bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Investigation of Pore Characteristics in Compacted Sand Layers—Physical Interpretation of Applicability of Kozeny-Carman Equation
Authors: Miura Otono , Oishi Ryunosuke , Harada Shusaku , Yagi Tsubasa
Published: February 2025

Accurate evaluation of permeability in subsurface media is essential for solving problems in various fields, such as environmental and petroleum engineerings. This study aims to numerically investigate the pore characteristics of spherical particle beds imitating compacted sandstones for the physical understanding of the permeability change with porosity. In this study, the structures of monodisperse and polydisperse particle beds are simulated and the pore regions are extracted using various numerical methods. The pore characteristics such as effective porosity, tortuosity, and specific surface area in the bed are quantified. The permeability is then calculated by substituting them into the Kozeny-Carman equation. The obtained permeability is compared with measurement results from actual sandstones. The respective pore characteristics are also evaluated against findings from previous studies. The role of pore characteristics in influencing permeability is investigated to examine changes in permeability in compacted sandstones. Consequently, the respective pore characteristics are modeled as functions of porosity. The effective porosity and tortuosity obtained from the present analysis aligns with both experimental results and the physical models proposed in previous studies. The specific surface area also agrees with the previous experimental results. However, the model proposed in the previous research does not match the experimental and present numerical results at low porosity. Therefore, we develop a new geometric model for specific surface area under low porosity conditions. Based on the numerical results, we assess the applicability of the original Kozeny-Carman equation to actual sandstones composed of deformed particles and analyze its physical interpretation. The results suggest that the rapid increase in tortuosity and the rapid decrease in specific surface area with decreasing porosity cause the Kozeny-Carman equation to maintain its original form even in compacted sandstones.
Baseline Liquid Biopsy in Relation to Tissue-Based Parameters in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Results From the Randomized FIRE-4 (AIO-KRK-0114) Study
Authors: Stintzing Sebastian , Klein-Scory Susanne , Fischer von Weikersthal Ludwig , Fuchs Martin , Kaiser Florian , Heinrich Kathrin , Modest Dominik Paul , Hofheinz Ralf-Dieter , Decker Thomas , Gerger Armin , Angermeier Stefan , Rumpold Holger , Dickhut Andreas , Öhler Leopold , Gruenberger Birgit , Niedersuess-Beke Dora , Sandmann Matthias , Winder Thomas , Trojan Joerg , Prager Gerald , Held Swantje , Kumbrink Jörg , Schmiegel Wolff , Baraniskin Alexander , Heinemann Volker
Published: February 2025

PURPOSE

The FIRE-4 study randomly assigned patients with first-line
RAS
wild-type (
RAS
wt) metastatic colorectal cancer to either flourouracil (FU), folinic acid, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) plus cetuximab until progression or intolerable toxicity (standard arm) or to FOLFIRI plus cetuximab followed by a switch maintenance treatment using FU plus bevacizumab (experimental arm). Here, we investigate the relevance of liquid biopsy (LB) RAS and BRAF testing compared with tissue-based analyses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

LBs were taken at baseline and during treatment and were analyzed for
RAS
and
BRAF
V600E
mutations using the in vitro diagnostics–certified ONCOBEAM RAS procedure (Sysmex Inostics) and digital-droplet polymerase chain reaction technology.

RESULTS

Six hundred seventy-two
RAS
wt patients were randomly assigned. LBs of 540 patients were evaluable at baseline. Of those, 70 (13%) were
RAS
mutant (
RAS
mut) and 38 (7%)
BRAF
V600E
mutant.
RAS
mut patients had significantly shorter survival compared with
RAS
wt patients (progression-free survival [PFS], 9.0 months
v
11.5 months;
P
< .001; hazard ratio [HR], 1.66; overall survival [OS], 22.1 months
v
33.6 months;
P
< .001; HR, 1.85).
RAS
mut patients had a numerically greater benefit from early switch maintenance compared with continuation of FOLFIRI/cetuximab (PFS, 10.1 months
v
6.4 months; HR, 0.82; OS, 24.9 months
v
16.3 months; HR, 0.57). Patients with a
BRAF
V600E
mutation in LB showed poor outcome (PFS, 5.4 months; OS, 12.0 months). On the basis of serial LB analyses, the conversion rate from
RAS
wt to
RAS
mut at disease progression was significantly higher in the arm with continuous cetuximab administration than in the switch maintenance arm.

CONCLUSION

LB allows the detection of
RAS
and
BRAF
mutations in patients deemed
RAS
wt on the basis of tissue analyses. These patients show outcome characteristics expected for
RAS
- and
BRAF
-mutant patients in tissue. The study thus confirms the high clinical relevance of LB performed at baseline before the start of therapy.
Recognition and Management of Ectopic ACTH Secreting Tumors
Authors: Elenius Henrik , Nieman Lynnette K
Published: February 2025

Ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS), in which Cushing syndrome is caused by excessive ACTH secretion from a tumor located outside of the pituitary, is associated with an impaired quality of life and an increased mortality rate. Outcomes can be improved with successful tumor localization and resection, which often proves difficult. In order to distinguish EAS from Cushing disease, a significantly more common condition where excessive ACTH is secreted from a pituitary tumor, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) is often necessary. Correct performance and interpretation of IPSS hence becomes crucial to avoid inappropriate future interventions, including surgical procedures. Once an ectopic source of ACTH is confirmed biochemically, identifying the causative tumor is often challenging since they can be located in unexpected areas and potentially be very small. Additionally, EAS carries a risk of severe hypercortisolism, which sometimes needs urgent treatment to avoid disastrous outcomes. The cases here illustrate pitfalls in diagnostic biochemical testing, describe helpful imaging strategies to improve the chances of tumor detection, and review available options to rapidly normalize severe hypercortisolism in critical situations.
Anesthetic Management of Parturients With Achondroplasia During Labor and Delivery: A Narrative Review
Authors: Dumitrascu Catalina I. , Eneh Peace N. , Keim Audrey A. , Kraus Molly B. , Sharpe Emily E.
Published: February 2025

Achondroplasia accounts for approximately 70% of all forms of dwarfism. Cesarean delivery is often required in parturients with achondroplasia due to cephalopelvic disproportion. There is no consensus on the optimal management for cesarean delivery considering the difficulties in both general and regional anesthesia in patients with achondroplasia. The aim of this study was to explore the literature for prior case reports and series to determine the optimum anesthetic management for cesarean delivery in achondroplastic patients. We conducted a review of the literature using Embase, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science database searches for case series and case reports on achondroplasia and pregnancy through January 2024. Conference abstracts >3 years old were excluded, as well as data on forms of dwarfism other than achondroplasia, patients taller than 147 cm, and non-English language papers. Extracted data included demographic information, anesthetic management, and reported complications. The literature review resulted in 57 manuscripts with a total of 80 anesthetics. Anesthetic management consisted of planned general anesthesia (n = 16), single injection spinal (n = 28), epidural (n = 17), combined spinal-epidural (n = 12), and intrathecal catheter (n = 1). Six patients required conversion from neuraxial anesthesia to general anesthesia due to failed neuraxial placement (n = 3), inadequate blockade (n = 2), and high neuraxial block (n = 1). Reduced dose of intrathecal bupivacaine was common in this population. Complications such as hypotension (4 in 64), inadvertent dural puncture (1 in 64), and transient paresthesia (3 in 64) during neuraxial technique were reported but were infrequent. Neuraxial anesthesia is more common and a viable option in carefully selected parturients with achondroplasia. We recommend reduction of intrathecal local anesthetic as part of a titratable neuraxial technique (ie, combined spinal-epidural) that minimizes the risk of hypotension, high spinal, and emergent intubation.
Make It or Break It? Pregnancy Scares and Romantic Relationship Dissolution
Authors: Newmyer Lauren , Yabiku Scott T.
Published: February 2025

Young adult romantic relationships have undergone significant changes in recent decades, resulting in such distinct demographic trends as rising rates of relationship dissolution. Union dissolution during young adulthood can influence future relationship stability, financial well-being, and health. Reproductive experiences are an important factor that can shape relationship stability. Much of past research, however, has focused on the impact of childbearing on relationship stability while less attention has been paid to other reproductive experiences that could also shape relationship stability, such as pregnancy scares. A pregnancy scare is when a woman suspects she has an undesired pregnancy but later discovers she is not pregnant. This experience might increase or decrease relationship stability. Drawing on data collected from young women in the Relationship Dynamics and Social Life study, this analysis examines the association between pregnancy scares and union dissolution. Results suggest that pregnancy scares are negatively associated with union dissolution, and this relationship persists over time; however, this association varies by relationship type, with serious dating relationships experiencing the most protective benefits.
Relationship between purposeful rumination and post-traumatic growth of college students who experienced childhood trauma: a regulated intermediary model
Authors: Steve Jackon , Zhao Sanglin
Published: February 2025

Background The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between positive coping and posttraumatic growth in trauma patients, and the mediating role of positive coping and the moderating role of social understanding support. Methods 811 college students aged 18-28 with traumatic experience were selected as the research objects through the questionnaire of life-long experience of traumatic events. The survey covered many provinces in China. The purposive Rumination Scale, posttraumatic growth scale, positive coping scale and social understanding rating scale were used to investigate. Results Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between purposeful rumination, positive coping and posttraumatic growth. Regression analysis showed that purposeful rumination had a significant direct effect on posttraumatic growth (β=0.148, p<0.001). The mediation model showed that positive coping and social understanding support played a chain mediating role between purposeful rumination and posttraumatic growth, and social understanding support played a moderating role between positive coping and posttraumatic growth. Further simple slope analysis showed that when perceived social support was high, purposeful rumination did not significantly predict posttraumatic growth; When perceived social support was low, purposeful rumination had a significant positive predictive effect on posttraumatic growth, indicating that the predictive effect of purposeful rumination on posttraumatic growth gradually increased with the decrease of perceived social support. Conclusion This study reveals the complex relationship between purposeful rumination, positive coping, social understanding support and post-traumatic growth, and provides a new perspective for understanding the psychological recovery process of trauma sufferers.
The genome sequence of the Sandy Carpet moth, Perizoma flavofasciatum (Thunberg, 1792)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Davis Jonathan ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2025

We present a genome assembly from a male specimen of Perizoma flavofasciatum (Sandy Carpet; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence has a total length of 369.30 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.88%) is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 16.61 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 11,915 protein-coding genes.
The genome sequence of the kissing bug, Panstrongylus geniculatus (Latreille, 1811)
Authors: Canizales-Silva Cristian , Alvarado-Lopez Mateo A. , Hernández Carolina , Ospina Carlos , Vallejo Gustavo A. , Llewellyn Martin S. , Ramírez Juan David ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective
Published: February 2025

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Panstrongylus geniculatus (kissing bug; Arthropoda; Insecta; Hemiptera; Reduviidae). The assembly contains two haplotypes with total lengths of 1,362.73 megabases and 1,342.40 megabases, respectively. Most of haplotype 1 (97.5%) is scaffolded into 12 chromosomal pseudomolecules. Haplotype 2 is assembled to scaffold level. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.44 kilobases in length.
Fostering Regional Integration in Africa in the Wake of Military Takeovers in the Sahel: Recasting the Casablanca-Monrovia and Brazzaville Debate?
Authors: Kibang Cedrick Zuo-Kom
Published: February 2025

The resurgence of military coups in the Sahel region and the crisis surrounding the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has put back the question of regional integration and African unity to intense scholarly scrutiny. The Sahel has emerged as the epicentre of violent extremism in the world according to the Institute for Economic and Peace`s 2024 Global Terrorism Index. The resurgence of military coups in the region further adds to the political dynamics of the region. The intervention of ECOWAS and the AU to restore constitutional order and the counteraction of the military juntas have resulted to the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States in the Sahel which has implications for regional integration in Africa in general. This study adopts a qualitative research strategy and case study design to examine the resurgence of military coups in the Sahel. It is based on desk review, particularly data sources such as Google scholar. The findings reveal that the resurgence of military coups in the Sahel region has implications for regional integration and the objective of unity of the African Union. Military coups in the Sahel have raised the stakes and challenges for Africa unity via regional integration by complicating the role of the regional institution, ECOWAS and ultimately the African Union. It posits that revisiting the foundational discourse of African unity and integration that is the Casablanca-Monrovia and Brazzaville debates is essential to understanding the current political dynamics in the Sahel region.
Application of Business Intelligence in Kenyan SMEs
Authors: Orina Dennis Olondo , Tick Andrea
Published: February 2025

Business Intelligence is still in its infancy stages in developing countries, particularly Kenya. Research has shown that different models are available to assess the usage and adoption of Business Intelligence (BI). In this case, the technological, organizational, and environmental (TOE) model was proposed as a suitable model for developing economies like Kenya. The study investigates how the TOE constructs affect BI adoption, the BI systems in Kenya, and whether managers influence BI adoption. The equivocal nature of the TOE framework allowed the creation of a structured interview questionnaire that was divided into two parts; the demographic profile and questions based on the TOE framework. The results demonstrated that the TOE factors led to more intensive BI adoption, but there might be a lack of awareness or technical skills to adopt advanced BI technologies. On this basis, it is recommended that managers within small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) learn about better BI solutions and how they can leverage the advantage to enable them to stay profitable, competitive, and data driven. Further research is needed to better understand BI usage within SMEs preferably with larger and representative sample sizes and across different counties within Kenya.
Challenges and Opportunities in Malawian Education: Focusing on Teacher Training
Authors: Szeremley Csaba
Published: February 2025

The primary education system in Malawi experienced significant changes, especially since the abolition of school fees in 1994, which resulted in an instant surge in enrolments. However, access improvements have not translated into substantial gains in educational quality. The primary education sector in Malawi is still under constant pressure and facing numerous challenges. The most important factors that need attention are the inadequate infrastructure, high pupil-teacher ratios and the lack of trained teachers. Financial constraints, such as allocating budgets to teacher salaries and inefficiencies in using School Improvement Grants (SIGs), further hinder progress. Systematic challenges are related to expenditure allocations, educational outcomes and service deliveries.
Despite these challenges, there are opportunities to improve educational outcomes through targeted interventions. In-service training programs, like the Primary School Improvement Program (PSIP) and Technology-Assisted Learning (TAL), have demonstrated some positive impacts, especially in enhancing teacher practices and learning environments. Practical teacher training and ICT integration catalyse change in a resource-constrained environment.
This paper also discusses recommendations for policy reforms, including better allocation of SIGs, optimising teacher deployment, and enhancing community involvement in school decision-making processes to evoke and strengthen ownership and responsibility outside of the school walls.
Addressing the comprehensive inefficiencies requires a multifaceted approach that includes greater accountability in resource use, enhanced teacher support, and more equitable resource distribution across urban and rural schools. Recognising and addressing the unique challenges of the different schools in different areas is crucial. Focusing on cost-effective strategies and leveraging partnerships with international donors can also significantly reshape Malawi's education system. Ultimately, improving teacher quality and ensuring effective service delivery is essential for enhancing learning outcomes and addressing the persistent issues in the education sector in Malawi.
The management of bacterial conjunctivitis
Authors: Kiełczewska Anna , Kiełczewska Aleksandra , Szcześniak Grzegorz
Published: February 2025

Introduction and Purpose: Bacterial conjunctivitis, a common eye disease characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva, poses a major challenge in clinical practice due to its prevalence, diverse etiology and the need for effective pharmacological treatment. The conjunctiva is constantly exposed to the adverse effects of various external and internal factors. This review is devoted to the pharmacological treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, with a focus on the most common causative agents. 
Materials and Methods: A comprehensive survey of articles published in scientific journals was conducted via PubMed and Google Scholar online research platforms. Articles were searched by entering keywords in the appropriate configuration:  “bacterial conjunctivitis,” ‘pharmacotherapy,’ ‘bacterial,’ and ”antibiotics.”
Description of current knowledge: Emerging research has shown that the choice of antibiotic for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis depends primarily on the etiology and severity of the infection.
Summary: Antibiotic therapy is an effective tool in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, but its use requires consideration of etiology, severity of infection and potential risk of resistance. Collaboration between ophthalmologists and microbiologists is necessary for the optimal management of this condition. Acute bacterial conjunctivitis is a prevalent eye condition that requires prompt and appropriate pharmacological management.
La instrumentalización del delito de blasfemia en la persecución contra los judíos durante la edad media
Authors: Valencia Virosta Alejandro
Published: February 2025

The Spain of the three cultures has had lights and shadows throughout the history of Spain and
coexistence has not always been peaceful. In these discrepancies, religion and the conflicts between
Christians, Muslims and, especially, the Jews have had a nuclear importance. As a consequence of this, and
with the aim of achieving religious unity in the kingdom, different laws were passed in both civil and
canonical jurisdiction. One of these crimes was blasphemy, which was sometimes used as an ideological
weapon to appease dissidence and achieve religious unification both in the Visigothic kingdom and in the
Crown of Castile
An association between MEFV mutation and ANCA-associated vasculitis involving the central nervous system and lungs: causality under scrutiny
Authors: Villander Barros de Oliveira Sá Marcus , Brito Amanda , Baié Miriam , Pacheco Flávio , Vasconcelos Luydson
Published: February 2025

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is traditionally associated with biallelic mutations in the MEFV gene; however, heterozygous mutations may also contribute to disease phenotypes. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with heterozygous p.Met694Ile MEFV mutation, presenting with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis involving the central nervous system and lungs. Her clinical course was marked by immune dysregulation, autoimmunity and inflammatory manifestations, including urticarial neutrophilic dermatoses and IgM deficiency. This case highlights the potential pathogenic role of heterozygous MEFV mutations in ANCA-associated vasculitis, expanding the clinical spectrum of FMF-related inflammatory diseases. Genetic investigation is essential in patients with overlapping autoimmune and autoinflammatory features to guide appropriate diagnosis and management.
A viral comeback: recurrent varicella in a young adult female
Authors: Jeger Idan , Proesmans Sam
Published: February 2025

An otherwise healthy young adult female presented to our clinic with a second episode of varicella. Our patient had a diffuse vesicular rash, reminiscent of childhood varicella, accompanied by constitutional symptoms. This rare presentation of a common virus required careful diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, with a targeted approach based on clinical presentation and risk factors. As this patient was sexually active, there was concern for a mild case of monkeypox or herpes simplex. A polymerase cain reaction test on a skin vesicle was crucial to distinguish between these viral infections and make a diagnosis. With symptomatic treatment, the outcome was favourable. However, internationally recognised practice guidelines do recommend antiviral treatment. Adolescents and adults are at a higher risk of disseminated varicella, with severe and fatal outcomes. Further investigation of underlying immune impairment is also warranted.
African Feminist Individuation
Authors: Salami Minna
Published: February 2025

Abstract: This essay explores the relevance of Jungian individuation within African feminist political philosophy. It examines the rise of populism in Africa and the persistent debate between individualism and communitarianism, which often distracts from addressing patriarchy. By integrating Jungian individuation with African feminism and Yoruba cosmology, a novel approach is proposed to transcend this dualism. The essay critiques the rise of Populist Anti-Western Nativism (PAWN), highlighting its detrimental impact on African feminist efforts and its promotion of reactionary, patriarchal, and populist beliefs. Through a personal journey of individuation, the essay illustrates how this process can foster both individual autonomy and community well-being. Emphasizing the importance of "being" and "becoming", the essay argues that individuation can help African feminists navigate the complex space between cultural solidarity and critique, ultimately advancing a more profound and transformative African feminist politics.
Moroccan Feminist Subjectivities and the Ethics of Relationality
Authors: Marouan Maha
Published: February 2025

Abstract: This essay is a meditation on Moroccan women's subjectivities through an intergenerational lens that connects three generations of Moroccan women: my grandmother who lived through the colonial period (1920s–1950s), my mother whose experiences are marked by the transition into independence and nation building (1950s–1970s), and my own experiences located in the postcolonial era and the surge of globalization (1980s–to present). I conceptualize women/womxn's spaces (where I locate my feminist subjectivity) as liberatory sites of intergenerational knowledge because men did not have access to them (albeit temporarily). By weaving my family's microhistory into the macro-histories of the 20th and 21st centuries, what emerges from this telling is a re-evaluation of an indigenous ethics of interconnectivity as a necessary critique of the brutality of global capitalism and its violent practice of disposability. I locate women's spaces as sites of contestation of colonialism and nationalism while addressing the limits of institutional knowledge as a patriarchal tool that has systemically undermined Moroccan women's contributions to knowledge production. Through the emotional act of remembering and weaving personal and public histories of Moroccan women, I have come to realize that my own subjectivity is intersubjective, intergenerational and grounded in the conception of a future feminist imaginary only possible through radical inclusivity.
Ubuntu and the More-Than-Human: Lessons from African and African Diaspora Feminists
Authors: Dyer Unifier
Published: February 2025

Abstract: The maxim most closely associated with the African philosophy of ubuntu, "umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu," is attendant to human-to-human relations especially in the fields of African and African Diaspora Feminisms. More pertinent to my research is the larger relationality embedded in ubuntu and which considers the interconnections and interdependence between the living, the ancestors and the unborn, on the one hand, and between the human and other living beings and organisms on the other. To that extent, I engage with ubuntu as an embodied practice grounded both in spirit and in ecology. This paper engages with M. Jacqui Alexander's notion of the Sacred , Patricia McFadden's contemporary feminism , and Mary Kinyanjui's utu feminism to establish how these Africana feminist scholars who acknowledge and work within embodied practices of the Sacred, ecofeminist care, and utu adopt a relationality that resembles the expansive posture of what ubuntu encompasses. They are the forbearers to this work. I describe them as 'relational interlocutors' who have laid the ground for engaging with ubuntu as an inter-being relation that offers emancipatory possibilities for healing.
For I am an African (Feminist) and Other Meanings of Subjectivity
Authors: Tushabe Tushabe wa
Published: February 2025

Abstract: To be an African feminist can sometimes be elitist, especially when removed from the communities and stories from which we come. However, when we remember ourselves in relation to where we come from and what we have been taught to forget, we engage in liberating and healing work that affords us self-reinterpretation in the worlds we make. In this essay, I reflect on actions by mothers—specifically my grandmother, Nyamasazi, and my mother, Tibifumura—as feminist role models who taught me that presence and remembering can be practices of feminist resistance against colonial erasure and patriarchal oppression. This involves reconnecting to spirit, reclaiming our humanity— obuntu —and reinterpreting our interdependencies with Mother Earth. In conversation with other feminists, I consider human relations as radical feminist actions that create new knowledge and meanings.
In Conversation with Mamphela Ramphele on the Urgency of Storytelling for Blackwomen in South Africa
Authors: ka'Nobuhlaluse Zinhle
Published: February 2025

Abstract: The South African Apartheid government undermined Black people's capacity to engage in epistemic practices, such as giving testimony about their experiences of living under Apartheid or making sense of the various Acts that conditioned their unfreedoms. Many Blackwomen freedom fighters, such as Mamphela Ramphele, made it their project to resist Apartheid. In her writings, Ramphele not only reclaims her position as an epistemic subject but also demonstrates the power of self-narration, of telling her own story in ways that are attentive to the nature of Apartheid and its interlocking systems of oppression. This conversation provides insights into the ways in which Ramphele measures the value and impact of her writing which cuts across various genres. She has authored several autobiographies, policy briefs, political manifestos, and scholarly essays and books.
The American Expeditionary Forces Student Detachments in France in 1919: Soldier-Scholars at the University of Montpellier
Authors: Cornebise Alfred Emile
Published: February 2025

Abstract: In late November of 1918, approximately two million U.S. doughboys of the American Expeditionary Forces were stationed in France or, in increasingly large numbers, in Germany, in the American zone of occupation. The war had come to a rather abrupt end and almost immediately soldiers and their families in the United States demanded that the AEF be returned home. For many homesick doughboys, however, this could not be immediately realized. Realizing that the men needed to be kept intellectually as well as physically occupied, military leaders worked with education experts to create opportunities for the enlisted men to improve their minds at European institutions. This article examines soldiers’ experiences at the University of Montpellier, relying particularly on personal reminiscences and student publications to vividly portray the experiences of soldier-scholars in this understudied aspect of the post-war era.
Beyond the “Objectivity” Wars: What Journalists Really Value
Authors: Schudson Michael S.
Published: February 2025

Abstract: U.S. journalists often defend their practices as committed to what they variously call objectivity, balance, fairness, professional detachment, or fact-based reporting. But this commitment, while genuine, competes with and sometimes gives way to other loyalties: to civility, to privacy, to protecting individual human lives (a “first do no harm” principle), to democracy and to building an emotional connection with audiences through storytelling. This essay, based on a keynote address given at the April 2023 APS Members Meeting, briefly presents cases in which these other principles are self-conscious and avowed and are understood to appropriately, or sometimes awkwardly, subordinate objective reporting. By doing so, this piece highlights the complications of a journalistic commitment to democracy when explicitly anti-democratic forces are attracting a large following.
William Jack Baumol: 26 February 1922–4 May 2017
Authors: Blinder Alan S.
Published: February 2025

Abstract: This biographical memoir commemorates the life, work, and professional legacy of eminent economist William Jack Baumol (1922–2017), who was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1977.
Noel M. Swerdlow: 12 September 1941–24 July 2021
Authors: Rochberg Francesca , Taub Liba
Published: February 2025

Abstract: This biographical memoir commemorates the life, work, and professional legacy of eminent historian of science Noel M. Swerdlow (1941–2021), who was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1988.
Multiple laser parametric study of fiber-laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Shudi , Xiao Qingtian , Chen Fangfang , Chen Yupei , Wu Hongtan , Wang Gueyhorng
Published: February 2025

An integrated investigation of pulse energy (0–0.8 mJ), pulse width (2–500 ns),
and repetition rate (1 Hz–4 MHz) was carried out on
laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS). An increase in pulse
energy led to a significant signal elevation, yet its speed slowed
down at a longer pulse width, which helps to lessen the electron
density and ablation threshold. The repetition rate showed greater
impact at higher pulse energy, and a threshold of about 200 Hz
was observed for signal enhancement, exceeding which the ablation
threshold of aluminum decreases logarithmically in the case of a
250 ns pulse width. Up to 29.0% of the sensitivity enhancement
and 43.9% of the limit of detection (LOD) improvement were obtained
under a high laser repetition rate of 20 kHz, resulting in an
agreeable LOD of down to several tens of ppm considering the low laser
irradiance applied here. In summary, to achieve better
quantification results, higher pulse energy, moderate pulse width, and
higher repetition rate should be applied.
Performance analysis of a differential chaos-based hybrid FSO/RF satellite–terrestrial uplink
Authors: Wu Jiamin , Tu Shan , Yan Dexian , Wang Yi
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a hybrid free-space optics (FSO)/radio frequency (RF) satellite–terrestrial communication system assisted by high-altitude platform (HAP), incorporating differential chaos shift keying (DCSK) modulation and Bose–Chaudhuri–Hocquenghem (BCH) coding techniques. By utilizing parallel FSO and RF transmission in the terrestrial-HAP link and performing maximal ratio combining (MRC) at the HAP node, the system effectively mitigates the effects of atmospheric turbulence and adverse weather conditions, such as haze and fog. For the FSO satellite–terrestrial uplink, factors including angle of arrival (AoA) fluctuations, pointing errors, atmospheric attenuation, intensity scintillation, and beam wander are considered. The Fischer–Snedecor F distribution and Nakagami-m distribution are used to model the FSO and RF links, respectively, and the bit error rate (BER) expression for the BCH-coded DCSK modulation system is derived. Through simulations, the impact of modulation and coding parameters, such as zenith angle, beam divergence angle, field of view angle, various modulation techniques, and weather conditions, on system performance is analyzed. The performance of the proposed system is also compared with that of the traditional satellite–terrestrial laser communication system and the selection combining (SC) scheme in the terrestrial–HAP link. Finally, the analytical results were validated through Monte Carlo simulations. Results indicate that the hybrid FSO/RF satellite–terrestrial communication system with BCH–DCSK technology exhibits superior performance, providing theoretical support for future experiments on satellite–terrestrial uplink communication.
Fabrication of a 3D mode size converter for efficient edge coupling in photonic integrated circuits
Authors: Jang Hyeong-Soon , Heo Hyungjun , Kim Sangin , Hwang Hyeon , Lee Hansuek , Seo Min-Kyo , Kwon Hyounghan , Han Sang-Wook , Jung Hojoong
Published: February 2025

We demonstrate efficient edge couplers by fabricating a 3D mode size converter on a lithium niobate-on-insulator photonic platform. The 3D mode size converter is fabricated using an etching process that employs a Si external mask to provide height variation and adjust the width variation through tapering patterns via lithography. The measured edge coupling efficiency with a 3D mode size converter was approximately 1.16 dB/facet for the TE mode and approximately 0.71 dB/facet for the TM mode at a wavelength of 1550 nm using lensed fibers.
High-resolution arrayed waveguide grating-assisted passive optical phased array for 2D beam steering
Authors: Liu Yuan. , Zhang Chongxin , DeSantis Daniel M. , Hu Diya , Meissner Thomas , Notaros Jelena , Klamkin Jonathan
Published: February 2025

Integrated optical phased arrays (OPAs) based on arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs) enable two-dimensional (2D) beam steering through wavelength tuning. Achieving a high vertical resolution for practical applications remains challenging due to the waveguide phase errors associated with the large AWG required. Here, we present a high-resolution 65-channel AWG-assisted OPA with 5 inputs. Ultra-low loss silicon nitride waveguide technology and transverse magnetic mode operation are employed for waveguide-phase-error mitigation. A vertical resolution of 0.32° using a single input is attained with a beam width of 0.55° × 0.07° and an alias-free horizontal field of view (FOV) of 30°. By utilizing all 5 inputs, the vertical resolution can be enhanced to 0.06°. Real-time 2D beam steering over a 25° × 5° FOV is demonstrated. To our best knowledge, this work demonstrates the highest vertical resolution reported for an AWG-based OPA.
All-fiber focused optical vortex array generator based on a Dammann–Kinoform spiral zone plate
Authors: Wang Yuji , Wu Luping , Liu Rui , Ran Jianjun , Luo Zilun , Lv Cailiang , Qin Shiqin , Bai Zhiyong , Liu Shen , Wang Ying , Chen George Y. , Liao Changrui , Wang Yiping
Published: February 2025

An optical vortex array (OVA) provides more degrees of freedom for modulation by controlling the number and spatial distribution of optical vortices (OVs). However, traditional approaches such as spatial light modulation need to utilize numerous complex optical components to generate an OVA and bulky objective lenses to focus it. We reported a highly integrated all-fiber generator of the focused optical vortex array (FOVA) in this work. This generator was prepared by printing a Dammann–Kinoform spiral zone plate (DKSZP) on the fiber facet using femtosecond laser two-photon polymerization (TPP) nanoprinting. The DKSZP can convert the incident Gaussian beam into 1D or 2D FOVA. The focal length, spacing of optical vortices, and topological charge of the generated FOVA were designed and verified through simulation and experimentation. Notably, we have successfully achieved the capture and rotation of silica microsphere trimers, which is attributed to the multiple robust trapping sites carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) provided by the generated FOVA. This achievement provides a novel solution for multi-target manipulation. Our results pave the way for the integration of FOVA generation devices, demonstrating great potential in applications such as particle manipulation, optical communication, optical metrology, and microfluidic pumps.
Socio-demographic and clinical predictors of medication adherence among psychiatric outpatients in Mozambique: A two-year longitudinal survival analysis
Authors: Weldemariam Hiwot , Turner Morgan , Muanido Alberto Gabriel , Cumbe Vasco , Jala Junior João , Armando Ernesto Eusébio , Faduque Flávia , Enquobahrie Daniel A. , Wagenaar Bradley H.
Published: February 2025

Research on medication adherence among patients with psychiatric illness is particularly sparse in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study examined the relationship between psychiatric medication adherence and clinical and sociodemographic factors in outpatient psychiatric settings in central Mozambique. We conducted a longitudinal study among 803 Psychiatric Outpatients (1,811 total follow-up visits) attending eight healthcare facilities in Mozambique from February 2022 to January 2024. Multivariable linear mixed and non-parametric Kaplan-Meier models were employed to analyze the association between medication and clinical/sociodemographic variables over time. Approximately 93% of patients (N = 729) were non-adherent to their medication at a minimum of one follow-up visit, with a median time in treatment prior to non-adherence of 60 days (mean: 52 days; 95% CI: 51, 53). In the Stratified Cox model, patients aged 56+ had a 33% higher hazard of nonadherence compared to those aged 18–35 (aHR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.55). Patients prescribed amitriptyline had a 56% higher hazard of nonadherence compared to those prescribed carbamazepine (aHR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.23, 1.98). For every 30 days in treatment, disability scores decreased by an average of 0.13 (95% CI: -0.16 to -0.09) while systolic blood pressure decreased by 0.46 mmHg (95% CI: -0.18 to -0.10) and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 0.15 mmHg (95% CI: -0.23 to -0.06). Currently, the median duration of medication adherence for patients initiating essential psychiatric treatment in Mozambique is 60 days. Patients prescribed amitriptyline and older patients are at a higher risk of non-adherence. Consistent engagement in treatment is linked to lower disability scores and blood pressure. There is an urgent need for research into adherence support strategies, especially for these high-risk groups within Mozambique’s mental health patient population.
Investigation of customized total knee implant with articular cartilage under loading conditions using finite element analysis
Authors: Alshewaier Shady A. , Sikkandar Mohamed Yacin , Almakrami Ali Ahmed Ali , Begum S. Sabarunisha , Alassaf Ahmad , AlMohimeed Ibrahim , Sundaram S. Meenatchi , Poojary Dheeraj , Sudharsan Natteri M. , Ng Eddie Y. K.
Published: February 2025

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disease predominantly affecting the elderly and is often managed through knee replacement surgeries. West Asians, who frequently engage in activities involving bending and kneeling during their prayers, tend to exhibit distinct bone anatomy compared to the Caucasian population. This research posits that patient-specific, customized knee implants with articular cartilages may lead to reduced post-surgical discomfort and a better implant fit compared to conventional standard implants. This study presents a novel concept and approach for the development of a customized total knee implant with articular cartilages, specifically tailored to simulate loading conditions using finite element analysis (FEA) for the Saudi Arabian population. The research analyses patient-specific customized knee implants with articular cartilages under both pre- and post-implant conditions using a finite element model (FEM). Computed tomography (CT) images of patients were utilized to create a solid model, which was then analysed under various constraints and conditions. The meshing process employed tetrahedral elements, converging with 76,197 nodes and 43,009 elements. The analysis was conducted under different body weights, specifically 75–80 kg and 100–105 kg. Two sets of force and moment were applied: the first with a force of 1000 N and a moment of 1.5 N-m, and the second with a force of 750 N and a moment of 0.8 N-m. The results indicated a 5% reduction in stress with implants designed for a 100 kg body weight, along with a significant reduction in ligament strain when compared to conventional knee joint stresses. This study offers a promising pathway toward reducing post-surgical discomfort. The proposed innovative solution has the potential to revolutionize total knee implant technology, offering enhanced functionality and improved patient outcomes for the Saudi Arabian population.
Metabolome profiling dissects the oat (Avena sativa L.) innate immune response to Pseudomonas syringae pathovars
Authors: Pretorius Chanel J. , Steenkamp Paul A. , Dubery Ian A.
Published: February 2025

One of the most important characteristics of successful plant defence is the ability to rapidly identify potential threats in the surrounding environment. Plants rely on the perception of microbe-derived molecular pattern chemicals for this recognition, which initiates a number of induced defence reactions that ultimately increase plant resistance. The metabolome acts as a metabolic fingerprint of the biochemical activities of a biological system under particular conditions, and therefore provides a functional readout of the cellular mechanisms involved. Untargeted metabolomics was applied to decipher the biochemical processes related to defence responses of oat plants inoculated with pathovars of Pseudomonas syringae (pathogenic and non-pathogenic on oat) and thereby identify signatory markers that are involved in host or nonhost defence responses. The strains were P. syringae pv. coronafaciens (Ps-c), P. syringae pv. tabaci, P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 and the hrcC mutant of DC3000. At the seedling growth stage, metabolic alterations in the Dunnart oat cultivar (tolerant to Ps-c) in response to inoculation with the respective P. syringae pathovars were examined following perception and response assays. Following inoculation, plants were monitored for symptom development and harvested at 2-, 4- and 6 d.p.i. Methanolic leaf extracts were analysed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) connected to high-definition mass spectrometry. Chemometric modelling and multivariate statistical analysis indicated time-related metabolic reconfigurations that point to host and nonhost interactions in response to bacterial inoculation/infection. Metabolic profiles derived from further multivariate data analyses revealed a range of metabolite classes involved in the respective defence responses, including fatty acids, amino acids, phenolic acids and phenolic amides, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids. The findings in this study allowed the elucidation of metabolic changes involved in oat defence responses to a range of pathovars of P. syringae and ultimately contribute to a more comprehensive view of the oat plant metabolism under biotic stress during host vs nonhost interactions.
Study on intestinal microbial communities of three different cattle populations on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Suolang Quji , Basang Zhuzha , Silang Wangmu , Nima Cangjue , Yang Qiwen , Da Wa
Published: February 2025

The Tibetan cattle, indispensable·animals on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, have become a focal point for the region’s economic development. As such, the hybridization of these cattle has been recognized as a pivotal strategy to enhance the local cattle industry. However, research on the gut microbiota of Tibetan hybrid cattle remains scarce. Based on this, we conducted a comparative analysis of the gut microbiota and its functional implications across three distinct cattle populations: two the hybrid cattle populations (Tibetan local cattle × Holstein cattle, TH and Tibetan local cattle × Jersey cattle, TJ) and one the Tibetan locoal cattle population (BL). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominate the gut microbiota across all populations at the phylum level. In addition, the predominant phyla in BL cattle were found to be Cyanobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota, and Actinobacteria, which may be one of the important reasons for the adaptability of Tibetan local cattle to the high-altitude environment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Further analysis identified specific biomarkers associated with the immune systems of BL cattle, including Bacteroidales_RF16, Coriobacterium, and Muribaculaceae. In contrast, TH cattle are primarily dominated by Oscillospiraceae and Clostridia_UCG_014, and TJ cattle are mainly dominated by Christensenellaceae and Gammaproteobacteria. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that BL and TH cattle showed significant enrichment in the immune system, energy metabolism, and amino acid metabolism-related pathways compared with TJ cattle. Overall, these results suggest that BL and TH cattle demonstrate enhanced adaptability compared to TJ cattle, and indicate that intestinal microbiota of cattle at different altitudes and breeds have diverse structures and functions. Our study presents a new perspective on the role of the microbiome in the hybridization and enhancement of Tibetan cattle.