bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Choosing to choose or not
Authors: Shoval Roy , Karsh Noam , Eitam Baruch
Published: January 2023

To what degree do people prefer to choose for themselves and what drives this preference? Is it memory-based and results from a life-long association between choices and better outcomes, or is the process of choice itself reinforcing? In a new paradigm, across 6 experiments, participants experienced both ’Own Choice’ and ’Computer Picks’ conditions with identical outcomes before selecting which condition to re-experience in the final part of the experiment. Consistent with previous work, an overwhelming majority ( 83%) preferred own-choice. Several variations of the paradigm reveal that (1) Preference For Choice (PFC) is reduced when thinking about the task without actually choosing in it, (2) PFC is substantially reduced by choice-unrelated cognitive load, and (3) Preference For Choice is further diminished when selection is based on criteria other than one’s preferences. Across experiments, participants’ self-rated enjoyment predicted a significant portion of their PFC, while their perceived gains had little to no predictive value. If PFC stems solely from past reinforcement learning (i.e., memory) then neither performing another few scores of choices nor adding cognitive load to that sequence of choices would be expected to dramatically affect it. Hence, our findings suggest that a significant part of this preference stems from the process of choice itself, and that the experience it confers can itself be reinforcing. We discuss the implications of the proposed mechanism for PFC, which leads us to the prediction that PFC may be muted or even reversed under specific conditions and what this means for when the ‘opposite’ effect – sticking with the default – will occur.
The advice less taken: The consequences of receiving unexpected advice
Authors: Rebholz Tobias R. , Hütter Mandy
Published: January 2023

Although new information technologies and social networks make a wide variety of opinions and advice easily accessible, one can never be sure to get support on a focal judgment task. Nevertheless, participants in traditional advice taking studies are by default informed in advance about the opportunity to revise their judgment in the light of advice. The expectation of advice, however, may affect the weight assigned to it. The present research therefore investigates whether the advice taking process depends on the expectation of advice in the judge-advisor system (JAS). Five preregistered experiments (totalN= 2019) compared low and high levels of advice expectation. While there was no evidence for expectation effects in three experiments with block-wise structure, we obtained support for a positive influence of advice expectation on advice weighting in two experiments implementing sequential advice taking. The paradigmatic disclosure of the full procedure to participants thus constitutes an important boundary condition for the ecological study of advice taking behavior. The results suggest that the conventional JAS procedure fails to capture a class of judgment processes where advice is unexpected and therefore weighted less.
Stress and risk — Preferences versus noise
Authors: Parslow Elle , Rose Julia
Published: January 2023

We analyze the impact of acute stress on risky choice in a pre-registered laboratory experiment with 194 participants. We test the causal impact of stress on the stability of risk preferences by separating noise in decision-making from an actual shift in preferences. We find no significant differences in risk attitudes across conditions on the aggregate, using both descriptive analyses as well as structural estimations for risk aversion and different noise structures. Additionally, in line with the previous literature, we find statistically significant evidence for lower cognitive abilities being correlated with more noise in decision-making in general. We do not find a significant interaction effect between cognitive abilities and stress on noise levels.
Playing with words: Do people exploit loaded language to affect others’
decisions for their own benefit?
Authors: Capraro Valerio , Vanzo Andrea , Cabrales Antonio
Published: January 2023

We report on three pre-registered studies testing whether people in the
position of describing a decision problem to decision-makers exploit this
opportunity for their benefit, by choosing descriptions that may be
potentially beneficial for themselves. In Study 1, recipients of an extreme
dictator game (where dictators can either take the whole pie for themselves
or give it entirely to the receiver) are asked to choose the instructions
used to introduce the game to dictators, from six different instructions
known from previous research to affect dictators’ decisions. The results
demonstrate that some dictator game recipients tend to choose instructions
that make them more likely to receive a higher payoff. Study 2 shows that
people who choose descriptions that make them more likely to receive a
higher payoff indeed believe that they will receive a higher payoff. Study 3
shows that receivers are more likely than dictators to choose these
self-serving descriptions. In sum, our work suggests that some people choose
descriptions that are beneficial to themselves; we also found some evidence
that deliberative thinking and young age are associated with this
tendency.
Frequency or total number? A comparison of different presentation formats
on risk perception during COVID-19
Authors: Jie Yun
Published: January 2023

Curbing the COVID-19 pandemic remains an ongoing global challenge.
Institutions often release information about confirmed COVID-19 cases by
citing the total number of cases (e.g., 100,000), their (relative) frequency
(e.g., 100 per 1,000,000), or occasionally their proportion (e.g., 0.0001)
in a region. I compared the effect of these three presentation formats —
total cases, frequency, and proportion — on people’s perceived risk. I found
people perceived a higher risk of COVID-19 from a total-cases format than
from frequency formats when the denominators are relatively small, and the
lowest risk from a proportion format. Correspondingly, people underestimated
total infections when given frequency and overestimated frequency when given
total number of cases. Additional comparisons were made among mathematically
equivalent variations of frequency formats (e.g., 1 in 100, 10 in 1,000,
1,000 in 10,000, etc.). The results provided qualified support for
denominator neglect, which seems to occur in bins into which denominators
are grouped (e.g., 1–1000, 10000–100000), such that only across bins could
participants perceive differences. Finally, a mixed format of proportion and
total cases reduced perceived risks from total cases alone, while a mixed
format of frequency and total cases failed to produce similar results. I
conclude by providing concrete suggestions regarding COVID-19 information
releases.
Validation of Adult Decision-Making Competence in Chinese college students
Authors: Liang Shujing , Zou Yuwei
Published: January 2023

The present study was conducted to validate the Chinese version of the Adult Decision-Making Competence scale. 364 college students were recruited from four universities in China. The results indicate the Chinese Adult Decision-Making Competence subscales have good internal consistency and the two-factor structure in the study of Bruine de Bruin et al. (2007) was confirmed. Gender differences were found in Resistance to Sunk Cost. Differences of Applying Decision Rules and Consistency in Risk Perception were found between participants with different education background. Overall, the Chinese Adult Decision-Making Competence scale is validated in China.
Value-directed information search in partner choice
Authors: Wang Hongyi , Ma Jiaxin , He Lisheng
Published: January 2023

It is a widely held view that people rely on incomplete information to
find a relationship partner, resulting in non-compensatory choice
heuristics. However, recent experimental work typically finds that partner
choice follows compensatory choice strategies. To bridge this gap between
theory and experimental evidence, we characterize the mate choice problem by
distinguishing the information search process from the evaluation process.
In an eye-tracking experiment and a MouseLab experiment, we show that people
display strong value-directed search heuristics in response to all types of
cues and that the magnitude of value-directed searches increases with cue
primacy. Cue primacy also explains the interaction effect of cue type and
participant sex on the extent of valued-directed search. We further argue
that value-directed searching does not necessarily lead to non-compensatory
choice rules but may serve compensatory decision-making. Our results
demonstrate that people may adopt remarkably smart search heuristics to find
an ideal partner efficiently.
Hypothesized drivers of the bias blind spot—cognitive sophistication,
introspection bias, and conversational processes
Authors: Mandel David R. , Collins Robert N. , Walker Alexander C. , Fugelsang Jonathan A. , Risko Evan F.
Published: January 2023

Individuals often assess themselves as being less susceptible to common
biases compared to others. This bias blind spot
(BBS) is thought to represent a metacognitive error. In this research, we
tested three explanations for the effect: The cognitive sophistication
hypothesis posits that individuals who display the BBS more strongly are
actually less biased than others. The introspection bias hypothesis posits
that the BBS occurs because people rely on introspection more when assessing
themselves compared to others. The conversational processes hypothesis
posits that the effect is largely a consequence of the pragmatic aspects of
the experimental situation rather than true metacognitive error. In two
experiments (N = 1057) examining 18
social/motivational and cognitive biases, there was strong evidence of the
BBS. Among the three hypotheses examined, the conversational processes
hypothesis attracted the greatest support, thus raising questions about the
extent to which the BBS is a metacognitive effect.
On Multi‐Model Assessment of Complex Degradation Paths: The Fate of Diclofenac and Its Transformation Products
Authors: Ceresa Laura , Guadagnini Alberto , Rodríguez‐Escales Paula , Riva Monica , Sanchez‐Vila Xavier , Porta Giovanni M.
Published: January 2023

We present a methodology to quantify the impact of model structure and parametric uncertainty on formulations targeting biotransformation processes of Emerging Contaminants in subsurface water resources. The study is motivated by recognizing that modeling of bio‐mediated reactions of recalcitrant compounds in soil and aquifers is plagued by uncertainty. At the same time, process‐based models often require the parameterization of complex physico‐chemical processes, a situation which is exacerbated by the paucity of direct observations. Thus, assessment and formulation of modeling tools capable to balance complexity and reliability is a key challenge. The modeling strategy proposed here aims at pairing and applying a suite of quantitative tools starting from a prior diagnosis of multiple uncertainty sources and leading to parameter estimation and model selection in the presence of a limited number of observations. The methodology is illustrated through application to a multi‐step, reactive scenario involving biotransformation of the pharmaceutical diclofenac (DCF) in groundwater. Our framework includes four plausible models. These are obtained through successive simplifications of a recently developed highly complex model. Such simplifications are accomplished consistent with the results of a comprehensive Multi‐Model Global Sensitivity Analysis. The latter allows ranking the levels of influence of system processes on model outputs by incorporating the effects of model formulation and parametric uncertainties. The kinetic of the loop‐initiating process (DCF nitrosation, linked to the temporal evolution of N‐cycle components) is documented as dominating in explaining the variability of model outputs of environmental interest. Model discrimination criteria suggest that a simplified counterpart of the reference model is favored to interpret available data. Our modeling approach can assist interpretation and prototyping of a wide range of contaminant biotransformation models. The latter is a key objective also for the purpose of developing credible (environmental) risk assessment tools and designing experimental sampling campaigns.
Black phosphorous-based human-machine communication interface
Authors: Vaghasiya Jayraj V. , Mayorga-Martinez Carmen C. , Vyskočil Jan , Pumera Martin
Published: January 2023

Assistive technology involving auditory feedback is generally utilized by those who are visually impaired or have speech and language difficulties. Therefore, here we concentrate on an auditory human-machine interface that uses audio as a platform for conveying information between visually or speech-disabled users and society. We develop a piezoresistive tactile sensor based on a black phosphorous and polyaniline (BP@PANI) composite by the facile chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline on cotton fabric. Taking advantage of BP’s puckered honeycomb lattice structure and superior electrical properties as well as the vast wavy fabric surface, this BP@PANI-based tactile sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity, low-pressure sensitivity, reasonable response time, and good cycle stability. For a real-world application, a prototype device employs six BP@PANI tactile sensors that correspond to braille characters and can convert pressed text into audio on reading or typing to assist visually or speech-disabled persons. Overall, this research offers promising insight into the material candidates and strategies for the development of auditory feedback devices based on layered and 2D materials for human-machine interfaces.
Southern hemisphere eastern boundary upwelling systems emerging as future marine heatwave hotspots under greenhouse warming
Authors: Wang Shengpeng , Jing Zhao , Wu Lixin , Sun Shantong , Peng Qihua , Wang Hong , Zhang Yu , Shi Jian
Published: January 2023

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) exert devastating impacts on ecosystems and have been revealed to increase in their incidence, duration, and intensity in response to greenhouse warming. The biologically productive eastern boundary upwelling systems (EBUSs) are generally regarded as thermal refugia for marine species due to buffering effects of upwelling on ocean warming. However, using an ensemble of state-of-the-art high-resolution global climate simulations under a high carbon emission scenario, here we show that the MHW stress, measured as the annual cumulative intensity of MHWs, is projected to increase faster in the Southern Hemisphere EBUSs (Humboldt and Benguela current systems) than in their adjacent oceans. This is mainly because the additional warming caused by the weakened eastern boundary currents overwhelms the buffering effect of upwelling. Our findings suggest that the Southern Hemisphere EBUSs will emerge as local hotspots of MHWs in the future, potentially causing severe threats to the ecosystems.
The rapid and highly parallel identification of antibodies with defined biological activities by SLISY
Authors: Lu Steve , Mattox Austin K. , Aitana Azurmendi P. , Christodoulou Ilias , Wright Katharine M. , Popoli Maria , Chen Zan , Sur Surojit , Li Yana , Bonifant Challice L. , Bettegowda Chetan , Papadopoulos Nickolas , Zhou Shibin , Gabelli Sandra B. , Vogelstein Bert , Kinzler Kenneth W.
Published: January 2023

The therapeutic applications of antibodies are manifold and the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 provides a cogent example of the value of rapidly identifying biologically active antibodies. We describe an approach called SLISY (Sequencing-Linked ImmunoSorbent assaY) that in a single experiment can assess the binding specificity of millions of clones, be applied to any screen that links DNA sequence to a potential binding moiety, and requires only a single round of biopanning. We demonstrate this approach using an scFv library applied to cellular and protein targets to identify specific or broadly reacting antibodies. For a cellular target, we use paired HLA knockout cell lines to identify a panel of antibodies specific to HLA-A3. For a protein target, SLISY identifies 1279 clones that bound to the Receptor Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with >40% of tested clones also neutralizing its interaction with ACE2 in in vitro assays. Using a multi-comparison SLISY against the Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants, we recovered clones that exhibited broad-spectrum neutralizing potential in vitro. By evaluating millions of scFvs simultaneously against multiple targets, SLISY allows the rapid identification of candidate scFvs with defined binding profiles facilitating the identification of antibodies with the desired biological activity.
Increased adipose catecholamine levels and protection from obesity with loss of Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1
Authors: Chinnasamy Prameladevi , Casimiro Isabel , Riascos-Bernal Dario F. , Venkatesh Shreeganesh , Parikh Dippal , Maira Alishba , Srinivasan Aparna , Zheng Wei , Tarabra Elena , Zong Haihong , Jayakumar Smitha , Jeganathan Venkatesh , Pradan Kith , Aleman Jose O. , Singh Rajat , Nandi Sayan , Pessin Jeffrey E. , Sibinga Nicholas E. S.
Published: January 2023

Recent studies implicate macrophages in regulation of thermogenic, sympathetic neuron-mediated norepinephrine (NE) signaling in adipose tissues, but understanding of such non-classical macrophage activities is incomplete. Here we show that male mice lacking the allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF1) protein resist high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and hyperglycemia. We link this phenotype to higher adipose NE levels that stem from decreased monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) expression and NE clearance by AIF1-deficient macrophages, and find through reciprocal bone marrow transplantation that donor Aif1-/- vs WT genotype confers the obesity phenotype in mice. Interestingly, human sequence variants near the AIF1 locus associate with obesity and diabetes; in adipose samples from participants with obesity, we observe direct correlation of AIF1 and MAOA transcript levels. These findings identify AIF1 as a regulator of MAOA expression in macrophages and catecholamine activity in adipose tissues – limiting energy expenditure and promoting energy storage – and suggest how it might contribute to human obesity.
The effect of DNA polymorphisms and natural variation on crossover hotspot activity in Arabidopsis hybrids
Authors: Szymanska-Lejman Maja , Dziegielewski Wojciech , Dluzewska Julia , Kbiri Nadia , Bieluszewska Anna , Poethig R. Scott , Ziolkowski Piotr A.
Published: January 2023

In hybrid organisms, genetically divergent homologous chromosomes pair and recombine during meiosis; however, the effect of specific types of polymorphisms on crossover is poorly understood. Here, to analyze this in Arabidopsis, we develop the seed-typing method that enables the massively parallel fine-mapping of crossovers by sequencing. We show that structural variants, observed in one of the generated intervals, do not change crossover frequency unless they are located directly within crossover hotspots. Both natural and Cas9-induced deletions result in lower hotspot activity but are not compensated by increases in immediately adjacent hotspots. To examine the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms on crossover formation, we analyze hotspot activity in mismatch detection-deficient msh2 mutants. Surprisingly, polymorphic hotspots show reduced activity in msh2. In lines where only the hotspot-containing interval is heterozygous, crossover numbers increase above those in the inbred (homozygous). We conclude that MSH2 shapes crossover distribution by stimulating hotspot activity at polymorphic regions.
Initial study on quantitative electroencephalographic analysis of bioelectrical activity of the brain of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) without epilepsy
Authors: Bauer Waldemar , Dylag Katarzyna Anna , Lysiak Adam , Wieczorek-Stawinska Wiktoria , Pelc Mariusz , Szmajda Miroslaw , Martinek Radek , Zygarlicki Jaroslaw , Bańdo Bożena , Stomal-Slowinska Monika , Kawala-Sterniuk Aleksandra
Published: January 2023

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are spectrum of neurodevelopmental conditions associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. The FASD manifests mostly with facial dysmorphism, prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, and selected birth defects (including central nervous system defects). Unrecognized and untreated FASD leads to severe disability in adulthood. The diagnosis of FASD is based on clinical criteria and neither biomarkers nor imaging tests can be used in order to confirm the diagnosis. The quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) is a type of EEG analysis, which involves the use of mathematical algorithms, and which has brought new possibilities of EEG signal evaluation, among the other things—the analysis of a specific frequency band. The main objective of this study was to identify characteristic patterns in QEEG among individuals affected with FASD. This study was of a pilot prospective study character with experimental group consisting of patients with newly diagnosed FASD and of the control group consisting of children with gastroenterological issues. The EEG recordings of both groups were obtained, than analyzed using a commercial QEEG module. As a results we were able to establish the dominance of the alpha rhythm over the beta rhythm in FASD-participants compared to those from the control group, mostly in frontal and temporal regions. Second important finding is an increased theta/beta ratio among patients with FASD. These findings are consistent with the current knowledge on the pathological processes resulting from the prenatal alcohol exposure. The obtained results and conclusions were promising, however, further research is necessary (and planned) in order to validate the use of QEEG tools in FASD diagnostics.
Screening fundus photography predicts and reveals risk factors for glaucoma conversion in eyes with large optic disc cupping
Authors: Kim Yong Woo , Yun Young In , Choi Hyuk Jin
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for glaucoma conversion and progression in eyes with large optic disc cupping without retinal nerve fiber layer defect (RNFLD). Five hundred forty-two eyes of 271 subjects who had a vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) ≥ 0.6 without RNFLD were enrolled. Characteristics for optic disc configuration (including CDR, vertical cupping, ISNT rule, disc ovality, peripapillary atrophy [PPA]-to-disc area [DA] ratio, and lamina cribrosa pore visibility) and blood vessels (including central retinal vessel trunk [CRVT] nasalization, bayoneting of vessels, baring of circumlinear vessels, history of disc hemorrhage [DH] and vessel narrowing/sclerotic change) were evaluated. From a median follow-up of 11.3 years, 26.6% of eyes (n = 144) developed RNFLD within a median of 5.1 years. Baseline factors, including vertical CDR ≥ 0.7 (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.12), vertical cupping (HR = 1.93), ISNT rule violation (HR = 2.84), disc ovality ≥ 1.2 (HR = 1.61), PPA-to-DA ratio ≥ 0.4 (HR = 1.77), CRVT nasalization ≥ 60% (HR = 1.77), vessel narrowing/sclerotic change (HR = 2.13), DH history (HR = 5.60), and baseline intraocular pressure ≥ 14 mmHg (HR = 1.70) were significantly associated with glaucoma conversion (all Ps < 0.05). An HR-matched scoring system based on initial fundus photography predicted glaucoma conversion with specificity of 90.4%. Careful examination of the optic nerve head and vascular structures can help to predict the risk of glaucoma conversion in eyes with large optic disc cupping.
New plant immunity elicitors from a sugar beet byproduct protect wheat against Zymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Mejri Samara , Ghinet Alina , Magnin-Robert Maryline , Randoux Béatrice , Abuhaie Cristina-Maria , Tisserant Benoit , Gautret Philippe , Rigo Benoit , Halama Patrice , Reignault Philippe , Siah Ali
Published: January 2023

The current worldwide context promoting agroecology and green agriculture require the discovery of new ecofriendly and sustainable plant protection tools. Plant resistance inducers, called also elicitors, are one of the most promising alternatives fitting with such requirements. We produced here a set of 30 molecules from pyroglutamic acid, bio-sourced from sugar beet byproducts, and examined for their biological activity on the major agro-economically pathosystem wheat-Zymoseptoria tritici. Foliar application of the molecules provided significant protection rates (up to 63% disease severity reduction) for 16 among them. Structure–activity relationship analysis highlighted the importance of all chemical groups of the pharmacophore in the bioactivity of the molecules. Further investigations using in vitro andin plantaantifungal bioassays as well as plant molecular biomarkers revealed that the activity of the molecules did not rely on direct biocide activity towards the pathogen, but rather on the activation of plant defense mechanisms dependent on lipoxygenase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, peroxidase, and pathogenesis-related protein pathways. This study reports a new family of bio-sourced resistance inducers and provides new insights into the valorization of agro-resources to develop the sustainable agriculture of tomorrow.
Novel indicator for the spread of new coronavirus disease 2019 and its association with human mobility in Japan
Authors: Kawakami Yuta , Nojiri Shuko , Nakamoto Daisuke , Irie Yoshiki , Miyazawa Satoshi , Kuroki Manabu , Nishizaki Yuji
Published: January 2023

The Japanese government adopted policies to control human mobility in 2020 to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study examined the impact of human mobility on COVID-19 cases at the prefectural level in Japan by devising an indicator to have a relationship between the number of infected people and on human mobility. We calculated origin–destination travel mobility within prefectures in Japan from March 1st to December 31st, 2020, using mobile phone data. A cross-correlation function (CCF) was used to examine the relationship between human mobility and a COVID-19 infection acceleration indicator (IAI), which represents the rate of change in the speed of COVID-19 infection. The CCF of intraprefectural human mobility and the IAI in Tokyo showed a maximum value of 0.440 at lag day 12, and the IAI could be used as an indicator to predict COVID-19 cases. Therefore, the IAI and human mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic were useful for predicting infection status. The number of COVID-19 cases was associated with human mobility at the prefectural level in Japan in 2020. Controlling human mobility could help control infectious diseases in a pandemic, especially prior to starting vaccination.
Machine learning for knowledge acquisition and accelerated inverse-design for non-Hermitian systems
Authors: Ahmed Waqas W. , Farhat Mohamed , Staliunas Kestutis , Zhang Xiangliang , Wu Ying
Published: January 2023

Non-Hermitian systems offer new platforms for unusual physical properties that can be flexibly manipulated by redistribution of the real and imaginary parts of refractive indices, whose presence breaks conventional wave propagation symmetries, leading to asymmetric reflection and symmetric transmission with respect to the wave propagation direction. Here, we use supervised and unsupervised learning techniques for knowledge acquisition in non-Hermitian systems which accelerate the inverse design process. In particular, we construct a deep learning model that relates the transmission and asymmetric reflection in non-conservative settings and propose sub-manifold learning to recognize non-Hermitian features from transmission spectra. The developed deep learning framework determines the feasibility of a desired spectral response for a given structure and uncovers the role of effective gain-loss parameters to tailor the spectral response. These findings offer a route for intelligent inverse design and contribute to the understanding of physical mechanism in general non-Hermitian systems.
An urban take on sustainable development policies and corresponding positioning strategies
Authors: Wittwer Stefan , Hofer Katrin , Kaufmann David
Published: January 2023

Cities have emerged as policy actors of global relevance in sustainable development, and their strengthened position challenges the primacy of national states in this area. To account for this shift and for potential emerging contestations between cities and national states, we propose a framework to understand national–urban relations in sustainable development policy-making. Based on a selection of twelve case study vignettes from European cities, we identify and discuss four ideal types of urban sustainable development policy, which are classified depending on their congruence with the national policy agenda and the scale of the issue at hand. Building on this typology, we reflect on positioning strategies that cities can develop to support, promote or defend these policies. We argue that accounting for these different positioning strategies is important for understanding how cities seek to put specifically urban takes of sustainable development on global agendas.
Mid-Miocene sea level altitude of the Qaidam Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Sun Yuanyuan , Liang Yu , Liu Hu , Liu Jun , Ji Junliang , Ke Xue , Liu Xiaobo , He Yuxin , Wang Huanye , Zhang Bin , Zhang Yongsu , Zhuang Guangsheng , Pei Junling , Li Yongxiang , Quan Cheng , Li Jianxing , Aitchison Jonathan C. , Liu Weiguo , Liu Zhonghui
Published: January 2023

A detailed uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau is essential for disentangling the proposed geodynamical models and assessing its impacts on climate and biodiversity. However, when and how the plateau formed remains highly controversial. Here, we present unusual geochemical indicators of marine signatures in the Cenozoic terrestrial strata of the Qaidam Basin, northern Tibetan Plateau, with strong implications for the basin altitude. Our investigations across the basin reveal typical marine alkenones and anomalously high carbonate carbon isotopic values during the mid-Miocene, but not at earlier stages, which are accompanied by a divergent trend in the paired carbonate oxygen and leaf wax hydrogen isotopic records. We infer an incursion of seawater into the Qaidam Basin, thus constraining the mid-Miocene basin altitude close to sea level. Hence, much of the substantial northern plateau uplift afterwards appears to be associated with the outward growth of the Tibetan Plateau.
Remdesivir improves biomarkers associated with disease severity in COVID-19 patients treated in an outpatient setting
Authors: Pan David Z. , Odorizzi Pamela M. , Schoenichen Andre , Abdelghany Mazin , Chen Shuguang , Osinusi Anu , Patterson Scott D. , Downie Bryan , Juneja Kavita , Wallin Jeffrey J.
Published: January 2023

Background

Remdesivir (RDV) is an intravenous antiviral with activity against SARS-CoV-2 for treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe disease. Biomarkers associated with clinical outcomes have been identified for COVID-19, but few evaluated in context of antiviral treatment. Here, we assessed baseline (day 1, prior to first RDV dose) biomarkers and the impact of RDV treatment on longitudinal biomarker readouts.

Methods

Recently, RDV was evaluated in high-risk, non-hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and was highly effective at preventing disease progression. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 study included 562 participants who received at least 1 dose of study drug, of which 312 consented for longitudinal biomarker assessments at baseline, day 3, and day 14. We assessed sixteen baseline biomarkers and the impact of RDV treatment on longitudinal biomarker readouts.

Results

Six well-known, inflammation-associated biomarkers are elevated at baseline in participants meeting the primary endpoint of hospitalization or death by day 28. Moreover, in comparison to placebo, biomarkers in RDV-treated participants show accelerated improvement, including reduction of soluble angiopoietin-2, D-dimer, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, as well as an increase in lymphocyte counts.

Conclusions

Overall, the findings in this study suggest that RDV treatment may accelerate the improvement of multiple biomarkers of COVID-19 severity, which are associated with better clinical outcomes during infection. These findings have implications for better understanding the activity of antiviral treatments in COVID-19.
Plasmonic heterostructure Bi2S3/Ti3C2 with continuous photoelectron injection mediated near-infrared self-powered photoelectrochemical sensing
Authors: Jiang Ding , Zhang Yude , Du Xiaojiao , Zhang Linhua , Shan Xueling , Wang Wenchang , Shiigi Hiroshi , Chen Zhidong
Published: January 2023

A stable nonmetallic plasmon strategy with continuous photoelectron injection was proposed to fabricate a novel near-infrared self-powered photoelectrochemical platform.
Enantioselective reductive allylic alkylation enabled by dual photoredox/palladium catalysis
Authors: Tang Sheng , Zhang Hong-Hao , Yu Shouyun
Published: January 2023

A dual photoredox/palladium catalyzed regio- and enantioselective reductive cross-coupling of allylic acetates with alkyl bromides has been achieved.
Softening by charging: how collective modes of ionic association in concentrated redoxmer/electrolyte solutions define the structural and dynamic properties in different states of charge
Authors: Farag Hossam , Kaur Aman Preet , Robertson Lily A. , Sarnello Erik , Liu Xinyi , Wang Yilin , Cheng Lei , Shkrob Ilya A. , Zhang Lu , Ewoldt Randy H. , Li Tao , Odom Susan A. , Y Z
Published: January 2023

Integrated computational and experimental studies of concentrated redoxmer/electrolyte solutions reveal that charging leads to softening of the solution.
DNA recognition site of anticancer tinidazole copper(ii) complexes
Authors: Ramírez-Palma Lillian G. , Castro-Ramírez Rodrigo , Lozano-Ramos León , Galindo-Murillo Rodrigo , Barba-Behrens Norah , Cortés-Guzmán Fernando
Published: January 2023

This paper describes the recognition process of tetrahedral [CuII(tnz)2X2] (X = Cl, Br) complexes by a DNA chain, analyzing the specific interaction between the DNA bases and backbone with the metal and the tinidazole (tnz) ligand.
First crystal structure of an Fe(iii) anionic complex based on a pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone ligand with Li+: synthesis, features of magnetic behavior and theoretical analysis
Authors: Blagov Maxim A. , Spitsyna Nataliya G. , Ovanesyan Nikolai S. , Lobach Anatolii S. , Zorina Leokadiya V. , Simonov Sergey V. , Zakharov Konstantin V. , Vasiliev Alexander N.
Published: January 2023

The X-ray structure of the anionic complex based on a pyruvic acid thiosemicarbazone ligand Li[FeIII(thpy)2]·3H2O has been determined for the first time.
Highly selective CO2electroreduction to CO by the synergy between Ni–N–C and encapsulated Ni nanoparticles
Authors: Sun Yidan , Liu Fang , Wang Xuerong , Lu Kangkang , Liu Xiaojing , Huang Yan , Yu Fengjiao , Chen Yuhui
Published: January 2023

A synergistic catalytic performance was obtained in the electroreduction of CO2to CO, by encapsulation of Ni NPs into Ni–N–C nanosheets, which can effectively inhibit the HER and achieve a peak faradaic efficiency of 99% and excellent stability.
Sensing atmospheric flows in aquatic environments using a multirotor small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS)
Authors: González-Rocha Javier , Bilyeu Landon , Ross Shane D. , Foroutan Hosein , Jacquemin Stephen J. , Ault Andrew P. , Schmale David G.
Published: January 2023

Multirotor sUAS wind sensing capabilities are effective for resolving onshore and offshore atmospheric flow variations in aquatic environments where airborne hazardous agents threaten downwind communities.
Berberine hydrochloride alleviates imatinib mesylate – induced cardiotoxicity through the inhibition of Nrf2-dependent ferroptosis
Authors: Song Chengzhu , Li Dongning , Zhang Jie , Zhao Xiaoyan
Published: January 2023

The underlying mechanisms of protective effects of Ber on IMA-induced cardiotoxicity.
Pyrolysis-assisted catalytic hydrogenolysis of softwood lignin at elevated temperatures for the high yield production of monomers
Authors: Wang Jiaqi , Minami Eiji , Kawamoto Haruo
Published: January 2023

Pyrolytic depolymerization followed by catalytic cleavage of condensed-type linkages improved monomer yields to 60 mol% at temperatures above 300 °C.
Fabrication of an anodized nanoporous aluminium (AAO/Al) transparent electrode as an ITO alternative for PDLC smart windows
Authors: Roy Rahuldeb , Mondal Indrajit , Singh Ashutosh K
Published: January 2023

An anodized nanoporous aluminium (AAO/Al) transparent electrode for energy-efficient PDLC smart windows.
Ultrafast hot-carrier cooling in quasi freestanding bilayer graphene with hydrogen intercalated atoms
Authors: Sharma Sachin , Myers-Ward Rachael L. , Gaskill Kurt D. , Chatzakis Ioannis
Published: January 2023

Investigation of the cooling dynamics of hot carriers in quasi-free standing bilayer epitaxial graphene with hydrogen intercalation by femtosecond optical pump THz-probe spectroscopy.
Unveiling the formation mechanism of the biphenylene network
Authors: Niu Kaifeng , Fan Qitang , Chi Lifeng , Rosen Johanna , Gottfried J. Michael , Björk Jonas
Published: January 2023

We have computationally studied the formation mechanism of the biphenylene networkviathe intermolecular HF zipping, as well as identified key intermediates experimentally, on the Au(111) surface.
The influence of surface ligand chemistry for the synthesis of blue fluorescent gold nanoclusters for the detection of serotonin in biofluids
Authors: Borse Shraddha , Murthy Z. V. P. , Park Tae Jung , Kailasa Suresh Kumar
Published: January 2023

Fluorescence detection of serotonin using 6-TG-Trp-Au NCs as a fluorescent sensor.
Reducing non-radiative voltage losses in organic solar cells using molecular encapsulation
Authors: Sharma Anirudh , Sharma Lisa , Bertrandie Jules , Villalva Diego R. , Gao Yajun , De Castro Catherine S. P. , Troughton Joel , Gorenflot Julien , Laquai Frederic , Bronstein Hugo , Baran Derya
Published: January 2023

Molecular encapsulation is a promising strategy to reduce non-radiative losses and enhance stability of organic solar cells, via reduced aggregation in the polymer phase. Encapsulated polymers demonstrated enhanced electroluminescence and better donor–acceptor intermixing.
Preparation of a N-doped Si/Cu/C anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Xiang Xiaolin , Pan Piao , Li Peidong , Tu Qiang , Cui Yuehua
Published: January 2023

The copper layer and N-doped carbon layer in Si/Cu/NC material with good long cycle performance inhibit the volume expansion of Si, improve the conductivity and stabilize the SEI membrane.
Fabrication of two-dimensional hybrid organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites with controlled multilayer structures by liquid-phase laser ablation
Authors: Fukuta Yoshimasa , Miyata Takumi , Hamanaka Yasushi
Published: January 2023

We proposed a novel fabrication method of layered two-dimensional lead halide perovskites by liquid-phase laser ablation. Spacings between lead halide monolayer sheets can be controlled by choosing species of organic amine additives.
Secure post‐quantum group key exchange: Implementing a solution based on Kyber
Authors: Escribano Pablos José Ignacio , González Vasco María Isabel
Published: January 2023

Quantum computing poses fascinating challenges for current cryptography, threatening the security of many schemes and protocols widely used today. To adapt to this reality, the U.S. National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) is currently running a standardization process in search of post‐quantum (classical, yet resistant to quantum attacks) cryptographic tools, focusing on signature schemes and key encapsulation mechanisms. Many of the competing proposals also include designs for two‐party key exchange, which can be combined in different ways to fit scenarios involving parties, that is, yielding group key exchange protocols. However, very few implementations of such group protocols are available to practitioners, which face a non‐trivial challenge when deciding how to implement a protocol for establishing secure group sessions in this new post‐quantum scenario. With this in mind, the authors report on the implementation of a secure post‐quantum group key exchange protocol in the so‐called Quantum Random Oracle Model. The protocol decided to implement is based on a KEM called Kyber, which is one of the finalists of the NIST competition. Not only this group construction is the only one available in the literature using a NIST finalist, but also, among all post‐quantum designs the authors are aware of, it uses this strongest security model (as, e.g. in other proposals, the adversarial interaction with the hash functions of the system is assumed to be exclusively classical). Furthermore, experimental evidence is provided supporting this choice in terms of performance, even if the number of involved entities is large (up to 2000). All data and code are publicly available.
A zero‐sample state evaluation model for valve‐side bushing of UHV converter transformer oriented to digital twin under attribute analysis
Authors: Li Zheng , Liu Kai , Lin Mu , Xin Dongli , Tang Hao , Wu Guangning
Published: January 2023

The valve‐side bushing of the UHV converter transformer is the key equipment in the DC transmission project, and its running state directly affects the security and stability of the power system. This paper analyses the attributes of the physical entities, uses the digital twins to establish the state feature set and proposes a zero‐sample state evaluation algorithm for the valve‐side bushing. First, the geometric, materials and electrical characteristics are analyzed, and the detailed components of carrier current are obtained by empirical mode decomposition. Then, COMSOL is used to establish digital twins, verify the validity of twins with axial heat distribution of bushing, and establish a state feature set with the extreme temperature inside and outside bushing. Finally, the fuzzy clustering algorithm is used to classify the state feature set, and the similarity is used as the index to realize the zero‐sample state evaluation of the valve‐side bushing. Through the demonstration and analysis of examples, the evaluation model solves the problems of difficulty in extracting the internal features, fewer fault samples, and training difficulty, which is conducive to improving the operation and maintenance management level of power transmission equipment.
The comparison of biodistribution of glutathione PEGylated nanoliposomal doxorubicin formulations prepared by pre‐insertion and post‐insertion methods for brain delivery in normal mice
Authors: Mehrabian Amin , Dadpour Saba , Mashreghi Mohammad , Zarqi Javad , Askarizadeh Anis , Badiee Ali , Arabi Leila , Moosavian Seyedeh Alia , Jaafari Mahmoud Reza
Published: January 2023

Several obstacles limit the efficacy of brain tumour treatment, most notably the blood‐brain barrier (BBB), which prevents the brain uptake of the majority of accessible medicines due to tight junctions. The presence of glutathione (GSH) receptors on the BBB surface has been demonstrated in numerous papers; consequently, products containing glutathione as a targeting ligand coupled with nanoliposomes are used to enhance drug delivery across the BBB. Here, the 5% pre‐inserted PEG2000‐GSH PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin was conducted according to 2B3‐101 being tested in clinical trials. In addition, PEGylated nanoliposomal doxorubicin connected to the spacer‐GSH targeting ligand (GSGGCE) and the PEG3400 was conducted using post‐insertion method. Next, in vivo biodistribution of the produced formulations was tested on healthy mice to see if GSGGCE, as the targeted ligand, could cross the BBB compared to 5% pre‐inserted PEG2000‐GSH and Caelyx®. Compared to the pre‐inserted formulation and Caelyx®, the post‐inserted formulations' concentration was lower in the heart and higher in brain tissues, resulting in boosting the brain concentration of accumulated doxorubicin with fewer possible side effects, including cardiotoxicity. In comparison to the pre‐insertion procedure, the post‐insertion method is easier, faster, and more cost‐effective. Moreover, employing PEG3400 and the post‐insertion approach in the PEG3400‐GSGGCE liposomal formulations was found to be effective in crossing the BBB.
Experimental verification for cost function optimization using TOPSIS approach for predictive control of surface mounted PMSM
Authors: Vujji Avinash , Gupta Yelamarthi Bhaksar Sai Subrhamanya , Dahiya Ratna , Bhaskar Mahajan Sagar , Khan Baseem
Published: January 2023

In this article, the selection of weight factor (WF) is improved using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) based cost function (CF) optimization for predictive control in surface mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive under different conditions. Basically, the empirical approach used for WF is instinctive and consumes excess time. TOPSIS approach chooses a control action that is closest to the ideal control action's positive solution and farthest from its ideal control action's negative solution. Prioritizing control variables in the CF assures the choice of the best control action throughout each sampling duration. Additionally, predefined switching instants are employed for the CF optimization depending on past optimal control action, reducing the computing duration of the suggested technique. dSPACE controller is used for real‐time execution of traditional and proposed methods under steady and dynamic states. In order to verify the worth of predictive control based on TOPSIS, the hardware responses were compared with traditional DTC and predictive control strategies.
Development of low‐cost leaf spectroscopy based on featured wavelength extraction by fix‐bandwidth Gaussian mixture model
Authors: Long Xingming , Zhang Ruoshuang , Zhou Jing
Published: January 2023

Light spectrum analysis of leaves plays an essential role in measuring the contents of carbohydrates and other important compound like proteins. And it is also useful in evaluating the status of vegetation by remote sensing. Here, an approximation method considering the optical response characteristics of multispectral silicon (Si) sensor for the reflection or absorption spectra of leaves is proposed. The light spectrum is analysed by Gaussian mixture models (GMM) with fixed bandwidth firstly, and then the optimal model parameters are derived and validated to balance the complexity of Si sensor and the 2‐norm deviation of spectra, and next a low‐cost framework for the leaf spectroscopy with wireless node is illustrated according to the specific centre‐wavelengths and bandwidths of the GMM, and finally, an experimental prototype with 18‐channel Si sensor node and the developed mobile APP is demonstrated. The simplified strategy and its realization for leaf spectroscopy cast light on large‐scale applications in future agriculture.