bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Modular Architectures in the Medical Domain - a Scoping Review
Authors: Bathelt Franziska , Lorenz Stephan , Weidner Jens , Sedlmayr Martin , Reinecke Ines
Published: February 2025

The healthcare sector is notable for its reliance on discrete, self-contained information systems, which are often characterised by the presence of disparate data silos. The growing demands for documentation, quality assurance, and secondary use of medical data for research purposes has underscored the necessity for solutions that are more flexible, straightforward to maintain and interoperable. In this context, modular systems have the potential to act as a catalyst for change, offering the capacity to encapsulate and combine functionalities in an adaptable manner. The objective of this scoping review is to determine the extent to which modular systems are employed in the medical field. The review will provide a detailed overview of the effectiveness of service-oriented or microservice architectures, the challenges that should be addressed during implementation, and the lessons that can be learned from countries with productive use of such modular architectures. The review shows a rise in the use of microservices, indicating a shift towards encapsulated autonomous functions. The implementation should use HL7 FHIR as communication standard, deploy RESTful interfaces and standard protocols for technical data exchange, and apply HIPAA security rule for security purposes. User involvement is essential, as is integrating services into existing workflows. Modular architectures can facilitate flexibility and scalability. However, there are well-documented performance issues associated with microservice architectures, namely a high communication demand. One potential solution to this problem may be to integrate modular architectures into a cloud computing environment, which would require further investigation.
Unmet Spiritual Needs, Spiritual Wellbeing and Support Satisfaction of End-of-Life Patients: Findings from a Spiritual and Existential Care Training Program (SpECi) for Health Care Practitioners within Inpatient Geriatric Care, Palliative Care Units and Hospices
Authors: Büssing Arndt , Kloke Marianne , Gerundt Mareike
Published: February 2025

The outcomes of a 40-h Spiritual/Existential Care training program (SpECi) for healthcare professionals on their patients' treatment satisfaction (n = 774) were evaluated. Most patients felt supported in their spiritual needs by the staff (79–81%). This satisfaction was highest in hospices and palliative care units (Eta2 = .065, p < .001). Regression analyses revealed that satisfaction with spiritual needs support was predicted by therapeutic staff support, treatment place, and support from pastoral care providers (R2 = .17). The prominent role of healthcare practitioners with their specific competencies and spiritual care ideals is crucial for patients' support satisfaction which was higher for family and staff than to pastoral care providers.
Partial protection of Bacillus subtilis spores on simulated Martian media enhances survival against UV radiation
Authors: Davis Gregory M. , Greenhill Andrew R. , Munro Thomas W. , Horner Jonathan , Marsden Stephen C. , Carter Bradley D.
Published: February 2025

Mars is known to have once sustained an environment that may have been habitable. This idea has often been combined with theories of panspermia, to suggest that any life on Mars may have had a common origin with life on Earth. These ideas typically involve meteorites produced as impact ejecta as vectors for the transport of life between planets. However, such meteorites would be subjected to the harsh conditions of space, most notably, Solar UV radiation. Some Gram-positive bacteria generate endospores, which provide protection from extreme conditions and are common models for understanding bacterial survival in space. In this study, the spore forming bacteria Bacillus subtilis and the non-spore former Staphylococcus aureus were used to investigate the survival of bacteria exposed to UVB and UVC radiation on simulated Martian regolith. Spore survival was limited upon excessive doses of UVB and UVC radiation, although this was minimised when spores were covered with lysed bacteria which provided partial protection. These results build upon previous studies and suggest that lysed bacteria from the same bacterial species might offer spores on Martian meteorites a partial shield from UV radiation and enhance their viability in panspermia models.
Similarities in mindset between adolescents’ friends and cooperation partners
Authors: Benneker Ilona M. B. , Lee Nikki C. , de Swart Fanny , van Atteveldt Nienke M.
Published: February 2025

Peers, in terms of both friends and cooperation partners, are a very important aspect of the social context of adolescents. They may affect adolescents’ intelligence mindsets and therefore their school motivation and success. Being friends or cooperating with a peer with a similar mindset might either enhance (in case of a growth mindset) or hinder (in case of a fixed mindset) adolescents’ motivation to learn. In this cross-sectional social network study, we first examined whether friendship networks and cooperation partners networks within school classes differ from each other. Second, we investigated whether adolescents’ friends and cooperation partners have similarities in mindsets. We analysed peer nominations and intelligence mindsets within 26 Dutch classes of early and mid-adolescents (N = 558) using the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP). Our data showed that three unique networks could be distinguished: a friendship only network, a combined friends and cooperation partners network and a cooperation only network. Multiple regression quadratic assignment procedures (MRQAP) indicated no evidence for similarity in mindset in all the three networks. However, we did find that adolescents with a growth mindset select more peers to cooperate with than adolescents with a fixed mindset. This latter finding shows that mindset influences social interactions in the context of cooperation between adolescents. It might be valuable to take the social context into consideration in the development of new mindset interventions.
Directional data analysis: spherical Cauchy or Poisson kernel-based distribution?
Authors: Tsagris Michail , Papastamoulis Panagiotis , Kato Shogo
Published: February 2025

In 2020, two novel distributions for the analysis of directional data were introduced: the spherical Cauchy distribution and the Poisson kernel-based distribution. This paper provides a detailed exploration of both distributions within various analytical frameworks. To enhance the practical utility of these distributions, alternative parametrizations that offer advantages in numerical stability and parameter estimation are presented, such as implementation of the Newton–Raphson algorithm for parameter estimation, while facilitating a more efficient and simplified approach in the regression framework. Additionally, a two-sample location test based on the log-likelihood ratio test is introduced. This test is designed to assess whether the location parameters of two populations can be assumed equal. The maximum likelihood discriminant analysis framework is developed for classification purposes, and finally, the problem of clustering directional data is addressed, by fitting finite mixtures of Spherical Cauchy or Poisson kernel-based distributions. Empirical validation is conducted through comprehensive simulation studies and real data applications, wherein the performance of the spherical Cauchy and Poisson kernel-based distributions is systematically compared.
Describing posture on the bike: do different methods lead to similar outcomes?
Authors: Bini Rodrigo , Lanferdini Fabio , Diefenthaeler Fernando
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Standardising methods to calculate joint angles is essential to enable the reproducibility of movement analysis in cycling. This study compared three methods for determining lower limb posture on the bike across three positions on the saddle.

Methods

Fourteen non-cyclists were assessed in two laboratory visits. The first involved determining their maximum aerobic capacity which was used in the second visit to define a sub-maximal cycling exercise intensity. Lower limb kinematics were obtained and angles for the hip, knee, and ankle were calculated using three methods (6 o’clock position, minimum knee angle, and the largest lower limb extension). Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements was utilised for the hip, knee, and ankle data to assess the main effects from the method of measuring angles (i.e. 6 o’clock position vs. minimum knee angle vs. largest lower limb extension) and from positions on the saddle (i.e. anterior vs. reference vs posterior), followed by post-hoc analyses.

Results

The angles obtained at the 6 o’clock position were larger than those at the minimum knee angle and the largest lower limb extension for the hip, knee, and ankle joints (p < 0.01). Knee flexion was greater at the anterior position than the posterior and the reference, with larger angles for the reference than the posterior (p < 0.01). The ankle was more dorsiflexed at the anterior vs. posterior positions, anterior vs. reference positions, and references vs. posterior positions (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

All three methods were sensitive to detect changes in saddle position but data should not be interchanged due to differences in angles between methods. These results indicate that body position on the bike should always be described using a consistent method.
Indications and Outcomes of Endoscopic Gastric Pouch Plications After Bariatric Surgery: An Analysis of the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) Database
Authors: Wills Mélissa V. , Barajas-Gamboa Juan S. , Romero-Velez Gustavo , Strong Andrew , Navarrete Salvador , Corcelles Ricard , Abril Carlos , Pantoja Juan Pablo , Guerron Alfredo D. , Rodriguez John , Kroh Matthew , Dang Jerry
Published: February 2025

Background

Endoscopic gastric pouch plications (EGPP) have emerged as a novel approach for managing weight-related issues and postoperative complications following bariatric surgery. However, safety for these revisions remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the 30-day rate of serious complications and mortality associated with EGPP using the MBSAQIP database. 

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the MBSAQIP database from 2020 to 2022 was conducted, focusing on patients undergoing EGPP. The primary outcomes were 30-day serious complications and mortality.

Results

The study included 1474 patients. Recurrent weight gain was the most common indication for EGPP (71.9%), followed by suboptimal initial weight loss (15.1%), dumping syndrome (5.5%), reflux (4.1%), gastrointestinal tract fistula (1.0%), and others (0.9%). The mean operative time was 41.2 ± 35.2 min, with a mean hospital stay of 0.4 ± 0.7 days. Postoperative complications included 30-day readmissions (3.1%), serious complications (3.3%), 30-day interventions (2.5%), bleeding (0.8%), and reoperations (0.4%). The mortality rate was 0%. Multivariable analysis identified GERD as an independent predictor of serious complications (OR 1.79, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.2, p = 0.05) when adjusting for various factors.

Conclusions

EGPP is an uncommon procedure with only 1474 cases reported, primarily indicated for weight recurrence. It appears to be a relatively safe alternative to surgical revision. However, further research is needed to assess its efficacy and compare it to corresponding surgical revisions.
Lived experience of comfort with sexuality and fertility for survivors of hematopoietic progenitor cell transplants: phenomenological study
Authors: Bacalhau Lúcia , Pontífice-Sousa Patrícia
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Sexuality and fertility are deeply personal and fundamental aspects of human identity and quality of life. For survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), these areas can be profoundly affected by the physical, emotional, and social impacts of the treatment. Discomfort or lack of clarity regarding these issues can lead to long-term psychological distress, relationship challenges, and decreased overall well-being. Addressing this discomfort through research helps to fill a critical gap in supportive care, providing survivors with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate these challenges and enhance their post-treatment quality of life.

Purpose

To grasp the scope of sexuality and fertility within the lived experiences of comfort and discomfort among allogeneic stem cell transplant survivors.

Methods

We employed a qualitative approach through van Manen’s phenomenology of practice. The phenomenon was revealed via phenomenological interviews, incorporating narratives and illustrative episodes that captured the lived experiences of 20 survivors. We gathered descriptions of these experiences from participants from July 2020 to May 2021. During our phenomenological reflection on these accounts, we adhered to stages like epoché, reduction, and vocative, as outlined by van Manen (van Manen 2014).

Results

The exploration of comfort within the realms of sexuality and fertility yielded several themes: desire and the relationship; immunosuppression as a limitation on sexual activity; the body does not correspond to desire; the future: fertility and the couple’s relationship; the challenges of disclosure and intervention.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that survivors have long-term challenges with sexual expression and activity, stemming from the physical constraints of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), perceptions of their immunosuppression, and the significance of their partnership, all of which translate into requirements for nursing care.

Implications for Care and Support Cancer Survivors

Considering the experiences of these participants and the observed comfort linked to the sexuality of ASCT survivors, we can contemplate the care practices and recognize sexuality as a field of action for nurses in this context to enhance comfort for these individuals.
Striving Towards Equity in Cardiovascular Genomics Research
Authors: Jurado Vélez Javier , Anderson Nekayla , Datcher Ivree , Foster Christy , Jackson Pamela , Hidalgo Bertha
Published: February 2025

Purpose of Review

Our review emphasizes recent advancements and persisting gaps in cardiovascular genomics, particularly highlighting how emerging studies involving underrepresented populations have uncovered new genetic variants associated with cardiovascular diseases.

Recent Findings

Initiatives like the H3Africa project, the Million Veterans Program, and the All of Us Research Program are working to address this gap by focusing on underrepresented groups. Additionally, emerging research is centering on the interplay between genetic factors and socio-environmental determinants of health, which disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

As cardiovascular genomics research grows, increasing the inclusion of underrepresented populations is essential for gaining a more comprehensive understanding of genetic variability. This will lead to more accurate and clinically meaningful strategies for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases across all ancestral backgrounds and diverse populations.
Differential Protective Effects of Edaravone in Cerebellar and Hippocampal Ischemic Injury Models
Authors: Dickmeiß Jens , Henning Yoshiyuki , Stahlke Sarah , Weber Thomas , Theiss Carsten , Matschke Veronika
Published: February 2025

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability, with cerebellar strokes posing severe complications such as herniation and brainstem compression. Edaravone, a radical scavenger known for reducing oxidative stress, has shown neuroprotective effects in cerebral strokes, but its impact on cerebellar strokes remains unclear. This study investigates Edaravone’s protective properties in organotypic slice cultures of rat cerebellum and hippocampus, employing an oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model to simulate ischemic stroke. The hippocampus served as comparative structure due to its high hypoxia sensitivity. Our results confirmed effective hypoxic induction with increases in HIF-1α and HIF-2α expression. Edaravone significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, indicating diminished cellular damage, with cerebellar tissues showing greater vulnerability. Additionally, Edaravone reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both tissues, though its efficacy may be limited by higher oxidative stress in cerebellar cultures. Seahorse XF analysis revealed that Edaravone preserved mitochondrial respiration and tissue integrity in cerebellar and hippocampal slice cultures. However, Edaravone was more effective in preserving mitochondrial respiration in hippocampal slices, suggesting that OGD-induced damage is more severe in cerebellar tissue. In conclusion, Edaravone demonstrates significant cell protective effects in both cerebellar and hippocampal tissues under OGD conditions, preserving tissue integrity and enhancing mitochondrial function in a tissue-dependent manner. These findings suggest Edaravone as a promising therapeutic candidate for cerebellar stroke. Further in vivo studies are required to assess its full clinical potential.
The Crisis in Burkina Faso and the Coup Belt
Authors: Engels Bettina
Published: February 2025

Due to the military coups of recent years, the Sahel region has received some considerable attention in international media and political debates. However, we still know little about the ongoing disputes in the region. This article provides an overview of the current crisis in Burkina Faso, the Sahel state where the number of fatalities and internally displaced persons is by far the highest. The conflict is placed in the context of the country’s recent political history and in the debate surrounding the “coup belt”.
Numerical investigation of miniature vortex generators on an airfoil
Authors: Szabó András , Nagy Péter Tamás , Kulcsár Márton , de Baets Gilles , Vanierschot Maarten , Paál György
Published: February 2025

Miniature vortex generators (MVGs) have a large potential to reduce the friction drag by delaying laminar-turbulent transition in boundary layer flows through the attenuation of the growth of Tollmien-Schlichting waves. This study is concerned with the modal stability analysis of the streamwise elongated streaks in the boundary layer on the suction side of an aerodynamic body — the Bluepoint solar car of the Innoptus solar team. Two MVG configurations are investigated: one that was the focus of previous experimental studies and another one that is the recommendation of Szabó et al. (Computers & Fluids, 269, 106123, 2024). Using the methodology of Szabó et al., the stationary flow is calculated with three-dimensional CFD simulation and the boundary region equations, while the modal stability of the flow is modeled using BiGlobal and parabolized stability equations. The MVG location on the airfoil is determined using the results of initial stability calculations. It is shown that because of the low curvature, in the base flow calculation, it is sufficient to represent only the pressure gradient induced by the shape variation and the explicit curvature terms may be neglected. Furthermore, the curvature can also be neglected in the stability calculations, while non-local effects have a more substantial influence on the stability of the flow. Finally, it is shown that in the case of the streamlined body, the recommendations of Szabó et al. derived in the flat-plate boundary layer are not superior, which reveals the need for further research efforts.
An “Arcipilago” as an Intellectual Ecosystem: In Search of Jean Piaget’s Library Through a Visual History
Authors: Ratcliff Marc J.
Published: February 2025

Divided into three parts, this article highlights the spatial and temporal boundaries of Jean Piaget’s library through a visual history of his office based on photographs taken since the late 1960s. First, we showed how Piaget’s library, as part of an intellectual ecosystem, sedimented along a spatial boundary into a horizontalized space, the “archipilago,” consisting of an archipelago of book stacks and files, and a vertical space, the wall-mounted bookcases. This division of space corresponded to two donations of works to the Piaget Archives made at different times. It also highlights the fact that Piaget’s writing space became mobile at a certain point in time, which has yet to be determined. Second, we scrutinized Piaget’s intellectual ecosystem, asking how his disorder was structured and what its temporal boundaries were. To answer this question, we developed a model that distinguished between two types of behavior specific to an intellectual ecosystem: research behavior and archival behavior, the former managing the potentiality of the elements it processed (open segments), while the latter closed many of these segments. Applying this model, it becomes clear that certain areas of the office were closed at a certain point in time, especially the library, which was thus partially inaccessible. The third part focused on the heuristic perimeter of this intellectual ecosystem, using statistical analyses of the library to complement its visual history. These analyses allowed us to better understand Piaget’s relationship with certain issues, such as the time it took him to build up his library, the types of reading he did, the evolution of his relationship with interdisciplinarity and the interdisciplinary perception of him by the scientific community, and the geographical distribution of the works dedicated to him at different times. The article concludes by showing how the analysis of the library allowed us to date the period when the writing space became mobile, Piaget responding to changes in his intellectual environment by modifying the shape of his ecosystem.
Analysis and Stability Assessment of the Vibratory Motion of a Magnetic Mechanical System Near Resonance
Authors: Amer T. S. , Aly Emad H. , Gad H. M.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This article examines a novel magnetic dynamical system consisting of a connected linearly damped transverse tuned absorber to a linearly damped spring pendulum (SP), where its suspension point moving along a Lissajous trajectory.

Description of the motion

The motion is considered under the influence of a magnetic field, a harmonic moment at the suspension point, and a harmonic force on the spring’s radial direction.

Method

The controlling equations of motion (EOM) are derived using the second kind of Lagrange’s equations (LEs) and are analytically solved up to a higher order of approximation via the traditional perturbation approach known by multiple-scales method (MSM) to achieve new results. Solvability criteria are obtained in view of the removal of secular terms, and therefore the system’s modulation equations (ME) are achieved according to the examined resonance cases. The Routh-Hurwitz criterion (CRH) is employed as a well-established approach for assessing the stability of linearized systems through the analysis of the characteristic polynomial’s coefficients. This approach is particularly suited to the model under investigation, where the stability regions were identified and examined in relation to the solutions at the steady-state scenario.

Results

Graphical representations, including time histories plots, curves of resonance response, and stability regions, are provided to elucidate how various physical parameters affect the system’s behavior. Furthermore, phase portrait diagrams have been drawn which, are powerful tools for gaining deep insights into the behavior and properties of dynamical systems. The numerical solutions (NS) for the EOM are obtained using fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithms (4RKA) and then compared with the achieved analytic approximate ones. This comparison highlights the strong consistency between them and confirms the accuracy of the applied perturbation technique.

Applications

This work holds significance for its potential applications in both theoretical physics and engineering, including the analysis of flexible arm robotics control, vibrational dynamics of flexible arms, pump and compressor systems, rotor dynamics, transportation equipment, and shipboard crane operations.
Unraveling the synergistic mechanism of urea and sodium carbonate during biochar modification and peroxymonosulfate activation for wastewater decontamination
Authors: Zhou Ting , Zhu Shuting , Li Xuechuan , Wang Xing , Huang Ruzhen , Dong Wenyi , Zhao Zilong , Wang Hongjie
Published: February 2025

Biochar co-modified with urea and an alkaline substance exhibited superior performance in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation for wastewater decontamination. However, the mechanism underlying the synergistic relationship between urea and alkaline substance to functional groups and electronic structure of biochar during modification, and its impact on PMS activation pathway remains understudied. In this research, a modified biochar (NABC) was successfully synthesized via the one-pot pyrolysis of a mixture of urea, Na2CO3, and corncob. The synergistic effect of urea and Na2CO3 during pyrolysis was elucidated using various characterizations. Urea provided N sources and small aromatic rings, while Na2CO3 promoted the conversion of pyridinic N to graphitic N and signified the degree of graphitization; it also facilitated the retention of -COOH. Thus, NABC was porous and contained rich graphitic N and -COOH, along with high graphitization degree, endowing it with 5.2 times higher first-order kinetics than that of pristine biochar. Moreover, NABC shifted the PMS activation mechanism by inhibiting the formation of •OH and promoting generation of 1O2 and O2
•– to degrade aniline. DFT calculations further confirmed that graphitic N and -COOH functioned as critical active sites, synergistically activating PMS. This research provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing the co-modification of biochar for more efficient wastewater purification.

Graphical Abstract
The Importance of Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Systemic Immune Inflammatory Index in Predicting Renal Artery Stenosis (RAS and NLR-SII)
Authors: Özderya Ahmet , Uzun Gülay , Kara Faruk , Maz Mehmet Ali , Yerlikaya Murat Gökhan , Sayın Muhammet Raşit
Published: February 2025

Background and aim

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is one of the main causes of secondary hypertension. Detecting RAS is important as it will change treatment plans and patient management. This study aimed to investigate the usability of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) for detecting RAS in patients who underwent renal angiography.

Material and Methods

A total of 180 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: normal renal artery (100 patients, age: 55.1 ± 12.51 years), non-critical RAS (30 patients, age: 59.24 ± 11.94 years), and critical RAS (50 patients, age: 63.55 ± 11.21 years). Statistical analysis was performed between the three groups. Regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of critical RAS detection.

Results

A statistical difference was detected between the normal renal artery, non-critical RAS, and critical RAS groups in terms of NLR (1.98 ± 0.90, 2.27 ± 0.93, and 3.05 ± 1.68, respectively; p < 0.001) and SII (491.01 ± 132.9, 561.37 ± 163.26, and 751.14 ± 225.36, respectively; p < 0.001). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the cut-off value of NLR was 2.61, and that of SII was 523.66. In separate regression analysis models, coronary artery disease, NLR, and SII were identified as independent predictors of critical RAS detection.

Conclusions

This study showed that in patients undergoing renal angiography for the evaluation of secondary hypertension etiology, elevated NLR and SII levels before the procedure had a strong relationship with the detection of critical RAS.
The Aberrant Vertebral Artery Crossing the Medullospinal Junction: a Ventral-Transverse Altered Path
Authors: Triantafyllou George , Papadopoulos-Manolarakis Panagiotis , Papanagiotou Panagiotis , Tsakotos George , Piagkou Maria
Published: February 2025

The vertebral artery (VA) provides the posterior circulation of the brain. Although its morphological variants are frequently described, the topographical variability has received less attention despite its substantial clinical significance. The current imaging study aimed to investigate the altered course of the VA (the so-called aberrant VA-AVA) at the medullo-spinal junction (MSJ) level, considering the vessel dominance by the side (laterality). Two hundred and fifty (250) computed tomography angiograms were retrospectively studied. Thirty-seven patients had an AVA (14.8%). Twenty cases (16%) corresponded to a right-sided AVA and 17 cases (13.6%) to a left-sided AVA. Among these cases, a co-dominance was identified in 21 patients, a right-sided dominance in 10 patients, and a left-sided dominance in 6 patients. A significant difference was recorded regarding the dominant side of the VA and the side of the AVA presence (p = 0.037). Knowledge of the AVA trajectory is paramount for clinicians evaluating neurological symptoms. A wide range of clinical symptoms can arise from the abnormal crossing of the VA at the MSJ.
Human interference with wildlife surveys: a case study from camera-trapping road underpasses in Costa Rica
Authors: Flatt Eleanor , Brumberg Hilary , Hidalgo Marco , Whitworth Andrew
Published: February 2025

Camera traps are widely used to study wildlife. However, theft and vandalism are frequent, resulting in millions of dollars in financial losses and large data gaps in research. Here we report on the impacts of camera-trap theft on a study examining wildlife movement under highway bridges in south-west Costa Rica. Even with metal cases, locks and signs installed on all camera traps, 65% were stolen. The working camera traps accumulated a total of 167 trap-nights and detected only two wild mammal species, eight bird species and one reptile species, as well as three domestic animal species and people. This limited number of wild species was unexpected given the known presence of wide-ranging megafauna and a diverse terrestrial mammal community in the region. The pervasive theft of camera traps leads to data gaps and impairs the potential for research in the region, and we discuss the potential additional reasons for detecting only a small number of species. Our findings highlight the need for solutions to camera-trap theft, to limit financial and data losses for conservation.
The role of English in the linguistic landscape of Luang Prabang
Authors: Wang Xiaochen , Gao Yang
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates the use of English within the linguistic landscape of Luang Prabang through a combination of photographs and interviews. Specifically, we examine the characteristics of English in the linguistic landscape of Luang Prabang, the roles played by English, and the perceptions of merchants and consumers towards it. The study finds that: first, English is frequently used alongside Lao, particularly in bilingual signs, and it is also used alongside other languages within multilingual sign combinations. English predominantly appears in areas heavily frequented by consumers, where it is utilized for economic benefit. Second, English primarily fulfills the following roles in the linguistic landscape: cultural heritage bearer, tourism information provider, cultural exchange facilitator, economic opportunities creator, educational resource provider, and international image broadcaster. Third, shop owners and consumers generally express satisfaction with the presence of English in Luang Prabang's linguistic landscape, believing that English promotes economic development, cultural exchange, and brand establishment. However, some interviewees also highlight shortcomings, such as concerns over traditional culture and unfriendliness towards non-native English speakers. This study underscores the pivotal role of English in bridging cultural and economic divides in Luang Prabang, offering insights for policymakers on language policy and tourism management.
TESTING FOR COEFFICIENT RANDOMNESS IN LOCAL-TO-UNITY AUTOREGRESSIONS
Authors: Nishi Mikihito
Published: February 2025

This study proposes a test for coefficient randomness in autoregressive models where the autoregressive coefficient is local to unity, which is empirically relevant given earlier work. Under this specification, we analyze the effect of the correlation between the random coefficient and disturbance on the properties of tests, a matter that remains largely unexplored in the literature. Our analysis reveals that tests proposed in earlier studies can have poor power when the correlation is moderate to large. The test proposed here is designed to have power functions robust to the correlation. A modified version of the test is suggested that can be applied when the disturbance is serially correlated and conditionally heteroskedastic. The test is shown to have better power properties than existing ones in large and finite samples.
The seasonality of empire: Coping with the intermittence of the global in Portuguese Asia and beyond (1500–1650)
Authors: Marcocci Giuseppe
Published: February 2025

Global historians have contributed greatly to reconfiguring our understanding of the early modern world. An emphasis has broadly emerged in current scholarship on the long-distance circulation of people and goods and cross-cultural exchange of knowledge with overseas empires usually described as major vectors of global interaction. This article corrects and complicates such an interpretation by calling attention to the periodic interruption of the main lines of maritime communication that many port cities around the world experienced every year and what this meant to their inhabitants. In particular, it focuses on the seasonality of the Portuguese Empire in monsoon Asia during the sixteenth and first half of the seventeenth centuries. This specific case is approached through a combination of ecological history, labour history, and the history of emotions. Its general significance is further illuminated by extensive use of comparison with examples related to other empires across the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Factors associated with attrition in a diverse birth cohort study in Detroit, Michigan
Authors: Urquhart Audrey , Sitarik Alexandra R. , Cassidy-Bushrow Andrea E. , Cyrus Amanda , Graham-McNeil Katherine , Straughen Jennifer K. , Santarossa Sara , Wegienka Ganesa , Johnson Christine Cole
Published: February 2025

Long-term birth cohorts are essential for studying health and disease over the life course. The retention of participants remains a challenge in study design. Previous research works on attrition are limited in length of follow-up time and lack of racial/ethnic diversity. Using data from the Wayne County Health, Environment, Allergy, and Asthma Longitudinal Study (WHEALS; United States cohort born between 2004 and 2007, n = 1258), we first performed longitudinal latent class analyses to identify patterns of participation spanning the prenatal period and six follow-up timepoints: 1, 6, 12, and 24 months; 3–6 years; and 10–12 years. Data collection included a combination of in-person visits, home visits, home specimen kits, and staff-administered questionnaires. We examined associations between baseline factors and participation class using multinomial logistic regression modeling, and with conditional inference modeling to identify variables most strongly associated with class. We identified four participation classes: high early participation with gradual loss-to-follow-up, sporadic participation, consistently high participation, and consistently low participation. Multiple baseline characteristics were associated with participation class. The “consistently high participation” class was disproportionately composed of participants who were older, were of higher education, had private insurance, had suburban residence, and were with higher income. Conditional inference trees identified maternal education, insurance, and income as most strongly associated with participation class. Through latent class modeling, we show that participants who were lost to follow-up fell into distinct groupings of participation. In the future, preparatory communications with those who are at the highest risk of study discontinuation may improve long-term retention.
Clear‐Sky Convergence, Water Vapor Spectroscopy, and the Origin of Tropical Congestus Clouds
Authors: Spaulding‐Astudillo Francisco E. , Mitchell Jonathan L.
Published: February 2025

Congestus clouds, characterized by their vertical extent into the middle troposphere, are widespread in tropical regions and play an important role in Earth's climate system. However, fundamental questions regarding their formation and prevalence remain unanswered. Here, we endeavor to answer how congestus cloud tops form by detraining preferentially at altitudes between 5 and 6 km and why this detraining outflow is invigorated by drier mid‐tropospheric conditions. We construct a clear‐sky radiative‐convective framework of congestus cloud‐top formation that is grounded in the discovery of an important spectroscopic property of water vapor. In this mass‐ and energy‐conserving framework, convective detrainment maximizes at a height of 5 and 6 km due to a swift decline in radiative cooling in clear‐sky regions. This decline is, in turn, a consequence of water vapor spectroscopy: more specifically, a drop in the number of strong absorption lines in the water vapor rotation band. In a simple spectral model, we link this spectroscopic property to the shape of the rotation band, which can be approximated as the product of a power law and a sine wave representing the band's deviation from statistical log‐linearity. The characteristic “C”‐shaped relative humidity profile in the tropics further strengthens the outflow in drier mid‐level conditions by amplifying vertical decreases in the clear‐sky cooling rate. Essential to this process are strong RH gradients, which are most pronounced under the driest conditions and induce a vertical decrease in the optical depth lapse rate across the mid‐troposphere.
Formation of Miocene Authigenic Carbonates Within the Shimanto Accretionary Complex, Southwest Japan
Authors: Hara H. , Utsunomiya M. , Tonai S. , Matsumoto H. , Satish‐Kumar M.
Published: February 2025

Authigenic carbonates in the exhumed Miocene Shimanto accretionary complex (the Nabae carbonates) were studied in the Cape Muroto area to better constrain the formation mechanisms and tectonic setting during carbonate precipitation. Three main types of carbonates were recognized on the basis of morphology: nodular, bedded, and tubular. The δ13C values of the carbonates define two distinct groups with relatively low (−31.9‰ to −20.3‰) and relatively high values (−14.7‰ to −4.7‰). The former suggests carbonate precipitation from methane‐enriched fluids, while the latter indicates mixing of fluid sources in a range of depositional settings. Most carbonates have REE + Y patterns characterized by well‐defined positive Eu and Y anomalies, which we interpret to have formed by mixing between defused hydrothermal fluids and seawater. Other samples are enriched in MREE, a signature that is found in methane‐derived cold seep carbonates. Additionally, the carbonates exhibit positive correlations between δ13C and various proxies for detrital input (e.g., REE + Y, Zr content, Y/Ho ratios). Based on comparing our observations with drill core and geophysical measurements from the active Nankai accretionary complex, we conclude that the Nabae carbonates were precipitated from relatively low‐temperature hydrothermal fluids or as cold seeps near the deformation front at the toe of the Shimanto accretionary complex in a high heat flow environment. As the first onshore example of ancient authigenic carbonates from an accretionary complex, the Nabae carbonates have the potential to reveal important information regarding the characteristics and distribution of hydrothermal areas in active accretionary wedges.
Convolutional Neural Networks Trained on Internal Variability Predict Forced Response of TOA Radiation by Learning the Pattern Effect
Authors: Rugenstein Maria , Van Loon Senne , Barnes Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2025

Predicting forced, long‐term radiative feedbacks from internal climate variability has been a decades‐long quest in climate science. We train a convolutional neural network (CNN) to predict annual‐ and global‐mean top of the atmosphere radiation anomalies from time‐varying maps of near‐surface temperature in climate models. Trained on internal variability alone, the nonlinear CNN can predict radiation under strong climate change, outperforms a regularized linear regression approach, and works within and across different climate models. We show with explainable artificial intelligence methods that the CNN draws predictive skill from physically meaningful regions but at much smaller spatial scales than currently assumed.
Methane and Carbon Dioxide Production and Emission Pathways in the Belowground and Draining Water Bodies of a Tropical Peatland Plantation Forest
Authors: Taillardat Pierre , Moore Jared , Sasmito Sigit , Evans Chris D. , Alfina Tiara , Lok Sophie , Bandla Aditya , Cahya Muhardianto , Deshmukh Chandra S. , Dubey Rama Kant , Kurnianto Sofyan , Swarup Sanjay , Tarigan Suria , Taufik Muh , Lupascu Massimo , Taylor David
Published: February 2025

Peatlands are crucial yet vulnerable carbon stores. Here, we investigated carbon biogeochemical processes in tropical peatlands converted to plantations. We measured carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) concentrations, stable isotope ratios and radiocarbon content in an experimental Acacia crassicarpa plantation in Sumatra, Indonesia. We found exceptionally high levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), CO2, and CH4 in porewater and drainage networks, indicating that Acacia plantations are carbon hotspots due to their high productivity and exposed carbon‐dense substrates. Stable isotope models revealed that while CO2 and CH4 are produced belowground, CH4 contribution was lower than in natural undrained peatlands. Radiocarbon analysis suggested that remobilized carbon contributed to the carbon pool, with a median age of ∼470 years before present. These findings constrain the links between land‐use, water table levels, and carbon dynamics, with implications for carbon management in plantation peatlands.
Climate Models Struggle to Simulate Observed North Pacific Jet Trends, Even Accounting for Tropical Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Trends
Authors: Patterson Matthew , O’Reilly Christopher H.
Published: February 2025

We show that the wintertime (December‐January‐February) North Pacific jet in ERA5 has shifted northwards over the satellite‐era (1979–2023) at a faster rate than any of the state‐of‐the‐art coupled climate models used in this study. Differences in tropical sea surface temperature (SST) trends can only partially explain the discrepancy in jet trends between models and observations and a small minority of simulations forced with observed SSTs match the magnitude of the observed jet trend. However, analysis of longer‐term jet variability in reanalysis suggests that the jet trend has not clearly emerged from multi‐decadal internal climate variability. Consequently, it is unclear whether the difference in observed and modeled jet trends arises due to differing responses to anthropogenic forcing or overly weak long‐term internal variability in models. These results have important implications for future climate projections for North America and motivate further research into the underlying causes of long‐term jet trends.
Joint Time‐Domain Modeling Magnetic Field Variations of Ionospheric and Magnetospheric Origin: Conceptual Framework and Practical Implementation
Authors: Kruglyakov M. , Kuvshinov A.
Published: February 2025

This study presents a time‐domain methodology for jointly modeling magnetic field variations resulting from ionospheric and magnetospheric currents, with the ultimate goal of improving imaging of Earth's electrical conductivity at mantle depths. Three ionospheric current systems–the equatorial electrojet (EEJ), the polar electrojet (PEJ), and the mid‐latitude current system (MLCS; called Sq in quiet times)–produce quasi‐periodic diurnal variations (DV). The longer‐period (LP) signals are primarily due to irregular fluctuations in magnetospheric currents. Traditionally, DV and LP signals are treated separately. For example, the analysis of LP signals is often based on nighttime data to reduce the effects of ionospheric sources. However, because of EM induction in the Earth, signals of ionospheric origin persist even at night. As for DV, its analysis is usually performed in the frequency domain. However, the morphology of all ionospheric sources varies from day‐to‐day, depending on the solar activity and the Earth's orbital position, which suggests the analysis of DV in the time domain. Moreover, the analysis of EEJ and MLCS signals is usually based on non‐polar data to reduce the effects of PEJ. In this study, we present a methodology to simultaneously model magnetic fields from all sources directly in the time domain using day and night as well as non‐polar and polar data. The approach uses two types (data‐based and physics‐based) of source parameterizations and accounts for 3‐D electromagnetic induction effects. Using observatory data, we obtain continuous spatio‐temporal models of multi‐source external and induced magnetic fields for 1998–2021.
Interaction Between Inner and Outer Rainbands May Lead to a Second Rapid Intensification in Idealized Tropical Cyclone Simulations
Authors: Yang Bolei , Guo Xi , Tan Zhe‐Min , Wang Yi‐Fan , Gu Jian‐Feng , Zhuo Jing‐Yi
Published: February 2025

In the lifetime of a tropical cyclone (TC), there can be multiple rapid intensification (RI) periods. In idealized numerical studies of TCs, a two‐stage mode of RI is frequently observed. However, the underlying mechanisms driving this phenomenon remain unclear. This study examines the physics of the second RI phase from the perspective of TC internal dynamics. It is revealed that the formation and maintenance of outer rainbands inhibit the development of inner rainbands, resulting in a more upright and compact heating structure within the inner core of the TC. This change in heating structure results in an intensification and inward movement of negative heating gradient that effectively enhances the boundary layer (BL) inflow within the radius of maximum wind (RMW), leading to a rapid increase in the inward flux of vorticity and ultimately contributing to the second phase of RI. This study highlights the significance of rainband interactions in the two‐stage RI process of TCs, suggesting that enhancing our understanding and characterization of rainband interactions hold promise for key progress in TC intensity estimation and prediction.
Hurricane Hilary (2023) and Rare Tropical Cyclones in the Southwest United States: Impacts on Temperature and Precipitation
Authors: Miles Euan , Xie Shang‐Ping
Published: February 2025

Hurricane Hilary brought extensive, record‐breaking precipitation to the Southwest United States in August 2023. Although tropical cyclones (TCs) are uncommon in this region, they can cause substantial damage, primarily through flooding. However, heat extremes associated with these TCs are understudied and could have significant impacts in populated coastal areas. This study examines the conditions that promoted the occurrence of 42 north‐reaching, northeastern Pacific TCs and quantifies how local temperatures responded to these storms. Using composite analysis, we find that there is significant warming along the coastal region of Southern California preceding a TC, particularly for storms that remain offshore. Three main mechanisms contribute to this warming pattern—adiabatic compression associated with downslope winds, warm air advection by the TC itself, and suppression of coastal upwelling. These compound heatwave‐TC events are an overlooked impact of TCs that will likely become more important as the climate warms.