bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fractional Variational Integrators Based on Convolution Quadrature
Authors: Hariz Belgacem Khaled , Jiménez Fernando , Ober-Blöbaum Sina
Published: February 2025

Fractional dissipation is a powerful tool to study nonlocal physical phenomena such as damping models. The design of geometric, in particular, variational integrators for the numerical simulation of such systems relies on a variational formulation of the model. In Jiménez and Ober-Blöbaum (J Nonlinear Sci 31:46, 2021), a new approach is proposed to deal with dissipative systems including fractionally damped systems in a variational way for both, the continuous and discrete setting. It is based on the doubling of variables and their fractional derivatives. The aim of this work is to derive higher-order fractional variational integrators by means of convolution quadrature (CQ) based on backward difference formulas. We then provide numerical methods that are of order 2 improving a previous result in Jiménez and Ober-Blöbaum (J Nonlinear Sci 31:46, 2021). The convergence properties of the fractional variational integrators and saturation effects due to the approximation of the fractional derivatives by CQ are studied numerically.
Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of elongated solifuge sensilla to mechanical stimuli
Authors: Kundu Pallabi , Oviedo-Diego Mariela , Cargnelutti Franco , Jones R. Ryan , Garcia Erika , Hebets Eileen A. , Gaffin Douglas D.
Published: February 2025

A fundamental understanding of animal sensory systems is crucial for comprehending their interactions with the environment and with other conspecifics. However, knowledge gaps persist, particularly in arachnids like the order Solifugae. While certain solifuge setae and palpal papillae have been studied structurally and electrophysiologically, providing evidence of chemoreception and mechanoreception, the sensilla on their walking legs remain unexplored. Notably, elongated sensilla on the femur and tibia of the 4th walking legs resemble trichobothria in other arachnid orders yet their function remains unknown. Thus, this study investigates whether these sensilla serve a mechanosensory function. Using electrophysiological and behavioral assays on Eremobates pallipes (Eremobatidae), we assessed the response of the elongated 4th leg sensilla to– (i) air particle movement and– (ii) air pressure changes. Air particle movement stimuli were generated using a speaker placed in the near field of the elongated sensilla that emitted low-frequency pure tones (10–1000 Hz). Air pressure stimuli involved forceful blowing on the sensilla. No response to air particle movement was observed, but a mechanosensory response to air pressure stimuli was detected. Electrophysiological data identified a fast-adapting and fast-recovering cell, and behavioral observations revealed a startle response. Our electrophysiology results suggest a mechanosensory role of elongated sensilla on the 4th walking legs of solifuge, indicating that although they are not sensitive enough to detect air particle movement stimuli, they can receive and respond to air pressure stimuli. Our behavioral experiments similarly show that these sensilla are not sensitive enough to detect air particle movement but respond to more forceful mechanosensory stimuli.
In renal proximal tubular epithelial cells of the hibernator Syrian hamster, anoxia-reoxygenation-induced reactive oxygen species bursts do not trigger a DNA damage response and cellular senescence
Authors: Pissas Georgios , Divani Maria , Tziastoudi Maria , Poulianiti Christina , Polyzou-Konsta Maria-Anna , Lykotsetas Evangelos , Stefanidis Ioannis , Eleftheriadis Theodoros
Published: February 2025

Ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury represents a predominant etiology of acute kidney injury (AKI), for which effective treatments remain unavailable. In contrast, hibernating mammals exhibit notable resistance to cell death induced by I-R injury. However, the impact of I-R injury on cellular senescence—an important factor in AKI—has not been extensively studied in these species. Comparative biology may offer novel therapeutic insights. Renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs) from the native hibernator Syrian hamster or mouse RPTECs were subjected to anoxia-reoxygenation. Proteins involved in DNA damage response (DDR) and cellular senescence were assessed using western blotting, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and cell death were quantified colorimetrically, and IL-6 with ELISA. Anoxia-reoxygenation induced oxidative stress in both mouse and hamster RPTECs; however, cell death was observed exclusively in mouse cells. While anoxia-reoxygenation elicited a DDR and subsequent senescence in mouse RPTECs, such responses were not detected in hamster RPTECs. Thus, RPTECs from the Syrian hamster exhibited increased ROS production upon reoxygenation but did not show DDR or cellular senescence. Further research is required to elucidate the specific protective molecular mechanisms in hibernators, which could potentially lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for I-R injury in non-hibernating species, including humans.
Great ape infants’ face touching and its role in social engagement
Authors: Felicio Beatriz , Bard Kim A.
Published: February 2025

Touch has a key role in the social development of infant primates and in the regulation of social interactions, even so, there’s a rarity of studies on infants’ use of social touch. In this work, we document chimpanzee infants and human infants’ touching of other’s faces, a behavior already described in wild capuchin monkey infants, and investigate possible functions of infants’ social touch. A strength of this study is that we sampled chimpanzee and human infants from three different social ecologies each. Each infant was observed naturalistically, in their everyday environments. In 36 h of observation, we found 269 touch events, specifically 222 face touches and 47 head touches. We found significant differences between groups, within species. Face touching occurred preferentially with adult females in all groups, and preferentially in prosocial contexts, although the most preferred contexts differed across groups. A unifying concept was that almost all infant face touching occurred during joint attention events. We interpret this as the ability of 1-year-olds to use face touching as a behavioral marker of mutual engagement during bouts of triadic connectedness, that is when they engage together with a social partner about an object or an event. In this study, we document an understudied behavior of young chimpanzees and humans, one that is not only part of prosocial interactions, but one that may function to highlight infants’ active role in engagement with another, while they together engage in triadic connectedness.
Surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in era of multidisciplinary strategies
Authors: Takamoto Takeshi , Mihara Yuichirou , Nishioka Yujirou , Ichida Akihiko , Kawaguchi Yoshikuni , Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Hasegawa Kiyoshi
Published: February 2025

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant global health challenge, with over 800,000 new cases diagnosed annually. This comprehensive review examines current surgical approaches and emerging multidisciplinary strategies in HCC treatment. While traditional surgical criteria, such as the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, have been relatively conservative, recent evidence from high-volume Asian centers supports more aggressive surgical approaches in carefully selected patients. The review discusses the evolution of selection criteria, including the new “Borderline Resectable HCC” classification system, which provides more explicit guidance for surgical decision-making. Technical innovations have significantly enhanced surgical precision, including three-dimensional simulation, intraoperative navigation systems, and the advancement of minimally invasive approaches. The review evaluates the ongoing debate between anatomical versus non-anatomical resection and examines the emerging role of robotic surgery. In liver transplantation, expanded criteria beyond the Milan criteria show promising outcomes, while the integration of novel biomarkers and imaging techniques improves patient selection. The role of preoperative and adjuvant therapies is increasingly important, with recent trials demonstrating the potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with anti-VEGF agents in both settings. Despite these advances, postoperative recurrence remains a significant challenge. The review concludes that successful HCC treatment requires a personalized approach, integrating surgical expertise with emerging technologies and systemic therapies while considering individual patient factors and regional variations in practice patterns.
Exploring climate-driven phenological mismatches in pears, pests and natural enemies: a multi-model approach
Authors: Reeves Laura A. , Belien Tim , Senapathi Deepa , Garratt Michael P. D. , Fountain Michelle T.
Published: February 2025

Pear psyllid (Cacopsylla pyri) is the dominant pest of UK pear orchards, with an estimated cost of £5 million per annum. Insecticide withdrawal and increased pesticide resistance of C. pyri have led many growers to depend more on natural enemies for pest management, including earwigs. However, there is concern how phenological events may shift with future climate change, which may result in phenological mismatches. This study aimed to determine shifts in timing of phenological events within an agroecosystem and predict phenological mismatches or synchronies between trophic levels. We evaluated three models: the C. pyri phenology model, the earwig degree day model and the PhenoFlex model (flowering time). Phenological events predicted by models included: first, full and last flowering time for Pyrus communis; peak psyllid abundance date for first-generation (G1) C. pyri nymphs and second-generation (G2) eggs, nymphs and adults; and peak abundance date for stage 4 Forficula auricularia and adults. Findings indicated that the timing of phenological events was advancing for all trophic levels, becoming significantly earlier under the current time period. Furthermore, predictions indicated that timing events would continue to advance under the RCP8.5 scenario. However, not all phenological events advanced at the same rate; the date of peak C. pyri G1 nymph abundance advanced at a higher rate than full flowering time, which could result in a phenological mismatch by 2071. Conversely, C. pyri and F. auricularia showed phenological synchrony, with peak abundance dates advancing at a similar rate, which could be beneficial for future biological control.
Choking/Strangulation During Sex: Understanding and Negotiating “Safety” Among 18-35 Year Old Australians
Authors: Conte Isabella , Sharman Leah S. , Douglas Heather
Published: February 2025

Despite its potentially fatal consequences, sexual choking/strangulation is an increasingly common sexual practice. Existing research suggests that its growing prevalence is partly a consequence of its popular construction as “risky yet safe.” Few studies have directly examined how people frame and engage in choking/strangulation in terms of “safety”—what people think it means for strangulation to be (or not be) “safe” and how people think safety during strangulation can be achieved. Drawing on qualitative text responses from a survey collected in 2023, this paper examined whether and how Australian adults aged between 18–35 perceived choking/strangulation in terms of “safety.” We identified and discussed four main themes arising from the data: choking/strangulation during sex can be safe; pressure/intensity is a safety mechanism; consent is a safety mechanism; and trust and communication are necessary. In consideration of these themes, we suggest that many Australian young people are not aware of the risks of choking/strangulation during sex and frequently equate pressure/intensity and consent, within a trusting relationship, with safety. Given the significant risks and harms associated with any sexual choking/strangulation and the resultant difficulty in achieving safe use, we concluded that appropriate education and information should be provided to young people.
Solar orbiter: a short review of the mission and early science results
Authors: Harra Louise , Müller Daniel
Published: February 2025

On 9 February 2020 at 11:03 pm EST, an Atlas V 411 rocket launched the ESA/ NASA Solar Orbiter mission. This mission was the culmination of decades of work across many countries to achieve the goal of getting close to the Sun and measuring how the Sun creates and maintains the heliosphere. The mission’s goal is to understand how the inner heliosphere works and how solar activity impacts it. The spacecraft achieves this with a specially designed highly elliptical orbit that gets close to the Sun twice a year. It reaches as close as 0.28 au requiring a novel heat shield to protect the instruments from the intense heat (the front side of the heat shield reaches around 500 ∘C at this location). There are ten scientific instruments onboard: Six remote-sensing instruments observe solar activity across the electromagnetic spectrum on small and large scales, including imaging the source regions of the solar wind. They are accompanied by four in-situ instruments to probe the properties of the solar wind as it flows past the spacecraft. This review paper describes a selection of results from Solar Orbiter during its cruise phase and the beginning of its nominal scientific operations phase, and looks towards the next phases of the mission, when the spacecraft leaves the ecliptic plane to observe the solar poles for the first time.
Associations between lifestyle factors, physiological conditions, and epigenetic age acceleration in an Asian population
Authors: Wu Yu-Ru , Lin Wan-Yu
Published: February 2025

Epigenetic clocks use DNA methylation (DNAm) levels to predict an individual’s biological age. However, relationships between lifestyle/biomarkers and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in Asian populations remain unknown. We here explored associations between lifestyle factors, physiological conditions, and epigenetic markers, including HannumEAA, IEAA, PhenoEAA, GrimEAA, DunedinPACE, DNAm-based smoking pack-years (DNAmPACKYRS), and DNAm plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 level (DNAmPAI1). A total of 2474 Taiwan Biobank (TWB) individuals aged between 30 and 70 provided physical health examinations, lifestyle questionnaire surveys, and blood and urine samples. Partial correlation analysis (while adjusting for chronological age, smoking, and drinking status) demonstrated that 29 factors were significantly correlated with at least one epigenetic marker (Pearson’s correlation coefficient |r|> 0.15). Subsequently, by exploring the model with the smallest Akaike information criterion (AIC), we identified the best model for each epigenetic marker. As a DNAm-based marker demonstrated to predict healthspan and lifespan with greater accuracy, GrimEAA was also found to be better explained by lifestyle factors and physiological conditions. Totally 15 factors explained 44.7% variability in GrimEAA, including sex, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), smoking, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), creatinine, uric acid, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), hemoglobin, and five cell-type proportions. In summary, smoking, elevated HbA1c, BMI, WHR, GGT, and uric acid were associated with more than one kind of EAA. At the same time, higher HDL-C and hemoglobin were related to epigenetic age deceleration (EAD). These findings offer valuable insights into biological aging.
Risk management, digital technology literacy, and modern learning environments in enhancing learning innovation performance: A framework for higher education
Authors: Setyadi Antonius , Pawirosumarto Suharno , Damaris Alana , Dharma Robby
Published: February 2025

This study aims to explore the influence of risk management and digital technology literacy on learning innovation performance, with a particular focus on the moderating role of modern learning environments. The research employs a quantitative approach using data collected from 385 Indonesian university students, analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) to validate the proposed framework. The results demonstrate that effective risk management significantly enhances institutional adaptability and fosters success in implementing innovative learning strategies. Moreover, higher levels of digital technology literacy empower students to engage more effectively with modern learning technologies, leading to improved performance outcomes. The findings also highlight that the moderating effect of modern learning environments strengthens these relationships, underscoring the importance of robust digital infrastructure and adaptive pedagogy. This study provides theoretical contributions by integrating risk management, digital literacy, and innovation within the context of education. Practical implications include recommendations to optimize risk management frameworks, enhance digital literacy programs, and invest in modern learning ecosystems to support academic success and institutional resilience.
Discovery and Field Evaluation of Sex Pheromone Components for the Click Beetle Melanotus verberans (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Authors: Williams III Livy , Halloran Sean T. , Baker Paul D. , Etzler Frank E. , Lawrence Lance L. , Millar Jocelyn G.
Published: February 2025

Wireworms, the larval stage of elaterid beetles, are among the most serious soil-borne insect pests in the world. Wireworms feed on a variety of key crops, including small grains, maize, vegetables, fruits, sugar cane, sugar beets, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Management of these pests is becoming increasingly problematic, in part due to knowledge gaps in their basic biology, which hinders development of effective crop protection strategies. In particular, little is known about the semiochemicals that mediate the reproductive behavior of these pests. Research over the past two decades has begun to fill this need, with: (1) the discovery of sex attractants for several key pest species, and (2) subsequent studies toward development of semiochemically-based pest management approaches. We used chemical and behavioral studies to identify, synthesize, and field test the sex attractant pheromone of adult Melanotus verberans, the larvae of which are important crop pests. In coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of extracts of ovipositors of females, five possible pheromone components were identified. Subsequent coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection analyses indicated that male antennae were responsive to only two of these compounds, 13-tetradecenyl acetate and 13-tetradecenyl hexanoate. In field trials, neither compound alone was attractive, but a blend of the two was strongly attractive to conspecific male beetles, and did not attract other species. A two-year field study showed that most male beetle flight activity occurred from April through May. Because the sex pheromone of M. verberans consists of two compounds that can be readily synthesized, its development for integrated pest management should be economically feasible.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Electrical Properties of CdO-Doped Polyaniline for Enhanced Hole Extraction and Performance in Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Abozid Ashraf , Elseman Ahmed Mourtada , Elnaggar Elsayed M. , Hassan Ali M.
Published: February 2025

PEDOT: PSS is recognized as one of the most conductive polymers used as an organic hole transport layer (HTL) in inverted perovskite solar cell (PSC) structures. However, its acidic nature and valence band mismatch with the adjacent perovskite layer often led to reduced efficiency and lower open-circuit voltage (VOC) in PSCs. To address these limitations, we incorporated polyaniline (PANI) doped with varying amounts of CdO (x = 0, 1, 5, and 10%), referred to as PANI-CdO (x%). The synthesized CdO samples were thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electrical measurements demonstrated that the addition of CdO enhanced the conductivity and mobility of PANI, contributing to the improved performance of the PSCs. Specifically, the device incorporating the CdO (5%)-doped PANI exhibited superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.71%, compared to 13.38% for the pristine PEDOT: PSS device. Additionally, VOC increased from 1.02 V (pristine PEDOT: PSS) to 1.11 V (CdO 5% doped PANI), reflecting better energy band alignment and reduced recombination losses. Furthermore, the short-circuit current density (JSC) also improved from 17.01 mA/cm2 to 17.67 mA/cm2, indicating enhanced charge extraction and transport efficiency.

Graphical Abstract
Can camera traps predict habitat-species associations? A comparison with GPS-based habitat selection in red deer
Authors: Donini Valerio , Pedrotti Luca , Ferretti Francesco , Iacona Elisa , Lorenzetti Lucrezia , Nelli Luca , Cozzi Francesca , Corlatti Luca
Published: February 2025

Context

Camera traps are widely used in ecological studies, including analyses of habitat use. However, the relationships between animal spatial behavior and landscape features obtained with camera traps have seldom been compared to those obtained with more established methods.

Objectives

We evaluated the use of camera trap data to predict habitat use in red deer Cervus elaphus by comparing them to GPS telemetry data, used as a benchmark.

Methods

Within a 100 km2 study area in the Stelvio National Park (Italy), we collected red deer presence data from 50 camera traps from 2019 to 2023. In addition, 23 deer (15 females and 8 males) were equipped with global positioning system collars. For both types of data, we modeled presence/absence as a function of environmental variables using a generalized linear mixed modeling approach. Model estimates were compared in terms of directionality of the effects and of predicted habitat suitability.

Results

We found a higher concordance of effect directionality and predicted suitability for females than for males, possibly due to limited sample size in the latter. Discrepancies were found in specific habitat relationships and may be due to inherent differences between telemetry-based and camera trap-based data.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that camera trap data can capture coarse-scale patterns of habitat use, whereas telemetry data are more suitable for finer-scale analyses. The choice of which method to use depends on the research objectives.
The haloing effect of fast-rotating space tethers
Authors: Lara Martin
Published: February 2025

The dynamics of classical mass-point orbits is changed when using cable-connected satellites. If long enough, tethers in fast rotation have stabilizing characteristics that make them appealing for satellite missions involving unstable dynamics. Using Hamiltonian formulation and with the help of perturbation methods, we reduce the dynamics about the collinear points of the Hill problem approximation to the restricted three-body problem to just one degree of freedom. The integrable dynamics maps orbits of the tether’s center of mass onto points on the sphere, and demonstrates the haloing effect stemming from the orbit-attitude coupling of the fast-rotating configuration. Indeed, it is shown that halo orbits are generated in regions in which the natural dynamics would prevent them to exist, by modifying the tether’s length.
Interpolation Properties for the Bimodal Provability Logic $$\textbf{GR}$$
Authors: Kogure Haruka , Kurahashi Taishi
Published: February 2025

We study interpolation properties for Shavrukov’s bimodal logic

$$\textbf{GR}$$

GR

of usual and Rosser provability predicates. For this purpose, we introduce a new sublogic

$$\textbf{GR}^\circ $$

GR
∘

of

$$\textbf{GR}$$

GR

and its relational semantics. Based on our new semantics, we prove that

$$\textbf{GR}^\circ $$

GR
∘

and

$$\textbf{GR}$$

GR

enjoy Lyndon interpolation property and uniform interpolation property. As a consequence of our proofs, we obtain the completeness and the finite frame property of

$$\textbf{GR}^\circ $$

GR
∘

and

$$\textbf{GR}$$

GR

with respect to our new semantics.
Optimizing SIKE for blockchain-based IoT ecosystems with resource constraints
Authors: Ismail Nabil A. , Khadra Shaimaa Abu , Attiya Gamal M. , Abdulrahman Salah Eldin S. E.
Published: February 2025

Blockchain technology offers a robust framework for integration with the Internet of Things (IoT), enhancing interoperability, security, privacy, and scalability in modern technological ecosystems. However, traditional cryptographic protocols used in blockchain systems are increasingly vulnerable to quantum attacks due to advancements in quantum computing. In response, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has prioritized research in post-quantum cryptography, presenting challenges and opportunities for developing blockchain-based applications tailored to IoT devices. Among the post-quantum cryptographic schemes evaluated in NIST's third standardization round, the Supersingular Isogeny Key Encapsulation (SIKE) protocol stands out for its relatively small public and private key sizes. Despite this advantage, SIKE faces challenges related to high latency, necessitating efficient implementations to make it viable for real-world applications. This research focuses on optimizing the cryptographic foundations of blockchain networks to securely and efficiently integrate resource-constrained IoT ecosystems. By enhancing the SIKE protocol, which exhibits strong resistance to brute-force and whitewashing attacks, the study achieves significant performance improvements. Our FPGA-based implementation on the VIRTEX-6 XC6VLX760 demonstrates reduced latency, achieving a key generation time of 24 ms, encapsulation time of 72 ms, and decapsulation time of 73 ms for SIKEp434. These results highlight the feasibility of deploying SIKE-optimized blockchain networks in IoT environments with stringent resource constraints.
Explanatory norms and interdisciplinary research
Authors: Lisciandra Chiara
Published: February 2025

This paper provides resources from the philosophy of science to identify differences between explanatory norms across disciplines and to examine their impact on interdisciplinary work. While the body of literature on explanatory norms is expanding rapidly, a consensus on a theoretical framework for systematically identifying norms across disciplines has yet to be reached. The aims of this paper are twofold: (i) to provide such a framework and use it to identify and compare explanatory norms across different domains; and (ii) to derive indications about interdisciplinary practice accordingly. By pursuing these goals, this work aims to be both theoretically significant and practically relevant. It contributes to the ongoing work on explanatory norms; and offers recommendations for the analysis of interdisciplinary science.
Epistemic reduction of the concept of ‘decision’
Authors: Burnston Daniel C.
Published: February 2025

“Reduction” is a widely rejected view of how commonsense psychological notions relate to neuroscience. I argue that there is a particular view of reduction on which reduction of the key commonsense concept of ‘decision’ is a live option. In particular, I advance a version of epistemic reduction based on “connectability.” On this view, reduction relations are not logical relationships, but instead posited identifications that guide subsequent modeling efforts, and are substantiated if one can explain higher-level generalizations with lower-level models. I apply this view to the field of decision neuroscience, and in particular accumulation to bound models of decision-making. I show how this field is achieving the advantages of reductive explanation, including providing increasingly detailed and novel predictions, unifying distinct types of decisions under a single account, and explaining anomalies of rational decision-making. If I am right, the widespread anti-reductive attitude in philosophy of mind needs to be reconsidered.
What is active touch?
Authors: Razavi Sepehr
Published: February 2025

What is active touch? A common conception of active touch gives a rough but rather intuitive sketch. That is, active touch can be understood as mainly object-oriented, controlled movement. While parts or the totality of this characterization is espoused by an important number of researchers on touch, I will argue that this conception faces important challenges when we pay close attention to each of its features. I hold that active touch should be considered as before all else purposive. This view has its roots in the active sensing literature in robotics but will be amended to give insight into human touch in the natural world.
Of opaque oracles: epistemic dependence on AI in science poses no novel problems for social epistemology
Authors: Ortmann Jakob
Published: February 2025

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) are epistemically opaque in the sense that their inner functioning is often unintelligible to human investigators. Inkeri Koskinen has recently argued that this poses special problems for a widespread view in social epistemology according to which thick normative trust between researchers is necessary to handle opacity: if DNNs are essentially opaque, there simply exists nobody who could be trusted to understand all the aspects a DNN picks up during training. In this paper, I present a counterexample from scientific practice, AlphaFold2. I argue that for epistemic reliance on an opaque system, trust is not necessary, but reliability is. What matters is whether, for a given context, the reliability of a DNN has been compellingly established by empirical means and whether there exist trustable researchers who have performed such evaluations adequately.
Synergistic effects of plasma S100B and MRI measures of cerebrovascular disease on cognition in older adults
Authors: Pappas Colleen , Bauer Christopher E. , Zachariou Valentinos , Libecap T. J. , Rodolpho Beatriz , Sudduth Tiffany L. , Nelson Peter T. , Jicha Gregory A. , Hartz Anika MS , Shao Xingfeng , Wang Danny J. J. , Gold Brian T.
Published: February 2025

There is growing interest in studying vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) and developing biomarkers to identify at-risk individuals. A combination of biofluid and neuroimaging markers may better profile early stage VCID than individual measures. Here, we tested this possibility focusing on plasma levels of S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B), which has been linked with blood–brain-barrier (BBB) integrity, and neuroimaging measures assessing BBB function (water exchange rate across the BBB (kw)) and cerebral small vessel disease (white matter hyperintensities (WMHs)). A total of 74 older adults without dementia had plasma samples collected and underwent cognitive assessment. A subsample had neuroimaging data including diffusion prepared pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (DP-pCASL) for assessment of BBB kw and T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) for quantification of WMHs. Results indicated that higher plasma S100B levels were associated with poorer episodic memory performance (β = − .031, SE = .008, p < .001). Moreover, significant interactions were observed between plasma S100B levels and parietal lobe BBB kw (interaction β = .095, SE = .042, p = .028) and between plasma S100B levels and deep WMH volume (interaction β = − .025, SE = .009, p = .007) for episodic memory. Individuals with the poorest memory performance showed both high plasma S100B and either low BBB kw in the parietal lobe or increased deep WMH burden. Taken together, our results provide support for the combined use of biofluid and neuroimaging markers in the study of VCID.
A new species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) with domatia from the Andean Cordilleras of Colombia
Authors: Gutiérrez-Duque David , Posada-Herrera Juan Mauricio
Published: February 2025

Miconia andinodomatia
is proposed as a new species in the M. sect. Cremanium, from the mountains of Colombia, where it is widely distributed in the sub-Andean and Andean forests of the Western, Central, and Eastern Cordilleras of Colombia. Miconia andinodomatia is similar to several species, such as M. cremophylla, M. lehmannii, M. theaezans, M. tovarensis and M. turgida. However, it can be distinguished from all these by a combination of characters, including occurrence of leaf domatia, presence of a prominent interpetiolar line, and anthers with four terminal pores. The new species is herein formally described and illustrated, and its relationships to morphologically closely related taxa are discussed. An identification key to the species with leaf domatia placed in the Miconia III clade from Colombia is also provided. Additionally, comments about its distribution, ecology, habitat, floral biology, phenology, uses and conservation status are presented. Finally, the possible novel role played by domatia in the species is discussed.
Ein Ausblick in die Zukunft der onkologisch-rekonstruktiven Mund‑, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie: Mensch oder Maschine?
Authors: Puladi Behrus , Röhrig Rainer , Hölzle Frank
Published: February 2025

Mit der rasanten Entwicklung von Anwendungen der künstlichen Intelligenz (KI) in den letzten Jahren und dem Aufkommen großer Sprachmodelle wie ChatGPT stellt sich die Frage, inwieweit die onkologisch-rekonstruktive Mund‑, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie von dieser Entwicklung profitieren kann. Ausgehend von relevanten Herausforderungen in der aktuellen Behandlung werden in diesem Beitrag mögliche Ansätze für die Digitalisierung insbesondere mit KI vorgestellt, darunter Deep Learning, Radiomics, Pathomics, Digital Twins, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Robotik, klinische Vorhersagemodelle, Process Mining sowie große Sprachmodelle. Abschließend werden die Hürden für den Einsatz von KI diskutiert, einschließlich Ethik, Translation und Nutzen. Die Zusammenarbeit mit der medizinischen Informatik einschließlich der „clinical informaticians“ könnte hier wichtige Impulse geben, da die anstehenden Herausforderungen der digitalen Transformation nur interdisziplinär über Fächergrenzen hinweg bewältigt werden können. Die MKG-Chirurgie sollte diese Entwicklung nicht dem Zufall oder gar Dritten überlassen, sondern selbst die Zügel in die Hand nehmen und sie im Sinne ihrer Patientinnen und Patienten möglichst aktiv mitgestalten.
Functional Characterization of Parallel Fiber-Purkinje Cell Synapses in Two Friedreich’s Ataxia Mouse Models
Authors: Joseph Donald J. , Mercado-Ayon Elizabeth , Flatley Liam , Viaene Angela N. , Hordeaux Juliette , Marsh Eric D. , Lynch David R.
Published: February 2025

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by GAA expansions in the FXN gene, which codes for the protein frataxin (FXN). These mutations reduce FXN expression, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and multisystemic disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that neuronal dysfunction, rather than neuronal death, may drive the neurological phenotypes of FRDA, but the mechanisms underlying such neurological phenotypes remain unclear. To investigate the neural circuit basis of this dysfunction, we employed field recordings to measure Purkinje cell (PC) function and synaptic properties along with western blotting and immunohistochemistry to determine their density and structure in two established FRDA mouse models, the shRNA-frataxin (FRDAkd) and the frataxin knock in-knockout (KIKO) mice. Western blotting demonstrated subtle changes in mitochondrial proteins and only a modest reduction in the density of calbindin positive cells PCs in the cerebellar cortex of the FRDAkd mice, with no change in the density of PCs in the KIKO mice. Though PC density differed slightly in the two models, field recordings of parallel fiber-PC synapses in the molecular layer demonstrated concordant hypo-excitability of basal synaptic transmission and impairments of long-term plasticity using induction protocols associated with both potentiation and depression of synaptic strength. These results indicate that synaptic instability might be a common feature in FRDA mouse models.

Graphical Abstract
Internal migrant characteristics and access to clean water in post-apartheid South Africa
Authors: Habiyaremye Alexis , Nsengiyumva Philomene
Published: February 2025

Differentiated access to clean water has been one of the instruments that the Apartheid regime used to justify its monopoly on power. The demise of the White minority rule saw fluxes of internal migrants flocking to large cities to access water services previously denied to them through segregationist spatial planning. Using a framework derived from the theory of access, this study applied a multinomial logistical regression analysis to identify migrant sociodemographic and locational factors that affect their likelihood of accessing tap water. We found sociodemographic factors associated with a higher bargaining power to significantly increase the likelihood of migrants to have access to tap water inside their houses. By contrast, lower levels of bargaining power increase the probability of accessing clean water only outside the house or not having access at all. The results also point out clear differences between migrants residing in large cities and those residing in rural areas. Demand for water resources being expected to outstrip available supplies, the study recommends additional investments in maintenance and expansion of water distribution infrastructure, as well as support measures for improving the bargaining power of disadvantaged social groups to achieve the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6).
Numerical modeling and validation of auxetic cell geometries for FDM infill pattern improvement
Authors: Papa Ilaria , Bruno Matteo , Napolitano Francesco , Esposito Luca , Lopresto Valentina , Russo Pietro
Published: February 2025

The vehicle construction sector is constantly engaged in the pursuit of lightweight structures to reduce the overall weight of vehicles. This objective aligns well with sustainability requirements, as reducing structural weight and excessive raw material usage simultaneously lowers fuel consumption. However, these lightweight panels sometimes experience a decline in mechanical properties or exhibit unpredictable failure mechanisms due to their large internal voids. To optimize material usage, 3D printing was explored, enabling the creation of highly customized infill patterns. The innovative aspect of this research lies in developing a cellular design by selecting an optimal infill configuration capable of withstanding the expected loads. Numerical modeling was employed to analyze how different cell specifications interact with the geometry of the structure and the applied loading conditions. As a result, an auxetic design was chosen for the cellular structures. This design was fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and tested under flexural and impact loading. A comparative analysis was then conducted with samples of equivalent infill density but featuring conventional infill patterns to assess performance differences. Even if the flexural tests show a decrease in resistance and stiffness of the auxetic structures than the traditional ones, the last under-impact load shows an increase in impact rigidity which is also influenced by the angle value. Furthermore, the specimens can preserve their impact absorption capacity failure mode even if load absorption and damage are completely different. A numerical model development was useful for understanding the different behaviors and it was able to reproduce the impact behavior with high precision.
Development of KASP assays for identification of Meloidogyne chitwoodi
Authors: Çatalkaya Mustafa , Göknur Atilla , Devran Zübeyir
Published: February 2025

Meloidogyne chitwoodi is a serious pest of potatoes, causing galling of the tuber and necrosis of the tissue, leading to reduced yields and market value. Due to M. chitwoodi’s high tolerance to low temperatures and its ability to reproduce rapidly within one growing season, this species is on the quarantine lists in the world. As a result, quarantine measures for this species must be taken correctly and quickly. In this study, Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR (KASP) genotyping assays were developed to identify M. chitwoodi. The developed KASP primers were able to distinguish M. chitwoodi from other nematode species, as well as detect DNA isolated directly from potato tubers infected with M. chitwoodi.
Developing an activated biochar-mineral supplement for reducing methane formation in anaerobic fermentation
Authors: Tahery Sara , Parra Mariano C. , Munroe Paul , Mitchell David R. G. , Meale Sarah J. , Joseph Stephen
Published: February 2025

The effects of biochar on methane emissions from soils are well understood. However, biochar effects on methane production from livestock have received less attention. In this study, a biochar-mineral supplement for livestock was developed by pyrolyzing a mixture of wheat straw, aluminosilicates, iron sulfate, and zinc oxide at 600 ℃. The supplement was then activated using peracetic and propionic acids, and potassium nitrate. The activated biochar-mineral supplement was characterized using analytical techniques. A high surface area, a high concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups, and a high concentration of free radicals, associated with O and Fe unpaired electrons, assisted the supplement with catalysing the oxidation of methane. Microstructural analysis of the supplement suggested the formation of organo-mineral phases, rich in C, O, Fe, Si, Al, K and Ca, indicating that the biochar reacted with mineral additives to preserve them. To assess the potential of the supplement to reduce methane produced form livestock, an in vitro batch culture incubation was conducted (n = 3) with rumen fluid sourced from Holstein–Friesian steers. The supplement was incubated at inclusion rates of 0% (control), 1.5%, 4.0% and 6.0% of dry matter (DM), with a Rhodes grass hay substrate. Compared to the control, the supplement reduced cumulative gas production by 10.1% and 12.7% and methane production by 19.03% and 29.32% after 48 h when included at 4.0% and 6.0% DM (P < 0.05), respectively, without causing any detrimental impacts on fermentation parameters. The supplement assisted with reducing the concentration of dissolved mineral nutrients, such as P and Mg, when included at 4.0% and 6.0% DM (P < 0.05).

Graphical abstract
Habitat use of European badger in a mountainous landscape
Authors: Lorenzetti Lucrezia , Gioia Matteo , Donini Valerio , Iacona Elisa , Corlatti Luca
Published: February 2025

The habitat use of European badgers Meles meles remains relatively understudied in mountainous environments, particularly in Alpine regions. In this study, we investigated the habitat use of European badgers in a study area within the Stelvio National Park (central Italian Alps) and assessed whether they exhibit different patterns compared to habitats commonly frequented by this species. We collected data from May to October between 2019 and 2023 using 45 camera traps randomly distributed over the study area, spanning elevations from 1400 to 2500 m a.s.l. We fitted a single-season, single-species occupancy model to calculate detection and occupancy probability as a function of site-specific environmental covariates. Our findings indicate that badgers primarily used areas with a high percentage of forest cover at lower elevation, favouring these habitats over higher elevation areas. Although badgers were detected at remarkably high elevations (up to 2406 m), most detections occurred below or near the treeline. This preference reflects the importance of forests, which provide abundant food resources and suitable soils for sett construction. Additionally, badgers tended to avoid north-facing slopes, possibly due to less favourable conditions such as colder temperatures. Furthermore, they showed a slight tendency to use steeper slopes (15–20 degrees) likely due to better drainage and more opportunities for sett construction, and appeared to be unaffected by human activity. These findings provide new insights into the habitat use of badgers in mountainous regions, highlighting the species’ plasticity and its ability to adapt to diverse landscapes and environmental conditions.
Non-iterative generation of optimized meshes for finite element simulations with deep learning
Authors: Legeland Martin , Linka Kevin , Aydin Roland C. , Cyron Christian J.
Published: February 2025

The finite element method is one of the most widely used computational methods in engineering and science. It provides approximate solutions to boundary value problems. The quality of these solutions critically depends on the underlying discretization, the so-called mesh. To optimize the mesh, adaptive refinement methods have been proposed over the last years that can improve mesh quality over a series of iteration steps. Herein, we propose a novel deep learning architecture that can cut short the process of mesh optimization. This architecture exploits fundamental invariance and equivariance properties to keep the amount of training data modest. It can generate high-quality meshes for a given boundary value problem and a desired target approximation error in a direct, non-iterative way. We demonstrate the performance of our method by the application to standard two-dimensional linear-elastic elasticity problems. There, our method generates meshes that reduce the solution error by

$$22.6\%$$

22.6
%

(median) compared to uniform meshes with the same computational demand.
A preliminary study on the reference intervals of vitamin K in some areas of Beijing with normal physical examination population
Authors: Chen Lin , Chen Meiqi , Cheng Shi , Fei Jiaxin , Xu Dan , Hou Xueyun , Li Nannan , Yuan Yuliang , Liu Guijian , An Cheng
Published: February 2025

The vitamin K (VK) levels vary greatly among different populations and in different regions. Currently, there is a lack of reference intervals for VK levels in healthy individuals, The aim of this study is to establish and validate the reference intervals of serum vitamin K1 (VK1) and vitamin K2 (VK2, specifically including menaquinone-4 (MK4) and menaquinone-7 (MK7)) levels in some healthy populations in Beijing. Serum VK1, MK4, and MK7 were firstly measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in 434 subjects. The reference intervals for three indicators were established by calculating the data of 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles. Finally, preliminary clinical validation was conducted on 60 apparent healthy individuals undergoing physical examination. In the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups, the reference intervals of VK1 were 0.180 ng/mL ∼ 1.494 ng/mL, 0.247 ng/mL ∼ 1.446 ng/mL, and 0.167 ng/mL ∼ 1.445 ng/mL, respectively. The reference intervals of MK4 were 0.009 ng/mL ∼ 0.115 ng/mL, 0.002 ng/mL ∼ 0.103 ng/mL, and 0.003 ng/mL ∼ 0.106 ng/mL, respectively. The reference intervals of MK7 were 0.169 ng/mL ∼ 0.881 ng/mL, 0.238 ng/mL ∼ 0.936 ng/mL, and 0.213 ng/mL ∼ 1.012 ng/mL, respectively. The reference intervals had been validated by the samples of healthy individuals for physical examination. In conclusion, the reference intervals of VK established in this study with different age groups have certain clinical applicability, providing data support for further multicentre studies.