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A degree of a module M is a numerical measure of information carried by M. We highlight some of Vasconcelos’ outstanding contributions to the theory of degrees, bridging commutative algebra and computational algebra. We present several degrees he introduced and developed, including arithmetic degree, jdeg, homological degree, cohomological degrees, canonical degree, and bicanonical degree. For the canonical and bicanonical degrees, we discuss recent developments motivated by our joint works [25, 19, 9]. ©2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH,Berlin/Boston.

Context. We present an observational and theoretical study of the complex stellar system S1082 in the open cluster M67. This system consists of at least four stars: a blue straggler in a 1.07-day eclipsing binary with a main sequence star (binary A) and another blue straggler in a 1185-day orbit with an unknown companion (binary B). Aims. We analyzed observational data to obtain the orbital and stellar parameters of the components of the eclipsing system. We then explored mass transfer and dynamical encounter scenarios that could explain the derived properties of all of the components of S1082. Methods. We combined high-precision photometry from K2 and TESS with archival light curves, new radial-velocity measurements, and speckle imaging to refine the orbital and physical parameters of the system. To explore the formation pathways, we conducted binary evolution simulations with MESA and dynamical scattering experiments with FEWBODY, followed by a tidal evolution modeling procedure. Results. Our revised radial-velocity solutions yield significantly changed dynamical masses for binary A, reducing the tension with the cluster turnoff mass compared to previous studies. Speckle imaging shows two resolved components separated by 390 AU in projection and, in combination with the two spectroscopic orbits, this is suggestive of a hierarchical quadruple configuration. Our results suggest that the two blue stragglers formed separately, with later dynamical encounters assembling the present configuration. This work underscores the importance of stellar dynamics in shaping the evolution of complex stellar systems within cluster environments such as M67.

ABSTRACT One exciting class of future genetic devices could be those deployed in microbes that join complex microbial environments in the wild. We sought to determine whether genetic parts designed for monoculture are predictable when used in co-culture by testing constitutive Anderson promoters driving the expression of chromoproteins from a plasmid. In Escherichia coli monoculture, a high copy number origin of replication causes stochastic expression regardless of promoter strength, and high constitutive Anderson promoter strength leads to selection for inactivating mutations, resulting in inconsistent chromoprotein expression. Medium- and low-strength constitutive Anderson promoters function more predictably in E. coli monoculture but experience an increase in inactivating mutations when grown in co-culture over many generations with Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Expression from regulated promoters instead of constitutive Anderson promoters can lead to stable expression in a complex wastewater culture. Overall, we show intraspecies selection for inactivating mutations due to a competitive growth advantage for E. coli that do not express the genetic device compared to their peers that retain the functional device. We show additional interspecies selection against the functional device when E. coli is co-cultured with another organism. Together, these two selection pressures create a significant barrier to genetic device function in microbial communities that we overcome by utilizing a regulated E. coli promoter. Future strategies for genetic device design in microorganisms that need to function in a complex microbial environment should focus on regulated promoters and/or strategies that give the microorganism carrying the device a selective or growth advantage. IMPORTANCE First-generation biotechnology focused on genetic devices designed for use in monoculture conditions. One class of next-generation biotechnology devices could be designed to function in complex ecosystems with other organisms, so we sought to create conditions where the genetic device retained function when the organism carrying it is in co-culture with other organisms. We discovered that when the genetic device is a significant resource burden on the organism carrying the device, mutations will be selected for due to intraspecies and interspecies selection pressures, and the device will be rendered non-functional. Therefore, genetic device design for complex ecosystems in next-generation biotechnology needs to balance functionality of the genetic device with the need to reduce resource burden on the organism carrying it.

An Estonian saying holds that everyone has a unique song in their heart. This profound theme resonates throughout the pages of Song of my Soul. This work is not merely a memoir but a visceral journey through the heart of a besieged nation and a family’s unwavering struggle for survival. Rakfeldt’s narrative immerses the reader in the turbulent twentieth century, when Estonia became a pawn in Stalin and Hitler’s brutal power plays, marked by the devastating impact of three successive occupations. The author recounts his family’s harrowing escape to Sweden, their flight through Europe, and the process of building a new life in the West. He weaves together poignant episodes from his parents’ lives in Estonia, which were shattered by the Soviet invasion, forcing them to flee into forests and marshes and live as partisans hunted by Russian death squads. Beyond the historical account, Song of my Soul is a deeply personal journey. Rakfeldt begins to reclaim his ancestral heritage and fill the void left by displacement and loss. He grapples with questions of identity and belonging. This book serves as a testament to the resilience of refugee families and chronicles the suffering of the Baltic people. It resonates with anyone who has faced immigration challenges and with those seeking to understand the lasting strength of the human spirit.

We report on the measurements of directed flow v1 and elliptic flow v2 for hadrons (π±, K±, KS0, p, ϕ, Λ and Ξ−) from Au+Au collisions at sNN = 3 GeV and v2 for (π±, K±, p and p‾) at 27 and 54.4 GeV with the STAR experiment. While at the two higher energy midcentral collisions the number-of-constituent-quark (NCQ) scaling holds, at 3 GeV the v2 at midrapidity is negative for all hadrons and the NCQ scaling is absent. In addition, the v1 slopes at midrapidity for almost all observed hadrons are found to be positive, implying dominant repulsive baryonic interactions. The features of negative v2 and positive v1 slope at 3 GeV can be reproduced with a baryonic mean-field in transport model calculations. These results imply that the medium in such collisions is likely characterized by baryonic interactions. © 2025 The Authors.

Background: There is a need to develop comprehensive guidelines to encourage the promotion of oral hygiene care among older adults and to assist caregivers in this endeavor, taking into consideration the specific challenges that arise from aging, comorbidities and caregiving. Methods: This review was conducted by searching across relevant literature from meta-databases including Academic Google, PubMed, Scielo and Scopus for studies published from 2020 to 2024. PRISMA guidelines were followed. We included articles that described oral hygiene methods, caregiver education and mechanization status of older adults. Common themes, best practices, and gaps in current guidelines were tracked using extracted and analyzed data. Results: The review revealed multiple factors affecting the oral hygiene of older adults, with themes relating to physical impairment, cognitive dysfunction, and caregiver involvement. Highlighted between the approaches are individualized therapy for oral hygiene, caregiver education, and the use of technology to improve adherence to oral hygiene. Barriers like dental care access, underlying medical conditions complicating dental treatments, and cost considerations were identified. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the necessity of clear recommendations that can help caregivers and advance dental care for older adults.

Period poverty refers to the lack of access to or affordability of menstrual hygiene supplies such as sanitary products and the inaccessibility of washing facilities, waste disposal and educational materials. Period poverty can significantly affect menstruating individuals’ physical, mental, and reproductive health and emotional wellbeing; negatively impact educational outcomes; cause financial strain; result in absenteeism from work and school; create barriers to healthcare access; and perpetuate poor health outcomes for generations. Barriers to menstrual equity include lack of access to period support, cost, poor sanitary facilities, lack of education, social and cultural stigma, and legal restrictions. Therefore, it is crucial to actively advocate for initiatives to increase access to menstrual hygiene products, raise public awareness, and educate individuals on safe menstrual practices. Approximately 500 million girls and women worldwide and an estimated 16.9 million people in the United States experience period poverty, with the issue being particularly common among marginalized groups such as Black or Hispanic menstruating individuals and those who are homeless, living in poverty, of low income, or attending college. This article investigates the physical, psychological, educational and social impacts of inequitable access to menstrual products, menstrual education, and sanitation facilities among menstruating individuals who are Black, Hispanic or of low income within the United States. We examine the threat this poses to health equity and propose recommendations to address this pervasive issue.

BACKGROUND: Mothers and pregnant women who use opioids are particularly vulnerable. Mothers often fear surveillance, stigma, and loss of custody of their children when seeking treatment. Although opioid agonist therapy (OAT) has been shown to be effective, access varies regionally, and not all mothers can cease using opioids. This study compares outcomes of mothers who use opioids in the UK with universal healthcare and OAT access, and mothers in the U.S. with restricted healthcare and OAT access, focusing on their interactions with services. METHODS: This is a secondary data analysis of two studies on mothers who use opioids. Data were collected from nine mothers in Scotland (UK) and 20 mothers in New Jersey (US) through ethnographic, longitudinal studies spanning one year. The UK study used a "Learning Alliance" engagement approach, a patient/public engagement model that involves stakeholders in developing objectives and the dissemination of findings. The US study engaged "community-based consultants," who are paid individuals with lived experience from the study field communities to assist researchers in recruitment and ethnographic fieldwork. Ethical approval was received from review boards. Data were anonymized before analysis, and people with lived experience provided feedback on findings. Grounded theory methods were used for analysis. RESULTS: Findings reveal both convergent and divergent experiences. Mothers in Scotland had more access to healthcare and social housing but faced increased surveillance, while New Jersey mothers often experienced housing insecurity and difficulty obtaining healthcare. Shared challenges included trust issues, stigmatization, inconsistent practitioner engagement, responsibilization, and unclear expectations from child protection services. While Scottish mothers had better access to OAT, both groups faced child custody loss due to unregulated drug use. Mothers in both studies were struggling to meet reunification requirements of abstinence (with or without OAT) within the required time frame. CONCLUSIONS: Differing governance structures create persistent challenges across national boundaries. While health practitioners generally support harm reduction strategies, it does not go beyond OAT for mothers. Our findings indicate the need for radical harm reduction approaches with social justice for mothers who use drugs, including safer parental drug use strategies.

Heart Work: The Handbook on the Survival and Success of Cultural and Identity Centers in Higher Education highlights the experiences of higher education professionals working in these centers. This handbook offers a blend of personal stories and the latest research on cultural and identity centers, building on Dr. Lori Patton Davis’ 2010 book, Culture Centers in Higher Education: Perspectives on Identity, Theory, and Practice. Since 2010, these centers have navigated significant challenges, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, and have increased focus on institutional racism. The book delves into the experiences and histories of various cultural and identity centers, including Latinx/e Cultural Centers, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern Arab and Desi Cultural Centers, Native American/Indigenous Cultural Centers, Black/African American Cultural Centers, Disability Cultural Centers, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer+ Centers, and Undocumented Student Resource Centers. In light of recent events affecting minoritized populations, it also covers topics such as evolving practices in cultural/identity centers, university politics, and strategies for practitioners to advance and sustain the Heart Work. Heart Work offers community members - especially potential and current practitioners, faculty, and staff in higher education - an understanding of the recent environmental context of cultural and identity centers. As our society evolves, recognizing that identities are not monolithic and embracing intersectionality allows for a deeper understanding of oppression and lived experiences. This handbook aims to bridge the gap by continuing the research and practice of cultural and identity centers in higher education. © 2026 by Emerald Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.