bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On covering radii in function fields
Authors: Soffer Aranov Noy
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we shall discuss topics in geometry of numbers in the function field setting, such as covering radii. We find a closed form for covering radii with respect to convex bodies, which will lead to a proof of the function field analogue of Woods’ conjecture in this setting. Then, we will prove a function field analogue of Minkowski’s conjecture about the multiplicative covering radius. To do this, we shall prove a function field analogue of Solan’s result that every diagonal orbit intersects the set of well rounded lattices. This implies that the Gruber–Mordell spectrum in function field is trivial in every dimension.
Digital 3D exoscope is an effective tool for the surgery of falx and parasagittal meningiomas
Authors: Vasankari Ville , Garcia Sergio , Baric Hrvoje , Niemelä Mika , Lehecka Martin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Digital 3D exoscopes are promising tools for microneurosurgery. The results of exoscope-assisted resection of intracranial meningiomas have only been addressed in few case reports. We retrospectively compared the results of exoscope and microscope-assisted surgery of falx and parasagittal meningiomas.

Methods

We included all consecutive adult patients (n = 36) with falx or parasagittal meningioma who were operated with curative intention during an 8-year period by one senior neurosurgeon. The operations were performed either with a surgical microscope (n = 16; Zeiss Kinevo or Pentero 900) or a digital 3D exoscope (n = 20, Aesculap Aeos). We reviewed the pre- and postoperative radiological images, clinical examinations and surgical reports to assess clinical outcomes and complications. We also analyzed surgical videos.

Results

Gross-total resection (Simpson grade I-II) was achieved in approximately 90% of the patients in both groups (89% in exoscope and 92% in microscope group). The duration of the operation was slightly longer (117 vs. 88 min) in the exoscope group. Surgical outcomes were comparable, despite there being larger tumors (median diameter 53 vs. 38 mm) with higher grades (WHO Grade 2–3: 45% vs. 19%) in the exoscope group. Transient postoperative complications were more frequent in the exoscope group (40 vs. 25%) mainly related to the larger tumor size.

Conclusion

The digital 3D exoscope is an effective tool for performing surgery on falx and parasagittal meningiomas. The extent of removal, clinical results and complications seem to be comparable to surgical microscope even in large tumors. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm this result.
Digital twin and the asset administration shell
Authors: Zhang Jingxi , Ellwein Carsten , Heithoff Malte , Michael Judith , Wortmann Andreas
Published: January 2025

Engineering digital twins is a software and systems engineering challenge for which no systematic approach exists. The Asset Administration Shell is becoming a popular foundation for digital twins in Industry 4.0 and it comes in different types that support the engineering of different kinds and parts of digital twins. We investigate how it supports realizing common requirements for digital twins. To this end, we investigate how each of the three Asset Administration Shell types can contribute to the systematic engineering of specific components of digital twins. Therefore, we analyzed popular definitions and conceptual models of digital twins and extracted requirements that at least two of them share. We compare the resulting requirements with Asset Administration Shells of different types and conclude with open challenges in the implementation of digital twins with this technology. This supports practitioners and researchers in identifying the most suitable type of Asset Administration Shell for their specific digital twin engineering needs and identifies gaps worthy of future research toward a systematic engineering of digital twins.
Seasonal patterns in sediment nitrification rates and their linkages to ammonium cycling in three agricultural streams
Authors: Vincent Anna E. S. , Tank Jennifer L. , Mahl Ursula H.
Published: January 2025

Nitrification, or the microbial transformation of ammonium (NH4+–N) to nitrate, is influenced by NH4+–N and dissolved oxygen availability, water temperature, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios. Open-canopy agricultural streams receive excess inorganic nitrogen (N) from the surrounding landscape and the mineralization of organic-rich sediments, and the form and timing of these N inputs varies throughout the year. Compared to forested streams, the seasonality of nitrification rates in agricultural streams are not well documented. We conducted nitrification assays on stream sediments to estimate seasonal rates in three agricultural streams from summer 2020 to spring 2021. We documented seasonal variation in nitrification rates and identified changes in environmental controls [e.g., stream temperature, NH4+–N and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) availability, chlorophyll-a]. Nitrification rates were highest in spring (54.4 ± 12.7 mg N m−2 d−1; p = 0.02), coinciding with elevated NH4+–N and higher stream temperatures relative to winter (p < 0.001). Rates were lowest in autumn (19.9 ± 3.5 mg N m−2 d−1) when organic carbon concentrations peaked (17.2 ± 10.3 mg C L−1; p = 0.01). Algal senescence in autumn may allow heterotrophs to outcompete nitrifiers for NH4+–N. However, partial least square regression analyses indicated that sediment organic matter (as %OM) is an important positive predictor of nitrification, suggesting carbon can be an indirect positive control on nitrification. In the context of previous studies, agricultural streams had elevated NH4+–N concentrations, but nitrification rates were comparable to those in less impacted systems. Although complex interactions exist among rates and drivers, rates from this study help expand documentation of nitrification in agricultural streams, and provide insight into temporal variation and dominant controls.
The effect of exploiting the public good on climate cooperation: evidence from a collective-social risk dilemma experiment
Authors: Cloos Janis , Greiff Matthias , Kempa Karol
Published: January 2025

Reaching ambitious climate targets is challenging, due the individual incentives of countries to free ride and to continue contributing to climate change. This issue of climate change has been analyzed in collective-risk social dilemma (CRSD) experiments, where participants interact in groups and can invest money in a group account over a fixed number of rounds. If the group account is below a threshold after the last round, the group members lose a large proportion of their assets. In the real world, however, agents can not only invest in public goods, but also exploit them. We argue that this possibility reduces the likelihood to reach the threshold. To test this prediction, we introduce the option to also exploit the public good in a CRSD experiment. The results reveal that a take option negatively affects the likelihood of reaching the threshold. Overall, the effect of the existence of a take option is rather small and not statistically significant. However, if participants exert their option to exploit the public good at the beginning, the success rate drops significantly. Consistent with the results of previous studies without the option of exploiting the public good, we find that a lower loss rate makes cooperation less likely, but the effect of heterogeneity is less clear. Our findings indicate that CRSD experiments that do not consider exploitation are likely to overestimate the likelihood of successful cooperation. The key implication for policy is to focus on reducing the incentives of the take option.
A cyber-physical architecture to monitor human-centric reconfigurable manufacturing systems
Authors: Sbaragli Andrea , Ghafoorpoor Poorya Yazdi , Thiede Sebastian , Pilati Francesco
Published: January 2025

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems represent the most adequate production paradigm due to their ability to meet mass customized needs while ensuring cost-effective flexibilities and performances. However, digital solutions are required to manage these dynamic environments over working shifts and processes’ reconfiguration. In this scenario, this work proposes a layout and task-insensitive cyber-physical architecture to monitor human-centric reconfigurable manufacturing systems. Workers’ motion patterns and industrial resources’ positions are acquired through a radio-frequency-based real-time locating system. These data streams are fed into a machine-learning cyber layer to segment operators’ activities during production cycles into two steps. The first computational stream assigns workers’ motion patterns to industrial resources regardless of the system configuration. The following step distinguishes workers’ operations into value-added and non-value-added. These outputs are stored in a decision support system where customized callback functions develop key performing indicators to monitor the performance of such reconfigurable human-centric environments. The validity of the cyber-physical architecture is demonstrated in an industrial-related pilot environment, involving 40 workers and 8 production set-ups.
On the resiliency of post-crisis decoupling in higher-order economy-energy-environment nexus in high-inflation developing economies
Authors: Basu Soumya , Ishihara Keiichi
Published: January 2025

Macroeconomic pathways of enabling decoupling of emissions from economic growth in a post-crisis period is analyzed in this study for the high-inflation developing economy of India. A novel control system internalizing the inherent stochasticity of economy-energy-environment (3E) nexus extends the interpretation of Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis, where this study finds that decoupling is an emergent phenomenon of a 3E system. Using Zivot-Andrews unit root test, adaptive error correction modelling and robustness analysis through information theory-based approximate entropy method, the stochastic model is found to reproduce real-world higher order phenomena more accurately than previously theorized systems. With high entropy (information content) in long-run and short-run coefficients, the stochastic model can replicate the resiliency speed in a post-crisis period, without new information input. Some key findings of policy/macroeconomic linkages include: (a) decoupling progress lies in capital building and inhibited by inflationary growth; (b) fossil fuel imports, inflation and energy-use have a whiplash effect on carbon emissions in post-crisis periods; (c) electricity and non-electric-energy have differential effect on trade, with decoupling prevalent in electricity sector only; (d) inflation opposes GDP-emission causality during business cycle movements; (e) decoupling policies should be discretized to growth and recession phases of business cycle, with inflationary fossil fuel rebounds actively disincentivized in recession periods.
Wronging in believing
Authors: Crawford Lindsay
Published: January 2025

What is it for a belief to wrong someone? Views that have largely shaped the recent literature on doxastic wronging maintain that beliefs that wrong do so in virtue of what is believed. This paper offers some criticisms of these views, as well as a contractualist alternative. On the view I defend here, beliefs can wrong when they stem from inferences licensed by principles to which others would have sufficiently weighty objections. Doxastic wronging, on this account, is not (or is not entirely) a matter of having beliefs with certain kinds of objectionable representational content, but rather a matter of our being unable to morally justify our beliefs to others.
LEA-RPL: lightweight energy-aware RPL protocol for internet of things based on particle swarm optimization
Authors: Mokrani Sabrina , Belkadi Malika , Sadoun Tassadit , Lloret Jaime , Aoudjit Rachida
Published: January 2025

This paper addresses the issue of quality of service routing optimization within the Internet of Things networks. We particularly focus on the energy-aware and the lightweight aspects. By recognizing the relationship between lightweight and energy-aware routing, we set out to study their combined benefits. This study aims to enhance the Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks by integrating energy-awareness and lightweight characteristics based on the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm. Our approach addresses energy consumption, routing overhead and decision complexity in route establishment. The principal contributions include the introduction of an objective function that considers Expected Life Time, Delay and a new proposed metric Energy Aware-Expected Transmission Count. The improvement of the Long Short Term Memory predicting inertia weight based PSO with Online Gradient Descent that is used to optimize both the parent selection process and Trickle Timer mechanism. The controlled parent switching process to solve unnecessary and frequent changes. Our approach is validated through simulations in Contiki COOJA, with thorough comparisons with some existing protocols based on packet delivery ratio, average energy consumption, convergence time, control overhead, average end-to-end delay and average parent switching as performance metrics. The results reveal that our approach performs better. Depending on the protocol used for comparison, our approach reduced parent switching by 42.59–61.73%, convergence time by 20.31–66.06%, control overhead by 14.4–23.64%, energy consumption by 29.86–49.6%, end-to-end delay by 7.66–40.81% and increased packet delivery ratio by 2–42.92%.
Optimizing plant species composition of green roofs for ecological functionality and biodiversity conservation
Authors: Frisk Carl A. , Hanslin Hans Martin
Published: January 2025

Green roofs provide vital functions within the urban ecosystem, from supporting biodiversity, to sustainable climate-positive ESS provisioning. However, how plant communities should best be designed to reach these objectives, and how specific green roof systems vary in their capacity to support these functions is not well understood. Here we compiled data on plant traits and plant–insect interaction networks of a regional calcareous grassland species pool to explore how designed plant communities could be optimised to contribute to ecological functionality for predefined green roof solutions. Five distinct systems with practical functionality and physical constraints were designed, plant communities modelled using object-based optimization algorithms and evaluated using five ecological functionality metrics (incl. phylogenetic and structural diversity). Our system plant communities supported a range of plant–insect interactions on green roofs, but not all species were equally beneficial, resulting in wide-ranging essentiality and redundancy in ecological processes. Floral traits were not predictive of pollinator preferences, but phylogeny was observed to govern the preferences. Large differences in ecological functionality can be expected between green roofs depending on system design and the extent of the plant community composition. Multifunctionality covariance diverged between systems, suggesting that ecological functionality is not inherently universal but dependent on structural limitations and species pool interactions. We conclude that informed system design has a potential to simultaneously support ecosystem services and urban biodiversity conservation by optimising green roof plant communities to provide landscape resources for pollinating insects and herbivores.
Free Will’s Limits
Authors: Elzein Nadine
Published: January 2025

John Lemos argues persuasively that libertarian free will is required for moral desert, that we may have free will, and that even if we have doubts, we should retain the assumption of desert, given its importance to essential values, such as justice, dignity, love, and pride. While sharing his optimism about the possibility of free will, I challenge two claims: The claim that we can confidently attribute responsibility for actions to agents across the board on the basis that each agent has some opportunity to shape their own characters, and the claim that if we cannot appeal to desert, we would have reason to lower evidentiary standards, as a way of keeping the most vulnerable safe from crime.
Cancer Detection Using Artificial Intelligence: A Paradigm in Early Diagnosis
Authors: Bulusu Gayathri , Vidyasagar K. E. Ch , Mudigonda Malini , Saikia Manob Jyoti
Published: January 2025

Cancer detection has long been a continuous key performer in oncological research. The revolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and its application in the field of cancer turned out to be more promising in the recent years. This paper provides a detailed review of the various aspects of AI in different cancers and their staging. The role of AI in interpreting and processing the imaging data, its accuracy and sensitivity to detect the tumors is examined. The images obtained through imaging modalities like MRI, CT, ultrasound etc. are considered in this review. Further the review highlights the implementation of AI algorithms in 12 types of cancers like breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer etc. as discussed in the recent oncological studies. The review served to summarize the challenges involved with AI application. It revealed the efficacy of AI in detecting the region, size, and grade of cancer. While CT and ultrasound proved to be the ideal imaging modalities for cancer detection, MRI was helpful for cancer staging. The review bestows a roadmap to fully utilize the potential of AI in early cancer detection and staging to enhance patient survival.
Hot Phases Cardiomyopathy: Pathophysiology, Diagnostic Challenges, and Emerging Therapies
Authors: Bassetto Giulia , Angriman Federico , Gava Carola Pio Loco detto , Paldino Alessia , Perotto Maria , Bordignon Luca , Gigli Marta , Ferro Matteo Dal , Massa Laura , Altinier Alessandro , De Luca Antonio , Sinagra Gianfranco , Merlo Marco
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

Hot phases are a challenging clinical presentation in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), marked by acute chest pain and elevated cardiac troponins in the absence of obstructive coronary disease. These episodes manifest as myocarditis and primarily affect young patients, contributing to a heightened risk of life-threatening arrhythmias and potential disease progression. This review aims to synthesize recent research on the pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic management of hot phases in ACM.

Recent Findings

Hot phases have been linked to genetic mutations, particularly in desmosomal proteins such as Desmoplakin (DSP). Diagnostic challenges include differentiating hot phases from isolated acute myocarditis, through identification of red flags and a multimodal approach, including CMR, FDG-PET, endomyocardial biopsy and genetic testing. Emerging therapies, such as immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory treatments, show promise in managing hot-phase episodes.

Hot phases in ACM present a significant risk for arrhythmias and disease progression, necessitating a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic management. A multimodal diagnostic approach is essential for accurate diagnosis, but further research is needed to refine these strategies and improve prognosis for affected patients.
Evaluation of EU-27 countries as manufacturing location: strengths and weaknesses model
Authors: Hilmola Olli-Pekka , Li Haihan , Hilletofth Per , Fjellström Daniella
Published: January 2025

In the recent years there has been an increased interest towards relocating manufacturing back to Europe. Consequently, it becomes important to develop evaluation models of manufacturing location. We use secondary data to establish model for European Union 27 (EU-27) countries. Findings reveal in pairwise model comparison, that larger European countries seem to be the best locations in general (France, Germany, Italy, and Spain), however, few smaller countries perform high as well (like Ireland, Sweden, Luxemburg and Finland). In general, small member countries have the lowest performance. Typically, these are weak in population and severance pay terms. Lower-performing countries often also miss the larger role of medical and pharmaceutical industry within exports. Results were compared to classical rank-based evaluation. We did find some differences, and it could be said that larger countries lost their higher status, but Ireland and Sweden were still in highest ranks.
Does time perspective affect the association between childhood traumas and post-traumatic growth?
Authors: Gökkaya Füsun , Yurdalan Fatih , Çıvgın Umut
Published: January 2025

Time perspective is a concept that elucidates the manner in which individuals assess the present, past, and future. In the relevant literature, trauma and trauma-related issues have been matched to time perspective. In particular, there are conflicting findings regarding post-traumatic growth. The objective of the research is to investigate the mediator role of time perspective in the relationship between childhood traumas and post-traumatic growth. Based on this, it is predicted that early traumas and post-traumatic growth will be related to time perspective and proposed relationship will have important consequences for literature and clinicians. For this purpose, 676 participants were included, and the survey set was presented to the participants. Pearson correlation and mediation were performed. Results showed that there is a only significant relationship between emotional neglect and post-traumatic growth, while there is no relationship between the other sub-dimensions of childhood traumas and post-traumatic growth. As a result of the mediation analysis conducted, it was seen that time perspectives played a mediator role between emotional neglect and post-traumatic growth. The results obtained were discussed within the framework of the related literature and suggestions for future studies were presented.
Ezetimibe Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers Tablets: Response Surface Methodology, In-vitro Characterization, and Pharmacokinetics Study in Rats
Authors: Elkhayat Dalia , Abdelmalak Nevine S. , Amer Reham , Awad Heba H.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The present study aims to overcome the poor oral bioavailability of ezetimibe (EZ), a selective Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) Class II cholesterol absorption inhibitor drug. EZ-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (EZ-NLCs) were dried by lyophilization and incorporated in a convenient oral solid dosage form to enhance its dissolution, and absorption and increase patient compliance. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to systematically optimize formulation variables, improving the efficiency of disintegration and drug release characteristics.

Methods

RSM was adopted to study the effects of (A) increasing the amount of the super-disintegrant, crosscarmelose sodium, (CCS), and (B) varying the ratio between the used drying excipients Avicel and mannitol (A: M) on the disintegration time (R1), and the percentage drug released after 24 h (R2). Thirteen EZ-NLCs tablets were prepared and subjected to pre-compression and post-compression evaluation. Furthermore, a bioequivalence study was conducted by administering EZ-NLCs and ezetrol® tablets to Sprague Dawley male rats.

Results

The optimized EZ-NLCs tablet (prepared with the ratio of Avicel: mannitol (7.5:0) using 30 mg CCS), revealed a disintegration time of 3.85 ± 0.03 min, and 98 ± 3.09% of the drug were released at the end of the 24 h. EZ-NLCs tablet displayed a maximum concentration (Cmax) of 3.57 ± 0.27 ng/mL and an area under the curve (AUC0− 24) of 22.44 ± 2.68 ng.hr/mL, while those of ezetrol® were 2.79 ± 0.15 ng/mL and 15.36 ± 0.86 ng.hr/mL, respectively.

Conclusion

The assessed relative bioavailability demonstrated the superiority of EZ-NLCs tablet over ezetrol® with 1.5 fold improvement which proves that EZ-NLCs tablet could be a good candidate to enhance the oral bioavailability of EZ.

Graphical Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis und die Brücke zwischen Parodontologie und Rheumatologie
Authors: Schwab Julia , Puchner Rudolf
Published: January 2025

Die beiden chronisch-entzündlichen Erkrankungen rheumatoide Arthritis (RA) und Parodontitis (PA) stehen schon seit geraumer Zeit unter dem Verdacht, in unmittelbarem bilateralem Zusammenhang zu stehen. Aktuelle wissenschaftliche Literatur zeigt mögliche Parallelen in der Pathogenese und Therapie beider Krankheiten auf und diskutiert konkret kausale Zusammenhänge. Dabei steht neben genetischen Faktoren, Immun- und Umweltveränderungen der Parodontalkeim Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) im Zentrum. Das Bakterium P. gingivalis führt über verschiedene molekularbiologische Mechanismen zur Antikörperproduktion. Zu diesen Mechanismen zählen: Bildung zitrullinierter Proteine, Gingipaine, die Carbamylierung von Proteinen und Malondialdehyd-Acetaldehyd-Addukt-Formation. Gebildete Autoantikörper können schließlich zur Destruktion von Gewebe im Gelenk sowie im Parodont (dem Zahnhalteapparat) führen. Neben der Pathogenese der beiden Erkrankungen scheinen sich auch Therapien beider Erkrankungen gegenseitig positiv zu beeinflussen, weshalb eine interdisziplinäre Kommunikation zwischen Rheumatologie und Parodontologie sinnvoll und wünschenswert wäre, um den Verlauf beider Krankheiten mitzuverfolgen und abzuschätzen, ob Therapieversuche anschlagen. Somit würde die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit zwischen Rheumatologie und Zahnmedizin einen wichtigen Schritt weiter in Richtung personalisierter Medizin – die Medizin der Zukunft – darstellen.
Emerging trends in long-acting sustained drug delivery for glaucoma management
Authors: So Yin Ho , Mishra Deepakkumar , Gite Sandip , Sonawane Rahul , Waite David , Shaikh Rahamatullah , Vora Lalitkumar K. , Thakur Raghu Raj Singh
Published: January 2025

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy in which progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells and the optic nerve leads to irreversible visual loss. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. The pathogenesis of glaucoma is determined by different pathogenetic mechanisms, including increased intraocular pressure, mechanical stress, excitotoxicity, resistance to aqueous drainage and oxidative stress. Topical formulations are often used in glaucoma treatment, whereas surgical measures are used in acute glaucoma cases. For most patients, long-term glaucoma treatments are given. Poor patient compliance and low bioavailability are often associated with topical therapy, which suggests that sustained-release, long-acting drug delivery systems could be beneficial in managing glaucoma. This review summarizes the eye’s physiology, the pathogenesis of glaucoma, current treatments, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, and recent advances in long-acting drug delivery systems for the treatment of glaucoma.
Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed potential mechanisms of Anchusa italica Retz. in alleviating cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury via Wnt/β-catenin pathway modulation
Authors: Tan Wenta , Fu Shuo , Wang Yufei , Hu Bojun , Ding Guiquan , Zhang Li , Zhang Wen , Du Guanhua , Song Junke
Published: January 2025

Anchusa italica Retz. (AIR), a traditional herbal remedy, is commonly applied in managing heart and brain disorders. However, its specific function and mechanism in acute cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury (CIRI) are not fully understood. This research focused on the interventional effects and potential mechanisms of AIR extract (AIRE) in a rat model of CIRI. The model was established using the filament occlusion method, which involved blocking the middle cerebral artery for 1.5 h and then removing the filament to restore blood flow. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted to explore the molecular pathways and metabolites affected by AIRE. ATP level was measured using an ATP assay kit. Additionally, RT-qPCR and western blot tests were conducted to evaluate the influence of AIRE on the Wnt signaling pathway and mitochondrial function. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses indicated that AIRE regulated the Wnt signaling pathway in CIRI and modulated metabolites associated with mitochondrial energy metabolism, such as citrate and succinate. ATP assay result demonstrated that AIRE enhanced ATP production in CIRI. Further, RT-qPCR and western blot analyses revealed that AIRE activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and corrected mitochondrial dysfunction. These results proposed that AIRE mitigated mitochondrial energy metabolism deficits in CIRI via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. By restoring the balance of mitochondrial function and energy metabolism, AIRE might offer a potentially therapeutic strategy for addressing CIRI.

Graphical Abstract
A systematic literature review on payment methods in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Wang Ruoyuan , Chan Chung-Shing
Published: January 2025

Payment methods have been undergoing a series of developments and changes in recent years due to technological innovations, policy support, and epidemics. This literature review comprehensively examines 265 articles on payment methods over the past decade from various perspectives (consumer, technology, merchant, meso-macro, etc.), focusing on research within the hospitality and tourism sector. Our review indicates that while research on payment methods in the hospitality and tourism field is less extensive than in other domains, it covers a wide range of topics. The most prevalent scenarios for payment methods in hospitality and tourism include restaurants, hotels, transportation, medical tourism, and the sustainability of payment methods. Among these, mobile payments are extensively explored, and digital currencies (including cryptocurrencies and Central Bank Digital Currency) are poised to be the next innovation in payment methods within the hospitality and tourism sector. Although biometric payments have received less attention, the growing habit of using biometrics (fingerprints, face recognition) to unlock personal devices is helping to promote this payment method. Additionally, this study identifies areas for future research focus and direction for scholars while providing both theoretical and practical contributions.
Agent-Based Models of Virus Infection
Authors: Steinhöfel Kathleen K. , Heslop David , MacIntyre C. Raina
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

Agent-based modelling (ABM) is a robust computational tool for investigating the dynamics of infectious disease spread and evaluating intervention strategies. This review paper gives an overview of the recent literature on ABM applications in predicting and simulating the spread of infectious diseases in populations.

Recent Findings

Latest models incorporate the impact of vaccination rates and intervention strategies. Despite inherent limitations such as data constraints and model simplifications, ABM offers valuable insights into the complex interplay of individual behaviours and population-level outcomes. Understanding these dynamics facilitates evidence-based decision-making in public health, guiding the development of tailored strategies to control infectious disease outbreaks and improve population health outcomes.

The review highlights developments in the area of ABM, providing an overview of the latest extensions and applications of these models in the field of virus infection. The focus is on how recent advances in computer technology enable more detailed modelling, pushing the boundaries of computational limitations to allow for more detailed simulations. Examples are given to demonstrate how these new insights have impacted the decision-making process.
Photolithographic Microfabrication of Microbatteries for On-Chip Energy Storage
Authors: Ma Yuan , Wang Sen , Wu Zhong-Shuai
Published: January 2025

Microbatteries (MBs) are crucial to power miniaturized devices for the Internet of Things. In the evolutionary journey of MBs, fabrication technology emerges as the cornerstone, guiding the intricacies of their configuration designs, ensuring precision, and facilitating scalability for mass production. Photolithography stands out as an ideal technology, leveraging its unparalleled resolution, exceptional design flexibility, and entrenched position within the mature semiconductor industry. However, comprehensive reviews on its application in MB development remain scarce. This review aims to bridge that gap by thoroughly assessing the recent status and promising prospects of photolithographic microfabrication for MBs. Firstly, we delve into the fundamental principles and step-by-step procedures of photolithography, offering a nuanced understanding of its operational mechanisms and the criteria for photoresist selection. Subsequently, we highlighted the specific roles of photolithography in the fabrication of MBs, including its utilization as a template for creating miniaturized micropatterns, a protective layer during the etching process, a mold for soft lithography, a constituent of MB active component, and a sacrificial layer in the construction of micro-Swiss-roll structure. Finally, the review concludes with a summary of the key challenges and future perspectives of MBs fabricated by photolithography, providing comprehensive insights and sparking research inspiration in this field.
Selecting Relevant Features for Random Forest-Based Crop Type Classifications by Spatial Assessments of Backward Feature Reduction
Authors: Mahmood Talha , Usman Muhammad , Conrad Christopher
Published: January 2025

Random Forest (RF) is a widely used machine learning algorithm for crop type mapping. RF’s variable importance aids in dimension reduction and identifying relevant multisource hyperspectral data. In this study, we examined spatial effects in a sequential backward feature elimination setting using RF variable importance in the example of a large-scale irrigation system in Punjab, Pakistan. We generated a reference classification with RF applied to 122 SAR and optical features from time series data of Sentinel‑1 and Sentinel‑2, respectively. We ranked features based on variable importance and iteratively repeated the classification by excluding the least important feature, assessing its agreement with the reference classification. McNemar’s test identified the critical point where feature reduction significantly affected the RF model’s predictions. Additionally, spatial assessment metrics were monitored at the pixel level, including spatial confidence (number of classifications agreeing with the reference map) and spatial instability (number of classes occurring during feature reduction). This process was repeated 10 times with ten distinct stratified random sampling splits, which showed similar variable rankings and critical points. In particular, VH SAR data was selected when cloud-free optical observations were unavailable. Omitting 80% of the features resulted in an insignificant loss of only 2% overall accuracy, while spatial confidence decreased by 5%. Moreover, the crop map at the critical point exhibited an increase in spatial instability from a single crop to 1.28. McNemar’s test and the spatial assessment metrics are recommended for optimized feature reduction benchmarks and identifying areas requiring additional ground data to improve the results.
Insights into microbe assisted remediation in plants: a brief account on mechanisms and multi-omic strategies against heavy metal toxicity
Authors: Tariq Arneeb , Farhat Fozia
Published: January 2025

Mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and other toxic heavy metals (HM) pose significant risks to the environment, negatively impacting the morpho-physiological and biological traits of plants. At present, toxic elements constitute a significant proportion of the food chain, exerting an impact on human health due to their mobility and biomagnification. The metal exclusion biological technique stands out for its robust performance, even when dealing with extremely low metal concentrations. Its eco-friendly nature and cost-effectiveness further enhance its value. Due to the exponential growth pattern of bacteria, these exhibit high metal persistence and are recommended for metal exclusion processes. Moreover, vacuoles like vesicles present in mycorrhizal fungi can hold extremely high levels of HM. Microbe-assisted phytoremediation primarily occurs through two mechanisms: through the direct provision of the essential nutrients and phytohormones, such as plant growth regulators, siderophores, enzymes, and mineral; or indirectly by modulating the metal detoxification process. This indirect mechanism involves microbes aiding in the accumulation and sequestration of metals in plants through the secretion of specific extracellular substances like organic acids, biosurfactants, and chelators. Moreover, the metal bioavailability and translocation in the rhizosphere are also altered via various mechanisms like acidification, precipitation, complexation or redox reactions. The understanding of the molecular and physiological processes underpinning the functions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in reducing HM toxicity, improving plant performance by procuring nutrients under HM-toxicity has significantly improved in recent years. In this review, adaptive and persistent methods related to physiological and cross-protective mechanisms in bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi (MF) resulting from the evolutionary consequences of dealing with HM toxicity have been addressed. Furthermore, the article offers details on the physiological and molecular reactions of host plants with fungi, and bacteria to HM stress, which may be useful for unveiling new knowledge about the strategies of HMs remediation.
Understanding the multifaceted role of ABA signaling in orchestrating plant developmental transition
Authors: Jiang Yupeng , Jiang Shiyu , Liu Lu
Published: January 2025

Abscisic acid (ABA), a pivotal plant hormone once primarily associated with stress response, is now increasingly acknowledged for its indispensable role in plant development. This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted functions of ABA in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development. From inhibiting germination to orchestrating seedling establishment, flowering time, and dormancy induction, ABA emerges as a central player in shaping plant developmental transitions. Unraveling the intricate regulatory mechanisms governing the ABA signaling pathway provides valuable insights into how plants adapt to environmental challenges while effectively managing their growth and reproductive strategies. This expanding knowledge not only highlights the significance of ABA in plant biology but also has profound implications for enhancing agricultural practices.
Fractionalization of Particles in Physics
Authors: Chamon Claudio , Mudry Christopher
Published: January 2025

This book explores the fractionalization of particles in physics, how interactions between individual particles and with their background can modify their fundamental quantum states. Covering a large breadth of topics with an example-driven approach, this comprehensive text explains why phases of matter must be described in terms of both symmetries and their topology. The majority of important results are derived in full with explanations provided, while exercises at the end of each section allow readers to extend and develop their understanding of key topics. The first part presents polyacetylene as the paradigmatic material in which electric charge can be fractionalized, while the second part introduces the notion of invertible topological phases of matter. The final part is devoted to the 'ten-fold way', a classification of topological insulators or superconductors. The text requires a solid understanding of quantum mechanics and is a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers in physics.
Free Logic
Authors: Frost-Arnold Greg
Published: January 2025

Classical logic assumes that names are univocal: every name refers to exactly one existing individual. This Principle of Univocality has two parts: an existence assumption and a uniqueness assumption. The existence assumption holds that every name refers to at least oneindividual, and the uniqueness assumption states that every name refers to at most one individual. The various systems of free logic which have been developed and studied since the 1960s relax the existence assumption, but retain the uniqueness assumption. The present work investigates violations of both halves of the Principle of Univocality. That is, whereas the free logics developed from the 1960s are called 'free' because they are free of existential assumptions, the current Element generalizes this idea, to study logics that are free of uniqueness assumptions. We explore several versions of free logic, comparing their advantages and disadvantages. Applications of free logic to other areas of philosophy are explored.
Rationality and Time Bias
Authors: Podgorski Abelard
Published: January 2025

We often care not only about what happens to us, but when it happens to us. We prefer that good experiences happen sooner, rather than later, and that our suffering lies in our past, rather than our future. Common sense suggests that some ways of caring about time are rational, and others are not, but it is surprisingly challenging to provide justifying explanations for these tendencies. This Element is an opinionated, non-technical guided tour through the main philosophical issues about the relevance of the temporal location of our experiences to our desires and our choices, and the major arguments for and against different kinds of so-called time bias.
Network Leadership
Authors: Beeson Jeffrey
Published: January 2025

A 'paradigm shift' is currently taking place in leadership. Despite the considerable and influential body of existing theory, leaders were not prepared for the continuous disruptions of the digital era. What happens and how it happens depends on networks. The newly emerging science of networks opens an entirely new horizon on how to lead people, design organizations, and make sense of complex social environments. To be effective, leadership needs to assimilate and adapt to the dynamics of networks. This implies a focus on the quality of connections, how energy and information flow through these connections, and the development of a heightened awareness for the whole. Based on the undeniable logic of networks, the shift in organizational structures which has already taken place will only accelerate in the years to come. Network leadership invites leaders to leave the VUCA world behind and embrace a new WISE world of stability and emergence.
The Feminized Hero in Second Temple Judaism
Authors: Wills Lawrence M.
Published: January 2025

The turbulent Second Temple period produced searching biblical texts whose protagonists, unlike heroes like Noah, Abraham, and Moses, were more everyday figures who expressed their moral uncertainties more vocally. Reflecting on a new type of Jewish moral agent, these tales depict men who are feminized, and women who are masculinized.  In this volume, Lawrence M. Wills offers a deep interrogation of these stories, uncovering the psychological aspects of Jewish identity, moral life, and decisions that they explore. Often written as novellas, the stories investigate emotions, psychological interiorizing, the self, agency, and character. Recent insights from gender and postcolonial theory inform Wills' study, as he shows how one can study and compare modern and ancient gender constructs. Wills also reconstructs the social fabric of the Second Temple period and demonstrates how a focus on emotions, the self, and moral psychology, often associated with both ancient Greek and modern literature, are present in biblical texts, albeit in a subtle, unassuming manner.
Schopenhauer's Politics
Authors: Norberg Jakob
Published: January 2025

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) lived through an era of great political turmoil, but previous assessments of his political thought have portrayed him as a pessimistic observer with no constructive solutions to offer. By assembling and contextualizing Schopenhauer's dispersed comments on political matters, this book reveals that he developed a distinct conception of politics. In opposition to rising ideological movements such as nationalism or socialism, Schopenhauer denied that politics can ever bring about universal emancipation or fraternal unity. Instead, he viewed politics as a tool for mitigating rather than resolving the conflicts of a fundamentally imperfect world. Jakob Norberg's fascinating book reconstructs Schopenhauer's political ideas and shows how they relate to the dominant debates and trends during the period in which he lived. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Impact of order set implementation on appropriate treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
Authors: Pham Han , Stein Michell J. , Worden Lacy J.
Published: January 2025

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate appropriate antimicrobial prescribing after implementing a pneumonia order set within a community teaching hospital.

Design:

Retrospective chart review study.

Setting:

450-bed community teaching hospital.

Participants:

Patients who are 18 years of age or older admitted for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) between October 1, 2021, and August 1, 2023.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate a composite endpoint of appropriate empiric antimicrobial selection, dosing, and duration in accordance with the national guidelines after the implementation of a CAP order set. Secondary outcomes included comparing hospital length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, mortality rates, and Clostridium difficile infection rates.

Results:

A total of 236 patients were included (118 patients per group). Significantly more patients in the post-implementation group received guideline-concordant therapy for CAP (5.9% vs 35.6%, P < .001). Results were heavily influenced by improvements in appropriate durations of therapy (pre: 6.8% vs post: 39.9%, P < .001). There were no significant differences observed for LOS, 30-day readmission rates, C. difficile infections within 30 days, or mortality rates between groups. The order set was utilized in 66.1% of patients included in the post-implementation group.

Conclusions:

Implementing an order set significantly improved inpatient antibiotic prescribing for CAP with no difference in clinical or safety outcomes. Antibiotic order sets will be a useful tool for antimicrobial stewardship program expansion into other common community-acquired infections.