bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concomitant medications in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma receiving enfortumab vedotin: real-world data from the ARON-2EV study
Authors: Fiala Ondřej , Buti Sebastiano , Fujita Kazutoshi , de Liaño Alfonso Gómez , Fukuokaya Wataru , Kimura Takahiro , Yanagisawa Takafumi , Giannatempo Patrizia , Angel Martin , Mennitto Alessia , Molina-Cerrillo Javier , Bourlon Maria T. , Soares Andrey , Takeshita Hideki , Calabrò Fabio , Ortega Cinzia , Kucharz Jakub , Milella Michele , Seront Emmanuel , Park Se Hoon , Tural Deniz , Benedetti Giovanni , Ürün Yüksel , Battelli Nicola , Melichar Bohuslav , Poprach Alexandr , Buchler Tomas , Kopecký Jindřich , Conteduca Vincenza , Monteiro Fernando Sabino Marques , Massari Francesco , Gupta Shilpa , Santoni Matteo
Published: February 2025

Patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) are typically elderly and often have other comorbidities that require the use of concomitant medications. In our study we evaluated the association of concomitant use of antibiotics (ATBs), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), corticosteroids, statins, metformin and insulin with patient outcomes and we validated the prognostic role of a concomitant drug score in mUC patients treated with enfortumab vedotin (EV) monotherapy. Data from 436 patients enrolled in the ARON-2EV retrospective study were analyzed according to the concomitant medications used at baseline. Finally, the patients were stratified into three risk groups according to the concomitant drug score based on ATBs, corticosteroids and PPIs. Statistical analysis involved Fisher exact test, Kaplan–Meier method, log-rank test, and univariate/multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. Inferior survival outcomes were observed in ATB users compared to non-users (OS: 7.3 months, 95%CI 5.0 − 12.3 vs 13.7 months, 95%CI 12.2 − 47.3, p = 0.001; PFS: 5.1 months 95%CI 3.3 − 17.7 vs 8.3 months, 95%CI 7.1 − 47.3, p = 0.001) and also in corticosteroid users compared to non-users (OS: 8.4 months, 95%CI 6.6 − 10.0 vs 14.2 months, 95%CI 12.7 − 47.3, p < 0.001; PFS: 6.0 months 95%CI 4.6 − 7.9 vs 8.9 months, 95%CI 7.2 − 47.3, p = 0.004). In the Cox multivariate analysis, the concomitant drug score was a significant factor predicting both OS (HR = 1.32 [95% CI 1.03 − 1.68], p = 0.026) and PFS (HR = 1.23 [95% CI 1.01 − 1.51], p = 0.044). Our findings suggest detrimental impact of concomitant use of ATBs and corticosteroids on survival outcomes and the prognostic utility of the concomitant drug score in previously treated mUC patients receiving EV.
Understanding customer loyalty-aware recommender systems in E-commerce: an analytical perspective
Authors: Esmeli Ramazan , Can Ali Selcuk , Awad Aya , Bader-El-Den Mohamed
Published: February 2025

The selection of relevant variables is critical for providing personalized product and service recommendations on e-commerce businesses. However, the integration of e-loyalty-related features into recommender systems remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the impact of incorporating e-loyalty indicators, such as purchase frequency and platform engagement, on the performance of recommender systems in the context of e-commerce businesses. Using three well-established recommender system models and four real-world datasets, we conducted computational experiments to assess performance improvements when e-loyalty features are incorporated. The results show that integrating e-loyalty-related features significantly enhances the performance of recommendation systems, with sequential deep neural networks outperforming other algorithms. Our study contributes to the literature by highlighting the value of leveraging customer loyalty data to enhance recommendation accuracy. Theoretical implications include underscoring the importance of using longitudinal user engagement data in recommender systems to move beyond static personalization toward adaptive, behavior-aware technologies. From a practical perspective, our findings suggest that incorporating e-loyalty features can improve recommendation accuracy, offering valuable insights for e-commerce businesses seeking to personalize their services. This research offers original contributions by focusing on the role of loyalty-driven features in improving recommender systems, an area that remains largely underexplored.
Mindfulness-based interventions for binge eating: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jianyi , Tynan Mara , Mouangue Alexandra , Martin Caroline , Manasse Stephanie , Godfrey Kathryn
Published: February 2025

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained popularity in recent years in treating binge eating. Previous reviews and meta-analyses have found that MBIs demonstrated medium-large to large effects in reducing binge eating. However, as the literature on this topic has been growing rapidly, an updated review on MBIs’ effectiveness is much needed. This study is a 10-year update of the Godfrey, Gallo, & Afari (2015) systematic review and meta-analysis of MBIs for binge eating. PubMED, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched using keywords including binge eating, overeating, objective bulimic episodes, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, meditation, and mindful eating. Results indicate there has been a large increase in the number of studies testing MBIs for binge eating in the past 10 years with 54 studies meeting inclusion criteria, compared to 19 ten years ago. The majority of the studies yielded large and medium effect sizes. The random effects meta-analysis of between-group effect sizes yielded medium-large effects for MBIs versus non-psychological intervention controls at post-treatment (mean Hedge’s g = − 0.65) and follow-up (mean Hedge’s g = − 0.71), and negligible effects for MBIs versus active psychological controls at post-treatment (mean Hedge’s g = − 0.05) and follow-up (mean Hedge’s g = 0.13). Of all MBIs, DBT had the most studies with large effects. More studies examined MBIs that directly targeted binge eating had larger effects than studies with MBIs targeting other health outcomes (with binge eating as a secondary outcome). New studies included in the current review were internationally-conducted, focused more on participants with overweight or obesity, involved more self-help and technology-based components, and had more novel and innovative interventions components. Future MBIs research should conduct more RCTs comparing MBIs with other psychological interventions, conduct meta-analyses to examine the effectiveness of different types of MBIs and intervention targets, and extend follow-up periods.
Improved lower bound for estimating the number of defective items
Authors: Bshouty Nader H.
Published: February 2025

Consider a set of items, X, with a total of n items, among which a subset, denoted as

$$I\subseteq X$$

I
⊆
X

, consists of defective items. In the context of group testing, a test is conducted on a subset of items Q, where

$$Q \subset X$$

Q
⊂
X

. The result of this test is positive, yielding 1, if Q includes at least one defective item, that is if

$$Q \cap I \ne \emptyset $$

Q
∩
I
≠
∅

. It is negative, yielding 0, if no defective items are present in Q. We introduce a novel method for deriving lower bounds in the context of non-adaptive randomized group testing. For any given constant j, any non-adaptive randomized algorithm that, with probability at least 2/3, estimates the number of defective items |I| within a constant factor requires at least

$$\Omega \left( \dfrac{\log n}{\log \log {\mathop {\cdots }\limits ^{j}}\log n}\right) $$

Ω

log
n

log
log

⋯
j

log
n

tests. Our result almost matches the upper bound of

$$O(\log n)$$

O
(
log
n
)

and addresses the open problem posed by Damaschke and Sheikh Muhammad in (Combinatorial Optimization and Applications - 4th International Conference, COCOA 2010, pp 117–130, 2010; Discrete Math Alg Appl 2(3):291–312, 2010). Furthermore, it enhances the previously established lower bound of

$$\Omega (\log n/\log \log n)$$

Ω
(
log
n
/
log
log
n
)

by  Ron and Tsur (ACM Trans Comput Theory 8(4): 15:1–15:19, 2016), and independently by Bshouty (30th International Symposium on Algorithms and Computation, ISAAC 2019, LIPIcs, vol 149, pp 2:1–2:9, 2019). For estimation within a non-constant factor

$$\alpha (n)$$

α
(
n
)

, we show: If a constant j exists such that

$$\alpha >{\log \log {\mathop {\cdots }\limits ^{j}}\log n}$$

α
>

log
log

⋯
j

log
n

, then any non-adaptive randomized algorithm that, with probability at least 2/3, estimates the number of defective items |I| to within a factor

$$\alpha $$

α

requires at least

$$\Omega \left( \dfrac{\log n}{\log \alpha }\right) .$$

Ω

log
n

log
α

.

In this case, the lower bound is tight.
The Berry Paradox
Authors: Tennant Neil
Published: February 2025

Berry’s Paradox, like Russell’s Paradox, is a ‘paradox’ in name only. It differs from genuine logico-semantic paradoxes such as the Liar Paradox, Grelling’s Paradox, the Postcard Paradox, Yablo’s Paradox, the Knower Paradox, Prior’s Intensional Paradoxes, and their ilk. These latter arise from semantic closure. Their genuine paradoxicality manifests itself as the non-normalizability of the formal proofs or disproofs associated with them. The Russell, the Berry, and the Burali-Forti ‘paradoxes’, by contrast, simply reveal the straightforward inconsistency of their respective existential claims—that the Russell set exists; that the Berry number exists; and that the ordinal of the well-ordering of all ordinals exists. The disproofs of these existential claims are in free logic and are in normal form. They show that certain complex singular terms do not—indeed, cannot—denote. All this counsels reconsideration of Ramsey’s famous division of paradoxes and contradictions into his Group A and Group B. The proof-theoretic criterion of genuine paradoxicality formally explicates an informal and occasionally confused notion. The criterion should be allowed to reform our intuitions about what makes for genuine paradoxicality, as opposed to straightforward (albeit surprising) inconsistency.
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK): emerging target for drug-resistant malignant tumors
Authors: Aakriti Jaya , Vithalkar Megh Pravin , Maity Swastika , Baby Krishnaprasad , Nagareddy Prabhakara R. , Nayak Yogendra
Published: February 2025

Malignant tumors associated with drug resistance present a significant challenge for clinicians and drug developers. Mutations and alterations within the tumor microenvironment frequently drive cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Despite identifying numerous molecular targets and lead compounds, achieving sustained efficacy remains challenging due to the rapid mutation rates and the emergence of resistance. Recently, Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, has emerged as a promising target for inhibiting cancer progression, with several lead molecules advancing through clinical trials. FAK plays a critical role in cancer pathology by regulating cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. Its structure comprises three domains- the N-terminal FERM domain, kinase domain, and C-terminal focal adhesion targeting domain- contributing to its functional versatility. Ligands targeting the FERM and kinase domains can suppress cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. The FERM domain, a member of the ezrin, radixin, and moesin family, is particularly noteworthy for its ligand-binding capabilities and potential to inhibit tumor growth. While FAK is a compelling anticancer target, challenges such as tissue-specific physiological variability and broad ligand specificity remain. This review provides a detailed analysis of FAK’s role in cancer progression and explores emerging molecules targeting FAK as potential treatments for drug-resistant malignant tumors.

Graphical Abstract
A Systematic Review of Cognitive and Behavioural Symptoms in CTNNB1 Syndrome
Authors: Pallarès-Sastre Mercè , Amayra Imanol , Salgueiro Monika , Villanueva-Viar Elena , Lasa-Aranzasti Amaia , García Maitane
Published: February 2025

CTNNB1 syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a likely pathogenic or pathogenic variant in the CTNNB1 gene. A systematic review was conducted to examine previous research that provided CTNNB1 syndrome patients, specifically those that described intellectual quotient, motor development, language impairments, behavioural problems and features of autism. Databases examined were PubMed and Scopus. The inclusion criteria were (a) reported human patients diagnosed with CTNNB1 syndrome by a genetic test; (b) were related to cognition, intelligence quotient, motor development, language impairment, behavioural problems or features of autism; (c) did not have another genetic diagnosis and (d) were written in Spanish or English. A total of 42 studies were included. Overall, the symptomatology described was very heterogeneous with varying degrees of impairment among patients. However, individuals reached most significant developmental milestones later than expected and with different degrees of impairment. The use of standardised methodology to assess cognitive and behavioural domains was scarce in most studies, and the vast majority did not include a specific assessment protocol based on the symptomatology of CTNNB1 syndrome individuals. In addition, only two adult patients were described in depth, which implies that there are many unknowns about the progression of the syndrome later in life. Therefore, future research should focus on increasing the sample assessed and count with a standardised protocol in order to characterise the cognitive and behavioural phenotype of CTNNB1 syndrome.
Scaling Behavior and Surface Quality of High-Strength Low-Alloy Steels with Higher Levels on Cu, Sn, and Ni Under Slab Reheating Conditions
Authors: Gaiser Georg , Presoly Peter , Bernhard Christian , Ilie Sergiu
Published: February 2025

Nowadays the production of steel from scrap in electric arc furnaces is the most common bridging technology to reduce CO2 emissions. Depending on scrap quality, a non-negligible content of tramp elements such as Cu, Sn, or Ni is introduced into the steel. As their affinity to oxygen is lower than that of iron, they typically enrich at the steel/scale interface area and along grain boundaries during oxidation, which may result in quality problems. Oxidation processes are unavoidable in solid steel processing, and therefore, a deeper understanding of the occurring phenomena, such as intergranular oxidation and liquid metal infiltration of grain boundaries, is essential to continuously improve the product quality. In this study, oxidation experiments for slab reheating were performed by simultaneous thermal analysis under near-process conditions. For a clear statement on the role of tramp elements during oxidation, steel grades with and without tramp elements were investigated. The addition of the expected future contents of Cu and Sn does not affect external oxidation, but at the interface the presence of Cu and Sn leads to the formation of liquid Cu phases and infiltration of grain boundaries. The additional presence of Ni counteracts this formation, but due to its huge impact on iron activity it favors the formation of a rough steel/scale interface. In contrast with Ni, Cu and Sn hardly have any influence on iron activity. Numerical calculations based on a diffusion model and results of the well-known thermochemical software FactSage confirm these effects.
Costs of choice: reformulating price theory without heroic assumptions
Authors: Devereaux Abigail
Published: February 2025

The space of human possibilities is vast and ever-growing in a creative, unpredictable fashion. Still, prices form. Acknowledging the costs of choice invokes the famous infinite regress argument wherein utility can’t be calculated without first computing an infinite chain of transaction costs. Rational individuals, to avoid getting stuck in infinite regress, must look outside themselves to make decisions. Heuristics, culture, aesthetics, and other elements of human sociality can be understood as grappling hooks to scale the unknown. Contextual or heuristic decision-making appears irrational under perfect knowledge assumptions, but theorists of creatively evolving systems cannot sufficiently explain emergent system features like prices, tradeoffs, and transaction costs without marshaling a nontrivial theory of knowledge acquisition and use. A price theory of creatively evolving social systems must, therefore, minimize a priori agent knowledge, like the “classical price theory” developed by Inoua and Smith (Economics of markets: neoclassical theory, experiments, and theory of classical price discovery, Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2023). I motivate and then discuss the contours and implications of a price theory that takes the costs of choice seriously, such that the primary modeling assumption isn’t epistemic heroism but epistemic humility.
Health-related quality of life after major extremity trauma: qualitative research with military service members and clinicians to inform measurement of patient-reported outcomes
Authors: Tyner Callie E. , Kisala Pamela A. , Slotkin Jerry , Cohen Matthew L. , Cancio Jill M. , Pruziner Alison L. , Dearth Christopher L. , Tulsky David S.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to understand health-related quality of life (HRQOL) factors for adults who experience major extremity trauma, including limb preservation and amputation, to guide the selection and creation of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures.

Methods

A thematic content qualitative analysis was used to study service members (SMs) with a history of major extremity trauma and clinical providers with expertise in limb trauma, limb loss, and limb preservation/reconstruction. Focus groups were conducted at three Military Treatment Facilities and one Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Results

Fifty-six SMs and 34 clinicians participated. Thirty-six percent of focus group comments were coded under Physical Health, 31% Emotional Health, and 28% Social Participation. These results were largely consistent across clinicians and SMs, and clinical subgroups, with a few exceptions such as the relevance of fine motor tasks and prosthetic devices for SMs with upper extremity injury/limb loss, and orthotic devices for SMs with limb preservation/reconstruction.

Conclusion

Many HRQOL topics identified are shared with existing general PRO measures—including pain, physical function, anxiety, depression, anger, positive affect and well-being, fatigue, social participation, and loneliness—as well as rehabilitation-focused PRO measures—such as resilience, grief/loss, stigma, self-esteem, mobility, fine motor functioning, self-care, and independence. This qualitative research can be used to inform domains of HRQOL in need of new PRO measures for this population, including satisfaction with orthosis/prosthesis, satisfaction with physical abilities/athleticism, body image, future outlook, and vocational impact.
Going in or Going out– Practicing Embedded Research as a True Insider
Authors: Berglund Mattias
Published: February 2025

In this autoethnographic article, I explore my experiences as a true insider, one with a dual position of researcher/practitioner in combination with organizational membership and experience in a studied setting. The concept of insider has mainly been explored as a methodological approach, where insider position concerns the relationship between researchers and participants. As someone who does research in combination with practical responsibilities, literature on co-production could only provide some guidance since the literature tends to be written from a researcher’s perspective; this is how one as a researcher co-produces, but provides fewer answers for researchers who are embedded by default. By reflecting on my experiences, I identify potential conceptual differences between different perspectives of the position of insider, both researcher-insider (as methodology) and insider-researcher (as membership) emerge with different categories to them. These categories are conceptually differentiated by experience, membership, enter and exit, responsibilities, and potential for long-term dialogue. The article identifies potential gaps for future research in the current literature on co-production for insider- researcher, mainly concerning quality criteria when change and actionable knowledge might be difficult to achieve; as well as potential difficulties concerning research ethics which may arise due to access and when one inhibits a dual position. The article also highlights how long-term implications, which could contribute to the co-production paradigm, are hidden due to difficulties in communicating practical experiences back to research unless done by a researcher.
Factors associated with preeclampsia and the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy amongst Indigenous women of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Stephens Jacqueline , Grande Eleonora Dal , Roberts Tayla , Kerr Marianne , Northcott Celine , Johnson Tahlia , Sleep Jessie , Ryder Courtney
Published: February 2025

Purpose of the Review

Preeclampsia and the Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) occur more frequently amongst Indigenous women and can have short- and long-term impacts on maternal and infant health and wellbeing. To understand factors associated with increased risk for Indigenous women a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. The PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, and the review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (Registration CRD42023381847). EndNote, Covidence and Excel were used to screen and extract data, with studies assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools.

Recent Findings

Seven studies from Canada, Australia, and the United States (none from New Zealand) were included in this review. Meta-analysis showed women classified as overweight (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09–1.60), obese (OR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.57–2.25), or having high mean BMI (MD 3.02 95% CI: 1.72–4.31), high mean systolic blood pressure (MD 15.19 95% CI: 12.83–17.541), or high mean diastolic blood pressure (MD 15.26 95% CI: 13.05–17.47), pre-pregnancy diabetes (OR 3.63, 95% CI: 1.66–17.94), or high microalbuminuria (OR 2.76, 95% CI: 1.40–5.43) were more likely to be diagnosed with preeclampsia. Smoking (OR 0.77, 95% CI: 0.58–1.03), alcohol consumption (OR 1.70, 95% CI: 0.76–3.81), and gestational diabetes (OR 1.74, 95% CI: 0.90–3.37) were not associated with preeclampsia.

Understanding factors associated with increased preeclampsia/HDP risk amongst Indigenous women is important to minimising adverse perinatal events and future health complications. This review demonstrates current gaps in the evidence, specifically in relation to social, economic, and environmental factors.
Comparative assessment of satellite-based models through Planetscope and landsat-8 for determining physico-chemical water quality parameters in Varuna River (India)
Authors: Parida Bikash Ranjan , Tiwari Shivangi , Dwivedi Chandra Shekhar , Pandey Arvind Chandra , Singh Bhaskar , Behera Mukunda Dev , Kumar Navneet
Published: February 2025

Water quality monitoring is critical for maintaining safe water and conserving ecosystem diversity. However, data and information on riverine water quality are sparse in India’s river systems. Remote sensing analytics have huge potential to enhance the ecological state of water resources by monitoring the evolution of water contamination over time. The principal aim of the study is to use empirical modelling approaches in developing models for estimating water quality parameters (WQPs) such as total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), Calcium, Chloride, and pH using Landsat-8 and PlanetScope satellite data and laboratory analysis. Surface reflectance and band ratios are mainly utilized as input data to develop linear regression with measured water quality data. Regression-based results with PlanetScope generated significantly higher R
2 for all WQPs (0.65–0.78) except pH (0.41) as compared to Landsat-8. Results also showed that the regression models of TSS, DO, Calcium, Chloride, and pH are highly significant to visible (B, G and R) and near-infrared (NIR) bands of PlanetScope which can be attributed to finer spatial resolution. The water quality is mainly very poor around densely populated areas which crosses the permissible limit. Furthermore, the findings of this study illustrated the considerable capacity of water quality models based on remote sensing for conducting periodic monitoring and assessment. The applied empirical approach demonstrates the potential applicability of remote sensing analytics for the formulation of water management strategies, policies, and decision-making.
Interpolation of variable Hardy–Lorentz–Karamata spaces associated with rearrangement functions
Authors: Hao Zhiwei , Li Libo , Weisz Ferenc
Published: February 2025

In this article, we introduce variable Lorentz–Karamata spaces

$${\mathcal {L}}_{p(\cdot ),q,b}(R)$$

L

p
(
·
)
,
q
,
b

(
R
)

defined by rearrangement functions and develop the martingale theory in this framework. The real interpolation theory for variable Lorentz–Karamata spaces is presented. Based on this and the new atomic decomposition, we study the real interpolation theory for variable martingale Hardy–Lorentz–Karamata spaces. We also characterize the real interpolation spaces between variable martingale Hardy spaces and

$$BMO_2$$

B
M

O
2

spaces. The results obtained here generalize the previous results for variable Lorentz spaces as well as for variable martingale Hardy–Lorentz spaces. Moreover, we remove the condition

$$\theta +p_->1$$

θ
+

p
-

>
1

in [Banach J. Math. Anal. 2023, 17(3): 47].
What is the Point of Social Media? Corporate Purpose and Digital Democratization
Authors: Aytac Ugur
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a new normative framework to think about Big Tech reform. Focusing on the case of digital communication, I argue that rethinking the corporate purpose of social media companies is a distinctive entry point to the debate on how to render the powers of tech corporations democratically legitimate. I contend that we need to strive for a reform that redefines the corporate purpose of social media companies. In this view, their purpose should be to create and maintain a free, egalitarian, and democratic public sphere rather than profit seeking. This political reform democratically contains corporate power in two ways: first, the legally enforceable fiduciary duties of corporate boards are reconceptualized in relation to democratic purposes rather than shareholder interests. Second, corporate governance structures should be redesigned to ensure that the abstract purpose is realized through representatives whose incentives align with the existence of a democratic public sphere. My argument complements radical proposals such as platform socialism by drawing a connection between democratizing social media governance and identifying the proper purpose of social media companies.
Künstliche Intelligenz in den Naturwissenschaftsdidaktiken – gekommen, um zu bleiben: Potenziale, Desiderata, Herausforderungen
Authors: Nehring Andreas , Buschhüter David , Kubsch Marcus , Ludwig Tobias , Wulff Peter , Neumann Knut
Published: February 2025

Naturwissenschaftsdidaktische Forschungen, die auf Methoden der künstlichen Intelligenz (KI) und insbesondere des maschinellen Lernens (ML) zurückgreifen, stellen ein neues und dynamisches Feld dar. Vor dem Hintergrund vieler bereits vorliegender Arbeiten, bei denen Anwendungen im Bereich des Assessments oder der Evaluationen von ML-Modellen hinsichtlich ihrer Validität und Effektivität im Mittelpunkt stehen, argumentiert dieser Beitrag, dass zukünftige Forschung stärker das transformative Potenzial von ML für das Lehren und Lernen sowie für die Forschung selbst in den Blick nehmen sollte – ohne dabei ethische und erkenntnistheoretische Herausforderungen als Teil kritischer Reflexionen aus dem Blick zu verlieren. Anhand zweier Kontinuen, die durch die Antipoden „Grundlagen- und Praxisorientierung“ sowie „inkrementelle und disruptive Innovation“ aufgespannt werden, werden diese Perspektiven mittels vier beispielhafter Forschungsfelder zusammengeführt: Erstens „Unterricht individualisieren“, zweitens „Lernprozesse verstehen – durch physiologische Sensoren und multimodale Analysen“, drittens „qualitative und quantitative Daten integrieren“ und schließlich „mit künstlicher Intelligenz forschen“. Der Beitrag nutzt den Stand internationaler Forschungsarbeiten und naturwissenschaftsdidaktischer Problemstellungen, um das Potenzial und die kritische Reflexion von KI-Anwendungen für die Naturwissenschaftsdidaktiken weiter zu spezifizieren. Forschenden wird eine Orientierung im Forschungsbereich vorgeschlagen und wesentliche Herausforderungen für die Weiterentwicklung des Feldes werden beschrieben, die naturwissenschaftsdidaktische Forschungen im Bereich ML in den kommenden Jahren informieren könnten.
Characterization of copper–graphene nanocomposite block prepared by friction stir additive manufacturing
Authors: Khorram Davood , Elyasi Majid , Mirnia Mohamad Javad , Derazkola Hamed Aghajani
Published: February 2025

This study explores the friction stir additive manufacturing (FSAM) of copper enhanced with graphene nanosheets, aiming to improve the mechanical and electrical properties of the material. Copper sheets and graphene nanosheets were used as raw materials and a systematic FSAM process was employed to create a multi-layered composite. Microstructural analysis revealed defect-free layers with well-distributed graphene, particularly in stir and restirring zones. The incorporation of graphene significantly enhanced the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the composite to 321 MPa, a 56% increase over pure copper. Electrical conductivity also improved, reaching 108% IACS compared to 104% for pure copper. This enhancement is attributed to the graphene’s superior electron transport pathways and its effective bonding within the copper matrix. The presence of graphene in the Imp.Cu-nano sample reduced the exposure area to the corrosive solution, improved the microstructure, and enhanced corrosion resistance. Fracture surface analysis showed smaller dimples in the composite, indicating increased strength but reduced ductility compared to pure copper. Hardness measurements confirmed higher hardness values in the upper layers of the composite due to finer grain structures. These findings suggest that graphene-reinforced copper composites produced by FSAM hold significant promise for applications requiring enhanced mechanical strength and electrical conductivity.
Combined Effects of Tillage and Fertilization Sources on Soil Characteristics and Tuber Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in a Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Mancinelli Roberto , Atait Mariam , Allam Mohamed , Catalani Alessia , Jasarevic Merima , Marinari Sara , Radicetti Emanuele , Jamal Aftab , Abideen Zainul , Chilosi Gabriele
Published: February 2025

Soil tillage practices and fertilization are the backbones of potato crop production system. Sustainable agricultural practices are essential for enhancing potato production in the Mediterranean environment and addressing the food security challenges. The main goal of research is to evaluate the efficacy of different soil tillage practices in combination with different fertilization sources on two potato genotypes to enhance plant growth, yield, disease resistance, and soil characteristics in the Mediterranean environment over the period of two consecutive years. Three tillage practices were adopted: plowing as conventional tillage, subsoiling, and spading as conservation tillage. Two fertilization treatments included mineral and organic fertilization. The two potato varities cultivated were Levante and Agata. The total soil nitrogen (TN) percentage in the soil increased to 0.16% under subsoiling with organic fertilization, followed by improvements in total carbon percentage and carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio. However, these practices did not significantly impact potato yield. The highest yield of commercial tubers was observed with plowing (27.3 n. m− 2) and mineral fertilization (25.3 n. m− 2). For seed tubers, spading tillage (34.1 n. m− 2) and organic fertilization (33.8 n. m− 2) were effective in improving both yield and quality. The Levante potato variety, The 4th International Electronic Conference on Agronomy showed resistance to early blight (Alternaria spp.) and root rot (Sclerotium rolfsii), in contrast to the Agata variety. Implementing conservation tillage practices combined with organic fertilization and disease resistant potato varieties may enhance sustainability in potato production in Mediterranean environments.
Physiological and Biochemical Traits of Dormancy Release and Growth Resumption in Japanese Cedar in the Warm-Temperate Zone
Authors: Hiejima Shoma , Seino Hiroto , Hachisuka Rico , Watanabe Yuka , Matsuura Takakazu , Mori Izumi C. , Ugawa Shin
Published: February 2025

Global warming will disturb dormancy release and growth resumption of trees. To better understand this process, it is important to investigate physiological and biochemical traits related to these stages. We examined dormancy release and growth resumption in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica [L.] D. Don), an evergreen needle-leaved tree, in the warm-temperate zone by evaluating budbreak under growth-promoting conditions, and simultaneously examining respiration rates and contents of carbohydrates and phytohormones in shoots from November 2022 to March 2023. A long time to budbreak and the lowest budbreak rates of 75% in November indicated shallow dormancy. Budbreak rates of 98%, short time to budbreak, and first appearance of budbreak in the field in March indicated growth resumption. Continuous changes in budbreak rates and time to budbreak between dormancy and growth resumption indicated dormancy was gradually released. Surges in budbreak rates in December indicated dormancy was almost completely released by early winter. Contents of abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) decreased from November, remained low in March, and were strongly associated with budbreak rates according to principal component analysis. It was suggested that the depletion of SA led to the depletion of ABA, contributing to dormancy release and growth resumption. Fructose and trans-zeatin accumulated until February, and low levels of starch, indole-3-acetic acid, jasmonic acid, and jasmonic acid-isoleucine during winter was followed by accumulation in March. Although these biochemical traits were less related to budbreak rates compared to ABA and SA, they seemed to assist either dormancy release or growth resumption.
Risk management in the era of data-centric engineering
Authors: Di Francesco Domenic
Published: February 2025

Novel methods of data collection and analysis can enhance traditional risk management practices that rely on expert engineering judgment and established safety records, specifically when key conditions are met: Analysis is linked to the decisions it is intended to support, standards and competencies remain up to date, and assurance and verification activities are performed. This article elaborates on these conditions. The reason engineers are required to perform calculations is to support decision-making. Since humans are famously weak natural statisticians, rather than ask stakeholders to implicitly assimilate data, and arrive at a decision, we can instead rely on subject matter experts to explicitly define risk management decision problems. The results of engineering calculation can then also communicate which interventions (if any) are considered to be risk-optimal. It is also proposed that the next generation of engineering standards should learn from the success of open source software development in community building. Interacting with open datasets and code can promote engagement, identification (and resolution) of errors, training and ultimately competence. Finally, the profession’s tradition of independent verification should also be applied to the complex models that will increasingly contribute to the safety of the built environment. Model assurance will be required to keep pace with model development to identify suitable use cases as adequately safe. These are considered to be increasingly important components in ensuring that methods of data-centric engineering can be safely and appropriately adopted in industry.
EFFECTS OF DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING FREE SUGAR INTAKES, ON FREE SUGAR INTAKES, DIETARY PROFILES AND ANTHROPOMETRY: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Authors: Boxall Lucy R , Arden-Close Emily , James Janet , Appleton Katherine M
Published: February 2025

Free sugar intakes are currently higher than recommended for health, yet effective strategies for reducing consumption are yet to be elucidated. This work investigated the effects of different dietary recommendations for reducing free sugar intakes, on relevant outcomes, in UK adults consuming >5% total energy intake (TEI) from free sugars. Using a randomized controlled parallel-group design, 242 adults received nutrient-based (N=61), nutrient- and food-based (N=60), nutrient-, food- and food-substitution-based (N=63) or no (N=58) recommendations for reducing free sugars at a single timepoint, with effects assessed for the following 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were free sugar intakes as a percentage of TEI (%FS) and adherence to the recommendations at week 12. Secondary outcomes included TEI, diet composition, sugar-sweetened and low-calorie-sweetened food consumption and anthropometry. In Intention-to-Treat analyses adjusted for baseline measures, %FS reduced in intervention groups (%FSchange=-2.5 to -3.3%) compared to control (%FSchange=-1.2%) (smallest B=-0.573, p=0.03), with effects from week 1 until week 12, and no differences between interventions (largest B=0.352, p=0.42). No effects of intervention were found in dietary profiles, but change in %FS was associated with change in %TEI from non-sugar carbohydrate (B=0.141, p<0.01) and from protein (B=-0.171, p=0.02). Body weight was also lower at week 12 in intervention groups compared to control (B=-0.377, p<0.05), but associations with %FS were weak. Our findings demonstrate benefit from dietary recommendations for reducing free sugar intakes in UK adults. Limited advantages were found for the different dietary recommendations, but variety may offer individual choice.

Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04816955, registration date: 24.03.21.
Francis Fearon’s Ideas and Hidden Network of African Antislavery in Nineteenth-Century Gold Coast
Authors: Odijie Michael Ehis
Published: February 2025

This article critically examines the antislavery activism of Francis P. Fearon, an African activist based in late nineteenth-century Accra. His correspondence with the Aborigines’ Protection Society (APS) provides a profound insight into the dynamics of African abolitionism. By analysing a collection of letters housed in the APS archive, this study sheds light on Fearon’s commitment to abolishing slavery, driven by his principled opposition to family separation. The article underscores Fearon’s active involvement in a network of African antislavery advocates who sought to disrupt the institution of slavery through legal challenges and international advocacy. This research extends the growing literature on African abolitionism, which primarily focuses on the efforts of African missionaries, educated elites, and grassroots movements, adding a new dimension by exploring the operations of a dedicated network committed to the abolitionist cause.
Disrupted intersubject variability architecture in structural and functional brain connectomes in major depressive disorder
Authors: Fang Keke , Wen Baohong , Liu Liang , Han Shaoqiang , Zhang Wenzhou
Published: February 2025

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by significant intersubject variability in clinical presentations. Recent neuroimaging studies have indicated that MDD involves altered brain connectivity across widespread regions. However, the variability in abnormal connectivity among MDD patients remains understudied.

Methods

Utilizing a large, multi-site dataset comprising 1,276 patients with MDD and 1,104 matched healthy controls, this study aimed to investigate the intersubject variability of structural covariance (IVSC) and functional connectivity (IVFC) in MDD.

Results

Patients with MDD demonstrated higher IVSC in the precuneus and lingual gyrus, but lower IVSC in the medial frontal gyrus, calcarine, cuneus, and cerebellum anterior lobe. Conversely, they exhibited an overall increase in IVFC across almost the entire brain, including the middle frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, insula, striatum, and precuneus. Correlation and mediation analyses revealed that abnormal IVSC was positively correlated with gray matter atrophy and mediated the relationship between abnormal IVFC and gray matter atrophy. As the disease progressed, IVFC increased in the left striatum, insula, right lingual gyrus, posterior cingulate, and left calcarine. Pharmacotherapy significantly reduced IVFC in the right insula, superior temporal gyrus, and inferior parietal lobule. Furthermore, we found significant but distinct correlations between abnormal IVSC and IVFC and the distribution of neurotransmitter receptors, suggesting potential molecular underpinnings. Further analysis confirmed that abnormal patterns of IVSC and IVFC were reproducible and MDD specificity.

Conclusions

These results elucidate the heterogeneity of abnormal connectivity in MDD, underscoring the importance of addressing this heterogeneity in future research.
Law and Emotion: The Lexicon of ‘Enmity’ in Early Modern Inner Austria
Authors: Oman Žiga
Published: February 2025

This article investigates the lexicon of dispute settlement in early modern Inner Austria, exploring the broadest legal, social, and emotional dimensions of the concept of “enmity” to better understand the nature of dispute settlement and social relations in coeval Central Europe. In particular, the article examines how litigants and courts understood and used “enmity” and its cognates, and how changes in criminal law impacted its usage. The article focuses on interpersonal conflicts and violence among nonnobles, who constituted the vast majority of Inner Austria’s population. It demonstrates that well into the 1700s among local urbanites and peasants, “enmity” and its key synonyms expressing ill-will, discord, or hatred—as opposites of love, concord, and friendship—signified a social state of mutual hostility closely related to violent retribution rather than unrestrained feeling.
Increased Rotational Coupling Between Antarctic Sea Ice and the Atmosphere Over the Last 30 Years
Authors: de Jager Wayne , Vichi Marcello
Published: February 2025

Antarctic sea ice has been characterized by high temporal and spatial variability since the inception of reliable satellite records. The complex oceanic and atmospheric mechanisms driving this variability present ongoing challenges in determining their respective contributions. We examine the cyclonic and anticyclonic rotation dynamics within the sea ice and overlying atmosphere at daily timescales from 1991 to 2020 using a new generation remote‐sensing product for sea‐ice drift. A two‐dimensional pattern similarity comparison between the ice and atmospheric vorticity fields demonstrated a noteworthy increase in pattern similarity over the past 3 decades, despite the absence of any discernible trends in the mean intensity of either field. This escalating coupling suggests an increasing responsiveness of sea ice to atmospheric forcing, a phenomenon observed across all regions of the Southern Ocean. Notably, sea ice in the Weddell Sea experienced a sharp decline in the intensity of its clockwise and anticlockwise components from 2002 onwards. The increased coupling of sea‐ice drift at the synoptic scale with no discernible trends in the atmospheric forcing points to a plausible role of the ocean in modifying the rheology of pack‐ice. Analysis of the southern annular mode (SAM) reveals its winter correlation with sea‐ice vorticity but not to the observed strengthening of the coupling trend since the winter SAM trend is negligible. Our findings reiterate the predominant role of the atmosphere in driving rotation within Antarctic sea ice, while highlighting a knowledge gap on the possibly increasing influence of the under‐ice ocean on drift dynamics.
Innovations in bulk photovoltaics: design strategies for boosted photocurrent
Authors: Sreevalsan Akhil , Choi Hyosung
Published: February 2025

The limitations imposed by low contact resistance, restricted polarization access, and tensile strain in bulk photovoltaic systems were mitigated by the engineering and optimization of edge semimetal contacts using Bi/Au. Improved bulk PV photocurrent and intriguing prospective applications are made possible by this effort.
Precise targeting of transcriptional co-activators YAP/TAZ annihilates chemoresistant brCSCs by alteration of their mitochondrial homeostasis
Authors: Talukdar Priyanka Dey , Pramanik Kunal , Gatti Priya , Mukherjee Pritha , Ghosh Deepshikha , Roy Himansu , Germain Marc , Chatterji Urmi
Published: February 2025

Persistence of drug-resistant breast cancer stem cells (brCSCs) after a chemotherapeutic regime correlates with disease recurrence and elevated mortality. Therefore, deciphering mechanisms that dictate their drug-resistant phenotype is imperative for designing targeted and more effective therapeutic strategies. The transcription factor SOX2 has been recognized as a protagonist in brCSC maintenance, and previous studies have confirmed that inhibition of SOX2 purportedly eliminated these brCSCs. However, pharmacological targeting of transcription factors like SOX2 is challenging due to their structural incongruities and intrinsic disorders in their binding interfaces. Therefore, transcriptional co-activators may serve as a feasible alternative for effectively targeting the brCSCs. Incidentally, transcriptional co-activators YAP/TAZ were found to be upregulated in CD44+/CD24-/ALDH+ cells isolated from patient breast tumors and CSC-enriched mammospheres. Interestingly, it was observed that YAP/TAZ exhibited direct physical interaction with SOX2 and silencing YAP/TAZ attenuated SOX2 expression in mammospheres, leading to significantly reduced sphere forming efficiency and cell viability. YAP/TAZ additionally manipulated redox homeostasis and regulated mitochondrial dynamics by restraining the expression of the mitochondrial fission marker, DRP1. Furthermore, YAP/TAZ inhibition induced DRP1 expression and impaired OXPHOS, consequently inducing apoptosis in mammospheres. In order to enhance clinical relevance of the study, an FDA-approved drug verteporfin (VP), was used for pharmacological inhibition of YAP/TAZ. Surprisingly, VP administration was found to reduce tumor-initiating capacity of the mammospheres, concomitant with disrupted mitochondrial homeostasis and significantly reduced brCSC population. Therefore, VP holds immense potential for repurposing and decisively eliminating the chemoresistant brCSCs, offering a potent strategy for managing tumor recurrence effectively.