bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal Transport Between Algebraic Hypersurfaces
Authors: Antonini Paolo , Cavalletti Fabio , Lerario Antonio
Published: January 2025

What is the optimal way to deform a projective hypersurface into another one? In this paper we will answer this question adopting the point of view of measure theory, introducing the optimal transport problem between complex algebraic projective hypersurfaces.

First, a natural topological embedding of the space of hypersurfaces of a given degree into the space of measures on the projective space is constructed. Then, the optimal transport problem between hypersurfaces is defined through a constrained dynamical formulation, minimizing the energy of absolutely continuous curves which lie on the image of this embedding. In this way an inner Wasserstein distance on the projective space of homogeneous polynomials is introduced. This distance is finer than the Fubini–Study one.

The innner Wasserstein distance is complete and geodesic: geodesics corresponds to optimal deformations of one algebraic hypersurface into another one. Outside the discriminant this distance is induced by a smooth Riemannian metric, which is the real part of an explicit Hermitian structure. Moreover, this Hermitian structure is Kähler and the corresponding metric is of Weil–Petersson type.

To prove these results we develop new techniques, which combine complex and symplectic geometry with optimal transport, and which we expect to be relevant on their own.

We discuss applications on the regularity of the zeroes of a family of multivariate polynomials and on the condition number of polynomial systems solving.
MR-linac: role of artificial intelligence and automation
Authors: Psoroulas Serena , Paunoiu Alina , Corradini Stefanie , Hörner-Rieber Juliane , Tanadini-Lang Stephanie
Published: January 2025

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into radiotherapy has advanced significantly during the past 5 years, especially in terms of automating key processes like organ at risk delineation and treatment planning. These innovations have enhanced consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in clinical practice. Magnetic resonance (MR)-guided linear accelerators (MR-linacs) have greatly improved treatment accuracy and real-time plan adaptation, particularly for tumors near radiosensitive organs. Despite these improvements, MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) remains labor intensive and time consuming, highlighting the need for AI to streamline workflows and support rapid decision-making. Synthetic CTs from MR images and automated contouring and treatment planning will reduce manual processes, thus optimizing treatment times and expanding access to MR-linac technology. AI-driven quality assurance will ensure patient safety by predicting machine errors and validating treatment delivery. Advances in intrafractional motion management will increase the accuracy of treatment, and the integration of imaging biomarkers for outcome prediction and early toxicity assessment will enable more precise and effective treatment strategies.
Spleen stiffness in a healthy pediatric population undergoing liver magnetic resonance elastography
Authors: Serai Suraj D. , Glenn Alexandra , Trout Andrew T. , Lerebo Wondwossen T. , Gee Michael S. , Khanna Geetika , Anupindi Sudha A.
Published: January 2025

Background

Splenic stiffness is a potential imaging marker of portal hypertension. Normative spleen stiffness values are needed to define diagnostic thresholds.

Objective

To report stiffness measurements of the spleen in healthy children undergoing liver magnetic resonance (MR) elastography across MRI vendors and field strengths.

Materials and methods

This was a post-hoc analysis of data collected under a prospective multicenter cross-sectional study. Volunteers aged 7–17.9 years without a known history of liver or spleen disease were recruited for a research MRI between February 2018 and October 2019. Gradient recalled echo (GRE) or spin-echo–echo-planar imaging (SE-EPI) MR elastography was performed on a total of three vendor platforms and at two field strengths (1.5 T (T) and 3 T) with standard right upper quadrant passive driver placement (frequency of 60 Hz). Two independent reviewers measured spleen stiffness, length, and volume. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests or Mann–Whitney test, and Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation were used.

Results

From 101 study volunteers, 72 (34 female) had measurable splenic stiffness. Median age was 12 years (interquartile range [IQR], 9.9–14.9 years). Mean (± SD) spleen stiffness was 4.7 ± 0.9 kPa (IQR, 3.8–5.4 kPa) with 6.1 kPa reflecting the 95th percentile. Strong correlation was observed between reviewers (ICC = 0.89 [95%CI, 0.71–0.93; P < 0.001]). Male volunteers had slightly higher splenic stiffness compared to females: 4.9 ± 0.9 vs. 4.3 ± 0.8 kPa (P = 0.014). There was significant correlation between spleen stiffness and body mass index (r = 0.33 [95%CI, 0.06–0.56; P = 0.024]) but no other measure of patient size (r = 0.15–0.29). No significant difference in spleen stiffness was observed across vendors (P = 0.089) or field strengths (P = 0.236).

Conclusion

MR elastography–based spleen stiffness, measured as part of a liver MR elastography acquisition, is < 6.1 kPa in a healthy pediatric population and does not vary with MRI vendor or field strength.

Graphical Abstract
Primary diffuse leptomeningeal atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours (ATRT) of childhood: a molecularly characterised case report and literature review
Authors: Stivaros S. M. , Parkes L. M. , Bedir R. , Cheesman E. , Ram D. , Leung L. , Huang A. , Kilday J. P.
Published: January 2025

Background

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours (ATRTs) are malignant central nervous system tumours, typically presenting in the posterior fossa of very young children. Prognosis remains poor despite current therapy, while tumorigenesis implicates both genomic and epigenetic dysregulation. Primary diffuse leptomeningeal (PDL) ATRT, characterised by the absence of an intraparenchymal mass lesion, is seldom reported but appears associated with a dismal outcome.

Case presentation

We describe a 7-year-old male presenting with a PDL MYC-subgroup ATRT. The patient received multimodal upfront therapy, including high-dose craniospinal radiotherapy, embedded within a chemotherapy backbone. An unexpected clinical and radiological improvement was also observed upon cessation of all therapy for presumed disease progression. Although the patient eventually succumbed to the disease at 30 months, he demonstrated the longest survival for any PDL ATRT patient reported (median 8 months).

Conclusion

Exhaustive literature review identified seven preceding published cases of PDL ATRT. Ours is the only one to have molecular subgrouping assigned. Perfusion imaging, within a multi-parametric diagnostic package, may be a sensitive marker for malignancy against other aetiologies in challenging presentations. Acknowledging the scarcity of the entity, we cautiously suggest a combination of chemotherapy and upfront high-dose craniospinal radiotherapy, if appropriate, may prolong survival for older children with PDL ATRT compared to exclusive chemotherapy or focal irradiation-based strategies. Our patient’s recovery during palliation following a radiological diagnosis of disseminated relapse highlights the importance of confirming disease recurrence by tissue extraction where feasible.
Genome size variation and whole-genome duplications in the monocot order Poales
Authors: Winterfeld Grit , Tkach Natalia , Röser Martin
Published: January 2025

Nuclear genome sizes of 54 representative species from 44 genera of the monocot order Poales were investigated by flow cytometry. Small holoploid genomes with < 2 pg/2C are characteristic of the Poales; only some families have larger 2C values, although this is not consistently the case. The sizes of monoploid genomes as well as mean DNA content per chromosome (MC) show a similar pattern. A comparison of the genome size data with current molecular phylogenetic data suggests that small monoploid genomes (1Cx < 0.4 pg) and small chromosomes (MC ≤ 0.05 pg), as found in some families, are likely the ancestral features of the order Poales. Conspicuous increases in genome size occurred particularly in the Poaceae (grasses) and to a lesser extent in the xyrid clade and the Restionaceae. According to previous phylogenomic studies, the Poaceae are characterized by a whole-genome duplication (WGD) called ρ, which is absent in all other Poales families. However, it is clear from the 1Cx values that the ρ event is not, or no longer, associated with a significant increase in the minimum 1Cx genome sizes of grasses compared to other Poales families. Future studies need to clarify whether the smallest 1Cx values in the Poaceae are due to a secondary reduction of the nuclear genome after the ρ event and whether the relatively large minimal 1Cx values of the xyrid clade were caused by a further WGD within Poales.
Efficacy of Ceftazidime-avibactam in treating Gram-negative infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Khoshdel Nahal , Noursalehigarakani Melina , Seghatoleslami Zahra Sadat , Hadavand Fahimeh , Eghbal Elaheh , Nasiri Mohammad Javad , Simula Elena , Ahmed Parnian , Sechi Leonardo Antonio
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) has emerged as a promising treatment option for Gram-negative infections, particularly those caused by CAZ-Non-Susceptible (NS) pathogens. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the efficacy and safety of CAZ-AVI in these challenging infections.

Methods

We systematically queried EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and PubMed/Medline for studies published until September 15, 2024. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) evaluating CAZ-AVI against Gram-negative infections were included. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) for both clinical and microbiological success.

Results

A total of 146 studies were identified through database searches, leading to the inclusion of 17 studies. Among the efficacy studies for Gram-negative pathogens, there was no significant difference in clinical success rates for CAZ-AVI compared to comparators (pooled OR: 0.90, p = 0.22), and a non-significant increase in microbiological success was observed (pooled OR: 1.20, p = 0.41). In contrast, for CAZ-NS pathogens, six studies reported no significant difference in clinical cure rates (pooled OR: 0.77, p = 0.24), while four studies indicated a non-significant increase in microbiological cure rates (pooled OR: 1.83, p < 0.02).

Conclusions

This study suggests that CAZ-AVI is a viable option for treating Gram-negative infections, including CAZ-NS pathogens. While it has shown promising activity against these resistant pathogens, its clinical and microbiological success rates are comparable to other antibiotics in the overall analysis. However, CAZ-AVI may offer an advantage in managing resistant infections. These findings underscore the need to consider CAZ-AVI in treatment guidelines and emphasize the importance of antibiotic stewardship programs to optimize its use and prevent resistance. Ongoing monitoring of resistance patterns and patient outcomes is essential to ensure its long-term efficacy.
Implied dividend bounds in option prices: anatomy of two markets
Authors: Cherubini Umberto , Mulinacci Sabrina
Published: January 2025

We propose a measure of uncertainty of a dividend paying asset based on the cross-section of bid-ask spreads of options. This is the difference between the cheapest synthetic long position of the asset that it is possible to construct using European options and the most expensive short position that can be constructed at the same time for the same maturity. For index and stock option applications this measure can be compared with other direct measures of uncertainty such as the bid-ask spread of the futures market on the underlying or their dividend. It turns out that for index options the measure is tighter than the bid-ask spread of the futures market for maturities longer than the first two futures contracts. The comparison of the measure for individual stock options with dividend futures gives mixed results. Finally, applying a two-tail distortion (2TD) model we find an asymmetric setting of option ask and bid prices with respect to the reference model. Most of the distortion is loaded on the ask call price and bid put prices. This corresponds to asymmetric uncertainty in dividend yield expectations, which put more weight on low dividends.
Under the spotlight: contextualizing the firm vs. industry debate through the introduction of neighborhood effects
Authors: Vedula Siddharth , Fitza Markus , Purkayastha Anish , Ellsaesser Florian
Published: January 2025

The relative importance of firm and industry effects, contrasting resource-based and industrial organization theories, is often discussed in the strategy and international business literature. Several studies indicate that firm effects (i.e., variability in firm-specific internal resources) are the primary drivers of competitive differences between firms. Leveraging insights from several theoretical lenses such as location economics, relational strategy, and institutional theory, we argue that considering the micro-geographic locations (neighborhoods) of firms challenges two implicit but potentially unrealistic assumptions in the firm vs. industry effects academic debate: That (a) firm boundaries are clearly defined, and (b) industry effects are spatially homogenous. We argue that including a neighborhood and neighborhood-industry interaction effect is thus more appropriate to contextualize the classic firm vs. industry debate. We demonstrate that firm effects are much smaller than previously identified (e.g., dropping from 43.9 to 11.5%). Our results thus challenge conventional wisdom and established empirical findings, while adding nuance to the fundamental debate regarding the locus of competitive advantage of firms.
Promoting soft skills in higher engineering education: Assessment of the impact of a teaching methodology based on flipped learning, cooperative work and gamification
Authors: Sanz-Angulo Pedro , Galindo-Melero Jesús , De-Diego-Poncela Santiago , Martín Óscar
Published: January 2025

In the dynamic and complex environment of industrial engineering, soft skills have become fundamental elements to achieve professional success. This work analyzes (i) how industrial engineering students at the University of Valladolid in Spain perceive the effect of a teaching methodology (characterized by a sound and systematic integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in all phases of the teaching–learning process and based on the combination of Flipped Learning, cooperative work and gamification), on the development of their soft skills, and (ii) the relationship between this development of soft skills and academic performance. Voluntary surveys were applied to students of seven engineering degrees during four academic years. Data collected have been analyzed by means of graphical and statistical techniques to obtain a deep and rigorous understanding of the impact of teaching methodology. The results show a positive perception by students of the effect of teaching methodology. It is not only a motivating element that improves participation but, moreover, students perceive that it significantly contributes to the development and enhancement of skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking and the effective use of ICT. In addition, the positive influence of these competencies on academic performance was evidenced. This work identifies several key aspects related to the results obtained: (i) the synergies achieved by combining Flipped Learning with cooperative work and gamification; (ii) the importance of face-to-face activities and encouraging students' active participation; (iii) the outstanding effect of the appropriate integration of ICT on the results; (iv) the adaptation of teaching to the needs of each group of students; and (v) the fundamental role of monitoring and continuous improvement of methodology as pillars to guarantee its long-term effectiveness and to overcome any challenges that may arise.
Social aspects in the pathway towards the closure of a dumpsite: the case of Ngong (Kenya)
Authors: Villa Francesca , Dias Sonia Maria , Masese Jane Bosibori Oteki , Sitoki Lewis , Miheso Duncan , Grosso Mario
Published: January 2025

Dumpsites are a common way for waste disposal around the world. Since their impact is not controlled, they represent a threat to the public health and to the environment, being a source of pollutants and greenhouse gases. The dumpsite of Ngong (Kajiado County, Kenya) has been addressed since years as a serious issue affecting the surrounding community. A project for its closure and the establishment of a new facility for waste treatment was elaborated in 2017, and recently the conversion of the dumpsite in a park has been proposed by the local authorities. Nonetheless, the framework appears still complex from the environmental, economic and social points of view: any intervention is expected to raise challenges for the municipal solid waste management (MSWM) system in place, which involves many stakeholders, including informal workers of the dumpsite. After presenting a general overview on the MSWM system in place at the time, this paper presents the results of the social assessment (SA) carried out in 2018, where some of the criticalities encountered by the local authorities at a later time were already predicted. In the opinion of the authors, the importance of qualitative and sociological research within a technological project is highlighted by the results of the SA, and the shared methodology can be helpful for practitioners on the field, whose support will enhance the capacity of stakeholders to deal successfully with challenges related to waste management.
Co-creation in higher education: a conceptual systematic review
Authors: Omland Maren , Hontvedt Magnus , Siddiq Fazilat , Amundrud Anja , Hermansen Hege , Mathisen Maiken A. S. , Rudningen Gudrun , Reiersen Frederik
Published: January 2025

Co-creation constitutes a novel pedagogical approach for enhancing teaching and learning in higher education. When students and staff collaborate to improve curriculum, pedagogical resources, and the development of students’ roles as peer-mentors or teaching assistants, it has led to increased learning outcomes, more inclusive practices, empowered students, and improved relationships between students and staff. In this conceptual systematic review of 222 research articles, we investigate characteristics of research on co-creation and analyse how the interactions constituting co-creation have been conceptualised. We identified dialogue, positioning, agency, and voice as core concepts describing co-creational interactions. These concepts are highly interconnected and were examined both as products of co-creation and as vital elements for co-creation to be productive. Based on these findings, we developed an analytical framework serving (a) to inform analyses of co-creational interaction and (b) as a model for educators designing co-creational activities. We further contribute to the theoretical underpinning of co-creation by discussing how dialogic theories can inform investigations of co-creational interactions in future research. We argue that there is a range of research questions related to the interactions constituting co-creation that are not sufficiently investigated. We suggest that future research should be directed towards observational studies of these interactions to develop knowledge on how educators can interact inclusively with students, fostering agency and positioning students as significant contributors to educational processes in higher education.
Caves of Fortune? Gendered Labour Precarity and Securitisation Involving the ‘Wild’ Edible Birds’ Nest Trade in Kapuas Hulu, Indonesia
Authors: Dunphy Mia B. , Toumbourou Tessa D. , Dressler Wolfram H. , Hasudungan Albert , Utomo Ariane
Published: January 2025

Harvesting edible birds’ nests (EBN) produced by swiftlets from caves and purpose-built dwellings has generated a new high-value, non-timber forest product-based livelihood for rural smallholders across Indonesia. Drawing on extended fieldwork, we explore the gendered labour and livelihood outcomes for households transitioning from EBN cave harvesting to domestication in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Following calls from feminist political ecology, we investigate the more visible ‘men’s work’ associated with EBN access and labour and highlight women’s pivotal, yet often overlooked, role in managing the associated household incomes and land-based livelihoods. We show how the increasing demand for ‘wild’ EBN drove significant changes in the ownership rights of caves in the region, securitisation and scarcity of the nests, and the rise in precarious labour conditions. The increasing demand for ‘wild’ EBN has intensified extraction and securitisation of caves and nests, and the precarity of work for Dayak men working as cave guards and harvesters. In response, many Dayak women—who receive and manage their husbands’ salaries—saved to scale up their household’s EBN production using purpose-built swiftlet farmhouses. Both spouses’ labour contributions were integral to securing a sustained source of income through the EBN trade, enabling income diversification and a more hopeful future for rural households.
Reclaiming Agency: a Community-Based Model for Women Overcoming Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Ben-Porat Anat , Lir Shlomit Aharoni
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Although shelters represent a primary instrument for governmental intervention in the worldwide endeavor to aid women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), an alternative approach to assist such women involves establishing community-based programs. In this qualitative study, we examined an Israeli pilot of a community-based program offering professional support to women survivors of IPV, using an empowerment model. Questions regarding whether and how the program helped the participants leave the cycle of violence, and whether the program met their needs, were explored.

Methods

The study was based on two focus group meetings with 21 women who participated in the program and shared their experiences, four months into the program and one year after its initiation.

Results

The findings resulted in the conceptualization of a five-stage model: Name, Trust, Learn, Reclaim, and Maintain. The model stages mirror the process through which the women, empowered by the intervention, regained control over their lives.

Conclusions

The study offers an effective intervention that can be applied to women IPV survivors who need assistance in the community, and emphasizes the need for a variety of programs for this population in accordance with their different needs.
Existence of Long-Range Order in Random-Field Ising Model on Dyson Hierarchical Lattice
Authors: Okuyama Manaka , Ohzeki Masayuki
Published: January 2025

We study the random-field Ising model on a Dyson hierarchical lattice, where the interactions decay in a power-law-like form,

$$J(r)\sim r^{-\alpha }$$

J

(
r
)

∼

r

-
α

, with respect to the distance. Without a random field, the Ising model on the Dyson hierarchical lattice has a long-range order at finite low temperatures when

$$1<\alpha <2$$

1
<
α
<
2

. In this study, for

$$1<\alpha <3/2$$

1
<
α
<
3
/
2

, we rigorously prove that there is a long-range order in the random-field Ising model on the Dyson hierarchical lattice at finite low temperatures, including zero temperature, when the strength of the random field is sufficiently small but nonzero. Our proof is based on Dyson’s method for the case without a random field, and the concentration inequalities in probability theory enable us to evaluate the effect of a random field.
Item-Level Analysis of Category Fluency Test Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies of Normal and Neurologically Abnormal Ageing
Authors: De Marco Matteo , Wright Laura M. , Makovac Elena
Published: January 2025

While Category Fluency (CF) is widely used to help profile semantic memory, item-level scoring (ILS) approaches to this test have been proposed to obtain indices that are less influenced by non-semantic supportive functions. We systematically reviewed the literature to test the hypotheses that (1) compared with healthy adults, individuals with a clinical diagnosis suggestive of neurodegeneration generate words of lower semantic complexity; (2) compared with young adults, older adults generate words of higher semantic complexity. We searched six databases (date of search: 8 December 2023) for studies that relied on CF and ILS methods, in normal ageing and in age-associated neurodegeneration. Thirty-four studies were shortlisted: 27 on neurodegenerative conditions; 7 on normal ageing. Risk of bias was evaluated via a published checklist. Data were presented via qualitative synthesis. Most studies reported words of lower semantic complexity in relation to at least one item-level feature in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), and other neurodegenerative diseases. Post-hoc meta-analyses focussing on the MCI/AD continuum confirmed an effect on words’ frequency (385 MCI/AD individuals and 350 controls; Hedges’s G = 0.59) and age-of-acquisition (193 MCI/AD individuals and 161 controls; Hedges’s G =  − 1.51). Studies on normal ageing, conversely, failed to demonstrate any overall effect. Most studies on MCI and AD have not relied on neurobiological diagnostic criteria. Moreover, only a small number of studies analysed ILS controlling for quantitative CF performance. Despite these two limitations, this study suggests that ILS can contribute to an in-depth characterisation of semantic memory in neurological ageing.
Dynamics of Contaminant Flow Through Porous Media Containing Random Adsorbers
Authors: Pettersson Kaj , Nordlander Albin , Sasic Kalagasidis Angela , Modin Oskar , Maggiolo Dario
Published: January 2025

Many porous media are mixtures of inert and reactive materials, manifesting spatio-chemical heterogeneity. We study the evolution of scalar transport in a chemically heterogeneous material that mimics a green roof soil substrate, fractionally composed of inert and reactive adsorbing particles. These adsorbing particles are equivalent to biochar within a real soil substrate. The scalar transport evolution is determined using experiments and simulations calibrated from experimental data. Experiment 1 is used to determine the equilibrium capacity and adsorption rate of two biochar types when immersed in a methylene blue solution. Breakthrough curves of a packed bed of glass beads with randomly interspersed biochar are determined in experiment 2. Simulations are then run to investigate the solute transport and adsorption dynamics at the pore-scale. An analytical model is proposed to capture the behavior of the biochar adsorption capacity, and the simulation results are compared with experiment 2. A pore-scale analysis showed that uniformly sized beds are superior in contaminant breakthrough reduction, which is related to the adsorptive surface area and the rate at which adsorption capacity is reached. Cases using the adsorption capacity model display a tight distribution of particle surface concentration at later simulation times, indicating maximum possible adsorption. The beds with dissimilar particle sizes create more channeling effects which reduce adsorptive particle efficiency and consequently higher breakthrough concentration profiles. Comparison between experiments and simulations show good agreement. Improved biochar performance can be achieved by maintaining particle size uniformity alongside high adsorption capacity and adsorption rates appropriate to the rainfall intensity.
Tyre rubber exposure causes oxidative stress and intracellular damage in the Baltic clam (Macoma balthica)
Authors: Näkki Pinja , Ahvo Aino , Turja Raisa , Sainio Erika , Koistinen Arto , Hartikainen Samuel , Peräniemi Sirpa , Stankevičiūtė Milda , Pažusienė Janina , Lehtonen Kari K. , Setälä Outi , Lehtiniemi Maiju
Published: January 2025

Car tyres are considered to release a substantial amount of particles to the environment. Due to the high emission volumes and the chemical risks associated with tyre rubber, there is an urgent need to quantify their ecotoxicological effects. The effects of exposure to particles derived from end-of-life tyres were investigated on the Baltic clam (Macoma balthica), which is one of the key invertebrate species living in the soft-bottom sediments of the northern Baltic Sea. Tyre rubber particles (10–188 µm) were added to the aquaria in an environmentally relevant concentration (1.08 g per kg dry sediment), and the clams had either direct or indirect contact to the particles for 5 and 29 days. The effects of exposure were studied by applying a battery of biomarkers and cell ultrastructure examination of clam tissues, and the concentrations of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace metals originating from tyre rubber were quantified from the exposure water and clam tissues. The exposure did not affect the mortality of the clams but induced multiple sublethal responses, including an elevated glutathione S-transferase activity, a reduction in the activity of superoxide dismutase, and increased oxygen radical absorbance capacity during the prolonged exposure. Macromolecular damage was indicated by elevated cytogenetic damage and ultrastructural changes in mitochondria and lysosomes. The results demonstrate the potential of environmentally relevant concentrations of tyre rubber particles to disturb the health of marine biota and underline their importance as a yet understudied environmental contaminant.
Possibilities of native endophytic fungi as entomopathogenic biocontrol agents at a local scale: the case of deciduous and non-deciduous Mediterranean forest trees
Authors: Benito-Delgado Álvaro , Diez-Hermano Sergio , Diez Julio Javier
Published: January 2025

Tree endophytic fungi play an important role in reducing insect herbivory, either by repelling them or killing them directly. Identifying which fungi show such activity could lead to new environmentally friendly pesticides. In this study, the Mediterranean basin climate conditions are projected to harshen in the next decades, will increase vulnerability of tree species to pest invasions. Endophytic fungi were isolated from wood and leaves of Quercus pyrenaica, Q. ilex and Q. suber and tested for virulence against adults of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor L. using a direct contact method. Only 3 of 111 sporulating isolates had entomopathogenic activity, all identified as Lecanicillium lecanii. The pathogenicity of L. lecanii on T. molitor resulted in a median lethal time (TL50) of 14–16 d. Compared with commercial products, L. lecanii caused faster insect death than the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (no effect on T. molitor survival), and slower than Beauveria bassiana (TL50 = 5), Beauveria pseudobassiana (TL50 = 8d) and Bacillus thuriengensis (80% mortality first day after inoculation). Mortality was also accelerated under water stress, reducing TL50 by an additional 33%. Remarkably, water stress alone had a comparable effect on mortality to that of L. lecanii isolates. This study confirms T. molitor as a good model insect for pathogenicity testing and agrees with management policies proposed in the EU Green Deal.

Graphical abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) for good? Enabling organizational change towards sustainability
Authors: Schwaeke Julia , Gerlich Carolin , Nguyen Hong Linh , Kanbach Dominik K. , Gast Johanna
Published: January 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being recognized as a critical tool when it comes to addressing the most pressing challenges facing modern industries, including the pursuit of sustainability. The use of AI is aiding businesses in navigating corporate sustainability challenges, but existing research lacks a comprehensive exploration of how corporations leverage AI to boost their sustainability. By exploiting an inductive concept-development approach and incorporating data from 24 companies, this study provides valuable insights into the role that AI plays in shaping organizational sustainability strategies, identifying operational enablement and technical capacity as key drivers of AI adoption for corporate sustainability. These drivers are incorporated into the technology, organization, and environment (TOE) framework alongside the strategic steps and capabilities necessary for organizations to effectively adopt and implement AI in the development of their sustainability strategies. Ultimately, this study proposes an integrative model for sustainability-oriented AI adoption that emphasizes the importance of aligning AI initiatives with organizations’ sustainability objectives in order to maintain a competitive advantage and drive progress. Correspondingly, it underscores the need for robust data management, system integration, and continual performance monitoring to reduce resistance to AI adoption allowing for the potential of AI to be fully harnessed in pursuit of sustainability. Furthermore, this study offers practical guidance by exploring the direct and indirect use cases of AI in corporate sustainability. The study concludes by highlighting potential avenues for future research in this evolving field.
Filipino Migrant and Returnee Nurses Resisting and Adapting to the Pressures of Becoming “Ideal Migrants”
Authors: Spiliopoulos Georgia , Cuban Sondra
Published: January 2025

This paper scrutinizes the desirability and feasibility of return migration for Filipino male and female nurses, while considering “turning points”, factors such as natural disasters, here supertyphoon “Yolanda” or “Haiyan”, and/or family crises and changes in the family structure, which affect the migration trajectory. The Philippines has a long history of outward migration, more recently of female workers employed in the healthcare and domestic sectors: this longstanding phenomenon being encouraged by a “sophisticated infrastructure” which expects surplus workers to become “ideal migrants” — that is, compliant and aspirational. We take an intersectionality approach, considering gender, race, ethnicity, and other social divisions which place migrant and returnee nurses in (dis)advantageous positions, in order to explore the nurses’ own strategies of resistance and adaptation towards becoming “ideal” workers and sustaining the “ideal migrant” trajectory of upward social mobility. While the participants of this study had varied reactions towards the feasibility of permanent return, this paper offers policy recommendations on supporting the reintegration of returnee migrant nurses, providing a more nuanced understanding of circular and return nurse migration, and that of nurses’ negotiations and agency towards navigating their own and others’ expectations of being “ideal” migrants.
The link between bullying victimization and mental well-being: Self-compassion and emotional flexibility as mediators among adolescents
Authors: İme Yakup
Published: January 2025

Bullying victimization poses a potential threat to the mental well-being of adolescents. Existing literature indicates correlations between bullying victimization, self-compassion, emotional flexibility, and mental well-being. However, further exploration of these connections is warranted. This study seeks to investigate the mediating roles of self-compassion and emotional flexibility in the association between bullying victimization and mental well-being among adolescents. The study involved 1120 high school adolescents, comprising 669 boys (59.7%) and 451 girls (40.3%). The results indicated a significant negative relationship between bullying victimization and mental well-being. Moreover, self-compassion and emotional flexibility were found to mediate the relationship between bullying victimization and mental well-being. These mediation roles imply that self-compassion and emotional flexibility may act as buffering mechanisms. Mental well-being levels of adolescents exposed to bullying victimization decrease. On the other hand, self-compassion and emotional flexibility may increase adolescents’ mental well-being. Developing self-compassion and emotional flexibility skills in adolescents exposed to bullying can be effective intervention methods for improving their mental well-being.
Investigating stone materials from some European cultural heritage sites for predicting future decay
Authors: Coletti Chiara , Antonelli Fabrizio , Germinario Luigi , Maritan Lara , Piovesan Rebecca , Tesser Elena , Mazzoli Claudio
Published: January 2025

The preservation of Europe’s stone-built heritage is crucial for safeguarding our cultural legacy. This study investigates twelve distinct stones used in historical monuments across Italy, Spain, Greece, and Norway, including marbles (Carrara and Macael), limestones (Botticino, Red Verona, Costozza, Istrian, Sfouggaria, Santa Pudia), a carbonate-dominated sandstone (Lartios), volcanic rocks (Euganean trachyte and Tønsberg latite), and an intrusive igneous rock (Tønsbergite). Through comprehensive analysis of mineralogical composition, porosity, water interactions, and accelerated ageing tests, this research establishes a framework for assessing these materials susceptibility to decay mechanisms. The results demonstrate significant variability in durability and decay response among the stone types, primarily determined by pore abundance and distribution. This study enhances the understanding of stone materials behaviour under stressed conditions, offering valuable insights for mitigating future decay processes and protecting European cultural heritage. The stones examined were chosen for their significant presence at the four pilot sites of the European Hyperion project: Venice (Italy), Granada (Spain), Rhodes (Greece), and Tønsberg (Norway).

Graphic abstract
Vision-language model-based human-robot collaboration for smart manufacturing: A state-of-the-art survey
Authors: Fan Junming , Yin Yue , Wang Tian , Dong Wenhang , Zheng Pai , Wang Lihui
Published: January 2025

human-robot collaboration (HRC) is set to transform the manufacturing paradigm by leveraging the strengths of human flexibility and robot precision. The recent breakthrough of Large Language Models (LLMs) and Vision-Language Models (VLMs) has motivated the preliminary explorations and adoptions of these models in the smart manufacturing field. However, despite the considerable amount of effort, existing research mainly focused on individual components without a comprehensive perspective to address the full potential of VLMs, especially for HRC in smart manufacturing scenarios. To fill the gap, this work offers a systematic review of the latest advancements and applications of VLMs in HRC for smart manufacturing, which covers the fundamental architectures and pretraining methodologies of LLMs and VLMs, their applications in robotic task planning, navigation, and manipulation, and role in enhancing human–robot skill transfer through multimodal data integration. Lastly, the paper discusses current limitations and future research directions in VLM-based HRC, highlighting the trend in fully realizing the potential of these technologies for smart manufacturing.
Organic Phosphorus in the Terrestrial Environment: an Update on Current Research and Future Directions
Authors: Lucas Emileigh R. , Nguyen Nhiem D. , Celi Luisella , Condron Leo M. , Fraser Tandra D. , George Timothy S. , de La Luz Mora María , Raymond Nelly S.
Published: January 2025

In 2016, a group of experts convened to set priorities for organic phosphorus (P) research, addressing global issues, methodological strengths and weaknesses, and the benefits of understanding the organic P cycle. Seven years later, scientists and students with an interest in organic P reconvened to discuss progress and new insights, and this review highlights recent major research updates. Interest in organic P research has increased since 2016, and new priorities have emerged, including the impact of climate change on organic P, the influence of geopolitical crises on P supplies, and the adoption of sustainable practices like regenerative agriculture. Climate change was a central theme in the 2023 discussions, with an increased emphasis on integrating P and especially organic P into climate change research, which has traditionally focused more on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). The discussions highlighted disparities in accessing analytical equipment globally, and its consequent impact on research quality and scope. To address these issues, coordinated efforts involving the research community, government policies, and international cooperation are needed, much the same as we see with the climate and biodiversity crises. Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, investing in soil health, and enhancing education and extension services are crucial. Future research should focus on standardizing analytical methods, integrating nutrient balance into models, and exploring soil-microbiome-plant interactions. Regular and intedisciplinary workshops, social media engagement, and the establishment of research networks are recommended to maintain momentum in organic P research. Raising public and stakeholder awareness about the importance of organic P is essential for advancing knowledge in this area.
Bioethical and critical consciousness in clinical translational neuroscience
Authors: Fang Angela , Anderson Riana Elyse , Carter Sierra , Eckstrand Kristen , Hsu Kean J. , Jones Shawn , Kryza-Lacombe Maria , Peckham Andrew , Siegle Greg J. , Uddin Lucina Q. , Weierich Mariann , Woody Mary L. , Illes Judy
Published: January 2025

Clinical translational neuroscience (CTN) is positioned to generate novel discoveries for advancing treatments for mental health disorders, but it is held back today by the siloing of bioethical considerations from critical consciousness. In this article, we suggest that bioethical and critical consciousness can be paired to intersect with structures of power within which science and clinical practice are conducted. We examine barriers to the adoption of neuroscience findings in mental health from this perspective, especially in the context of current collective attention to widespread disparities in the access to and outcomes of mental health services, lack of representation of marginalized populations in the relevant sectors of the workforce, and the importance of knowledge that draws upon multicultural perspectives. We provide 10 actionable solutions to confront these barriers in CTN research, as informed by existing frameworks such as structural competency, adaptive calibration models, and community-based participatory research. By integrating critical consciousness with bioethical considerations, we believe that practitioners will be better positioned to benefit from cutting-edge research in the biological and social sciences than in the past, alert to biases and equipped to mitigate them, and poised to shepherd in a robust generation of future translational therapies and practitioners.
Collaborating with and enabling diverse communities to address health inequities: The experiences of a community engagement and outreach team
Authors: Serafica Reimund , Evangelista Lorraine S. , Ward Tony , Peterson Jeffery , Guerrero Lopez Joseph , Lucero Julie , Erdei Esther , Braun Kathryn L. , Bersamin Andrea , Thomas Jenifer , Wulfhorst J.D. , Jorcyk Cheryl , Palacios Rebecca , Owens-Manley Judith , Fore Elizabeth , Bertagnolli Ann , Bellon Chelsea , Sy Francisco S.
Published: January 2025

The Mountain West Clinical and Translational Infrastructure Network Community Engagement and Outreach (CEO) Core has fostered academic-community engagement since 2018. States historically receiving lower levels of NIH funding are characterized by significantly higher proportions of rural and remote populations, as well as uniquely elevated percentages of Native American/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations compared to most other states. This case study highlights the Core’s efforts in advancing community-engaged research. Key initiatives included forming a CEO Core Steering Committee to recruit interdisciplinary investigators, establishing regional community advisory boards to identify research priorities, and creating a Resource Library and Training Portal for stakeholders. The Core also collaborated with other Cores to provide training, mentorship, and funding for community-engaged research. Despite these achievements, geographical and cultural diversity presented engagement challenges. Regular meetings between investigators and stakeholders ensured bidirectional communication and aligned goals. The Core transformed transactional engagement into meaningful collaboration, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary teams who understand community needs. Future goals include training academic teams, clinical providers, and community members, empowering early-stage investigators to share findings with partners, leveraging health records for research, and developing strategies to protect investigators’ time.
Time series predictions in unmonitored sites: a survey of machine learning techniques in water resources
Authors: Willard Jared D. , Varadharajan Charuleka , Jia Xiaowei , Kumar Vipin
Published: January 2025

Prediction of dynamic environmental variables in unmonitored sites remains a long-standing challenge for water resources science. The majority of the world’s freshwater resources have inadequate monitoring of critical environmental variables needed for management. Yet, the need to have widespread predictions of hydrological variables such as river flow and water quality has become increasingly urgent due to climate and land use change over the past decades, and their associated impacts on water resources. Modern machine learning methods increasingly outperform their process-based and empirical model counterparts for hydrologic time series prediction with their ability to extract information from large, diverse data sets. We review relevant state-of-the art applications of machine learning for streamflow, water quality, and other water resources prediction and discuss opportunities to improve the use of machine learning with emerging methods for incorporating watershed characteristics and process knowledge into classical, deep learning, and transfer learning methodologies. The analysis here suggests most prior efforts have been focused on deep learning frameworks built on many sites for predictions at daily time scales in the United States, but that comparisons between different classes of machine learning methods are few and inadequate. We identify several open questions for time series predictions in unmonitored sites that include incorporating dynamic inputs and site characteristics, mechanistic understanding and spatial context, and explainable AI techniques in modern machine learning frameworks.