bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Polymer Supported Phthalocyanine Nanosensors and Analytical Application
Authors: Misir Murat , Bilgin Ahmet , Doyduk Doğukan , Demir Ersin
Published: February 2025

In this study, a novel PCL-based polymer (6) containing A3B-type zinc phthalocyanine was synthesized as a result of the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL), in which A3B-type zinc phthalocyanine (5) prepared by condensation method of two different phthalonitrile precursor molecules, 4-(3-hydroxypropylmercapto)phthalonitrile (3) and 4-tert-butylphthalonitrile (4), in 3:1 molar ratios used as the initiator. (6) was synthesized in three stages; the synthesis of 4-(3-hydroxypropylmercapto)phthalonitrile (3) (i), novel A3B-type zinc phthalocyanine (ii), PCL-based polymer (6) containing A3B-type zinc phthalocyanine (iii). The novel compounds (5) and (6) were characterized by spectroscopic (FTIR, 1H NMR. 13C NMR and UV-vis), DSC and chromatographic (GPC) methods. After that, a new generation hybrid material (PcY-MWCNTP and PcX-MWCNTP) was developed by treating bare Pc (PcX) and polymer-based Pc (PcY) with carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled nanocarbon tube powders (COOH-MWCNTPs). This new nanomaterial was also coated on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface using the drip-dry technique. The sensitivities of the developed both nanosensor in the determination of rifaximin were investigated at first time. Compared to the other electrode, PcX-MWCNTP/GCE significantly increased the anodic signal of rifaximin (approximately 5-fold) and shifted the peak potential to the less positive region. A wide working range from 0.25 mg/L to 10.0 mg/L was obtained, and the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as 48 µg/L by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Finally, the electrochemical method was successfully applied analytically in natural samples to test its accuracy and precision by using PcX-MWCNTP/GCE.
Intracoronary cytoprotective gene therapy in a dog with dilated cardiomyopathy: long term follow up
Authors: Paradies Paola , Carlucci Lucia , Digiaro Serena , Recchia Alessandra , Colella Antonella , Woitek Felix , Lacitignola Luca , Staffieri Francesco , Giacca Mauro , Recchia Fabio Anastasio
Published: February 2025

In large breed dogs, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the main cause of congestive heart failure (CHF) and sudden cardiac death. The underlying etiology of DCM is usually not definitively identified; however, in predisposed breeds a hereditary etiology is often suspected. Other etiologies, such as toxins and infections, have also been documented or suspected to cause DCM in dogs. Conventional drug treatment cannot reverse disease progression but can only control the signs of heart failure as they occur. Cytoprotective gene therapy with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-B167 (VEGF-B167) has been shown to be an effective alternative therapy that can halt disease progression in preclinical experimental studies in dogs. This study reports the long-term clinical and echocardiographic follow-up of a 6-year-old St. Bernard dog with DCM treated with intracoronary administration of VEGF-B167 gene delivered by adeno-associated viral vectors (AAV- VEGF-B167). Monitoring was performed at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months post-procedure (T0-T8) including clinical, laboratory and instrumental examinations. The dog reached T8 in good clinical condition. Comparing echocardiographic parameters from T0 to T8, ejection fraction (EF%) did not worsen, indeed showing potential improvement (30% to 38% from T0 to T8 respectively) (Simpson method). Other parameters of disease progression varied minimally over the course of the study. From T0 to T8, no relevant change in medical therapy was necessary. The dog survived 341 days from the last follow-up and died of sudden death 1436 days after the procedure (T0). A survival time of 4 years in good health is an excellent outcome suggesting a possible protective role of VEFG-B167 in slowing disease progression in this dog.
‘I can see that it’s bad for them’: third party judgements about the effect of procedural injustice on mental health and relationships with the police
Authors: Kyprianides Arabella , Bradford Ben
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Explore why people react so strongly to procedural injustice experienced by others. One possibility is that people recognise the marginalisation and psychological harm that injustice can cause.

Methods

An online experiment tested whether exposure to procedurally unjust police behaviour directed at crime victims would influence participants’ assessments of the subject’s marginalisation, mental health outcomes, and their overall perceptions of the police (N = 300).

Results

Exposure to procedurally unjust police behaviour led to more negative evaluations of its psychological impact on the victim. Procedural injustice was seen as harmful to mental health due to its link to social exclusion. Such exposure reduced trust, legitimacy, and identification with police. These negative perceptions were driven by recognition of the victim’s psychological harm.

Conclusion

Findings highlight the critical role of psychological harm in driving public responses to unjust policing. Addressing this harm is essential for fostering trust and repairing fractured relationships between police and the communities they serve.
Ignored or underestimated - evaluation and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Wasmuth Anja , van de Loo Iris , Domberg Julia , Harbeck Birgit
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) are known to have a higher cardiovascular risk (CVR) than the normal population. In particular arteriosclerosis, coronary heart disease, arterial hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia as well as metabolic disturbances contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality. Aim of this study was to evaluate known CVR factors along with the quality of care by the treating physicians.

Methods

To this end the medical records of AI patients were screened for CVR factors and the treatment initiated was documented. In addition, a questionnaire evaluating CVR factors was analyzed if available.

Results

In total, 327 AI patients were included in the study. At least 298 of these patients were found to have one or more CVR factors. Ninety-one patients were diagnosed with arterial hypertension, of these 40 patients (44%) still showed increased blood pressure (BP) values. Of all AI patients, about 25% (n = 83) did not have measurements to calculate their BMI, even though obesity is known as a major risk factor for cardiovascular events. Out of 46 patients with diabetes, one-quarter still had increased HbA1c values. Regarding hyperlipoproteinemia, only 2% of AI patients achieved normal lipid values across all parameters (n = 8). Interestingly, at least one lipid variable was untested in 150 patients (46%).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates (1) the high rate of CVR factors in AI patients, leading to increased morbidity and eventually mortality, (2) AI patients are inadequately monitored and treated for CVR factors, (3) treating physicians should be aware of this risk to minimize complications where possible.
Further disintegration of Piptocarphinae, an amplified concept of Critoniopsis and notes on the occurrence of paleae in Piptocarpha (Compositae: Vernonieae)
Authors: Aguilar-Cano José , Siniscalchi Carolina M. , Lucas Eve , Malakasi Panagiota , Loeuille Benoît
Published: February 2025

The circumscription of the tribe Vernonieae (Compositae) has been problematic due to the reorganisation of the polyphyletic genus Vernonia and the creation of many small genera. Recent phylogenetic studies have focused on the relationships within Vernonieae but few studies have explored the generic relationships within subtribe Piptocarphinae. Of note, some diagnostic features of Piptocarphinae are not unique to the subtribe and are found in other Vernonieae genera. In this study, we explored the phylogenetic relationships in Piptocarphinae, the genus boundaries in this subtribe and tested the infrageneric affinities of the paleate species, using previously published and newly generated nuclear ITS sequences for 65% of the genera of American Vernonieae. Results agree with previous phylogenetic studies, where nearly all subtribes are seemingly paraphyletic or polyphyletic. Piptocarphinae emerges as polyphyletic and should be reduced to contain only the monophyletic Piptocarpha, whereas Critoniopsis is monophyletic only if Cuatrecasanthus is included. We propose placing Cuatrecasanthus and Joseanthus in synonymy of Critoniopsis, resulting in eight new combinations: C. chimborazensis, C. giannasii, C. flexipappa, C. kingii, C. lanceolatus, C. sandemanii, C. sparrei and C. trichotoma and a new name, C. boekei. Piptocoma also resolves as non-monophyletic but no taxonomic recommendations are made, as few species have been sampled in phylogenies so far. We present a new combination in the genus Piptocarpha, P. glomerulata. The presence of paleae likely emerged independently at least three times in American Vernonieae. Paleate receptacles are present in three different series in Piptocarpha subg. Piptocarpha, which indicates that paleae have likely arisen twice in the evolution of Piptocarpha. Finally, a brief discussion about the adaptive function of paleae and pappus is provided.
A Novel Framework for Evaluating the Intrinsic Mechanical Properties of Sheet Metals Using Two-dimensional Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Kim Jaehun , Gu Gang Hee , Kwon Jihye , Seo Min Hong , Kim Hyoung Seop
Published: February 2025

In this study, we propose a novel method for deriving an extensive true stress-strain curve from uniaxial tensile tests by applying a two-dimensional digital image correlation (DIC) technique. The gauge section of the specimen deforms uniformly within the uniform elongation regime, but in the post-necking non-uniform elongation regime, stress and strain become localized exclusively within the necked section due to plastic instability. Based on the volume constancy condition of plastic deformation, the transverse, axial, and thickness strain components are estimated, enabling the visualization of the evolving cross-sectional area. True stress and true strain over a wide strain range are evaluated by developing a method that encompasses the stress and strain concentrated in the necked section. As a result, the true stress-strain curve over the wide strain range accurately describes the nonlinear hardening behavior over higher strain levels compared to the conventional gauge length method. The accuracy of the proposed approach is validated using finite element method (FEM) simulation. This method offers a straightforward and precise means of obtaining wide range true stress-strain curves through uniaxial tensile tests and two-dimensional DIC equipment, without requiring separate FEM simulations, correction factors, or constitutive equations.

Graphical Abstract
Ferrofluid reaction wheel development and in-orbit verification
Authors: Ehresmann Manfred , Zajonz Sebastian , Korn Christian , Großmann Steffen , Dietrich Janoah , Kob Maximilian , Philipp Daniel , Turco Fabrizio , Steinert Michael , O’Donohue Michael , Heinz Nicolas , Gutierrez Elizabeth , Wagner Alexander , Bölke Daniel , Sütterlin Saskia , Schneider Maximilian , Remane Yolantha , Kreul Phil , Wank Bianca , Buchfink Manuel , Acker Denis , Hofmann Sonja , Karahan Bahar , Ruffner Silas , Schäfer Felix , Herdrich Georg
Published: February 2025

In contemporary satellite systems, the Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) manages internal torque generation primarily through Reaction Wheels (RW) and Control Moment Gyros (CMG), which use mechanically mounted rotating disks to control orientation without expelling mass. Unlike magnetorquers, which interact with Earth’s magnetic field, or thruster-based Reaction Control Systems (RCS), which generate external forces by expelling propellant, RW and CMG systems rely solely on momentum exchange within the spacecraft. While state-of-the-art RWs are highly reliable and have demonstrated exceptional performance over decades of operation, their design still presents inherent challenges, such as wear, nonlinear friction effects, and tribological degradation of contact surfaces. These challenges are critical in space, where repairs are impractical and/or resource-intense. Consequently, engineers have devoted significant effort to developing robust and reliable mechanical reaction wheels. This paper explores an innovative proof-of-concept design based on a fluid-magnetic system utilizing ferrofluids and permanent magnets. This study aims to address limitations of traditional RWs by eliminating mechanical interfaces susceptible to wear and tear and replacing them with a low friction ferrofluidic bearing. Ferrofluid-based system concepts can offer a longer life due to reduced wear and tear, lower production costs by requiring less exotic materials and tolerances, self-center within the provided magnetic potential field and can therefore exhibit reduced vibration behavior. The Ferrowheel experiment, flown as part of the FARGO mission (Überflieger 2 competition of the space agency within DLR) in March and April 2023, demonstrated the feasibility of ferrofluidic bearings for attitude control in ISS microgravity. These results contribute to exploration of innovative reaction wheel technologies, highlighting the potential of fluid-based systems for applications requiring enhanced robustness and reduced mechanical wear.
Improving winter wheat yield and quality by wheat-legume intercropping in organic farming sytems
Authors: Hoang Trong Nghia , Konvalina Petr , Murindangabo Yves Theoneste , Capouchová Ivana , Dvořák Petr , Tran Dang Hoa
Published: February 2025

Intercropping, a traditional agricultural practice that maximizes crop yield and resource usage effectiveness. However, changes in the types of legumes and field management can alter the response of crop functions. A three-year experiment was conducted in Prague and České Budějovice to test the influence of legume species and legume management practices in winter wheat-legume intercropping on grain yield and quality of wheat in organic farming. Intercropping of wheat and legume species did not influence wheat grain yield, but the technological quality of wheat improved. Wheat + spring pea (W + Sp) responds the best to the grain yield and baking quality among intercropping systems, followed by wheat + faba bean (W + Fa) for grain yield and wheat + winter pea (W + Wi) for baking quality. Higher protein content in W + Sp and W + Wi intercropping compared to sole wheat by 5 and 5.4%. Wet gluten was higher in W + Wi than in wheat sown alone by 11%. There was no significant difference in volume weight, falling number, and Zeleny sedimentation under the effect of wheat and different legume species intercropping. Mixed intercropping was recorded better than row intercropping in our condition, considering both wheat grain yield and baking quality respect. To conclude, achieving wheat yield and grain quality under the impact of winter wheat and legume intercropping requires considering the optimal solution based on legume species and different conditions to achieve the desired response.
Reducing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in a Pediatric CICU: A Review
Authors: Milam Anna , Ballard Lauren , Beck Guy , Bischoff Denielle , Bruns Katie , Ozolins Amanda , Cooper David S. , Craven Jennifer N. , Glenn Amanda , Gist Katja M.
Published: February 2025

Purpose of Review

Hospital acquired infection (HAI) prevention has been a top priority for healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety. Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) account for over half of all HAIs and are associated with increased morbidity, including prolonged hospital length of stay, mortality, and higher hospital costs. This review briefly discusses the burden of CLABSIs in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) and highlights our approach to current evidence-based practice interventions to aid in CLABSI reduction.

Recent Findings

Pediatric CICU patients are at an increased CLABSI risk due to their critical status, frequent use of central lines for prolonged periods, limited access availability for placement, and length of hospital stay. Literature has shown that consistent and reliable performance of evidence-based practice interventions can aid in the overall reduction of CLABSIs in various patient populations. Performing these interventions can maintain low CLABSI rates among this patient population. Using rapid Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles beginning in early 2022, we implemented several interventions, including multidisciplinary leadership rounds, a risk identification tool to reduce high CLABSI rates at our institution. In our center, we have demonstrated benefit from interventions described herein.

Reducing CLABSI occurrences in pediatric CICU patients can improve patient outcomes, enhance patient safety, and reduce per capita costs to both the patient and institution. Dissemination of reliable evidence-based interventions in this patient population can further be adopted in other institutions to reduce CLABSIs.
Modulating Electromagnetic Genes Through Bi-Phase High-Entropy Engineering Toward Temperature-Stable Ultra-Broadband Megahertz Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: Liu Xiaoji , Duan Yuping , Wu Nan , Li Guangming , Guo Yuan , Liu Jiangyong , Zhu Ning , Wang Qiang , Wang Lin , Xu Zichen , Wei Hao , Wang Guojun , Zhang Zhijia , Zhang Songsong , Zhou Wenjun , Ma Teng , Wang Tongmin
Published: February 2025

Magnetic absorbers with high permeability have significant advantages in low-frequency and broadband electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption. However, the insufficient magnetic loss and inherent high conductivity of existing magnetic absorbers limit the further expansion of EMW absorption bandwidth. Herein, the spinel (FeCoNiCrCu)3O4 high-entropy oxides (HEO) are successfully constructed on the surface of FeCoNiCr0.4Cu0.2 high-entropy alloys (HEA) through low-temperature oxygen bath treatment. On the one hand, HEO and HEA have different magnetocrystalline anisotropies, which is conducive to achieving continuous natural resonance to improve magnetic loss. On the other hand, HEO with low conductivity can serve as an impedance matching layer, achieving magneto-electric co-modulation. When the thickness is 5 mm, the minimum reflection loss (RL) value and absorption bandwidth (RL <  − 5 dB) of bi-phase high-entropy composites (BPHEC) can reach − 12.8 dB and 633 MHz, respectively. The RCS reduction value of multilayer sample with impedance gradient characteristic can reach 18.34 dB m2. In addition, the BPHEC also exhibits temperature-stable EMW absorption performance, high Curie temperature, and oxidation resistance. The absorption bandwidth maintains between 593 and 691 MHz from − 50 to 150 °C. This work offers a new and tunable strategy toward modulating the electromagnetic genes for temperature-stable ultra-broadband megahertz EMW absorption.
Durable Acidic Oxygen Evolution Via Self-Construction of Iridium Oxide/Iridium-Tantalum Oxide Bi-Layer Nanostructure with Dynamic Replenishment of Active Sites
Authors: Guo Qi , Li Rui , Zhang Yanan , Zhang Qiqin , He Yi , Li Zhibin , Liu Weihong , Liu Xiongjun , Lu Zhaoping
Published: February 2025

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis presents considerable advantages in green hydrogen production. Nevertheless, oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts in PEM water electrolysis currently encounter several pressing challenges, including high noble metal loading, low mass activity, and inadequate durability, which impede their practical application and commercialization. Here we report a self-constructed layered catalyst for acidic OER by directly using an Ir–Ta-based metallic glass as the matrix, featuring a nanoporous IrO2 surface formed in situ on the amorphous IrTaO
x
nanostructure during OER. This distinctive architecture significantly enhances the accessibility and utilization of Ir, achieving a high mass activity of 1.06 A mgIr
−1 at a 300 mV overpotential, 13.6 and 31.2 times greater than commercial Ir/C and IrO2, respectively. The catalyst also exhibits superb stability under industrial-relevant current densities in acid, indicating its potential for practical uses. Our analyses reveal that the coordinated nature of the surface-active Ir species is effectively modulated through electronic interaction between Ir and Ta, preventing them from rapidly evolving into high valence states and suppressing the lattice oxygen participation. Furthermore, the underlying IrTaO
x
dynamically replenishes the depletion of surface-active sites through inward crystallization and selective dissolution, thereby ensuring the catalyst’s long-term durability.
Multistage Refining of Silicon Using CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 and CaO–SiO2–MgO Slags
Authors: Putera A. D. P. , Avarmaa K. L. , Petrus H. T. B. M. , Chen J. , Brooks G. A. , Rhamdhani M. A.
Published: February 2025

Multistage slag treatment was carried out for silicon refining with a focus of removal of boron. Boron is one of the difficult elements to remove from silicon. Depending on the initial concentration, boron can be removed from silicon into slag to a certain level. Previous studies have attained final 50–100 ppmw (parts per million weight) boron in silicon using slag treatment. The term ‘multistage’ refers to a process, where the resulting silicon from the initial slag treatment is further refined multiple times using a new slag. In this study, slags with initial composition of 45CaO–45SiO2–10Al2O3 and—10MgO (wt %) were utilized. Based on the thermodynamics, boron level in the silicon is expected to be lowered sequentially because the new slag will always have the same capacity to absorb boron to reach the equilibrium level. The amount of boron at equilibrium can be represented by a distribution coefficient (L
B = (ppmwB)slag/(ppmwB)Si). The current study was carried out through combined thermodynamic calculations and high-temperature experimentations. The thermodynamic calculations were carried out for reactions at 1500, 1550, and 1600 °C for four different scenarios: (1) Single-stage refining with varied slag-to-silicon ratio, (2) Multistage refining with slag-to-silicon ratio of 1:1, (3) 2:1, and (4) 4:1. The multistage experimental work was carried out at 1550 °C under an inert gas atmosphere each time for 2 h, with slag-to-silicon ratio of 1:1 and 2:1. The thermodynamic simulation results indicated that the boron distribution coefficient essentially stays constant at around 1.8 to 2, with varying slag-to-silicon ratio and temperature. The simulation also showed that boron can be removed by approximately 78% in each stage. The experimental results measured LB in a similar range, between 1.4 and 2.9 and confirmed that, in total, the boron concentration in the silicon was reduced by an average of 98% for slag-to-silicon ratio of 2:1, and 95–97% for slag-to-silicon ratio of 1:1 after four stages of treatment.

Graphical Abstract
Validating THz time-domain spectroscopy as a tool for characterizing low pressure inductively coupled plasmas of ion thrusters
Authors: Bräumer Kalle , Sandoval Rodriguez Rodrigo , Stein Markus , Keil Konstantin , Holste Kristof , Becker Felix , Zorn Jana , Wehkamp Konrad , Chatterjee Sangam , Klar Peter J.
Published: February 2025

Accurate characterization of plasmas within the discharge chambers of gridded ion engines is essential for their advancement. This study showcases the effectivity of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) as a non-invasive technique for profiling low-pressure inductively coupled plasmas, mimicking the conditions of the discharge chamber in a radio-frequency ion thruster. Operating at pressures of 3 -

$$7\cdot 10^{-3}$$

7
·

10

-
3

 mbar inside the discharge chamber and a supply power of the radio frequency generator ranging from 10 - 80 W, THz-TDS reveals electron densities in the range of

$$2\cdot 10^{16}$$

2
·

10
16

-

$$2\cdot 10^{17}$$

2
·

10
17

 m

$$^{-3}$$

-
3

for xenon, krypton, and argon plasmas. Our results show good agreement with Langmuir probe measurements and global plasma modeling, highlighting the accuracy and reliability of THz-TDS. This validation, conducted under conditions representative of gridded ion engines, demonstrates that THz-TDS is, in principle, suitable for characterizing the electron system of the plasma ignited in such thrusters in operation. This offers great potential of developing a promising additional tool for plasma diagnostics in electric propulsion systems.
Temporal, Demographic, and Geographical Analysis of Violent Events in Bangla News Media Using NLP Techniques
Authors: Ali Khandokar Iftakhar , All Tanvir Abdullah , Saddam Hossain Mukta Md. , Shatabda Swakkhar
Published: February 2025

Text classification plays a vital role in natural language processing (NLP), especially in the context of rapidly expanding textual data. This paper presents an automated approach to detecting and classifying violent incidents from a large corpus of Bangla news articles, specifically focusing on incidents such as Murder, Rape, Kidnap, Clash, and Suicide. Our methodology employs a semi-supervised learning framework, leveraging a small labeled dataset to train an initial predictive model, which is then expanded to create a comprehensive dataset suitable for deep learning applications. We explore various feature extraction techniques, including N-gram, TF-IDF, Word2Vec, FastText, and BERT, with the BERT-based classifier achieving the highest accuracy of 92% on the test set. Utilizing this classifier, we conduct a detailed trend and pattern analysis over a 5-year period (2014–2018), revealing significant insights into the frequency and distribution of violent events. Our findings highlight distinct trends in the occurrence of these incidents, including variations by month and age group, and geographical intensity, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of violent events in the context of Bangla news media.
Characterization of neuronal spiking patterns in the medial prefrontal cortex under varied general anesthetics in mice
Authors: Hu Xiangyu , Jiang Jingyao , Leng Yu , Yang Yaoxin , Zhang Donghang , Li Ke , Zhu Tao , Liang Peng , Zhou Cheng
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The mechanisms underlying reversible unconsciousness induced by general anesthetics remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four commonly used anesthetics on neuronal spiking patterns in layer 5 of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).

Methods

In vivo multi-channel recordings were performed in layer 5 of the mPFC in a mouse model. Neuronal spiking patterns of regular-spiking and fast-spiking neurons were measured and compared across wakefulness loss of the righting reflex (LORR), and recovery of the righting reflex (RORR). Four anesthetic/sedative drugs (sevoflurane, propofol, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine) were tested.

Results

During LORR, most cortical regular-spiking neurons were inhibited, while a small subset was excited. Fast-spiking neurons exhibited significant suppression across all anesthetics. Among these, the firing rate of inhibited regular-spiking neurons was closely associated with the transitions between LORR and RORR. Sevoflurane, propofol, and dexmedetomidine exhibited similar modulatory effects on mPFC neurons, whereas ketamine induced stronger excitatory effects on both regular- and fast-spiking neurons.

Conclusions

Sevoflurane, propofol, and dexmedetomidine exert comparable effects on neuronal spiking in the mPFC, while ketamine induces distinct excitatory effects. Inhibited regular-spiking neurons in layer 5 of the mPFC are closely associated with the reversible transitions between LORR and RORR.
Characteristics and framework analysis of Department of Defense hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Core Elements
Authors: Lynch LeeAnne C. , Mende Katrin , Hamdy Rana F. , Olsen Cara H. , Waterman Paige E. , Tribble David R.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

Characterization and assessment of Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) Antibiotic Stewardship Programs (ASPs) to determine adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Core Elements and compare to national adherence

Design:

Retrospective, observational with supplemental survey

Methods:

Facility characteristics and CDC Core Elements (CE) adherence data for 2017–2021 were retrieved from the National Healthcare Safety Network’s (NHSN) annual hospital survey with DoD data from the Defense Health Agency and national data from the Antibiotic Resistance and Patient Safety Portal. An online supplemental survey was administered to DoD hospitals. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were completed for facility characteristics and supplemental survey questions to determine correlations between variables. A framework analysis compared DoD ASPs to CEs and Priority Elements.

Results:

Supplemental surveys were completed for 85.1% of DoD’s hospitals. DoD’s hospitals were smaller on average than national hospitals. ASP leaders were assigned more often than volunteer and typically served in the role for less than four years. Staffing mix differed, with more equivalent proportions of civilian/contractor to military at larger hospitals in the U.S. Most DoD ASPs consisted of ≤ 25% pharmacists. ASP leaders were largely available on a daily basis; pharmacist leaders spent more time on ASP activities than physicians. CE adherence was high, but in 2021 DoD lagged national adherence in the structural CEs of Leadership, Accountability, and Pharmacy Expertise.

Conclusions:

DoD hospitals lagged in national adherence to the structural CEs, presenting opportunities for ASP improvement. Refinement of CE adherence measurements, coupled with impact on health outcomes, could aid in better-identifying areas for improvement.
Contactless body temperature assessment for signalling humane endpoints in a mouse model of sepsis
Authors: Miranda Catarina , Oliveira Liliana , Carmo Alexandre M , Olsson I Anna S , Franco Nuno H
Published: February 2025

Minimising suffering is an ethical and legal requirement in animal research. This is particularly relevant for research on animal models of sepsis and septic shock, which show rapid progression towards severe stages and death. Specific and reliable criteria signalling non-recovery points can be used as humane endpoints, beyond which a study cannot be allowed to progress, thus preventing avoidable suffering. Body temperature is a key indicator for assessing animal health and welfare and has been suggested to have potential for monitoring the status of mouse models of sepsis. In this study, we monitored temperature variations using contactless methods – thermal imaging and subcutaneously implanted PIT tags – in a surgical model of sepsis by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP). We monitored body temperature variation following mid-grade CLP, high-grade CLP and sham surgery. All mice (Mus musculus) were monitored four times per day in the high-grade CLP model and three times per day in the mid-grade CLP model by both PIT tag readout and infrared thermography for ten days post-surgery, or until animals reached a predefined humane endpoint. Thermal data were compared with the clinical score and weight loss threshold used at our facility. Mean body surface temperature (MBST) assessed by thermal imaging and subcutaneous temperature (SCT) measured by PIT tags correlated, albeit not strongly. Moreover, while MBST does not appear to be a reliable predictor of non-recovery stages, SCT showed promise in this regard, even surpassing the widely used weight loss criterion, particularly for the high-grade CLP model of induced sepsis.
Sphere packings in Euclidean space with forbidden distances
Authors: Gonçalves Felipe , Vedana Guilherme
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we study the sphere packing problem in Euclidean space where we impose additional constraints on the separations of the center points. We prove that any sphere packing in dimension

$48$

, with spheres of radii r, such that no two centers

$x_1$

and

$x_2$

satisfy

$\sqrt {\tfrac {4}{3}} < \frac {1}{2r}|x_1-x_2| <\sqrt {\tfrac {5}{3}}$

, has center density less or equal than

$(3/2)^{24}$

. Equality occurs for periodic packings if and only if the packing is given by a

$48$

-dimensional even unimodular extremal lattice. This shows that any of the lattices

$P_{48p},P_{48q},P_{48m}$

and

$P_{48n}$

are optimal for this constrained packing problem, and gives evidence towards the conjecture that extremal lattices are optimal unconstrained sphere packings in

$48$

dimensions. We also provide results for packings up to dimension

$d\leq 1200$

, where we impose constraints on the distance between centers and on the minimal norm of the spectrum, showing that even unimodular extremal lattices are again uniquely optimal. Moreover, in the one-dimensional case, where it is not at all clear that periodic packings are among those with largest density, we nevertheless give a condition on the set of constraints that allows this to happen, and we develop an algorithm to find these periodic configurations by relating the problem to a question about dominos.
‘Beyond Paisans’: Italian-American service members and the Allied liberation of Italy
Authors: Fusi Francesco
Published: February 2025

During the Second World War, hundreds of thousands of American soldiers of Italian origin were drafted into the US military and sent to fight overseas against the Axis powers. For many, this was an opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty to the country and remove suspicions raised by Italian communities’ ties with the Fascist regime. The prospect of fighting in their homeland aroused mixed feelings among those who were sent to Italy from June 1943. On the one hand, the presence of cultural and family ties stimulated the establishment of supportive relations with Italians and was seen by Washington as a useful tool for promoting ‘good occupation’ policies in Italy. However, the ethnic background of these soldiers did not always act as a socialisation factor with Italians, but sometimes gave rise to contradictory and even hostile attitudes that were linked to harsh judgements about Italians’ responsibilities for Fascism and their predisposition, or otherwise, to democracy. This article reconstructs the contribution made by these ethnic personnel to the liberation of the peninsula and the particular views they held of Italy and Italians between war and liberation.
Nudity, obscenity, and the rule of colonial difference in Singapore, 1900s–1930s
Authors: Geng Yushu
Published: February 2025

This article examines how the British colonial administration and the local Chinese population interacted around the issue of obscene prints in 1900s–1930s Singapore, with a particular focus on the policing of the female nude. The notion of obscenity acquired different meanings as prints crossed geographical, cultural, and linguistic boundaries. What was deemed ‘obscene’ in Republican Shanghai or Edwardian London was not necessarily viewed the same way in colonial Singapore, and vice versa. By tracing the contradictory assumptions about the relationship between nudity and obscenity in a multiracial and multicultural colonial context, this article demonstrates that obscenity regulation in Singapore was intimately tied to what Partha Chatterjee has termed ‘the rule of colonial difference’,1 with race being the most obvious marker of difference. On an institutional level, the rule of colonial difference led to a division of regulatory labour that ultimately rendered Chinese salacious materials invisible to the British colonial government in the early twentieth century. In terms of definitions of nudity and obscenity, perceived racial–cultural differences—central to the rule of colonial difference—were used both to justify and to contest the public display of naked female bodies to non-Western audiences. This situates the Singapore case within the broader scholarship on obscenity regulation and colonialism, and offers fresh insights into the difference in imperial models of obscenity regulation. By exploring how obscenity regulation was premised on the process of racial ‘othering’, this article also highlights race as an underexplored factor in existing scholarship on obscenity regulation.
Reliability analysis of a K-out-of-N system with random rate of repair
Authors: D’Amico Guglielmo , Raj Raina , Selvamuthu Dharmaraja
Published: February 2025

This work studies the reliability function of K-out-of-N systems with a general repair time distribution and a single repair facility. It introduces a new repair mechanism using an effort function, described by a nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Three theoretical results are obtained: regularity properties preventing simultaneous failures and repairs, derivation of a Kolmogorov forward system for micro-state and macro-state probabilities, and comparison of reliability functions of two K-out-of-N systems. An additional hypothesis on the model’s parameters allows us to obtain an ordering relation between the reliability functions. A numerical example demonstrates the model’s practical application and confirms the theoretical results.
AI-driven design exploration: Utilizing brand logos as an inspiration source for architectural design
Authors: Çelik Tuğçe , Akagün Ergin Elif
Published: February 2025

This study is predicated on the limited scholarly exploration of the connection between logos and the architectural spaces associated with these brands. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between a brand’s corporate identity and its architectural structures through a holistic approach, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) as a design tool. To achieve this, this study conducts an interdisciplinary literature review, synthesizing existing works in both architecture and branding. The research methodology follows a qualitative, exploratory framework, focusing on the formal and aesthetic evaluations of AI-driven visual outputs. In this context, the central aim of this study is to explore the use of contemporary technologies as a design instrument within the architectural domain. Another key objective is to examine the application of AI as a methodological tool for architectural design within the context of corporate identity. To this end, architectural forms were visually generated using text-to-image and image-to-image, with the resulting products assessed in terms of architectural presentation techniques, visual quality, and aesthetic strategies. For the study’s empirical component, brands ranked at the top of the 2023 Best Global Brands report were selected as the sample, and AI-driven architectural productions were created based on their logos. The findings suggest that AI, with its diverse styles and capabilities, can serve as a design parameter within architectural practice. This study contributes to the discourse on the evolving intersection of AI, branding, and architectural design, proposing new perspectives on the integration of these domains in the design process.
How English orthographic proficiency modulates visual attention span in Italian learners with and without dyslexia
Authors: Venagli Ilaria , Kupisch Tanja , Lallier Marie
Published: February 2025

Visual attention span (VAS) refers to the number of visual elements processed simultaneously in a multielement array. It is causally related to reading skills and may be impaired in readers with dyslexia. VAS is influenced by orthographic depth with opaque orthographies boosting it. Such orthography-specific VAS modulations are subject to crosslinguistic interactions in early biliterates, leading to advantages associated with learning to read in an opaque orthography. However, little is known about potential VAS bootstrapping effects in late biliterates. This study investigates potential VAS modulation in late biliterates with and without dyslexia. Participants were first language (L1) Italian native speakers (transparent orthography) learning English as a second language (L2). Our results show that the VAS capacity of typical readers is modulated by English orthographic knowledge, providing the first evidence that experience with a nonnative orthography boosts VAS skills also in late biliterates. This effect was reduced in dyslexic learners, possibly due to a VAS deficit.
Suicide Trends, Factors, and Associated Burden for Suicide Loss Survivors in Ghana
Authors: Peprah Jennifer , Gilligan Conor , Kay-Lambkin Frances , Andriessen Karl
Published: February 2025

Abstract: Background: Suicide remains a taboo subject for many people in Ghana, buried in cultural beliefs. Suicide deaths are frequently addressed without regard for the effect such events have on the bereaved relatives. Aim: To explore what is known about suicide in Ghana and how suicide bereavement might impact families. Method: Narrative review based on a thorough literature search in PsycINFO, Scopus, and PubMed. Gray literature as well as organizational reports and newspaper articles were also included. Demographics, trends, patterns, and factors for suicidal behavior are explored. Results: The findings are contextualized within the Ghanaian social context of suicide and the ramifications for the bereaved individuals. Suicidal behavior is influenced by elements in an individual's micro- and macro-systems, such as conflicting relationships, poor academic achievement, cultural practices, the death of a spouse, and socioeconomic reasons. These variables render a death by suicide more challenging for the bereaved. Limitation: The findings cannot be generalized to other countries. Conclusion: The devastating impact of suicide bereavement in Ghana must be understood within a sociocultural context. Nonetheless, few studies have investigated the experiences of suicide loss survivors, leaving a substantial gap in the understanding and development of postvention and suicide bereavement support in this country.
Diurnal Variations of Below‐Canopy CO2 Concentration in a Subtropical Forested Valley
Authors: Fu Shizuo , Wang Yang , Miao Guofang , Wang Rong , Zeng Hongda , Yang Bai , Chen Jing M.
Published: February 2025

CO2 concentration was continuously measured at four levels in the below‐canopy layer of a subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest in Southeast China. The below‐canopy CO2 concentration was higher during the day than at night at all levels, in contrast to many previous studies. The amplitude of the diurnal variation of the below‐canopy CO2 concentration was controlled by the daily‐mean air or soil temperature. In the daytime, solar radiation heated the canopy layer more than the below‐canopy layer, so the below‐canopy layer became stable. Large vertical gradients of CO2 concentration therefore developed near the ground surface. CO2 concentration increased with stability when the stability was weak, because the increased stability suppressed the vertical turbulent mixing. On the contrary, CO2 concentration decreased with stability when the stability was strong, because the strong stability was maintained by intense solar radiation, which enhanced photosynthesis. In the nighttime, radiative cooling of the canopy layer caused the below‐canopy layer to be near‐neutral or unstable. CO2 concentration was therefore generally low and exhibited rather small vertical gradients. Nighttime CO2 concentration slightly increased when the stability became stronger. It was frequently observed that CO2 concentration rapidly decreased around the sunset from the peak value to a low value. Our results suggest that the storage term is important in the daytime eddy‐covariance measurements, and the CO2 concentration above the canopy should be corrected in order to represent the CO2 concentration below the canopy.
Advancements in ultrafast photonics: confluence of nonlinear optics and intelligent strategies
Authors: Wu Qing , Peng Liuxing , Huang Zhihao , Liu Xiaolei , Luo Meng , Gao Danheng , Meng Haoran
Published: February 2025

Automatic mode-locking techniques, the integration of intelligent technologies with nonlinear optics offers the promise of on-demand intelligent control, potentially overcoming the inherent limitations of traditional ultrafast pulse generation that have predominantly suffered from the instability and suboptimality of open-loop manual tuning. The advancements in intelligent algorithm-driven automatic mode-locking techniques primarily are explored in this review, which also revisits the fundamental principles of nonlinear optical absorption, and examines the evolution and categorization of conventional mode-locking techniques. The convergence of ultrafast pulse nonlinear interactions with intelligent technologies has intricately expanded the scope of ultrafast photonics, unveiling considerable potential for innovation and catalyzing new waves of research breakthroughs in ultrafast photonics and nonlinear optics characters.
Genome-wide association study reveals multiple loci for nociception and opioid consumption behaviors associated with heroin vulnerability in outbred rats
Authors: Kuhn Brittany N. , Cannella Nazzareno , Chitre Apurva S. , Nguyen Khai-Minh H. , Cohen Katarina , Chen Denghui , Peng Beverly , Ziegler Kendra S. , Lin Bonnie , Johnson Benjamin B. , Missfeldt Sanches Thiago , Crow Ayteria D. , Lunerti Veronica , Gupta Arkobrato , Dereschewitz Eric , Soverchia Laura , Hopkins Jordan L. , Roberts Analyse T. , Ubaldi Massimo , Abdulmalek Sarah , Kinen Analia , Hardiman Gary , Chung Dongjun , Polesskaya Oksana , Solberg Woods Leah C. , Ciccocioppo Roberto , Kalivas Peter W. , Palmer Abraham A.
Published: February 2025

The increased prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) makes it imperative to disentangle the biological mechanisms contributing to individual differences in OUD vulnerability. OUD shows strong heritability, however genetic variants contributing to vulnerability remain poorly defined. We performed a genome-wide association study using over 850 male and female heterogeneous stock (HS) rats to identify genes underlying behaviors associated with OUD such as nociception, as well as heroin-taking, extinction and seeking behaviors. By using an animal model of OUD, we were able to identify genetic variants associated with distinct OUD behaviors while maintaining a uniform environment, an experimental design not easily achieved in humans. Furthermore, we used a novel non-linear network-based clustering approach to characterize rats based on OUD vulnerability to assess genetic variants associated with OUD susceptibility. Our findings confirm the heritability of several OUD-like behaviors, including OUD susceptibility. Additionally, several genetic variants associated with nociceptive threshold prior to heroin experience, heroin consumption, escalation of intake, and motivation to obtain heroin were identified. Tom1, a microglial component, was implicated for nociception. Several genes involved in dopaminergic signaling, neuroplasticity and substance use disorders, including Brwd1, Pcp4, Phb1l2 and Mmp15 were implicated for the heroin traits. Additionally, an OUD vulnerable phenotype was associated with genetic variants for consumption and break point, suggesting a specific genetic contribution for OUD-like traits contributing to vulnerability. Together, these findings identify novel genetic markers related to the susceptibility to OUD-relevant behaviors in HS rats.