bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Welfare Effects of Trade Preferences Removal: Evidence for UK–India Trade
Authors:   Institute of Development Studies, Saha Amrita
Published: February 2025

This paper examines the welfare effects of the unilateral trade preferences scheme of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for United Kingdom (UK)–India trade on households in India. The design of unilateral trade preference schemes has been linked to significant uncertainty about preferential market access. And the removal of trade preferences requires adjustments raising trade costs with corresponding effects for workers in sectors reliant on exports in beneficiary countries. I investigate India’s sectoral graduations from the European Union (EU) GSP in 2014 and 2017 that were applicable to the UK until 2020. I also predict the welfare effects of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) as a hypothetical scenario. These scenarios are of importance as they reflect the combined effect of higher tariffs and uncertainty attached with unilateral preference schemes that could be addressed by a move to a free trade agreement (FTA). Also, there is limited empirical evidence on how unexpected changes in unilateral preferences such as the GSP may specifically affect employment and wage dynamics. Given that the UK aims to balance trade preferences with social equity, the lack of evidence should be of particular importance to the UK. I compute a trade exposure measure and estimate its differential welfare effects using an ordinary least squares (OLS) and quantile regression approach with UK–India trade data and granular high-frequency household-level data for India from 2014–19. I find considerable differences in the effects of trade exposure at the district level with the UK on household welfare in India. The negative welfare effect of trade exposure to graduated sectors appears on wage incomes, especially for lower-income households in urban areas. The overall results show GSP removals affecting the poorest, while the benefits concentrating at higher-income levels. The DCTS predictions suggest arguably these sectoral graduations are designed in a more targeted way as the negative effects are across all income levels, and the benefits also span across income distributions.
Ensuring Rights to Use Safe Food of Consumers
Authors: Nguyen Thuong , Tran Hiep
Published: February 2025

The right to safe food is one of the most important fundamental rights of consumers. This is an issue directly related to human health and life, the maintenance and development of the race as well as the process of international development and integration. Ensuring food safety is currently a topic that has been paid attention to internationally as well as nationally. On a global scale, food safety issues are concerned and controlled by the world community through many signed international agreements and conventions on ensuring food hygiene and safety. In Vietnam, food safety is one of the most urgent issues in the context of economic development and world integration, which is concerned by the whole society. Although the Vietnamese Government has gradually improved the legal system regulating food safety, the situation of violations of the law on food safety is still quite complicated. The article analyzes, clearly indicates the need to ensure the right to food safety of consumers, and at the same time analyzes the provisions of international law and Vietnamese law on people's right to ensure food safety. From there, propose recommendations to countries to improve efficiency in ensuring food safety for consumers.
KEYWORDS: Food safety, Right to use safe food, International law, Vietnamese law
La iniciación musical del niño na perspectiva de um design didático atemporal
Authors: Protásio Nilceia
Published: February 2025

Este texto pretende trazer um olhar contextualizador sobre La iniciación musical del niño, obra de Violeta Hemsy de Gainza. Posto isso, este trabalho tem como objetivo: 1) problematizar a inserção da criança, do professor, do método e da aula no processo de iniciação musical; 2) reconhecer as contribuições da obra La iniciación musical del niño para a construção de um design didático; 3) demonstrar nas bases epistemológicas e propostas práticas a atemporalidade didática de La iniciación musical del niño (1964). Trata-se de um ensaio dissertativo que procura refletir criticamente sobre alguns temas tratados por Gainza na obra citada: (a) criança, (b) professor, (c) método e (d) aula de música. Os temas propostos pela autora nos conduzem a reinterpretá-los e incorporá-los em nossa atuação em sala de aula. É possível emergir, por meio da fusão entre a criança, o professor, o método e a aula, um design didático atemporal.
Exploring the role of ChatGPT in decision making for gender-affirming surgery
Authors: Koss Mitchell R. , McLaughlin Matthew , Switalla Kayla , Falade Israel , Kim Esther
Published: February 2025

Aim: Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT have transformed access to health information. For transgender individuals considering gender-affirming surgery (GAS), accurate and reliable information is essential for informed decision making. This study aimed to quantitatively assess the use of ChatGPT among individuals considering GAS and its impact on their decision-making process.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in January 2024 on Prolific. Participants included English-speaking U.S. users over 18 whose current gender differed from their assigned gender at birth. The survey collected demographic information, evaluated interest in GAS, and examined interactions with ChatGPT. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis.

Results: The study included 207 participants (average age 30.2 years), primarily identifying as non-binary (40.6%), transgender men (29.5%), and transgender women (13%). Most expressed interest in GAS (89%). Primary information sources for GAS were online forums (24.6%), medical websites (21.3%), and social media (17.4%). While many had used ChatGPT (73%), few utilized it for GAS information (6.7%). Among those who did, the majority (70%) rated its usefulness as moderate to slight, with some reporting a positive influence on their decision making (40%). Trust in ChatGPT’s information was moderate to highly rated by 80% of participants.

Conclusions: In our cohort, ChatGPT is less commonly used for GAS information than online forums and medical websites. This suggests that patients prefer platforms that offer visual content, human interaction, and relatability. These findings highlight the importance of guiding patients toward reliable health information sources, such as healthcare providers, reputable medical websites, and academic literature, to support informed decision making.
Revisiting the tridosha paradigm of Ayurveda
Authors: Krishna GL
Published: February 2025

The tridosha paradigm is foundational to Ayurveda. Ayurveda uses it to explain life processes, classify illness states, and facilitate therapeutic choices. The paradigm has an aspect that is heuristic and practical; it has another aspect that is purely speculative and conjectural. The paper sheds light on the distinctness of these two aspects by tracing the plausible steps in the conceptual evolution of the tridosha scheme. It also proposes a reimagining of the paradigm by jettisoning the conjectures and retaining the heuristics. Sans this reimagining, the paradigm would be pseudoscientific and its use in medical decision making, unsafe and unethical.
Genèse d’un suivi scientifique à long terme pour documenter les transitions écologiques et territoriales accompagnant l’effacement de grands barrages en France
Authors: SOISSONS Laura , GERMAINE Marie-Anne , CHEVÉ Manuel , KREUTZENBERGER Karl , BEAULATON Laurent , ROUSSEL Jean-Marc
Published: February 2025

Les politiques internationales encouragent la restauration des écosystèmes aquatiques, notamment par l'effacement de barrages, une méthode perçue comme bénéfique pour la biodiversité et les continuités écologiques des cours d’eau. Peu d'études scientifiques complètes ont jusqu’à présent réussi à documenter ce type d’opérations afin d’en analyser les impacts écologiques, hydrologiques et territoriaux. C’est l’ambition du programme scientifique Sélune qui suit depuis 2012 l’effacement de deux grands barrages hydroélectriques en Normandie : les barrages de Vezins et de La-Roche-Qui-Boit. L'effacement des barrages, décidé pour des raisons économiques et écologiques (obsolescence, qualité de l'eau, protection des poissons migrateurs), a ainsi permis de reconnecter 1000 km de cours d'eau à l'océan en 2022. Le programme scientifique étudie la restauration de la vallée de la Sélune, en comparant l’état de la vallée avant et après les barrages. Impliquant plusieurs équipes de recherche, ce suivi multidisciplinaire explore les dynamiques fluviales, la biodiversité et les dynamiques territoriales jusqu'en 2027. Les premiers résultats montrent que la Sélune retrouve sa dynamique naturelle, bien que le territoire reste encore instable. A terme, ces résultats permettront de fournir un retour d’expérience essentiel pour approfondir la compréhension de la résilience des écosystèmes et pour soutenir les politiques de restauration de la nature.
One tabloid to rule them all
Authors: Vranić Bojan , Jevtić Milica
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the strategies that populists use in the media in contexts of civic contestations of populist government policies. The authors take the case study of Belgrade Waterfront protests in Serbia in 2016, in which the dominant populist party (SNS) successfully devalued the protests by using tabloid press and pro-government TV news broadcasts. The paper argues that a successful consolidation of populist politics was possible only through developing deep political and media polarization. As a sample, the authors take a look at protests from April to September and analyze dominant media narratives in pro-gov tabloid Informer and TV Pink, cross-comparing them with critically oriented daily Danas and TV N1.
Reach and dissemination channels of (selected) disinformation narratives in Serbia
Authors: Gruhonjić Dinko , Janjić Stefan , Kleut Jelena
Published: February 2025

The phenomenon of disinformation has been extensively studied, with its roots traced to shifts in the media economy, declining trust, and rising political polarization and populism. Although there is a growing research on disinformation, the issues of its dissemination and reach remain contested. This study investigates the reach and dissemination channels of selected disinformation narratives in Serbia. Through a survey-based approach (N=800), the research examines seven such cases identified through fact-checking portals: alleged Russian aid superiority, alleged Ukrainian biolabs, purported Western cultural censorship, supposed Soros’s global influence, claimed Serbian-Sanskrit connections, alleged Western origins of COVID-19, and misrepresented UN policies on sexuality. The findings reveal a significant reach of these narratives, with four out of seven being recognized by over half of the respondents. Variations in exposure and belief across different narratives potentially stem from factors such as ideological alignment, plausibility, timing, and the presence of counter-narratives. A “market” of disinformation exists on TV, digital news services, and social media, while traditional press and radio play an almost negligible role in disseminating these narratives. This research adds to the growing body of work examining disinformation in illiberal contexts. It provides initial observations on how false information circulates in a media environment where political control is prevalent and media independence is under pressure, pointing to areas for future research in this complex field.
Međunarodna politička uloga dogmi Rimokatoličke crkve
Authors: Veselica Milan
Published: February 2025

U radu se istražuje politička uloga poslednjih katoličkih dogmi, koje su proglašene (ili obnovljene) u 19. i prvoj polovini 20. veka: bezgrešnog začeća Blažene Device Marije, apostolskog primata i nepogrešivosti pape u učenju (ex cathedra), te uznesenja Marije na nebo. Cilj rada je objašnjenje njihove političke uloge u konkretnom međunarodnom kontekstu. Dogmatizacija određenih crkvenih učenja dolazi kao posledica društveno-političkih izazova, te se politička uloga dogmi tumači iz ugla teorijskog koncepta normativnog preduzetništva i transnacionalne meke moći verskih aktera. U radu je korišćen istorijski metod. Ipak, prikazani nalazi ukazuju na dugotrajniji značaj proučavanja odnosa dogme i politike: proširenje znanja o političkom ponašanju Rimokatoličke crkve (naučni značaj) i razumevanje prirode normativnog preduzetništva koje je usmereno na globalno katoličko društvo u svim istorijskim trenucima (društveni značaj).
Insulin modulation of microbial biofilm formation in response to various amino acids
Authors: Plotkin Balbina J. , Raino Craigory , Sigar Ira , Konaklieva Monika
Published: February 2025

The focus of this report is to assess the role that amino acids, together with insulin, play in adherence to plastic and latex under various temperatures and bacterial growth stages. Various gram-negative bacteria were grown in minimal medium to either logarithmic (log) or stationary (stat) growth phase. The adherence of washed cells to plastic or latex was determined using multiwell plates or 6-mm latex squares at 22°C or 37°C in a buffer containing physiological insulin levels (20 or 200 μU/ml), with and without the amino acids tested (10−1 to 10−3 M). The controls were buffer alone, insulin alone, and amino acid alone. Only seven of the 20 amino acids tested modulated adherence to plastic and/or latex. No global pattern based on the amino acid structure was evident. Insulin did not affect adherence in the presence of alanine, valine, aspartic acid, glutamine, and lysine. Arginine (Arg; 10−1 to 10−2 M) inhibited adherence to latex (but not plastic) and dispersed preformed biofilms for all organisms except Acinetobacter baumannii. At a biofilm-permissive Arg concentration (10−3 M), insulin (200 µU) restored the inhibitory effect of Arg. These findings may provide insights into material composition modifications that could have clinical and industrial applications.
Experimental Study of Erosion of Defective Pipeline under Variable Water Level
Authors: Guo Jixiang , Zhang Yanjun , Cheng Yuxiang , Shi Haoxin , Zhang Xin , Zheng Jianqiao
Published: February 2025

Driven by groundwater, defective pipelines can cause soil erosion and pose significant risks to the surrounding infrastructure. In this study, the evolution and collapse characteristics of formation stress caused by defective pipelines were considered not only under the constant groundwater level condition that previous studies have focused on but also under rainfall or flood scenarios (the groundwater level rises briefly and then quickly returns to its original height). This study developed a large-scale 3×2×2 m 3D physical model experimental setup to simulate the process of seepage erosion and collapse within the strata induced by groundwater. The results showed that groundwater seepage provided power for the migration of soil in the stratum, and the defects of pipelines offered migration space for the soil. When soil migration induced by groundwater into the defective pipeline caused the overlying strata to lose bearing capacity, surface subsidence occurred. Compared with the condition of constant groundwater level, the collapse volume under variable groundwater level decreased by 3.48%, but more irregular sinkholes appeared on the surface, which posed a greater threat to regional infrastructure and human activities. The increase in the height of the constant groundwater level not only prolonged the erosion process but also induced a larger erosion cavity and expanded the collapse volume. The increase in overburden thickness intensified the stress change in the stratum, resulting in a larger reduction in in-situ stress and enlarging the scale of erosion and collapse. This study uncovers the critical mechanisms by which rainfall and flooding trigger surface collapse around defective pipelines, offering valuable insights for pipeline design, maintenance, and risk assessment in the petroleum industry.
Impact of Mining Tailings on Soil Decomposition and Carbon Stabilisation in a Riparian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Barbosa Milton , Figueiredo João Carlos Gomes , Negreiros Daniel , Maia Renata Aparecida , Oki Yumi , Souza Lucas Rodrigues , Santos Marcos Paulo , Reis Rebeca Ferreira , Rocha Quezia Emanuelle Ferreira , Nunes Yule Roberta Ferreira , Veloso Maria das Dores Magalhães , Fernandes Geraldo Wilson
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the impacts of mining tailings on soil decomposition processes in a riparian Atlantic Forest ecosystem, focusing on the Samarco dam disaster in Brazil. Understanding these impacts is vital for restoration and management of contaminated environments. We employed the Tea Bag Index method to measure soil decomposition rates (k) and stabilisation factors (S) at contaminated and reference sites across different seasonal conditions. Soil chemical and physical properties were analysed to determine their influence on decomposition processes. Results indicated significantly lower decomposition rates in contaminated soils compared to reference sites, particularly during wet conditions and at mid-incubation periods. The stabilisation factor was lower in contaminated soils, suggesting a reduced capacity for carbon sequestration. Seasonal variations significantly affected decomposition dynamics, highlighting the complex interactions between environmental conditions and soil contamination. The study underscores the profound impact of mining tailings on soil ecological functions, particularly on decomposition rates and carbon stabilisation. These findings are crucial for developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of such disturbances and enhance the resilience and recovery of affected ecosystems.
Elucidating the role of a molecular anion in mutual neutralisation reactions
Authors: Thomas Richard , Poline Mathias , Dochain Arnaud , Ji MingChao , Martini Paul , Rosén Stefan , Björkhage Mikael , Blom Mikael , Reinhed Peter , Simonsson Ansgar , Cederquist Henrik , Zettergren Henning , Schmidt Henning , Larsson Mats , Ndengué Steve , Quintas-Sánchez Ernesto , Dawes Richard , Ard Shaun G. , Shuman Nicholas S. , Viggiano Albert
Published: February 2025

We have studied the MN of NO+ with NO2- under single-collision conditions at a collision energy of ≈0.1 eV. Combining cryogenically stored-and-merged ion beams with coincident-product imaging, we determine that the reaction predominantly produces ground-state NO and electronically excited NO2, a fraction of which rapidly dissociates to ground-state NO + O. As a consequence, prior studies, based on fluorescence detection, missed more than 97% of the reaction products. New high-level calculations reveal a complex charge-transfer interaction, in which both Renner--Teller and Jahn--Teller couplings in the neutralised anion play key roles. These aspects illustrate that charge-transfer reactions involving polyatomic anions may be extremely sensitive to the neutralised anion's electronic structure and geometry
Disturbed cold gas in galaxy and structure formation
Authors: Zou Siwei , Simcoe Rob , Petitjean Patrick , Peroux Celine , Champagne Jaclyn , Wang Feige , Liang Jinning , Jiang Fangzhou , Li Zihao , Sun Wen , Fan Xiaohui , Yang Jinyi , Ho Luis , Lin Xiaojing , Li Jianan , Lyu Jianwei , Wang Lile , Liu Weizhe , Farina Emanuele Paolo , Jin Xiangyu , Cheng Cheng
Published: February 2025

Cold and cool gas (T ≤ 104 K) in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) and its interaction with galaxies remain poorly understood. Simulations predict that cold gas flows into galaxies through cosmic filaments, determining the disk formation and galaxy evolution. The cold gas accretion modes in the CGM and their dependence on dark matter halo mass and redshift remain puzzling. Resolving the kiloparsec-scale kinematics and dynamics of cold gas interacting with the disk, dust, and metals in different environments is particularly lacking at z > 2. Here we report two disturbed cold gas structures traced by ultra-strong MgII absorbers (rest-frame equivalent width Wr > 2 Å) exhibiting high kinematic velocities (> 500 km/s) and their environments at z ~ 4.9 and z ~ 2.6. Observations were conducted with VLT/MUSE, JWST/NIRCam, and ALMA to detect Lyα and nebular emission lines, as well as dust continuum emission in the vicinity of these two absorbing gas structures. We identify two Lyα emitters associated with a strong MgII absorber pair separated by ~1000 km/s at z ~ 4.87. The pair exhibits relative differences in metallicity, dust content, and ionization states, suggesting internal metal and dust exchange within the ultra-large cold gas structure. For the strong MgII absorber at z = 2.5652, we detect a dusty star-forming galaxy at a projected distance of D = 38 kpc. This galaxy exhibits prominent HeI, [SIII], and Paschenγ lines, along with significant dust continuum. It has a star formation rate of ~ 121+/-33 M☉/yr and likely harbors a rotating disk. These findings tentatively suggest that cold gas at high redshifts plays a critical role in driving disk formation and actively participates in the transfer of metals and dust within the overdense regions of the CGM.
Using Generative AI to Increase Skeptics' Engagement with Climate Science
Authors: Bago Bence , Muller Philippe , Bonnefon Jean-François
Published: February 2025

Climate skepticism remains a significant barrier to public engagement with accurate climate information, because skeptics actively engage in information avoidance to escape exposure to climate facts. Here we show that generative AI can enhance engagement with climate science among skeptical audiences by subtly modifying headlines to align better with their existing perspectives, without compromising factual integrity. In a controlled experiment (N = 2000) using a stylized social media interface, headlines of climate science articles modified by an open-source large language model (Llama3 70B, version 3.0) led to more bookmarks and more upvotes, and these effects were strongest among the most skeptical participants. Skeptics who engaged with climate science as a result of this intervention showed a shift in beliefs toward the scientific consensus by the end of the study. These results show that generative AI can alter the information diet skeptics consume, with the promise that scalable, sustained engagement will promote better epistemic health. They highlight the potential of generative AI as a tool for truth, showing that while it can be misused by bad actors, it also holds promise for advancing public understanding of science when responsibly deployed by well-intentioned actors.
Interlayer Valley Coupling and Hybridized Excitons in Twisted van der Waals Bilayers with Broken Translational Symmetry
Authors: Liu Yanping , Xie Xing , Chen Junying , Li Shaofei , Ding Junnan , He Jun , Liu Zongwen , Wang Jian-Tao , Wang Xuewen
Published: February 2025

Twisted van der Waals (vdW) bilayers, characterized by strong moiré effects and interlayer coupling, offer a versatile platform for exploring novel quantum phenomena. At large twist angles, the broken translational symmetry facilitates the alignment of intralayer and interlayer valley momenta through Umklapp scattering, enabling unique intervalley coupling. However, the experimental investigation of such couplings in twisted vdW bilayers with broken translational symmetry remains scarce. Here, we report the observation of interlayer K and −K valley coupling in twisted vdW bilayers with broken translational symmetry, demonstrated by the emergence of strong photoluminescence from high-energy interlayer hybridized excitons. These excitons are absent in commensurate homobilayers and exhibit an almost negligible valley Zeeman effect, attributed to the robust hybridization between intralayer and interlayer excitons. This hybridization drives a unique magnetic-field-dependent valley polarization in excitons with distinct spin states. As temperature increases, the hybridized excitons detune, bringing their energy closer to that of intralayer excitons. These findings highlight the fundamental role of broken translational symmetry in moiré physics and open new avenues for exploring quantum phenomena in aperiodic twisted vdW materials.
Secreted Rhizobacterial β-Glucosidase Unlocks Coumarin-Mediated Root Iron Uptake
Authors: Wang Guodong , Wang Xiaochen , Xu Xindan , Wang Xuemei , Chen Qingwen , Zhao Qiao , Wei Jin-Wei , Jiang Peng , Bai Yang
Published: February 2025

The root secreted metabolites of plants play a crucial role in shaping the composition and function of the root microbiota. In turn, the finely-tuned microbiota typically enhance the plant's ability to adapt to various environmental challenges. This interactive process in the rhizosphere is largely driven by chemical dynamics influenced by both the plant and microbial communities. To explore the structure-function relationship between root specialized metabolites (RSMs) and rhizosphere microbes, we collected root metabolome and microbiome data from Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with well-known metabolic pathways, all of which cultivated in alkaline soil. Specific associations between the rhizosphere microbiota and metabolome in each mutant, along with the observed phenotypes, illuminate the underlying mechanisms of their interactions. We uncovered a coumarin-mediated mechanism where β-glucosidase (belong to glycoside hydrolase family 3) secreted by enriched rhizobacteria alleviated iron deficiency for plants. These findings underscore the pivotal role of plant-microbe interactions in modulating metabolic dynamics, ultimately enhancing plant adaptability to environmental stresses. This study highlights the dynamic interplay between root metabolites and rhizosphere microbes, providing novel insights into plant-microbe interactions and potential application in sustainable agriculture.
Spatial-Temporal Change of COVID-19 in Settlement Footprint During Outside Curfews: NUTS 1 Regions in Turkey
Authors: Gormus Sevgi , Cengiz Serhat , Yuzbasi Bahadir
Published: February 2025

In this study, regional differences are revealed by associating the spread of the novel coronavirus with the urbanization model (settlement footprint). The most appropriate temporal and spatial heterogeneity is shown by the GWTR spatial model. Remote sensing (Landsat 8), ERA5 climate data, and CAMS air pollution estimates were used for data consistency and diversity. In addition, data sensitivity was increased with statistical downscaling techniques. The interaction of the epidemic's spread with climatic, geographical, and socio-economic factors was analyzed holistically within the scope of the information obtained.
The research and analysis of the COVID-19, is continuing in worldwide, transmission indicates that in addition to the implementation of strict lockdown measures, such as the restriction of movement, the imposition of curfews and the use of masks, settlement forms, geographical conditions and seasonal change are significant factors influencing the spread of the virus. In this study, the location and structure of settlements have been identified as a critical factor in the transmission of the disease. It covers 12 NUTS-1 regions with different structure in Turkey and the results are evaluated with the GTWR (Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression) model. Given the diverse geographical characteristics of Turkey, the impact of the settlement forms, geographical location and seasonal change on the transmission of the COVID-19 virus varies in settlement footprint. Furthermore, given the variation in urbanization structure, ecosystem characteristics and climate structure across different regions, the response of the examined variables, both individually and in combination, to transmission also varies.
A Conserved Phage Recombinant System Counters Host CRISPR Immunity
Authors: Ma Yingfei , Zhu Heng , Dai Shengkun , Hou Shifeng , Li Yuelong , TAN Xin , Jia Ning , Li Nan
Published: February 2025

The discovery of CRISPR-Cas systems and their antagonistic anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) exemplifies the perpetual arms race between bacteria and phages. While bacterial CRISPR-Cas systems function as adaptive immune mechanisms to combat phage infection, phages have evolved counterstrategies, such as various Acrs that disrupt CRISPR-mediated immunity via diverse molecular pathways. Here, we report the identification of a phage-encoded multi-protein system conferring anti-type I-F CRISPR activity. This system consists of three functionally distinct proteins: a RecA ATPase (SSAP), a DUF669 domain-containing protein (SSB), and a RecB exonuclease (Exo). Our mechanistic analysis reveals that SSB acts as a first-response mediator, forming a polymeric assembly to specifically binding to the Csy_dsDNA R-LOOP structure. This interaction creates a molecular platform enabling the coordinated recruitment of SSAP and Exo, which collectively execute homologous recombination-mediated repair of CRISPR-induced phage DNA break. These findings establish a paradigm of multi-protein synergy in phage counter-defense strategies, advancing our understanding of the intricate evolutionary dynamics in host-phage conflicts.
Wetter mantle leads to deeper — not more — decompression melting
Authors: Morgan Jason , Shao Jia
Published: February 2025

The extent to which water content affects mantle melt production during decompression melting beneath mid-ocean ridges and mantle plumes is still debated. Here, we use idealized 1-D numerical experiments to explore the effects of source water content and melt-wallrock interactions on decompression melting of the mantle. The experiments demonstrate that while a wetter mantle indeed begins to melt at a greater depth than a drier mantle, the latent heat consumed by deep melting leads to lower amounts of shallow decompression melting and a similar overall amount of melt production for damp vs. dry decompression melting. This melting behavior is seen for both mid-ocean ridge-like starting mantle temperatures and higher plume-like temperatures. These results challenge previous expectations that melting of a wetter mantle source should be linked to much more melting, as has been observed for batch melting under laboratory conditions of constant pressure and increasing temperature. In addition, we find that diffusion of water from melt into surrounding wallrock can enhance decompression melting of previously melted wallrock. However, for small wallrock/mantle ratios, the net effect on total mantle melt production is relatively small (<2%).
Potent efficacy of a NA-targeting antibody against a broad spectrum of H5N1 influenza viruses
Authors: Pizzuto Matteo Samuele , Moriyama Saya , Iulio Julia di , Zatta Fabrizia , Hauser Kevin , Asanuma Hideki , Muñoz Hector , Errico John , Adachi Yu , Dang Ha , Czudnochowski Nadine , Sasaki Eita , Chen Alex , Chen Yi-Pei , Kotaki Ryutaro , Peter Alessia , Vetti Eneida , Onodera Taishi , Maher M. Cyrus , Rosen Laura , Shirakura Masayuki , snell gyorgy , Hasegawa Hideki , Takahashi Yoshimasa , Corti Davide
Published: February 2025

For nearly 30 years, Goose/Guangdong (Gs/Gd)-derived highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses have posed significant risks to economic stability, food security, and public health. Virus evolution has resulted in various clades, including the panzootic subclade 2.3.4.4b, recognized for its pandemic potential. Here we present the potent in vitro activity of FNI9, a pan-influenza NA-inhibiting monoclonal antibody, against a range of pseudoparticles with NA spanning 27 years of Gs/Gd-derived H5N1 virus evolution. FNI9 also shows strong prophylactic protection in mice against lethal challenges with H5N1 from clade 1 and 2.3.4.4b. Cryo-EM and molecular dynamics analysis reveal that FNI9 binds to 7 highly conserved H5N1 NA residues (R118, E119, D151, E228, E278, R293, and R368). In silico evolutionary escape profiling and machine learning indicate low escapability, high fitness costs, and minimal spread likelihood for viral mutations that evade FNI9 binding. These findings support FNI9 broad protection and underscore the NA role in future influenza vaccine design.
WITHDRAWN: Knowledge and Practices on Frozen Lamb Handling among the Catering Industry in UAE: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: saad Fadi , Rozalli Norazatul Hanim Mohd
Published: February 2025

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn, as it was submitted in error. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.
Late Quaternary variation in productivity and oxygen in the deep Central Indian Ocean based on benthic foraminiferal abundance and assemblages
Authors: Bharti Nisha , Bhushan Ravi , Muruganantham Mariyappan , Ajay Shivam , Gandhi Naveen , Jena Partha Sarathi
Published: February 2025

The relative abundances of ecologically sensitive and dominant benthic foraminifera (> 150 µm) in a sediment core located near the southeastern boundary of the Laccadive Sea in the Central Equatorial Indian Ocean were investigated to understand the deep-water conditions of the past 19 kyrs. Faunal analysis from 14 samples spanning the last 19 kyrs were done along with geochemical analysis of the sediment and stable isotope study of foraminifera. The investigation revealed variability in export productivity and changes in bottom water dissolved oxygen concentration primarily between the Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), whereas the Bølling- Allerød warm event (14.7–12.9 cal kyr BP) acted as a turning point in the benthic foraminiferal assemblage. During the LGM, poorly oxygenated bottom water and high export productivity was apparent with the decreased density of species indicative of high dissolved oxygen and the dominance of species indicative of high organic carbon. Evidence of well oxygenated bottom water during the Holocene was observed with increased density of benthic foraminiferal species indicative of high dissolved oxygen. The insignificant density of the high organic carbon genus Uvigerina during the Holocene, instead of moderate food supply, infers sensitivity to the upper limit of dissolved oxygen or its increased competition with high dissolved oxygen species. This study contributes to the understanding of changes in the deep-water condition of the Central Equatorial Indian Ocean during major climatic events of the last 19 kyrs and demonstrates that the deep sea benthic foraminiferal assemblages respond to regional as well as global climate.
Evaluation of short-term stress stability in real-time using PMU measurements and artificial intelligence : towards a self-healing smart grid
Authors: hadjoudja abdkaddar , Qrich Jaouad
Published: February 2025

This article presents a new methodology for real-time evaluation of short- term voltage stability (ETCP) using Phasor Measurement Units (PMU), intelligence techniques, artificial intelligence, and data mining. This stability assessment methodology using measurements of PMU-WAMS consists of the real-time application of an intelligent machine designed and trained offline in a three-step process. First, a database is generated with the result of dynamic simulations using Monte Carlo simulation. In the second step, it classifies the working status of the system with a systematic procedure that provides the first constraint, which quickly collapses with the estimate of the maximum Lyapunov exponent and, subsequently, the dynamic performance of the stress amplitude in the calculation of dynamic indices. In the third step, data processing is performed to extract a symbolic representation of the temporary series multi-variable, which is used to train an intelligent machine based on the algorithm random forest learning. The proposed methodology is validated in the New England system of 39 bars and the performance of the methodology to classify real-time ETCP is verified, showing that I was able to anticipate voltage stability problems, reduce temp and perform control actions such as give you advice that prevents or treats the problem.
Measuring effectiveness of Integrating Basic Sciences with Clinical Practice through analysis of learning outcome achievement across curriculum phases; a comparative study
Authors: Almaramhy Hamdi
Published: February 2025

Background: Effective integration of basic and clinical sciences is pivotal in medical education, influencing students’ ability to apply knowledge in clinical settings. This study evaluates the integration efficiency of basic sciences in differing phases of a spirally integrated curriculum through the lens of program learning outcomes (PLOs).
Methods: A quantitative comparative analysis was conducted across phases 1 (years 1 and 2) and 3 (year 5) of a medical curriculum. Data were collected from summative assessments, with Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) assessing knowledge and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) assessing psychomotor skills. Achievements of course learning outcomes (CLOs) were quantified as percentages and correlated to PLOs. Statistical evaluation was performed using paired t-tests, setting significance at p < 0.05.
Results: Phase 1 demonstrated successful attainment of all 12 PLOs, with achievement percentages ranging from 70-80% or higher. In contrast, phase 3 revealed lower achievement levels in specific PLOs, notably PLO 1.4. Significant disparities in mean achievements for factual knowledge PLOs (except PLO 1.2) and cognitive PLOs 2.2 and 2.3 were observed between the two phases. No significant differences were noted in psychomotor PLOs.
Conclusion: The study highlights challenges in effectively integrating basic sciences within the clinical components of the curriculum, despite its structural advantages. These findings advocate for refined integration strategies to bolster clinical reasoning and educational efficacy, contributing substantively to discussions on enhancing medical education practices and suggesting directions for future research.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Flexural Behavior of Sustainable Self-Compacting Geopolymer RC Beams
Authors: Fathi Mohamed E. , El-Zoughiby Mohamed E. , Mortagi Mohamed , Tahwia Ahmed M.
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates experimentally and numerically the flexural characteristics of sustainable self-compacting reinforced geopolymer concrete beams having granite waste powder and slag with heat curing treatment at first cracking and at strength levels. Five geopolymer and one reference Portland cement reinforced concrete simple beams (100 mm x150 mmx 1500 mm) were tested under 2-point loads. The two main variables are longitudinal reinforcement ratio and shear span-to-depth ratio. Test results of geopolymer and cement reinforced concrete simple beams are presented and compared with numerical results; load-displacement response, flexural strength, strains, failure mode, cracking pattern, etc. Considering the material properties of geopolymer concrete, the concrete modulus and stress- strain relationships have been adapted to do a finite element nonlinear analysis. The developed finite element models and the conventional beam theory can reasonably predict the flexural strength and deflection of geopolymer reinforced concrete beams.
Ultra-fast ammonia decomposition using an electrified tungsten wire lightbulb reactor
Authors: Yan Ning , Indriadi Keshia , Wong Sie Shing , Wang Sikai , Xu Di
Published: February 2025

Ammonia decomposition is a key reaction in the green hydrogen economy as ammonia is an important carbon-free hydrogen carrier. Despite extensive efforts to develop active catalysts to address the reaction's slow kinetics, we introduce a tungsten wire lightbulb reactor that operates at unconventionally high temperatures with enhanced efficiency. Near the wire, temperature reaches up to 1,800 K, enabling ultra-fast ammonia decomposition with rate constants much higher than those of leading catalysts under typical reaction conditions. Concurrently, the sharp temperature decrease along the radial direction allows for low power inputs, thus enhancing energy efficiency. It also realized up to 99.995% conversion at enhanced power input without the use of membrane separation. We further discuss a scale-up reactor design that is two to three orders of magnitude smaller than current state-of-the-art reactors and highlight its potential applications within the emerging hydrogen economy.
Demographic Predictors of Inpatients’ Postdischarge Stay in Referral Hospitals in Kisumu County, Kenya
Authors: Awuor Eunice G. , Ochieng Mary A. , Olang’o Charles O. , Awuor Silas O.
Published: February 2025

Introduction
Globally, inpatients continue to unnecessarily prolong their stay in referral hospital wards upon their medical discharge. This causes congestion in wards, hospital reinfection, relapse, death of PDS inpatients, and financial burden to hospital management. The literature links postdischarge stay (PDS) to economic reasons. This study aimed to investigate the demographic predictors of inpatients’ postdischarge stay in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospitals (JOOTRH) and Kisumu County Referral Hospital (KCRH) in Kisumu County, Kenya.
Methodology
This study adopted a correlational cross-sectional research design. A stratified sampling technique was used to select inpatients in the 14 wards, after which systematic random sampling was used to reach the individual PDS inpatients for interviews. To establish the predictors of PDS, binary logistic regression analysis was used, where p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported to show the magnitude and influence of PDS, resulting in a total sample size of 133 participants.
Results
The majority 72 (54.13%) of the respondents in this study were female. In the age cohort, 43 (32.33%) were aged 20–29 years, 24 (18.05%) were aged 30–39 years, 20 (15.04%) were aged 0–9 years, 17 (12.78%) were aged 40–49 years, 11 (8.27%) were aged over 60 years, and 7 (5.26%) were aged 50–59 years. In terms of marital status, 40 (30.08%) of the respondents were married, 22 (16.54%) were single, 20 (15.04%) were divorced/separated, 16 (12.03%) were widowed, 9 (45.00%) were partial orphans, 8 (40.00%) were both parents, and 3 (15.00%) were total orphans. Most of the respondents 74 (55.64%) had chronic diseases, while 59 (44.36%) had acute illnesses, among which the majority 88 (66.17%) had reached the primary level; hence, 86 (64.66%) unemployed respondents
Conclusion
Individual demographic factors associated with the vulnerability of PDS inpatients to becoming PDS victims in referral hospitals. Elderly individuals, males, unmarried individuals, and chronically ill individuals were more at risk of experiencing episodes of PDS. Older people with complex health needs are particularly vulnerable to PDS. Additionally, males, especially middle-aged individuals, are associated with deviance, rendering them social misfits who face neglect due to their social relationships in hospital wards and thus PDS. The chronically ill were perceived as burdens by their family members, whereas the unmarried experienced PDS due to insufficient social support. Whereas the parental status of the children, religiosity, education, and employment status of the PDS inpatients were insignificant to the study, they were not dismissed because they determined the general health outcomes of the PDS.
Context-Aware Search: LLM-Driven Model for Searching Emerging Topics
Authors: Ray Paramita , Basu Aditi
Published: February 2025

As new topics emerge, users often struggle to find relevant and reliable information due to evolving terminology, ambiguous queries, and a lack of indexed resources. Traditional search engines may fail to capture the context and intent behind such searches, leading to suboptimal results. This study explores how Large Language Models (LLMs) can enhance query expansion and understanding of emerging topics, ensuring more effective and meaningful information retrieval. By leveraging context-aware query reformulation, semantic enrichment, and interactive refinement, LLMs can dynamically adapt search queries to improve recall, relevance, and ranking. This is particularly valuable in rapidly growing fields such as public health, finance, disaster response, and technology, where new terms and concepts emerge frequently. Our approach integrates query expansion, and neural reranking techniques to refine search intent and deliver more accurate results. The goal of this research is to develop a more adaptive, intuitive, and intelligent search framework that enhances the user experience by making web searches more precise, context-aware (Expand queries based on context rather than similarity), and informative, benefiting both general users and domain experts.
Randomized Spatial PCA (RASP): a computationally efficient method for dimensionality reduction of high-resolution spatial transcriptomics data
Authors: Gingerich Ian K. , Goods Brittany A. , Frost H. Robert
Published: February 2025

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) provides critical insights into the spatial organization of gene expression, enabling researchers to unravel the intricate relationship between cellular environments and biological function. Identifying spatial domains within tissues is key to understanding tissue architecture and mechanisms underlying development and disease progression. Here, we present Randomized Spatial PCA (RASP), a novel spatially-aware dimensionality reduction method for ST data. RASP is designed to be orders-of-magnitude faster than existing techniques, scale to datasets with 100,000+ locations, support flexible integration of non-transcriptomic covariates, and reconstruct de-noised, spatially-smoothed gene expression values. It employs a randomized two-stage PCA framework with sparse matrix operations and configurable spatial smoothing. RASP was compared to BASS, GraphST, SEDR, SpatialPCA, and STAGATE using diverse ST datasets (10x Visium, Stereo-Seq, MERFISH, 10x Xenium) on human and mouse tissues. RASP demonstrates comparable or superior tissue domain detection with substantial improvements in computational speed, enhancing exploration of high-resolution subcellular datasets.
Physically consistent mesoscale model evaluation in complex terrain
Authors: Simonet Gaspard , Lehner Manuela , Rotach Mathias
Published: February 2025

This study introduces a novel evaluation technique for mesoscale atmospheric models in complex terrain, addressing challenges related to grid point (GP) selection, model resolution, and differences in the terrain and measurement heights between model and observation sites. The technique includes a pre-evaluation step designed to enhance model evaluation accuracy by correcting for systematic biases arising from discrepancies in sensor height between surface-layer diagnosed variables and actual measurement heights. Additionally, a lapse rate correction is proposed that takes into account the temporal evolution of the valley atmosphere. We use a GP for the evaluation with point measurements that represents the topographic characteristics at the measurement site better than the nearest GP.
The analysis of a case study using a WRF simulation with different grid spacing is conducted for a synoptically undisturbed valley wind day over the Inn Valley, to study the effect of grid resolution during an entire diurnal cycle.
The proposed method shows significant potential in reducing uncertainties in model performance assessments by selecting GPs that better represent in-situ conditions, including accurate land cover and orography characteristics. This approach is expected to facilitate more reliable inter-model comparisons and enhance the overall robustness of atmospheric model evaluations in complex terrains.