bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of an in-beam PET system for proton therapy monitoring
Authors: Ma Qiuhui , Mu Dengyun , Zhang Ruilin , Liu Zixiao , Wan Lin , Liu Yang , Qiu Ao , Yang Zhiyong , Xie Qingguo
Published: January 2025

Objective. In-beam positron emission tomography (PET) has important development prospects in real-time monitoring of proton therapy. However, in the beam-on operation, the high bursts of radiation events pose challenges to the performance of the PET system. Approach. In this study, we developed a dual-head in-beam PET system for proton therapy monitoring and evaluated its performance. The system has two PET detection heads, each with

6
×
3

Plug&Imaging (PnI) detection units. Each PnI unit consists of

6
×
6

lutetium–yttrium oxyorthosilicate crystal arrays. The size of each crystal strip is

3.95
×
3.95
×
20

 mm3, which is one-to-one coupled with a silicon photomultiplier. The overall size of the head is

15.3
×
7.65

 cm2. Main results. The in-beam PET system achieved a single count rate of 48 Mcps at the activity of 144.9 MBq, an absolute sensitivity of 2.717%, and a spatial resolution of approximately 2.6 mm (full width at half maximum) at the center of the field-of-view. When imaging a Derenzo phantom, the system could resolve rods with a diameter of 2.0 mm. Time-dynamic [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose mouse imaging was performed, demonstrating the metabolic processes in the mouse. This shows that the in-beam PET system has the potential for biology-guided proton therapy. The in-beam PET system was used to monitor the range of a 130 MeV proton beam irradiating a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom, with a beam intensity of

6.0
×

10

9

p s−1 and an irradiation duration of one minute. PET data were acquired only during the one-minute irradiation. We simulated the range shift by moving the PMMA and adding an air gap, showing that the error between the actual and the measured range is less than 1 mm. Significance. The results demonstrate that the system has a high count rate and the capability of range monitoring in beam-on operation, which is beneficial for achieving real-time range verification of proton beams in the future.
Robust stochastic optimisation strategies for locoregional hyperthermia treatment planning using polynomial chaos expansion
Authors: Groen Jort A , Herrera Timoteo D , Crezee Johannes , Kok H Petra
Published: January 2025

Objective. Conventional temperature optimization in hyperthermia treatment planning aims to maximize tumour temperature (e.g. T90; the temperature reached in at least 90% of the tumour) while enforcing hard constraints on normal tissue temperature (max(Ttissue) ⩽45 °C). This method generally incorrectly assumes that tissue/perfusion properties are known, typically relying on average values from the literature. To enhance the reliability of temperature optimization in clinical applications, we developed new robust optimization strategies to reduce the impact of tissue/perfusion property uncertainties. Approach. Within the software package Plan2Heat, temperature calculations during optimization apply efficient superposition of precomputed distributions, represented by a temperature matrix (T-matrix). We extended this method using stochastic polynomial chaos expansion models to compute an average T-matrix (T
avg) and a covariance matrix C to account for uncertainties in tissue/perfusion properties. Three new strategies were implemented using T
avg and C during optimization: (1) T
avg90 maximization, hard constraint on max(T
tissue), (2) T
avg90 maximization, hard constraint on max(T
tissue) variation, and (3) combined T
avg90 maximization and variation minimization, hard constraint on max(T
tissue). Conventional and new optimization strategies were tested in a cervical cancer patient. 100 test cases were generated, randomly sampling tissue-property probability distributions. Tumour T90 and hot spots (max(T
tissue) >45 °C) were evaluated for each sample. Main Results. Conventional optimization had 28 samples without hot spots, with a median T90 of 39.7 °C. For strategies (1), (2) and (3), the number of samples without hot spots was increased to 33, 41 and 36, respectively. Median T90 was reduced lightly, by ∼0.1 °C–0.3 °C, for strategies (1–3). Tissue volumes exceeding 45 °C and variation in max(T
tissue) were less for the novel strategies. Significance. Optimization strategies that account for tissue-property uncertainties demonstrated fewer, and reduced in volume, normal tissue hot spots, with only a marginal reduction in tumour T90. This implies a potential clinical utility in reducing the need for, or the impact of, device setting adjustments during hyperthermia treatment.
Magnetic field characterization of edge currents in quantum spin Hall insulators
Authors: A Pinto Felipe , C Heitzer Ricardo , Dvorquez Eitan , Rodriguez Roberto , Sun Qiang , D Greentree Andrew , C Gibson Brant , R Maze Jerónimo
Published: January 2025

Quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulators are materials with nontrivial topological properties, characterized by helical edge currents. In 2D strips, the application of a bias voltage along the edge generates a magnetization that can be measured using quantum sensors and magnetometry techniques. In this work, we calculate the magnetic field in the vicinity of the edge and explore the potential role of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond as local probes for the characterization of QSH edge states in topological insulators. We characterize the magnetic field near the edges produced by both electron currents and spin accumulation at the edge. We focus on identifying the position from the edge at which the effects of spin accumulation become detectable. We observe that a larger gap between the conduction and valence bands, along with a lower Fermi velocity, results in a stronger magnetic field, with the detectable spin accumulation being more concentrated near the edge. Conversely, a smaller gap results in a slight reduction in the magnetic field magnitude, but the field associated with spin accumulation becomes detectable further from the edge. This work provides insights that could be useful for the characterization of topological materials and the development of novel electro-optical devices.
Quantum pseudo-harmonic oscillator potential in non-Euclidean space: application to diatomic molecules
Authors: Özfidan Aysel
Published: January 2025

The present work analyzes a physical system with a quantum pseudo-harmonic oscillator in three-dimensional constant curvature spaces within the framework of non-relativistic theory. We present expressions for the energy equation and radial wavefunctions that depend on the curvature parameter κ, using the functional analysis approach and the asymptotic iteration method. Additionally, we calculate the energy eigenvalues for diatomic molecules N2, H2, and ScH as a function of the constant curvature κ. Using the Hellmann-Feynmann theorem, we derive expressions for the curvature-dependent expectation values of r−2 and p2, which we detail for the diatomic molecule system in this work. Furthermore, we perform a comparative analysis of the results for non-Euclidean space (spherical and hyperbolic spaces with constant curvature) and Euclidean space.
Low-resistance Ohmic contact for GaN-based laser diodes
Authors: Wang Junfei , Hu Junhui , Guan Chaowen , Fang Songke , Wang Zhichong , Wang Guobin , Xu Ke , Lv Tengbo , Wang Xiaoli , Shi Jianyang , Li Ziwei , Zhang Junwen , Chi Nan , Shen Chao
Published: January 2025

Low-resistance Ohmic contact is critical for the high efficiency GaN-based laser diodes. This study investigates the introduction of the In0.15Ga0.85N contact layer on the specific contact resistance. Experimental results reveal that adopting the In0.15Ga0.85N contact layer yields a minimized specific contact resistance of 2.57 × 10−5 Ω·cm2 which is two orders of magnitude lower than the GaN contact layer (7.61 × 10−3 Ω·cm2). A decrease in the specific contact resistance arises from the reduction of the barrier between the metal and p-type In0.15Ga0.85N. To develop an optimal metal electrode combination on the In0.15Ga0.85N contact layer, the Pd/Au and Ni/Au electrode stacks which are most commonly used in the formation of Ohmic contact with p-GaN are investigated. Metal stack of 10/30 nm Pd/Au is demonstrated effective in reducing the specific contact resistance to 10−5 Ω·cm2 level. The mechanism of the variation of the specific contact resistance under different annealing atmospheres is explained by auger electron spectroscopy.
Effect of plasma beta on the nonlinear evolution of m/n = 2/1 double tearing mode in high Lundquist number regime
Authors: Zhang Dingzong , Wu Zhaoqing , Ma Jun , Guo Wenfeng , Huang Yanqing , Liu Hongbo
Published: January 2025

The existing results indicate that in the large Lundquist number regime, plasmoids play an important role in the growth and saturation of the double tearing mode (DTM). In this paper, the effect of plasma beta on the nonlinear evolution of the m/n = 2/1 DTM in large Lundquist number regime is numerically investigated in a cylinder geometry. The results demonstrate that the impact of plasma beta on plasmoid dynamics varies significantly with the separation distance between rational surfaces. In the small separation regime (

Δ
r
=
0.1

), no plasmoids are observed, regardless of plasma beta and resistivity. However, when the separation is relatively large (

Δ
r
=
0.2

or

Δ
r
=
0.3

), plasmoids exhibit highly complex behavior under different plasma beta and resistivity conditions. For the medium separation

Δ
r
=
0.2

, the resistivity threshold for the emergence of plasmoids is approximately

2.5
×

10

−
6

and is not affected by plasma beta. Conversely, when the separation increases to

Δ
r
=
0.3

, the resistivity threshold is significantly influenced by plasma beta. Under certain conditions, this threshold can reach as high as

1.0
×

10

−
5

, which is much higher than the typical value of around

10

−
7

. Furthermore, a preliminary case study shows that the tokamak plasma rotation shear has a significant impact on plasmoid dynamic.
Effects of moderate bandwidth on laser absorption and stimulated Raman sidescattering
Authors: Kang Ning , Zhao Yao , Lei Anle , Liu Huiya , Li Fujian , Xu Guoxiao , An Honghai , Xiong Jun , Wang Ruirong , Xie Zhiyong , Fang Zhiheng , Wang Wei , Ji Lailin , Zhou Shenlei , Hu Guangyue , Li Jiwei , Wang Lifeng , Gao Yanqi , Huang Xiuguang , Fu Sizu
Published: January 2025

We report experimental results regarding laser-plasma instabilities (LPI) developed by monochromatic and broadband green lasers with moderate bandwidths (0.2% and 0.6%) at intensities of 5–7 

×

10

14

 W cm−2 in the interest of inertial fusion energy. Angular-resolved distributions of scattered light were diagnosed, which demonstrated that the laser absorption rate is enhanced by increasing the laser bandwidth. This enhancement is primarily owing to the mitigation of stimulated Brillouin scattering. Meanwhile, the inherent temporal fluctuation of laser intensity caused by bandwidth results in more intense stimulated Raman scattering, particularly regarding the sidescattering. These findings indicate that the requirement of laser bandwidth used in inertial fusion energy should exceed the moderate level to achieve comprehensive mitigation of LPI.
Unraveling the link between agricultural patterns and dust storm occurrence in Mesopotamia
Authors: Hashemi Hossein , Abdi Abdulhakim M , Naghibi Amir , Zhao Pengxiang , Brogaard Sara , Haghighi Ali Torabi , Mansourian Ali
Published: January 2025

Dust storms have been an increasing concern in the Middle East. Severe drought events and human activities, particularly water and land management, have led to emerging dust sources in the last few decades. This study combines spatio-temporal maps of land susceptibility to dust storm incidence with agricultural land use change data to examine the link between farming patterns and dust storm generation in the Tigris and Euphrates Basin from 2000 to 2021. Farmland and bare ground trends depend heavily on water availability, affecting land susceptibility to dust storms. We observed a direct connection between cropping regimes and high land susceptibility to becoming a dust source. Our analysis found no significant correlation between low to intermediate dust storm source (DSS) susceptibility and bare ground trends. However, we found a positive correlation between highly susceptible land and areas where bare ground showed an increasing trend, including the lands that were abandoned for more than 50% of the study period. Among the farming patterns, i.e. single and double cropping, single cropping is more prone to DSS occurrence, underscoring the importance of year-round vegetation cover and effective water management. The disturbed lands, particularly those abandoned post-cropping, show higher susceptibility to DSS incidence. Between 2008 and 2012, dust sources and land susceptibility increased substantially, alongside a significant rise in bare ground, possibly due to severe drought. We highlight cases where changes in farming patterns and land abandonment contribute to the increased or decreased susceptibility of land to being a DSS, as well as consistent susceptibility in the cases where there is no land use change. Given the broad geographical scope of the study, this research underscores the need for further investigation, combining field measurements with remote sensing to obtain a more detailed picture of the link between farming patterns, land abandonment, and dust storms.
To share and not share a singlet: control qubit and nonclassicality in teleportation
Authors: Sen Kornikar , Ajith Adithi , Halder Saronath , Sen Ujjwal
Published: January 2025

The superposition principle provides us the opportunity to unfold many surprising facts. One such fact leads to the generation of entanglement which may allow one to teleport an unknown quantum state from one location to another. We try to understand the role of superposition in the process of quantum teleportation, as a question of potentially fundamental importance. We consider, within the scenario of quantum teleportation, a set-up where the sender and the receiver are in a superposed situation of using a maximally entangled state and not using any entangled state in the teleportation protocol, controlled by a qubit. We address two distinct protocols: in the first case, the sender and the receiver do nothing when they do not have the authority to use entanglement, while in the second case, they still use classical communication even if they do not use entanglement. After accomplishing the protocols, we operate a Hadamard gate on the control qubit, measure the control qubit’s state, and consider the outcome corresponding to a particular state of the control. We compare the protocol’s fidelity with the maximum fidelity achievable through classical resources only. In particular, we provide conditions to achieve nonclassical fidelity in teleportation, in the presence of the control qubit. To explore if there is any quantum advantage (advantage of superposition present in the control qubit), we compare the fidelities of the control qubit-based protocols with the fidelity achieved in a situation where the two parties are in a classical mixture of using and not using the maximally entangled state. We observe that there exists a wide range of parameters defining the initial state of the control qubit for which our protocols provide quantum advantage. To analyse the role of superposition quantitatively, we discuss whether the amount of quantum advantage can be expressed in terms of quantum coherence present in the state of the control qubit.
Molecular beam epitaxial step-edge growth of integrated hetero-structures: Bi2Te3/multi-stepped Sb2Te3 nanoplate
Authors: Kim Yoonkang , Lee Sangmin , Lee Eunsu , Kim Seongbeom , Suh Wonwoo , Kim Imhwan , Jeon Junyeop , Kim Miyoung , Yi Gyu-Chul
Published: January 2025

We report the synthesis of multiple Bi2Te3 shells on multi-stepped Sb2Te3 nanoplates using molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) step-edge growth. For the growth of Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 hetero-structures, multi-stepped Sb2Te3 nanoplates with stair-like morphology following layer-by-layer growth mode were obtained by optimizing the growth temperature, and the growth of Bi2Te3 on the step-edges of the Sb2Te3 nanoplates was followed. Width of Bi2Te3 on the Sb2Te3 nanoplates was controlled by changing the growth time. Structural properties of the hetero-structures were investigated using aberration-corrected (Cs-corrected) high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, revealing the interface between Sb2Te3 and Bi2Te3. In-plane epitaxial relation at the interface was confirmed using fast Fourier transforms. Compositional analysis of Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3 was verified through energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Furthermore, we performed density functional theory calculations to confirm the preferential growth of Bi2Te3 on the step-edges of Sb2Te3. By forming multi-stepped core structure, it would be feasible to create various integrated hetero-structures.
Europe must double its science budget, says report
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: January 2025

The European Union should more than double its budget for research and innovation in its next spending round, dubbed Framework Programme 10 (FP10).
Fusion warning
Authors: Wooldridge Tony , Druce Stephen
Published: January 2025

A response to “Fusion’s burning challenge” (November 2024), in which Guy Matthews argued that a focus on public relations is masking the challenges of commercializing nuclear fusion.
Machine learning step by step
Authors: Hodgson Matt
Published: January 2025

Matt Hodgson reviews Why Machines Learn: the Elegant Maths Behind Modern AI by Anil Ananthaswamy.
Gravity falls down on falling down
Authors: Gardner Kate , Durrani Matin
Published: January 2025

Kate Gardner reviews The Beauty of Falling: a Life in Pursuit of Gravity by Claudia de Rham, and Matin Durrani asks the author a few questions about her new book.
Effects of permafrost stability changes on vegetation dynamics in the middle part of the Greater Khingan Mountains
Authors: Sun Jiaman , Shan Wei , Zhang Chengcheng
Published: January 2025

Permafrost in the middle section of the Greater Khingan Mountains is highly sensitive to climate change; however, the specific mechanisms by which its degradation affects vegetation dynamics remain unclear. This study utilized vegetation and climate data, along with 30-meter high-resolution frozen soil distribution data from 2003 to 2021, to investigate the impact of changes in frozen soil stability on vegetation dynamics and phenology. Analysis of satellite observations reveals significant changes in the spatiotemporal distribution of permafrost in the area, with the stability of permafrost in low-altitude regions being particularly affected. The area of stable and extremely stable permafrost has significantly decreased, while the area of transitional or unstable permafrost has increased annually, indicating a negative correlation between climate warming and frozen soil stability. The study also identified an overall greening trend in the region, with the proportions of increased normalized vegetation index (Gr-NDVI), advanced start of the growing season (SOS), and delayed end of the growing season (EOS) being 93.84%, 75.12%, and 68.83%, respectively. Ridge regression and partial correlation analyses indicated that frozen soil status, precipitation, and evapotranspiration are the primary factors influencing vegetation dynamics, accounting for 32.90%, 30.45%, and 27.15%, respectively. High-altitude areas are mainly influenced by permafrost stability and precipitation, while mid- and low-altitude areas are predominantly affected by evapotranspiration and precipitation. Vegetation dynamics exhibited spatial heterogeneity; some low-altitude areas maintained high growth vitality despite a shortened growing season, whereas Gr-NDVI decreased in other regions. These research findings underscore the critical role of changes in permafrost stability in shaping vegetation dynamics, which has significant implications for the carbon budget and ecological stability in the context of future climate warming.
Resilience of Sundarban mangroves in South Asia to weather extremes and anthropogenic water pollution
Authors: Chauhan Tejasvi A , Bhadury Punyasloke , Rodda Suraj Reddy , Thumaty Kiran Chand , Jha Chandra Shekhar , Ghosh Subimal
Published: January 2025

Sundarbans in coastal South Asia, the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world, face an intensifying compound stress of climate extremes and anthropogenically influenced water pollution. However, our knowledge about the responses of mangroves to these perturbations and their recovery mechanism is largely limited. We address this research gap by delineating causal networks between in situ observations of soil-water chemistry, carbon fluxes, and hydro-meteorological variables from Sundarbans mangroves. Our results show that mangroves recover from physiological stresses caused by weather extremes quickly, within one to two weeks, and maintain stable productivity despite steeply declining nutrient composition due to human-induced water pollution. We demonstrate that mangroves maintain this stable productivity by increasing link strength and memory with the hydro-meteorological variables of the region. Our findings highlight the resilience of Sundarbans mangroves in South Asia to natural and anthropogenic perturbations and the importance of estimating thresholds of their critical transitions.
Biomechanical perspectives on traumatic brain injury in the elderly: a comprehensive review
Authors: Abdi Hamed , Sanchez-Molina David , Garcia-Vilana Silvia , Rahimi-Movaghar Vafa
Published: January 2025

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) pose a significant health concern among the elderly population, influenced by age-related physiological changes and the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the biomechanical dimensions of TBIs in this demographic is vital for developing effective preventive strategies and optimizing clinical management. This comprehensive review explores the intricate biomechanics of TBIs in the elderly, integrating medical and aging studies, experimental biomechanics of head tissues, and numerical simulations. Research reveals that global brain atrophy in normal aging occurs at annual rates of −0.2% to −0.5%. In contrast, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis are associated with significantly higher rates of brain atrophy. These variations in atrophy rates underscore the importance of considering differing brain atrophy patterns when evaluating TBIs among the elderly. Experimental studies further demonstrate that age-related changes in the mechanical properties of critical head tissues increase vulnerability to head injuries. Numerical simulations provide insights into the biomechanical response of the aging brain to traumatic events, aiding in injury prediction and preventive strategy development tailored to the elderly. Biomechanical analysis is essential for understanding injury mechanisms and forms the basis for developing effective preventive strategies. By incorporating local atrophy and age-specific impact characteristics into biomechanical models, researchers can create targeted interventions to reduce the risk of head injuries in vulnerable populations. Future research should focus on refining these models and integrating clinical data to better predict outcomes and enhance preventive care. Advancements in this field promise to improve health outcomes and reduce injury risks for the aging population.
Bevel angle effect on the supersonic jet structure of Mach 1.6
Authors: D Mugundhan , Karthigayan Padmashri , Mahadevan Shankar , K Manikandan , Das Rajarshi
Published: January 2025

Suppression of supersonic jet noise can be achieved by geometrical modifications of nozzles which alters the shock structure of the core jet from the nozzle. The paper aims to study the supersonic jet structure of a beveled nozzle exit. Computational and experimental analysis compares the core jet structure of bevel nozzles with 45° and 70° angles with the core jet of base nozzle of design Mach number 1.6 and design Nozzle Pressure Ratio (NPR) of 4.25. The simulation is done in the ANSYS platform adopting Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes coupled with Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model to capture the shock structures and shear layer. The experiment is conducted using a Supersonic Free Jet Facility and Schlieren flow visualization method. Both analyses are done for a range of expansions from over-expansion to under-expansion by varying the NPRs from 2.25 to 6.25 with an interval of 1 bar. Various parameters like core jet length, first shock cell length, jet deflection angle, and shear layer thickness of the jet from bevel nozzles were compared with the base nozzle jet. The results show that bevel nozzles produce shorter core jet lengths with bevel 70° recording the shortest core jet length. The study infers the bevel nozzles have enhanced mixing characteristics with atmospheric air and reduced shock strength.
Image recognition and intelligent space allocation strategy optimization in interior architectural design
Authors: Hu Yi , Li Rongyao , Liu Zhao , Li Haifei
Published: January 2025

In current interior architectural design, the application of image recognition technology is not sufficient, and the optimization of intelligent space allocation strategy faces many challenges, such as poor realizability of design scheme, low space utilization efficiency, and low matching degree of users’ actual needs, which need to be solved urgently. Image recognition technology achieves target positioning and feature recognition by labeling pixels in images, providing accurate data support for spatial design. Deep learning-based image recognition models excel in optimizing spatial layouts. In processing 896.47 functional units, the model achieves an accuracy improvement of 368.41%, and spatial allocation efficiency is enhanced by 42.58%. The optimized system shows a substantial performance boost when analyzing 50.78% of spatial samples. After fine-tuning, the algorithm’s processing efficiency increases to 62.3%, with the running time per model reduced to 0.75 s, and recognition accuracy rising to 0.32. These results highlight the model’s effectiveness in spatial layout optimization. Further investigation explores deep learning-driven image recognition techniques, particularly the SqueezeNet model, a compact convolutional neural network that reduces computational load while maintaining high accuracy. Additionally, cluster and similarity analysis lay the groundwork for classifying spatial forms, leading to more systematic and rational space distribution. In optimizing spatial design, the parametric allocation model achieves efficient space utilization through incremental expansion and lattice-based optimization.
Introduction
Authors: Klein Alexander Mugar
Published: January 2025

This chapter provides a synoptic overview of James’s accounts of consciousness and action, laying out the guiding questions these accounts were designed to address. The chapter also summarizes and motivates the overall project of Consciousness Is Motor. Klein contends that James conceived of consciousness as a Darwinian adaptation for behavior regulation, a function it purportedly accomplishes by enabling the valuation of objects and actions. James’s ideo-motor theory of action provides a functional model for how a valuating consciousness accomplishes this behavior regulation, on Klein’s reading. Klein likens James’s unique method of blending first- and third-person data to the weaving of warp and weft threads into a tapestry. Generations of readers have been so seduced by James’s colorful weft—his introspective description—that they have failed to understand the way third-person data drawn from animal experimentation and clinical observation structure the overall fabric. The chapter also offers preliminary reflections on terminology often used to characterize experience, today, including “phenomenal consciousness” and “qualia.” The former term fits James’s work only awkwardly, while the latter is a term James himself pioneered.
Biographical & Historical Preliminaries
Authors: Klein Alexander Mugar
Published: January 2025

How did William James understand the philosophic and scientific character of his work on mind? This chapter opens with an examination of his vision of a new psychology that would blend philosophy with experimental physiology. Klein pays special attention to the educational and institutional context in which James championed that vision. Section 3 offers an overview of James’s training and early research in experimental physiology. There is a long and misleading tradition of interpreting James as a leading figure in “introspectionist” psychology, a supposed nineteenth-century school that allegedly employed introspection as the sole or most important investigative tool in mental science. There are stronger and weaker versions of this caricature of James, which are introduced in section 4. A strong version portrays Jamesean psychology as aiming at sound introspective description almost exclusively. A weaker version holds that Jamesean psychology aimed to “explain” introspectively-described states, sometimes by appealing to underlying physiological causes. Klein shows that what weak caricaturists have in mind do not match James’s actual views on scientific explanation. In section 5, Klein attacks the idea that there was a larger introspectionist school covering contemporaneous figures like Wilhelm Wundt. In sections 6 and 7, Klein presents and attacks the usual textual sources that are supposed to underwrite the introspectionist caricature of James, in both strong and weak flavors.
Pflüger & Lewes
Authors: Klein Alexander Mugar
Published: January 2025

This chapter examines experimental work by Eduard Pflüger, G. H. Lewes, and others that sought to establish sentience and volition in spinal frogs. It situates their work as part of a broader and older dispute tracing back to Descartes over the limits of purely mechanistic (roughly: physio-chemical) explanation in physiology. The chapter outlines Lewes’s vitalist emergentism, which he advanced as a naturalistic alternative to neo-Cartesian mechanisms. Lewes’s experimental work on spinal vertebrates is shown to lend support to this vitalist program. The chapter also offers an initial sketch of the “measurement problem,” which these nineteenth-century experimentalists faced in their work on nonhuman animal consciousness. Many of their experiments relied on third-person accessible, behavioral criteria for determining whether a creature in a given condition is or is not conscious. The measurement problem concerns the inherent difficulty of providing any rational grounds for such criteria. Lewes had a clever argument for overcoming the problem, but the argument is open to fundamental objections.
Measuring Intersectional Solidarity
Authors: Crowder Chaya Y
Published: January 2025

Chapter 2 fully outlines the development of the intersectional solidarity index. This begins by discussing previous efforts to measure group consciousness and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. In particular, the chapter highlights the way in which previous measures of group consciousness have focused primarily on a single axis of identity like race or class, therefore failing to address the ways in which one’s racial consciousness may influence their gender consciousness and vice versa. Next, the chapter discusses the formation of the intersectional solidarity index, an original measure that draws from measures in social psychology. The chapter ends by discussing the potential origins of intersectional solidarity.
Conclusion
Authors: Crowder Chaya Y
Published: January 2025

The book concludes by discussing the contribution of this project to our understanding of the complex role that attention to marginalization at the intersection of race, gender, and sexuality plays in American politics and public opinion. The book ends by offering the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University as an opportunity to imagine the possibilities for intersectional politics. Intersectional solidarity provides us with the tools to develop an understanding of types of people that care about disadvantaged subgroups. In turn, intersectional solidarity informs our expectations with regard to how people come to support policies that affect Black women.
Seize the City, Undo the State
Authors: Kudelia Serhiy
Published: January 2025

This book is the first micro-level study of the armed conflict in Donbas, a region in eastern Ukraine, based on over one hundred interviews with participants and observers. Focusing on the first six months of the conflict, it compares its dynamics in seventeen towns in Donetsk and Luhansk provinces as well as in Kharkiv and Odesa. In its explanation of the start of the conflict, the book bridges the divide between competing accounts which privilege either external or internal drivers. Instead, it shows that the Russian intervention gave an impetus for the war, but local actors created favorable conditions for its success and enabled Russian agents to organize the region’s secession from Ukraine. The book also demonstrates that the region’s residents were far from united in their embrace of the secessionist agenda. In fact, coordinated efforts of civic activists and local elites in some towns prevented their seizure by separatist forces and proved decisive in suppressing separatist challenges in Kharkiv and Odesa. Ultimately, the book argues that successful consolidation of separatist control over individual towns depended on the extent of insurgent coercive capacity, ability to influence town administration, and availability of allies among local elites, law enforcement, and political activists.
Conclusion
Authors: Kudelia Serhiy
Published: January 2025

The conclusion reviews the main factors that triggered the conflict outbreak and enabled its escalation. While Russia’s intervention through multiple armed agents played a decisive role in launching the separatist takeover of Donbas, other factors helped to bolster this sudden challenge to the central government in Kyiv. They included popular support for a greater autonomy of Donbas, reinforcement of militant coercive capacity through local recruitment, the use of the region’s high urbanization density to exert coercive pressure across towns and cooperative response of municipal elites in legitimizing and maintaining separatist rule. The chapter concludes by explaining how the experience of the conflict’s inception in 2014 might have contributed to Russia’s miscalculations when launching a full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022.
Introduction
Authors: Lal Vinay
Published: January 2025

A massive industry of scholarship and commentary has developed around the life, thought, and work of Mohandas Gandhi. Yet, as this introduction to the volume argues, we are far from exhausting our understanding of Gandhi, and indeed there are many enigmas that come to the fore when we put him under scrutiny. He could be authoritarian and yet he was a radical democrat in many ways; he was a devout Hindu but was viewed by Christians as a better Christian than any they had ever known; he was entirely ecumenical in his conception of his religion and yet not sympathetic to conversion; and he was astute in his understanding of politics and yet he entirely disavowed political rationality and normal politics. One could go on in this vein, almost ad infinitum. This introduction suggests that we should forgo attempts to make him ‘relevant’, and that it is not ethically or intellectually productive to view him through the lens of ‘diversity’. Rather, it is argued, using the terms associated with the philosopher of religion James Carse, that Gandhi was a player of infinite rather than finite games, and the introduction invites the reader to consider Gandhi’s life as a vision of play and possibility.
Along the Way to Gandhi’s Neighbour
Authors: Skaria Ajay
Published: January 2025

One of the key words in Gandhi’s vocabulary is swadeshi. Opposing the nationalist reading of the term, where swadeshi is exclusively economic in dimension with a focus primarily on consuming goods from one’s own country, he tries to make it a more broadly ethical practical practice of neighbourliness. Such neighbourliness, this chapter suggests, involves a certain political friendship. Neighbourliness as political friendship is quite different from intimate friendship: one does not choose one’s neighbours; one’s neighbours are those with whom one finds oneself in relations, and with whom there might often be intense disagreements. The chapter explores the tensions of neighbourliness as political friendship.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being Mahatma
Authors: Ramaswamy Sumathi
Published: January 2025

This chapter addresses the question: Is it possible to lead an engaged social and political life in our times and yet yearn to be immaterial and to pass on without a trace? It does so by considering the career and aspirations of Mohandas K. Gandhi (a.k.a. ‘the Mahatma’) but from the largely understudied perspective of the material lifeworld with which he was entangled. Using a material culture approach, I explore the heavy burden of being Mahatma by detailing the paradoxical accumulation of stuff around Gandhi, a man who committed himself to dispossessing himself of all but what he deemed necessary, following his stated principle of possessing non-possession (aparigraha). His paltry possessions in turn get overburdened as they come to serve as material proxies for his corporeal presence, especially in the aftermath of his death, in artworks and memorializing activities.
Political Careers and Prime-Ministerial Performance
Authors: Grotz Florian , Berz Jan , Kroeber Corinna , Kukec Marko
Published: January 2025

This chapter explores how the political experience of prime ministers (PMs) in post-communist Central and Eastern Europe affects their performance in office. It argues that previous political positions help PMs to develop individual assets and enable them to perform more successfully as heads of government. The analyses reveal that previous party leadership experience is the strongest predictor of successful performance as a PM. PMs who were previously party leaders have a particular capacity to secure the support of their own party, to settle cabinet conflicts, and to shape government policies. Lastly, the chapter shows that PMs’ previous participation in communist parliaments and executives also has positive effects on their performance, in particular their ability to shape government policies.
How alcohol label design influences attention among young adults: evidence from an eye-tracking study
Authors: Lacoste-Badie Sophie , Droulers Olivier
Published: January 2025

Aims

Exposure to alcohol marketing is associated with higher alcohol consumption. In recent years, a growing number of modern labels have appeared on alcohol bottles. Unlike traditional labels that typically convey factual details about a product, such as product type, quality, origin, and brewery creation date, modern labels are designed to create an imaginary, often quirky universe that is disconnected from the product itself. These new labels are used by alcohol manufacturers to increasingly appeal to the younger generation, acknowledged to exhibit heightened sensitivity to alcohol marketing. We sought to explore the influence of the design of modern alcohol labels on attention and choice among young adults.

Methods

The data were collected from a within-subjects experiment using realistic stimuli, with participants exposed to two label design conditions (modern vs. traditional). The study combined an eye-tracking method with declarative measures.

Results

The participants made more fixations and revisits and looked more quickly at the modern labels and for longer compared to traditional labels. In addition, beer bottles with modern labels were selected more often than those with traditional labels.

Conclusion

As the study demonstrates the strong influence of alcohol labeling design on young consumers’ attention and product choices, we believe that there is a need to introduce more stringent regulations on alcohol packaging and labeling, an aspect that has thus far received little attention from public authorities.
Introducing Orbyts
Authors: Mooney Michaela , Sandhu Jasmine Kaur , Dunn William , Mason Vicky , Thompson Alex ,   Orbyts Leadership Team, Lao Christian
Published: January 2025

Meet Orbyts: a multi-award winning movement that actively reduces barriers faced by students to STEM engagement
Typical yellow urticaria with uncommon cause
Authors: Gao Hong-Kai , Wang Lin , Tan Cheng
Published: January 2025

A 54-year-old man presented with an acute pruritic eruption lasting 5 h. Physical examination revealed scleral icterus and wheals with a yellowish hue. One week prior, the patient had started bismuth-based quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. Serum tests revealed bilirubin and aminotransferase levels increased. He was diagnosed with yellow urticaria associated with drug-induced hyperbilirubinaemia.
Bridging peripheral and central inflammation with TSPO-PET: insights into depression and beyond
Authors: Wimberley Catriona , Thompson Gerard
Published: January 2025

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Extra-axial inflammatory signal and its relationship to peripheral and central immunity in depression’ by Eiff et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae343).
The FGF14 GAA repeat expansion is a major cause of ataxia in the Cypriot population
Authors: Livanos Ioannis , Votsi Christina , Michailidou Kyriaki , Pellerin David , Brais Bernard , Zuchner Stephan , Pantzaris Marios , Kleopa Kleopas A , Zamba Papanicolaou Eleni , Christodoulou Kyproula
Published: January 2025

Dominantly inherited intronic GAA repeat expansions in the fibroblast growth factor 14 gene have recently been shown to cause spinocerebellar ataxia 27B. Currently, the pathogenic threshold of (GAA)≥300 repeat units is considered highly penetrant, while (GAA)250–299 is likely pathogenic with reduced penetrance. This study investigated the frequency of the GAA repeat expansion and the phenotypic profile in a Cypriot cohort with unresolved late-onset cerebellar ataxia. We analysed this trinucleotide repeat in 155 patients with late-onset cerebellar ataxia and 227 non-neurological disease controls. The repeat locus was examined by long-range PCR followed by fragment analysis using capillary electrophoresis, agarose gel electrophoresis and automated electrophoresis. A comprehensive comparison of all three electrophoresis techniques was conducted. Additionally, bidirectional repeat-primed PCRs and Sanger sequencing were carried out to confirm the absence of any interruptions or non-GAA motifs in the expanded alleles. The (GAA)≥250 repeat expansion was present in 12 (7.7%) patients. The average age at disease onset was 60 ± 13.5 years. The earliest age of onset was observed in a patient with a (GAA)287 repeat expansion, with ataxia symptoms appearing at 25 years of age. All patients with spinocerebellar ataxia 27B displayed symptoms of gait and appendicular ataxia. Nystagmus was observed in 41.7% of the patients, while 58.3% exhibited dysarthria. Our findings indicate that spinocerebellar ataxia 27B represents the predominant aetiology of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia in the Cypriot population, as this is the first dominant repeat expansion ataxia type detected in this population. Given our results and existing research, we propose including fibroblast growth factor 14 GAA repeat expansion testing as a first-tier genetic diagnostic approach for patients with late-onset cerebellar ataxia.
Identify biological Alzheimer’s disease using a novel nucleic acid–linked protein immunoassay
Authors: Wang Yi-Ting , Ashton Nicholas J , Therriault Joseph , Benedet Andréa L , Macedo Arthur C , Pola Ilaria , Aumont Etienne , Di Molfetta Guglielmo , Fernandez-Arias Jaime , Tan Kubra , Rahmouni Nesrine , Servaes Stijn Johannes G , Isaacson Richard , Chan Tevy , Hosseini Seyyed Ali , Tissot Cécile , Mathotaarachchi Sulantha , Stevenson Jenna , Lussier Firoza Z , Pascoal Tharick A , Gauthier Serge , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Rosa-Neto Pedro
Published: January 2025

Blood-based biomarkers have been revolutionizing the detection, diagnosis and screening of Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, phosphorylated-tau variants (p-tau181, p-tau217 and p-tau231) are promising biomarkers for identifying Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Antibody-based assays such as single molecule arrays immunoassays are powerful tools to investigate pathological changes indicated by blood-based biomarkers and have been studied extensively in the Alzheimer’s disease research field. A novel proteomic technology—NUcleic acid Linked Immuno-Sandwich Assay (NULISA)—was developed to improve the sensitivity of traditional proximity ligation assays and offer a comprehensive outlook for 120 protein biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases. Due to the relative novelty of the NULISA technology in quantifying Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, validation through comparisons with more established methods is required. The main objective of the current study was to determine the capability of p-tau variants quantified using NULISA for identifying abnormal amyloid-β and tau pathology. We assessed 397 participants [mean (standard deviation) age, 64.8 (15.7) years; 244 females (61.5%) and 153 males (38.5%)] from the Translational Biomarkers in Aging and Dementia (TRIAD) cohort where participants had plasma measurements of p-tau181, p-tau217 and p-tau231 from NULISA and single molecule arrays immunoassays. Participants also underwent neuroimaging assessments, including structural MRI, amyloid-PET and tau-PET. Our findings suggest an excellent agreement between plasma p-tau variants quantified using NULISA and single molecule arrays immunoassays. Plasma p-tau217 measured with NULISA shows excellent discriminative accuracy for abnormal amyloid-PET (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.918, 95% confidence interval = 0.883 to 0.953, P < 0.0001) and tau-PET (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.939; 95% confidence interval = 0.909 to 0.969, P < 0.0001). It also presents the capability for differentiating tau-PET staging. Validation of the NULISA-measured plasma biomarkers adds to the current analytical methods for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, screening and staging and could potentially expedite the development of a blood-based biomarker panel.