bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strengthening Large‐Scale Agile Teams: The Interplay of High‐Quality Relationships, Psychological Safety, and Learning From Failures
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Ovais
Published: January 2025

Agile methods have become a standard practice within software industry, with organizations increasingly adopting large‐scale agile (LSA) frameworks. However, as these frameworks are implemented across multiple teams and organizational functions, new challenges emerge, particularly in maintaining alignment, coherence, and collaboration across teams. One crucial element in addressing these challenges is fostering of a culture of continuous learning and psychological safety, with the objective of optimizing team performance and ensuring project success. Despite the importance of this topic, there is a significant gap in existing literature regarding antecedents of psychological safety and its impact on team learning and performance in LSA environments. This study aims to investigate impact of high‐quality relationships and psychological safety on learning from failures and, consequently, on team performance in LSA context. An online survey of 167 software professionals in Sweden was conducted to test a conceptual model that is developed based on existing literature. The hypotheses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results demonstrate strong positive correlation between the presence of high‐quality relationships, psychological safety, and capacity to learn from failures and team performance. Specifically, the formation of high‐quality relationships has been demonstrated to significantly enhance psychological safety, which in turn facilitates learning from failures and leads to improved team performance. These findings offer valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers, highlighting the importance of cultivating relational dynamics and a psychologically safe environment in LSA projects. Furthermore, the study offers guidance for future research, regarding the scalability and generalizability of these findings.
A Systematic Mapping Study of the Metrics, Uses and Subjects of Diversity‐Based Testing Techniques
Authors: Elgendy Islam T. , Hierons Robert M. , McMinn Phil
Published: January 2025

There has been a significant amount of interest regarding the use of DBTtsfull in software testing over the past two decades. Diversity‐based testing (DBT) technique uses similarity metrics to leverage the dissimilarity between software artefacts—such as requirements, abstract models, programme structures or inputs—in order to address a software testing problem. DBT techniques have been used to assist in finding solutions to several different types of problems including generating test cases, prioritizing them and reducing very large test suites. This paper is a systematic mapping study of DBT techniques that summarizes the key aspects and trends of 167 papers that report the use of 79 different similarity metrics with 22 different types of software artefacts, which have been used by researchers to tackle 11 different types of software testing problems. We further present an analysis of the recent trends in DBT techniques and review the different application domains to which the techniques have been applied, giving an overview of the tools developed by researchers in order to do so. Finally, the paper identifies some DBT challenges that are potential topics for future work, such as exploring other diversity artefacts and measuring diversity for complex data input.
Identifying and Approaching Barriers to Environmental Flow Implementation Using Social–Ecological Systems Thinking
Authors: Grupper Madeline A. , Horne Avril C. , Webb J. Angus , Olden Julian
Published: January 2025

Environmental flows are a key tool for ensuring the sustainability of rivers, but successful implementation remains limited. Many barriers to implementation relate to the broader context of water management, social acceptance, or governance. Yet, there remains a disconnect between the social science and biophysical literature on environmental flows. This has led to widespread calls to bring social sciences into environmental flows. However, social science is a wide‐ranging discipline and there is no consensus on how its tools and concepts can assist environmental flows implementation. We examine the role of social–ecological systems (SES) and frameworks in guiding the links between social science and traditional environmental flow methods to best target implementation barriers. We concentrate on the characteristic ways in which SES frameworks interpret relationships in a system. We make the case for a greater focus on connecting environmental flow applications to broader SES and water management contexts during the design stages of environmental flow programs. We illustrate this with a case study from the Kaiela in south‐east Australia. Leveraging SES frameworks and characteristic thinking to complement environmental flows in these early stages can help identify potential barriers and where complementary social science efforts could improve implementation. Rather than expanding the scope of environmental flow assessments, this approach would contextualize them within sustainable water management efforts, forging better links to existing social science disciplines.
Measurement, self-similarity, and TNT equivalence of blasts from exploding wires
Authors: Morsel A. , Masi F. , Kotronis P. , Stefanou I.
Published: January 2025

Reduced-scale experiments offer a controlled and safe environment for studying the effects of blasts on structures. Traditionally, these experiments rely on the detonation of solid or gaseous explosive mixtures, with only limited understanding of alternative explosive sources. This paper presents a detailed investigation of the blasts produced by exploding aluminum wires for generating shock waves of controlled energy levels. We meticulously design our experiments to ensure a precise quantification of the underlying uncertainties and conduct comprehensive parametric studies. We draw practical relationships of the blast intensity with respect to the stand-off distance and the stored energy levels. The analysis demonstrates self-similarity of blasts with respect to the conventional concept of the scaled distance, a desirable degree of sphericity of the generated shock waves, and high repeatability. Finally, we quantify the equivalence of the reduced-scale blasts from exploding wires with high explosives, including TNT. This experimental setup and the present study demonstrate the high degree of robustness and effectiveness of exploding aluminum wires as a tool for controlled blast generation and reduced-scale structural testing.
Manuscript publication of abstracts presented at gynecologic surgery societies’ annual meetings
Authors: Fitzsimmons Kasey C. , Hamilton Kacey M. , Schneyer Rebecca J. , Toussia-Cohen Shlomi , Fan Shannon , Farsa Nikki R. , Levin Gabriel , Wright Kelly N. , Meyer Raanan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To study characteristics and identify factors associated with full manuscript publication of oral abstracts presented at gynecologic surgery societies’ annual meetings.

Study design

We reviewed all oral abstracts presented at four major gynecologic surgery meetings in 2018. Oral abstracts subsequently published as peer-reviewed manuscripts were compared to those that were not published. Descriptive statistical analysis and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with peer-reviewed manuscript publication.

Results

A total of 396 oral presentation abstracts from the four nationally recognized gynecologic societies were identified. The overall journal publication rate was 47.4% (188/396). The rate of publication of oral abstracts was 35.1% (72/205) for those presented at AAGL, 73.8% (62/84) for AUGS, 53.2% (42/79) for SGO and 42.9% (12/28) for SGS. In multivariable regression analysis, last author’s H-index [aOR 95% CI 1.02 (1.00–1.03)], academic center affiliation [aOR 95% CI 2.29 (1.20–4.37)], and randomized controlled trials [aOR 95% CI 2.47 (1.12–5.47)] were associated with journal publication. Of the published articles, the median time to publication was 3.0 years [1.0–5.0], the median journal impact factor was 3.9 [1.8–4.8], the median relative citation ratio was 1.0 [0.4–1.9], and the median number of citations per year was 2.0 [1.0–4.1].

Conclusions

In the field of gynecologic surgery, several factors, including the last researcher’s H-index, academic affiliation, randomized controlled trial design and type of societal meeting are associated with increased odds of an oral abstract ultimately reaching full manuscript peer-reviewed publication. These findings can serve researchers in the fields of gynecologic surgical subspecialties.
Deep learning and computer vision in plant disease detection: a comprehensive review of techniques, models, and trends in precision agriculture
Authors: Upadhyay Abhishek , Chandel Narendra Singh , Singh Krishna Pratap , Chakraborty Subir Kumar , Nandede Balaji M. , Kumar Mohit , Subeesh A. , Upendar Konga , Salem Ali , Elbeltagi Ahmed
Published: January 2025

Plant diseases cause significant damage to agriculture, leading to substantial yield losses and posing a major threat to food security. Detection, identification, quantification, and diagnosis of plant diseases are crucial parts of precision agriculture and crop protection. Modernizing agriculture and improving production efficiency are significantly affected by using computer vision technology for crop disease diagnosis. This technology is notable for its non-destructive nature, speed, real-time responsiveness, and precision. Deep learning (DL), a recent breakthrough in computer vision, has become a focal point in agricultural plant protection that can minimize the biases of manually selecting disease spot features. This study reviews the techniques and tools used for automatic disease identification, state-of-the-art DL models, and recent trends in DL-based image analysis. The techniques, performance, benefits, drawbacks, underlying frameworks, and reference datasets of more than 278 research articles were analyzed and subsequently highlighted in accordance with the architecture of computer vision and deep learning models. Key findings include the effectiveness of imaging techniques and sensors like RGB, multispectral, and hyperspectral cameras for early disease detection. Researchers also evaluated various DL architectures, such as convolutional neural networks, vision transformers, generative adversarial networks, vision language models, and foundation models. Moreover, the study connects academic research with practical agricultural applications, providing guidance on the suitability of these models for production environments. This comprehensive review offers valuable insights into the current state and future directions of deep learning in plant disease detection, making it a significant resource for researchers, academicians, and practitioners in precision agriculture.
Exploring the Correlation of Physiological Stress Signals with Student Exam Performance: A Preliminary Study
Authors: K. Kasap Ayşegül , Kurt Burçin
Published: January 2025

Stress responses in real-world settings are less studied compared to controlled laboratory environments, limiting our understanding of their impact on cognitive performance. This study investigates the relationship between physiological stress signals and academic performance using an open-access dataset of 10 students assessed across three exam sessions (Midterm 1, Midterm 2, and Final Exam). Physiological measures, including electrodermal activity (EDA), heart rate (HR), and skin surface temperature (TEMP), along with exam grades, were analyzed using traditional hypothesis testing, bootstrap method, correlation analysis, and regression tree modeling. To address the small sample size, we validated traditional hypothesis test results with the bootstrap method, and both approaches were compatible. Hypothesis testing revealed no significant differences in physiological measures across exam sessions, supporting the null hypothesis. Grades differed significantly between the final exam and both midterms (p < 0.05). Stress fluctuations were also analyzed across three periods (beginning, middle, and end) for each exam, revealing temporal response variations. Correlation analysis showed a moderate negative relationship between EDA and HR (r = − 0.504, p < 0.01) and a weak positive relationship between EDA and TEMP (r = 0.417, p < 0.05), both intensifying during the final exam. Regression analysis explained 78% of the variance in grades (R2 = 0.78), with regression tree modeling identifying lower skin temperature (< 28 °C) and higher EDA (≥ 0.19) as predictors of poorer performance. These findings underscore the interplay between physiological stress responses and academic outcomes, emphasizing the need for further research and interventions to support student success.
The associations of long-term physical activity in adulthood with later biological ageing and all-cause mortality – a prospective twin study
Authors: Kankaanpää Anna , Tolvanen Asko , Joensuu Laura , Waller Katja , Heikkinen Aino , Kaprio Jaakko , Ollikainen Miina , Sillanpää Elina
Published: January 2025

Objectives: The association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and a lower risk of mortality is susceptible to bias from multiple sources. We investigated the potential of biological ageing to mediate the association between long-term LTPA and mortality and whether the methods used to account for reverse causality affect the interpretation of this association. Methods: Study participants were twins from the older Finnish Twin Cohort (n = 22,750; 18–50 years at baseline). LTPA was assessed using questionnaires in 1975, 1981 and 1990. The mortality follow-up lasted until 2020 and biological ageing was assessed using epigenetic clocks in a subsample (n = 1,153) with blood samples taken during the follow-up. Using latent profile analysis, we identified classes with distinct longitudinal LTPA patterns and studied differences in biological ageing between these classes. We employed survival models to examine differences in total, short-term and long-term all-cause mortality, and multilevel models for twin data to control for familial factors. Results: We identified four classes of long-term LTPA: sedentary, moderately active, active and highly active. Although biological ageing was accelerated in sedentary and highly active classes, after adjusting for other lifestyle-related factors, the associations mainly attenuated. Physically active classes had a maximum 7% lower risk of total mortality over the sedentary class, but this association was consistent only in the short term. After accounting for familial factors and excluding participants reporting prevalent cardiovascular diseases, LTPA exhibited less favourable associations with mortality. Conclusion: The association between LTPA and lower all-cause mortality may be largely due to genetic confounding and reverse causality.
Text mining technologies applied to free-text answers of students in e-assessment
Authors: Charitopoulos Angelos , Rangoussi Maria , Metafas Dimitris , Koulouriotis Dimitrios
Published: January 2025

Educational Text Mining is a rapidly growing field, thanks to the adoption of modern probabilistic and machine learning algorithms. The current study focuses on student e-assessment by means of open-ended questions that require free-text answers (i.e., student essays), whose analysis and evaluation are resource-demanding tasks for the instructor, even when supported by modern e-learning platforms. Topic modeling through the Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm is employed in an experimental setup, aiming to (a) extract meaningful topics from the body of pooled student answers (interpretable in the educational context of the course), (b) align the extracted topics with the ‘native’ internal structure of the body of texts, and (c) offer recommendations for the teacher in the form of alternative (meaningful) restructurings of the e-assessment units and consequently of the course content units. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the extracted topic models have yielded positive results regarding the first two aims, and as far as the third aim is concerned, the extracted topic models expilicitly suggest that the teacher should proceed with relevant restructurings of the course content. These recommendations are of practical use for the teacher, especially when the teacher seeks to restructure the content of the course towards either fewer or more internal units. In conclusion, topic modeling provides a spectrum of possibilities to the teacher who is interested in exploring ways to improve the structure and organization of a course.
Nanoscale interfacial tribology behavior between clay and sand: effects of cations, normal load and sliding velocity
Authors: He Zhenyu , Zheng Yuan-Yuan , Yin Zhen-Yu , Wei Pengchang
Published: January 2025

The interfacial tribology between clay and sand could significantly affect the mechanical stability of soil structures, while it remains unclear in the microscale. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method has been employed to investigate the nanoscale friction behavior between quartz and montmorillonite at dry state, where quartz and montmorillonite are the common components of sand and clay, respectively. The effects of normal load, interlayer cations, and sliding velocity on their frictional behavior were discussed. The simulation results indicated that the stick–slip effect during friction process was gradually weakened with the increasing sliding velocity or decreasing normal load. The shear stress increased with the increasing normal load, exhibiting an approximately linear relationship. The order of friction coefficients of montmorillonite-quartz with different interlayer cations was Ca2+ > Zn2+ > Ni2+ > Pb2+ > Li+ > Rb+ > Cs+ > K+, illustrating that the friction coefficient of montmorillonite-quartz systems with divalent cations was greater than that with monovalent cations. The friction angle of montmorillonite-quartz with different interlayer cations varies from 6.96 to 17.28°. Moreover, the friction load rose linearly with the sliding velocity, indicating that nanoscale friction was velocity-dependent.
On the Changes of Residual Stress States of S550MC + 100Cr6 Cladded Steel Upon Tensile Deformation
Authors: Krochmal M. , Wegener T. , Zeisberg J. , Niendorf T.
Published: January 2025

The present study focuses on the evolution of residual stress (RS) and internal damage of a S550MC + 100Cr6 cladded steel after pre-deformation. Deformation-induced internal porosity was hardly found. RS depth profiles point at tensile RS in the 100Cr6 clad layer. These are most pronounced when minor pre-deformation levels are considered. A higher degree of deformation leads to reduced magnitudes of RS. This can be rationalized based on reduced differences in layer strength due to local strain hardening.
Data-driven modeling of staged planetary gearbox vibration signature
Authors: Graja Oussama , Ghorbel Ahmed , Hentati Taissir , Chaari Fakher , Walha Lassad , Jablonski Adam , Dziedziech Kajetan , Barszcz Tomasz , Haddar Mohamed
Published: January 2025

Modeling planetary gearboxes is an important field of research, since it helps in condition based monitoring of the system. Multiple models with different approaches were developed last decades. They showed interesting results, but they did not reflect all involved phenomena. Indeed, specifically in a complex rotating systems such as staged planetary gearboxes, those models only approximated the dynamic behavior of the investigated system. Hence, in this paper, an algorithm of modeling staged planetary gearbox vibration signature is proposed based on exclusively measured vibration signals. First, in section 2, the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) will be introduced. Second, in section 3, the DMD algorithm will be implemented on simulated mathematical functions to prove its robustness on future state prediction. Then, in section 4, the experimental staged planetary gearbox test rig is presented. Finally, in section 5, the DMD algorithm is applied to multiple measured vibration signals with different operating conditions as given in section 4. Interesting results are conducted and limits of the approach are presented.
Time effect of elastic energy release of surrounding rock and evaluation method of reasonable advancing speed
Authors: Yuan Ruifu , Ma Qi , Zhang Qunlei , Feng Chun , Wei Chunfu , Gao Yan
Published: January 2025

To reveal the rock burst mechanism, the stress and failure characteristics of coal-rock strata under different advancing speeds of mining working face were explored by theoretical analysis, simulation, and engineering monitoring. The relationship between energy accumulation and release was analyzed, and a reasonable mining speed according to specific projects was recommended. The theoretical analysis shows that as the mining speed increases from 4 to 15 m/d, the rheological coefficient of coal mass ranges from 0.9 to 0.4, and the elastic energy of coal mass accumulation varies from 100 to 900 kJ. Based on the simulation, there is a critical advancing speed, the iteration numbers of simulation are less than 15,000 per mining 10 m coal seam, the overburden structure is obvious, the abutment pressure in coal mass is large, and the accumulated energy is large, which is easy to cause strong rock burst. When the iteration number is greater than 15,000, the static force of coal mass increases slightly, but there is no obvious rock burst. Based on engineering monitoring, the mining speed of a mine is less than 8 m/d, and the periodic weighting distance is about 17 m; as the mining speed is greater than 10 m/d, and the periodic weighting distance is greater than 20 m; as the mining speed is 3–8 m/d, and the range of high stress in surrounding rock is 48 m; as the advancing speed is 8–12 m/d, and the high-stress range in surrounding rock is 80 m. Moreover, as the mining speed is less than 8 cut cycles, the micro seismic energy is less than 10,000 J; as the mining speed is 12 cut cycles, the micro-seismic energy is about 20,000 J. In summary, the advancing speed is positively correlated with the micro seismic event; as the mining speed increases, the accumulated elastic energy of surrounding rock is greater, which is easy to cause rock burst. The comprehensive analysis indicates the daily advance speed of the mine is not more than 12 cut cycles.
Creating nature-based play settings for children through looking, listening, learning and modifying in a Swedish landscape laboratory
Authors: Mårtensson Fredrika , Wiström Björn , Hedblom Marcus , Litsmark Anna , Gabriel Amanda , Herngren Linnea , Ågren Josefin , Sang Åsa Ode
Published: January 2025

Children's outdoor play and access to nature are important for their health and development of environmental agency but there is a global decline of green spaces available to them. The aim is to explore the possibilities of creating nature-based outdoor settings for play and learning which benefit children as well as the wildlife and wider ecosystems. A fieldwork on developing nature based play settings in an outdoor landscape laboratory in Sweden involved university students (3 days) and children, two groups of 3–5 years olds (8 days) and one group of 6-year-olds (4 days). Field notes from ethnographic work was at the core of the process and involved practitioners and scholars in landscape architecture, vegetation design, ecology and environmental psychology. An iterative place-based process of learning guided the process, including following phases: (1) looking and listening attentive to the physical environment and to the children´s activities in a setting (2) transdisciplinary learning based on results from the analysis of field notes and the dialogues, and, (3) modifications of settings. In two of the five settings investigated an intervention to improve the setting was set up, followed by further investigations, illustrating the iterative character of the process with elements of co-creation. The results reveal the potentials in collaborative work setting out to develop features in nature as woodland, meadow, water and paths, so that they align well with children´s needs as well as nature conservation. The material should be useful in efforts to make natural environment more accessible to children and to the conceptual development of play biotopes, useful in the design and management of sustainable living environments.
Biochar-microplastics interaction modulates soil nitrous oxide emissions and microbial communities
Authors: Zou Ziheng , Yu Qidong , Chen Runyu , Wang Jinyang , Liu Xueyan
Published: January 2025

Biochar has been proposed as a soil amendment in vegetable fields, where the widespread use of plastic film leads to significant retention of microplastics (MPs) in the soil. However, the interactive effect of biochar and MPs on plant growth and soil functions remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted a pot experiment to examine the effects of biochar application in the presence of conventional and biodegradable microplastics (0.05% w/w) on the growth of coriander, soil nitrogen (N) cycling processes, and microbial communities. The results showed that biochar application increased aboveground biomass by increasing plant available N of NH4
+, regardless of the presence of MPs. Biochar also significantly reduced soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions by an average of 16% without MPs. However, when MPs were present, the effect of biochar on N2O emissions was lessened depending on the MP type. Polylactic acid consistently reduced soil N2O emissions and the abundance of N2O production genes, irrespective of biochar application. Conversely, polyethylene without biochar reduced N2O emissions primarily by inhibiting N-related functional genes responsible for nitrification and denitrification. This inhibitory effect was reversed when biochar was applied, leading to a 26% increase in N2O emissions due to increased nifH and nirK gene abundance. Although biochar and MPs did not significantly alter microbial α-diversity, they altered the composition and structure of bacterial and fungal communities, linked to changes in soil N turnover. Our study underscores the critical role of MP type in assessing the effects of biochar on soil N cycling and N2O emissions. Consequently, plastic pollution may complicate the ability of biochar to improve plant growth and soil functions, depending on the characteristics of the MPs.

Graphical Abstract
Consumer financial well-being: Does scale choice alter the measure?
Authors: Heck Patrick , Ratcliffe Caroline , Tibbitts Elle
Published: January 2025

A crucial first step in helping consumers improve their financial lives is understanding their financial circumstances and well-being. The Financial Well-Being (FWB) scale measures a consumer’s subjective well-being related to aspects of their financial circumstances. It is available in standard-length (10-item) and abbreviated (5-item) versions, but no research has compared how completing either version may alter consumers’ responses. Notably, the 5-item scale includes a higher share of reverse-coded (i.e., negatively framed) items. We hypothesize that the difference in item framing between scale versions influences participants’ feelings about their financial situation, predicting that completing the 5-item FWB scale will result in more negative responses compared to completing the 10-item FWB scale. To test this hypothesis, we implement a randomized survey experiment using the Understanding America Study. In our experiment with nearly 6,000 participants, we find that completing the 5-item versus the 10-item FWB scale reduces FWB scores (average decline in the 5-item FWB score of 0.9 points, 95% CI [–1.552, –0.249]), and increases the share with a “low” 5-item FWB score by 5.0 percentage points, 95% CI [0.028, 0.071]), responses to individual scale items, and self-rated FWB. This pattern is strongest among lower-income respondents (average decline in FWB score of 2.3 points, 95% CI [–3.385, –1.171] and increases the share with a “low” 5-item FWB score by 8.1 percentage points, 95% CI [0.041, 0.121]). These findings highlight that FWB scale choice can have unexpected consequences. We discuss the implications for research on FWB and on the measurement of well-being more broadly.
Endogenous working hours, overlapping generations, and balanced neoclassical growth
Authors: Irmen Andreas
Published: January 2025

A balanced growth path that accounts for a decline in hours worked per worker approximates the evolution of today’s industrialized countries since 1870. This stylized fact is explained in an overlapping generations (OLG) model featuring two-period lived individuals equipped with per-period utility functions of the generalized log-log type proposed by Boppart and Krusell (2020) and a neoclassical production sector. Technological progress drives real wages up and expands the amount of consumption goods. The value of leisure increases, and the supply of hours worked declines. Technological progress moves a poor economy out of a regime with low wages and an inelastic supply of hours worked into a regime with high wages and a declining supply of hours worked. The balanced growth path is unique and stable. In the high wage regime, the equilibrium difference equation is available in closed form. A balanced growth path with declining hours worked may also be obtained with endogenous technological progress as in Romer (1986).
Winter Ice‐Wave Modeling With WAVEWATCH III in Lake Erie
Authors: Hu Haoguo , Titze Dan , Fujisaki‐Manome Ayumi , Mroczka Bryan , Wang Jia , Hawley Nathan , Orendorf Sophie , Frank Kaitlyn , Ruberg Steve
Published: January 2025

Operational wave forecasts for the Great Lakes originate from the NOAA Great Lakes Waves Unstructured version 2 system. The model uses a simple ice blocking (IC0) parameterization for ice‐wave damping, so ice‐covered portions of the lakes are treated as land in the modeling system. Although simple and effective, the simple block can impede forecasting by eliminating wave forecast guidance from areas with thin or partial ice cover. We evaluate 12 ice‐wave damping parameterizations within WAVEWATCH III (WW3, version 6.07.1) for Lake Erie, by comparing model results against wave observations made at several locations using moored acoustic wave and current profilers during the winters of 2010–2011 and 2012–2013. The comparisons show that the IC4M4 module performs the best among 12 ice modules with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.32–0.39 m and a root bias of −0.06 to −0.11 m, outperforming the existing IC0 parameterization (RMSE: 0.46–0.59 m; bias: −0.23 to −0.34 m) during the 2010–2011 analysis year. WW3 ice modules are mostly derived from measurements and studies of the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean. The dominant wave frequency is about 0.05∼0.10 Hz in the Arctic Ocean compared to 0.15∼0.2 Hz in the lake. Thus formulas built on frequency based on the studies from deep oceans may not be suitable for the shallow lakes because they cause too much damping. Although the IC4M4 ice module is from the study of the Antarctic Ocean , the wave attenuation formula based on incoming wave height is also suitable for Lake Erie.
Acid sphingomyelinase activity suggests a new antipsychotic pharmaco-treatment strategy for schizophrenia
Authors: Chestnykh Daria , Mühle Christiane , Schumacher Fabian , Kalinichenko Liubov S. , Löber Stefan , Gmeiner Peter , Alzheimer Christian , von Hörsten Stephan , Kleuser Burkhard , Uebe Steffen , Ekici Arif B. , Gulbins Erich , Kornhuber Johannes , Jin Hee Kyung , Bae Jae-sung , Lourdusamy Anbarasu , Müller Christian P.
Published: January 2025

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder. It is currently treated with antipsychotic drugs (APD). However, APD’s work only in a limited number of patients and may have cognition impairing side effects. A growing body of evidence points out the potential involvement of abnormal sphingolipid metabolism in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Here, an analysis of human gene polymorphisms and brain gene expression in schizophrenia patients identified an association of SMPD1 and SMPD3 genes coding for acid- (ASM) and neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (NSM). In a rat model of psychosis using amphetamine hypersensitization, we found a locally restricted increase of ASM activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Short-term haloperidol (HAL) treatment reversed behavioral symptoms and the ASM activity. A sphingolipidomic analysis confirmed an altered ceramide metabolism in the PFC during psychosis. Targeting enhanced ASM activity in a psychotic-like state with the ASM inhibitor KARI201 reversed psychotic like behavior and associated changes in the sphingolipidome. While effective HAL treatment led to locomotor decline and cognitive impairments, KARI201 did not. An RNA sequencing analysis of the PFC suggested a dysregulation of numerous schizophrenia related genes including Olig1, Fgfr1, Gpr17, Gna12, Abca2, Sox1, Dpm2, and Rab2a in the rat model of psychosis. HAL and KARI201 antipsychotic effects were associated with targeting expression of other schizophrenia associated genes like Col6a3, Slc22a8, and Bmal1, or Nr2f6a, respectively, but none affecting expression of sphingolipid regulating genes. Our data provide new insight into a potentially pathogenic mechanism of schizophrenia and suggest a new pharmaco-treatment strategy with reduced side effects.
Solid base-assisted photocatalytic degradation of polyethylene via the Norrish mechanism through the generation of alternating polyketones
Authors: Lu Po-Yi , Ningsih Lely A. , Heksa Ayu C. , Hu Che-Chia , Chen Wen-Chang , Chiu Yu-Cheng
Published: January 2025

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is widely used in plastic products. Due to its nonpolar molecular structure and inert hydrocarbon chains, it is resistant to degradation, leading to serious environmental problems. As a photocatalyst, TiO2 generates electron-hole pairs upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. The holes interact with hydroxide ions

$${\left(\right.{\mbox{OH}}}^{-}$$

OH

−

dissociated from a solid base to produce hydroxyl radicals (

$${}^{\bullet }{{\rm{OH}}}$$

OH

∙

). These radicals then attack the PE chain, generating carbonyl groups (C=O), which facilitate Norrish reactions and promote PE degradation. In this study, a LDPE-1%TiO2 (LDPE-1T) composite film was first soaked in a NaOH solution to determine its photocatalytic degradation efficiency under alkaline conditions. After 800 h of UV exposure, the film exhibited a significant mass loss of ~87 wt%. In contrast, the LDPE-1T composite film without NaOH pretreatment presented a lower mass loss of ~55 wt%. To increase the applicability of this study, a solid base was incorporated to fabricate LDPE-5%TiO2-3%K2CO3 (LDPE-5T-K) and HDPE-1%TiO2-3%K2CO3 (HDPE-1T-K) composite films through hot pressing. This modification was also shown to increase photocatalytic degradation efficiency by increasing the concentration of

$${}^{\bullet }{{\rm{OH}}}$$

OH

∙

radicals in the system, promoting the formation of C=O groups and facilitating the Norrish type I reaction.
Hybrid multi-objective optimization of µ-synthesis robust controller for frequency regulation in isolated microgrids
Authors: Mohammed Abdallah , Kadry Ahmed , Abo-Adma Maged , Samahy Adel El , Elazab Rasha
Published: January 2025

Frequency regulation in isolated microgrids is challenging due to system uncertainties and varying load demands. This study presents an optimal µ-synthesis robust control strategy that regulates microgrid frequency while enhancing system performance and stability—a proposed fixed-structure approach for selecting performance and robustness weights, informed by subsystem frequency analysis. The controller is optimized using multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) under inequality constraints, employing a Pareto front to identify optimal solutions. Comparative analyses demonstrate that the MOPSO-optimized controller achieves superior robustness and performance, tolerating up to 236% uncertainty compared to 171% for conventional µ-synthesis controllers. Additionally, it significantly reduces frequency deviation and enhances transient response. Nyquist stability analysis confirms robustness across renewable energy uncertainties. The results highlight the proposed controller’s effectiveness in isolated microgrid frequency regulation, with future work focused on discrete-time implementation for practical digital signal processing (DSP) applications.
In vitro antitumor effects of methanolic extracts of three Ganoderema mushrooms
Authors: Toson Elshahat A. , El-Fallal Amira A. , Oransa Marwa A. , El-Gharabawy Hoda M.
Published: January 2025

Ganoderma mushrooms have a variety of pharmacological activities and may have antitumor effects. Therefore, the antitumor activity of the methanolic fruiting body extracts of three Ganoderma spp. will be evaluated by estimating cell viability, cell cycle parameters and the mode of cellular death. In this regard, Sulfo-rhodamine B staining and flow cytometry were used. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and breast ductal carcinoma (T-47D) cell lines were used as cancer models, while mouse normal liver (BNL) and oral epithelial cell (OEC) lines were used as respective controls. The results revealed that Ganoderma resinaceum extract decreased the viability of BNL at an IC50 > 100 µg/mL but not that of HepG2 at an IC50 of 72.32 µg/mL. Additionally, Ganoderma australe and Ganoderma mbrekobenum decreased the viability of OEC cell line at an IC50 of 328.29 and 271.56 µg/ mL, respectively. On the other hand, the IC50 of T-47D were 221.95 and 236.45 µg/mL, respectively. The three extracts arrested the cell life cycle at the G1 phase in each case. G. resinaceum extract stimulated total apoptosis (Q2 + Q4) of 19.99% with low necrosis (Q1). However, the percentages of total cell necrosis in the T-47D cell line treated with the other two extracts were 31.10% and 18.28%, respectively while the percentages of total cell apoptosis were 6.83% and 1.78%, respectively. Thus, G. resinaceum significantly inhibited the viability of the HepG2 cell line, while both the G. australe and G. mbrekobenum extracts significantly decreased the viability of the T-47D cell line. These results may encourage speculation about their possible use for the therapeutic management of hepatocellular carcinoma and breast ductal carcinoma after further investigation.
Inflammatory biomarkers profiles and cognition among older adults
Authors: Thomas Aline , Guo Jing , Reyes-Dumeyer Dolly , Sanchez Danurys , Scarmeas Nikolaos , Manly Jennifer J. , Brickman Adam M. , Lantigua Rafael A. , Mayeux Richard , Gu Yian
Published: January 2025

Inflammation plays a major role in cognitive aging. Most studies on peripheral inflammation and cognitive aging focused on selected major inflammatory biomarkers. However, inflammatory markers are regulated and influenced by each other, and it is therefore important to consider a more comprehensive panel of markers to better capture diverse immune pathways and characterize the overall inflammatory profile of individuals. We explored 23 circulating inflammatory biomarkers using data from 1,743 participants without dementia (≥ 65 years-old) from the community-based, multiethnic Washington Heights Inwood Columbia Aging Project. Using principal component analysis (PCA), we developed six inflammatory profiles (PC-1 to PC-6) based on these 23 biomarkers and tested the association of resulting inflammatory profile with cognitive decline, over up to 12 years of follow-up. PC-1 described a pro-inflammatory profile characterized by high positive loadings for pro-inflammatory biomarkers. A higher PC-1 score was associated with lower baseline cognitive performances. No association of this profile with cognitive decline was observed in longitudinal analysis. However, PC-5 characterized by high PDGF-AA and RANTES was associated with a faster cognitive decline. Among older adults, a circulating pro-inflammatory immune profile is associated with lower baseline cognitive performance, and some specific pro-inflammatory cytokines might be associated with faster cognitive decline.
Telomere-to-telomere Phragmites australis reference genome assembly with a B chromosome provides insights into its evolution and polysaccharide biosynthesis
Authors: Cui Jipeng , Wang Rui , Gu Ruoqing , Chen Minghui , Wang Ziyao , Li Li , Hong Jianming , Cui Suxia
Published: January 2025

Phragmites australis is a globally distributed grass species (Poaceae) recognized for its vast biomass and exceptional environmental adaptability, making it an ideal model for studying wetland ecosystems and plant stress resilience. However, genomic resources for this species have been limited. In this study, we assembled a chromosome-level reference genome of P. australis containing one B chromosome. An explosion of LTR-RTs, centered on the Copia family, occurred during the late Pleistocene, driving the expansion of P. australis genome size and subgenomic differentiation. Comparative genomic analysis showed that P. australis underwent two whole gene duplication events, was segregated from Cleistogenes songorica at 34.6 Mya, and that 41.26% of the gene families underwent expansion. Based on multi-tissue transcriptomic data, we identified structural genes in the biosynthetic pathway of pharmacologically active Phragmitis rhizoma polysaccharides with essential roles in rhizome development. This study deepens our understanding of Arundinoideae evolution, genome dynamics, and the genetic basis of key traits, providing essential data and a genetic foundation for wetland restoration, bioenergy development, and plant stress.
Multiple signal amplification strategy for ultrasensitive sensing of Mycobacterium bovis based on 8–17 DNAzyme and CRISPR-Cas13a
Authors: Fu Xin , Gao Sainan , Zhang He , Ma Wenjie , Chen Yong , Luo Jiamei , Ye Bin
Published: January 2025

In this study, we developed a triple-cycle amplification system that connected the 8–17 DNAzyme cleavage, CRISPR-Cas13a-mediated cleavage and CHA in series, demonstrating high sensitivity and specificity in detecting Mycobacterium bovis.
Cyclic cooperativity contributions determine the hydrogen bond strengths in molecular clusters
Authors: Shivhare Ayush , Dehariya Bharti , Gadre Shridhar R. , Deshmukh Milind M.
Published: January 2025

The synergism (additivity) of cyclic cooperativity contributions determines the HB strength in various molecular clusters.
Synthesis of hierarchically porous tantalum phosphate catalysts by a sol–gel method for transformation of glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Huang Kai , Huhe Taoli , Liu Haichao , Gao Da-Ming , Zhai Yao
Published: January 2025

A hierarchically porous and highly effective tantalum phosphate (TaP) solid acidic catalyst was synthesized using a sol–gel method accompanied by phase separation for converting glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).
Composition and structure analyzer/featurizer for explainable machine-learning models to predict solid state structures
Authors: Jaffal Emil I. , Lee Sangjoon , Shiryaev Danila , Vtorov Alex , Barua Nikhil Kumar , Kleinke Holger , Oliynyk Anton O.
Published: January 2025

User-friendly and accessible featurizers generate features from CIFs in a high-throughput way to create simple and explainable machine-learning models.
Expression of concern: Photo-induced reduction of CO2 using a magnetically separable Ru-CoPc@TiO2@SiO2@Fe3O4 catalyst under visible light irradiation
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Chauhan R. K. , Sain Bir , Jain Suman L.
Published: January 2025

Expression of Concern for ‘Photo-induced reduction of CO2 using a magnetically separable Ru-CoPc@TiO2@SiO2@Fe3O4 catalyst under visible light irradiation’ by Pawan Kumar et al., Dalton Trans., 2015, 44, 4546–4553, https://doi.org/10.1039/C4DT02461C.
Enhancing an in situ-grown Ag/Cu2O/copper foam SERS substrate via an electromagnetic–chemical synergistic mechanism for trace detection of organic dyes
Authors: Xu Mengyu , Zhang Sheng , Zhou Ziyu , Zhang Yiruo , Zuo Congyu , Xue Changguo
Published: January 2025

In this study, Ag/Cu2O/copper foam SERS substrates were prepared by high-temperature annealing combined with in situ growth, which realised the effective detection of organic dyes, and showed certain capability for environmental protection.
Catalyst-derived hierarchy in 2D imine-based covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Guo Hao , Cline Joseph P. , Thorpe Ryan , Kiely Christopher J. , Rangarajan Srinivas , Snyder Mark A.
Published: January 2025

Dual role of scandium triflate as catalyst and growth modifier enables hierarchical growth of 2D imine-based covalent organic framework sorbents.
Exploring a metal/base-free porphyrin involving a carboxyl-functionalized pyridine moiety for photocatalytic N-arylation of benzamide validated using RSM
Authors: Mataghare Bhairav Chandroday , Bhagat Pundlik Rambhau
Published: January 2025

A metal/base-free porphyrin photocatalyst was successfully validated for the photocatalytic N-arylation of benzamide generated by BBD RSM in a custom-built photoreactor.
Phosphorus ring expansion at cobalt: targeted synthesis of P4, P5, and P7 ligands
Authors: Trabitsch Karolina , Hauer Sebastian , Schwedtmann Kai , Royla Philipp , Weigand Jan J. , Wolf Robert
Published: January 2025

Cationic cyclo-tetraphosphane [(LC)4P4][OTf]4 serves as a P1 and P2 building block in the targeted formation of novel P4, P5 and P7 ligands upon treatment with cyclotri- and cyclotetraphosphido cobalt complexes.
Selenoborates: a latent structure resource for infrared functional crystal materials
Authors: Yun Yihan , Tudi Abudukadi , Yang Zhihua , Li Guangmao , Pan Shilie
Published: January 2025

This work reviews selenoborates, categorizing them by structure, synthesis methods, and highlighting their bandgaps, nonlinear optical properties, and potential as IR functional materials.
Arrays of ultra-thin selenium-doped zirconium-anodic-oxide nanorods as potential antibacterial coatings
Authors: Kamnev Kirill , Bendova Maria , Fohlerova Zdenka , Fialova Tatiana , Martyniuk Oleh , Prasek Jan , Cihalova Kristyna , Mozalev Alexander
Published: January 2025

Self-organized growth of extraordinarily thin/sharp ZrO2 nanorods doped with Se species and advanced bactericidal properties was achieved via the anodization of Al/Zr bilayers in selenic acid electrolyte.
Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of quinoline–sulfonamide hybrid compounds: a promising strategy against bacterial resistance
Authors: Saifi Zohaib , Ali Asghar , Inam Afreen , Azam Amir , Kamthan Mohan , Abid Mohammad , Ali Imran
Published: January 2025

Hybrid compounds of quinoline–sulfonamide are potent medicinal weapons against drug-resistant bacteria.
Green synthesis of Ag–Fe bimetallic nanoparticles using fungal filtrates: unlocking multifunctional medical and environmental applications
Authors: Patel Bhakti , Choudhary Nisha , Dudhagara Dushyant , Shahid Mudassar , Syed Rabbani , Yadav Virendra Kumar , Sahoo Dipak Kumar , Patel Ashish
Published: January 2025

Synthesis of Ag–Fe bimetallic nanoparticles using Gymnascella dankaliensis filtrates as a novel fungal reducing agent, exploring their diverse applications in medical, environmental, and agricultural fields.
Enabling ionic transport in Li3AlP2: the roles of defects and disorder
Authors: Hu Ji , Squires Alexander G. , Kondek Jędrzej , Johnson Michael J. , Youd Arthur B. , Vadhva Pooja , Paul Partha P. , Withers Philip J. , Di Michiel Marco , Keeble Dean S. , Hansen Michael Ryan , Scanlon David O. , Rettie Alexander J. E.
Published: January 2025

Lithium metal phosphides are an emerging class of solid electrolytes. By introducing defects and disorder into the Li3(1−x)AlP2 system, enhanced ionic conductivity was observed.
Dual ligand functionalized pH-sensitive liposomes for metastatic breast cancer treatment: in vitro and in vivo assessment
Authors: Pandey Prashant , Arya Dilip Kumar , Kumar Anit , Kaushik Ajeet , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Rajinikanth P. S.
Published: January 2025

This research demonstrates the design and development of a novel dual-targeting, pH-sensitive liposomal (pSL) formulation of 5-fluorouracil, i.e., (5-FU-iRGD-FA-pSL) to manage breast cancer.