The establishment of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) in 1910 was a transformative moment for the international peace movement, introducing significant financial resources and prioritizing an American-driven approach to global peace activism. Founded by Andrew Carnegie, the CEIP sought to eliminate war through rational, scientific, educational, and legalist efforts, promising a departure from the idealistic approaches considered typical of many European peace organizations. While Carnegie’s endowment provided much-needed support, it also exacerbated divisions (notably regarding how peace work should be done), and intensified personal animosities that already plagued the movement. Furthermore, European pacifists, particularly those associated with the International Peace Bureau (IPB), were wary of efforts to dominate and reshape the movement according to American priorities. The CEIP’s efforts to centralize control of the European movement antagonized existing organizations and anticipated the more interventionist aspects of American philanthropic endeavours in the interwar years and beyond. These divisions weakened the movement at a critical juncture. Despite its lofty ambitions, the CEIP’s European intervention in Europe highlighted the limitations of transnational peace activism.

We apply machine learning methods to predict Thoroughbred yearling auction prices at the Keeneland September Sale (2020–2024). Our sample includes 5,788 yearling prices with pedigree data. We use both linear and tree-based models to predict log prices. We use cross-validation to tune model hyperparameters and select Ridge regression (α = 1.451) as the primary model for interpretation given its stability and interpretability. The Ridge regression explains approximately 54% of out-of-sample variation (R2≈ 0.5403). Sire and Dam Reputation emerge as the dominant predictors. Results provide pricing benchmarks and show how reputation and session structure shape Thoroughbred yearling auction prices.

This study examined the production of English lexical stress in minimal pairs by Mandarin Chinese speakers of English as a second language (ESL). Chinese ESL speakers completed a sentence‑reading task containing noun‑verb minimal pairs (e.g., CONduct vs. conDUCT), and their productions were acoustically analysed for pitch, intensity, duration and vowel quality. Results showed that the speakers distinguished stress patterns primarily through pitch and intensity, though with small effect sizes. We also found that Chinese ESL speakers displayed a strong first‑syllable bias, and the initial syllable was consistently louder even in verbs. Duration did not significantly differ between nouns and verbs in these minimal pairs, indicating limited implementation of this acoustic correlate. Notably, there was limited evidence of vowel quality reduction to schwa, contrasting with perception studies where vowel centralisation is highly salient in stress placement decisions. These findings highlight a production‑perception mismatch and suggest that the lack of vowel reduction represents a feature of this L2 English variety. Our data also contrast with previous production studies reporting successful implementation of all acoustic cues by Chinese ESL speakers, and we discussed the differences regarding the ecological validity of elicitation method.

Axial plugging is a critical challenge for fusion in open-ended magnetic confinement systems. Unlike simple magnetic mirrors, which suffer from direct axial flow, multi-mirror systems utilise a series of aligned magnetic cells to suppress plasma loss; however, the resulting confinement still requires additional plugging to reach Lawson criterion levels. In Miller et al. (Phys. Plasmas, 2023, vol. 30, p. 072510), it was found that applying a travelling and rotating electric field in multi-mirror machines can significantly suppress axial loss due to a selectivity effect induced by the Doppler shift of the ion cyclotron resonance. However, this method is energetically expensive and vulnerable to plasma screening effects. Here, we show that using a travelling, rotating magnetic field can achieve comparable plugging effectiveness while offering better penetration and lower energy costs. Two limiting scenarios, with and without an induced electric field, were considered. The confinement enhancement is calculated using a semi-kinetic rate-equation model, in which the rate coefficients are determined from single-particle simulations. While both scenarios exhibit significant confinement enhancement, the scenario without an induced electric field is much more energetically efficient, as it relies on phase-space mixing rather than on energy deposition in the escaping particles. The decoupling of confinement from plasma collisionality enables fusion conditions in the central cell while allowing affordable and efficient confinement enhancement in the multi-mirror sections.

This Article develops a liberal theory for one of the most discussed topics of contract law (its rules of interpretation) and one of the most neglected (implication). It considers these topics in tandem because they both address contractual obligations that ostensibly flow from the parties’ own choices. We reject the view which misrepresents the task of distilling these choices as value-neutral, and offer in its stead an approach that grounds interpretation and implication on liberal contract’s commitment to proactively support people’s joint plans, while securing contract’s compliance with relational justice. This account offers conceptual clarity, vindicates and elucidates significant parts of contemporary law, and suggests several pathways for reform. Notably, it allows us to sketch a liberal doctrine for the interpretation of contractual writings in which at least one party is an individual, rather than a legally sophisticated wealth-maximizing firm.

We propose a matrix-based factor analysis model for predicting the probability of insurance claims. The model employs projected principal component analysis (PPCA), which enhances the estimation of unobserved latent factors by projecting a data matrix onto a linear space spanned by insured-specific features. This approach addresses the overparameterization problem when the number of insured-specific features and insurance coverages is large, enabling more accurate estimation of claim probability than conventional methods. Using a large-scale health insurance dataset from a leading life insurer in South Korea, we demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms conventional and machine-learning benchmarks, such as logistic regression and XGBoost, in predicting claim probabilities. We further determine that our model can reduce computational time by approximately 86% and 98% compared to logistic regression and XGBoost, respectively. The proposed model provides a unified and scalable framework for modeling high-dimensional claim probabilities, offering practical value for underwriting, risk management, and personalized insurance product design.

Reverse mathematics is primarily interested in what set existence axioms are necessary and sufficient in a proof of a theorem. Much work has been done in classifying graph coloring theorems, studying k-regular graphs, k-chromatic graphs, and forests. This article takes inspiration from an old paper by Bean and studies graph coloring theorems restricted to planar graphs. Schmerl showed that these coloring theorems are all equivalent to ${{\mathtt {WKL}}}$ over ${\mathtt {RCA}_{0}}$. In this article, we utilise Weihrauch reducibility to provide a deeper analysis on the uniformity of these implications. Whilst the proofs provided by Schmerl are not obviously non-uniform, we show that in many instances, non-uniformity is indeed necessary.

This demo presents a collection of physical tools and artefacts developed through an in-depth, organism-specific biodesign inquiry into Flavobacteria, microorganisms known for producing dynamic, iridescent colourations. It traces a trajectory from laboratory characterisation to interaction-centred prototypes and ultimately to Flaviri, a living artefact designed to support everyday human–microbe engagement. At its centre are three Flaviri artefacts and large inoculated Petri dishes that enable direct yet sterile swiping and tilting interactions, allowing attendees to experience first-hand encounters with Flavobacteria. The demo also showcases intermediate tools and artefacts – from early Petri dish explorations to custom habitats and prototypes for performing direct interaction – that demonstrate how interaction techniques were gradually refined for long-term, everyday contexts. Finally, two research tools are presented, highlighting how systematic documentation of temporal and iridescent expressions and explorations of long-term growth informed these design explorations. Taken together, these materials demonstrate how iridescent Flavobacteria can be integrated into living artefacts that extend biodesign practice into everyday contexts and open space for human–microbe engagement, while also offering inspiration for similar in-depth biodesign inquiries.

While tea is a central substrate in SCOBY cultivation, its status as an imported plant material in Europe raises ecological and procedural implications that may conflict with Biodesign’s aims of fostering regeneration and biodiversity. This paper frames medium design as a foundational yet underexplored site for integrating alternative substrates into growing design practices. Building on systematic laboratory experimentation, this contribution presents two open-source protocols that support parallel testing of alternative plants into SCOBY nourishing media, enabling both quantitative assessment of biomass production and qualitative evaluation of material expressions. One protocol is grounded in controlled laboratory procedures, while the second is adapted for non-sterile, resource-diverse environments, increasing accessibility across practitioners with varying expertise and infrastructure. The present exploratory research demonstrates how this methodology integrates quantitative and qualitative insights, enabling the evaluation of customised medium protocols and the emergence of novel SCOBY material expressions. In doing so, it supports the integration of biological and epistemological diversity into growing design practices and opens up new research trajectories in plant-based Biodesign and regenerative material cultivation.

This prospective study of young children (M = 11.62 months, SD = 8.28) with prior child welfare contact examined trajectories of exposure to various types of maltreatment (i.e., domestic violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect) as risk factors for children’s psychopathology sequelae. Data were drawn from 1,059 children (52% male, 48% female; 39% White, 28% Hispanic, 27% Black) in the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II. Repeated-measures latent class analysis identified four trajectories of child maltreatment exposure: “Stable Low Multi-Type,” “Increasing Emotional–Physical,” “Stable High Emotional–Physical,” and “Stable High Multi-Type.” Maltreatment trajectories significantly predicted internalizing (χ2[3] = 21.89, p < .001) and externalizing symptoms (χ2[3] = 33.04, p < .001). Children in both the “Stable High Multi-Type” trajectory (M = 18.42, SE = 1.05, p < .001) and the “Increasing Emotional–Physical” trajectory (M = 14.61, SE = 0.53, p < .01) exhibited elevated externalizing symptoms. The “Increasing Emotional–Physical” trajectory was associated with elevated internalizing symptoms (M = 13.27, SE = 0.93, p < .001). Findings indicate the need for continuous, comprehensive assessment of maltreatment exposure and underscore the value of early, targeted interventions in enhancing children’s well-being.

Anthelmintic resistance (AR) in gastrointestinal nematodes is insufficiently studied in cattle in many European regions, including France, where only three studies have been conducted in the north-west. This study evaluated the efficacy of benzimidazoles and avermectins in cattle from a mid-mountain region in central France. Faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) were performed in 22 groups of 10–25 calves from 16 dairy or beef farms. Each group received either oral oxfendazole (OFZ, 11 groups) or injectable ivermectin (IVM, 11 groups). Faecal samples were collected in a paired study design before (D0) and after treatment (D10-14 for OFZ, D14-17 for IVM). Individual faecal egg counts (FECs) were determined using the Mini-FLOTAC method, and pooled faecal samples were cultured per group to determine the proportions of Ostertagia and Cooperia larvae using droplet digital PCR. Efficacy classification (resistant, susceptible or inconclusive) was determined for each group according to the WAAVP guidelines, using the fecrt.com web application and the clinical protocol scenario with a grey zone of 90–99%. IVM resistance was detected on 10 of 11 farms, with 33–49% and 51–67% of larvae being Ostertagia and Cooperia after treatment, respectively. The remaining farm had inconclusive results. OFZ resistance was detected on 2 of 11 farms, with 100% and 97% of larvae being Ostertagia after treatment. The remaining 9 farms were classified as susceptible. This study provides valuable local insights into AR, which could help raise awareness among farmers and veterinarians and encourage changes in treatment practices.

Accurate and internally coherent crop-yield forecasts are important for agricultural risk management, crop-insurance ratemaking, and regional risk assessment under climate variability. However, crop yields are influenced by high-dimensional and strongly correlated weather conditions, while forecasts produced at different spatial levels often violate aggregation constraints. Existing studies focus on yield prediction within individual regions and pay limited attention to weather-informed forecasting, hierarchical coherence, and insurance-oriented risk measurement. This paper develops an integrated framework for hierarchical crop-yield forecasting and risk assessment by combining dimensionality reduction for high-dimensional weather variables, probabilistic forecasting, and forecast reconciliation. Using county- and state-level spring and winter wheat yields in Montana from 1982 to 2022, we compare alternative base forecasting models and reconciliation methods under scenarios with and without weather information. Forecast performance is evaluated using point and probabilistic scoring rules, and the reconciled predictive distributions are used to construct scenario-based measures of downside yield risk. The results show that incorporating weather information and hierarchical reconciliation improves the quality and coherence of hierarchical yield forecasts. The resulting probabilistic forecasts provide a basis for loss-rate estimation, cross-county risk comparison, and spatial risk mapping and also support crop-insurance ratemaking under a retain–cede game between private insurers and the government.

This article explores a new phenomenon taking root across the Global North in the late millennium. Emigration, long assumed to be the preserve of younger age groups, was increasingly the choice of the recently or soon-to-be retired. Centring the British case, the article traces the later-life mobilities of two groups: the mostly white retirees who relocated to southern Europe in search of better lifestyles, and the black and South Asian citizens who returned ‘home’ to Britain’s former colonies in older age. It argues that these mobilities should be understood as belonging to the same paradoxical moment: when rising affluence was expanding older people’s aspirations and opportunities and postcolonial anxieties were turning ageing in multiracial Britain into an unattractive prospect for many. Through a critical reading of qualitative ethnographic data, oral histories and press and media sources, the analysis shows that ageing was a significant force in the movements of people in and beyond Europe during a period more typically associated with exclusionary bordering regimes. It suggests that historians should attend more closely to these intersections of mass immigration, demographic change and ‘neoliberal’ welfare states in the remaking of European societies over the past half-century.

This research explores how bio-based materials might support everyday intimate care in non-medicalized ways. During the transition to motherhood, reproductive bodies undergo profound changes that disrupt bodily environments including the vaginal microbiome, skin barrier, and urinary tract. To surface these fluctuations, we explored pH-sensing materials from agar, carboxymethyl cellulose, and anthocyanin that indicate the pH of vaginal discharge, sweat, and urine via color change. Through co-creation with design researchers, we identified three dimensions for designing maternal care artefacts: ambiguity, visibility, and lenience. Combining material qualities, microbiology and feminist design approaches, we created three design provocations that integrate these materials into everyday care scenarios. Our work contributes to the social dimension of biodesign by nuancing bio-based material exploration for diverse human experiences and foregrounding bodily materials as integral to biodesign processes and outcomes, and further highlighting human–microbiome sensibilities, resisting medicalization of bodies, and materializing feminist critiques of self-tracking.

This paper explores Robert Frank’s photographs of southern California from his collection The Americans (1958). Using Theodor Adorno and Walter Benjamin’s historical-materialist approach, I show how Frank dismantles Hollywood’s dream factory as he travels through the heart of the culture industry. Frank’s photography stands at the crossroads of Adorno’s and Benjamin’s philosophical fragments on modernity’s ruins. Challenging any grand narrative about sociohistorical progress in his desultory arrangement of photographs, I argue that Frank’s methodology is wedded to how the two philosophers approach a philosophy of history. Whether he is shooting overgrown suburban yards, a solitary figure on Main Street, or the backside of the Hollywood sign, Frank shows how California’s imagined Arcadia comprises scenes of abandonment and melancholic loss. Like the philosophers from the Frankfurt school, Frank’s images suggest that the culture industry fabricates a false sense of community and fuels an atmosphere of isolation inhabited by reified commodities and the obsolescence of their consumers.

This is a talk delivered on the occasion of the Central European History Convention’s first meeting in Vienna in July 2025. It is dedicated to the career of historian Pieter M. Judson.