bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Authentic Leadership and Physical Asset Management Practices in the Public Sector: The Mediating Role of Stakeholder Engagement
Authors: Obicci Peter Adoko , Ntayi Joseph Mpeera , Mugurusi Godfrey , Karyeija Gerald Kagambirwe
Published: February 2025

An efficient public sector relies heavily on effective physical assets management processes. This study examines the significance of authentic leadership in enhancing physical asset management (PAM) Practices of the Public Sector. Here we focused on the mediating Influence of stakeholder engagement in public organizations. Data were collected from 283 employees from various local governments (LGs) in Uganda, Using simple random sampling and census procedures for participant selection. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 23.0, supplemented by MedGraph (Excel Version 13), the Sobel test, and the Kenny‐Baron guideline to measure the mediation effect. The study's findings highlight the Importance of authentic leadership in the context of PAM, Indicating that such leadership characteristics are favorably correlated with better management practices. Furthermore, stakeholder engagement emerged as a constructive factor, serving as a partial mediator in the Interaction between authentic leadership and PAM. These findings support the impact of authentic leadership on PAM through better stakeholder engagement. The findings show that local governments which develop and implement policies that encourage active stakeholder participation and promote authenticity in leadership practices in PAM, they promote the co‐creation of value and enhance the stewardship of physical assets. This study attempts to integrate the impacts of authentic leadership on PAM within the public sector domain. It proposes a novel strategy, which place the role of stakeholder participation in this dynamic. The study lays suggestions for future research to further validate and examine these correlations, which as argued, can boost the efficacy of PAM in public sector organizations.
Policy Capacity Under Decentralization: Kindergarten Education Reforms in the Philippines
Authors: Saguin Kidjie Ian , Ramesh M.
Published: February 2025

The paper examines the relationship between policy capacity and policy effectiveness in decentralized governance setups. It challenges the conventional view that policy functions should only be decentralized when requisite capacities already exist at lower levels of government. Instead, the paper proposes that capacity can follow function ‐ as non‐central authorities perform decentralized responsibilities over time, they build the capacity to successfully implement those functions through learning‐by‐doing. The central argument is illustrated through the case of universalizing kindergarten education in the Philippines. The study finds that variations in analytical, operational, and political policy capacities align with how education governance functions are distributed across levels of government in the country. The survey reveals lower capacity levels among central government kindergarten coordinators compared to their regional and division counterparts, suggesting capacity develops through performing the required functions. The paper's main contribution lies in proposing that capacity is adaptive: by assigning functions first, relevant agencies can develop requisite capacities incrementally through learning‐by‐doing as they perform those responsibilities. In other words, capacity follows and approximates the functions rather than preceding them. This novel conceptualization challenges the dominant thinking that decentralization should allocate functions based on existing capacities. It also underscores the importance of quick learning and capacity building at various government levels to fulfill decentralized responsibilities effectively.
Effect of Barrier Layer Metal (X = Re, Mo, Ni, Ti, and Pd) on the Characteristics of Re–Al–X–Au‐Based Ohmic Contacts on n‐GaN
Authors: Shah Amit P. , Chalke Bhagyashree A. , Bhattacharya Arnab
Published: February 2025

The effect of various barrier layer metals X (X = Re, Mo, Ni, Ti and Pd) on the electrical and microstructural properties of Re–Al–X–Au Ohmic contacts on n‐GaN is reported. Several samples with varying barrier layer materials with fixed stack thickness of Re–Al–X–Au (30–100–60–100 nm) are prepared and annealed at 550–750 °C. Specific contact resistivity (ρc) is determined using circular‐transmission‐line method, while atomic‐force‐microscopy (AFM), grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffraction (GI‐XRD), and scanning‐electron‐microscopy (SEM) with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) are used to analyze the chemical composition and microstructure of the contacts. The lowest ρc values, below 10−7 Ω cm2, are observed at 650–700 °C for all barrier metals. AFM and EDS reveal smooth, uniform surfaces for Re and Mo, without island formation; Ti, Ni, and Pd samples display a rougher morphology with submicron, 2–3 μm, and 1–2 μm‐sized islands, respectively. Surface roughness (root‐mean‐square) is lowest for Re (41 nm) and highest for Pd (211 nm). GI‐XRD indicates the presence of different Al–X alloy phases, alongside common Al–Au, Al–Re, Re–Ga, and Re–N phases. In these findings, the influence of barrier layer metals on Ohmic contact performance is highlighted, providing further insights into optimizing contact formation on n‐GaN.
Synthesis of (2R,3S)‐2‐(3,4‐Dihydroxy phenyl)chroman‐3,5,7‐triol Derivative Boron Compounds: Antioxidant, Enzyme, Antimicrobial, and Antibiofilm Activities
Authors: Paşa Salih , Atlan Metin , Temel Hamdi , Ertaş Abdulselam , Yabaş Ebru , Dinçer Emine
Published: February 2025

(2R,3S)‐2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)chroman‐3,5,7‐triol compound corresponds to catechin, which is from the flavanol class of flavonoids and has many pharmacological effects such as anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, dermatological, antihypertensive, antiviral, antimutagenic, antidiabetic. The aim of this study is to investigate novel drug candidates for several human diseases composed of catechin and boronic acid derivatives. Catechin was modified by various types of boronic acid compounds. In the derivatization experiment, phenyl boronic acid, 6‐methoxy naphthalene boronic acid, 1,4‐phenyl diboronic acid, 3‐formyl phenyl boronic acid, and 4‐methoxy‐3‐formyl phenyl boronic acid, 4‐methoxy phenyl boronic acid were firstly used to modify catechin. The newly obtained compounds were structurally elucidated by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, and LC‐MS spectral techniques. All novel derivatives were examined for antioxidant (with particular methods such as ABTS, DPPH, and CUPRAC), enzyme, and antibiofilm activities. Most compounds were determined to be more active or effective than those standard compounds. Among all derivatives, CB‐2 showed the highest inhibition of enzymes and the highest antioxidant activities. Biological results revealed that the boronic‐modified compounds could be designed as potential antioxidants, enzymes, antimicrobials, and antibiofilm agents.
Zero‐Waste Production of Copper Nanoparticles and Activated Carbon from Erigeron canadensis L.: A Sustainable Approach for Environmental and Health Applications
Authors: Aytar Erdi Can , Basılı Taşkın , Durmaz Alper , Aydın Betül , Seyfeli Rukan Can , Kahyaoğlu İbrahim Mizan , Karakuş Selcan
Published: February 2025

This study presents a novel, zero‐waste process for producing copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), activated carbons (ACs), and oil extract (OE) from a plant Erigeron canadensis L. in Sp. Pl.: 863 (1753). This method optimizes resource utilization and eliminates waste, offering a sustainable approach to green synthesis. The NPs were characterized using XRD, SEM, and FTIR. Their effectiveness was evaluated through comparative studies on methylene blue removal, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity. The prepared OE exhibited superior antibacterial properties, particularly against Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae ATCC 13883 (inhibition zone: 19 ± 0 mm) and Proteus vulgaris RSKK 96029 (inhibition zone: 18.7 ± 0.6 mm). The AC demonstrated exceptional dye adsorption efficiency, ranging from 98.62% to 99.50%. Antioxidant tests revealed that CuNPs possessed strong antioxidant capacity, with an IC50 of 0.023 ± 0.002 mg/mL in the DPPH radical scavenging test and 0.41 ± 0.07 mg/mL in the iron chelation test. The OE demonstrated lower DPPH scavenging capacity (0.43 ± 0.01) but significant iron‐chelating ability (41.94 ± 1.06). In comparison, standard antioxidants EDTA and BHT showed lower effectiveness in their respective tests. These experimental findings underscore the potential of this green approach for bio zero‐waste‐derived products in environmental and biomedical applications, highlighting its broad applicability.
Ammonium Iodide Mediated Electrochemical Oxidative Sulfonylation of Thiols with Sodium Sulfinates to Access Thiosulfonates
Authors: Bai Yuan , Xu Zi‐Ye , Sun Xue‐Jie , Liang Sen , Tian Hong‐Yu , Sun Bao‐Guo , Zeng Cheng‐Chu
Published: February 2025

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of thiosulfonates via the electrochemical oxidative sulfonylation of thiols and sodium sulfinates has been developed. The electrochemical oxidative sulfonylation reaction proceeded using NH4I both as a redox catalyst and a supporting electrolyte in undivided cell equipped with graphite anode and graphite cathode under constant current condition. This process avoids the utilization of external oxidants or corrosive molecular iodine and therefore represents an environmentally benign means for achieving the transformation.
Substrate Stabilized Charge Transfer Scheme In Coverage Controlled 2D Metal Organic Frameworks
Authors: Mearini Simone , Brandstetter Dominik , Grisan Qiu Yan Yan , Baranowski Daniel , Cojocariu Iulia , Jugovac Matteo , Gargiani Pierluigi , Valvidares Manuel , Schio Luca , Floreano Luca , Windischbacher Andreas , Puschnig Peter , Feyer Vitaliy , Schneider Claus Michael
Published: February 2025

Recently, 2D metal‐organic frameworks (2D MOFs), characterized by complex charge transfer mechanisms, have emerged as a promising class of networks in the development of advanced materials with tailored electronic and magnetic properties. Following the successful synthesis of a 2D MOF formed by nickel (Ni) linkers and 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) ligands, this work investigates how the Ni‐to‐ligand ratio influences the electronic charge redistribution in an Ag(100)‐supported 2D MOF. The interplay between linker‐ligand and substrate‐MOF charge transfer processes leads to a stable equilibrium, resulting in a robust electronic structure that remains independent of stoichiometric ratios. This stability is primarily based on the electron transfer from the metal substrate, which compensates for charge imbalances introduced by the metal‐organic coordination across different MOF configurations. Despite minor changes observed in the magnetic response of the Ni centers, these findings emphasize the robustness of the electronic structure, which remains largely unaffected by structural variations, highlighting the potential of these 2D MOFs for advanced applications in electronics and spintronics.
Agency or Composition? Socio-demographic Correlates of Abortion Among Immigrant Women in Spain
Authors: Stanek Mikolaj , Requena Miguel , Montes Estrella
Published: February 2025

Extensive empirical evidence indicates that immigrant women have higher abortion rates than native women. Understanding the factors behind this trend is essential for providing adequate sexual and reproductive healthcare to immigrants and addressing structural barriers to health equity. In this chapter, we examine variations in abortion rates between native-born and immigrant women from different origins, with a primary focus on determining the extent to which socio-demographic factors, such as age and educational attainment, contribute to these differences. To achieve this, we utilise census and abortion registration data from the Spanish Ministry of Health spanning from 2011 to 2021. Our findings reveal a significant decrease in abortion rates among immigrant women over the past decade, thereby narrowing the gap with native-born women. Additionally, we identify a connection between abortion and educational attainment, with a curvilinear pattern observed among immigrant women whereby the intermediate educational strata exhibit the highest risks. Although age and educational composition partly explain variations in abortion rates, our research highlights the importance of investigating behavioural factors alongside compositional aspects in future studies.
Isolated MASON type-III radial head fractures: radial head arthroplasty or open reduction and internal fixation – clinical and radiological outcomes with five to fourteen years of follow up
Authors: Ly Lyliane , Druel Thibault , Gazarian Aram , Walch Arnaud
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess functional and radiological outcomes of radial head arthroplasty (RHA) compared to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in isolated Mason type-III fractures with a minimum of five years follow-up.

Methods

This was a retrospective single-center study of closed isolated Mason type-III radial head fractures operated between January 2008 and December 2017. Nineteen patients were included in group RHA and 35 patients in group ORIF. The mean age was 51 years old in group RHA and 41 years old in group ORIF (p = 0.02). Functional and radiological outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Mean follow up was eight years (range, 5–14). Clinical results and functional scores showed no significant differences, except a better pronation in group RHA (p = 0.04). Two secondary radial head resection or implant removal were performed in each group (p = 0.56) with poor functional outcomes in group ORIF. There was less heterotopic ossification in group RHA (15.8% vs. 42.8%; p = 0.03). Capitulum wear was found in 63% in group RHA against 25.7% in group ORIF (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Functional results of RHA and ORIF were comparable for isolated Mason type-III fractures at a mean follow-up of eight years. We recommend to perform RHA for isolated Mason type-III fracture if articular reduction or stability of the fixation is not satisfying.

Level of evidence

III.
CSF biomarkers of B-cell activation in multiple sclerosis: a clinical perspective
Authors: Di Sabatino Elena , Ferraro Diana , Gaetani Lorenzo , Emiliano Edoardo , Parnetti Lucilla , Di Filippo Massimiliano
Published: February 2025

The role of B cells in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) extends beyond antibody synthesis, also involving the modulation of T lymphocytes and myeloid cells. B-cell activation within the Central Nervous System is associated with the release of various antibodies, cytokines, and chemokines, measurable in biofluids, thereby serving as biomarkers of the immune processes responsible for MS. To this purpose, a biomarker-based characterization of the disease through the combination of well-established markers, e.g., immunoglobulin (Ig) G index, IgG oligoclonal bands, Ig free light chains, with new promising markers, namely chemokine (C–X–C motif) ligand 13, and B-cell activating factor/A proliferation-inducing ligand, might represent a significant improvement in the management of people with MS.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations presenting as secondary trigeminal neuralgia: a case series
Authors: Düzkalir Ali Haluk , Askeroglu Mehmet Orbay , Peker Selcuk
Published: February 2025

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a potential treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) secondary to arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), though its efficacy and safety remain unclear due to the rarity of this condition. We analyzed 1211 brain AVM cases treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) between 2005 and 2023 at our institution. Four patients (0.33%) were presented with TN secondary to AVM. Three patients received single-fraction GKRS while one underwent hypofractionated treatment. Treatment outcomes were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging, digital subtraction angiography, and the Barrow Neurological Institute pain intensity scale. The mean marginal dose and AVM volume were 21.5 Gy and 0.58 cc, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 85.75 months. Complete AVM obliteration was achieved in all patients, with all experiencing complete pain relief within a mean time of 18 months, enabling gradual discontinuation of medications. No radiation-related adverse effects were observed. Our literature review identified only 15 previously reported cases where SRS was used as primary treatment for TN secondary to AVM, with most cases showing favorable outcomes in pain relief and AVM obliteration. This study is the first case series to demonstrate the sole use and efficacy of GKRS in managing TN secondary to AVM, moving beyond individual case reports. SRS appears to be a safe and effective primary treatment option for TN secondary to AVM, particularly when conventional surgical approaches are contraindicated or pose excessive risks. The sustained pain relief and absence of complications in our series, combined with previous case reports, support its use in managing this rare condition.
Association between maternal cancer and the incidence of cancer in offspring
Authors: Jeong Su-Min , Heo Jihye , Choi Kyujin , Taegyun Park , Oh Soo-Young , Yu Jonghan , Kang Danbee
Published: February 2025

Despite the growing population of young cancer survivors of reproductive age, the risk of cancer in offspring born to female cancer survivors has yielded inconsistent results. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the risk of cancer among the offspring of female cancer survivors by maternal age at delivery, maternal age at cancer diagnosis, maternal cancer type, and the time interval between cancer diagnosis and pregnancy. Using nationwide retrospective mother–child linked data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service, we included the first child (N = 8031) of female cancer survivors aged < 40 years after excluding thyroid cancer survivors and matched controls (N = 24,093) between 2005 and 2019. Subgroup analysis was performed according to maternal age at delivery, maternal age at cancer diagnosis, maternal cancer type, and the interval between cancer diagnosis and delivery. Among the offspring, 19 children of cancer survivors and 30 in the control group were diagnosed with cancer, with a mean age of 2.0 years at diagnosis. The most prevalent cancer type was leukemia (26.5%), followed by liver tumor (10.2%) and brain tumor (8.2%). The hazard ratio (HR) for cancer in the offspring of female cancer survivors was 1.91 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–3.38) demonstrating consistently high risk over the follow-up period. HRs for cancer risk in offspring were high across all subgroups despite the low statistical power. Our study indicated that offspring born to maternal cancer survivors had an increased risk of cancer.
Advancing innovative trend analysis for drought trends: incorporating drought classification frequencies for comprehensive insights.
Authors: Abu Arra Ahmad , Alashan Sadık , Şişman Eyüp
Published: February 2025

As a natural disaster, drought has inverse effects on the agricultural and environmental sectors. Comprehensive drought evaluation is critical for integrated water resources management and drought monitoring. Drought is generally evaluated temporally and spatially without considering its trend, but in recent years, the study of drought trends has become common. However, in drought trend analyses, it is necessary to identify the frequency change of drought classification, along with the sub-trends and their magnitudes, which have been identified in this research with the combined frequency analysis and innovative trend analysis methodologies (F-ITA). Three different drought indices, the standardized precipitation index (SPI), Standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), and streamflow drought index (SDI), were calculated at different time scales at Florya Station, Istanbul, Türkiye, Durham Station in the United Kingdom, and Vargonas (Vargönäs) KRV Station in Sweden. The results showed that F-ITA improved the drought evaluation with a more detailed investigation of meteorological and hydrological drought trends on a microscale rather than stating a decrease or increase trend. There was no trend for SPI-3 and -6 F-ITA; for SPI-12 F-ITA, all drought classifications showed a monotonic increase trend. For example, for SPI-1 and SPEI-1 F-ITA, the abnormally dry classification showed minimal change with frequencies of 35%. The SPEI-12 F-ITA graph showed an increasing trend in all drought classifications. For SPEI-12, the frequency of exceptional drought (extremely dry) events increased from 0.11% (0.66%) to 1.21% (2.3%), while severe and moderate drought frequencies rose significantly from 3.73% to 4.61% and 7.46% to 11.4%, respectively. Finally, monotonic trend increases were noticed in the SDI at all time scales for all classifications.

Graphical abstract
Affect-Enhancing Speech Characteristics for Robotic Communication
Authors: Klüber Kim , Schwaiger Katharina , Onnasch Linda
Published: February 2025

The attribution of mind to others, either humans or artificial agents, can be conceptualized along two dimensions: experience and agency. These dimensions are crucial in interactions with robots, influencing how they are perceived and treated by humans. Specifically, a higher attribution of agency to robots is associated with greater perceived responsibility, while a higher attribution of experience enhances sympathy towards them. One potential strategy to increase the attribution of experience to robots is the application of affective communication induced via prosody and verbal content such as emotional words and speech style. In two online studies (N

I
 = 30, N

II
 = 60), participants listened to audio recordings in which robots introduced themselves. In study II, robot pictures were additionally presented to investigate potential matching effects between appearance and speech. Our results showed that both the use of emotional words and speaking expressively significantly increased the attributed experience of robots, whereas the attribution of agency remained unaffected. Findings further indicate that speaking expressively and using emotional words enhanced the perception of human-like qualities in artificial communication partners, with a more pronounced effect observed for technical robots compared to human-like robots. These insights can be used to improve the affective impact of synthesized robot speech and thus potentially increase the acceptance of robots to ensure long-term use.
Meditation, Not Information? A Survey Experiment Probing the Effects of Meditation Practice on Affective Polarization and Pro-Environmentalism
Authors: Ramstetter Lena , Klackl Johannes , Jonas Eva , Spilker Gabriele
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. However, current policies are insufficient to keep climate change at manageable levels. In the United States, this is partly because attitudes and opinions on climate change have become increasingly divided along political party lines, making effective policymaking difficult. The existing literature has focused chiefly on cognitive (i.e., informational) approaches to increasing climate change awareness, which are often counterproductive due to patterns of biased information processing. We examined whether meditation can reduce affective polarization and the partisan divide on climate change.

Method

Using a preregistered survey experiment with 500 US respondents, we investigated whether a short (10-min) meditation practice would render partisans less polarized and more pro-environmental. Participants completed either a mindfulness meditation practice designed to cultivate awareness of thoughts and sensations, a loving-kindness meditation practice designed to cultivate unconditional love and compassion, or no meditation.

Results

Self-identified Republicans who completed the loving-kindness meditation subsequently reported significantly lower polarization scores compared to Republicans who did not meditate. Surprisingly, self-identified Democrats who completed the mindfulness meditation exhibited higher anthropocentrism than Democrats who did not meditate. This suggests that mindfulness meditation may, in some cases, reduce some aspects of pro-environmentalism.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that a short loving-kindness meditation can reduce polarization among Republicans. A form of mindfulness that cultivates awareness of thoughts and sensations but not interpersonal connectedness can have unintended side effects by fostering an anthropocentric worldview among Democrats.

Preregistration

This study was preregistered (https://osf.io/nza78).
Recent Advances of Electrocatalysts and Electrodes for Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells: from Nano to Meter Scale Challenges
Authors: Li Yang , Yao Ming-Shui , He Yanping , Du Shangfeng
Published: February 2025

Direct formic acid fuel cells are promising energy devices with advantages of low working temperature and high safety in fuel storage and transport. They have been expected to be a future power source for portable electronic devices. The technology has been developed rapidly to overcome the high cost and low power performance that hinder its practical application, which mainly originated from the slow reaction kinetics of the formic acid oxidation and complex mass transfer within the fuel cell electrodes. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the progress around this technology, in particular for addressing multiscale challenges from catalytic mechanism understanding at the atomic scale, to catalyst design at the nanoscale, electrode structure at the micro scale and design at the millimeter scale, and finally to device fabrication at the meter scale. The gap between the highly active electrocatalysts and the poor electrode performance in practical devices is highlighted. Finally, perspectives and opportunities are proposed to potentially bridge this gap for further development of this technology.
Dolphin-Inspired Skin Microvibrations Offer a Novel Pressure-Dominated Drag Reduction Mechanism
Authors: Wang Dongyue , Liu Hao
Published: February 2025

The cutaneous ridges on dolphin skin have long been believed to effectively reduce friction drag, thereby contributing to overall drag reduction. However, since these skin ridges are oriented perpendicular to the swimming direction, they also generate additional pressure drag, raising questions about the impact of the shape-induced pressure forces on swimming. Inspired by the microvibrations observed on dolphin skin, we hypothesize that the microstructure on dolphin skin is not static but dynamically oscillates in the form of Longitudinal Micro-Ultrasonic Waves (LMUWs). To explore this, we carried out a series of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations based on Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model to investigate the impact of pressure drag on the total drag acting on an oscillating skin surface under realistic turbulent flow conditions. The results indicate that the dynamic skin oscillations induce a new dynamic Stokes boundary layer, which has the potential to convert pressure drag into a negative force, thereby reducing total drag under the influence of traveling LMUW excitations. Furthermore, a relative velocity ξ, defined as the difference between the wave speed c and the external flow speed U, is introduced to evaluate the drag-reduction effect dominated by pressure. The findings reveal that pressure drag remains negative when ξ > 0. As ξ increases, the thrust effect induced by negative pressure becomes increasingly significant, ultimately counteracting friction drag and eliminating total drag. This pressure-dominated drag reduction mechanism thus demonstrates a novel strategy for the drag reduction technology and the potential of unveiling the mysteries behind dolphin swimming.
Exploring some marine-derived manzamine compounds for uterine fibroid treatment: molecular docking and dynamics studies
Authors: Zayed Ala’ Omar Hasan
Published: February 2025

Women commonly experience uterine fibroids, which are benign tumors within the uterine muscle characterized by irregular extracellular matrix deposition and abnormal smooth muscle cell proliferation, often with a tendency to recur. In this study, we explored the therapeutic promise of various marine-derived Manzamine compounds (1-25), some of which exhibit significant anti-tumor properties, for treating uterine fibroids. Our computational results align closely with recent experimental evidence indicating that Manzamine A inhibits uterine fibroid cell proliferation through selective targeting of human sterol O-acyltransferases, thereby reducing cholesterol esterification. To evaluate their inhibitory potential, ligands 1-25 was subjected to docking, molecular mechanics-generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA), molecular dynamics (MD) and well-tempered metadynamics (WT-MetaD) simulations against sterol O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1) as the identified target. Compound 10 shows the highest G-score (-13.96) among all compounds, while others such as 11, 18, 16, 2, 24, 6, and 19 show greater activity against SOAT1 compared to Manzamine A. Ligand binding is significantly influenced by the residues GLU461, TRP420, TYR417, PHE476, PHE479, LEU377, ILE376, VAL374, and PHE378 in the SOAT1 protein structure. MD simulations explored dynamic interactions in the 10/SOAT1 complex, while WT-MetaD confirmed the docking study results and identified energetically favored conformations of protein-ligand complex. Ligands 10, 11, 18, 16, 2, 24, 6, and 19, with their high Glide scores and unique functional groups, are expected to exhibit notable SOAT1 activity and thus merit further investigation.

Graphical Abstract
Unveiling the roles, mechanisms and prospects of soil microbial communities in sustainable agriculture
Authors: Kiprotich Kelvin , Muema Esther , Wekesa Clabe , Ndombi Tavasi , Muoma John , Omayio Dennis , Ochieno Dennis , Motsi Hamond , Mncedi Sipho , Tarus Janet
Published: February 2025

Soil hosts diverse microbial communities including bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoans and nematodes among others, which are fundamental to sustainable agriculture and drive essential processes that underpin soil fertility, plant health, and ecosystem resilience. They promote plant growth through mechanisms like nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, production of growth-promoting substances, enhancement of nutrient uptake, improvement of soil structure and detoxification of harmful substances. Recently, there has been increasing interest in utilizing microorganisms to improve soil health and boost plant growth and efficiency, despite limited understanding of microbial diversity, microbe-plant interactions, and translating laboratory findings to field conditions. This interest is driven by the urgent need to feed the growing global population, placing pressure on arable land to produce high-quality yields. Conventionally, synthetic fertilizers have been extensively used to provide nutrients, promote plant growth, and increase crop productivity. Although synthetic fertilizers have revolutionized agriculture since the green revolution, their overuse has significantly harmed soil health, and reduced crop productivity. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the mechanisms by which soil microbes influence sustainable agricultural practices, with a focus on soil nutrient cycling and plant–microbe interactions. We discuss the functions and mechanisms of important microbial groups, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and fungi. Furthermore, we discuss the factors that influence soil microbial communities and highlight gaps in future research to maximize their potential use in agriculture. Understanding the significance and key mechanisms of microbial communities increases the potential of harnessing soil microbes as vital contributors to soil health and sustainable agriculture.
Single-center observational analysis of a pharmacist-driven antibiotic time-out targeting antipseudomonal drugs
Authors: Diaz Carina , Margulis Landayan Alice , Porras Lorenzo , Samsundar Sonia , Murillo Jorge , Gauthier Timothy P.
Published: February 2025

This study found that implementation of a pharmacist-driven antipseudomonal antibiotic time-out at a 450-bed community hospital led to a 5% reduction in the use of targeted antipseudomonal antibiotics (P = .12), which may be clinically meaningful as it extrapolates to approximately 1,800 avoided days of therapy annually.
Working Like Goldfish: Emotional Labor and the Creation of Modern Consumer Culture in Japan, 1900s–1930s
Authors: Hisano Ai
Published: February 2025

Department stores have served as significant commercial and cultural institutions, transforming retail systems, consumption patterns, and people’s tastes in many countries since the late 1840s, when the first department store emerged in Paris. However, the adaptation of their business models and influence varied depending on social contexts. This article examines Japanese department stores from the 1900s to the 1930s, focusing on the role of restaurants within these establishments. Department store restaurants not only redefined the customer experience through innovative food services but also played a crucial role in reshaping the business itself. Central to this transformation were the waitresses, often referred to as “restaurant girls,” whose emotional labor became integral to the department store’s operations. Their work introduced the incorporation of personality into business management, highlighting how the performance of personality—both gendered and productive—was leveraged in the modern commercial world.
The instantaneous structure of a turbulent wall-bounded flow influenced by freestream turbulence: streamwise evolution
Authors: Asadi Masoud , Bullee Pim A. , Hearst R. Jason
Published: February 2025

The instantaneous structure of a turbulent boundary layer (TBL) subjected to freestream turbulence (FST) is investigated at several streamwise locations downstream of an active turbulence-generating grid. Using planar particle image velocimetry, three grid sequences are tested at four streamwise locations with FST intensities up to 10.9 %. A low-turbulence reference case is included for comparison. A novel method is proposed to separate the instantaneous TBL and FST flows by identifying a distinct interface for each realisation using probability density functions of the vorticity field. Two alternative approaches are used to define the interfaces, based on either constant velocity contour lines or constant vorticity magnitude contour lines. The former is found to highlight the momentum events in the velocity fields, whereas the latter outlines the vortical features of the flow. Regardless of the interface choice, when faced with FST, the interface moves closer to the wall on average, and its location fluctuates more. When FST is present, the shear and mean spanwise vorticity magnitudes increase on the TBL side of the interface. Uniform momentum zones (UMZs) beneath the velocity interfaces are identified. In the presence of FST, UMZs located closer to the wall appear to be compressed, resulting in fewer identified UMZs. Moving downstream, the FST intensity decays while the TBL develops. As a result, many characteristics of the TBL recover to an undisturbed state, with the interface moving away from the wall, vorticity and turbulent fluctuations returning to their natural state undisturbed by FST and the number of detected UMZs increasing.
Root distribution of complex coefficient polynomials
Authors: Lucas T. N.
Published: February 2025

The Routh Array is known to be a very convenient way to determine the number of polynomial roots that lie in the right half of the complex plane using only the polynomial coefficients. Extensive use of this is made particularly in control system stability studies [1]. We now show that the same real-coefficient Routh algorithm can be used to obtain this information for polynomials with complex coefficients, which are prominent in areas of engineering such as electrical inductance theory [2]. The method is easy to apply and is seen to be more straightforward than existing methods for this task [e.g. 3,4]. If required, it also enables the use of appropriate root-finding methods for real-coefficient polynomials to obtain the roots of complex- coefficient polynomials.
The Trapezium and Simpson’s rules extended to three dimensions, with an application
Authors: Belcher Paul
Published: February 2025

When limnologists (scientists who study lakes) wish to find the volume of a lake they find depth contours, where the depth of the lake is the same at any two points on the given contour. Let A (x) be the area contained in the contour at depth x. The function A (x) is assumed to be strictly decreasing with A (D) = 0 where D is the maximum depth of the lake. The standard formula for the volume that they use is
$$V \approx \sum\limits_{k = 1}^n {\frac{{{A_{k - 1}} + {A_k} + \sqrt {{A_k}_{ - 1}{A_k}} }}{2}\Delta x,{\text{ where }}{A_k}{\text{ = }}} A\left( {\frac{{kD}}{n}} \right)$$

over n + 1 equally-spaced depth contours with
$\Delta x{\text{ = }}\frac{D}{n}{\text{.}}$
This approach is very well analysed in [1].
Bounds on sums of cubes
Authors: Beardon A. F.
Published: February 2025

Here we are interested in the familiar identity but only in as far as it provides the solution (1, 2, …, n) of the Diophantine equation (1) where n and the aj are positive integers. In fact, not only is (1, 2, …, n) a solution of (1), it has the remarkable property that, up to a permutation of its entries, it is the only solution of (1) in which the aj are distinct (see Section 4). Thus any other solution will necessarily contain repetitions among the aj and, for this reason, a solution must be defined to be a sequence (which allows repetitions) rather than a set. However, we shall not distinguish between two solutions whose entries are permutations of each other.
Reduced protein solubility – cause or consequence in amyloid disease?
Authors: Lindberg Max , Hu Jing , Sparr Emma , Linse Sara
Published: February 2025

In this perspective, we ask the question whether the apparently lower solubility of specific proteins in amyloid disease is a cause or consequence of the protein deposition seen in such diseases. We focus on Alzheimer’s disease and start by reviewing the experimental evidence of disease-associated reduction in the measured concentration of amyloid β peptide, Aβ42, in cerebrospinal fluid. We propose a series of possible physicochemical explanations for these observations. These include a reduced solubility, a reduced apparent solubility, as well as a long-lived metastable state manifested in healthy individuals as a free concentration of Aβ42 in the solution phase above the solubility limit. For each scenario, we discuss whether it is most likely a cause or a consequence of the observed protein deposition in the disease.
‘The first step towards racial equality’: The Kuroda-Araya engagement and the dream of a transnational non-white alliance
Authors: Costantino Federica
Published: February 2025

In 1934, the much-publicized engagement of Japanese noblewoman Kuroda Masako to Ethiopian nobleman Araya Abebe made headlines worldwide, epitomizing the transnational dream of a racially anti-hierarchical world. Starting from this unrealized wedding, this article showcases the voice of Kuroda Masako, a racially equal imperial feminist who tried to foster her vision of women participating in the empire-building process even in new settings like Ethiopia. By featuring her practices, we are able to understand why they resonated not only in the women’s press but also in a much larger intellectual scene that comprised Pan-Asian and Pan-African activists. Because of such significant resonance across various non-governmental actors worldwide, the Kuroda-Araya engagement became dangerous to state-endorsed agendas in many countries, which were unwilling to countenance an unprecedented alliance between Ethiopia, Japan, and the African American community at the expense of Western and white civilization discourse. As a result, the engagement created a rupture between popular sympathy and the state, eventually resulting in Japan’s official disengagement from Ethiopia well before the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.
The rise and fall of science diplomacy in the Arctic: The “INTERACT” experience
Authors: Johansson Margareta , Callaghan Terry V.
Published: February 2025

At a time of increasing environmental changes and geopolitical tensions, the need for collaboration in the Arctic is greater than ever. Top-down initiatives such as the Arctic Council have contributed to important increased collaboration and science diplomacy. Similarly, bottom-up initiatives have also played a major role in establishing diplomacy among researchers with spin-offs at government levels. We track the rise of science diplomacy achieved by INTERACT. In 2021, this was a network of 90 research stations in 18 countries (including all Arctic nations). It aims to improve the wellness of Indigenous Peoples, other Arctic residents and the global community by facilitating environmental monitoring and research. It supports scientists from around the world and facilitates environmental monitoring for more than 150 international/global networks. INTERACT contributed to science diplomacy until spring 2022 when the invasion of Ukraine by Russia completely changed its pan-Arctic networking over a couple of months. This decrease in INTERACT science diplomacy was due entirely to external constraints related to the current geopolitical circumstances and poses a new reality for INTERACT and its important contributions to environmental monitoring and research in a region where changes have global implications.
Exposure profiles of social-environmental neighborhood factors and persistent distressing psychotic-like experiences across four years among young adolescents in the US
Authors: Ku Benson S. , Yuan Qingyue E. , Christensen Grace , Dimitrov Lina V. , Risk Benjamin , Huels Anke
Published: February 2025

Background

Recent research has demonstrated that domains of social determinants of health (SDOH) (e.g. air pollution and social context) are associated with psychosis. However, SDOHs have often been studied in isolation. This study investigated distinct exposure profiles, estimated their associations with persistent distressing psychotic-like experiences (PLE), and evaluated whether involvement in physical activity partially explains this association.

Methods

Analyses included 8,145 young adolescents from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study. Data from the baseline and three follow-ups were included. Area-level geocoded variables spanning various domains of SDOH, including socioeconomic status, education, crime, built environment, social context, and crime, were clustered using a self-organizing map method to identify exposure profiles. Generalized linear mixed modeling tested the association between exposure profiles and persistent distressing PLE and physical activities (i.e. team and individual sports), adjusting for individual-level covariates including age, sex, race/ethnicity, highest level of parent education, family-relatedness, and study sites.

Results

Five exposure profiles were identified. Compared to the reference Profile 1 (suburban affluent areas), Profile 3 (rural areas with low walkability and high ozone), and Profile 4 (urban areas with high SES deprivation, high crime, and high pollution) were associated with greater persistent distressing PLE. Team sports mediated 6.14% of the association for Profile 3.

Conclusions

This study found that neighborhoods characterized by rural areas with low walkability and urban areas with high socioeconomic deprivation, pollution concentrations, and crime were associated with persistent distressing PLE. Findings suggest that various social-environmental factors may differentially impact the development of psychosis.
Sounds of pleasure and challenge behind the Iron Curtain: on the rise of Bulgarian rock music
Authors: Levy Claire
Published: February 2025

This article focuses on the innovative developments of some emblematic rock bands in Bulgaria, observed during the late 1970s and 1980s in terms of their social, ideological and artistic maturity, as well as of their significant impact on local youth life-styles through the liberating experience of specific musical styles ranging from classic rock (Shturtsite) and progressive rock (FSB) to, say, new wave (Tangra) or punk (Rock Trio Milena). Why the 1980s? What were the dominant verbal and musical messages at that time? Did they stimulate and accommodate the democratic political changes in 1989? In trying to answer such questions, the article develops a thesis according to which the acculturation of transnational musical models as the ones in the field of rock music is not a form of any flat mimicry of modern trends; this process inevitably passes through the filter of specific local contexts and subjective experiences.
In search of the bourgeoisie: Bob Morris and the urban history of class
Authors: Gunn Simon
Published: February 2025

Bob (or R.J.) Morris was probably best known in academic circles for his histories of class and specifically the British middle class. This essay traces his thinking about class in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Britain from an early study of class consciousness to his later attempts to rework ideas about social structure and culture in a post-Weberian direction. A feature of this intellectual trajectory was the increasing importance of the city and urban place in the account of class formation, most evident in his work on Leeds. In the process, Bob carved out a distinctive type of urban social history which has proved highly influential in historical studies of social structure not only in Britain but in Europe and beyond.
Noise, yelling and dialects: sonic territories in two Copenhagen marketplaces 1790–1940
Authors: Quist Pia , Thelle Mikkel
Published: February 2025

In this article, we present an exploration of the social meaning and functions of marketplace sounds – including language, yelling and hailing – in two adjacent, yet very different sites in Copenhagen, Gammel Strand and Højbro Plads. We argue that the marketplace soundscapes played central functions as means of constructing customer-oriented semiotic spaces while negotiating territories and branding and selling products. Language by way of dialectal speech, yelling, street cries, cursing and swearing was an integral part of such processes. The two sites, by virtue of their physical placement in close proximity to each other, reinforced the contrasts between them, hence, co-constructing contrasting sonic territories – a concept which we employ and develop as part of the analysis. Central to our argument is that a sensory approach, including the sound of language, to a semiotic description of the urban marketplace requires a historical contextualization of the marketplace and its functions in the urban space, as well as of the life and culture of the marketplace vendors themselves; that is, the case in point, the female vendors from Amager and Skovshoved.