bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LVA for advanced unilateral lower extremity lymphedema: impact of ICG lymphography of normal side in improving the detection rate and operative time
Authors: Abdelfattah Usama , Elbanoby Tarek , A.Nafea Saber , Monir Serag , Omarah Mona , Allam Eatmad
Published: January 2025

Background: Indocyanine green lymphography has limited use in the detection of functioning lymphatics in advanced lymphedema. This study presents the use of normal side ICG lymphography to navigate the potential sites of functional lymphatics and reports its impact on the lymphatic detection rate and operative time.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of unilateral lower extremity late-stage II or III lymphedema patients who underwent LVA between February 2018 and June 2022.
Markings for possible lymphatic vessels were made on the affected side solely in the early group (2018-2019) and on both the affected and normal side in the late group (2020-2022) using ICG lymphography.
Results: Between 2018 and 2022, 86 patients had complete data for analysis. Dermal backflow stage III was present in five limbs (5.81%), stage IV in 40 limbs (46.51%), and stage V in 41 limbs (47.67%). The late group had a higher mean lymphatic detection rate, which was statistically significant in the proximal leg incision site (2.05±0.91 vs 0.74±0.82; p = 0.041). There was a significant tendency towards lower total LVA operative time per limb in the late group, which was led by the normal side mapping, with a mean operative time of 158±14.88 min compared to 199±12.45 min in the early group (p = 0.035).
Conclusion: Mirroring the affected limb by utilizing the normal side ICG lymphography in guiding the incision sites for LVA could improve the lymphatic detection rate, minimize the number of incisions and shorten the operative time.
Towards a Provider Builder Maturity Model to Empower Clinicians to Actively Participate in Electronic Health Record Design
Authors: Liang Wayne , Hoffman Jeffrey , McNeely Lia , Proctor Stephon N , Orenstein Evan
Published: January 2025

Background: Engagement of clinicians who understand clinical workflows and technology constraints can accelerate the development and implementation of better electronic health record (EHR) designs that improve quality and reduce burnout. Provider builder programs can accelerate clinical informatics education for a broader coalition of clinical specialties.
Objective: In this State of the Art / Best Practice paper, we aim to (1) propose a provider builder maturity model informed by the experience of three institutions using a single EHR vendor (Epic Systems©) and (2) describe the program elements and relationships necessary to advance along this model to yield organizational benefits.
Methods: We used a modified version of the Glaser State-of-the-Art approach, gathering consensus among a small group of experts at institutions with successful provider builder programs. The model was updated through meetings with a larger group of experts and then feedback from presentation at national conferences and the American Medical Informatics Association’s Maturity Model Working Group.
Results: The final maturity model describes the characteristics and suggested next steps beginning from Planting the Seed (Stage 0) and progressing through Lone Wolves (Stage 1), a Community of Builders (Stage 2), Organizational Structure (Stage 3), a Council of Builders (Stage 4), and Informatics in the Room Where it Happens (Stage 5). We also describe the journeys of 3 organizations through these stages.
Conclusions: A provider builder maturity model can help guide organizations on their journey engaging clinicians in collaborative EHR design to promote quality and safety and reduce burnout.
Intraoperative Acetabular Fracture
Authors: Hipfl Christian , Perka Carsten
Published: January 2025

Intraoperative acetabular fracture is a rare complication in total hip arthroplasty. It occurs mainly as a result of impaction of a cementless press-fit cup. Risk factors include decreased bone quality, highly sclerotic bone, and a press-fit that was relatively too large. The timing of the diagnosis determines the therapeutic approach. Fractures detected intraoperatively should be treated with appropriate stabilisation. Postoperatively, the stability of the implants as well as the fracture pattern determine whether a conservative treatment is initially feasible. Most acetabular fractures diagnosed intraoperatively are to be treated with a multi-hole cup, with additional screws anchoring in the different acetabular regions. In cases of large posterior wall fragments or pelvic discontinuity, plate osteosynthesis of the posterior column is indicated. Alternatively, cup-cage reconstruction can be utilised. Especially in elderly patients, the therapeutic goal must be rapid mobilisation through adequate primary stability, in order to minimise the risk of complications, revision, and mortality.
A Rare Case of Cystic Angiomatosis Involving the Bones: Our Experience and Review of Literature
Authors: Dwivedi Priyatesh Chandra , Borde Chaitanya , Yasam Ramesh Venkata , Nagarkar Raj
Published: January 2025

Cystic angiomatosis (CA) is a rare, benign, multifocal disorder of mixed lesions (lytic, sclerotic) developed due to maldeveloped lymphatic and vascular systems. In majority of cases, it is identified fortuitously and mimicked as metastatic malignant lesions. In such cases, differential diagnosis followed by treatment is identified to be critical for stabilizing the disease and its prognosis. We reported a case of a 24-year-old female who presented to our center with complaints of lower back ache (∼4–6 weeks), intermittent pain in the abdomen, and occasional dyspnea on exertion. Imaging studies revealed mild lytic lesions and small-sized cysts in the spine, bones, and spleen. Investigations confirmed CA and follow-up treatment was given using zoledronic acid (4 mg/intravenous) every 3 months to stabilize the bone lesions. CA is a heterogeneous disease with unpredictable progression and uncertain treatment. So, it is highly recommended to disseminate research findings of all such rare cases to find any new pathophysiological findings and establish an effective treatment.
When does historical context matter? Explaining the emergence of competence-creating subsidiaries
Authors: Godley Andrew C. , Hamilton Shane , Joseph Marrisa
Published: January 2025

Despite thorough attention to how context shapes subsidiary behavior, very little IB research has explored the dynamic impact of disruptive changes in historical context on organizational innovations in MNEs. Existing IB theory has robustly theorized the growth of competence-creating subsidiaries from the 1980s to the 2000s. However, our historical research demonstrates that this body of existing theory fails to explain an equally significant growth in subsidiaries with protean competence-creating characteristics from 1945 to 1970. We show that the introduction of the U.K. National Health Service in 1948 precipitated a major upgrade of research capabilities among a near majority of the population of subsidiaries in U.K. pharmaceuticals by 1970. Synthesizing from both IB and literature on historical methods, we analyze the impact of this disruptive transformation in context, identifying the specific mechanisms that produced the rapid growth in what we identify as proto-competence-creating subsidiaries. This occurred in response to a dramatically new context, in ways that differ from those predicted by current theoretical explanations, and led to an institutional innovation hitherto unknown to IB. The implications of this are significant in a contemporary moment of rapid institutional disruption, when existing conceptualizations of subsidiary behavior may increasingly fail to capture real-world dynamics.
The self in jeopardy: the curious absence of race in psychoanalytic inquiry
Authors: Esprey Yvette , Stevens Garth
Published: January 2025

Drawing on a scan of psychoanalytic writing, this paper engages with the historical absence of race as a subject of enquiry within classical psychoanalytic thinking and practice. In considering that psychoanalysis has only recently begun to engage more intentionally with race in thinking and practice, we suggest that this engagement has historically been complicated, and remains complex, because it challenges foundational psychoanalytic tenets, whilst concomitantly provoking a jeopardy of the self of the analyst/therapist. The paper distills key conceptual issues that are contested when considering the relevance of the racialized societal landscape on the development of the psyche—in particular, the impact on conceptualizing the nature of the unconscious, and of transference and countertransference. In addition, we consider the question of analytic neutrality and the manner in which racial melancholia may manifest to generate vulnerabilities for the analyst/therapist, when race is central to the analytic encounter. The paper emerges from an assumption that the internal world is not quarantined from external social discourses, practices and structures, but rather that these are reciprocally implicated in the structuring of the psyche. We propose a psychoanalytic project that engages with the psychic imprint of the external world, and allows for the possibility that the resolution of racial entanglements may not be the therapeutic ideal, and that ongoing work with such ambivalences and contradictions may in fact be desirable.
Encoding quantum optical phase-space with classical wireless microwave constellation
Authors: Ghosh Niloy , Pendharker Sarang
Published: January 2025

This paper establishes the theoretical framework to enable the seamless transfer of digital information from the classical microwave domain to the quantum optical domain in wireless-to-optical converters. It introduces a quantum mechanical network model to characterize digital information mapping from microwave to optical domains in seamless wireless-to-optical converters based on antenna-coupled electro-optic modulators. Key design principles are outlined to optimize information mapping strength, supported by analytical and physical reasoning. The model is further extended to demonstrate phase-space encoding of optical coherent states using classical microwave constellations. In addition, the framework addresses the challenge of inter-symbol overlap in the quantum optical phase-space due to quadrature fluctuations and proposes a potential mitigation technique. The foundational framework established in this paper can also enable the encoding of other nonclassical states of light, such as squeezed states, thereby paving the way for integrating classical microwave and quantum optical links in the near future.
All-optical azimuthal trapping of dissipative Kerr multi-solitons for relative noise suppression
Authors: Shandilya Pradyoth , Ou Shao-Chien , Stone Jordan , Menyuk Curtis , Erkintalo Miro , Srinivasan Kartik , Moille Grégory
Published: January 2025

Temporal cavity solitons, or dissipative Kerr solitons (DKSs) in integrated microresonators, are essential for deployable metrology technologies. Such applications favor the lowest noise state, typically the single-DKS state where one soliton is in the resonator. Other multi-DKS states can also be reached, offering better conversion efficiency and thermal stability, potentially simplifying DKS-based technologies. Yet they exhibit more noise due to relative soliton jitter and are usually not compatible with targeted applications. We demonstrate that Kerr-induced synchronization, an all-optical trapping technique, can azimuthally pin the multi-DKS state to a common reference field. This method ensures repetition rate noise is independent of the number of solitons, making a multi-DKS state indistinguishable from a single-DKS state in that regard, akin to trapped-soliton molecule behavior. Supported by theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration in an integrated microresonator, this approach provides metrological capacity regardless of the number of cavity solitons, benefiting numerous DKS-based metrology applications.
Dopant site analysis of heavily Si-doped GaAs using a combination of electron microscopy and synchrotron radiation
Authors: Saito Genki , Ishizuka Akimitsu , Ohtsuka Masahiro , Ito Shuma , Okajima Toshihiro , Muto Shunsuke
Published: January 2025

Silicon (Si) acts as an amphoteric impurity in gallium arsenide (GaAs), occupying various sites and exhibiting different coordination structures within the material. In this study, we employed electron microscopy, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, and theoretical simulations to analyze the Si-occupied sites and local coordination structures at concentrations ranging from 2 to 4 × 1019 atoms/cm3 in heavily doped GaAs. High angular resolution electron channeling x-ray spectroscopy was employed to analyze the Si-occupied sites. This method quantitatively estimates site occupancies through statistical analysis of atom site-dependent spectra. It was observed that Si substitutes for both Ga and As sites with nearly equal occupancies. Si K-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements and density functional theory calculations were used to explore the local coordination structures of Si. The peak positions of experimental XAFS spectra aligned closely with those of the calculated XAFS spectra for neutral SiGa–SiAs dumbbells, particularly when Si atoms were in close proximity. Considering the effect of vacancies, the experimental XAFS peak position corresponded well with that of the calculated Si dumbbell–VAs pair. In addition, the observed pre-peak was attributed to neutral Si, likely originating from Si clusters. These findings enhance our understanding of Si-related defect structures and their influence on the properties of heavily Si-doped GaAs.
A study on the droplet-jet electrospinning modes: Dynamic behavior and control theory
Authors: Xu Huilin , Wang Liming , Qin Xiaohong
Published: January 2025

The steady droplet-jet electrospinning mode is a preferred mode for the production of fine nanofibers. However, it can only be achieved within a narrow range of operating parameters. The experimental findings on the range are not universally applicable due to the coupled interactions among solution properties, electric field configurations, and operating parameters. Additionally, the dynamic behavior of the meniscus complicates the identification of stable operating parameters. The shape parameters of the meniscus, such as volume and contact angle, offer a unified and easily measurable evaluation of the dynamic stability, yet a comprehensive investigation is lacking. In this paper, we identified various droplet-jet electrospinning modes and dynamic transitions between them from captured images of droplet-jet electrospinning process. Subsequently, the meniscus volumes and electrical contact angles in one-jet modes were measured by an image processing method. Based on the relationship between inflow and outflow rates, characterized by the fluctuations of meniscus volume, the operating parameters were classified into oversupply, equilibrium, and undersupply regimes. We employed the Gibbs inequality condition to explain the principles governing the stable range of electrical contact angles in these regimes. The alignment between experimental results and the predicted values supports the assumption that the range of electrical contact angles in steady droplet-jet electrospinning modes only depends on the intrinsic properties of the liquid solution and the needle geometry. Furthermore, we established a voltage-control law between the electrical contact angle and applied voltage, inspired by the electrowetting theory. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for controlling droplet-jet electrospinning processes.
Dynamics of inclined cantilevered piping system conveying slug flow
Authors: Yang Mei , Mi Liedong , Ji Lite
Published: January 2025

This paper investigates the dynamics of an inclined cantilevered pipe subjected to slug flow using experimental and theoretical approaches. The model equation is simplified using the equivalent flow parameter, followed by discretization via the Galerkin truncation technique. Frequency-domain experimental methods were employed to provide a more direct and scientific basis for understanding the natural frequency fluctuations in slug flow systems while also validating the accuracy of the equivalent flow parameters proposed earlier. Experimental findings revealed that the system's natural frequency exhibits fluctuation characteristics, with the amplitude of these fluctuations dependent on the inclination angle and the superficial gas velocity. Furthermore, profound insights are provided into the predominant added mass effects observed in the system. Linear analysis showed that the type of system instability, whether buckling or flutter, is influenced by gas velocity and the inclination angle. Superficial gas velocity is critical in transitioning the system's instability mechanism from buckling at a lower value to flutter at a higher value. Nonlinear analysis highlighted a shift in instability mechanisms, moving from buckling to a stable state and then to flutter. Finally, the transition to chaotic behavior was primarily governed by period-doubling bifurcations.
Disclosure of the hydrogen evolution mechanism on [FeFe]-hydrogenases-inspired molecular catalysts – a DFT study
Authors: Qiu Siyao , Yu Aimin , Sun Chenghua
Published: January 2025

The FeFe bio-inspired molecular catalysts that mimic the [FeFe] hydrogenases have been widely studied. However, the hydrogen evolution mechanism on the molecular catalysts is still not fully understood. In this work, the theoretical calculation was linked with experimental catalytic performance to reveal the possible reaction mechanism of FeFe molecular catalysts. The Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations on the FeFe molecular catalysts exhibited a good match with the experimental overpotential data, with a R2 of 0.592. The detailed DFT study indicated that the first H+/e− injection was the largest thermodynamic impediment in the whole hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) cycle which follows a proton transfer – electron transfer (PT-ET) mechanism. The injected hydrogen binds to the bridging position between FeFe centre (µ-H) and then transfers to a terminal hydrogen on Fe (t-H). Later, the t-H combines with the second injected hydrogen to form a H2 molecule which is then released from the catalyst. The effect of different ligands on HER was also studied. It was found that different ligands around the FeFe centre could significantly change the PT and ET energy, and some could provide additional binding sites for protons.
Xiaosi ‘die laughing’ as a discourse marker
Authors: Chung Siaw-Fong , Yen Yu-Che
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the usage of 笑死
(xiaosi hereafter, ‘laugh-die; die laughing’) in Facebook posts retrieved during Taiwan’s level-3 COVID-19
alert period (5/15/2021–7/26/2021). The analysis of xiaosi revealed that it serves two major functions: (a) as
its literal meaning, ‘to laugh to death’ (die laughing), and (b) as a discourse marker. The use of this discourse-marker function
demonstrates that it has acquired a new pragmatic function in social media contexts beyond its literal meaning. Specifically,
xiaosi can express a speaker’s stance or provide an evaluative comment on the situation, thus introducing a
new conversational function distinct from its original meaning.
Pressure induced semimetal-to-metal transition and new structure of Ta2NiSe5 above 10 GPa
Authors: Gan Xiaolong , Zhang Han , Jin Shuoxue , Chen Dongliang , Guo Zhiying
Published: January 2025

Previous studies of the transition metal chalcogenide Ta2NiSe5 has identified two phase transitions occurring between 0–10 GPa, involving the excitonic insulator-to-semiconductor transition at 1 GPa and the semiconductor-to-semimetal transition at 3 GPa. However, there is still a lack of in-depth research on the changes in its physical properties changes above 10 GPa. In this study, Ta2NiSe5 were investigated under high-pressure conditions using high-pressure x-ray diffraction and high-pressure x-ray absorption experiments. During the experimental process, a novel phase transition from the semimetal to the metal phase was observed between 10–60 GPa, specifically between 10–14 GPa, and the structure of the new phase was determined to be P21/m through first-principles calculations. This transition mechanism is attributed to the sliding of the weakly coupled layers of Ta2NiSe5 within the a-c plane, leading to changes in the crystal lattice constants and symmetry. This research fills a gap in the understanding of Ta2NiSe5’s crystal structure under high pressure and contributes to the broader field of transition metal chalcogenides.
Chromopolarizability of charm-beauty quarkonium from $B_c(2S) \rightarrow B_c\pi\pi$ transition
Authors: Chen Yun-Hua , Li Zi-Wei
Published: January 2025

The chromopolarizability of a charm-beauty quarkonium characterizes its interaction with soft gluonic fields and can be probed through heavy quarkonium decays. Using the dispersion theory which considers the $\pi\pi$ final state interaction model-independently, we analyze the transition $B_c(2S) \rightarrow B_c\pi^+\pi^-$ and determine the chromopolarizability $\alpha_{B_c(2S) B_c}=(0.66\pm 0.25)$ GeV$^{-3}$ and the parameter $\kappa =-0.02\pm 0.13$.Our results indicate that the transitional chromopolarizability of the $c\bar{b}$ state lies between the transitional chromopolarizabilities of the $c\bar{c}$ and $b\bar{b}$ states. These findings provide valuable insights into the interactions of charm-beauty quarkonium with light hadrons.
Accessing the stringy structure of proton in the framework of Color Glass Condensate
Authors: Xiang Wenchang , Cai Yanbing , Wang Mengliang , Zhou Dai-Cui
Published: January 2025

To investigate the possible geometric structure of the proton, an improved stringy proton model is constructed beyond the smallest distance approximation and treats the constituent (up and down) quarks initiated gluon tubes separately, where the constituent quarks are connected by gluon tubes which merge at the Fermat point of the quark triangle. The exclusive diffractive vector meson production process in electron-proton deep inelastic scattering is used to test the stringy structure of the proton. We calculate the coherent and incoherent differential cross sections of the exclusive diffractive $J/\Psi$ photoproduction in the framework of Color Glass Condensate. The results show that our calculations are in good agreement with HERA data. Especially, our results give a better description of the HERA data at small $t$ as compared to the ones from the hot spot model where the constituent quarks are uncorrelated distributed in the proton. Meanwhile, the radius of the proton resulting from the improved stringy proton model is coincident with the one from fitting to the data from GlueX Collaboration at Jefferson Lab, which indicates that the predictive power of the stringy proton model is significantly improved once it goes beyond the smallest distance approximation and treats the constituent quarks separately, instead of using the same profile for up and down quarks initiated gluon tubes. Moreover, we assume that the transverse shape of gluon tube satisfies Gaussian distribution, and explore the distribution width of the individual gluon tubes. We find an interesting result that the up quark initiated gluon tube seems to have larger distribution width than the down quark initiated gluon tube, which is favored by the HERA data.
New Yukawa-Corrected Casimir Wormholes in Curvature-Matter Coupled Gravitational Framework
Authors: Waheed Saira
Published: January 2025

In this article, our primary objective is to construct new wormhole solutions by involvingYukawa-corrected form of Casimir energy density in a well-motivated gravitational theory thatallows the coupling of curvature and matter namely $\mathbb{F}(R,\mathcal{T})$ theory. To achieve thisgoal, a wormhole geometry exhibiting the spherically symmetric nature is taken into account and anisotropicfluid is assumed to be the background ordinary matter source. As a first case, we consider simple linear$\mathbb{F}(R,\mathcal{T})$ theory by assuming $\mathbb{F}(R,\mathcal{T})=R+2\zeta\mathcal{T}$ with $\mathbb{L}_m=-\mathbb{P}$(average pressure). As a second choice, we utilize the conformal symmetries of spherical symmetric geometryfor simplifying the resulting field equations and obtain corresponding analytical form of wormhole solution.In both cases, the viability of proposed solutions is examined by checking the basic features of wormholeshape model along with the validity of null energy constraints. Further, we study the volume integralquantifier, exoticity factor, stability through TOV equation as well as adiabatic index, active gravitationalmass and complexity factor graphically. As a last case, we use a newly proposed wormhole shape functionto find the expressions of state variables and discuss the validity of energy bounds. We also explore thesignificance of this wormhole shape model through different quantities graphically. In all scenarios,it is found that the presented solutions are new, promising and viable.
A novel hollow-core antiresonant fiber-based biosensor for blood component detection in the THz regime
Authors: Balaji Maharaja , Samikannu Sathiyan
Published: January 2025

This article proposes a novel biosensor based on a five-semi-circular cladding tube hollow core antiresonant fiber (HC-ARF) with a frequency range of 0.5-2.8 THz, using Zeonex as the background material. The HC-ARF biosensor analyses various blood components, namely water, plasma, white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (HB), and red blood cells (RBC). We utilized COMSOL Multiphysics to perform the numerical analysis of the sensor model. For water, plasma, WBC, HB, and RBC, the proposed HC-ARF biosensor exhibits the highest sensitivity levels of 99.50%, 99.58%, 99.43%, 99.58%, and 99.46%, respectively. Furthermore, it demonstrates confinement loss (CL) and effective material loss (EML) of 1.3  × 10−3 dBcm−1 and 5.3  × 10−5 dBcm−1, respectively.
Roadmap on Atomic-scale Semiconductor Devices
Authors: Schofield Steven R , Fisher Andrew J , Ginossar Eran , Lyding Joseph W. , Silver Richard M , Fei Fan , Namboodiri Pradeep , Wyrick Jonathan , Masteghin Mateus Gallucci , Cox David C , Murdin B N , Clowes Steven K , Keizer Joris G , Simmons Michelle Y , Stemp Holly , Morello Andrea , Voisin Benoit , Rogge Sven , Wolkow Robert A , Livadaru Lucian , Pitters Jason , Stock Taylor , Curson Neil Jonathan , Butera Robert E , Pavlova Tatiana , Jakob Alexander Malwin Malwin , Spemann Daniel , Räcke Paul , Schmidt-Kaler Ferdinand , Jamieson David N , Pratiush Utkarsh , Duscher Gerd , Kalinin Sergei V. , Kazazis Dimitrios , Constantinou Procopios , Aeppli Gabriel , Ekinci Yasin , Owen James H G , Fowler Emma , Moheimani Reza , Randall John , Misra Shashank , Ivie Jeffrey A , Allemang Christopher , Anderson Evan M , Bussmann Ezra , Campbell Quinn , Gao Xujiao , Lu Tzu-Ming , Schmucker Scott W
Published: January 2025

Spin states in semiconductors provide exceptionally stable and noise-resistant environments for qubits, positioning them as optimal candidates for reliable quantum computing technologies. The proposal to use nuclear and electronic spins of donor atoms in silicon, introduced by Kane in 1998, sparked a new research field focused on the precise positioning of individual impurity atoms for quantum devices, utilising scanning tunnelling microscopy and ion implantation. This roadmap article reviews the advancements in the 25 years since Kane’s proposal, the current challenges, and the future directions in atomic-scale semiconductor device fabrication and measurement. It covers the quest to create a silicon-based quantum computer and expands to include diverse material systems and fabrication techniques, highlighting the potential for a broad range of semiconductor quantum technological applications. Key developments include phosphorus in silicon devices such as single-atom transistors, arrayed few-donor devices, one- and two-qubit gates, three-dimensional architectures, and the development of a toolbox for future quantum integrated circuits. The roadmap also explores new impurity species like arsenic and antimony for enhanced scalability and higher-dimensional spin systems, new chemistry for dopant precursors and lithographic resists, and the potential for germanium-based devices. Emerging methods, such as photon-based lithography and electron beam manipulation, are discussed for their disruptive potential. This roadmap charts the path toward scalable quantum computing and advanced semiconductor quantum technologies, emphasising the critical intersections of experiment, technological development, and theory.
Application of low-cost hydrokinetic technology for accelerating electricity access to rural areas in developing economies: field experiment in Kenya
Authors: Awandu Willis , Wiesemann Jens-Uwe , Lehmann Boris
Published: January 2025

This article presents the design, construction and field test of an experimental prototype of a low-cost hydrokinetic turbine technology made of local materials and e-waste components. The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of the turbine when subjected to field conditions in low flow velocity rivers. The research and development (R&D) involve the use of e-waste boat motor and locally available materials to develop a modular hydrokinetic turbine for generation of electricity using kinetic energy of rivers. A decommissioned boat motor with a 0.24 m diameter rotor is operated as a turbine. A shroud for flow acceleration was developed from 1.5 mm thick stainless-steel plates and a support structure constructed using angle lines. The field test results of the prototype generated about 11.543 ± 0.021 W and 37.129 ± 0.021 W or (equivalent of 0.011543 kWh and 0.037129 kWh) when operated at an approach flow velocity of 0.8 m s−1 and 1.2 m s−1 respectively. The wire to water ratio was determined instead of the Cp and the turbine achieved an overall wire to water efficiency of 0.99 and 0.95 respectively. This prototype technology can sustainably provide 24 h energy, sufficient to charge batteries in the rural areas and also provide opportunities within the community such as mobile charging points. An upscaled version of this low-cost technology can be adaptable in rural off-grid communities to enhance the access to electricity in developing countries.
Deep unsupervised clustering for prostate auto-segmentation with and without hydrogel spacer
Authors: Zhao Hengrui , Wang Biling , Dohopolski Michael , Bai Ti , Jiang Steve , Nguyen Dan
Published: January 2025

Introduction. Clinical datasets for training deep learning (DL) models often exhibit high levels of heterogeneity due to differences such as patient characteristics, new medical techniques, and physician preferences. In recent years, hydrogel spacers have been used in some prostate cancer patients receiving radiotherapy to separate the prostate and the rectum to better spare the rectum while achieving adequate dose coverage on the prostate. However, this substantially affects the computed tomography image appearance, which downstream reduced the contouring accuracy of auto-segmentation algorithms. This leads to highly heterogeneous dataset. Methods. To address this issue, we propose to identify underlying clusters within the dataset and use the cluster labels for segmentation. We collected a clinical dataset of 909 patients, including those with two types of hydrogel spacers and those without. First, we trained a DL model to locate the prostate and limit our field of view to the local area surrounding the prostate and rectum. We then used Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) for dimensionality reduction and employed k-means clustering to assign each patient to a cluster. To leverage this clustered data, we propose a text-guided segmentation model, contrastive language and image pre-training (CLIP)-UNet, which encodes the cluster information using a text encoder and combines the encoded text information with image features for segmentation. Results. The UMAP results indicated up to three clusters within the dataset. CLIP-UNet with cluster information achieved a Dice score of 86.2% compared to 84.4% from the baseline UNet. Additionally, CLIP-UNet outperforms other state-of-the-art models with or without cluster information. Conclusion. Automatic clustering assisted by DL can reveal hidden data clusters in clinical datasets, and CLIP-UNet effectively utilizes clustered labels and achieves higher performance.
Improved irradiation resistance of high entropy nanolaminates through interface engineering
Authors: Şopu Daniel
Published: January 2025

Bi-phase interfacial engineering is an effective method for improving irradiation resistance, as interfaces play a critical role in defect generation and annihilation. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to investigate the evolution of the high entropy crystalline/amorphous laminates under ion irradiation. The effects of the crystalline/amorphous interface (ACI) on the distribution of point defects in the high entropy alloy (HEA) as well as on the microstructure evolution in metallic glass (MG) plates are investigated. During irradiation, fewer activated point defects were found in the HEA plate of the MG/HEA laminates compared to a free-standing HEA. In addition, the interface acts as a defect sink, accelerating the annihilation of interstitials at the interface. As a result, residual vacancies accumulate in the crystalline region following the first cascade, leading to a segregated distribution and an imbalance between the vacancies and interstitials in the HEA plate. Vacancy accumulation and clustering are responsible for the formation of stacking faults and complex dislocation networks in the HEA plate in the subsequent overlapping cascades. The interface also acts as a crystallization seed, accelerating the crystallization of the MG plate during irradiation process. However, the structural damage in the MG plate is mitigated by the redistribution of the free volume generated in the collision cascade zone, resulting in structural stability of the MG plate in the overlapping cascades.
On the power rate of convergence in Wiener’s ergodic theorem
Authors: Podvigin I.
Published: January 2025

For ergodic averages over

d
d

-dimensional balls, an integral representation is obtained for

L
2

L_2

-norms with a kernel containing the Bessel functions of the first kind. Based on this formula, a spectral criterion for the power rate of convergence in Wiener’s ergodic theorem is proved for all possible exponents. The resulting criterion completely covers the known 1-dimensional result.
United Nations Peacekeeping and the Politics of Authoritarianism
Authors: von Billerbeck Sarah , Gippert Birte Julia , Oksamytna Kseniya , Tansey Oisín
Published: January 2025

Why do countries hosting United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations tend to consolidate authoritarian forms of governance, despite the UN’s own stated aim of promoting democratization? This book advances a theoretically innovative and empirically rich answer to this question: while the UN does not intentionally promote authoritarianism, it faces a number of constraints and dilemmas that give rise to what we call authoritarian enabling. Enabling can occur through two mechanisms, capacity-building and the creation of a permissive environment, which enhance the ability of host governments to engage in authoritarian behavior and signal to them that doing so is low cost. We illustrate these two mechanisms with four in-depth case studies of UN peacekeeping operations: the UN Transitional Administration in Cambodia (UNTAC), the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo / UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC/MONUSCO), the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti / Mission des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation en Haïti (MINUSTAH), and the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). While enabling stops short of the outright promotion of authoritarianism, it explains why the UN’s activities often appear to contradict its stated objectives and the outcomes it delivers fall short of its goals. In addition to its theoretical and empirical contributions, the book suggests how these dilemmas and challenges can be overcome.
Functional genotype classification groups distinguish disease severity in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
Authors: Pathmarajah Pirunthan , Eid Edward , Nazaroff Jaron , So Jodi , Mittal Vaishali , Harris Nicki , Li Shufeng , Lucky Anne W , Gorell Emily S , Peoples Kathleen G , Pope Elena , Lara-Corrales Irene , Paller Amy S , Wiss Karen , Perman Marissa J , Eichenfield Lawrence F , Levy Moise L , Morel Kimberly D , García-Romero Maria T , McCuaig Catherine C , Saber Melissa , Marinkovich M Peter , Oro Anthony , Bruckner Anna L , Tang Jean Y
Published: January 2025

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a genetic disorder due to pathogenic variants in the COL7A1 gene. In this study we determined the association between different categories of COL7A1 variants and clinical disease severity in 236 RDEB patients in North America. Published reports or in-silico predictions were used to assess the impact of pathogenic variants in COL7A1 on type VII collagen (C7) protein function. Three impact categories were postulated: genotypes that would likely cause a low impact on C7 function (splice B/missense, missense/missense), medium impact [premature termination codon (PTC)/splice B, splice A/splice B, PTC/missense, splice A/missense, splice B/splice B] and high impact (PTC/PTC, PTC/splice A, splice A/splice A). Splice A variants are predicted to cause downstream PTCs while splice B variants cause in-frame exon skipping and are therefore less deleterious. Severity of functional impact was significantly associated with history of gastrostomy tube placement, esophageal dilation, hand surgery, anemia, renal disease, chronic wounds, diffuse skin involvement and history of squamous cell carcinoma. Odds of death were 3.25 (1.24-8.50, p=0.02) higher in the high vs medium impact group. High impact group patients had worse clinical outcomes. Functional genotype categories are a feasible approach to risk stratify patients based on predicted C7 function.
Predicting acute kidney injury in trauma using extreme gradient boosting model: a temporal validation study
Authors: Yi Yongjin , Tae Minwoo , Shin Sujong , Choi Sang-Il
Published: January 2025

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant complication in patients with trauma. The early identification of AKI in these patients poses challenges. This study aimed to predict AKI in trauma patients 24 or 48 hours in advance using an extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model.

Methods

We analyzed 17 859 trauma patients admitted to a regional trauma center between January 2015 and July 2023. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were collected. The model was developed using data until July 2021 and validated using data from August 2021. We developed models to predict AKI stages 1 to 3 and AKI stages 2 and 3 occurring 48 and 24 h later and measured predictive performance in the validation group. The models' performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), and feature importance was assessed through SHapley Additive exPlanations values.

Results

The study population exhibited an incidence of AKI of 6.6% in the development group and 5.4% in the validation group. The models demonstrated predictive performances with AUROCs of 0.864 and 0.886 for 48-hour predictions of AKI stages 1 to 3 and stages 2 and 3, and 0.904 and 0.903 for 24-hour predictions of AKI stages 1 to 3 and stages 2 and 3, respectively. Key features influencing model predictions included baseline and in-hospital serum creatinine values, injury severity score, age, lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer, platelets, albumin, and C-reactive protein levels.

Conclusions

The XGBoost models effectively predicted AKI in trauma patients up to 48 h in advance using clinical data.
Guiding plant conservation using physiological tools: how mechanistic research can bridge disciplinary divides
Authors: Tomlinson Sean
Published: January 2025

Lay Summary

This editorial introduces a special issue of Conservation Physiology reporting on ‘Traits and Measurements in Plant Conservation’. This article covers previous preferences by different fields of conservation biology in reporting plant or animal research and the manner in which physiological analyses can bridge these divides. Focusing on plant physiology, it summarizes the research of a dozen papers published in the special issue and some burning questions identified by the broader authorship group who contributed to the special issue.
Recruiting Intensity, Hires, and Vacancies: Evidence from Firm-Level Data
Authors: Forsythe Eliza , Weinstein Russell
Published: January 2025

We investigate employer recruiting behaviour, using detailed firm-level data from a national survey of employers hiring recent college graduates. We find this behaviour is responsive to the business cycle, beliefs about labour market tightness, and the intended number of hires. Specifically, employers adjust planned recruiting effort and compensation. We then show that when firms expend greater recruiting effort they ultimately hire more individuals per vacancy. These results suggest that when firms want to increase hires they adjust both the quantity of vacancies and the recruiting intensity per vacancy. If this is true more broadly in the labour market, it may help explain the breakdown in the standard matching function during the Great Recession.
State-level LGBTQ+ policies and health: the role of political determinants in shaping health equity
Authors: Akré Ellesse-Roselee L , Rapfogel Nicole , Miller Gabe H
Published: January 2025

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals in the United States experience higher rates of discrimination and stressors that negatively impact health compared with their straight, cisgender counterparts. Using 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) data, estimating multilevel mixed-effects logistic regressions, we examined the relationship between state LGBTQ+ policies and health among LGBT people. Findings reveal a statistically significant inverse link between protective (high) state policy scores and poor self-rated health, poor mental health days, and poor physical health days. Specifically, with each 1-point increase in policy score, the odds of poor self-rated health are reduced by 0.03%, high mental health burden by 0.02%, and high physical health burden by 0.02%. Inequalities in self-rated health, high mental health burden, and high physical health burden are greater in policy environments with fewer state-level protections, with LGBT individuals reporting better health where there are more protections. These results indicate that discriminatory state policies are linked to poorer health for LGBT individuals and suggest that protective policies could improve health. Further research with comprehensive data is needed to deepen understanding.
Metagenomic analysis of microbial dynamics in water kefir grains: influence of soy protein on biomass growth and development of alternative beverage
Authors: Kaya Yiğit , Akgün Hasan Alptuğ , Taş Tuğba Kök
Published: January 2025

The primary aim of this article is to determine the changes in the microbial community within the current water kefir grains when developed in a protein-supplemented environment through metagenomic analysis. Supplied nutrients directly alter structures that contain complex microbial communities in nature. Considering the much more complex human intestinal microbiota, there are numerous articles indicating changes due to nutrition. This study validates this system on a micro scale. The second objective is to create alternatives for the current water kefir beverage and increase its consumption. The properties of these beverages were determined through chemical, sugar composition, microbiological, and sensory analyses. The research identified that the microbial content in water kefir grains changes, resulting in a high biomass structure due to the increased presence of bacteria producing excessive exopolysaccharides. Based on all analysis findings, the ginger and basil-flavored beverage group was determined to be the most suitable product. Further research is required to optimize other flavor components.
Validation of the Alzheimer’s disease-Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation food frequency questionnaire using weighed food records and biomarkers: the method of triads model
Authors: Gardener Samantha L , Doecke James D , Lyons-Wall Philippa , Martins Ralph N , Rainey-Smith Stephanie R
Published: January 2025

The objective was to apply the triangular approach, the Method of Triads, to determine validity of the Alzheimer’s disease-Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation FFQ (AD-CSIROFFQ) in 98 cognitively unimpaired Australian older adults using blood biomarkers and 4-day weighed food records (WFRs).

Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated between each dietary method and the validity coefficient was calculated using the Method of Triads. 95% confidence intervals for the validity coefficients were estimated using bootstrap sampling.

Spearman’s correlation coefficients between FFQ and WFR intake for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E (r = 1.00 and r = 0.95, respectively), and the FFQ intake and beta carotene biomarker level were positively associated (r = 0.35; all p < 0.001). The validity coefficient of the FFQ was highest for DHA (0.94), with a moderate coefficient observed for beta carotene (0.47). The Method of Triads could not be applied to vitamin E and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as one of the individual correlation coefficients was negative.

Validity coefficients were comparable to those of the few other published studies utilising this same approach. The study provides evidence towards validity of the AD-CSIROFFQ in the measurement of DHA and beta carotene, however, was unable to determine validity of vitamin E and EPA intake using this method.
Characterization of lactic acid bacteria and yeast strains isolated from traditional yoghurts to obtain new starter culture combinations and the properties of products during the storage period
Authors: Çetin Zahide , Karahan Aynur Gül
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to create new starter culture combinations by isolating lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast strains from traditional yoghurts. Accordingly, 80 strains were isolated from 23 samples. The strains developed acidity within 16 hours, with pH 4.13-5.98. Subsequently, 26 of these strains produced exopolysaccharide (EPS, 0.0-3.3 mg/L), and 5 showed proteolytic activity. The 10 superior strains were identified as Lactiplantibacillus (L.) plantarum, Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus, Enterococcus (E.) faecium, Enterococcus sp., and Candida (C.) kefyr. Four groups of yoghurts were produced with three starter culture combinations and a control. During the 21-day storage all groups exhibited similarities in physicochemical properties and protein profiles by SDS-PAGE. However, the volatile component content varied depending on the starter culture combination and storage period. Sensory analysis showed that the experimental yoghurts were preferred over the control group. These findings suggest that the starter culture combinations could be effectively used in industrial yoghurt production.