bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of beta band phase resetting in audio-visual temporal order judgment
Authors: Li Yueying , Noguchi Yasuki
Published: January 2025

The integration of auditory and visual stimuli is essential for effective language processing and social perception. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying audio-visual (A-V) integration by investigating the temporal dynamics of multisensory regions in the human brain. Specifically, we evaluated inter-trial coherence (ITC), a neural index indicative of phase resetting, through scalp electroencephalography (EEG) while participants performed a temporal-order judgment task that involved auditory (beep, A) and visual (flash, V) stimuli. The results indicated that ITC phase resetting was greater for bimodal (A + V) stimuli compared to unimodal (A or V) stimuli in the posterior temporal region, which resembled the responses of A-V multisensory neurons reported in animal studies. Furthermore, the ITC got lager as the stimulus-onset asynchrony (SOA) between beep and flash approached 0 ms. This enhancement in ITC was most clearly seen in the beta band (13–30 Hz). Overall, these findings highlight the importance of beta rhythm activity in the posterior temporal cortex for the detection of synchronous audiovisual stimuli, as assessed through temporal order judgment tasks.
Patient perceptions of osteoporosis management: a qualitative pilot study by a patient advisory group
Authors: Javier R. M. , Debiais F. , Alliot-Launois F. , Poivret D. , Bosgiraud P. , Barbe F. , Bouyssié M. , Devert M. , Roux F. , Sacchi M. P. , Sirot S. , Halbout P. , Chevalley T. , Reginster J. Y. , Cortet B.
Published: January 2025

The management of osteoporosis even after a fracture is declining. Our pilot study in patients with osteoporosis confirms a large ignorance of the disease and major fears and uncertainties about the treatments. Complete and sustained medical information seems essential to counteract the contradictory information, which are exclusively negative.

Purpose

The management of osteoporosis (OP) even after a fracture has declined over recent years despite the actions of the medical societies concerned with this disease. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate patients’ perceptions of OP, their treatment pathways, and how information is obtained.

Methods

The Association Française de Lutte Anti-Rhumatismale (AFLAR) constituted an advisory group of 7 French patients (mean age 63.7 years [54–74 years]), with various stages of OP and duration of disease. A qualitative, anonymized study was conducted with an open-ended semi-structured questionnaire, with a contribution of the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and the “Groupe de Recherche et Informations sur les Ostéoporoses” (GRIO).

Results

The onset of OP was often sudden, with the fracture occurring in a context of deep misunderstanding of OP by both the public and physicians. The patients have confidence in the physician, mostly a rheumatologist, who informs about OP and initiates the treatment. The main cause of non-adherence being major fears and uncertainties about efficacy and safety of treatments. Medical information is considered as insufficient, or poorly understood. Negative information has the highest impact, even if the sources seem unreliable, such as media. There is no trust in pharmaceutical companies and the ethics of physicians are in question.

Conclusion

This IOF/GRIO/AFLAR Patient Advisory Group pilot study illustrates the numerous barriers to effective OP management. Complete and sustained medical information, especially at the time of diagnosis and initiation of treatment, seems essential to counteract the contradictory information, which are exclusively negative.
How do boundary objects influence people-centered smart cities? A systematic literature review
Authors: Esposito Gabriella , Bertello Alberto , Mora Luca , Tucek David
Published: January 2025

This study explores the critical role of boundary objects in the context of people-centred smart cities, a new paradigm in urban development that emphasises citizen participation in planning and decision-making. Boundary objects—artefacts, documents, or concepts that facilitate communication and collaboration across different knowledge domains—are increasingly recognized as essential tools in the complex, multi-stakeholder environment of urban governance. Despite extensive research on boundary objects in organizational contexts, their specific application in smart cities remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by investigating how BOs, particularly collaborative tools and spaces, contribute to innovation, engagement, and knowledge-sharing in people-centred smart cities. Employing a Systematic Literature Review following the PRISMA protocol, this research synthesizes key insights from scholarly articles to comprehensively understand boundary objects' role in urban governance. This study offers a theoretical framework for leveraging boundary objects to enhance the inclusivity and sustainability of smart cities. It suggests avenues for future research, including empirical validation and exploration of boundary objects in diverse geographic and cultural contexts.
Sodium-Directed Crosstalk Between Immune Cells and Lymphatic Vessels
Authors: Ahmad Taseer , Crescenzi Rachelle , Kon Valentina , Kirabo Annet , Shelton Elaine L.
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

The role of the lymphatic system in clearing extravasated fluids, lipid transport, and immune surveillance is well established, and lymphatic vasculature can provide a vital role in facilitating crosstalk among various organ systems. Lymphatic vessels rely on intrinsic and local factors to absorb and propel lymph from the interstitium back to the systemic circulation. The biological implications of local influences on lymphatic vessels are underscored by the exquisite sensitivity of these vessels to environmental stimuli. This review is intended to highlight the role of sodium within the local environment in mediating lymphatic and immune cell interactions that contribute to changes in function and disease progression.

Recent Findings

We discuss evidence that accumulation of interstitial sodium modulates lymphatic growth, pumping dynamics, and permeability of renal lymphatics, which involves activation of sodium potassium chloride co-transporter (NKCC1) in lymphatic endothelial cells. These recent findings complement observations that sodium activates immune cells via the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), leading to the formation and accumulation of lipid oxidation products, isolevuglandins (IsoLGs), in antigen presenting cells, which in turn promotes T cell activation and vasculopathy. In addition, we will underscore the physiologic relevance of altered interplay between immune cells and lymphatics in the sodium avid state that characterizes kidney diseases and consider how sodium accumulation in the interstitial compartment of the kidney modulates the lymphatic network and the interactions between renal lymphatics and activated immune cells.

Finally, this article calls attention to persisting knowledge gaps and stresses the need for additional studies to identify salt-sensing mechanisms, including sodium-activated immune cells and lymphatic endothelial cell interactions, for targeted therapeutic interventions in the setting of renal disease.
Smart Mechanical Structures and Design for Advanced Adhesives: A Review
Authors: Kim Jaeil , Choi Geonjun , Park Seongjin , Kim Minwook , Kim Kwangjun , Jung Ho-Sup , Kwak Moon Kyu , Ok Jong G. , Jeong Hoon Eui
Published: January 2025

Smart adhesives with engineered mechanical structures have emerged as a transformative technology with broad applications in fields such as wearable healthcare devices, bioengineering, and soft robotics. By integrating advanced mechanical architectures like kirigami, tessellations, and multilayered designs, these adhesives exhibit enhanced surface and mechanical properties that lead to superior interfacial adhesion. Such designs offer critical advantages—improved stretchability, substrate conformability, and increased adhesion strength—over conventional adhesives. This review explores the range of engineered structures used in smart adhesives and demonstrates how these innovations address the limitations of traditional adhesives. Additionally, we discuss their applications in wearable healthcare devices, flexible electronics, and robotics.
Nisin A Treatment to Protect Honey Bee Larvae from European Foulbrood Disease
Authors: Nakamura Keiko , Takamatsu Daisuke , Harada Mariko , Zendo Takeshi , Sekiya Yuka , Endo Akihito
Published: January 2025

European foulbrood (EFB) is a bee larvae-specific infectious disease and the causative pathogen is Melissococcus plutonius. Broad-spectrum antibiotics have classically been used in many countries to control the pathogens; however, their use in apiaries was discontinued in several countries due to concerns regarding the health of bees and humans. Therefore, the development of alternative treatments for use in apiaries that are safe for bees and humans is essential. The present study examined the effects of nisin A supplementation using artificially reared honey bee larvae infected by M. plutonius strains. The results obtained showed that a non-purified nisin A product was toxic to honey bee larvae, while semi-purified nisin A by removing low-molecular-weight (< 3,000) chemicals was not lethal to honey bee larvae. A larval diet supplemented with the semi-purified nisin A significantly increased the survival rate of larvae infected by M. plutonius. The levels of nisin A required for this rescue differed between the M. plutonius strains used for infection, and 12.5 and 100 µg/mL were required for strain DAT606 belonging to clonal complex 3 and strain DAT561 belonging to clonal complex 12, respectively. This beneficial effect was attributed to the antagonistic activity of nisin A against M. plutonius strains, and the levels of viable M. plutonius strains significantly decreased in the larval gut at the required concentrations. Due to the risks associated with the use of antibiotics in apiaries, food-grade nisin A is a promising alternative to control EFB.
Processing of Ti–5Al–4W–2Fe Alloy Using Different Powder Metallurgy Routes to Improve Its Implementation in Structural Applications
Authors: Essam Mai , Elsayed Ayman , Nasser Ali , Fatahalla Nabil
Published: January 2025

Titanium (Ti) alloys can be thoroughly improved by introducing aluminum (Al) as an

$$\alpha$$

α

-phase stabilizer and tungsten (W) as a

$$\beta$$

β

-phase stabilizer as well as iron (Fe) for enhancing the strength and the creep resistance. In the current study, Ti–5Al–4W–2Fe alloy was especially synthesized to meet the essential requirements of the structural products of Ti-based alloys. Three different PM routes have been adjusted for investigating both densification and mechanical properties improvement of this alloy. The first approach was pressure-less vacuum sintering (PLS) at 1100–1300 °C for 1 h, which showed inadequate achievement of densification. Unfortunately, using PLS 96% of the theoretical density (TD) was recorded. However, using hot pressing (HP) and sintering-forging (IF) resulted in a successful full densification of 100% TD. It is worth mentioning that adding W particles resulted in an effective grain refinement of the sintered Ti alloy. More interestingly, HP-sintered specimens demonstrated higher strength and plastic compression compared to the other specimens. For instance, the yield and fracture strength of this specimen showed 1463 MPa and 2408 MPa, respectively, which is considered as a remarkable achievement compared to similar studies. Surprisingly, the most economical technique PLS sintering led to the best hardness of 700 HV, compared to 470 HV and 480 HV for the forged specimen and the HP-sintered specimen, respectively.
Naming Māori Learning Spaces
Authors: Stewart Georgina Tuari , Benade Leon , Smith Valance , Wells Alastair , Yates Amanda
Published: January 2025

Following up on our recent article in this journal, this research note discusses the range of names used in Māori school settings for flexible learning spaces (FLS) and innovative learning environments (ILE), There are various existing Māori names for FLS/ILE, which fall into two types: individual names and category names. We consider several of these names as a way to explore this concept and provide a background for positing ‘he wāhi ako’ as a generic name for Māori FLS/ILE, which translates into English as ‘Māori learning space(s).’
Evaluating the interaction between human and paediatric robotic lower-limb exoskeleton: a model-based method
Authors: Sarajchi Mohammadhadi , Sirlantzis Konstantinos
Published: January 2025

Lower-limb exoskeletons (LLEs) have shown potential in improving motor function in patients for both clinical rehabilitation and daily life. Despite this, the development and control of pediatric exoskeletons remain notably underserved. This study focuses on a unique pediatric robotic lower limb exoskeleton (PRLLE), tailored particularly for children aged 8–12. Each leg of the robot has 5 Degrees of Freedom (DOFs)—three at the hip and one each at the knee and ankle. The interaction between the child user and the PRLLE is intricate, necessitating adherence to essential requirements of comfort, safety, and adaptability. Testing numerous prototype variations against diverse user profiles, particularly for children with neurological disorders where each child differs, is impractical. Model-based methods offer a virtual testbed that is useful in the design stage. This study uses MATLAB® to simulate and evaluate the interaction between users and PRLLE after deriving the nonlinear dynamic model of the PRLLE, which is simplified through multiple layers. To verify the accuracy of the derived dynamic model, a Computed Torque Control method is employed. The study provides detailed outcomes for children aged 8, 10, and 12 years, for passive and active users along with variations in PRLLE assistance levels. The study shows significant reductions in human joint torques, up to 56%, alongside substantial actuator powers, reaching up to 98W, for a 10-year-old child user. Furthermore, examining 8 and 12-year-old child users revealed variations in interaction forces, with changes up to 29.5%. Consequently, meticulous consideration of the human user’s limitations is crucial during the PRLLE’s design and conceptualization phases, particularly for PRLLEs.
When Random Practice Makes you More Skilled: Applying the Contextual Interference Principle to a Simple Aiming Task Learning
Authors: Cretton Alexandre , Ruggeri Paolo , Brandner Catherine , Barral Jérôme
Published: January 2025

Contextual interference (CI)—the practice of tasks in a random rather than blocked order—is known to impair immediate performance while enhancing long-term learning and transfer. In simple aiming tasks, CI has been shown to improve movement accuracy. However, whether these greater improvements extend to unpracticed parameters, such as novel distances or the contralateral hand—a relationship informed by schema theory—remains unexplored. Additionally, in non-sequential tasks, CI has been shown to affect processes that are preprogrammed before movement initiation, leaving reaction time and speed unaffected, yet this has not been empirically tested in simple aiming tasks. To address these gaps, we trained thirty-six participants over nine sessions on a computer-based aiming task involving three target distances. Participants were assigned to either a High Contextual Interference (HCI) group, practicing distances in random order, or a Low Contextual Interference (LCI) group, practicing in a blocked order. Performance was assessed in pretest, posttest, and retention sessions under both conditions, with evaluations extending to untrained parameters, including new distances and the contralateral hand. Despite reduced accuracy during training, the HCI group demonstrated significantly higher accuracy in retention and transfer tests compared to the LCI group across both trained and untrained parameters. Consistent with our hypothesis, no differences were observed in reaction time or movement speed, supporting that in simple aiming tasks, CI primarily affects pre-movement initiation processes. These findings confirm the robustness of CI effects in parameterization learning and extend its benefits to unpracticed motor parameters in simple aiming tasks.
Designing and prototyping of a reconfigurable segmented fan concrete shell as a flooring system
Authors: Nuh Mishael , Oval Robin , Orr John
Published: January 2025

A significant portion of the environmental impact of a building’s superstructure lies in its structural flooring. By leveraging funicular forms such as thin concrete shells, a materially and carbon-efficient alternative to bending-active flooring systems can be attained. In addition, through segmentation and the use of dry jointed interfaces, a segmented concrete shell allows for ease of disassembly compatible with circular economy principles for the built environment. This paper presents a novel segmented concrete shell flooring system that leverages the symmetry of revolution of the classical fan vault form to facilitate future design flexibility through increased reconfigurability. The design and form-finding of the segmented fan concrete shell are detailed through the use of an evolutionary algorithm and finite element analysis. Quarter-scale prototypes were digitally fabricated using a robotic concrete spraying process which were then assembled and tested to assess its structural potential, evaluate the limitations, and identify areas of future work. An embodied carbon analysis demonstrates that the system provides a mass and embodied carbon saving compared to conventional flooring systems while adding approximately a 20% embodied carbon premium over a comparable non-reconfigurable segmented shell flooring system. Rephrased, the proposed system provides a positive embodied carbon saving if enabling design flexibility through reconfiguration increases the life-span of the system by at least 20%. Through this work, it is shown that a segmented fan concrete shell presents a viable lightweight and carbon-efficient flooring system which has the potential to become a sustainable alternative that enables disassembly, reuse, and even reconfigurability for circular construction provided further research and development to address its current limitations for adoption in industry practices.
Spatially resolved transcriptomics reveals gene expression characteristics in uveal melanoma
Authors: Xiu Jing-Ying , Chen Yu-Ning , Mao Ya-Li , Luo Jing-Ting , Li Hao-Wen , Li Yang , Wei Wen-Bin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular malignancy in adults. Previous studies have examined the intra-tumoral heterogeneity. However, the spatial distribution of tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment and its relationship with tumor progression still remains largely unclear. Our study aimed to analyze the correlation between cell distribution patterns and the prognosis of UM.

Methods

In this paper, we performed spatial transcriptomics (ST) sequencing on two UM samples to describe the different cellular distribution patterns. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes, Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were performed to define the biological function of each cluster. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and survival analysis based on datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database further confirmed the correlation between cellular distribution and clinical prognosis.

Results

We found two different patterns of tumor cell distribution. The focal tumor cells have a distinct ribosome synthesis and rRNA pathway. In contrast, the subpopulation tented to distribute diffusely was related to fatty acids metabolism profile, presumably supporting tumor growth by providing energy. The scattered tumor cell cluster was associated with malignant biological behaviors and was involved in extensive cellular interactions, including COLLAGEN. Moreover, pseudo-time analysis showed that migration started from the basal region through cell differentiation. According to the TCGA and GEO database, genes expressed characteristically in the scattered tumor cell cluster were related to poor prognosis.

Conclusions

Our study drew the ST maps for UM for the first time. These findings revealed the distribution patterns of tumor cells associated with different biological functions and pointed towards specific tumor subpopulations with higher invasiveness as potential therapeutic targets. Together, our study displayed an overview of UM transcriptome and explored the intra-tumoral heterogeneity of UM at the spatial level.
Phase change memory programming circuit with improved speed
Authors: Yang Xinyu , Lei Yu , Yu Qiuyao , Wang Qian , Chen Houpeng , Song Zhitang
Published: January 2025

Phase change memory (PCM) is considered one of the most promising next-generation non-volatile memory types for storage-class memory due to its many advantages, including ultrafast programming, long data retention, high storage density, low power consumption, and compatibility with standard CMOS processes. However, in conventional PCM programming circuits, the first programming operation after power-on suffers from a slow rise time in the programming pulse due to the lack of bias voltage pre-charging in the current source circuit, which leads to reduced consistency in the programming of phase change cells. In this study, we developed two solutions to address the issue associated with conventional PCM programming circuits. We also analyzed conventional programming circuit schemes and designed a PCM programming circuit with improved speed using the SMIC 40 nm CMOS process. The results demonstrated that compared with conventional programming circuits, the PCM programming circuit with improved speed reduced the rise time of SET pulses from 29.6 ns to 7.3 ns and the rise time of RESET pulses from 13.6 ns to 3.1 ns. In addition, it improved the consistency of the programming phase change cells and reduced the power consumption from 11.93 mW to 10.35 mW.
Modeling of spatial extremes in environmental data science: time to move away from max-stable processes
Authors: Huser Raphaël , Opitz Thomas , Wadsworth Jennifer L.
Published: January 2025

Environmental data science for spatial extremes has traditionally relied heavily on max-stable processes. Even though the popularity of these models has perhaps peaked with statisticians, they are still perceived and considered as the “state of the art” in many applied fields. However, while the asymptotic theory supporting the use of max-stable processes is mathematically rigorous and comprehensive, we think that it has also been overused, if not misused, in environmental applications, to the detriment of more purposeful and meticulously validated models. In this article, we review the main limitations of max-stable process models, and strongly argue against their systematic use in environmental studies. Alternative solutions based on more flexible frameworks using the exceedances of variables above appropriately chosen high thresholds are discussed, and an outlook on future research is given. We consider the opportunities offered by hybridizing machine learning with extreme-value statistics, highlighting seven key recommendations moving forward.
Entire maps with rational preperiodic points and multipliers
Authors: BUFF XAVIER , GORBOVICKIS IGORS , HUGUIN VALENTIN
Published: January 2025

Given a number field

$\mathbb {K} \subset \mathbb {C}$

that is not contained in

$\mathbb {R}$

, we prove the existence of a dense set (with respect to the topology of local uniform convergence) of entire maps

$f \colon \mathbb {C} \rightarrow \mathbb {C}$

whose preperiodic points and multipliers all lie in

$\mathbb {K}$

. This contrasts with the case of rational maps. In addition, we show that there exists an escaping quadratic-like map that is not conjugate to an affine escaping quadratic-like map and whose multipliers all lie in

$\mathbb {Q}$

.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards vector-borne diseases in changing climate in Finland
Authors: Mäkelä Henna , Dub Timothée , Nuorti J. Pekka , Sane Jussi
Published: January 2025

With climate change, the geographic distribution of some VBDs has expanded, highlighting the need for adaptation, and managing the risks associated with emergence in new areas. We conducted a questionnaire survey on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about vector-borne diseases (VBDs) among sample of Finnish residents. The questions were scored and the level of KAP was determined based on scoring as poor, fair, good, or excellent. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations of different KAP levels with sex, age, education, and possible previous VPD infection. We received 491/1995 (25%) responses across the country and detected generally good knowledge, but only fair practices towards VBDs. Sex and age of the respondents were most often significantly associated with the level of KAP (P > 0.05). Despite the generally good knowledge, we detected major gaps, especially regarding the distinction of tick-borne encephalitis and Lyme borreliosis (LB), risk of disease, and protective measures. Additionally, many respondents thought the vaccination protects against LB or tick bites. This calls for awareness raising on disease risk and prevention measures. With increasing cases and the effects of climate change, surveillance of VBDs communication to the general public should be strengthened.
Teachers’ articulations of digital resources in an upper secondary programme for newly arrived migrants
Authors: Febring Linda , Risenfors Signild
Published: January 2025

The highly digitalised nature of contemporary society has made digital literacy important for newly arrived migrants. However, for teachers, the use of information and communication technologies can be challenging. The aim of the present study is to gain a deeper understanding of how teachers perceive digital resources as useful for teaching migrants language and subject skills. The research question is, In what way do teachers at the language introduction programme for newly arrived migrants in Sweden articulate the use of digital resources in relation to language teaching and in relation to subject teaching? This qualitative study is based on observations of 28 lessons in different subjects in the language introduction programme, as well as interviews with the observed teachers. In analysing the material, we first used the TPACK in situ model (Pareto & Willermark, 2019) to organise the data on the use of digital resources, and thereafter discourse theory (Howarth, 2005) was used to analyse the data. The results show that the teachers limited their students’ use of digital resources during the lessons, which is apparent in two discourses: distrust and dichotomy. In the discourse on distrust, digital technology is seen as an obstacle to teaching, and the discourse dichotomy is about the opposition between the digital and the physical. Moreover, articulations were often expressed in terms of identity; the teachers talked about themselves in relation to digital resources, rather than talking about how they use digital resources in their teaching.
Rural electrification, the credibility revolution, and the limits of evidence-based policy
Authors: Ankel-Peters Jörg , Schmidt Christoph M.
Published: January 2025

The so-called credibility revolution dominates empirical economics, with its promise of causal identification to improve scientific knowledge and ultimately policy. By examining the case of rural electrification in the Global South, this opinion paper exposes the limits of this evidence-based policy paradigm. The electrification literature boasts many studies using the credibility revolution toolkit, but at the same time, several systematic reviews demonstrate that the evidence is divided between very positive and muted effects. This bifurcation presents a challenge to the science-policy interface, where policymakers, lacking the resources to sift through the evidence, may be drawn to the results that serve their (agency's) interests. The interpretation is furthermore complicated by unresolved methodological debates circling around external validity as well as selective reporting and publication decisions. These features, we argue, are not particular to the electrification literature but inherent to the credibility revolution toolkit.
Can abatement efforts in a common pool resource promote overexploitation of the resource?
Authors: Surve Aditi A. , Espinola-Arredondo Ana
Published: January 2025

We examine a common pool resource (CPR) where appropriations deteriorate the quality of the resource and, thus, its impact on the exploitation of the CPR. We focus on two settings: (i) firms use the CPR without abatement efforts, and (ii) abatement is allowed. We provide comparisons between these two settings and identify socially optimal appropriation levels. We find that (i) higher quality of the CPR could induce firms to overuse the resource, and (ii) first-period appropriations with abatement decrease in the regeneration rate. However, abatement induces an overuse of the resource when the quality of the CPR improves.
Fast Inference for Probabilistic Answer Set Programs Via the Residual Program
Authors: AZZOLINI DAMIANO , RIGUZZI FABRIZIO
Published: January 2025

When we want to compute the probability of a query from a probabilistic answer set program, some parts of a program may not influence the probability of a query, but they impact on the size of the grounding. Identifying and removing them is crucial to speed up the computation. Algorithms for SLG resolution offer the possibility of returning the residual program which can be used for computing answer sets for normal programs that do have a total well-founded model. The residual program does not contain the parts of the program that do not influence the probability. In this paper, we propose to exploit the residual program for performing inference. Empirical results on graph datasets show that the approach leads to significantly faster inference. The paper has been accepted at the ICLP2024 conference and under consideration in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming (TPLP).
Dominating Set Reconfiguration with Answer Set Programming
Authors: KATO MASATO , BANBARA MUTSUNORI , SCHAUB TORSTEN , SOH TAKEHIDE , TAMURA NAOYUKI
Published: January 2025

The dominating set reconfiguration problem is defined as determining, for a given dominating set problem and two among its feasible solutions, whether one is reachable from the other via a sequence of feasible solutions subject to a certain adjacency relation. This problem is PSPACE-complete in general. The concept of the dominating set is known to be quite useful for analyzing wireless networks, social networks, and sensor networks. We develop an approach to solve the dominating set reconfiguration problem based on answer set programming (ASP). Our declarative approach relies on a high-level ASP encoding, and both the grounding and solving tasks are delegated to an ASP-based combinatorial reconfiguration solver. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we conduct experiments on a newly created benchmark set.
Changing Attitudes and Provoking Action: Perspective-Taking Mobilizes White Americans for Prisoner Release
Authors: Israel-Trummel Mackenzie
Published: January 2025

Imagining oneself in another’s position can soften animus and promote empathy. When one’s loved ones have intense contact with carceral institutions, it can provoke a sense of injustice and political mobilization. Drawing on these insights, I design a survey experiment which assigns respondents to a no-treatment condition, an informational control, an egocentric perspective-taking exercise (imagining they are incarcerated), or a surrogate perspective-taking exercise (imagining someone close to them is incarcerated). I test the effects of the treatments on attitudes toward prisoner release and a semi-behavioral measure—whether respondents write a message to their sheriff in support of release. Relative to the no-treatment condition, the informational control doesn’t elicit changes. However, egocentric and surrogate perspective-taking can increase pro-release attitudes and mobilize respondents to write in support of release. These results push forward the literature on punitive attitudes by considering what forces might mobilize Americans against the carceral state.
Do Soldiers Get a Say? Soldiers’ Views and Public Support for Military Operations in Four Democracies
Authors: Krebs Ronald R. , Ralston Robert , Balzacq Thierry , Blagden David , Shenhav Shaul R.
Published: January 2025

When deciding whether to support a military operation, do citizens in democracies weigh whether soldiers themselves support the operation? Recent research has concluded that, in the United States, public support for military operations rests in part on people’s beliefs that soldiers favor their own deployment. However, it is not known whether this finding extends beyond the United States to democracies with diverse national citizenship discourses and threat profiles, and its theoretical basis is not well understood. This article addresses both these gaps. Using novel survey data and an experiment in four democracies with divergent citizenship traditions—France, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States—we show that, in all four nations, support for military operations depends significantly on whether people believe that soldiers themselves favor the operation. We highlight two reasons: (1) battlefield performance (respondents think that soldiers who favor their mission fight better), and (2) soldier consent (humans’ capacity for empathy makes them sensitive to whether soldiers are willingly sent into harm’s way). This article has significant implications for debates on public support for the use of military force, the nature of citizenship in modern democracies, and contemporary militarism.
A novel wearable device integrating ECG and PCG for cardiac health monitoring
Authors: Zang Junbin , An Qi , Li Bo , Zhang Zhidong , Gao Libo , Xue Chenyang
Published: January 2025

The alarming prevalence and mortality rates associated with cardiovascular diseases have emphasized the urgency for innovative detection solutions. Traditional methods, often costly, bulky, and prone to subjectivity, fall short of meeting the need for daily monitoring. Digital and portable wearable monitoring devices have emerged as a promising research frontier. This study introduces a wearable system that integrates electrocardiogram (ECG) and phonocardiogram (PCG) detection. By ingeniously pairing a contact-type PZT heart sound sensing structure with ECG electrodes, the system achieves the acquisition of high-quality ECG and PCG signals. Notably, the signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for ECG and PCG signals were measured at 44.13 dB and 30.04 dB, respectively, demonstrating the system’s remarkable stability across varying conditions. These collected signals were subsequently utilized to derive crucial feature values, including electromechanical delay (EMD), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), and pre-ejection period (PEP). Furthermore, we collected a dataset comprising 40 cases of ECG and PCG signals, enabling a comparative analysis of these three feature parameters between healthy individuals and coronary heart disease patients. This research endeavor presents a significant step forward in the realm of early, non-invasive, and intelligent monitoring of cardiovascular diseases, offering hope for earlier detection and more effective management of these life-threatening conditions.
Mast cells: key players in digestive system tumors and their interactions with immune cells
Authors: Shu Feihong , Yu Jie , Liu Youjia , Wang Fang , Gou Guoyou , Wen Min , Luo Chen , Lu Xianmin , Hu Yanxia , Du Qian , Xu Jingyu , Xie Rui
Published: January 2025

Mast cells (MCs) are critical components of both innate and adaptive immune processes. They play a significant role in protecting human health and in the pathophysiology of various illnesses, including allergies, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases. Recent studies in tumor-related research have demonstrated that mast cells exert a substantial influence on tumor cell behavior and the tumor microenvironment, exhibiting both pro- and anti-tumor effects. Specifically, mast cells not only secrete mediators related to pro-tumor function such as trypsin-like enzymes, chymotrypsin, vascular endothelial cell growth factor and histamine, but also mediators related to anti-tumor progression such as cystatin C and IL-17F. This dual role of mast cells renders them an under-recognized but very promising target for tumor immunotherapy. Digestive system tumors, characterized by high morbidity and associated mortality rates globally, are increasingly recognized as a significant healthcare burden. This paper examines the influence of mast cell-derived mediators on the development of tumors in the digestive system. It also explores the prognostic significance of mast cells in patients with various gastrointestinal cancers at different stages of the disease. Additionally, the article investigates the interactions between mast cells and immune cells, as well as the potential relationships among intratumoral bacteria, immune cells, and mast cell within digestive system microenvironment. The aim is to propose new strategies for the immunotherapy of digestive system tumors by targeting mast cells.
Cyclodehydrogenation of molecular nanographene precursors catalyzed by atomic hydrogen
Authors: Zuzak Rafal , Dabczynski Pawel , Castro-Esteban Jesús , Martínez José Ignacio , Engelund Mads , Pérez Dolores , Peña Diego , Godlewski Szymon
Published: January 2025

Atomically precise synthesis of graphene nanostructures on semiconductors and insulators has been a formidable challenge. In particular, the metallic substrates needed to catalyze cyclodehydrogenative planarization reactions limit subsequent applications that exploit the electronic and/or magnetic structure of graphene derivatives. Here, we introduce a protocol in which an on-surface reaction is initiated and carried out regardless of the substrate type. We demonstrate that, counterintuitively, atomic hydrogen can play the role of a catalyst in the cyclodehydrogenative planarization reaction. The high efficiency of the method is demonstrated by the nanographene synthesis on metallic Au, semiconducting TiO2, Ge:H, as well as on inert and insulating Si/SiO2 and thin NaCl layers. The hydrogen-catalyzed cyclodehydrogenation reaction reported here leads towards the integration of graphene derivatives in optoelectronic devices as well as developing the field of on-surface synthesis by means of catalytic transformations. It also inspires merging of atomically shaped graphene-based nanostructures with low-dimensional inorganic units into functional devices.
Structural basis of Spliced Leader RNA recognition by the Trypanosoma brucei cap-binding complex
Authors: Bernhard Harald , Petržílková Hana , Popelářová Barbora , Ziemkiewicz Kamil , Bartosik Karolina , Warmiński Marcin , Tengo Laura , Gröger Henri , Dolce Luciano G. , Mackereth Cameron D. , Micura Ronald , Jemielity Jacek , Kowalinski Eva
Published: January 2025

Kinetoplastids are a clade of eukaryotic protozoans that include human parasitic pathogens like trypanosomes and Leishmania species. In these organisms, protein-coding genes are transcribed as polycistronic pre-mRNAs, which need to be processed by the coupled action of trans-splicing and polyadenylation to yield monogenic mature mRNAs. During trans-splicing, a universal RNA sequence, the spliced leader RNA (SL RNA) mini-exon, is added to the 5’-end of each mRNA. The 5’-end of this mini-exon carries a hypermethylated cap structure and is bound by a trypanosomatid-specific cap-binding complex (CBC). The function of three of the kinetoplastid CBC subunits is unknown, but an essential role in cap-binding and trans-splicing has been suggested. Here, we report cryo-EM structures that reveal the molecular architecture of the Trypanosoma brucei CBC (TbCBC) complex. We find that TbCBC interacts with two distinct features of the SL RNA. The TbCBP20 subunit interacts with the m7G cap while TbCBP66 recognizes double-stranded portions of the SL RNA. Our findings pave the way for future research on mRNA maturation in kinetoplastids. Moreover, the observed structural similarities and differences between TbCBC and the mammalian cap-binding complex will be crucial for considering the potential of TbCBC as a target for anti-trypanosomatid drug development.
CPK1 activates CNGCs through phosphorylation for Ca2+ signaling to promote root hair growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhu Meijun , Du Bo-Ya , Tan Yan-Qiu , Yang Yang , Zhang Yang , Wang Yong-Fei
Published: January 2025

Cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 5 (CNGC5), CNGC6, and CNGC9 (CNGC5/6/9 for simplicity) control Arabidopsis root hair (RH) growth by mediating the influx of external Ca2+ to establish and maintain a sharp cytosolic Ca2+ gradient at RH tips. However, the underlying mechanisms for the regulation of CNGCs remain unknown. We report here that calcium dependent protein kinase 1 (CPK1) directly activates CNGC5/6/9 to promote Arabidopsis RH growth. The loss-of-function mutants cpk1-1, cpk1-2, cngc5-1 cngc6-2 cngc9-1 (shrh1/short root hair 1), and cpk1 shrh1 show similar RH phenotypes, including shorter RHs, more RH branching, and dramatically attenuated cytosolic Ca2+ gradients at RH tips. The main CPK1-target sites are identified as Ser20, Ser27, and Ser26 for CNGC5/6/9, respectively, and the corresponding alanine substitution mutants fail to rescue RH growth in shrh1 and cpk1-1, while phospho-mimic versions restore the cytosolic Ca2+ gradient at RH apex and rescue the RH phenotypes in the same Arabidopsis mutants. Thus we discover the CPK1-CNGC modules essential for the Ca2+ signaling regulation and RH growth in Arabidopsis.
Syntalos: a software for precise synchronization of simultaneous multi-modal data acquisition and closed-loop interventions
Authors: Klumpp Matthias , Embray Lee , Heimburg Filippo , Alves Dias Ana Luiza , Simon Justus , Groh Alexander , Draguhn Andreas , Both Martin
Published: January 2025

Complex experimental protocols often require multi-modal data acquisition with precisely aligned timing, as well as state- and behavior-dependent interventions. Tailored solutions are mostly restricted to individual experimental setups and lack flexibility and interoperability. We present an open-source, Linux-based integrated software solution, called ‘Syntalos’, for simultaneous acquisition and synchronization of data from an arbitrary number of sources, including multi-channel electrophysiological recordings and different live imaging devices, as well as closed-loop, real-time interventions with different actuators. Precisely matching timestamps for all inputs are ensured by continuous statistical analysis and correction of individual devices’ timestamps. New data sources can be integrated with minimal programming skills. Data is stored in a comprehensively structured format to facilitate pooling or sharing data between different laboratories. Syntalos enables precisely synchronized multi-modal recordings as well as closed-loop interventions for multiple experimental approaches. Preliminary neuroscientific experiments on mice with different research questions show the successful performance and easy-to-learn structure of the software suite.
Chromosome-scale telomere to telomere genome assembly of common crystalwort (Riccia sorocarpa Bisch.)
Authors: Krawczyk Katarzyna , Szablińska-Piernik Joanna , Paukszto Łukasz , Maździarz Mateusz , Sulima Paweł , Przyborowski Jerzy Andrzej , Szczecińska Monika , Sawicki Jakub
Published: January 2025

Riccia sorocarpa Bisch., commonly known as common crystalwort, is a plant belonging to the Marchantiales order with a cosmopolitan distribution among a wide range of habitats: fields, gardens, waste ground, on paths, cliff tops, and thin soil over rocks or by water bodies. However, research into the genetic aspects of this species is limited. In this study, the chromosome-scale telomere-to-telomere genome of R. sorocarpa was assembled exclusively by Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing and Pore-C technology. A high-quality chromosomal-scale assembly was obtained with a final genome size of 376.690 Mbp, contig N50 of 49.132 Mbp and 97.02% of the assembled contigs associated with the eight chromosomes. Genome assembly completeness was confirmed by BUSCO analysis accounting 91.8%. Among 27,626 total genes, 23,562 (85.29%) were functionally annotated. Moreover, collinearity of Marchantiales was analyzed as well as gene family evolution and DNA methylation profile. The availability of this genome, which is the second telomere-to-telomere liverwort assembly, opens up new avenues for in-depth analysis of R. sorocarpa genetic diversity and genomic characteristics.
Comprehensive genome-scale CRISPR knockout screening of CHO cells
Authors: Shin Sung Wook , Kim Su Hyun , Gasselin Aghiles , Lee Gyun Min , Lee Jae Seong
Published: January 2025

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells play a pivotal role in the production of recombinant therapeutics. In the present study, we conducted a genome-scale pooled CRISPR knockout (KO) screening using a virus-free, recombinase-mediated cassette exchange-based platform in CHO-K1 host and CHO-K1 derived recombinant cells. Genome-wide guide RNA (gRNA) amplicon sequencing data were generated from cell libraries, as well as short- and long-term KO libraries, and validated through phenotypic assessment and gRNA read count distribution. Additionally, we obtained gRNA amplicon sequencing data from the highly productive recombinant cell populations. By analyzing these datasets, essential genes involved in cell fitness as well as functional target genes associated with therapeutic protein production can be identified. Collectively, our next-generation sequencing datasets, derived from a robust and reliable CRISPR screening method, provide valuable insights into CHO genomic functions, advancing the development of next-generation CHO factories.
A preliminary evaluation of a fast, low-cost, and high-throughput nucleic acid extraction method for bacterial microbiota profiling in low-microbial biomass samples
Authors: Bai Xiangning , Rayner Simon , Skuggen Linda Ellevog , Engseth Kine Kragl , Bjørnstad Pål Marius , Dalland Marianne , Gilfillan Gregor D. , Bjørås Magnar , Matussek Andreas
Published: January 2025

The respiratory tract is colonized with low-density microbial communities, which have been shown to impact human respiratory health through microbiota–host interactions. However, a lack of fast and cost-effective nucleic acid extraction method for low-microbial biomass samples hinders investigation of respiratory microbiota. Here, we performed a pilot study to assess the suitability of the NAxtra nucleic acid extraction protocol for profiling bacterial microbiota in respiratory samples. A small number of nasopharyngeal aspirate (n = 8), nasal swab (n = 8), and saliva samples (n = 8) were collected, nucleic acids were isolated using the NAxtra protocol, and 16 S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to characterize bacterial microbiota, which were compared to the same sample types from previous studies using other protocols. The bacterial composition in nasal and saliva samples were consistent with previous reports. Saliva microbiota was significantly richer than nasal microbiota and varied less among individual samples than nasal microbiota. Bacterial composition in nasal samples was distinct from nasopharyngeal aspirates, but closer to saliva samples. A sequencing depth of 50,000 reads/sample was sufficient for microbiota profiling in low biomass respiratory samples. Our pilot study indicates the potential of the NAxtra protocol for bacterial microbiota characterization of low-microbial biomass samples and supports a more comprehensive study to fully evaluate the value of the NAxtra protocol in microbiota research and clinical diagnostics of respiratory pathogens.