bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contrasting two versions of the 4-cup 2-item disjunctive syllogism task in great apes
Authors: Jones Benjamin , Call Josep
Published: January 2025

Chimpanzees excel at inference tasks which require that they search for a single food item from partial information. Yet, when presented with 2-item tasks which test the same inference operation, chimpanzees show a consistent breakdown in performance. Here we test a diverse zoo-housed cohort (n = 24) comprising all 4 great ape species under the classic 4-cup 2-item task, previously administered to children and chimpanzees, and a modified task administered to baboons. The aim of this study is to delineate whether the divergent results reported from the literature are taxonomic differences or artefacts of their methodologies, while extending the literature to cover the remaining great ape species. We find that apes adaptively adjust their choice behaviour in both variants of the task, but that they perform better in trials where the information provided rules out a location rather than removes one of the food items. In a second experiment involving those subjects who passed the first, along with a group of naïve subjects, we test whether subjects were able to apply the logical operation selectively by including control trials where the correct response is reversed. Performance in standard trials breaks down with the addition of control trials, meaning that if apes did solve the first experiment logically, they are not capable of applying that logic flexibly. Considering this finding, we conclude that a 4-cup 2-item task may not be a suitable test of logical reasoning in great apes.
Comparative outcomes of microsurgical dorsal root entry zone lesioning (DREZotomy) for intractable neuropathic pain in spinal cord and cauda equina injuries
Authors: Sitthinamsuwan Bunpot , Ounahachok Tanawat , Pumseenil Sawanee , Nunta-aree Sarun
Published: January 2025

Treatment of neuropathic pain in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and cauda equina injury (CEI) remains challenging. Dorsal root entry zone lesioning (DREZL) or DREZotomy is a viable surgical option for refractory cases. This study aimed to compare DREZL surgical outcomes between patients with SCI and those with CEI and to identify predictors of postoperative pain relief. We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients (6 with SCI and 6 with CEI) with intractable neuropathic pain who underwent DREZL. The data collected were demographic characteristics, pain distribution, and outcomes assessed by numeric pain rating scores. Variables and percentages of pain improvement at 1 year and long-term were statistically compared between the SCI and CEI groups. The demographic characteristics and percentage of patients who experienced pain improvement at 1 year postoperatively did not differ between the groups. Compared with the SCI group, the CEI group presented significantly better long-term pain reduction (p = 0.020) and favorable operative outcomes (p = 0.015). Patients with border zone pain had significantly better long-term pain relief and outcomes than did those with diffuse pain (p = 0.008 and p = 0.010, respectively). Recurrent pain after DREZL occurred in the SCI group but not in the CEI group. DREZL provided superior pain relief in patients with CEI. The presence of border zone pain predicted favorable outcomes. CEI patients or SCI patients with border zone pain are good surgical candidates for DREZL, whereas SCI patients with below-injury diffuse pain are poor candidates.
Examining the Impact of a Brief Compassion Focused Intervention on Everyday Experiences of Compassion in Autistic Adults Through Psychophysiology and Experience Sampling
Authors: Sherwell Chase S. , Varley Deanna , Kinnane Claudia , Turner Wesley , Zimmerman David , Kirby James N.
Published: January 2025

Autistic adults experience greater rates of anxiety and depression compared to the general population. Compassion-focused therapy interventions, aimed at promoting self-compassion capabilities, have shown efficacy in improving mental health outcomes in autistic and non-autistic samples suffering from self-criticism that contribute to difficulties in emotion regulation. We explored the experiences of autistic adults during a brief one-week online self-compassion exercise to evaluate it’s feasibility and acceptability through self-report, experience sampling, and parasympathetic activity measured via HRV. Pre- to post-intervention comparisons showed significant improvement in trait self-compassion and fears of self-compassion, but this did not extend to acute measures of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) nor difficulties in emotion regulation. HRV measures displayed significant increases during self-compassionate practice, although there were no significant changes in physiological reactivity pre- to post-intervention. Experience sampling measures found that whether participants acted on opportunities to be self-compassionate was predictive of concurrent evaluations of affective system activation, whereby acting self-compassionately was associated with greater reported activation of the soothing affective system. Together, our findings support the use of multimodal approaches to investigating the accessibility and efficacy of compassion-focused approaches to resolving emotional difficulties experienced by autistic adults.
Socially shared regulation of learning and artificial intelligence: Opportunities to support socially shared regulation
Authors: Kim Jinhee , Detrick Rita , Yu Seongryeong , Song Yukyeong , Bol Linda , Li Na
Published: January 2025

Supporting learners in achieving high-level socially shared regulation of learning (SSRL) in the online collaborative learning (OCL) context presents challenges that the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may help solve. However, the effective uses of AI to support multifaceted areas (cognition, metacognition, and motivation) and phases (forethought, performance, and reflection) of SSRL remain elusive. Furthermore, research on developing an educational AI and what pedagogical attributes and elements are required for AI to support students' SSRL effectively is limited. This study, therefore, aims to investigate students' perceptions of AI applications in enhancing SSRL and to explore the essential pedagogical elements necessary for AI to support SSRL during the OCL. To achieve these aims, the study conducted Focus Group Interviews facilitated by 9 scenarios of AI application storyboards and paper prototypes with 30 undergraduate and graduate students. The study findings show that students perceive various types of AI to support cognitive, metacognitive, and motivational areas across different SSRL phases. The study also found that students viewed AI as an active learning agent, serving in roles previously inhabited solely by human educators and students. Furthermore, the study reveals seven key pedagogical elements across TPACK components such as pedagogical, content, technological, pedagogical content, technological pedagogical, technological content, and technological pedagogical content knowledge deemed crucial by students for AI to support SSRL in OCL effectively. These findings offer implications for using and designing educationally relevant AI to support SSRL in OCL environments.
Responding to the Needs of Early Literacy Teachers: Designing Online Professional Development to Improve Writing Instruction for Multilingual Learners
Authors: Crook Katie M. , Vega Hazel , Howell Emily , Rowe Lindsey W. , Bates C. C. , Mittapalli Kavita , Banerjee Amlan
Published: January 2025

While the population of multilingual learners (MLs) in the United States has grown rapidly in recent years, many teachers feel unprepared to teach them. The professional development (PD) teachers receive is often misaligned with their particular needs and experiences. This design-based research study examined the development and impact of online PD designed with teacher input to improve writing instruction for young MLs. Data were collected over twelve months from 25 teachers in six Southeastern U.S. school districts. Researchers evaluated the impact of the PD on teachers’ knowledge and self-efficacy for teaching writing to MLs. Findings highlight how teachers made instructional moves to support the linguistic assets of their students and shifted their beliefs toward more culturally responsive perspectives. These shifts were facilitated by the core PD elements of content focus, active learning, coherence, and duration. The study highlights a need for soliciting iterative feedback on PD from teachers themselves, revising PD based on ongoing feedback, and providing practical opportunities to apply new learning.
Performance of Confined Concrete-Filled Aluminum Tube Pile Groups under Combined Loading
Authors: Al-Darraji Fadhil , Sadique Monower , Yu Zelong , Shubbar Ali , Marolt Čebašek Tina
Published: January 2025

Recent advancements in foundation engineering have introduced composite piles, specifically the Confined Concrete-Filled Aluminum Tube (CCFAT) pile system, which can effectively support both vertical and lateral loads. However, the behavior of composite piles under combined loading conditions remains largely unexplored. This research investigates the performance of CCFAT pile groups installed in loose sand and subjected to combined loads. Experimental studies focused on 1 × 2 and 2 × 2 CCFAT configurations with varying slenderness ratios (Lm/d) of 10, 15, and 20. These experiments were used to validate Finite Element (FE) models. Numerical simulations were then conducted for new configurations, including 2 × 3 and 3 × 3 CCFAT piles, to gather additional performance data. Results indicated that the ultimate vertical capacity of the CCFAT pile groups increased with the Lm/d ratio. Under combined loading, the ultimate lateral capacity also improved with higher vertical loads for a given Lm/d ratio. The laboratory findings showed a near-linear relationship between both ultimate vertical and lateral capacities and the Lm/d ratio. Failure mechanisms identified through numerical simulations revealed that CCFAT pile groups experienced punching shear failure, indicative of confined deep flow behavior. Under specific vertical loads, lateral loading resulted in soil compression on the right and tension on the left, causing heave and depression zones, significant soil yielding, and wedge formations. Sensitivity analyses highlighted that, for pure lateral loads, the internal friction angle and Young’s modulus significantly affect CCFAT pile group behavior, while under vertical loads at 80% of ultimate vertical load (Puv), the internal friction and dilatancy angles have a greater impact on lateral capacity than other parameters. Based on these findings, new expressions were proposed to calculate the ultimate lateral load (Pulv) for CCFAT pile groups under combined loading conditions, integrating the identified influencing factors.
Deconstructing the Self-Other Binary in Care Networks by Unravelling Professional’ Perspectives through an Intersectional Lens
Authors: Hengelaar Aldiene Henrieke , van Hartingsveldt Margo , Abma Tineke , Verdonk Petra
Published: January 2025

In many western countries informal care is conceived as the answer to the increasing care demand. Little is known how formal and informal caregivers collaborate in the context of an diverse ageing population. The aim of this study was to gain insight in how professionals’ perspectives regarding the collaboration with informal carers with a migration background are framed and shaped by intersecting aspects of diversity. We used an intersectionality informed qualitative design with informal conversations (N = 12) and semi-structured interviews (N = 17) with healthcare professionals working with clients with Acquired Brain Injury. Two critical friends were involved in the analysis which was substantiated by a participatory analysis with a community of practice. We identified four interrelated themes: (a) ‘The difficult Other’ in which professionals reflected on carers with a migration background causing ‘difficulties’; (b) ‘The dependent Other’ refers to professionals’ realization that ‘difficulties’ are intensified by the context in which care takes place; (c) in ‘The uncomfortable self’ professionals describe how feelings of insecurities evoked by the Other are associated with an inability to act ‘professionally’, and; (d) ‘The reflexive self’ shows how some professionals reflect on their own identities and identify their blind spots in collaboration within a care network. These themes demonstrate the tensions, biases and power imbalances between carers and professionals, which may explain some of the existing health disparities perpetuated through care networks.
Protective Factors for Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Role of Emotion Regulation and Attachment
Authors: Tanner Mackenzie A. , Francis Sarah E.
Published: January 2025

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a powerful impact on adolescents’ development. The greater the number of stressful life events experienced, the more likely adolescents are to experience internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety. Due to the negative effects of early adversity, it is essential that research examine which protective factors might mitigate this relationship, such as emotion regulation (ER) and attachment. In the current study, the researchers examined the relationships between ACEs, ER, attachment, and anxiety among adolescents. We hypothesized that ER would mediate the relationship between ACEs and anxiety and attachment would moderate the relationship between ACEs and ER within the mediation model. A sample of adolescents (n = 105) completed measures of adolescent anxiety, ACEs, ER, and attachment. Using the PROCESS macro, a moderated mediation model was analyzed. Mother and father attachment moderated the mediation of difficulties in ER on ACEs and anxiety, suggesting that mean levels of mother and higher levels of father attachment function as a mechanism that strengthens the relationship between early negative life events and current anxiety. These findings suggest that the mother/father attachment relationship for adolescents might be of particular importance for youth who have experienced adverse life experiences and have trouble regulating their emotions.
Practicing Money Management Makes Things Better: Healthy Financial Behaviors Attenuates Associations among Insecure Attachment, Economic Abuse Victimization, and Hopelessness
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Khan Muhammad Aamir , Kuelz Ashley , Zhao Zuyi
Published: January 2025

Economic abuse, a form of intimate partner violence (IPV), is prevalent and harmful but often difficult to detect. Chinese young adults (ages 18–35) in cohabiting relationships represent a substantial yet under-researched group at a relatively high risk of economic abuse. To enhance understanding of the potential predictors and outcomes of economic abuse in this population, we examined young adults' developmental tasks of exploring finances and romance while planning their ideal future lives. Guided by attachment theory, economic empowerment, and the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model, we investigated (1) how romantic attachment orientations and financial behaviors interact in their association with economic abuse and (2) how economic abuse is associated with hopelessness among a sample of Chinese young adults in cohabiting relationships. We used cross-sectional survey data from 445 young adults in Mainland China and employed structural equation modeling to assess our research questions. We found that young adults with avoidant or anxious attachment styles were more likely to experience economic abuse, which was, in turn, associated with higher levels of hopelessness. Additionally, healthy financial behaviors mitigated the association between attachment anxiety and avoidance, economic abuse, and hopelessness. Collectively, our findings advance the understanding of the potential predictors and consequences of economic abuse. They also underscore the importance of financial education in reducing economic abuse and its negative outcomes among Chinese young adults in cohabiting relationships.
Characteristics and survival outcomes in pediatric patients with spinal chordomas: insights from the National Cancer Database and review of the literature
Authors: El-Hajj Victor Gabriel , Ranganathan Sruthi , Rajjoub Rami , Ghaith Abdul Karim , Theodore Nicholas , Elmi-Terander Adrian , Lubelski Daniel
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Spinal chordomas are aggressive tumors that rarely occur in the pediatric population. Demographics and post-treatment outcomes in this select group of patients is poorly studied. We hence aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics, demographics, and survival outcomes of pediatric patients with spinal chordomas, in contrast to the adult population. To address this, the literature was reviewed to evaluate the coverage on spinal chordomas of the pediatric population, and the National Cancer Database (NCDB) was analyzed to provide insights into the US experience over the past two decades.

Methods

A search of the literature was performed leveraging the MEDLINE and Web of Science electronic databases from inception until March 2024, using the keywords “spinal,” “chordoma,” and “pediatric”. Additionally, the NCDB was queried for pediatric patients (≤ 21 years) with chordoma treated between 2004 and 2017. Baseline characteristics, tumor specifics, treatment details, and survival outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results

From the literature, 45 pediatric chordoma patients were identified, with a median age of 7 years. Most chordomas were in the cervical spine (40%), and 93% of the patients received surgical treatment. Gross total resection was achieved in 59% of cases, and 49% received adjuvant radiotherapy. Recurrence, metastasis, and mortality rates were 7%, 18%, and 24%, respectively at a median follow-up of 12 months. In the NCDB cohort, 53 pediatric patients (≤ 21 years) and 980 adults (> 21 years) were compared. Despite having smaller tumors in size, pediatric patients presented with more advanced tumors with a higher proportion of stage 4 tumors. They had more mobile spine chordomas (83% vs. 51%) and traveled further for treatment (57 vs. 27 miles). Pediatric patients also received higher radiation doses (5420 vs. 5049 cGy). Surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy were common treatments in both groups. After matching, outcomes, including survival rates and early mortality, were similar between age groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no difference in overall survival probabilities between the age groups both prior to and after matching.

Conclusion

While pediatric patients with spinal chordomas present with more advanced stage tumors, they demonstrate similar overall survival outcomes when compared to adults. The current literature is mainly composed of single cases and other reports of low evidence levels.
Breaking Barriers in Huntington’s Disease Therapy: Focused Ultrasound for Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Helal Mohamed Mohsen , Ibrahim Arwa Amer , Beddor Ahmad , Kashbour Muataz
Published: January 2025

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease resulting from a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene and characterized by progressive motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and psychiatric disturbances. Currently, no disease-modifying treatments are available. Recent research has developed therapeutic agents that may have the potential to directly target the disease pathology, such as gene silencing or clearing the mutant protein. However, these agents are limited by their inability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), preventing optimal therapeutic effects. Although various techniques have been explored to overcome the BBB, focused ultrasound (FUS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive therapeutic modality offering the potential for targeted intervention in neurodegenerative diseases, including HD. Preclinical studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of FUS in delivering therapeutic agents, such as siRNAs and AAV vector-based gene therapy, resulting in significant reductions in mutant HTT expression and improvements in motor function in HD mouse models. Furthermore, the safety profile of FUS-induced BBB opening has been established in clinical trials on human patients of neurodegenerative diseases other than HD, showing no adverse effects on brain structure or function. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of FUS research in HD and connects existing evidence from neurodegenerative disease studies with its promise in establishing disease-modifying therapies for HD.

Graphical Abstract
Scaffolded Affective Harm: What Is It and (How) Can We Do Something About It?
Authors: Mossner Carmen , Walter Sven
Published: January 2025

Situated affectivity investigates how natural, material, and social environmental structures, so-called ‘scaffolds,’ influence our affective life. Initially, the debate focused on user-resource-interactions, i.e., on cases where individuals (‘users’) actively structure the environment (‘resource’) in beneficial ways, setting up scaffolds that allow them to solve routine problems, modify their means of coping with challenges, or avail themselves of new affective competences. More recently, cases of mind invasion have captured philosophers’ attention where the ways others structure the environment affect, or invade, people’s minds, typically without their awareness and with harmful consequences. This paper contributes to recent discussions about the variety of phenomena that can count as ‘scaffolded affectivity’ in general and ‘scaffolded affective harm’ in particular. It also addresses the emerging question of how harmful affective scaffolds can come to have a grip on people’s minds, despite their detrimental consequences. We first disentangle some misconceptions and illustrate how diverse (harmful) affective scaffolds can be. In contrast to recent approaches that have characterized scaffolds in largely descriptive terms, we then identify factors that can help explain why a given scaffold is effective in modifying people’s minds. We also try to shed light on why some agents and some social structures are especially likely to experience or cause scaffolded affective harm, respectively, by arguing that user-resource-interactions and mind invasions are not independent, but intimately intertwined and mutually reinforcing, especially in the digital domain. We conclude with a speculative suggestion for further research.
Matrix-Wigner global wave front sets in ultradifferentiable classes
Authors: Asensio Vicente
Published: January 2025

We study global wave front sets given by matrices of Wigner type and defined in spaces of globally $$\omega $$
ω
-tempered ultradistributions of Beurling type, extending and completing the results in Asensio (J Pseudo-Differ Oper Appl 14(2):27, 2023). In fact, this approach permits to unify previous analyses in the literature of this field and to include other quadratic time-frequency analysis representations that had not been considered there. Moreover, we prove that the range of matrices is optimal, in the sense that no further matrix-Wigner transform could describe the spaces of globally $$\omega $$
ω
-rapidly decreasing functions in terms of seminorms. Finally, wave front sets for concrete distributions are calculated.
Balancing landscape values and tourism choices: Integrating participatory mapping and the IPBES Values Typology
Authors: Solé Liliana , Hearn Kyle P. , Witra Tahjudil , Lechner Alex M. , Fagerholm Nora
Published: January 2025

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserves aim to balance nature and human coexistence, but increasing tourism challenges landscape management. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) stresses the importance of understanding stakeholder values for effective management of natural spaces through a typology of intrinsic, instrumental, and relational values. This study applies this IPBES typology to tourism preferences in the Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve (ABR) using Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS). A 2022 survey gathered data from 690 locals, recreationists, and tourists revealing intrinsic values as the most significant. Locals prioritized intrinsic and relational values, while recreationists and tourists emphasized relational and instrumental values. The study highlights a preference for small-scale tourism that preserves landscapes and heritage, illustrating the complexity of aligning stakeholder values in tourism and conservation. Insights from this research guide policymaking to better accommodate diverse values in protected areas.
Computer vision-based video signal fusion using deep learning architectures
Authors: Ghyabi Mehrdad , Lattanzi David
Published: January 2025

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is one of the most important solutions to the ongoing problem of deteriorating infrastructure. A crucial type of data needed for SHM is the displacement response of structures under loading, as these can be directly related to integrity and system performance, or can be used indirectly in analysis of the infrastructure. Video-based displacement measurement has become an increasingly accessible and viable approach to SHM. There is now an array of computer vision methods that extract displacement measurements using different components of the underlying video signal. However, all of these approaches are known to suffer from high levels of noise relative to conventional sensor installations. This study considers how to employ deep learning-based data fusion that combines measurements from several video analysis approaches to enhance the signal to noise ratio (SNR), resulting in an ensemble measurement approach. The emphasis of the study is on a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture. A generative adversarial network (GAN) approach was also evaluated but was not able to reliably converge during model training. The CNN approach was evaluated using an experimental dataset of vibrations from a lab-scaled structural system with varying dynamic properties. The results show that the CNN fusion approach improves the loss function significantly and serves to effectively denoise the individual signals extracted from the video.
Unveiling the mechanism of action of a novel natural dual inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro and PLpro with molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Gu Xiaoxia , Zhang Xiaotian , Zhang Xueke , Wang Xinyu , Sun Weiguang , Zhang Yonghui , Hu Zhengxi
Published: January 2025

In the twenty-first century, we have witnessed multiple coronavirus pandemics. Despite declining SARS-CoV-2 cases, continued research remains vital. We report the discovery of sydowiol B, a natural product, as a dual inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro). Sydowiol B interacts with the nano-channel at the Mpro dimer interface and the PLpro active site. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that sydowiol B inhibits Mpro by limiting active site expansion rather than inducing collapse. Furthermore, sydowiol B binding may amplify the fluctuation of two loops coordinating with the structural Zn2+ in PLpro, displacing Zn2+ from the zinc finger domain to the S2 helix. Sydowiol B and its analogue, violaceol I, exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral activity against homologous coronaviruses. Given the conservation of Mpro and PLpro, sydowiol B and violaceol I are promising leads for designing and developing anti-coronavirus therapies.

Graphical Abstract
The Role of Diet, Glycaemic Index and Glucose Control in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Management and Mechanisms of Progression
Authors: Johnson Claire , Garipoğlu Gökçen , Jeanes Yvonne , Frontino Giada , Costabile Adele
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder with several causal pathways including impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance (IR), compensatory hyperinsulinemia and excess androgens (hyperandrogenism). This heterogeneous condition causes a range of reproductive, metabolic and psychological implications, the severity of which can differ between individuals depending on factors such as age, diet, ethnicity, genetics, medication, contraceptive use, adiposity, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Recent Findings

Dietary interventions that focus on a low glycaemic index and glucose control are an efficient first-line dietary solution for the management of impaired glucose tolerance and IR, which subsequently improves weight management, quality of life and PCOS-related symptoms in individuals with this condition.

This review aims to explore the relevance of nutrition and more specifically, the association of glycaemic index and glycaemic load with PCOS, as well as to assess the potential benefits of manipulating those indexes in the dietary approach for this syndrome.
Understanding the influence of data characteristics on the performance of point-of-interest recommendation algorithms
Authors: Dietz Linus W. , Sánchez Pablo , Bellogín Alejandro
Published: January 2025

Point-of-interest (POI) recommendations are essential for travelers and the e-tourism business. They assist in decision-making regarding what venues to visit and where to dine and stay. While it is known that traditional recommendation algorithms’ performance depends on data characteristics like sparsity, popularity bias, and preference distributions, the impact of these data characteristics has not been systematically studied in the POI recommendation domain. To fill this gap, we extend a previously proposed explanatory framework by introducing new explanatory variables specifically relevant to POI recommendation. At its core, the framework relies on having subsamples with different data characteristics to compute a regression model, which reveals the dependencies between data characteristics and performance metrics of recommendation models. To obtain these subsamples, we subdivide a POI recommendation data set on New York City and measure the effect of these characteristics on different classical POI recommendation algorithms in terms of accuracy, novelty, and item exposure. Our findings confirm the crucial role of key data features like density, popularity bias, and the distribution of check-ins in POI recommendation. Additionally, we identify the significance of novel factors, such as user mobility and the duration of user activity. In summary, our work presents a generic method to quantify the influence of data characteristics on recommendation performance. The results not only show why certain POI recommendation algorithms excel in specific recommendation problems derived from a LBSN check-in data set in New York City, but also offer practical insights into which data characteristics need to be addressed to achieve better recommendation performance.
The role of the circadian timing system in sarcopenia in old age: a scoping review
Authors: Palmese Francesco , Druda Ylenia , Del Toro Rossella , Bedogni Giorgio , Domenicali Marco , Silvani Alessandro
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder, involving the accelerated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, associated with an increased probability of adverse outcomes including falls. The circadian timing system may be involved in molecular pathways leading to sarcopenia in older adults. We aimed to provide an updated and systematic map of the available evidence on the role of the circadian timing system in sarcopenia, specifically related to the aging process.

Methods

We developed a scoping review protocol following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science,

Results

We identified 373 papers from three online databases, screened 97 for full-text analysis. and selected 37 papers for inclusion. These papers included 17 primary research studies on human persons, focusing on cortisol and melatonin secretion, rest-activity rhythms, chrono-exercise, and chrono-dietary regimens, 9 primary research studies on animal models (mice, rats, fruit flies) focusing on direct expression measurement or mutations of core clock genes, and 11 narrative reviews.

Conclusion

While several reports supported the role of the circadian timing system in sarcopenia, specifically related to the aging process, the available evidence is fragmented and limited. The field is thus open to preclinical and clinical research that addresses the wide knowledge gaps in the available evidence, taking advantage of what has already been published to optimize and refine experimental and clinical protocols.
Microbial methanogenesis fueled by freshwater infiltration and oil biodegradation in the Siljan impact structure, Sweden
Authors: van Dam Femke , Kietäväinen Riikka , Westmeijer George , Reinhardt Manuel , Ono Shuhei , Dopson Mark , Ketzer Marcelo , McIntosh Jennifer C. , Drake Henrik
Published: January 2025

Deeply fractured rocks of meteorite impact craters are suggested as prime niches for subsurface microbial colonization. Methane can be a product of such microbial communities and seeps of methane from impact craters on Earth are of strong interest as they act as analogs for Mars. Previous studies report signs of ancient microbial methanogenesis in the Devonian Siljan meteorite impact structure in Sweden, but the proportion of microbial methane, metabolic pathways, and potential modern activity remain elusive. In this study, gas composition, hydrochemistry, oil organic geochemistry, and microbial community analyses are reported in 400 m deep fractures of the Siljan impact structure. The results showed a dominantly microbial origin for methane, which was supported by highly negative δ13CCH4 and positive δ13CCO2 values along with multiply substituted isotopologues (Δ13CH3D) that indicated disequilibrium fractionation due to microbial kinetic isotope effects. The presence of C2 to C5 hydrocarbons suggested a minor thermogenic input in the gas mix. Characterization of the microbial community via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and real-time PCR indicated a low abundance of several methanogenic archaeal populations, which is common for settings with active methanogenesis. Evidence of oil biodegradation suggested that secondary microbial hydrocarbon utilization was involved in the methanogenesis. Low sulfate and high alkalinity in the groundwaters also suggested a dominantly microbial methane formation driven by infiltration of freshwater that was coupled to sulfate reduction and secondary utilization of early mature thermogenic hydrocarbons.
Plant–pathogen interactions and ambient pH dynamics
Authors: Li Zhi , Fan Yanchun , Wu Ronghui , Gao Min , Wang Xiping
Published: January 2025

Ambient pH performs a crucial role in plant immunity, abiotic stress response, and plant growth and development. Plant–pathogen interactions influence a dynamic pH environment. Host acidification and alkalinization are under the regulating actions of acidophilic and alkaliphilic pathogens, respectively. Plasma membrane H+-ATPases regulate pH homeostasis, and their activity is modulated during pathogen-associated molecular pattern- (PTI) and effector-triggered immunities (ETI). Recent studies have provided insights into the interplay between pathogens and plants when controlling ambient pH. Here, we review pH dynamics in relation to plant immunity and focus on its relationships with PTI, ETI, stomatal immunity, programmed cell death, calcium ion (Ca2+), and reactive oxygen species. Comprehension of the complexity of ambient pH regulation may provide new strategies for plant disease control and sustainable agriculture.
Nature conservation and poverty alleviation through sustainable ecotourism: the case of Lolab Valley, India
Authors: Majeed Lone Rafiya , Rashid Sumaira , Sharma Deeplata , Majeed Lone Fawad , Bhat Mansoor Ahmad
Published: January 2025

Ecotourism is an important link between environmental conservation and poverty alleviation, as it generates income, empowers local communities, and provides educational benefits. This study focuses on the Lolab Valley in the remote Himalayan regions, emphasising its potential as one of India's premier sustainable tourism destinations. The primary goal of this study is to look into the future development of ecotourism in the area and to understand local perceptions and awareness of sustainable tourism between 2020 and 2023. To accomplish this, fieldwork was carried out that involved focus groups and semi-structured interviews, enabling a thorough investigation of the viewpoints of locals on sustainable tourism. To create a baseline understanding of the different types of tourism in the area, such as mountain, water, culinary, heritage, ethnographic, and creative tourism, the qualitative data that were gathered were examined. Based on our findings, travellers strongly favour sustainable travel over mass tourism. In particular, the option that participants preferred the most was mountain tourism (44%), followed by heritage tourism (20%), anthropological tourism (14%), water tourism (13%), and creative tourism (9%). This suggests that the community has undergone a substantial change in favour of sustainable tourism practices.  This study demonstrates the significance of sustainable tourism over mass tourism and underscores the strong support of the local community for sustainable initiatives. Furthermore, it underscores the role of shared economies in mitigating poverty in the region. The Lolab Valley can make the most of its natural resources and maintain the welfare of its communities by promoting sustainable tourism.
How do Psychological Factors Influence Disaster Preparedness? Evidence from Disaster-Stricken Mountainous Areas of China
Authors: Tan Jing , Lin Lei , Cao Tingjin
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Disaster preparedness plays a vital role in mitigating risks and strengthening resilience of local communities in rural areas. This study examines the linkage between psychological factors and 4 kinds of disaster preparedness intentions and explores the challenges in translating intentions into actions.

Methods

This study utilized survey data from 325 households in Chongqing, China, that are threatened by geological disasters. We conducted empirical analysis using a regression model and carried out several robustness tests. The independent variables, psychological factors, are divided into risk appraisal, coping appraisal, and stakeholder appraisal. The dependent variable, disaster preparedness intentions, includes evacuation, disaster insurance, emergency supplies storage, and behaving eco-friendly.

Results

Multiple psychological factors have significant influence on disaster preparedness intentions, with varying impacts on different preparedness aspects. Social barriers—lack of capital, access, and triggers—hinder translating preparedness intentions into actions.

Conclusions

Our study integrates protection motivation theory and protective action decision model to understand psychological factors influencing disaster preparedness in rural China. We identify key factors significantly impact preparedness intentions and uncover barriers hindering the translation of intentions into actions. The findings underscore the importance of integrated approaches that bridge the gap between psychological awareness and the availability of resources, ultimately fostering a more resilient society in the face of disasters.
Design and Development of a Self-Report Competence Scale for The Assessment of Prehospital Health Professionals’ Competence in Response to Radiological Events
Authors: Koçak Hüseyin , Dağ Nihal , Çalışkan Cüneyt , Kuday Ahmet Doğan , Kınık Kerem
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The objective of this study was to develop a self-report scale for the assessment of the competence of pre-hospital health professionals in responding to radiological incidents.

Methods

Based on the findings of a systematic review analyzing the literature, the instrument followed the processes of item generation, expert opinion, language control, pilot study, and field testing.

Results

In the exploratory factor analysis, 48 items were excluded on the grounds of insufficient common variance (>0.40) and factor loading relationship (>0.50). The remaining 18 items (11 negative and 7 positive items) exhibited a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.913 and a range of 0.740 to 0.887 in the sub-factors. As the scores on the developed scale increased, there was a corresponding increase in the perceived adequacy of the interventions.

Conclusions

The objective, scope, constraints and stages of the scale’s design and development were elucidated in comprehensive detail, and its intelligibility to other societies was ensured. The scale was developed as a self-report scale that can evaluate the competence of prehospital health professionals in radiological incidents.
Effects of physical multimorbidity on cognitive decline trajectories among adults aged 50 years and older with different wealth status: a 17-year population-based cohort study
Authors: Chen Chen , Zhang Shan , Huang Ning , Zhang Mingyu , Fu JinXin , Guo Jing
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to investigate the effects of physical multimorbidity on the trajectory of cognitive decline over 17 years and whether vary across wealth status. The study was conducted in 9035 respondents aged 50+ at baseline from nine waves (2002–2019) of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. A latent class analysis was used to identify patterns of physical multimorbidity, and mixed multilevel models were performed to determine the association between physical multimorbidity and trajectories of cognitive decline. Joint analyses were conducted to further verify the influence of wealth status. Four patterns of physical multimorbidity were identified. Mixed multilevel models with quadratic terms of time and status/patterns indicated significant non-linear trajectories of multimorbidity on cognitive function. The magnitude of the association between complex multisystem patterns and cognitive decline increased the most as follow-up progressed. Individuals with high wealth and hypertension/diabetes patterns have significantly lower composite global cognitive z scores over time as compared with respiratory/osteoporosis patterns. Physical multimorbidity at baseline is associated with the trajectory of cognitive decline, and the magnitude of the association increased over time. The trend of cognitive decline differed in specific combinations of wealth status and physical multimorbidity.
The BLIM, the DINA, and their polytomous extensions. Rejoinder to the Commentary by Chiu, Köhn, and Ma
Authors: Stefanutti Luca , Anselmi Pasquale , de Chiusole Debora , Spoto Andrea , Heller Jurgen
Published: January 2025

The basic local independence model (BLIM) is a probabilistic model developed in knowledge space theory (KST). Recently, Stefanutti, de Chiusole, et al. (2020, Psychometrika 85, 684–715) proposed the polytomous local independence model (PoLIM), which is an extension of the BLIM to items with more than two response alternatives (polytomous items). In a Commentary to this paper, Chiu et al. (2023, Psychometrika 88, 656–671) claimed that (i) the BLIM is just a deterministic input noisy AND-gate (DINA) model where every item has a single skill and, as a consequence of this, (ii) the “PoLIM is simply a paraphrase of a DINA model in cognitive diagnosis (CD) for polytomous items” (p. 656). This rejoinder shows that such statements are invalid and totally misleading. Its aim is to clarify the nature of the relationship between the BLIM and the DINA, as well as that between the PoLIM and the Polytomous DINA. It builds upon formal results by Heller, et al. (2015, Psychometrika 80(4), 995–1019) on the intimate relation between KST and CD notions, and shows that the BLIM/PoLIM may be conceived as marginal models for whole classes of CD models.
Efficient and Effective Variational Bayesian Inference Method for Log-Linear Cognitive Diagnostic Model
Authors: Wang Xue , Zhang Jiwei , Lu Jing
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we propose a novel and highly effective variational Bayesian expectation maximization-maximization (VBEM-M) inference method for log-linear cognitive diagnostic model (CDM). In the implementation of the variational Bayesian approach for the saturated log-linear CDM, the conditional variational posteriors of the parameters that need to be derived are in the same distributional family as the priors, the VBEM-M algorithm overcomes this problem. Our algorithm can directly estimate the item parameters and the latent attribute-mastery pattern simultaneously. In contrast, Yamaguchi and Okada’s (2020a) variational Bayesian algorithm requires a transformation step to obtain the item parameters for the log-linear cognitive diagnostic model (LCDM). We conducted multiple simulation studies to assess the performance of the VBEM-M algorithm in terms of parameter recovery, execution time, and convergence rate. Furthermore, we conducted a series of comparative studies on the accuracy of parameter estimation for the DINA model and the saturated LCDM, focusing on the VBEM-M, VB, expectation-maximization, and Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms. The results indicated that our method can obtain more stable and accurate estimates, especially for the small sample sizes. Finally, we demonstrated the utility of the proposed algorithm using two real datasets.
Helminth diversity in brine shrimps (Artemia) from Ukraine
Authors: Greben O. , Kudlai O. , Kuzmin Yu. , Korol E. , Syrota Ya.
Published: January 2025

Brine shrimps (Artemia spp.) are aquatic crustaceans known as important intermediate hosts for a wide range of helminth species. From 2011 to 2021, 4,347 individuals of brine shrimp were collected for this study, investigating the diversity and infection rates of helminth species in Artemia spp. from hypersaline waters in southern and eastern Ukraine. Seven helminth species were found: six cestodes (Anomotaenia tringae, Eurycestus avoceti, Branchiopodataenia gvozdevi, Confluaria podicipina, Fimbriarioides tadornae, Hymenolepis s.l. stellorae) and one unidentified acuariid nematode (Acuariidae gen. sp.). All these helminths were recorded for the first time in intermediate hosts in Ukraine, although they had been known from other regions. Additionally, partial sequences of the 18S rDNA gene as well as the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes were obtained for varying numbers of cestode and nematode isolates for the first time. The overall prevalence of helminth infection in Artemia spp. was 21.9%, and the intensity ranged from one to three specimens.
A review on the vortex and coherent structures in dusty plasma medium
Authors: Choudhary Mangilal
Published: January 2025

An ionized gas medium (plasma state) turns to a complex state of plasma or dusty plasma if micrometre- to submicrometre-sized solid dust particles are introduced in it. The dusty plasma medium exhibits fluid- as well as solid-like characteristics at different background plasma conditions. It supports various linear and nonlinear dynamical structures because of external perturbation and internal instabilities. The vortical or coherent structure in the dusty plasma medium is a kind of self-sustained dynamical structure that is formed either by instabilities or by external forcing. In this review article, the author discusses the past theoretical, experimental and computational investigations on vortical and coherent structures in unmagnetized and magnetized dusty plasmas. The possible mechanisms of the formation of vortices in a dust-grain medium are discussed in detail. The studies on the evolution of vortices and their correlation with turbulence are also reviewed.