bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Urban Living on Child, Infant, and Maternal Health: A Comparative Study of Linear Enamel Hypoplasia Between Two Dutch Postmedieval Populations
Authors: Chiappa Oriana , Schrader Sarah A.
Published: February 2025

Substantial research has been done assessing health inequalities between rural and urban contexts in the low countries; however, fewer studies have considered the effect of urban living on non‐adults. Because dental enamel does not remodel, recording the time of dental stress insults in both deciduous and permanent teeth allows for the analysis of episodes of stress, including those occurring during the fetal period. Thus, through the analysis of dental stress markers, we can provide information about child, infant, and maternal health inequalities between urban and rural contexts. To do this, we recorded the frequency and age at formation of linear enamel hypoplasia in both permanent and deciduous teeth of 177 individuals between 0 and 35 years of age from two Dutch postmedieval sites; 64 from the city of Arnhem (1650–1829 ce) and 113 from the rural cemetery of Middenbeemster (1623–1867 ce). Results from this research reveal that urban living during Dutch postmedieval times had a negative impact specifically on infants and their gestating mothers, as deciduous teeth from urban Arnhem presented a significantly higher frequency of LEH compared with their rural counterparts (p = 0.009). However, no significant difference was found on permanent teeth between sites (p = 0.868), showing that during the following years of life (3–6), urban life did not appear to have a greater negative impact compared with rural life.
Religious Education for Sustainable Development in Schools: An Overview of the Topic and Its Didactical Impulses in German-Speaking Countries
Authors: Stockinger Helena , Ziegler Bernd
Published: February 2025

This chapter points out central didactical challenges and ways of dealing with sustainability issues in religious education in schools. In doing so, it refers primarily to the recent research discourse on pedagogical issues in German-speaking countries. The concept of “Religious Education for Sustainable Development” shows ways to enable students to deal responsibly with the environment and fellow human beings. First, the chapter presents characteristics of the approach of Religious Education for Sustainable Development in German speaking countries. Second, some general didactic guidelines and concrete methods for school practice are concluded from this. Third, the chapter highlights some research desiderata.
Re-thinking Colonialism, Globalization, and the Displacement of Wild Thinking: Postcolonial and Indigenous Perspectives on Religious Education and Sustainability
Authors: Winkler Kathrin
Published: February 2025

This chapter deals with the question, what conditions and knowledge are necessary to empower educator and learners to deal constructively with increasingly common sustainability-related emotions, such as fear, sadness, and hopelessness, to act from the value-based sources of religious traditions and develop an effective understanding of Education for Sustainable Development ESD?

The contribution of religious education to sustainable development education is therefore explored in a three-step approach: In a first step, the connection between colonialism, mission, globalization, and the destruction of the ecosystem, which led to the extinction of indigenous bodies of knowledge, is investigated. Subsequently, the term solastalgia is introduced, referring to the enormous emotional consequences and pain about the destruction of nature and the exploitation of natural resources. The significance of hope and the practice of hope are then opened up to discuss how indigenous epistemologies and spiritualities can help to shape a new story of interdependent connectedness and live this new story through practices of embodied hope. Finally, a conceptualization of what this process of insight can contribute for religious education and a renewed being-in-the-world is given: Reweaving the ecological mat is to identify responsibility and enable critical hope from religious traditions and their ethical bodies of knowledge.
Genome-wide markers test the status of two putative species of North American bumble bees
Authors: Rohde Ashley T. , Strange James P. , Tobin Kerrigan B. , Mock Karen E. , Branstetter Michael G.
Published: February 2025

Accurate species delimitation is critical to identifying the conservation status of species. Molecular species delimitation methods have revealed previously unrecognized cryptic species across the taxonomic spectrum. However, studies vary in the molecular markers selected, analytical approaches used, and taxon sampling, which sometimes results in conflicting conclusions. One example of such a conflict is seen in the species delimitation analyses of the western bumble bee, Bombus occidentalis. This species was once an abundant insect pollinator in western North America but has declined severely since the mid 1990s and is predicted to continue to diminish under even optimistic future climate scenarios. Complicating this conservation crisis, the species status of B. occidentalis has varied over time, with most recent studies recognizing one or two species. Previous studies that used molecular methods to address this question focused on a Bayesian phylogeny of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Phylogenetic studies that focus on a single gene are criticized for misrepresenting the evolutionary history of species because nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, and even some genes within them, may have different evolutionary patterns. We tested a two species hypothesis of the B. occidentalis complex using nuclear (ultraconserved elements) and mitochondrial (COI) markers to infer maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies for the taxa. We present our results and conclusions from eight species delimitation methods. Based on the genomic, morphological and geographic differences between the taxa we find support for the two species hypothesis, with B. occidentalis and B. mckayi as separate species. We discuss the strengths and limitations of each genetic dataset and delimitation method, make recommendations for best practices, and highlight opportunities for equitable knowledge and technology development for phylogenomics in conservation biology.
Wastewater treatment and energy generation for dark fermentation bioreactor: preliminary results
Authors: Vanegas Laura Estefania , Hurtado Lucia Andrea , Fuentes Karol Lucia , Escobar Mario Alberto , Chaparro Tatiana Rodriguez
Published: February 2025

H2 is known as the main energy vector in the global energy transition. However, the use of fossil fuels for its production remains the most widely used primary source. Among the new alternatives for the organic production of H2, the Dark Fermentation process is an attractive technique since the raw material is residual biomass. H2 is currently used for transport and fertilizer production. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the feasibility of producing electricity from H2 produced in a Dark Fermentation process by treating synthetic wastewater in a packed bed bioreactor coupled with a fuel cell. The results showed that the maximum H2 production rate and H2 yield were 108 mL H2/h.L and 10.57 mol H2/ mol, respectively; the maximal current value was ca. 13.7 mA for an active electrode area of 10 cm2; and the higher tension was 1.3. Moreover, the Fuel Cell generated an average current of 3.12 mA for 55 h with a voltage of 210 mV. It can be concluded that dark fermentation promotes electricity generation. However, it is still necessary to develop storage techniques for H2 to maintain the electricity generated continuously.

Graphical abstract
Discovery of a divergent apple stem pitting virus variant and development of an RT-PCR assay for improved detection in South African pear orchards
Authors: Bougard K. , Maree H. J. , Bester R.
Published: February 2025

In this study, the prevalence and genome diversity of apple stem pitting virus (ASPV) in commercial pear orchards in South Africa were investigated. Leaves were collected from trees in two geographically distinct regions, representing six different pear cultivars covering 12 orchards. Total RNA was extracted and assayed for ASPV using RT-PCR. A subset of 18 samples was subjected to high-throughput sequencing (HTS) for a more detailed analysis. Bioinformatic analyses of the HTS data, led to the identification and sequencing of a divergent ASPV variant with 85.10% nucleotide identity to the closest ASPV match in GenBank (isolate 13TF179E, MZ148065.1). Additionally, the study reports the development and validation of an end-point multiplex RT-PCR assay capable of detecting all known pear ASPV variants in South Africa. The multiplex produces three distinct amplicons: one targeting actin for an internal control, one to broadly detect foveaviruses, and one specific to ASPV. The sequence analyses of known ASPV variants confirmed high sequence diversity within this species and emphasized the need to further investigate the relationship between ASPV isolates.
Associations between maternal diet quality in pregnancy and infant feeding practices
Authors: Sexton-Dhamu Meaghan J. , Livingstone Katherine M. , Szymlek-Gay Ewa A. , Wen Li Ming , Zheng Miaobing
Published: February 2025

Postpartum maternal diet quality has been linked with optimal infant feeding practices. However, whether maternal diet quality during pregnancy influences infant feeding practices remains unclear. The present study explored the relationship between maternal diet quality in pregnancy and infant feeding practices in Australian women. A brief 15-item food frequency questionnaire was used to collect maternal dietary data (n = 469). Diet quality was calculated using a modified 2013 Dietary Guideline Index (DGI). Multivariable linear and logistic regressions with adjustment for covariates were used to examine associations between maternal diet quality in pregnancy and infant feeding practices: infant feeding mode, breastfeeding duration and timing of solids introduction. Higher DGI score during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of breastfeeding than formula/mixed feeding (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00, 1.07), longer breastfeeding duration (adjusted β 0.09, 95% CI 0.03, 0.15) and higher odds of breastfeeding for ≥6 months (AOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07) than for <6 months. Associations between maternal DGI score and breastfeeding variables were moderated by maternal country of birth, with significant associations observed in Australian-born mothers only. No association was found between maternal DGI score and timing of solids introduction. Higher maternal diet quality was associated with better infant feeding practices, and the association was moderated by country of birth. Our findings provide evidence to support the initiation of dietary interventions to promote diet quality during pregnancy, particularly among Australian-born women. Further research could explore underlying mechanisms linking maternal diet quality and infant feeding practices.
Quantification of vitamin K (phylloquinone and menaquinones 4-10) in various shellfish
Authors: Moxness Reksten Amalie , Rød Kari Elin , Aakre Inger , Madsen Lise , Holvik Kristin , Henjum Sigrun , Oveland Eystein , Dahl Lisbeth
Published: February 2025

Vitamin K exists naturally in foods as phylloquinone (vitamin K1, PK) and as a range of menaquinones (vitamin K2, MKs). There is scarce information on the occurrence and distribution of PK and MKs in dietary sources, particularly in seafood. This study aimed to comprehensively analyse the contents of vitamin K1, dihydro-K1, and MK-4 to MK-10 in various species, tissue types, and processing degrees of shellfish. Additionally, seasonal differences in the vitamin K content of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) were explored. Most shellfish products had low contents of total vitamin K (<10 µg/100 g). The highest content of total vitamin K was found in the hepatopancreas of snow crab (170 µg/100 g), the brown meat of brown crab (35 µg/100 g), pre-packaged blue mussels (20 µg/100 g), stuffed brown crab shells (15 µg/100 g), and blue mussels in brine (12 µg/100 g). In general, the hepatopancreas of crustaceans contained considerably higher contents of vitamin K than their white meat counterparts. MKs contributed most to total vitamin K contents, whereas most shellfish products contained low contents of PK, thus making only a minor contribution to the adequate intake (AI) established for adults. No statistically significant differences were observed in PK and MK contents of blue mussels sampled during spring versus late summer (p < 0.005). Nevertheless, a non-significant trend of increasing vitamin K content was observed towards the autumn months. This study presents novel vitamin K data for shellfish, an unexplored food group, and adds to the scarce vitamin K composition data worldwide.
Pancreatic endocrine and exocrine signaling and crosstalk in physiological and pathological status
Authors: Hu Chenglin , Chen Yuan , Yin Xinpeng , Xu Ruiyuan , Yin Chenxue , Wang Chengcheng , Zhao Yupei
Published: February 2025

The pancreas, an organ with dual functions, regulates blood glucose levels through the endocrine system by secreting hormones such as insulin and glucagon. It also aids digestion through the exocrine system by secreting digestive enzymes. Complex interactions and signaling mechanisms between the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas play a crucial role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and overall health. Compelling evidence indicates direct and indirect crosstalk between the endocrine and exocrine parts, influencing the development of diseases affecting both. From a developmental perspective, the exocrine and endocrine parts share the same origin—the “tip-trunk” domain. In certain circumstances, pancreatic exocrine cells may transdifferentiate into endocrine-like cells, such as insulin-secreting cells. Additionally, several pancreatic diseases, including pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, and diabetes, exhibit potential relevance to both endocrine and exocrine functions. Endocrine cells may communicate with exocrine cells directly through cytokines or indirectly by regulating the immune microenvironment. This crosstalk affects the onset and progression of these diseases. This review summarizes the history and milestones of findings related to the exocrine and endocrine pancreas, their embryonic development, phenotypic transformations, signaling roles in health and disease, the endocrine-exocrine crosstalk from the perspective of diseases, and potential therapeutic targets. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine signaling and provide novel insights for the understanding and treatment of diseases.
Analysis of the roof damage range in close-proximity gently inclined coal seams mining and the feasibility of upward mining
Authors: Zhang Pei , Li Zhuo , Wei Yibo , Chen Yang , Dong Liqiang
Published: February 2025

In view of the feasibility of upward mining under the influence of repetitive mining for the close-proximity gently inclined coal seams, combined with the engineering geology of the coal seams in the south area of Xin’an Coal Mine, a formula for the depth of rock mass failure above the working face roof was proposed to investigate the continuity and integrity of coal seams 2−3 after the mining of the underlying coal seams. The characteristics of the overlying rock collapsed and the deformation law of the rock stratum sinking were analyzed through the similar experiments of physical simulation, to prove whether or not it is technically feasible to mine upward for the coal seams. Numerical simulation software is used to simulate the spatial distribution of mining stress field and stress transfer law of rock layer in the process of coal seams mining. The study shows that coal 2−3 is located within the lower coal seam fissure zone. The rock layer at the bottom of the working face has a certain bearing capacity, and can still maintain good continuity under the influence of repetitive mining. The stress concentration area of coal 3 up-slope mining develops continuously to the upper left rock body, and the peak of stress concentration is getting closer and closer to the coal wall, and the stress of coal 2−3 bottom plate and coal 2−3 top plate does not fall back significantly after the peak of stress occurs. The degree of rock fall and damage after mining is small, meeting the conditions required for upward mining. The results of the study provide a reference for the analysis of overburden structure and feasibility assessment under similar coal seams upward mining conditions.
Model systems to study tumor-microbiome interactions in early-onset colorectal cancer
Authors: Richter Katharina M , Wrage Marius , Krekeler Carolin , De Oliveira Tiago , Conradi Lena-Christin , Menck Kerstin , Bleckmann Annalen
Published: February 2025

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health problem, with an alarming increase of early-onset CRC (EO-CRC) cases among individuals under 50 years of age. This trend shows the urgent need for understanding the underlying mechanisms leading to EO-CRC development and progression. There is significant evidence that the gut microbiome acts as a key player in CRC by triggering molecular changes in the colon epithelium, leading to tumorigenesis. However, a comprehensive collection and comparison of methods to study such tumor-microbiome interactions in the context of EO-CRC is sparse. This review provides an overview of the available in vivo, ex vivo as well as in vitro approaches to model EO-CRC and assess the effect of gut microbes on tumor development and growth. By comparing the advantages and limitations of each model system, it highlights that, while no single model is perfect, each is suitable for studying specific aspects of microbiome-induced tumorigenesis. Taken together, multifaceted approaches can simulate the human body’s complexity, aiding in the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies for EO-CRC.
Stability of bicyclic guanidine superbases and their salts in water
Authors: Gazagnaire Eva , Helminen Jussi , Golin Almeida Thomas , Heinonen Petri , Metsälä Markus , Kurten Theo , Kilpeläinen Ilkka
Published: February 2025

Bicyclic guanidines are widely used in organic chemistry as strong basic reagents and catalysts.
Maladaptive Schemata bei ÄrztInnen und PsychotherapeutInnen in Studium und
Praxis
Authors: Kempf Maximilian , Neumann Angelika , Jerg-Bretzke Lucia , Beschoner Petra
Published: February 2025

Hintergrund: Oft bringen ÄrztInnen das Erleben von Arbeitsstress mit v. a. extrinsischen Faktoren
(z. B. Arbeitsbedingungen) in Verbindung. Daneben spielen auch „intrinsische“ Faktoren eine Rolle. Als
Marker solcher intrinsischer Belastungen können frühe maladaptive Schemata (MS) herangezogen werden. MS
umfassen früh erworbene, ungünstige emotional-kognitive Muster, die das Verhalten in konkreten
Situationen steuern können. Ziel war es, MS-Ausprägungen bei ÄrztInnen/PsychotherapeutInnen (PT) zu
untersuchen und potenzielle Zusammenhänge zwischen diesen und erlebtem Arbeitsstress darzustellen.

Material und Methoden: Durchgeführt wurde eine anonyme Online-Befragung an ÄrztInnen,
PsychotherapeutInnen und Studierenden dieser Fachrichtungen im deutschsprachigen Raum. Die Erhebungen
erfolgten für MS mit dem Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S3R), für den Arbeitsstress mittels des Effort
Reward Imbalance (ERI) Questionnaire und für die mentale Gesundheit anhand des Patient Health
Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4).

Ergebnisse: 82,49 % der Teilnehmenden (N = 571) waren weiblich. 41,5 % der Befragten erlebten
Arbeitsstress (ERI-Ratio > 1). 27 % der Befragten zeigten depressive Symptome beziehungsweise 14,89 %
Angstsymptome (PHQ-4). Am stärksten ausgeprägte MS waren „Unerbittliche Ansprüche“ (M = 18,24; SD =
5,50), „Selbstaufopferung“ (M = 17,20; SD = 4,87) und „Bestrafungsneigung“ (M = 15,04; SD = 4,16).
Stärkste Korrelationen bestanden zwischen ERI und den MS „Misstrauen/Missbrauch“ (r = 0,33; p < 0,01)
und „Negatives Hervorheben/Pessimismus“. Der PHQ korrelierte am stärksten mit den MS „Negatives
Hervorheben/Pessimismus“ (r = 0,51, p < 0,01) und „Verlassenheit/Instabilität“ (r = 0,47, p <
0,01). 41,45 % des Einflusses von Arbeitsstress auf die mentale Gesundheit wurde auf die MS „Negatives
Hervorheben/Pessimismus“ und „Verlassenheit/Instabilität“ als intrinsische Faktoren zurückgeführt.

Diskussion: Die Befunde betonen die Bedeutung intrinsischer Faktoren als relevante
Einflussvariablen beim Erleben von Arbeitsstress und der Ausbildung mentaler Symptome. Neben
extrinsischen Faktoren sollten präventiv Angebote und Strukturen am Arbeitsplatz modifiziert und
etabliert werden, welche MS berücksichtigen. Auch im Rahmen der Behandlung Betroffener sollten diese mehr
Aufmerksamkeit erhalten, um langfristig alternative, funktionale Verhaltensweisen zu fördern.
Spatial profiling of the interplay between cell type- and vision-dependent transcriptomic programs in the visual cortex
Authors: Xie Fangming , Jain Saumya , Xu Runzhe , Butrus Salwan , Tan Zhiqun , Xu Xiangmin , Shekhar Karthik , Zipursky S. Lawrence
Published: February 2025

How early sensory experience during “critical periods” of postnatal life affects the organization of the mammalian neocortex at the resolution of neuronal cell types is poorly understood. We previously reported that the functional and molecular profiles of layer 2/3 (L2/3) cell types in the primary visual cortex (V1) are vision-dependent [S. Cheng
et al.
,
Cell
185
, 311–327.e24 (2022)]. Here, we characterize the spatial organization of L2/3 cell types with and without visual experience. Spatial transcriptomic profiling based on 500 genes recapitulates the zonation of L2/3 cell types along the pial–ventricular axis in V1. By applying multitasking theory, we suggest that the spatial zonation of L2/3 cell types is linked to the continuous nature of their gene expression profiles, which can be represented as a 2D manifold bounded by three archetypal cell types. By comparing normally reared and dark reared L2/3 cells, we show that visual deprivation-induced transcriptomic changes comprise two independent gene programs. The first, induced specifically in the visual cortex, includes immediate-early genes and genes associated with metabolic processes. It manifests as a change in cell state that is orthogonal to cell-type-specific gene expression programs. By contrast, the second program impacts L2/3 cell-type identity, regulating a subset of cell-type-specific genes and shifting the distribution of cells within the L2/3 cell-type manifold. Through an integrated analysis of spatial transcriptomics with single-nucleus RNA-seq data, we describe how vision patterns cortical L2/3 cell types during the critical period.
Data-Driven Calibration of Tri-axial Magnetic Sensors
Authors: Tian Dongchen , Li Yong , Jin Min , Guo Yuxing , Meng Feiyang , liu qiusheng
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a data-driven calibration method for tri-axial magnetic sensors that eliminates the need to solve the sensor error model parameters. Calibration was achieved solely through the input and output of the sensor in a known magnetic field. Using both simulation and experimental data, this study employed a Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP) algorithm as the data-driven calibration model. In static and dynamic calibration experiments conducted in a laboratory setting, the calibration performance of MLP was compared with that of traditional calibration algorithms. The experimental results demonstrate that in a static experiment under a 90 μT magnetic field, the sensor error after calibration using the data-driven method was reduced by 30.37% compared to the traditional method. In the dynamic experiments, the proposed method reduced the errors by 71.57% compared with the traditional method. The method proposed in this paper offers a new approach for improving the calibration accuracy and effective measurement range of tri-axial magnetic sensors and holds potential application value for other types of tri-axial sensors.
Impact of Ge, Ga, and Al doping on the mechanical and electronic properties of Cr3Si: insights from first-principles calculations
Authors: Karbasizadeh Siavash , Amirabbasi Mohammad
Published: February 2025

This study systematically investigates the effects of Ge, Ga, and Al doping on the mechanical and electronic properties of cubic Cr3Si using first-principles density functional theory (DFT). Doping increases lattice constants from 4.50 Å for undoped Cr3Si to 4.51–4.53 Å (Ge), 4.52–4.54 Å (Ga), and 4.51–4.54 Å (Al) as doping concentrations increase from 12.5% to 50%. Negative formation enthalpies across all configurations confirm thermodynamic stability, with values ranging from -0.35 eV/atom for undoped Cr3Si to -0.33 eV/atom (Ge), -0.31 eV/atom (Al), and -0.25 eV/atom (Ga) at 50% doping. Mechanical properties exhibit significant degradation with increasing doping: bulk modulus decreases from 248.7 GPa for undoped Cr3Si to 241 GPa (12.5%), 238 GPa (25%), 235 GPa (37.5%), and 231 GPa (50%) for Ge doping, with similar trends for Ga (230 GPa at 50%) and Al (232 GPa at 50%). Shear modulus and Young’s modulus follow similar reductions, with shear modulus declining from 158.9 GPa to 147 GPa (Ge), 145 GPa (Ga), and 147 GPa (Al) at 50% doping. Elastic anisotropy increases notably with Al and Ga doping, while Ge maintains a relatively isotropic behavior. The wave velocities and Debye temperatures decrease for all dopants, with Debye temperature dropping from 720 K for undoped Cr3Si to 700 K (Ge), 685 K (Ga), and 690 K (Al) at 50% doping, reflecting a softer lattice and diminished thermal conductivity. While Al and Ga doping introduce higher anisotropy and reduce mechanical rigidity, Ge doping preserves isotropic mechanical behavior, making it the most suitable dopant for applications requiring balanced mechanical and thermal properties. These findings offer critical insights into tailoring Cr3Si-based alloys for high-performance applications, highlighting trade-offs between stiffness, anisotropy, and thermal performance.
Advancing heat wave definitions: A policy review towards prioritizing health impacts of extreme heat
Authors: N Sai Venkata Sarath Chandra , Gunther Samuel H , Kjellstrom Tord , Lee Jason Kai Wei
Published: February 2025

Approaches to defining a heat wave vary globally. While they are mostly meteorological-centric, there is an increasing need to consider their health implications as heat stress experienced by humans. Our methodology involved a review of biometeorological indices, followed by a systematic policy search of country-level heat wave definitions to explore the variability of heat protection mechanisms. We analyzed the regional coverage of heat wave definitions and warnings by examining the diversity of variables and threshold limits for 112 countries/territories. We identified the upper-most heat stress limits of biometeorological indices that trigger serious illness or death. The findings highlight that a large proportion of countries define heat waves based solely on maximum temperature, while only a few countries combine them with minimum temperature and/or humidity. We also find significant geographical variability in the incorporation of temperature limits with most countries in northern latitudes defining heat waves at lower thresholds. We highlight the need for policy reforms towards adjustment of heat warning thresholds to regionally appropriate levels considering rising extreme heat conditions. Given the predominance of maximum temperature-centric approaches, we argue that the focus of heat protection at the policy level must shift beyond projecting heat wave episodes and considering broader heat-health associations beyond mortality by incorporating heat stress indices.
Sensing the polarization of visible light with optimized absorbing nanorods
Authors: Michaloglou Alkmini , Tsitsas Nikolaos L , Valagiannopoulos Constantinos
Published: February 2025

Photonic nanorods with multiple concentric layers are found to exhibit giant polarization selectivity when absorbing power from near-field sources. An improved version of Chaotic Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization (CAPSO) is developed and employed to determine various designs for several combinations of alternating dielectric and plasmonic media, operated under visible light of different colors. The spatial distribution of the electromagnetic intensity unveils the nature of the sustained resonances across the cylindrical layers while the robustness of their response against changes in the physical dimensions is checked. The reported setups can be directly utilized as ultra-efficient components in polarization-controlled photonic integrated systems involving a wide spectrum of applications from sensing and multiplexing to analog signal processing and optical detection.
Behavioral responses of eastern larch beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to pheromone components and selected host-produced compounds in the Great Lakes region
Authors: Althoff Emily R , Sullivan Brian T , Grossenbacher-McGlamery Ian D , Aukema Brian H
Published: February 2025

The eastern larch beetle, Dendroctonus simplex LeConte, is a North American species of bark beetle that shares the distribution of its host, Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch. A recent outbreak in the Great Lakes region has prompted renewed interest in the chemical ecology of eastern larch beetle and its natural enemies. Here, we describe field assays elucidating these insects’ flight responses to host resin odors and pheromone components in Minnesota and laboratory olfactometer assays illustrating walking responses by eastern larch beetle to pheromone components produced by female beetles. In field trials, the addition of host monoterpenes ∆-3-carene and α-pinene to seudenol lures increased trap captures of eastern larch beetles. Similarly, α-pinene increased captures of Thanasimus spp. predators in seudenol-baited funnel traps. Frontalin release rates between 0.014–3.3 mg/day did not significantly alter catches of eastern larch beetles with seudenol alone, however, still higher concentrations of frontalin (24 mg/day) decreased catches. In contrast, increasing frontalin release rates increased attraction of Thanasimus spp. to seudenol. In a laboratory olfactometer assay, a combination of frontalin and seudenol released at rates comparable to those of a solitary, mining female arrested walking male eastern larch beetles whereas either compound alone did not. Insights into the eastern larch beetle’s chemical ecology will improve understanding of cues in host and mate location that may be exploited for management.
Development of 2LTRZFP-expressing induced pluripotent stem cells as a potential anti-HIV-1 gene therapy against viral integration
Authors: Saiprayong Kritayaporn , Chupradit Koollawat , Sasithong Pasut , Suwanpitak Siriwal , Muneekaew Saitong , Thongsin Nontaphat , Srisantitham Jakkrapatra , Wattanapanitch Methichit
Published: February 2025

Highly active antiretroviral drug (HAART) is the standard treatment for HIV-1 infection to suppress the viral load. However, this treatment does not completely eradicate the virus; it simply decreases the viral load to undetectable levels. The development of a novel therapy to cure the disease is essential. Previously, we developed an engineered zinc finger protein (ZFP) that specifically binds to the 2-LTR-circle junction (2LTRZFP), the target site for viral integrase, preventing HIV-1 integration in human CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) and macrophages. Although the transduction efficiency of 2LTRZFP was approximately 50%, purifying and expanding the 2LTRZFP-expressing HSPCs proved difficult. In addition, the batch-to-batch variability in transduction efficiency could have a major impact on the therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we introduced the 2LTRZFP into human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) followed by clonal isolation and functional validation of the 2LTRZFP. Upon the HIV-1 challenge, the 2LTRZFP protein was found to inhibit the viral integration in iPSCs, iPSC-derived HSPCs, and macrophages. The engineered iPSC clone could be differentiated into functional macrophages, as evidenced by M1 and M2 polarization, and phagocytosis. Our finding revealed that the 2LTRZFP did not perturb the macrophage differentiation process. Therefore, the 2LTRZFP-expressing iPSCs could provide an unlimited supply of HIV-1-resistant HSPCs for transplantation, potentially leading to HIV-1-resistant blood cells. The knowledge obtained from this study will provide a cornerstone for HIV-1 gene therapy using HSPC transplantation as a sustainable HIV-1 treatment in the future.
Black Shank Official Variety Test, Edgecombe County, North Carolina, 2023
Authors: Ahumada Daisy , Vann Matthew Christopher
Published: February 2025

Black shank, caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora nicotianae, is among the most devastating diseases of flue-cured tobacco in tobacco producing regions throughout the world. Symptoms include yellow, wilting, blackening and discing of the pith, and plant death. This report evaluates the resistance of flue-cured varieties to black shank. The trial was conducted in 2023 in a black shank nursery in Rocky Mount, NC. Results from these trials will help advise tobacco growers in developing integrated management programs for this disease.
Efficiency of case-crossover versus time-series study designs for extreme heat exposures
Authors: Schimke Caleb , Garcia Erika , Silva Sam J. , Eckel Sandrah P.
Published: February 2025

Background:

Time-stratified case-crossover (CC) and Poisson time series (TS) are two popular methods for relating acute health outcomes to time-varying ubiquitous environmental exposures. Our aim is to compare the performance of these methods in estimating associations with rare, extreme heat exposures and mortality—an increasingly relevant exposure in our changing climate.

Methods:

Daily mortality data were simulated in various scenarios similar to observed Los Angeles County data from 2014 to 2019 (N = 367,712 deaths). We treated observed temperature as either a continuous or dichotomized variable and controlled for day of week and a smooth function of time. Five temperature dichotomization cutoffs between the 80th and 99th percentile were chosen to investigate the effects of extreme heat events. In each of 10,000 simulations, the CC and several TS models with varying degrees of freedom for time were fit to the data. We reported bias, variance, and relative efficiency (ratio of variance for a “reference” TS method to variance of another method) of temperature association estimates.

Results:

CC estimates had larger uncertainty than TS methods, with the relative efficiency of CC ranging from 91% under the 80th percentile cutoff to 80% under the 99th percentile cutoff. As previously reported, methods best capturing data-generating time trends generally had the least bias. Additionally, TS estimates for observed Los Angeles data were larger with less uncertainty.

Conclusions:

We provided new evidence that, compared with TS, CC has increasingly poor efficiency for rarer exposures in ecological study settings with shared, regional exposures, regardless of underlying time trends. Analysts should consider these results when applying either TS or CC methods.
Comparative Analysis of Community Health Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans by PHAB Accreditation Status Among Local Health Departments in Kentucky, 2015-2022
Authors: Firchow Bradley A , Boroughs Katie , Howard Joseph A.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

This study investigates the variation in quality of community health assessments (CHAs) and community health improvement plans (CHIPs) between Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)-accredited and unaccredited local health departments (LHDs) in Kentucky. Building upon prior research examining the quality of CHA/CHIPs among PHAB-accredited LHDs in Kentucky, this study sought to compare CHA/CHIP quality between PHAB-accredited and unaccredited LHDs in Kentucky.

Design:

Quality assessment of publicly available CHA/CHIP documents used criteria adapted from the study by Pennel et al. (Nonprofit hospitals approach to community health needs assessment. Am J Public Health. 2015;105(3):e103–e113. doi:10.2105/ajph.2014.302286). LHDs were ranked across 17 criteria on a 6-point scale to generate composite scores for report quality. A Welch’s corrected unpaired t test was performed to assess the difference in report quality between accredited and unaccredited departments.

Setting:

PHAB-accredited and unaccredited LHDs in Kentucky. The study included publicly available CHA/CHIP reports generated by LHDs in Kentucky between 2015 and 2022.

Participants:

Seventeen CHAs and CHIP documents from PHAB-accredited LHD. The study analyzed 17 publicly available CHA/CHIP reports from PHAB-accredited LHDs and 15 publicly available CHA/CHIP reports from unaccredited LHDs.

Main Outcome Measures:

Quality scores were based on 17 evaluation criteria, including stakeholder involvement, data examination, plan feasibility, and LHD-hospital collaboration.

Results:

The study found significant variation in the quality of CHAs and CHIP documents across all LHDs. The highest criterion scores were for partner involvement, data examination, and plan feasibility. The lowest scores were for LHD-hospital collaboration, use of evidence-based strategies, and plan evaluation. No community variables significantly predicted overall report scores. The study found that accredited LHDs scored significantly higher than unaccredited LHDs on overall report quality.

Conclusions:

The quality of CHAs and CHIP documents varies among Kentucky LHDs, highlighting the need for more robust guidance and standardized criteria, particularly for LHDs not yet pursuing accreditation. Strengthening hospital-LHD collaboration and focusing on evidence-based strategies can improve public health outcomes. High-quality CHA/CHIP reporting is essential for effective public health interventions and improved health outcomes. Enhancing CHA/CHIP processes through legislative changes, departmental guidance, and the pursuit of public health accreditation are promising avenues for improvement.
MRI-Conditional Tissue Expanders in Breast Reconstruction: Clinical Outcomes and Radiation Therapy Implications
Authors: Clemens Mark W. , Mitchell Melissa P. , Christensen Joani M. , Olenczak J. Bryce , Shay Paul L. , Hanwright Philip , Ha Austin Y. , Kapur Sahil , Melancon Adam , Shuck John W.
Published: February 2025

Background:

MRI-conditional tissue expanders (MRI-CTEs) were developed to address imaging artifacts and challenges in radiation planning associated with traditional tissue expanders (TTEs). This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes and radiation protocol impacts of MRI-CTEs versus TTEs in postmastectomy breast reconstruction.

Methods:

A retrospective review was conducted on immediate breast reconstruction with MRI-CTEs or TTEs between 2021 and 2024. Outcomes such as seroma, infection, malposition, and expander loss were analyzed.

Results:

A total of 867 tissue expanders were evaluated in 559 patients. The MRI-CTE cohort consisted of 103 patients (161 devices), and the TTE cohort included 456 patients (706 devices). Demographics, surgical details, and outcomes did not differ significantly including seroma (P=0.091), malposition (P=0.827), and mastectomy skin flap necrosis (P=0.251). Three cases (1.9%) in the MRI-CTE cohort required MRI evaluation but did not require explantation. The MRI-CTE group had a lower need for artifact management during radiation therapy and reduced imaging artifact size from 4 cm to 1 cm in diameter, allowing for a reduction in planning target volume margins from 20 mm to 5 mm, improving delineation accuracy by 75% and decreased irradiation of healthy tissue by up to 60%.

Conclusions:

MRI-CTEs may contribute to improved clinical outcomes with fewer surgical interventions and enhanced precision in radiation treatment planning. MRI-CTEs demonstrated similar surgical outcomes to TTEs but offered improved accuracy in radiation dose calculations. Reduced manual interventions for artifact adjustment decrease the potential for human error, enhancing the overall precision of radiation treatment delivery.
Ingress Time as a Metric for Indocyanine Green Angiographic Evaluation of Skin Flap Perfusion in Immediate Implant-Based Reconstruction
Authors: Lee Jong-koo , Jeon Byung-Joon , Woo Kyong-Je
Published: February 2025

Background:

Rapid ingress is a hallmark of normal flap perfusion in indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. This study aimed to assess whether the ingress time in ICG angiography can be used to evaluate mastectomy skin flap (MSF) perfusion in immediate implant–based breast reconstruction (IBR).

Methods:

Consecutive patients who underwent immediate IBR with intraoperative ICG angiography between June 2021 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. ICG angiography was performed for 120 seconds after temporary skin closure. The ingress time, defined as the time (in seconds) for ICG to perfuse the entire MSF, including incision margins, was recorded. The primary outcome measured was the development of full-thickness MSF necrosis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and an F1 score based on the precision-recall curve analysis were used to determine the optimal ingress time cut-off value for predicting full-thickness necrosis of MSF.

Results:

The study included 203 breasts from 203 patients. Full-thickness necrosis of MSF developed in 33 patients (16.3%). The mean ingress times in the necrosis and no-necrosis groups were 104.6 seconds and 47.6 seconds, respectively (p < 0.001). In ROC and precision-recall curve analyses, the optimal cut-off value was 70.5 seconds, yielding a sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 84%, and accuracy of 83%. In multivariable analysis, an ingress time of 70.5 seconds or longer was a significant predictor of full thickness necrosis of MSF (odds = 26.79, p < 0.001)

Conclusions:

An ingress time in ICG angiography may serve as a novel metric for evaluation of MSF perfusion.
Beyond lectures: leveraging competition, peer discussion and real-world scenarios in a digital card game to enhance learning of microbiology and immunology concepts
Authors: Dillon Michael J. , Edwards James , Hughes Alexandra , Stephenson Holly N.
Published: February 2025

Teaching the complex interactions between hosts and pathogens is a fundamental yet educationally challenging aspect of life science and healthcare education. The intricate mechanisms of the immune system can pose significant barriers to students’ understanding of infectious disease diagnosis and treatment. To address this, we used a web-based digital whiteboard platform to design a card-based competitive game called Micro-Immune Battles, aimed at more actively engaging students with microbiology and immunology to better develop their knowledge and underlying concepts. The game facilitates learning through a series of infectious disease scenarios, providing student teams with ‘immune system response cards’ that represent various immune elements. Working in teams, learners must construct sequential card cascades that correctly correspond to the specified pathogen in the scenario. This reinforces the temporal progression of immune responses whilst encouraging the application of theoretical knowledge to practical cases. Scoring is determined by the accuracy and speed of card placements, incentivizing rapid yet correct synthesis of knowledge. Points are deducted for incorrect placements, introducing an element of calculated risk-taking and critical reasoning. Analysis showed statistically significant improvements in microbiology and immunology knowledge after playing the game.
High-speed videomicroscopy and magnetorheology under triaxial unsteady magnetic fields
Authors: Martínez-Cano O. , Morillas J. R. , Ruiz-Nievas J. , Camacho G. , Rodríguez-Barroso A. , Ramírez J. , de Vicente J.
Published: February 2025

We describe a custom-built device that is capable of superimposing triaxial unsteady magnetic fields on a sample at the same time that its microstructure is visualized using a high-speed camera and its rheological properties are measured with a commercial rheometer. The device reaches field strengths up to 5 kA·m−1, frequencies up to 4 kHz, and its functionality is evaluated by testing magnetorheological fluids under steady shear flow and field transients. Striking differences are found at small Mason numbers by changing the field configuration.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Digital well-being in hospitality: epistemology, scope, aggregation, and specification
Authors: Chen Yihong , Law Rob , Zhao Xinyuan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Digital well-being (DWB) has become a preoccupation of society, businesses and consumers because of the proliferation of technology and the pandemic. This study aims to understand the four main problems of DWB in hospitality (DWBH): epistemology, scope, aggregation and specification by adopting integrative literature review.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic analysis process develops a dynamic DWBH framework, which connects individuals and society, based on the doughnut model. A critical method is used to conceptualize the DWBH and digital behavior change interventions (DBCIs) by combining psychology and sociology.

Findings

This study provides a definition of DWBH. It identifies three antecedents (digital design, awareness and utilization advancement), three decision factors (individual psychology, category differences and external environment) and four outcomes. The doughnut model visualizes dynamic sustainability of subjective well-being, master, engagement, autonomy, relationship and mastery. DBCIs provide a comprehensive strategy: effective design is essential, personalized implementation is standard, and strategy and structure ensure success.

Research limitations/implications

This study theoretically addresses issues of epistemology, scope and aggregation, expanding the existing knowledge base of DWBH and fostering theoretical integration across different disciplines. Practically, it provides actionable guidelines for stakeholders in hospitality to enhance community DWB, thereby promoting both individual and societal well-being.

Originality/value

This study makes a pioneering effort by extending the knowledge of DWBH with epistemology, scope, aggregation and specification. Furthermore, this study helps clarify the academic research process of DWBH, formulating management and practical strategies and improving individuals’ well-being.