear model. Simulations confirm the good performances of our estimator compared to two-step procedures. Our method yields economically sensible results when used to estimate Engel curves.
INTRODUCING A SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL TO OPTIMIZE HOME MODIFICATION OUTCOMES
Authors: Nabors Emily , Cameron Kathleen , Yan Mengzhao , Pynoos Jon , Trudeau Scott
Published: January 2025

Home modification services have become more widely available in response to the aging population’s growing need for accessible home environments. Despite this growth, the home modification service delivery process is not well-defined, leading to services that do not adequately meet the needs of older adults. To address this gap, the Service Delivery Subcommittee of the National Home Safety and Home Modification Work Group, led by the National Council on Aging and funded by the Administration for Community Living, developed a Home Modification Service Delivery Model. Using an iterative, consensus building approach, this group of interdisciplinary practitioners and researchers developed a model to describe the ideal home modification service delivery process based on evidence and expert perspectives. The model outlines the value of working in a transdisciplinary team, describes key providers and professionals to involve on the team, and their respective roles in the home modification service delivery process (i.e., intake, assessment, completion of modifications, and follow-up). An understanding of the complexity of home modification and awareness of the types of providers that can and should be involved across all phases of home modification can increase the likelihood that consumers will receive the right services at the right time to adequately meet their current and future needs, regardless of their background and point of entry to the process. The Home Modification Service Delivery Model sets a critical foundation for future research and implementation efforts in the community. This session will review the model, describe the development process, and highlight next steps.
RACIAL/ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AMENITY ENVIRONMENTS OF US OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Fisk Calley , Cha Hyungmin , Choi Eunyoung , Choi Yeon Jin , Ailshire Jennifer
Published: January 2025

Living in neighborhoods with diverse amenity environments, including a variety of facilities and services, may impact the health and well-being of older residents by providing increased access to essential services, fostering social networks, and building social capital within communities. Such environments, however, may not be uniformly experienced across racial/ethnic groups, potentially creating and reinforcing racial/ethnic disparities in aging-related outcomes. Our study provides rich descriptive information on the distribution of neighborhood amenities of U.S. adults ages 50 and older across and by different racial and ethnic groups. We link census tract-level data on amenities from the National Neighborhood Data Archive to population-level data from the Health and Retirement Study for the 2004-2016 data waves (N=26,194 respondents, 107,254 observations). Neighborhood amenity diversity was measured as a total amenity diversity score (range: 0-119), calculated by top-coding (at two) and summing counts of amenities across four categories: food (e.g., restaurants, grocery stores), retail (e.g., clothing, convenience stores), general services (e.g., banks, gyms), and civic services (e.g., senior facilities, community centers). On average, Black (mean=40.4, SE=0.80) and Hispanic (mean=43.2, SE=0.97) older adults lived in neighborhoods with significantly lower total amenity diversity scores compared to their White counterparts (mean=46.8, SE=0.49). In linear regression models, adjusting for clustering at the individual and tract levels and including demographic and socioeconomic variables, these differences remained significant for Black (b=-7.1, p< 0.001), but not Hispanic (b=-2.0, p=0.062) older adults. Finally, supplementary analyses stratifying by urbanicity and examining racial/ethnic differences in category-specific amenities revealed similar patterns as the total amenity diversity score.
UNDERSTANDING THE MEANING OF HOME THROUGH A CO-DESIGNED VIRTUAL PHOTOVOICE STUDY
Authors: Weil Joyce , Iyer Gitanjali
Published: January 2025

Co-designed photovoice is a way for older adults to express what a place means to them from their own point of view using images and narrative. The goal of this study is to understand the concept of “home” using photovoice through the lens of older adults living in Baltimore, Maryland. As part of this co-designed, IRB-approved study, 14 older adults were interviewed twice via Zoom, a video calling platform, about the meaning of home and their community or neighborhood. Participants shared and explained the meaning of 10 photographs regarding what home meant to them. In the second Zoom interview, participants explained the meaning behind each photo and why they selected them. After analyzing the transcripts and photos of each participant, some common themes were found highlighting the meaning of home for the participants. Themes were about symbolism and meaning of objects around their home, neighborhood accessibility and walkability, daily routines and practices, and how “home” had changed during the pandemic. The ways in which virtual co-designed photovoice were based on older adults’ reframing and designing the study will be discussed.
ATTITUDES TOWARD AGING AND SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE COMPLAINTS: DOES DEPRESSION MODERATE THEIR RELATIONSHIP?
Authors: Colombowala Fatema , Bower Emily
Published: January 2025

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and affects a significant portion of the population, with prevalence ranging from 12.3% to 57% of older adults. Although some people with SCD will later develop dementia, others will not, suggesting that factors other than objective cognitive ability impact subjective cognition. Attitudes towards aging (ATA) may influence how individuals interpret age-related cognitive changes, potentially leading to heightened subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) among those who hold more negative attitudes toward aging. We investigated the relationship between ATA and SCC in a sample of older adults with SCD. We hypothesized negative attitudes would be associated with more SCC. Additionally, we examined if depression moderated the relationship between ATA and SCC, predicting that more severe depression would strengthen the relationship. There is a scarcity of studies that directly compare the strength of association between SCC and various outcomes such as depression and ATA. Preliminary analyses included 51 participants, predominantly female (72.5%), with an average age of 72 (SD = 8.5) who had SCD. They completed validated measures of SCC, aging attitudes (ATA), and depression as part of a larger study. Hypotheses were tested using linear regression models. We found more negative attitudes on the ATA psychosocial loss subscale were associated with higher SCC (B = 26.50, p =.007). Additionally, a diagnosis of depression moderated the relationship by strengthening it (B = 35.80, p =.0096). Findings suggest intervening to reduce depression and negative ATA could reduce SCC burden.
NUMBER AND REACH OF INTERVENTIONS IN BEST PROGRAMS FOR CAREGIVING
Authors: Bass David , Fete Zoe , Huth Megan , Cannon Rachel , Minyo Morgan , Powers Sara
Published: January 2025

A major advance in Gerontology is the development of numerous evidence-based support programs for dementia family and friend caregivers. However, a common untested assumption is that these proven programs are not widely available to caregivers. Data collected for the new version of Best Programs for Caregiving (BPC) for family and friend caregivers afforded an opportunity to carefully document the scaling and reach of the 47 evidence-based programs in BPC. The first phase of this research surveyed program-developers to identify all healthcare and community organizations delivering their programs in 2022/2023. 600 service organizations were identified as offering a BPC program (nearly twice the number identified in 2019). The second phase of research surveyed the 600 delivery organizations to verify that programs were being delivered and to collect related data, such as geographic areas served. 252 (42%) of the 600 organizations were verified as delivering a BPC program. The geographic areas served ranged from a single city or county to the entire U.S. Notably, 25 organizations served caregivers nationally via remote program delivery. Reasons the 348 (58%) delivery organizations that were identified by developers, but not verified as delivering programs, included: stopped the program because of funding or staffing challenges, never delivered the program, or could not be reached. Results suggest more programs are available and have a wider reach to caregivers than expected, but the distribution of programs could be improved, if developers had more capacity or assistance with marketing, tracking, and monitoring program implementations.
DESIGN, EVALUATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRISM SOFTWARE SYSTEM: A SOFTWARE SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Czaja Sara , Wahl Hans-Werner , Charness Neil
Published: January 2025

The PRISM system is an integrated software system designed, using a user-centered design approach, to foster social connectivity, cognitive engagement, and resource access among aging adults. Versions of PRISM have been evaluated in diverse contexts and geographic regions, and with diverse populations. This session will discuss how PRISM has been adapted, and present data on the impact of the use of PRISM across diverse contexts, on outcomes related to technology acceptance and proficiency, social isolation and loneliness, and quality of life. Walter R. Boot will discuss the evolution of PRISM and highlight how the findings from the PRISM 1.0 trial led to the development of PRISM 2.0 and PRISM CI for aging adults with a cognitive impairment. He will also discuss how PRISM was adapted for implementation in Germany. Sara J. Czaja will present the primary outcomes from the PRISM 2.0 trial, which evaluated a refined version of PRISM with older adults in diverse settings (rural locations, senior housing, assisted living facilities). She will focus on outcomes related to loneliness, social isolation, and quality of life. Wendy A. Rogers will focus on the acceptability and usability of PRISM. She will present data from the PRISM 1.0 and PRISM 2.0 trials and highlight findings regarding acceptability according to context of implementation. Nicole Memmer will address long-term usage of PRISM Germany. She will discuss differential patterns and preferences of use in relation to gender, technology generation, and technology skills and attitudes. N. Charness will serve as a discussant for the session.
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORTING ENGAGEMENT IN OLDER ADULTS: FINDINGS FROM THE PRISM 2.0 TRIAL
Authors: Czaja Sara , Boot Walter , Charness Neil , Rogers Wendy
Published: January 2025

Technology applications can play a key role in enhancing social and cognitive engagement, decreasing loneliness, and facilitating access to resources among older adults. This presentation will focus on data from the cross-site randomized field trial that evaluated the PRISM 2.0 system, an integrated software system (developed by the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement), designed using a user-centered design approach, that fostered social and cognitive engagement and access to information and resources. PRISM 2.0 was compared to a Standard Tablet Control condition, where participants received a computer tablet without the PRISM 2.0 software and the same amount of training and contact as those in the PRISM 2.0 condition. The trial was conducted in diverse living contexts including rural locations, senior housing, and assisted living communities (ALC). The sample included 245 adults aged 64-99 yrs. that were randomized within living context to either the PRISM 2.0 or the Standard Tablet Control condition. Data were collected at baseline, and 6-and 9-months post randomization. Findings will be presented on the impact of access to the PRISM 2.0 software system on social isolation, loneliness, social support, quality of life, and technology proficiency. Information will also be presented regarding the unique challenges of implementing PRISM 2.0 in the various contexts. Overall, the findings provide strong evidence that access to technology is beneficial to aging adults and underscore the importance of adapting technology to the needs and preferences of the user and providing adequate instructional support.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE PERSONAL REMINDER INFORMATION AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT (PRISM) SYSTEM
Authors: Boot Walter , Charness Neil , Czaja Sara , Rogers Wendy
Published: January 2025

The development of the Personal Reminder Information and Social Management (PRISM) System began fifteen years ago with a user-centered design process that resulted in PRISM 1.0, a desktop application that ran on a personal computer and included a keyboard, mouse, and printer. However, as the technological landscape changed, so did PRISM. Following the successful implementation of PRISM 1.0, PRISM 2.0 adapted the platform to be mobile and run on a tablet. Features such as videoconferencing and multiplayer games were added based on feedback from PRISM 1.0 trial participants and the availability of new applications. To broaden the reach of PRISM 2.0, it was also translated into Spanish. Building off the successful implementation of PRISM 2.0, versions of PRISM have been adapted to serve older adults experiencing cognitive impairment. Adapted versions of PRISM, with new features, are also currently being deployed in Germany to examine their impact in two different cities. This talk will focus on how PRISM has evolved over time and has been adapted to serve different, diverse populations of older people. Throughout this talk, we will emphasize how a user-centered design process, involving older adults in diverse contexts, has served the design and deployment of PRISM, and how what has been learned from each iteration of PRISM has informed the next to maximize the usefulness and usability of the system. How advances in virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and wearables might shape future iterations of PRISM will be discussed.
ADRD IN CONTEXT: SOCIAL, NEIGHBORHOOD, AND NATIONAL INFLUENCES
Authors: Antonucci Toni , Zahodne Laura , Harrell Erin
Published: January 2025

This symposium showcases innovative work from scholars in the National Institute on Aging (NIA)-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research, the Michigan Center for Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease. Each paper examines ecological contexts (e.g., interpersonal relationships, neighborhoods, countries) that influence the experiences of dementia in diverse populations. Dr. Sol and colleagues examine how social resources differentially relate to cognitive health among Black and White older adults living in different types of neighborhoods. Dr. Roche-Dean et al. consider social factors that influence dementia diagnosis awareness across race/ethnicity in a national sample. Although a number of factors did not influence dementia diagnosis awareness in the aggregate sample, analyses stratified by race indicate that married Black participants had greater dementia diagnosis awareness. Dr. Alhasan and colleagues examine community livability and dementia in different South Carolinian counties. Dementia prevalence was higher in less livable counties among women but lower among men. Finally, Dr. Lopez-Anuarbe and colleagues explore differences in health care costs and dementia status among Mexicans and Mexican Americans. They find opposing patterns of association between dementia status and health care costs, as well as contrasting urban-rural differences, among Mexicans in Mexico versus Mexican Americans in the U.S. In sum, each of these papers addresses the critical role of social, neighborhood and national contexts across the dementia continuum and additionally considers variation across sociodemographic groups. Finally, Dr. Erin Harrell from the NIA will offer perspectives on how examining contextual factors can advance NIA’s goal of understanding and eliminating ADRD inequalities.