bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modal panentheism: Addressing the modal problem of evil
Authors: Symes Jack
Published: December 2024

Modal panentheism claims that God encompasses all possible worlds and that a substantial number of possible worlds exist. This article defends a version of modal panentheism that is grounded in perfect-being theology, which maintains that God holds all great-making properties to the highest possible degree. In addition to goodness, modal panentheists consider encompassment to be a great-making property, and therefore, God (a maximally encompassing being) is said to encompass all possible worlds.

Nagasawa argues that modal panentheism faces a significant problem: the modal problem of evil. The argument states that if modal realism is true, then there exists a substantial number of possible evils that contradict God’s perfect goodness. Nagasawa proceeds to claim that modal evil poses a greater threat to modal panentheism than actual evil does to traditional theism.

This article develops two responses to the modal problem of evil. The first response (maximal-panentheism) argues that God need not be all-good or all-encompassing. The second response (no evil worlds) argues that worlds contradicting God’s perfect goodness are not possible worlds. In the light of these responses, I claim the modal problem of evil for modal panentheism is no more intractable than the problem of evil for traditional theism.
Curriculum reinforcement learning-based drifting along a general path for autonomous vehicles
Authors: Yu Kai , Fu Mengyin , Tian Xiaohui , Yang Shuaicong , Yang Yi
Published: December 2024

Expert drivers possess the ability to execute high sideslip angle maneuvers, commonly known as drifting, during racing to navigate sharp corners and execute rapid turns. However, existing model-based controllers encounter challenges in handling the highly nonlinear dynamics associated with drifting along general paths. While reinforcement learning-based methods alleviate the reliance on explicit vehicle models, training a policy directly for autonomous drifting remains difficult due to multiple objectives. In this paper, we propose a control framework for autonomous drifting in the general case, based on curriculum reinforcement learning. The framework empowers the vehicle to follow paths with varying curvature at high speeds, while executing drifting maneuvers during sharp corners. Specifically, we consider the vehicle’s dynamics to decompose the overall task and employ curriculum learning to break down the training process into three stages of increasing complexity. Additionally, to enhance the generalization ability of the learned policies, we introduce randomization into sensor observation noise, actuator action noise, and physical parameters. The proposed framework is validated using the CARLA simulator, encompassing various vehicle types and parameters. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our framework in achieving autonomous drifting along general paths. The code is available at https://github.com/BIT-KaiYu/drifting.
Are we ready for the next anthrax outbreak? Lessons from a simulation exercise in a rural-based district in Uganda
Authors: Walekhwa Abel W. , Namakula Lydia N. , Nakazibwe Brenda , Ssekitoleko Richard , Mugisha Lawrence
Published: December 2024

Anthrax is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. We qualitatively examined facilitators and barriers to responding to a potential anthrax outbreak using the capability, opportunity, motivation behaviour model (COM-B model) in the high-risk rural district of Namisindwa, in Eastern Uganda. We chose the COM-B model because it provides a systematic approach for selecting evidence-based techniques and approaches for promoting the behavioural prompt response to anthrax outbreaks. Unpacking these facilitators and barriers enables the leaders and community members to understand existing resources and gaps so that they can leverage them for future anthrax outbreaks.

This was a qualitative cross-sectional study that was part of a bigger anthrax outbreak simulation study conducted in September 2023. We conducted 10 Key Informant interviews among key stakeholders. The interviews were audio recorded on Android-enabled phones and later transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were analyzed using a deductive thematic content approach through Nvivo 12.

The facilitators were; knowledge of respondents about anthrax disease and anthrax outbreak response, experience and presence of surveillance guidelines, availability of resources, and presence of communication channels. The identified barriers were; porous boarders that facilitate unregulated animal trade across, lack of essential personal protective equipment, and lack of funds for surveillance and response activities.

Generally, the district was partially ready for the next anthrax outbreak. The district was resourced in terms of human resources but lacked adequate funds for animal, environmental and human surveillance activities for anthrax and related response. The district technical staff had the knowledge required to respond to the anthrax outbreak but lacked adequate funds for animal, environmental and human surveillance for anthrax and related response. We think that our study findings are generalizable in similar settings and therefore call for the implementation of such periodic evaluations to help leverage the strong areas and improve other aspects. Anthrax is a growing threat in the region, and there should be proactive efforts in prevention, specifically, we recommend vaccination of livestock and further research for human vaccines.
Evaluation of early extubation in the operating room for paediatric patients after congenital open-heart surgery
Authors: Deraz Salem , Kambli Dinki , Patill Sachin , Abdou Gamal , Shauchenka Pavel , Elnady Hamza , Kamali Ahmed Al
Published: December 2024

Background:

Advances in surgical and perioperative care have reduced the need for prolonged mechanical ventilation in children following cardiac surgery.

Aim of the study:

To evaluate the feasibility and assess the clinical outcomes of an early extubation strategy in the operating room for children undergoing congenital heart surgery, including neonates (age < 28 days).

Methods:

This is a retrospective analysis including congenital open-heart surgery cases. We excluded patients who remained open chest postoperatively or patients with severe hemodynamic instability and high inotropic support from the study. Study variables include age, gender, weight, preoperative cardiac diagnosis, preoperative diagnosis of genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, prematurity, preoperative mechanical ventilation (invasive or non-invasive), cardiopulmonary bypass time, circulatory arrest time, postoperative use of inotropes, duration of mechanical ventilation, postoperative respiratory complication, sepsis, bleeding or other complications, paediatric cardiac ICU stay, total hospital stay, incidence of failed extubation, and operative or postoperative mortality.

Results:

This study included 163 patients who underwent congenital open cardiac surgery, out of these studied patients, 118 (72.4%) were extubated in the operating room. In total, 19.6% of studied patients had Down syndrome. Other genetic or chromosomal disorders were present among 8.6% of studied patients. There was a statistically significant difference between operating room extubation group and non-operating room extubation group regarding Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery Score classification, postoperative paediatric ICU duration, postoperative hospital length of stay, vasoactive-inotrope score, duration of inotrope, open chest, and mortality.

Conclusion:

Extubation in the operating room after congenital open-heart surgery was successful in most of our patients, even following complex procedures.
Truth and Normativity
Authors: Engel Pascal
Published: December 2024

Truth is a property of our statements and of our thoughts, but also what these aim at, and a norm for our thinking in general. But how to understand this normative tie between belief and truth? Norms by themselves seem unable to motivate or to guide us. These difficulties are stated, and the answer given is that the norm of belief is actually knowledge, which explains why we value it, and how it can also be a value.
Disinformation, Politically Motivated Reasoning, and Knowledge Resistance
Authors: Simion Mona
Published: December 2024

We have increasingly sophisticated ways of acquiring and communicating knowledge, yet, paradoxically, we are currently facing an unprecedented global ignorance crisis that affects our personal and societal well-being, as well as the stability of our democracies. There are two key triggers to this crisis, i.e. two crucial obstacles to learning: first, the widespread sharing of disinformation, which, in conjunction with an overly trusting audience, contributes to widely spread false beliefs, and correspondingly reckless political and social behaviour. At the same time, though, and at least as critical, is the prevalence of knowledge resistance and distrust in expertise. What we need to solve this high-stakes puzzle is a social epistemological framework that is able to explain the complex mechanisms underlying these surprising and unprecedented epistemic phenomena. This article will aim to sketch the contours of such a framework.
Exploring the Big Bang with Femtoscopy
Authors: Csanád Máté
Published: December 2024

Exploring the fundamental constituents of the matter around us and in the Universe, as well as their interactions, is among the premier goals of physics. Investigating ultrarelativistic collisions in particle accelerators has delivered answers to these questions many times in the past decades. In this article we focus on the research aimed at recreating the matter that filled the Universe in the first microsecond after the Big Bang – but this time in collisions of heavy ions. In particular, we discuss the technique called femtoscopy, which provides us with a tool to understand the space–time structure of particle creation in heavy-ion collisions. We use Lévy-stable distributions to investigate this structure and explore its dependence on particle momentum and collision energy.
Lessons from a First Decade in European Science Policy
Authors: Jolivet Renaud B.
Published: December 2024

In this article, I provide a brief account of my first decade of involvement in European science policy, of what I believe are the key structural issues in that landscape, and where I propose possible adjustments to address these issues.
Nutrition management programme for older adults in Ningxia nursing homes, China: evidence-based practice and the Delphi method
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Chen Li , Ning Yanhua , Guo Yahong , Kong Weijuan , Lv Xiongxiong , Li Meiman , Jiang Ting
Published: December 2024

Objectives:

To construct an evidence-based practice programme for the nutrition management of older adults in nursing homes. The programme will provide a basis for improving or solving the nutrition management problems of older adults in nursing homes.

Design:

The study is based on guideline evidence and Delphi method. The evidence was comprehensively searched, assessed and summarized, and the best evidence and a preliminary programme for nutrition management of older adults in nursing homes were aggregated. Then, the Delphi method was used to assess the applicability of the preliminary programme and the obstacle factors to modify, supplement and improve the nutrition management programme.

Setting:

Baseline survey data were collected from three nursing homes in Ningxia, China, and guideline evidence was obtained through systematic searches of the Cochrane Library, PubMed and other scientific databases, as well as relevant official websites.

Participants:

A total of 350 older adults residing nursing homes and 160 nurses participated in the baseline survey. To ensure the programme’s applicability and identify potential implementation obstacles, fifteen experts from local grade A hospitals, nursing homes and community health centres were consulted for review.

Results:

A fourteen-item, fifty-six-best-evidence nutrition management programme for older adults in nursing homes was developed based on five guideline evidences and baseline survey findings.

Conclusions:

This is a systematic and comprehensive nutritional management programme for older adults in nursing homes based on guideline evidence, which can provide a standardised basis for the implementation of scientific nutritional management in nursing homes in Ningxia. Managers should promote the translation of evidence into practice in accordance with the specific circumstances of individual nursing homes.
CLASS GROUP STATISTICS FOR TORSION FIELDS GENERATED BY ELLIPTIC CURVES
Authors: RAY ANWESH , WESTON TOM
Published: December 2024

For a prime p and a rational elliptic curve

$E_{/\mathbb {Q}}$

, set

$K=\mathbb {Q}(E[p])$

to denote the torsion field generated by

$E[p]:=\operatorname {ker}\{E\xrightarrow {p} E\}$

. The class group

$\operatorname {Cl}_K$

is a module over

$\operatorname {Gal}(K/\mathbb {Q})$

. Given a fixed odd prime number p, we study the average nonvanishing of certain Galois stable quotients of the mod-p class group

$\operatorname {Cl}_K/p\operatorname {Cl}_K$

. Here, E varies over all rational elliptic curves, ordered according to height. Our results are conditional, since we assume that the p-primary part of the Tate–Shafarevich group is finite. Furthermore, we assume predictions made by Delaunay for the statistical variation of the p-primary parts of Tate–Shafarevich groups. We also prove results in the case when the elliptic curve

$E_{/\mathbb {Q}}$

is fixed and the prime p is allowed to vary.
On the use of autocorrelation properties for diffuse reflection by coding metasurfaces
Authors: Uguen Thomas , Gillard Raphael , Loison Renaud , Pages-Mounic Jeanne , Pouliguen Philippe
Published: December 2024

One-bit coding metasurfaces combine two basic unit cells with out-of-phase responses. Their potential in achieving diffuse scattering has already been demonstrated. These metasurfaces can subsequently be applied to radar-signature control. This paper presents a theoretical analysis linking the scattered field to the autocorrelation of the code that encodes the metasurface. This analysis leads to a focus on Minimum Peak Sidelobes codes with autocorrelation characteristics similar to the unit impulse. Advances in other research areas have greatly enhanced the search for these kind of codes, making them directly usable for coding diffuse scattering metasurfaces. This approach is compared with existing codes, specifically examining how it performs against the optimal code found through exhaustive search in small-scale scenarios. Then, it is shown that this coding strategy facilitates the design of metasurfaces with any and large electrical sizes, achieving results comparable to those obtained through optimization-based approaches, at a significantly reduced computational workload.
Neddylation steers the fate of cellular receptors
Authors: Park Jun Bum , Lee Min Young , Lee Jooseung , Moon Geon Ho , Kim Sung Joon , Chun Yang-Sook
Published: December 2024

Cellular receptors regulate physiological responses by interacting with ligands, thus playing a crucial role in intercellular communication. Receptors are categorized on the basis of their location and engage in diverse biochemical mechanisms, which include posttranslational modifications (PTMs). Considering the broad impact and diversity of PTMs on cellular functions, we focus narrowly on neddylation, a modification closely resembling ubiquitination. We systematically organize its canonical and noncanonical roles in modulating proteins associated with cellular receptors with the goal of providing a more detailed perspective on the intricacies of both intracellular and cell-surface receptors.
Diet-induced obesity and aging-induced upregulation of Trib3 interfere with energy homeostasis by downregulating the thermogenic capacity of BAT
Authors: Yeo Hyejin , Lim Ji-Hye , Eom Ji , Kim MinJeong , Kwon Hyeji , Kang Sang-Wook , Song Youngsup
Published: December 2024

Characterized by UCP1 expression and abundant mitochondria, brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a crucial role in energy balance by converting chemical energy into heat through the cost of ATP production. In this study, it was demonstrated that Trib3 is a critical determinant of BAT-mediated energy expenditure and whole-body energy homeostasis. Under 60% high-fat diet conditions, Trib3 expression in BAT was elevated. Mice deficient in Trib3 are resistant to diet-induced obesity and exhibit improved glucose homeostasis due to enhanced BAT activity. Furthermore, brown adipocyte progenitor cells (APCs) lacking Trib3 exhibited increased proliferation and promoted brown adipocyte differentiation and mitochondrial biogenesis, contributing to the increase in the maximal thermogenic capacity of BAT in Trib3-deficient mice. Mechanistically, it was discovered that Trib3 expression is upregulated by free fatty acids at the transcriptional level and synergistically upregulated by DAG-PKC at the posttranslational level. This occurs through the modulation of COP1-mediated Trib3 protein turnover. Interestingly, the level of Trib3 expression in BAT increased with age. Trib3 knockout mice were protected from aging-related weight gain and impaired glucose homeostasis. These results suggest that Trib3 acts as an obesity- and aging-associated factor that negatively regulates BAT activity and that the loss of Trib3 may provide a beneficial approach to prevent obesity and aging-associated metabolic syndrome by increasing the thermogenic capacity of BAT.
Bearing the brunt: an exploration of the mental health and wellbeing of dental practice managers and receptionists in UK dental workplaces
Authors: Knights Jennifer , Batty Toni , Mills Ian ,   UK Dental Team Mental Health Research and Implementation Group
Published: December 2024

Aim This study aimed to explore the mental health and wellbeing of dental practice managers and receptionists in the UK and inform opportunities for further study into this crucially important yet under-researched occupational group.

Methods Dental practice managers and receptionists were invited to participate in an online questionnaire collecting quantitative and qualitative data on current levels of burnout, depressed mood, experienced trauma and preparedness to provide quality care in dental teams in the UK. Quantitative data were analysed to provide descriptive frequencies, and means and standard deviations were calculated for each scale. Qualitative data were collected via a free-text box and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results In total, 130 questionnaire responses were received from dental practice managers and receptionists, of which 13 included a free-text response. Staff reported high levels of negative psychosocial impact, including depressive symptomology, burnout and trauma. Increasing pressures on staff, challenging relationships with patients and colleagues, and lack of recognition were identified as key stressors in UK dental workplaces.

Discussion The findings suggest that the current pressures of the dental workplace are having a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of dental practice managers and receptionists in the UK. Failure to address the issues identified is likely to have an impact on the ability of this crucial workforce to deliver high-quality care.
A novel small molecule Enpp1 inhibitor improves tumor control following radiation therapy by targeting stromal Enpp1 expression
Authors: Baird Jason R , Alice Alejandro F , Saito Roland , Chai Qingqing , Han Minhua , Ng Cindy , Han Stephanie , Fernandez Beth , Ledoux Sarah , Grosse Johannes , Korman Alan J , Potuznik Megan , Rajamanickam Venkatesh , Bernard Brady , Crittenden Marka R , Gough Michael J
Published: December 2024

The uniqueness in each person’s cancer cells and variation in immune infiltrates means that each tumor represents a unique problem, but therapeutic targets can be found among their shared features. Radiation therapy alters the interaction between the cancer cells and the stroma through release of innate adjuvants. The extranuclear DNA that can result from radiation damage of cells can result in production of the second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) by cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS). In turn, cGAMP can activate the innate sensor stimulator of interferon genes (STING), resulting in innate immune activation. Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1 (Enpp1) is a phosphodiesterase that can be expressed by cancer cells that can degrade cGAMP, thus can decrease or block STING activation following radiation therapy, impairing the innate immunity that is critical to support adaptive immune control of tumors. We observed that many human and murine cancer cells lack Enpp1 expression, but that Enpp1 is expressed in cells of the tumor stroma where it limits tumor control by radiation therapy. We demonstrate in preclinical models the efficacy of a novel Enpp1 inhibitor and show that this inhibitor improves tumor control by radiation even where the cancer cells lack Enpp1. This mechanism requires STING and type I interferon (IFN) receptor expression by non-cancer cells and is dependent on CD8 T cells as a final effector mechanism of tumor control. This suggests that Enpp1 inhibition may be an effective partner for radiation therapy regardless of whether cancer cells express Enpp1. This broadens the potential patient base for whom Enpp1 inhibitors can be applied to improve innate immune responses following radiation therapy.
Association between oxidative stress and postoperative delirium in joint replacement using diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites and biological antioxidant potential tests
Authors: Yuba Tomoo , Koyama Yoshihisa , Takahashi Ayako , Fujino Yuji , Shimada Shoichi
Published: December 2024

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a significant complication of surgery that most severely affects older adults and patients with cognitive impairment. This study investigated the relationship between POD and oxidative stress, hypothesizing that increased oxidative stress, measured using diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) tests, is associated with the incidence of POD. This prospective cohort study, involving female patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral joint replacement, was conducted at the Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine from June 2022 to July 2023. Blood samples were collected preoperatively and postoperatively to measure oxidative stress markers using the REDOXLIBRA system. The primary endpoint was the association between changes in oxidative stress markers and the occurrence of POD as diagnosed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit and Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale. Of the 144 patients screened, 60 were eligible, of which 5 developed POD (8.3%). Analysis of oxidative stress markers revealed no significant changes between preoperative and postoperative values of d-ROMs (mean increase + 6.3 ± 54.2 U CARR) and BAP (mean decrease − 37.4 ± 322.9 µM) tests, or BAP/d-ROMs ratio (mean decrease − 0.4 ± 1.7). Further, no significant differences were observed in oxidative stress markers between patients who underwent unilateral and bilateral procedures. However, patients with POD exhibited a significantly higher increase in d-ROMs than those without complications (p = 0.015), whereas changes in BAP and BAP/d-ROM ratios were not statistically significant. Although general oxidative stress markers do not significantly change postoperatively, increased d-ROM levels are associated with POD occurrence, indicating that oxidative stress could be a contributing factor to its development. This study underscores the need for further research into specific oxidative markers that may predict POD and guide the development of targeted interventions to prevent this debilitating condition.

Trial registrationName of the registry Association Between Changes in Blood Oxidative Stress and Postoperative Delirium Following Joint Replacement Surgery: A Retrospective Study. Trial registration number 22021. Date of registration 6/29/2022. URL of trial registry recordhttps://bvits.dmi.med.osaka-u.ac.jp/esct/Apply/project.aspx?PROJECT_ID=6987.
Introducing all-inkjet-printed microneedles for in-vivo biosensing
Authors: Rosati Giulio , Deroco Patricia Batista , Bonando Matheus Guitti , Dalkiranis Gustavo G. , Cordero-Edwards Kumara , Maroli Gabriel , Kubota Lauro Tatsuo , Oliveira Osvaldo N. , Saito Lúcia Akemi Miyazato , de Carvalho Castro Silva Cecilia , Merkoçi Arben
Published: December 2024

Microneedles are mainly used for pain-free drug administration and in biosensing for wearable systems. They are also promising for fields such as agronomy for precision farming, but their fabrication is not straightforward, often requiring expensive equipment and cleanroom protocols, being unsuitable for mass production. Here, we report a new and simple method for the scalable fabrication of all-inkjet-printed conductive microneedles based on silver nanoparticles (extensible to any other metallic nanoparticle ink) and a simple example of their application for monitoring the electrochemical properties of plants.
The impact of momentary stress on autobiographical memory recall in a self-efficacy intervention
Authors: Rohde Judith , Meine Laura E. , Brown Adam D. , Kleim Birgit
Published: December 2024

Recalling positive autobiographical memories has been associated with various positive psychological outcomes, including enhanced mental well-being and self-efficacy. Given the known impact of stress on cognitive functioning, we investigated how momentary stress affects the repeated recall of selected autobiographical mastery memories (e.g., memories of overcoming challenges) in a training to enhance self-efficacy. During this one-week digital training, participants (N = 54) were asked to recall mastery memories, and we assessed their momentary stress levels, memory vividness, and recall feasibility using Ecological Momentary Assessment. Analyses using linear mixed-effects models showed that participants reported greater difficulty and less vividness in recalling self-efficacy memories during moments of increased stress, whereas feeling relaxed facilitated recall feasibility and vividness. Though participants who experienced less recall difficulty appeared to benefit more, recall difficulty and vividness did not significantly moderate improvements in self-efficacy. While replication in a larger, more diverse sample is indicated, our findings underscore the importance of considering momentary affect in memory-based mental health interventions. Effects may be particularly pronounced when interventions are applied during the early stages of stress, when stress levels are still relatively low, aligning with the strategy of Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions. Our study also highlights the potential benefits of combining memory recall practices with relaxation-promoting interventions to enhance mental health outcomes.
Long term impacts of early social environment on chimpanzee white matter
Authors: Mulholland Michele M. , Hecht Erin , Wesley Michael J. , Hopkins William D.
Published: December 2024

Early adverse rearing conditions are known to have deleterious consequences on social behavior, cognition, and brain development of both human and nonhuman primates. We analyzed archival diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data from mother- (MR) or nursery-reared (NR) chimpanzees and used support vector machine learning to determine whether we could retrospectively classify chimpanzees as MR or NR based on white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) decades after their rearing experiences. A significant proportion of chimpanzees were correctly classified as MR and NR based on white matter fractional anisotropy (76.32%; p = 0.004). Voxel-based morphometry revealed that MR chimpanzees had increased FA in the splenium/isthmus of the corpus collosum and premotor cortex, while NR chimpanzees had increased FA in the thalamic region, cuneus, and lateral genu of the corpus collosum (p < 0.01). A subset of the NR chimpanzees participated in early social interventions, but unlike gray matter, these interventions do not explain misclassification based on white matter. These findings suggest that nursery rearing has long-term effects on both gray and white matter, but that early interventions may ameliorate the effects on gray matter only. Future research should investigate the effectiveness and relative contributions of combined social, cognitive, and nutritional interventions on brain development in nonhuman primates.
Defining depth requirements to conserve fish assemblages from water take in an intermittent river
Authors: Gwinn Daniel C. , Beesley Leah S. , Pusey Bradley J. , Douglas Michael M. , Keogh Chris S. , Pratt Oliver , Ryan Tom , Kennard Mark J. , Tayer Thiaggo C. , Canham Caroline A. , Coggins Lewis G. , Setterfield Samantha A.
Published: December 2024

River systems once safeguarded from water development are being developed. This includes intermittent rivers that annually dry to a series of pools. Describing fish species relationships between abundance and pool depth can help managers set water-take rules that protect fish in dry-season pools. We sampled fish in main-channel and floodplain pools that spanned a gradient of depths and overcame sampling challenges by accounting for interacting effects of species mean length, environmental attributes, and sampling attributes on fish capture probabilities. Fish abundance-depth relationships varied systematically with species mean length, mesohabitat type (main channel, floodplain), water turbidity, and structural complexity, highlighting system complexity and the potential generality of abundance-depth relationships. Similarly, fish length moderated the effects of environmental attributes on capture probability for all sampling methods. We evaluated impacts of hypothetical water-take regulations on fish species’ distributions. Results suggested that water-take rules prohibiting draining of main-channel pools below 1.65 m and reducing floodplain pools by no more than 14% minimises impacts to species’ distributions, promoting conservation of the fish community. Additionally, our approach demonstrates the capacity of species length for predicting distributional and sampling patterns of fish species.
Using parenclitic networks on phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma tumours provides novel insights on global DNA methylation
Authors: Brempou Dimitria , Montibus Bertille , Izatt Louise , Andoniadou Cynthia L , Oakey Rebecca J
Published: December 2024

Despite the prevalence of sequencing data in biomedical research, the methylome remains underrepresented. Given the importance of DNA methylation in gene regulation and disease, it is crucial to address the need for reliable differential methylation methods. This work presents a novel, transferable approach for extracting information from DNA methylation data. Our agnostic, graph-based pipeline overcomes the limitations of commonly used differential methylation techniques and addresses the “small n, big k” problem. Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (PPGL) tumours with known genetic aetiologies experience extreme hypermethylation genome wide. To highlight the effectiveness of our method in candidate discovery, we present the first phenotypic classifier of PPGLs based on DNA methylation achieving 0.7 ROC-AUC. Each sample is represented by an optimised parenclitic network, a graph representing the deviation of the sample’s DNA methylation from the expected non-aggressive patterns. By extracting meaningful topological features, the dimensionality and, hence, the risk of overfitting is reduced, and the samples can be classified effectively. By using an explainable classification method, in this case logistic regression, the key CG loci influencing the decision can be identified. Our work provides insights into the molecular signature of aggressive PPGLs and we propose candidates for further research. Our optimised parenclitic network implementation improves the potential utility of DNA methylation data and offers an effective and complete pipeline for studying such datasets.
Identification of diagnostic biomarkers and molecular subtype analysis associated with m6A in Tuberculosis immunopathology using machine learning
Authors: Ding Shoupeng , Gao Jinghua , Huang Chunxiao , Zhou Yuyang , Yang Yimei , Cai Zihan
Published: December 2024

Tuberculosis (TB), ranking just below COVID-19 in global mortality, is a highly complex infectious disease involving intricate immunological molecules, diverse signaling pathways, and multifaceted immune processes. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a critical epigenetic modification, regulates various immune-metabolic and pathological pathways, though its precise role in TB pathogenesis remains largely unexplored. This study aims to identify m6A-associated genes implicated in TB, elucidate their mechanistic contributions, and evaluate their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and tools for molecular subtyping. Using TB-related datasets from the GEO database, this study identified differentially expressed genes associated with m6A modification. We applied four machine learning algorithms—Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Extreme Gradient Boosting, and Generalized Linear Model—to construct diagnostic models focusing on m6A regulatory genes. The Random Forest algorithm was selected as the optimal model based on performance metrics (area under the curve [AUC] = 1.0, p < 0.01), and a clinical predictive model was developed based on these critical genes. Patients were stratified into distinct subtypes according to m6A gene expression profiles, followed by immune infiltration analysis across subtypes. Additionally, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses elucidated the biological functions and pathways associated with the identified genes. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to validate the expression of key m6A regulatory genes. Analysis of the GSE83456 dataset revealed four differentially expressed m6A-related genes—YTHDF1, HNRNPC, LRPPRC, and ELAVL1—identified as critical m6A regulators in TB through the Random Forest model. The diagnostic significance of these genes was further supported by a nomogram, achieving a high predictive accuracy (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87–0.94). Consensus clustering classified patients into two m6A subtypes with distinct immune profiles, as principal component analysis (PCA) showed significantly higher m6A scores in Group A than in Group B (p < 0.05). Immune infiltration analysis highlighted significant correlations between key m6A genes and specific immune cell infiltration patterns across subtypes. This study highlights the potential of key m6A regulatory genes as diagnostic biomarkers and immunotherapy targets for TB, supporting their role in TB pathogenesis. Future research should aim to further validate these findings across diverse cohorts to enhance their clinical applicability.
DMSO–K2S2O8 mediated iodine-free conversion of glycal C-3 ether to 3-enopyranones: synthesis of furo[3,2-c] pyrans
Authors: Rasool Bisma , Kundu Sanchari , Zargar Irshad Ahmad , Mukherjee Debaraj
Published: December 2024

A straightforward, highly efficient, and regioselective method for directly converting 3-O-benzylated and silylated glycals into their corresponding enones has been developed using a DMSO–K2S2O8 reagent system.
SAM-III aptamer enables detection of enzymatic SAM analogue generation
Authors: Schöning Jonas , Tekath Aileen , Cornelissen Nicolas V. , Hoffmann Arne , Rentmeister Andrea
Published: December 2024

The response of the SAM-III riboswitch to 17 SAM analogues was tested, and a Spinach/SAM aptasensor was used to monitor their enzymatic formation in situ. Most analogues were recognized, except those containing an ortho-substituted benzyl ring.
A rapid pathway to molecular complexity: a palladium-catalyzed six-fold domino process to access polycyclic frameworks
Authors: Goel Komal , Satyanarayana Gedu
Published: December 2024

Herein, we present an unexplored efficient strategy for rapidly constructing structurally constrained and aesthetically intriguing polycyclic frameworks with two adjacent quaternary centers via palladium catalyzed six-fold domino reaction.
Surface-mounted carbon quantum dots onto photonic crystals generating dual structural-fluorescent color rendering
Authors: Bian Wenyang , Wang Sijia , Zhou Ruitao , Ye Zhimin , Yuan Wenjun , Xiang Hengyang , Xie Aming , Liu Juan , Zeng Haibo , Li Weijin
Published: December 2024

Dual structural-fluorescent color rendering photonic crystals (PCs) based on ZIF-8/TiO2 1D PCs and PEI-capped CQDs.
Computational insights in repurposing a cardiovascular drug for Alzheimer's disease: the role of aromatic amino acids in stabilizing the drug through π–π stacking interaction
Authors: Esther Rubavathy S. M. , Prakash M.
Published: December 2024

HDAC2 represents a promising and visually striking epigenetic target to address Alzheimer's disease and calculation suggests that π–π stacking interactions play a major role in helping the ligand to bind in the zinc binding domain of the protein.
Exploiting tripeptide in Pd/C for boosting hydrogen production from formic acid dehydrogenation
Authors: Gu Yan , Wang Hongli , Zhang Yaohao , Yang Lu , Liu Xiaoshan , Li Xuesong
Published: December 2024

Ultrafine Pd nanoparticles with lattice strain induced by the incorporation of tripeptide anchored on XC-72R carbon (Pd/C-TPT) show excellent catalytic activity for formic acid dehydrogenation reaction with a TOF of 2102 h−1 without any additives.
Moiré metasurfaces with tunable near-infrared-I chiroptical responses for biomolecular chirality discrimination
Authors: Cen Mengjia , Wang Jiawei , Cheng Ming , Lei Ziyan , Li Ye , Wang Zhenming , Zhao Xueqian , Wu Zixuan , Zhang Huanian , Liu Yan Jun
Published: December 2024

A moiré metasurface, consisting of two sheets of suspended bilayer metagratings, is demonstrated with active near-infrared-I chiroptical responses in both its sign and magnitude, which is exploited for label-free chirality detection.
Synthesis of periodic polyolefins based on anionic alternating copolymerization
Authors: Yan Hong , Bai Hongyuan , Wang Xuefei , Leng Haitao , Chen Siwei , Han Li , Ma Hongwei
Published: December 2024

A feasible method for the synthesis of non-polar periodic copolymers with precise periodic arrangements was provided.
Antimicrobial bianthrones from the crinoid Heterometra sp.
Authors: Freire Vítor F. , Martínez-Fructuoso Lucero , Kumar Rohitesh , Akee Rhone K. , Thornburg Christopher C. , Ensel Susan , Okoroafor Ekene , Evans Jason R. , Wang Dongdong , Peyser Brian D. , Grkovic Tanja , O'Keefe Barry R.
Published: December 2024

Antimicrobial bianthrones from Heterometra sp. and their chemical behaviour.
Study on rheological properties of composite propellant slurry in the mixing process by using experimental and numerical simulation
Authors: Guo Zhiming , Fu Xiaolong , Rossi Riccardo
Published: December 2024

This study explores rheological properties related to propellant slurries from the standpoint of experiments and simulations.
Ratiometric optical dual gas sensor for simultaneous detection of nitric oxide and oxygen intended for healthcare, biological, and biomedical applications
Authors: Rispandi  , Chu Cheng-Shane , Nugroho Sri , Ammarullah Muhammad Imam
Published: December 2024

Developing efficient and reliable gas sensors for the simultaneous detection of multiple gases is paramount in various fields, specifically healthcare, biological, and biomedical applications.
Iridium-catalyzed reductive sulfonamidation of alkoxy aryl alkynes
Authors: Liang Yuqiu , Liu Chengxiu , Wei Penghao , Ouyang Lu , Li Youchun
Published: December 2024

A novel reductive sulfonamidation of alkynes with primary and secondary sulfonamides using Cp*Ir catalyst, which provides inspiration for the synthesis of diversified sulfonamides in good efficiency and mild reaction conditions.
Eco-friendly innovation: three-mode sun-actuated thermotropic devices integrating κ-carrageenan-based film doped with Arundo donax leaf-derived carbon dots and 1-butyl-3-methyl-1H-imidazolium chloride
Authors: Nunes S. C. , Duarte T. A. G. , Pereira R. F. P. , Fu L. , Ferreira R. A. S. , Almeida P. , de Zea Bermudez V.
Published: December 2024

This study develops eco-friendly sun-activated thermotropic devices by incorporating carbon dots derived from Arundo donax leaves, and ionic liquid into kappa-carrageenan films. These CD-doped films offer great promise for zero-energy smart windows.
Self-healing epoxidized natural rubber flexible sensors based on hydrogen bonding interactions
Authors: Hu Wanying , Wang Caiyan , Fei Fan , Wang Runhua , Wang Jincheng , Tian Hao , Zhu Yiyao , Zhang Hua
Published: December 2024

Flexible strain sensors find extensive applications in the domains of human health monitoring and human–computer interactions.
Machine learning-assisted screening of intrinsic rattling compounds with large atomic displacement
Authors: Yuan Kunpeng , Feng Zhaoxuan , Zhang Xiaoliang , Tang Dawei
Published: December 2024

Materials with extreme high/low mean square displacement are discovered using machine learning models.
Design of capacitive electrostatic probes for online measurement of surface charge on ±320 kV tri‐post insulators
Authors: Liu Jiayi , Xie Xiaoqing , Wang Feng , Chen She , Sun Qiuqin , Zhong Lipeng , Fan Xianhao , Liang Fangwei
Published: December 2024

Compared to offline measurement (interrupting the applied voltage before measurement), online measurement of surface charge on gas‐insulated transmission line (GIL) insulators effectively avoids the impact of spontaneous dissipation of charges. Thus, the accuracy of results can be improved. In this article, a measurement model of capacitive electrostatic probes for surface charges on ±320 kV GIL tri‐post insulator is established. The geometry of probes is optimized. The feasibility of online measurement of surface charges is analyzed. Results indicate that the surface leakage distance of induced charges is positively related to the length. Furthermore, as the diameter of probes increases, the maximum electric field on the sensitive electrode surface rises, while the radius of the sensitive electrode has the opposite effect. Hence, the diameter of the probe is 6 mm. The length and radius of sensitive electrodes are 50 mm and 1.2 mm, respectively. For online measurement of surface charges on ±320 kV tri‐post insulators, the induced potential distribution of the probe is consistent with surface charges. Therefore, the capacitive electrostatic probe in the embedded electrode is appropriate for the online measurement of surface charges on tri‐post insulators. It provides a reference for avoiding flashover triggered by surface charge accumulation on DC GIL insulators.
Review of driver behaviour modelling for highway on‐ramp merging
Authors: Kherroubi Zine el abidine , Aknine Samir
Published: December 2024

Autonomous driving is an exciting research field that has received growing attention in recent years. One of the most challenging and safety‐critical driving situations is highway on‐ramp merging. Most decision‐making strategies that perform highway on‐ramp merging are designed, firstly, to reduce the risk of crashes and improve the safety metrics. However, even with the development of such advanced driving systems, human drivers will still be involved in road traffic. Human drivers have various driving styles and different reactions to other traffic participants on the highway on‐ramp. Understanding driver behaviors is essential for designing safe and efficient real‐world driving strategies. Therefore, this paper provides a unique systematic review of existing techniques for modelling driver behaviors at highway on‐ramps, which are critical locations for traffic safety and efficiency. The novelty of this review is that it proposes a new classification of current state‐of‐the art techniques. Each category of techniques involves a unique paradigm. For each category of approaches, fundamental concepts are examined together with their challenges and limitations, and an overview on practical implementation. Furthermore, and based on the classification and chronological order, current research trend is identified, i.e. “data‐driven approaches”. Some future research avenues and disparities are also discussed.
Chemical enrichment in LINERs from MaNGA
Authors: Pérez-Díaz Borja , Pérez-Montero Enrique , Zinchenko Igor A. , Vílchez José M.
Published: December 2024

Context. The chemical enrichment in low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs) is still an issue with spatial resolution spectroscopic data because we lack studies and because the nature of their ionizing source is uncertain, although they are the most abundant type of active galaxies in the nearby Universe.

Aims. Considering different scenarios for the ionizing source (hot old stellar populations, active galactic nuclei, or inefficient accretion disks), we analyze the implications of these assumptions to constrain the chemical content of the gas-phase interstellar medium.

Methods. We used a sample of 105 galaxies from the survey called Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA), whose nuclear central spaxels show LINER-like emission. For each scenario we considered, we built a grid of photoionization models (4928 models for each considered ionizing source) that were later used in the open-source code HII-CHI-MISTRY. This allowed us to estimate chemical abundance ratios such as 12+log(O/H) or log(N/O) and to constrain the ionization parameters that characterize the ionized interstellar medium in these galaxies.

Results. The oxygen abundances in the nuclear region of LINER-like galaxies are spread over a wide range 8.08 < 12+log(O/H) < 8.89, with a median solar value (in agreement with previous studies) when models for active galactic nuclei are considered. Nevertheless, the nitrogen-to-oxygen ratio we derived is much less affected by the assumptions on the ionizing source and indicates suprasolar values (log(N/O) = −0.69). By comparing the different scenarios, we show that if hot old stellar populations caused the ionization of the interstellar medium, a complex picture (e.g., outflows and/or inflows that scale with the galaxy chemical abundance) would be needed to explain the chemical enrichment history, whereas the assumption of active galactic nucleus activity is compatible with the standard scenario that is found in most galaxies.