bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting the effect of genetic diversity on brain composition in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model
Authors: Gurdon Brianna , Yates Sharon C. , Csucs Gergely , Groeneboom Nicolaas E. , Hadad Niran , Telpoukhovskaia Maria , Ouellette Andrew , Ouellette Tionna , O’Connell Kristen M. S. , Singh Surjeet , Murdy Thomas J. , Merchant Erin , Bjerke Ingvild , Kleven Heidi , Schlegel Ulrike , Leergaard Trygve B. , Puchades Maja A. , Bjaalie Jan G. , Kaczorowski Catherine C.
Published: May 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is broadly characterized by neurodegeneration, pathology accumulation, and cognitive decline. There is considerable variation in the progression of clinical symptoms and pathology in humans, highlighting the importance of genetic diversity in the study of AD. To address this, we analyze cell composition and amyloid-beta deposition of 6- and 14-month-old AD-BXD mouse brains. We utilize the analytical QUINT workflow- a suite of software designed to support atlas-based quantification, which we expand to deliver a highly effective method for registering and quantifying cell and pathology changes in diverse disease models. In applying the expanded QUINT workflow, we quantify near-global age-related increases in microglia, astrocytes, and amyloid-beta, and we identify strain-specific regional variation in neuron load. To understand how individual differences in cell composition affect the interpretation of bulk gene expression in AD, we combine hippocampal immunohistochemistry analyses with bulk RNA-sequencing data. This approach allows us to categorize genes whose expression changes in response to AD in a cell and/or pathology load-dependent manner. Ultimately, our study demonstrates the use of the QUINT workflow to standardize the quantification of immunohistochemistry data in diverse mice, - providing valuable insights into regional variation in cellular load and amyloid deposition in the AD-BXD model.
MDM2 amplification in rod-shaped chromosomes provides clues to early stages of circularized gene amplification in liposarcoma
Authors: Sydow Saskia , Piccinelli Paul , Mitra Shamik , Tsagkozis Panagiotis , Hesla Asle , B. R. De Mattos Camila , Köster Jan , Magnusson Linda , Nilsson Jenny , Ameur Adam , Wardenaar René , Foijer Floris , Spierings Diana , Mertens Fredrik
Published: May 2024

Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLS) displays amplification of genes on chromosome 12 (Chr12) in supernumerary ring or giant marker chromosomes. These structures have been suggested to develop through chromothripsis, followed by circularization and breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) cycles. To test this hypothesis, we compared WDLSs with Chr12 amplification in rod-shaped chromosomes with WDLSs with rings. Both types of amplicons share the same spectrum of structural variants (SVs), show higher SV frequencies in Chr12 than in co-amplified segments, have SVs that fuse the telomeric ends of co-amplified chromosomes, and lack interspersed deletions. Combined with the finding of cells with transient rod-shaped structures in tumors with ring chromosomes, this suggests a stepwise process starting with the gain of Chr12 material that, after remodeling which does not fit with classical chromothripsis, forms a dicentric structure with other chromosomes. Depending on if and when telomeres from other chromosomes are captured, circularized or linear gain of 12q sequences will predominate.
Massive crustal carbon mobilization and emission driven by India underthrusting Asia
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Maoliang , Liu Yi , Cui Lifeng , Sano Yuji , Zhou Xiaocheng , Li Ying , Zhang Lihong , Lang Yun-Chao , Liu Cong-Qiang , Xu Sheng
Published: May 2024

The active Himalayan-Tibetan orogen, where India underthrusts into Asia, is an important geological source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into Earth’s atmosphere. However, the extent to which Indian underthrusting could stimulate the mobilization of deeply-sourced carbon and its subsequent emission remains unknown. Here, we use a combination of field observations coupled with in-situ CO2 flux measurements and helium and carbon isotopic data, to study the controls on CO2 origins and fluxes in a 400-kilometre-long rift transecting northern Himalaya and southern Tibet. High diffuse CO2 fluxes sustained by pure crustal fluids are confined to rift segments in the northern Himalaya, while toward southern Tibet, CO2 fluxes become lower but mantle fluid inputs are identified. Such rift-related CO2 degassing profile suggests metamorphic decarbonation and release of carbon-bearing fluids enhanced by the underthrusting Indian lower crust, agreeing well with Himalayan metamorphism and orogen-parallel lithospheric extension. Deep CO2 fluxes from extensional tectonics in northern Himalaya and southern Tibet, primarily of crustal origins, are comparable to mantle CO2 fluxes from global mid-ocean ridges. Our findings demonstrate that geophysical and geo-tectonic responses to continental underthrusting could facilitate massive crustal carbon mobilization and emission, making active collisional orogens globally important carbon sources.
Combining low-cost electronic structure theory and low-cost parallel computing architecture
Authors: Steinbach Pit , Bannwarth Christoph
Published: May 2024

The computational efficiency of low-cost 3c electronic structure methods can be further improved by leveraging low-priced heterogenous computing architectures.
Unveiling structural and energetic characterization of the emissive RNA alphabet anchored in the methylthieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine heterocycle core
Authors: Chawla Mohit , Poater Albert , Oliva Romina , Cavallo Luigi
Published: May 2024

This study presents a comprehensive theoretical exploration of the fluorescent non-natural emissive nucleobases- mthA, mthG, mthC, and mthU derived from the methylthieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine heterocycle.
Giant piezoresponse in nanoporous (Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O3 thin film
Authors: Billah Motasim , Terasawa Yukana , Masud Mostafa Kamal , Asahi Toru , Hegazy Mohamed Barakat Zakaria , Nagata Takahiro , Chikyow Toyohiro , Uesugi Fumihiko , Hossain Md. Shahriar A. , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: May 2024

Nanoporous Ba0.85Ca0.15(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 (BCZT) films, as lead-free piezoelectrics, exhibited a d33 ∼10 times higher than nonporous BCZT, making them promising for high-density dielectric capacitors and energy harvesters.
Simultaneous and multiplexed phenotyping of circulating exosomes with the orthogonal CRISPR–Cas platform
Authors: Su Gaoxing , Xu Mengting , Zhu Yuedong , Zhang Yan , Lin Yanan , Yu Yanyan
Published: May 2024

AN orthogonal CRISPR–Cas platform is established for simultaneous and multiplexed circulating exosome phenotyping.
Features of noncovalent interactions in the group of highly polymorphic benzenesulfonamide derivatives
Authors: Kazakova Arina V. , Savchenkov Anton V.
Published: May 2024

Analysis of crystal structures of highly polymorphic benzenesulfonamide derivatives with the method of molecular Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra reveals the relative importance of noncovalent interactions, correlations with experimental data and more.
Spreading dynamics of a droplet upon impact with a liquid film containing solid particles
Authors: Wang Jiale , Li Lei , Lu Xinlong , Zhou Yu , Zhou Jiandong , Jing Dengwei
Published: May 2024

The incorporation of nanoparticles hinders the spreading of droplets after hitting the wall.
Self-assembly of a supramolecular spin-crossover tetrahedron
Authors: Nielsen Hannah H. , Vilariño Pol , Rodríguez Gemma , Trepard Florian , Roubeau Olivier , Aromí Guillem , Aguilà David
Published: May 2024

A new mononuclear iron(ii) SCO compound featuring H-bonding donor and acceptor units provides an entry to a purely supramolecular switchable {Fe4} tetrahedron that exhibits a singular magnetic behavior for each of the four Fe(ii) centers.
Exploring the broad-spectrum pharmacological activity of two less studied Australian native fruits: chemical characterisation using LCMS-driven metabolomics
Authors: Dissanayake Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Indeewarie Hemamali , Alsherbiny Muhammad A. , Stack Colin , Chang Dennis , Li Chun Guang , Kaur Kirandeep , Bhuyan Deep Jyoti
Published: May 2024

Therapeutic potential of Australian native fruits native currant (Acrotriche depressa) and lemon aspen (Acronychia acidula).
High precision and fast classification of different dimensions of Baijiu using an OptGSCV quadratic optimization network combined with AS-LIBS
Authors: Jin Haoyu , Hao Xiaojian , Li Nan , Han Ying , Mo Biming , Zhang Shuyi
Published: May 2024

For the traditional Baijiu qualitative analysis problem, a high-precision fast classification method for different dimensional Baijiu based on AS-LIBS combined with Optimized Grid Search Cross-Validation (Opt-GSCV) is proposed.
First-principles study of stability and electronic properties of B2 X–Ru alloys for high-temperature structural applications
Authors: Mnisi B. O. , Benecha E. M. , Tibane M. M.
Published: May 2024

We use first-principles density functional theory calculations to study the properties of X–Ru alloys (X = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in the B2 crystallographic phase for high-temperature structural applications.
Pd NPs decorated on crosslinked sodium alginate modified iron-based metal–organic framework Fe(BTC) as a green multifunctional catalyst for the oxidative amidation
Authors: Koosha Samaneh , Ghorbani-Vaghei Ramin , Alavinia Sedigheh , Karimi-Nami Rahman , Karakaya Idris
Published: May 2024

The primary objective of this investigation was to develop a new nanocatalyst that could produce amides by oxidative amidation of benzyl alcohol, thereby reducing its environmental harm.
Resistive switching memories with enhanced durability enabled by mixed-dimensional perfluoroarene perovskite heterostructures
Authors: Loizos Michalis , Rogdakis Konstantinos , Luo Weifan , Zimmermann Paul , Hinderhofer Alexander , Lukić Jovan , Tountas Marinos , Schreiber Frank , Milić Jovana V. , Kymakis Emmanuel
Published: May 2024

Mixed-dimensional heterostructures of 2D perfluoroarene perovskite phases are used in resistive switching memories based on perovskite solar cells, showing enhanced performance and stability, which highlights the perspective for self-powered memories.
Carbonylative synthesis of 2-(trifluoromethyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-ones from trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides and amines based on an activated carbon fiber supported palladium catalyst
Authors: Wang Hui , Ling Sihao , Xu Tiefeng , Chen Zhengkai
Published: May 2024

Activated carbon fibers, known for their unique physical and chemical properties, are increasingly utilized in diverse industries, including textiles and fabrics, and can serve as ideal supports of heterogeneous palladium catalysts.
Correction: Promoter-regulated in vivo asymmetric self-assembly strategy to synthesize heterogeneous nanoparticles for signal amplification
Authors: Chen Chen , Zhou Juan , Men Dong , Zhang Xian-En
Published: May 2024

Correction for ‘Promoter-regulated in vivo asymmetric self-assembly strategy to synthesize heterogeneous nanoparticles for signal amplification’ by Chen Chen et al., Nanoscale, 2022, 14, 16180–16184, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR04661J.
Modulation on terahertz absorption properties in LnIII–[AgI(CN)2] networks
Authors: Li Guanping , Stefanczyk Olaf , Kumar Kunal , Mineo Yuuki , Wang Lidong , Nakabayashi Koji , Yoshikiyo Marie , Chilton Nicholas F. , Ohkoshi Shin-ichi
Published: May 2024

Studies on a series of lanthanide(iii) complexes revealed pronounced terahertz (THz) absorption between 1.0 and 1.2 THz, which can be judiciously tuned by varying lanthanide(iii) ion and temperature, as validated by first-principles calculations.
Toward practical lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Qian Weiwei , Guo Yawei , Zuo Weijing , Wu Xiangkun , Zhang Lan
Published: May 2024

A cathode with an areal capacity of more than 5 mA h cm−2 is crucial for practical Li–S batteries. Besides, reducing the electrolyte weight ratio, in both liquid and solid-state Li–S batteries, is also important.
Alkenylation and arylation of secondary alcohols enabled by productive merger of β-carbon and β-hydrogen elimination via an isodesmic reaction
Authors: Xiong Si-Qi , Liu Zheng-Qiang , Liang Cheng , Huang Xue-Mei , Zhang Xue , Li Qing-Hua , Liu Tang-Lin
Published: May 2024

Transition-metal-catalyzed isodesmic reactions between tertiary and secondary alcohols to obtain value-added alcohols have been developed.
Metal-free phosphine-catalyzed visible-light-induced radical cyclization of alkenes: access to cyclic gem-difluoroacyl scaffolds
Authors: Li Ruowen , Li Yicong , Liu Yiwei , Wang Yanzhao , Wu Jingjing , Wu Fanhong
Published: May 2024

Visible-light-induced phosphine-catalyzed radical cyclization of bromodifluoroacyl arenes with diverse alkenes, affording a variety of cyclic gem-difluoroacyl scaffolds in good to excellent yields.
Xanthrysols A–D, novel meroterpenoids with antiviral activities from Xanthostemon chrysanthus
Authors: Liu Fen , Gu Ji-Hong , Zhang Zi-Yue , Zhan Qiong , Yang Hai-Xia , Hu Yun , Zhang Jin-Yan , Tang Wei , Ye Wen-Cai , Wang Lei
Published: May 2024

Four new meroterpenoids (1–4) with novel skeletons were isolated from Xanthostemon chrysanthus. Compound 1 is the first phloroglucinol-based meroterpenoid with a 16-membered macrocyclic ring and shows strong antiviral activity against RSV and HSV-1.
Asymmetric construction of enantioenriched furo[2,3-b]pyridines through sequential gold, palladium/phosphoric acid catalysis
Authors: Xie Ke , Zhang Guo-Qing , Kong Bao-Rui , Jia Zhi-Jun , Chen Zhi-Chao , Zhan Gu , Du Wei , Chen Ying-Chun
Published: May 2024

A multi-catalytic system combining gold, palladium and phosphoric acid was applied for asymmetric assembly of ynamides and carbonate of 4-hydroxy-2-cyclopentenone, furnishing furo[2,3-b]pyridines in high yields and stereoselectivities.
Enantioselective synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives with antifungal activities on phytopathogenic fungi
Authors: Zhang Man , Ru Yifan , Wang Shilin , Fu Wen , Li Tianyu , Shao Xusheng , Li Zhong , Yang Wu-Lin
Published: May 2024

An Ir-catalyzed enantioselective cascade allylation/cyclization reaction of 2-(1-hydroxyallyl)phenols was developed, affording antifungal 2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives with good to excellent enantioselectivities.
Bisphosphonium salt catalyzed [3 + 2] annulation of N-tosylimino(iso)quinolinium ylides with aryl olefins under blue LED irradiation
Authors: Yu Wang , Wang Lili , Duan Zheng
Published: May 2024

A visible-light-induced [3 + 2] annulation of N-tosylimino(iso)quinolinium ylides with aryl olefins, catalyzed by a bisphosphonium salt has been developed. Furthermore, the synthesis method of the bisphosphonium salts was improved.
Ion Trap LC/MS reveals the generation of reactive intermediates in acalabrutinib metabolism: phase I metabolic profiling and bioactivation pathways elucidation
Authors: Alsibaee Aishah M. , Aljohar Haya I. , Attwa Mohamed W. , Abdelhameed Ali S. , Kadi Adnan A.
Published: May 2024

The generation of reactive intermediates of ACB, and the subsequent DIOT reactions may provide an explanation of ACB's numerous ADRs.
Gd2O3-modulated borate glass for the enhancement of near-infrared emission via energy transfer from Gd3+ to Nd3+
Authors: Ullah I. , Sarumaha C. S. , Angnanon A. , Khan I. , Shoaib M. , Khattak S. A. , Mukamil S. , Kothan S. , Shah S. K. , Wabaidur S. M. , Rooh G. , Kaewkhao J.
Published: May 2024

(Li2O)0.20(SrO)0.30(Nd2O3)0.01(B2O3)0.49−x(Gd2O3)x, where x = 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 mol%, glass was melt-quenched to test it as a laser source in the near-infrared (NIR) region.
Tannin-assisted interfacial polymerization towards COF membranes for efficient dye separation
Authors: Deng Weishan , Zhang Zezhen , Liu Lulu , Zhou Zekun , Wu Lili
Published: May 2024

Tannic acid-assisted interfacial polymerisation co-deposited COF to form a stable selective layer. Membrane demonstrated strong hydrophilicity, high flux, a small water contact angle, excellent separation performance, high dye inhibition rate, membrane stability and durability, and recyclability.
Simultaneous detection of 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine at specific genomic loci by engineered deaminase-assisted sequencing
Authors: Xie Neng-Bin , Wang Min , Ji Tong-Tong , Guo Xia , Gang Fang-Yin , Hao Ying , Zeng Li , Wang Ya-Fen , Feng Yu-Qi , Yuan Bi-Feng
Published: May 2024

We developed the EDA-seq method, which enables the simultaneous and quantitative detection of C, 5mC, and 5hmC in DNA at single-base resolution.
Consumer Perspectives on Improving Hearing Aids: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Desai Nabeelah , Beukes Eldré W. , Manchaiah Vinaya , Mahomed-Asmail Faheema , Swanepoel De Wet
Published: May 2024

Purpose:

Hearing aids play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of hearing loss, yet their adoption and consistent usage remains suboptimal. Understanding the hearing aid needs of individuals with hearing loss is important to support uptake, use, and outcomes. The current study describes users' perspectives on how hearing aids can be improved.

Method:

A cross-sectional, qualitative, content analysis design was used for an open-ended question from an online survey, exploring user perspectives on hearing aid improvements. Participants were adult hearing aid users in the United States, surveyed from the HearingTracker and Lexie Hearing user database.

Results:

A total of 628 participants (
M
age
= 66 years) were surveyed. The majority of participants used bilateral, behind-the-ear hearing aids that were obtained either through a hearing health care professional or online. Three domains, highlighting areas for hearing aid improvement, were identified. (a) The hearing aid features domain described user issues surrounding physical appearance and fit, general features, streaming, battery functionality, adjustments, smartphone applications, and hearing aid–related accessories. There was dissatisfaction with aesthetics and functionality, with a notable desire for improvements in physical appearance and fit (
n
= 161), and features to improve self-efficacy. (b) The sound quality domain described user issues surrounding sound perception and difficult situations. Participants highlighted unmet needs for clarity, especially in noisy environments (
n
= 143). (c) The service-delivery domain described user issues surrounding audiology services and general satisfaction, with criticisms centered on the high cost of hearing aids (
n
= 193) and the credibility of hearing health care professionals.

Conclusions:

Hearing aid users appreciated current technological advances but expressed a need for improvements, to better align devices with their requirements. Key areas included physical aesthetics, user control over device adjustments, sound clarity, cost accessibility, and trust between the user and hearing health care professional. Future designs should focus on features enhancing user autonomy and self-efficacy.
Treatment for Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Maas Edwin
Published: May 2024

Purpose:

The purposes of this review article were to provide an introduction to and “bird's-eye” overview of the current evidence base for treatment of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), identify some gaps and trends in this rapidly growing literature, and formulate some future research directions, in order to advance the evidence base and clinical practice for children with CAS.

Method:

Following a brief introduction outlining important concepts, a narrative review of the CAS treatment literature is provided, and trends and future directions are identified based on this review. The review is organized around four fundamental treatment research questions: (a) “Does Treatment X work?”, (b) “Does Treatment X work better than Treatment Y?”, (c) “For whom does Treatment X work?”, and (d) “What does ‘work’ mean, anyway?”

Results:

A wide range of CAS treatments with varying degrees of evidence for efficacy exists. Research is beginning to emerge that compares different treatments and seeks to determine optimal treatment parameters. Few studies to date have explored child-level predictors of treatment response, and the evidence base currently is limited in scope with respect to populations and outcomes studied.

Conclusions:

A growing evidence base supports the efficacy of a number of treatments for CAS. However, many important gaps in the literature were identified that warrant redoubled and sustained research attention. Research is beginning to emerge that addresses treatment optimization, comparison, candidacy, and outcomes. Suggestions for future research are offered, and the concept of a hypothesized pathway was applied to CAS to illustrate how components of an intervention can effect change in a clinical goal and can help guide development and refinement of treatments for children with CAS.
Waveform design of radar coincidence imaging radiation field based on image entropy
Authors: Zhang Qian , Zhang Gong , Chen Ningwei , Xiong Qing , Xie Jun , He Yansen
Published: May 2024

Radar coincidence imaging (RCI) is a high‐resolution radar imaging mode which constructs a temporal spatial stochastic radiation field (TSSRF) and uses the correlation between reference signal and echoes for imaging. The correlation between the reference matrix and the echoes is the main factor affecting the imaging performance. In fact, radar target characteristics cause fluctuations in the radar cross section and variations in the scattering intensity of each resolution element. The latter degrades the correlation between the reference matrix and the echoes, seriously affecting the image reconstruction. This paper designs the waveform based on image entropy under fixed transmitting and receiving arrays. The targets with fluctuating scattering intensity at each resolution element are statistically modelled. Simulation results show this approach can improve the imaging performance and reduce the energy dissipation degree of the target grid.
Factors Associated with Refractory Severe Hypertension in Patients with Preeclampsia
Authors: Flicker Kari , Long Danielle , Vishnia Maya , Wright Madeleine , Francis Matilda , King Kenyone S. , Gilgannon Lauren , Gupta Neha , Rastegar Aref , Siva Rohini Kousalya , Nehme Lea , Saade George , Sibai Baha M. , Kawakita Tetsuya
Published: May 2024

Objective This study aimed to identify factors associated with refractory severe hypertension that does not resolve after an initial dose of antihypertensive medication in patients with preeclampsia.

Study Design This was a retrospective study of all pregnant and postpartum individuals with a diagnosis of preeclampsia, superimposed preeclampsia, HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet) syndrome, or eclampsia who delivered at 22 weeks or greater at a single academic institution from 2010 to 2020. Inclusion criteria were patients with preeclampsia who developed severe hypertension (systolic pressure ≥160 mm Hg or diastolic pressure ≥110 mm Hg) and received antihypertensive medications for acute severe hypertension. We defined refractory severe hypertension as a systolic blood pressure of ≥160 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of ≥110 mm Hg that did not improve after receiving the initial treatment. To evaluate for factors associated with refractory severe hypertension, we developed multivariable modified Poisson regression using all variables with p-value <0.1 on bivariable analysis and calculated adjusted relative risks (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results Of 850, 386 (45.4%) had refractory severe hypertension and 464 (54.6%) responded to the initial antihypertensive medications. Factors associated with refractory severe hypertension included higher body mass index (BMI), chronic hypertension, and higher systolic pressure. Every 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with a 7% increased risk of refractory severe hypertension (aRR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02–1.12). Every 10 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure was associated with a 10% increased risk of refractory severe hypertension (aRR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04–1.17). Chronic hypertension was associated with a 25% increased risk of refractory severe hypertension (aRR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.01–1.56) in the diastolic pressure model.

Conclusion Refractory severe hypertension was associated with elevated BMI, chronic hypertension, and higher systolic blood pressure.

Key Points
Neoplastic and Non-neoplastic Bone Lesions of the Knee
Authors: Expósito Diana , Martel José , Alvarez de Sierra Beatriz , Bueno Angel , Vilanova Cristina , Vilanova Joan C.
Published: May 2024

Numerous anatomical variants are described around the knee, many of which look like bony lesions, so it is important to know them to avoid unnecessary complementary tests and inadequate management. Likewise, several alterations in relation to normal development can also simulate bone lesions.

However, numerous pathologic processes frequently affect the knee, including traumatic, inflammatory, infectious, and tumor pathology. Many of these entities show typical radiologic features that facilitate their diagnosis. In other cases, a correct differential diagnosis is necessary for proper clinical management.

Despite the availability of increasingly advanced imaging techniques, plain radiography is still the technique of choice in the initial study of many of these pathologies. This article reviews the radiologic characteristics of tumor and nontumor lesions that may appear around the knee to make a correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary complementary radiologic examinations and inadequate clinical management.
Beyond the board: a thematic analysis of political actions from 4chan’s /pol/ board
Authors: Bovan Kosta , Mikašinović-Komšo Matej
Published: May 2024

This article aims to understand the organisational practices of digital political actions on 4chan’s /pol/ (Politically Incorrect) board, as well as the underlying worldview within which those actions were nested. By using a qualitative thematic analysis of 21 threads, several themes were identified regarding preferred goals, methods, content, dissemination strategies, and worldview of intentional, orchestrated political actions with supposed real-world effects. Results show that the observed political actions were bottom-up, non-hierarchical, and collective actions, through which collective identity was established despite the almost complete anonymity of the /pol/ board. Additionally, the political actions were marked by the negative perception of Western liberal democracy, extremely negative attitudes toward the Left, minorities, and progressive liberals, antisemitism, and racism - values closely related to the far-right. Although the goals of /pol/ political actions differ, the dominant broader goal is to “redpill the normies” - indoctrinate the general population into denouncing liberal democratic ideology and accepting the far-right worldview.
Dynamics of a nonlinear pseudo-parabolic equation with fading memory
Authors: Peng Xiaoming , Shang Yadong , Yu Jiali
Published: May 2024

This paper is concerned with the nonlinear pseudo-parabolic equation with fading memory. First, we prove the existence, uniqueness and continuous dependence of weak solutions when ρ and f have polynomial growth of critical order. Then, we establish the existence and optimal regularity of the global attractor. The result extends and improves some existing results.
Structure and ionic conduction enhancement mechanisms at CeO2/SrTiO3 heterointerfaces
Authors: Zhu Bonan , Schusteritsch Georg , Li Weiwei , Xing Wandong , Yu Rong , Pickard Chris J. , MacManus-Driscoll Judith L.
Published: May 2024

Fluorite-perovskite heterointerfaces garner great interest for enhanced ionic conductivity for application in electronic and energy devices. However, the origin of observed enhanced ionic conductivity as well as the details of the atomic structure at these interfaces remain elusive. Here, systematic, multi-stoichiometry computational searches and experimental investigations are performed to obtain stable and exact atomic structures of interfaces between CeO2 and SrTiO3—two archetypes of the corresponding structural families. Local reconstructions take place at the interface because of mismatched lattices. TiO2 terminated SrTiO3 causes a buckled rock salt CeO interface layer to emerge. In contrast, SrO terminated SrTiO3 maintains the fluorite structure at the interface compensated by a partially occupied anion lattice. Moderate enhancement in oxygen diffusion is found along the interface by simulations, yet evidence to support further significant enhancement is lacking. Our findings demonstrate the control of interface termination as an effective pathway to achieve desired device performance.
Synergistic enhancement of laser-proton acceleration with integrated targets
Authors: Liu Zhipeng , Gao Ying , Wu Qingfan , Pan Zhuo , Liang Yulan , Song Tan , Xu Tianqi , Shou Yinren , Zhang Yujia , Chen Haoran , Han Qihang , Hua Chenghao , Chen Xun , Xu Shirui , Mei Zhusong , Wang Pengjie , Peng Ziyang , Zhao Jiarui , Chen Shiyou , Zhao Yanying , Yan Xueqing , Ma Wenjun
Published: May 2024

In proton acceleration from laser-irradiated thin foil targets, adding foams on the front surface or connecting a helical coil on the rear surface of the foil has proven to be an effective scheme to enhance proton energy. In this paper, we make the first attempt to incorporate the above two enhancement schemes for laser-proton acceleration by simultaneously adding foams and connecting a helical coil to a thin foil target. By utilizing such integrated targets in the experiment, focused beams were generated. The maximum proton energy and the number of energetic protons are apparently enhanced. Moreover, quasi-monoenergetic peaks were formed at the high-energy end of the spectra. Particle-in-cell plasma simulations and electromagnetic beam dynamics simulations show that the double-layer target not only enhances the energy of protons but also leads to a multiple-fold increase in the number of escaped electrons, which results in an enhanced post-acceleration in helical coil subsequently.
Magnetic field-free stochastic computing based on the voltage-controlled magnetic tunnel junction
Authors: Luo Yanxiang , Wu Yuxuan , Zeng Kexin , Zhang Like , Liu Shuhui , Luo Renjuan , Luo Yawen , Zhang Xuan , Fang Bin , Zhou Yan , Zeng Zhongming
Published: May 2024

The stochastic computing (SC) has been proven to be an energy-efficient way to perform neural network. In this study, we propose a field-free voltage-controlled spintronics SC system based on the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). We observe a stochastic switching behavior of the MTJ and that it could be controlled by the voltage applied on the device. The voltage-controlled stochastic switching behavior is used to encode numbers ranging from 0 to 1 into a series of random bit-streams in the SC system. Furthermore, the handwritten recognition task is performed on the MTJ-based SC system, achieving a 95% maximum accuracy, which is comparable with the floating-point based neural network. Our work provides inspiration for the energy-efficient neural network systems.
Self-aligned formation of superconducting sub-5 nm PtSi films
Authors: Yao Yao , Fernandes Daniel F. , Košutová Tereza , Kubart Tomas , Zhang Zhen , Lefloch François , Gustavo Frédéric , Leblanc Axel , Lábár János L. , Pécz Béla , Zhang Shi-Li
Published: May 2024

Platinum silicide (PtSi) presents a promising superconductor for achieving silicon-based Josephson field-effect transistors (JoFETs). In a viable process flow to realize self-aligned PtSi formation, thermal oxidation at 600 °C is required to form a protective oxide layer on the surface of the as-formed PtSi selectively against Pt to facilitate subsequent selective etch in aqua regia. However, sub-10 nm PtSi films tend to agglomerate and even break into discrete PtSi islands upon thermal treatments above 500 °C. To achieve nanoscale JoFETs, we have developed a simple alternative with chemical oxidation at room temperature leading to the formation of homogeneous sub-5 nm PtSi films. The critical temperature of the resultant superconducting PtSi films is found to increase from 0.66 to 0.90 K when the PtSi thickness is raised from 3.1 to 12.7 nm, while, concurrently, the PtSi grains grow larger in thicker films. The critical temperature also increases from 0.53 to 0.66 K for the 3.1 nm PtSi film when the formation temperature is raised from 400 to 500 °C.
Propagation of twisted laser carrying orbital angular momentum in magnetized plasma
Authors: Bhaskar Subhajit , Malik Hitendra K.
Published: May 2024

The propagation of electromagnetic beams carrying orbital angular momentum l is investigated in a cold collisionless plasma where a static magnetic field is applied in the axial direction. The relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearities are taken into consideration simultaneously. A stationary nonlinear Schrödinger equation is derived using the Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin method and the slowly varying envelope approximation. The critical condition for the self-trapped mode is achieved as a function of orbital angular momentum (OAM), magnetic field, and initial laser intensity of the beam. The response of the medium to the two types of polarizations, i.e., left circular polarization (LCP) and right circular polarization (RCP), is compared, and it is observed that the RCP laser shows better focusing than the LCP laser and also requires a smaller beam radius for achieving the self-trapped mode. The effect of applied magnetic field and OAM of the laser is also studied on the beam width evolution. The laser is found to be focused earlier in the cases of a larger applied magnetic field. A Laguerre–Gaussian laser with higher OAM is observed to show efficient self-focusing. This study enables exploration in the fields of particle acceleration, electron bunch generation, x-ray sources, and more.
Experimental study on modulation of homogeneous isotropic turbulence by bubbles of different sizes
Authors: Chen Wuguang , Huang Guangyuan , Song Yuchen , Yin Junlian , Wang Dezhong
Published: May 2024

The mechanism of turbulence modulation by bubbles is crucial for understanding and predicting turbulent bubbly flow. In this study, we conducted an experimental investigation of turbulence modulation by bubbles of different sizes in homogeneous isotropic turbulence using two-phase stereo-particle image velocimetry measurement techniques. Two bubble generation methods, electrolysis and porous medium, were employed to generate bubbles in micrometer and millimeter sizes, respectively. The oscillating grid system was utilized to generate homogeneous isotropic turbulence, allowing precise control of turbulent boundary conditions. The ratio of the fluctuating velocities and the comparison between turbulent kinetic energy and average kinetic energy indicated that the generated turbulence was nearly homogeneous and isotropic. With increasing turbulence intensity, micron-sized bubbles transition from suppressing turbulence to enhancing it, while millimeter-sized bubbles exhibit the opposite behavior. Turbulence modulation by millimeter-sized bubbles appears to be nearly isotropic, whereas micrometer-sized bubbles do not exhibit isotropy.
Hückel molecular orbital theory on a quantum computer: A scalable system-agnostic variational implementation with compact encoding
Authors: Singh Harshdeep , Majumder Sonjoy , Mishra Sabyashachi
Published: May 2024

Hückel molecular orbital (HMO) theory provides a semi-empirical treatment of the electronic structure in conjugated π-electronic systems. A scalable system-agnostic execution of HMO theory on a quantum computer is reported here based on a variational quantum deflation (VQD) algorithm for excited state quantum simulation. A compact encoding scheme is proposed here that provides an exponential advantage over the direct mapping and allows for quantum simulation of the HMO model for systems with up to 2n conjugated centers with n qubits. The transformation of the Hückel Hamiltonian to qubit space is achieved by two different strategies: an iterative refinement transformation and the Frobenius-inner-product-based transformation. These methods are tested on a series of linear, cyclic, and hetero-nuclear conjugated π-electronic systems. The molecular orbital energy levels and wavefunctions from the quantum simulation are in excellent agreement with the exact classical results. However, the higher excited states of large systems are found to suffer from error accumulation in the VQD simulation. This is mitigated by formulating a variant of VQD that exploits the symmetry of the Hamiltonian. This strategy has been successfully demonstrated for the quantum simulation of C60 fullerene containing 680 Pauli strings encoded on six qubits. The methods developed in this work are easily adaptable to similar problems of different complexity in other fields of research.
A survey of Australian public opinion on using comorbidity to triage intensive care patients in a pandemic
Authors: Cheung Winston , Naganathan Vasi , Myburgh John , Saxena Manoj K. , Fiona Blyth , Seppelt Ian , Parr Michael , Hooker Claire , Kerridge Ian , Nguyen Nhi , Kelly Sean , Skowronski George , Hammond Naomi , Attokaran Antony , Chalmers Debbie , Gandhi Kalpesh , Kol Mark , McGuinness Shay , Nair Priya , Nayyar Vineet , Orford Neil , Parke Rachael , Shah Asim , Wagh Atul
Published: May 2024

Objectives This study aimed to determine which method to triage intensive care patients using chronic comorbidity in a pandemic was perceived to be the fairest by the general public. Secondary objectives were to determine whether the public perceived it fair to provide preferential intensive care triage to vulnerable or disadvantaged people, and frontline healthcare workers. Methods A postal survey of 2000 registered voters randomly selected from the Australian Electoral Commission electoral roll was performed. The main outcome measures were respondents’ fairness rating of four hypothetical intensive care triage methods that assess comorbidity (chronic medical conditions, long-term survival, function and frailty); and respondents’ fairness rating of providing preferential triage to vulnerable or disadvantaged people, and frontline healthcare workers. Results The proportion of respondents who considered it fair to triage based on chronic medical conditions, long-term survival, function and frailty, was 52.1, 56.1, 65.0 and 62.4%, respectively. The proportion of respondents who considered it unfair to triage based on these four comorbidities was 31.9, 30.9, 23.8 and 23.2%, respectively. More respondents considered it unfair to preferentially triage vulnerable or disadvantaged people, than fair (41.8% versus 21.2%). More respondents considered it fair to preferentially triage frontline healthcare workers, than unfair (44.2% versus 30.0%). Conclusion Respondents in this survey perceived all four hypothetical methods to triage intensive care patients based on comorbidity in a pandemic disaster to be fair. However, the sizable minority who consider this to be unfair indicates that these triage methods could encounter significant opposition if they were to be enacted in health policy.
Controlled pathways and sequential information processing in serially coupled mechanical hysterons
Authors: Liu Jingran , Teunisse Margot , Korovin George , Vermaire Ivo R. , Jin Lishuai , Bense Hadrien , van Hecke Martin
Published: May 2024

The complex sequential response of frustrated materials results from the interactions between material bits called hysterons. Hence, a central challenge is to understand and control these interactions, so that materials with targeted pathways and functionalities can be realized. Here, we show that hysterons in serial configurations experience geometrically controllable antiferromagnetic-like interactions. We create hysteron-based metamaterials that leverage these interactions to realize targeted pathways, including those that break the return point memory property, characteristic of independent or weakly interacting hysterons. We uncover that the complex response to sequential driving of such strongly interacting hysteron-based materials can be described by finite state machines. We realize information processing operations such as string parsing in materia, and outline a general framework to uncover and characterize the FSMs for a given physical system. Our work provides a general strategy to understand and control hysteron interactions, and opens a broad avenue toward material-based information processing.
Puppy whines mediate maternal behavior in domestic dogs
Authors: Massenet Mathilde , Philippe Romane , Pisanski Katarzyna , Arnaud Vincent , Barluet de Beauchesne Lucie , Reynaud Karine , Mathevon Nicolas , Reby David
Published: May 2024

In mammals, offspring vocalizations typically encode information about identity and body condition, allowing parents to limit alloparenting and adjust care. But how do these vocalizations mediate parental behavior in species faced with the problem of rearing not one, but multiple offspring, such as domestic dogs? Comprehensive acoustic analyses of 4,400 whines recorded from 220 Beagle puppies in 40 litters revealed litter and individual (within litter) differences in call acoustic structure. By then playing resynthesized whines to mothers, we showed that they provided more care to their litters, and were more likely to carry the emitting loudspeaker to the nest, in response to whine variants derived from their own puppies than from strangers. Importantly, care provisioning was attenuated by experimentally moving the fundamental frequency (fo, perceived as pitch) of their own puppies’ whines outside their litter-specific range. Within most litters, we found a negative relationship between puppies’ whinefoand body weight. Consistent with this, playbacks showed that maternal care was stronger in response to high-pitched whine variants simulating relatively small offspring within their own litter’s range compared to lower-pitched variants simulating larger offspring. We thus show that maternal care in a litter-rearing species relies on a dual assessment of offspring identity and condition, largely based on level-specific inter- and intra-litter variation in offspring callfo. This dual encoding system highlights how, even in a long-domesticated species, vocalizations reflect selective pressures to meet species-specific needs. Comparative work should now investigate whether similar communication systems have convergently evolved in other litter-rearing species.
Improving strength and toughness of graphene film through metal ion bridging
Authors: Zhang Zejun , Zheng Luping , Huang Weixin , Cheng Qunfeng
Published: May 2024

The fangs, jaws, and mandibles of marine invertebrates such as Chiton and Glycera show excellent mechanical properties, which are mostly contributed to the interactions between metal (Fe, Cu, Zn, etc.) and oxygen-containing functional groups in proteins. Inspired by these load-bearing skeletal biomaterials, we improved tensile strength and toughness of graphene films through bridging graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets by metal ions. By optimizing the metal coordination form and density of cross-linking network. We revealed the relationship between mechanical properties and the unique spatial geometry of the GO nanosheets bridged by different valence metal ions. The results demonstrated that the divalent metal ions form tetrahedral geometry with carboxylate groups on the edges of the GO nanosheets, and the bond energy is relatively low, which is helpful for improving the toughness of resultant graphene films. While the trivalent metal ions are easily to form octahedral geometry with the GO nanosheets with higher bond energy, which is better for enhancing the tensile strength of graphene films. After reduction, the reduced GO (rGO) film bridged by divalent metal ions shows 43% improvement in toughness, while the rGO film bridged by trivalent metal ions shows 64% improvement in tensile strength. Our work reveals the mechanism of metal coordination bond energy and spatial geometry to improve the mechanical properties of graphene films, which lays a theoretical foundation for improving the tensile strength and toughness of resultant graphene films, and provides an avenue for fabricating high-performance graphene films and other two-dimensional nanocomposites.
Solving the 250-year-old mystery of the origin and global spread of the German cockroach,Blattella germanica
Authors: Tang Qian , Vargo Edward L. , Ahmad Intan , Jiang Hong , Varadínová Zuzana Kotyková , Dovih Pilot , Kim Dongmin , Bourguignon Thomas , Booth Warren , Schal Coby , Mukha Dmitry V. , Rheindt Frank E. , Evans Theodore A.
Published: May 2024

The origin of the German cockroach,Blattella germanica, is enigmatic, in part because it is ubiquitous worldwide in human-built structures but absent from any natural habitats. The first historical records of this species are from ca. 250 years ago (ya) from central Europe (hence its name). However, recent research suggests that the center of diversity of the genus is Asian, where its closest relatives are found. To solve this paradox, we sampled genome-wide markers of 281 cockroaches from 17 countries across six continents. We confirm thatB. germanicaevolved from the Asian cockroachBlattella asahinaiapproximately 2,100 ya, probably by adapting to human settlements in India or Myanmar. Our genomic analyses reconstructed two primary global spread routes, one older, westward route to the Middle East coinciding with various Islamic dynasties (~1,200 ya), and another younger eastward route coinciding with the European colonial period (~390 ya). While Europe was not central to the early domestication and spread of the German cockroach, European advances in long-distance transportation and temperature-controlled housing were likely important for the more recent global spread, increasing chances of successful dispersal to and establishment in new regions. The global genetic structure of German cockroaches further supports our model, as it generally aligns with geopolitical boundaries, suggesting regional bridgehead populations established following the advent of international commerce.
Examination of undergraduate students’ physics expectations
Authors: Körhasan Nilüfer Didiş , Çıtak Ceylan
Published: May 2024

A body of beliefs based on previous knowledge, attitudes, and experiences creates physics expectations of students about what they will learn and which skills they will use in physics lessons. Previous research indicated these views about knowledge and learning influenced physics learning by affecting their learning approaches. This research aims to investigate the physics expectations of undergraduate engineering and education students, who take various and different numbers of physics courses in Türkiye. The physics expectations of students were examined due to certain variables and they were compared with experts' ideas. In the study, the Turkish version of the Maryland Physics Expectations Survey II (MPEX II) was given to 831 engineering and education students in different universities. The results indicated the statistical differences in the physics expectations scores according to the department that was registered, the number of physics courses taken, and the reading of popular physics books. However, no significant difference was observed in the physics expectations scores according to gender, being an engineering student or education student, the year of the program, and the instructional approach of physics courses. The mean of the percentages of students who thought like experts in item by item was around 2/5; however, when expert-like thinking was considered for the overall scores, almost 12% of students answered at least half of the items like experts.