bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Robots and Children’s Development: Promises and Implications
Authors: Severson Rachel L. , Peter Jochen , Kanda Takayuki , Kaufman Jordy , Scassellati Brian
Published: December 2024

Social robots are increasingly ubiquitous in children’s lives, prompting questions regarding the promise and implications for children’s development. Social robots can be effective and helpful technological tools. Social robots are effective in supporting children’s learning in some domains, supporting better learning outcomes than with virtual agents and comparable to human tutors when tasks are simple and social. They also support the unique and individual needs of children with a range of special needs (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, hearing impairment) and promote children’s mental well-being and physical health. Yet social robots pose conceptual and ethical challenges in that they often present as if they have psychological and social characteristics. Consequently, children often understand social robots as mental, social, and moral entities, albeit to varying degrees depending upon children’s ages and robots’ features. Moreover, children treat robots in prosocial ways (e.g., helping, sharing) and believe robots deserve moral treatment. Yet, at the same time, some children deliberately abuse robots. Future research is needed to address critical questions and guide recommendations for the promise and limitations of social robots in children’s lives.
Introduction
Authors: Cedergren Jonas , Holmström Emma , Routa Johanna , Huuskonen Saija , Kuehne Christian , Rautio Pasi
Published: December 2024

In this book we summarize peer-reviewed scientific articles and research reports from Finland, Sweden, and Norway on continuous cover forestry (CCF), i.e. forestry without clearcutting

This book originates from growing interest in CCF among various stakeholders, and aims to promote discussion, further research, and inform decision-makers

The book targets those interested in boreal forests, forest management, and ecosystem services

In this chapter we review the background to the use of CCF and the reasons that led to its prohibition and subsequent resurgence in the Nordic countries
On the species scale, modular invariance and the gravitational EFT expansion
Authors: Castellano A. , Herráez A. , Ibáñez L. E.
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The concept of the species scale as the quantum gravity cut-off has been recently emphasised in the context of the Swampland program. Along these lines, we continue the quest for a precise understanding of its role within effective field theories of gravity as well as a global definition of the latter in case there is enough supersymmetry preserved. To do so, we exploit duality symmetries, the familiar asymptotic dependence imposed by the presence of infinite towers of light states and the known behaviour of higher-curvature corrections to the Einstein-Hilbert action in various String Theory setups. In those cases, we obtain a self-consistent result for the identification of the species scale as the quantum gravity cut-off, but also present some puzzles related to the suppression of certain higher-dimensional operators as well as minor ambiguities that may arise in the deep interior of moduli space.
Priorisierung von Forschungsfragen in Gesundheitskrisen – Vorstellung eines Konzeptes, entwickelt in der COVID-19 Pandemie
Authors: Ziegler Annika , Kunzler Angela M. , Voigt-Radloff Sebastian , Schmitt Jochen , Moerer Onnen , Scheithauer Simone , Heytens Heike , Apfelbacher Christian , Meerpohl Joerg J.
Published: December 2024

In akuten Krisen wie der COVID-19-Pandemie müssen wissenschaftliche Fragestellungen schnell bearbeitet werden, um die Gesundheit der Bevölkerung zu schützen und die Funktion des Gesundheitssystems aufrechtzuerhalten. Die vorherrschende Dringlichkeit und die Vielzahl zu bearbeitender Fragestellungen bei gleichzeitiger Limitation von zeitlichen, personellen oder monetären Ressourcen machen eine Priorisierung unabdingbar. Im Projekt COVID-19-Evidenz-Oekosystem (CEOsys) des Netzwerks Universitätsmedizin (NUM) wurde ein Verfahren zur schnellen Priorisierung von Forschungsfragen speziell für Evidenzsynthesen und klinische Leitlinienempfehlungen initiiert, das im Folgeprojekt PREparedness and Pandemic Response in Deutschland (PREPARED) weiterentwickelt wurde.

Entstanden ist das „Konzeptpapier Forschungspriorisierung“, das eine generischere Ausrichtung hat. Die Inhalte des Konzepts werden in diesem Beitrag dargestellt. Kernthemen sind einerseits grundsätzliche Prinzipien einer gelingenden Priorisierung sowie ein konkreter 7‑schrittiger Prozess mit Angaben zu organisatorischen Rahmenbedingungen und zum Ablauf. Das Konzept bietet Adaptionsmöglichkeiten, da Forschungspriorisierung stark kontextabhängig ist.

Die Anwendung eines solchen systematischen, transparenten Priorisierungsprozesses trägt dazu bei, nachvollziehbare und informierte Entscheidungen darüber zu treffen, welche wissenschaftlichen Fragen Relevanz und Dringlichkeit aufweisen, in welcher Bearbeitungsreihenfolge sie stehen sollten und welche Fragestellungen nicht oder zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt bearbeitet werden müssen.
Six-month randomized, placebo controlled trial of synbiotic supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing lifestyle modifications
Authors: Chudzicka-Strugała Izabela , Kubiak Anna , Banaszewska Beata , Wysocka Ewa , Zwozdziak Barbara , Siakowska Martyna , Pawelczyk Leszek , Duleba Antoni J.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To determine whether long-term administration of synbiotics affects clinical, endocrine and metabolic aspects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in overweight and obese subjects undergoing intensive lifestyle modifications.

Methods

During six-month trial, all subjects underwent intensive lifestyle modifications (diet and exercise). The subjects were randomized (1:1) to receive synbiotic supplementation (Synbiotic Group) or placebo (Placebo Group).

Results

Subjects in the Placebo Group and the Synbiotic Group experienced significant reduction of BMI (− 8% and − 11%, respectively; both at P < 0.0001) and body fat percentage (− 11% and − 14%, respectively; both at P < 0.0001). These effects were statistically comparable for both groups. Total testosterone was not significantly changed in the Placebo Group (− 5%, P = 0.41) while it greatly declined in the Synbiotic Group (− 40%; P < 0.0001); the difference between these groups was significant (P = 0.0002). Synbiotic supplementation was superior to placebo in reducing LH (− 21%; P = 0.047), total cholesterol (− 6%; P = 0.002), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (− 6%; P = 0.044), triglycerides (− 29%; P = 0.049), LPS (− 23%; P = 0.001) and LPS-binding protein (− 21%; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Synbiotic supplementation led to a marked improvement of several key clinical and laboratory aspects of PCOS including an improvement of hyperandrogenism, lipid profile, and markers of endotoxemia.

Trial registration

Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT03325023 (URL, clinicaltrials.gov; date of registration 10/26/2017).
Real-time lava flow forecasting during the 2022 Mauna Loa eruption response
Authors: Hyman David M. R. , Dietterich Hannah R. , Gallant Elisabeth , Lynn Kendra J. , Zoeller Michael H. , Patrick Matthew R. , Kauahikaua Jim , Trusdell Frank , Hon Ken , Denlinger Roger P. , Foks N. Leon , Lee R. Lopaka , Falgout Jeff , Gordon Janice
Published: December 2024

On November 27, 2022, Mauna Loa (Hawai‘i) erupted for the first time in

$$\sim $$

∼

38 years, initially producing lava flows that covered the floor of its summit caldera, Moku‘āweoweo. Over the first 12 h following the summit eruption, four main fissures opened on Mauna Loa’s Northeast Rift Zone, with “fissure 3” quickly becoming the dominant source of lava flows. For the next 12 days, fissure 3 produced a 19-km-long lava flow to the north, crossing the Mauna Loa Weather Observatory access road and coming within 2.8 km of inundating the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road). Within 40 min of fissure 3 opening, inundation modeling efforts had begun. For the duration of the eruption, the computational fluid dynamics model Lava2d was run in real time, using flow front locations and other field observations to make sequential forecast improvements, eventually producing a set of models which accurately predicted the routing and arrival times of lava from fissure 3. These models were used to inform timing estimates of possible future inundation of the Saddle Road. As the eruption progressed, almost 4000 Lava2d models were made using high-performance computing resources, providing critical information on uncertainty in multi-week forecasts. To our knowledge, this was the first ever real-time physics-based ensemble lava flow modeling and forecasting effort. Here, we present a chronology of these real-time efforts, focusing on the successes and limitations of this approach.
Mechanics of delaminated composite beams subjected to retarded follower force with multiple time delay
Authors: Szekrényes András
Published: December 2024

In this work the problem of a delaminated composite cantilever beam subjected to a retarded periodically changing follower axial force is taken into consideration. The equation of motion is deduced based on a previous work including finite element discretization in space. On the other hand the delayed system is captured by the Chebyshev polynomials of the first kind in the time domain. The most important aspect of the model is that multiple time delay is considered, i.e., the principal period of the parametric excitation is not equal to the delay. Under these conditions the stability of the system is investigated using the Floquet theory and the unit circle criterion. The stability diagrams are determined for large number of cases focusing essentially on the effect of delamination on the stable domains. The main conclusion is that although the delamination length and thicknesswise position does not have an essential effect on the stability domains, the definite offset of the limit curves may be observed. In contrast, the relation of time delay and principal period influences substantially the shape and nature of limit curves on certain parameter planes.
Learning and Developmental Pathways in Early Coparenting Among Finnish First-Time Parental Couples’
Authors: Ranta Minna , Paloniemi Susanna , Böök Marja Leena , Rönkä Anna
Published: December 2024

Since the learning and developmental processes of adults have rarely been studied in the context of coparenting, this study seeks to deepen our understanding of early coparenting development by examining longitudinal qualitative multimethod data. The data of Finnish 30 opposite-sex two-parent families were collected during three different phases: the third trimester of pregnancy with individual interviews, 4–6 months postnatal by a survey and diary method, and 18 months postnatal through individual interviews. The longitudinal analysis combined initial cross-sectional thematic analysis and longitudinal analysis. The results showed that early coparenting develops among new parental couples through the merging of simultaneous individual and interrelational processes. Early coparenting involves several adult learning processes and turning points. Four developmental pathways illustrating the couples’ journeys were identified: (a) equal and supportive coparenting, (b) from differential adaptation to smooth coparenting, (c) from the mother’s primacy to a communicating team, and (d) a challenging coparenting rollercoaster. These pathways vary from a smooth and linear growth curve to a variable and tense process that takes time and patience. In all, the results indicate that first-time parents (either as couples or partners) can be at different points in adapting to a new life stage and growing into parenthood, which may complicate the development of coparenting.
Stein’s Method and a Cubic Mean-Field Model
Authors: Eichelsbacher Peter
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we study a mean-field spin model with three- and two-body interactions. In a recent paper (Ann Henri Poincaré, 2024) by Contucci, Mingione and Osabutey, the equilibrium measure for large volumes was shown to have three pure states, two with opposite magnetization and an unpolarized one with zero magnetization, merging at the critical point. The authors proved a central limit theorem for the suitably rescaled magnetization. The aim of our paper is presenting a prove of a central limit theorem for the rescaled magnetization applying the exchangeable pair approach due to Stein. Moreover we prove (non-uniform) Berry–Esseen bounds, a concentration inequality, Cramér-type moderate deviations and a moderate deviations principle for the suitably rescaled magnetization. Interestingly we analyze Berry–Esseen bounds in case the model-parameters $$(K_n,J_n)$$

(

K
n

,

J
n

)

converge to the critical point (0, 1) on lines with different slopes and with a certain speed, and obtain new limiting distributions and thresholds for the speed of convergence.
Hydrogen sensing performance and stability of WO3–SiO2 composite film doped with Pt catalyst
Authors: Tajima Chihiro , Sawada Kyosuke , Okazaki Shinji , Kasai Naoya
Published: December 2024

Hydrogen energy has attracted attention as a new energy carrier because it does not generate CO2 emissions during combustion. However, numerous problems face the establishment of a hydrogen infrastructure society. One problem is safety when using hydrogen. A fast sensing system for hydrogen at low concentrations will be needed for hydrogen to be used safely. WO3 is expected to be used as an optical hydrogen sensor element because it reacts with hydrogen and changes color. We prepared Pt-doped WO3 films by the sol–gel method using an ion-exchange technique under various experimental conditions and investigated the films’ response properties to hydrogen and their morphology. As a result, a Pt/WO3 film with SiO2 (Pt/WO3–SiO2 film) annealed at 200 °C showed the shortest coloring and bleaching time to 4 vol% hydrogen. The films also showed good reproducibility with respect to their hydrogen response and good long-term stability. In addition, the fast bleaching time led to a stable repeated response, enabling the films to be used in real-time monitoring applications. Moreover, the sensitivity of the Pt/WO3–SiO2 films depended on the hydrogen concentration, which suggested that quantitative sensing of hydrogen at concentrations below the lower explosive limit could be realized. Furthermore, the catalyst Pt active state and the difference in gas diffusivity due to the microstructure of the films were considered through analysis of the surface, cross-sectional structure, and elemental state of the films.

Graphical Abstract
Errors of multiple exponence in child English: a study of past tense formation
Authors: Hein Johannes , Driemel Imke , Martin Fabienne , Nie Yining , Alexiadou Artemis
Published: December 2024

It is well known that children produce non-adult-like forms during language acquisition. Among these are errors where in the fashion of multiple exponence the child overtly marks an underlying feature or category more than once. In addition, children also produce errors where features that are marked fusionally with one form in the target language are marked separately with more than one form by the child. This paper is concerned with such errors in the domain of English past tense. We present a comprehensive corpus study investigating the frequencies and distribution of different error types, combining both overregularization and overtensing errors, which have previously been studied separately. We then propose an analysis based on Generalized Head Movement (Arregi & Pietraszko, 2021) and Distributed Morphology arguing that errors can be derived from two occasionally occurring underlying mistakes: negligence of secondary features and omission of obliteration. We show how these two mistakes and their interaction can account for the overall differences in error rates and distributions between different error types as well as across different verbs.
An Experimental Electrothermomechanical Characterization of Pipe Steels within Elastic–Plastic Range Based on Resistivity Measurement for Oil Country Tubular Goods
Authors: Saberi Saeid , Weiss Helmut , Winter Gerald , Klarner Jürgen , Stockinger Martin
Published: December 2024

The complex geometry of thread and difficult access to the thread surface make conventional methods for residual stress measurement impossible. Therefore, an in situ measurement of electrothermomechanical properties of quenched-tempered martensitic pipe steel P110 based on the four-point method was developed in this research. Electrical resistivity and thermomechanical properties of investigated pipe steel P110 due to plastic deformation were determined. The average value of the temperature change, the plastic work per volume, the relative resistance and the relative resistivity of samples up to 3% uniform plastic strain were obtained as 2.2 °C, 30.01 MPa, 0.1 and 0.01, respectively.
Developing Heterogeneous Catalysts for Reverse Water–Gas Shift Reaction in CO2 Valorization
Authors: Kim Gunjoo , Lee Hyunjoo
Published: December 2024

Carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) in chemical processes is vital for achieving sustainable and economically viable solutions in the context of climate change mitigation. This review focuses on the reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction as a promising pathway for converting CO₂ into carbon monoxide (CO), which can subsequently be used as a precursor for the synthesis of various hydrocarbon compounds. The discussion centers on catalyst design strategies aimed at enhancing the low-temperature activity of the RWGS reaction, emphasizing the roles of catalyst supports and active sites. Key approaches include increasing surface area, introducing defect sites, and improving the redox properties of the catalysts. Methods for controlling the adsorption strength of gas reactants and products to enhance CO selectivity are explored, with particular attention to the use of ligands, promoters, doping, and advanced structures such as single-atom or core–shell configurations. Considerations regarding catalyst durability in reducing environments and the development of economically feasible catalysts are also addressed. Well-designed catalysts for the RWGS reaction offer significant advantages in CO₂ valorization, as the conversion of CO₂ to hydrocarbons is more readily achieved starting from CO.
Penetrating skull stab
Authors: Buschmann Claas , Preuß-Wössner Johanna , Meißner Christoph
Published: December 2024

Fatal skull stabs are rare. In the case reported here, a 28-year-old man sustained an isolated penetrating skull injury from a knife and died two days later. The bone shard with the stab puncture, which was neurosurgically removed before death, later allowed the reproducible exact assignment of the murder knife found at the scene to the stab as well as the estimation of the length of the intracranial stab channel. This, together with the findings of the formalin-fixed brain, allowed forensic reconstruction.
Options for future European reusable booster stages: evaluation and comparison of VTHL and VTVL costs
Authors: Wilken Jascha , Herberhold Moritz , Sippel Martin
Published: December 2024

As the space industry evolves towards more cost-effective solutions, the development of reusable launch vehicles has become a crucial focus for reducing launch costs. This study addresses the problem of identifying the most cost-effective reusable booster stage design for future European launch systems, comparing vertical takeoff, horizontal landing (VTHL) and vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) methods. Conducted under the ENTRAIN (Europe’s NexT Reusable Ariane) study by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the research provides a detailed analysis of both recurring and non-recurring costs associated with various design configurations. The study explores different design degrees of freedom, including engine cycles, propellant combinations, and staging velocities, using a parametric cost model to evaluate the trade-offs involved in each configuration. Findings indicate that reusable configurations can achieve significant cost reductions across a wide range of market scenarios, and offer slight total cost benefits even for the smallest herein considered launch markets. The results further show that the hydrogen-fueled configurations investigated within ENTRAIN offer lower costs compared to the hydrocarbon-fueled alternatives. In addition, the study highlights the sensitivity of launch costs to factors such as market conditions, reuse cycles, and refurbishment efforts, offering insights for future European space launcher development.
Feasibility of a Remote Patient Video Education Intervention to Improve Care Coordination for Rural Cancer Patients
Authors: Okado Izumi , Braun-Inglis Christa , Matsumoto Kehau , Elhajj Carry , Cassel Kevin , Berenberg Jeffrey , Holcombe Randall F.
Published: December 2024

Cancer patients residing in rural areas experience substantial barriers to care and suboptimal care coordination. To date, there is a paucity of interventions to improve care coordination for rural cancer patients. In this study, we conducted a pilot trial to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a remote, tablet-based patient video education intervention focused on cancer care coordination among rural patients in Hawaii. The pilot trial utilized a single-arm, pre-post intervention design. Our TED-talk style video education intervention included talks on cancer basics, care coordination, and self-advocacy. Eligible participants were rural patients newly diagnosed with early-stage cancer receiving adjuvant therapy. Validated instruments were administered at baseline and post-intervention to assess patients’ perceptions of care coordination and self-advocacy. Acceptability and satisfaction were assessed using semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to describe study outcomes. From January 2022 to December 2022, 19 patients enrolled on the study; the mean age was 52.2. Participants were racially diverse. A total of 71.4% of eligible patients completed all assessments. No changes were observed in the overall perceptions of care coordination. However, improved scores were observed for the care coordination instrument communication domain (Cohen’s d =  − 0.76, 95% CI: − 1.45, − 0.03). There was a trend for improved scores on navigation and self-advocacy. All participants reported high satisfaction with the intervention. Results support the feasibility, satisfaction, and acceptability of this intervention among rural cancer patients in Hawaii. Further study is needed to evaluate the intervention in other rural areas. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT05162404.

Registration Date: 12/17/2021.
Gender-specific development of mathematics and language performance in lower secondary education in Germany
Authors: Uunk Wilfred , Blossfeld Pia
Published: December 2024

Despite the importance of subject choice for later education and the occupational career, we know little about the development of girls’ and boys’ mathematics and language performance during their secondary education. This paper aims to fill this gap and describes the gender-specific development of mathematics and language performance—in terms of grades and test scores—in lower secondary education in Germany, using longitudinal data from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) for Grades 5 to 9. Regarding this development, there exist differing and sometimes opposing hypotheses. On the one hand, scholars suggest that gender differences in mathematics and language performance increase during lower secondary education as competencies, self-concepts, learning effort, and motivation interact, and girls and boys specialize in anticipation of future study choices. On the other hand, scholars expect that the gender gap in mathematics performance is narrowing because of a ceiling effect of performance, girls’ greater learning effort, and boys’ greater susceptibility to negative peer influencing. Our fixed effects regression analyses show that mathematics and German grades deteriorate during early secondary school, especially mathematics grades in the academic track. Because the decline in grades is stronger for boys than for girls, the gender gap in mathematics grades (boys do better) decreases and the gender gap in German grades (girls do better) increases. However, boys’ and girls’ mathematics and reading competencies increase in lower secondary education, and the gender gaps in competencies hardly change. We speculate that the changes in grades may be due to girls’ greater engagement in school, negative peer influence among boys, and the increasing complexity of mathematics in the academic track.
Enterprise Systems Thinking Applied to Community Biology Labs
Authors: Aldulijan Ibrahim , Scheifele Lisa , Mansouri Mo
Published: December 2024

Community biology labs are locally organized spaces for research, tinkering, and innovation, which are important for improving the accessibility of biological research and the transferability of scientific knowledge. These labs promote citizen science by providing resources and education to community members. For community labs to deliver consistent and reliable results, they would ideally be based on an adaptive and robust foundation: an Enterprise Systems Thinking (EST) framework. This paper follows a descriptive methodology to apply EST to conceptualize the optimal functioning of community biology labs. EST approaches can increase the overall understanding of the community lab system’s context and performance. This supportive tool can aid in successful stakeholder engagement and communications within the lab’s complex structure. It is also adaptive and can be adjusted as Community Bio labs expand in scale and are newly introduced to local communities. The result of this paper is the development of a framework that may help enhance existing community laboratory organizational approaches so that they may provide consistent accessibility, innovation, and education to local communities.
Pasture access and social housing influence the behaviour of dairy calves
Authors: Alves Teresa Cristina , De-Sousa Karolini Tenffen , Gomes Pamela Caroline , Paris Vitória Tobias , Deniz Matheus
Published: December 2024

This Research Communication set out to (1) evaluate the behaviour and performance of dairy calves raised on pasture individually or in groups, and (2) evaluate the influence of physical enrichment on the behaviour and performance of dairy calves raised in groups on pasture. Although there was no difference in grazing behaviour when housed in groups, calves spent longer eating concentrate, ruminating and drinking water. Additionaly, calves housed individually spend part of their time trying to get close to a neighbouring calf. When available, the brush was the physical enrichment item most used by calves followed by straw-man and ball. Pasture access may allow calves to exhibit their highly motivated natural behaviours such as grazing and rumination. Furthermore, social housing provides dairy calves an opportunity for social bonding. Thus, social housing with free access to pasture areas could be an alternative in tropical regions to the typical individual rearing system used in intensive dairy farming.
Comparison of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of some commercial dairy products
Authors: Hayashi Yasuhiro , Arizono Sei , Tanikawa Takashi
Published: December 2024

The continuing emergence of new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could be ameliorated by infection prevention through daily diet. In this study, we examined the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of 10 commercially available dairy products. They did not show any cytotoxicity against VeroE6/transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) cells (CC50 > 4 mg/ml). Importantly, these cells were checked using the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, and 4 mg/ml dairy products reduced virus-induced CPE by more than 30%. Notably, Icreo akachan milk, an infant formula, showed the highest antiviral activity with an IC50 of 1.4 mg/ml. We assessed the effects of the dairy products on the entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. R1 and Yakult, lactic acid bacterial beverages, inhibited viral entry with IC50 of 2.9 and 3.5 mg/ml, respectively. Collectively, these results indicate that commercially available dairy products moderately inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and may reduce the incidence of viral infections.
Adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccine in the paediatric population: a focus on the cardiovascular system
Authors: Lababidi Ghena , Lababidi Hossam , Bitar Fadi , Arabi Mariam
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on healthcare systems and exists globally. To control pandemic progression, COVID-19 vaccines were developed and licensed for use in the adult population in early 2021 and became available in paediatric cohorts several months later. Since then, several studies have reported adverse events and severe adverse events in the adult and paediatric cohorts. The question remains whether there exists a significant risk to paediatric COVID-19 vaccination. This study reviews the classification and presentation of severe adverse events and discusses relevant reports in the literature. An emphasis is put on cardiovascular severe adverse events and adverse events. This paper also provides current and future perspectives relative to the pandemic, its control, and the future of vaccine immunology.
The Youth Externalizing Problems Screener
Authors: Jovanović Veljko
Published: December 2024

Abstract: This research evaluated evidence of structural and convergent validity, and measurement invariance across gender, time, and two countries (Serbia and the US) of the Youth Externalizing Problems Screener (YEPS). In Study 1 ( N = 727 Serbian adolescents; 58.3% female; Mage = 16.95), we found support for the modified single-factor model of the YEPS, which demonstrated full scalar invariance across gender. The convergent validity evidence of the YEPS scores was provided by meaningful correlations with measures of life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. In Study 2 ( N = 298 Serbian adolescents; 61.1% female; Mage = 16.42), we replicated the results on the YEPS factor structure and provided further evidence on convergent validity in relation to internalizing problems, prosocial behavioral intentions, maladaptive personality traits, and bullying perpetration and victimization. In Study 3 and Study 4, the YEPS showed evidence of partial scalar invariance across two countries ( n = 711 in Serbia, n = 670 in the US) and full scalar invariance across time ( N = 593 Serbian adolescents), respectively. Our results suggest that the YEPS is a psychometrically sound measure of generalized externalizing problems among adolescents. However, caution is needed when comparing mean level differences in YEPS scores across countries.
Long Period Ionospheric Disturbances Induced by Atmospheric Pressure Waves From the 2022 Tonga Volcanic Eruption
Authors: Pandey Dwijendra N. , Rekapalli Rajesh , Catherine J. K. , Gahalaut V. K. , Puviarasan N.
Published: December 2024

The Tonga‐Hunga volcanic eruption on 15 January 2022 at 04:14:54 UTC produced large perturbations in the lower atmosphere and ionosphere globally. We report that the long period (0.28–16.67 mHz) ionospheric disturbances followed the surface pressure perturbations, which traveled globally. Here, we analyzed the Global Positioning System (GPS) data to understand the propagation of long period ionospheric disturbances together with the pressure waves in the regions along a great circle passing through Tonga, and also in the polar sectors. We also infer the strong westward propagation of ionospheric anomalies from GPS sites in Australia. This response of the ionosphere to the surface pressure fluctuations could be a possible reason for the observed ionospheric perturbations in polar regions. Our results demonstrate that (a) the pressure wave irregularities propagated all over the globe with an average velocity of ∼320 m/s and stimulated the non‐dispersive ionospheric perturbations with the same velocity, (b) the volcano ionospheric disturbances due to multiple eruptions lasted for more than 3 hr and are even noticed in the northern and southern polar regions, (c) the variation of amplitude of the ionospheric perturbations with distance from Tonga follows an exponential decay with some irregularities near the equator, and (d) a low‐frequency surface pressure irregularity of 12 hr duration is observed nearly 36 hr before the main eruption.
High Concentrations of Nanoparticles From Isoprene Nitrates Predicted in Convective Outflow Over the Amazon
Authors: Bardakov R. , Thornton J. A. , Ekman A. M. L. , Krejci R. , Pöhlker M. L. , Curtius J. , Williams J. , Lelieveld J. , Riipinen I.
Published: December 2024

The biogenic volatile organic compounds isoprene and α‐pinene are abundant over the Amazon and can be efficiently transported to the upper troposphere by deep convective clouds (DCC). We simulate their transport and chemistry following DCC updrafts and upper tropospheric outflow using a multi‐phase chemistry model with aerosol microphysics constrained by recent field measurements. In the lightning‐ and NO‐rich early morning outflow, organonitrates dominate the predicted ultra‐ and extremely‐low‐volatility organic compounds (ULVOCs+) derived from isoprene and α‐pinene. Nucleation of particles by α‐pinene‐derived ULVOCs+ alone, with an associated formation rate of 1.7 nm molecular clusters of 0.0006 s−1 cm−3 and resulting maximum particle number concentration of 19 cm−3, is not sufficient to explain ultrafine aerosol abundances observed in Amazonian DCC outflow. When isoprene‐derived ULVOCs+ are allowed to contribute to nucleation, the new particle formation rate increases by six orders of magnitude, and the predicted number concentrations reach 104 cm−3, consistent with observations.
Sea Surface and Snowflakes as Natural Targets Connecting FY‐3G and GPM‐CO Dual‐Frequency Radars
Authors: Liu Bo , Li Haoran , Liu Liping , Shang Jian , Yin Honggang , Kuo Kwo‐Sen
Published: December 2024

The Precipitation Measurement Radar (PMR) onboard FengYun‐3G consists of a Ku‐/Ka‐band radar, which is characterized by similar configurations with the Dual‐frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) carried by Global Precipitation Measurement mission Core Observatory. However, directly comparing observations from two radars is challenging due to a scarcity of their coincidences. In this study, sea surface echoes in their track intersections were employed to cross‐calibrate PMR. Then, we show that the dual‐frequency ratio (DFR) in snow stably increases with Ku‐band reflectivity in statistics, allowing for an assessment of the consistency between PMR and DPR observations. Surprisingly, our results reveal a underestimation of DFR in DPR inner swath, while observations from PMR are in good agreement with those from DPR outer swath. This study demonstrates the novel use of natural targets for spaceborne dual‐frequency radar calibration, and presents a unique view into the connection between the two spaceborne precipitation radar missions in operation.
Slow‐to‐Fast Transition and Shear Localization in Accelerating Creep of Clayey Soil
Authors: Chang Chengrui , Noda Hiroyuki , Xu Qiang , Huang Dongliang , Yamaguchi Tetsuo
Published: December 2024

Accelerating creep before catastrophic failure commonly follows a power‐law velocity‐acceleration relationship, with the exponent typically near 2 but often evolving from 1 to 2 at a certain point, indicating a dynamic transition. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain unclear. Here we investigate this transition by monitoring the slip displacement of clayey soil during fluid‐injection creep experiments. This transition is discontinuous in the first run but becomes continuous in the initially pre‐sheared sample. Using a regularized rate‐and‐state friction model, we explicitly examine the relationship between the exponent and the frictional properties of the soil. This model describes the dynamic transition, with the exponent evolving from 1 to 2 across a broad range of frictional parameters. Furthermore, by incorporating idealized shear localization processes, the model qualitatively reproduces the shear‐history‐dependent transition. Our study demonstrates that a combination of structural evolutions and frictional properties may explain slow and fast slips observed in various shear systems.
The Linked Complexity of Coseismic and Postseismic Faulting Revealed by Seismo‐Geodetic Dynamic Inversion of the 2004 Parkfield Earthquake
Authors: Schliwa Nico , Gabriel Alice‐Agnes , Premus Jan , Gallovič František
Published: December 2024

Several regularly recurring moderate‐size earthquakes motivated dense instrumentation of the Parkfield section of the San Andreas fault (SAF), providing an invaluable near‐fault observatory. We present a seismo‐geodetic dynamic inversion of the 2004 Parkfield earthquake, which illuminates the interlinked complexity of faulting across time scales. Using fast‐velocity‐weakening rate‐and‐state friction, we jointly model coseismic dynamic rupture and the 90‐day evolution of postseismic slip in a 3D domain. We utilize a parallel tempering Markov chain Monte Carlo approach to solve this non‐linear high‐dimensional inverse problem, constraining spatially varying prestress and fault friction parameters by 30 strong motion and 12 GPS stations. From visiting 2 million models, we discern complex coseismic rupture dynamics that transition from a strongly radiating pulse‐like phase to a mildly radiating crack‐like phase. Both coseismic phases are separated by a shallow strength barrier that nearly arrests rupture and leads to a gap in the afterslip, reflecting the geologic heterogeneity along this segment of the SAF. Coseismic rupture termination involves distinct arrest mechanisms that imprint on afterslip kinematics. A backward propagating afterslip front may drive delayed aftershock activity above the hypocenter. Trade‐off analysis of the 10,500 best‐fitting models uncovers local correlations between prestress levels and the reference friction coefficient, alongside an anticorrelation between prestress and rate‐state parameters . We find that a complex, fault‐local interplay of dynamic parameters determines the nucleation, propagation, and arrest of both, co‐ and postseismic faulting. This study demonstrates the potential of inverse physics‐based modeling to reveal novel insights and detailed characterizations of well‐recorded earthquakes.
Internal Tides From SWOT: A 75‐Day Instantaneous Mode‐1 M2 ${\mathrm{M}}_{2}$ Internal Tide Model
Authors: Zhao Zhongxiang
Published: December 2024

Seventy‐five days of sea surface height measurements made by the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission from 7 September to 21 November 2023 are used to explore SWOT's capability of observing internal tides. Mode‐1 internal tides are mapped by our updated mapping technique. SWOT‐75d represents a 75‐day instantaneous model. Nadir‐30y is constructed using 30 years of nadir altimetry data from 1993 to 2022 and represents a climate normal. The nadir altimetry data in 2023 are used for model evaluation. Despite its large errors, SWOT‐75d reveals the basic features of the global mode‐1 internal tide field, and causes positive variance reduction in regions of strong internal tides. Nadir‐30y performs better overall, but SWOT‐75d performs better in the tropical South Atlantic Ocean, the central North Pacific Ocean, and the Melanesian region. Evaluation using seasonally subsetted altimetry data reveals that internal tides have significant temporal variations. SWOT‐75d performs the best in fall, because the model is constructed using data largely in fall. SWOT‐75d has large phase anomalies, which are spatially smoothed and used to adjust the phases in Nadir‐30y. The phase‐adjusted model can better make internal tide correction for SWOT and its performance is improved by 20%. Our results demonstrate that (a) mode‐1 internal tides can be extracted from 75 days of SWOT data by our mapping technique, and (b) the instantaneous internal tide model can be used to improve internal tide correction for SWOT.
Boreal Winter Hadley Cell Contraction in Response to the Incorporation of a Comprehensive Ocean Surface Albedo in CESM2
Authors: Wei Jian , Yang Ping , Fu Qiang
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the causes of shifts in the subsiding edge of the boreal winter Hadley cell (HC) in response to a comprehensive treatment of ocean surface albedo (OSA) in the fully coupled CESM2. The focus is on an in‐depth understanding of the atmospheric dynamical processes that influence the HC subsiding edge. Two sets of experiments were performed: one utilizing the default OSA, and the other employing the comprehensive OSA that accounts for realistic physical mechanisms. The results show that implementing the comprehensive OSA simulates an El Niño‐like warming pattern in reference to the default experiment, which leads to an HC contraction. Examination of zonal mean momentum dynamics in the upper troposphere reveals that variations in meridional winds, crucial for determining the HC extent, are primarily driven by the differences in the horizontal eddy momentum flux derivative. The findings indicate that the equatorward shift in meridional temperature gradients enhances subtropical zonal winds and baroclinicity along their equatorial flanks, amplifying equatorward‐propagating Rossby waves. This, in turn, alters the eddy momentum flux, reshaping the pattern of the derivatives of horizontal eddy momentum flux, constraining meridional winds, and resulting in the equatorward movement of the HC subsiding edge. A scaling theory further supports the results of the HC contraction, showing that the increased subtropical zonal winds and the equatorward shift of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) elevate the atmospheric angular momentum and eventually limit the expansion of the HC.
Optimizing Polar Air Traffic: Strategies for Mitigating the Effects of Space Weather‐Induced Communication Failures Poleward of 82°N
Authors: Xue Dabin , Liu Zhizhao , Zhang Donghe , Wu Cheng‐Lung , Yang Jian
Published: December 2024

Aviation communication is significant for the safe, efficient, and orderly operation of air traffic. The aviation industry relies on a sophisticated network to maintain air‐ground communications. However, space weather events can disrupt the ionosphere conditions and damage satellites, leading to High‐Frequency (HF) communication blackouts and satellite communication failures. These disruptions can jeopardize flight safety, especially for flights over polar regions. In response, strategies such as cancellations, rescheduling, or rerouting to lower latitudes may be necessary, despite the low flight efficiency and substantial financial losses. With the background of the anticipated solar maximum in 2025 and a growing number of polar flights, it is indispensable to have a comprehensive understanding of the space weather effects on aviation communication and develop constructive strategies from an Air Traffic Management (ATM) perspective. Hence, we simulate scenarios with different durations of communication failures and assess the corresponding economic losses. Based on the data derived from historical polar flights in 2019, there are daily 18 polar flights with trajectories crossing the north polar region higher than 82°N. Simulation results show that the economic losses associated with these polar flights can range from €0.03 million to €1.32 million, depending on both the duration of communication failures and the adopted air traffic management strategies. We believe that this study can shed light on the effects of space weather‐induced communication failures on polar flight operations and provide guidance for mitigating these effects in the aviation industry.
From benign to pathogenic variants and vice versa: pyrimidine transitions at position -3 of TAG and CAG 3' splice sites
Authors: Vořechovský Igor
Published: December 2024

In the human genome, CAG 3' splice sites (3'ss) are more than twice as frequent as TAG 3'ss. The greater abundance of the former has been attributed to a higher probability of exon skipping upon cytosine-to-thymine transitions at intron position -3 (-3C > T) than thymine-to-cytosine variants (-3T > C). However, molecular mechanisms underlying this bias and its clinical impact are poorly understood. In this study, base-pairing probabilities (BPPs) and RNA secondary structures were compared between CAG 3'ss that produced more skipping of downstream exons than their mutated UAG versions (termed “laggard” CAG 3'ss) and UAG 3'ss that resulted in more skipping than their mutated CAG counterparts (canonical 3'ss). The laggard CAG 3’ss showed significantly higher BPPs across intron-exon boundaries than canonical 3'ss. The difference was centered on positions -5 to -1 relative to the intron-exon junction, the region previously shown to exhibit the strongest high-resolution ultraviolet crosslinking to the small subunit of auxiliary factor of U2 snRNP (U2AF1). RNA secondary structure predictions suggested that laggard CAG 3'ss were more often sequestered in paired conformations and in longer stem structures while canonical 3'ss were more frequently unpaired. Taken together, the excess of base-pairing at 3'ss has a potential to alter the hierarchy in intrinsic splicing efficiency of human YAG 3'ss from canonical CAG > UAG to non-canonical UAG > CAG, to modify the clinical impact of transitions at this position and to change their classification from pathogenic to benign or vice versa.
Ethical challenges in conducting maternal-fetal surgery trials. A systematic review
Authors: Cavolo Alice , Gastmans Chris , Crombag Neeltje
Published: December 2024

Objective

To present the ethical challenges embedded in published maternal-fetal surgery (MFS) trials and their potential solutions.

Method

Systematic review of normative and empirical literature. We selected articles based on predefined inclusion criteria. QUAGOL methodology was used for analysis.

Results

Forty-three articles were included. We identified two main themes. First, clinical ethics issues. One of the main challenges is balancing rights of the fetus with the rights of the pregnant person. There seems to be an agreement that the pregnant person has the right to decide whether to participate regardless of fetal benefit. Second, research ethics issues. The main issues are difficulties in obtaining a sizeable sample, which lead to trials delays and cancellations, and in obtaining appropriate standardization. These difficulties have important ethical ramifications. For example, trial cancellations due the lack of proper sample size generate a waste of resources and pointlessly place participants at risk as conclusive evidence on MFS efficacy was not obtained.

Conclusions

We need to develop creative solutions that can prevent some of these ethical concerns. We need to involve all the relevant stakeholders in the development process. Further, researchers should discuss what practical issues they encountered and how they addressed them in their publications.

Impact statement

Understanding the ethical challenges embedded in MFS trials will help improving future trials and, consequently, clinical outcomes.

To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review unveiling the ethical challenges in maternal-fetal surgery trials. To offer a complete overview of the challenges, we included both normative and empirical literature.

We found that the main ethical challenges are practical difficulties that have important ethical ramification. E.g., difficulties in recruitment might hinder scientific validity, which in turn might lead to suboptimal treatment.