bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Quantitative Kurosh Problem
Authors: Greenfeld Be’eri
Published: February 2025

We prove a strong quantitative version of the Kurosh Problem, which has been conjectured by Zelmanov, up to a mild polynomial error factor, thereby extending all previously known growth rates of algebraic algebras. Consequently, we provide the first counterexamples to the Kurosh Problem over any field with known subexponential growth, and the first examples of finitely generated, infinite-dimensional, nil Lie algebras with known subexponential growth over fields of characteristic zero.

We also widen the known spectrum of the Gel’fand–Kirillov dimensions of algebraic algebras, improving the answer of Alahmadi–Alsulami–Jain–Zelmanov to a question of Bell, Smoktunowicz, Small and Young. Finally, we prove improved analogous results for graded-nil algebras.
Legal cynicism, intrusive policing, and the dynamics of police legitimacy: evidence from Brazil’s largest city
Authors: Oliveira Thiago R.
Published: February 2025

Public experiences with the law in some neighborhoods are marked by an overwhelming police presence alongside deep-seated beliefs that legal agents are disinterested in ensuring public safety. This mutual experience of intrusive policing and legal cynicism has important implications for people’s recognition of the legitimacy of legal authority. In the context of a global city in the Global South, this study provides a quantitative assessment of the dynamics of perceived police intrusion and cynicism about police protection and the implications of those experiences for beliefs about the legitimacy of legal institutions. Drawing on a three-wave longitudinal survey representative of adult residents of eight neighborhoods in São Paulo, Brazil (N = 1,200), I demonstrate that perceived police intrusion and cynicism about police protection (a) are two sides of the same coin, being produced by similar social forces and dynamically reproducing each other and (b) operate to undermine police legitimacy. Integrating the legal cynicism and procedural justice theoretical frameworks, this study shows that intrusive as well as unheeding and neglectful policing practices can contribute to delegitimizing legal authority. I conclude with a discussion about the distribution of repression and protection and highlight the urgency of exploring public–authority relations in the Global South.
‘Lots of red, but also lots of tricolour’: the liberation of Milan and the Liberal Party in the Minoletti–Quarello papers (April 1945)
Authors: Pace Rossella
Published: February 2025

This article uses the hitherto partially unpublished diary of Virginia Minoletti Quarello and her husband Bruno Minoletti to shed a light on the Resistance and on the transformation of Italian politics after the war from an original angle. Virgina and Bruno, members of the Italian Liberal Party, played a central role in the Resistance and in consolidating the network of the Liberal partisans led by Edgardo Sogno, first in Genova, where their house hosted the local National Liberation Committee, and then in Milan. Their diary offers new perspectives on events and processes that preceded and followed 25 April 1945: from the arrival of the Allies in Milan to the killing of Mussolini and the display of his body in Piazza Loreto; from the struggle and division within the antifascist front to the marginalisation of the Liberals; from internal conflicts in the Liberal Party on the institutional question to the value of the Resistance.
The Dark Double: Russian Orthodoxy in Andrei Zviagintsev's Leviathan
Authors: Griffin Sean
Published: February 2025

This essay suggests that there are three crucial contexts that have been overlooked in the scholarship on Andrei Zviagintsev's film, Leviathan. First, there is the ecclesiastical history of the Russian Orthodox Church in the years following the election of Kirill (Gundiaev) as Patriarch of Moscow in 2009. The article demonstrates that Zviagintsev was keenly aware of Kirill's growing partnership with the Putin regime and that he was especially dismayed by the patriarch's response to the Bolotnaia protests and Pussy Riot affair. The second context is more theological and considerably lesser known. It concerns the notion of the church's “dark double”, a concept developed in the mid-twentieth century by an obscure Gulag survivor and lay theologian named Sergei Fudel΄. My main contention in the essay is that Fudel΄'s conception of the “dark double” is the foundational theological idea in Leviathan—the idea that structures and underpins all of the film's religious scenes. Finally, the third context recovered is the religious thinking of Andrei Zviagintsev himself. For it turns out that the celebrated auteur director is comfortable discussing not only scriptwriting or cinematography. He also has much to say, both onscreen and off, about the clerics and faithful of the contemporary Russian Orthodox Church.
Toward an intersectional equity approach in social–ecological transformations
Authors: Sánchez-García Paula Andrea , Jónás Krisztina , Pellowe Kara E. , Ekström Hanna , Scheuermann Mary , Loft Lasse
Published: February 2025

Non-technical summary

Ensuring more equitable transformations requires addressing how different contextual dimensions of identity, such as gender and class, hinder equity. However, previous analyses on equity have addressed these dimensions separately. We suggest advancing beyond these methods by integrating intersectional analysis into the distributive, procedural, and recognition aspects of equity when examining social–ecological transformations. A review of 37 studies on social–ecological transformation shows that social–ecological transformation scholars commonly addressed social, spatial, and environmental transformations. In contrast, few studies have gone into depth in analyzing the reasons for power imbalances. We encourage scholars to use critical questions to reflect on social–ecological transformations collectively.

Technical summary

Ensuring equity in social–ecological transformations involves understanding how aspects of identity – such as gender, age, and class – affect experiences on the path to sustainability. Previous studies have often focused on one dimension of difference, but an intersectionality framework is essential for recognizing interconnected identities. In this paper, we review 37 empirical studies on social–ecological transformations, identifying key assets of transformation, including economic, social, cultural, political, spatial, environmental, and knowledge-based assets. We apply an analytical framework based on intersectional equity, incorporating intersectionality in equity analysis, which examines how power dynamics contribute to inequities in distribution, procedure, and recognition. Our findings show that social, spatial, and environmental assets of transformation are the most frequently mentioned in our sampled literature, together with benefits, costs, inclusiveness, and knowledge of equity dimensions. Power imbalances occurred the most often, while different aspects of identity were mentioned only in two-thirds of the studies. We believe an intersectional equity approach will help better conceptualize transformation concerning (in)equity. Based on our reflections, we suggest critical questions encouraging scholars to evaluate them iteratively with an interdisciplinary group.

Social media summary

An intersectional equity approach is key to just social–ecological transformations. We review 37 studies to show why.
Characterizing Compound Inland Flooding Mechanisms and Risks in North America Under Climate Change
Authors: Fereshtehpour Mohammad , Najafi Mohammad Reza , Cannon Alex J.
Published: February 2025

Compound inland flooding (CIF) arises from the concurrent interaction of multiple hydrometeorological drivers. In this study, we characterize key CIF events across North America, including two preconditioned events, rain‐on‐snow (ROS) and saturation excess flooding (SEF) for historical baseline conditions and global warming levels of 1.5, 2, and 4°C relative to the preindustrial level. Utilizing the high emission climate scenario (RCP8.5) from CanRCM4‐LE with 50 members, the frequency and seasonality of compound events, along with the probability of these events leading to heavy runoff, and the relative role of external forcing and internal climate variability are assessed. We convert the identified hazards into risk levels by integrating them with exposure and vulnerability components. The results suggest that as global temperatures increase, the overall role of ROS events in causing significant runoff is projected to decrease compared to individual heavy rainfall. Concurrently, the impact of SEF occurrences is projected to become more pronounced. The signal‐to‐noise ratio highlights a high‐confidence change signal for CIF events; however, uncertainty related to internal climate variability in future projections of joint probability with heavy runoff is more pronounced. These results underscore the need to consider compound mechanisms, dynamics, and risks associated with CIFs within systematic approaches to flood risk management.
Characterizing Aerosol Optical Properties and Direct Radiative Effects From the Perspective of Components: A Synergy Retrieval Study Based on Sun Photometer and Lidar in Central China
Authors: Jin Shikuan , Ma Yingying , Li Hui , Liu Boming , Fan Ruonan , Zhang Ming , Lopatin Anton , Dubovik Oleg , Hu Xiuqing , Gong Wei , Wang Lunche
Published: February 2025

Exploring various properties of aerosols can help to better understand global climate changes, emissions, and environment. In this study, a synergy observation experiment from sun photometer and Lidar was carried out to reveal aerosol optical properties and direct radiative effect (DARE) in Central China from the novel perspective of aerosol components. Our results showed that the annual mass concentration of black carbon (BC) was low (2.49 mg/m2), but having large heating effect with the DARE of 9.27 W/m2 at the top of atmosphere. The brown carbon was found highest in summer (0.52 mg/m2) and its annual DARE was 0.10 W/m2, close to the average of China. Additionally, retrieved columnar concentration of BC had the same magnitude with the MEERA‐2 product, and showed better results at the surface (R = 0.56) because the considering of aerosol vertical profiles. This study showed the significance of exploring expanded aerosol information from observations.
Bacteria encode post-mortem protein catabolism that enables altruistic nutrient recycling
Authors: Gibson Savannah E. R. , Frost Isabella , Hierons Stephen J. , Moses Tessa , Poon Wilson C. K. , West Stuart A. , Cann Martin J.
Published: February 2025

Bacterial death is critical in nutrient recycling. However, the underlying mechanisms that permit macromolecule recycling after bacterial death are largely unknown. We demonstrate that bacteria encode post-mortem protein catabolism via Lon protease released from the dead bacteria. Growth assays reveal that the lysate of Lon protease-null bacteria does not provide a growth benefit to wild type cells. This deficiency is reversed with exogenous recombinant Lon protease, confirming its post-mortem role and is independent of Lon ATPase activity. Biochemistry, growth assays and metabolomics demonstrate that Lon protease facilitates peptide nutrient release, benefitting living cells and acting as a cooperative public good. We also show that the production of Lon protease cannot be explained by a personal benefit to living cells. Although Lon protease can also provide a benefit to living cells under stressful conditions by helping control protein quality, this private benefit does not outweigh the cost under the conditions examined. These results suggest that Lon protease represents a post-mortem adaptation that can potentially be explained by considering the post-mortem indirect benefit to other cells (kin selection). This discovery highlights an unexpected post-mortem biochemistry, reshaping our understanding of nutrient recycling.
Direct air capture of CO2 for solar fuel production in flow
Authors: Kar Sayan , Kim Dongseok , Bin Mohamad Annuar Ariffin , Sarma Bidyut Bikash , Stanton Michael , Lam Erwin , Bhattacharjee Subhajit , Karak Suvendu , Greer Heather F. , Reisner Erwin
Published: February 2025

Direct air capture is an emerging technology to decrease atmospheric CO2 levels, but it is currently costly and the long-term consequences of CO2 storage are uncertain. An alternative approach is to utilize atmospheric CO2 on-site to produce value-added renewable fuels, but current CO2 utilization technologies predominantly require a concentrated CO2 feed or high temperature. Here we report a gas-phase dual-bed direct air carbon capture and utilization flow reactor that produces syngas (CO + H2) through on-site utilization of air-captured CO2 using light without requiring high temperature or pressure. The reactor consists of a bed of solid silica-amine adsorbent to capture aerobic CO2 and produce CO2-free air; concentrated light is used to release the captured CO2 and convert it to syngas over a bed of a silica/alumina-titania-cobalt bis(terpyridine) molecular–semiconductor photocatalyst. We use the oxidation of depolymerized poly(ethylene terephthalate) plastics as the counter-reaction. We envision this technology to operate in a diurnal fashion where CO2 is captured during night-time and converted to syngas under concentrated sunlight during the day.
Comparative analysis of the Mexico City Prospective Study and the UK Biobank identifies ancestry-specific effects on clonal hematopoiesis
Authors: Wen Sean , Kuri-Morales Pablo , Hu Fengyuan , Nag Abhishek , Tachmazidou Ioanna , Deevi Sri V. V. , Taiy Haeyam , Smith Katherine R. , Loesch Douglas P. , Burren Oliver S. , Dhindsa Ryan S. , Wasilewski Sebastian , Alegre-Díaz Jesus , Berumen Jaime , Emberson Jonathan , Torres Jason M. , Collins Rory , Carss Keren , Wang Quanli , Petrovski Slavé , Tapia-Conyer Roberto , Fabre Margarete A. , Harper Andrew R. , Vassiliou George S. , Mitchell Jonathan
Published: February 2025

The impact of genetic ancestry on the development of clonal hematopoiesis (CH) remains largely unexplored. Here, we compared CH in 136,401 participants from the Mexico City Prospective Study (MCPS) to 416,118 individuals from the UK Biobank (UKB) and observed CH to be significantly less common in MCPS compared to UKB (adjusted odds ratio = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [0.57, 0.61], P = 7.31 × 10−185). Among MCPS participants, CH frequency was positively correlated with the percentage of European ancestry (adjusted beta = 0.84, 95% CI = [0.66, 1.03], P = 7.35 × 10−19). Genome-wide and exome-wide association analyses in MCPS identified ancestry-specific variants in the TCL1B locus with opposing effects on DNMT3A-CH versus non-DNMT3A-CH. Meta-analysis of MCPS and UKB identified five novel loci associated with CH, including polymorphisms at PARP11/CCND2, MEIS1 and MYCN. Our CH study, the largest in a non-European population to date, demonstrates the power of cross-ancestry comparisons to derive novel insights into CH pathogenesis.
Molecular interactions, structural effects, and binding affinities between silver ions (Ag+) and amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides
Authors: Lakela Amanda L. , Berntsson Elina , Vosough Faraz , Jarvet Jüri , Paul Suman , Barth Andreas , Gräslund Astrid , Roos Per M. , Wärmländer Sebastian K. T. S.
Published: February 2025

Because silver is toxic to microbes, but not considered toxic to humans, the metal has been used as an antimicrobial agent since ancient times. Today, silver nanoparticles and colloidal silver are used for antibacterial purposes, and silver-peptide and similar complexes are being developed as therapeutic agents. Yet, the health effects of silver exposure are not fully understood, nor are the molecular details of silver-protein interactions. In Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia worldwide, amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides aggregate to form soluble oligomers that are neurotoxic. Here, we report that monovalent silver ions (Ag+) bind wildtype Aβ40 peptides with a binding affinity of 25 ± 12 µM in MES buffer at 20 °C. Similar binding affinities are observed for wt Aβ40 peptides bound to SDS micelles, for an Aβ40(H6A) mutant, and for a truncated Aβ(4–40) variant containing an ATCUN (Amino Terminal Cu and Ni) motif. Weaker Ag+ binding is observed for the wt Aβ40 peptide at acidic pH, and for an Aβ40 mutant without histidines. These results are compatible with Ag+ ions binding to the N-terminal segment of Aβ peptides with linear bis-his coordination. Because the Ag+ ions do not induce any changes in the size or structure of Aβ42 oligomers, we suggest that Ag+ ions have a minor influence on Aβ toxicity.
Periodic expression of Per1 gene is restored in chipmunk liver during interbout arousal in mammalian hibernation
Authors: Nakamaru Erina , Seki Kota , Shirahata Yuiho , Adachi Megumi , Sakabe Nene , Matsuo Takuya , Tsukamoto Daisuke , Takamatsu Nobuhiko
Published: February 2025

Circadian rhythms play an important role in many physiological processes. We have previously reported that no periodic fluctuation in the Bmal1 mRNA is observed in the liver of the chipmunk, a mammalian hibernator, in the hibernation season, suggesting that peripheral circadian clocks are not functional during hibernation. In contrast, the Per2 mRNA levels are transiently increased by elevated body temperature during interbout arousal and showed periodic fluctuations in the hibernation season, suggesting that periodic expression of the Per2 mRNA may be restored during interbout arousal. In the present study, we analyzed Per1 gene expression in the chipmunk liver. The Per1 mRNA showed circadian fluctuations with a peak during the late sleep period in the non-hibernation season and periodic fluctuations with a peak during the early interbout arousal in the hibernation season. In both the non-hibernation and hibernation seasons, Per1 gene expression was phase-advanced relative to Per2 gene expression, and the phase relationship between the two genes was maintained, suggesting that for some genes, periodic gene expression, similar to circadian expression in the non-hibernation season, may be restored during interbout arousal. Interestingly, Per1 gene transcription was differentially activated by BMAL1 in the non-hibernation season and possibly by CREB1 in the hibernation season.
YmoA functions as a molecular stress sensor in Yersinia
Authors: Héchard Tifaine , Lu Lu , Edgren Tomas , Celestine Chi , Wang Helen
Published: February 2025

Pathogenic bacteria sense and respond to environmental fluctuations, a capability essential for establishing successful infections. The YmoA/Hha protein family are conserved transcription regulators in Enterobacteriaceae, playing a critical role in these responses. Specifically, YmoA in Yersinia adjusts the expression of virulence-associated traits upon temperature shift. Still, the molecular mechanisms transducing environmental signals through YmoA remain elusive. Our study employs nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, biological assays and RNA-seq analysis to elucidate these mechanisms. We demonstrate that YmoA undergoes structural fluctuations and conformational dynamics in response to temperature and osmolarity changes, correlating with changes in plasmid copy number, bacterial fitness and virulence function. Notably, chemical shift analysis identifies key roles of a few specific residues and of the C-terminus region in sensing both temperature and salt-driven switch. These findings demonstrate that YmoA acts as a central stress sensor in Yersinia, fine-tuning virulence gene expression and balancing metabolic trade-offs.
An analysis on the role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in cognitive and mental health disorders
Authors: De Giorgi Riccardo , Ghenciulescu Ana , Dziwisz Oliwia , Taquet Maxime , Adler Amanda I. , Koychev Ivan , Upthegrove Rachel , Solmi Marco , McCutcheon Robert , Pillinger Toby , Cowen Philip J. , Harmer Catherine J.
Published: February 2025

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are novel drugs approved for diabetes and obesity. They are acknowledged as a major scientific breakthrough. In addition to their metabolic effects, these medications act on other bodily systems involved in the physiopathology of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Several stakeholders are calling for more research to investigate the repurposing potential of GLP-1RAs in cognitive and mental disorders, while others advocate for a better assessment of their safety profile from a neuropsychiatric perspective. In this Analysis, we searched for relevant literature on the effects of GLP-1RAs across a range of illnesses, gathering and describing the available pre-clinical and mechanistic (278 studies) and clinical (96 studies) evidence for cognitive disorders, substance-use disorders, psychotic disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and others. By leveraging translational insights from these data, we consider potential implications for clinical practice and propose avenues for further research.
The barley MLA13-AVRA13 heterodimer reveals principles for immunoreceptor recognition of RNase-like powdery mildew effectors
Authors: Lawson Aaron W , Flores-Ibarra Andrea , Cao Yu , An Chunpeng , Neumann Ulla , Gunkel Monika , Saur Isabel M L , Chai Jijie , Behrmann Elmar , Schulze-Lefert Paul
Published: February 2025

Co-evolution between cereals and pathogenic grass powdery mildew fungi is exemplified by sequence diversification of an allelic series of barley resistance genes encoding Mildew Locus A (MLA) nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immunoreceptors with an N-terminal coiled-coil domain (CNLs). Each immunoreceptor recognises a matching, strain-specific powdery mildew effector encoded by an avirulence gene (AVR

a
). We present here the cryo-EM structure of barley MLA13 in complex with its cognate effector AVRA13-1. The effector adopts an RNase-like fold when bound to MLA13 in planta, similar to crystal structures of other RNase-like AVRA effectors unbound to receptors. AVRA13-1 interacts via its basal loops with MLA13 C-terminal leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) and the central winged helix domain (WHD). Co-expression of structure-guided MLA13 and AVRA13-1 substitution variants show that the receptor–effector interface plays an essential role in mediating immunity-associated plant cell death. Furthermore, by combining structural information from the MLA13–AVRA13-1 heterocomplex with sequence alignments of other MLA receptors, we engineered a single amino acid substitution in MLA7 that enables expanded effector detection of AVRA13-1 and the virulent variant AVRA13-V2. In contrast to the pentameric conformation of previously reported effector-activated CNL resistosomes, MLA13 was purified and resolved as a stable heterodimer from an in planta expression system. Our study suggests a common structural principle for RNase-like effector binding to MLAs and highlights the utility of structure-guided engineering of plant immune receptors for broadening their pathogen effector recognition capabilities.
Epitaxial synthesis of hybrid heterostructures based on calcium–barium fluoride solid solutions on silicon substrates and X-ray diffraction studies of their lattice parameters
Authors: Kaveev A. K. , Alexeev E. A. , Belyakova E. I. , Goltaev A. S. , Fedorov V. V. , Miniv D. V. , Popova T. B. , Sharov V. A. , Yusupova Sh. A.
Published: February 2025

The use of a CaBaF2 as a component of the metamorphic buffer layer for the growth of PbSnTe on Si(111) surface allows one to reduce the compression and tensile strains in the buffer layer, and also to obtain more planar PbSnTe surface morphology.
Quantitative evaluation of anharmonic bond potentials for molecular simulations
Authors: van Maaren Paul J. , van der Spoel David
Published: February 2025

Most general force fields only implement a harmonic potential to model covalent bonds. Here we evaluate 28 different potentials on 76 diatomics to find more realistic ones.
Electrolyte tailoring and interfacial engineering for safe and high-temperature lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Shi Chenyang , Li Zhengguang , Wang Mengran , Hong Shu , Hong Bo , Fu Yaxuan , Liu Die , Tan Rui , Wang Pingshan , Lai Yanqing
Published: February 2025

By replacing the inert, strongly positive electrostatic potential of TTE with the active, weakly positive electrostatic potential of MDFSA, thermally resistant interfacial films are formed, enhancing the battery's performance at high temperatures.
De novo biosynthesis of 4,6-dihydroxycoumarin in Escherichia coli
Authors: Gan Qi , Jiang Tian , Li Chenyi , Gong Xinyu , Zhang Jianli , Desai Bhaven K. , Yan Yajun
Published: February 2025

By combining protein engineering and synthetic biology strategies, the novel de novo biosynthesis of 4,6-dihydroxycoumarin from glycerol was realized in Escherichia coli for the first time.
Fast and stable NH4+ storage in multielectron H-bonding-acceptor organic molecules for aqueous zinc batteries
Authors: Huang Qi , Shi Ting , Qin Yang , Jin Yaowei , Huang Lu , Sun Yaojie , Hu Chengmin , Song Ziyang , Xie Fengxian
Published: February 2025

Ultrastable lock-and-key H-bonding networks between sextuple-active 2,7-dinitrophenanthraquinone (DNPQ) and tetrahedral NH4+ charge carriers are designed, endowing the Zn-organic battery with superior rate capability and cyclic life.
Axial Electrokinetic Trapping of Label-free Nanoparticles Using Evanescent Field Scattering
Authors: Ussembayev Yera Ye , Rezakhanloo Farshad , Neyts Kristiaan , Strubbe Filip
Published: February 2025

Anti-Brownian electrokinetic trapping enables the confinement of individual nanoparticles in liquids by applying electric fields. This technique facilitates the long-term observation of nanoscopic objects, allowing for detailed studies of their...
Studying the effect of dimensions and spacer ligands on the optical properties of 2D lead iodide perovskites
Authors: Abarbanel Orly , Hirzalla Rawan , Aridor Leehie , Michman Elisheva , Hadar Ido
Published: February 2025

This study explores 2D lead iodide perovskites with varying spacer chains, comparing bulk poly-crystals, colloidal nanoplatelets, and thin films. Their optical properties mainly depend on structural distortion and the bulk-to-surface ratio.
Reductive deoxygenation of alcohols by PMHS assisted by iodide
Authors: Ye Xiang , Zhang Jihong , Yang Haikuan , Yang Shusheng , Ren Qiong , Peng Yang
Published: February 2025

This method, which does not require a metal catalyst, furnishes 5-methylfurfural in 99% yield from hydroxymethylfurfural within 2 h at 140 °C and tolerated a broad scope of functional groups.
Room-temperature magnetism in the crystal of a 1,6-heptadiyne derivative and its processable polymer
Authors: Chen Manyu , Hu Guangze , Xiong Zuping , Hu Haoyuan , Sun Jing Zhi , Zhang Haoke , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: February 2025

The black powder of a poly[1,6-heptadiyne] derivative demonstrates room-temperature ferromagnetism, a rare attribute in conjugated polymers.
Escape from the predator-induced flow: smart prey strategies with steering and swimming actions
Authors: Li Bocheng , Qiu Jingran , Zhao Lihao
Published: February 2025

Possible strategies of plankton to escape from the predator-induced flow are explored using a reinforcement learning algorithm. Potential responses of microswimmers to flow strains by changing the swimming and steering speed are revealed.
A hydrogel-ionic polymer blend for humidity-insensitive ion gradient driven electricity generation
Authors: Kim Byeunggon , Faramarzi Paniz , Kim Jeong Hyo , Jang Wonik , Yoo Youngmin , You Jae Bem
Published: February 2025

Hydrogel-ionic polymer blends enable sustained generation of electricity driven by the diffusion of the mobile ions.
Photo-response performance regulation of a type-Ib diamond-based photodetector by H2 annealing and ozone treatment
Authors: Gu Keyun , Zhang Zilong , Ohsawa Takeo , Imura Masataka , Huang Jian , Koide Yasuo , Liao Meiyong
Published: February 2025

We demonstrate that the photoresponse properties such as the responsivity and response time of diamond PDs can be obtained through ambient H2 annealing and a surface ozone treatment process.
The binuclear copper state of peptidylglycine monooxygenase visualized through a selenium-substituted peptidyl-homocysteine complex
Authors: Welch Evan F. , Rush Katherine W. , Eastman Karsten A. S. , Bandarian Vahe , Blackburn Ninian J.
Published: February 2025

The peptide AAF-hSeCys binds to the Cu monooxygenase PHM to form a Se-bridged species providing evidence for binuclear states of the enzyme and support for an “open-to-closed” conformational transition during the catalytic cycle.
Discovery of isoquinoline-tethered quinazoline derivatives with enhanced HER2 inhibition over EGFR
Authors: Lee Jung Wuk , Im Chang Gyun , Lee Ji Min , Cho Min Sang , Kim Min Gi , Lee Kiho , Nguyen Hien Thi Thu , Seo jiwon , Seo Ji Hae , Min Kyung Hoon
Published: February 2025

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a critical therapeutic target for HER2-positive or HER2-dependent cancers. While several HER2 kinase inhibitors have been identified, achieving high selectivity for HER2...
In situ synthesis of conductive porous Ni1.5Cu1.5(HHTP)2 on carbon paper for enhanced rechargeable Li–O2 batteries
Authors: Miao Si , Pan Pingan , Zhang Ying , Huo Shilin , Wu Doufeng , Yu Sanchuan
Published: February 2025

In situ one-step hydrothermal synthesis yields a bimetallic Ni1.5Cu1.5(HHTP)2/CP catalyst with abundant active sites, high conductivity, and ordered porosity that boosts Li–O2 battery performance with high capacity and cycling stability.
Building a model for predicting fire dynamics
Authors: Kene Lev , Kuzmich Roman
Published: February 2025

The paper compares known classification algorithms (logistic regression, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, stacking) on the problem of predicting the fire class. A feature of this problem is that it takes into account the specifics of the initial data at the exploratory analysis stage, i.e. before using the initial data by classification algorithms. First, at the exploratory analysis stage, it is necessary to solve the problem of selecting factors to predict the fire class. Second, check the initial data for gaps and outliers. Third, normalize the data in order to prepare them for building a model for predicting fire dynamics. Experimental studies are conducted on data on fires in the Krasnoyarsk Krai from 2010 to 2020.
Predictive model of the potential for the use of public-private partnership mechanisms
Authors: Prokhorov Victor , Rozhnov Ivan , Kazakovtsev Lev
Published: February 2025

The study the economic stimulation approaches under the conditions of sanctions restrictions. We propose to increase the growth of investment activity through more effective public investment and widespread involvement of domestic private investment resources in business economic circulation, including various mechanisms of public-private partnership (PPP) and municipal-private partnership (MPP). The problem of using public-private partnerships or municipal-private partnerships is considered, which is associated with the lack of understanding among the participants of such partnerships of the prospects for its development, therefore there is a need to assess the existing development potential of the selected PPP mechanism. The developed methodological foundations of predictive analytics for carrying out in stages using established procedures for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the potential of MPP make it possible to assess the potential of any public-private partnership.
Binarization of features based on frequency discretization for clustering tasks
Authors: Masich Igor , Shkaberina Guzel , Masich Danila
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the transformation of heterogeneous features, including continuous data, into binary form using frequency discretization. This method is particularly beneficial for clustering tasks, as binary features simplify the interpretation of results using logical expressions. In unsupervised learning, where class labels are unknown, we propose a binarization approach that converts continuous features into binary values based on their frequency distribution. Our experiments show that this technique not only preserves essential information but also improves clustering quality, as measured by the Rand Index, compared to known groupings of industrial product batches. The method reduces noise, simplifies the feature space, and enhances cluster interpretability. Among various distance metrics, the best results were achieved using Cosine distance. These findings highlight the potential of frequency discretization for improving clustering outcomes.
Tracking and controlling dissociative ionization of formic acid molecules by femtosecond laser fields
Authors: Wang Pengzhao , Li Shuqi , Li Xueying , Yang Fan , Hu Zhubin , Yang Yan , Ma Junyang , Sun Zhenrong
Published: February 2025

We present an experimental investigation aimed at tracking and controlling the dissociative ionization of formic acid molecules using intense femtosecond laser pulses. The resulting ionic products, formyl and hydroxyl radicals, are measured in coincidence. By analyzing the kinetic energy release spectra of these ionic radicals as a function of the time delay between the pump and probe laser pulses, we identify two distinct formation pathways. Furthermore, we show the manipulation of the spatial emission characteristics of these ionic radicals by adjusting the relative phase of spatiotemporally shaped two-color femtosecond laser fields. These findings offer valuable insights into the fragmentation dynamics of formic acid molecules in femtosecond laser pulses.
Interconnecting fragmented forests: Small and mobile birds are cornerstones in the plant–frugivore meta-network
Authors: Zhu Chen , Dalsgaard Bo , Li Wande , Kaiser-Bunbury Christopher N. , Simmons Benno I. , Ren Peng , Zhao Yuhao , Zeng Di , Gonçalves Fernando , Zhang Xue , Chang Longxiao , Ding Ping , Si Xingfeng
Published: February 2025

Habitat fragmentation is causing the collapse of seed dispersal interactions and ecosystem functioning. When management and conservation strategies aim to sustain ecosystem functioning of fragmented forests, species’ traits and functional performance are critical in guiding decisions. However, to date, we lack a quantitative understanding of the role of frugivores’ body size and dispersal ability in ecosystem sustainability among fragmented forests. Focusing on avian frugivory and seed dispersal in a multi-island setting, we address the data gap by recording more than 20,000 frugivory events in an artificial insular fragmented landscape constructed in 1959 and nearby unfragmented forests on the mainland. We show that large-bodied and dispersal-limited frugivorous birds are largely confined to large islands and the unfragmented mainland, whereas on small islands, small-bodied and highly mobile birds predominantly engage in frugivory interactions. The plant–frugivore meta-network exhibits a distinct compartmentalization, driven by island area and bird mobility. Birds with smaller size and greater mobility have higher topological importance, and the presence of small-bodied birds significantly enhances meta-network robustness. These results suggest that among insular fragmented forests where frugivory interactions are degraded, small-bodied and highly mobile birds disproportionately contribute to meta-community cohesion and ecosystem functioning because of the lack of large-bodied and dispersal-limited birds. We thus advocate for the restoration of landscapes to facilitate seed dispersal and functional connectivity, ensuring the presence of large patches along with small patches as stepping-stones. Meanwhile, we recommend prioritizing conservation on small-bodied and highly mobile birds in fragmented landscapes, a subset of underappreciated species that yet play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning.
Planar coil optimization for the Eos stellarator using sparse regression
Authors: Wu Ryan , Kruger Thomas , Swanson Charles
Published: February 2025

A challenge in the design of stellarators for confining plasma at conditions relevant to fusion energy generation is designing a feasible set of magnetic field coils which can create the necessary confining field. One active direction of investigation involves the creation of a set of simplified planar coils to approximate the desired magnetic field, split between large plasma encircling coils which generate the majority of the field and small shaping coils near the plasma surface which correct remaining errors in the field geometry. The problem of optimizing currents in these coils is inherently ill-posed due to the Biot–Savart Law. In this work, the problem of optimizing the current distribution of the shaping coils is posed as a sparse regression to minimize coil count while targeting

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, a metric of confinement quality, as a least-squares objective. The goal is to improve manufacturability and conductor efficiency by using fewer coils at higher currents. Using an ensemble of sparse optimization algorithms such as LASSO, relax-and-split, and heuristic methods, Pareto fronts between coil sparsity and Bn
properties are identified. Differences between the optimization algorithms are evaluated, demonstrating up to 20% reductions in mean Bn
at the same sparsity compared to a previously used heuristic method. The perturbation sensitivity of the sparse solutions to manufacturing misalignment is also evaluated. The results from the study demonstrate the potential and diversity of sparse optimization strategies in stellarator coil design problems.
Platform for detecting, managing, and manipulating characteristic points of the ECG waves through continuous wavelet transform implementation
Authors: Martínez-Suárez Frank , Alvarado-Serrano Carlos , Casas Oscar
Published: February 2025

This work presents open-source software that incorporates detection and delineation algorithms of characteristic points of QRS complexes and P and T waves in ECG recordings. The tool facilitates the identification of significant points in the ECG waves, allowing manual correction of the results based on user criteria, exporting the detected points, and a simultaneous visualization of the recordings and the obtained points. The main objective is to improve the management of long- and short-term recordings by reducing detection errors caused by noise, interference, and artifacts, while also providing the capability for manual results correction. To achieve these objectives, the software uses an SQL Server database, which efficiently manages the data, and detection and delineation algorithms based on the continuous wavelet transform with splines, along with alternatives to optimize processing time. The QRS complex detection algorithm was validated in a previous work with the manually annotated ECG databases: MIT-BIH Arrhythmia, European ST-T, and QT. The QRS detector obtained a Se = 99.91% and a P+ = 99.62% on the first channel of the MIT-BIH, ST-T and QT databases over the 986,930 QRS complexes analyzed. To evaluate the delineation algorithms of the characteristic points of QRS, P and T waves, the QT and PTB databases were used. The mean and standard deviations of the differences between the automatic and manual annotations by CSE experts were calculated. The mean errors range obtained was smaller than one sample (4 ms) to around two samples (8 ms); and the mean standard deviations range was around of two samples (8 ms) to six samples (24 ms).
HaMP: a proactive hash-based framework for manipulation localization
Authors: Pan Haojie , Li Xinyan , Sun Liming
Published: February 2025

With the continuous advancement of image tampering techniques, traditional hash-based tampering detection algorithms face numerous challenges, particularly in handling complex tampering types and achieving object-level precise localization. Existing methods often rely on manually designed features, resulting in forensic hashes that lack sufficient detail and fail to capture the fine-grained information needed for accurate localization. To address these limitations, HaMP, a novel hash-based proactive tampering localization method, is proposed. HaMP introduces a Hash Construction Module (HCM) capable of generating compact yet information-rich image hashes. By integrating multi-scale feature extraction, the HCM produces robust global representations of the image. For precise tampering localization, the proposed Localization Module (LM) refines these representations by leveraging hash differences and multi-scale features. This enables accurate detection of tampered regions, even in the presence of subtle modifications. Experimental results demonstrate that HaMP significantly outperforms traditional methods, showcasing enhanced robustness, accuracy, and generalization across multiple datasets.
Reinforced subdomain-adversarial generalization network for multi-source fault diagnosis in industrial robotic joint reducers
Authors: Yan Qin , Xu Bin
Published: February 2025

To address the issue of reduced fault diagnosis accuracy for industrial robot joint reducers under unknown operating conditions, a multi-source domain adaptive fault diagnosis method based on a Reinforced Subdomain-Adversarial Adaptation Network (RSAAN) is proposed. This method effectively extracts domain-invariant features, enhancing the robustness of fault diagnosis under unfamiliar conditions. First, intrinsic distribution clustering is utilized to extract features that emphasize fault-specific differences while minimizing the influence of operating condition variations, thereby improving the generalizability of the domain-invariant features. Next, local adversarial training is introduced on top of global adversarial training to achieve better feature alignment when the distribution discrepancy between domain-invariant features and generalized source domain features is small. Finally, an adaptive adversarial factor is employed to adjust the weight balance between global and local adversarial training, enabling the model to extract and refine domain-invariant features from multiple source domains to adapt to various unseen operating conditions. The proposed method achieved over 95% diagnostic accuracy in multiple cross-domain diagnostic scenarios using publicly available gearbox and robot bearing datasets, demonstrating its effectiveness and reliability in diagnosing faults under unknown conditions. This approach provides critical technical support and decision-making guidance for fault diagnosis in industrial robots.
Reason beyond Proof
Authors: Dyck Corey W.
Published: February 2025

A central topic of debate in the aftermath of Wolff’s German Metaphysics was the principle of sufficient reason (PSR). While it might be tempting to divide the discussion into the Wolffian defenders of the principle and its anti-Wolffian detractors, things are not quite so straightforward. The significance of a proof of the PSR for Wolff himself has long been grossly exaggerated as Wolff’s attempts are not reflective of his distinctive philosophical rationalism. Moreover, even as Wolff’s most dogged opponents contested the unrestricted use of the principle in metaphysics, they accepted that the PSR held with respect to certain domains of beings. Moreover, Wolff’s critics went as far as to number the PSR among the highest principles of human cognition. Significantly, it is in its form as an undemonstrated and unlimited principle of cognition that the PSR serves Wolff’s critics as an indispensable foundation for their most distinctive doctrines.
easyEWAS: a flexible and user-friendly R package for Epigenome-Wide Association Study
Authors: Wang Yuting , Jiang Meijie , Niu Siyuan , Gao Xu
Published: February 2025

Motivation

Rapid advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies especially the Illumina DNA methylation Beadchip greatly fueled the surge in epigenome-wide association study (EWAS), providing crucial insights into intrinsic DNA methylation modifications associated with environmental exposure, diseases, and health traits. However, current tools are complex and less user-friendly to accommodate appropriate EWAS designs and make downstream analyses and result interpretations complicated, especially for clinicians and public health professionals with limited bioinformatic skills.

Results

We integrated the current state-of-the-art EWAS analysis methods and tools to develop a flexible and user-friendly R package easyEWAS for conducting DNA methylation-based research using Illumina DNA methylation Beadchips. With easyEWAS, we provide a battery of statistical methods to support differential methylation position analysis across various scenarios, as well as differential methylation region analysis based on the DMRcate method. To facilitate result interpretation, we provide comprehensive functional annotation and result visualization functionalities. Additionally, a bootstrap-based internal validation was incorporated into easyEWAS to ensure the robustness of EWAS results. Evaluation in asthma patients as the example demonstrated that easyEWAS could simplify and streamline the conduction of EWAS and corresponding downstream analyses, thus effectively advancing DNA methylation research in public health and clinical settings.

Availability and implementation

easyEWAS is implemented as an R package and is available at https://github.com/ytwangZero/easyEWAS.
Disruption of recombination machinery alters the mutational landscape in plant organellar genomes
Authors: Waneka Gus , Broz Amanda K , Wold-McGimsey Forrest , Zou Yi , Wu Zhiqiang , Sloan Daniel B
Published: February 2025

Land plant organellar genomes have extremely low rates of point mutation yet also experience high rates of recombination and genome instability. Characterizing the molecular machinery responsible for these patterns is critical for understanding the evolution of these genomes. While much progress has been made toward understanding recombination activity in land plant organellar genomes, the relationship between recombination pathways and point mutation rates remains uncertain. The organellar-targeted mutS homolog MSH1 has previously been shown to suppress point mutations as well as non-allelic recombination between short repeats in Arabidopsis thaliana. We therefore implemented high-fidelity Duplex Sequencing to test if other genes that function in recombination and maintenance of genome stability also affect point mutation rates. We found small to moderate increases in the frequency of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and indels in mitochondrial and/or plastid genomes of A. thaliana mutant lines lacking radA, recA1, or recA3. In contrast, osb2 and why2 mutants did not exhibit an increase in point mutations compared to wild-type (WT) controls. In addition, we analyzed the distribution of SNVs in previously generated Duplex Sequencing data from A. thaliana organellar genomes and found unexpected strand asymmetries and large effects of flanking nucleotides on mutation rates in WT plants and msh1 mutants. Finally, using long-read Oxford Nanopore sequencing, we characterized structural variants in organellar genomes of the mutant lines and show that different short repeat sequences become recombinationally active in different mutant backgrounds. Together, these complementary sequencing approaches shed light on how recombination may impact the extraordinarily low point mutation rates in plant organellar genomes.