bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ramsey interferometry of nuclear spins in diamond using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage
Authors: Lourette Sean , Jarmola Andrey , Chathanathil Jabir , Carrasco Sebastián C , Budker Dmitry , Malinovskaya Svetlana A , Birdwell A Glen , Ivanov Tony G , Malinovsky Vladimir S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
We report the first experimental demonstration of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) in nuclear-spin transitions of 14N within nitrogen-vacancy color centers in diamond. It is shown that the STIRAP technique suppresses the occupation of the intermediate state, which is a crucial factor for improvements in quantum sensing technology. Building on that advantage, we develop and implement a generalized version of the Ramsey interferometric scheme, employing half-STIRAP pulses to perform the necessary quantum-state manipulation with high fidelity. The enhanced robustness of the STIRAP-based Ramsey scheme to variations in the pulse parameters is experimentally demonstrated, showing good agreement with theoretical predictions. Our results pave the way for improving the long-term stability of diamond-based sensors, such as gyroscopes and frequency standards.
Spatio-temporal trends in the frost regime reveal late frost exposure to white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) persists in northeastern America
Authors: Marquis Benjamin , Lamara Mebarek , Roy Alexandre , Rossi Sergio , Bergeron Yves , Godbout Julie , Aubin Isabelle , Perron Martin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The characteristics of the frost regime (intensity, frequency, and timing) contribute to shaping tree species adaptations and distribution as well as ecosystem productivity and functions. However, climate change increases the variability in extreme events; therefore, the different characteristics of the frost regime may diverge under climate change. Using the BioSim 11 software, we simulated daily air temperature at 512 locations over northeastern North America between 1901–2021 to determine how the spatio-temporal trends in the frost regime varied over this complex landscape and if spatio-temporal trends in extreme climatic events such as frosts are stronger compared to changes in aggregated climate variables such as mean annual air temperature and growing degree-days. We also used an eco-physiological model to conduct a case study focussing on white spruce to determine if trees are currently more exposed to growing season frosts than they were in the past by modelling the timings of budburst using the thermal time model. Our results showed that, at 67% of locations (343 locations), the day of the year of the last frost in spring (minimum daily air temperature<0 °C) occurred, on average, earlier by seven days during 2001–2021 compared to 1901–1920, whereas it occurred, on average, later by four days at 33% of locations (169 locations). The average temporal trends in frost occurrence were similar in magnitude to the average trends in aggregated climate variables; however, their variances were larger compared to the aggregated climate metrics, showing that the frost regime does not change uniformly throughout our study area. Our case study also revealed that white spruce remains exposed to late frosts of low and intermediate intensities (minimum daily air temperature <0; <−2 °C) compared to the past but exposure to high-intensity frosts (minimum daily air temperature <−4 °C) is rare. Since extreme events such as late frosts diverge in their response to climate change compared to aggregated climate variables, the mean annual temperature is not sufficient to predict how climate change will impact ecosystems through frost regimes.
Geometry
Authors: Danesi Marcel 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Requiring a blend of logic and spatial imagination, Alcuin’s six problems in geometry—numbers 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 in the Propositiones—put on display what mathematical thinking involves in its essence. This chapter looks at these problems in the light of the kinds of notions and methods they entail, and the type of thinking processes required to solve them. It also discusses the importance of notions such as the Pythagorean theorem, figurate numbers, and triangular numbers. It looks as well at the nature of proof, illustrated by a well-known early proof for π in the Egyptian Rhind Papyrus, and at the implications of Fermat’s Last Theorem. The geometrical problems in Alcuin’s text would have been truly challenging for his medieval readers, some of which require “outside-the-box” thinking, as it is called today. In Alcuin’s era, geometry was seen to constitute the starting point for a theoretical study of mathematics, since it involved mastering the methods of proof established by Euclid and other ancient mathematicians.
Algebra
Authors: Danesi Marcel 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Among Alcuin’s 53 problems in his Propositiones there are a series of “story problems,” as they are called today—numbers 2, 3, 4, 7, 16, 36, 37, 40, 44, 45, and 48—involving basic algebraic thinking. The problems are solved nowadays by setting up an equation or system of equations; but in Alcuin’s era, there was no formal algebra as such. These problems nevertheless put on display what algebra is essentially all about—thinking about problems in abstract ways, rather than concretely in arithmetical ways. This chapter deals with Alcuin’s story problems, examining a few other famous ones, such as the well-known story problem devised by Sir Isaac Newton. It also schematically discusses the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra and its basis in complex numbers. Alcuin’s inclusion of algebraic problems in his text showed to his medieval readers that the topic of equations was not the daunting one that his readers might have thought it was. The main difference between carrying out an operation arithmetically and doing so algebraically lies in thinking about the operation in general rather than in specific numerical terms.
Diophantine Problems
Authors: Danesi Marcel 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Solving Diophantine problems involves considering fewer equations than unknowns. The challenge is to figure out the whole numbers that solve all equations simultaneously. There are seven such problems in Alcuin’s Propositiones—numbers 5, 32, 33, 34, 38, 39, and 47. This chapter deals with these problems and the kind of mathematical thinking that they encompass, as well as the kinds of implications they have had for methods of solving equations, including quadratic equations, and for grasping the nature of functions. It is not known if Alcuin had read Diophantus’s Arithmetica, from where such problems originate, but it is clear that he understood the implications that they had for acquiring mathematical skills. Solving Diophantine problems requires acumen and persistence. Alcuin likely included them in his text to challenge his students to think outside the box, thus emphasizing that mathematics requires not only logical thinking but also a large amount of imagination.
Measurement
Authors: Danesi Marcel 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Seven of the problems in Alcuin’s Propositiones involve measurement—numbers 8, 9, 10, 12, 30, 31, and 51. This chapter deals with these problems and their implications. Using mathematics to generalize practical measurement problems has always been a central part of the applications of the discipline. However, there is one problem, number 51, involving pouring liquid from one container to another, that appears for the first time in Alcuin’s text. As such, it became, thereafter, a staple of recreational mathematics. Two famous descendants discussed in this chapter are the ones by Nicolas Chuquet and Lewis Carroll. The general implications of Alcuin’s Problem 12, moreover, have been examined by various mathematicians, since it bears within it a particular sequence structure, now known as “Alcuin’s Sequence.”
Luther’s “German Hour”
Authors: Hayden-Roy Patrick 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The German Protestant church greeted the ascension of Hitler to the position of Chancellor in January 1933 and the seizure of authority that ensued with broad acclamation. In this environment, Protestant authors deployed Luther to affirm the “positive Christianity” of the new regime. Though the year would be full of complexities in terms of the church’s relationship to the new order, Luther was for the most part represented as embracing the new völkisch German state, and providing justification for the dismantling of German democracy and the introduction of an authoritarian system of rule. The chapter considers, in particular, the four-hundred-fiftieth anniversary celebrations of Luther’s birth, and the fulsome rhetorical celebrations of Hitler and the new regime by Paul Althaus and others that were part of the outpouring of literature, addresses, and public ceremonies. It examines as well the dissent that emerged in some quarters of the church, in particular from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Karl Barth, and the emerging Confessional Church movement, who also drew upon Luther to articulate a critique of the new regime’s racial nationalist cultural politics.
Luther [and] der Führer
Authors: Hayden-Roy Patrick 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Chapter 6 portrays the many ways in which Luther was framed in comparison with Hitler, and how this pairing of the two provided a seemingly providential legitimacy for Hitler’s cult of rulership. In this literature, both Luther and Hitler are styled as Führer of the German Volk, each seen to affirm the other’s status as divinely authorized leaders, suggesting the symbiosis between Luther’s ideal of faith and Hitler’s ideal of political and social revival. The chapter highlights how this pairing of the two figures came not from the regime, but from authors within the mainstream of the church and academia, suggesting how much the church’s relationship with the regime was driven by the desire to affirm the regime’s purposes, and, in so doing, providing evidence of Protestant Christianity’s elective affinity with their leader and his movement.
Education, health-based selection, and the widening mortality gap between Americans with and without a four-year college degree
Authors: Case Anne , Deaton Angus 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Background: Gaps in life expectancy between Americans with and without a college degree have widened markedly over the past three decades. One explanation points to increasing educational attainment changing the type of people with and without a degree. If pre-existing health in the two education groups changes as the fraction with a degree changes, health selection might explain the widening mortality gap. Methods: We examine this explanation using (a) education and mortality in each birth cohort of men and women from 1940 to 1988, and (b) the natural experiment caused by the Vietnam War, which increased the fractions of men with a degree in affected birth cohorts. For each cohort, we examine the relationship between the mortality gap and the fraction with a degree. Results: We find no relationship between the fraction of a birth cohort with a degree and the corresponding mortality gap. For men, the large increase in college going spurred by Vietnam has no perceptible counterpart in the mortality gap. Conclusion: The evidence from the natural experiment induced by the Vietnam War does not support a health-selection explanation for the widening mortality gap.
Addressing bias due to measurement error of an outcome with unknown sensitivity in database epidemiological studies
Authors: Limoncella Giorgio , Grilli Leonardo , Dreassi Emanuela , Rampichini Carla , Platt Robert , Gini Rosa 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
In epidemiological database studies, the occurrence of an event is measured with error through an indicator whose specificity is often maximised, at the expense of sensitivity. However, if the indicator has low sensitivity, measures of occurrence are underestimated. In association studies, risk difference is biased, and risk ratio may be biased as well, in either direction, if the sensitivity is differential across exposure groups. In this work, we show that if an auxiliary screening indicator can be defined to complement the main indicator, estimates of the positive predictive value of both indicators provide tools to estimate the sensitivity of the primary indicator, or a lower bound thereof. This mitigates bias in estimating the number of cases, prevalence, cumulative incidence, rate (particularly when the event is rare), and in association studies, risk ratio and risk difference. They also allow testing for non-differential sensitivity. While direct estimation of sensitivity is often infeasible, this novel methodology improves evidence based on data obtained from re-use of existing databases, which may prove critical for regulatory and public health decisions.
Nonsurgical Medical Aesthetics and Patient Quality of Life: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Hemsworth Barbara , Hemsworth Cody , Richmond Sarah A 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Nonsurgical cosmetic facial procedures have become popular treatment options for individuals seeking aesthetic improvements. Despite a breadth of literature on patient satisfaction with treatment outcomes, there is a lack of information specific to changes in quality of life outcomes. The objective of this umbrella review is to report the effectiveness of nonsurgical facial aesthetic treatments on reported quality of life in cosmetic treatment–seeking patients. The authors also aim to identify gaps in the literature on measures of quality of life outside of patient satisfaction. The authors completed a comprehensive, systematic search of review articles across 6 databases, including Medline, CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, APA PsycINFO, Cochrane Reviews, and Google Scholar. They included review-level studies that examine the changes in quality of life measures following treatment. A critical appraisal was completed for each review article included. A total of 7 reviews were included. One review was of strong quality, 2 moderate, and 4 were weak. Several nonsurgical procedures were evaluated across reviews, including injectable neurotoxins, dermal fillers, and laser skin resurfacing. The majority of included studies reported increases in measures of quality of life, posttreatment in the same patient or compared with controls. The most commonly reported measure was psychological well-being, followed by self-perception. There was a lack of measures outside of improvements to aesthetics, including those specific to mental health (eg, depression). Overall, based on the studies on nonsurgical treatments, the authors report increases in overall quality of life. This conclusion should be interpreted with caution, as the majority of reviews included were of moderate-to-weak quality. A major gap in this literature includes mental health outcomes. Future research should focus on increasing the rigor of reporting for systematic reviews.

Level of Evidence: 2 (Risk)
An updated systematic review of the risk factors for unplanned dialysis initiation
Authors: Magadi Winnie , Birnie Kate , Santhakumaran Shalini , Caskey Fergus J , Ben-Shlomo Yoav 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Background
Previously, a comprehensive review of the risk factors for unplanned dialysis initiation (UDI) was conducted by Hassan et al. (2019), based on studies published up to the end of 2017. They demonstrated that high-quality data and well-designed studies on the subject are lacking. Thus we updated their review to establish the modifiable factors associated with UDI.

Methods
MEDLINE and Embase were searched from January 2018 to August 2023. Following several rounds of screening, we identified 17 international studies (the majority of which were based in Europe) that met the eligibility criteria.

Results
Many of the included studies were well designed, utilised large datasets and adopted properly adjusted analyses to examine associations between patient characteristics and UDI. Definitions of UDI varied across studies, i.e. timeliness of presentation, vascular access type, initiating dialysis as an inpatient/outpatient or for life-threatening indications. The most common risk factors reported were cardiovascular disease, older age, lower body mass index, cause of kidney disease, cancer, diabetes, lower serum albumin, faster decline in kidney function and fewer number of nephrology visits prior to dialysis start. These were in line with those reported by Hassan et al., however, our updated review revealed several other important predictors of UDI, e.g. worse coding of chronic kidney disease in the general practitioner health record, lower health literacy and having acute kidney injury.

Conclusions
Our review provides new insights into reasons why people start dialysis in an unplanned manner, many of which are modifiable, thus contributing to efforts in reducing the rate of UDI.
Initiating systemic capacity development for leadership from the bottom-up: a realist evaluation of a leadership innovation in a South African health district
Authors: Orgill Marsha , Marchal Bruno , Harris Bronwyn , Gilson Lucy 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The need for leadership within district health systems is critical for the effective delivery of services and for inter-sectoral collaboration for health. Leadership capacity development (LCD) has not, however, been prioritized within health systems, and the systemic capacity (i.e. roles, structures and processes) that is needed to develop managers who can lead is not always in place. This paper aims to contribute to understanding how to build such capacity, considering a relevant bottom-up innovation. We observed, in the period 2013–15, the emergent implementation of this innovation (a ‘Leadership Commission’) in a South African health district. What started out as an effort to train individual leaders evolved into the development of systemic capacity for LCD. We adopted realist evaluation as the main methodological approach, as well as case study design, and we first developed a programme theory of the internally driven LCD initiative, through a round of interviews with senior managers. We then tested the programme theory drawing on 14 in-depth interviews and field notes of meetings and processes. Our analysis suggests that building systemic capacity for LCD requires leadership to be expressed as a strategic priority by those with positional authority and that bottom-up LCD requires institutional commitment through strengthening routine structures or creating new ones. The ability to leverage existing resources is another key element of systemic capacity. The mechanisms that enable bottom-up capacity development include tacit and experiential knowledge, sensemaking, systems thinking and trust between, and motivation of, those tasked with leading LCD. Leadership development is constrained by increased workloads for those involved as the prioritization of leadership becomes simply an additional task, and sustainability challenges are likely in the absence of additional resources for bottom-up innovation.
Clinical outcomes and the impact of treatment modalities in children with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream infections: a retrospective cohort study from a tertiary university hospital
Authors: Avcu Gulhadiye , Erci Ece , Bilen Nimet Melis , Ersayoglu Irem , Ozek Gulcihan , Celtik Ulgen , Terek Demet , Cilli Feriha , Bal Zumrut Sahbudak 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections among children represents a significant global concern, leading to elevated mortality rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors, outcomes, 30-day mortality rates and contributing factors in children with CRE bloodstream infections (CRE-BSIs).

Methods
Data regarding demographic characteristics, treatment approaches and outcomes of hospitalized children aged 0–18 years diagnosed with CRE-BSIs between January 2018 and December 2022 were extracted from medical records. Mortality within 30 days of diagnosis and the predictive factors were analysed.

Results
A total of 114 children, with a median age of 11 months (range: 6–69.5), were included. All cases of CRE-BSIs were either healthcare associated or hospital acquired and presented with at least one underlying comorbidity. A previous history of CRE colonization or infection rate was 48.2% (55/114). Klebsiella pneumoniae 87.7% (100/114) was the most frequently isolated microorganism, with a 30-day mortality rate of 14% (16/114). Multivariate analysis identified paediatric intensive care unit admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, inotropic support and thrombocytopenia due to CRE-BSIs as the most discriminative predictors for 30-day mortality (P &lt; 0.001). Central venous catheter (CVC) removal was associated with a reduced mortality rate (P = 0.012). High-dose prolonged infusion of MEM-based or polymyxin-based antibiotic combinations did not impact survival. Lower MEM MIC values were associated with improved survival.

Conclusions
The mortality rate of CRE-BSI is notably high in childhood. The use of antibiotic combination strategies did not demonstrate a significant impact on 30-day survival; however, the removal of CVCs was found to lower mortality rates.
Establishment of a diverse pheno-genotypic challenge set of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa suitable for use in the murine pneumonia model
Authors: Fratoni Andrew J , Padgett Alissa M , Duffy Erin M , Nicolau David P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Preclinical murine infection models lack inter-laboratory uniformity, complicating result comparisons and data reproducibility. The European Innovative Medicines initiative-funded consortium (COMBINE) has developed a standardized murine neutropenic pneumonia protocol to address these concerns. While model methods have been standardized, a major obstacle to consistent results is the lack of available bacteria with defined viability and variability. Herein, we establish a diverse challenge set of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa suitable for use in the COMBINE protocol to further minimize experimental inconsistency and improve the interpretability of data generated among differing laboratories.

Materials and methods
Sixty-six K. pneumoniae and 65 P. aeruginosa were phenotypically profiled against tigecycline (K. pneumoniae only), levofloxacin, meropenem, cefiderocol and tobramycin. Fifty-nine isolates were introduced into the COMBINE model to assess the sufficiency of the starting bacterial inoculation, resultant baseline bacterial burden, achievement of ≥1 log10cfu/lung growth at 24 h, time to and percentage mortality. Forty-five isolates displaying desirable minimum inhibitory concentration profiles were subjected to replicate in vivo testing to assess target parameters.

Results
83% of K. pneumoniae reached the prerequisite growth at 24 h using a starting bacterial burden ≥7 log10cfu/lung. P. aeruginosa isolates grew well in the model: 90% achieved the growth target with a starting bacterial burden of 6 log10cfu/lung. Mortality was negligible for K. pneumoniae but high for P. aeruginosa. Poor or inconsistent achievement of the 24 h growth target was seen in 11/59 isolates.

Conclusions
With this diverse cache of viable isolates established in the COMBINE pneumonia model, future translational studies can be undertaken to set efficacy benchmarks among laboratories.