bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expectancy-value interactions and dropout intentions in higher education: can study values compensate for low expectancies?
Authors: Breetzke Jonas , Bohndick Carla
Published: August 2024

Research highlights the importance of expectancy-value interactions in predicting secondary-school students’ academic achievement. But as students transition to higher education, their expectancies and values undergo significant changes – highlighting the need to broaden the application of expectancy-value interactions to this context. To address this, we investigate the interactions between higher education students’ expectancies and their values in relation to students’ dropout intention. Data of N = 1140 students were analysed using latent moderated structural equation modelling. Similar to prior research, we find that expectancy-value interactions are related to students’ dropout intention. But rather than the synergistic interactions commonly found in the secondary-school context, we find that higher education students exhibit compensatory interactions: High study values and low costs could, to a certain degree, compensate for low expectancies. Furthermore, special attention should be paid to students who see little value in their studies and have a low success expectation, as they showed dropout intentions that far exceed effects indicated in prior research.
Combating deepfakes: a comprehensive multilayer deepfake video detection framework
Authors: Rathoure Nikhil , Pateriya R. K. , Bharot Nitesh , Verma Priyanka
Published: August 2024

Deepfakes represent a class of synthetic media crafted with the aid of advanced deep learning techniques that exhibit an unparalleled degree of authenticity. The rapid advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has contributed to an increase in the prevalence of deepfakes on the internet, consequently amplifying the spread of misinformation among the public. Consequently, the detection of deepfakes has become a pressing concern. In this context, we put forth a comprehensive framework for deepfake video detection, which is built upon three distinct layers. The first layer, termed as the RGB features extraction layer, is designed to identify potential signs of forgery within the spatial domain of analogous video frames. The second layer, known as the GAN features extraction layer, focuses on the extraction of forgery fingerprints in the high-frequency region. This layer is specifically engineered to detect the fingerprints left by the Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) process in fake videos and the traces of the imaging process in genuine videos. The third and final layer, referred to as the facial region intra-frame inconsistency feature extraction layer, is dedicated to uncovering the anomalies associated with the manipulation process. This is achieved by extracting features from both the inner and outer regions of the manipulated portion of a frame. The extensive experimental evaluations have underscored the superior performance of proposed approach in comparison to existing state-of-the-art methods.
Utilizing kraft lignin–derived hard carbon as an innovative bio-electrode in electrochemical capacitors
Authors: Kurc Beata , Pigłowska Marita , Fuć Paweł , Szymlet Natalia , Gross Xymena , Piasecki Adam
Published: August 2024

In recent years, biomaterials are gaining popularity due to high need to make energy storage devices greener and safer. After the carbonization process, lignin has a slightly larger specific surface and a porous structure, which can provide a significant electrochemical double-layer capacity. When combined with kraft lignin as a binder, which helps maintain the structural integrity of the electrode, the efficient use of the active material can be enhanced. The binder facilitates better dispersion of carbonized lignin particles, reducing agglomeration and ensuring greater availability of active sites for electrolyte ions. The aim of this work is to present a novel lignin-based hard carbon as an electrode material for applications in electrochemical capacitors. To this end, a detailed physicochemical and electrochemical analysis was conducted. Kraft lignin was carbonized at temperatures ranging from 600 to 1000 °C. The resulting material is characterized by thermal stability, a low polydispersion index (PDI), and mesoporosity. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was used to determine changes in structure, while functional groups were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In electrochemical applications, the material exhibits high cyclic stability and no redox reactions, with the primary mechanism of charge accumulation being based on the electrochemical double layer. Additionally, low resistances contribute to improved charge storage.

Graphical abstract
Effects of a mobile-app-based self-compassion intervention on psychological health and maladaptive cognitive traits: findings from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Han Wei Tian , Keng Shian-Ling , Pooh Karen , Wang Ziying , Ayyappan Madhumitha
Published: August 2024

College students are at risk of poor mental health and other maladaptive traits such as academic worry, perfectionism, and rumination. This study aimed to examine the effects of a seven-week mobile app-based self-compassion intervention on psychological symptoms and maladaptive cognitive traits in a sample of college students based in Singapore. Using a randomized controlled trial design, a total of 63 participants (mean age = 21.2; 64.2% female) were recruited and randomly assigned to either the self-compassion program (n = 31) or a waitlist control condition (n = 32). The online self-compassion program was administered via the mobile app 29k, which consists of weekly lessons each lasting 30 to 60 min. Outcome measures were administered a week before and after the intervention program. Analyses indicated that compared to participants in the waitlist control condition, participants in the intervention condition reported significantly greater decreases in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress. There was also a trend for greater decreases in academic worry in the intervention condition. No significant between-group differences were found on changes in trait self-compassion, perfectionism, or rumination. The results are promising in indicating that app-based self-compassion programs may be effective in improving selected aspects of college students’ mental health. Future research could investigate additional features that could be incorporated into mobile app-based interventions, such as synchronous sessions with a trained facilitator, and more targeted content for college students.
The Individual Spaces of Interpretation for the Collective Social Construction of the Jewish Sabbath in Israel
Authors: Shufan-Biton Stav
Published: August 2024

This study focuses on the tension between the national, public, and social restrictions that apply to the Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) in Israel and the way that Jews from a variety of religious streams understand Shabbat as leisure time that allows for a subjective choice of practices and self-realization. Jewish law provides clear rules and instructions for behavior on Shabbat, including a prohibition on different types of melacha (different kinds of creative activity), with the goal of “remembering” and “keeping” the Sabbath. While in Israel there are many Jews who do not follow these laws, they also make Shabbat special in other ways. Since Israel is a Jewish state, there is no clear separation between religion and state; today there are laws, regulations, expectations, and customs relating to Shabbat in the public sphere. To understand the diversity of views of Israelis about Shabbat, qualitative interviews were conducted with 66 secular, religious, formerly religious, traditional, and Ultra-Orthodox Jews, aged 25–50. Analysis of the survey data shows that Israeli Jews have a variety of perspectives regarding Shabbat, and do not describe Shabbat being structured and experienced as collective, homogeneous, and restrictive. Among the interviewees, religious and secular alike, Shabbat is described as a time full of variable subjective content, based on free choice and free from other obligations. On the one hand, even the religious and Ultra-Orthodox prioritize the individual and their family, sometimes more than religious faith or halachic obligation. On the other hand, even for those who do not keep the Shabbat halachically, resting on Shabbat forms an organizing principle for the weekend, lending this time its unique quality.
Intelligent algorithm selection for efficient update predictions in social media feeds
Authors: Keller Max-Emanuel , Döschl Alexander , Mandl Peter , Schill Alexander
Published: August 2024

Efficiently synchronizing data with social media feeds while minimizing unnecessary requests presents a significant challenge in various fields. This paper investigates prediction algorithms for determining the optimal update intervals for Facebook and Twitter (now X) feeds, focusing on metrics such as delay (the time between a post’s publication and its retrieval) and requests per post. Variations in update intervals result in different algorithms producing varying results, making the selection of the most suitable algorithm for each feed crucial yet time-intensive. To address this, we propose three strategies for algorithm selection: baseline (applying a single algorithm to all feeds), optimum (identifying the best algorithm for each individual feed), and classification (selecting algorithms through a classification process based on each feed’s unique update patterns and context). Our strategies leverage various prediction algorithms, including static and adaptive algorithms, and inhomogeneous Poisson processes. We evaluate these strategies using real-world data from Facebook and Twitter, thoroughly assessing their performance in terms of delay and request efficiency. The findings demonstrate that the strategy Optimum effectively identifies the best algorithms for each feed, ensuring the highest prediction quality, though at a considerable computational cost. On the other hand, the strategy Classification offers superior runtime performance required to select algorithms. This research highlights the trade-offs between delay and request efficiency and presents a comprehensive solution for optimizing update predictions in social media feeds.
Effects of pelvic fixation strategies and multi-rod constructs on biomechanics of the proximal junction in long thoracolumbar posterior instrumented fusions: a finite-element analysis
Authors: Mumtaz Muzammil , Collins Andrew P. , Shekouhi Niloufar , Varier Karthika , Tripathi Sudharshan , Ames Christopher P. , Deviren Vedat , Clark Aaron J. , Goel Vijay K. , Theologis Alekos A.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To assess the effect of various pelvic fixation techniques and number of rods on biomechanics of the proximal junction of long thoracolumbar posterior instrumented fusions.

Methods

A validated spinopelvic finite-element (FE) model was instrumented with L5–S1 ALIF and one of the following 9 posterior instrumentation configurations: (A) one traditional iliac screw bilaterally (“2 Iliac/2 Rods”); (B) T10 to S1 (“Sacral Only”); (C) unilateral traditional iliac screw (“1 Iliac/2 Rods”); (D) one traditional iliac screw bilaterally with one midline accessory rod (“2 Iliac/3 rods”); (E) S2AI screws connected directly to the midline rods (“2 S2AI/2 Rods”); and two traditional iliac screws bilaterally with two lateral accessory rods connected to the main rods at varying locations (F1: T10–11, F2: T11–12, F3: T12–L1, F4: L1–2) (“4 Iliac/4 Rods”). Range of motions (ROM) at T10–S1 and T9–T10 were recorded and compared between models. The T9–T10 intradiscal pressures and stresses of the T9–10 disc’s annulus in addition to the von Mises stresses of the T9 and T10 vertebral bodies were recorded and compared.

Results

For T10–S1 ROM, 4 iliac/4 rods had lowest ROM in flexion and extension, while 2 S2AI/2 rods showed lowest ROM in rotation. Constructs with 3 or 4 rods had lower stresses on the primary rods compared to 2-rod constructs. At the proximal adjacent disc (T9–10), 4 iliac/4 rods showed lowest ROM, lowest intradiscal pressures, and lowest annular stress in all directions (most pronounced in flexion–extension). Under flexion and extension, 4 iliac/4 rods also showed the lowest von Mises stresses on the T10 vertebral body but the highest stresses on the T9 vertebral body.

Conclusions

Dual iliac screws with 4 rods across the lumbosacral junction and extending to the thoracolumbar junction demonstrated the lowest T10–S1 ROM, the lowest adjacent segment disc (T9–T10) ROM, intradiscal pressures, and annular stresses, and the lowest UIV stresses, albeit with the highest UIV + 1 stresses. Additional studies are needed to confirm whether these biomechanical findings dictate clinical outcomes and effect rates of proximal junctional kyphosis and failure.
A review of strategies to incorporate flexibility in higher education course designs
Authors: Barua Lumbini , Lockee Barbara B.
Published: August 2024

While the movement for flexibility in higher education can be traced back to the first corresponding courses in the 18th century, the recent pandemic has led to an unprecedented demand for flexible learning, particularly in higher education settings. This review of the literature delves into the evolution of flexible course design and defines flexibility as a multifaceted concept encompassing time, place, content, pace, and pedagogy, with learner autonomy situated at the core. This review explores the key components of flexible course design, including both pedagogical and logistical aspects, and their implications for developing a learner-centered approach to enhancing engagement and motivation. By synthesizing the current literature, this review highlights strategies to incorporate flexibility in course design through content adaptation, pedagogical modifications, assessment diversification, and adjustments in time, place, and pace of course offerings and learning. This review underscores the significance of flexible course design in light of the rapidly diversified learner demographic and their changing needs emphasizing the necessity of further research on flexibility for building more empathetic and adaptable learning environments.
Parameter identification of vibratory conveying systems including statistical part behavior
Authors: Schiller Simon , Perchtold Dominik , Eitzlmayr Andreas , Gruber Peter , Six Daniel
Published: August 2024

This work presents a complete workflow for the parameter identification of an MBS model representing a vibratory conveying system. First, the MBS model built within the multibody dynamics tool HOTINT is shown. Essential components, such as contact modeling and adaptive time step control, are explained in detail. The model includes a considerable amount of parameters that need to be identified. Altough, this model is fully deterministic, the complex contact dynamics can cause major effect on results by minor parameter variations. Thus, parameter variations usually show statistical variance, which is characteristic for real conveying processes too. For parameter identification it is important to detect parameters that significantly correlate with results. A method that allows to distinguish significant and non-significant parameters is presented. The application to the multibody system shows that stiffness, restitution and sliding friction of the contact model are the essential parameters. Next, the parameter identification is discussed with particular attention to multimodal distributions, that can occur in conveying systems. Furthermore, the integration of statistics into the deterministic simulation model is discussed. In order to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methods, a parameter identification is performed based on measurement data of a single part on a real conveying system in the development site of STIWA Automation GmbH. Finally, the validity of the fully parametrized simulation model is shown by investigating geometric adjustments of the conveyor. In order to further verify the identified set of parameters, a conveying process with multiple parts is analyzed and compared in measurement and simulation.
Impact of the alkyl side-chain length on solubility, interchain packing, and charge-transport properties of amorphous π-conjugated polymers
Authors: Dai Qingqing , Lang Xingyou , Brédas Jean-Luc , Wang Tonghui , Jiang Qing
Published: August 2024

Increasing the length of alkyl side chains is a typical way to improve the solubility of π-conjugated polymers designed for use in solution-processed devices. However, these modifications have also been reported to alter the film morphology. Given that the mechanism leading to improved solubility is not well documented yet and the nanoscale (local) morphologies of amorphous π-conjugated polymer films are difficult to characterize experimentally, here, we combine molecular dynamics simulations and long-range corrected density functional theory calculations to examine at the molecular scale the impact that the alkyl side-chain length has on polymer solubility and film morphologies. As a representative example, we consider poly(thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione-alt-3,4-difluorothiophene) (PTPD[2F]T) with two different lengths of the alkyl side chains on the thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) moieties, i.e., 2-hexyldecyl (2HD) and 2-decyltetradecyl (2DT). A detailed analysis of polymer–solvent and polymer–polymer interactions provides a picture that describes the underlying mechanism for improved solubility in going from 2HD to 2DT. We then underline an intrinsic characteristic that decreasing the side-chain length brings a greater extent of backbone planarity and lesser side chain-TPD interactions, which leads to higher interchain π-π packing density and order, while the interchain π-π packing patterns remain similar in the two films. These morphologies are discussed in terms of the charge-transport properties between neighboring PTPD[2F]T chains, which point to a higher electron mobility in the PTPD[2F]T films with shorter alkyl side chains. Overall, our findings offer guidance in the field of solution-processed electronic devices by pointing out that the polymer alkyl side-chain length could be minimized to improve carrier mobility while ensuring polymer solubility.
Immunological harmony: the dynamic influence of cellular and humoral immunity on pregnancy success
Authors: Pandey Manoj Kumar
Published: August 2024

This study is a crucial step in understanding the dynamics of the maternal immune response directed at paternal human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. HLA molecules are proteins on cell surfaces that play a critical role in immune system regulation. Our findings focus on the pivotal role of maternal antibodies targeting fetal HLA molecules in inhibiting antigen-induced activation of uterine immune cells, which is essential for successful pregnancies. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system that recognize and neutralize foreign substances. The primary focus is to unravel maternal anti-fetal rejection by drawing parallels to transplant rejection and emphasizing the role of allorecognition—the process by which an individual’s immune system recognizes and responds to antigens from another individual of the same species—in both cellular (involving immune cells) and humoral (involving antibodies) refusal. Although exploring anti-HLA antibodies in preventing fetal loss in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion is captivating, there are still significant knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. Further studies are imperative to reveal the precise mechanism by which these antibodies generate and prevent maternal immune responses, critical determinants of pregnancy outcomes. It is vital to investigate the specificity of these antibodies and whether they exclusively target specific HLA molecules on trophoblasts (cells forming the outer layer of a blastocyst, providing nutrients to the embryo). This review paper not only offers insights into the development of these protective antibodies in pregnancy but also lays the foundation for future research on therapeutic implications, particularly in cases of recurrent spontaneous abortion.
Three-dimensional generative adversarial networks for turbulent flow estimation from wall measurements
Authors: Cuéllar Antonio , Güemes Alejandro , Ianiro Andrea , Flores Óscar , Vinuesa Ricardo , Discetti Stefano
Published: August 2024

Different types of neural networks have been used to solve the flow sensing problem in turbulent flows, namely to estimate velocity in wall-parallel planes from wall measurements. Generative adversarial networks (GANs) are among the most promising methodologies, due to their more accurate estimations and better perceptual quality. This work tackles this flow sensing problem in the vicinity of the wall, addressing for the first time the reconstruction of the entire three-dimensional (3-D) field with a single network, i.e. a 3-D GAN. With this methodology, a single training and prediction process overcomes the limitation presented by the former approaches based on the independent estimation of wall-parallel planes. The network is capable of estimating the 3-D flow field with a level of error at each wall-normal distance comparable to that reported from wall-parallel plane estimations and at a lower training cost in terms of computational resources. The direct full 3-D reconstruction also unveils a direct interpretation in terms of coherent structures. It is shown that the accuracy of the network depends directly on the wall footprint of each individual turbulent structure. It is observed that wall-attached structures are predicted more accurately than wall-detached ones, especially at larger distances from the wall. Among wall-attached structures, smaller sweeps are reconstructed better than small ejections, while large ejections are reconstructed better than large sweeps as a consequence of their more intense footprint.
Numerical study of a generic ship's airwake for understanding bi‐stability mechanism
Authors: Xu Kewei , Su Xinchao , Jonsson Isak , Bensow Rickard , Krajnovic Sinisa
Published: August 2024

A distinguishing feature of the bi-stable wake is that the wake persists in either of two preferred states for a sufficiently long time. Aiming to understand the persistence mechanism, this paper numerically investigates the airwake characteristics of the Chalmers ship model (CSM) using large eddy simulation with a wall-adapting local-eddy viscosity model and is complemented by experimental testings for validations. There are two cases of interest: (i) the baseline CSM with a sharp-edged superstructure front that induces massive boundary layer separation; (ii) the front-rounded (FR) CSM with suppressed flow separation. During a characteristic time (

$t^*$

) of 1142 (26.5 s), the baseline case has a frequently switching wake, whereas the FR wake maintains a stable asymmetric structure with only one switch attempt. To understand the different wake behaviours, the study starts by analysing wake flow structures, vortex cores and the wake dynamics, followed by investigating the instantaneous flow physics. Results suggest that the baseline wake has a weak bi-stable pattern, whereas the FR wake behaves similarly to a reflectional symmetry breaking state of a potential bi-stable wake. The wake switching is found to be driven by the tilting of (vertical-oriented)

$z$

-vorticity sheets from either side of the base toward the centre. This tilting behaviour is subjected to the high-magnitude vorticity that sheds from the upstream flow separation at the front sharp edges. With the sharp edges rounded in the FR case, the upstream vorticity is mitigated and the tilting effect is significantly reduced, leading to a more stable wake structure. The reasoning provided in the paper potentially explains the persistence mechanism of the bi-stable wake.
Left Governmental Power and the Reduction of Inequalities in Western Europe (1871–2020)
Authors: Emanuele Vincenzo , Trastulli Federico
Published: August 2024

Despite considerable attention in the literature, existing studies analyzing the effect of left governmental power on inequalities suffer from three main limitations: a privileged focus on economic forms of inequality at the expense of political and social ones, inaccurate measurements of left governmental power, and the analyses’ narrow time spans. This article addresses such concerns through a comparative longitudinal analysis where the impact of left governmental power on different measures of political, social, and economic inequalities is investigated in 20 Western European countries across the last 150 years. Data show that, consistent with previous literature, the Left in government has significantly reduced most forms of inequalities. However, the equalizing effect of the Left in government has decreased over time and has become not significant since the 1980s. The Left is today incapable of accomplishing its historical mission of reducing inequalities. The article discusses the rationale and implications of these findings.
Deviant Cohesion and Unauthorized Atrocities: Evidence from the American War in Vietnam
Authors: Brzezinski Marek
Published: August 2024

Why do soldiers engage in unauthorized atrocities? This article explores this question by analyzing the use of postmortem mutilation by American soldiers during the Vietnam War. I show that such acts were remarkably frequent, despite being explicitly prohibited by military policy, and argue that individual-level variation in participation in such violence is explained by social dynamics within military units. Soldiers used mutilation mostly as a means of avenging enemy atrocities or deaths among comrades. Revenge motives were stronger when soldiers shared particularly strong social bonds. Whether these motives resulted in unauthorized atrocity, however, depended on the extent to which discipline was maintained within military units. In units characterized by “deviant cohesion”—strong social ties and weak discipline—informal combatant norms diverged from organizational policies and promoted unauthorized atrocities as a unit-level practice. Evidence for this theory comes from a combination of archival sources and survey data gathered from a representative sample of Vietnam War veterans. A case study of a single Army unit illustrates the mechanism implied by the theory.
Increased Summer Monsoon Rainfall Over Northwest India Caused by Hadley Cell Expansion and Indian Ocean Warming
Authors: Joseph Ligin , Skliris Nikolaos , Dey Dipanjan , Marsh Robert , Hirschi Joël
Published: August 2024

From 1979 to 2022, the summer monsoon precipitation has increased by a substantial 40% over Northwest India compared to the 1980s. This wetting trend aligns with the future projections of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6). The observationally constrained reanalysis data indicates that significant sea surface warming in the western equatorial Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea is likely driving this increase in rainfall by enhancing the cross‐equatorial monsoonal flow and associated evaporation. We demonstrate that the strengthening of the cross‐equatorial monsoon winds is due to the rapid warming of the Indian Ocean and the enhanced Pacific Ocean trade winds, which result from the poleward shift and expansion of the Hadley cell. These strengthened winds boost the latent heat flux (evaporation), leading to increased moisture transport to Northwest India.
The Crucial Role of the Subpolar North Atlantic for Skillful Decadal Climate Predictions
Authors: Drews Annika , Schmith Torben , Tian Tian , Wang Yiguo , Devilliers Marion , Keenlyside Noel S. , Yang Shuting , Olsen Steffen M.
Published: August 2024

We investigate the role of the subpolar North Atlantic (SPNA) for downstream predictability, using two decadal climate prediction systems. We use the subpolar extreme cold and fresh anomaly event developing in winter 2013/2014 as initial conditions and evaluate ensemble predictions of the two systems in the following decade. In addition, we perform ensemble pacemaker experiments where the models are forced toward observed ocean temperature and salinity anomalies in the SPNA from November 2014 through December 2019. The pacemaker experiments show improved skill along the Atlantic Water pathway, compared with the standard decadal predictions, and we therefore conclude that the correct description of the ocean in the SPNA is the key. The enhanced skill is most prominent in subsurface salinity in the form of propagating anomalies.
Statistical Study of Hot Flow Anomaly Induced Ground Magnetic Ultra‐Low Frequency Oscillations
Authors: Wang Boyi , Liu Jiaqi , Han Desheng , Wang Yi , Feng Xueshang
Published: August 2024

Pc5 ULF waves play an important role in transporting energy and particles in the coupled magnetospheric and ionospheric system. They are known to be initiated by dynamic pressure fluctuations upstream of the magnetopause, including those induced by hot flow anomalies (HFAs). However, the role of HFAs in generating magnetospheric and ground magnetic Pc5 ULF oscillations has not been investigated statistically yet. Thus, in this paper, we investigate the contribution of HFAs to ground magnetic Pc5 ULF oscillations and analyze how the characteristics of HFAs influence these oscillations, based on the coordinated observations between the THEMIS probes and the ground magnetometers at high latitudes during the years 2008, 2009 and 2019. We find that HFAs can serve as a notable source of ground magnetic Pc5 ULF oscillations, with about 18.9% of Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) discontinuity‐induced HFAs associated with discernible enhancements in Pc5 ULF wave power, whereas spontaneous HFAs play a comparatively minor role in generating these oscillations. Furthermore, we observe that the cores of HFAs are likely to contribute more significantly to modulating the induced ground magnetic Pc5 ULF oscillations than their compressed boundaries. More dynamic pressure reductions within HFA cores correspond to stronger ground magnetic Pc5 ULF oscillations. Additionally, HFAs can propagate with the IMF discontinuity along the bow shock, continuously generating ground magnetic Pc5 ULF oscillations during their propagation. This research sheds light on the mechanisms underlying Pc5 ULF wave generation and underscores the role of HFAs in driving magnetospheric‐ionospheric interactions.
MeV Electron Precipitation During Radiation Belt Dropouts
Authors: Freund Domenique , Blum Lauren , Vidal‐Luengo Sergio , Bruno Alessandro , Kataoka Ryuho
Published: August 2024

To gain deeper insights into radiation belt loss into the atmosphere, a statistical study of MeV electron precipitation during radiation belt dropout events is undertaken. During these events, electron intensities often drop by an order of magnitude or more within just a few hours. For this study, dropouts are defined as a decrease by at least a factor of five in less than 8 hours. Van Allen probe measurements are employed to identify dropouts across various parameters, complemented by precipitation data from the CALorimetric Electron Telescope instrument on the International Space Station. A temporal analysis unveils a notable increase in precipitation occurrence and intensity during dropout onset, correlating with the decline of SYM‐H, the north‐south component of the interplanetary magnetic field, and the peak of the solar wind dynamic pressure. Moreover, dropout occurrences show correlations with the solar cycle, exhibiting maxima at the spring and autumn equinoxes. This increase during equinoxes reflects the correlation between equinoxes and the SYM‐H index, which itself exhibits a correlation with precipitation during dropouts. Spatial analysis reveals that dropouts with precipitation penetrate into lower L‐star regions, mostly reaching L‐star <4, while most dropouts without precipitation don't penetrate deeper than L‐star 5. This is consistent with the larger average dimensions of dropouts associated with precipitation. During dropouts, precipitation is predominantly observed in the dusk‐midnight sector, coinciding with the most intense precipitation events. The results of this study provide insight into the contribution of precipitation to radiation belt dropouts by deciphering when and where precipitation occurred.
Retinoic acid induces human gastruloids with posterior embryo-like structures
Authors: Hamazaki Nobuhiko , Yang Wei , Kubo Connor A. , Qiu Chengxiang , Martin Beth K. , Garge Riddhiman K. , Regalado Samuel G. , Nichols Eva K. , Pendyala Sriram , Bradley Nicholas , Fowler Douglas M. , Lee Choli , Daza Riza M. , Srivatsan Sanjay , Shendure Jay
Published: August 2024

Gastruloids are a powerful in vitro model of early human development. However, although elongated and composed of all three germ layers, human gastruloids do not morphologically resemble post-implantation human embryos. Here we show that an early pulse of retinoic acid (RA), together with later Matrigel, robustly induces human gastruloids with posterior embryo-like morphological structures, including a neural tube flanked by segmented somites and diverse cell types, including neural crest, neural progenitors, renal progenitors and myocytes. Through in silico staging based on single-cell RNA sequencing, we find that human RA-gastruloids progress further than other human or mouse embryo models, aligning to E9.5 mouse and CS11 cynomolgus monkey embryos. We leverage chemical and genetic perturbations of RA-gastruloids to confirm that WNT and BMP signalling regulate somite formation and neural tube length in the human context, while transcription factors TBX6 and PAX3 underpin presomitic mesoderm and neural crest, respectively. Looking forward, RA-gastruloids are a robust, scalable model for decoding early human embryogenesis.
Assessment of the errors of high-fidelity two-qubit gates in silicon quantum dots
Authors: Tanttu Tuomo , Lim Wee Han , Huang Jonathan Y. , Dumoulin Stuyck Nard , Gilbert Will , Su Rocky Y. , Feng MengKe , Cifuentes Jesus D. , Seedhouse Amanda E. , Seritan Stefan K. , Ostrove Corey I. , Rudinger Kenneth M. , Leon Ross C. C. , Huang Wister , Escott Christopher C. , Itoh Kohei M. , Abrosimov Nikolay V. , Pohl Hans-Joachim , Thewalt Michael L. W. , Hudson Fay E. , Blume-Kohout Robin , Bartlett Stephen D. , Morello Andrea , Laucht Arne , Yang Chih Hwan , Saraiva Andre , Dzurak Andrew S.
Published: August 2024

Achieving high-fidelity entangling operations between qubits consistently is essential for the performance of multi-qubit systems. Solid-state platforms are particularly exposed to errors arising from materials-induced variability between qubits, which leads to performance inconsistencies. Here we study the errors in a spin qubit processor, tying them to their physical origins. We use this knowledge to demonstrate consistent and repeatable operation with above 99% fidelity of two-qubit gates in the technologically important silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor quantum dot platform. Analysis of the physical errors and fidelities in multiple devices over extended periods allows us to ensure that we capture the variation and the most common error types. Physical error sources include the slow nuclear and electrical noise on single qubits and contextual noise that depends on the applied control sequence. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of qubit design, feedback systems and robust gate design to inform the design of future scalable, high-fidelity control strategies. Our results highlight both the capabilities and challenges for the scaling-up of silicon spin-based qubits into full-scale quantum processors.
Facial misfits accelerate stereotype-based associative learning
Authors: Golubickis Marius , Persson Linn M. , Falbén Johanna K. , Seow Siew Hwee , Jalalian Parnian , Sharma Yadvi , Ivanova Margarita , Macrae C. Neil
Published: August 2024

Counterstereotypes challenge the deleterious effects that gender-typed beliefs exert on people’s occupational aspirations and lifestyle choices. Surprisingly, however, the critical issue of how readily unexpected person-related knowledge can be acquired remains poorly understood. Accordingly, in two experiments in which the facial appearance of targets was varied to manipulate goodness-of-stereotype-fit (i.e., high vs. low femininity/masculinity), here we used a probabilistic selection task to probe the rate at which counter-stereotypic and stereotypic individuals can be learned. Whether occupational (Expt. 1) or trait-related (Expt. 2) gender stereotypes were explored, a computational analysis yielded consistent results. Underscoring the potency of surprising information (i.e., facial misfits), knowledge acquisition was accelerated for unexpected compared to expected persons, both in counter-stereotypic and stereotypic learning contexts. These findings affirm predictive accounts of social perception and speak to the optimal characteristics of interventions designed to reduce stereotyping outside the laboratory.
Relevance of pre-stimulus oscillatory activity for the perceived valence of emotional facial expressions
Authors: Jaap Carina , Rose Michael
Published: August 2024

The interpretation of emotional facial expressions is crucial in everyday social interactions, and rapid processing of these expressions is necessary. Although extensive research has shed light on the mechanisms involved in facial expression processing, there is limited research on the potential role of the state of neural activity that directly precedes the occurrence of a face. Here, we investigated the potential modulatory role of pre-stimulus oscillatory activity in emotional facial expression processing. We tested emotional facial processing in two experiments, one utilizing artificial and the other natural facial expressions. The participants had to evaluate the emotional valence of the presented ambiguous facial expressions. In a univariate analysis, differences in the oscillation activity of the later rated valence of the faces were observed in both experiments, and these differences were observed even before the presentation of the facial expressions. Importantly, two different multivariate approaches directly supported the relevance of pre-stimulus oscillatory activity by exclusively using pre-stimulus oscillatory data to predict the perceived valence of the latter rated facial expression across the two experiments within as well as across subjects. The behavioral data shows the often observed negativity bias, i.e. ambiguous faces resulted in the tendency to rate them as negative. This negativity bias was related to neural activity modulations in the pre-stimulus period and also within post-stimulus processing related activity. These findings underscore the significance of pre-stimulus oscillatory activity in facial expression processing, indicating a functional role of ongoing neural states that affects the processing of facial expressions and constitute a basis for the well described negativity bias.
Understanding soil factors in corrosion and conservation of buried bronze statuettes: insights for preservation strategies
Authors: Abdelbar Mohamed , El-Shamy Ashraf M.
Published: August 2024

The findings reveal that soil constituents significantly affect the corrosion process. Moisture content and pH promote the formation of corrosion products, while high chloride concentrations accelerate corrosion. Conversely, high organic matter content inhibits corrosion by limiting oxygen diffusion to the metal surface. The effectiveness of conservation treatments, particularly wax or oil-based coatings, varied with soil conditions, showing reduced efficacy in soils with high chloride concentrations. This study underscores the importance of understanding soil constituents for developing effective corrosion and conservation strategies for buried bronze statuettes. The results offer valuable insights for customizing preservation approaches based on soil types. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that mineralogical compositions in soil significantly influence corrosion processes, providing critical insights for effective preservation strategies. pH measurements indicated varying soil acidity and alkalinity levels, crucial in determining corrosion rates and mechanisms, offering essential data for targeted preservation strategies. Additionally, the identification of brochantite and antlerite through Micro-Raman spectroscopy suggests a link to sulfur pollutants from the decomposition of organic matter by sulfate-reducing bacteria, highlighting the potential environmental impact of microbial activity in the soil ecosystem.
Wing vein abnormality analysis in honeybee (Apis mellifera L. 1758) populations from Iran
Authors: Shahshahani Mahdi , Abbasi Roohollah
Published: August 2024

The insect wing is one of the most important characteristics that allowed insects to occupy most of the habitats on the planet. Honeybee wings has been the subject of studies on the venation abnormalities. A total of 424 honeybees from 14 locations were collected and all four wings were removed and examined for 19 abnormalities on the forewings and 6 abnormalities on the hindwings. In general, supernumerary veins were the most common abnormalities seen and abnormalities no. 23, 2, 6, 1, 5, 21, 10, 13 had the highest and abnormalities no. 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 25 had the lowest frequencies. All of the abnormalities had similar frequencies in the right and left wings in the population. In terms of correlation between 25 abnormalities, abnormality pairs AB3–AB13, AB6–AB7, AB7–AB8, AB10–AB12, AB16–AB17 on the forewing and AB2–AB23, AB12–AB20, AB12–AB24, AB13–AB21, AB16–AB25, and AB17–AB25 between the forewing and hindwing show significant positive correlations and abnormality pairs AB4–AB5, AB7–AB15 and AB8–AB9 on the forewing show significant negative correlations with each other. In terms of the differential occurrence of abnormalities , a few locations differed significantly from other locations. This study provides some insights into the nature of these abnormalities on the honeybee wings.
Visualisation of in vivo protein synthesis during mycobacterial infection through [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-puromycin µPET/MRI
Authors: Eigner Sebastian , Kleynhans Janke , Beckford Vera Dennis R. , Sathekge Mike M. , Henke Katerina Eigner , Ebenhan Thomas
Published: August 2024

Radiolabelled puromycin analogues will allow the quantification of protein synthesis through nuclear medicine-based imaging. A particularly useful application could be the non-invasive longitudinal visualisation of mycobacterial activity through direct quantification of puromycin binding. This study assesses the value of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-puromycin in the visualisation of mycobacteria through positron emission tomography combined with magnetic resonance imaging (µPET/MRI). The radiopharmaceutical was produced by previously published and validated methods. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-Puromycin imaging was performed on severe immunodeficient mice infected with Bacille Calmette-Guérin-derived M. Bovis (BCG). Acute and chronic infection stages were examined by µPET/MRI. A follow-up group of animals acted as controls (animals bearing S. aureus-derived infection and sterile inflammation) to assess tracer selectivity. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-puromycin-µPET/MRI images revealed the acute, widespread infection within the right upper shoulder and armpit. Also, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-puromycin signal sensitivity measured after a 12-week period was lower than that of [18F]FDG-PET in the same animals. A suitable correlation between normalised uptake values (NUV) and gold standard histopathological analysis confirms accurate tracer accumulation in viable bacteria. The radiopharmaceutical showed infection selectivity over inflammation but accumulated in both M. Bovis and S. Aureus, lacking pathogen specificity. Overall, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-puromycin exhibits potential as a tool for non-invasive protein synthesis visualization, albeit without pathogen selectivity.
A refactored biosynthetic pathway for the production of glycosylated microbial sunscreens
Authors: Arsın Sıla , Pollari Maija , Delbaje Endrews , Jokela Jouni , Wahlsten Matti , Permi Perttu , Fewer David
Published: August 2024

MAA biosynthetic enzymes encoded in two distant sections of the genome work together to form two diglycosylated MAA structural variants.
Resorcinol–formaldehyde semiconducting resins as precursors for carbon spheres toward electrocatalytic oxygen reduction
Authors: Shiraishi Yasuhiro , Kinoshita Keisuke , Sakamoto Keisuke , Yoshida Koki , Hiramatsu Wataru , Ichikawa Satoshi , Tanaka Shunsuke , Hirai Takayuki
Published: August 2024

The porous carbon spheres prepared by pyrolysis of resorcinol–formaldehyde semiconducting resins exhibit enhanced activity for electrocatalytic ORR.
Synergistic optimization of electronic and lattice structures through Ti-intercalation and Se-vacancy engineering for high-performance aluminum storage
Authors: Kang Rongkai , Zhang Dongmei , Wang Han , Zhang Boya , Zhang Xingchang , Chen Guowen , Du Yiqun , Zhang Jianxin
Published: August 2024

Dual-defect strategy of Ti-intercalation and Se-vacancies modulates the electronic and structural properties of MoSe2, achieving high-performance aluminum batteries.
Green synthesis and physicochemical characterization of an eco-friendly zero-valent iron biochar based on Coula edulis shell and morinda bark extracts using response surface analysis
Authors: Simo C. A. Ntinkam , Dika J. M. , Kede C. M.
Published: August 2024

In this present study, biochars obtained from agricultural residue considered as waste were chemically activated with H2SO4 (HN/AC) and also impregnated with zero-valent iron using morinda stem bark extract as reducing agent (HN/AC/Fe°).
Correction: Imidazolium-based ionic liquids support biosimilar flavin electron transfer
Authors: Anderson Grace I. , Agee Alec , Furst Ariel L.
Published: August 2024

Correction for ‘Imidazolium-based ionic liquids support biosimilar flavin electron transfer’ by Grace I. Anderson et al., Mater. Adv., 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ma00558a.
Plasmonic nanoparticle sensors: current progress, challenges, and future prospects
Authors: Kant Krishna , Beeram Reshma , Cao Yi , dos Santos Paulo S. S. , González-Cabaleiro Lara , García-Lojo Daniel , Guo Heng , Joung Younju , Kothadiya Siddhant , Lafuente Marta , Leong Yong Xiang , Liu Yiyi , Liu Yuxiong , Moram Sree Satya Bharati , Mahasivam Sanje , Maniappan Sonia , Quesada-González Daniel , Raj Divakar , Weerathunge Pabudi , Xia Xinyue , Yu Qian , Abalde-Cela Sara , Alvarez-Puebla Ramon A. , Bardhan Rizia , Bansal Vipul , Choo Jaebum , Coelho Luis C. C. , de Almeida José M. M. M. , Gómez-Graña Sergio , Grzelczak Marek , Herves Pablo , Kumar Jatish , Lohmueller Theobald , Merkoçi Arben , Montaño-Priede José Luis , Ling Xing Yi , Mallada Reyes , Pérez-Juste Jorge , Pina María P. , Singamaneni Srikanth , Soma Venugopal Rao , Sun Mengtao , Tian Limei , Wang Jianfang , Polavarapu Lakshminarayana , Santos Isabel Pastoriza
Published: August 2024

This comprehensive review summarizes the past, present, and future of plasmonic NP-based sensors in terms of different sensing platforms, different chemical and biological analytes, and the expected future technologies.
Design and synthesis of an environment-sensitive 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-one fluorophore for labeling DNA-interacting proteins
Authors: Aso Mariko , Ohta Chiyoe , Liu Yixuan , Sasaki-Tabata Kaori , Abe-Sadamatsu Yukiko , Gatanaga Chiemi , Wang Yichun , Pei Yang , Gao Guosheng , Katayama Tsutomu , Taniguchi Yosuke , Sasaki Shigeki
Published: August 2024

A new environment-sensitive fluorophore, 6-dimethylamino 3-methyleneisoindolinone, and reactive oligodeoxynucleotides for turn-on fluorescent lysine modification of target protein were developed.
A thiol-selective and acid-stable protein modification strategy using an electron-deficient yne reagent
Authors: Chen Zhi-liang , Chen Wen , Wang Fenglin , Jiang Jian-Hui , Dong Wan-Rong
Published: August 2024

A protein modification method demonstrates exceptional selectivity towards thiols and exhibits rapid kinetics, resulting in conjugates with superior acid stability.