bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of serum HBV RNA levels for predicting antiviral response to entecavir treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Kosaka Masanari , Fujino Hatsue , Tsuge Masataka , Yamaoka Kenji , Fujii Yasutoshi , Uchikawa Shinsuke , Ono Atsushi , Murakami Eisuke , Kawaoka Tomokazu , Miki Daiki , Hayes Clair Nelson , Kashiyama Seiya , Mokuda Sho , Yamazaki Shinichi , Oka Shiro
Published: January 2025

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA is an important serum biomarker of hepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcriptional activity; however, its clinical characteristics remain unclear. This study evaluated the clinical utility of HBV RNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

We studied 87 CHB patients with serum HBV DNA levels ≥ 5.0 log IU/mL who initiated entecavir (ETV) treatment between 2000 and 2018. Serum HBV RNA levels were measured at three-time points: before ETV treatment, at 12 weeks, and at 48 weeks after starting ETV treatment. Clinical markers associated with the antiviral effects of ETV treatment were analyzed.

Results

Serum HBV RNA levels decreased in both HBeAg-positive and -negative patients during the observation period. In HBeAg-positive patients, multivariable analysis showed that lower HBV RNA levels at 48 weeks of ETV treatment were independently associated with HBeAg seroconversion. Additionally, lower baseline HBV RNA levels significantly predicted virologic response in those patients. In contrast, among HBeAg-negative patients, lower HBV core-related antigen (HBcrAg) levels and the FIB-4 index were independently associated with virologic response. In HBeAg-positive patients, those with higher baseline HBV RNA levels showed a more significant reduction in hepatitis B surface antigen levels.

Conclusion

Serum HBV RNA levels predicted HBeAg seroconversion and early HBV DNA reduction in HBeAg-positive patients, while HBcrAg was significantly associated with virologic response in HBeAg-negative patients. These findings highlight the different predictive roles of HBV RNA and HBcrAg based on HBeAg status, which may provide individualized treatment strategies.
AMPA Receptors in Synaptic Plasticity, Memory Function, and Brain Diseases
Authors: de León-López Cristina A. Muñoz , Carretero-Rey Marta , Khan Zafar U.
Published: January 2025

Tetrameric AMPA-type ionotropic glutamate receptors are primary transducers of fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system, and their properties and abundance at the synaptic surface are crucial determinants of synaptic efficacy in neuronal communication across the brain. The induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) leads to the insertion of GluA1-containing AMPA receptors at the synaptic surface, whereas during long-term depression (LTD), these receptors are internalized into the cytoplasm of the spine. Disruptions in the trafficking of AMPA receptors to and from the synaptic surface attenuate both forms of synaptic plasticity. Homeostatic scaling up and scaling down, which are additional types of plasticity similar to LTP and LTD, are also regulated by the insertion and removal of GluA1-containing AMPA receptors from the synaptic surface. The trafficking of AMPA receptors is an intricate process assisted by various proteins. Furthermore, AMPA receptors are critical for the formation and consolidation of various types of memory, and alterations in their function are intimately associated with cognitive dysfunction in aging and several neurological and psychiatric diseases. In this review, we will provide an overview of the current understanding of how AMPA receptors regulate various forms of synaptic plasticity, their contribution to memory functions, and their role in aging and brain diseases.
Redefining computational thinking: A holistic framework and its implications for K-12 education
Authors: Palop Belén , Díaz Irene , Rodríguez-Muñiz Luis J. , Santaengracia Juan José
Published: January 2025

In the realm of K-12 Education, the growing significance of Computational Thinking has sparked extensive inquiry into its nature and instructional methodologies. Despite a wealth of literature on the subject, ongoing debates persist regarding its fundamental components. Across global educational landscapes, Computational Thinking is being incorporated into curricula with varying degrees of emphasis, ranging from robotics to computer coding to broader algorithmic problem-solving approaches. This article aims to reassess established definitions of Computational Thinking and propose a nuanced understanding that highlights the necessity and importance of data in contemporary problem-solving contexts. Additionally, we present a comprehensive framework aimed at cultivating Computational Thinking skills in students, encompassing technical competencies alongside cognitive and metacognitive processes. Subsequently, we offer (1) a refined definition emphasizing the importance of data, (2) a comprehensive framework outlining essential components to foster Computational Thinking skills in students, and (3) a discussion of these concepts within the context of K-12 education.
Complex Health Needs in Hurricane-Affected Youth and Their Families: Barriers, Vulnerabilities, and Mental Health Outcomes
Authors: Kelly Jessica T. , Danzi BreAnne A.
Published: January 2025

Youth with complex health needs (CHNs; e.g., requiring daily assistance or equipment for care) and their parents face heightened vulnerabilities during natural disasters, potentially leading to poorer mental health outcomes compared to those without CHNs. However, limited research has focused on this group’s disaster-related experiences and their impact on mental health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the disaster experiences, perceptions, and mental health outcomes of youth with CHNs and their parents’ post-hurricane and to evaluate the unique influence of CHN- and disaster-related factors on their psychological functioning. Parents (N = 142) of youth with CHNs (n = 48) and without CHNs (n = 94) who experienced a hurricane reported on their youth’s and their own psychological functioning, disaster perceptions, experiences, and CHN-related information. Youth with CHNs exhibited greater perceived life threat compared to youth without CHNs. Families of youth with CHNs were more likely to evacuate and faced greater evacuation barriers. They also exhibited greater PTS, depressive, and anxiety symptom severity compared to those without CHNs. Financial healthcare concerns were not associated with youth with CHNs or their parents’ mental health symptomatology. Hurricane-impeded access to healthcare necessities was associated with youth and parent PTS and depressive symptom severity and youth anxiety symptom severity. These findings underscore the vulnerabilities of youth with CHNs and their parents’ post-hurricane, emphasizing the need for tailored mental health services and improved disaster planning resources to support this population effectively.
Hair Cortisol in Young Children with Autism and Their Parents: Associations with Child Mental Health, Eating Behavior and Weight Status
Authors: van der Lubbe Anna , Swaab Hanna , van den Akker Erica , Vermeiren Robert , Ester Wietske A.
Published: January 2025

Children with autism and their parents face daily challenges that may be stressful for both. However, little is known about biological stress (hair cortisol concentrations [HCC]) in these families and its connection to children’s health outcomes. This study investigates biological stress in children with autism and their parents and its associations with child mental health, eating behavior and BMI. Stress was measured in 102 young children with autism and their parents (101 mothers, 86 fathers) using HCC and self-reported parenting stress (OBVL). Child mental health was measured through autism symptoms (ADOS-2, SRS-2) and problem behavior (CBCL). Child eating behavior (CEBQ) and BMIz were also measured. Children with autism had higher HCC than their peers. Child HCC was not linked to mental health, eating behavior, or BMIz. Maternal stress (self-reported and HCC) was associated with child problem behavior. In fathers, self-reported parenting stress correlated with child autism symptoms (SRS-2) and behavior problems. Both parents’ self-reported stress was associated with child eating behavior, specifically emotional undereating and overeating. In conclusion, higher HCC levels in children with autism in comparison to children from the general population, suggest differences in stress-regulation in children with autism. Given these findings, monitoring HCC in research and clinical practice could improve our understanding of stress-regulation in children with autism. The association between parental stress and children’s mental health and eating behaviors, underscores the importance of considering family dynamics in clinical (preventive) interventions and in further research that addresses the mental and physical health of children with autism.
On the Strongest Principles of Rational Belief Assignment
Authors: Paris J. B. , Vencovská A.
Published: January 2025

We show that in Polyadic Pure Inductive Logic the Invariance Principle, based on consideration of symmetry with respect to automorphisms, has only a trivial solution, namely the polyadic equivalent of Carnap’s

$$c_0$$

c
0

. (This extends a result proved earlier in the unary case.) We then consider the Exchangeable Invariance Principle, a symmetry principle which is a weakening of the Invariance Principle and has been proven to be strictly stronger than the Permutation Invariance Principle. We show that the Exchangeable Invariance Principle follows from Spectrum Exchangeability, a principle not obviously based on symmetry but based on irrelevance, that is treating certain features as irrelevant for the purpose of belief assignment, and that the converse does not hold. We conclude that Spectrum Exchangeability is the strongest currently known rational principle of belief assignment in Pure Inductive Logic that does not lead to the aforementioned trivial solution.
A Volumetric Study of Several Neat Alcohols as a Function of Temperature
Authors: Fucaloro Anthony F. , Zanella Andrew , Hu Christine , Meehan Andrew , Nguyen Lily , Peng Derek , Scarlett Michael , Wan Chris
Published: January 2025

The temperature-dependent molar volumes of 14 neat alcohols, including the homologous set of straight-chain primary alcohols, selected secondary alcohols, ethylene glycol, and selected alcohols with deuterated hydroxyl groups were measured in anticipation of uncovering systematic properties applicable to other neat liquids. For example, the addition of a single methylene group sequentially from ethanol to n-heptanol increases the molar volume by the nearly constant value of 16.385 ± 0.019 cm3·mol−1 at 0 °C. This linear behavior is exhibited at all temperatures studied. This constitutive property of molar volumes was reported previously for the partial molar volumes of aqueous alcohols, poly[vinyl alcohol], and organo-metallic complexes. Moreover, a method is proposed to partition the molar volumes into portions dependent upon intermolecular interactions, both attractive and repulsive (herein referred to as V
int, the apparent intrinsic volume), as well as a portion reflecting the tendency for molecules to separate due to thermal kinetic energy (herein referred to as V
exp, the expansive volume).
Thermal analysis of thermally treated spruce wood after its accelerated aging
Authors: Kačíková Danica , Eštoková Adriana , Gaff Milan , Kmeťová Elena , Kúdela Jozef , Kačík František
Published: January 2025

In contrast with untreated wood, thermally treated wood has a much longer lifespan, and compared to chemically modified products, its valorization after the end of the life cycle is much easier. We investigated the effect of thermal modification of spruce wood at temperatures of 160, 180, and 210 °C, the industrial product Thermo-D, and the effect of accelerated aging (600 h in Xenotest chamber, wet mode) on its energy properties. We used calorimetry, elemental analysis (CHNO), thermal analysis—thermogravimetry (TG, DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of calorimetry show that the higher heating values (HHV) increased significantly because of the thermal modification temperature. We noticed a similar trend after accelerated aging (HHV = 20,061–21,515 (kJ kg−1)). Relations between experimentally determined HHV values and values calculated from chemical composition and elemental composition show a very good mutual correlation (r = 0.8876–0.9710). Thermal analysis shows a higher content of thermal energy in modified and aged wood in comparison with untreated sample. The obtained knowledge can be applied for the energy use of Thermowood at the end of its life cycle, depending on the conditions of its treatment, and it can also be used for fire risk assessment of Thermowood products.
Benford’s Law: applications to chondrules and refractory inclusions
Authors: Grodner Jake , Rubin Alan E.
Published: January 2025

Benford's Law is a scale- and base-invariant probability distribution wherein smaller numerals occur more often than higher numerals as the first digits in many large, naturally occurring datasets. In the present study, the areas of individual meteoritic chondrules and refractory inclusions were tested for conformity to Benford's Law. Datasets of chondrule, CAI, and AOA sizes from CO and CV carbonaceous chondrites from the literature were analyzed. In each dataset, the set of areas of all inclusions (chondrules and refractory inclusions combined) was found to conform most closely to Benford's Law. The area distributions are approximately log normal; they are positively skewed with decreasing numerical values from mean to median to mode. The conformity of the set of all chondrules and refractory inclusions to Benford’s Law suggests that Benford's Law may apply to the process of aerodynamic sorting in the protoplanetary disk prior to the agglomeration of chondritic planetesimals.
Identification of factors related to functional prognoses in craniopharyngiomas
Authors: Umeda Tsuyoshi , Otani Yoshihiro , Fujii Kentaro , Ishida Joji , Hirano Shuichiro , Suruga Yasuki , Kemmotsu Naoya , Imoto Ryoji , Kegoya Yasuhito , Mizuta Ryo , Inoue Yohei , Hokama Madoka , Makihara Seiichiro , Hasegawa Kosei , Inagaki Kenichi , Otsuka Fumio , Yasuhara Takao , Tanaka Shota
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Craniopharyngiomas are histologically benign tumors, but their proximity to vital neurovascular structures can significantly deteriorate functional prognoses and severely restrict patients’ social interaction and activity. We retrospectively identified risk factors related to the functional prognoses in patients with craniopharyngioma treated at our center.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients who underwent surgery for craniopharyngioma and follow-up at our institution between 2003 and 2022. Functional prognoses were evaluated in terms of obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 for adults, BMI-Z ≥ 1.65 for children), visual function, endocrine function, and social participation. We investigated whether patient characteristics, tumor size, tumor location, hypothalamic involvement, surgical hypothalamic damage, extent of resection, and recurrence rate correlated with these functional prognostic factors.

Results

The median age at diagnosis was 28.0 years, with a median follow-up of 80.5 months. Postoperative obesity was present in 22 patients, and those with postoperative obesity had a significantly higher preoperative BMI or BMI-Z (preoperative BMI for adults: p = 0.074; preoperative BMI-Z for children: p = 0.020) and were significantly correlated with preoperative hypothalamic involvement grade 2 (p = 0.012) and surgical hypothalamic damage grade II (p = 0.0001). Deterioration in social participation was significantly associated with a larger tumor size (p = 0.023) and tumor recurrence (p = 0.0047).

Conclusions

Patients with higher preoperative BMI or BMI-Z and hypothalamic involvement have a greater risk of postoperative obesity, and larger tumor size and recurrence can significantly deteriorate the rate of patients’ social participation.
Tensions in Corporate Contractarianism: Rhetoric Rather than Logic
Authors: Hardman Jonathan
Published: January 2025

The dominant conceptual approach in Anglo-American corporate law literature is to represent the company as a series of voluntary bilateral arrangements. Under such a contractarian approach, the role for company law is to facilitate private bargaining and transactions. This representation is far from uncontroversial, and is frequently challenged on both descriptive grounds (that it does not accurately describe company law) and normative grounds (that its claims as to what the law should be are unfounded). Yet it remains the primary analytical paradigm within corporate law. It presents as an internally coherent representation, which can adequately defend itself from external challenges. The purpose of this article is to explore tensions within the internal argumentation structure of certain claims of this representation. Specifically, this article identifies and unpacks tensions of logical coherence within two key moves advanced within this representation. First, hasty generalisations are provided, extrapolating from unrepresentative samples. Second, there is a circularity in normative claims as to the allocation of corporate rights: the fact that rights are currently provided is frequently used as a reason to justify such rights being initially allocated. This commits the logical fallacy of ‘begging the question’. These two main weaknesses of contractarianism undermine its claim to be an inevitable result of logic. Instead, it is best seen as a series of rhetorical moves: they arise as a result of pre-existing value judgments, and therefore cannot be utilised to justify such value judgments.
School middle leaders’ personality traits and collective teachers’ efficacy: the moderating role of resource support
Authors: Zadok Ayala , Benoliel Pascale , Schechter Chen
Published: January 2025

Drawing upon trait-activation-theory, this study explores the moderating role of resource support in the relationship of middle-leaders’ personality traits, namely extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness to collective teacher efficacy. The study used a two-source survey design with data from 609 participants: middle-leaders and teachers in 103 secondary schools in Israel. The findings reveal that resource support served as a moderator in the relationship of the personality traits of extraversion and openness to experience and collective teacher efficacy. Specifically, when resource support was low, negative correlations between middle-leaders’ extraversion and openness to experience and collective teacher efficacy were found. However, no correlations were found when resource support was high. No significant influence of resource support was found on the relationship of conscientiousness to collective teacher efficacy. This study adds and deepen our understanding regarding the complex interplay among middle-leaders’ personality traits, school resources support and collective teacher efficacy, emphasising the need for adequate resource support to maximise middle-leader traits’ influences and to promote collective teacher efficacy. These findings have significant practical implications for teacher and teaching education, teacher development programmes and practices, resource allocation decisions, and professional development initiatives.
Optimization of canine sperm cryopreservation by focusing on glycerol concentration and freezing rate
Authors: Ogata Kazuko , Takeuchi Ayaka , Ashibe Shiori , Sugane Naoko , Nagao Yoshikazu
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of frozen-thawed canine spermatozoa through the optimization of glycerol concentration (GC) and freezing rate in the semen freezing protocol. Ejaculates from nine dogs were diluted with an extender containing 0%, 1.5%, 3%, 6%, or 9% glycerol. The suspensions were loaded into 0.25 ml straws, frozen in nitrogen vapor in a closed box, and immersed in liquid nitrogen (LN2). The freezing rate was controlled by setting the distance from the LN2 surface to the straws as 1, 4, 7, or 10 cm. Firstly, freezing curves for each GC and freezing rate were analyzed. The analysis showed that the temperature of ice nucleation, freezing point, and immersion were changed with a certain trend depending on the GCs and freezing rates. Secondly, the sperm motility index (MI), viability and mitochondrial (MT) activity were evaluated. At 0 h after thawing, the MI was higher in the 3% and 6% GCs than the 0% GCs (P < 0.05). At 24 h, the 3% GC with 1 cm LN2 distance (1 cm-3%) and the 7 cm-6% showed higher viability than the other conditions (P < 0.05), and the highest MT activity was obtained in the 1 cm-3%, which was higher than the other conditions (P < 0.05). The present findings indicate that the rapid freezing rate at 1 cm (average − 31 °C/min) with 3% GC provided the optimal condition in this study; use of this condition should reduce the detrimental damage to dog spermatozoa caused by ice crystal formation during freezing.
Breathtaking dreams: reduced REM phenotype in REM-related sleep apnea
Authors: Cerina Luca , Fonseca Pedro , Papini Gabriele B. , Vullings Rik , Overeem Sebastiaan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The expression of the respiratory events in OSA is influenced by different mechanisms. In particular, REM sleep can highly increase the occurrence of events in a subset of OSA patients, a condition dubbed REM-OSA (often defined as an AHI 2 times higher in REM than NREM sleep). However, a proper characterization of REM-OSA and its pathological sequelae is still inadequate, partly because of limitations in the current definitions.

Methods

We propose a new interpretation of the REM-OSA definition, extending it from a AHI-ratio to a two-dimensional space, considering both time and events ratios in REM over NREM separately. Within this space, we analyzed current definitions of REM-OSA in three large clinical dataset and identified the underlying sources of heterogeneity.

Results

We observed that REM-OSA and REM-independent-OSA subgroups exist. Some subgroups exhibited abnormal REM characteristics (e.g., REM-OSA with reduced time in REM). Others had OSA features that are intermediate between REM-independent-OSA participants and those with a clear disproportion of REM events.

Conclusion

We found that a time and events’ ratio of REM and NREM allow a more precise characterization of REM-OSA subgroups. Our new interpretation can be used to bolster new research into REM-OSA pathophysiological mechanisms.
Effect of Laser Texturing in Thermal Spraying on the Fatigue Life of the Ti-6Al-4V Alloy
Authors: Pegane-Vingadas Eléonore , Chaussumier Michel , Soveja Adriana , Costil Sophie
Published: January 2025

The Ti-6Al-4V alloy is widely used in aerospace applications for its excellent mechanical properties; however, it presents low wear resistance. It is often coated with a cermet using high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) spraying to improve its wear performance. The Cr3C2-NiCr cermet becomes particularly interesting since it is non-carcinogenic, compared to traditional cermet coatings containing tungsten-cobalt compounds. While the improvement in wear resistance of Ti-6Al-4V with this coating has been demonstrated, its impact on the fatigue performance of the alloy remains to be studied. This is precisely the aim of this study, which focuses on the fatigue life of a Cr3C2-25NiCr-coated Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Among the various influencing factors, surface preparation represents a significant source of crack initiation, particularly in the case of sandblasted surfaces. Indeed, the inclusion of fragmented alumina particles can produce stress concentration zones. Thus, laser texturing, which is a method involving the creation of anchoring points through controlled ablation, can be considered today as a less harmful surface preparation technique. The results obtained from cyclic tensile fatigue tests with a stress ratio of 0.1 for these two surface preparation methods, both with and without the coating, are presented in this paper.
Refugees as Labor: Post World War II Displaced Persons in Australia, Canada, and the USA
Authors: Haines David W.
Published: January 2025

The resettlement of approximately one million European displaced persons (DPs) after the Second World War was a major milestone in humanitarian resettlement. It was also a major milestone in the expansion of immigration in Australia, Canada, and the USA. The humanitarian and immigration expansion aspects of DP resettlement were the result of formal government policy as well as humanitarian organizations, interest groups concerned about the need for labor, and individuals linked to DPs by ties of blood, national origin, and religion. This article examines how the search for labor was integrated into public policy, program implementation, and political debate about DPs and became an essential component of DP resettlement. Specific discussions of Australia, Canada, and the USA help show the different ways a program of humanitarian resettlement could be structured to produce immediate—rather than delayed—economic benefits. This comparative consideration of post-war DP resettlement helps open up future research options for a more integrated understanding of humanitarian and labor aspects of immigration policy more generally, especially in the way profit of various kinds can accrue to policy-guided humanitarian resettlement.
What does it mean when the pleasant smells come and go? Correlation between UPSIT odor identification status and fluctuation of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Lei Hsin-Bei , Fang Ting-Chun , Lin Yu-Hsuan , Chiu Shih-Chi , Chang Ming-Hong , Guo Yi-Jen
Published: January 2025

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, including olfactory dysfunction. Prior studies have shown that olfaction deteriorates with disease progression, however fluctuations in olfaction and related PD symptoms have been less explored. This study aimed to investigate correlations between changes in odor identification ability and PD symptoms. PD patients recruited from Taichung Veterans General Hospital underwent at least two consecutive Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) and University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) evaluations. The patients were grouped based on changes in olfactory identification ability between evaluations, and fluctuations in PD symptoms were compared between groups. Ninety-seven PD patients with 114 complete sets of data were analyzed. Significant divergent results were observed between changes in five MDS-UPDRS non-motor subscores and the conversion status of five pleasant odors, including anxiety vs. bubble gum, apathy vs. banana, dizziness vs. coconut, urination vs. root beer, and dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) vs. grape. Fluctuations in the ability to detect pleasant odors, may have a complex interaction with other non-motor symptoms, including in the neurobehavioral and autonomic domains. Serial monitoring of olfactory function, particularly with pleasant odors, may provide valuable insights for tracking non-motor symptoms in PD and warrants further investigation into their therapeutic implications.
Gaze-Based Prediction of Students’ Math Difficulties - A Time Dynamic Machine Learning Approach to Enable Early Individual Assistance
Authors: Kennel Kathrin , Ishimaru Shoya , Küchemann Stefan , Steinert Steffen , Kuhn Jochen , Ruzika Stefan
Published: January 2025

Graphical differentiation substantially promotes the understanding of basic concepts of calculus. At the same time, such tasks are challenging for many students. To be able to support students in complex tasks during the solution process, it is important to recognise if students are having difficulties and, if so, to identify precisely what the difficulty is. However, previous research was only able to identify correct and incorrect solution processes but not the specific difficulties of students. In our study, the eye tracking data of 143 students reveal how students’ math tasks in context of graphically differentiation can be predicted. Retrospective-think-aloud (RTA) protocols were used to identify students’ difficulties and three machine learning algorithms, k-nearest neighbours (KNN), Random Forest and support vector machine (SVM), provide an accurate prediction for this multiclass problem. The prediction results improve with increasing processing time and achieve already good values long before the solution process of the tasks is completed. Our results show that certain student difficulties can be detected very early during the task solution process. Although this approach has been demonstrated for a sub-area of calculus, it is transferable to other fields of the STEM domain and therefore has much wider scope.
Self-Efficacy Perceptions of Tongan Students and Their Teachers within Year 11 Business Studies
Authors: Hausia Ella’peta Fifita , Matapo Jacoba , Gaffney Janet S.
Published: January 2025

A growing number of Pasifika students are pursuing Business Studies at Secondary school. However, indigenous knowledge and epistemologies are not prominent in Business Studies. We discuss a qualitative decolonising study that explores the concept of self-efficacy in Business Studies from a Tongan perspective. We provide insights into the perceptions of Tongan student’s self-efficacy and their Business Studies teachers. Teachers’ views aligned with Western notions of self-efficacy, which conflict with Tongan perceptions, precisely the collective nature of Tongan self-efficacy. Key findings from teacher interviews and Talanoa with students provided an understanding of Pasifika students in general and experiences specific to Tongan students. Three main themes are highlighted: (a) key values for Tongan students, such as relationships, family, and identity; (b) students’ learning experiences across different contexts; and (c) framings of self-efficacy. This study’s implications for curriculum suggest how teachers can learn from and incorporate Tongan students’ values and identities, enhancing their engagement and performance in Business Studies. Extending this research to include the knowledge and understanding of Tongan families, community leaders, curriculum specialists, Business Studies educators, and researchers would create a transformational space for student engagement. Bringing together shared expert knowledge in the future would require more time for effective and meaningful Talanoa as a collective.
Enhancing High-Speed Railway Timetable Resilience: A Two-Level Spatiotemporal Network Model Focused on Disturbance Absorption
Authors: Chen Zengxin , Chen Junhua , Zheng Han , Gao Tianze
Published: January 2025

Enhancing the resilience of train timetables can effectively improve their resistance and recovery capabilities against operational disturbances, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the railway system and the quality of passenger transportation services. This paper defined timetable resilience as three parts: disturbance absorptive capacity, resistance capacity, and post-disturbance recovery capacity. These capacities were quantitatively evaluated using the buffer time of trains, the number of train delays at departures and arrivals, and the duration of delay state. The evaluation metrics of the three resilience capacities and the total travel time of trains were used as the objective to establish a spatiotemporal network model. Utilizing actual operational data from the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway in China, the model was validated through a case study. Sensitivity analysis of the model's key parameters was conducted under two experimental scenarios: routine operational disturbances and speed restrictions on specific sections. Results showed that our model can effectively reduce the delay time and the number of delays in both the routine operational disturbance scenario and the 300 km/h speed restriction scenario with a frequent disturbance value of 2 min. Moreover, the model's performance with 3-min frequent disturbance outperformed that with 2-min frequent disturbance in speed restriction at 250 km/h and 200 km/h, yielding a 30% improvement.
A congestion prediction method based on trajectory mining algorithm
Authors: Dongjiang Liu , Leixiao Li , Jie Li
Published: January 2025

Nowadays, number of private cars is increasing rapidly. Traffic congestion becomes a serious problem in urban region. If traffic congestion can be predicted before it happens, it will be helpful for improving traffic condition. So many traffic congestion prediction methods have been proposed. Almost all these methods are based on traffic flow prediction algorithm. In these methods, historical traffic flow data is used while performing prediction. Obviously, information of sudden accidents like traffic accidents, road damage and bad weather that happened recently may be not contained in historical traffic flow data. But performance of traffic flow prediction algorithms will be affected by these factors. In this situation, performance of traffic congestion prediction method based on traffic flow prediction result will be affected as well. To solve the problem, a new traffic congestion prediction method based on trajectory mining algorithm is proposed in this paper. In this method, traffic controllers can set a threshold for each road according to the current situation of the road. The threshold represents the vehicle number that can be carried by the corresponding road in a short period. Besides, for each road, the proposed method tries to count the number of vehicles that will pass through the specific road at next time step by predicting next location for all the running vehicles based on their trajectories. If the vehicle number of a road surpasses the threshold of this road, it will be predicted as congested road. Otherwise, it will be predicted as non-congested road.
Copula-based reliability estimation of parallel-series system in the multicomponent stress–strength dependent model
Authors: Zhang Li , Yan Rongfang
Published: January 2025

Reliability analysis of stress–strength models usually assumes that the stress and strength variables are independent. However, in numerous real-world scenarios, stress and strength variables exhibit dependence. This paper investigates the reliability estimation in a multicomponent stress–strength model for parallel-series system assuming that the dependence between stress and strength is based on the Clayton copula. The estimators for the unknown parameters and system reliability are derived using the two-step maximum likelihood estimation and the maximum product spacing methods. Additionally, confidence intervals are constructed by utilizing asymptotically normal distribution theory and bootstrap method. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to compare the effectiveness of the proposed inference methods. Finally, a real dataset is analyzed for illustrative purposes.
Metal-oxide phase transition of platinum nanocatalyst below fuel cell open-circuit voltage
Authors: Campos-Roldán Carlos A. , Gasmi Amir , Ennaji Meryem , Stodel Morgane , Martens Isaac , Filhol Jean-Sébastien , Blanchard Pierre-Yves , Cavaliere Sara , Jones Deborah , Drnec Jakub , Chattot Raphaël
Published: January 2025

The long-term stability of Pt-based catalysts is critical to the reliability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and receives constant attention. However, the current knowledge of Pt oxidation is restricted to unrealistic PEMFC cathode environment or operation, which questions its practical relevance. Herein, Pt oxidation is investigated directly in a PEMFC with stroboscopic operando high energy X-ray scattering. The onset potential for phase transition of the nanoparticles surface from metallic to amorphous electrochemical oxide is observed far below previously reported values, and most importantly, below the open-circuit potential of PEMFC cathode. Such phase transition is shown to impact PEMFC performance and its role on Pt transient dissolution is verified by electrochemical on-line inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. By further demonstrating and resolving the limitations of currently employed accelerated stress test protocols in the light of metal-oxide phase transitions kinetics, this picture of Pt oxidation enables new mitigation strategies against PEMFC degradation.
Mechanism of sensor kinase CitA transmembrane signaling
Authors: Zhang Xizhou Cecily , Xue Kai , Salvi Michele , Schomburg Benjamin , Mehrens Jonas , Giller Karin , Stopp Marius , Weisenburger Siegfried , Böning Daniel , Sandoghdar Vahid , Unden Gottfried , Becker Stefan , Andreas Loren B. , Griesinger Christian
Published: January 2025

Membrane bound histidine kinases (HKs) are ubiquitous sensors of extracellular stimuli in bacteria. However, a uniform structural model is still missing for their transmembrane signaling mechanism. Here, we used solid-state NMR in conjunction with crystallography, solution NMR and distance measurements to investigate the transmembrane signaling mechanism of a paradigmatic citrate sensing membrane embedded HK, CitA. Citrate binding in the sensory extracytoplasmic PAS domain (PASp) causes the linker to transmembrane helix 2 (TM2) to adopt a helical conformation. This triggers a piston-like pulling of TM2 and a quaternary structure rearrangement in the cytosolic PAS domain (PASc). Crystal structures of PASc reveal both anti-parallel and parallel dimer conformations. An anti-parallel to parallel transition upon citrate binding agrees with interdimer distances measured in the lipid embedded protein using a site-specific 19F label in PASc. These data show how Angstrom scale structural changes in the sensor domain are transmitted across the membrane to be converted and amplified into a nm scale shift in the linker to the phosphorylation subdomain of the kinase.
Chemical tools to define and manipulate interferon-inducible Ubl protease USP18
Authors: Davis Griffin J. , Omole Anthony O. , Jung Yejin , Rut Wioletta , Holewinski Ronald , Suazo Kiall F. , Kim Hong-Rae , Yang Mo , Andresson Thorkell , Drag Marcin , Yoo Euna
Published: January 2025

Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) is a multifunctional cysteine protease primarily responsible for deconjugating the interferon-inducible ubiquitin-like modifier ISG15 from protein substrates. Here, we report the design and synthesis of activity-based probes (ABPs) that incorporate unnatural amino acids into the C-terminal tail of ISG15, enabling the selective detection of USP18 activity over other ISG15 cross-reactive deubiquitinases (DUBs) such as USP5 and USP14. Combined with a ubiquitin-based DUB ABP, the USP18 ABP is employed in a chemoproteomics screening platform to identify and assess inhibitors of DUBs including USP18. We further demonstrate that USP18 ABPs can be utilized to profile differential activities of USP18 in lung cancer cell lines, providing a strategy that will help define the activity-related landscape of USP18 in different disease states and unravel important (de)ISGylation-dependent biological processes.
Linking Research Data with Physically Preserved Research Materials in Chemistry
Authors: Lin Chia-Lin , Huang Pei-Chi , Gräßle Simone , Grathwol Christoph , Tremouilhac Pierre , Vanderheiden Sylvia , Hodapp Patrick , Herres-Pawlis Sonja , Hoffmann Alexander , Fink Fabian , Manolikakes Georg , Opatz Till , Link Andreas , Marques M. Manuel B. , Daumann Lena J. , Tsotsalas Manuel , Biedermann Frank , Mutlu Hatice , Täuscher Eric , Bach Felix , Drees Tim , Neumann Steffen , Harivyasi Shashank S. , Jung Nicole , Bräse Stefan
Published: January 2025

Results of scientific work in chemistry can usually be obtained in the form of materials and data. A big step towards transparency and reproducibility of the scientific work can be gained if scientists publish their data in research data repositories in a FAIR manner. Nevertheless, in order to make chemistry a sustainable discipline, obtaining FAIR data is insufficient and a comprehensive concept that includes preservation of materials is needed. In order to offer a comprehensive infrastructure to find and access data and materials that were generated in chemistry projects, we combined the infrastructure Chemotion repository with an archive for chemical compounds. Samples play a key role in this concept: we describe how FAIR metadata of a virtual sample representation can be used to refer to a physically available sample in a materials’ archive and to link it with the FAIR research data gained using the said sample. We further describe the measures to make the physically available samples not only FAIR through their metadata but also findable, accessible and reusable.
Growth-rate distributions of gut microbiota time series
Authors: Brigatti E. , Azaele S.
Published: January 2025

Logarithmic growth-rates are fundamental observables for describing ecological systems and the characterization of their distributions with analytical techniques can greatly improve their comprehension. Here a neutral model based on a stochastic differential equation with demographic noise, which presents a closed form for these distributions, is used to describe the population dynamics of microbiota. Results show that this model can successfully reproduce the log-growth rate distribution of the considered abundance time-series. More significantly, it predicts its temporal dependence, by reproducing its kurtosis evolution when the time lag
$$\tau$$
is increased. Furthermore, its typical shape for large
$$\tau$$
is assessed, verifying that the distribution variance does not diverge with
$$\tau$$
. The simulated processes generated by the calibrated stochastic equation and the analysis of each time-series, taken one by one, provided additional support for our approach. Alternatively, we tried to describe our dataset by using a logistic neutral model with an environmental stochastic term. Analytical and numerical results show that this model is not suited for describing the leptokurtic log-growth rates distribution found in our data. These results support an effective neutral model with demographic stochasticity for describing the considered microbiota.
Three-dimensional structure of entire hydrated murine hearts at histological resolution
Authors: Frohn Jasper , Böddeker Frederik , Reichardt Marius , Bruns Hendrik , Czajka Titus , Khan Amara , Broche Ludovic , Krisch Michael , Bravin Alberto , Alves Frauke , Zschüntzsch Jana , Salditt Tim
Published: January 2025

Imaging the entire cardiomyocyte network in entire small animal hearts at single cell resolution is a formidable challenge. Optical microscopy provides sufficient contrast and resolution in 2d, however fails to deliver non-destructive 3d reconstructions with isotropic resolution. It requires several invasive preparation steps, which introduce structural artefacts, namely dehydration, physical slicing and staining, or for the case of light sheet microscopy also clearing of the tissue. Our goal is to provide 3d reconstructions of the cardiomyocyte network in entire hydrated murine hearts, and to develop a methodology for quantitative analysis of heart pathologies based on X-ray phase contrast computed tomography (XPCT). We have used XPCT at two beamlines of the extremely brilliant source (EBS) at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) to scan wild-type murine hearts at high resolution, as well as a series of murine hearts of different pathological models, at reduced resolution and higher throughput. All hearts were obtained from the small animal facility of the university medical center in Göttingen. The hearts were fixed in formalin, stored and measured non-destructively in phosphate buffer solution. The high resolution dataset allows to discern individual cardiomyocytes in the tissue. All datasets have been analyzed using semi-automated image segmentation of the ventricles, rotation into a common coordinate system, classification into different anatomical compartments, and finally the structure tensor approach. A 3d streamline representation of the cardiomyocyte orientation vector field is provided. The different cardiovascular disease models are analysed based on metrics derived from the 3d structure tensor. An entire hydrated murine heart has been covered at an isotropic voxel size of 1.6

$$\upmu$$

μ

m (distributed over several volumes). A binned and fused dataset of this heart is available at 3.2

$$\upmu$$

μ

m, and has been analyzed by the structure tensor approach to yield the ventricular cardiomyocyte network or mesh, i.e. the aggregation of the cardiomyocyte chains in particular in the ventricular wall. Semi-automatic determination of structural metrics is already achieved and the corresponding tools and resulting data are made publically available. XPCT using extremely brilliant undulator radiation is close to achieve single cell reconstruction in an entire small animal organ.
A gamma-ray spectrometer based on MAPD-3NM-2 and LaBr3(ce) and LSO scintillators for hydrogen detection on planetary surfaces
Authors: Ahmadov F. , Sadigov A. , Bacherikov Yu. Yu. , Okhrimenko O. , Isayev K. , Holik M. , Slavicek T. , Mamedov F. , Ahmadov G. , Mammadli A. , Akbarov R. , Nagiyev J. , Berikov D. , Nuruyev S. , Sadygov Z. , Shitov Yu. , Lyubchyk S. I. , Lyubchyk S. B.
Published: January 2025

The presented work is dedicated to the detection of hydrogen, using detectors based on a MAPD (Micropixel Avalanche Photodiode) array based on new MAPD-3NM-2 type photodiodes and two different scintillators (LaBr3(Ce) and LSO(Ce)). The physical parameters of the MAPD photodiode used in the study and the intrinsic background of the scintillators were investigated. For the 2.223 MeV energy gamma-ray indicating the presence of hydrogen, the energy resolution was 6.89% with the MAPD array and LSO scintillator-based detector, and the number of events corresponding to this energy was 4817. With the MAPD array and LaBr3(Ce) scintillator, the energy resolution for the 2.223 MeV gamma-ray was 3.55%, and the number of events corresponding to this energy was 3868. The LSO scintillator-based detector allowed for the detection of 24.5% more 2.223 MeV energy gamma-rays compared to the LaBr3(Ce) scintillator. For the 2.223 MeV gamma-ray associated with hydrogen, the energy resolution with the LaBr3(Ce) scintillator was 48.5% better than with the LSO scintillator. The lower energy resolution compared to the LSO is due to the higher light output of LaBr3(Ce). The obtained results experimentally demonstrate that it is possible to obtain information about the presence of hydrogen in the target using both detectors.
Isomerization of pirazolopyrimidines to pyrazolopyridines by ring-opening/closing reaction in aqueous NaOH
Authors: Cifuentes Carlos , Bravo Nestor , Restrepo Daniel , Macías Mario , Portilla Jaime
Published: January 2025

Herein, a NaOH-promoted isomerization of pirazolopyrimidines to pyrazolopyridines, arising via an ANRORC mechanism studied using DFT, and the products' synthetic and photophysical utility are provided.
Design strategies for organelle-selective fluorescent probes: where to start?
Authors: Alamudi Samira Husen , Lee Yong-An
Published: January 2025

Advancing the development of organelle-targeted small fluorescent probes by highlighting key design strategies to reveal cellular dynamics and address persistent challenges in probe design.
Functionalization of zeolite-encapsulated Cu5 clusters as visible-light photoactive sub-nanomaterials
Authors: Krupka Katarzyna M. , Carroll Lenard L. , de Lara-Castells María Pilar
Published: January 2025

While TiO2 nanoparticles absorb in the UV of the solar spectrum, it is shown that zeolite-encapsulated Cu5–TiO2 nanoparticles absorb in the visible region via direct photo-induced electron transfers and formation of charge-separated states.