bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to Recognize Artificial Mathematical Intelligence in Theorem Proving
Authors: Pantsar Markus
Published: January 2025

One key question in the philosophy of artificial intelligence (AI) concerns how we can recognize artificial systems as intelligent. To make the general question more manageable, I focus on a particular type of AI, namely one that can prove mathematical theorems. The current generation of automated theorem provers are not understood to possess intelligence, but in my thought experiment an AI provides humanly interesting proofs of theorems and communicates them in human-like manner as scientific papers. I then ask what the criteria could be for recognizing such an AI as intelligent. I propose an approach in which the relevant criteria are based on the AI’s interaction within the mathematical community. Finally, I ask whether we can deny the intelligence of the AI in such a scenario based on reasons other than its (non-biological) material construction.
Management factors affecting milk yield, composition, and quality on smallholder dairy farms
Authors: Mukasafari Marie Anne , Mpatswenumugabo Jean Pierre , Ndahetuye Jean Baptiste , Wredle Ewa , Båge Renée
Published: January 2025

A cross-sectional study on 156 smallholder dairy farms in Rwanda was carried out to assess the association between farm management practices and milk yield and quality. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on cow characteristics and farm management practices. Milk yield was recorded at household level, milk composition was monitored using a Lactoscan device (Milk Analyzer). Somatic cell count (SCC) was determined using a DeLaval cell counter (DCC). A Delvotest SP-NT kit was used to determine antibiotic residues in raw milk. Most dairy cows were kept in zero-grazing system (84.6%) and most farmers had less experience of dairy production (78.2%). Mean daily milk yield was 3.9 L/cow and was associated with type of breed, milking frequency, stage of lactation, and parity. Mean milk content of protein, fat, lactose and solid non-fat, and density were normal and showed no association with different management practices. Based on SCC analyses, 65.8% of the milk samples with less than 300,000 cells/mL were graded as acceptable for delivery to a milk collection centre (MCC) and 12.9% of the samples tested positive for antibiotic residues. These findings suggest low milk yields on smallholder farms in Rwanda that are attributable to type of breed and prevalent high level mastitis, among other factors. The results also indicate possible non-compliance with withdrawal periods, resulting in antibiotic residues in milk, which has public health implications for consumers. Routine testing at MCC for both SCC and antibiotic residues is important for quality control.
Advancing plant protoplasts: innovative techniques and future prospects
Authors: Mukundan Nidhi S. , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu , Babu Vidhu Sankar
Published: January 2025

The agricultural industry is facing increased pressure due to climate change and a growing population. Crops must be fortified with genetic advantages that will allow them to survive the effects of climate change. Protoplasts, an experimental plant system with regenerative capabilities, is one of the anticipated new plant breeding technologies (NPBT). These isolated dedifferentiated plant cells have the potential to undergo cell division and regenerate into a complete plantlet. They can be fused, transformed, or edited, making them ideal models for investigating plant cell cycle, cell wall biogenesis, organogenesis, and totipotency. Protoplast-based systems present unique advantages and challenges in crop improvement. In this mini-review, we will explore the steps required for isolating and culturing protoplasts, as well as the potential and applications of an experimental plant-based protoplast system. Cutting-edge methods in protoplast isolation, encompassing enzymatic, mechanical, and high-throughput approaches, have streamlined the release of protoplasts from plant cells. These advancements are instrumental in expediting genetic modification processes, enabling the harnessing of plant cells for biotechnological applications. The integration of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies amplifies the precision and speed of genetic modifications, fostering a new era of tailored cells for bioproduction and space research.
On the expansion map of lattices
Authors: Panjarike Pallavi , Kuncham Syam Prasad , Nayak Aishwarya Neralakatte , Al-Tahan Madeleine , Sahoo Tapatee , Panackal Harikrishnan
Published: January 2025

It is well known that the closure operator on a lattice is an extensive, isotone, and idempotent map. In this paper, we extend this concept by introducing the notion of an expansion map on lattices, which serves as a generalization of closure operators. The focus is to explore the properties of the collection of all expansion maps on a lattice, which forms a lattice. We delve into the discussion of their covering relation and present a comprehensive characterization of the atoms and dual atoms within the lattice obtained from these expansion maps.
Longterm efficacy of a patient focused intervention in patients with asplenia– a three year follow-up of the PrePPS trial
Authors: Camp Johannes , Heine Valerie , Bayrhuber Marianne , Anka Natascha , Glattacker Manuela , Farin-Glattacker Erik , Rieg Siegbert
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to reassess the long-term impact of a Health Action Process Approach (HAPA)-informed intervention on guideline adherence among asplenic patients and their physicians, three years post-intervention.

Methods

This follow-up study was conducted within the framework of the interventional PrePSS (Prevention of Postsplenectomy Sepsis Score) study. Patients aged 18 or older with anatomical asplenia were in enrolled in a prospective controlled, two-armed historical control group design. The intervention group received tailored educational materials, medical alert cards, and a telephonic HAPA-based intervention. A telephonic follow-up assessment was conducted three years post-intervention, evaluating adherence to preventive measures using the PrePSS-score (range 0–10) and propensity-score based overlap weighting.

Results

Out of 106 patients who had received the intervention, 79 (75%) completed the three-year follow-up. The PrePSS-scores further increased compared to six months post-intervention (median of 8.08 points vs 7.60 points), with notable improvements in vaccination coverage and availability of emergency antibiotics. Only four participants reported severe infections requiring hospitalization, none of which were typical of post-splenectomy sepsis. 47/79 (59%) of participants contracted SARS-CoV2 but clinical courses were mild with only one patient needing hospital and ICU treatment.

Conclusions

Patients who had received our novel telephonic intervention exhibited significant and sustained improvement in adherence to guideline-based preventive measures at three years post intervention. HAPA-based interventions may yield more sustained effects than traditional nudging strategies.
Understanding Data & Analytics Maturity: A Systematic Review of Maturity Model Composition
Authors: Langer Benedict
Published: January 2025

Leveraging data is becoming increasingly important for businesses. However, this transformation can be complex, as it requires a vast array of social and technical capabilities. To generate consensus in this domain, this study examines data & analytics maturity models by analyzing their architectures, maturity levels, and maturity domains. A systematic review based on the PRISMA framework identifies 38 maturity models and inductively derives insights into their composition. Three different content types are differentiated, namely organization-oriented, technology-oriented and data-oriented models. The initial findings provide a comprehensive overview of the status quo in data & analytics maturity models and provide a foundation for further research in this field. The study thus contributes towards enabling businesses to conduct more sophisticated data & analytics maturity assessments and support more effective use of data.
The role of agricultural ashes (rice husk ash, coffee husk ash, sugarcane bagasse ash, palm oil fuel ash) in cement production for sustainable development in Africa
Authors: Onsongo Susan K. , Olukuru John , Munyao Onesmus M. , Mwabonje Onesmus
Published: January 2025

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is produced through energy-intensive processes and contributes to approximately 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. As one of the most consumed materials after water, cement's environmental impact is substantial. Decarbonizing emissions in the intensive processes of cement production requires a sustainable supply of low-carbon resources. The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of agricultural waste ashes as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to reduce the carbon footprint of OPC. In Africa, where agricultural waste is abundant, these residues could offer a sustainable solution for cement manufacturing. This study employed a multi-criteria decision analysis methodology to identify and select relevant literature for analysis. The review reveals that incorporating agricultural-based SCMs, such as rice husk ash, coffee husk ash, sugarcane bagasse ash, and palm oil fuel ash, into cement production can significantly reduce clinker requirements, thereby lowering carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining performance standards of OPC. The review found that locally sourced waste materials can reduce the carbon footprint of cement by up to 40%. Transitioning from a clinker-dependent sector to a bio-based one presents several opportunities as well as challenges for the African cement industry, but it is critical for reducing carbon emissions and improving sustainability. This approach not only decreases emissions but also supports sustainable construction, aligning with global climate goals and sustainable development goals (SDGs) 12 (responsible consumption and production) and 13 (climate action). Adopting green cement could revolutionize the African cement industry, promoting resource efficiency and sustainable development across the continent.
Refining Pahñu’s stratigraphic sequence with AMS-radiocarbon dating
Authors: Farías-Pelayo Sabrina , Gómez-Ensastegui Kevin , López-Arias Karina , Solís Corina , Rodríguez-Ceja María , Alcántara-Chávez Luis Alberto
Published: January 2025

Pahñu is an archaeological site belonging to the Xajay culture, which inhabited north-central Mesoamerica in 350–1000 AD. Human burials contained in three pairs of contiguous cists were discovered inside a ceremonial structure at Pahñu during excavations conducted between 2019 and 2022. The walls of the cists separated groups of skeletal remains, so the stratigraphic units containing them did not overlap. Stratigraphically speaking, the six groups of remains could have been contemporary and each of the cists could have been used during periods of different durations. Therefore, the analysis of excavation data could not produce a precise temporal sequence of the events that took place in the cists. However, radiocarbon dating by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) of representative samples of bones, teeth, and charcoal, allowed us to refine the temporal sequence of their placement in each cist and thus have a better understanding of the funerary practices of the Xajay.
ASPECTS OF THE VIRTUAL AND THE REAL: REPETITION, MEMORY AND THE INTEGRATION OF RECORDED SOUND IN MY RECENT MUSIC
Authors: Harrison Bryn
Published: January 2025

This article reflects on my subjective position in relation to the ways in which time passes in two recent works, Dead Time (2019) and Towards a slowing of the past (2023). I consider how each of these pieces relates to my interest in musical time and demonstrate how the inclusion of pre-recorded materials has allowed me to explore aspects of memory and repetition in new ways. A Deleuzian model of difference and repetition is considered and used to illustrate how becoming might be observed in the mind and body of the perceiver as much as in the materials themselves. I reflect on the complex relationship between the virtual and the real by examining differences in perception between performed events and pre-recorded versions of those same events that are incorporated into musical works as part of the real-time experience. I discuss the ways in which sampled material integrated within the performances of these works might evoke different temporal states, such as metaxis, in which we are simultaneously engaged with aspects of pastness and presentness.
A guidance to intelligent metamaterials and metamaterials intelligence
Authors: Qian Chao , Kaminer Ido , Chen Hongsheng
Published: January 2025

The bidirectional interactions between metamaterials and artificial intelligence have recently attracted immense interest to motivate scientists to revisit respective communities, giving rise to the proliferation of intelligent metamaterials and metamaterials intelligence. Owning to the strong nonlinear fitting and generalization ability, artificial intelligence is poised to serve as a materials-savvy surrogate electromagnetic simulator and a high-speed computing nucleus that drives numerous self-driving metamaterial applications, such as invisibility cloak, imaging, detection, and wireless communication. In turn, metamaterials create a versatile electromagnetic manipulator for wave-based analogue computing to be complementary with conventional electronic computing. In this Review, we stand from a unified perspective to review the recent advancements in these two nascent fields. For intelligent metamaterials, we discuss how artificial intelligence, exemplified by deep learning, streamline the photonic design, foster independent working manner, and unearth latent physics. For metamaterials intelligence, we particularly unfold three canonical categories, i.e., wave-based neural network, mathematical operation, and logic operation, all of which directly execute computation, detection, and inference task in physical space. Finally, future challenges and perspectives are pinpointed, including data curation, knowledge migration, and imminent practice-oriented issues, with a great vision of ushering in the free management of entire electromagnetic space.
Engineering synthetic signaling receptors to enable erythropoietin-free erythropoiesis
Authors: Shah Aadit P. , Majeti Kiran R. , Ekman Freja K. , Selvaraj Sridhar , Sharma Devesh , Sinha Roshani , Soupene Eric , Chati Prathamesh , Luna Sofia E. , Charlesworth Carsten T. , McCreary Travis , Lesch Benjamin J. , Tran Tammy , Chu Simon N. , Porteus Matthew H. , Kyle Cromer M.
Published: January 2025

Blood transfusion plays a vital role in modern medicine, but frequent shortages occur. Ex vivo manufacturing of red blood cells (RBCs) from universal donor cells offers a potential solution, yet the high cost of recombinant cytokines remains a barrier. Erythropoietin (EPO) signaling is crucial for RBC development, and EPO is among the most expensive media components. To address this challenge, we develop highly optimized small molecule-inducible synthetic EPO receptors (synEPORs) using design-build-test cycles and genome editing. By integrating synEPOR at the endogenous EPOR locus in O-negative induced pluripotent stem cells, we achieve equivalent erythroid differentiation, transcriptomic changes, and hemoglobin production using small molecules compared to EPO-supplemented cultures. This approach dramatically reduces culture media costs. Our strategy not only addresses RBC production challenges but also demonstrates how protein and genome engineering can introduce precisely regulated cellular behaviors, potentially improving scalable manufacturing of a wide range of clinically relevant cell types.
Gemistocytic tumor cells programmed for glial scarring characterize T cell confinement in IDH-mutant astrocytoma
Authors: van Hijfte Levi , Geurts Marjolein , de Heer Iris , Ghisai Santoesha A. , Balcioglu Hayri E. , Hoogstrate Youri , Vallentgoed Wies R. , Head Rania , Luning Rosa , van den Bosch Thierry , Westerman Bart , Wesseling Pieter , Joyce Johanna A. , French Pim , Debets Reno
Published: January 2025

Isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 mutant (IDHmt) astrocytoma is considered a T cell-deprived tumor, yet little is known regarding the phenotypes underlying T cell exclusion. Using bulk, single nucleus and spatial RNA and protein profiling, we demonstrate that a distinct spatial organization underlies T cell confinement to the perivascular space (T cell cuff) in IDHmt astrocytoma. T cell cuffs are uniquely characterized by a high abundance of gemistocytic tumor cells (GTC) in the surrounding stroma. Integrative analysis shows that GTC-high tumors are enriched for lymphocytes and tumor associated macrophages (TAM) and express immune cell migration and activation programs. Specifically, GTCs constitute a distinct sub-cluster of the astrocyte-like tumor cell state that co-localizes with immune reactive TAMs. Neighboring GTCs and TAMs express receptor-ligand pairs characteristic of reactive astrogliosis and glial scarring, such as SPP1/CD44 and IL-1β/IL1R1. Collectively, we reveal that T cell confinement in IDHmt astrocytomas associates with GTC-TAM networks that mimic glial scarring mechanisms.
Outside-in engineering of cadherin endocytosis using a conformation strengthening antibody
Authors: Xie Bin , Xu Shipeng , Sivasankar Sanjeevi
Published: January 2025

P-cadherin, a crucial cell-cell adhesion protein which is overexpressed in numerous malignant cancers, is a popular target for drug delivery antibodies. However, molecular guidelines for engineering antibodies that can be internalized upon binding to P-cadherin are unknown. Here, we use a combination of biophysical, biochemical, and cell biological methods to demonstrate that trapping the P-cadherin extracellular region in an X-dimer adhesive conformation triggers cadherin endocytosis via an outside-in signaling mechanism. We show that the anti-cancer drug delivery monoclonal antibody CQY684, traps P-cadherin in an X-dimer conformation and strengthens this adhesive structure. Formation of stable X-dimers results in the phosphorylation of p120-catenin, a suppressor of cadherin endocytosis. This triggers the dissociation of p120-catenin from the X-dimer cytoplasmic region, which increases P-cadherin turnover and targets the cadherin-antibody complex to the lysosome. Our results establish an outside-in signaling mechanism that provides fundamental insights into how cells regulate adhesion and that can be exploited by anti-cadherin antibodies for intracellular drug delivery.
CODE-ACCORD: A Corpus of building regulatory data for rule generation towards automatic compliance checking
Authors: Hettiarachchi Hansi , Dridi Amna , Gaber Mohamed Medhat , Parsafard Pouyan , Bocaneala Nicoleta , Breitenfelder Katja , Costa Gonçal , Hedblom Maria , Juganaru-Mathieu Mihaela , Mecharnia Thamer , Park Sumee , Tan He , Tawil Abdel-Rahman H. , Vakaj Edlira
Published: January 2025

Automatic Compliance Checking (ACC) within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector necessitates automating the interpretation of building regulations to achieve its full potential. Converting textual rules into machine-readable formats is challenging due to the complexities of natural language and the scarcity of resources for advanced Machine Learning (ML). Addressing these challenges, we introduce CODE-ACCORD, a dataset of 862 sentences from the building regulations of England and Finland. Only the self-contained sentences, which express complete rules without needing additional context, were considered as they are essential for ACC. Each sentence was manually annotated with entities and relations by a team of 12 annotators to facilitate machine-readable rule generation, followed by careful curation to ensure accuracy. The final dataset comprises 4,297 entities and 4,329 relations across various categories, serving as a robust ground truth. CODE-ACCORD supports a range of ML and Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks, including text classification, entity recognition, and relation extraction. It enables applying recent trends, such as deep neural networks and large language models, to ACC.
Executive functions in adults born small for gestational age at term: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Nordgård Mariell , Udnæs Martine Reitan , Aakvik Kristina Anna Djupvik , Benum Silje Dahl , Ingvaldsen Sigrid Hegna , Weider Siri , Evensen Kari Anne I.
Published: January 2025

There are mixed findings regarding executive functioning in individuals born small for gestational age (SGA) at term and associations between performance-based and self-reported executive functions have yet to be examined in adults. In a prospective cohort study, 56 SGA and 68 non-SGA control participants were assessed at 32 years using the performance-based Trail Making Test (TMT) and the self-report questionnaire Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Adult Version (BRIEF-A). The SGA group used 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1–3.1) to 3.9 (95% CI 1.2–6.5) seconds more on TMT conditions 1 and 3, indicating more difficulties with visual scanning and letter sequencing than controls. On BRIEF-A, the SGA group scored 1.5 (95% CI 0.2–2.8) points lower on the clinical scale Emotional Control. Correlation coefficients for the association between TMT and BRIEF-A scores ranged from -0.295 (p = 0.065) to 0.345 (p = 0.029) in the SGA group. In conclusion, we found that 32-year-old adults born SGA at term showed poorer performance on some executive function tasks than controls. However, they reported similar executive functioning in everyday life, except for emotional control. The associations between performance-based and self-report assessments of executive functions were weak.
Polydopamine grafting polyether ether ketone to stabilize growth factor for efficient osteonecrosis repair
Authors: Sun Yi , Liu Jingyun , Chen Kaijia , Zhong Nannan , He Chengpeng , Luan Xinming , Zang Xiaobei , Sun Jianbo , Cao Ning , Wang Wenbo , Ren Qiang
Published: January 2025

This study examines the biocompatibility, osteogenic potential, and effectiveness of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) composites for treating osteonecrosis, seeking to establish a theoretical basis for clinical application. A range of PEEK composite materials, including sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK), polydopamine-sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK-PDA), bone-forming peptide-poly-dopamine-sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK-PDA-BFP), and vascular endothelial growth factor-poly-dopamine-sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK-PDA-VEGF), were constructed by concentrated sulfuric acid sulfonation, polydopamine modification and grafting of bioactive factors. The experiments involved adult male New Zealand rabbits aged 24–28 weeks and weighing 2.6–4 kg. The SPEEK-PDA-BFP possesses the smallest water contact angle, indicating the highest hydrophilicity, with its surface characterized by a rich density of clustered BFP particles. The SPEEK-PDA-BFP exhibits superior adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation capabilities, along with pronounced bacteriostatic effects, which are attributed to its dense particle clusters. The SPEEK-PDA-BFP facilitates the formation of regular and dense bone trabeculae. Comparative study on treating osteonecrosis with SPEEK-PDA-VEGF and SPEEK-PDA-BFP highlighted the superior formation of mature bone trabeculae and angiogenic protein CD31 around SPEEK-PDA-VEGF. The PEEK composite materials have good biocompatibility, osteogenic activity and bone repair activity. In particular, SPEEK-PDA-VEGF composite materials have the best effect on bone repair.
Examining the physical and psychological effects of combining multimodal feedback with continuous control in prosthetic hands
Authors: Chappell Digby , Yang Zeyu , Clark Angus B. , Berkovic Alexandre , Laganier Colin , Baxter Weston , Bello Fernando , Kormushev Petar , Rojas Nicolas
Published: January 2025

Myoelectric prosthetic hands are typically controlled to move between discrete positions and do not provide sensory feedback to the user. In this work, we present and evaluate a closed-loop, continuous myoelectric prosthetic hand controller, that can continuously control the position of multiple degrees of freedom of a prosthesis while rendering proprioceptive feedback to the user via a haptic feedback armband. Twenty-eight participants without and ten participants with upper limb difference (ULD) were recruited to holistically evaluate the physical and psychological effects of the controller via isolated control and sensory tasks, dexterity assessments, embodiment and task load questionnaires, and post-study interviews. The combination of proprioceptive feedback and continuous control enabled more accurate position and force modulation than without proprioceptive feedback, and restored blindfolded object identification ability to open-loop discrete controller levels. Dexterity assessment and embodiment questionnaire results revealed no significant physical performance or psychological embodiment differences between control types, with the exception of perceived sensation questions, which were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for closed-loop controllers. Key differences between participants with and without ULD were identified, including increasingly lower perceived body completeness and heterogeneity in frustration in participants with ULD, which can inform future development and rehabilitation.
The question of strains in AA amyloidosis
Authors: Westermark Gunilla T. , Nyström Ebba , Nyström Sofie , Nilsson K. Peter R. , Hammarström Per , Westermark Per
Published: January 2025

The existence of transmissible amyloid fibril strains has long intrigued the scientific community. The strain theory originates from prion disorders, but here, we provide evidence of strains in systemic amyloidosis. Human AA amyloidosis manifests as two distinct clinical phenotypes called common AA and vascular AA. Glomerular amyloid deposition of the kidney defines the common form, while in the vascular type amyloid deposits are massive in the renal medulla and in arteries throughout the body, while glomeruli are spared. By electron microscopy the two types appeared morphologically different. The common type was composed of dispersed fibrils which tended to be clustered whereas the vascular type was composed of longer and more distinct less clustered fibrils. Staining with fluorescent amyloid binding ligands analyzed by hyperspectral microscopy showed differential staining patterns between the two groups supporting the notion of human AA amyloid strains. AA amyloid staining was significantly different from systemic AL amyloid. Both types of AA (common and vascular) and AL amyloid fibrils were isolated and used to seed mouse AA amyloid in groups of inflamed NMRI mice (n = 9–10 per group). All but two mice showed amyloid deposits in the spleen induced by the human seeds. Amyloid binding ligand analysis was applied on the splenic amyloid deposits and revealed no clear significant difference between mice seeded with AA fibrils from different donors being vascular or common, but the AA deposits of mice given AL fibrils showed significantly different amyloid fluorescent signals compared to all groups of mice receiving AA fibrils. The combined results support the hypothesis that AA amyloid fibril structures can vary depending on the seed and may manifest as amyloid strains.
A comparison of force adaptation in toddlers and adults during a drawer opening task
Authors: Faßbender Laura , Falck Johannes , López Francisco M. , Shing Yee Lee , Triesch Jochen , Schwarzer Gudrun
Published: January 2025

Adapting movements to rapidly changing conditions is fundamental for interacting with our dynamic environment. This adaptability relies on internal models that predict and evaluate sensory outcomes to adjust motor commands. Even infants anticipate object properties for efficient grasping, suggesting the use of internal models. However, how internal models are adapted in early childhood remains largely unexplored. This study investigated a naturalistic force adaptation task in 1.5-, 3-year-olds, and young adults. Participants opened a drawer with temporarily increased resistance, creating sensory prediction errors between predicted and actual drawer dynamics. After perturbation, all age groups showed lower peak speed, longer movement time, and more movement units with trial-wise changes analyzed as adaptation process. Results revealed no age differences in adapting peak speed and movement units, but 1.5- and 3-year-olds exhibited higher trial-to-trial variability and were slower in adapting their movement time, although they also adapted their movement time more strongly. Upon removal of perturbation, we found significant aftereffects across all age groups, indicating effective internal model adaptation. These results suggest that even 1.5-year-olds form internal models of force parameters and adapt them to reduce sensory prediction errors, possibly through more exploration and with more variable movement dynamics compared to adults.
Randomized studies in China show that studying and promoting civic honesty needs to consider local norms
Authors: Hung Iris W. , Yiu Yuho , Wu Sihan , Liu Dan , Wang Liman , Han Xiao
Published: January 2025

Civic honesty is a crucial behavior that policymakers and business leaders strive to promote among citizens and employees. We conducted online and field experiments in China adapting the setting of a recent research which employed an innovative design to study civic honesty behavior around the globe. Results show that the psychological mechanism underlying lost-wallet reporting behavior in China is somewhat different from what has been suggested in the literature. Chinese participants indicated they are significantly more likely to put WeChat than email as contact information on their lost items, corroborating a local norm in China that email is infrequently used by ordinary Chinese citizens. Moreover, we tested multiple behavioral interventions in the field. Aiding a lost-property finder to connect to an owner using WeChat led to a reporting rate of 59.3% (vs. 7% as shown in a recent research that used email as the communication means; note that due to differences in experimental designs, no direct comparison of these reporting rates should be made however). Our research suggests that interacting with citizens from a targeted population to formulate locally informed research questions and design may be crucial for understanding and promoting civic honesty behavior.
Factors influencing underrepresented geoscientists' decisions to accept or decline faculty job offers in the US
Authors: Duffy Margaret L. , Barnes Liza Y. , Wirz Christopher D. , Ranganathan Meghana , Freilich Mara A. , Freese Lyssa M. , Lalk Ellen , Wilcots Julia
Published: January 2025

Many geoscience departments in the United States (US) are working to recruit faculty from underrepresented groups. However, there is little information about how hiring practices are perceived by candidates. Here we address this gap by interviewing 19 geoscientists who identify as an underrepresented race, ethnicity, or gender who recently declined a tenure-track faculty job offer in the US about their faculty job searches, with an emphasis on their decisions to accept or decline an offer. We find that many participants experienced hiring practices inconsistent with existing recommendations to increase faculty diversity, and some participants were subject to uncivilized, even potentially discriminatory, practices. Therefore, we leverage our results to provide actionable recommendations for improving faculty recruitment efforts. We highlight that departments may doubly benefit from improving their culture: in addition to benefiting current members, it may also help with recruitment. Overall, our findings emphasize the need for continued evaluation of faculty hiring practices.
Naturally occurring volatile organic compounds in deep bedrock groundwater
Authors: Kietäväinen Riikka , Nyyssönen Mari , Nuppunen-Puputti Maija , Bomberg Malin
Published: January 2025

In deep continental bedrock groundwater, volatile organic compounds pose intriguing questions about their occurrence. Although their natural sources remain poorly characterized, they potentially have profound effects on global elemental cycles and safety assessment of underground facilities. Our investigation focused on non-methane volatile organic compounds in five groundwater-filled Precambrian bedrock fracture zones at 500 m to 2300 m depth in the Outokumpu Deep Drill Hole, Finland. The system revealed a range of indigenous volatile organic compounds, including alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, alkanes, aromatics, and sulfur-compounds. Metagenomic sequencing demonstrated spatially widely distributed genetic potential for microbial volatile organic compound metabolism. Integrating these findings with local geology and hydrogeochemistry, our results suggest that volatile organic compounds are not only formed in or released to groundwater but also degraded in the continental bedrock through interconnected abiotic and biotic processes.
Signal theory based encryption of faster-than-Nyquist signals for fiber and wireless transmission
Authors: Venugopalan Abhinand , Singh Karanveer , Meier Janosch , Schneider Thomas
Published: January 2025

New applications such as the Internet of Things, autonomous driving, Industry X.0 and many more will transmit sensitive information via fibers and over the air with envisioned data rates beyond terabits per second. Therefore, the encryption has to be simple, fast and spectrally efficient, so that the power consumption and latency are low and the scarce bandwidth is not wasted. Various encryption schemes, based on mathematical algorithms, quantum theory, chaos communication or spectral spreading below the noise level have been explored. Besides power, spectral efficiency and latency, most of these approaches face additional challenges such as limited data rates, compatibility issues with communication standards and integration. Here, we propose a signal theory based method that enables the encryption of super-signals with bandwidths of hundreds of gigahertz without any additional bandwidth. In proof-of-concept experiments we demonstrate the encryption of a 270 GBd faster than Nyquist super-signal in a 252.4 GHz bandwidth. The encryption is simple, fast and power efficient, and offers a solution for secure data transmission in existing and future communication networks.
Color-coded galectin fusion proteins as novel tools in biomaterial science
Authors: Dey Carina , Sommerfeld Isabel K. , Bojarová Pavla , Kodra Nikol , Vrbata David , Zimolová Vlachová Miluše , Křen Vladimír , Pich Andrij , Elling Lothar
Published: January 2025

This study introduces color-coded human galectins fused with SpyCatcher, SpyTag, and fluorescent proteins, demonstrating their binding properties, ECM-like structure formation, and microgel-based cancer cell targeting.
First-order non-hysteretic phase transition: a pathway to enhanced magnetocaloric and giant magnetoresistance effects in a Gd–Al alloy
Authors: Yao Guiquan , Gao Peng , Liu Zonghang , Zhang Che , Wang Guangzhao , Cui Weibin
Published: January 2025

Fascinating physical phenomena often occur near the phase transition points in materials.
Solvent effects in furofuran lignans revealed by vibrational CD spectroscopy
Authors: Lee Eric Y. , Sousa Victor M. S. , Mestriner Eloá R. , Bernardino Kalil , Nascimento Isabele R. , Batista João M.
Published: January 2025

Inclusion of acetonitrile explicit solvation is required for the correct reproduction of VCD features of furofuran lignans, even for molecules devoid of H-bond donor groups.
Identification of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole appended isatins as bioactive small molecules with polypharmacological activities
Authors: Azam Uzma , Humayun Waqar Ahmed , Avathan Veettil Amrutha K. , Liu Yang , Hastürk Oguz , Jiang Mao , Sievers Sonja , Wu Peng , Naseer Muhammad Moazzam
Published: January 2025

A series of new 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole appended isatins induced significant cellular morphological changes and showed high biological profiling similarities to an antifungal agent and a chemokine receptor inhibitor.
Multifunctional UV photodetect-memristors based on area selective fabricated Ga2S3/graphene/GaN van der Waals heterojunctions
Authors: Lin Zhengliang , Chen Junrui , Zheng Zhuohang , Lai Quanguang , Liu Zhiqi , Liu Liwei , Xiao Jiaying , Wang Wenliang
Published: January 2025

A Ga2S3/graphene/GaN based multifunctional photodetect-memristor was fabricated using a simple area selective deposition method. Simulations confirm the working mechanism and application feasibility.
Shape-tailored semiconductor dot-in-rods: optimizing CdS-shell growth for enhanced chiroptical properties via the rationalization of the role of temperature and time
Authors: Hao Junjie , Liu Peizhao , Zhou Ziming , Liu Haochen , Chen Wei , Müller-Buschbaum Peter , Cheng Jiaji , Wang Kai , Sun Xiao Wei , Delville Jean-Pierre , Delville Marie-Helene
Published: January 2025

Circular dichroism of two dot-in-rods shows the influence of the shell thickness on their chiroptical properties.
Acid/halide co-mediated transesterification of unactivated carboxylic esters with O–H nucleophiles
Authors: Zuo Dongxu , Li Chenglong , Wu Qiang , Wang Qun , Huang Tianzeng , Liu Long , Chen Tieqiao
Published: January 2025

An efficient method for ester-to-ester inter-conversion was achieved through acid/halide co-mediated transesterification of unactivated methyl esters with O–H nucleophiles.
Lewis acid-catalyzed divergent synthesis of polysubstituted furans and pyrroles
Authors: Li Chenguang , Cao Tongxiang , Zhu Shifa
Published: January 2025

An efficient synthetic strategy for the rapid construction of multisubstituted C2-furan or pyrrole carboxylic acid derivatives via consecutive processes of ring fragmentation, aromatization and an SN1 reaction was developed.
Synergistic effects of Uncaria gambir and zinc oxide in polyvinyl alcohol films for enhanced UV and blue light shielding, antimicrobial properties, and hydrophobicity: improving application performance in sustainable packaging and protective eyewear
Authors: Rahmadiawan Dieter , Abral Hairul , Pratama Muhammad Aldi , Kim Hyun-Joong , Railis Razan Muhammad , Kurniawan Robi , Putri Primandari Sri Rizki , Shi Shih-Chen , Mahardika Melbi
Published: January 2025

Incorporating Uncaria gambir and zinc oxide completely blocks UV-A, UV-B, and blue light transmission in polyvinyl alcohol films, providing sustainable solutions for packaging and protective eyewear.
On the breakdown of Förster energy transfer theory due to solvent effects: atomistic simulations unveil distance-dependent dielectric screening in calmodulin
Authors: Gonzalo Daniel , Cupellini Lorenzo , Curutchet Carles
Published: January 2025

Atomistic simulations reveal a strong exponential attenuation of solvent screening at short distances, modifying the R−6 distance dependence of FRET.
Doubling the efficiency of solution-processed blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes via modified PEDOT : PSS hole-injection layers
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Pan Tingyu , Zhang Tongtong , Zhang Danyang , Wang Guibin , Zhou Liang
Published: January 2025

High performance blue phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with a modified PEDOT : PSS structure were obtained by utilizing a TCTA : POPH interfacial exciplex.
Correction: Structure, dynamic, and free energy analyses of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in aprotic solvents and imidazolium ionic liquids using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Jha Sweta , Sappidi Praveenkumar
Published: January 2025

Correction for ‘Structure, dynamic, and free energy analyses of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in aprotic solvents and imidazolium ionic liquids using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations’ by Sweta Jha et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, 28417–28430, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CP02914C.
Correction: Formulation and mechanism of copper tartrate – a novel anode material for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Teusner Matthew , Mittal Uttam , Lessio Martina , Johannessen Bernt , Mata Jitendra , Sharma Neeraj
Published: January 2025

Correction for ‘Formulation and mechanism of copper tartrate – a novel anode material for lithium-ion batteries’ by Matthew Teusner et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 21436–21447, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3CP02030D.
A beginner’s guide to differential scanning fluorimetry
Authors: Charvat Annemarie F. , Mason-Chalmers Kayleigh , Gestwicki Jason E.
Published: January 2025

Differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) is a technique used to determine a protein’s stability. In a typical DSF experiment, a purified protein is heated in the presence of a fluorescent dye and the resulting temperature vs fluorescence plot is used to calculate its apparent melting temperature. This technique can be used to study a wide range of phenomena, including binding of a protein to ligands or cofactors and the effects of point mutations or buffers on a protein’s relative stability. The advantage of DSF is that it can be used in low volume and high-throughput such that hundreds or thousands of conditions can be rapidly tested. This guide provides an introduction to DSF and guidance on assay development and data interpretation, including how to avoid common artifacts.
Aging and sex differences in salt sensitivity of blood pressure
Authors: Demirci Mert , Afolabi Jeremiah M. , Kirabo Annet
Published: January 2025

Salt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP) is a complex physiological trait characterized by changes in blood pressure in response to dietary salt intake. Aging introduces an additional layer of complexity to the pathophysiology of SSBP, with mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic modifications, and alterations in gut microbiota emerging as critical factors. Despite advancements in understanding these mechanisms, the processes driving increased salt sensitivity with age and their differential impacts across sexes remain unclear. This review explores the current understanding of salt sensitivity, delving into its underlying mechanisms, the role of inflammation, and the influence of aging and sex differences on these processes. We also aim to provide insights into the multifaceted nature of salt sensitivity and its implications for personalized treatment strategies in hypertension management.
Design Characteristics of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Interfaces for Children With Cortical Visual Impairment: Results From Two Focus Groups With Vision Professionals
Authors: Boster Jamie B. , Pitt Kevin , Brown Kathryn , Potts Julie , Overholt
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

The purpose of the current study was to gain insight on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interface designs for children with cortical visual impairment (CVI). Children with CVI frequently require AAC and specific interface supports, and customization may be necessary to support access and use of speech-generating devices.

Method:

A focus group methodology was selected to gain feedback from vision professionals on helpful AAC features for children with CVI. Participants included eight teachers of the visually impaired and one optometrist. Two virtual 1-hr focus group sessions were conducted and recorded for thematic analysis.

Results:

Three primary themes and eight subthemes emerged from the transcripts of the focus groups. Themes included characteristics of the AAC interfaces such as background, high contrast, and symbolic representation; characteristics of children with CVI (preferred colors, visual field preference); and the development of AAC interfaces over time.

Conclusions:

Vision professionals have identified characteristics of AAC interfaces that should be considered when working with children with CVI. Future collaboration with such professionals is needed to further inform the design of current and future AAC technologies to allow speech-language pathologists to meet the unique needs of this population.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.28279184
Effects of an Inclusive Group-Based Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention on Active Engagement in Young Autistic Children: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Reetzke Rachel , Landa Rebecca
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

Despite group-level improvements in active engagement and related outcomes, significant individual variability in response to early intervention exists. The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the effects of a group-based Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) on active engagement among a heterogeneous sample of young autistic children in a clinical setting.

Method:

Sixty-three autistic children aged 24–60 months (
M
= 44.95,
SD
= 10.77) participated in an inclusive group-based NDBI over a period of 10 months. Speech-language pathologists used an abbreviated version of the measure of active engagement to rate children's active engagement at three treatment time points.

Results:

Linear mixed-effects regression analyses revealed that active engagement significantly increased from Time 1 to Time 2 (after 6 months of the group-based NDBI) and persisted through Time 3 (after 10 months of the group-based NDBI). Symmetrized percent change analyses revealed that 48% of the sample (
n
= 30) exhibited an increasing trajectory, 29% were stable, and 24% showed a decreasing trajectory. Age and parent-reported social pragmatic concerns at program entry, as well as the length of time participating in the group-based NDBI, were differentially associated with the identified subgroups, signaling baseline child characteristics that may be associated with NDBI response.

Conclusion:

These findings highlight the importance of careful monitoring of active engagement to guide clinical decision making regarding changing intervention strategies, targets, or the intensity of the NDBI if gains are not observed.
The Interaction Between Vowel Quality and Intensity in Loudness Perception of Short Vowels in Mongolian
Authors: Qi Bailing , Dong Li
Published: January 2025

Purpose:

This study investigated the influence of vowel quality on loudness perception and stress judgment in Mongolian, an agglutinative language with free word stress. We aimed to explore the effects of intrinsic vowel features, presentation order, and intensity conditions on loudness perception and stress assignment.

Method:

Eight Mongolian short vowel phonemes (/ɐ/, /ə/, /i/, /ɪ/, /ɔ/, /o/, /ʊ/, and /u/) were recorded by a native Mongolian speaker of the Urad subdialect (the Chahar dialect group) in Inner Mongolia. The short vowels were paired under different intensity conditions. Native Mongolian listeners from Inner Mongolia participated in two loudness perception experiments: Experiment 1 examined the effects of presentation order and different intensity conditions on loudness perception using pairs of vowels. Experiment 2 explored how different vowel pairs influence perceptual outcomes and identified specific thresholds and perceptual boundaries for loudness perception.

Results:

The findings revealed that intensity significantly affected loudness perception, modulated by vowel quality. Presentation order of vowels affected loudness perception, and vowel centralization and lip rounding play crucial roles as well. Central vowels, particularly /ə/, were perceived as more prominent, whereas rounded vowels were more likely to be judged as stressed under equated intensity conditions. The study also identified a perceptual tendency toward final prominence, influenced by sonority and vowel positioning.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the intricate relationship among vowel quality, intensity, and stress perception in Mongolian. Different vowels exhibited distinct loudness perceptions at the same intensity level, emphasizing the importance of vowel quality in stress assignment. Vowels with higher sonority indices or those positioned peripherally in the vowel space are more likely to be perceived as prominent. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of the phonological processes and perceptual mechanisms in agglutinative languages and highlight the need for further research across diverse dialects.