The Biden administration requested comments regarding “Public and Private Sector Uses of Biometric Technologies” in the Federal Register from October 2021 to January 2022. This generated 130 responses, helped shape the “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights,” and resulted in Executive Order 14110 on “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.” While the Trump administration immediately rescinded this executive order, these comments provide insight into salient AI biometrics technologies and relevant political players. We first identify AI biometric technologies before asking which institutions and individuals commented (RQ1), and what the substance and tenor of responses were regarding the opportunities and threats posed by AI biometrics (RQ2-a) based on respondent type (RQ2-b). We use text mining and qualitative analyses to illuminate how uncertainty about AI biometric technology in this nascent policy subsystem reflects participants’ language use and policy preferences.

The Western European prison reforms of the 1960s and 1970s were based, among other things, on the claim that prison labour should match the conditions of free labour as closely as possible. In reality, prison labour remained forced labour and thus followed its own logic, within which social security and remuneration did not correspond to the free labour market conditions. Prisoners were not and are not workers in the true sense of the word; rather, they oscillate between forced labour and non-work. This article deals with this contradiction, which is still inherent in prison labour in many Western democracies today. Using the example of West Germany, it historicises the relationship between work and punishment behind bars and attempts to show that although the punitive nature of prison work has changed since the late 1960s, it has ultimately never been lost – despite criminal policy objectives to the contrary. It was a normative question of values: how much equality did prisoners deserve?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Addressing AMR requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach encompassing infectious disease (ID) clinicians, pharmacists, microbiologists, infection preventionists, and policymakers. The inaugural AMR Summit, hosted by bioMérieux in collaboration with Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine in November 2024, convened experts from various fields to explore innovative strategies for combating AMR. Key topics discussed included the role of multidisciplinary teams in antimicrobial stewardship programs, advancements in rapid diagnostic tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, the application of implementation science in AMR, and the integration of next-generation sequencing in ID diagnostics. The summit underscored the importance of diagnostic innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, policy, advocacy, and public engagement in advancing efforts against AMR.

The purpose of this study is to thoroughly examine the concept and significance of corruption in the European Union from an ethical standpoint and analyse statistical data on the level of corruption and attitudes towards it, using the example of Italy, Greece and Latvia. For effective research on the subject, it is important to use the hermeneutical method and quantitative analysis. The study considers corruption and ethics, identifies the essence, their concept and content, and demonstrates the connection between them. The analysis of an international regulatory act related to the fight against corruption is conducted and, based on this analysis, the forms of corruption are determined. The influence of corruption on society and various spheres of state government, both in general, in the international arena (and directly within the European Union), and on the example of individual states (Italy, Greece and Latvia) is established. The level of corruption is analysed in accordance with the Corruption Perceptions Index Transparency International, and the best and worst indicators among the member states of the European Union are highlighted. As a result of the study, the most thorough definitions of the concepts of ethics and corruption are provided, the relationship between these concepts is demonstrated, and statistical data on the level of corruption in the world’s countries (in particular, in relation to the selected states) are established. Changes in the perception of the level of corruption in 27 European Union states from 2012 to 2023 are also analysed. This study emphasizes the importance of compliance with ethical behaviour by representatives of the civil service and enterprises. The specific problem of employees exceeding their powers, which leads to public disbelief in the effectiveness of the government of their state, is also noted. In addition, the study showed that focusing on ethical issues can substantially contribute to preventing and combating corruption.

Woodrats of the genus Neotoma are an important study system for ecological and paleoecological research. However, paleontological studies are often hindered by the difficulty of identifying woodrat remains to species. We address this limitation by using 2D landmark-based geometric morphometrics to classify 199 lower first molars (m1s) of five extant western North American Neotoma species (N. albigula, N. cinerea, N. fuscipes, N. lepida, and N. macrotis) collected throughout California. We then use discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) models to identify Late Pleistocene fossils of unknown species from the Rancho La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California. DAPC correctly identifies ∼85–90% of extant individuals to species, with most misclassifications occurring between sister taxa N. fuscipes and N. macrotis. Most fossil m1s are classified as N. macrotis by DAPC, which may be the first confirmation of N. macrotis in the fossil record. We show that landmark-based geometric morphometric analyses are generally effective at differentiating m1s of extant Neotoma species in California and they are an auspicious method for unknown fossil identification. Further applications of this method across a broader range of geographic locations and species will better contextualize its utility.

In the early 2000s, Ramakrishna asked the question: for the elliptic curve

\[E\;:\; y^2 = x^3 - x,\]

$a_p(E)$

$E/\mathbb{Q}$

We prove a Poisson process approximation result for stabilising functionals of a determinantal point process. Our results use concrete couplings of determinantal processes with different Palm measures and exploit their association properties. Second, we focus on the Ginibre process and show in the asymptotic scenario of an increasing observation window that the process of points with a large nearest neighbour distance converges after a suitable scaling to a Poisson point process. As a corollary, we obtain the scaling of the maximum nearest neighbour distance in the Ginibre process, which turns out to be different from its analogue for independent points.

Bornite (Cu5FeS4) and digenite (Cu9–xFexS5; x = 0.4) have closely related cubic structures and are known for their range of superstructures derived from metal vacancies leading to larger unit cells expressed as n × a, where a = ∼5.5 Å and n is an integer. Such polymorphs can form during cooling from higher temperature bornite (Bn)–digenite (Dg) 1a solid solution (ss). The alleged basket-weave textures in natural bornite are investigated using high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. These techniques, combined with crystal modelling and STEM simulations, are suitable for depicting changes in phases related to crystal-structural modularity as they collectively better reproduce atomic distributions in real space. Bornite associated with either chalcocite or chalcopyrite from the Olympic Dam Cu-U-Au-Ag deposit, South Australia has non-stoichiometric Cu/Fe ratios and displays nanoscale basket-weave textures between the main components Bn2a and anilite (Cu7S4); Dg1a is preserved throughout, albeit as a minor phase. Anilite is a derivative of digenite, whereby a = b = √2aDg and c = 2aDg. Two intermediate phases, Dg3a and Bn2a4a, are documented and an additional phase, Bn2a6a, is tentatively suggested to occur in Fe-rich nanodomains within Bn2a. Considering the epitaxial relationships between all phases, we infer that basket-weave textures record phase transitions via polymorphic transformations of parent Bn2a and Dg1a during cooling. Observed phase assemblages are thus linked to cooling of Bn–Dgss in the range 70–87 mol.% Bn along a Cu6.18Fe1.26S5 – Cu9.12Fe0.89S5 tie-line defined from measured compositions. We depict three associations: Bn2a + Dg1a, Bn2a4a + Dg3a, and Bn2a4a/Bn2a6a + anilite, formed during cooling. Polymorph associations like these are relevant for enrichment of critical/precious metals in copper ores because Bi, Pb, Ag, Te and, probably also Au, if dissolved in Bn–Dgss, could be incorporated into superstructures during Cu-Fe-sulfide phase transitions.

Intercropping annual cash crops with grasses is a strategy that promotes both diversification and intensification of production in the same area, contributing to sustainable food systems. This study evaluated the impact of intercropping maize with different Urochloa species on maize and subsequent soybean yields over three years in the Brazilian Savannah. The treatments included: (1) maize monoculture; (2) maize intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis; (3) maize intercropped with U. brizantha cv. Marandu; and (4) maize intercropped with U. brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás. The evaluations included maize grain yield, land equivalent ratio (LER), forage biomass and soybean yield in succession. The results confirmed that maize intercropped with U. brizantha cv. Marandu and U. brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás achieved grain yields comparable to monoculture. Demonstrating that these forage species do not significantly compete with maize in 2018 and 2019 in Montividiu and 2018 and 2020 in Rio Verde. In Montividiu, intercropping with U. brizantha cv. BRS Paiaguás resulted in an average LER of 1.13 over three years, highlighting its advantage in optimising land use. In addition, the intercropping system was particularly beneficial in sandy soils, where faster biomass decomposition accelerated improvements in soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient availability, leading to earlier benefits in soybeans grain yield compared to clay soils. These findings emphasise the potential of maize-forage intercropping to enhance land-use efficiency and soil health while maintaining crop yields in tropical agroecosystems. However, site-specific management is essential to maximise benefits and minimise trade-offs. Future research should focus on long-term soil health dynamics and refining intercropping strategies to improve sustainability in different environmental conditions.

This project aims to identify and explain a phenomenon I call pain-related motivational deficit, which occurs when there is proper uptake of the epistemic contributions of a pain utterance, but defective uptake of the motivational contributions of a pain utterance. I argue that the normalization of fibroid pain in Black women, and of menstrual pain more broadly, causes a pain-related motivational deficit to be unfairly assigned to utterances about these pain experiences. I show that current ways of thinking about epistemic injustice cannot adequately explain these cases.

After dispensing major precedents affecting the public’s health in each of its prior three terms, the 2024-2025 term of the US Supreme Court was arguably less impactful amid several unanimous decisions preserving existing jurisprudence (at least in part). However, this is an understatement. While the Court issued key decisions arguably favorable to communal health this prior year it also denied minors access to medical procedures sought by their doctors, diminished diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in employment, allowed states to deny health providers access to Medicaid because they also provided abortions, disallowed rural hospitals from collecting specific costs for treating low-income patients, and provided a “script” of sorts for executive control of federal health advisory committees.

Branched broomrape [Phelipanche ramosa (L.) Pomel], a parasitic weed with a broad host range, is a quarantine pest in California. Phelipanche ramosa plants can produce thousands of tiny seeds that are easily spread by farm equipment. Best management practices for reducing dispersal risk include physical cleaning and disinfestation of farm equipment, but data on the efficacy of sanitizers on weed seeds are limited. A three-phase study was undertaken during 2022 to 2023 to evaluate quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) sanitizer efficacy on P. ramosa seed germinability. First, several QAC ingredients were evaluated at various concentrations (0 to 2.5 g per 100 ml) and exposure durations (1, 3, and 5 min) to develop initial germination curves. Second, the experiments were conducted with three commercial QAC sanitizers (MG4-Quat [Mg4], Flo-Quat, and Cleaner QT-185) at the recommended dose (1% v/v) and a field-relevant exposure duration (1 min). The final experiments evaluated commercial QAC sanitizer efficacy in the presence of various debris types. The initial experiments showed that alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADAC), didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB), and didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC) effectively prevented P. ramosa germination, but the effective dose for a 50% reduction in P. ramosa seed germination ranged from 0.001% (g per 100 ml) at 10 min with DDAC to 0.35% (g per 100 ml) at 1 min with ADAC. While all three QAC sanitizers reduced seed germination 75% to 100% after a 1-min exposure to the recommended dose (1% v/v), this treatment did not affect seed germination in the presence of soil (100 mg ml−1) or fruit/plant tissue (40 mg ml−1). At higher concentrations of Mg4 (8% v/v), P. ramosa seed germination was reduced by 90% to 100%, even in the presence of soil and plant debris. This study demonstrates that while QAC sanitizers can reduce P. ramosa seed germinability, their efficacy is compromised in the presence of debris. Therefore, physical cleaning to reduce debris loads before QAC application is essential for reducing the risk of P. ramosa seed movement among fields on equipment.

A local food-based approach, including school lunch with multiple-micronutrient fortified biscuits (MMB) as supplementary snacks, may enhance dietary adequacy, although current evidence remains limited. This study assessed nutrient inadequacies and developed food-based dietary recommendations (FBR) incorporating school lunch from the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) and MMB. Data from 292 girls aged 10–17 years, enrolled in the Ten2Twenty-Ghana study was analysed. Dietary intake was assessed via a quantitative 24-h dietary recall. Usual intakes were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method. Linear programming with Optifood was used to develop FBRs based on commonly consumed foods (≥5% of participants) and their median serving sizes, intake frequency, nutrient content, and cost per 100 g. Constraints included estimated energy needs and harmonised average nutrient requirements. The mean usual energy intake was 2351 (sd 66) kcal/d. Ca (99·8 %), vitamin B12 (99·8 %), riboflavin (96·2 %), vitamin A (91·5 %), vitamin C (87·6 %), Fe (73·7 %), folate (49·3 %) and Zn (8·5 %) inadequacies were prevalent. Optimised diets achieved adequacy for protein and most micronutrients, except Ca and vitamin B12, besides vitamin A for 15–17-year-old girls. School lunch from the GSFP did not enhance micronutrient levels when added to the daily diet. Adding MMB to the daily diet ensured adequacy for vitamin C, riboflavin and Fe, although marginal for Fe. Ca and vitamin A improved substantially with MMB for girls aged 15–17 but remained below the harmonised average requirements. Integrating regular school lunch with specialised fortified foods may be a cost-effective strategy to enhance dietary adequacy for adolescent girls in rural areas.

Design computing refers to the usage of computer frameworks, models or systems in design-related activities. Design computing research, in turn, refers to the development of these frameworks/models/systems, and so forth. As design practice increasingly relies on computer tools, the demand for research in design computing grows. While this opens innumerable venues for research, the profusion of information in the field poses significant challenges for researchers. Therefore, meta-level surveys of the field are called for. To provide researchers with a useful overview of design computing research, we set out to identify some of the main clusters of activity in the field. By “clusters of activity”, we refer to groups of researchers pursuing similar or identical research questions. Our PRISMA-style review focuses on the identification of such clusters, based on the complete proceedings (N = 404) of a long-standing conference (Design Computing and Cognition, DCC, 2004–2024), which captures the richness and diversity of the field. The primary contribution of this work is a map that organizes the main questions explored and the approaches taken in exploring them, which are informative for researchers and educators alike. This map may also help to execute large-scale surveys via automation, toward obtaining a comprehensive view of the field.

Early career researchers have unique demands, many of which contribute to increased stress, decreased professional fulfillment, and burnout. Consequently, academic institutions and government organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health, are beginning to embrace structured coaching as a tool to support physician wellbeing. To date, such coaching programs have demonstrated promising results, but little is known about whether early career research faculty find coaching feasible, accessible, or helpful. To explore this question further, we developed a novel group coaching intervention for clinician researchers and scientific faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center based on the concept of appreciative inquiry, grounding the program in a positive and hopeful approach to the challenges faced by clinicians and researchers. Results from our program indicate this intervention is feasible, satisfactory, and helpful, with participants reporting enhanced self-reflection and empowerment. Effective for a wide array of research faculty, our program brought together diverse faculty, fostered connections, and encouraged future collaborations among this translational group. This suggests that our program provides a foundational blueprint that can be used by other academic medical centers who aim to develop group coaching efforts.