Abstract: This study presents a data-driven Digital Twin framework designed to optimize closed-loop Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) operational parameters for eco-driving without modifying electronic control unit (ECU) firmware. High-frequency telematics data (OBD-II and GPS) were recorded from a production vehicle over an 11.57 km test corridor to engineer and calibrate a virtual Digital Twin in PTV Vissim using Wiedemann 99 car-following logic. The validated model demonstrated high empirical fidelity, achieving a mean velocity error of 2.84 km/h, a GEH statistic of 2.67, and an absolute fuel consumption variance of just 0.01 L/100 km. An iterative parametric optimization (~100 simulation runs) was executed to tune acceleration limits, convergence time constants, and target velocity bounds while maintaining strict safety constraints. The optimized Eco configuration achieved a 12% reduction in fuel consumption (4.91 to 4.33 L/100 km) alongside a 14% increase in trip duration (893 to 1019 s). Bivariate state-space analysis confirmed the complete elimination of high-intensity accelerations and a 0.48 percentage point reduction in hard braking. The framework serves as an algorithmic decision support tool for energy-aware fleet management and adaptive vehicle control.

Abstract: Three-flavor oscillation theory parametrizes neutrino mixing and mass-squared splittings but does not explain the observed PMNS orientation or the absolute mass spectrum. This paper develops a structural reconstruction of both within a proposed neutral-parent carrier-closure framework. The construction distinguishes a premetric selection layer from the effective field theory that governs dynamics after spacetime read-out. At the premetric layer, automorphism-inequivalent admissible branches receive equal primitive weight; their multiplicities select a tribimaximal leading frame, while previously derived charged-lepton root ratios determine two controlled deformations. For the mass sector, a linear exposure map sends three neutral continuation modes to a two-dimensional transverse closure quotient. Under explicit assumptions of strict factorization, protection covariance, and transverse saturation, the associated positive mass-squared operator has rank two and one exactly massless eigenstate. A minimal two-seam complex then fixes the two nonzero eigenvalues. The resulting normal-ordering spectrum is m₁ = 0, m₂ = 8.686 meV, and m₃ = 50.092 meV, with a mass sum of 58.778 meV and mass-squared splittings close to current global-fit values. No measured neutrino angle, phase, splitting, or absolute mass is inserted into the structural formulas; the measured electron mass only converts dimensionless ratios to electronvolts. The construction supplies spectral boundary data that a post-read-out Lagrangian theory must reproduce rather than replacing standard quantum field theory. Present numerical agreement is retrospective; the frozen rank, spectrum, and mixing correlations provide prospective tests.

Abstract: Kounis syndrome (KS) is an increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndromes triggered by allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. The syndrome results from a complex interplay between mast-cell degranulation and platelet activation during allergic reactions, leading to the release of vasoactive, pro-inflammatory and prothrombotic mediators. These mechanisms may induce coronary vasospasm (type I KS) or thrombosis of plaque (type II KS), stent (type III KS) or coronary artery bypass graft (type IV KS). KS remains largely underdiagnosed in routine clinical practice, with significant gaps in epidemiology, diagnosis and management. This narrative review critically appraises current evidence, integrating historical perspectives with contemporary insights into classification, pathophysiology, triggers, diagnostic strategies and thera-peutic approaches, focusing on the most frequent manifestation represented by vasospastic variant. Despite increasing recognition over the past three decades, its true pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic boundaries, and therapeutic implications remain incompletely understood. Available data indicate that angiographically documented epicardial coronary spasm is observed in only a minority of patients, while normal or non-obstructive coronary arteries are frequently encountered. Emerging evidence from provocative testing, coronary physiology assessment, cardiac magnetic resonance and nuclear imaging suggests that coronary microvascular dysfunction may contribute substantially to the clinical phenotype, expanding the traditional concept of allergic epicardial vasospasm. A comprehensive diagnostic approach, including signs, symptoms, biochemical findings, electrocardiography, echocardiography, coronary angiography, and multimodality imaging including invasive assessment in selected cased, can be recommended, although its implementation in routine practice remains limited. Current evidence supports the recognition of type I KS as a distinct allergic vasomotor acute coronary syndrome within the myocardial infarction non-obstructive cor-onary artery (MINOCA) spectrum, deserving greater recognition in future diagnostic classifications and clinical practice guidelines.

Abstract: Quantum field theory in curved spacetime allows time-dependent gravitational backgrounds to generate field excitations, while semiclassical gravity feeds the renormalized stress-energy expectation value back into the geometry. This suggests a logically possible feedback loop: a geometric perturbation modifies quantum matter, the resulting stress response perturbs the geometry, and the combined response may either decay or amplify. The purpose of this paper is not to assume that such a loop is unstable, nor to identify it a priori with the Big Bang, but to formulate a minimal mathematical closure in which the stability question can be answered exactly. Starting from the semiclassical Einstein equation and the linear-response form of the stress tensor, we introduce two signed perturbation variables: a coarse-grained curvature amplitude and a matter-stress response. A local Markovian closure leads to a coupled reaction–diffusion system with four linear response coefficients. Its dimensionless feedback gain is \[ G=\frac{bc}{ad}. \] For a bounded connected spatial domain with homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions, we prove from the spectral and energy formulations that the linear system is exponentially stable when \(G< 1\), has a neutral homogeneous mode at \(G=1\), and possesses a genuinely growing homogeneous mode when \(G>1\). No instability is therefore postulated: it occurs if and only if the positive cross-response exceeds the product of the two intrinsic damping rates. We then examine a nonlinear homogeneous reduction with cubic geometric saturation. We prove global existence, boundedness, global exponential attraction of the vacuum branch for \(G< 1\), and the appearance of two locally asymptotically stable nonzero branches for \(G>1\), constituting a supercritical pitchfork in the signed perturbation variables. The resulting framework distinguishes three notions that are often conflated: gravitational particle production, semiclassical backreaction, and self-amplifying curvature–matter feedback. The analysis also shows why a Big-Bang singularity does not follow from feedback alone: the minimal unstable closure produces exponential growth, while nonlinear saturation can instead generate a bounded high-curvature phase. The model is therefore proposed as a mathematically controlled metaframework for testing curvature--matter feedback mechanisms, not as a completed theory of quantum gravity.

Abstract: Germ cell formation is a fundamental process in sex determination, playing crucial roles in balancing oogonia and spermatogonia self-renewal and development. However, the regulatory genes fundamental to germ cell self-renewal and development remain to be elucidated. In this study, we constructed zebrafish lima1a knockout mutants. Lima1a is a homolog of human LIMA1, which is involved in cell motility, gene regulation, cellular metabolism, and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These knockout mutants were used in subsequent experiments to clarify the roles of lima1a in sexual differentiation and germ cell development. Compared with wild type (WT), lima1a^-/- zebrafish had smaller body sizes and smaller gonads. Nonetheless, lima1a^-/- zebrafish produced mature gametes and maintained a comparable sex ratio to their WT siblings. At a juvenile stage, lima1a^-/- females showed delayed and prolonged germ cell development, and this adversely affected follicle quality, subsequently impacting embryo development in adults. Additionally, adult male lima1a^-/- zebrafish exhibited defective spermatogenesis, and the ovary-to-testis transition in juveniles was delayed and prolonged. At 45 days post-fertilization (dpf), we observed that the expression levels of ovary-specific and testis-specific genes were significantly disrupted during the sexual development of lima1a^-/- zebrafish, suggesting that lima1a expression is crucial for the development and function of gonadal cells in ovaries and testes. These changes in gene expression also impacted the development of germ cells in lima1a^-/- zebrafish and caused delayed puberty onset. Furthermore, Vim, a marker for EMT, was upregulated in lima1a^-/- zebrafish gonadal cells, suggesting that lima1a maintains gonad differentiation and germ cell development by regulating the EMT process of gonadal cells. Collectively, these results reveal that lima1a is required for maintaining normal sexual development and the ovary-to-testis transition in juvenile zebrafish. Moreover, lima1a is required for gonadal germ cell development and maturation, and for embryo development.

Abstract: Background: Inequalities in breast cancer care remain a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries. In Ghana, women continue to experience barriers that limit timely diagnosis, treatment, and continuity of care. This study explored the structural, health system, and policy factors influencing breast cancer care inequalities in Ghana. Methods: A focused ethnographic study was conducted across five healthcare facilities in Ghana between February 2023 and February 2024. Data were collected from 95 participants through in-depth interviews, observations, field notes, and document reviews and analysed thematically using Spradley’s ethnographic analytical framework. Results: Breast cancer care inequalities were driven by interconnected financial, health system, and governance barriers. Participants reported high out-of-pocket costs, inadequate financial protection, diagnostic and workforce shortages, centralised oncology services, fragmented referral pathways, and limited care coordination. Weak policy implementation, procurement challenges, and inconsistent availability of essential cancer medicines further constrained equitable access to care. Conclusions: Breast cancer care inequalities in Ghana are rooted in systemic weaknesses in financing, service delivery, and governance. Strengthening financial protection, decentralising oncology services, improving diagnostic capacity, enhancing care coordination, and ensuring reliable access to essential medicines are critical to achieving equitable breast cancer care.

Abstract: Introduction: Rutin, a glycoside flavonoid that has high neuroprotective efficacy in neurodegenerative diseases, is hindered by low aqueous solubility and poor oral bioavailability. The major challenge in routine delivery is across the blood brain barrier (BBB). So to resolve these problems, in present study we formulate mucoadhesive nano lipid carrier (MNLCs) for intra-nasal administration for the purpose of enhancing residence time in the nasal cavity and targeting in the brain by utilizing trigeminal and olfactory neuronal routes, thus avoiding the BBB. Methodology: MNLCs were prepared by melt emulsification and probe sonication technique and various formulation parameters such as lipid content, surfactant concentration and sonication time were optimized using quality by design (QbD). Results: Box-Behnken design based on particle size, entrapment efficiency and drug release was utilized. Optimized nano-carriers were coated with -cyclodextrin for imparting mucoadhesive properties. Result: The characteristics of nanocarriers showed that the optimized MNLCs have particle size of 150.8 42.5 nm, polydispersity index of 0.592 and zeta potential of -18.2 mV. In vitro release profile demonstrated a sustained release with 80% drug release over 48 h. SEM demonstrated the presence of-cyclodextrin coating on the surface of the nanocarrier. The in vivo studies revealed increased brain delivery and therapeutic effect through nasal administration. Conclusion: All the results indicate that the cyclodextrin coated MNLCs were successful in the delivery of rutin to brain by intra-nasal administration and have shown a sustained release profile with improved bioavailability and neuroprotection.

Abstract: To address the issues of excessive fault current, insufficient voltage support, and frequency oscillations in grid-forming converters during power grid short-circuit faults, this paper establishes a fault ride-through test model based on the principle of impedance voltage division and analyzes the fault transient characteristics of a virtual synchronous generator (VSG). A fault voltage regulation strategy that integrates reactive power injection and compensation switching is proposed, and an active power regulation method based on current-limiting constraints is proposed. An adaptive inertia-damping mechanism is introduced into the control loop, which dynamically regulates the virtual inertia and virtual damping coefficients to suppress frequency fluctuations during fault engagement and clearance. The rationality of the system parameter configuration is verified through impedance modeling, and experimental validation is conducted using the RT LAB semi-physical platform. The results show that the proposed multi-objective collaborative control strategy enables the converter to operate without disconnecting from the grid during grid faults. The steady-state fault current meets the limit requirements, the frequency response is stable, and reactive power support complies with the GB/T 29319-2024 national standard. This study provides theoretical support for fault ride-through of grid-forming converters in power systems with a high proportion of power electronics.

Abstract: Smart water metering deployments require low-power, large-scale communication infrastructures that existing LPWAN solutions do not fully address. Among the most widely used technologies, LoRaWAN's single-hop topology requires dense gateway de-ployments in urban environments, while cellular alternatives incur subscription costs and higher energy consumption. This paper presents a multi-hop LoRa network protocol spe-cifically designed for smart water metering, exploiting the static network topology and uplink-dominated traffic pattern of this application to substantially simplify the protocol design. The protocol constructs a tree rooted at the gateway through distributed relay se-lection. Each node selects its relay using only lightweight message exchanges and a cost function that combines hop count, relay load, and link quality, requiring only local infor-mation and no global routing tables. Explicit acknowledgements are replaced by over-hearing relay retransmissions, further reducing energy consumption. The cost function coefficients were tuned through simulation using Bayesian optimization across network sizes of up to 100 nodes, revealing that the optimal parameter configuration is itself net-work-size dependent. Compared with a shortest-hop (BFS) baseline, the proposed ap-proach limits the maximum relay load to approximately 12 client nodes regardless of network size, achieving a reduction of up to 72% in the 100-node scenario while incurring an average hop-count increase of up to approximately 13%.

Abstract: Diversified crop rotations and cover crops are increasingly promoted as cli-mate-smart management strategies for improving soil organic carbon (SOC) while minimizing nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions in semiarid agroecosystems. However, regional-scale assessment of SOC–N₂O trade-offs remains computationally chal-lenging because process-based simulations across large spatial and climatic do-mains are highly demanding. This study combined long-term DSSAT simulations with machine-learning (ML) surrogate models to quantify and spatially predict SOC and N₂O responses to diversified rotations and cover-crop systems across the Texas High Plains (THP). Random Forest models were trained using DSSAT outputs representing multiple crop rotations, climate scenarios, and soil condi-tions. Two complementary modeling frameworks were developed: (i) BAU-relative responses, which quantified SOC and N₂O changes relative to base-line management, and (ii) added cover-crop effects, which isolated the additional benefits of diversified cover-crop systems relative to a simplified no-cover crop improved rotation system. Model interpretation was conducted using permuta-tion importance and SHAP analysis to identify the dominant environmental and management controls. The surrogate models accurately reproduced DSSAT-derived responses, particularly for BAU-relative SOC and N₂O changes reaching R² ≈ 0.90, while added cover crop SOC was less predictable than added N2O. Spatial predictions revealed strong geographic variability in climate-smart response zones, with larger SOC benefits generally observed under future climate conditions, particularly during the 2070s. However, some regions also exhibited stronger N₂O trade-offs, highlighting the need for spatially targeted management strategies. The results demonstrate the potential of combining process-based simulations with ML surrogates to generate computationally efficient deci-sion-support tools for climate-smart agriculture in semiarid cropping systems.

Abstract: Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) deployed in submarine telecom cables is bound to revolutionize the earthquake monitoring routine currently performed by seismic network operators, particularly in domains where most of seismic activity is originated offshore. In this work we analyze one year DAS data recorded on a submarine telecommunication cable joining the Islands of Faial and Flores in the Azores, an area where seismic crisis of volcano-tectonic origin are frequent. We explore whether spatially decimated channels can be added to the operation routine without major changes. During the DAS operation the land network recorded 368 local and regional earthquakes. The best of these events were jointly analyzed and earthquake parameters were compared between original locations and adding DAS picks. Despite the larger picking uncertainty on DAS channels, adding P and S or S-wave picks only from DAS data showed a considerable improvement on earthquake parameters, reducing the error ellipse area and the focal depth uncertainty. These results demonstrate that in domains where offshore seismicity is a concern and submarine telecom cables are available, integrating DAS channels into the routine operation of seismic networks considerably improve the accuracy earthquake parameter estimation. A procedure to accomplish these results is presented.

Abstract: Automated concrete crack detection increasingly employs multimodal sensing, although many existing systems assume that all sensors remain continuously available, reliable, and suitable for fusion. This study presents Reliability-Aware Selective Multimodal Fusion, RASMF, an image-first framework in which acoustic sensing is activated only when visual confidence is insufficient or the image is unavailable. The framework combines calibrated image, acoustic, and joint experts with an interpretable fusion model informed by predictive uncertainty, cross-modal disagreement, modality-quality descriptors, and availability indicators. An acoustic out-of-distribution safeguard rejects acquired signals whose characteristics depart from the development distribution. RASMF was evaluated on 4094 paired observations using five duplicate-aware outer folds and three random seeds under clean, degraded, and missing-modality conditions across multiple acquisition budgets. At the nominal 10% budget, the realised acoustic acquisition rate was 21.16%. Relative to the predefined missing-aware image-first baseline, RASMF reduced mean error from 0.9934% to 0.6754%, increased sensitivity from 96.6761% to 97.8209%, and reduced the Brier score from 0.0112 to 0.0071. These improvements were supported by paired statistical tests and two-way bootstrap intervals. Lower error was obtained in 12 of 16 degradation and modality-loss conditions, with the largest gains under substantial visual degradation. Moderate acoustic acquisition improved performance and calibration, whereas near-continuous acquisition increased operational cost without further benefit. RASMF therefore improved the balance between predictive reliability and conditional sensing relative to the designated baseline, although universal superiority over simpler fusion alternatives was not established.

Abstract: Establishing a rigorous nexus among reference-clock modeling, timing compensation, and system-level performance is imperative for cislunar positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) architectures. In this study, we propose an integrated analytical framework to bridge relativistic clock definitions with PNT requirement allocations. Rather than treating timing budgets in isolation, the framework sequentially couples a first-order weak-field Earth–Moon clock difference model—which captures a temporal accumulation of approximately 20.48 ms annually—with chronological validations of empirical forecasting strategies. Furthermore, by propagating compensation residuals through a four-state nav-estimator, we demystify the assumption that residual timing translates linearly into position degradation. Crucially, we demonstrate that timing requirements in cislunar space are inextricably bound to source-dependent residual components, geometric dilution, and the overarching non-timing error floor, thereby mandating a joint geometric-stochastic budgeting paradigm for future lunar constellation designs.

Abstract: This article examines when a gender-responsive public procurement obligation becomes institutionally verifiable. It analyzes Brazil’s federal policy reserving jobs for women experiencing domestic and family violence, established by Law No. 14,133/2021 and regulated by Decrees No. 11,430/2023 and No. 12,516/2025. The study uses the empirical legal design documented in the underlying doctoral thesis and preserves four non-interchangeable evidentiary layers: an audit of 163 records; a retained corpus of 74 documentary units; a comparative matrix of 67 cases and 335 evidence records; and aggregate official and administrative information. The expanded matrix identified 16 cases with high density across all four dimensions, five with partial intersectoral integration, and 51 that were not verifiable through the documentary proxy. These figures describe the expanded corpus and are not used as a federal compliance denominator. Official aggregate data documented localized implementation involving 20 women; a later administrative update reported 143 women hired across five federative units, without contract-level granularity. The findings indicate that contractual enforceability, intersectoral connectivity, and protected verifiability are necessary institutional conditions—although not sufficient evidence of social impact—for converting the mandate into a monitorable practice. The article distinguishes direct federal evidence, normative diffusion, documentary absence, and non-verifiability without inferring a national effectiveness rate.

Abstract: Hundreds of survey studies have modelled the acceptance of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in higher education with partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), but their path coefficients have not been pooled, and it is not known whether the determinants established for earlier technologies hold, or hold evenly, for GenAI. We address this gap with the first meta-analysis of the 2026 PLS-SEM literature. Following PRISMA 2020, a Scopus search returned 151 records, of which 119 met strict eligibility. Standardized direct path coefficients and analytic sample sizes were extracted and double-checked by hand from each study's structural-model table. Six relationships with adequate coverage were pooled with random-effects models on Fisher-z-transformed coefficients (DerSimonian-Laird), and we report confidence and prediction intervals, subgroup and meta-regression moderators, study-level risk-of-bias appraisal, leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, and Egger's test with trim-and-fill. With between 11 and 20 studies per relationship and a combined sample of up to 10,819, all pooled effects were positive and significant: performance expectancy or usefulness predicted behavioural intention at beta = 0.33 (95% CI 0.25-0.41), effort expectancy or ease of use at 0.21, social influence at 0.21, and attitude at 0.58; behavioural intention predicted use at 0.52. Heterogeneity was very high throughout (I-squared 80-99%), and the prediction intervals were wide enough to include zero for four of the six relationships. A coherent regional pattern emerged: usefulness and effort expectancy were both weaker in Chinese samples (0.27 and 0.09) than elsewhere (0.37 and 0.29), whereas social influence was stronger (0.25 versus 0.17). Pooled estimates were robust to the removal of any single study; trim-and-fill imputed no missing studies. The acceptance hierarchy familiar from TAM and UTAUT is reproduced, but the determinants are far less stable than the pooled means suggest, and a single coefficient is a poor guide to any new setting.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Since 2021, indeterminate thyroid nodules have been routinely assessed using molecular testing through Quebec’s provincial ThyroSeq v3 pilot project. The primary objective of our study was to compare the molecular and clinicopathological characteristics of Bethesda III and Bethesda IV thyroid nodules evaluated through the pilot project. The secondary objective was to assess the program’s economic impact. Methods: This retrospective study included 934 patients from two McGill University teaching hospitals in Quebec, comprising 593 Bethesda III and 341 Bethesda IV nodules that underwent molecular testing between 2021 and 2025. Eligible nodules were TI-RADS 3 or 4, measured 1–4 cm, and Bethesda III nodules required two consecutive cytology results before testing. Clinicopathological characteristics, histopathological diagnoses, molecular findings, and mutational profiles were analyzed. A projected 10-year cost analysis was also performed. Results: Of the 934 nodules tested, 280 demonstrated a genetic alteration. The risk of malignancy among surgically resected ThyroSeq v3-positive Bethesda III and IV nodules was 68% and 78%, respectively. Bethesda IV nodules demonstrated significantly greater vascular invasion (p = 0.029) and prevalence of oncocytic carcinomas (p = 0.010). Molecular testing was associated with an estimated CAD 1.49 million reduction in healthcare costs over 10 years. Conclusions: Although Bethesda IV nodules exhibited more oncocytic carcinomas and invasion, molecular mutation class distribution and the prevalence of aggressive pathological features were similar between Bethesda categories. Together with the demonstrated economic savings, these findings support continued implementation of publicly funded ThyroSeq v3 testing to improve management of indeterminate thyroid nodules while reducing unnecessary surgery.

Abstract: Purpose: The anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), defined as the difference between maximal sprint speed (MSS) and maximal aerobic speed (MAS), has been used in track and field to establish locomotor profiles and individualize training. In cross-country (XC) skiing, training encompasses varied activities that involve lower and upper body engagement and present distinct biomechanical and cardiometabolic characteristics. This study aimed to determine whether the locomotor profile of youth XC skiers depends on the locomotion mode. Methods: Twelve regional-level female skiers completed two field performance assessments in running (RUN) and roller skiing (SKI): a half-Cooper 6-minute test to determine MAS and a 40-m sprint to establish MSS. Three profiles (endurance, hybrid, or sprint) were determined from the ASR. Results: MAS was higher in SKI than RUN (17.2 ± 1.24 km·h⁻¹ vs 13.9 ± 1.0 km·h⁻¹; t (11) = 10.19, p < 0.001). MSS was also higher in SKI than RUN (23.0 ± 1.35 km·h⁻¹ vs 20.0 ± 1.3 km·h⁻¹; t (11) = 8.15; p < 0.001). However, the ASR did not significantly differ between modalities (p = 0.606). Most athletes were classified as hybrids in RUN (n = 7) and SKI (n = 6). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that most athletes retain a hybrid profile regardless of the modality, which is probably due to modern XC ski racing requirements. The stability of ASR across modalities suggests that this parameter reflects athlete’s intrinsic characteristics rather than modality-specific demands. The ASR may therefore represent a useful indicator for comparing athletes across different testing modalities.

Abstract: Background: The “fridge cigarette” is a social-media phenomenon in which a chilled diet carbonated soft drink (CSD) is ritualised as an adolescent stress-relief practice using the symbolic grammar of cigarette consumption. It presents an analytic problem for conventional prevention because its flagship product is sugar-free: harm is mediated not by sucrose but by acidity, non-nutritive sweetener exposure, and a transplanted dependency ritual. Linear exposure–outcome models do not account for the phenomenon’s propagation, its resistance to information-based correction, or the limited traction of existing regulation. Objective: To analyse the phenomenon as an instrumental case of a commercial determinant of health operating as a complex adaptive system, and to derive an implementable, theory-grounded intervention sited at high-leverage points in that system. Methods: A systems thinking review structured as a single instrumental case study. Evidence was assembled across five predefined system domains and synthesised using three established instruments: qualitative causal loop mapping with explicit link-polarity coding and evidence grading; systems-archetype analysis expressed as falsifiable propositions; and leverage-point classification following Meadows, in the shallow-to-deep formulation of Abson et al. Results: The case system comprises three reinforcing loops (R1 algorithmic amplification; R2 identity–affect reward; R3 commercial reinvestment) and one balancing loop (B1 clinical–regulatory correction). Loop-dominance analysis indicates that R1–R3 operate on cycle times of hours to months, whereas B1 carries a multi-year exposure-to-detection delay and low gain at two of three links, rendering it structurally incapable of stabilising the system. Four archetypes (Fixes that Fail, Shifting the Burden, Success to the Successful, Tragedy of the Commons) each predict that symptom-directed interventions will strengthen the reinforcing loops. Leverage classification shows the current policy repertoire concentrated in shallow tiers (L12–L6); no current instrument addresses the paradigm tier (L2–L1) at which the phenomenon operates. Conclusion: The analysis specifies CHAMP (Child-led Health Advocacy for Misinformation and Prevention), a peer-delivered counter-system of five sequenced levers mapped to deep leverage points, designed to re-aim the amplification loop rather than oppose it. The dental encounter is identified as the system’s earliest observable sensor, positioning pediatric dentistry to close the corrective feedback that currently fails. Recommendations are ranked by leverage depth, and an explicit falsification condition is stated.

Abstract: Olivine, as (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 solid solution, governs the plastic flow of the Earth's upper mantle. While extensive studies exist on natural olivine-rich rocks, the rheology of its Mg-end member, forsterite (Fo), remains less constrained, particularly for diffusion creep. Here we synthesize high-purity (≥98 vol.%), iron-free forsterite aggregates via pressureless sintering and perform axial compression experiments in a high-stress-precision Paterson gas-medium apparatus at 300 MPa, temperatures of 1423–1523 K, and differential stresses of 50–380 MPa. Our results reveal a stress exponent n = 1.0 ± 0.08, an activation energy Q = 365 ± 22.7 kJ/mol, and a grain size exponent p = 2.9 ± 0.23, demonstrating that forsterite deforms by diffusion creep under these conditions. The grain size exponent, close to the theoretical value of 3 for Coble creep, indicates that grain boundary diffusion is the rate-controlling mechanism. Compared to previous studies on forsterite and natural olivine, our flow law shows good agreement with the activation energy for olivine diffusion creep but provides a significantly better-constrained grain size exponent. Critically, because our samples are chemically synthesized and iron-free, and lack the trace impurities that facilitate defect generation in natural olivine, they exhibit higher strength than natural Fe-bearing olivine. Our flow law therefore defines the Mg-end member for the olivine solid solution system and represents the viscosity upper bound for olivine-dominated mantle rocks deformed dominantly by diffusion creep. These findings not only fill a critical gap in the rheological data for the olivine solid solution end-members but also provide a robust basis for modeling viscosity variations in the upper mantle as functions of grain size, temperature, and iron content.

Abstract: Predicting where a traffic agent will go and how it will get there are fundamentally different questions, yet most learning-based forecasters conflate them. When a model entangles agent intent (e.g., turning left) with driving style (e.g., cautious versus aggressive execution), spurious correlations arise that degrade predictions under distribution shift. This paper proposes SC-Mamba, a forecasting architecture built on selective state-space modeling and causal representation learning that explicitly disentangles these two factors. The model factorizes its latent space into independent intent and style variables, enforcing their separation through counterfactual do-interventions applied during training. A differentiable Signal Temporal Logic (STL) safety layer additionally constrains predicted trajectories to satisfy formal driving rules. Evaluated on the Argoverse 2 Motion Forecasting Dataset, SC-Mamba achieves 0.73 m minADE6, 1.22 m minFDE6, and 14.7% Miss Rate using only 1.35M parameters at 6.16 ms per scene—competitive with Transformer baselines at a fraction of computational cost. Critically, it is demonstrated that the learned intent latents correspond to identifiable maneuver categories (left turn, right turn, straight), style latents correlate with measurable execution dynamics (speed, curvature), and counterfactual manipulation of either factor independently controls trajectory shape without retraining. These results establish that linear-complexity SSM backbones can support structured causal reasoning for motion prediction while maintaining real-time performance.