bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploration of Active Substances and Its Potential Mechanism of Gancao Fuzi Decoction on Inflammatory Based on Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology
Authors: Geng Wei , Liu Shuang , Dong Hongjing , Arachchige Buddhika Niroshie Perumpuli , Qi Dongmei , Wang Xiao
Published: February 2025

Gancao Fuzi decoction (GCFZT) is a traditional Chinese formula, which has been commonly used in clinical practice to treat inflammatory diseases. However, the active substance of GCFZT in the treatment of inflammation is not fully clarified. In this study, we used orthogonal experiments to design different GCFZT formulations, resulting in a total of 16 GCFZT formulations. Subsequently, UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical composition of different formulations, and the anti‐inflammatory activity differences of these formulations were evaluated through an LPS‐induced RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model. Combined with machine learning algorithms such as PLS‐DA and RF, four main active substances in GCFZT were screened. Finally, network pharmacology techniques were used to investigate the potential anti‐inflammatory mechanisms of these main active substances, and the results showed that GCFZT mainly regulates the expression of core targets such as ALOX5, NFKB1, and TLR4 through main active substances such as chlorogenic acid, riboflavin, and formononetin, thereby affecting the NF kappa B signaling pathway, the Toll‐like receptor signaling pathway, and the Th17 cell differentiation. This study provides a reference for the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of GCFZT and a scientific basis for its clinical application.
Protocol‐Based PID Control for Stochastic Multiagent Systems Under Deception Attacks: Handling Quasi‐Consensus in Probability
Authors: Ban Jie , Guo Liangdong , Wang Zidong
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we investigate the problem of observer‐based proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) quasi‐consensus control for a specific class of stochastic multi‐agent systems (MASs) subject to deception attacks. This study is driven by practical engineering challenges where communication networks are vulnerable to attacks and resource constraints. We consider the scenario where the relative output vector of each agent, after being uniformly quantized and managed through a Round‐Robin scheduling protocol, is exposed to deception attacks. To address these challenges, we develop a novel distributed observer‐based PID control strategy tailored for stochastic MASs. This strategy effectively accounts for system randomness and defenses against deception attacks. Using matrix inequality and stochastic analysis techniques, we establish a framework of sufficient conditions for achieving quasi‐consensus in probability and derive the corresponding gain matrices. The proposed approach is validated through numerical simulations, demonstrating its effectiveness in maintaining consensus despite deception attacks and quantization effects.
Optimal H∞$$ {\mathcal{H}}_{\infty } $$ Problem and Application to Controlled Asymptotic Filtering
Authors: Stefanovski Jovan
Published: February 2025

The optimal variant of one‐sided ‐problem is elaborated, and an LMI‐based algorithm is presented, which works in the generic case. An application in controlled asymptotic filtering is presented, in which the matrices of the ‐problem are affine functions of controller coefficients. These two results are illustrated with examples.
Practical Finite‐Time and Fixed‐Time Guaranteed Cost Consensus for Second‐Order Nonlinear Multi‐Agent Systems With Switching Topology and Actuator Faults
Authors: Lu Rongxiang , Wu Jie , Zhan Xi‐Sheng , Yan Huaicheng
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates finite‐time and fixed‐time the guaranteed cost consensus problem for nonlinear second‐order systems, respectively, accompanied by unknown nonlinear functions approximated by a fuzzy logic system (FLS). Considering the possibility of actuator failures and topology switching, finite‐time and fixed‐time controllers are proposed to enable the system to eventually achieve finite‐time and fixed‐time guaranteed cost consensus, respectively. Furthermore, upper bounds on the guaranteed cost are obtained based on the Lyapunov functions designed for finite‐time and fixed‐time proofs, respectively. Finally, two examples are provided corresponding to the feasibility of proving the theorem using finite‐time and fixed‐time controllers, respectively.
A new hydraulic barrier with the gradient distribution of fixed net negative charges
Authors: Ma Tiantian , Liu Tingli
Published: February 2025

Bentonite, commonly used for geological disposal of high‐level radioactive waste and landfill liners, can experience increased permeability under high groundwater salinity, compromising its effectiveness. This article presents a novel approach to enhance the anti‐seepage performance of hydraulic barriers, particularly in hypersaline environments. The proposed design incorporates a gradient distribution of fixed net negative charges, based on the principles of the Donnan equilibrium and generalized Darcy's law. The Donnan equilibrium, caused by fixed net charges on clay particles, alters the salt concentration of pore water that seeps through the soil. This creates a semipermeable membrane effect on the clay, leading to a concentration difference of salts between the flowing water in the soil and the external water supply. The concentration difference is dependent on the density of fixed net negative charges on the clay surfaces. By artificially controlling the distribution of fixed net negative charges, a salinity gradient is induced in the pore water. Based on the generalized Darcy's law, the salinity gradient can counteract seepage driven by pressure gradients and effectively reduce the seepage velocity. The study discusses key factors affecting the gradient distribution of fixed net charges in the designed hydraulic barrier, including void ratio, external solution concentration, and cation exchange capacity. The new hydraulic barrier is compared with existing methods (traditional bentonite and polymer–bentonite mixtures), demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method in enhancing anti‐seepage performance, especially in hypersaline environments.
Advancing a Comprehensive Equity Centered Theory of STEM Doctoral Persistence: A Small‐Scale Qualitative Exploration of Critical Capital Theory
Authors: Bancroft Senetta F.
Published: February 2025

A longstanding failure to achieve racial and ethnic equity in STEM doctoral programs in the United States exists alongside a research landscape struggling to comprehensively explain this enduring failure. Towards a comprehensive explanatory model of STEM doctoral persistence and disruption of this failure, I previously proposed critical capital theory (CCT). CCT integrates critical race theory, forms of capital, and fictive kinship. Using a small‐scale critical qualitative abductive study, I explored the extent to which CCT explained participants' experiences and their science doctoral program outcomes. Narratives of factors influencing doctoral persistence were interpreted from interviews of 3 female former science doctoral students from racially and ethnically marginalized communities. They experienced immediate, intense, and sustained overlapping forms of oppression in their doctoral programs. To cope, all activated different forms of capital including non‐Bourdieuan forms. However, oppressive tactics used by faculty and administrators devalued their capital including supposedly high value Bourdieuan forms, constrained their ability to form fictive kinships within departmental networks, and negatively impacted their mental health and allegiances to science. To explain these findings, which align with other studies, I expand CCT to incorporate intersectionality and community cultural wealth and refined it to explicitly link capital, field, and habitus. Although the study's scale is small, these findings underscore the potential of CCT as an increasingly comprehensive tool to examine and explain STEM doctoral persistence. Further exploration across diverse STEM disciplines and contexts is needed to refine and generalize CCT, optimizing its utility to disrupt enduring inequities in STEM doctoral programs.
New sheriff in town: A quad model approach to examining the consequences of selecting a qualified lead independent directors
Authors: Hasija Dinesh , Ellstrand Alan , Ridge Jason W. , Johnson Jon
Published: February 2025

Research Summary

The lead independent director (LID) position was adopted primarily to increase the efficiency of the monitoring function of the board. However, evidence of whether and how LIDs influence board monitoring has been limited. We apply and test the theoretical quad model in the context of the LID to examine whether selecting a qualified LID helps improve monitoring within the board. We argue that when a board appoints a qualified LID, it improves overall board monitoring, along with board meeting facilitation and interpersonal interactions between the board and shareholders. Using a sample of US firms, we find that firms that appoint qualified LIDs tend to have lower levels of corporate misconduct, better board meeting attendance, and fewer shareholder proposals.

Managerial Summary

This study explores the impact of selecting a qualified lead independent director (LID) on corporate governance, highlighting practical benefits for firms that prioritize strong board leadership. Our findings show that appointing a well‐qualified LID can enhance board effectiveness by reducing incidents of corporate misconduct, improving board meeting attendance, and decreasing shareholder activism. These results underscore the importance of careful LID selection as a strategic move to strengthen governance, ensure robust oversight, and improve communication with stakeholders. This research provides actionable insights for boards seeking to bolster governance practices by strategically leveraging the LID position.
Tailoring the Electronic and Hydrophilic Properties of Nickel Oxide Hydroxides by Bismuth Incorporation Toward Enhanced Alkaline Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Wang Xiaomei , Liu Bo , Duan Ruizhi , Zhang Hong , Zhou Xia , Hu Wei , Li Can
Published: February 2025

Identification of electrocatalysts with suitable electronic and hydrophilic properties is indispensable for boosting the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The incorporation of bismuth (Bi) into Nickel oxide hydroxides is presented to simultaneously tune these properties of the catalyst toward enhanced OER. It is shown that the Bi doping endows more reversibility of Ni, enhances the lattice oxygen reactivity, and leads to a weakly binding surface for the resultant NiBi(OH)x electrocatalyst. These can not only accelerate the redox transformation of OER intermediates but also enhance surface oxygen‐involved OER process, which collaboratively boost the OER kinetics. Moreover, the Bi incorporation manipulates the hydrophilic property of the electrode, which facilitates mass transfer by allowing more facile diffusion of gaseous products and electrolytes. As a result, the optimized Ni97Bi3(OH)x electrode delivers a current density of 500 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 357 mV without losing performance for over 1000 h, on par with the state‐of‐the‐art NiFe anodes. This work provides an effective strategy to enhance the electrocatalytic performance in OER through the integration of electronic regulation and hydrophilic modification.
Assembling Giant Nanoclusters as Heterogeneous Catalysts for Effectively Converting CO2 to CO Under Visible Light
Authors: Bai Kai‐Peng , Wu Chao , Lu Jin‐Tao , Chen Wei‐Peng , Cui Meng‐Di , Zheng Yan‐Zhen
Published: February 2025

Heterometallic lanthanide‐transition metal (3d‐4f) nanoclusters with well‐defined structures and multiple active sites are excellent vehicles for achieving efficient catalysis and studying heterometallic synergism. In this work, two closely related yet different high‐nuclearity nanoclusters, 72‐nuclear {Ni28RE44} (1, RE = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Gd) and 111‐nuclear {Ni48La63} (2), are synthesized using a mixed‐ligand strategy. Importantly, the crystal solids of these giant coordination clusters are insoluble when soaking in H2O/CH3CN and can be used as heterogeneous catalysts for visible‐light‐driven catalytic conversion of CO2 to CO. Cluster 2 exhibits a maximum CO production rate of 4800 µmol g−1 h−1 and a CO selectivity of 92% over H2. Furthermore, the catalytic properties are investigated of different rare earths in the cluster 1 series, found that 1‐Eu exhibited superior catalytic performance under identical conditions, likely due to the lower reduction potential of the europium ions. This study represents the first report of 3d‐4f heterometallic nanoclusters as heterogeneous catalysts for photocatalytic reaction and provides a reference for the study of high‐nuclearity 3d‐4f nanoclusters as catalysts for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO.
Do business and economics studies erode prosocial values?
Authors: Sundemo Mattias , Löfgren Åsa
Published: February 2025

Does exposure to business and economics education make students less prosocial and more selfish? Employing a difference‐in‐difference strategy with panel‐data from three subsequent cohorts of students enrolled in a Business and Economics bachelor's program (>900 students), we find that business and economics students become less prosocial over time relative to a control group of comparable students. Importantly, younger students appear to be significantly more malleable with respect to their to prosocial values. Furthermore, we observe heterogeneous effects across majors such as accounting, finance, and economics. Our research demonstrates a strong correlation between prosocial values and generous behavior.
Gastroscopic and Transabdominal Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Gastroesophageal Junction in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Köroğlu Mehmet , Ayvaz Muhammed Ali , Çeliker Fatma Beyazal
Published: February 2025

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease in the population. GERD is classified into two categories: nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive reflux disease (ERD).

The aim of this study is to investigate the value of non‐invasive, cost effective and more easily applicable transabdominal ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of GERD disease.

Methods

The study was designed as a single‐centre, cross‐sectional, prospective, single‐blind study. The thickness of the esophagus wall and fat, as well as the diameters of the hiatus and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), were measured using US.

Results

The study had 99 patients, including 47 females and 52 males. Patients exhibiting esophagitis and reflux symptoms showed a significant increase in esophageal wall thickness, hiatus diameter, GEJ diameter and esophageal fat thickness, as indicated by US, compared to the control group. p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001 for esophagitis and GERD; p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.004, respectively.

ROC curve analysis revealed the accuracy rates for esophagitis were 67.9%, 70.5%, 73.1% and 69.2%, respectively. Individuals with GERD exhibited accuracy rates of 63.7%, 69.7%, 67.9% and 62.7%, respectively. The binary forward logistic regression analysis of both groups revealed that only the GEJ diameters exhibited a high level of significant (p < 0.0001) in predicting outcomes.

Conclusion

This study found a sonographically visible difference in esophageal wall thickness, hiatus diameters, GEJ diameters and paraesophageal fat thickness between patients with and without GERD, particularly GEJ diameters were statistically significant to predict GERD. These data suggested that US could be used as a screening method before endoscopy in selective patients.
EEAPTMS: Enhanced ECC Based Authentication Protocol for Telemedical Scenario
Authors: Rajamanickam Siranjeevi , Vollala Satyanarayana , Ramasubramanian N.
Published: February 2025

Securing the credentials of the users while accessing online medical services, specifically in the Tele Medicare Information System (TMIS) environment, dictates its importance nowadays. Among all the security attacks, a TMIS could encounter insider attacks, which need to be handled with intense care, as they causes severe and unbearable damage to both the organization and users. In recent times, various protocols have been proposed using several cryptographic techniques, but later, when cryptanalyzed by different researchers, they were found to have security loopholes in preventing various known attacks, especially, insider attacks. This article proposes an Enhanced ECC‐based authentication protocol to prevent insider attacks in the TMIS environment: EEAPTMS. It is proved to be immune against all known security attacks by security analysis, which is done formally by the scyther tool and informally by cryptanalyzing it. The performance evaluation of EEAPTMS on the grounds of computation and communication cost is proved to be effective when compared to other existing schemes despite providing security against all possible ways of insider attacks.
Chitosan: A Novel Approach and Sustainable Way to Remove Contaminants and Treat Wastewater
Authors: Nayak Madhur Amlan , Tripathi Anchal , Raj Aditi , Gauba Pammi , Bhatt Ekta
Published: February 2025

Biopolymers are polymeric materials derived from biological sources that are considered to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. However, various synthetic polymers are already produced from a variety of chemicals, making them not compatible with the environment because they cannot be incorporated with natural recycling systems. Therefore, biopolymers have been proposed for a wide range of applications, including wastewater treatment, where they can effectively target various contaminants like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, microplastics, heavy metals, dissolved solids, and suspended solids due to their adaptability, biodegradability, large surface area (SA), and nontoxic nature. Biopolymers, particularly chitosan and its derivatives, are thought to be very promising and innovative materials for the removal of pollutants in addition to their non‐toxicity and large SA and cost‐effectiveness. Chitosan's macromolecular structure includes multiple hydroxyl and amino groups, which allows it to combine adsorption and photocatalysis mechanisms for pollutant degradation. Chitosan‐based composites can be developed using effective manufacturing procedures to overcome their mechanical properties and pore characteristics, which often show limited SA and total pore volume, which limit their adsorption efficacy. Therefore, this article suggests the applications of chitosan biopolymers and their composites to remove heavy metals like cadmium, copper, and arsenic with detailed mechanisms involved. The present article also thoroughly discusses the utilization of biopolymers, composites’ design preparation, and fabricated product that can be used to fill current research gaps as an important component of the circular bioeconomy, and makes recommendations for wastewater management with a focus on technological advances.
Mitigation of drying shrinkage in alkali‐activated reactive powder concrete through copper‐coated microwire steel fibers
Authors: Shakib Sheikh , Sheikh M. Neaz , Hadi Muhammad N. S.
Published: February 2025

This study investigated the drying shrinkage in alkali‐activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS)‐based reactive powder concrete (AARPC) and evaluated the efficacy of copper‐coated microwire steel fibers in minimizing drying shrinkage. Three different mix designs with varying liquid ratios were developed and fibers were incorporated into each AARPC mix at different volumetric ratios. The drying shrinkage of the AARPC was investigated over a duration of 112 days under the drying at 23 ± 2°C with a relative humidity of 50 ± 2%. Drying shrinkage increased with the increase in the liquid ratio in the AARPC mixes without fibers. Incorporating fibers into the AARPC resulted in a substantial reduction in the drying shrinkage. The effectiveness of reducing drying shrinkage improved with an increase in fiber content. Fibers significantly attenuated drying shrinkage of AARPC by up to 51% when 2.4% of microwire steel fibers were used.
Proposed multi‐scale models to predict the compressive strength of ultra‐high performance fiber‐reinforced concrete
Authors: Abdulrahman Alan Saeed
Published: February 2025

Ultra‐high performance fiber‐reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) represents a new class of steel fiber‐reinforced concrete with exceptional mechanical properties. It is ideal for construction projects that emphasize safety and protection. Based on its key components, developing an accurate and reliable model to predict the compressive strength (σc) of UHPFRC is cost‐effective and time‐efficient. Such models also provide valuable insights into optimal curing conditions and the appropriate schedule for formwork removal. In this study, three predictive models were developed: the linear relationship (LR) model, the nonlinear relationship (NLR) model, and the multi‐logistic regression (MLR) model. A dataset of 312 samples was analyzed to examine the influence of 12 key variables on σc, including water‐to‐cement ratio (w/c), cement content (C), sand content (S), superplasticizer (SP), silica fume (SF), curing time (t), curing temperature (T), fiber content (Fb), fiber aspect ratio (AR), fiber diameter (Df), and fiber length (Lf). The models were evaluated using several statistical metrics, including the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), scatter index (SI), and objective (OBJ) value. Among the models, NLR‐2 outperformed the others, achieving OBJ and SI values that were 24.85% and 19.62% lower, respectively, compared to the LR model. Additionally, sand content, fiber content, and curing time were identified as the most significant factors affecting the compressive strength of UHPFRC mixtures.
Further Exploration of the Fluency Corpus of Academic English Lectures: The Profile of Repetitions
Authors: Nishizawa Hitoshi
Published: February 2025

In assessment contexts, the domain definition inference requires accurate documentation of linguistic demands in a specific target domain for precise measurement. The present study examines several aspects of repetitions in academic lecture settings to offer the domain definition inference for academic listening tests. To do this, I analyzed the Fluency Corpus of Academic English Lectures (FCAEL), a collection of 100 lecture videos from publicly available resources. I compared FCAEL to 54 academic lecture passages in Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT to examine repetitions in terms of words, types of words (content words or function words), and the location (clause‐initial or clause‐within). I used descriptive statistics and visualizations to examine the two sources in terms of the proportion and frequency. The results showed that the two sources commonly had higher proportions of function words than content words and higher proportions of one‐word repetitions than multi‐word repetitions. However, some dissimilarities were also found. In FCAEL, “the” had the highest proportion, while “the” was ranked third in TOEFL iBT. Moreover, clause‐within repetitions were more frequent than clause‐initial repetitions in FCAEL, while the proportions were similar in TOEFL iBT. Overall, the results challenge the domain definition inference of academic lecture passages in TOEFL iBT. I propose thresholds of repetitions which would be useful for test development and revision.
An organ‐specific transcriptome atlas of Curcuma wenyujin: MicroRNAs, phasiRNAs, and metabolic pathways
Authors: Ma Xiaoxia , Tang Yinju , Feng Zedi , Yin Xiu , Meng Yijun , Yin Xiaopu , Xie Tian
Published: February 2025

Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling (C. wenyujin) is a medicinal plant widely used for clinical treatments. In this study, integrated omics data analyses enabled us to discover the microRNAs (miRNAs) and the phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) on a transcriptome‐wide scale. A total of 186 mature miRNAs and 23 precursors were reported. Besides, 31 miRNAs of 14 families were organ‐specifically expressed, and 13 of these miRNAs could perform organ‐specific target regulation. More than 80% of the phasiRNA loci were organ‐specifically expressed, especially in tubers. In some cases, phasiRNAs with distinct increments, but with accordant organ‐specific expression patterns, were generated from a highly overlapped region, indicating that different machineries might be synchronously engaged in phasiRNA processing. Based on the transcriptome assembly, 28 and 56 tuber‐specific genes were identified to be involved in alkaloid and terpenoid metabolisms, respectively. Analysis of the enzyme‐coding genes of the β‐elemene biosynthetic pathway showed that the downstream genes were tuber‐specific, while the upstream genes were not. We assumed that the precursor metabolites produced in the other organs might be delivered to the tubers for the final steps of β‐elemene biosynthesis. Summarily, our report provided an organ‐specific transcriptome atlas of C. wenyujin, which could serve as the basis for the molecular studies on organ development and secondary metabolisms in this plant.
Operationalizing selection criteria for clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease: Biomarker and clinical considerations: Proceedings from the Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable (AARR) Fall 2021 meeting
Authors: Petersen Ronald C. , Graf Ana , Brady Chris , De Santi Susan , Florian Hana , Landen Jaren , Pontecorvo Mike , Randolph Christopher , Sink Kaycee , Carrillo Maria , Weber Christopher J.
Published: February 2025

The design of clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) must consider the development of new plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and imaging biomarkers. They must also define clinically meaningful outcomes for patients and set endpoints that measure these outcomes accurately. With the accelerated United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first anti‐amyloid, disease‐modifying treatment for AD, a monoclonal antibody called aducanumab, the landscape of clinical trial design is evolving. Enrolment in clinical trials may be impacted by the availability of this and other treatments, and trial design must take into consideration that patients may desire a disease‐modifying treatment rather than potentially being randomized to the placebo arm. The Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable (AARR) Fall 2021 meeting discussed the consideration of well‐defined AD staging criteria in protocol design and how they influence more standardized inclusion/exclusion criteria for trials, as well as what constitutes meaningful differentiation between the stages. Discussion explored the current state of knowledge regarding biomarkers and how they can inform AD staging criteria, as many trials are now designed based on specific biomarker features, further underscoring the importance of coordinating AD staging criteria and biomarkers. The relationship between cognition and biomarkers has been studied and this must continue as trials move forward. Researchers, patients, clinicians, regulatory scientists, and payers discussed the state of the field as well as the future of symptomatic Alzheimer's disease clinical trials.

Highlights

The Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable (AARR) convened leaders from academia and industry as well as patients, care partners, clinicians, regulators, and payers to discuss the topic of operationalizing selection criteria for clinical trials and the role of biomarkers.

Well‐defined Alzheimer's disease (AD) staging criteria are an important consideration in study protocol design.

Staging criteria and biomarkers must be coordinated to yield high‐quality clinical trial results that have meaning for patients with AD by selecting a population most likely to benefit from a specific treatment.
Rural–urban disparities of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: A scoping review
Authors: Kramer Mackenzie , Cutty Maxwell , Knox Sara , Alekseyenko Alexander V. , Mollalo Abolfazl
Published: February 2025

The rising age of the global population has made Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) a critical public health problem, with significant health‐related disparities observed between rural and urban areas. However, no previous reviews have examined the scope and determinant factors contributing to rural–urban disparities of ADRD‐related health outcomes. This study aims to systematically collate and synthesize peer‐reviewed articles on rural–urban disparities in ADRD, identifying key determinants and research gaps to guide future research. We conducted a systematic search using key terms related to rural–urban disparities and ADRD without restrictions on geography or study design. Five search engines—MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus—were used to identify relevant articles. The search was performed on August 16, 2024, and included English‐language articles published from 2000 onward. Sixty‐three articles met the eligibility criteria for data extraction and synthesis. Most articles were published after 2010 (85.7%) and were concentrated in the United States, China, and Canada (66.7%). A majority had cross‐sectional (58.7%) or cohort study designs (23.8%), primarily examining prevalence (41.3%) or incidence (11.1%). Findings often indicated a higher prevalence and incidence in rural areas, although inconsistent rural–urban classification systems were noted. Common risk factors included female sex, lower education level, lower income, and comorbidities such as diabetes and cerebrovascular diseases. Environmental (12.7%) and lifestyle (14.3%) factors for ADRD have been less explored. The statistical methods used were mainly traditional analyses (e.g., logistic regression) and lacked advanced techniques such as machine learning or causal inference methods. The gaps identified in this review emphasize the need for future research in underexplored geographic regions and encourage the use of advanced methods to investigate understudied factors contributing to ADRD disparities, such as environmental, lifestyle, and genetic influences.

Highlights

Few studies on rural–urban ADRD disparities focus on low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Common risk factors include female sex, low education attainment, low income, and comorbidities.

Inconsistent definitions of “rural” complicate cross‐country comparisons.

Environmental and lifestyle factors affecting ADRD are underexplored.

Advanced statistical methods, such as machine learning and causal inference, are recommended.
Influence of rotation and temperature on creep strain rates in steel and cast iron disks
Authors: Thakur Pankaj , Gulial Priya
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the influence of rotation on thermal creep strain rates in steel and cast iron disks using Seth's transition theory. The analysis considers varying angular speeds and thermal effects to understand their combined impact on deformation. Results reveal that higher angular speeds increase strain rates, with cast iron exhibiting lower strain accumulation compared to steel due to its material properties. Thermal effects amplify strain at the inner surface while reducing stress buildup, mitigating deformation at elevated temperatures. The findings underscore the complex interplay of rotational speed, thermal conditions, and material characteristics, providing insights into the structural integrity of rotating disks under operational conditions.
CPA-Daemon: Mitigating Tool Restarts for Java-Based Verifiers
Authors: Beyer Dirk , Lemberger Thomas , Wachowitz Henrik
Published: February 2025

We present CPA-Daemon, a microservice for continuous software verification of C code. CPA-Daemon provides full access to the verifier CPAchecker, but adds a clear network interface based on gRPC that abstracts from three different modes of execution: (1) running CPAchecker in a separate JVM, (2) running CPAchecker as a native executable compiled with GraalVM, and (3) running CPAchecker in a shared, continuously-running JVM. The last two are novel execution modes that greatly improve the response time of verification in different verification scenarios and enable the seamless integration of CPAchecker as an engine in other verification tooling. Our comparative evaluation shows that CPA-Daemon reduces the response time on small verification tasks down to 17 %, and that it can reduce the response time of existing cooperative verification techniques down to 70 %. While our implementation focuses on CPAchecker, the conceptual ideas are of general nature and can serve as a solution for other verification tools that face similar JVM-specific issues. CPA-Daemon is open source and available at https://gitlab.com/sosy-lab/software/cpa-daemon.
The Cauchy problem for doubly degenerate parabolic equations with weights
Authors: Andreucci Daniele , Tedeev Anatoli F.
Published: February 2025

We consider the Cauchy problem in the Euclidean space for a doubly degenerate parabolic equation with a space-dependent exponential weight, roughly speaking of the type of the exponential of a power of the distance from the origin. We assume here the solutions of the Cauchy problem to be globally integrable in space (in the appropriate weighted sense) and non-negative. Under suitable assumptions, we prove for the solutions sup estimates, i.e., the decay rate at infinity, the property of finite speed of propagation and support estimates. All our estimates are given explicitly in terms of the weight appearing in the equation.
Curiosity killed the cat? From a masculinized ‘frontier mindset’ to ethical curiosity in AI engineering
Authors: Drage Eleanor
Published: February 2025

Curiosity is having its moment in AI engineering. Governments and Big Tech alike frame the trait as a key characteristic of data scientists. This paper offers a qualitative analysis of the perspectives of AI engineers on the importance of curiosity in their profession. The results of this study—which took place at a technology multinational of over 250 k + employees—warn that unless curiosity is carefully defined, detached from masculinized interpretations of what it entails, and linked to ethical development practices, the current emphasis on curiosity risks promoting harmful curiosity-based engineering practices. The paper begins by exposing the consequences of curiosity’s configuration within existing corporate and social inequalities. It then reviews theoretical literature on the gendering of skills and attributes in AI engineering. Having synthesized evidence of curiosity’s importance in corporate AI engineering, it draws on new qualitative data to draw out key themes that might be contributing to the gendering of curiosity, before exploring these themes in their wider context through the theoretical literature. It ends by outlining ways that curiosity-based engineering could promote rather than hinder ethical AI.
The Cortical Asymmetry Index for subtyping dementia patients
Authors: Pérez-Millan Agnès , Lal-Trehan Estrada Uma Maria , Falgàs Neus , Guillén Núria , Borrego-Écija Sergi , Juncà-Parella Jordi , Bosch Beatriz , Tort-Merino Adrià , Sarto Jordi , Augé Josep Maria , Antonell Anna , Bargalló Núria , Ruiz-García Raquel , Naranjo Laura , Balasa Mircea , Lladó Albert , Sala-Llonch Roser , Sánchez-Valle Raquel
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) usually shows more asymmetric atrophy patterns than Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aim to quantify this asymmetry to differentiate FTD, AD, and FTD subtypes.

Methods

We studied T1-MRI scans, including FTD (different phenotypes), AD, and healthy controls (CTR). We defined the Cortical Asymmetry Index (CAI) using measures based on a metric derived from information theory with the cortical thickness measures. Some participants had additional follow-up MRIs, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or plasma measures. We analysed differences at cross-sectional and longitudinal levels. We then clustered FTD and AD participants based on the CAI values and studied the patients’ fluid biomarker characteristics within each cluster.

Results

A total of 101 FTD patients (64  ±  8 years, 53 men), 230 AD patients (65  ±  10 years, 84 men), and 173 CTR (59  ±  15 years, 67 men) were studied. CAI differentiated FTD, AD, and CTR. It also distinguished the semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) from the other FTD phenotypes. In FTD, the CAI increased over time. The cluster analysis identified two subgroups within FTD, characterised by different neurofilament-light (NfL) levels, and two subgroups within AD, with different plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels. In AD, CAI correlated with GFAP and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); in FTD, the CAI was associated with NfL levels.

Conclusions

The proposed method quantifies asymmetries previously described visually. The CAI could define clinically and biologically meaningful disease subgroups in the differential diagnosis of AD and FTD and its subtypes. CAI could also be of interest in tracking disease progression in FTD.

Key Points

Question

There is a need to find quantitative metrics from MRI that can identify disease subgroups, and that could be useful for diagnosis and tracking.

Findings

We propose a Cortical Asymmetry Index that differentiates Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), distinguishes FTD subtypes, correlates with NFL and GFAP levels, and monitors FTD progression.

Clinical relevance

Our proposed index holds the potential to support clinical applications for diagnosis and disease tracking in AD and FTD, using a quantitative summary metric from MRI data. It also contributes to the understanding of these diseases.
Which current chatbot is more competent in urological theoretical knowledge? A comparative analysis by the European board of urology in-service assessment
Authors: Şahin Mehmet Fatih , Doğan Çağrı , Topkaç Erdem Can , Şeramet Serkan , Tuncer Furkan Batuhan , Yazıcı Cenk Murat
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The European Board of Urology (EBU) In-Service Assessment (ISA) test evaluates urologists’ knowledge and interpretation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbots are being used widely by physicians for theoretical information. This research compares five existing chatbots’ test performances and questions’ knowledge and interpretation.

Materials and methods

GPT-4o, Copilot Pro, Gemini Advanced, Claude 3.5, and Sonar Huge chatbots solved 596 questions in 6 exams between 2017 and 2022. The questions were divided into two categories: questions that measure knowledge and require data interpretation. The chatbots’ exam performances were compared.

Results

Overall, all chatbots except Claude 3.5 passed the examinations with a percentage of 60% overall score. Copilot Pro scored best, and Claude 3.5’s score difference was significant (71.6% vs. 56.2%, p = 0.001). When a total of 444 knowledge and 152 analysis questions were compared, Copilot Pro offered the greatest percentage of information, whereas Claude 3.5 provided the least (72.1% vs. 57.4%, p = 0.001). This was also true for analytical skills (70.4% vs. 52.6%, p = 0.019).

Conclusions

Four out of five chatbots passed the exams, achieving scores exceeding 60%, while only one did not pass the EBU examination. Copilot Pro performed best in EBU ISA examinations, whereas Claude 3.5 performed worst. Chatbots scored worse on analysis than knowledge questions. Thus, although existing chatbots are successful in terms of theoretical knowledge, their competence in analyzing the questions is questionable.
An intensity-based LIF measurement technique to quantify film thicknesses in the air gap of an electric motor with direct liquid cooling
Authors: Auernhammer A. , Bonarens M. , Goet G. , Wagner S. , Schorr J. , Dreizler A. , Böhm B.
Published: February 2025

The air gap of an optically accessible model of a directly cooled radial flux electric motor is investigated using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). The cooling oil enters the air gap and a film forms on the stator surface, which resembles a thin film in a shear flow. The flow phenomena at different rotational speeds (2000 rpm to 10,000 rpm) are described. An intensity-based LIF measurement technique is developed and used to measure the film thickness on the stator in a realistic air gap environment. The rotational speed influences the flow phenomena and the film thickness of the stator film. With increasing rotational speed, i.e., increasing gas Reynolds number, the film thickness probability density functions (PDFs) shift to lower film thicknesses and become narrower, which is in agreement with the characteristic behavior of films in shear flows as reported in the literature. Additionally, the velocities of the wave crests which move across the film surface are evaluated and used to calculate the film Reynolds number ReF, which characterizes the investigated operating points.
SOD1-related inherited peripheral neuropathies in a Japanese cohort: genetic variants and clinical insights
Authors: Ando Masahiro , Higuchi Yujiro , Yuan Jun-Hui , Yoshimura Akiko , Yano Chikashi , Hobara Takahiro , Kojima Fumikazu , Hiramatsu Yu , Nozuma Satoshi , Nakamura Tomonori , Sakiyama Yusuke , Hashiguchi Akihiro , Okamoto Yuji , Matsushige Takeshi , Mitsui Jun , Tsuji Shoji , Takashima Hiroshi
Published: February 2025

Background

Inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs) encompass a wide range of disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system, often with complex genetic causes and frequent underdiagnosis. The variants in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene, primarily linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), have also been associated with peripheral neuropathy. The recent approval of Tofersen, targeting SOD1-related ALS, highlights the importance of precise genetic diagnosis. This study explores the clinical and genetic profiles of SOD1-related IPNs (SOD1-IPN) in a nationwide Japanese IPN cohort.

Methods

Clinical and genetic data were assessed from 1483 Japanese patients with IPN, with a focus on those harboring SOD1 pathogenic variants. The clinical evaluations included age of onset, gender, muscle weakness patterns, sensory disturbances, reflex responses, and electrophysiological findings.

Results

Seventeen patients with SOD1 pathogenic variants were identified, reinforcing SOD1’s role in IPN. The average onset age was 47, with a slight male predominance. Distal muscle weakness was noted in 9 of 13 patients, and asymmetric muscle weakness and atrophy in 10 of 14 cases. Mild sensory disturbances were observed in eight patients, with some showing hyperreflexia and abnormal reflexes. Electrophysiology predominantly indicated a length-dependent, motor-dominant axonal neuropathy.

Conclusion

This study reveals the clinical variability and likely underdiagnosis of SOD1-IPN, supporting the integration of SOD1 screening in IPN genetic testing, especially for patients with asymmetric, length-dependent axonal neuropathy evident in clinical and electrophysiological assessments.
Locus coeruleus neuromelanin, cognitive dysfunction, and brain metabolism in multiple system atrophy
Authors: Pasquini Jacopo , Sigurdsson Hilmar P. , Firbank Michael , Best Laura , Foster Victoria , Galley Debra , Maxwell Ross , Silani Vincenzo , Ceravolo Roberto , Petrides George , Brooks David J. , Pavese Nicola
Published: February 2025

Background

Cognitive dysfunction is increasingly recognized in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Locus coeruleus (LC) integrity is associated with cognitive performance both in healthy controls (HC) and neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Furthermore, cortical glucose hypometabolism is associated with impaired cognitive performance in MSA. However, knowledge about LC sub-regional degeneration and its association with cognitive dysfunction and cortical glucose metabolism is lacking.

Objective

To investigate LC sub-regional involvement and its association with cognitive impairment and brain metabolism in MSA.

Methods

Eleven MSA, eighteen PD, and eighteen HC participants were included in the study. Neuromelanin-sensitive MRI was used to determine rostral, middle and caudal LC neuromelanin signals. Brain glucose metabolism was investigated with [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose PET (FDG-PET). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used as a measure of global cognition.

Results

Middle LC neuromelanin signal was significantly reduced in MSA [t(43) = 3.70, corrected-p = 0.004] and PD [t(43) = 2.63, corrected-p = 0.041] compared to HC, while caudal LC was only reduced in MSA [t(43) = 2.82, corrected-p = 0.030]. In MSA, decreased rostral LC neuromelanin was associated with lower MoCA scores (ρ = 0.760, p = 0.006) which, in turn, were associated with lower frontal cortex glucose metabolism. An association between rostral LC neuromelanin signal and frontal cortex glucose metabolism was found in exploratory analyses.

Conclusion

Loss of LC neuromelanin signal was found in MSA, the middle and caudal parts being targeted. Rostral LC neuromelanin signal loss was associated with both frontal cortex hypometabolism and lower MoCA scores. This pathophysiological link should be further investigated as the noradrenergic system transmission is amenable to pharmacological manipulation.
The elastic properties of the tendinous and capsular layers of the rotator cuff complex using fresh tissue—a biomechanical study
Authors: Cronje Jessica Y. , Mogale Nkhensani , Govender Shavana , de Beer Mathys A. , Oberholster Abrie J. , McDuling Chris , Verbeek Rudi , Nkwenika Tshifhiwa , Keough Natalie
Published: February 2025

Background

Elastic modulus is an important biomechanical component that indicates stiffness or elasticity of biological material. Recently the use of digital image correlation (DIC) in elastic modulus studies on fresh tissue has shown great accuracy in estimating elastic properties; thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the elasticity of capsular and tendinous layers of the rotator cuff complex employing this method.

Materials and methods

The supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis from eight (n = 8) fresh/frozen tissue shoulders were reverse dissected from their origins. The muscles were separated from one another and dissected to produce 20 × 20 mm tendinous and capsular strips for each muscle. DIC was employed to measure the strain of the tendinous and capsular portions of each of the muscles during tensile testing, and tangent elastic modulus values were obtained.

Results

The tendinous layers for supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis yielded higher average tangent elastic moduli readings (62.1 MPa, 67.1 MPa, and 59.6 MPa, respectively) compared to their capsular counterparts (29.0 MPa, 32.5 MPa, and 41.5 MPa, respectively).

Conclusion

Different elastic moduli findings for the tendinous and capsular layers suggest these layers should be considered independently during surgical repair to avoid biomechanical imbalance which may result if these layers were to be repaired as one singular layer.