bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semi-analytical Computation of the Magnetic Field from IPT Coils of Complex Shape
Authors: Theodoridis Michail P.
Published: November 2024

A number of coils used in Inductive Power Transfer come in shapes which include straight sections and circular arcs. While the magnetic field from straight conductors or fully circular conductors can be computed with analytical or semi-analytical formulas found in the literature, similar formulas have not been available for circular arcs, leaving Finite Element Analysis as the final resort for designers. The derivation of such formulas is presented, with which fast mapping of the magnetic field can be achieved, as well as optimization procedures. Essentially, the formulas can be used to map the field from coils of any complex shape, since any shape consists of straight segments and arcs. The validity of the formulas has been verified by experimental measurements.
Comparative analysis of GPT-4, Gemini, and Ernie as gloss sign language translators in special education
Authors: Othman Achraf , Chemnad Khansa , Tlili Ahmed , Da Ting , Wang Huanhuan , Huang Ronghuai
Published: November 2024

While several comparative studies have analyzed the effectiveness of various large language models (LLMs), most of them were technical (i.e., comparing execution time, among others). Additionally, these comparative studies did not discuss special education. Consequently, scant information exists about how effective LLMs are in special education. To address this research gap, this study conducted a comparative study of three LLMs, namely GPT-4o, Gemini, and Ernie, as gloss sign language translators for learners with hearing impairments. Specifically, a mixed method was adopted, where the translated outputs of the three LLMs were compared (quantitatively and qualitatively) to two sign language outputs from a sign language expert. The obtained results highlighted that Gemini outperformed both GPT-4o and Ernie as an accurate gloss sign language translator. Additionally, GPT-4o had a high accurate rate, while Ernie had a very low translation performance. The findings of this study can help to raise awareness about the use of LLMs in special education as well as the best ones to use especially with hearing impairment learners.
Machine Learning Evaluation
Authors: Japkowicz Nathalie , Boukouvalas Zois
Published: November 2024

As machine learning applications gain widespread adoption and integration in a variety of applications, including safety and mission-critical systems, the need for robust evaluation methods grows more urgent. This book compiles scattered information on the topic from research papers and blogs to provide a centralized resource that is accessible to students, practitioners, and researchers across the sciences. The book examines meaningful metrics for diverse types of learning paradigms and applications, unbiased estimation methods, rigorous statistical analysis, fair training sets, and meaningful explainability, all of which are essential to building robust and reliable machine learning products. In addition to standard classification, the book discusses unsupervised learning, regression, image segmentation, and anomaly detection. The book also covers topics such as industry-strength evaluation, fairness, and responsible AI. Implementations using Python and scikit-learn are available on the book's website.
Child Rights, Legal Theory and Social Advocacy
Authors: Grahn-Farley Maria
Published: November 2024

Arguing for a pro-democratic approach in authoritarian times, this book challenges the focus on age in identifying children in child rights. It argues that, even for the purposes of a benevolent rights regime, adopting a monist construction of child identity artificially separates the law from reality, potentially foreclosing children's democratic deliberative agency in self-identification. An essential feature of other human rights regimes is the scope for a claimant to argue one's identity, or foundationally 'I am a human being;' but such a contention is foreclosed when identification as a child is decided uniquely by reference to age. Drawing on Critical Race Theory's narrative method and inspired by W.E.B. DuBois' identity construction, Professor Grahn-Farley advocates a new theoretical understanding of the child and of child rights, cognisant of social interaction and democratic participation. This book will appeal to researchers in child and human rights, and to sociologists, legal theorists and activists.__This title is part of the Flip it Open programme and may also be available Open Access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.
Uprooted
Authors: Charnysh Volha
Published: November 2024

Each year, millions of people are uprooted from their homes by wars, repression, natural disasters, and climate change. In Uprooted, Volha Charnysh presents a fresh perspective on the developmental consequences of mass displacement, arguing that accommodating the displaced population can strengthen receiving states and benefit local economies. Drawing on extensive research on post-WWII Poland and West Germany, Charnysh shows that the rupture of social ties and increased cultural diversity in affected communities not only decreased social cohesion, but also shored up the demand for state-provided resources, which facilitated the accumulation of state capacity. Over time, areas that received a larger and more diverse influx of migrants achieved higher levels of entrepreneurship, education, and income. With its rich insights and compelling evidence, Uprooted challenges common assumptions about the costs of forced displacement and cultural diversity and proposes a novel mechanism linking wars to state-building.
Dread Danger
Authors: Gordon Lesley J.
Published: November 2024

When confronted with the abject fear of going into battle, Civil War soldiers were expected to overcome the dread of the oncoming danger with feats of courage and victory on the battlefield. The Fire Zouaves and the 2nd Texas Infantry went to war with high expectations that they would perform bravely; they had famed commanders and enthusiastic community support. How could they possibly fail? Yet falter they did, facing humiliating charges of cowardice thereafter that cast a lingering shadow on the two regiments, despite their best efforts at redemption. By the end of the war, however, these charges were largely forgotten, replaced with the jingoistic rhetoric of martial heroism, a legacy that led many, including historians, to insist that all Civil War soldiers were heroes. Dread Danger creates a fuller understanding of the soldier experience and the overall costs and sufferings of war.
Collection Data: Sharing, Discovery, Inspiration, and Innovation
Authors: Yon Angela
Published: November 2024

In recent years, the traditional use of digital collections as surrogates for the physical has shifted to a paradigm of viewing collections as data suitable for computational use and novel research methods. The burgeoning collections as data movement is gaining momentum among galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAM) worldwide. Strategic initiatives, experimentation, innovation, and inspirational learning are occurring as digital libraries and digital humanities progress and work to develop sustainable approaches for collections as data programs. What is the position of collections as data in an ever-changing information landscape of open access, linked data, and shared data of cultural heritage collections? What has the past decade brought to the field?
Standardization at Babel - Iconclass at the next level: a laboratory for image research
Authors: Brandhorst J.P.J. (Hans)
Published: November 2024

The Iconclass browser has often been used as a standard in AI projects, but has not been used to the same extent to standardise metadata in heritage institutions. Yet with the increasing proliferation of AI, metadata standardisation is imperative. This article provides insight into the new version of the Iconclass browser and explains some common misconceptions about the tool. It makes the case for standardisation of metadata and the potential use of the Iconclass browser toward that goal.
Topological reconstruction of compact supports of dependent stationary random variables
Authors: Kallel Sadok , Louhichi Sana
Published: November 2024

In this paper we extend results on reconstruction of probabilistic supports of independent and identically distributed random variables to supports of dependent stationary
${\mathbb R}^d$
-valued random variables. All supports are assumed to be compact of positive reach in Euclidean space. Our main results involve the study of the convergence in the Hausdorff sense of a cloud of stationary dependent random vectors to their common support. A novel topological reconstruction result is stated, and a number of illustrative examples are presented. The example of the Möbius Markov chain on the circle is treated at the end with simulations.
Less activity means improved welfare? How pair housing influences pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) behaviour
Authors: Wolff London M , Stevens Jeffrey R
Published: November 2024

The activity level and specific behaviours exhibited by captive animals are crucial indicators of welfare. Stereotypies, or repetitive behaviours that have no apparent function or goal, are performed by animals experiencing poor conditions in their environment and indicate welfare concerns. Changes in the housing environment in particular may have critical influences on behaviour and welfare. Here, we measured behavioural changes in a captive pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) population (n = 10) associated with a shift from single to pair housing. Using automated video processing, we show that pair housing greatly reduced overall activity levels in these birds. The stark reduction in activity was surprising, as we expected that social housing would increase interactions between birds, thus increasing activity levels. Upon further analysis, however, we found that stereotypic behaviours, such as beak scraping, jumping, pecking, and route tracing decreased after pair housing, whereas the positive welfare behaviours of perching and preening increased. Our results indicate that pair housing may reduce overall activity in pinyon jays; however, this reduction is primarily in stereotypic behaviours.
Two-sided permutation statistics via symmetric functions
Authors: Gessel Ira M. , Zhuang Yan
Published: November 2024

Given a permutation statistic

$\operatorname {\mathrm {st}}$

, define its inverse statistic

$\operatorname {\mathrm {ist}}$

by . We give a general approach, based on the theory of symmetric functions, for finding the joint distribution of

$\operatorname {\mathrm {st}}_{1}$

and

$\operatorname {\mathrm {ist}}_{2}$

whenever

$\operatorname {\mathrm {st}}_{1}$

and

$\operatorname {\mathrm {st}}_{2}$

are descent statistics: permutation statistics that depend only on the descent composition. We apply this method to a number of descent statistics, including the descent number, the peak number, the left peak number, the number of up-down runs and the major index. Perhaps surprisingly, in many cases the polynomial giving the joint distribution of

$\operatorname {\mathrm {st}}_{1}$

and

$\operatorname {\mathrm {ist}}_{2}$

can be expressed as a simple sum involving products of the polynomials giving the (individual) distributions of

$\operatorname {\mathrm {st}}_{1}$

and

$\operatorname {\mathrm {st}}_{2}$

. Our work leads to a rederivation of Stanley’s generating function for doubly alternating permutations, as well as several conjectures concerning real-rootedness and

$\gamma $

-positivity.
On the mean structure and unsteadiness of dual shock wave–turbulent boundary layer interactions
Authors: Li Nan , Li Wenfeng , Ye Zhengyin , Zhang Weiwei
Published: November 2024

Supersonic internal flows often exhibit multiple reflected shocks within a limited distance. These shocks can interact with each other in a complex manner due to the characteristics of the shock wave–turbulent boundary layer interaction (STBLI), including flow distortion and the relaxing boundary layer. This study aims to characterise this type of interaction and to clarify its fluid physics. A separated STBLI zone was established either upstream or downstream, and another weaker STBLI was established in the opposing position to serve as a perturbation. Time-resolved measurements were employed to characterise the mean separation and unsteadiness as the two regions approached each other, as well as their relationship. The experimental results indicated that the STBLI could affect the separation and reattachment of the other STBLI through either the decelerated or relaxing boundary layer. Despite a small deflection angle, the incident shock can amplify the low-frequency oscillations in the downstream STBLI region. Additionally, the interaction in the downstream region can be influenced by both low- and high-frequency oscillations associated with the upstream STBLI through a relaxing boundary layer. Despite the limited correlation observed between the low-frequency fluctuations in the downstream region and the boundary layer flow not far upstream, there still exists some degree of correlation between the low-frequency shock motions even when they are widely separated. Both the ‘upstream mechanism’ and ‘downstream mechanism’ have been observed, and the significance of low-frequency dynamics in the separated flow, relative to that of the upstream flow, is closely associated with interaction intensity.
The Significance of Small Things: Small Hydropower in the People’s Republic of China, 1949–1983
Authors: Ghosh Arunabh
Published: November 2024

From less than three dozen in 1949, the number of small hydropower stations in the People’s Republic of China grew to nearly ninety thousand by 1979. By the early 1980s, these stations were distributed across nearly 1,600 of China’s 2,300 counties. In 770 counties, small hydropower was the primary source of rural electricity generation. This article offers a history and assessment of these developments, unsettling our traditional emphasis on large-scale hydroelectricity. The article begins by reconstructing the PRC’s enormous investments in small hydropower from the 1950s to the early 1980s. This reconstruction, the first of its kind in the English language, not only helps reassess key periods and events in the history of the PRC but also establishes the position of small hydropower in the hydraulic history of the twentieth century. The article then turns to a discussion of the claimed impacts of small hydropower. As electricity became available for the first time in many parts of the Chinese countryside, it affected patterns of economic and social activity for hundreds of millions of people. Finally, the paper explores what the case of small hydropower can offer to conceptual and theoretical problems surrounding development, innovation, and the environment. Returning to the long-standing debate over scale and development, China’s experience with small hydropower reminds us of the important role played by smaller-scale, appropriate, and self-reliant technologies in global energy history.
Shape deformation analysis and dynamic modeling of a switchable rigid-continuum robot
Authors: Du Yixiong , Zhang Shuo , Zhang Zhongkai , Wang Hao
Published: November 2024

Continuum robots offer unique advantages in performing tasks within extremely confined environments due to their exceptional dexterity and adaptability. However, their soft materials and elastic structures inherently introduce nonlinearity and shape instability, especially when the robot encounters external contact forces. To address these challenges, this paper presents a comprehensive model and experimental study to estimate the shape deformation of a switchable rigid-continuum robot (SRC-Bot). The kinematic analysis is first conducted to specify the degrees of freedom (DoF) and basic motions of SRC-Bot, including motion of bending, rotating, and elongating. This analysis assumes that the curvature varies along the central axis and maps the relationship between joint space and driven space. Subsequently, an equivalence concept is proposed to unify the stiffness addressing each DoF, which is then utilized in the establishment of the dynamic model. According to the mechanical structural design, the deformed posture of SRC-Bot is discretized into five segments, corresponding to the distribution of the guiders. The dynamics model is then derived using Newton’s second law and Euler’s method to simulate the deformation under gravity, friction, and external forces. Additionally, the stiffness in three directions is quantified through an identification process to complete the theoretical model. Furthermore, a series of experiments are conducted and compared with simulated results to validate the response and deformed behavior of SRC-Bot. The comparative results demonstrate that the proposed model-based simulation accurately captures the deformable characteristics of the robot, encompassing both static deformed postures and dynamic time-domain responses induced by external and actuation forces.
Learning without awareness revisited and reconsidered
Authors: Williams John N. , Xue Yuyan
Published: November 2024

Is it possible to acquire a sensitivity to a regularity in language without intending to and without awareness of what it is? In this conceptual replication and extension of an earlier study (Williams, 2005) participants were trained on a semiartificial language in which determiner choice was dependent on noun animacy. Participants who did not report awareness or recognition of this rule were nevertheless above chance at selecting the correct determiner in novel contexts. However, further analyses based on trial-by-trial subjective judgments and item similarity statistics were consistent with the possibility that responses were based on conscious feelings of familiarity or analogy to trained items rather than unconscious knowledge of a semantic generalization. The results are discussed in terms of instance-based approaches to memory and language, and the implications for the concept of “learning without awareness” are considered.
Legal mobilisation within the populist Supreme Court in Poland
Authors: Krzyżanowska Katarzyna
Published: November 2024

Though the Polish rule of law crisis has been on the scholarly agenda since the Law and Justice Party (PiS) took power in 2015, the individual agents of legal disruption within the judiciary have been largely off the radar. This intervention aims to fill this gap. This article analyses the legal mobilisation practices of the Supreme Court (SC) judges appointed by the PiS party in a court-packing manner after 2017. It is argued that this is a specific type of legal mobilisation; because it is conducted from within the legal system by judges, it aims to challenge doctrinal views strategically and to legitimise the status of unlawfully elected judges, which consequently destabilises the legal system. Because the legal tools to solve the conflict appear to have been exhausted, new judges engage in public discourse to convince citizens that they have a right to sit on the bench. In the first part of this paper, I critically analyse this public discourse in order to explain the framing of the rule of law crisis. The analysis of this discourse is drawn from 106 texts produced by new SC judges between 2017 and 2023. It is argued that although the ‘populist’ group of SC judges is internally differentiated and does not exhibit clear ideological linkage with the PiS party, it strategically produces certain legal narratives in which their appointments and judicial practices at the SC conform to the Constitution and to relevant statutes and, as such, are legitimate in legal terms. The new judges’ narratives are based on four populist dichotomies that distinguish them from old judges (legitimacy–lack of legitimacy, autonomy–political dependence, formal rule of law–legal anarchy and accountability–corporatism). In the second part, the article proceeds to analyse selected case law of the Supreme Court to explore whether and how court-packing makes it more responsive to the legal mobilisation of the conservative Christian organisation Ordo Iuris (OI) and helps the governing party maintain its power. It is argued that the judicial mobilisation inside the packed Supreme Court is mostly of a discursive nature, as there is limited evidence that newly appointed judges side ideologically with the government and right-wing organisations in recent case law.
Surge in antidepressant usage among adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Di Valerio Zeno , Fortuna Daniela , Montalti Marco , Alberghini Lucia , Leucci Anna Caterina , Saponaro Alessio , Sangiorgi Elisa , Berti Elena , Rolli Maurizia , Tedesco Dario
Published: November 2024

Background

Depressive disorders are a major public health issue in Western societies, particularly among adolescents, young adults and women. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges, increasing depression and anxiety symptoms, especially in younger people. This study focuses on the hard-hit Emilia-Romagna Region (ERR) in Italy, examining changes in antidepressant (AD) drug use post-COVID-19 to understand the pandemic’s effect on mental health.

Methods

A population-based interrupted time series design and a segmented regression analysis was carried out on ERR pharmaceutical data (FED, direct dispensation pharmaceuticals, AFT, territorial pharmaceutical assistance) out to estimate changes in AD use during the three pandemic years (2020, 2021 and 2022) compared to 2017–2019.Analyses were stratified by age, gender, citizenship, population density of the area of residence.

Results

A notable increase in AD consumption compared to what was expected was observed among younger age groups, and especially in females. In the 12–19 age group, a gradual increase was recorded from January 2021 until it reached +48% in 2022 (+58% among women, +30% among men). An even more remarkable growth in AD usage among non-Italian residents in the same age group was recorded compared to expected. A relevant increase, although smaller, was detected among individuals in the 20–34 age group, with a peak of +9% in 2022. These differences persisted up until the end of the observation period.

Conclusions

The study suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have had a lasting negative impact on the mental health of younger individuals. The observed increase in AD use may foreshadow a potential long-term need for enhanced mental healthcare and services directed at this subpopulation.
Multi‐Instrument Approach to Study Polarization Jet/SAID and STEVE
Authors: Sinevich A. A. , Chernyshov A. A. , Chugunin D. V. , Klimenko M. V. , Panchenko V. A. , Yakimova G. A. , Timchenko A. V. , Miloch W. J. , Mogilevsky M. M.
Published: November 2024

In this study, we employ a unique multi‐instrumental approach for a comprehensive examination of Polarization Jet (PJ) (or, another name, Subauroral Ion Drift (SAID)). A diverse set of data is used to assess the connection between the appearance of the inhomogeneous structure of PJ/SAID and its reflection in ground‐based observations during geomagnetic activity. Our approach combines satellite (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, NorSat‐1, Swarm) and ground‐based (ionosondes, magnetometers, GPS/GLONASS receivers) data, allowing us to study PJ/SAID in detail and compare satellite data with ground‐based measurements. We describe the characteristic patterns on ionograms that may indicate the presence of PJ/SAID and how ionosondes can be used to study PJ/SAID. Polarization Jet Strata and irregularities of plasma parameters can cause multiple reflections, which are visible in ionograms as F‐spread. The splitting of the F2 trace into two or more traces on ionograms may indicate the presence of PJ/SAID near the observation point. Data from GPS/GLONASS receivers in regions where PJ/SAID is observed enable the construction of local total electron content maps, visualizing how PJ/SAID is reflected in those maps. It is shown how the geomagnetic latitude of PJ/SAID changes during the geomagnetic activity. Furthermore, this case is notable because not only PJ/SAID but also STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) is observed at subauroral latitudes in Northern Europe during the examined geomagnetic event.
Stratus and Stratocumulus Cloud Microphysics and Drizzle Relationships With CCN Modality
Authors: Hudson James G. , Noble Stephen
Published: November 2024

High resolution extended‐range cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) spectral comparisons with cloud microphysics and drizzle of the Physics of Stratocumulus Tops (POST) field experiment confirmed results in the Marine Stratus/Stratocumulus Experiment (MASE). Both of these stratus cloud projects demonstrated that bimodal CCN spectra typically caused by cloud processing were associated with clouds that exhibited higher concentrations of smaller droplets with narrower distributions and less drizzle than clouds associated with unimodal CCN spectra. Resulting brighter clouds and increased cloudiness could enhance both indirect aerosol effects (IAE). These stratus findings are opposite of analogous measurements in two cumulus cloud projects, which showed bimodal CCN associated with fewer larger droplets more broadly distributed and with more drizzle than clouds associated with unimodal CCN. Resulting reduced cumulus brightness and cloudiness could reduce both IAE. Physics of Stratocumulus Tops (POST) flights in air masses with higher CCN concentrations, NCCN, showed more extremes of the stratus characteristics. However, POST flights with lower NCCN showed opposite droplet characteristics similar to the cumulus clouds, yet still showed less drizzle in clouds associated with bimodal CCN, but not as much less as the flights with higher NCCN. Since all MASE clouds were in polluted air masses, while the two cumulus projects were in clean air masses we deduce from these four projects that both the dynamic stratus/cumulus differences (vertical wind) and NCCN are responsible for the microphysics and drizzle differences among these projects. This is because the clean POST characteristics are a hybrid between MASE/POST high NCCN and the two cumulus projects.
The muscle–intervertebral disc interaction mediated by L-BAIBA modulates extracellular matrix homeostasis and PANoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: Qin Tianyu , Shi Ming , Zhang Chao , Wu Jiajun , Huang Zhengqi , Zhang Xiaohe , Li Shuangxing , Wu Yuliang , Han Weitao , Gao Bo , Xu Kang , Jin Song , Ye Wei
Published: November 2024

Upon engaging in physical activity, skeletal muscle synthesizes myokines, which not only facilitate crosstalk with various organs, including the brain, adipose tissue, bone, liver, gut, pancreas, and skin but also promote intramuscular signaling. Crosstalk is vital for maintaining various physiological processes. However, the specific interactions between skeletal muscle and intervertebral discs remain largely unexplored. β-Aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA), an exercise-induced myokine and a metabolite of branched-chain amino acids in skeletal muscle, has emerged as a key player in this context. Our study demonstrated that exercise significantly elevates BAIBA levels in skeletal muscle, plasma, and nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues. Moreover, exercise enhances extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in NP tissues and upregulates L-BAIBA synthase in skeletal muscle. Both in vivo and in vitro evidence revealed that L-BAIBA impedes PANoptosis and ECM degradation in NP cells by activating the AMPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that exercise, coupled with the resulting increase in L-BAIBA, may serve as an effective intervention to decelerate the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Consequently, L-BAIBA, which originates from skeletal muscle, is a promising new therapeutic approach for IDD.
Tuning direct-written terahertz metadevices with organic mixed ion-electron conductors
Authors: Bortolotti Cristiano , Grandi Federico , Butti Matteo , Gatto Lorenzo , Modena Francesco , Kousseff Christina , McCulloch Iain , Vozzi Caterina , Caironi Mario , Cinquanta Eugenio , Bonacchini Giorgio Ernesto
Published: November 2024

In the past decade, organic mixed ion-electron conductors have been successfully adopted in innovative bioelectronic, neuromorphic, and electro-optical technologies, as well as in multiple energy harvesting and printed electronics applications. However, despite the intense research efforts devoted to these materials, organic mixed conductors have not yet found application in electronic/photonic devices operating in key regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as the microwave (>5 GHz) and terahertz (0.1-10 THz) ranges. A possible reason for this technological gap is the widespread notion that organic electronic materials are unsuitable for high-frequency applications. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the utility of high-performance polymer mixed conductors as electro-active tuning layers in reconfigurable terahertz metasurfaces, achieving modulation performances comparable with state-of-the-art inorganic and 2D semiconductors. Through time-domain terahertz spectroscopy, we show that the large conductivity modulations of these polymers, until now probed only at very low frequencies, are effectively preserved in the terahertz range, leading to optimal metadevice reconfigurability. Finally, we leverage the unique processability of organic materials to develop fully direct-written electrically tuneable metasurfaces onto both rigid and flexible substrates, opening new opportunities for the mass-scale realization of flexible and light-weight terahertz optics with unique mechanical characteristics and environmental footprint.
Rapid chromosome evolution and acquisition of thermosensitive stochastic sex determination in nematode androdioecious hermaphrodites
Authors: Yoshida Kohta , Witte Hanh , Hatashima Ryo , Sun Simo , Kikuchi Taisei , Röseler Waltraud , Sommer Ralf J.
Published: November 2024

The factors contributing to evolution of androdioecy, the coexistence of hermaphrodites and males such as in Caenorhabditis elegans, remains poorly known. However, nematodes exhibit androdioecy in at last 13 genera with the predatory genus Pristionchus having seven independent transitions towards androdioecy. Nonetheless, associated genomic architecture and sex determination mechanisms are largely known from Caenorhabditis. Here, studying 47 Pristionchus species, we observed repeated chromosome evolution which abolished the ancestral XX/XO sex chromosome system. Two phylogenetically unrelated androdioecious Pristionchus species have no genomic differences between sexes and mating hermaphrodites with males resulted in hermaphroditic offspring only. We demonstrate that stochastic sex determination is influenced by temperature in P. mayeri and P. entomophagus, and CRISPR engineering indicated a conserved role of the transcription factor TRA-1 in P. mayeri. Chromosome-level genome assemblies and subsequent genomic analysis of related Pristionchus species revealed stochastic sex determination to be derived from XY sex chromosome systems through sex chromosome-autosome fusions. Thus, rapid karyotype evolution, sex chromosome evolution and evolvable sex determination mechanisms are general features of this genus, and represent a dynamic background against which androdioecy has evolved recurrently. Future studies might indicate that stochastic sex determination is more common than currently appreciated.
Back flux during anaerobic oxidation of butane supports archaea-mediated alkanogenesis
Authors: Chen Song-Can , Chen Sheng , Musat Niculina , Kümmel Steffen , Ji Jiaheng , Lund Marie Braad , Gilbert Alexis , Lechtenfeld Oliver J. , Richnow Hans-Hermann , Musat Florin
Published: November 2024

Microbial formation and oxidation of volatile alkanes in anoxic environments significantly impacts biogeochemical cycles on Earth. The discovery of archaea oxidizing volatile alkanes via deeply branching methyl-coenzyme M reductase variants, dubbed alkyl-CoM reductases (ACR), prompted the hypothesis of archaea-catalysed alkane formation in nature (alkanogenesis). A combination of metabolic modelling, anaerobic physiology assays, and isotope labeling of Candidatus Syntrophoarchaeum archaea catalyzing the anaerobic oxidation of butane (AOB) show a back flux of CO2 to butane, demonstrating reversibility of the entire AOB pathway. Back fluxes correlate with thermodynamics and kinetics of the archaeal catabolic system. AOB reversibility supports a biological formation of butane, and generally of higher volatile alkanes, helping to explain the presence of isotopically light alkanes and deeply branching ACR genes in sedimentary basins isolated from gas reservoirs.
Subtleties in Clathrin heavy chain binding boxes provide selectivity among adaptor proteins of budding yeast
Authors: Defelipe Lucas A. , Veith Katharina , Burastero Osvaldo , Kupriianova Tatiana , Bento Isabel , Skruzny Michal , Kölbel Knut , Uetrecht Charlotte , Thuenauer Roland , García-Alai Maria M.
Published: November 2024

Clathrin forms a triskelion, or three-legged, network that regulates cellular processes by facilitating cargo internalization and trafficking in eukaryotes. Its N-terminal domain is crucial for interacting with adaptor proteins, which link clathrin to the membrane and engage with specific cargo. The N-terminal domain contains up to four adaptor-binding sites, though their role in preferential occupancy by adaptor proteins remains unclear. In this study, we examine the binding hierarchy of adaptors for clathrin, using integrative biophysical and structural approaches, along with in vivo functional experiments. We find that yeast epsin Ent5 has the highest affinity for clathrin, highlighting its key role in cellular trafficking. Epsins Ent1 and Ent2, crucial for endocytosis but thought to have redundant functions, show distinct binding patterns. Ent1 exhibits stronger interactions with clathrin than Ent2, suggesting a functional divergence toward actin binding. These results offer molecular insights into adaptor protein selectivity, suggesting they competitively bind clathrin while also targeting three different clathrin sites.
Limited stability of Hepatitis B virus RNA in plasma and serum
Authors: Ohlendorf Valerie , Bremer Birgit , Sandmann Lisa , Mix Carola , Tergast Tammo , Cornberg Markus , Wedemeyer Heiner , Deterding Katja , Maasoumy Benjamin
Published: November 2024

Pregenomic hepatitis B virus RNA (HBV pgRNA) is a potential biomarker in the management of HBV infected patients. However, prior to the use in routine clinical practice potential confounders of test results need to be identified. This study investigates the stability of HBV pgRNA under various storage conditions. HBV-RNA level of 26 HBV patients were determined using the Roche cobas® 6800/8800 investigational HBV-RNA assay. Plasma and serum were stored for 6,48,169 h at 4,25 and 42 °C, respectively. Additionally, 10 serum and plasma samples underwent 4 or 11 cycles of freezing (−80 °C) and thawing (25 °C). A significant decline in mean pgRNA concentration compared to baseline was observed after storage for 48 h at 25 °C as well as after 6 h of storage at 42 °C. Accordingly, sub-analyses of predefined pgRNA baseline concentrations (≤ 10 cp/mL, > 10–100 cp/ml, > 100 cp/mL) revealed significant changes in pgRNA level after storage at 25 and 42 °C. No effect of freezing and thawing on pgRNA level was observed. A qualitative detection of HBV pgRNA is feasible in samples with > 100 cp/mL up to 48 h under storage temperatures of 4–42 °C. For most stable quantitative HBV pgRNA values storage at 4 °C should be preferred.
Young athletes’ mental well-being is associated with smartphone social networking application usage and moderated by performance level and app type
Authors: Fiedler Radha , Geber Jahan , Reichert Markus , Kellmann Michael
Published: November 2024

Smartphones and social media have become an integral part of human daily life and they influence mental well-being. These accounts have been researched in the general population, but not in athletes. This is critical given enhanced physical and emotional stressors in athletes versus non-athletes. Therefore, we here studied intra- and interindividual relationships of four social media sites (WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat) with mood, stress, recovery, and sleep using log-based media usage tracking as an objective measure in 53 competitive athletes aged 12–27 years. Multilevel modeling revealed that intraindividual TikTok usage negatively predicted sleep (β = −0.10, p = 0.040) and recovery (β = −0.15, p < 0.002), and positively predicted stress (β = 0.12, p = 0.018). Interindividual Instagram usage predicted feelings of calmness (β = 0.27, p = 0.029) and valence (β = 0.20, p = 0.043). Intriguingly, competition level moderated the usage outcomes of all four apps: Athletes on low performance levels showed lower mental well-being when using social media longer, yet in national and international athletes the strength of these relationships was weaker or even reversed. Our study unravels social media usage associations with mental well-being to vary as a function of performance level and provides findings on intra- and interindividual effects of critical importance to inform future population-tailored and expedient interventions.
Experimental and numerical investigations of double bracket to CHS column joints
Authors: Abdelaal Ahmed H. , Radwan Tamer H. , Shaat Amr A.
Published: November 2024

The primary objective of this study is to precisely characterize the behavior of double bracket-to-circular Hollow Section (CHS) column joints due to combined internal forces resulting from double tensile loading in opposite directions. In order to accomplish this goal, an experimental program consisting of eight test specimens has been carried out and numerical finite element modeling has been employed for the same specimens to analyze the stresses and deformations that occur within the vicinity of bracket-to-CHS joints. A total of 15 finite element models were constructed to simulate the initial study, addressing boundary conditions and facilitating verification and results comparison. The study included an investigation of various parameters, including the spacing between brackets in the longitudinal direction, as well as the depth-to-thickness ratio of the CHS columns and adding a T-stiffener to the bracket configuration. The study determined that an increase in the diameter-to-thickness ratio of the CHS columns significantly reduced the overall strength of the joint. Furthermore, findings suggested that increasing the longitudinal spacing between brackets resulted in an increase in single-bracket joint strength and a minor reduction regarding joint strength considering the effect of line loading. Moreover, adding a T-stiffener shape for the brackets enhanced the joint strength and prevented bracket tip fracture. In addition, a distinct behavior arises when considering joints with positive eccentricity, where the forces’ line of action extends beyond the circular cross-section of the CHS. In such cases, a reduction in joint strength is observed. Finally, a modification factor “A” is applied to the X-type branch plate-to-CHS strength equation presented by the AISC360-22 to account for the longitudinal spacing between brackets.
A new double multiplication region method to design high sensitivity and wide spectrum SPADs in standard CMOS technologies
Authors: Karaca Utku , Kizilkan Ekin , Bruschini Claudio , Charbon Edoardo
Published: November 2024

Designing SPADs with high sensitivity in a wide wavelength range is crucial since the applications utilizing SPAD-based sensors target different parts of the spectrum. Here, we introduce a novel technique to achieve a wider sensitivity spectrum through the insertion of a second multiplication region into the depletion region. Thanks to the proposed method, at 5.5 V excess bias voltage, the fabricated devices achieved a PDP of 78% peak at 500 nm and 25.5% at 850 nm wavelength. At the same excess bias, we measured a normalized noise of 3.7 cps/μm2 and a jitter of 165 ps at 517 nm FWHM.
3D-cell phantom-experimental setup to assess thermal effects and cell viability of lung tumor cells after electroporation
Authors: Müller Noah , Gylstorff Severin , Walles Heike , Gerlach Thomas , Belker Othmar , Zanasi Alessandro , Punzet Daniel , Kopp Sascha
Published: November 2024

Medical devices and technologies must undergo extensive testing and validation before being certified for public healthcare use, especially in oncology where a high research focus is on new advancements. Human 3D-tissue models can offer valuable insights into cancer behavior and treatment efficacy. This study developed a cell phantom setup using a rattail collagen-based hydrogel to facilitate reproducible investigations into ablation techniques, focusing on electroporation (EP) for lung tumor cells. The temperature rise due to the treatment is a critical aspect based on other studies that have discovered non-neglectable temperature values. A realistic physiological, biological phantom is crucial for electrode material development, non-thermal ablation control, tumor cell behavior study, and image-guided treatment simulation. The test system comprises a standardized 3D-printed setup, a cell-mimicking hydrogel model cultivated with NIH3T3 and HCC-827 cell lines. The treatment is evaluated with an AlamarBlue assay and the temperature is monitored with a sensor and a non-invasive MR-thermometry. Results showed the reliability of the selected monitoring methods and especially the temperature monitoring displayed interesting insights. The thermal effect due to EP cannot be neglected and it has to be discussed if this technique is non-thermal. The lesions in the phantom were able to show apoptotic and necrotic regions. The EP further led to a change in viability. These results suggest that the phantom can mimic the response of soft tissue and is a useful tool for studying cellular response and damage caused by EP or other treatment techniques.
Polarization modulated spectroscopic ellipsometry-based surface plasmon resonance biosensor for E. coli K12 detection
Authors: Zangenehzadeh Soraya , Agocs Emil , Schröder Fenja , Amroun Nassima , Biedendieck Rebekka , Jahn Dieter , Günther Axel , Zheng Lei , Roth Bernhard , Johannes Hans-Hermann , Kowalsky Wolfgang
Published: November 2024

In this work, we report on the application of the polarization modulated spectroscopic ellipsometry-based surface plasmon resonance method for sensitive detection of microorganisms in Kretschmann configuration. So far, rotating analyzer and single wavelength polarization modulation methods have widely been investigated for phase sensitive surface plasmon resonance measurement. In this study, a much simpler optical setup relying on fast electro-optic phase modulator crystals is introduced for bacteria detection. A beta barium borate crystal connected to a function generator is adapted for generating phase shifts in the millisecond regime to extract the ellipsometric angles ($$\Psi$$
Ψ
and $$\Delta$$
Δ
) under the surface plasmon resonance condition. For detection, the gold surface was functionalized with anti-Escherichia coli antibodies, and E. coli K12 was attached to them. We show that polarization modulated spectroscopic ellipsometry achieves a refractive index resolution in the order of $$10^{-5}$$

10

-
5

RIU, and a limit of detection of $$10^{2}$$

10
2

CFU/mL for E. coli K12 which is compatible with other surface plasmon resonance based phase sensitive methods with more complex detection concepts. As a follow-up step, an optical model can be developed to enhance this biosensor’s performance, and applications for sorting and detecting other biological targets will be investigated.
Promotion of a quality standard for Scutellariae radix based on the anti-inflammatory efficacy-oriented quality marker of the effect-constituent index
Authors: Chen Dan-ni , Liu Qiao , Xue Qian-qian , Zhou Ya-qian , Wang Miao-miao , Liu Hui-xin , Liu Xun , Yin Fang-zhou
Published: November 2024

A novel herbal quality assessment system based on the efficacy-oriented quality marker of effect-constituent index (ECI) was established to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of Scutellariae radix.
Green photocatalytic N-debenzylations with molecular oxygen catalyzed by recyclable metal-free tubular carbon nitride
Authors: Wu Yufeng , Kang Jiajie , Li Jianing , Bi Mingshu , Meng Qingwei
Published: November 2024

Metal-free tubular carbon nitride (CN-T) was prepared and used in photocatalytic debenzylations with molecular oxygen as the sole oxidant.
Bioactive compounds regulate appetite through the melanocortin system: a review
Authors: Niu Yujia , Yu Wancong , Kou Xiaohong , Wu Shuqi , Liu Mengyi , Chen Chenlong , Ji Jiaxin , Shao Ying , Xue Zhaohui
Published: November 2024

The melanocortin system is regulated by long-term and short-term regulatory hormones and nutrients. Bioactive compounds influence appetite through multiple pathways: central nervous system, peripheral hormones, and intestinal microbiota.
Brassica rapa L. crude polysaccharide meditated synbiotic fermented whey beverage ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia induced intestinal damage
Authors: Niu Yuanlin , Zhao Tingting , Liu Zhenjiang , Li Diantong , Wen Dongxu , Li Bin , Huang Xiaodan
Published: November 2024

Synbiotic fermented whey beverage alleviates oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and intestinal disorders caused by hypobaric hypoxia in mice
Factors influencing the chiral imprinting in perovskite nanoparticles
Authors: Tabassum Nazifa , Bloom Brian P. , Debnath Gouranga H. , Waldeck David H.
Published: November 2024

This work discusses the imprinting of optoelectronic chirality on hybrid-organic inorganic perovskites, which are a new class of chiral nanomaterials for manipulation and control of spin polarized current and circularly polarized light.
MXene-based aptasensors: a perspective on recent advances
Authors: Rabiee Navid , Rabiee Mohammad
Published: November 2024

Recent advancements in science and technology have significantly enhanced public health by integrating novel materials and early diagnostic methods.
Statistically driven automated method for catalytic glucose conversion optimisation
Authors: Install Joseph , Zhang Rui , Hietala Jukka , Repo Timo
Published: November 2024

A statistically driven, automated approach to optimize glucose transformations to platform chemicals, methyl lactate and levulinic acid, is reported.