bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Prototyping for Design and Test of FPGA-Based Model Predictive Controllers for Power Converters
Authors: Purraji Marziye , Zamiri Elyas , Sanchez Alberto , de Castro Angel
Published: February 2025

Recent advancements in FPGA technology have made these devices a cost-effective alternative for implementing Model Predictive Controllers (MPCs). This paper addresses the fast prototyping of FPGA-based Finite Control Set (FCS)-MPCs and the essential verification process preceding hardware-level testing. The methodology leverages MATLAB HDL Coder for automated HDL code generation. This approach offers a streamlined process and eliminates the need for expertise in hand-coded HDL, making it an ideal solution for power electronics engineers. The approach is exemplified using a three-phase active neutral point clamped converter. Beyond presenting the design approach, the paper introduces a systematic multi-stage verification process essential for the rapid prototyping of FCS-MPC controllers. This verification involves step-by-step simulations followed by experimental hardware-in-the-loop tests, ensuring the reliability of each stage for the smooth transition from pure simulation to FPGA hardware implementation of the controller. The proposed methodology not only simplifies the implementation and testing of the MPC algorithm within an FPGA but also facilitates the debugging process, a crucial aspect of the design phase.
Direct observation systems for child behavior assessment in early childhood education: a systematic literature review
Authors: Al-Hendawi Maha , Hussein Esraa , Darwish Sughra
Published: February 2025

This systematic literature review critically assessed the use of direct observation systems (DOSs) in early childhood educational research, highlighting their role in the objective and systematic evaluation of child behavior and classroom dynamics. Our comprehensive analysis distinguishes between standardized and non-standardized observation systems regarding their applications, target groups, and capabilities for assessing diverse behavioral constructs in early childhood education settings. We synthesized data from 88 empirical studies, including standardized (47 studies) and non-standardized (41 studies) approaches. While the standardized DOS was defined as that which was consistently replicated across multiple research projects, the non-standardized DOS was tailored to the unique requirements of individual studies. Our findings suggest that while the standardized DOS offers a reliable method for generalized behavioral assessment, the non-standardized DOS is also widely and effectively used because it provides the flexibility required for more targeted behavioral evaluations. The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and the Individualized Classroom Assessment Scoring System (inCLASS) represent commonly used standardized tools, while non-standardized systems demonstrate particular strength in context-specific applications. The majority of the research was situated within pre-elementary contexts, with standardized studies having a median sample size of 158 compared to 136 non-standardized studies. Gender representation across the studies was notably equitable. A significant portion of related research has focused on populations at-risk of or diagnosed with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBDs) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), accounting for 59.6% of standardized studies and 80.5% of non-standardized studies. DOS predominantly addressed emotional regulation (42%) and externalizing behaviors (21%).
Raman spectroscopic analysis of carbonates on a CY-type carbonaceous chondrite Yamato 980115: unexpectedly abundant terrestrial weathering products
Authors: Urashima Shu-hei , Tsuchiya Hayato , Imae Naoya , Yamaguchi Akira , Yui Hiroharu
Published: February 2025

This study presents Raman spectra of carbonates on a carbonaceous chondrite, Yamato (Y) 980115. Y 980115 is an Antarctic meteorite and is originally classified as CI1-type. Since CI1-type meteorites are expected to record information of aqueous alteration of carbonaceous matters in the primitive solar photosphere or planetesimals, extensive studies have been performed. Among a variety of minerals on meteorites, carbonates are one of environment indicators because its cation composition depends on thermochemical properties of the aqueous solution when they were precipitated. Although the minerals on meteorites are usually identified by elemental composition analysis techniques such as backscattered electron imaging, these techniques have a drawback that they lack information of crystal structures so that it is difficult to distinguish some minerals such as ordered or disordered dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) and a mixture of calcite (CaCO3) and magnesite (MgCO3). The present study employed Raman spectroscopy as a complementary technique to the elemental composition analysis. As a result, surprisingly, while the Mg-bearing carbonates on Y 980115 were expected mainly to be dolomite, the Raman spectra revealed that they are indeed nesquehonite (Mg(HCO3)(OH)·2H2O), which is a typical terrestrial weathering product for Antarctic meteorites. Among 63 carbonate grains found on Y 980115, 60 and 3 grains were assigned to nesquehonite and calcite, respectively, and no dolomite was found. This result indicates that there are unexpectedly abundant terrestrial weathering products for carbonates found on Y 980115.

Graphical abstract
The Theatre of Louise Lowe
Authors: Haughton Miriam
Published: February 2025

Louise Lowe is a theatre and performance director, writer, choreographer, dramaturge, and, more recently, a television director and short film writer/director, working in Ireland and internationally. She is the Co-Artistic Director of ANU Productions, established with Owen Boss in Dublin in 2009. Lowe is known for facilitating and creating moments of interior reckoning for audiences through immersive performance techniques. These techniques engage spectators in affectively realised moments of understanding that the stories unfolding through performance reflect living histories in need of greater socio-political engagement and intervention. This Element assesses Lowe's creative practice and production history since her days as a drama facilitator in women's prisons and resource centres in Dublin, paying particular attention to the economic struggle of Dublin's north inner-city, the markings of which are potently visible in the work she makes, and how she makes it. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Santa Muerte Devotion
Authors: Pansters Wil G.
Published: February 2025

In recent decades the cult of Santa Muerte has become a remarkable phenomenon in Mexico's popular religious landscape, from where it has migrated abroad. Due to the uncommon iconography of the robed skeleton and the association with criminality, the Santa Muerte cult has been the object of public controversy. This Element deconstructs mainstream views of Santa Muerte devotion by privileging the voices and practices of devotees. Counterintuitively, Santa Muerte devotion is about assuring a good life in health, work, love, justice, and security. Notwithstanding the cult's rapid growth and public visibility since 2000, it is deeply embedded in Mexico's religious and cultural history. The analysis of material culture, theology, and ritual demonstrates the importance of devotional intimacy. This Element also studies how gender, family, leadership, and political relations intersect with the cult. Santa Muerte popular religiosity is examined in terms of socioeconomic vulnerabilities, ineffective social protections, exclusion, and existential insecurities.
Conspiracy Theories and their Believers
Authors: Stockemer Daniel , Bordeleau Jean-Nicolas
Published: February 2025

This Element leverages a comparative approach to understand how conspiracy theories and their believers differ within and across countries. Using original survey data from eight varied cases (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Lebanon, Morocco, South Africa, and the United States) the authors present specific contemporary conspiracy theories, illustrate how these theories appeal in their national context, and determine whether the characteristics of the typical conspiracy theory believer vary across setting. They first demonstrate that there is a wide range of conspiracy theories, some of which have worldwide reach, whereas others are more context specific. Then, they show that the determinants of individual conspiracism are very similar in the Western world and Brazil, but do not necessarily travel to Lebanon, Morocco and South Africa. Lastly, they summarize the main conclusions of this Element and discuss the need for greater comparative research on conspiracy theories and propose clear areas for future research.
Solidarity as a Force for Systemic Change
Authors: De Coninck Joyce , Délano Alonso Alexandra , Gassama Haddy
Published: February 2025

Invocations of solidarity often appear to be merely rhetorical. In contrast, in this essay we seek to show that solidarity can be a potent force for systemic change. We focus on a particular kind of solidarity—experiential solidarity—which is rooted in shared and lived experiences. In doing so, we de-center the role of states as targets and agents of solidarity and foreground the communities that are actively “doing” human rights by fostering bottom-up social change and collective self-actualization. Our approach to solidarity recasts human rights entitlements across spatial, temporal, relational, and intersectional scales and brings different duty-bearing actors to the fore, thereby emphasizing the transformative potential of collective action. Our account bolsters the agency of non-state actors in pursuing rights-based protection of migrants, thereby enabling strategic and forward-looking action in a politically and emotionally charged domain.
Balancing, Shielding, Filtering: Three Models of Role Morality
Authors: Russell Hamish
Published: February 2025

How does a role—whether in business, law, government, or some other institution—change what is morally permissible or obligatory? Here I present three options and argue for the third. On the balancing model, a role simply gives its occupant additional normative reasons, to be weighed against all other normative reasons. On the shielding model, a role comes with its own moral code, blocking the force of all role-external reasons. On the filtering model, a role selectively filters its occupant’s reasons for action, creating obligations or permissions to act on a narrowed range of considerations. I argue that the filtering model offers a superior analysis of the ethics of roles, including the concepts of professional integrity and discretion. I focus on three difficult cases: a nuclear safety regulator, a criminal defense lawyer, and a corporate lobbyist. I conclude by discussing the implications of the filtering model for business ethics.
Evaluation Of the Readiness of Family Physicians In the Prevention of Cyberchondria
Authors: Parlakkılıç Alaattin
Published: February 2025

Objective

The purpose of this research is to determine the readiness of family physicians to prevent cyberchondria.

Methods

The Family Physicians’ Cyberchondria Levels Assessment Questionnaire was applied to 124 family physicians to determine readiness.

Results

Family physicians mention that there can be accurate data on diagnosis and treatments on the internet (62%), but patients’ anxiety increases (88%); reach physicians and find answers on the websites of family physicians. Individuals with low health literacy research on the internet are concerned about family physicians (84.6%). Family physicians declare patients have medication with Internet information (84%), diagnose themselves with research on the internet (85.2%), and have high anxiety levels (83.2%). The family physicians use WhatsApp (90.3%) to answer patients’ questions and increase cyberchondria awareness. The family physicians have knowledge about cyberchondria, accept cyberchondria as a health problem, and have computer literacy.

Conclusions

The Internet provides individuals with a low-cost and easily accessible source of health information. The patients researching the internet have high anxiety and low health literacy. To prevent cyberchondria, direct communication with family physicians, development of health literacy, and facilitating access to communication and counseling services on the internet by central health authorities are essential.
Existence of non-trivial embeddings of interval exchange transformations into piecewise isometries
Authors: PERES PEDRO , RODRIGUES ANA
Published: February 2025

We prove that almost every interval exchange transformation, with an associated translation surface of genus

$g\geq 2$

, can be non-trivially and isometrically embedded in a family of piecewise isometries. In particular, this proves the existence of invariant curves for piecewise isometries, reminiscent of Kolmogorov–Arnold–Moser (KAM) curves for area-preserving maps, which are not unions of circle arcs or line segments.
Counting problems from the viewpoint of ergodic theory: from primitive integer points to simple closed curves
Authors: ARANA-HERRERA FRANCISCO
Published: February 2025

In her thesis, Mirzakhani showed that the number of simple closed geodesics of length

$\leq L$

on a closed, connected, oriented hyperbolic surface X of genus g is asymptotic to

$L^{6g-6}$

times a constant depending on the geometry of X. In this survey, we give a detailed account of Mirzakhani’s proof of this result aimed at non-experts. We draw inspiration from classic primitive lattice point counting results in homogeneous dynamics. The focus is on understanding how the general principles that drive the proof in the case of lattices also apply in the setting of hyperbolic surfaces.
On partial rigidity of
$\mathcal {S}$
-adic subshifts
Authors: DONOSO SEBASTIÁN , MAASS ALEJANDRO , RADIĆ TRISTÁN
Published: February 2025

We develop combinatorial tools to study partial rigidity within the class of minimal

$\mathcal {S}$

-adic subshifts. By leveraging the combinatorial data of well-chosen Kakutani–Rokhlin partitions, we establish a necessary and sufficient condition for partial rigidity. Additionally, we provide an explicit expression to compute the partial rigidity rate and an associated partial rigidity sequence. As applications, we compute the partial rigidity rate for a variety of constant length substitution subshifts, such as the Thue–Morse subshift, where we determine a partial rigidity rate of 2/3. We also exhibit non-rigid substitution subshifts with partial rigidity rates arbitrarily close to 1 and, as a consequence, using products of the aforementioned substitutions, we obtain that any number in

$[0, 1]$

is the partial rigidity rate of a system.
Catalysts of Insurrection: How White Racial Antipathy Influenced Beliefs of Voter Fraud and Support for the January 6th Insurrection
Authors: Rush Tye , Jones Chelsea , Herndon Michael , Barreto Matt A.
Published: February 2025

On January 6, 2021, the belief that voter fraud was to blame for Trump’s 2020 loss led thousands of people to storm the Capitol during election certification, aiming to occupy it by force to stop this process. While only thousands participated, millions more voiced their support for the insurrection, and this begs the question: What explains perceptions of voter fraud and support for the January 6 insurrection? Recent studies establish that White conservatives are more likely to believe that voter fraud is a rampant problem, linking these perceptions to state efforts to expand access to voting systems where racial minority groups stand to gain equality. Using a combination of pre-election, post-election, and post-insurrection survey data, we examine the link between White racial attitudes and perceptions of voter fraud and views toward the insurrection. We argue that White racial attitudes are pivotal in explaining the perceptions of voter fraud that led to the January 6 insurrection. We find that White Americans with a bias for their own racial in-group over racial out-groups are likelier to doubt the election results after Donald Trump was declared the loser, though not before. We find these same attitudes are statistically associated with sympathy for the insurrection and insurrectionists.
Associations of Subjective Sleep patterns and Social Jet Lag with Weight Loss and Dietary Intake in Bariatric Surgery Patients: A One-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Carvalho Aline Cunha , Marot Luisa Pereira , Mattar Luiz Augusto , de Souza José Américo Gomides , Araújo Ana Cristina Tomaz , da Costa Assis Camila Thais , Mota Maria Carliana , Crispim Cibele Aparecida
Published: February 2025

Current literature has shown that poor sleep patterns and social jet lag (SJL) are associated with obesity and weight gain. However, this area remains underexplored in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. We hypothesized that higher levels of SJL and poorer sleep patterns are associated with lower weight loss, greater caloric/nutrient intake, and poorer metabolic outcomes following surgery. This study aims to assess the associations of SJL and subjective sleep with anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary parameters during the first year following bariatric surgery. SJL, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness were measured in 122 patients (77% women; median age 33.0 [28.0 – 41.7]). SJL was estimated by the absolute difference between the midpoint of sleep and wake times on weekdays and weekends. Daytime sleepiness and sleep quality were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (Epworth) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Multiple linear regressions were employed to evaluate the associations of SJL, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness with weight loss, metabolic, and dietary outcomes. Independent variables were negatively associated with weight loss after surgery: SJL at 6 months and one year; sleep quality at all time points; and sleepiness after one year (p< 0.05). SJL was positively associated with calorie and protein intake after one-year post-surgery (p< 0.05). Our results show that higher SJL and poorer sleep patterns are associated with worse anthropometric, metabolic, and dietary outcomes after bariatric surgery. These findings reinforce the importance of addressing variables related to biological rhythms to optimize post-surgical outcomes in bariatric patients.
‘People Sing When They're Happy’: Popular Music in 1970s Soviet Comedic Cinema
Authors: Grabarchuk Alexandra
Published: February 2025

Like any form of artistic production in the Soviet 1970s (Brezhnev's ‘Stagnation’ era), films had to tread a fine line between being acceptable to official organs, yet managing to appeal to the average citizen. Music – and specifically popular music or estrada – was an important factor contributing to how filmmakers could express themselves and connect with audiences despite official restraint. This article will explore the soundscapes of two iconic movies embodying that tension: The Twelve Chairs (Двеннадцать стульев, 1971, dir. Leonid Gaidai) and The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath! (Ирония судьбы, или с легким паром!, 1975, dir. El'dar Riazanov). A close reading of musical scenes from these Stagnation-era artefacts will expose several key tactics that emerge in the complicated nexus between composer, director and text, demonstrating how popular music fits into a complex and multi-faceted relationship of minor liberties and major limits.
(t) Glottaling in East Anglian English
Authors: Ciancia Carmen
Published: February 2025

This paper analyses (t)-glottaling – the replacement of /t/ with the glottal stop [Ɂ] – in word-final position (e.g. that). This variable has been largely explored in relation to the following phonological environment, which is commonly divided into three main contexts: pre-consonantal (e.g. that man), pre-vocalic (e.g. that apple) and pre-pausal (e.g. what?). However, little research has been carried out on the preceding phonological context. This paper aims at expanding the usual limited set of constraints employed for (t) by considering both following and preceding phonological environments. Data was collected in three East Anglian communities (Colchester, Ipswich, and Norwich) from 36 participants, stratified by age, social class, and sex. Results show that (a) the preceding phonological environment plays a remarkable role, with vowels and nasals favouring glottalled variants, and (b) that (t)-glottaling has nearly completed its social change word-finally in spontaneous speech.
Is Brazil’s biodiversity offset policy effective in conserving the Cerrado?
Authors: Oliveira Gustavo Bediaga de , Machado Ricardo Bomfim , Siqueira Marinez Ferreira , Françoso Renata Dias , Prieto Pablo Viany , Hay John Du Vall
Published: February 2025

Brazilian landowners are obligated to conserve a minimum percentage of native vegetation within their properties (termed a ‘legal reserve’), but non-compliance can be compensated elsewhere through a biodiversity offset. Recent changes in rules for legal reserve compensation (LRC) have increased the allowed spatial scale and softened the ecological criteria required to select properties for compensation, potentially leading to considerable biodiversity losses. In this paper, we analyse whether these rules promote the conservation of tree species on private lands through LRC in the Cerrado biome, the most biodiverse savannah in the world. We modelled the potential distribution of 126 Cerrado tree species and simulated several potential biodiversity offsets to calculate expected species losses under former and current LRC rules. Our results show that biodiversity offsets established under current and former LRC rules can lead to up to 100% tree species losses. In contrast, setting a minimum similarity threshold between watersheds can reduce median tree species loss in biodiversity offsets to as low as 3% and prevents LRC with no common species between sites. Therefore, the current rule is expected to strongly impact biodiversity in the Cerrado. Similarity in species composition between watersheds must be considered in order to implement LRC offsets that effectively conserve Cerrado biodiversity on private lands.
Microplastics in Antarctic air: revealing current findings
Authors: Deylami Saed , Cárdenas-Escudero Jafet , López Ochoa Marcos , Ayuso-Haro Jorge , Galán-Madruga David , Urraca Ruiz Javier L. , Cáceres J.O.
Published: February 2025

This work provides a comprehensive examination of microplastic air pollution in Antarctica. Due to atmospheric microplastics’ emerging importance, analytical procedures and health effects are discussed. Microplastic pollution poses an increasing threat to the unique and delicate Antarctic ecosystem, potentially triggering harmful consequences not only for the local ecosystem and fauna, but also for human health and well-being, given the severe implications of microplastic pollution for global scenarios such as imminent worldwide warming and the melting of polar ice. Numerous investigations have now exposed the extent of microplastic pollution in the Antarctic and the prevalence of both nano- and microplastics in this region, a significant storehouse of the planet’s freshwater. This work also highlights the challenges of assessing the hazards that microplastics, particularly the nanoscale variants, may pose to human health and life maintenance. The results of this work suggest that global mechanisms of microplastic pollution mitigation are critical to microplastic transportation to the Antarctic reaches. This overview provides a better understanding of microplastic pollution in Antarctica while highlighting the urgency of more comprehensive research in this area to elucidate more precisely the short-, medium- and long-term effects of the arrival of these emerging contaminants in the Antarctic.
Crisis-prompted online language teaching: a qualitative inquiry into autonomy among teachers in refugee settings
Authors: Charitonos Koula , Khalil Betul , Ross Tara W. , Bonfini-Hotlosz Cindy , Aristorenas Miki , Webster Ben
Published: February 2025

Language is central to issues of displacement and education. This paper examines how English language teachers in refugee settings negotiated and exercised autonomy in teaching and learning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It draws on the notion of autonomy and its dynamics in language classrooms in refugee settings. The paper focuses on one displacement context – Jordan’s refugee settings – to offer a fine-grained analysis of teachers’ accounts to synthesise how teachers negotiated the transition to online teaching and developed practices and relations across different sites. The study recognises teachers’ rights in contributing their own experience and expertise and draws on the Participatory Ethnographic Evaluation Research (PEER) methodology, which involved working closely with a group of six language teachers as peer researchers, who conducted in-depth interviews with two of their peers. The analysis examines the ways in which autonomy was exercised, mobilised, resourced, constrained and shaped by contextual factors during the pandemic and thus provides a nuanced understanding of teachers’ experiences. The study points to the importance of understanding teacher autonomy in the context of language teaching in technology-poor environments. By providing critical insights into the dynamics of teacher autonomy in unique professional settings, it contributes to the broader discourse on digital language learning and agency, roles and skills needed by teachers to support crisis preparedness for the future.
Successful embolisation of coronary artery fistulas with the Azur® CX peripheral coil system in three paediatric patients
Authors: Torun Emine Gulsah , Pamuk Utku , Çayhan Velihan , Gürsu Hazım Alper
Published: February 2025

Coronary artery fistulas are rare cardiac anomalies, often asymptomatic and frequently discovered incidentally during routine cardiac imaging. Transcatheter closure with coil embolisation is increasingly recognised as a preferable alternative to surgical intervention due to its lower complication rates. In this report, we present three paediatric cases in which coronary artery fistulas were successfully embolised using the Azur® CX Peripheral Coil System. This system demonstrates low-profile suitability for occluding highly tortuous vessels in children, enabling controlled coil delivery via a microcatheter. Its hydrogel-coated coils allow for expansion between gaps, making it highly effective as a minimally invasive treatment.
Late presentation of distal aortopulmonary window with anomalous origin of right coronary artery from main pulmonary artery with isolated left subclavian artery
Authors: Gupta Anish , Starlet Abisho R. , Shrivastava Yash
Published: February 2025

We present the case of a 9-year-old girl with a distal aortopulmonary window (APW) with anomalous origin of right coronary artery from the main pulmonary artery and an isolated left subclavian artery arising from the main pulmonary artery. This report highlights the unusual combination of the three anomalies and late presentation of APW.
Sleep quality, anxiety, and depression in palliative care patients
Authors: Çamcı Gülşah , Oğuz Sıdıka , Oktay Ömer , Aydın Ömürcan
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Sleep problems are common in palliative care patients. In addition, psychological problems can affect sleep quality. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep quality, anxiety, and depression in palliative care patients.

Methods

The study was conducted between May 1, 2023 and October 31, 2023 in Turkey. The patient information form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression test.

Results

A total of 59.3% of patients were male, 76.7% were married, 89.3% had poor sleep quality, 61.3% had anxiety, and 86.7% were at risk of depression. A positive moderate correlation was found between HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and HADS total with subjective sleep quality. A positive moderate correlation was found between HADS-anxiety, HADS depression, and HADS total with the PSQI total. Sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction showed a weak positive correlation with HADS-depression and HADS total. In the regression analysis, anxiety proved to be a statistically significant predictor of sleep quality, while depression was not a significant predictor. These variables were found to explain 22% of the total variance in sleep quality.

Significance of results

The patients’ sleep quality was poor. Anxiety and the risk of depression were high. A positive moderate correlation was found between the total score of sleep quality and anxiety and depression. Anxiety was found to be a statistically significant predictor of sleep quality.
The Effects of Parental Leave on Attitudes Toward the State
Authors: Naurin Elin , Markstedt Elias , Schneider Monica C. , Lizotte Mary-Kate , Stolle Dietlind
Published: February 2025

Social role theorists argue that the roles that people inhabit and their experiences within can alter their attitudes. We use Swedish panel data to demonstrate how involvement in the parental role changes attitudes toward government policies differently for fathers and mothers. For fathers who take parental leave, the caregiving activities accompanying this leave conflict with stereotypical masculine experiences and such counter-stereotypical engagement should be transformative. We find that fathers who take more parental leave favor care provided by the state. For mothers, we hypothesize and find that the caregiving role during parental leave confirms a female-typical role, resulting in small effects that are not significant. We conclude with a discussion of how state policies can alter the effects of gender by providing specific experiences within a role, such as parental leave, and the significance of finding results in a country with high baseline levels of gender equality.
Mayor Pete is Smart and Elizabeth Warren is Unlikable? Coverage of Warmth and Competence Traits in the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary
Authors: Conroy Meredith , Cassese Erin , Mehta Dhrumil , Hammond Ciera , Beail Linda , Johri Al , Long Sean , Stecula Dominik
Published: February 2025

Past work on media coverage of candidates for political office has explored gender differences in quantity, substance, and tone with mixed results depending on the office, race, and context. We draw on the stereotype content model (SCM) to examine gendered patterns of media coverage of candidates on the trait dimensions of warmth and competence in the 2020 U.S. Democratic presidential primary. Combining Natural Language Processing and manual analysis of news, we find that female candidates receive more negative than positive warmth coverage, while male candidates receive more tonally balanced warmth coverage, which suggests that female leaders are penalized on the dimension of warmth. Additionally, white women received more warmth coverage than women of color and women of color receive more competence coverage than white women. The findings suggest news media may portray white women and women of color candidates as lacking gender congruent traits like warmth but may portray white women as possessing role congruent traits like competence.
20 years versus 20 minutes: increasing the understanding of delusions from a cognitive behavioural perspective in two older adult community mental health teams
Authors: Brown Poppy , Evans Kathryn , Dow Rebecca
Published: February 2025

The last two decades have seen considerable development in our understanding of delusions, with medical perspectives broadening into more holistic bio-psychosocial models. Of particular relevance to services is the increasing evidence base for cognitive behavioural models and treatments. A number of national initiatives have aimed to ensure these developments are reflected in services. Primarily these have targeted adult services, yet delusions are no less common in older adults. Across two older adult services this study searched over 10,000 clinical notes to assess the number of individuals experiencing delusions, explored the perspectives of 27 staff members regarding their clinical approaches to working with delusions, and delivered a brief training on cognitive behavioural models and treatments of delusions. Three service users contributed to the training content. Endorsement of theoretical perspectives regarding delusions were measured pre- and post-training. Results showed over 20% of patients in the service may be experiencing paranoia or delusions, but only a handful were referred for CBT. Of 27 staff participants, less than half had received training on working with delusions, most of which was from as many as 20 years ago. Nearly all reported that a lack of knowledge prevented them from considering psychological perspectives. A quarter of staff across the two teams attended the training. No immediate changes in outcome measures were seen immediately post-training, with a striking diversity in approach reported by different members of staff. All staff qualitatively reported finding the training valuable, although engagement was dampened by high levels of stress and burnout.

Key learning aims

(1)

To understand the developing cognitive behavioural evidence base for understanding and treating delusions in older adults.

(2)

To understand the need for this growing evidence base to be reflected in services, including older adult services, not only in structured interventions offered by psychological therapists, but also in patient interactions and care planning by all professions working in multi-disciplinary teams.

(3)

To understand some of the key challenges in assessing and improving current understanding of cognitive behavioural approaches to delusions within services.
A New Fault Slip Mode Unveiled in the Regional Dynamic Triggering of the 2023 Turkey Kahramanmaraş Earthquake Sequence
Authors: Luo Heng , Zhou Yijian , Zhao Zeyan , Köküm Mehmet , Wang Teng , Yue Han , Wang Zexin , Hu Nan , Ghosh Abhijit , Song Xiaodong , Bürgmann Roland
Published: February 2025

Faults can slip at vastly different rates, generating both high‐stress‐drop regular earthquakes and low‐stress‐drop slow slip events (SSEs). Here, we document a transitional mode of high‐stress‐drop but “silent” slip with two Mw  5 events that were triggered by the 2023 Turkey Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence. Specifically, we identify eight fault slip events from radar interferometry, none of which are reported in seismic catalogs. Except for four typical aseismic creep events, two events represent earthquakes whose waveforms were obscured within the coda waves of the mainshocks. Notably, we find two silent events that did not radiate discernible high‐frequency seismic energy nor produce local aftershocks but did exhibit high stress drops of 4–6 MPa, similar to regular earthquakes. These two “silent” events likely represent a new fault slip mode positioned between regular earthquakes and SSEs. The identification of these diverse shallow slip events, which are missed in seismic catalogs, calls for reevaluation of faulting mechanisms, the nature of static/dynamic triggering effects, and seismic hazard assessments.
The Role of the Three‐Dimensional Geometry of Fault Steps on Event Migration During Fluid‐Induced Seismic Sequences
Authors: Roche Vincent , van der Baan Mirko , Walsh John
Published: February 2025

This study analyses how fault segmentation influences seismicity using 3 high‐resolution earthquake catalogs from tectonically different areas. The studied event patterns reveal 8 fault steps with different 3D geometries reminiscent of relay zones, which refer to the area of displacement transfer between stepping and overlapping segments due to fault segmentation, including cylindrical, bifurcating, dip, strike and oblique relay zones as mapped from seismic reflection surveys. After detailed mapping of the spatiotemporal event migration, we analyze how 3D fault geometry, and in particular internal segmentation, controls event migration. First, we show that events can migrate continuously between segments via connected areas, producing along‐step, around‐step and bidirectional migrations, with steps acting as a barrier. Second, we observe seismicity that hops across bounding segments if a sufficiently strong magnitude event, with a relatively large rupture length compared to the step size, occurs near the step. Thus, fault segmentation, inherited from the early stage of fault development, controls earthquake migration patterns, if coupled with the type of forces driving seismicity. Specifically, tectonic‐dominated sequences with relatively high magnitude seismicity and critically stressed segments promote inter‐segment hopping. In contrast, fluid‐dominated sequences, producing lower‐magnitude events, are strongly channeled by connected segments.
Collaborative orchestration of BH3-only proteins governs Bak/Bax-dependent hepatocyte apoptosis under antiapoptotic protein-deficiency in mice
Authors: Kudo Shinnosuke , Hikita Hayato , Saito Yoshinobu , Murai Kazuhiro , Kodama Takahiro , Tatsumi Tomohide , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: February 2025

The fine-tuned balance between anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, such as Bcl-xL and Mcl-1, and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, like Bak and Bax, is crucial for maintaining hepatocyte integrity. BH3-only proteins, including Bid, Bim, Puma, Noxa, Bad, Bmf, Bik and Hrk, serve as apoptosis initiators. They are activated by various stimuli, which leads to Bak/Bax activation. We previously reported that Bid and Bim contributed to hepatocyte apoptosis through Bak/Bax activation in the absence of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and/or Mcl-1. However, the comprehensive involvement of all eight BH3-only proteins in Bak/Bax-dependent hepatocyte apoptosis remains unclear. Puma disruption suppressed hepatocyte apoptosis in hepatocyte-specific Bcl-xL or Mcl-1 knockout (Bcl-xLΔHep/ΔHep or Mcl-1ΔHep/ΔHep) mice. Disruption of Bid and Bim partially prevented lethality in Mcl-1ΔHep/+ Bcl-xLΔHep/ΔHep mice, although severe hepatocyte apoptosis persisted, which was suppressed by additional Puma disruption. However, hepatocyte apoptosis was still induced compared to that in Mcl-1ΔHep/+ Bcl-xLΔHep/ΔHep BaxΔHep/ΔHep Bak−/− mice. Triple disruption of Bid, Bim and Puma did not prevent induction of hepatocyte apoptosis in tamoxifen-induced Mcl-1iΔHep/iΔHep Bcl-xLiΔHep/iΔHep mice. Primary hepatocytes, isolated from Mcl-1fl/fl Bcl-xLfl/fl Bid−/− Bim−/− Puma−/− mice and immortalized, underwent apoptosis with doxycycline-dependent Cre recombination. Among the remaining five BH3-only proteins, Bik and Hrk were not expressed in these cells, and Noxa knockdown, but not Bad or Bmf knockdown, reduced apoptosis. Noxa disruption alleviated hepatocyte apoptosis in Mcl-1ΔHep/ΔHep mice and tamoxifen-induced Mcl-1iΔHep/iΔHep Bcl-xLiΔHep/iΔHep Bid−/− Bim−/− Puma−/− mice, prolonging survival. Apoptosis persisted in immortalized primary hepatocytes isolated from Mcl-1fl/fl Bcl-xLfl/fl Bid−/− Bim−/− Puma−/− Noxa−/− mice where doxycycline-dependent Cre recombination was induced, but was completely suppressed by Bak/Bax knockdown, while Bad or Bmf knockdown had no effect. In conclusion, among the eight BH3-only proteins, Puma and Noxa, alongside Bid and Bim, contributed to Bak/Bax-dependent hepatocyte apoptosis, but not indispensably, in the absence of Mcl-1 and Bcl-xL.
Insights from a methylome-wide association study of antidepressant exposure
Authors: Davyson E. , Shen X. , Huider F. , Adams M. J. , Borges K. , McCartney D. L. , Barker L. F. , van Dongen J. , Boomsma D. I. , Weihs A. , Grabe H. J. , Kühn L. , Teumer A. , Völzke H. , Zhu T. , Kaprio J. , Ollikainen M. , David F. S. , Meinert S. , Stein F. , Forstner A. J. , Dannlowski U. , Kircher T. , Tapuc A. , Czamara D. , Binder E. B. , Brückl T. , Kwong A. S. F. , Yousefi P. , Wong C. C. Y. , Arseneault L. , Fisher H. L. , Mill J. , Cox S. R. , Redmond P. , Russ T. C. , van den Oord E. J. C. G. , Aberg K. A. , Penninx B. W. J. H. , Marioni R. E. , Wray N. R. , McIntosh A. M.
Published: February 2025

This study tests the association of whole-blood DNA methylation and antidepressant exposure in 16,531 individuals from Generation Scotland (GS), using self-report and prescription-derived measures. We identify 8 associations and a high concordance of results between self-report and prescription-derived measures. Sex-stratified analyses observe nominally significant increased effect estimates in females for four CpGs. There is observed enrichment for genes expressed in the Amygdala and annotated to synaptic vesicle membrane ontology. Two CpGs (cg15071067; DGUOK-AS1 and cg26277237; KANK1) show correlation between DNA methylation with the time in treatment. There is a significant overlap in the top 1% of CpGs with another independent methylome-wide association study of antidepressant exposure. Finally, a methylation profile score trained on this sample shows a significant association with antidepressant exposure in a meta-analysis of eight independent external datasets. In this large investigation of antidepressant exposure and DNA methylation, we demonstrate robust associations which warrant further investigation to inform on the design of more effective and tolerated treatments for depression.
The deubiquitylating enzyme Fat facets promotes Fat signalling and restricts tissue growth
Authors: Dawson Lauren E. , Sekar Aashika , Fulford Alexander D. , Lambert Rachel I. , Burgess Hannah S. , Ribeiro Paulo S.
Published: February 2025

Tissue growth is regulated by many signals, including polarity cues. The Hippo signalling pathway restricts tissue growth and receives inputs from the planar cell polarity-controlling Fat signalling pathway. The atypical cadherin Fat restricts growth via several mechanisms that ultimately control the activity of the pro-growth transcriptional co-activator Yorkie. Fat signalling activates the Yorkie inhibitory kinase Warts, and modulates the function of the FERM protein Expanded, which promotes Hippo signalling and also directly inhibits Yorkie. Although several Fat pathway activity modulators are known to be involved in ubiquitylation, the role of this post-translational modification in the pathway remains unclear. Moreover, no deubiquitylating enzymes have been described in this pathway. Here, using in vivo RNAi screening, we identify the deubiquitylating enzyme Fat facets as a positive regulator of Fat signalling with roles in tissue growth control. Fat facets interacts genetically and physically with Fat signalling components and regulates Yorkie target gene expression. Thus, we uncover a role for reversible ubiquitylation in the control of Fat signalling and tissue growth regulation.
Seasonal variations and risk assessment of microplastic contamination in agricultural soil and associated macroinvertebrates in Egypt
Authors: El-masry Safa M. , Khedre Azza M. , Mustafa Asmaa N.
Published: February 2025

Contamination by microplastics (MPs) has the potential to rank among the world’s most significant environmental issues. Despite the fact that MP contamination is a global problem, little is known about the time variation of MPs in agricultural soil and its faunal communities which represent a key role to risk assessment. This study represents a first field investigation regarding the MP concentrations in agricultural ecosystem in Egypt. Our study investigates the seasonal fluctuations of MPs in soil and its common fauna in a citrus orchard (Citrus sinensis) in Egypt’s Sohag Governorate. Moreover, this work aimed to identify how feeding strategies and body size of the selected fauna affect the no. of MPs ingested. The greatest mean concentration of MPs in soil was observed in summer (664 ± 90.20 items/kg) dry weight. However the lowest was recorded in autumn (354 ± 70.92 items/kg). Aporrectodea caliginosa (earthworms) was more contaminated with MPs (6.84 ± 2.5 item/individual annually) than Anisolabis maritima (earwigs) (2.06 ± 0.86 item/individual annually). When comparing between taxa without considering the size of the organisms, earwigs showed higher MPs concentrations (ranged from 117.93 ± 5.23 to 244.38 ± 4.57 items/gm wet weight) than the earthworms (ranged from 25.62 ± 2.43 to 51.66 ± 4.05 items/gm wet weight). Our results found that blue and red colors were the predominant colors in the soil and the selected fauna. Also, polyester fibers (PES) were the most popular type of microplastics, followed by fractions of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Interestingly, the reduction in the MP particles in the present taxa was observed compared to those in the soil. Pollution load index (PLI) value varied across seasons, with the lowest recorded in autumn due to reduced MPs abundance. The Hazard (H) index indicates a moderate risk (level III) due to high polyester abundance and a low hazard score (4) across all seasons. Our results represent a starting point for further studies on the impact of MPs on soil organisms in various agricultural soils.
The impact of an amino acid-humus preparation on lawn boning value
Authors: Radkowski Adam , Radkowska Iwona , Khachatryan Karen , Kozdęba Michał , Bujak Henryk , Wolski Karol
Published: February 2025

The application of biostimulants in fertilisation has been shown to enhance plant metabolism, stimulate physiological processes, and mitigate adverse environmental and pathogenic stresses. This study, conducted at the Agricultural University of Krakow (2021–2023), evaluated the efficacy of a foliar amino acid preparation enriched with humic acids (L-Amino + ® Humus) on turf quality. Four experimental variants were established: an untreated control (Variant I) and three treated plots sprayed with the biostimulant at 1.0 (Variant II), 2.0 (Variant III), and 3.0 L ha−1 (Variant IV). Higher application rates (Variants III and IV) significantly improved aesthetic turf quality and reduced fungal disease incidence. Compared to the control, Variant IV (3.0 L ha−1) decreased snow mould (Microdochium nivale) infections by 8% and brown spot (Rhizoctonia solani) prevalence by 12%. Variant III (2.0 L ha−1) also demonstrated positive effects, with 6% and 8% reductions in snow mould and brown spot, respectively. Furthermore, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and leaf greenness index (SPAD) chlorophyll meter values increased by 6% and 8%, respectively, in Variant IV relative to the control, indicating enhanced leaf greenness and photosynthetic efficiency. Nutrient analysis revealed that Variants III and IV significantly elevated macro- and micronutrient concentrations (e.g., nitrogen, potassium, iron) in plant biomass compared to the control. In contrast, Variant II (1.0 L ha−1) showed no statistically significant improvements in nutrient content or disease resistance. These findings suggest that L-Amino + ® Humus at doses of 2.0–3.0 L ha−1 enhances turf quality, bolsters resistance to fungal pathogens, and improves nutrient assimilation. Lower doses (1.0 L ha−1), however, were ineffective under the tested conditions. The study underscores the dose-dependent efficacy of biostimulants in sustainable turf management.