bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of Starter Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Rejected Mango Fruit Pulp and Maize Offal Mix
Authors: R. D. Aondoakaa, , K. T. Orayaga, , A. Jimoh,
Published: February 2025

The study was conducted to determine the performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing rejected mango fruit pulp - maize offal mix. The extracted mango pulp was evenly mixed with maize offal (Dusa) in a ratio of 2:3 (RMFP: MOM). The mixture was sun dried for 5 days until moisture of less than 12% was achieved. Five diets were prepared in which RMFP-MOM partially replaced maize at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% representing treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. A total of (200) day-old ROSS chicks averaged 44.24 g were randomly allocated to 5 dietary treatments, balancing for body weight. Each treatment group made up of forty birds, was replicated four times and each replicate had ten (10) birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). Result of the proximate analysis revealed that, RMFP-MOM contains 9.59 % crude protein, 0.99% ether extract, 3.02 %, moisture, 11.51 % crude fibre, ash was 5.47 %, 75.85 % nitrogen free extract and 3127.79 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Phytochemicals and minerals found included Phytates (0.13%), tannin (2.53%), mycotoxin (3.76%), citric acid (0.1%), calcium (0.98%) and phosphorus (0.17%) while ADF, NDF and hemicellulose were found at levels of 10.10 %, 45.10% and 35.00 % respectively. Result on performance of the starter broiler chickens revealed significant effects (p<0.05) of RMFP-MOM on final body weight (FBW), daily weight gain (DWG) and daily feed intake (DFI) which all declined at T5 (20 % RMFP-MOM). Result on digestibility showed that, there was significantly lower (p<0.05) digestibility of ether extract in T1 (80.73 %). Cost of feed consumed was significantly lower (p<0.05) at T5. Gross revenue was ₦4000 across treatments while gross profit was higher at T5. Given the nutrients profile of RMFP-MOM as revealed by the result of the proximate analysis, it was inferred that these materials are valuable feedstuff in broiler nutrition as the use of RMFP-MOM in the diets of the broiler chicken up to 15% maintained growth rates at levels comparable to the control. The result of this study also revealed that broiler chickens can be reared at cheaper cost with the inclusion of RMFP-MOM at 15%. It was recommended that, 15 % RMFP-MOM be used in broiler diets.
Die geänderten Vorschriften zur Verrechnungspreisdokumentation
Authors: Quilitzsch Carsten , Hörnicke Gabriel , Broszeit Jan
Published: February 2025

Die Erstellung und fristgerechte Vorlage der Verrechnungspreisdokumentation zählt zu den wesentlichsten Mitwirkungspflichten Steuerpflichtiger mit internationalen Geschäftsbeziehungen. Mit dem Ziel, überbordende Bürokratie im Bereich des Steuerrechts abzubauen, haben die Vorschriften in § 90 Abs. 3 und 4 AO jüngst eine Revision durch das Vierte Bürokratieentlastungsgesetz v. 29.10.2024 (BGBl. I 2024, Nr. 323) erfahren. Die Neuregelungen sind am 1.1.2025 in Kraft getreten. Sie werden nachstehend dargestellt. Dabei wird ebenso der Frage nachgegangen, ob man dem Gesetzgeber bescheinigen darf, der Zielsetzung signifikanten Bürokratieabbaus an dieser Stelle ausreichend Rechnung getragen zu haben.
Factors in Initial Anticoagulation Choice in Hospitalized Patients With Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Stubblefield William B. , Helderman Ron , Strokes Natalie , Greineder Colin F. , Barnes Geoffrey D. , Vinson David R. , Westafer Lauren M.
Published: January 2025

Importance

Despite guideline recommendations to use low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) or direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of most patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), US-based studies have found increasing use of unfractionated heparin (UFH) in hospitalized patients.

Objective

To identify barriers and facilitators of guideline-concordant anticoagulation in patients hospitalized with acute PE.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This qualitative study conducted semistructured interviews from February 1 to June 3, 2024, that were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed in an iterative process using reflexive thematic analysis. Interview participants were physicians in emergency medicine, hospital medicine (hospitalist), interventional cardiology, and interventional radiology. Participants were recruited using maximum variation sampling targeting UFH-dominant vs LMWH-dominant approaches in hospitalized patients with acute PE. We triangulated results with a group of interventional cardiologists and radiologists (interventionalists).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Common themes and factors associated with anticoagulant selection for hospitalized patients with acute PE. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify these themes and factors.

Results

Of the 46 interviewees (median [IQR] age, 43 [36-50] years; 33 who identified as men [71.7%]), 25 (54.3%) were emergency physicians, 17 (37.0%) were hospitalists, and 4 (8.7%) were interventionalists. Each interview lasted a median (IQR) of 29 (25-32) minutes. Prominent themes associated with anticoagulant selection included agnosticism regarding choice of anticoagulant, the inertia of learned practice, and therapeutic momentum after anticoagulation initiation. Institutional culture and support were factors associated with choice of the dominant anticoagulation strategy. Additionally, factors associated with UFH use were fear of decompensation and misperceptions regarding the pharmacology of anticoagulants and catheter-directed treatments.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this qualitative study, physicians across a spectrum of specialties and geographical settings reported common barriers and facilitators to the use of guideline-concordant anticoagulation in patients hospitalized with acute PE, particularly agnosticism regarding choice of anticoagulant, inertia of learned practice, therapeutic momentum after anticoagulation initiation, and institutional culture and support. Future implementation efforts may consider targeting these domains.
Lying Under Pressure: Examining the Impact of Stress and Veracity on Verbal and Nonverbal Behaviors in Credibility Judgments
Authors: Bogaard Glynis , Dimopoulos Rafail , Quaedflieg Conny W. E. M.
Published: January 2025

In four experiments, we investigated how stress influenced the perceived verbal and nonverbal behaviors of honest and deceptive senders and how it affected credibility judgments made by independent observers. We used the Maastricht Acute Stress Test to induce stress in senders. Independent observers evaluated videos (Experiments 1 and 3) or transcripts (Experiments 2 and 4) of these senders reporting honestly or deceptively. Our results showed that stress significantly influenced observers' judgments of nonverbal behaviors but had a limited effect on content evaluations (plausibility, believability, and accuracy). Instead, veracity predominantly shaped credibility assessments, with plausibility and believability emerging as indicators of truthfulness. The findings challenge the reliance on nonverbal cues in detecting deception and emphasize the need of considering situational factors. Furthermore, they underscore the importance of prioritizing verbal content in professional lie‐detection practices.
Sustainable Synthesis of Functional Materials Assisted by Deep Eutectic Solvents for Biomedical, Environmental, and Energy Applications
Authors: Nie Yingxia , Zhou Yuyue , Zhang Yan , Sun Dalin , Wu Deyu , Ban Lin , Nanda Sonil , Xu Chunbao , Zhang Heng
Published: January 2025

The rapid expansion of the global economy has led to a surge in energy demand, resulting in significant environmental pollution and energy scarcity due to the concomitant increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The advancement of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has introduced a viable substitute for traditional solvents and processing methods, boasting numerous intrinsic benefits, such as superior eco‐compatibility, outstanding thermal stability, and desirable electrochemical properties. Consequently, DESs have garnered significant attention from the research community, demonstrating a broad spectrum of prospective applications in a variety of fields for instance energy, biomass degradation, materials synthesis, and biomedicine. This review aims to offer a comprehensive and methodical overview of DESs, encompassing their historical development, classification, preparation methodologies, and fundamental physicochemical properties. Furthermore, this review explores the applications of DESs in the synthesis of various functional materials and examines their multifunctional roles. Crucially, the economic viability of DESs for environmental and energy applications is thoroughly examined, including an assessment of their cost‐effectiveness and market potential. Finally, the review concludes by outlining future research directions for DESs development and the challenges that remain.
Selective Recycling of Mixed Polyesters via Heterogeneous Photothermal Catalysis
Authors: Liu Yu , Yan Penglei , Li Xiaodong , Li Qingye , Li Shengming , Han Hao , Chu Mingyu , Fu Jie , Cao Muhan , Xu Panpan , Zhang Qiao , He Le , Chen Jinxing
Published: January 2025

The selective recycling of mixed plastic wastes with similar structural units is challenging. While heterogeneous catalysis shows potential for selective recycling, challenges such as complex mass transfer at multiphase interfaces and unclear catalytic mechanisms have slowed progress. In this study, a breakthrough in recycling mixed polyester wastes is introduced using heterogeneous photothermal catalysis. By adding co‐solvents, the difficulties associated with multiphase interfacial mass transfer are overcome. Grain boundary (GB)‐rich CeO2 photothermal catalysts are used to selectively glycolyze mixed poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC) plastics into bisphenol A (BPA) and bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), achieving yields of 97.8% and 93.4%, respectively. The high concentration of oxygen vacancies in GB‐rich CeO2 catalysts adjusts the adsorption energy of intermediates, leading to more selective and efficient depolymerization compared to GB‐poor CeO2 catalysts. The economic and environmental analysis demonstrates that this process, which utilizes heterogeneous photothermal catalysis, provides significant energy savings and carbon reduction, representing a major advancement in mixed plastic waste recycling.
Toward Fast‐Charging and Dendritic‐Free Li Growth on Natural Graphite Through Intercalation/Conversion on MoS2 Nanosheets
Authors: Suh Joo Hyeong , Han Sang A , Yang Soo Young , Lee Jun Won , Shimada Yusuke , Lee Sang‐Min , Lee Jong‐Won , Park Min‐Sik , Kim Jung Ho
Published: January 2025

During fast‐charging, uneven lithium plating on the surface of commercial graphite anode impedes the electrochemical performance of lithium‐ion batteries, causing a safety issue. The formation of a passivation layer, the solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI), due to side reactions with the organic electrolyte, correlates with long‐term cycling performance under fast‐charging conditions, necessitating comprehensive analysis. Herein, it is demonstrated that a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) coating on natural graphite (NG) modulates the properties of the SEI layer, enabling reduction of the charging time and the enhancement of long‐term cycling performance. MoS2 spontaneously transforms into Li2S and Mo nanoclusters through intercalation and conversion with Li+, altering the chemical composition and stability of the SEI layer on the NG, promoting faster Li+ transport, and reducing interfacial resistance. The MoS2‐NG anode shows improved fast‐charging capability and cycling performance under 3.0 C‐charging and 1.0 C‐discharging over 300 cycles without compromising energy density. In the full‐cell configuration, a charging time of 14.7 min at 80% state of charge is achieved, making it suitable for electric vehicle applications.
A Low‐Cost, Open‐Source 3D Printer for Multimaterial and High‐Throughput Direct Ink Writing of Soft and Living Materials
Authors: Weiss Jonathan D. , Mermin‐Bunnell Alana , Solberg Fredrik S. , Tam Tony , Rosalia Luca , Sharir Amit , Rütsche Dominic , Sinha Soham , Choi Perry S. , Shibata Masafumi , Palagani Yellappa , Nilkant Riya , Paulvannan Kiruthika , Ma Michael , Skylar‐Scott Mark A.
Published: January 2025

Direct ink writing is a 3D printing method that is compatible with a wide range of structural, elastomeric, electronic, and living materials, and it continues to expand its uses into physics, engineering, and biology laboratories. However, the large footprint, closed hardware and software ecosystems, and expense of commercial systems often hamper widespread adoption. This work introduces a compact, low‐cost, multimaterial, and high‐throughput direct ink writing 3D printer platform with detailed assembly files and instructions provided freely online. In contrast to existing low‐cost 3D printers and bioprinters, which typically modify off‐the‐shelf plastic 3D printers, this system is built from scratch, offering a lower cost and full customizability. Active mixing of cell‐laden bioinks, high‐throughput production of auxetic lattices using multimaterial multinozzle 3D (MM3D) printing methods, and a high‐toughness, photocurable hydrogel for fabrication of heart valves are introduced. Finally, hardware for embedded multinozzle and 3D gradient nozzle printing is developed for producing high‐throughput and graded 3D parts. This powerful, simple‐to‐build, and customizable printing platform can help stimulate a vibrant biomaker community of engineers, biologists, and educators.
Understanding the Dynamic Evolution of Active Sites among Single Atoms, Clusters, and Nanoparticles
Authors: Yang Hongchen , Duan Pengfei , Zhuang Zechao , Luo Yaowu , Shen Ji , Xiong Yuli , Liu Xiangwen , Wang Dingsheng
Published: January 2025

Catalysis remains a cornerstone of chemical research, with the active sites of catalysts being crucial for their functionality. Identifying active sites, particularly during the reaction process, is crucial for elucidating the relationship between a catalyst's structure and its catalytic property. However, the dynamic evolution of active sites within heterogeneous metal catalysts presents a substantial challenge for accurately pinpointing the real active sites. The advent of in situ and operando characterization techniques has illuminated the path toward understanding the dynamic changes of active sites, offering robust scientific evidence to support the rational design of catalysts. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive review that systematically explores the dynamic evolution among single atoms, clusters, and nanoparticles as active sites during the reaction process, utilizing in situ and operando characterization techniques. This review aims to delineate the effects of various reaction factors on dynamic evolution of active sites among single atoms, clusters, and nanoparticles. Moreover, several in situ and operando techniques are elaborated with emphases on tracking the dynamic evolution of active sites, linking them to catalytic properties. Finally, it discusses challenges and future perspectives in identifying active sites during the reaction process and advancing in situ and operando characterization techniques.
Highly Efficient Monolithic Perovskite/TOPCon Silicon Tandem Solar Cells Enabled by “Halide Locking”
Authors: Wang Lina , Wang Ning , Wu Xin , Liu Baoze , Liu Qi , Li Bo , Zhang Dong , Kalasariya Nikhil , Zhang Yuanfang , Yan Xunlei , Wang Jungan , Zheng Peiting , Yang Jie , Jin Hao , Wang Chenyue , Qian Liangchen , Yang Bin , Wang Yan , Cheng Xuelan , Song Tinglu , Stolterfoht Martin , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Zhang Xinyu , Xu Menglei , Bai Yang , Xu Fang , Zhou Cangtao , Zhu Zonglong
Published: January 2025

Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs) are promising candidates for commercialization due to their outstanding power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). However, controlling the crystallization process and alleviating the phases/composition inhomogeneity represent a considerable challenge for perovskite layers grown on rough silicon substrates, ultimately limiting the efficiency and stability of TSC. Here, this study reports a “halide locking” strategy that simultaneously modulates the nucleation and crystal growth process of wide bandgap perovskites by introducing a multifunctional ammonium salt, thioacetylacetamide hydrochloride (TAACl), to bind with all types of cations and anions in the mixed halide perovskite precursor. The approach not only enables excellent compositional uniformity in the wet‐film stage but also induces preferred orientation along the (001) plane following nucleation, leading to enhanced homogeneity of the perovskite film in both vertical and horizontal directions over long‐length scales. The resulting wide‐bandgap perovskite solar cells yield exceptional open‐circuit voltage‐fill factor products (VOC × FF) of 1.074 and 1.040 in small‐ (0.0414 cm2) and large‐area (1.0208 cm2) devices, respectively. Corresponding large‐area tandem solar cells based on the Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) silicon subcells achieve a record PCE of 31.32% with a remarkable VOC of 1.931 V and FF of 81.54%.
Synthesis of Semiconductor Zinc Sulfide Nanospheres for Improving Piezoresistive Sensing Behavior of Melt‐Mixed Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Carbon Nanotube Composites
Authors: Kaplan Müslüm , Alp Emre , Krause Beate , Boldt Regine , Pötschke Petra
Published: January 2025

Studies have increasingly aimed at improving the piezoresistive behavior of polymer‐based conductive composites (CPCs) for strain‐sensing, with inorganic nanomaterial enhancement offering research opportunities. This study investigates the impact of incorporating zinc sulfide nanospheres (ZnS NSs, 1–7 wt.%), synthesized via a one‐step hydrothermal method, into a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer matrix together with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses reveal that ZnS NSs comprise a mixture of ZnS0.96O0.04 and S phases. While of ZnS NSs minimally impact tensile properties of the PVDF/MWCNT composites, they reduce elongation at break at 5 wt.%. During 15‐cycle strain sensing up to 3% strain, ZnS NSs‐enhanced composites outperformed PVDF/1 wt.% MWCNT. The reference sample's resistance change ratio (ΔR/R0) decreased below 1% with increased cycles, while 1 wt.% ZnS NSs increased ΔR/R0 to 3%, reducing changes upon cycle increments. Higher ZnS NSs levels (3–7 wt.%) resulted in ΔR/R0 exceeding 4–5%, indicating enhanced strain sensing performance. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed limited impact of ZnS NSs on the thermal properties and microstructure of the composites.
Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Dye‐Sensitized Down‐Conversion Nanoparticles for Near‐Infrared Luminescence Enhancement
Authors: Liu Tongtong , Liang Ning , Liu Xiaomeng , Li Jiaqi , Tu Langping , Liu Jianxun , Feng Yansong , Yao Chang‐Jiang
Published: January 2025

Dye‐sensitized down‐conversion nanoparticles (DCNPs) can significantly enhance photon absorption, bridging the gap of narrow and weak absorption cross‐section of lanthanide (Ln) ions, thus fundamentally prompting their near‐infrared (NIR) emission. However, the ideal strategy for utilization of both the singlet and triplet energy of the dyes is hindered by the nanostructures and the dependence on the heavy atom effect. Herein, thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) dye is utilized with a small singlet‐triplet energy gap as the absorption antenna, achieving a 733 fold emission enhancement. This strategy facilitates efficient intersystem crossing (ISC) and reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) processes, enabling effective energy transfer from singlet (S1) and triplet (T1) excitons to emitted energy levels of Er3+. Combining highly Erbium‐doped nanoparticles, the water‐dispersed AD‐sensitized system shows excellent hydrodynamic stability and photostability. This innovative approach marks the first report of TADF dye‐sensitized Ln nanosystems, offering a new direction for photo conversion technology.
Photothermal Effect and Biomineralization of Black Phosphorus Nanosheet‐Composited Hydrogel Boosts Synergistic Treatment of Dentin Hypersensitivity
Authors: Wang Qihui , Wang Guoliang , Li Xinru , Li Di , Zhang Congxiao , Ding Jianxun
Published: January 2025

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH), marked by exposed dentinal tubules, presents as a sharp toothache triggered by stimuli and subsides when the stimuli are removed. To address the limitations of current commercial desensitizers in terms of acid resistance, friction resistance, and stability, a black phosphorus nanosheet‐composited methacrylate gelatin hydrogel (GelMA/BP) is developed for DH treatment, leveraging the synergistic effects of photothermal therapy and biomineralization. Incorporating the BP nanosheet provided GelMA/BP with a stable photothermal response and the continuous release of phosphate anions, which blocked dentinal tubules by converting light energy into heat and initiating biomineralization. In vitro desensitizing therapy showed that the dentinal tubule diameter in the GelMA/BP50 group (0−1.13 µm) is significantly reduced compared to that in the DH‐model group (0−3.14 µm). The GelMA/BP50 group achieved an 86% tubule occlusion rate, with acid resistance of 80%, friction resistance of 76%, and long‐term stability of 74%. In vivo studies further validated the efficacy of GelMA/BP50, showing a reduction in tubule diameter (0−0.37 µm) and an occlusion rate of 79%, which alleviated toothache and increased intake and weight. These results demonstrate that this desensitizing hydrogel acts as an effective dentinal tubule sealant, offering promising clinical benefits for the topical treatment of DH.
Elucidating Manganese Single‐Atom Doping: Strategies for Fluorescence Enhancement in Water‐Soluble Red‐Emitting Carbon Dots and Applications for FL/MR Dual Mode Imaging
Authors: Gao Fucheng , Fu Qiang , Ruan Ying , Li Can , Wang Yandong , Li Hui , Li Jichao , Jiang Yanyan
Published: January 2025

The absence of the enhancement of fluorescence in carbon dots (CDs) through doping with transition metal atoms (TMAs) hinders the advancement of multi‐modal bio‐imaging CDs with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). Herein, Mn‐atomically‐doped R‐CDs (R‐Mn‐CDs) with a high PLQY of 41.3% in water is presented, enabling efficient in vivo dual‐mode fluorescence/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The comprehensive characterizations reveal that the incorporation of Mn atoms leads to a Mn‐N2O2 coordinating structure, resulting in five significant effects: an increase in sp2 conjugation domains, a reduction in band gap, a decreased oxidation level, an increase in photo‐excited electron numbers, and the suppression of non‐radiative electron relaxation pathways. Collectively, these factors contribute to the remarkable PLQY of R‐Mn‐CDs. Additionally, the doping of Mn atoms also endows R‐Mn‐CDs with superior MR imaging capabilities due to, which highlights their promising prospect as a dual‐modal bio‐imaging platform for fluorescence/MR imaging. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the introduction of various TMAs, such as Mn, Zn, Ni, and Cu, can universally improve the PLQY of water‐soluble CDs through the construction of TMAs─O bonds. This research provides valuable theoretical insights into the mechanisms underlying the fluorescence enhancement induced by TMAs doping and offers guidance for the future design of high PLQY CDs.
Commercial Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Synthesis of 4H‐3,1‐Benzoxazine and Their Effects on Anti‐Inflammatory Genes Expression
Authors: Jongcharoenkamol Jira , Saewa Rujiporn , Intasri Atchariya , Atawong Pariya , Changtor Phanupong , Buddhachat Kittisak , Kerdphon Sutthichat
Published: January 2025

A facile green synthesis of the anti‐inflammatory gene expression of 4H‐3,1‐benzoxazine was developed under a commercial copper catalytic system. Benzoxazines were synthesized from 2‐aminobenzyl alcohols and aromatic aldehydes including heterocyclic aromatic aldehydes using an economical commercially available copper(I)iodide (CuI) as a catalyst in the presence of the base, tBuOK. Target products were achieved in moderate to high yields with up to 75 % isolated yield. 4H‐3,1‐Benzoxazine enabled down‐regulation of inflammatory gene expression including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line using a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) comparable to anti‐inflammatory drug, dexamethasone. These results demonstrated that 4H‐3,1‐Benzoxazines possess the potential capability of anti‐inflammation.
Visible‐Light‐Induced Carbopyridylation of Maleimides with Pyridine Salts Under Catalyst‐Free Conditions
Authors: Ma Zijia , Wang He , Li Chunbo , Liu Ningning , Wang Yujia , Sun Jing , Wang Xin , Sun Ran , Li Lei
Published: January 2025

A catalyst‐free carbopyridylation reaction of maleimides with N‐benzoylmethylpyridinium bromides under visible light irradiation is reported. The carbo‐2‐pyridylation products of maleimides are obtained in good yields, demonstrating broad substrate scope and high functional group tolerance even on a gram scale. Mechanistic studies suggest that the process involves a tandem [3+2] cycloaddition, and Norrish‐type‐II fragmentation.
Stone Tool Use by Black‐Horned Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus nigritus cucullatus) in an Urban Park in Londrina, Brazil
Authors: Gutierres Julia Santos , Pereira Felipe Santos Machado , Lynch Jessica Ward , Vidotto Magnoni Ana Paula
Published: January 2025

Tool use to crack open palm nuts has been observed extensively in some capuchin monkey species. However, for southern black‐horned capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus cucullatus), there is only one published record of stone tool use from the 1990s, from an urban park in Londrina, Brazil. In the present study, we returned to this urban park to systematically investigate the hammer‐and‐anvil sites used to crack nuts by this capuchin monkey population. We analyzed the fruit and shell remnants resulting from hammering to test the following hypotheses: (1) hammers at tool‐use sites are actively chosen for size and/or weight, (2) tool use sites that are closer to a tree of the processed plant species are more frequently used, and (3) there is no seasonal effect modulating hammer‐and‐anvil use for processing nuts. We located and identified 205 tool‐use sites through active search within the park, and we measured and weighed the tools involved in hammering activity. We compared hammer weight and size to that of the comparable material available in the environment and found that hammer size and weight differed significantly from that of the raw materials found in the environment, suggesting active choice of the hammers. We identified three plant species for which nuts were processed through tool use: Syagrus romanzoffiana, Acrocomia aculeata and Terminalia catappa. Through measuring the distance between each tool‐use site and the nearest tree of the plant species processed there, we found that closer proximity between the tool‐use site and the nearest target tree (Syagrus and Acrocomia) increased cracking frequency. We returned to each site three times during the study year to determine if new tool use activity had occurred, and our data indicate habitual use of tools to crack open nuts throughout the year, with no large differences between seasons.
Gait and cognitive function in the elderly with AD dementia, MCI and healthy
Authors: Moon Seok Woo
Published: January 2025

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare gait pattern and cognitive function among elderly patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), elderly people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and Healthy Controls (HC).

Method

Twenty three elderly patients participated: 25 AD (78.4±6.37 yrs), 25 MCI (74.9±6.31 yrs), and 30 HC (73.8±5.45 yrs). Gait and Cognitive function were collected using an accelerometer attached to the foot and the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CREAD‐K), respectively. To compare differences in gait performance among groups, mean stride time, magnitude and structure of gait variability and ratio of low frequency and high frequency (LF/HF ratio) of stride time sequence were used in this study.

Result

Results showed that gait variables (mean stride time, LF/HF ratio of stride time) were useful for classification between MCI and HC. Cognitive function tests (J1, J3, J4, J6, and J8 of CREAD‐K) represented the difference between AD and HC.

Conclusion

This study may provide a foundation for future work on progression of dementia.
Use of Technology to Remotely Assess Language as a Non‐Invasive Biomarker: The Importance of Language Task
Authors: Saylor Anna K , Cohen Matthew L. , MacWhinney Brian , Fromm Davida , Stagge Faith , Lanzi Alyssa M
Published: January 2025

Background

There is growing evidence that discourse (i.e., connected speech) could serve as a cost‐effective and ecologically valid means of identifying individuals with prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, metrics of semantic content appear to be sensitive to early mild cognitive impairment (MCI; Mueller, Koscik, Clark et al., 2018). These results were from spoken discourse samples from a brief, decontextualized picture description task (i.e., “Cookie Theft”) that may have task‐specific language demands. This study aims to determine if discourse produced from other task types elicits different levels of semantic content.

Method

Discourse data were taken from the Delaware Corpus in DementiaBank, an open‐access online database of multimedia interactions (Lanzi et al., 2023). Participants’ cognitive status was documented in the database: cognitively healthy (n = 24) or MCI (n = 43) based on NIA‐AA and Petersen’s (2011) criteria. Using Zoom, participants completed six spoken discourse tasks including picture description (“Cookie Theft”), story narrative (“Cat Rescue”, “Rockwell”, “Cinderella”), procedural discourse (“PBJ”), and personal narrative (“Hometown”). Discourse samples were transcribed using an automatic speech recognition (ASR) pipeline and analyzed using CLAN software (Liu et al., 2023). Semantic content was measured by three variables: percent nouns, percent verbs, and pronoun index (Mueller, Koscik, Hermann et al., 2018).

Result

Interaction effects of cognitive status by task were evaluated for each semantic variable. Two‐way ANOVAs yielded non‐significant interaction effects (p>0.05). Therefore, we aggregated our task data across cognitive status to conduct one‐way ANOVAs. Each semantic variable ANOVA produced a main effect of task: F%noun(5, 394) = 30.63; F%verb(5, 391) = 31.64; Fpronoun(5, 391) = 23.68, all p values<.001 (see figures). Post‐hoc comparisons revealed that the highest level of each semantic variable was produced by a different discourse task (e.g., PBJ = highest percent nouns).

Conclusion

This discourse study was efficiently executed with the use of remote data collection, an ASR transcription pipeline, and CLAN for analysis. Each discourse task elicited differing levels of semantic content. As efforts continue to study language as a non‐invasive biomarker for cognitive decline, researchers should consider which discourse task(s) would best support their aims.
Cognitive dynamics in preclinical and very mild Alzheimer disease
Authors: Aschenbrenner Andrew J. , Welhaf Matthew S. , Hassenstab Jason J. , Jackson Joshua J.
Published: January 2025

The widespread use of remote digital assessment technology has made it possible to obtain high‐frequency measurements of cognitive function in naturalistic settings (i.e., outside of the clinic). Measurement burst designs feature multiple waves of testing (e.g., multiple tests per day for several weeks) which are repeated at regular intervals (e.g., annually) and have been shown to be feasible, well‐tolerated by participants, and provide substantially more reliable estimates of mean performance than standard assessments. Measurement burst designs also afford an examination of cognitive variability, or the degree to which cognitive scores vary across repeated assessments. Variability can be measured at different time scales including momentary variability across trials within a task, or over different days. Measures of “contextual factors” such as perceived stress, sleep quality, mood, and personality traits are easy to add as well to test potential mechanisms for differences in cognitive variability. An integration of cognitive and contextual variability across multiple time scales provides a more complete picture of change in early‐stage disease and is particularly applicable to preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD) where cognitive declines are extremely subtle and heterogeneous.

Using data from two high‐frequency assessment studies in which cognitively healthy and very mildly impaired older adults completed multiple daily cognitive assessments of episodic memory, working memory, attention, and processing speed for 1 to 3 weeks, we will examine how variability at both short (from trial to trial within a task) and longer (from day to day) timescales change as a function of preclinical AD. We examine potential mechanisms for cognitive variability including increased mind wandering, daily motivation, and variations in daily personality traits. Finally, we will discuss the utility of advanced statistical modeling techniques (e.g., mixed effects location scale models) to answer questions about cognitive variability, and we will examine how our understanding might be further enhanced by employing cognitive process models (such as the diffusion model) that incorporate both accuracy and response time to provide a more complete picture of daily cognitive fluctuations in AD. We end with practical considerations regarding administration of measurement bursts and pose additional questions that will stimulate additional research.
Multiple sclerosis and legal capacity
Authors: Voskou Panagiota
Published: January 2025

Background

Cognitive deficits may occur in about 60% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and executive functions, working memory and new‐learning are commonly impaired. Nevertheless, there is limited research regarding decisional capacity in MS. Financial and treatment‐decision capacity are complex activities of daily living.

Method

A literature review in the Pubmed database has been made, using the keywords: multiple sclerosis, legal capacity, decision‐making.

Result

Overall financial capacity (FC) and more complex financial domains, i.e. managing bank accounts, are significantly impaired in progressive MS, with mental flexibility and working memory mostly involved. Short‐term verbal memory and basic arithmetic ability are found to be major neurocognitive predictors of FC in progressive MS. Ability to understand treatment and clinical research is commonly impaired in MS, i.e. misunderstanding treatment details due to diminished new‐learning or executive functions or difficulty comprehending treatment risks and benefits. Recognition cueing is found to be helpful for robust informed consent from MS patients. Depressive distress is also common in MS and this corresponds with poor reasoning and, subsequently, decisional incapacity.

Conclusion

More studies should be conducted about the capacity for informed consent and financial tasks in MS, as well as which neurocognitive functions are related to specific components of medical decision‐making. The primary goal should be the protection of rights and autonomy in MS. Depression and its neurocognitive correlates in MS should be also examined in future research.
Early memory loss and financial capacity A “Real World” Assessment
Authors: Lichtenberg Peter A
Published: January 2025

Background

Assessing financial capacity in older adults with memory loss is becoming an increasingly important area so as to minimize wealth loss and cases of financial exploitation. The National Academy of Sciences has recommended “real world” assessment of financial management and yet this continues to be lacking. The WALLET (Wealth Accumulation and Losses in Late‐life Early Cognitive Transitions) study provides a new “real world” approach to assessing financial management.

Method

150 older adults, approximately half with early memory loss and half without, provided 12 months of their checking account statements. These were reviewed for key indicators and then interviews were conducted to insure the older person was the primary manager of the account, to establish annual income and document inflows and outflows. Measures of financial decision‐making, financial literacy, numeracy, memory functioning and indicators for a new Financial Vulnerability Index were collected. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to predict excess spending.

Result

Participants with early memory loss reported significantly lower IADL functioning, had lower memory scores (RAVLT), higher financial decision‐making vulnerability scores and higher excess spending than did those with no memory loss. The association between cognitive status and excess spending was explained by adjustment for the financial decision‐making tool (LFDRS) and the new Financial Vulnerability Index (FVI).

Conclusion

Real world assessment of financial functioning in older adults with early memory loss can assist in identifying deficits in financial management. A new method for this assessment was established.
The Relationship Between Insight and Anxiety Within a Diverse Alzheimer’s Disease Sample
Authors: Heald Jewel , Forgeard Marie , Osher Jason
Published: January 2025

Background

A growing number of individuals and families are affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) across the United States. Changes in insight and levels of anxiety have been extensively but independently investigated in this population. In contrast, research on the relationship between insight and anxiety has been limited and has yielded inconsistent results.

Method

The present study used the NACC Uniform Dataset (N = 18,671) to examine cross‐sectional associations between insight and anxiety in a diverse AD sample in order to better understand their potential role in individuals’ presenting symptoms and overall distress.

Result

Results showed that although higher insight was associated with higher anxiety, this effect disappeared when controlling for other variables. Instead, age of onset, disease severity, and depression severity emerged as significant predictors of greater anxiety. In addition, depressive symptoms also moderated the relationship between insight and anxiety. For participants with lower depression, high insight was associated with lower anxiety. Results also supported the notion that race/ethnicity may play a role in the relationship between insight and anxiety. Overall, Black/African American participants in this study had somewhat lower levels of anxiety than other participants. In addition, within participants with low insight only, Hispanic/Latino/a/x participants had higher levels of anxiety than others.

Conclusion

These findings provide valuable insight into the emotional experiences of patients with AD and may help inform clinicians about potential treatment and intervention options.
The interplay of cognitive and motor impairment in the occurrence of dementia and presence of brain pathologies: a community‐based cohort study
Authors: Wang Jiao , Welmer Anna‐Karin , Bennett David A. , Xu Weili
Published: January 2025

Background

Evidence on the additive effect of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and motor function (MF) impairment on dementia and brain pathologies is sparse. We aimed to explore the incidence of dementia including Alzheimer’s dementia, and brain pathologies among people with both MCI and low MF.

Methods

Within the Rush Memory and Aging Project, 1,814 dementia‐free participants (mean age: 79.7±7.4 years; 74.4% female) were identified at baseline and followed up to 24 years to detect incident dementia. Baseline motor function was assessed by a composite score of dexterity, gait, and hand strength, and tertiled (low, moderate, and high). MCI was defined as the presence of cognitive impairment but not meeting criteria for dementia. Then, four groups were classified: (I) normal, (II) isolated low MF, (III) isolated MCI, and (IV) MCI & low MF. Dementia including Alzheimer’s dementia was diagnosed following international criteria. During the follow‐up, 850 participants died and underwent autopsies for neuropathological assessment (including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular, and other brain pathologies). Data were analyzed using Cox regression and logistic regression.

Results

At baseline, 964, 380, 245, and 225 participants were in the above four groups, respectively. During the follow‐up (median [interquartile range]: 6 [3‐9] years), 506 (27.89%) participants developed dementia, including 469 (25.85%) Alzheimer’s dementia. Compared to the normal group, the multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of MCI & low MF was 5.65 (4.26‐7.50) for dementia and 5.78 (4.31‐7.76) for Alzheimer’s dementia. A significant additive interaction was found between MCI and low MF on dementia risk (AP 0.49: 0.31‐0.66). In the brain pathological data analysis, MCI & low MF was significantly related to higher neurofibrillary tangles (odds ratio 1.99: 1.25‐3.16), cerebral atherosclerosis (2.40: 1.39‐4.12), Lewy bodies (1.71: 1.01‐2.90), and hippocampal sclerosis (3.50: 1.56‐7.86), compared to the normal group.

Conclusion

Adding MF to the assessment of MCI could better detect dementia risk. Both neurodegenerative and vascular mechanisms may underlie the interplay between MF and MCI.
LncRNA Gm20063 alleviates cognitive impairment in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice
Authors: Zhu Xiaolei , Lan Zhen , Xu Yun
Published: January 2025

Background

Compelling evidence has shown that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis including β‐amyloid plaque deposition (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. In this study, we aimed to investigate the critical role of lncRNA Gm20063 in AD.

Method

Six‐month‐old male APP/PS1 transgenic mice and wild type (WT) C57BL/6 (B6) littermates were obtained from the Nanjing University Animal Model Research Center. AAV mediated over‐expression or knockdown of Gm20063 in hippocampus neurons though stereotactic technique. Behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the cognitive and memory function of APP/PS1. Electrophysiological tests, Golgi staining and Western blotting was applied to determine the synaptic plasticity. The potential targets of Gm20063 were identified by mass spectrometry (MS), RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA in situ hybridization (RNA scope).

Result

The expression of Gm20063 was significantly increased in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Overexpression of Gm20063 ameliorated cognitive decline, reduced Aβ deposition, enhanced synaptic plasticity and Aβ phagocytized by microglia in APP/PS1. In addition, knockdown of Gm20063 accelerated the memory deficits and worsened the AD pahogenesis in APP/PS1 mice. Furthermore, Gm20063 interacted with TDP‐43 in the hippocampus, and regulated the post‐translational modifications of TDP‐43.

Conclusion

Gm20063 attenuated cognitive decline in AD mice, and targeting Gm20063 might be an effective therapy for AD treatment.
The Utility of Study Insight Analytics (SIA) Algorithms in Identifying Scoring Error Risks in the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR)
Authors: Negash Selam , Echevarria Barbara , Blattner Raymond , Randolph Christopher
Published: January 2025

Background

Clinical trials in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) suffer from high failure rates, in part due to imprecision in endpoint measurements that introduces noise1. SIA is a quantitative approach that utilizes algorithms to identify inconsistencies in measurements that may be indicative of problematic scale administration and/or scoring errors. The CDR, a sole primary and key secondary endpoint in many AD trials, can be challenging to score, particularly in early symptomatic and mild diseases2. The goal of this study was to develop and validate SIA algorithms for CDR, and to evaluate their incidence and association with scoring errors.

Methods

Aggregated data from 40,148 CDR reviewed assessments across 34 multinational trials of pre‐clinical, early symptomatic, and mild to moderate dementia due to AD were analyzed. Algorithms indicative of scoring errors on the basis of clinical judgement were developed. These were then subjected to a validation procedure to determine both the rates flag trigger, and the degree to which each flag was associated with increased scoring errors. The development and validation of one of these flags (the cognitive‐functional difference score)3 is described in detail as an example. Algorithms that fire relatively infrequently (to minimize false positives), independently (indicating increased probability of scoring errors), and associated with increased error rates were identified.

Results

Five flags emerged from the validation process to meet criteria of relatively low firing rate (<10%), association with increased rates of scoring errors, and having relatively orthogonal relationships with each other. The latter goal was established by a strong linear relationship between number of flags triggered and scoring error rate, such that as the number of flags triggered increased, the mean error rate was significantly elevated (estimate = 0.20, SE = 0.008; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The present study, using a large, aggregated dataset across multiple AD trials, demonstrated the utility of SIA algorithms in detecting data inconsistencies that help identify problematic assessments in CDR. The very strong association between flags triggered and error rates suggests that the algorithms can serve as a proxy for identifying assessments that are predictive of scoring errors and to surface these assessments for review/remediation.