bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Informed Initialization of Fuzzy Membership Functions
Authors: Wang Tao , Gault Richard , Greer Desmond
Published: February 2025

Takagi-Sugeno-Kang fuzzy neural networks (TSKFNNs) are frequently utilized to model regression problems. One of the most important challenges with TSKFNNs relates to the optimization of the starting parameters. With better initialization of these parameters, it may be possible to improve the speed of model convergence by having a better starting point as well as minimizing the risk of the model fitting to the local minima. The starting parameters for TSK fuzzy systems, specifically the number of membership functions (MFs) per input domain and the shape of each MF, are typically informed by human experts. However, human insights may include bias or be challenging to acquire. In existing research, the shape and number of MFs are typically kept constant across all input features for simplicity. However, having a dynamic initialization of MFs may allow the TSKFNNs to more accurately capture valuable information the input feature space. Therefore, it is hypothesized that a data-driven initialization algorithm may overcome such challenges when developing TSKFNNs. This paper presents a novel approach using parameter-free clustering and Akaike Information Criterion to the initialization of MFs for TSKFNNs. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated with nine popular datasets and benchmarked against the state-of-the-art TSK fuzzy systems. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed data-informed method achieves superior generalization performance in testing compared to the benchmark model. The proposed model Fixed-N-Flexi-S with a personalized number of MFs can reduce root mean square error by over

$$10\%$$

10
%

compared with the baseline model FWF-NA on 7 out of 9 datasets. The proposed model Fixed-N-Flexi-S with multiple sorts of MF shapes can reduce root mean square error by more than

$$9\%$$

9
%

compared with the baseline model FWF-NA on 4 out of 9 datasets.
Oval Ducts in Mining Ventilation Systems: Optimization of the Operation Costs and Increase of Clearance in Mine Roadways
Authors: Menéndez Javier , Fernández-Oro Jesús M. , Galdo Mónica , Álvarez Laura , López Cipriano , Bernardo-Sánchez Antonio , Aguado María B. Díaz
Published: February 2025

To optimize the clearance in mine roadways and reduce operation costs, new oval ducts can be used in auxiliary ventilation systems instead of conventional circular ducts. In this paper, an experimental study was conducted to investigate the performance of conventional circular ducts compared to two types of oval ducts with equivalent cross-sectional area. The laboratory tests were conducted on a test bench under various operating conditions using a 45-kW axial fan with speed control and flexible ducts 20 m in length and a cross-section of 0.78 m2. Additionally, a mining development with a cross-sectional area of 15.57 m2 in a deep mine was selected as a case study to analyze the increase in clearance and the optimization of the operation costs. A novel analytical model was developed based on the results of the experimental analysis. Variable friction coefficients along the ducts and different duct qualities were considered to determine the air leakage as well as the fan power requirements in the case of leaky ducts. The results obtained show an increase in pressure loss in the oval ducts, resulting in greater energy consumption for the ventilation system. However, a reduction in excavation costs of 6.4% can be achieved when the height of the mining developments is reduced using oval ducts. Finally, the results indicate that the use of oval ducts allows reducing operating costs and improving the efficiency of mining operations.
Remediation of emerging inorganic contaminants in soils and water using pristine and engineered biochar: a review
Authors: Shaheen Sabry M. , Ullah Habib , Wu Yuejun , Mosa Ahmed , Fang Yueru , Shi Yu , Liu Juan , Kumar Manish , Zhang Han , Zhang Baogang , Li Ronghua , Wang Jianxu , Antoniadis Vasileios , Lee Sang Soo , Rinklebe Jörg
Published: February 2025

Emerging contaminants (ECs) pose a growing threat to the agricultural ecosystems and human health. Biochar (BC) may be applied for the remediation of ECs in soils and water. There are some research papers that have been published about the potentiality of BC for the remediation of ECs in soils and water; however, there have been no critical and comprehensive review articles published on this topic up to now. Therefore, this review explores the application of pristine and modified BC for the remediation of various emerging inorganic contaminants (EICs), including vanadium (V), antimony (Sb), thallium (Tl), mercury (Hg), fluoride (F−), and rare earth elements (REEs) in soils and water. The review explores the specific mechanisms by which BC removes these EICs from water and soil. The roles of ion exchange, complexation, electrostatic interactions, and precipitation in the removal of these EICs from water by pristine and functionalized BC have been reviewed and discussed. Particular attention is also paid to the interaction and potential immobilization of those EICs in soils with pristine and functionalized BC, highlighting some applicable strategies for treating EIC-contaminated soils, particularly paddy soils, aiming to mitigate the associated ecological and human health risks. Finally, the potential environmental implications and further research on the applications of pristine and functionalized BC for remediation of EICs in water and soils have been summarized. This article provides a comprehensive overview on the potential applications of different pristine and engineered BCs for the sustainable remediation of EICs contaminated soils and water.

Graphical Abstract
Bacillus atrophaeus DX-9 biocontrol against potato common scab involves significant changes in the soil microbiome and metabolome
Authors: Cao Jingjing , Ma Yue , Fu Jing , Wang Zhiqin , Zhao Yonglong , Zhong Naiqin , Zhao Pan
Published: February 2025

Potato common scab (CS) is a worldwide disease, caused by Streptomyces spp., and its presence reduces the market value of potatoes. A nontoxic and potentially effective approach in many control strategies is the use of antagonistic microbes as biocontrol agents. In this study, Bacillus atrophaeus DX­9 was isolated and assessed for its ability to protect against CS. Through integrated metagenomic and metabolomic analyses, changes in the soil microbial community structure and soil properties were analyzed to understand the effects of Bacillus atrophaeus DX­9 on CS. These studies revealed that DX­9 inoculation could significantly decrease CS disease rate, disease index, and the number of CS pathogens, along with an increase in soil N and P content. Our metagenomic assays identified 102 phyla and 1154 genera, and DX­9 inoculation increased the relative abundances of the phyla Pseudomonadota, Chloroflexota and Gemmatimonadota. Additionally, an increase in the relative abundance of genera, such as Bradyrhizobium, Agrobacterium, and Nitrobacter, were significantly and positively correlated with soil N and P. Metabolomic analysis revealed that DX­9 inoculation significantly increased the soil levels of phytolaccoside A, 7,8­dihydropteroic acid, novobiocin, and azafrin. These compounds were enriched in microbe pathway metabolites, including xenobiotic biodegradation and metabolism, biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins. In summary, the use of Bacillus atrophaeus DX­9 against potato CS offers an alternative biocontrol method that can improve both soil microbial community and properties. This study provides insight into the potential mechanisms by which microbial inoculants can control CS disease.
Assessment of freshwater ecosystem health condition based on fish habitats using a holistic modelling approach
Authors: Anand Vicky , Oinam Bakimchandra , Singh Shailesh Kumar , Wieprecht Silke
Published: February 2025

Global biodiversity is largely dependent on aquatic habitats. The state of fish habitats and the health of the aquatic ecosystem as a whole are important indicators of environmental quality. In recent years, the implications of human interference and climate change on aquatic environments have gained significant attention. Hydrological modifications driven on by anthropogenic activities are steadily degrading flow conditions and threatening the abundance of fish in the geographic region, while simultaneously having an impact on the health of the watershed. Therefore, the integrated hydrological-hydrodynamic-habitat modelling under diverse flow regimes can be used to assess the eco-sustainability and habitat suitability of the fish species. This article categorizes the habitat variables of fish into three groups: eco-hydrological, hydrodynamic-water quality, and eco-biological. This categorization facilitates an understanding of the mechanisms by which each factor affects fish and their habitats. The study, as the first of its kind, provides an extensive review of eco-hydrological models, hydrodynamic-water quality models, and habitat models, along with their relevant influencing components. It proposes a scientific framework for evaluating the potential hazards of aquatic habitat degradation, with an emphasis on data-scarce regions. This strategy could potentially establish a scientific basis for the preservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems.
Wearable Ultrasound: Are We Ready to Take This Chance for Vascular Ageing Assessment?
Authors: Bianchini Elisabetta , Bruno Rosa Maria , Badhwar Smriti , Faita Francesco , Mayer Christopher C. , Gemignani Vincenzo
Published: February 2025

Background

Wearable ultrasound (US) is an emerging innovative approach with a possibly huge impact on personalized medicine. Recent advancements in transducer material and architecture provide new opportunities in many medical areas. Within this context, assessment of vascular aging can play a crucial role especially related to the early detection of vascular alterations, i.e., before disease-related symptoms occur, reshaping the concept of cardiovascular prevention.

Aim

Within this work, we aim to stimulate a multidisciplinary discussion about the possible use of wearable ultrasound in the vascular aging field.

Methods

An overview on wearable ultrasound and its potential in the vascular aging field are provided with a view on data processing workflow, preclinical applications, clinical impact, and industrial challenges.

Results and conclusions

The concept of wearability opens interesting scenarios for a more effective adoption of the ultrasound technology that is currently underutilized. However, there are still several open issues, both in terms of safety and performance that need to be addressed to translate the innovation into clinical practice. The combination of innovative wearable devices with the holistic and versatile approach typical for US imaging has the potential to revolutionize the vascular field and a multidisciplinary discussion about this challenge can support its advancement.
Artisanal and small-scale mining effects on freshwater resources: a case study of the Oda River in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
Authors: Anoyege Raymond , Alatinga Kennedy A.
Published: February 2025

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) have rendered freshwater resources across the globe unsafe for consumption, posing health risks. The study assessed 15 water quality parameters using standardised water examination protocols. Twenty-four water samples were analysed from the upstream, midstream, and downstream of the Oda River, and the results were compared with the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) water quality benchmarks. The concentrations of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), fluoride (F), copper (Cu), and cyanide (CN) were within permissible limits. However, the turbidity concentrations are 694, 1755, and 1658 NTU (> 5.0), the total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations are 438, 1380, and 1360 mg/L (> 0), iron (Fe) concentrations are 9.0, 34.0, and 20.0 mg/L (> 0.3 mg/L), faecal coliform concentrations are 180, 145, and 180 MPN/100 mL, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations are 83, 125, and 235 MPN/100 mL (> 0 MPN/100 mL) exceeding the recommended standards. The Principal Component Analysis (CPA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) suggest low ASM impact in the upstream compared to the midstream and downstream. The Comprehensive Pollution Index (CPI) values of 172.62 in the upstream, 468.68 in the midstream, and 401.31 in the downstream (> 2.0) indicate severe pollution of the Oda River. The study provides invaluable information on the effects of ASM activities on freshwater quality, ecosystems, and public health. The study concludes that ASM activities in freshwater basins obstruct SDG-6 attainment in Ghana and should be banned or properly regulated.
Wearable self-powered devices based on polymer thermoelectric materials
Authors: Yang Yi , Li Hui , Xu Zhen , Luo Siyi , Chen Lidong
Published: February 2025

Driven by rapid advances in the thermoelectric (TE) performance of organic materials, conjugated polymer thermoelectric (PTE) materials are considered ideal candidates for flexible self-powered devices because of their intrinsic flexibility, tailored molecular structure, large-area solution processability, and low thermal conductivity. One promising application is the flexible and wearable TE devices used on the human body to convert human energy (human motion or body heat) into electricity. The self-powered character with extended functions allows PTE devices to monitor human activity or health status. In this review, we first introduce existing high-performance PTE materials and the architectures of PTE devices. Then, we focus on the progress of research on flexible self-powered devices based on PTE materials, including TE generators, TE sensors, and Peltier coolers. Finally, possible challenges in the development of PTE devices are discussed.
The Water Diaries
Authors: Hoque Sonia , Hope Rob
Published: February 2025

Cyclones, flash floods, droughts, and pollution batter the aspirations of people living at the sharp end of water insecurity. By charting the daily water use behaviour of people in Kenya and Bangladesh for a year, this book explores the intersecting drivers of global water risks and the spatial and seasonal inequalities. Comprising a clear methodological chapter and four detailed case studies of both urban and rural areas, it critically reviews existing policy and institutional design, arguing for a new architecture in allocating risks and responsibilities fairly and effectively between government, communities, enterprises, and water users. In identifying the risks and potential responses for policy and investment action, it provides theoretical insights and a practical guide to developing more effective policy in Kenya and Bangladesh, with solutions that will be applicable in other regions facing similar challenges. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Abstractionism
Authors: Zanetti Luca , Boccuni Francesca
Published: February 2025

The aim of this Element is to provide an overview of abstractionism in the philosophy of mathematics. The authors distinguish between mathematical abstractionism, which interprets mathematical theories on the basis of abstraction principles, and philosophical abstractionism, which attributes a philosophical significance to mathematical abstractionism. They then survey the main semantic, ontological, and epistemological theses that are associated with philosophical abstractionism. Finally, the authors suggest that the most recent developments in the debate pull abstractionism in different directions.
Monotheism and Relativism
Authors: Irlenborn Bernd
Published: February 2025

This Element explores the relationship between monotheism and relativism. Over the last two decades, emerging relativist theories have been extensively developed and debated within the fields of philosophy. How does monotheistic theology relate to relativism, especially to relativism about truth? Given that truth relativism contends that beliefs and propositions are invariably only relatively true, it appears to conflict with traditional monotheism, which asserts the absolute truth of God's existence. This book examines the compatibility of relativist positions with monotheism, emphasising the need to differentiate among the diverse forms, types, and domains of relativism. It presents a nuanced stance on the relationship between relativism and monotheism.
Young People with Cognitive Disability in Transition to Adulthood
Authors: Ellem Kathy , Harpur Paul , Hardy Fotina , Stein Michael Ashley , Schormans Ann Fudge
Published: February 2025

This book presents the lived experiences of young people with cognitive disability and their struggles as they transition to adulthood. Whether you are a young person yourself looking to transition to adulthood, a parent, or a professional supporting a young person, this book will help you understand the systemic failures which have caused abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence. But it will also outline the inner and outer resources which have enabled young people to maintain their self-belief and overcome adversity. Despite the fact society is failing these young people, the young people in this book speak of belief and have hope for the future. Drawing upon the United Nations human rights framework, this book provides a narrative for empowerment and reform. It involves the input of co-researchers with disability and includes Easy English summaries in each chapter to ensure its accessibility to young people with cognitive disability.
Transnational Crusoe, Illustration and Reading History, 1719–1722
Authors: Jung Sandro
Published: February 2025

Bringing illustration studies, the history of reading and transnational book history together, the Element offers an original micro-history of illustrated editions and iconic interpretations of Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Unlike earlier accounts, it takes into account not only the copyright holder's editions but also studies Continental visualizations alongside a lower-end London abridgment issued by Edward Midwinter and illustrated by twenty-nine woodcuts. The Element covers the period from 1719 (the year of the work's first publication by William Taylor) to 1722 (the year Midwinter published his abridgment) and examines the illustrated editions published during that time, including those featuring translations of the work issued in Amsterdam (where Dutch and French translations were published) and in Germany. It recovers a hitherto unexplored archive of illustrations that played an essential role in the reading history – in Britain and abroad – of Robinson Crusoe. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
U.S. Innovation Inequality and Trumpism
Authors: Menaldo Victor , Wittstock Nicolas
Published: February 2025

President Trump embraced economic populism centered on trade protectionism, restrictions on international capital and technology flows, and subsidies for American raw material providers and domestic manufacturers. More innovative US counties roundly rejected this economic paradigm: Voters in innovation clusters of all sizes and across the country repudiated Trumpism in both 2016 and 2020. Trump's tariffs and attacks on global supply chains, restrictions on visas for skilled foreign workers, and his overall hostility toward high-tech sectors threatened the innovative firms that motor these places' economies. Trump was different in degree but not kind from previous American populists such as Jennings Bryan and Perot: they too exploited innovation inequality, but were less successful because, before the digital revolution, the industrial organization of American technological progress was not rooted in vertically disintegrated global supply chains. Thus, populism may not only be about resentment toward elites and experts but threaten innovation.
Multiscriptal English in Transliterated Linguistic Landscapes
Authors: Gu Chonglong
Published: February 2025

In this monograph, 'multiscriptal English' is theorised. Unorthodox and unconventional this may sound, a salient sociolinguistic reality is emerging globally. That is, while standardised English (Roman script) is routinely taught and used, English in superdiverse, multilingual, and/or (post)colonial societies is often camouflaged in local scripts and 'passes off' as local languages in these places' linguistic landscapes through transliteration (at lexical, phrasal and sentential levels). To illustrate, documentary evidence from Arabic, Malay (Jawi), Nepali, Urdu, Tamil, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Thai, etc. is presented. Through inter-scriptal rendition, English is glocalised and enshrined in seemingly 'exotic' scripts that embody different socio-political and religious worldviews. In the (re)contextualisation process, English inevitably undergoes transformations and adopts new flavours. This gives English a second life with multiple manifestations/incarnations in new contexts. This points to the juggernaut of English in our globalised/neoliberal world. The existence of multiscriptal English necessitates more coordinated and interdisciplinary research efforts going forward.
Trucanini's Stare
Authors: Marks Susan
Published: February 2025

A central concept in international human rights law and many national constitutions is human dignity. Departing from established approaches to dignity in philosophy and legal theory, Susan Marks takes dignity in everyday life ('dignified care', 'dignity in the workplace', etc.) as a starting point for reconsidering the concept's history and significance. The result is a highly original work which gives particular attention to colonial and post-colonial engagements with dignity, and emphasises the character of human dignity as not just an idea or abstract value, but also a lived experience that cannot be understood without reference to social structures and the inequalities and hierarchies they reproduce. If dignity is an attribute which all human beings possess purely by virtue of being human, Marks shows that it is also an element within the systemic operations of privilege and power.
Fighting the Fever
Authors: Dutta Achintya Kumar
Published: February 2025

The book investigates certain obscure but important aspects of the social history of disease and medicine in colonial eastern India, covering Assam, Bengal, and Bihar and Orissa-against the backdrop of the outbreak of a lethal disease called kala-azar, or black fever, scientifically known as visceral leishmaniasis, which spread its wings as an epidemic from the 1870s-and chisels out the interaction between the microbe behind the disease and medical interventionism on the one hand and health officials and the state on the other. The book does not narrate a simple account of disease and health. Instead, it analyses the social history of kala-azar in British east India in addition to revealing the hitherto undiscovered areas of research in the field of medical history.
Avances en el estudio de abrigos rocosos en la depresión central de Chiapas, México
Authors: Macías Quintero Juan Ignacio , Bravo Roberto López , Pérez-Martínez Patricia , Weihmüller María Paula , Ibelles Stephanie Elizabeth Reyes
Published: February 2025

Presentamos avances en la exploración del abrigo rocoso Las Columnas situado en la Depresión Central de Chiapas, México. Un fechamiento obtenido por espectrometría de masas con aceleradores (AMS) muestra indicios de actividades humanas entre el 790 aC y 517 aC, período que corresponde con el desarrollo de sistemas políticos complejos mesoamericanos. Las excavaciones arrojaron también restos de talla, alisadores de piedra, caracoles, semillas y cerámica que indican actividades humanas recurrentes. Una muestra de artefactos líticos se analizó con microscopía para determinar su función. Los resultados preliminares indican que el abrigo Las Columnas fue utilizado para actividades domésticas y el procesamiento de huesos y pieles durante el Preclásico medio.
Breaking the Impasse of Appointing Members of the WTO Appellate Body: A Perspective from International Institutional Law
Authors: Pan Kaijun
Published: February 2025

At the 13th Ministerial Conference, WTO members reaffirmed their commitment to restoring a fully functioning dispute settlement system by 2024. By the end of the year, some progress had been made, but an agreement remains elusive. The re-election of Donald Trump as US President adds further uncertainty to these efforts. Against this background, this article re-examines the proposal for the General Council to appoint Appellate Body members through majority voting. It argues that customary rules of interpretation applicable to the constituent instruments of international organizations justify the legality of a vote in the General Council to support the effective functioning of the WTO. To address WTO members' concerns about the negative impact on consensus-based decision-making and the loss of leverage for reforms, this article suggests a General Council decision to appoint fewer than seven Appellate Body members. While not addressing all challenges facing the dispute settlement system, the proposal would bring more certainty to the early recovery of the system.
The History and Legacy of Anthony Comstock and the Comstock Laws
Authors: Hamlin Kimberly A. , Cahill Cathleen D. , Cohen Andrew Wender , Lange Allison K. , Thompson Lauren MacIvor , Syrett Nicholas L. , Zier Magdalene
Published: February 2025

The figure of Anthony Comstock may seem like an odd historical relic: a repressed, puritanical, anti-sex reformer from a bygone past. And yet, because his namesake act has been revived as a potential strategy for limiting access to reproductive healthcare, Comstock is no joke. Today, some Americans see the Comstock Act, passed by Congress in 1873, as a pathway to banning abortion and other reproductive care, effectively jettisoning any need for new Supreme Court abortion rulings or congressional legislation. As scholars of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, we are uniquely situated to intervene in this dialogue and ensure that contemporary conversations are grounded in historical context. We present this forum not as an exhaustive account of the Comstock Act and its architect, but as aopportunity to highlight the context in which this law, which holds so much potential relevance for our present, was created, enacted, enforced, and challenged. We hope this forum will stimulate further scholarly and public conversations around the nation’s long history of regulating reproductive rights and how that history became entangled with other social anxieties.
Understanding Comstock through Primary Sources
Authors: Hamlin Kimberly A.
Published: February 2025

In addition to reading and assigning the essays in this special forum, instructors may want to bring a discussion of Anthony Comstock and the Comstock Laws into their classes through primary sources. This essay introduces a few readily accessible and rich options.
Targeting Victoria Woodhull: The Visual Debates that Drove Anthony Comstock’s Pursuit of the First Woman to Run for United States President
Authors: Lange Allison K.
Published: February 2025

Victoria Woodhull was Mrs. Satan. Or at least that is what Harper’s Weekly wanted its readers to see. The popular New York City-based paper published a full-page engraving, by its most famous artist, of Woodhull as the biblical devil in February 1872 (Figure 2). Horns curl away from her skull and spiked wings stand almost as tall as she does. Anthony Comstock, an evangelical Christian who made it his mission to protect public morals, almost certainly imagined the woman who promoted free love as the personification of evil. He needed public support for his crusade, and this cartoon by Thomas Nast helped him win it. Comstock arrested Woodhull on November 2, 1872, for distributing her supposedly obscene newspaper.
Row spacing and layered residual herbicides influence weed control and profitability in herbicide-resistant soybean
Authors: Lammers Chad , Roozeboom Kraig , Ibendahl Gregory , Lancaster Sarah
Published: February 2025

Narrow row spacing and layered residual herbicides are recommended for season-long control of herbicide-resistant weeds, but limited research is available to describe interactions between the two practices. The integration of narrow row spacing with layered residual herbicides in herbicide-resistant soybean was evaluated in four site-years. A split-split plot treatment arrangement where the whole plot was soybean trait (LLGT27 or EnlistE3), the subplot was row spacing (38 or 76 cm), and the sub-subplot factor was herbicide program with five treatments: nontreated, preemergence herbicide only (PRE), PRE followed by postemergence (PRE fb POST), PRE fb POST with overlapping residual herbicide (POR), and weed free. Weed control was evaluated through R7 soybean, and weed biomass was collected before POST applications and at R7 soybean. Soybean yield was recorded. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means separation (α = 0.05). Row spacing had minimal effects on weed control and mixed effects on yield. Waterhemp and Venice mallow control ranged from 83% to 100% 4 weeks after treatment (WAT). POST and POR treatments provided ≥ 94% control of Palmer amaranth 4 WAT; however, PRE resulted in 33% Palmer amaranth control. All treatments resulted in ≥ 95% Palmer amaranth and yellow foxtail control at Scandia during 2021. The greatest income in rainfed site-years was Enlist soybean planted in 76-cm rows with PRE herbicide treatment. The greatest income in the irrigated site-year was with Enlist soybean planted in 38-cm rows with PRE herbicide treatment. Both POST and POR increase weed control compared to PRE, regardless of row spacing in the soybean varieties evaluated, although POR resulted in less income than POST treatments. However, this research did not evaluate weed seed production, which is crucial for long-term weed management and profitability.
Partizipatives Handeln von Fachkräften mit Krippenkindern in Essenssituationen
Authors: Schönfeld Romy , Lonnemann Jan , Walter-Laager Catherine , Hildebrandt Frauke
Published: February 2025

Zusammenfassung: Als eine wesentliche Aufgabe pädagogischer Fachkräfte in der Kindertagesbetreuung gilt die rechtlich verankerte Beteiligung von Kindern in alltäglichen Angelegenheiten wie in Essenssituationen. Im Fokus der Studie steht das partizipationsförderliche Handeln von pädagogischen Fachkräften ( n = 86) in Essenssituationen mit Unterdreijährigen, das deutschlandweit erstmalig videografiert und ausgewertet wurde. Als zentraler Forschungsgegenstand wurden dabei Unterschiede in den Zugeständnissen von Mit- und Selbstbestimmung sowie in der Unterstützung von Selbstständigkeit von Fachkräften mit ost- und westdeutscher Biografie in den Blick genommen. Es konnten neben Gemeinsamkeiten signifikante Unterschiede in entscheidenden autonomieförderlichen Praktiken festgestellt werden. Fachkräfte mit westdeutscher Biografie räumten den Krippenkindern mehr Möglichkeiten selbstbestimmten Handelns ein. Abschließend wird diskutiert, welche Rolle die Auseinandersetzung mit der Biografie für die Reflektion des Interaktionshandelns der Fachkräfte einnimmt, um schlussendlich mit geeigneten Aus- und Fortbildungsformaten dem insgesamt recht zurückhaltendem partizipationsförderlichen Interaktionshandeln der Fachkräfte zu begegnen.
A MEMS traveling-wave micromotor-based miniature gyrocompass
Authors: Xie Jinxuan , Zhou Tong , Chen Yu , Zhou Yi , Jiang Bo , Zhang Jing , Wang Zhenjun , Li Wentao , Sun Han , Zhu Xuyang , Li Xiaoshi , Yang Tianyu , Su Yan
Published: February 2025

Traditional gyrocompasses, while capable of providing autonomous directional guidance and path correction, face limitations in widespread applications due to their large size, making them unsuitable for compact devices. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyrocompasses offer a promising alternative for miniaturization. However, current MEMS gyrocompasses require the integration of motor rotation modulation technology to achieve high-precision north-finding, whereas conventional motors in previous research introduce large volume and residual magnetism, thus undermining their size advantage. Here, we innovatively propose a miniature MEMS gyrocompass based on a MEMS traveling-wave micromotor, featuring the first integration of a chip-scale rotational actuator and combined with a precise multi-position braking control system, enabling high accuracy and fast north-finding. The proposed gyrocompass made significant advancements, reducing its size to 50 × 42.5 × 24.5 mm³ and achieving an azimuth accuracy of 0.199° within 2 min, which is half the volume of the smallest existing similar devices while offering twice the performance. These improvements indicate that the proposed gyrocompass is suitable for applications in indoor industrial robotics, autonomous driving, and other related fields requiring precise directional guidance.
Energy metabolism in health and diseases
Authors: Liu Hui , Wang Shuo , Wang Jianhua , Guo Xin , Song Yujing , Fu Kun , Gao Zhenjie , Liu Danfeng , He Wei , Yang Lei-Lei
Published: February 2025

Energy metabolism is indispensable for sustaining physiological functions in living organisms and assumes a pivotal role across physiological and pathological conditions. This review provides an extensive overview of advancements in energy metabolism research, elucidating critical pathways such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, along with their intricate regulatory mechanisms. The homeostatic balance of these processes is crucial; however, in pathological states such as neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer, extensive metabolic reprogramming occurs, resulting in impaired glucose metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction, which accelerate disease progression. Recent investigations into key regulatory pathways, including mechanistic target of rapamycin, sirtuins, and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, have considerably deepened our understanding of metabolic dysregulation and opened new avenues for therapeutic innovation. Emerging technologies, such as fluorescent probes, nano-biomaterials, and metabolomic analyses, promise substantial improvements in diagnostic precision. This review critically examines recent advancements and ongoing challenges in metabolism research, emphasizing its potential for precision diagnostics and personalized therapeutic interventions. Future studies should prioritize unraveling the regulatory mechanisms of energy metabolism and the dynamics of intercellular energy interactions. Integrating cutting-edge gene-editing technologies and multi-omics approaches, the development of multi-target pharmaceuticals in synergy with existing therapies such as immunotherapy and dietary interventions could enhance therapeutic efficacy. Personalized metabolic analysis is indispensable for crafting tailored treatment protocols, ultimately providing more accurate medical solutions for patients. This review aims to deepen the understanding and improve the application of energy metabolism to drive innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Attractiveness and determinants of maxillary midline diastemas in a West African smile
Authors: Ahiaku Sefaakor , Millar Brian J. , Cronin Michael
Published: February 2025

Introduction

This cross-sectional study examines whether the assumption that diastemas of 1 mm or greater are un-attractive is true in a Black West-African population, and identifies the determinants of attractiveness.

Methods

A structured questionnaire was self-administered to adult participants, who rated digitally altered full-face colour photographs of a male and female model with diastema widths of 0–6 mm on a 5-point Likert scale. Quantitative data was analysed using SAS® (version 9.4) and SPSS® (version 26). Qualitative data was analysed with thematic analysis.

Results

375 participants completed the questionnaire (51% female, 48% male, 1% preferred not to disclose) with a modal age of 25–34. 65% of participants found maxillary midline diastema esthetic and/or desirable, with 63% of those with diastemas choosing to have no treatment, and the desire to have treatment decreasing with increasing age (p = 0.012). No smile was perceived to be unattractive, however female smiles were rated more favourably (p < 0.001) and increasing diastema width correlated with a decreasing attractiveness especially for diastemas wider than 3 mm in females and 2 mm in males. Diastema width, the gender of the model, and whether or not the participant had a diastema themselves was shown to impact perceptions of attractiveness in a multi-variable analysis.

Conclusion

There is limited evidence to support the position that MMDs over 1 mm are not attractive in this population. Diastemas of ≤3 mm in females and ≤2 mm in males are considered attractive. In addition gender, diastema width, and an individual’s own diastema (or absence thereof) impact perceived attractiveness.
Associations of mucinous differentiation and mucin expression with immune cell infiltration and prognosis in colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Elomaa Hanna , Tarkiainen Vilma , Äijälä Ville K. , Sirniö Päivi , Ahtiainen Maarit , Sirkiä Onni , Karjalainen Henna , Kastinen Meeri , Tapiainen Vilja V. , Rintala Jukka , Meriläinen Sanna , Saarnio Juha , Rautio Tero , Tuomisto Anne , Helminen Olli , Wirta Erkki-Ville , Seppälä Toni T. , Böhm Jan , Mäkinen Markus J. , Mecklin Jukka-Pekka , Väyrynen Juha P.
Published: February 2025

Background

The production of extracellular mucus and expression of mucins are commonly aberrant in colorectal cancer, yet their roles in tumour progression remain unclear.

Methods

To investigate the potential influence of mucus on immune response and prognosis, we analysed mucinous differentiation (non-mucinous, 0%; mucinous component, 1–50%; mucinous, >50%) and its associations with immune cell densities (determined with three multiplex immunohistochemistry assays or conventional immunohistochemistry) and survival in 1049 colorectal cancer patients and a validation cohort of 771 patients. We also assessed expression patterns of transmembrane (MUC1, MUC4) and secreted (MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC6) mucins using immunohistochemistry.

Results

Mucinous differentiation was associated with higher densities of CD14+HLADR– immature monocytic cells and M2-like macrophages in mismatch repair (MMR) proficient tumours, and lower T-cell densities in MMR-deficient tumours. Mucinous differentiation was not associated with cancer-specific survival in multivariable Cox regression models. Higher cytoplasmic MUC1 expression independently predicted worse cancer-specific survival (multivariable HR for high vs. negative to low expression, 2.14; 95% CI: 1.26–3.64). It was also associated with increased myeloid cell infiltration in MMR-proficient tumours.

Conclusions

Although mucinous differentiation did not independently predict survival, extracellular mucus and MUC1 expression could promote tumour progression through immunosuppression.
The LINC01315-encoded small protein YAPer-ORF competes with PRP4k to hijack YAP signaling to aberrantly promote cell growth
Authors: Xie Zhu , Li Chao , Huang Rui , Wu Bo , Huang Qian , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Tongjin , Wu Lingqian , Li Chengtao , Shen Jianfeng , Wang Hongyan
Published: February 2025

The dysregulation of YAP activity is implicated in abnormal organ size and the pathogenesis of diverse diseases, including cancer. However, the functional regulation of YAP activity by lncRNA-encoded peptides remains elusive. In this study, we report the identification of a small protein (93 aa) encoded by the lncRNA LINC01315. This small protein, termed YAPer-ORF, preferentially interacted with GNAQ/11 mutants to augment YAP activity. Mechanistically, YAPer-ORF was located in the nucleus and competed with YAP to bind the nuclear kinase PRP4K to hinder YAP phosphorylation. This decreased phosphorylation of YAP by YAPer-ORF promoted YAP retention in the nucleus and facilitated the expression of downstream target genes such as CCND1. In both cancerous and noncancerous models, YAPer-ORF prominently drove cell proliferation in a CCND1-dependent manner. Notably, cardiac-specific genetic knock-in of the human YAPer-ORF in mice significantly increased heart size through increased cardiomyocyte proliferation, underscoring the role of YAPer-ORF in cell proliferation. Moreover, treatment with an anti-YAPer-ORF neutralizing antibody effectively suppressed uveal melanoma growth, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting YAPer-ORF. These findings collectively establish YAPer-ORF as a critical regulator of YAP activity, further highlighting the disruption of YAPer-ORF activity as a potential therapeutic strategy against YAP-driven human cancers and developmental diseases.
Validation of physical activity recall questionnaire and log using doubly-labelled water in Sri Lankan children
Authors: Dabare Prasangi , Wickramasinghe Pujitha , Waidyatilaka Indu , Devi Sarita , de Lanerolle Dias Maduka , Wickremasinghe Rajitha , Samaranayake Dulani , Jayawardena Ranil , Hills Andrew P. , Lanerolle Pulani
Published: February 2025

Background and objective

Valid and cost-effective approaches are essential to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviours in individuals of all ages. This study aimed to validate a physical activity recall questionnaire (PAR-Q) and a physical activity log against the doubly labelled water (DLW) technique in 11-13-year-old Sri Lankan children.

Method

Total energy expenditure (TEE) was determined using the criterion DLW technique (TEEDLW) and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEEDLW) was estimated. Subsequently, physical activity assessment methods were validated in a group of children (n = 79). PAR-Q was adapted from the adolescent physical activity questionnaire and the physical activity log from the Bouchard activity diary. The youth physical activity compendium was used to calculate PAEE from both PAR-Q (PAEEPAR-Q) and activity log (PAEEPALog). Statistical analysis included Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analyses.

Results

Mean age of the study sample was 12.0 ± 0.8 years where the greater proportion were males (51.9%, n = 41). PAEEPAR-Q and PAEEPALog were significantly correlated with the PAEEDLW (r = 0.69 and r = 0.49, p < 0.05). PAR-Q underestimated PAEE by 230.1 ± 1071.1 kJ/day. Physical activity log overestimated PAEE by 14.6 ± 1283.2 kJ/day; for unit increase in the mean of the two measurements, the difference between the measurements increased by 0.48 (R2 = 0.16, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

PAR-Q is a valid tool for predicting PAEE in Sri Lankan children whereas the physical activity log was not. Researchers and practitioners can confidently use the PAR-Q to assess physical activity in this population, with potential applications in various research and intervention settings.
Rhodamine6G and Hœchst33342 narrow BmrA conformational spectrum for a more efficient use of ATP
Authors: Gobet A. , Moissonnier L. , Zarkadas E. , Magnard S. , Bettler E. , Martin J. , Terreux R. , Schoehn G. , Orelle C. , Jault JM , Falson P. , Chaptal V.
Published: February 2025

Multidrug ABC transporters harness the energy of ATP binding and hydrolysis to translocate substrates out of the cell and detoxify them. While this involves a well-accepted alternating access mechanism, molecular details of this interplay are still elusive. Rhodamine6G binding on a catalytic inactive mutant of the homodimeric multidrug ABC transporter BmrA triggers a cooperative binding of ATP on the two identical nucleotide-binding-sites, otherwise michaelian. Here, we investigate this asymmetric behavior via a structural-enzymology approach, solving cryoEM structures of BmrA at defined ATP ratios, highlighting the plasticity of BmrA as it undergoes the transition from inward to outward facing conformations. Analysis of continuous heterogeneity within cryoEM data and structural dynamics, reveals that Rhodamine6G narrows the conformational spectrum explored by the nucleotide-binding domains. We observe the same behavior for the other drug Hœchst33342. Following on these findings, the effect of drug-binding showed an ATPase stimulation and a maximal transport activity of the wild-type protein at the concentration-range where the cooperative transition occurs. Altogether, these findings provide a description of the influence of drug binding on the ATP-binding sites through a change in conformational dynamics.
Phase transformation in lead titanate based relaxor ferroelectrics with ultra-high strain
Authors: Zhang Hangfeng , Li Zilong , Wang Yichen , Fortes A. Dominic , Saunders Theo Graves , Hao Yang , Abrahams Isaac , Yan Haixue , Su Lei
Published: February 2025

The reverse piezoelectric effect allows for the conversion of an electrical input signal into mechanical displacement and forms the basis for the operation of positioners and actuators. Addressing the practical need for cost-effective sensitive materials, we introduce erbium-doped lead magnesium niobium titanate ceramics which exhibit exceptionally high strain (3.19% bipolar and 0.8% unipolar) under a very low applied field of 2 kV mm−1, resulting in record-breaking piezoelectric coefficients (d
33* values of 15,950 and 4014 pm V−1, respectively). These exceptional properties stem from a combination of factors including the sensitivity of polar nanoregions to the applied field in this relaxor ferroelectric system, the thickness of the sample, and the energetic availability of polymorphs with different polar structures where a change in polarisation direction occurs at the field induced phase transition. Surpassing the performance of single crystal materials, our findings establish a benchmark in piezoelectric performance with implications for many diverse applications.
Production of protein-rich fungal biomass from pistachio dehulling waste using edible Neurospora intermedia
Authors: Toghiani Javad , Fallah Narges , Nasernejad Bahram , Mahboubi Amir , Taherzadeh Mohammad J. , Afsham Neda
Published: February 2025

Pistachio dehulling waste, known as Pistachio byproduct mixture (PBM), is a valuable resource that is often overlooked. An effective sustainable approach involves utilizing this agricultural waste through a fermentation process using edible filamentous fungi, demonstrating potential applications in nutrition and animal feed. The focus of this study was on converting PBM extract obtained from a hot water extraction pre-treatment into a protein-rich fungal biomass of Neurospora intermedia. The optimal conditions for growth were achieved at 72 h, pH 5.5, and 30 °C which are achieved by one-factor-at-a-time approach (OFAT), resulting in 6.7 g/L of dried fungal biomass, with a protein content of 20.4%. The conversion efficiency, expressed as grams of fungal biomass per gram of initial Total COD, was 0.37 g/g, highlighting the significant potential of PBM extract with high COD levels and low sugar content for fermentation processes. Additionally, an investigation was carried out to assess the impact of inoculation method, culture adaptation, COD/N ratio, and pH control on fungal biomass growth during cultivation. The results of optimal conditions with response of fungal biomass growth showed production of 0.44, 0.45, and 0.49 g of fungal biomass per gram of initial total COD, with protein contents of 20.2%, 27.1%, and 18.6%, respectively, leading to improved fungal biomass yield. The resulting protein-rich fungal biomass with a focus on the biorefinery platform to complete the value-added cycle, holds promise for applications in various sectors including food, animal feed, biochemical, and biomaterial industries.