bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
tinyHLS: a novel open source high level synthesis tool targeting hardware accelerators for artificial neural network inference
Authors: Hoyer Ingo , Utz Alexander , Hoog Antink Christoph , Seidl Karsten
Published: January 2025

Objective. In recent years, wearable devices such as smartwatches and smart patches have revolutionized biosignal acquisition and analysis, particularly for monitoring electrocardiography (ECG). However, the limited power supply of these devices often precludes real-time data analysis on the patch itself. Approach. This paper introduces a novel Python package, tinyHLS (High Level Synthesis), designedto address these challenges by converting Python-based AI models into platform-independent hardware description language (HDL) code accelerators. Specifically designed for convolutional neural networks (CNNs), tinyHLS seamlessly integrates into the AI developer’s workflow in Python TensorFlow Keras. Our methodology leverages a template-based hardware compiler that ensures flexibility, efficiency, and ease of use. In this work, tinyHLS is first-published featuring templates for several layers of neural networks, such as dense, convolution, max and global average pooling. In the first version, rectified linear unit (ReLU) is supported as activation. It targets one-dimensional data, with a particular focus on time series data. Main results. The generated accelerators are validated in detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) on electrocardiogram (ECG) data, demonstrating significant improvements in processing speed (62-fold) and energy efficiency (4.5-fold). Quality of code and synthesizability are ensured by validating the outputs with commercial ASIC design tools. Significance. Importantly, tinyHLS is open-source and does not rely on commercial tools, making it a versatile solution for both academic and commercial applications. The paper also discusses the integration with an open-source RISCV and potential for future enhancements of tinyHLS, including its application in edge servers and cloud computing. The source code is available on GitHub: https://github.com/Fraunhofer-IMS/tinyHLS
Ventilation-perfusion matching in early-stage of prone position ventilation: a prospective cohort study between COVID-19 ARDS and ARDS from other etiologies
Authors: Yang Yingying , Li Hantian , Chi Yi , Frerichs Inéz , Zhao Zhanqi , Li Yuan , Zhang Chunyang , Chu Huiwen , He Huaiwu , Long Yun
Published: January 2025

Objective:Prone positioning is a therapeutic strategy for severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). In COVID-19-associated ARDS (CARDS), the application of prone position has shown varying responses, influenced by factors such as lung recruitability and SARS-CoV-2-induced pulmonary endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to compare the early impact of pronation on lung ventilation-perfusion matching (VQmatch) in CARDS and non-COVID-19 ARDS patients (non-CARDS).Approach:This was a two-center, prospective study comparing between CARDS and non-CARDS. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) was used to compare the VQmatch between supine and early-stage prone positions (~2h). The study identified the areas of Deadspace, shunt, and VQmatch. Within the defined VQmatch region, the global inhomogeneity index (VQmatch-GI) was computed to evaluate the degree of heterogeneity. Paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Chi-square test were used in statistical analysis.Main results:15 CARDS patients and 14 non-CARDS patients undergoing mechanical ventilation were included. In comparison to the non-CARDS group, the CARDS group exhibited a higher prevalence of diffuse lung disease (15 [100%] vs. 4 [28.6%], CARDS vs. Non-CARDS, p＜0.001), along with elevated SOFA score, PCO2, PEEP, and Ppeak. Among non-CARDS patients, 11/14 demonstrated improved oxygenation, whereas only 5/15 CARDS patients exhibited oxygenation improvement in prone ventilation. In 13/29 patients with oxygenation improvement (defined as above 20% increase in SpO2/FiO2), there was a significant decreased deadspace (21.3 [11.5, 33.1] vs. 9.7 [7.3, 16.9], p=0.039), and VQmatch showed an upward trend. When comparing prone ventilation to supine ventilation, non-CARDS patients showed a significant improvement in overall VQmatch (Supine 65.7 [49.7, 68.5] vs. Prone 67.4 [60.8, 72.6], p=0.019). CARDS patients had a notable decrease in ventral VQmatch (VQmatch_Ventral: Supine 35.0 [26.9, 42.0] vs. Prone 22.7 [12.4, 32.9], p=0.003), and an improvement in dorsal VQmatch (VQmatch_Dorsal: Supine 33.4 [20.4, 39.4] vs. Prone 46.4 [37.4, 48.4], p=0.031), leading to no significant improvement in overall VQmatch. Ten CARDS patients with no improvement in VQmatch had increased shunting and VQmatch-GI.Significance:In non-CARDS patients, the improvement in oxygenation and VQmatch following prone positioning exhibits a consistent pattern. Conversely, in CARDS patients, the impact of prone positioning reveals considerable individual variability. This study indicates that the response to short-time prone ventilation can vary in ARDS patients with different etiologies.Trial registration: NCT05816928, 04/17/2023, retrospectively registered.
Decomposition product formation mechanism of C5F10O-CO2 mixture in corona discharge by a chemical kinetic model
Authors: Gao Qingqing , Wang Xiaohua , Guan Huai , Yang Aijun , Niu Chunping
Published: January 2025

C5F10O-CO2 mixture has great potential to replace SF6 in gas-insulated equipment. However, C5F10O-CO2 mixture can decompose to a series of products in corona discharge, weakening the insulation performance of the gas-insulated equipment. The formation mechanism of the decomposition products can help identify the potential insulation defects. This paper establishes a chemical kinetic model to obtain the variation regulation of decomposition products in AC point-plane corona discharge for C5F10O-CO2 mixture with C5F10O content of 5%, 10% and 15%. The model is composed of a plasma region and a gas region, and the two regions interact via a diffusion process. The model contains 78 species and the related reactions. Multi-step time is applied to simultaneously calculate the rapid chemical reaction kinetics in the plasma region and the slow chemical reactions in the gas region. The effects of O2 on the decomposition products are also investigated by the addition of 10%O2 in 10%C5F10O–90%CO2 mixture. The main reaction pathways in the plasma and gas regions are captured by calculating the contributions of the related reactions to the generation of decomposition products. By analyzing the formation mechanism of the decomposition products, the main physicochemical processes in corona discharge can be obtained.
Optimal design of unimorph and segmented piezoelectric cantilevers for energy harvesting
Authors: Leonardi Giorgia , Dessi Daniele , Venturi Andrea , Ruta Giuseppe
Published: January 2025

Segmented piezoelectric layers, instead of a single layer covering the entire length of the supporting cantilevers, may optimise the design of PZT harvesters from various perspectives. Indeed, a suitable selection of the length and position of the piezoelectric patch may increase their effectiveness, save piezoelectric material, and reduce costs from the life-cycle perspective of device disposal. A linear reduced-order model (ROM) for unimorph and stepped piezoelectric energy harvesters with a proof mass is developed to evaluate the power output under transversal ground excitation. The electromechanical PDEs derived by Hamilton’s principle are transformed into a system of uncoupled ODEs using the exact bending modes of an equivalent piecewise uniform, multilayered Bernoulli–Euler beam. The model is validated comparing its analytical voltage-to-acceleration transfer function with that experimentally identified for various resistive loads and tip masses under harmonic excitation. Such a validated ROM allows for fast and accurate computation of the sensitivity of frequency transfer functions with respect to patch length and position, highlighting the optimal combinations of parameters to maximize voltage, electrical power, or piezoelectric material efficiency.
Quantum metrology using quantum combs and tensor network formalism
Authors: Kurdzialek Stanislaw , Dulian Piotr , Majsak Joanna , Chakraborty Sagnik , Demkowicz-Dobrzanski Rafal
Published: January 2025

We develop an efficient algorithm for determining optimal adaptive quantum estimation protocols with arbitrary quantum control operations between subsequent uses of a probed channel. We introduce a tensor network representation of an estimation strategy, which drastically reduces the time and memory consumption of the algorithm, and allows us to analyze metrological protocols involving up to N=50 qubit channel uses, whereas the state-of-the-art approaches are limited to N<5. The method is applied to study the performance of the optimal adaptive metrological protocols in presence of various noise types, including correlated noise.
Robustness of inflation to kinetic inhomogeneities
Authors: Elley Matthew , Aurrekoetxea Josu C. , Clough Katy , Flauger Raphael , Giannadakis Panagiotis , Lim Eugene A.
Published: January 2025

We investigate the effects of large inhomogeneities in both the inflaton field and its momentum. We find that in general, large kinetic perturbations reduce the number of e-folds of inflation. In particular, we observe that inflationary models with sub-Planckian characteristic scales are not robust even to kinetic energy densities that are sub-dominant to the potential energy density, unless the initial field configuration is sufficiently far from the minimum. This strengthens the results of our previous work. In inflationary models with super-Planckian characteristic scales, despite a reduction in the number of e-folds, inflation is robust even when the potential energy density is initially sub-dominant. For the cases we study, the robustness of inflation strongly depends on whether the inflaton field is driven into the reheating phase by the inhomogeneous scalar dynamics.
Poly(curcumin-co-poly(ethylene glycol)) films provide neuroprotection following reactive oxygen species insult in vitro
Authors: Hamilton Adelle E , Waskiewicz Nikita , Quinones Geraldine B , Capadona Jeffrey R , Bentley Marvin , Palermo Edmund F , Gilbert Ryan J
Published: January 2025

Objective. Curcumin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule that may provide neuroprotection following central nervous system injury. However, curcumin is hydrophobic, limiting its ability to be loaded and then released from biomaterials for neural applications. We previously developed polymers containing curcumin, and these polymers may be applied to neuronal devices or to neural injury to promote neuroprotection. Thus, our objective was to evaluate two curcumin polymers as potential neuroprotective materials for neural applications. Approach. For each curcumin polymer, we created three polymer solutions by varying the weight percentage of curcumin polymer in solvent. These solutions were subsequently coated onto glass coverslips, and the thickness of the polymer was assessed using profilometry. Polymer degradation and dissolution was assessed using brightfield microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. The ability of the polymers to protect cortical neurons from free radical insult was assessed using an in vitro cortical culture model. Main results. The P50 curcumin polymer (containing greater poly(ethylene glycol) content than the P75 polymer), eroded readily in solution, with erosion dependent on the weight percentage of polymer in solvent. Unlike the P50 polymer, the P75 polymer did not undergo erosion. Since the P50 polymer underwent erosion, we expected that the P50 polymer would more readily protect cortical neurons from free radical insult. Unexpectedly, even though P75 films did not erode, P75 polymers protected neurons from free radical insult, suggesting that erosion is not necessary for these polymers to enable neuroprotection. Significance. This study is significant as it provides a framework to evaluate polymers for future neural applications. Additionally, we observed that some curcumin polymers do not require dissolution to enable neuroprotection. Future work will assess the ability of these materials to enable neuroprotection within in vivo models of neural injury.
Elephant-inspired tapered cable-driven hyper-redundant manipulator: design and performance analysis
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Zhang Hua , Zhang Xinbin , Huo Jianwen , Tan Liguo , Liu Manlu
Published: January 2025

The cable-driven hyper-redundant manipulator (CDHM), distinguished by its high flexibility and adjustable stiffness, is extensively utilized in confined and obstacle-rich environments such as aerospace and nuclear facilities. This paper introduces a novel CDHM inspired by the trunk of elephants, which changes the arm structure from cylindrical to conical. This alteration diminishes the arm’s self-weight, reduces the moment arm of gravity, decreases the volume of the end joint, narrows the stroke of the driving cables, and boosts the maximum joint speed of the manipulator. Additionally, this study examines the impact of the manipulator’s taper on its overall performance from both dynamic and kinematic perspectives. Finally, three prototype manipulators with varying tapers are confirmed, and tests are conducted on each manipulator’s motion performance and cable tension. By comparing experimental data, the accuracy of the theoretical analysis and the rationality of the conical structure are confirmed. The results suggest that the proposed new configuration offers certain advantages in terms of cable stroke, joint speed and maximum driving force.
Coupling natural-social models can better quantify the interactions in achieving carbon neutrality in China
Authors: Wang Tianpeng , Lu Yixiong , Teng Fei , Zhang Xiliang , Zhang Xiaoye , Wei Min , Wu Tongwen , Wang Deying , Sun Jing , Zhong Junting
Published: January 2025

Human activities have greatly altered Earth’s radiative balance, necessitating assessments that couple natural and social systems to address the resulting impacts and interactions. However, traditional Earth System Models (ESMs) and integrated assessment models often split to simulate changes in the two systems and neglect the feedback between these systems, limiting our understanding of the pathways to carbon neutrality, the associated global warming level and climate change impacts. This study constructs a coupled natural-social systems framework to bridge this gap, integrating the China-in-global energy model with the Beijing Climate Center ESM version 1. The results show that bidirectional feedbacks in the natural-social system increase the demand for electricity under China’s carbon neutrality target, increasing the pressure to reduce emissions and driving up the carbon prices. Meanwhile, carbon neutrality does not eliminate all negative climate impacts and can substantially reduce the economic output of climate-vulnerable sectors in China, highlighting the need for early adaptation measures. This study emphasizes the importance of planning China’s climate neutrality pathways from a coupled natural-social system perspective.
Science-based communication and education needed to improve forest carbon science, policy, and management outcomes
Authors: Papa Chad C , Clay Kylie , Cooper Lauren T , Stark Scott C
Published: January 2025

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity and forests are increasingly seen as a key pathway to mitigating and adapting to the climate crisis. Because forests stand to play a significant role in reaching net-zero emission targets, politicians and policymakers must act decisively to engineer a rapid paradigm shift that maintains forests’ resilience and adaptive capacity. While there has been significant investment and advancement in forest carbon science to inform policy and planning, there remains a persistent science-practice gap to further integrate scientific information into forest carbon policy and management. Here, we use a survey, semi-structured interviews, and a review of relevant policy literature to assess the nature and extent of, as well as possibilities to bridge, the science-practice gap with regards to forest carbon science, management, and policy. Our results identified barriers to the science-practice gap and provide potential pathways to bridge the divide. We identified three key areas to improve forest carbon outcomes (1) improved data, tools, and models to assess trends and statuses of forests; (2) enhanced carbon science training among state forest practitioners and decision-makers; and (3) effective science-based communication for decision-makers and general audiences. Engagement with forestry stakeholders and iterative and participatory approaches, including targeted education and communication of complex scientific topics, can inform both policy and on-the-ground management. Overcoming such barriers to communication highlights important linkages between forest managers, policymakers, and scientists to address challenges of reaching a net-zero emission.
Freezing imaginarity measures with real operations
Authors: Zheng Bingke , Guo Zhihua , Zhang Chengyang , Cao Huaixin
Published: January 2025

Imaginarity plays an essential role in many quantum information processing tasks. Usually, real operations do not increase imaginarity measures. In present work, we aim to discuss freezing of imaginarity measures with real operations. It is proved that a real operation Φ freezes all imaginarity measures of a state ρ if and only if it freezes the relative entropy measure of imaginarity of the state ρ. In the qubit case, real operations that freeze imaginarity measures based on trace distance and relative entropy are characterized, respectively. Moreover, the freezing of imaginarity measure based on trace distance is not necessarily dilated into multipartite systems, while that based on the Tsallis relative entropy can be dilated into multipartite systems. Finally, we characterize real local operations that freeze the imaginarity measure based on trace distance of a special type of X-states in a multi-qubit system.
Hammerstein equations for sparse random matrices
Authors: Akara-pipattana Pawat , Evnin Oleg
Published: January 2025

Finding eigenvalue distributions for a number of sparse random matrix ensembles can be reduced to solving nonlinear integral equations of the Hammerstein type. While a systematic mathematical theory of such equations exists, it has not been previously applied to sparse matrix problems. We close this gap in the literature by showing how one can employ numerical solutions of Hammerstein equations to accurately recover the spectra of adjacency matrices and Laplacians of random graphs. While our treatment focuses on random graphs for concreteness, the methodology has broad applications to more general sparse random matrices.
Xylometazoline-induced change in aspirated nasal nitric oxide detects obstructed paranasal ostia
Authors: Tamminen Pekka , Kivekäs Ilkka , Numminen Jura , Järnstedt Jorma , Rautiainen Markus , Lehtimäki Lauri
Published: January 2025

The concentrations of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) vary in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) supposedly depending upon whether the paranasal ostia are open or obstructed. Our aim was to assess whether nNO levels and their response to topical xylometazoline (a local vasoconstrictor used to alleviate nasal congestion) in patients with CRS differ between those with open or obstructed ostia and if the results were altered by the use of nasal corticosteroids. Sixty-six patients with CRS (43% with nasal polyps) or recurrent acute rhinosinusitis and 23 healthy controls were included. Nasal NO was measured (EcoMedics CLD 88p analyser) before and after two xylometazoline sprays during three consecutive visits: with the medication they were using when they were referred, after 4 weeks of medication pause, and after 4 weeks of using intranasal fluticasone propionate. The relative difference between the nNO before and after dosing of xylometazoline was calculated, and ostial obstruction was evaluated with cone-beam computed tomography at every visit. The nNO measurements were lowest in the patients with CRS and obstructed paranasal ostia. The presence or absence of nasal polyps did not affect the results. Xylometazoline did not significantly affect nNO in the subjects with obstructed ostia, but there was a significant reduction of nNO in those with open ostia. The Xylometazoline-induced change in nNO between the groups with open or obstructed ostia was significantly different at each visit: ‘on previous medication’ 10% (−5–25) versus −14% (−19 to −9), p = 0.004, ‘after medication pause’ 6% (−5–17) versus −16% (−23 to −9), p = 0.001 and ‘after regular fluticasone spray’ 6% (−3–15) versus −9% (−16 to −3), p = 0.04. The native nNO and xylometazoline-induced change in nNO can be used to detect the status of ostial obstruction in patients with CRS irrespective of their topical corticosteroid usage.
Improvement of Distribution Substation Performance Using SVC and a Grid-tied Solar PV System
Authors: Alfalahi Saad T. Y. , Mansor Muhamad Bin , Kadhim Hasan M. , Alsammarraie Riyam M.
Published: January 2025

The use of solar photovoltaic (PV) in the electrical distribution system poses a significant challenge to modern power networks. The fluctuating output of these systems can degrade the stability of the voltage. This article uses an ETAP environment to simulate the electrical network of an 11 kV distribution substation connected to a PV installation. The program uses an adaptive Newton-Raphson method to conduct a load flow assessment, assessing voltage level profile and other performance characteristics. Various scenarios are considered to analyze the impact of static capacitors with different ratings and PV-generating units on the distribution network’s performance. The most suitable static capacitor bank size is determined to enhance the system’s performance. Comparative findings are provided to achieve optimal enhancement in voltage level, power factor, and loadings of the main grid.
Reducing Computational Costs and Mitigating Measurement Errors in Parameters’ Estimation for the Single Diode PV Model
Authors: Ali Ahmed Abdulredha , Abdulrazzaq Ali Kareem , Al-Safi Amean , Márton Németh , Plesz Balázs
Published: January 2025

Efficient modeling of PV systems is one of the key characteristics that enable this sector. The quality and robustness of the electrical model are strongly dependent on the accurate estimation of the physical characteristic parameters of the PV cell/module. However, considering the complexity of such a model, the computational cost is a significant concern. This paper presents effective techniques to minimize the computational cost by targeting multiple key aspects. One concept lies in the problem formulation phase, and the second one aims to optimize the number of the measured I-V points per curve, for which the physical parameters are to be extracted. The presented study has proved that using 20 I-V measured points per curve would reduce the computational cost for extracting the parameters by several folds compared to the typical situation in a measurement system that records 450 points per curve. Also, the suggested method shows its applicability in minimizing the error introduced by measurement systems.
Modeling and performance analysis of MWCNT bundle interconnect based on state space method
Authors: Zhao Songjie , Deng Fang
Published: January 2025

To efficiently analyze the time-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of novel interconnects, this paper focuses on multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) bundle interconnects as the primary subject of research and proposes a state space model that is applicable to carbon nanotube interconnects, graphene nanoribbon interconnects and various improved structures. Using the state space method, the equivalent circuit model of single MWCNT bundle interconnect that primarily adopts voltage-mode signaling (VMS) and current-mode signaling (CMS) is solved, respectively. Additionally, the transient output responses and frequency responses of the interconnect at local, intermediate, and global levels for 14 nm technology node are analyzed to evaluate the delay and 3 dB bandwidth performance for different modes. And the noise peak and power dissipation are also discussed. The proposed state space method is found to be highly accurate and effective by comparing with the simulation results from the SPICE environment in ADS and ABCD parameter matrix method. Furthermore, the method presented in this paper is suitable for solving multi-line coupled interconnects and can provide some meaningful theoretical guidance for analyzing the electrical characteristics of novel interconnects.
Systematic application of saliency maps to explain the decisions of convolutional neural networks for glaucoma diagnosis based on disc and cup geometry
Authors: Fumero Francisco , Sigut Jose , Estévez José , Díaz-Alemán Tinguaro
Published: January 2025

This paper systematically evaluates saliency methods as explainability tools for convolutional neural networks trained to diagnose glaucoma using simplified eye fundus images that contain only disc and cup outlines. These simplified images, a methodological novelty, were used to relate features highlighted in the saliency maps to the geometrical clues that experts consider in glaucoma diagnosis. Despite their simplicity, these images retained sufficient information for accurate classification, with balanced accuracies ranging from 0.8331 to 0.8890, compared to 0.8090 to 0.9203 for networks trained on the original images. The study used a dataset of 606 images, along with RIM-ONE DL and REFUGE datasets, and explored nine saliency methods. A discretization algorithm was applied to reduce noise and compute normalized attribution values for standard eye fundus sectors. Consistent with other medical imaging studies, significant variability was found in the attribution maps, influenced by the method, model, or architecture, and often deviating from typical sectors experts examine. However, globally, the results were relatively stable, with a strong correlation of 0.9289 (p < 0.001) between relevant sectors in our dataset and RIM-ONE DL, and 0.7806 (p < 0.001) for REFUGE. The findings suggest caution when using saliency methods in critical fields like medicine. These methods may be more suitable for broad image relevance interpretation rather than assessing individual cases, where results are highly sensitive to methodological choices. Moreover, the regions identified by the networks do not consistently align with established medical criteria for disease severity.
Nyquist ghost elimination for diffusion MRI by dual-polarity readout at low b-values
Authors: Jalnefjord Oscar , Geades Nicolas , Gilbert Guillaume , Björkman-Burtscher Isabella M , Ljungberg Maria
Published: January 2025

Dual-polarity readout is a simple and robust way to mitigate Nyquist ghosting in diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging but imposes doubled scan time. We here propose how dual-polarity readout can be implemented with little or no increase in scan time by exploiting an observed b-value dependence and signal averaging. The b-value dependence was confirmed in healthy volunteers with distinct ghosting at low b-values but of negligible magnitude at b = 1000 s/mm2. The usefulness of the suggested strategy was exemplified with a scan using tensor-valued diffusion encoding for estimation of parameter maps of mean diffusivity, and anisotropic and isotropic mean kurtosis, showing that ghosting propagated into all three parameter maps unless dual-polarity readout was applied. Results thus imply that extending the use of dual-polarity readout to low non-zero b-values provides effective ghost elimination and can be used without increased scan time for any diffusion MRI scan containing signal averaging at low b-values.
Extraction of individual Pockels coefficients of thin films via interferometric reflection measurements
Authors: De Geest Kobe , Lievens Enes , Picavet Ewout , De Buysser Klaartje , Van Thourhout Dries , Beeckman Jeroen
Published: January 2025

Ferroelectric thin films integrated on passive photonic platforms offer ways to achieve functionalities that are otherwise impossible or inefficient, such as electro-optic (EO) modulation, acousto-optic modulation or optical nonlinear conversion. Characterization methods of the EO properties of thin films are often only able to extract an effective EO response, while in many integrated photonic circuits it is one of the Pockels coefficients that determines the strength of the modulation. In this work, we demonstrate a new method to extract the r
33 and the r
13 coefficient independently by measuring the change in polarization and amplitude of light reflected at the sample, taking into account multiple reflections and interference effects. This method is verified for highly textured Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 and BaTiO3 thin films.
Silicon/carbon composite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries: materials design and synthesis, current state, progress, and future perspectives
Authors: Ahmed Humna , Simoes dos Reis Glaydson , Molaiyan Palanivel , Lähde Anna , Lassi Ulla
Published: January 2025

The global need for high-energy-density batteries has pushed for the development of high-performance battery materials such as cathodes and anodes to meet the huge energy demands in our modern society. Graphite (Gr) is the dominant anode material for lithium-ion batteries but possesses a lower theoretical capacity of 372 mAh g−1, which hinders the fabrication of more powerful batteries. On the other hand, silicon (Si) possesses an extremely higher theoretical capacity than graphite (4200 mAh g−1 in a composite of Li4.4Si vs graphite: 372 mAh g−1). Unfortunately, Si anode has issues with high volume changes (up to 400%) during cycling. Mixing/compositing silicon with carbon (Si/C) is set to be a realistic strategy to overcome issues related to the volume changes of Si and the low capacity of graphite. Instead, coupling both elements enables the combination of the two main materials’ properties, such as the high lithiation performance of Si and outstanding mechanical stability and conductivity of the carbon, which allows the battery to reach high storage capacity under elevated stability over longer cycles. In this review, Si/C materials anode materials synthesis methods, structural and morphological characteristics, and electrochemical performances are discussed as well as major challenge to overcome pulverization of Si during the charge/discharge process, and potential challenges of designing Si/C.
Ink-jetting-based conformal additive manufacturing: advantages, opportunities, and challenges
Authors: Yi Hao , Guo Xiaoqi , Chang Fangle , Cao Huajun , An Jia , Chua Chee Kai
Published: January 2025

Ink-jetting printing stands out among various conformal additive manufacturing techniques for its multi-material, digital control, and process flexibility. Ink-jetting-based conformal additive manufacturing is renowned for its adaptability to complex topological surfaces and is emerging as a critical technology for future comprehensive conformal printing systems. This review highlights the distinctiveness of four primary ink-jetting printing techniques in conformal additive manufacturing—piezoelectric jetting, thermal bubble jetting, aerosol jetting, and electrohydrodynamic jetting—and delves into how these attributes endow ink-jetting printing with unique advantages in conformal processes. Furthermore, leveraging these advantages, the review discusses potential applications in conformal electronics, energy devices, biology, and electromagnetics to bolster the ongoing development and application. Considering the current state of this technology, the review identifies critical challenges for future advancements, such as dynamic surface printing, integrated fabrication of multifunctional conformal structures, and the balance between resolution and throughput. This review summarizes the latest research and technological advancements in ink-jetting-based conformal additive manufacturing, aiding in its innovative applications and enhanced manufacturing capabilities in the future.
Effect of nanoparticle-based lubricants on various performance characteristics of journal bearings: a review
Authors: Biswas Nabarun , Mandal Suman Kumar , Bhagwatkar Ishan , Kumar Raman , Kaur Jatinder , Bhowmik A , Choudhuri Kishan , Bhattacharjee Biplab
Published: January 2025

Nano lubricants are revolutionizing the performance of journal bearing, offering innovative solutions to tackle key issues in wear, friction, and load-carrying capacity. This review examines recent progress in nanolubricant applications, highlighting their substantial impact on bearing efficiency and durability. The addition of nanoparticles to lubricating oils enhances their viscosity, reduces friction, and improves heat conductivity, resulting in a significant increase in load-carrying ability. This paper also explores the stability issues associated with nano lubricants, underscoring the crucial role of surfactants and advanced preparation methods in preventing aggregation and ensuring long-term effectiveness. By offering a thorough review of current literature, this study serves as an invaluable resource for scientists and engineers aiming to harness nanotechnology for advanced bearing systems. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions to further enhance nanolubricant formulations and broaden their application across various industrial sectors, thus paving the way for improved mechanical efficiency and sustainability.
A comparison of the effects of beaver ponds and forest harvest on stream methylmercury in boreal watersheds
Authors: Lam W Y , Mackereth R W , Lajoie C M E , Kidd K A , Mitchell C P J
Published: January 2025

Beaver ponds and forest harvest are common disturbances in the Canadian boreal forest that result in major changes to catchment hydrology and thus also influence the mobilization and methylation of mercury (Hg). Though both beaver ponds and forest harvest frequently occur in the same watersheds, the possible interactive effects are not well understood. To evaluate the comparative effects of these two disturbances, this study examined in-stream total mercury and methylmercury (MeHg) across 7 stream reaches in the central Canadian boreal forest. Results showed that downstream-to-upstream MeHg concentration ratios were more highly correlated to the presence of beaver ponds than to the presence of forest harvest. However, MeHg concentrations upstream of ponds were higher in streams within harvested watersheds; these streams demonstrated a weaker correlation between beaver pond presence and downstream-to-upstream MeHg concentration ratios. Understanding these comparative and cumulative effects of beaver ponds and forest harvest will allow forest managers to consider how harvest activity could affect downstream MeHg in areas with high beaver activity.
How Do You Criticize a Global Superstar? UNMIL in Liberia
Authors: von Billerbeck Sarah , Gippert Birte Julia , Oksamytna Kseniya , Tansey Oisín
Published: January 2025

In Chapter 6, we examine the United Nations (UN) Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which is considered an example of successful UN support for peace and democratization. Despite those contributions, the mission did not mitigate all foreseeable risks of authoritarianism. For example, UNMIL focused on building the capacity of the police quickly while the issues of independence and civilian oversight fell by the wayside. While UNMIL supported the organization of three rounds of national elections, no local elections were held, leaving political power centralized in the capital. Political power was also centralized in the office of the president: UNMIL did not engage extensively with the parliament because of former warlords in that institution. When the Liberian government occasionally suspended media outlets or detained journalists, UNMIL did not respond strongly and publicly. Preserving good working relations with the Liberian president in order to maintain progress on reforms was among the chief reasons for enabling.
We the Men
Authors: Hasday Jill Elaine
Published: January 2025

In a nation whose Constitution purports to speak for “We the People,” too many of the stories that powerful Americans tell about law and society include only We the Men. A long line of judges, politicians, and other influential voices have ignored women’s struggles for equality or distorted them beyond recognition by wildly exaggerating American progress. Even as sexism continues to warp constitutional law, political decisionmaking, and everyday life, prominent Americans have spent more than a century proclaiming that the United States has already left sex discrimination behind. Jill Elaine Hasday’s We the Men is the first book to explore how forgetting women’s struggles for equality—and forgetting the work America still has to do—perpetuates injustice, promotes complacency, and denies how generations of women have had to come together to fight for reform and against regression. Hasday argues that remembering women’s stories more often and more accurately can help the nation advance toward sex equality. These stories highlight the persistence of women’s inequality and make clear that real progress has always required women to disrupt the status quo, demand change, and duel with determined opponents. America needs more conflict over women’s status rather than less. Conflict has the power to generate forward momentum. Patiently awaiting men’s spontaneous enlightenment does not. Transforming America’s dominant stories about itself can reorient our understanding of how women’s progress takes place, focus our attention on the battles that are still unwon, and fortify our determination to push for a more equal future.
Remembering America Without Remembering Women
Authors: Hasday Jill Elaine
Published: January 2025

Remembering America Without Remembering Women ties the judicial tendency to ignore women’s mobilization to persistent gaps in the nation’s collective memory. Commemorations weave stories about the nation through memorable occasions and everyday life. But America’s commemorative landscape too often leaves women out, and there has been too little improvement over time. Our cultural habit of thinking about women’s treatment as a product of consensus rather than conflict can tempt us to blame inertia for the gendered lopsidedness of America’s commemorations. That would miss the deliberate forces at work. From the start, women have endeavored to add their struggles for equality to America’s dominant stories about itself. Women have linked their activism to foundational expressions and symbols of American democratic ideals, like the Declaration of Independence and the Statue of Liberty. Women have sought to teach Americans about women’s history. Yet efforts to focus public memory on women—whether with monuments, museums, currency redesign, or otherwise—have repeatedly faced bitter and protracted opposition, for generations and to the present day. Struggles over commemorating women have often attracted less attention than they deserve. These battles rage nonetheless because they revolve around how to understand women’s place in the nation’s past, present, and future.
Supporting endocrine therapy adherence in women with breast cancer: findings from the ROSETA pilot fractional factorial randomized trial
Authors: Smith Samuel G , Green Sophie M C , McNaught Emma , Graham Christopher D , Foy Robbie , Ow Pei Loo , French David P , Hall Louise H , Wilkes Hollie , Taylor, BA Christopher , Ellison Rachel , Raine Erin , Walwyn Rebecca , Howdon Daniel , Clark Jane , Rousseau Nikki , Buxton, BA Jacqueline , Moore Sally J L , Waller Jo , Parbutt Catherine , Velikova Galina , Farrin Amanda , Collinson Michelle
Published: January 2025

Background

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in women with breast cancer is poor. Multicomponent intervention packages are needed to address adherence barriers. Optimizing these packages prior to definitive evaluation can increase their effectiveness, affordability, scalability, and efficiency.

Purpose

To pilot procedures for an optimization-randomized controlled trial (O-RCT) of the 'Refining and Optimizing Strategies to support Endocrine Therapy Adherence' (ROSETA) intervention.

Methods

This was a multisite individually randomized external pilot trial using a 24-1 fractional factorial design (ISRCTN10487576). Breast cancer survivors prescribed AET were recruited from 5 hospitals and randomized to one of 8 conditions, each comprising a combination of 4 intervention components set to “on” or “off” (SMS messages, information leaflet, guided self-help, and self-management website). We set criteria to inform the decision to progress to an O-RCT for consent rate, component adherence, and availability of outcome measures, with predefined cutoffs for “green” (proceed), “amber” (minor changes), and “red” (major changes).

Results

Among 141 eligible patients, 54 (38.3%) consented (green range). At least 50.0% of participants adhered to the minimum threshold set for each intervention component (green range). Data for one of the 3 medication adherence measures were available (amber range). Most (86.8%) participants were satisfied with their trial experience. Exploratory analysis indicated some evidence of a negative main effect of the information leaflet on medication adherence (adjusted mean difference = 0.088, 95% CI, 0.018, 0.158).

Conclusions

Progression to a fully powered O-RCT of the ROSETA intervention package is feasible, but review of medication adherence measures is required.
Revealing trends in measles immunity during periods of varying measles circulation in Madagascar
Authors: Menezes Arthur , Hay James A , Razafindratsimandresy Richter , Randriamanantena Andriamasina Herivelo , Yang Luojun , Héraud Jean-Michel , Cauchemez Simon , Wesolowski Amy , Grenfell Bryan , Graham Andrea L , Metcalf C Jessica E
Published: January 2025

Estimating the durability of immunity from vaccination is complicated by unreported re-vaccination, and unobserved natural infection or reexposure, which could result in overestimation of protection longevity. We tested serial cross-sectional serum samples from 2005 to 2015 (N=2,530) for IgG to examine measles seroprevalence, spatiotemporal patterns of titers across regions and antibody dynamics among children aged 1-9 years who grew up during varying measles circulation in Madagascar under a one-dose vaccination schedule. We found that measles seroprevalence has generally decreased over this time period. Furthermore, we conducted two nested serological surveys, analyzing 393 samples taken in 2005 (N=158), a time-point preceded by high levels of measles circulation, and 2015 (N=235), a time-point preceded by low levels of measles circulation. Among children alive during periods of limited measles circulation, we found lower measles seroprevalence in all age groups and lower antibody titers in children aged 7-9 years old. Notably, titers among children aged 7-9 dipped near the threshold of protection, highlighting the importance of additional measles vaccine doses. Our findings suggest that vulnerabilities might emerge during periods of limited measles circulation for countries with a one-dose schedule due to both the build-up of susceptible individuals and waning titers.
Continual Versus Occasional Blood Pressure (COOL-BP) in Remote Hypertension Management
Authors: Unlu Ozan , Cannon Christopher P , Lee Simin , Gabovitch Daniel , Zelle David , Chin Nicholas , Figueroa Christian , Collins Emma , Ruggiero Ryan , Almeida Tiago P , Perruchoud David , Sola Josep , Scirica Benjamin M , Fisher Naomi D L
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND

Remote hypertension management programs have emerged as potential solutions to improve poor rates of blood pressure (BP) control. The Continual Versus Occasional Blood Pressure (COOL-BP) Study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of using a cuffless wrist BP monitor in a remote hypertension (HTN) program.

METHODS

COOL-BP was a prospective single-arm study within a larger HTN management program at Mass General Brigham (MGB). Participants had uncontrolled HTN, were already engaged in the MGB Remote Hypertension Program, and used a smartphone. The study involved patients wearing the Aktiia cuffless wrist BP monitor and performing traditional home BP monitoring (HBPM). The primary endpoint was the correlation of BP measurements between devices. Secondary endpoints included concordance between HBPM and cuffless pressures following a medication titration, and patient satisfaction with the cuffless device.

RESULTS

We enrolled 38 patients, of whom 25 provided BP data on overlapping dates with both devices. There was moderate correlation between average nonsimultaneous daytime BPs within the same time periods (r = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39–0.71 for systolic BP [P < 0.001]; r = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.48–0.76, for diastolic BP [P < 0.001]). The concordance of systolic BP changes detected by the two devices post medication titration was 87.5%. Most patients (91%) preferred the cuffless device, citing ease of use and convenience.

CONCLUSIONS

Cuffless BP devices demonstrate promise in enhancing patient compliance and effectiveness in HTN management. Their integration into clinical practice could offer a more patient-friendly and reliable approach to BP monitoring, though more research is needed to establish their utility in large populations.
Galactocele Following Aesthetic Breast Augmentation: Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention
Authors: El Hajj Hiba , Eid Dollen , Tohme Roland , Sleilati Fadi
Published: January 2025

Galactorrhea and galactocele are rare complications following breast augmentation. These conditions can lead to significant patient discomfort and require careful management. This article aims to report 3 cases of galactocele that developed after aesthetic breast augmentation, proposing approaches for diagnosis, management, and prevention of galactocele. Three patients who underwent breast augmentation presented with galactocele. Clinical evaluations included aspiration of fluid collections, imaging studies, and laboratory tests to rule out infections and hormonal imbalances. Surgical interventions were tailored to each case based on patient preferences and clinical findings. In Case 1, a 40-year-old female experienced bilateral swelling 1-month postsurgery. Despite aspiration, symptoms recurred, leading to surgical revision and drainage. The implants were removed at her request. In Case 2, a 37-year-old female developed a unilateral galactocele 3 months postaugmentation after starting Norethisterone. Ultrasound-guided aspiration and surgical drainage were performed, with the implants kept in place. In Case 3, a 36-year-old female presented with wound dehiscence and lactescent discharge 7 months postaugmentation. Emergency surgery was needed for fluid evacuation, but worsening symptoms led to implant removal and drainage of bilateral galactoceles. Effective management of galactocele and galactorrhea postbreast augmentation requires a personalized approach, addressing both clinical presentations and patient-specific factors. Further awareness of these complications is essential for optimizing patient outcomes.

Level of Evidence: 5 (Diagnostic)