bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grain Rotation and Crack Propagation in Bulge-Tested Gold Films with 4D-STEM
Authors: Gebhart David D. , Schretter Lukas , Krapf Anna , Merle Benoit , Cordill Megan J. , Gammer Christoph
Published: February 2025

This work investigates the stable crack propagation in notched, ultrafine-grained, freestanding Au films under cyclic loading with a bulge tester. Using intermittent transmission electron microscopy, including 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy, the study investigates dislocation activities and grain-boundary-mediated processes during crack propagation at nanoscale resolution. The regions surrounding the propagating crack show significant out-of-plane grain rotation, grain boundary migration, and grain growth and coalescence. Orientation mapping highlighted the influence of grain orientations and misorientations on deformation localization and the crack propagation path, emphasizing the complex interplay of microstructural features in fatigue properties. The findings highlight the role of grain-boundary-mediated mechanisms in the cyclic fatigue of metallic thin films, providing insights into damage mechanisms at the nanoscale.
Effect of Wood Ash, Lime, and Biochar on the Establishment and Early Growth of Poplars on Acidic Soil Conditions
Authors: Muraro Luca , Adler Anneli , Böhlenius Henrik
Published: February 2025

Poplars are traditionally cultivated on arable land, but other land types, such as forested land and forested arable land, may also provide significant opportunities for poplar plantations without competing with food production. However, these sites often have suboptimal soil pH levels that hinder optimal poplar growth, highlighting the need for improved establishment methods to enhance both survival and growth. This study investigates the establishment and growth of poplars (Populus trichocarpa and their hybrids) at forest land and forested arable land after application of wood ash, lime, and biochar using three different application methods: (i) amendment spread on the soil (Surface), (ii) amendment mixed with the soil (Mixed), (iii) amendment placed on the planting spot (Spot). Our findings revealed that wood ash and lime application almost double growth compared to untreated plants, 3 years after planting, and that growth increased equally independently whether wood ash or lime was mixed with the soil or applied on the soil surface while Spot application method resulted in overall lower growth than the Mix and Surface method. In contrast, biochar application had a lower effect on tree growth compared to wood ash and lime. This study highlights the potential of using wood ash to improve poplar growth on sites with low soil pH and that application methods can be adapted for different site conditions, thereby supporting the early establishment of these fast-growing plantations in sites with suboptimal soil conditions.
PENELOPE 1-year follow-up: legacy effect of a short protocol-led LDL-C-lowering strategy in patients after myocardial infarction
Authors: van der Brug Sander , van Trier Tinka , Omar Khader Aaram , Liem An-ho , Schut Astrid , Martens Fabrice , Alings Marco ,   the PENELOPE investigators
Published: February 2025

Objective

Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduces the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In the PENELOPE study, a guideline-based, protocol-led LDL-C-lowering strategy was applied in patients after myocardial infarction and resulted in 87% reaching target LDL‑C levels of ≤ 1.8 mmol/l within a median of 45 days. This study evaluated PENELOPE’s legacy effect on LDL‑C levels after 1 year.

Methods

In the PENELOPE study, 999 patients with a myocardial infarction and a history of ASCVD and/or diabetes mellitus were included. If LDL-C > 1.8 mmol/l, lipid-lowering therapy was intensified in three consecutive steps: (1) high-intensity statin (HIST) monotherapy, (2) HIST + ezetimibe, and (3) HIST + ezetimibe + proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9i). LDL‑C levels were monitored 4–6 weeks after each step. The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of the LDL‑C target level of ≤ 1.8 mmol/l being maintained after 1 year.

Results

Data of 738 patients (74%) were available for 1‑year follow-up. The target LDL‑C level was met in 471 patients (64%). Median LDL‑C levels changed from 1.5 (1.2–1.7) mmol/l immediately after implementation of the protocol-led strategy to 1.6 (1.3–2.0) mmol/l after 1 year. Major treatment regimens were statin (58%), statin + ezetimibe (30%) and PCSK9i + ezetimibe (+ statin) (7%).

Conclusion

After a myocardial infarction, implementation of a protocol-led LDL-C-lowering strategy resulted in 87% of patients attaining the LDL‑C target level of ≤ 1.8 mmol/l within a median of 45 (32–77) days. At 1‑year follow-up, 64% maintained this target level and the median LDL‑C increased by 0.1 mmol/l.
Snacktivity™ to Promote Physical Activity in Primary Care, Community Health and Public Health Settings: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Daley Amanda J. , Griffin Ryan A. , Sanders James P. , Gokal Kajal , Ives Natalie , Skrybant Magdalena , Parretti Helen M. , Edwardson Charlotte L. , Biddle Stuart J. H. , Jolly Kate , Greaves Colin J. , Greenfield Sheila M. , Maddison Ralph , Esliger Dale W. , Sherar Lauren B. , Frew Emma , Mutrie Nanette , Maylor Ben , Yates Tom , Tearne Sarah , Moakes Catherine A.
Published: February 2025

Background

A novel ‘whole day’ approach that could motivate the public to be more physically active is Snacktivity™. The Snacktivity™ approach encourages individuals to accumulate 150 min of physical activity in short 2–5-min ‘snacks’ of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) throughout the day/week.

Method

A randomised controlled trial to assess the feasibility/acceptability of a Snacktivity™ intervention and trial processes was conducted. The trial aimed to recruit 80 physically inactive adults from healthcare services and via social media. Participants were randomised to the Snacktivity™ intervention or usual care and followed up at 12 weeks. The intervention was predominately delivered by health professionals within consultations. Assessment of whether the Snacktivity™ intervention and trial methods were acceptable to participants, adherence to Snacktivity™ (assessed by Fitbit) and physical activity (assessed by accelerometer), and retention were considered according to traffic light stop-go progression criteria (green-amber-red).

Results

Seventy-two participants (n = 37 Snacktivity™ intervention; n = 35 usual care) were recruited across 14 months (72/80, 90%, (green) 95% CI: 83% to 97%). Snacktivity™ adherence was achieved in 12/37 participants (32%, (red) 95% CI: 17% to 48%). Physical activity adherence was achieved in 17/37 participants (46%, (amber) 95% CI: 30% to 62%). Seven participants (10%, (green) 95% CI: 3% to 17%) withdrew from follow-up and 25/72 (35%, (amber) 95% CI: 24% to 46%) had no accelerometer data at follow-up (retention).

Conclusion

The Snacktivity™ intervention may be feasible and acceptable to implement. Findings can inform subsequent research that seeks to investigate whether Snacktivity™ based approaches are effective in promoting physical activity in the population.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN: 64851242. Registration date: 31/01/21.
Heuristics for evaluating narrative visualization: a validation study
Authors: Errey Nina , Zowghi Didar , Leong Tuck Wah , Wu Yadong , Yuan Xiaoru , Huang Weidong , Liang Christy Jie
Published: February 2025

Narrative visualization integrates data visualization and narrative techniques to convey a compelling story. Narrative visualization is notoriously difficult to evaluate. One solution is heuristic evaluation, using a domain-specific set of heuristics. This paper validates a set of heuristics proposed specifically for evaluating narrative visualization. We conducted studies with experienced narrative visualization practitioners in both summative and formative settings. We found that the set of heuristics showed promise in a summative setting, where similar responses evidenced that the set of heuristics could provide reliable evaluation metrics. Furthermore, in a formative setting, implementing the set of heuristics was reported to be useful in the design process; however, due to their limited focus, we recommend that it be implemented in conjunction with other evaluation guidelines.

Graphical abstract
Management Cost Efficiency and Technology Gap: Cooperative vs. Non-Cooperative Credit Banks
Authors: Barra Cristian , Papaccio Anna , Ruggiero Nazzareno
Published: February 2025

This paper analyses the difference between cooperative and non-cooperative banks in Italy in terms of managerial efficiency and technological inefficiency. We disentangle the metafrontier and group-specific frontiers using data from 1994 to 2015, decomposing the efficiency scores of the two bank groups into cost-efficiency scores and cost technology gap ratios. Cooperative banks have greater efficiency scores across all regions and for each group-specific technology frontier. The findings indicate that the primary cause of inefficiency for the two bank groups is not management inefficiency but rather the technology gap. Furthermore, cooperative banks exhibit lower cost efficiency inequality than non-cooperative banks in most regions.
Additional Risk Factors Lead to a Measurable Inflammatory Response in Stage I Endometrial Cancer—A Prospective Multicentric Observational Study
Authors: Ronsini Carlo , Iavarone Irene , Vastarella Maria Giovanna , Corte Luigi Della , Andreoli Giada , Bifulco Giuseppe , Cobellis Luigi , de Franciscis Pasquale
Published: February 2025

The objective of the study is to explore the correlation between inflammation indices (NLR, MLR, PLR) and prognostic factors (myometrial infiltration, LVSI, grading) in FIGO 2023 stage I endometrial carcinoma. From August 2023 to March 2024, a prospective study was conducted on 163 women diagnosed with stage I endometrial cancer. The research methods were established a priori and authorized through evaluation by the Ethics Committee of the individual centers (IRB 30661/2022 of 31/03/2022). The study was then registered on the clinicaltrials.gov platform under NCT05657483. Blood samples were collected preoperatively to measure the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Histopathological data on myometrial infiltration, LVSI, and grading were also analyzed. NLR values were 2.07, 2.35, and 2.68 for no infiltration, < 50%, and ≥ 50% myometrial infiltration, respectively (p = 0.033). MLR values were 0.20, 0.23, and 0.26 for the same categories (p = 0.029). PLR values were 119, 140, and 146 (p = 0.043). For LVSI, NLR was 2.17 in negative and 3.23 in diffuse (p = 0.010), while MLR showed 0.20 vs 0.24 (p = 0.054), and PLR showed 125 vs 141 (p = 0.033). Multivariate analysis indicated myometrial infiltration had the strongest correlation with inflammation indices (beta 0.07, CI 95% 0.01–0.13, p = 0.041). Inflammation indices (NLR, MLR, PLR) significantly correlate with myometrial infiltration, LVSI positivity, and higher grading in early-stage endometrial carcinoma, with myometrial infiltration showing the strongest association. These findings suggest that inflammation indices could aid in the prognostic evaluation of endometrial carcinoma. Further research is needed to understand the prognostic implications fully.
A note on the transport of (near-)field structures
Authors: Boonzaaier Leandro , Marques Sophie
Published: February 2025

This paper addresses the question: given a scalar group, can we determine all the additions that transform this scalar group into a (near-)field? A key approach to addressing this problem involves transporting (near-)field structures via multiplicative automorphisms. We compute the set of continuous multiplicative automorphisms of the real and complex fields and analyze their structures. Additionally, we characterize the endo-bijections on the scalar group that define these additions.
Implantable Dental Barrier Membranes as Regenerative Medicine in Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Chen Siyuan , Wu Zhenzhen , Huang Ziqi , Liang Chao , Lee Sang Jin
Published: February 2025

Background:

Periodontitis and bone loss in the maxillofacial and dental areas pose considerable challenges for both functional and aesthetic outcomes. To date, implantable dental barrier membranes, designed to prevent epithelial migration into defects and create a favorable environment for targeted cells, have garnered significant interest from researchers. Consequently, a variety of materials and fabrication methods have been explored in extensive research on regenerative dental barrier membranes.

Methods:

This review focuses on dental barrier membranes, summarizing the various biomaterials used in membrane manufacturing, fabrication methods, and state-of-the-art applications for dental tissue regeneration. Based on a discussion of the pros and cons of current membrane strategies, future research directions for improved membrane designs are proposed.

Results and conclusion:

To endow dental membranes with various biological properties that accommodate different clinical situations, numerous biomaterials and manufacturing methods have been proposed. These approaches provide theoretical support and hold promise for advancements in dental tissue regeneration.
Laser ablation in liquid-assisted synthesis of three types of nanoparticles for enhanced antibacterial applications
Authors: Costa Daniel Coutinho , Fernandes Margarida , Moura Caroline , Miranda Georgina , Silva Filipe , Carvalho Óscar , Madeira Sara
Published: February 2025

In this study, three different types of metal nanoparticles (NPs)—namely, gold (Au), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn)—were produced using pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) method and characterized for potential application on dental implant surfaces. PLAL is a promising method compared to the commonly used wet chemistry synthesis approaches, as it allows the production of ultra-pure, less toxic, homogeneous, and uniform metal NPs. Additionally, it is more repeatable, cost-effective, and eco-friendly.

PLAL allowed to produce well-dispersed, spherical nanoparticles with no apparent contamination, with mean diameters of: AuNPs—5.20 nm and 7.46 nm; MgNPs—1.87 nm and 3.84 nm; and ZnNPs—120.59 nm and 19.52 nm, for 15 and 30 min of ablation time, respectively. According to the Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) results, it was observed that the gram-positive S. aureus was inhibited by all NPs, with AuNPs exhibiting the lowest MIC of 1.719 µg/mL, while ZnNPs and MgNPs had a MIC of 3.438 µg/mL. For the gram-negative E. coli, AuNPs and MgNPs were able to inhibit bacterial growth at a concentration of 13.750 µg/mL, while ZnNPs failed to inhibit bacterial growth at the tested concentrations after 24 h of incubation.

At a concentration of 0.02 µg/mL, all the NPs and SDS were found to be biocompatible with human cells, with proliferation significantly higher when the NPs were present, corroborating their potential protective effect on cells. These findings are important for novel dental implant functionalized surfaces, which can extend their viability and lifespan, thus reducing future costs and material waste.
Electron Acceptor-Driven Solid Electrolyte Interphases with Elevated LiF Content for 4.7 V Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Mu Yongbiao , Liao Zifan , Chu Youqi , Zhang Qing , Zou Lingfeng , Yang Lin , Feng Yitian , Ren Haixiang , Han Meisheng , Zeng Lin
Published: February 2025

High-voltage lithium (Li) metal batteries (LMBs) face substantial challenges, including Li dendrite growth and instability in high-voltage cathodes such as LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NCM811), which impede their practical applications and long-term stability. To address these challenges, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane additive as an electron acceptor is introduced into an ethyl methyl carbonate/fluoroethylene carbonate-based electrolyte. This approach effectively engineers robust dual interfaces on the Li metal anode and the NCM811 cathode, thereby mitigating dendritic growth of Li and enhancing the stability of the cathode. This additive-driven strategy enables LMBs to operate at ultra-high voltages up to 4.7 V. Consequently, Li||Cu cells achieve a coulombic efficiency of 98.96%, and Li||Li symmetric cells extend their cycle life to an impressive 4000 h. Li||NCM811 full cells maintain a high capacity retention of 87.8% after 100 cycles at 4.7 V. Additionally, Li||LNMO full cells exhibit exceptional rate capability, delivering 132.2 mAh g−1 at 10 C and retaining 95.0% capacity after 250 cycles at 1 C and 5 V. As a result, NCM811||graphite pouch cells maintain a 93.4% capacity retention after 1100 cycles at 1 C. These findings underscore the efficacy of additive engineering in addressing Li dendrite formation and instability of cathode under high voltage, thereby paving the road for durable, high-performance LMBs.
Nanomaterials Enhanced Sonodynamic Therapy for Multiple Tumor Treatment
Authors: Yang Mengyao , Wang Xin , Peng Mengke , Wang Fei , Hou Senlin , Xing Ruirui , Chen Aibing
Published: February 2025

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) as an emerging modality for malignant tumors mainly involves in sonosensitizers and low-intensity ultrasound (US), which can safely penetrate the tissue without significant attenuation. SDT not only has the advantages including high precision, non-invasiveness, and minimal side effects, but also overcomes the limitation of low penetration of light to deep tumors. The cytotoxic reactive oxygen species can be produced by the utilization of sonosensitizers combined with US and kill tumor cells. However, the underlying mechanism of SDT has not been elucidated, and its unsatisfactory efficiency retards its further clinical application. Herein, we shed light on the main mechanisms of SDT and the types of sonosensitizers, including organic sonosensitizers and inorganic sonosensitizers. Due to the development of nanotechnology, many novel nanoplatforms are utilized in this arisen field to solve the barriers of sonosensitizers and enable continuous innovation. This review also highlights the potential advantages of nanosonosensitizers and focus on the enhanced efficiency of SDT based on nanosonosensitizers with monotherapy or synergistic therapy for deep tumors that are difficult to reach by traditional treatment, especially orthotopic cancers.
Beneficiation of Low-Grade Iron Ore Using a Dry-Roll Magnetic Separator and its Modeling via Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Fariss Abdourahman Hassan Brahim , Ibrahim Ahmedaljaali Ibrahim Idrees , Ozdemir Ali Can , Top Soner , Kursunoglu Sait , Altiner Mahmut
Published: February 2025

The beneficiation of low-grade iron ore (39.5% Fe(T) grade) using a dry-roll magnetic separator was investigated. The ore was characterized using Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA). It was determined that the ore was composed of iron oxide (goethite and hematite), quartz, chlorite, muscovite, plagioclase, and other minerals. The effect of particle size (PS, − 1 + 0.500 mm, − 0.500 + 0.300 mm, and − 0.300 + 0.125 mm), splitter position (SP, 43° and 58°), cleaning stage (CS, 1 and 2), conveyor speed (CoS, 3, 5, and 7 Hz), magnetic field strength (MFS, 0.2 T and 0.4 T) on the recovery of the magnetic product was investigated. Experimental results show that the product (− 1 + 0.500 mm) with the Fe(T) grade of 67.67% can be obtained, but its recovery was not at an acceptable value (< 30%). Furthermore, the Fe(T) grade of the product (− 0.500 + 0.300 and − 0.300 + 0.125 mm) could not reach satisfactory levels. The artificial neural network (ANN) method was conducted on the results of experimental studies. Three different training algorithms were employed for modeling, and their performance was assessed using statistical evaluation criteria. The results demonstrate that Bayesian Regularization (BR) algorithm exhibited better performance compared to others in predicting both Fe(T) grade and recovery rate during the testing phase. These findings support the notion that ANN algorithms can be a powerful modeling and prediction tool in the field of mineral processing.

Graphical Abstract
Sunscreens in pigmentary disorders: time to revise the message
Authors: Mun Sahngeun Jenny , Lee Vanessa , Gupta Monisha
Published: February 2025

Current sunscreen messaging centres around skin cancer prevention, with an emphasis on mitigating the damaging effects of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Darker skin is believed to be better protected against UVB owing to its higher melanin content, and therefore, this messaging has been largely targeted at people with lighter skin tones. This is reflected by low sunscreen use by people of darker skin types. However, visible light (VL) is now being appreciated as a culprit behind exacerbation of disorders of hyperpigmentation such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) which is known to significantly impair quality of life (QoL) of those affected. The role of VL in melanogenesis is not well known to patients nor to dermatologists and is a missed opportunity in the management of pigmentary disorders. We propose that changing the terminology from ‘sunscreen’ to ‘light protection’ acknowledges the central role of VL in melanogenesis, underlining the importance of VL protection and making the messaging more inclusive for people of all skin colours.
Predicting fire incidents with ML: an XAI approach
Authors: Lee Donghyeok , Perez Tellez Fernando , Jaiswal Rajesh
Published: February 2025

With increasing urbanization and industrial activities in Dublin city, there is a growing interest in natural disasters and accidents. In this research, we compared the regression performances for the number of fire incidents in Dublin with seven different machine learning models. We evaluated how each model performs with metrics like Mean Squared Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and R-Squared scores. Among the used models which are Prophet, Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Simple Linear Regression, Polynomial Regression, Support Vector Regression, Decision Tree Regression, and Random Forest Regression, the most precise model was the Prophet with the highest R-Squared score of 0.91 because it effectively captures the underlying trend, seasonality and holiday effects. This research also aims not only to establish the superior model but also to give clear and understandable reasons for these predictions using explainable AI (XAI). In particular, the trust in Prophet is enhanced by global explanation and local explanation for users to believe in the decision-making processes in the model. It enabled us to enhance the interpretability and transparency of the Prophet, which is aligning with ethical AI (Artificial Intelligence).
The governance of Islamic extremism in the Middle East: a multidimensional assessment and implications
Authors: Zou Zhiqiang , Li Li
Published: February 2025

Given the significant religious connotations, political demands, and social implications associated with Islamic extremism, it is crucial that counter-extremism strategies address a wide array of areas. This is particularly vital in the realms of political participation, religious management, and social governance, all of which are essential for the prevention of Islamic extremism. The complexity and diversity present in the political, religious, and social landscapes of Middle Eastern countries have led to variations in the policies and effectiveness of governance approaches related to Islamic extremism. These variations provide valuable lessons and insights. This article aims to analyze the differences and implications of governance approaches to extremism in the Middle East through a multidimensional assessment of the interrelations among politics and religion, religious-secular relations, and state-society relations. Rather than categorizing these approaches as inherently positive or negative, it is imperative for each country to identify governance strategies that are congruent with its unique circumstances.
Strategies for Improving Healthcare Workers’ Compliance with Infection Control Measures in Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alshehari Abdullah , Saeed Abdullah
Published: February 2025

Background

This review and meta-analysis assessed strategies for improving Healthcare Workers HCWs’ adherence to Infection Control Measures ICMs while working in an ICU since the setting provides a potentially high risk for HAIs.

Methods

Of these, 103 studies were identified to meet the inclusion criteria and, therefore, were included, which reported intervention studies conducted in ICUs with the purpose of promoting HCWs’ adherence to ICMs.

Results

The results indicate that the most effective strategies are multimodal-education linked to feedback, simulations, and other applications that achieve a 23.6% improvement in compliance, with consistent effectiveness across settings. Educational interventions alone achieved an average improvement of 16.13% and showed large variability, depending on the context.

Conclusion

Multimodal strategies surpass educational strategies in improving adherence to ICMs. Health facilities should adopt comprehensive, multimodal strategies to improve patient safety and reduce HAIs, and future efforts should refine these approaches for broader applications.
Thirty-day postoperative cardiopulmonary complications in sarcoidosis: Insights from a retrospective matched cohort analysis
Authors: Freund Jonah C. , Gosalvez Claudia Clarke , Rady Alena , Notarianni Andrew , Carr Zyad J.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Sarcoidosis is a rare systemic granulomatous disorder characterized by lung involvement but frequently involves the heart, gastrointestinal and lymphatic organs. Few studies have investigated sarcoidosis-related postoperative cardiopulmonary complications, creating a significant knowledge gap. Using a comparative cohort analysis, the authors hypothesized that sarcoidosis would be associated with higher risk for 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC).

Methods

This retrospective study examined hospital system data between January 1, 2013, and January 1, 2022, for patients over 18 years, admitted for procedural intervention. 389 sarcoidosis patients and controls (N = 48,823) were identified. The primary endpoint of PPC, as measured by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality PPC composite, and secondary endpoints of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), PPC subcomposites, and length of stay (LOS) were analyzed. A Mahalanobis distance matching (MDM) was used to match sarcoidosis and control patients (N = 389) on clinically relevant baseline covariates.

Results

After MDM and adjustment for surgical time and anesthesia type, sarcoidosis diagnosis corresponded to higher composite 30-day PPC (18.5% vs. 9.3%, adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] = 3.32, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.8–5.8; p < 0.001), sub-composite respiratory failure/insufficiency (10.5% vs. 5.1%, ORadj = 3.31, 95% CI 1.6–6.7; p < 0.001) but not pneumonia (5.7% vs. 3.9%, ORadj = 2.0, 95% CI 0.8–4.8; p = 0.117). The sarcoidosis cohort had longer LOS (ORadj = 2.33, 95% CI 2.0–2.7; p < 0.001). Sarcoidosis diagnosis was not associated with 30-day MACE (12.3% vs. 12.9%, ORadj = 1.43, 95% CI 0.8–2.4; p = 0.192), atrial fibrillation (6.9% vs. 5.7%; p = 0.931), or congestive heart failure events (5.9% vs. 7.2%; p = 0.526).

Conclusions

Sarcoidosis is associated with a twofold increased risk of 30-day PPC, primarily related to an increased incidence of 30-day respiratory failure/insufficiency. This risk appears to be independent of disease staging, but is associated with the presence of sarcoidosis features on preoperative chest radiography. Postoperatively, sarcoidosis patients experience longer hospital LOS, suggesting that when complications occur, they are more resource-intensive, when compared to controls. These findings highlight opportunities to enhance preoperative multi-disciplinary optimization, and suggest that tailored perioperative care strategies for sarcoidosis patients would be beneficial.

Graphical Abstract
Political Representation as Communicative Practice
Authors: Wolkenstein Fabio , Wratil Christopher
Published: February 2025

It is uncontroversial that the quality of democracy is closely bound up with the quality of political representation. But what exactly is political representation and how should we study it? This Element develops a novel conceptual framework for studying political representation that makes the insights of recent theoretical work on representation usable for quantitative empirical research. The theoretical literature the authors build on makes the case for changing the understanding of representation in two ways. First, it proposes to conceive representation in constructivist terms, as a practice that is shaped by both representatives and represented. Second, it treats communicative acts by representatives that address constituents and different analytical dimensions contained in them as the central category of analysis; political representation is thus conceived as an essentially communicative practice. This Element argues that quantitative research can benefit from taking these innovations seriously, and it provides the conceptual tools for doing so.
The Relationship between Diet and Porous Cranial Lesions in the Southwest United States: A Review
Authors: O'Donnell Lexi , McPherson Cait
Published: February 2025

Bioarchaeologists commonly record porous cranial lesions (PCLs). They have varied etiologies but are frequently associated with nutritional anemia without a differential diagnosis. This article provides a literature review, evaluates diet in the US Southwest over time, and identifies issues with associating PCLs with poor diet in this region. Generally, diet was adequate across time and space. Although maize was a dietary staple, other food items such as rabbits and amaranth provided complementary micronutrients. PCLs exhibit varied morphologies, which generally correspond with age: those characterized by fine, scattered porosity are associated with younger ages at death. Variation in PCL morphology indicates different and sometimes unrelated etiologies. Nutritional anemia is an insufficient explanation for PCL frequency in the Southwest, partly because the diet was adequate across time.
International Solidarity as a Human Right, Shared Goal, and Community Action
Authors: Ariemma Lisa , Bailliet Cecilia , Torres-Salas Nayelli
Published: February 2025

This essay explores three approaches to understanding international solidarity in contexts of migration: as a human right, as a shared goal, or as community-driven action. From a legal perspective, international solidarity has been enumerated as an enabling right that facilitates the exercise of other substantive human rights. An international solidarity-based approach to rights expands the range of actors, incorporating civil society groups as rights-holders, and international organizations and non-state actors as duty bearers. A social science lens might foreground a transversal approach to international solidarity, embracing difference in pursuit of equity. In other words, international solidarity can be conceptualized as a plurality of actors pursuing shared goals across different struggles while rejecting homogeneity. From the vantage of activism, international solidarity can be understood as a force that can enable migrants and deportees who have been excluded and invisibilized to connect particular and local struggles to different local struggles and even transnational struggles. It can counteract dehumanization and portend hope by highlighting the ripple effect that social movements and their work can have on a range of disadvantaged communities. In all three approaches, international solidarity reinforces human connection but with a different emphasis: on the expansion of opportunities to exercise rights, on the recognition and valuing of pluralism, and on the collective power that can be leveraged to encourage social change.
Solidarity as Legal Mobilization
Authors: Çıdam Çiğdem , Cortés Luba , Gündoğdu Ayten , Moreno-Lax Violeta
Published: February 2025

The criminalization of humanitarianism has become prevalent in the Global North.1 Overbroad definitions of the crimes of migrant smuggling and the facilitation of irregular migration are commonplace in Europe and the United States,2 despite their well-known perverse effects on the rights of organizers and civil society at large. The “crimmigration”3 paradigm is so pervasive that there is little debate across the political spectrum on the legitimacy of a criminal law response to solidarity-based engagements with non-citizens,4 especially those in an irregular situation. Countries of destination have normalized hostility vis-à-vis (irregular) migrants and their allies and firmly entrenched it in the legal regime. By contrast, this essay aims to illustrate how law can paradoxically also serve as a medium to articulate solidaristic action following an egalitarian conception and mobilization of legal norms. Challenging state-centric visions, such forms of action transform law into a space of coming together across power divisions, jointly organizing, and collectively countering injustice.
The Solidarity Spectrum: De-Solidarity, Anti-Solidarity, and Resistance
Authors: Okafor Obiora Chinedu , Sanchez Gabriella , Soto Sarah
Published: February 2025

In this essay, we examine legal and political challenges to solidarity with and among migrants. We begin by describing the disturbing and powerful turn toward de-solidarity, particularly in some Global North countries, that threatens to undermine the global refugee and migration law regime. Politicians seek to capitalize upon racial fears of migrants from the Global South to reject solidarity (with the latter group) as a concept and pursue anti-immigrant laws and policies. We next examine anti-solidarity, as shown by the criminalization of humanitarian assistance as migrant smuggling. Both de-solidarity and anti-solidarity operate through law and race to constrain human mobility and amplify the vulnerability of humans on the move. Yet then, whereas law and politics seek to prevent solidarity, praxis and resistance fosters it. In other words, solidarity toward and among migrants materializes in the very locations where law exerts violent control, despite and arguably because of the troubling, or even abject nature of those spaces. Anti-solidarity and de-solidarity inflict harm on migrants, at the same time that they can lead to resistance and change. Examining solidarity and its challenges from these three different angles (the de-solidarity trend, the manufacturing of humanitarian assistance as a crime, and the shelter-space) we explore the forms of solidarity and support that, in spite of the law, continue to emerge on the migration pathway and refuse to wane.
Improving Humanitarian Emergency Medical Team Operations in Conflict Settings
Authors: Ryder Jessica Ashley , Callaway David , Nelson Erica
Published: February 2025

The number of conflict-affected individuals is climbing. Humanitarian organizations are increasingly needed to provide medical care when governments lack capacity to care for affected communities. While the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Emergency Medical Team (EMT) initiative provides a verification process for organizations seeking to provide health care in the setting of various disasters, it does not address the unique operational challenges of deployment into conflict-affected communities. One solution is the implementation of a supplemental process similar to current verification procedures, wherein the WHO adopts a policy encouraging teams to complete an additional conflict-oriented verification, based on WHO Red Book recommendations, if they plan to operate in conflict settings The EMT initiative possesses expertise and the convening authority to drive international standards for care provision during health emergencies and is the obvious platform to create a rigorous process to ensure that EMTs in conflict zones are appropriately trained, vetted, and accountable.
Manipulating energy mergence of ultraintense femtosecond laser beamlets in underdense plasmas
Authors: Chen Huanwen , Yu Wenxing , Xu Xinrong , Jiao Jinlong , Wei Yuqing , Jiang Xiangrui , Yin Yan , Yu Tongpu , Zhuo Hongbin , Zou Debin
Published: February 2025

The propagation of multiple ultraintense femtosecond lasers in underdense plasmas is investigated theoretically and numerically. We find that the energy merging effect between two in-phase seed lasers can be improved by using two obliquely incident guiding lasers whose initial phase is

$\pi$

and

$\pi /2$

ahead of the seed laser. Particle-in-cell simulations show that due to the repulsion and energy transfer of the guiding laser, the peak intensity of the merged light is amplified by more than five times compared to the seed laser. The energy conversion efficiency from all incident lasers to the merged light is up to approximately 60

$\%$

. The results are useful for many applications, including plasma-based optical amplification, charged particle acceleration and extremely intense magnetic field generation.
THE THIRD MILLENNIUM B.C.E. POTTERY SEQUENCE OF SOUTHERN MESOPOTAMIA: POTTERY CHRONOLOGY AS SEEN FROM TELL ZURGHUL/NIGIN, MOUND A
Authors: Nadali Davide , Volpi Luca
Published: February 2025

Excavations carried out between 2016 and 2022 on the main mound (Mound A) of Tell Zurghul/Nigin, in Areas D and E, have revealed a long occupational sequence of the site during a large part of the third millennium B.C.E. The identification of three main phases of use of the area, which are in turn divided into five Architectural Phases, shows that the mound was utilized in different ways between the late Early Dynastic I period and the end of the third millennium B.C.E. The sequence allows the various phases of use to be associated with specific periods in the life of the settlement, coinciding with the rulers of the First Dynasty of Lagash and Gudea’s works on the site. The chrono-typological analysis of the pottery repertoire from Areas D and E has established dating for the materials recovered and provides additional information useful for a general reassessment of the ceramic chronology of third millennium B.C.E. Mesopotamia. Materials from Architectural Phases I and II are assigned at the ceramic level to the late Akkadian/post-Akkadian/early Ur III horizon. Pottery from Architectural Phases III and IV are assigned, respectively, to the ED IIIB/early Akkadian and the ED IIIA–B horizons, while materials from Architectural Phase V are assigned to a late ED I/transitional ED I–ED IIIA horizon.
OF CAPTIVE STORM GODS AND CUNNING FOXES: NEW INSIGHTS INTO EARLY SUMERIAN MYTHOLOGY, WITH AN EDITION OF NI 12501
Authors: Matuszak Jana
Published: February 2025

This paper publishes the editio princeps of an Early Dynastic IIIb tablet from Nippur, which contains a unique yet fragmentary Sumerian narrative about the storm god Iškur’s captivity in the netherworld, from which he appears to be rescued by Fox. While the incomplete state of preservation prevents a reconstruction of the plot, individual motifs can be traced across the entire cuneiform corpus, allowing for a preliminary case study of continuity and change over more than two millennia of Mesopotamian mythological literature.
Into reverse: redesigning veil piercing
Authors: Dignam Alan , Canruh Deniz
Published: February 2025

This paper considers the status of reverse veil piercing (RVP) in the UK courts and provides a framework for developing it in a coherent manner. It considers the recent emergence of RVP and then considers the concept of separability with regard to corporate personality and its impact on veil piercing. In doing so it draws out the important difference between RVP, which impacts entity shielding, and forward veil piercing (FVP), which impacts limited liability. It then considers US jurisprudence on RVP and the development of RVP in the Delaware courts, and then the historical development of shadow RVP in the UK courts. The paper concludes that continuing the process begun by the Supreme Court in Hurstwood Properties Ltd v Rossendale Borough Council of unbundling FVP from RVP opens the way for the reemergence of RVP that sets the limits of evasive entity shielding in a similar manner to the Delaware courts and the UK historical shadow case law, while also weighing the wider third party considerations in an RVP. Without this we would argue our law risks judicial intervention through RVP being eroded and evasive entity shielding becoming a mechanism for unscrupulous debtors to avoid outstanding liabilities.
BOTT MANIFOLDS WITH VANISHING FUTAKI INVARIANTS FOR ALL KAHLER CLASSES
Authors: ONO HAJIME , SANO YUJI , YOTSUTANI NAOTO
Published: February 2025

We prove that the only Bott manifolds such that the Futaki invariant vanishes for any Kähler class are isomorphic to the products of the projective lines.
Multiple solutions for some classes of non-linear elliptic equations with variable exponents
Authors: Alves Claudianor O. , Figueiredo Giovany M. , Tong Yonghui
Published: February 2025

This article concerns the existence and multiplicity of solutions for the following class of non-linear elliptic equations with variable exponents

\begin{equation*}
\left\{
\begin{array}{l}
-\Delta u+\lambda u=f(x,u), \quad \text{in} \quad \mathbb{R}^N, \\
\,u\in H^{1}(\mathbb{R}^N),\\
\end{array}
\right.
\end{equation*}

where λ > 0,

$N\geq 2$

and

$f:\mathbb{R}^N \times \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$

is a function of the following types:

Type 1: The subcritical case:

\begin{equation*}f(x,t)=|t|^{p(\varepsilon x)-2}t, \quad \forall (x,t) \in \mathbb{R}^N\times \mathbb{R}, N\geq3, \end{equation*}

Type 2: The critical case:

\begin{equation*}f(x,t)=\mu|t|^{p(\varepsilon x)-2}t+|t|^{2^*-2}t, \quad \forall (x,t) \in \mathbb{R}^N\times \mathbb{R}, N\geq3, \end{equation*}

Type 3: The exponential subcritical growth case:

\begin{equation*} f(x,t)=\mu|t|^{p(\varepsilon x)-2}te^{\alpha|t|^\beta}, \quad \forall (x,t) \in \mathbb{R}^2\times \mathbb{R}, \end{equation*}

where parameter
ɛ > 0, α > 0,

$\beta \in (0,2)$

,

$2^*=\frac{2N}{N-2}$

if

$N \geq 3$

and

$2^*=+\infty$

if N = 2. Related to the function

$p:\mathbb{R}^{N}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$

, we assume that it is a continuous function with

$p_{\max}, p_{\min} \in (2,2^*)$

, where

$p_{\max}=\displaystyle \max_{x \in \mathbb{R}^N}p(x)$

and

$p_{\min}=\displaystyle \min_{x \in \mathbb{R}^N}p(x)$

.

We show that for each λ > 0 the number of solutions is associated with the number of global maximum or global minimum points of p when ɛ is small enough. The proof of is based on the variational methods, Ekeland’s variational principle, Trundiger–Moser inequality, and the monotonicity of the ground state energy with respect to p. Our results extend those of Cao and Noussair (Multiplicity of positive and nodal solutions for nonlinear elliptic problem in

$\mathbb{R}^{N}$

. Ann. Inst. Henri Poincaré, Anal. Non Linéaire. 13 (1996), 567–588) and Ji, Wang and Wu (A monotone property of the ground state energy to the scalar field equation and applications. J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser.100 (2019), 804–824).
On the
$\mu$
-invariant of two-variable
$2$
-adic
$\boldsymbol{L}$
-functions
Authors: Li Yong-Xiong
Published: February 2025

Let

$K={\mathbb {Q}}(\sqrt {-7})$

and

$\mathcal {O}$

the ring of integers in

$K$

. The prime

$2$

splits in

$K$

, say

$2{\mathcal {O}}={\mathfrak {p}}\cdot {\mathfrak {p}}^*$

. Let

$A$

be an elliptic curve defined over

$K$

with complex multiplication by

$\mathcal {O}$

. Assume that

$A$

has good ordinary reduction at both

$\mathfrak {p}$

and

${\mathfrak {p}}^*$

. Write

$K_\infty$

for the field generated by the

$2^\infty$

–division points of

$A$

over

$K$

and let

${\mathcal {G}}={\mathrm {Gal}}(K_\infty /K)$

. In this paper, by adopting a congruence formula of Yager and De Shalit, we construct the two-variable

$2$

-adic

$L$

-function on

$\mathcal {G}$

. Then by generalizing De Shalit’s local structure theorem to the two-variable setting, we prove a two-variable elliptic analogue of Iwasawa’s theorem on cyclotomic fields. As an application, we prove that every branch of the two-variable measure has Iwasawa

$\mu$

invariant zero.
China vs Chinese, Belgium vs Belgian
Authors: Bauer Laurie
Published: February 2025

In reply to a recent article in English Today by David Li, it is pointed out that the use of a noun as a premodifier rather than an adjective appears to be increasing in English, perhaps particularly in the area of sports. The Australia team seems to be gaining ground at the expense of the Australian team, for example. Just why this should be happening is obscure, but multiple factors appear to be involved in the change. There are also instances where the change appears to be blocked.
The role of substrate characteristics and temperature for potential non-native plant establishment in Maritime Antarctic ecosystems
Authors: Bokhorst Stef , van Logtestijn Richard , Convey Peter , Aerts Rien
Published: February 2025

Polar ecosystems are threatened by non-native plants, and this risk will increase with climate warming. Non-native plant growth depends on Antarctic environmental conditions and substrates, but these influences are poorly quantified. Under laboratory conditions we quantified the growth of Holcus lanatus, Trifolium repens and Taraxacum officinale across nine sub-Antarctic and Maritime Antarctic substrates with varying characteristics. This included, among others, variation in carbon (0.2–27.0%), nitrogen (0.03–2.1%) and phosphorus (0.04–0.54%) contents, under simulated Antarctic conditions (2°C) and a warming scenario. Legacy effects from an established non-native chironomid midge (Eretmoptera murphyi) and non-native grasses were included. H. lanatus and T. repens grew best in organic- and nutrient-rich substrates, while T. officinale growth was poorly correlated with substrate characteristics. Warming increased plant size by one to three times, but inconsistently across species and substrates, suggesting that climate change impacts on plant growth will vary across the Maritime Antarctic. A variable response was also observed in the legacy effects of E. murphyi, while non-native grasses increased H. lanatus and T. repens plant size, but not that of T. officinale. Plant growth was positively correlated with substrate organic and phosphorus content, and this information was used to trial a novel approach to identifying sites ‘at risk’ from plant invasions in the Maritime Antarctic.
Forman–Ricci communicability curvature of graphs and networks
Authors: Estrada Ernesto
Published: February 2025

Geometric parameters in general and curvature in particular play a fundamental role in our understanding of the structure and functioning of real-world networks. Here, the discretisation of the Ricci curvature proposed by Forman is adapted to capture the global influence of the network topology on individual edges of a graph. This is implemented mathematically by assigning communicability distances to edges in the Forman–Ricci definition of curvature. We study analytically both the edge communicability curvature and the global graph curvature and give mathematical characterisations of them. The Forman–Ricci communicability curvature is interpreted ‘physically‘ on the basis of a non-conservative diffusion process taking place on the graph. We then solve analytically a toy model that allows us to understand the fundamental differences between edges with positive and negative Forman–Ricci communicability curvature. We complete the work by analysing three examples of applications of this new graph-theoretic invariant on real-world networks: (i) the network of airport flight connections in the USA, (ii) the neuronal network of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans and (iii) the collaboration network of authors in computational geometry, where we strengthen the many potentials of this new measure for the analysis of complex systems.