bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An adaptable and personalized framework for top-N course recommendations in online learning
Authors: Amin Samina , Uddin M. Irfan , Alarood Ala Abdulsalam , Mashwani Wali Khan , Alzahrani Ahmed Omar , Alzahrani Hamdan Ahmed
Published: May 2024

In recent years, the proliferation of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) platforms on a global scale has been remarkable. Learners can now meet their learning demands with the help of MOOC. However, learners might not understand the course material well if they have access to a lot of information due to their inadequate expertise and cognitive ability. Personalized Recommender Systems (RSs), a cutting-edge technology, can assist in addressing this issue. It greatly increases resource acquisition through personalized availability for various people of all ages. Intelligent learning methods, such as machine learning and Reinforcement Learning (RL) can be used in RS challenges. However, machine learning needs supervised data and classical RL is not suitable for multi-task recommendations in online learning platforms. To address these challenges, the proposed framework integrates a Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and multi-agent approach. This adaptive system personalizes the learning experience by considering key factors such as learner sentiments, learning style, preferences, competency, and adaptive difficulty levels. We formulate the interactive RS problem using a DRL-based Actor-Critic model named DRR, treating recommendations as a sequential decision-making process. The DRR enables the system to provide top-N course recommendations and personalized learning paths, enriching the student's experience. Extensive experiments on a MOOC dataset such as the 100 K Coursera course review validate the proposed DRR model, demonstrating its superiority over baseline models in major evaluation metrics for long-term recommendations. The outcomes of this research contribute to the field of e-learning technology, guiding the design and implementation of course RSs, to facilitate personalized and relevant recommendations for online learning students.
Reservoir temperature prediction based on characterization of water chemistry data—case study of western Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Shi Haoxin , Zhang Yanjun , Yu Ziwang , Yang Yunxing
Published: May 2024

Reservoir temperature estimation is crucial for geothermal studies, but traditional methods are complex and uncertain. To address this, we collected 83 sets of water chemistry and reservoir temperature data and applied four machine learning algorithms. These models considered various input factors and underwent data preprocessing steps like null value imputation, normalization, and Pearson coefficient calculation. Cross-validation addressed data volume issues, and performance metrics were used for model evaluation. The results revealed that our machine learning models outperformed traditional fluid geothermometers. All machine learning models surpassed traditional methods. The XGBoost model, based on the F-3 combination, demonstrated the best prediction accuracy with an R2 of 0.9732, while the Bayesian ridge regression model using the F-4 combination had the lowest performance with an R2 of 0.8302. This study highlights the potential of machine learning for accurate reservoir temperature prediction, offering geothermal professionals a reliable tool for model selection and advancing our understanding of geothermal resources.
Nocturnal exposure to a preferred ambient scent does not affect dream emotionality or post-sleep core affect valence in young adults
Authors: Martinec Nováková Lenka , Miletínová Eva , Kliková Monika , Bušková Jitka
Published: May 2024

Emotions experienced within sleep mentation (dreaming) affect mental functioning in waking life. There have been attempts at enhancing dream emotions using olfactory stimulation. Odors readily acquire affective value, but to profoundly influence emotional processing, they should bear personal significance for the perceiver rather than be generally pleasant. The main objective of the present sleep laboratory study was to examine whether prolonged nocturnal exposure to self-selected, preferred ambient room odor while asleep influences emotional aspects of sleep mentation and valence of post-sleep core affect. We asked twenty healthy participants (12 males, mean age 25 ± 4 years) to pick a commercially available scented room diffuser cartridge that most readily evoked positively valenced mental associations. In weekly intervals, the participants attended three sessions. After the adaptation visit, they were administered the odor exposure and odorless control condition in a balanced order. Participants were awakened five minutes into the first rapid eye movement (REM) stage that took place after 2:30 a.m. and, if they had been dreaming, they were asked to rate their mental sleep experience for pleasantness, emotional charge, and magnitude of positive and negative emotions and also to evaluate their post-sleep core affect valence. With rs < 0.20, no practically or statistically significant differences existed between exposure and control in any outcome measures. We conclude that in young, healthy participants, the practical value of olfactory stimulation with self-selected preferred scents for enhancement of dream emotions and post-sleep core affect valence is very limited.
Position-resolved charge collection of silicon carbide detectors with an epitaxially-grown graphene layer
Authors: Lopez Paz Ivan , Godignon Philippe , Moffat Neil , Pellegrini Giulio , Rafí Joan Marc , Rius Gemma
Published: May 2024

Silicon carbide (SiC) has outstanding physical properties therefore, diodes based on SiC are being considered for many radiation detection applications such as particle accelerator experiments and medical dosimetry. Moreover, by reducing the metal on the surface of the diode there is the potential to enhance its performance in some fields where the presence of metal is detrimental. To this end, SiC detectors with an epitaxially-grown graphene layer (EG), that substitutes the metallic contact, in the sensitive region were produced at IMB-CNM, profiting from the conductivity of the mono-atomic layer material. To isolate the effect of the graphene on the charge collection, samples without graphene were produced in parallel. In this paper, the effect of EG on Silicon Carbide p-in-n radiation detectors is studied in terms of charge collection with a radioactive source and by means of the transient current technique (TCT), which allows for position-dependent signal formation analysis. As a result of the former, we show the capability of the EG-SiC sensor for charge collection after signal integration, to a resolution close to that of a sensor fully metallised. Moreover, from the TCT studies, we observe uniform charge collection across the active region, as well as an up-to $$\sim $$
∼
40% transient amplitude damping which, compared with the $$\sim $$
∼
90% on the sample containing no metallic contact, proves that the presence of graphene benefits the performance of the device and that the technology is viable for radiation detection as an alternative to metal.
Smart traffic management of vehicles using faster R-CNN based deep learning method
Authors: Chaudhuri Arindam
Published: May 2024

With constant growth of civilization and modernization of cities all across the world since past few centuries smart traffic management of vehicles is one of the most sorted after problem by research community. Smart traffic management basically involves segmentation of vehicles, estimation of traffic density and tracking of vehicles. The vehicle segmentation from videos helps realization of niche applications such as monitoring of speed and estimation of traffic. When occlusions, background with clutters and traffic with density variations, this problem becomes more intractable in nature. Keeping this motivation in this research work, we investigate Faster R-CNN based deep learning method towards segmentation of vehicles. This problem is addressed in four steps viz minimization with adaptive background model, Faster R-CNN based subnet operation, Faster R-CNN initial refinement and result optimization with extended topological active nets. The computational framework uses adaptive background modeling. It also addresses shadow and illumination issues. Higher segmentation accuracy is achieved through topological active net deformable models. The topological and extended topological active nets help to achieve stated deformations. Mesh deformation is achieved with minimization of energy. The segmentation accuracy is improved with modified version of extended topological active net. The experimental results demonstrate superiority of this framework with respect to other methods.
The local mechanosensitive response of primary cardiac fibroblasts is influenced by the microenvironment mechanics
Authors: Braidotti Nicoletta , Demontis Giorgia , Conti Martina , Andolfi Laura , Ciubotaru Catalin Dacian , Sbaizero Orfeo , Cojoc Dan
Published: May 2024

Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are essential for preserving myocardial integrity and function. They can detect variations in cardiac tissue stiffness using various cellular mechanosensors, including the Ca2+ permeable mechanosensitive channel Piezo1. Nevertheless, how CFs adapt the mechanosensitive response to stiffness changes remains unclear. In this work we adopted a multimodal approach, combining the local mechanical stimulation (from 10 pN to 350 nN) with variations of culture substrate stiffness. We found that primary rat CFs cultured on stiff (GPa) substrates showed a broad Piezo1 distribution in the cell with particular accumulation at the mitochondria membrane. CFs displayed a force-dependent behavior in both calcium uptake and channel activation probability, showing a threshold at 300 nN, which involves both cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ mobilization. This trend decreases as the myofibroblast phenotype within the cell population increases, following a possible Piezo1 accumulation at focal adhesion sites. In contrast, the inhibition of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts transition with soft substrates (kPa) considerably reduces both mechanically- and chemically-induced Piezo1 activation and expression. Our findings shed light on how Piezo1 function and expression are regulated by the substrate stiffness and highlight its involvement in the environment-mediated modulation of CFs mechanosensitivity.
Information processing style and institutional trust as factors of COVID vaccine hesitancy
Authors: Zhao Wanchen , Russell Catherine Maya , Jankovsky Anastasia , Cannon Tyrone D. , Pittenger Christopher , Pushkarskaya Helen
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the factors contributing to COVID vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine hesitancy has commonly been attributed to susceptibility to misinformation and linked to particular socio-demographic factors and personality traits. We present a new perspective, emphasizing the interplay between individual cognitive styles and perceptions of public health institutions. In January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, 318 participants underwent a comprehensive assessment, including self-report measures of personality and clinical characteristics, as well as a behavioral task that assessed information processing styles. During 2021, attitudes towards vaccines, scientists, and the CDC were measured at three time points (February–October). Panel data analysis and structural equation modeling revealed nuanced relationships between these measures and information processing styles over time. Trust in public health institutions, authoritarian submission, and lower information processing capabilities together contribute to vaccine acceptance. Information processing capacities influenced vaccination decisions independently from the trust level, but their impact was partially mediated by authoritarian tendencies. These findings underscore the multifactorial nature of vaccine hesitancy, which emerges as a product of interactions between individual cognitive styles and perceptions of public health institutions. This novel perspective provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms that drive this complex phenomenon.
T-reg transcriptomic signatures identify response to check-point inhibitors
Authors: Noblejas-López María del Mar , García-Gil Elena , Pérez-Segura Pedro , Pandiella Atanasio , Győrffy Balázs , Ocaña Alberto
Published: May 2024

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) is a subtype of CD4+ T cells that produce an inhibitory action against effector cells. In the present work we interrogated genomic datasets to explore the transcriptomic profile of breast tumors with high expression of Tregs. Only 0.5% of the total transcriptome correlated with the presence of Tregs and only four transcripts, BIRC6, MAP3K2, USP4 and SMG1, were commonly shared among the different breast cancer subtypes. The combination of these genes predicted favorable outcome, and better prognosis in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors. Twelve up-regulated genes coded for proteins expressed at the cell membrane that included functions related to neutrophil activation and regulation of macrophages. A positive association between MSR1 and CD80 with macrophages in basal-like tumors and between OLR1, ABCA1, ITGAV, CLEC5A and CD80 and macrophages in HER2 positive tumors was observed. Expression of some of the identified genes correlated with favorable outcome and response to checkpoint inhibitors: MSR1, CD80, OLR1, ABCA1, TMEM245, and ATP13A3 predicted outcome to anti PD(L)1 therapies, and MSR1, CD80, OLR1, ANO6, ABCA1, TMEM245, and ATP13A3 to anti CTLA4 therapies, including a subgroup of melanoma treated patients. In this article we provide evidence of genes strongly associated with the presence of Tregs that modulates the response to check point inhibitors.
Ratio of plasma IL-13/TNF- ∝ and CXCL10/CCL17 predicts mepolizumab and omalizumab response in asthma better than eosinophil count or immunoglobulin E level
Authors: Akenroye Ayobami , Nopsopon Tanawin , Hacker Jonathan J. , Laidlaw Tanya M.
Published: May 2024

To date, most studies to identify biomarkers associated with response to the anti-interleukin 5 agent, mepolizumab, and to the anti-immunoglobulin E agent, omalizumab have focused on clinically available biomarkers, such as the peripheral blood eosinophil counts (BEC) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE). However, these biomarkers often have low predictive accuracy, with many patients with eosinophilic or allergic asthma failing to demonstrate clinical response to mepolizumab or omalizumab respectively. In this study, we evaluated the association of baseline pre-biologic plasma levels of 26 cytokines and chemokines, including T-helper 1 (Th1)-, Th2-, Th17-related cytokines, and their ratios with subsequent clinical response to mepolizumab or omalizumab. We defined clinical response as a reduction in the baseline annual exacerbation rate by half or more over the one-year period following initiation of the biologic. Baseline levels of plasma IL-13 were differentially elevated in responders versus non-responders to mepolizumab and plasma CXCL10 levels were differentially elevated in responders to omalizumab. The ratio of IL-13/TNF-α had the best sensitivity and specificity in predicting response to mepolizumab and CXCL10/CCL17 to omalizumab, and these performed better as predictive biomarkers of response than BEC and IgE. Cytokines and chemokines associated with airway eosinophilia, allergic inflammation, or Th2 inflammation, such as IL-13 and CXCL10, may be better predictors of clinical response to mepolizumab and omalizumab, than IL-5 or IgE, the targets of mepolizumab and omalizumab.
Detecting emotions through EEG signals based on modified convolutional fuzzy neural network
Authors: Ahmadzadeh Nobari Azar Nasim , Cavus Nadire , Esmaili Parvaneh , Sekeroglu Boran , Aşır Süleyman
Published: May 2024

Emotion is a human sense that can influence an individual’s life quality in both positive and negative ways. The ability to distinguish different types of emotion can lead researchers to estimate the current situation of patients or the probability of future disease. Recognizing emotions from images have problems concealing their feeling by modifying their facial expressions. This led researchers to consider Electroencephalography (EEG) signals for more accurate emotion detection. However, the complexity of EEG recordings and data analysis using conventional machine learning algorithms caused inconsistent emotion recognition. Therefore, utilizing hybrid deep learning models and other techniques has become common due to their ability to analyze complicated data and achieve higher performance by integrating diverse features of the models. However, researchers prioritize models with fewer parameters to achieve the highest average accuracy. This study improves the Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Network (CFNN) for emotion recognition using EEG signals to achieve a reliable detection system. Initially, the pre-processing and feature extraction phases are implemented to obtain noiseless and informative data. Then, the CFNN with modified architecture is trained to classify emotions. Several parametric and comparative experiments are performed. The proposed model achieved reliable performance for emotion recognition with an average accuracy of 98.21% and 98.08% for valence (pleasantness) and arousal (intensity), respectively, and outperformed state-of-the-art methods.
The optimization method of wing plasma ice shape regulation based on quantitative assessment of flight risk
Authors: Li Zhe , Dou Pengfei , Huang Qiao
Published: May 2024

Plasma ice shape regulation is a technology which uses plasma actuator to regulate the continuous ice into safer intermittent ice by its significant thermal effect with limited energy. Whether plasma ice shape regulation could reduce flight risk is a new problem under the wing with continuous ice. The 3D printed ice shapes were arranged on the leading edge of the wing based on NACA0012 airfoil, aiming to simulate the configuration after ice shape regulation. And the aerodynamic parameters were obtained by wind tunnel experiments. The experimental results showed that the ratio of signal regulation ice width $$d$$
d
to chord length of the wing $$b_{A}$$

b
A

determined the aerodynamic characteristics, and the aerodynamic characteristics changed better compared with configuration of the continuous ice. However, the flight risk of the wing under given regulation ratio is unknown. Based on the straight and swept wing after regulating, the flight safety boundaries were simulated by the reachable set method. Further, a method of quantitative assessment of flight risk is proposed. Quantitative values of risk were calculated. The results show that the flight risk all decreases from level 2 to level 4 compared with configuration of the continuous ice when $$d/b_{A}$$

d
/

b
A

equals 0.15 under conditions of swept and straight wing.
High surface area and interconnected nanoporosity of clay-rich astromaterials
Authors: Garvie Laurence A. J. , Trif László , Cotto-Figueroa Desireé , Asphaug Erik , Hoover Christian G.
Published: May 2024

Porosity affects key astromaterial processes from disruption in our atmosphere and impact with the ground, to the comminution of boulders by thermal and impact processes and slope mechanics on asteroid surfaces, to access and utilization of in-situ resources. Whereas the bulk porosity of clay-rich meteorites is well established, the magnitude of their surface area and nano-scale porosity is poorly known. Here we use N2 BET gas adsorption to measure the specific surface area and nanoscale pore distribution in several clay-rich meteorites. Two recent falls Tarda (C2-ung) and Aguas Zarcas (CM2) have specific surface areas of 72.5 and 16.5 m2/g, respectively. However, the specific surface area of Tarda ranges from 33.7 to 81.6 m2/g depending on outgassing conditions. The Tarda surface area is dominated by an interconnected network of ~ 3-nm-sized pores, whereas Aguas Zarcas shows a lower density of ~ 3 nm pores and broader size distribution around 40 nm. In contrast, Ivuna and Orgueil (CI1) have surface areas of ~ 15 to 18 m2/g: the low values compared to Tarda are likely due to the neoformation of pore-blocking minerals during atmospheric exposure. These data suggest that returned samples from asteroids Ryugu and Bennu, which are mineralogically and texturally similar to Tarda, also have interconnected nano-scale porosity with high surface area.
Changes in wet bulb globe temperature and risk to heat-related hazards in Bangladesh
Authors: Kamal A. S. M. Maksud , Fahim Abul Kashem Faruki , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: May 2024

The rise in temperatures and changes in other meteorological variables have exposed millions of people to health risks in Bangladesh, a densely populated, hot, and humid country. To better assess the threats climate change poses to human health, the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is an important indicator of human heat stress. This study utilized high-resolution reanalysis data from the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF ERA5) to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in outdoor WBGT across Bangladesh from 1979 to 2021, employing Liljegren's model. The study revealed an increase in the annual average WBGT by 0.08–0.5 °C per decade throughout the country, with a more pronounced rise in the southeast and northeast regions. Additionally, the number of days with WBGT levels associated with high and extreme risks of heat-related illnesses has shown an upward trend. Specifically, during the monsoon period (June to September), there has been an increase of 2–4 days per decade, and during the pre-monsoon period (March to May), an increase of 1–3 days per decade from 1979 to 2021. Furthermore, the results indicated that the escalation in WBGT has led to a five-fold increase in affected areas and a three-fold increase in days of high and extreme heat stress during the monsoon season in recent years compared to the earlier period. Trend and relative importance analyses of various meteorological variables demonstrated that air temperature is the primary driver behind Bangladesh's rising WBGT and related health risks, followed by specific humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation.
The association of hypertension among married Indian couples: a nationally representative cross-sectional study
Authors: Varghese Jithin Sam , Ghosh Arpita , Stein Aryeh D. , Narayan K. M. Venkat , Patel Shivani A.
Published: May 2024

Mounting evidence demonstrates that intimate partners sharing risk factors have similar propensities for chronic conditions such as hypertension. The objective was to study whether spousal hypertension was associated with one’s own hypertension status independent of known risk factors, and stratified by socio-demographic subgroups (age, sex, wealth quintile, caste endogamy). Data were from heterosexual married couples (n = 50,023, women: 18–49 years, men: 21–54 years) who participated in the National Family Health Survey-V (2019–2021). Hypertension was defined as self-reported diagnosis of hypertension or average of three blood pressure measurements ≥ 140 systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic BP. Among married adults, the prevalence of hypertension among men (38.8 years [SD 8.3]) and women (33.9 years [SD 7.9]) were 29.1% [95% CI 28.5–29.8] and 20.6% [95% CI 20.0–21.1] respectively. The prevalence of hypertension among both partners was 8.4% [95% CI 8.0–8.8]. Women and men were more likely to have hypertension if their spouses had the condition (husband with hypertension: PR 1.37 [95% CI 1.30–1.44]; wife with hypertension: PR 1.32 [95% CI 1.26–1.38]), after adjusting for known risk factors. Spouse’s hypertension status was consistently associated with own status across all socio-demographic subgroups examined. These findings present opportunities to consider married couples as a unit in efforts to diagnose and treat hypertension.
Nonlinear mechanical response analysis and convolutional neural network enabled diagnosis of single-span rotor bearing system
Authors: Qian Bing , Cai Yinhui , Ran Yinkang , Sun Weipeng
Published: May 2024

The wide application of rotating machinery has boosted the development of electricity and aviation, however, long-term operation can lead to a variety of faults. The use of different measures to deal with corresponding malfunctions is the key to generating benefits, so it is significant to carry out the fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. In this work, a test bench for single-span rotor bearings was established, three faults, including spindle bending, spindle crack without end loading and spindle crack with end loading, are experimental analyzed with basic mechanical response. Moreover, a diagnosis is performed using a convolutional neural network, according to the differences in mechanical responses of the three faults obtained from experiments. For three faults, the change in the properties of spindle itself results in different axis trajectories and spectra. Compared with spindle bending fault, spindle crack fault not only cause 1×, 2×, 3× frequency component excitation, also 4×, 5× frequency component excitation. Additionally, the classification accuracy of the training set and the test set under machine learning for the three types of working conditions is 100%. This indicates that the network can significantly identify signal features so as to make effective fault classification.
The mental health toll among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Malawi
Authors: Maliwichi Limbika , Kondowe Fiskani , Mmanga Chilungamo , Mchenga Martina , Kainja Jimmy , Nyamali Simunye , Ndasauka Yamikani
Published: May 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of healthcare workers worldwide, with frontline personnel experiencing heightened rates of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. This mixed-methods study aimed to assess the mental health toll of COVID-19 on healthcare workers in Malawi. A cross-sectional survey utilising the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) was conducted among 109 frontline healthcare workers. Additionally, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 healthcare workers to explore their experiences and challenges during the pandemic. The results indicated a high prevalence of COVID-19-related depression (31%; CI [23, 41]), anxiety (30%; CI [22, 40]), and PTSD (25%; CI [17, 34]) among participants. Regression analysis revealed significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among healthcare workers in city referral hospitals compared to district hospitals. Qualitative findings highlighted the emotional distress, impact on work and personal life, and experiences of stigma and discrimination faced by healthcare workers. The stress process model provided a valuable framework for understanding the relationship among pandemic-related stressors, coping resources, and mental health outcomes. The findings underscore the urgent need for interventions and support systems to mitigate the mental health impact of COVID-19 on frontline healthcare workers in Malawi. Policymakers should prioritise the assessment and treatment of mental health problems among this critical workforce to maintain an effective pandemic response and build resilience for future crises.
Decomposing difference in the kidney cancer burden measures between 1990 and 2019 based on the global burden of disease study
Authors: Ayubi Erfan , Shahbazi Fatemeh , Khazaei Salman
Published: May 2024

The kidney cancer (KC) burden measures have changed dramatically in recent years due to changes in exposure to the determinants over time. We aimed to decompose the difference in the KC burden measures between 1990 and 2019. This ecological study included data on the KC burden measures as well as socio-demographic index (SDI), behavioral, dietary, and metabolic risk factors from the global burden of disease study. Non-linear multivariate decomposition analysis was applied to decompose the difference in the burden of KC. Globally, ASIR, ASMR, and ASDR of KC increased from 2.88 to 4.37, from 1.70 to 2.16, and from 46.13 to 54.96 per 100,000 people between 1990 and 2019, respectively. The global burden of KC was more concentrated in developed countries. From 1990 to 2019, the burden of KC has increased the most in Eastern European countries. More than 70% of the difference in the KC burden measures between 1990 and 2019 was due to changes in exposure to the risk factors over time. The SDI, high body mass index (BMI), and alcohol use had the greatest contribution to the difference in the KC burden measures. Changes in characteristics over time, including SDI, high BMI, and alcohol consumption, appear to be important in the evolving landscape of KC worldwide. This finding may help policymakers design policies and implement prevention programs to control and manage KC.
Imagined otherness fuels blatant dehumanization of outgroups
Authors: van Loon Austin , Goldberg Amir , Srivastava Sameer B.
Published: May 2024

Dehumanization of others has been attributed to institutional processes that spread dehumanizing norms and narratives, as well as to individuals’ denial of mind to others. We propose that blatant dehumanization also arises when people actively contemplate others’ minds. We introduce the construct of imagined otherness—perceiving that a prototypical member of a social group construes an important facet of the social world in ways that diverge from the way most humans understand it—and argue that such attributions catalyze blatant dehumanization beyond the effects of general perceived difference and group identification. Measuring perceived schematic difference relative to the concept of America, we examine how this measure relates to the tendency of U.S. Republicans and Democrats to blatantly dehumanize members of the other political party. We report the results of two pre-registered studies—one correlational (N = 771) and one experimental (N = 398)—that together lend support for our theory. We discuss implications of these findings for research on social boundaries, political polarization, and the measurement of meaning.
Polarization is the psychological foundation of collective engagement
Authors: Smith Laura G. E. , Thomas Emma F. , Bliuc Ana-Maria , McGarty Craig
Published: May 2024

The term polarization is used to describe both the division of a society into opposing groups (political polarization), and a social psychological phenomenon (group polarization) whereby people adopt more extreme positions after discussion. We explain how group polarization underpins the political polarization phenomenon: Social interaction, for example through social media, enables groups to form in such a way that their beliefs about what should be done to change the world—and how this differs from the stance of other groups—become integrated as aspects of a new, shared social identity. This provides a basis for mobilization to collective action.
Hydrogen oxidation electrocatalysts for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells: activity descriptors, stability regulation, and perspectives
Authors: Ren Jin-Tao , Chen Lei , Wang Hao-Yu , Feng Yi , Yuan Zhong-Yong
Published: May 2024

The general principles in terms of reactivity and stability to design efficient electrocatalysts for the alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction are reviewed. The performance of catalysts in anion-exchange membrane fuel cells is further discussed.
Optimizing anisotropic transport on bioinspired sawtooth surfaces
Authors: Gagnon Dillon G. , Park Dahbin , Yim Kevin , Morozova Svetlana
Published: May 2024

Biomimetic surfaces inspired by butterfly wings serve as a template to better understand anisotropic wetting and droplet motion.
Unravelling the potential of magnetic nanoparticles: a comprehensive review of design and applications in analytical chemistry
Authors: Çiçek Özkul Serra Lale , Kaba İbrahim , Ozdemir Olgun Fatos Ayca
Published: May 2024

A comprehensive review on analytical applications, synthesis routes, overall utility and future aspects of magnetic nanoparticles.
Two-layer cascaded catalytic hairpin assemblies based on locked nucleic acids for one-step and highly sensitive ctDNA detection
Authors: Tan Kaiyue , Chen Longsheng , Cao Donglin , Xiao Wei , Lv Qian , Zou Lili
Published: May 2024

Enzyme-free signal amplification of catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) has enabled sensitive detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in early clinical diagnosis.
Facile access to C-substituted piperazin-2-ones and mianserin derivative enabled by chemoselective carbene insertion and cyclization cascade
Authors: Kumar Dharmendra , Unnikrishnan Urmila , Kuram Malleswara Rao
Published: May 2024

A simple method to synthesize carbon-substituted piperazinones achieved from donor–acceptor diazo compounds and 1,2-diamine derivatives under Cu-catalyzed conditions.
In vitro crystallization of single crystalline guanine microplates mediated by proteins extracted from carp fish Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Ren Yujing , Hou Xiubin , Zhang Ying , Hao JingYan , Gao Juan , Song Xinbing , Ma Yurong
Published: May 2024

Elongated hexagonal microplates were first synthesized in the presence of biomolecule mixed proteins extracted from carp fish scales. These synthetic guanine microplates exhibit excellent optical properties such as high diffuse reflection, strong depolarization, and bright pearling.
Dazzling Ca2LuScAl2Si2O12:Ce3+ green-emitting garnet-type phosphors for blue-chip-pumped white light-emitting diodes: broad emission band, high quantum efficiency and excellent thermal stability
Authors: Xian Cheng , Chen Xiaoyuan , Devakumar Balaji , Huang Xiaoyong
Published: May 2024

A highly efficient blue-light-excited green-emitting Ce3+-activated Ca2LuScAl2Si2O12 garnet phosphor with high quantum efficiency and good thermal stability is demonstrated for application in w-LEDs.
Assessing the effects of dealumination and bifunctionalization on 8-membered ring zeolite/zeo-type materials in the methanol-to-olefin catalytic process
Authors: Jiang Shican , Zhou Hexun , Zhang Xin , Zhou Xue , Dutta Chowdhury Abhishek
Published: May 2024

C2–C4 shorter olefins, particularly ethylene and propylene, are crucial building blocks in modern petrochemical, polymer, and chemical industries.
Copper-doped LaCoO3 for direct propylene epoxidation: a DFT study
Authors: Wang Wen-Jing , Wang Gui-Chang
Published: May 2024

In the presence of Cl, doping Cu into LaCoO3 can improve the selectivity of propylene epoxidation to propylene oxide, and LaCuO–Cl surface shows the best activity and selectivity.
F-regulated Ni2P-F3 nanosheets as efficient electrocatalysts for full-water-splitting and urea oxidation
Authors: Sun Xi , Song Shixue , Yan Gaojie , Liu Yingchun , Ding Huili , Zhang Xiaojie , Feng Yi
Published: May 2024

Ni2P-F3 nanosheets were synthesized via vapor phosphorylation and melt fluorination. Fluorine doping was employed to adjust the electronic structure and d-band center, thereby optimizing the adsorption energies of intermediates.
Picoplatin binding to proteins: X-ray structures and mass spectrometry data on the adducts with lysozyme and ribonuclease A
Authors: Ferraro Giarita , Lyčková Tereza , Massai Lara , Štarha Pavel , Messori Luigi , Merlino Antonello
Published: May 2024

The reactivity of the anticancer drug picoplatin with the model proteins hen egg white lysozyme and bovine pancreatic ribonuclease was investigated by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography.
CO2 conversion to CO via plasma and electrolysis: a techno-economic and energy cost analysis
Authors: Osorio-Tejada Jose , Escriba-Gelonch Marc , Vertongen Rani , Bogaerts Annemie , Hessel Volker
Published: May 2024

Analysis of the CO production cost from CO2via gliding arc plasma reactors with embedded carbon beds versus low-temperature electrolysers.
Bulk-to-surface co-modification of layered hydrated vanadate cathode for aqueous zinc ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Chen , Huang Yan , Xu Xueer , Chen Ziyu , Xiao Gang , Zhong Yu , Wang Xiuli , Gu Changdong , Tu Jiangping
Published: May 2024

The major challenges of vanadium-based layered materials are their dissolution tendency and the instability of their bulk-phase structure, resulting in unsatisfactory cyclability, particularly at lower current densities.
Shamrock-shaped non-fullerene acceptors enable high-efficiency and high-voltage organic photovoltaics
Authors: Wang Zongtao , Ji Mengwei , Tang Ailing , Du Mengzhen , Mu Chenyu , Liu Yingliang , Wang Ergang , Zhou Erjun
Published: May 2024

We developed two shamrock-shaped NFAs, AQI2 and AQI4. D18:AQI2 achieved a PCE of 16.48% with a VOC of 1.00 V, and D18:AQI4 achieved a higher PCE of 18.02% with a VOC of 0.95 V due to decreased energy loss and efficient photon utilization.
CO2-mediated isomerization of enamides
Authors: Yang Guoqing , Jia Jingpei , Zhu Zile , Qiu Youai
Published: May 2024

CO2-mediated Z to E isomerization of enamides assisted by electrocatalysis has been established, the key step relies on the formation of intermediates with CO2via an unconventional C-centered mode, providing a series of E-enamides in good yield.
Deuterium labeling improves the therapeutic index of 3,3′-diselenodipropionic acid as an anticancer agent: insights from redox reactions
Authors: Gandhi V. V. , Pal M. K. , Singh B. G. , Das R. P. , Wadawale A. P. , Dey S. , Kunwar A.
Published: May 2024

The present study reports the synthesis and characterisation of deuterated derivative of 3,3′-diselenodipropionic acid, an anticancer agent. Deuterium derivative exhibits slower redox reactions and better bio-compatibility than hydrogen derivative.
Study of the catalytic activity of methylene-bridged dicationic –SO3H-functionalized imidazolium phosphomolybdate hybrids for the one-pot sequential synthesis of 3-substituted indoles
Authors: Kashyap Niharika , Das Sukanya , Paul Subham , Purkayastha Siddhartha K. , Guha Ankur K. , Borah Ruli
Published: May 2024

Organic–inorganic dicationic imidazolium and phosphomolybdate based hybrids [DILPOM-1/2/3] developed for one pot synthesis of 3-substituted indoles in solvent free thermal methods.
Comprehensive evaluation of non-conventional lanthanum phosphate nanospheres inside water-in-oil microemulsion scaffolds and their utilization in the assessment of surfactant-free TiO2-based Pickering emulsion formulations
Authors: Mandal Trishna , Rahaman Sk Mehebub , Saha Bipasha , Khatun Nargis , Patra Arnab , Mukherjee Arnab , Nandi Mahasweta , Dhak Debasis , Roy Sanjay , Saha Bidyut
Published: May 2024

A comprehensive evaluation is performed of lanthanum phosphate nanospheres in water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion scaffolds and their utilization in the formulation of surfactant-free TiO2-based stable Pickering emulsions.
The biological response of pH-switch-based gold nanoparticle-composite polyamino acid embolic material
Authors: Yang Feng , Gong Shiwen , Hu Die , Chen Lihua , Wang Wenyuan , Cheng Bo , Yang Jing , Li Binbin , Wang Xinyu
Published: May 2024

With continuous advances in medical technology, non-invasive embolization has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment, offering new possibilities in cancer therapy.
A nine-ring fused terrylene diimide exhibits switching between red TADF and near-IR room temperature phosphorescence
Authors: Jha Shivangee , Mehra Kundan Singh , Dey Mandira , S Sujesh , Ghosh Debashree , Mondal Pradip Kumar , Polentarutti Maurizio , Sankar Jeyaraman
Published: May 2024

Herein, we report the first example of a terrylene diimide derivative that switches emission between thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in the red region.
A bifunctional primitive strategy induces enhancements of large second harmonic generation and wide UV transmittance in rare-earth borates containing [B5O10] groups
Authors: Li Shuaifeng , Li Weiming , Li Xiang , Yang Guangsai , Ye Ning , Hu Zhanggui , Wu Yicheng , Li Conggang
Published: May 2024

Strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) and a short ultraviolet (UV) cutoff edge are two crucial yet often conflicting parameters that must be finely tuned in the exploration of nonlinear optical (NLO) materials.
Inelastic effects in bulge formation of inflated polymer tubes
Authors: Rouhani Fatemeh , Pazin Jack Wurster , Young Brian A. , Liu Qihan , Velankar Sachin S.
Published: May 2024

Tubes that are not purely elastic show an inflation instability with multiple, slowly-growing bulges. Viscoelasticity, strain-induced damage, and permanent deformation all cause deviations from purely elastic behavior.
A theoretical prediction of thermoelectrical properties for novel two-dimensional monolayer ZrSn2N4
Authors: Feng Shan , Qi Hangbo , Hu Wenguang , Zu Xiaotao , Xiao Haiyan
Published: May 2024

The optimal ZT values for p-type (n-type) doped ZrSn2N4 can reach a moderate level of 1.15 (0.91) at 1200 K, which demonstrates the great potential of the ZrSn2N4 monolayer as a TE material.
Biophysical investigation of liposome systems decorated with bioconjugated copolymers in the presence of amantadine
Authors: Pérez-Isidoro Rosendo , Valdez-Lara Alejandra Gabriela , Díaz-Salazar Alma Jessica , Hoeppener Stephanie , Guerrero-Sánchez Carlos , Quintana-Owen Patricia , Ruiz-Suárez Jesus Carlos , Schubert Ulrich S. , Ayora-Talavera Guadalupe , De Jesús-Téllez Marco Antonio , Saldívar-Guerra Enrique
Published: May 2024

Self-assembled nanostructures derived from lipids and polymers are investigated as potential drug delivery vehicles in nanomedicine.
A multifunctional rooftop unit for direct air capture
Authors: An Keju , Brechtl Jamieson , Kowalski Stephen , Yang Cheng-Min , Kidder Michelle K. , Tsouris Costas , Janke Christopher , Lamm Meghan , Copenhaver Katie , Thompson Josh , Turnaoglu Tugba , Fricke Brian , Li Kai , Sun Xin , Nawaz Kashif
Published: May 2024

Direct air capture (DAC), which captures CO2 from ambient air, is a critical technology to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere in order to avoid climate disasters.
High-mass star formation across the Large Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Golshan Roya Hamedani , Sánchez-Monge Álvaro , Schilke Peter , Sewiło Marta , Möller Thomas , Veena Vadamattom S. , Fuller Gary A.
Published: May 2024

Context. The formation of massive stars passes through a so-called hot molecular core phase, where the temperature of molecular gas and dust rises to above 100 K within a size scale of approximately 0.1 pc. The hot molecular cores are rich in chemical compounds found in the gas phase, which are a great probe of ongoing star formation.

Aims. To study the impact of the initial effects of metallicity (i.e., the abundance of elements heavier than helium) on star formation and the formation of different molecular species, we searched for hot molecular cores in the sub-solar metallicity environment of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).

Methods. We conducted Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Band 6 observations of 20 fields centered on young stellar objects (YSOs) distributed over the LMC in order to search for hot molecular cores in this galaxy.

Results. We detected a total of 65 compact 1.2 mm continuum cores in the 20 ALMA fields and analyzed their spectra with XCLASS software. The main temperature tracers are CH3OH and SO2, with more than two transitions detected in the observed frequency ranges. Other molecular lines with high detection rates in our sample are CS, SO, H13CO+, H13CN, HC15N, and SiO. More complex molecules, such as HNCO, HDCO, HC3N, CH3CN, and NH2CHO, and multiple transitions of SO and SO2 isotopologues showed tentative or definite detection toward a small subset of the cores. According to the chemical richness of the cores and high temperatures from the XCLASS fitting, we report the detection of four hot cores and one hot core candidate. With one new hot core detection in this study, the number of detected hot cores in the LMC increases to seven.

Conclusions. Six out of seven hot cores detected in the LMC to date are located in the stellar bar region of this galaxy. These six hot cores show emission from complex organic molecules (COMs), such as CH3OH, CH3CN, CH3OCHO, and CH3OCH3. The only known hot core in the LMC with no detection of COMs is located outside the bar region. The metallicity in the LMC presents a shallow gradient increasing from outer regions toward the bar. Various studies emphasize the interaction between the LMC and the Small Magellanic Cloud, which resulted in the mixing and inhomogeneity of the interstellar medium of the two galaxies. These interactions triggered a new generation of star formation in the LMC. We suggest that the formation of hot molecular cores containing COMs ensues from the new generation of stars forming in the more metal-rich environment of the LMC bar.
The rotation-tunneling spectrum of 3-hydroxypropenal and confirmation of its detection toward IRAS 16293-2422 B
Authors: Müller H. S. P. , Coutens A. , Jørgensen J. K. , Margulès L. , Motiyenko R. A. , Guillemin J.-C.
Published: May 2024

Context. 3-Hydroxypropenal (HOCHCHCHO) is the lower energy tautomer of malonaldehyde which displays a complex rotation-tunneling spectrum. It was detected somewhat tentatively toward the solar-type protostellar system IRAS 16293-2422 with ALMA in the framework of the Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey (PILS). Several transitions, however, had large residuals, preventing not only their detection, but also the excitation temperature of the species from being determined unambiguously.

Aims. We want to extend the existing rotational line list of 3-hydroxypropenal to shed more light on the recent observational results and to facilitate additional radio astronomical searches for this molecule.

Methods. We recorded and analyzed the rotation-tunneling spectrum of 3-hydroxypropenal in the frequency regions between 150 and 330 GHz and between 400 and 660 GHz. Transitions were searched for in the PILS observations of IRAS 16293-2422. Local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) models were carried out and compared to the observations to constrain the excitation temperature. Additional transitions were searched for in other ALMA archival data of the same source to confirm the presence of 3-hydroxypropenal.

Results. More than 7500 different spectral lines, corresponding to more than 11 500 transitions, were assigned in the course of our investigation with quantum numbers 2 ≤ J ≤ 100, Ka ≤ 59, and Kc ≤ 97, resulting in a greatly improved set of spectroscopic parameters. The comparison between the LTE models and the observations yields an excitation temperature of 125 K with a column density N = 1.0 × 1015 cm−2 for this species. We identified seven additional lines of 3-hydroxypropenal that show a good agreement with the model in the ALMA archive data.

Conclusions. The calculated rotation-tunneling spectrum of 3-hydroxypropenal has sufficient accuracy for radio astronomical searches. With the solution of the excitation temperature conundrum and the detection of seven more lines, we consider the detection of 3-hydroxypropenal toward IRAS 16293-2422 as secure.
Enhancement of System Resilience for Islanded Microgrid with Clean Energy
Authors: Chen Cheng-I , Zhu Guo-Hao , Chen Shin-Kuan , Chen Chung-Hsien , Chen Jui-Ying
Published: May 2024

Enhancement of system resilience of microgrid is important when the system is operated in the islanded mode. The commonly used clean energy in microgrid is the intermittent renewable energy which would deteriorate the system resilience of microgrid. To solve this problem, the residual energy pre-served in the energy storage system is introduced in this paper to extend the time duration of fundamental load demand when the power outage is present. The experiment is implemented in the demo system in the campus of National Central University to verify the performance of proposed management strategy.