bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of stacking sequence on the double‐point low velocity impact response and compression‐after‐impact behavior of glass fiber‐reinforced composite laminates
Authors: Li Hao , Liu Kun , Tao Zhen , Yu Zhaogang , Ye Liqing , Xiao Wenkang
Published: January 2025

The double‐point low velocity impact response and compression‐after‐impact behavior of composites were explored in terms of the influence of lay‐up sequences in this paper. Three representative laminates, [0°2/90°2]s cross‐ply, [±45°]2s angle‐ply and [0°/−45°/45°/90°]s quasi‐isotropic laminates were studied. Each laminate was impacted at two points with the same distance from the center sequentially. The force‐time/displacement and energy‐time histories were compared according to the various damage modes induced in the laminates at four different impact distances. The changes of the mechanical features including peak force, maximum displacement and absorbed energy were further analyzed. Results showed that the impact responses and damage characteristics were affected by the stacking sequence and impact distance. The differences of the impact mechanical characteristics decreased with the impact distance increasing because of the reduction of damage interference between the two impacts. The [±45°]2s laminate possessed the best impact resistance compared to the [0°2/90°2]s and [0°/−45°/45°/90°]s laminates. Furthermore, the compressive load–displacement response and the residual strength of the three kinds of laminates were compared. The compressive failure mode was analyzed by the damage morphology and strain history. It was found that the [±45°]2s laminates retained the highest CAI strength. A brittle compressive failure behavior was observed for the [0°2/90°2]s and [0°/−45°/45°/90°]s laminates. However, the compressive failure behavior for the angle‐ply laminates changed from plastic failure to brittle failure with the impact distance increasing.

Highlights

The double‐point impact behavior is affected by the stacking sequence.

The [±45°]2s angle‐ply laminate has the best resistance to impact.

The changes of impact responses decrease as the impact distance increases.

The CAI strength decreases with the impact distance increasing.

The angle‐ply laminate shows a plastic failure behavior at low impact distances.
Registration of ‘Yukon Gold’ yellow bean
Authors: Awale Halima E. , Wright Evan M. , Kelly James D. , Bales Scott
Published: January 2025

‘Yukon Gold’ (Reg. no. CV‐363, PI 706256) yellow bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch was released in 2024 as an upright, determinate, bush type, mid‐season cultivar with a bright yellow seedcoat. Yukon Gold was developed using the pedigree breeding method to F4 generation followed by pure line selection for disease, agronomic, and quality traits. In 4 year of field trials, Yukon Gold yielded 3116 kg ha−1, flowered in 43 days, and matured in 96 days on average. Plants averaged 38.9 cm in height, with a lodging resistance score of 1.8 and seed weight of 43.1 g 100 seed−1. Yukon Gold is well adapted to growing conditions in Michigan and produces seeds with an intense yellow seedcoat color (highlighter color), which is brighter than others yellow bean cultivars. Yukon Gold is resistant to lodging and possesses a determinate upright growth habit with tolerance to white mold. Yukon Gold is resistant to Bean common mosaic virus, is susceptible to anthracnose race 7 and common bacterial blight. Yukon Gold cooks in 31 min and produces excellent seed color that exceeds industry standards for the yellow bean market class.
Throttleable Solid Propellants Through Embedded Shape Memory Alloy and Resistance Wires
Authors: Messer Derek K. , Nunes Cohen T. , Örnek Metin , Son Steven F.
Published: January 2025

Solid propellants are used in propulsion systems for their high performance, feasibility to manufacture, long shelf life, and ease of storage and handling; however, they are limited by the inability to actively control the burning rate. The overall burning rate of solid propellant is predetermined based on geometry (surface area) and operating conditions such as initial temperature and pressure. In this article, we propose two methods to tailor the rate of pressurization (dP/dt) of solid composite ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (AP/HTPB) propellants using embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) and Nichrome wires through Ohmic heating. First, Nitinol wires, coiled into a spring, are demonstrated to increase the burning surface area upon expanding inside of the solid propellant. The result of this geometry modification was shown to increase the dP/dt by over 180%, thereby throttling the propellant sample. Second, Nichrome wire was embedded in the samples to demonstrate that varying the heat flux (between 24.4 and 153.6 kW/m2) also affects the rate of pressurization under heated conditions. Preheating the solid propellant in this manner increased the rate of pressurization from 69 to 110 MPa/s. This concept is useful for many applications such as in electro‐explosive devices (EEDs) or actuators where it is desired to have the resulting gas expansion rate tailored.
Professional Vision of Preservice and In‐Service Biology Teachers: Tacit Knowledge About Teaching and Learning in Relation to Student Conceptions in Evolution Lessons
Authors: Steinwachs Jens , Martens Helge
Published: January 2025

Addressing student conceptions is crucial in science education. Therefore, teachers should be able to notice and interpret situations, in which student conceptions are part of the complex classroom interactions. This study analyzes the skills known as professional vision using an interpretivist research paradigm and a sociocultural perspective. The central concern of this article is to describe the tacit knowledge about teaching and learning that frames and guides the professional vision of preservice and in‐service biology teachers. To collect data, a video clip was used as a stimulus for 31 group discussions and 9 individual interviews with a total of 115 preservice and in‐service biology teachers. The video clip showed classroom interactions between the teacher and students, specifically addressing student conceptions in evolution classes. From 40 available cases, a subsample of 15 contrasting ones was used for in‐depth interpretation and typification. The comparative analyses reveal that these cases share a common feature: professional vision is carried out in an evaluative mode, with participants assessing the teacher's actions and the students' learning outcomes. In their evaluations, the four reconstructed types expressed type‐specific tacit knowledge about teaching and learning. For example, they differ in their conceptualizations of teaching, which form the basis of the evaluation: (1) direct transmission of scientific norms, (2) establishing and facilitating access to scientific norms, (3) interaction that considers individual learners' point of view, and (4) contingent mediation between student conceptions and scientific norms. In the discussion, the results are related to learning theories and strategies for teaching the theory of evolution to develop suggestions for teacher education and professional development.
Modulating Alkyl Groups in Copolymer to Control Ion Transport in Electrolyte‐Gated Organic Transistors for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Sung Junho , Kim Minji , Chung Sein , Jang Yongchan , Kim Soyoung , Kang Min‐Seok , Lee Hee‐Young , Kang Joonhee , Lee Donghwa , Lee Wonho , Lee Eunho
Published: January 2025

Electrolyte‐gated organic synaptic transistors (EGOSTs) have shed light on their potential in bioelectronics and neuromorphic computing. Numerous research have been studied to modulate their electrochemical doping performance and formulate a simple approach to control iontronics through the side‐chain modulations; however, the effects of alkyl groups as side moieties have not been studied in detail on EGOSTs. Herein, the structural and electrical properties of conjugated polymers are systematically controlled through copolymerization with two different‐alkyl group‐derived monomers for enhancing the nonvolatile characteristics of EGOSTs. The relationships between crystal orientation and electrochemical doping states of conjugated copolymers, which varied with the different copolymerization ratios, are revealed. Also, the behavior of biological synapses, including paired‐pulse facilitation, spike timing‐dependent plasticity, and long‐term potentiation/depression, are successfully simulated. In this study, new avenues are opened for the implementation of neuromorphic devices through side‐chain engineering by showing that the alkyl chain modulates the doping performance.
Thermal Methanol Synthesis from CO2 Using Cu/ZnO Catalysts: Insights from First‐Principles Calculations
Authors: Xi Cong , Nie Yixin , Wang Hongjuan , Dong Cunku , Han Jiuhui , Du Xi‐Wen
Published: January 2025

Catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol offers a promising avenue for recycling CO2, enhancing environmental sustainability. Cu/ZnO has long been identified as one of the most effective heterogeneous catalysts for this reaction, yet the detailed understanding of its reaction mechanism and active sites remains incomplete. Recent advances have highlighted the critical role of defects, such as ZnCu steps and stacking faults on Cu surfaces, in enhancing catalyst performance. Here this concept is explored through first‐principles surface simulations of six models, featuring diverse Cu–Zn combinations and specific coordination environments under realistic conditions. It is revealed that Cu/ZnO catalysts with kink defects, rather than surface ZnCu alloys, exhibit optimal activity for methanol synthesis. Specifically, the findings demonstrate how intermediate configurations and rate‐determining steps vary with changes in surface structure and reveal the role of the kink in promoting CO2 reduction to methanol through electronic structure calculation. Moreover, it is found that the predominant synthetic pathway for CH3OH from CO2 involves the reverse water gas shift and CO hydrogenation, rather than the formate route, on Cu/ZnO surfaces with kinks.
The Multifunctional Role of Templates in Chemically Fueled Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries
Authors: Kriebisch Christine M. E. , Kriebisch Brigitte A. K. , Langlais Juliette , Maier Anton S. , Rieger Bernhard , Braun Dieter , Boekhoven Job
Published: January 2025

RNA is an information‐carrying molecule that instructs protein synthesis, but it also functions as a catalyst in so‐called ribozymes. Here, we study this multifunctional character using a dynamic combinatorial library powered by chemical fuel. On the one hand, we demonstrate that RNA templates the oligomerization and inhibits deoligomerization. On the other hand, we show that RNA can be a structural element in the formation of hydrogels. Moreover, in its hydrogel, RNA degradation by nucleases is accelerated. Thus, templates have a role beyond blueprints, protectors, and selectors. Template‐oligomer interactions can create new (micro)environments that might affect evolutionary dynamics.
Suspected muscular pseudohypertrophy in a dog: An atypical presentation of hypothyroidism
Authors: Bedel Florian , Girod Maud , Lecoindre Alexis
Published: January 2025

A 4‐year‐old intact male border collie was presented with stiffness, reluctance to move and stridor. The owners reported a progressive muscle swelling, eventually restricting the dog's movement. Thyroid function tests revealed low free and total thyroxine levels with elevated thyrotropin (thyroid‐stimulating hormone) levels, indicating primary hypothyroidism. Computed tomography imaging showed marked muscle development without contrast enhancement. Muscular hypertrophy or pseudohypertrophy secondary to hypothyroidism was then suspected. Hormonal supplementation was implemented, leading to complete resolution of clinical signs within 2 months. Four years later, the dog remained well stabilised with no recurrence. This case report highlights an atypical manifestation of canine hypothyroidism with suspected muscle pseudohypertrophy, suggesting that hypothyroidism should be considered as a differential diagnosis of stiffness and reluctance to move with associated muscular hypertrophy or pseudohypertrophy in dogs.
Impact of Preoperative Glucagon‐Like Peptide‐1 Receptor Agonist on Outcomes Following Major Surgery
Authors: Rashid Zayed , Woldesenbet Selamawit , Khalil Mujtaba , Altaf Abdullah , Kawashima Jun , Mumtaz Khalid , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: January 2025

Background

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1RA) are increasingly being used for the management of diabetes mellitus and obesity. We sought to define the impact of preoperative GLP‐1RA use on outcomes following major surgical procedures.

Methods

Patients who underwent a major surgical procedure between 2013 and 2021 were identified using the IBM MarketScan database. Patients who took GLP‐1RA within a year before surgery were categorized as “exposed.” After propensity score matching (PSM), multivariable regression analysis was used to define the association of GLP‐1RA exposure with postoperative complications.

Results

Among 138,980 patients (coronary artery bypass graft: n = 39,516, 28.4%; pneumonectomy: n = 4,881, 3.5%; abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: 4,459, 3.3%; pancreatectomy: n = 15,873, 11.4%; and colectomy: n = 74,251, 53.4%), most individuals were male (n = 80,871, 58.2%) with a median age of 58 (IQR 53–61) years. 2944 (2.2%) individuals had GLP‐1RA exposure before surgery. Overall incidence of complications was 36.5% (n = 50,724); complications included sepsis (n = 6,385, 4.6%), surgical site infections (n = 7,431, 5.3%), thromboembolism (n = 3,609, 2.6%), pneumonia (n = 4,783, 3.4%), renal (n = 9,017, 6.5%), or cardiopulmonary failure (n = 26,661, 19.2%). On unmatched analysis, patients on GLP‐1RA had a higher risk of complications (no GLP‐1RA: 36.3% vs. GLP‐1RA: 44.5% p < 0.001); however, after PSM to account for measured confounders, GLP‐1RA exposure was not associated with the odds of surgical complications (OR 0.99 95% CI 0.91–1.08; p > 0.05). Among patients using GLP‐1RA during the 2 weeks before surgery (n = 522, 17.7%), there was no association of GLP‐1RA with risk of complications (nonrecent GLP‐1RA: 44.7% vs. recent GLP‐1RA: 44.1%; p = 0.992).

Conclusions

GLP‐1RA use was not associated with an increased risk of complications following major surgical procedures.
ChatGPT for Tailoring Software Documentation for Managers and Developers
Authors: Bala Saimir , Sahling Kristina , Haase Jennifer , Mendling Jan
Published: January 2025

In many agile software development projects, documentation is often missing, outdated, or written with only a technical perspective. Existing literature recognizes the importance of documentation quality, especially when it comes to its readability for diverse audiences. While recent advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) offer the potential to tackle these issues, the use of LLMs for software documentation remains unexplored. This paper investigates the use of ChatGPT to improve and adapt documentation to specific audiences. We apply ChatGPT-4 for alternative documentation production and measure the resulting text characteristics and readability. Twenty-five experts from management and development rate these different versions. Results show the suitability of ChatGPT for generating high-quality text for both audiences, with managers benefiting more from an adapted version.
Copilot’s Island of Joy
Authors: Wivestad Viggo Tellefsen , Barbala Astri , Stray Viktoria
Published: January 2025

This study assesses the integration of GitHub Copilot into agile software development practices in one of Norway’s largest public sector organizations. Through a quasi-experimental survey of 115 participants, we differentiate the attitudes of users and non-users of GitHub Copilot regarding their development routines. Findings reveal that Copilot users experience significantly greater focus on engaging tasks and less dependence on colleagues compared to non-users, while non-users maintain a more cautious stance on AI use in the public sector. Further, while users generally showed more positive attitudes and fewer frustrations, these differences were not statistically significant. The study advocates for a mindful adoption of AI tools in agile settings, balancing individual benefits with interdependence and team unity.
Can ChatGPT Suggest Patterns? An Exploratory Study About Answers Given by AI-Assisted Tools to Design Problems
Authors: Maranhão Junior João José , Correia Filipe F. , Guerra Eduardo Martins
Published: January 2025

General-purpose AI-assisted tools, such as ChatGPT, have recently gained much attention from the media and the general public. That raised questions about in which tasks we can apply such a tool. A good code design is essential for agile software development to keep it ready for change. In this context, identifying which design pattern can be appropriate for a given scenario can be considered an advanced skill that requires a high degree of abstraction and a good knowledge of object orientation. This paper aims to perform an exploratory study investigating the effectiveness of an AI-assisted tool in assisting developers in choosing a design pattern to solve design scenarios. To reach this goal, we gathered 56 existing questions used by teachers and public tenders that provide a concrete context and ask which design pattern would be suitable. We submitted these questions to ChatGPT and analyzed the answers. We found that 93% of the questions were answered correctly with a good level of detail, demonstrating the potential of such a tool as a valuable resource to help developers to apply design patterns and make design decisions.
Bridging Silos: Amplifying InnerSource Adoption Using an Activity Theory Perspective
Authors: Dillon Clare
Published: January 2025

My research explores the adoption of InnerSource, a practice that integrates open source methodologies within organizations to foster collaboration and overcome the traditional silo mentality. InnerSource and Agile implementations share many values such as transparency, employee empowerment, and a flexible response to change. InnerSource adoption can come before, after, or in parallel with Agile transformations. Despite the increasing recognition of InnerSource as a pivotal driver for developer productivity and its growing presence in industry discussions, academic research on the subject remains in its infancy. Leveraging my involvement with the InnerSource Commons community and drawing from Activity Theory, my research aims to fill critical gaps in our understanding of InnerSource adoption. Specifically, it investigates the activities organizations engage in to enable InnerSource, identifies blockers hindering its implementation, and proposes effective strategies to counteract these challenges. At the XP 2024 PhD Symposium, I intend to share some preliminary findings of my research, derived from a Systematic Literature Review and a pilot study with an InnerSource practitioner working group. My research not only seeks to advance theoretical knowledge in the field but also offers practical insights for organizations striving to change software development practices, contributing to a more collaborative and efficient software development environment.
Where Do Developers Admit their Security-Related Concerns?
Authors: Mock Moritz , Forrer Thomas , Russo Barbara
Published: January 2025

Developers use different means to document the security concerns of their code. Because of all of these opportunities, they may forget where the information is stored, or others may not be aware of it, and leave it unmaintained for so long that it becomes obsolete, if not useless. In this work, we analyzed different sources of code documentation from four large-scale, real-world, open-source projects in an industrial setting to understand where developers report their security concerns. In particular, we manually inspected 2.559 instances taken from source code comments, commit messages, and issue trackers. Overall, we found that developers prefer to document security concerns in source code comments and issue trackers. We also found that the longer the comments stay unfixed, the more likely they remain unfixed. Thus, to create awareness among developers, we implemented a pipeline to remind them about the introduction or removal of comments pointing to a security problem.
Drawing Based Game for Teaching Scrum
Authors: Marek Krzysztof , Martyniuk-Sienkiewicz Kamila
Published: January 2025

Over the years, the use of gamification in teaching different agile approaches become more popular. Many proposed solutions are based on moving tasks on physical or virtual boards. Some connect task realisation with the performance of simple, repetitive manual tasks. The approach described in this paper utilises the activity of drawing simple icons on post-its to mimic the active and creative aspect of e.g. software development. The described game allows for teaching multiple practices used in Scrum software development connected to software quality and requirements, including the importance of the Definition of Done, acceptance criteria and continuous improvement based on Sprint Review and Retrospective. Initial results are promising while working with students with no or almost no previous understanding of the software development process. Additionally, the game can be easily modified or extended to help with teaching other aspects of the Scrum software development process.
An Agile Mindset in a VUCA-World
Authors: Bangshøj Carolina Appel , Havstorm Tanja Elina , Algulin Åsa
Published: January 2025

As the world is heading into a new era of software development (SD) an Agile Mindset (AM) has been seen to provide valuable underlying guiding elements to navigate an increasingly interconnected, turbulent, and dynamic business landscape, a VUCA-world. This study investigates the topic of agile methods and an AM through multiple-case studies with IT professionals from four tech companies. The study gathers early-stage research data to better understand what an agile SD team member does on an everyday basis in their work to exercise and achieve an AM, and what factors in the organization are impacting them in being able to do so. VUCA has been utilized as a conceptual background through which the findings – AM means and influences – have been identified, concluding that there is still much to be harnessed and learned about the elements of an AM that can improve project success outcomes.
Stories Vs. User Stories: A Terminological Clarification
Authors: Franch Xavier , Steffe Hans-Jörg , Bühne Stan , López Lidia , Sturm Stefan
Published: January 2025

User stories are the main vehicle to describe user needs in Agile projects and Agile project developments. But being this concept universally agreed, we may find that not all work increments have a clear user-centric view. In this paper, we focus on the distinction between user-centric “user stories” and other type of simple narratives, which may be simply called “stories”, which can be at the same level of abstraction. We propose a conceptual model in the form of UML diagram, and associated definitions, to clarify this distinction. The model also makes clearer the distinction among (user) story and (user) story template, which is not always kept clear.
Generative AI for Test Driven Development: Preliminary Results
Authors: Mock Moritz , Melegati Jorge , Russo Barbara
Published: January 2025

Test Driven Development (TDD) is one of the major practices of Extreme Programming for which incremental testing and refactoring trigger the code development. TDD has limited adoption in the industry, as it requires more code to be developed and experienced developers. Generative AI (GenAI) may reduce the extra effort imposed by TDD. In this work, we introduce an approach to automatize TDD by embracing GenAI either in a collaborative interaction pattern in which developers create tests and supervise the AI generation during each iteration or a fully-automated pattern in which developers only supervise the AI generation at the end of the iterations. We run an exploratory experiment with ChatGPT in which the interaction patterns are compared with the non-AI TDD regarding test and code quality and development speed. Overall, we found that, for our experiment and settings, GenAI can be efficiently used in TDD, but it requires supervision of the quality of the produced code. In some cases, it can even mislead non-expert developers and propose solutions just for the sake of the query.
Responsible AI in Agile Software Engineering - An Industry Perspective
Authors: Ulfsnes Rasmus , Moe Nils Brede , Emmerhoff Jostein , Floryan Marcin , Griva Anastasia , Gundelsby Jan Henrik , Barbala Astri Moksnes , Conboy Kieran
Published: January 2025

There is a rapid emergence of tools, methods, and guidance for the use of AI across all parts of the software development process, from requirements gathering to code generation to testing and user feedback. However, AI raises many concerns regarding responsible use, and there is a need to understand and develop principles for what responsible software development entails in practice in an agile context, as well as carefully evaluate the incorporation of AI tools and methods in software engineering. We draw on experience from Bespot, Knowit, Schibsted, and Spotify to identify challenges faced by companies pioneering the use of AI in their software development efforts and start charting a roadmap for responsible AI in software engineering.
A Journey Through SPACE
Authors: Wivestad Viggo Tellefsen , Ulfsnes Rasmus
Published: January 2025

This study examines the influence of perceived changes in productivity in the context of introducing AI Coding Assistants, specifically GitHub Copilot, within two large-scale agile organizations. Using a cross-sectional survey, we measured self-reported changes in productivity using the SPACE framework. Our comparative analysis suggests several perceived benefits of AI Code Assistant adoption, though with a more conservative impact than previously reported. Further, a correlational analysis employing Kendall’s tau and PLSR with 10-fold cross-validation suggests that perceived changes to productivity are moderately associated only with four of the nine features tested, namely job satisfaction, flow, task completion speed, and ability to focus on satisfying work. However, the SPACE framework’s ability to fully capture perceived productivity was further challenged, indicating discrepancies in its dimensions of “Performance” and “Communication and collaboration”.
Hybrid Meetings in Agile Software Development
Authors: Stray Viktoria , Moe Nils Brede , Semsøy Susanne
Published: January 2025

Hybrid meetings, which combine in-person and virtual participants, are becoming increasingly common in modern agile workplaces. Despite their prevalence, these meetings often lead to asymmetric participation. In this study, we explored the nature of participation asymmetries in hybrid meetings and identified the technical and social factors contributing to these disparities. We analyzed anonymized access card data, observed hybrid meetings, and conducted interviews with employees in a large-scale Norwegian software development organization. Our findings reveal that the employees preferred to go to the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In hybrid meetings, we found reduced engagement from virtual participants compared to those co-located at the office, especially in the absence of a clear speaking order. Social-driven asymmetries included difficulties in entering conversations, missing remarks and non-verbal cues, and being left out of pre- and post-meeting discussions. Physical presence in meetings was found to be crucial for newly onboarded team members. Future research should investigate what fosters inclusive meeting practices to improve engagement and collaboration in hybrid work environments.
Crypto-Asset White Papers and Marketing Communications Post the MiCA Regulation
Authors: Cobos María-Teresa Otero
Published: January 2025

This paper comprehensively analyses the regulatory framework applicable to disclosure and transparency tools used in promoting crypto assets, particularly in the context of the MiCA Regulation. The paper focuses on the information a crypto-asset white paper should contain and all relevant details about marketing communications, such as advertising messages and marketing material. In commercial communications, the work delves into Directive (EU) 2019/1024 and Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 to examine the rules and guidelines related to the content of crypto-asset advertising posted by professional social media profiles. This will highlight how the authorities are working to prevent the publication of false, misleading, or incomplete information on these issues.
PSD3 and the Regulation on Payment Services in the Context of Crypto Assets as a Means of Payment
Authors: Herrera Lucía Alvarado
Published: January 2025

The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation establishes legal rules for crypto-assets that have a financial use and fall outside the scope of Union legislative acts on financial services. Among these crypto assets, it pays special attention to stablecoins, the so-called MiCA electronic money tokens and asset-referenced tokens, which are characterised by serving as a payment function. It is precisely this function of being a means of payment that raises the question of whether the transactions carried out with these crypto assets, or at least some of them, can be qualified as payment services, to which the legal framework for payment services, contained mainly (but not exclusively) in the Second Payment Services Directive (PSD2), currently under revision, would apply. This paper deals with the relationship between the two sets of rules (MiCA and PSD2). It analyses to what extent the existing and planned rules (PSD3 and Payment Services Regulation) can be applied to or somehow cover electronic money tokens and asset-referenced tokens.
Crypto Assets and Financial Data Space Regulation in the EU’s Hybrid System of Hard and Soft Law
Authors: Pastor Sempere Carmen
Published: January 2025

The new data economy needs diverse financial data from many data holders, far removed from the data a traditional bank would hold. This paper outlines the new vision for the common European Financial Data Space, where multiple interconnected data ecosystems, like the internet, are designed to empower individuals by placing them at the centre. This seeks to keep the financial sector of the European Union in tune with the digital transformation while ensuring, at the same time, the security and confidence of consumers. For these reasons, the EU seeks open finance and a legal framework that underpins a new regulatory approach based on coregulation, comprising a hybrid system of hard law and soft law for the exchange of financial data. This regulatory proposal is FiDA [proposal for a Financial Data Access regulation]. The paper also examines the proposed legal regime and its coordination with the current regulation of new crypto assets and their financial data. It examines the basis for and explores the limitations of the latest legal framework for regulating access to financial data. The current regulation that will be referred to is the existing regulation on crypto-assets (Markets in Crypto-assets- MiCA, access to payment data (such as Open banking, Payment Services Directive, PSD2), and the eIDAS 2, as well as the proposal for the modernisation of the existing EU Payment Services Directive (Open Finance, PSD3 and FiDA).
Web Technologies for Decentralised Identity
Authors: Rodríguez-Doncel Víctor
Published: January 2025

This chapter analyses technologies that support decentralised identity on the Web. The World Wide Web Consortium, which maintains the technical specifications of the Web, has consistently advocated for decentralised models for sharing information. Some of their latest recommendations include the specification of a Decentralised Identifier (DID) and a Verifiable Credential (VC) following the Semantic Web principles. The claims contained in these credentials can be algorithmically verified without the intervention of authorities. These technologies are often associated with implementing the Self-Sovereign Identity paradigm, and this chapter evaluates whether this will happen in practice, particularly in the context of the financial sector. Whereas some privacy concerns are identified, the integrated use of DID, VC and Open Digital Rights Language ODRL will present clear benefits in at least some commercial settings.
The symplectic potential for leaky boundaries
Authors: McNees Robert , Zwikel Céline
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Charges associated with gauge symmetries are defined on boundaries of spacetimes. But these constructions typically involve divergent quantities when considering asymptotic boundaries. Different prescriptions exist to address this problem, based on ambiguities in the definition of the symplectic potential. We propose a method well suited to leaky boundaries, which describe spacetimes than can exchange matter or radiation with their environment. The main advantage of this approach is that it relies only on the bulk Lagrangian and it is not tied to a specific choice of boundary conditions. The prescription is applied to four dimensional Einstein-Hilbert gravity in the partial Bondi gauge. This leads to a finite symplectic potential for unconstrained boundary data and reveals two new corner symplectic pairs associated with the relaxation of the gauge.
Finite- and infinite-volume study of DDπ scattering
Authors: Dawid Sebastian M. , Romero-López Fernando , Sharpe Stephen R.
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We develop a comprehensive framework for extracting the pole position and properties of the doubly-charmed tetraquark

$$ {T}_{\textrm{cc}}^{+}(3875) $$

T
cc
+

3875

from lattice QCD data using the relativistic three-particle formalism. This approach incorporates the effect of the one-pion exchange diagram in DDπ and DD
∗ scattering, making it applicable at energies coinciding with the left-hand cut in the partial-wave projected DD
∗ amplitude. We present an example application of this framework to existing lattice QCD data at m

π
= 280 MeV. We solve the integral equations describing the DDπ reaction, use LSZ reduction to determine the corresponding DD
∗ amplitude, and find the values of the infinite-volume two- and three-body K matrices that lead to agreement with lattice DD
∗ phase shifts within their uncertainties. Using these K matrices in the three-particle quantization condition, we describe the finite- volume DD
∗ spectrum and find good agreement with the lattice QCD energies. Our results suggest that, at this pion mass, the tetraquark appears as a pair of subthreshold complex poles whose precise location strongly depends on the value of the DDπ three-particle K matrix.
Uncovering the Fungal Community Composition of Alive and Dead Posidonia oceanica Matte
Authors: Frasca Sara , Alabiso Annamaria , D’Andrea Marco Maria , Migliore Luciana
Published: January 2025

Posidonia oceanica retains a large amount of carbon within its belowground recalcitrant structure, the ‘matte,’ which is characterized by low oxygen availability and biodegradation. Fungi may play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration within the matte, even if little/no information is available. To fill this gap, we profiled fungal communities from the upper and lower layers of alive and dead matte, by using an ITS2-5.8S rDNA metabarcoding approach. The study was conducted in a shallow coastal stretch of the Aegean Sea (Crete). Then, 184 operational taxonomic units were identified, predominantly belonging to Ascomycota, in alive and dead matte. Nevertheless, their composition significantly differed: the host-specific Posidoniomyces atricolor was dominant in alive but not in dead matte, while fast-growing saprotrophs, potentially accelerating the decomposition rate, increased in dead matte. These findings lay the groundwork for future investigations on the possible increase of biodegradation under the changing environmental conditions.
Using incomplete and incorrect plans to shape reinforcement learning in long-sequence sparse-reward tasks
Authors: Müller Henrik , Berg Lukas , Kudenko Daniel
Published: January 2025

Reinforcement learning (RL) agents naturally struggle with long-sequence sparse-reward tasks due to the lack of reward feedback during exploration and the problem of identifying the necessary action sequences required to reach the goal. Previous works have used abstract symbolic task knowledge models to speed up RL agents in these tasks by either splitting the task into easier to solve sub-tasks or by creating an artificial dense reward function. These approaches are often limited by their requirement of perfect symbolic knowledge models, which cannot be guaranteed when the abstract symbolic models are provided by humans and in real-world tasks. We introduce exponential plan-based reward shaping, which is able to leverage the ability to learn from experience of RL to compensate deficiencies in incomplete and incorrect abstract symbolic plans and use them to solve difficult tasks faster, while guaranteeing convergence to the optimal policy. Our approach is able to work with plans that miss important steps, include unnecessary extra steps, contain steps that refer ambiguously to both important and useless states, or encode an incorrect order of steps. We use action representations designed by human experts to automatically compute plans to capture the high-level task structure. The abstract symbolic subgoals defined by the plan are used to create dense reward feedback, which signals important states to the RL agent that should be achieved and explored to reach the goal. We show the theoretical advantages of our approach for plans with many steps and show its effectiveness empirically on multiple tasks with different kinds of incomplete or incorrect knowledge.
Explainable energy consumption and speed prediction in sustainable cities using deep learning
Authors: Abd El-Latif Eman I. , El-dosuky Mohamed
Published: January 2025

The idea of sustainable cities has drawn a lot of attention due to the quick expansion of metropolitan areas as well as the growing problems brought on by resource scarcity and climate change. Cities that prioritize sustainable practices are those that minimize their negative effects on the environment, maximize resource efficiency, and improve the standard of living for their citizens. Therefore, for sustainable cities, this paper uses the vehicle energy dataset (VED) to estimate travel times and calculate vehicle energy consumption. The dataset contains 12,609,170 road elevation tracks, 12,203,044 speed limit tracks, and 12,281,719 speed limit records with direction. An open-source routing engine called Valhalla is utilized to do a variety of tasks, including finding paths, matching maps, and creating maneuvers based on paths. The three primary stages of the suggested model are data pre-processing, feature extraction, and result interpretation. In the data pre-processing stage, null values are first eliminated and data normalization is implemented. Then, three techniques known as the gated recurrent unit (GRU), recurrent neural network (RNN), and long short-term memory (LSTM) are used to optimize the model. Finally, the results are interpreted through the use of SHAP (SHapley Additive explanations) in explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) techniques. The LSTM model yields the best prediction results, achieving 15.2662 RMSE, 11.7266 MAE, and 0.6696 R2 at 8 batch size, according to the evaluation results. Additional experiments are carried out in batch sizes of 8, 16, 32, and 64.The lowest metrics are produced by batch sizes of 64, while the best metrics are produced by batch sizes of 8.
Analytical model of induction heating buckling of a beam
Authors: Filkin Vladimir , Vetyukov Yury , Toth Florian
Published: January 2025

Induction heating is an important technology for many engineering applications. Its modelling and analysis are challenging because it is a multiphysics phenomenon coupling geometrically nonlinear mechanics, electromagnetics and heat conduction. One of the challenges is buckling of thin plates and beams due to high temperatures and thermal gradients. The mechanical buckling changes the electromagnetic configuration of the model, thus changing the thermal solution, which affects mechanics back leading to a fully coupled problem. While this phenomenon has been studied numerically in the literature, it lacks an analytical treatment. We propose a closed-form analytical solution for the post-buckling deformation of induction heated beams. Using the solution, we conduct multiple parameter studies, aiming to gain a foundational understanding of the behaviour exhibited by the coupled system.
Taurine prevents mitochondrial dysfunction and protects mitochondria from reactive oxygen species and deuterium toxicity
Authors: Seneff Stephanie , Kyriakopoulos Anthony M.
Published: January 2025

Taurine, although not a coding amino acid, is the most common free amino acid in the body. Taurine has multiple and complex functions in protecting mitochondria against oxidative-nitrosative stress. In this comprehensive review paper, we introduce a novel potential role for taurine in protecting from deuterium (heavy hydrogen) toxicity. This can be of crucial impact to either normal or cancer cells that have highly different mitochondrial redox status. Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen with a neutron as well as a proton, making it about twice as heavy as hydrogen. We first explain the important role that the gut microbiome and the gut sulfomucin barrier play in deuterium management. We describe the synergistic effects of taurine in the gut to protect against the deleterious accumulation of deuterium in the mitochondria, which disrupts ATP synthesis by ATPase pumps. Moreover, taurine’s derivatives, N-chlorotaurine (NCT) and N-bromotaurine (NBrT), produced through spontaneous reaction of taurine with hypochlorite and hypobromite, have fascinating regulatory roles to protect from oxidative stress and beyond. We describe how taurine could potentially alleviate deuterium stress, primarily through metabolic collaboration among various gut microflora to produce deuterium depleted nutrients and deuterium depleted water, and in this way protect against leaky gut barrier, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer.
Impact of COVID-19 Public Health Measures on Antiretroviral Therapy Use Among Ugandans Living with HIV in Sero-Different Couples
Authors: Muwonge Timothy R. , Feutz Erika , Nsubuga Rogers , Simoni Jane M. , Nambi Florence , Nakabugo Lylianne , Namanda Sylvia , Kibuuka Joseph , Thomas Dorothy , Katz Ingrid T. , Thomas Katherine K. , Ware Norma C. , Wyatt Monique A. , Kadama Herbert , Mujugira Andrew , Heffron Renee
Published: January 2025

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) use and HIV suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) are critical for HIV control and prevention. Extreme restrictions on movement early during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda may have impeded the ability to initiate and sustain access to and use of ART. From our stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial of an integrated PrEP and ART intervention for HIV-serodifferent couples at 12 ART clinics in Uganda, we identified participants who enrolled and had a 6-month post-ART initiation viral load measured before the beginning of the first COVID-19 lockdown (Period 1), participants whose enrollment and 6-month viral load measurement straddled pre-COVID and COVID lockdown times (Period 2), and participants whose enrollment and 6-month viral load were quantified entirely during COVID-19 (Period 3). ART and viral load data were abstracted from standard-of-care HIV clinic records. We used adjusted generalized estimating equation models to compare viral suppression between the different periods. We enrolled 1,381 PLHIV, including 896 (64.9%) in Period 1, 260 (18.8%) in Period 2, and 225 (16.3%) in Period 3. Almost all (1371, 99.3%) initiated ART within 90 days of enrollment and 59.2% had baseline CD4 > 350 cells/mm3. Among those enrolled, 88.8% of participants in Period 1 were virally suppressed (< 1000 copies/mL) within six months of ART initiation, 80.5% in Period 2, and 88.2% in Period 3. All pairwise comparisons demonstrated statistically similar levels of viral suppression. Despite COVID-19 lockdown measures, PLHIV in serodifferent partnerships successfully initiated ART and attained and maintained viral suppression.
How Teachers Envision Using Data Visualization Discussion Tasks in Classroom Instruction
Authors: Wilkerson Michelle H. , Kim John , Lee Hollylynne S. , Stokes David J. , Ferrell Matthew
Published: January 2025

A growing number of teaching materials invite students to discuss the complex mathematical, contextual and social aspects of data visualizations. Orchestrating such discussions can be difficult, as this requires teachers to balance a variety of learning goals and student perspectives. This paper examines how teachers interact with data visualization discussion tasks—specifically, those that engage visualizations’ social complexities—as they consider using them in their own classrooms. Drawing from semi-structured clinical interviews with six U.S.-based teachers as they reviewed discussion tasks called Data Story Bytes, we explore: How did these teachers envision using these data visualization discussions in their classrooms? And, What mathematical, contextual, and/or social aspects of visualizations did teachers emphasize when engaging with the discussion task materials? We found that all teachers envisioned using data visualization discussions as lesson openers or routine activities, but they differed in their overall emphasis on the visualizations’ mathematical, contextual, or social aspects. Despite these differences, certain types of discussion prompts were associated with particular response patterns across all teachers, suggesting these task structures can help guide teachers to address a shared set of intended baseline goals for all three of these dimensions. Our findings represent a first step in understanding whether and how socially-oriented data discussion materials may be enacted in classrooms, and what additional design features and supports may be needed to help teachers do so productively.
A “Round, Bruising Sort of Pain”: Autistic Girls’ Social Camouflaging in Inclusive High School Settings
Authors: Goscicki Brittney L. , Scoggins Mattie E. , Espinosa Gabriela Herrera , Hodapp Robert M.
Published: January 2025

Although autistic females often “camouflage” their autism, few studies examine the degree to which adolescent females demonstrate these behaviors in inclusive school settings. We examined: (a) the nature, extent, and underlying motivation of camouflaging in high school; (b) the extent to which autistic girls’ characteristics related to camouflaging settings, people, benefits, costs, and school supports; and (c) how girls’ open-ended descriptions agreed with closed-ended camouflaging ratings. Using quantitative and qualitative analyses, this study examined the extent, domains, costs, and benefits of autistic females’ school-based camouflaging. Thirty-one autistic female adolescents, all included in general education classrooms, answered rating and interview questions. Autistic females camouflaged most often in general education classrooms and with teachers and neurotypical peers that they did not know well; least often at home or with neurodivergent friends. Later age of diagnosis was associated with more camouflaging and camouflaging costs. Qualitative analyses revealed four themes: autistic identity; negative peer experiences; negative consequences of camouflaging; and value of neurodivergent friends. Some qualitative findings converged with quantitative findings, others diverged. Implications are discussed for research and practice for supporting autistic females in general education school settings.