bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbubble-enhanced plasma water-based nitrogen fixation: generation mechanisms, regulation strategies, and application prospects
Authors: Lan Cuntao , Yin Yuran , Tan Shihao , Liu Dawei , Lu Xinpei
Published: January 2025

This study introduces the solar-powered microbubble-enhanced plasma water-based nitrogen fixation (MEPWBNF) technology, a novel and environmentally friendly approach to nitrogen fixation that offers high efficiency. By employing Venturi tubes to produce a continuous flow of microbubbles, this technology significantly enhances the interaction between gaseous plasma nitrogen compounds and water, leading to improved solubility and reaction efficiency of nitrogen compounds in water. Comparative analyses reveal that MEPWBNF achieves a 33.7% reduction in energy consumption and a 52.8% increase in yield compared to traditional PWBNF methods without microbubble-enhanced method. Moreover, the resulting plasma-activated tap water can be directly utilized as a nutrient solution in hydroponic systems, effectively boosting lettuce growth. The adoption of MEPWBNF technology presents a promising strategy for reducing agricultural dependence on chemical fertilizers and advancing sustainable farming practices.
Insights into the molecular self-assembly of urea-functionalized acetylenes
Authors: K M Neethu , Nag Kritika , Jayamurugan Govindasamy
Published: January 2025

This study investigates simple acetylenes substituted with phenylurea as a constant H-bonding unit (Alk-R) and varied hydrophobic units (R = H, Phenyl (Ph), phenylacetylene (PA), Ph-NMe2) to understand self-assembly properties driven by synergistic non-covalent interactions. Our observations reveal hierarchical self-assembled fibrillar networks with luminescent needles, fibers, and flowers on nano- to micro-meter scales. Subtle changes in substituents led to significant differences: H, Ph, PA, and Ph-NMe2 produced needle-like crystals, dendritic nanofibers, microflakes, and no self-assembly, respectively. Alk-Ph-NMe2
likely did not self-assemble due to reduced hydrophobic interactions and steric hindrance. Interestingly, Alk-Ph exhibited a uniform spherulitic pattern and effectively gelled organic solvents and water. This luminescent gel demonstrated multifunctionality, including white light emission when doped with rhodamine-B dye and adsorption of organic cationic dyes (methylene blue and crystal violet) from water. This study offers valuable insights into balancing interactions to achieve desired hierarchical networks and understand material properties, guiding future molecular design.
Doublon–holon pair creation in Mott–Hubbard systems in analogy to QED
Authors: Queisser F , Krutitsky K , Navez P , Schützhold R
Published: January 2025

Via the hierarchy of correlations, we study doublon–holon pair creation in the Mott state of the Fermi–Hubbard model (in higher dimensions) induced by a time-dependent electric field. Special emphasis is placed on the analogy to electron–positron pair creation from the vacuum in quantum electrodynamics. We find that the accuracy and applicability of this analogy depends on the spin structure of the Mott background. For Ising type anti-ferromagnetic order, we derive an effective Dirac equation. A Mott state without any spin order or spin polarized states do not explicitly display the same quasi-relativistic behavior.
A novel fractional-order 3-D chaotic system and its application to secure communication based on chaos synchronization
Authors: Iqbal Sajad , Wang Jun
Published: January 2025

In this study, we introduce a new fractional-order chaotic system (FO-CS) that comprises six terms, setting it apart from classical chaotic models such as the Lorenz, Chen, and Lü systems. The proposed system, while having a different number of terms compared to the Lorenz and Chen systems, generates attractors that closely resemble those found in these conventional systems. The algebraic structure of the system is relatively simple, consisting of four linear terms and two quadratic terms. We conduct a comprehensive theoretical analysis and dynamic simulations of the system from both fractional and integer-order perspectives, exploring numerous dynamical characteristics, including Lyapunov exponent spectra, fractal dimensions, Poincaré maps, and bifurcation phenomena. Furthermore, we derive the Hamiltonian energy function for the proposed system through the application of Helmholtz’s theorem. To delve into synchronization within the system, we carry out numerical simulations alongside an active control method. The effective implementation of synchronization through this control strategy deepens our understanding of system dynamics and highlights its potential applications, particularly in secure communication. One significant application is the use of synchronization techniques for the secure transmission of real audio signals, showcasing the relevance of synchronization technique in enhancing communication security.
A fine-tuned adaptive weight deep dense meta stacked transfer learning model for effective cervical cancer prediction
Authors: Kaushik Baijnath , Mahajan Abhigya , Chadha Akshma , Khan Yusera Farooq , Sharma Shashwat
Published: January 2025

In the digital world of remarkable technological advancements, the detection of cervical cancer at early stages is of important clinical significance as it can vastly improve the survival rate during treatment. Cervical cytopathology, often known as a Pap test is the frequently adopted screening method for cervical cancer. However, the test seems to be effective but investigation of images containing Pap smear with the help of a microscope is a difficult as well as laborious exercise. The procedure for the same demands an expert in the area and is often time-consuming. The serious pitfalls in subjective clinical evaluation evoke the need of developing an automated system for more reliable cervical cancer diagnosis. Therefore, the goal of this study primarily focuses on designing a Deep learning model to process the Pap smear images and correctly classify the cervical cells. For this purpose, firstly, a publically available dataset namely SIPaKMeD is utilized. Then, different data pre-processing methods are applied to intensify the data quality for effective analysis. Next, a novel stacking model is proposed that leverages a Support Vector Classifier (SVC) as a Meta model over a combination of different Transfer Learning Models including VGG16, ResNet101, InceptionV3, Xception, DenseNet169, and Inception ResNet. Furthermore, the dense layers are added to tune the underlying base transfer learning models to learn fine-tuned adaptive weights. The results obtained from experimental evaluation demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed stacking model by yielding the highest accuracy rate of 95.66% in comparison to other employed methods and existing state-of-the-art techniques.
Analysis of multi-bridge-channel FET for CMOS logic applications
Authors: Sreenivasulu Vakkalakula Bharath , Neelima N , Thotakura Vishnu Priya , M Durga Prakash , Kumar Aruru Sai
Published: January 2025

This study analyses the vertically stacked GAA Multi-Bridge-Channel FETs like Nanosheet at the device level for CMOS applications. Studies are carried out to validate the impact of geometric deviations concerning thickness and width of the FET’s performance. The study also investigates the process parameter variation on DC metrics like threshold voltage (V
th), subthreshold swing (SS), ON-time (I
ON), OFF-time (I
OFF), I
ON/I
OFF, and DIBL. The device achieves better performance by optimizing Nanosheet width (NW) and thickness (NT) variability which ensures scaling flexibility. The CADENCE tool is used to investigate the device’s performance in terms of circuit applications. Various circuits like CMOS inverter transient response, switching characteristics, voltage transfer characteristics (VTC) and noise margins are evaluated. The CMOS inverter energy delay product (EDP) and power delay product (PDP) are also analyzed. The PDP and EDP increase by 2.51x and 3.06x with rise of NW. The CMOS inverter noise margins (NMs) are calculated towards digital circuit applications. The proposed Nanosheet FET has good electrostatic integrity due to its GAA structure, thus, it is a strong contender for low-power and high-performance applications for future technological nodes.
Effects of asymptomatic infections and population movements on the geographical spread of Nipah virus
Authors: Mabotsa Malebese , Munganga Justin Manango Wazute
Published: January 2025

We develop a deterministic patch model for the transmission of Nipah virus in bat, pig, and human populations. The mathematical analysis of the model reveals that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number

R

0

is less than 1, and unstable when

R

0

>
1

. In the case where

R

0

>
1

, there exists at least one positive equilibrium. Under the assumption of symmetric connectivity matrices, the basic reproduction number is increasing in terms of the dispersal rate of exposed humans, if the dispersal rates of symptomatic and asymptomatic humans are zero. On the other hand, if the direct transmission rates of symptomatic and asymptomatic infections are equal and the dispersal rates of exposed and symptomatic humans are zero, the basic reproduction number is increasing in terms of asymptomatic humans. For small dispersal rates, the endemic equilibrium approaches an endemic equilibrium with relatively lower endemic level.
Influence of an external electromagnetic field on quantum entanglement and coherence in a two-qubit graphene system
Authors: Mouslih S , Dahbi Z , Jakha M , El Asri S , Taj S , Manaut B
Published: January 2025

Graphene, with its two-dimensional carbon structure, exhibits unique quantum properties that are crucial for quantum computing. In this paper, we investigate the influence of an external electromagnetic field on quantum coherence and entanglement between two qubits in graphene lattices. Our findings show that an electromagnetic field with high field strength (ξ
0 ∼ 50 meV2) and low frequency (ω = 0.117 eV) significantly enhances quantum entanglement and coherence, even at elevated temperatures (T ∼ 20 meV). By adjusting the frequency and the field strength, these quantum effects can be preserved long enough at high temperatures. Furthermore, circular polarization of the electromagnetic field is found to be more effective than linear and elliptical polarizations in optimizing these effects. These results highlight the critical role of electromagnetic fields in enhancing quantum properties, potentially paving the way for advancements in quantum computing and related technologies.
Stellarator fusion systems enabled by arrays of planar coils
Authors: Gates D.A. , Aslam S. , Berzin B. , Bonofiglo P. , Cote A. , Dudt D.W. , Flom E. , Fort D. , Koen A. , Kruger T.G. , Kumar S.T.A. , Martin M.F. , Ottaviano A. , Pasmann S. , Romano P.K. , Swanson C.P.S. , Tang L. , Winkler E. , Wu R.
Published: January 2025

We present an overview of a novel electromagnetic coil configuration for stellarators and its application to two near-term fusion systems. The novel coil configuration is the planar coil stellarator, able to implement precisely-quasisymmetric 3D magnetic fields using a set of planar, plasma-encircling coils and a set of planar, field-shaping coils situated on a surface surrounding the plasma. This configuration combines the stellarator’s advantages of steady-state operation, stability, low recirculating power fraction, and a mature physics basis, with the benefits of using simpler, planar coils which allow for a maintenance scheme leveraging large ports, and the ability to control magnets individually. The initial near-term use case considered is a steady state deuterium–deuterium stellarator neutron source, called Eos. The second near-term use case considered is a deuterium–tritium stellarator fusion pilot plant, called Helios, that would be approximately twice the linear dimension of the Eos design.
Infrared thermography applied to the study of the local heat transfer enhancement in a wall corrugated tubular heat exchanger for food applications
Authors: Malavasi M , Bozzoli F , Cattani L , Pagliarini L , Azam M W , Rainieri S
Published: January 2025

The combination of global and local performance analysis represents a powerful tool for the optimal design and sizing of heat exchangers, especially when wall corrugations are employed to enhance inner convection. In this paper, both approaches are applied to a transversely corrugated pipe to propose a thermal correlation and investigate the effects of corrugation on the local heat transfer performance. For the local analysis, infrared thermographic measurements, combined with the solution of the inverse heat conduction problem in the solid wall domain, were used to evaluate the internal convective heat transfer coefficient. The combined approach offers a valuable tool for the optimal design of heat exchangers and related thermal processes, particularly in applications where knowledge or prediction of the local temperature-time history of fluid particles is critical. This is especially relevant in the food industry, where such passive heat transfer enhancement solutions are widely used.
Risks associated with the implementation of road infrastructure projects in remote areas of Aceh Province, Indonesia
Authors: Galih S K , Mubarak M , Saleh S M , Fachrurrazi F , Oktaviani C Z , Ziana Z
Published: January 2025

Road infrastructure is one of the vital infrastructures that must be built to support economic growth, especially in remote areas in a region. The infrastructure development process is always faced with various uncertainties, both for constructors and project owners. This study aims to define the most dominant risks in the implementation of road infrastructure projects in remote areas in Aceh Province, Indonesia. This study analyses the perspective of project owners in defining risks for road infrastructure projects that have been built with the budget of fiscal year 2022. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire instrument with respondents consisting of 10 project owner representatives, such as heads of work units, assistants, and commitment-making officials. Responses were measured for 82 risk variables related to internal and external risks. Risks were analysed qualitatively using a risk matrix application, according to the risk occurrence and the severity. Risk analysis was emphasized on project constraints related to time and cost. The results of the time-related risk analysis show the variable of fuel price increases (L2) as the variable with the highest risk intensity, and classified as “significant” risk. The same variable was also occurred for cost-related risks. This risk variable appears very often in all studied projects (FI 0.875) and has moderate severity with respect to time (SI 0.433) and cost (SI 0.533). The owners as service users need to remind each constructor to anticipate the emergence of this variable to reduce the level of risk accepted both in terms of project completion time and increased infrastructure completion costs.
Topology of Bloch impedance: traveling waves, dispersive media, and electromagnetic energy
Authors: Tsukerman Igor , Markel Vadim A
Published: January 2025

The bulk-boundary correspondence (b-bc) principle, which relates interface modes between two periodic structures to topological invariants of the respective Bloch bands, is widely accepted in electrodynamics. However, this acceptance stems largely from condensed matter (CM) theories. It is desirable to establish direct connections between the topological principles and Maxwell electrodynamics, rather than relying on CM results. Such connections have in recent years been found in the case of standing evanescent waves in periodic dielectric media. This paper extends these analyses to waves propagating along an interface between two periodic structures, possibly with frequency-dependent dielectric permittivities. The paper shows that the b-bc principle continues to hold for any physically realizable structures, in which the density of electromagnetic energy must be positive. The paper rigorously proves that in this physically valid case impedance of traveling interface modes within any given bandgap decreases monotonically as a function of frequency.
Continuous varifocal metalens based on phase-change material
Authors: Cui Yilong , Hou Liang , Guo Kenan , Jiang Yue , Liu Qiegen , Xiao Shuyuan , Liu Tingting
Published: January 2025

Metasurfaces have provided new opportunities for the realization of flat lenses, among which tunable metalenses have garnered considerable attention due to their flexible functionalities. In this paper, we present a continuously tunable metalens based on the phase-change material Sb2S3, which enables precise and continuous focal length control through the transition of states. Under the excitation of linearly polarized light at 1550 nm, phase compensation is provided by changing the crystallization state of the Sb2S3 nanopillars, allowing the focal length to continuously shift between 36 µm and 48 µm. At the same time, the metalens maintains a high focusing efficiency over 75%. This approach provides greater design flexibility and broader applicability across diverse applications. By reducing the reliance on polarized light sources, it enhances device integration and tunability, paving the way for new opportunities in the practical implementation of metalenses in advanced optical imaging and nanophotonics.
Design and simulation study of double-cladding fiber for nonlinear Raman imaging
Authors: Ma Shuai , Bai Mengyao , Qu Yuwei , Han Ying , Liang Shiwei , Zhang Zhaoji , Yun Wei , Wang Wei , Qiu Shi , Jing Wenbo
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a heterogeneous double-cladding Raman probe utilizing double-cladding hollow-core anti-resonant fiber (DC-HC-ARF). The core region constructed from HC-ARF is designated for the transmission of pump light, while the inner cladding, made of silica glass, is employed for the collection and transmission of Raman signals. The outer cladding,featuring a low refractive index, establishes a significant refractive index contrast with the inner cladding, thereby facilitating the efficient collection of Raman signal light from the inner cladding. By comparing the confinement loss (CL) and other properties of four distinct hollow-core anti-resonant fiber (HC-ARF) structures, along with an analysis of the energy transmission performance of the inner cladding structure, we validate the rationale behind the selected configurations for the core, inner cladding, and outer cladding. The HC-ARF used in the core region demonstrates a CL of 8.57×10⁻⁶ dB/m for its LP01 mode, a high-order mode extinction ratio (HOMER) of 243, and notable bending loss. The inner cladding attains a numerical aperture (NA) of up to 0.9, indicating that the fiber can effectively collect Raman light signals. This fiber achieves a high level of integration, facilitating both low-loss transmission of pump light and efficient collection and transmission of signal light simultaneously. By utilizing optical fiber Raman detection technology, real-time imaging of tissues can be achieved, assisting doctors in monitoring and making decisions during surgical procedures.
Everyday Encounters with Stupidity and Intellect, 1944–1962
Authors: Crane Jennifer
Published: January 2025

This chapter describes a near immediate breakdown in any post-war ‘settlement’ around the provision for the gifted young, primarily through local media discussion between parents, teachers, and journalists. It also analyses adult and child discussions of intellect, in everyday lives in the mid-twentieth -century, through study of Mass Observation diaries, bulletins, and surveys, and Opie archives of children’s play. Overall, this discussion then sets the scene for subsequent discussions of the 1960s and 1970s onwards. It shows that the post-war settlement did not fully satisfy earlier concerns about the education of the particularly intelligent young. By the 1960s and 1970s, Parliamentarians, parents, and campaigners sought to address this terrain, and to frame support for the gifted as a critical issue of both ‘equality’ and ‘elitism’, presenting gifted children variously as unfortunate, neglected, ignored by the welfare state and as a critical resource for a supply of elites of the future. These framings were not explicit in the 1940s and 1950s, but built on earlier assumptions and everyday beliefs, in particular that to be particularly intelligent was a gift and a challenge, a virtue and a peculiarity.
Making Future Leaders: Psychology, Giftedness, and Legacies of Eugenics, 1970–1989
Authors: Crane Jennifer
Published: January 2025

This chapter explores the varied spaces in which the idea that gifted children could and should be the elites of the future gained significance in the 1970s and 1980s. First, it analyses how psychologists, particularly Cyril Burt, advocated this. Second, the chapter shows how the conservative tabloid press engaged with the idea, reiterating ideas that elites of the future were born, not made, and the vision that they must be urgently identified. Conservative tabloids used this idea to criticise the comprehensive education system and a range of other contemporary equalities movements. Third, the chapter shows how the National Association engaged with ideas of elites of the future in these decades. It argues that making elites of the future was not a primary aim of the National Association, which continued—as shown in Chapter Three—to focus instead on the welfare of and provision for gifted children and their families, and to seek to identify all gifted children, regardless of race, ethnicity, and class. Nonetheless, ideas of elites of the future were at times present in newsletters and activities organised by this voluntary group. Finally, the chapter considers how young people labelled as ‘gifted’ engaged with these ideas. It shows that some felt the responsibility of becoming elites of the future, while others rejected this concept. Young people’s visions of ‘the world’ were affected by contemporary stereotypes around race, ethnicity, and the ‘other’ in these decades.
Closed Preservation Rhinoplasty in the Mestizo Patient: Challenges and Techniques for Nasal Tip Support
Authors: Valdivia Cesar , Durand Paul D , Cakir Baris
Published: January 2025

Background

Closed preservation rhinoplasty continues to grow in popularity. Nevertheless, many surgeons remain wary of doing closed preservation rhinoplasty in certain patient populations. Mestizo noses have a thick soft-tissue envelope and weak nasal tip support. These inherent characteristics have led many surgeons to favor open structural techniques when addressing the tip in the Mestizo patient.

Objectives

The present article describes a set of techniques that have been successfully employed by the authors for maximizing tip support and definition when doing closed preservation rhinoplasty in a patient population for which structural techniques were once thought as the only viable option.

Methods

A total of 417 primary rhinoplasty cases were studied retrospectively between January 2022 and December 2023. All the cases were performed using a closed approach and dorsal preservation of the soft-tissue envelope. All patients underwent one of the four types of surgical techniques for the tip area (Type I – 105 patients, Type II – 124, Type III – 181, and Type IV – 7).

Results

Of the total patients, 331 (79.3%) were female and 86 (20.6%) were male. Patient age varied from 15 to 66, with a median age of 23. Patients were followed for a period of six months to a year postoperatively. Seven patients underwent revision surgery (1.7%).

Conclusions

Even with its various potential benefits, there is still apprehension about doing closed preservation rhinoplasty in certain patient populations. The authors present several techniques that have been successfully employed to maximize tip support and definition when performing closed preservation rhinoplasty in the Mestizo patient.
Estimating hypothetical estimands with causal inference and missing data estimators in a diabetes trial case study
Authors: Olarte Parra Camila , Daniel Rhian M , Wright David , Bartlett Jonathan W
Published: January 2025

The ICH E9 addendum on estimands in clinical trials provides a framework for precisely defining the treatment effect that is to be estimated, but says little about estimation methods. Here, we report analyses of a clinical trial in type 2 diabetes, targeting the effects of randomized treatment, handling rescue treatment and discontinuation of randomized treatment using the so-called hypothetical strategy. We show how this can be estimated using mixed models for repeated measures, multiple imputation, inverse probability of treatment weighting, G-formula, and G-estimation. We describe their assumptions and practical details of their implementation using packages in R. We report the results of these analyses, broadly finding similar estimates and standard errors across the estimators. We discuss various considerations relevant when choosing an estimation approach, including computational time, how to handle missing data, whether to include post intercurrent event data in the analysis, whether and how to adjust for additional time-varying confounders, and whether and how to model different types of intercurrent event data separately.
Type 3 deiodinase activation mediated by the Shh/Gli1 axis promotes sepsis-induced metabolic dysregulation in skeletal muscles
Authors: Wang Gang , Gao Tao , Liu Yijiang , Duan Jianfeng , Lu Huimin , Jiang Anqi , Xu Yun , Lu Xiaolan , Li Xiaoyao , Wang Yong , Yu Wenkui
Published: January 2025

Background

Non-thyroidal illness syndrome is commonly observed in critically ill patients, characterized by the inactivation of systemic thyroid hormones (TH), which aggravates metabolic dysfunction. Recent evidence indicates that enhanced TH inactivation is mediated by the reactivation of type 3 deiodinase (Dio3) at the tissue level, culminating in a perturbed local metabolic equilibrium. This study assessed whether targeted inhibition of Dio3 can maintain tissue metabolic homeostasis under septic conditions and explored the mechanism behind Dio3 reactivation.

Methods

A retrospective clinical study was conducted to investigate the attributes of rT3. The expression of Dio3 was detected by immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical staining in tissues extracted from CLP-induced septic rats and human biopsy samples. In addition, the effect of Dio3 inhibition on skeletal muscle metabolism was observed in rats with targeted Dio3 knockdown using an adeno-associated virus. The effectiveness of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling inhibition on systemic TH levels was observed in CLP-induced septic rats receiving cyclopamine. The mechanisms underlying such inhibition were explored using immunoblotting, RNA-seq, and chromatin immunoprecipitation–qPCR assays.

Results

The main product of Dio3, rT3, is strongly associated with organ function. Early sepsis leads to significant upregulation of Dio3 in the skeletal muscles and lung tissues of septic rats. The targeted inhibition of Dio3 in skeletal muscle restores TH responsiveness, prevents fast-to-slow fiber conversion, preserves glucose transporter type 4 functionality, and maintains metabolic balance between protein synthesis and proteolysis, which leads to preserved muscle mass. The reactivation of Dio3 is transcriptionally regulated by the Shh pathway induced by the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3.

Conclusions

The suppression of Dio3 restores tissue TH actions, attenuates proteolysis, and ameliorates anabolic resistance in the skeletal muscles of septic rats, thereby improving local metabolic homeostasis. Our results provide insights into the mechanisms of Dio3 reactivation and its critical role in local metabolic alterations induced by sepsis, while also suggesting novel targets aimed at ameliorating tissue-specific metabolic disorders.
Comparative Outcomes of Babesiosis in Immunocompromised and Non-Immunocompromised Hosts: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Kakoullis Loukas , Alonso Carolyn D , Burns Rebecca , Aleissa Muneerah M , Haddad Esther Arbona , Kim Andy J , Rooks Rebecca , Yates Bridget , Kanwal Urwah , Morreale Nicholas P , Morgan Alexandra , Arnaout Ramy , Tong Alexandra , Izaguirre Natalie E , Little Jessica S , Hammond Sarah P , Montgomery Mary W , Sherman Amy C , Maguire James H , Woolley Ann E , Baden Lindsey R , Issa Nicolas C , Harris Courtney E
Published: January 2025

Background

Babesiosis poses significant risks of adverse outcomes in individuals with immunocompromising conditions (IC) and asplenia/hyposplenia (AH). This study compares clinical outcomes between these vulnerable groups and immunocompetent patients.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective cohort study included adult patients with laboratory-confirmed babesiosis from 2009 to 2023. Complications, management, and outcomes were compared between patients with IC/AH (ICAH) and without ICAH (immune intact cohort).

Results

Of 225 patients (mean age 66 years, 36% female), 112 were ICAH. ICAH patients had higher median peak parasitemia (2.8% vs. 0.9%, p<0.0001) and higher rates of complications, including acute kidney injury (24% vs. 11%, p=0.016), acute respiratory distress syndrome (11% vs. 4%, p=0.041), and were more likely to undergo packed red blood cell transfusion (31% vs. 17%, p=0.023) and exchange transfusion (18% vs. 6%, p=0.008). Treatment duration was longer in the ICAH cohort (median 27 vs. 10 days, p<0.001), particularly in those with both IC and AH (median 43 days, p=0.003). ICAH patients had higher 12-month all-cause mortality (7% vs. 1%, p=0.019) and recurrence rates (8% vs. 0%, p=0.001). Hematologic malignancy (OR=7.0, p=0.023) and B-cell-depleting therapies (OR=9.4, p=0.015) were significant predictors of recurrence. Despite most patients undergoing follow-up testing with blood smears and PCR, these did not reliably predict recurrence.

Conclusion

Patients with ICAH with babesiosis experience more severe disease and higher complication rates. Follow-up testing, including blood smear and PCR, did not reliably predict recurrence, highlighting the need for more effective monitoring strategies in these high-risk populations.
Experimental Evolution and Hybridization Enhance the Fermentative Capacity of Wild Saccharomyces eubayanus Strains
Authors: Vega-Macaya Franco , Villarreal Pablo , Peña Tomas A , Abarca Valentina , Cofré Agustín A , Oporto Christian I , Mardones Wladimir , Nespolo Roberto F , Cubillos Francisco A
Published: January 2025

Lager beer is traditionally fermented using Saccharomyces pastorianus. However, the limited availability of lager yeast strains restricts the potential range of beer profiles. Recently, Saccharomyces eubayanus strains showed the potential to impart novel aromas to beer, with slower fermentation rates than commercial strains. Here, we applied experimental evolution to nine S. eubayanus strains using three different selective conditions to generate improved strains to fermentative environments. We observed environment-dependent fitness changes across strains, with ethanol-enriched media resulting in the greatest fitness improvement. We identified sub-telomeric genomic changes in a deficient fermentative strain underlying the greatest fitness improvement. Gene expression analysis and genome sequencing identified genes associated with oxidative stress, amino acid metabolism, sterol biosynthesis, and vacuole morphology underlying differences between evolved and the ancestral strain, revealing the cellular processes underlying fermentation improvement. A hybridization strategy between two evolved strains allowed us to expand the phenotypic space of the F2 segregants, obtaining strains with a 13.7% greater fermentative capacity relative to the best evolved parental strains. Our study highlights the potential of integrating experimental evolution and hybridization to enhance the fermentation capacity of wild yeast strains, offering strengthened solutions for industrial applications and highlighting the potential of Patagonian S. eubayanus in brewing.
How Are Dehumanizing Perceptions of Homelessness Associated with Age?
Authors: Dolenc Nott Brooke , Dowhower Daniel P , Cannon Melissa L , Setter Kathryn A
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives

Increasing numbers of unhoused older individuals in the U.S. underscores the urgency for tailored services and support. Previous studies demonstrate prevalent negative attitudes and dehumanizing perceptions towards unhoused people. Additionally, past research highlights the influence of ageism and dehumanization on the care older adults receive. However, limited work addresses the layered dehumanization faced by unhoused aging individuals. This study investigated how dehumanizing perceptions of homelessness were associated with age.

Research Design and Methods

In this experimental study, participants (N = 399; M age = 23) were randomly assigned to scenarios depicting unhoused individuals who were discernibly either older or younger. Participants were prompted with different empathy tasks and assessed on dehumanization levels.

Results

Results revealed older unhoused individuals faced significantly higher levels of dehumanization compared to their younger counterparts. Findings also indicated that older participants and male participants demonstrated stronger dehumanization towards unhoused adults.

Discussion and Implications

Dehumanization may be intensified for unhoused aging individuals due to their intersecting identities. In turn, this may affect willingness to provide care and the quality of services offered, impacting care settings, medical facilities, and policies focused on homelessness. This research sheds light on the complexities of dehumanization, emphasizing the urgency to address these linked biases to create more inclusive and supportive environments for unhoused aging individuals.
Examining Valued Social Participation of Disabled Older adults Through the Frameworks of Critical Gerontology and Critical Disability Studies
Authors: Jones-Cobb Brittany , Turner Natalie
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives

The importance of social participation for older adults has been well articulated. Missing from this discourse is a critical consideration of how social participation is shaped by political, economic, and social contexts that marginalize aging and disabled bodies. We bridge this gap by applying critical gerontology and critical disability frameworks to our analysis of how access to health and social services and individual and environmental factors, are associated with engagement in valued social activities among disabled older adults.

Research Design and Methods

Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Round 12 (n = 4,562) we conducted a series of generalized linear regression models evaluating the association between disability, access to health and social services, and participation in valued social activities.

Results

Increased limitation with Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and presence of dementia were significantly associated with decreased valued social participation. Receiving unpaid support, social network size, transportation access, having a regular doctor, and employment were positively associated with valued social participation, while neighborhood disorder, low neighborhood cohesion, difficulty paying for medications, and Medicaid beneficiary status were negatively associated.

Discussion and Implications

Findings indicate disabled older adults face challenges engaging in valued social activities. Applying critical gerontology and disability perspectives, calls us to reexamine the ways social participation, accessibility, and full inclusion of disabled older adults are considered. We urge gerontologists to use these findings to reimagine the structures of aging services and community to achieve social change.
Resilience Profiles among Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in the United States: White and Black Differences
Authors: Xu Yanfeng , Fei Pei , Mendoza Nancy , Harrison Theresa
Published: January 2025

Background and Objectives

Grandparents raising grandchildren face many challenges and stress regardless of race and ethnicity; however, they are generally resilient. The present study aims to classify resilience profiles of these grandfamilies using a person-centered approach and examine the association of race and ethnicity with these profiles.

Research Design and Methods

The present study analyzed cross-sectional survey data collected from grandparents raising grandchildren in the United States (N = 287). A latent profile analysis was conducted.

Results

Latent profile analysis identified two distinct latent profiles: (a) profile 1: high interpersonal support but low spirituality and family confidence, and (b) profile 2: low interpersonal support but high spirituality and family confidence. Results indicated that Black grandfamilies were more likely to be in profile 2 compared to their white counterparts.

Discussion and Implications

This suggests the importance of recognizing grandfamilies’ different resilience profiles, particularly between Black and white grandfamilies, to develop and implement tailored interventions that leverage their resilience to overcome challenges and stress.
2. Realism
Authors: Sørensen Georg , Møller Jørgen
Published: January 2025

This chapter examines the realist tradition in IR, which is best seen as a research programme with several approaches using a common starting point. It highlights an important dichotomy in realist thought between classical realism and contemporary realism. After describing the elements of realism, the chapter discusses the international thought of three outstanding classical realists of the past: Thucydides, Niccolò Machiavelli, and Thomas Hobbes. It then analyses the classical realist thought of Hans J. Morgenthau, along with neorealism and neoclassical realism. Special attention is devoted to the defensive realism of Kenneth Waltz and the offensive realism of John Mearsheimer. The chapter shows that realists often disagree among themselves. It concludes with an overview of the how different realist theories treat the relationship between international and domestic factors.
Effects of in situ selenium exposure and maternal transfer on survival and abnormalities of Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) fry
Authors: Covington Sean M , Naddy Rami B , Prouty Alan L , Petach Marty , Schmeda German
Published: January 2025

Offspring of adult Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT) exposed to a range of selenium (Se) concentrations in situ were reared in a laboratory setting to assess effects on survival, growth, and abnormalities. Maternal whole-body Se concentrations ranged from 2.6 to 25.7 mg/kg dry weight (dw) for Site fish, while corresponding Se concentrations in embryos ranged from 3.4 to 47.6 mg/kg dw. A significant relationship was found between egg and whole-body tissue concentrations. Endpoints were evaluated at hatch to swim-up and hatch to test termination for survival and abnormalities (e.g., deformities and edema). Dose-response models were developed to visualize the data distribution and predicted EC10 (the effect concentration where a 10% effect is observed) values for survival and abnormality endpoints relative to egg Se concentrations. The EC10s for the survival endpoint were nearly identical, ranging from 35.1 to 35.6 mg/kg dw, while the EC10s for the abnormality endpoint ranged from 10.6 to 35.3 mg/kg dw. Using the best fit models for survival and abnormality endpoints, the EC10 for survival was 35.1 mg/kg dw and the EC10 for abnormalities was 35.2 mg/kg dw. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA’s) evaluation of these data, based on the abnormality data alone, suggested effects to YCT were likely greater than 30 mg/kg dw. The USEPA suggested the conversion factor for YCT is 1.96 based on a median value of the paired maternal whole-body and egg tissue Se data available. However, a reanalysis of these data presented in the article indicates a ratio of 1.43 is more appropriate; therefore, the egg to whole-body conversion factor for YCT recommended is 1.43, which results in a whole-body tissue EC10 of 24.55 mg/kg dw at an egg tissue EC10 of 35.1 mg/kg dw.
A demonstrable need to follow scientific evidence in the derivation of environmental quality standards: a case study of European surface waters
Authors: Wilson Iain , Merrington Graham , Peters Adam , Middleton Elizabeth , Garman Emily , Schlekat Christian
Published: January 2025

Environmental quality standards (EQS) derived under the European Water Framework Directive are legally binding and enshrined in individual European Member State Country national legislation. These EQS are derived following well-established guidance documents. In 2013, EQS for nickel were derived for freshwaters to be protective against long- and short-term exposures, at 4 and 34 µg L−1, respectively. The value for long-term exposures uses chronic ecotoxicity data and accounts for bioavailability, whereas the short-term value uses acute data and does not account for bioavailability. In 2022, the European Commission revised these values as part of the ongoing legislative process. Despite an increase in available data for both chronic and acute ecotoxicity endpoints, the update and development of chronic and acute biotic ligand models (BLMs) published in peer-reviewed literature, and the accessibility of vastly more monitoring data (used in the European EQS derivation), the values for the nickel EQS were reduced by increasing the assessment factors to account for increases in apparent uncertainties. The Commission’s 2022 derivation failed to consider additional chronic data for more than 20 species as well as the updated and new acute and chronic BLMs. As a result, the derived nickel EQS is limited in its applicability and relevance to European freshwater ecosystems, as illustrated in practice by the observation that monitoring sites can comply with the chronic EQS but fail the acute EQS. Here, we provide an explanation as to why this has occurred and detail what it means for the risk assessment of nickel in European Member State freshwaters. Finally, we outline a path forward that should be relevant for any risk-based and evidence-driven regulatory framework and acknowledging that political decisions are part of the process, but that these should be separate and after scientific aspects are undertaken.
Putting the Civilian Back in Civil–Military Relations: How Civilian Leaders Condition the Effects of Security Assistance
Authors: Metz Rachel , Joyce Renanah
Published: January 2025

Abstracts

Security assistance is an omnipresent feature of great power foreign policy. The United States, the world’s largest security assistance provider, aims both to build stronger militaries and to ensure that those militaries abide by liberal norms of civil–military relations. Why do some US-built militaries follow those norms, while others act as the political regime’s coercive tools? We argue that US advisors can, under favorable conditions, use social strategies of influence to encourage partner soldiers to adopt liberal civil–military norms. However, effective socialization of partner soldiers does not guarantee liberal civil–military relations because the partner state’s civilian leaders play a decisive role. When civilian leaders implement coup-proofing tactics, they counteract US socialization efforts and produce the illiberal patterns of civil–military relations the United States set out to avoid. We explore the theory in two cases of US army-building—Iraq (2003–2014) and Liberia (2006–2016). Our findings suggest that the United States must choose partners more judiciously or find ways to secure the cooperation of civilian leaders.
Ceftaroline versus vancomycin for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, a matched cohort study
Authors: Bitterman Roni , Awwad Aya , Darawsha Basel , Dallashi Hajar , Dishon-Benattar Yael , Pollack Dina , Paul Mical
Published: January 2025

Background

Vancomycin remains the treatment-of-choice in MRSA bacteraemia (MRSAB) despite significant limitations.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of ceftaroline and vancomycin monotherapy as the initial targeted therapy for MRSAB.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study. Consecutive adult patients treated with ceftaroline in the years 2019–2021 were matched in a 1:2 ratio with patients who received vancomycin. Controls were matched for performance of trans-oesophageal echocardiography, Charlson comorbidity index and age. The primary outcome was a composite of treatment failure, defined as 90-day mortality or microbiological failure. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the ceftaroline and vancomycin-treated groups. Univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were created using ceftaroline treatment as the exposure variable.

Results

Forty-five patients treated with ceftaroline for MRSAB were matched with 83 patients who received vancomycin. The groups were well balanced with regards to demographics and clinical characteristics. The primary outcome of treatment failure occurred at a similar rate in patients treated with ceftaroline or vancomycin (51.1%, 23/45% versus 57.8%, 48/83, respectively, P = 0.47). In the multivariable analysis, only age (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.1, P = 0.02) was associated with treatment failure. Acute kidney injury was more common among patients treated with ceftaroline (51.1%, 23/45% versus 18.1%, 15/83, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Ceftaroline was not associated with improved outcomes compared to vancomycin when given as initial treatment for MRSAB, however, it appears to be a viable alternative to vancomycin. Larger studies are needed to provide definitive results and to elucidate the risk of nephrotoxicity.
Short-term power load forecasting based on spatial-temporal dynamic graph and multi-scale Transformer
Authors: Zhu Li , Gao Jingkai , Zhu Chunqiang , Deng Fan
Published: January 2025

Short-term power load forecasting is essential for ensuring power system stability and facilitating market planning. However, the multi-periodic nature of load data and its complex correlations with external factors pose significant challenges to accurate predictions. To address these issues, we propose a novel spatial-temporal dynamic graph Transformer (SDGT), which integrates a multi-scale Transformer module with a patch-based multi-scale encoder to capture multiple periodic patterns and extract temporal dependencies. Additionally, a spatial-temporal correlation graph (STCG) is constructed based on shape similarity and semantic relevance, and further enhanced using a graph convolution module to model dynamic spatial correlations between load data and external influencing factors. Experimental results on two public benchmark datasets demonstrate that SDGT surpasses state-of-the-art forecasting models, exhibiting superior predictive accuracy and robustness. The findings validate the effectiveness of SDGT in capturing multi-periodic patterns and spatial-temporal dependencies, making it a promising approach for improving short-term power load forecasting and supporting real-world power system operations and energy market planning.