bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GL-MCM: Global and Local Maximum Concept Matching for Zero-Shot Out-of-Distribution Detection
Authors: Miyai Atsuyuki , Yu Qing , Irie Go , Aizawa Kiyoharu
Published: January 2025

Zero-shot OOD detection is a task that detects OOD images during inference with only in-distribution (ID) class names. Existing methods assume ID images contain a single, centered object, and do not consider the more realistic multi-object scenarios, where both ID and OOD objects are present. To meet the needs of many users, the detection method must have the flexibility to adapt the type of ID images. To this end, we present Global-Local Maximum Concept Matching (GL-MCM), which incorporates local image scores as an auxiliary score to enhance the separability of global and local visual features. Due to the simple ensemble score function design, GL-MCM can control the type of ID images with a single weight parameter. Experiments on ImageNet and multi-object benchmarks demonstrate that GL-MCM outperforms baseline zero-shot methods and is comparable to fully supervised methods. Furthermore, GL-MCM offers strong flexibility in adjusting the target type of ID images. The code is available via https://github.com/AtsuMiyai/GL-MCM.
Projective Cohen-Macaulay monomial curves and their affine charts
Authors: García-Marco Ignacio , Gimenez Philippe , González-Sánchez Mario
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we explore when the Betti numbers of the coordinate rings of a projective monomial curve and one of its affine charts are identical. Given an infinite field k and a sequence of relatively prime integers

$$a_0 = 0< a_1< \cdots < a_n = d$$

a
0

=
0
<

a
1

<
⋯
<

a
n

=
d

, we consider the projective monomial curve

$$\mathcal {C}\subset \mathbb {P}_k^{\,n}$$

C
⊂

P
k

n

of degree d parametrically defined by

$$x_i = u^{a_i}v^{d-a_i}$$

x
i

=

u

a
i

v

d
-

a
i

for all

$$i \in \{0,\ldots ,n\}$$

i
∈
{
0
,
…
,
n
}

and its coordinate ring

$$k[\mathcal {C}]$$

k
[
C
]

. The curve

$$\mathcal {C}_1 \subset \mathbb {A}_k^n$$

C
1

⊂

A
k
n

with parametric equations

$$x_i = t^{a_i}$$

x
i

=

t

a
i

for

$$i \in \{1,\ldots ,n\}$$

i
∈
{
1
,
…
,
n
}

is an affine chart of

$$\mathcal {C}$$

C

and we denote by

$$k[\mathcal {C}_1]$$

k
[

C
1

]

its coordinate ring. The main contribution of this paper is the introduction of a novel (Gröbner-free) combinatorial criterion that provides a sufficient condition for the equality of the Betti numbers of

$$k[\mathcal {C}]$$

k
[
C
]

and

$$k[\mathcal {C}_1]$$

k
[

C
1

]

. Leveraging this criterion, we identify infinite families of projective curves satisfying this property. Also, we use our results to study the so-called shifted family of monomial curves, i.e., the family of curves associated to the sequences

$$j+a_1< \cdots < j+a_n$$

j
+

a
1

<
⋯
<
j
+

a
n

for different values of

$$j \in \mathbb {N}$$

j
∈
N

. In this context, Vu proved that for large enough values of j, one has an equality between the Betti numbers of the corresponding affine and projective curves. Using our results, we improve Vu’s upper bound for the least value of j such that this occurs.
Patient Perceptions of Provider Race Concordance and Quality of Chronic Illness Care
Authors: Grant Benjamin , Soroka Orysya , Baquero Elizabeth , Ringel Joanna Bryan , Cherrington Andrea , Cummings Doyle M. , Halladay Jacqueline R. , Rajan Arvind , Safford Monika M.
Published: January 2025

Background

Black people are more likely to have hypertension and report lower quality of care than White people. Patient-provider race concordance could improve perceived quality of care, potentially lessening disparities.

Objective

Investigate the association between patient-provider race concordance and patient-perceived quality of chronic disease care, as measured by the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) scale.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized trial with Black patients with persistently uncontrolled hypertension.

Setting

Participants received care at one of 69 rural primary care practices in Alabama and North Carolina.

Participants

Three hundred and ninety-one Black patients with persistently uncontrolled hypertension enrolled in the Southeastern Collaboration to Improve Blood Pressure Control (SEC) trial.

Main Measure

PACIC overall scores and subscale scores (patient activation, delivery system, goal setting, problem solving, follow-up).

Results

Of 1592 patients enrolled in the SEC trial, 391 participants self-reported race concordance data and completed the PACIC. Most participants were age < 60 (52.4%), 65.2% identified as women, and 50.1% were beneficiaries of either Medicare or Medicaid. Those with patient-provider race concordance reported higher overall PACIC scores (58.8% vs 46.1%, p < 0.05), with higher sub-scores of goal setting (60.9% vs 46.8%, p < 0.05) and problem-solving (62.7% vs 48.0%, p < 0.05) compared to those without race concordance. Poisson regression models of participants age ≥ 60 years demonstrated that those with race concordance were more likely to have higher overall PACIC scores (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.17–2.0, p = 0.002), goal-setting subscale scores (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.24–2.15, p = 0.0005), and problem-solving subscale scores (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.29–2.14, p < 0.0001). Those < 60 years of age had no significant findings comparing those with and without race concordance.

Conclusions

Older Black patients perceived greater quality of care if their providers were also Black.

Visual abstract
Joint Physical-Psychosocial Frailty and Risks of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Premature Mortality
Authors: Zhou Jian , Kou Minghao , Tang Rui , Wang Xuan , Li Xiang , Heianza Yoriko , Manson JoAnn E. , Qi Lu
Published: January 2025

Background

The importance of integrating physical and psychosocial factors in assessing frailty -health outcomes has been increasingly acknowledged, while the related evidence is lacking. We sought to investigate the associations of joint physical-psychosocial frailty with risk of premature mortality and evaluate the relative importance of individual physical and psychosocial factors.

Design

A total of 381,295 participants with no history of cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD) were recruited from the UK Biobank cohort. The physical-psychosocial frailty was evaluated based on seven indicators including weight loss, exhaustion, physical activity, walking pace, grip strength, social isolation, and loneliness. The outcomes were premature mortality from all causes, cancer, CVD, and other causes. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the associations between the physical-psychosocial frailty and premature mortality.

Key Results

During a median follow-up period of 12.7 years, we recorded 20,328 premature deaths. Each additional increment in the physical-psychosocial frailty index was associated with a 26% (HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.24–1.28), 10% (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.08–1.12), 30% (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.26–1.33), and 44% (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.41–1.47) higher risk of all-cause, cancer, cardiovascular, and other-cause premature mortality, respectively. Compared with participants with the physical-psychosocial frailty index of 0, those with the index ≥ 4 had a 2.67 (95% CI 2.49–2.87)-fold higher risk of all-cause premature mortality. Slow walking pace and social isolation were the top two strongest predictors for all-cause premature mortality. In addition, we found that lower body mass index (BMI), age, smoking status, and dietary quality modified the associations of physical-psychosocial frailty with all-cause premature mortality (P-interaction < 0.05).

Conclusions

In this cohort study of UK Biobank participants, joint physical-psychosocial frailty is significantly associated with risks of all-cause and cause-specific premature mortality, highlighting the importance to jointly assess physical and psychosocial factors in determining aging-related health.
Limonene as biobased building block for functional monoterpene acrylate monomers
Authors: Obermeier Franziska , Strube Oliver I.
Published: January 2025

Limonene, a widely used natural raw material, provides an excellent basis for the synthesis of functional acrylate monomers. The presence of two double bonds in this monoterpene enables a twofold functionalization, enhancing its versatility for various chemical modifications. By incorporating an acrylate functionality, the polymerization potential of this terpene is significantly increased, allowing for the production of polymers with high conversion rates. The introduction of additional functional groups also makes the synthesized polymers suitable for applications requiring subsequent crosslinking or specialized material properties. Besides the mono- and bifunctional acrylate monomers, variants with additional hydroxyl and epoxide groups were synthesized. These considerably extend the versatility and application possibilities of the compounds. As proof of concept, free radical polymerization of the monomers was demonstrated in this work, and the reaction was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The resulting polymers exhibit glass transition temperatures between 83 and 96°C, making them suitable for use in, e.g., coating systems.
Experiences of a Humanoid Robot-Led Physical Training Program for Home-Living Older Persons - A Qualitative Pilot Study
Authors: Andtfolk Malin , Fagerström Lisbeth , Eide Hilde , Nyholm Linda
Published: January 2025

Maintaining good physical condition throughout life might reduce the risk of disease and improve older persons’ physical and mental health. Several positive outcomes in the care of home-living older persons have been linked to technological solutions such as humanoid robots. The aim of this study was to develop a humanoid robot-led physical exercise training program for home-living older persons and to explore eleven home-living older persons’ experiences of the program. Semi-structured interviews was held with the home-living older persons after their testing the program and transcribed interviews were analyzed by thematic analysis. The home-living older persons experienced the program as easy to follow and that the program might improve their mental well-being and social interactions. To positively influence older persons’ physical condition, more person-centered exercises and a more suitable robot should be included. Further development of humanoid robot-led physical exercise training programs is needed to ensure the usability of a similar programs in the context of older persons.
Trees, terraces and llamas: Resilient watershed management and sustainable agriculture the Inca way
Authors: Frogley Michael R. , Chepstow-Lusty Alex , Thiele Graham , Chutas Constantino Aucca
Published: January 2025

The Inca and their immediate predecessors provide an exceptional model of how to create high-altitude functional environments that sustainably feed people with a diversity of crops, whilst mitigating erosion, protecting forestry and maintaining soil fertility without the need for large-scale burning. A comparison is provided here of landscape practices and impacts prior to and after the Inca, derived from a unique 4200-year sedimentary record recovered from Laguna Marcacocha, a small, environmentally sensitive lake located at the heart of the Inca Empire. By examining ten selected proxies of environmental change, a rare window is opened on the past, helping to reveal how resilient watershed management and sustainable, climate-smart agriculture were achieved. We contend that, in the face of modern environmental uncertainty, a second climate-smart agricultural revolution is necessary, but one that accounts for the significant social capital of highland communities whilst still leaning heavily on native crops, trees and livestock.
Collineation varieties of tensors
Authors: Gesmundo Fulvio , Keneshlou Hanieh
Published: January 2025

In this article, we introduce the k-th collineation variety of a third order tensor. This is the closure of the image of the rational map of size k minors of a matrix of linear forms associated to the tensor. We classify such varieties in the case of pencils of matrices, and nets of matrices of small size. We discuss the natural stratification of tensor spaces induced by the invariants and the geometric type of the collineation varieties.
Removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions using nano-Fe3O4/waste banana peel/alginate hydrogel biobeads as adsorbent
Authors: Parlayıcı Şerife , Baran Yaprak
Published: January 2025

In this study, the removal of Cr(VI), known as one of the most dangerous heavy metal pollutants, was investigated by adsorption method using magnetic alginate biopolymer-supported banana peel composite beads (MAB), which were synthesized for the first time. Using plant waste for this composite synthesis is both important in terms of utilization of plant waste and more environmentally friendly. Optimum conditions were determined by examining the parameters of concentration (10–300 ppm), adsorbent dose (1–8 g/L), mixing time (5–360 min), pH (2–8), and temperature (25–55 °C). Characterization of this new synthesized composite adsorbent, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX mapping measurements were performed. The experimentally found adsorption data were modeled by applying Freundlich, Langmuir, Scharthard, Temkin, and D-R isotherm models, and isotherm constants were calculated. The adsorption data on MAB are more compatible with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. In the shaking-batch system at 25 °C and pH = 2, the maximum adsorption capacity of the composite was calculated as 370.4 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics were found to be suitable for pseudo-second-order. Thermodynamic studies were realized to evaluate thermal changes of the adsorption process, and desorption processes were realized to determine the regeneration times of MAB. The temperature studies showed that adsorption capacity increased with increasing temperature, showing that the system was endothermic. As a result, it has been shown that MAB can be used as an efficient biocomposite adsorbent for the removal and recovery of Cr (VI) ions from aqueous media.

Graphical Abstract
Integrative proteomic analysis reveals the potential diagnostic marker and drug target for the Type‐2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Jia Zhen , Jiang Ning , Lin Lin , Li Bing , Liang Xuewei
Published: January 2025

Objective

The escalating prevalence of Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a significant global health challenge. Utilizing integrative proteomic analysis, this study aimed to identify a panel of potential protein markers for T2DM, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and paving the way for personalized treatment strategies.

Methods

Proteome profiles from two independent cohorts were integrated: cohort 1 composed of 10 T2DM patients and 10 healthy controls (HC), and cohort 2 comprising 87 T2DM patients and 60 healthy controls. Differential expression analysis, functional enrichment analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and classification error matrix analysis were employed.

Results

Comparative proteomic analysis identified the differential expressed proteins (DEPs) and changes in biological pathways associated with T2DM. Further combined analysis refined a group of protein panel (including CA1, S100A6, and DDT), which were significantly increased in T2DM in both two cohorts. ROC analysis revealed the area under curve (AUC) values of 0.94 for CA1, 0.87 for S100A6, and 0.97 for DDT; the combined model achieved an AUC reaching 1. Classification error matrix analysis demonstrated the combined model could reach an accuracy of 1 and 0.875 in the 60% training set and 40% testing set.

Conclusions

This study incorporates different cohorts of T2DM, and refines the potential markers for T2DM with high accuracy, offering more reliable markers for clinical translation.
Factors Relating to Sprint Swimming Performance: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ruiz-Navarro Jesús J. , Santos Catarina C. , Born Dennis-Peter , López-Belmonte Óscar , Cuenca-Fernández Francisco , Sanders Ross H , Arellano Raúl
Published: January 2025

Background

Swimming performance depends on a wide variety of factors; however, the interaction between these factors and their importance varies between events. In sprint events, the characterized pacing underlines its specific development, as swimmers must achieve the highest possible speed while sustaining it to the greatest extent possible.

Objectives

The aim of this review was to identify the key factors underlying sprint swimming performance and to provide in-depth and practical evidence-based information to optimize performance.

Methods

The review protocol was not registered. PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched up to October 31, 2023. Studies involving competitive swimmers and investigating sprint swimming performance were included, while studies conducted with young or masters’ swimmers, triathletes or waterpolo players or not investigating sprint swimming performance were excluded. The Downs and Black Quality Assessment Checklist was performed on the included articles to assess the methodological quality.

Results

After applying the PICOS framework, 39 of the 1330 articles initially identified were included according to the PRISMA guidelines. The included records focused mainly on dry-land strength and in-water forces of both upper and lower limbs. A wide range of kinematic variables were also examined, together with the importance of anthropometric and various physiological parameters.

Conclusion

This review highlights the importance of developing muscular strength and effectively transferring it to performance in the water. The evidence suggests that muscular development should prioritize enhancing velocity and effective displacement, rather than merely increasing force and performance in loaded tests. However, further research is needed to confirm this. While in-water forces have been well studied, there is a notable lack of analysis regarding drag. The optimal balance between stroke rate and stroke length should be determined individually, with a primary focus on achieving a high stroke length from a high stroke rate. Although anthropometry may play an important role in performance, the interaction of these traits appears to be complex, suggesting that other factors may be more important in determining performance outcomes. From a physiological perspective, the results indicate that the lactate peak and rate of accumulation should be thoroughly developed. Notwithstanding, this review shows the lack of a solid body of knowledge on the importance of anaerobic and especially aerobic factors. Finally, the absence of a list of potential confounders, together with the lack of high-quality studies involving elite swimmers (level 1 and 2), complicates the interpretation of the results.
Navigating the Ethical Frontier: Graduate Students’ Experiences with Generative AI-Mediated Scholarship
Authors: Sabbaghan Soroush , Eaton Sarah Elaine
Published: January 2025

This qualitative study explores graduate students’ perceptions of using a generative AI-powered research application, COREI, and its impact on their sense of intellectual and scholarly ethics. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with graduate students (n = 10), four doctoral and six masters’, from a large research university in Western Canada. Participants were given access to COREI for one month and encouraged to use its features in their research projects. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed four main themes: (1) academic integrity and generative AI collaboration, (2) agency in the generative AI-assisted research process, (3) authorship and the personalization of AI-generated content, and (4) originality through generative AI-assisted research. Although some participants initially expressed concerns about the potential for AI to compromise academic integrity, many came to view COREI as a collaborative tool that, when used responsibly, could enhance their research without infringing upon their scholarly ethics. Participants emphasized the importance of human agency and decision-making in the AI-assisted research process, and the need for critical evaluation and personalization of AI-generated content to maintain authorship. Originality emerged as a collaborative feat between human expertise and AI’s generative capabilities. The findings suggest a need for reconceptualizing traditional notions of agency, authorship, and originality in the context of AI-assisted research. The study highlights the importance of developing ethical frameworks and institutional policies that prioritize human agency and critical engagement with AI-generated content, while also emphasizing the need for further research on the long-term impacts of generative AI on intellectual and scholarly ethics.
The state-of-the-art review on biochar as green additives in cementitious composites: performance, applications, machine learning predictions, and environmental and economic implications
Authors: Ye Ping , Guo Binglin , Qin Huyong , Wang Cheng , Liu Yang , Chen Yuyang , Bian Pengfei , Lu Di , Wang Lei , Zhao Weiping , Yang Yonggan , Hong Li , Gao Peng , Ma Peiyong , Zhan Binggen , Yu Qijun
Published: January 2025

Considerable carbon emissions from the cement industry pose a notable challenge to achieving long-term sustainable development and creating an enriched social environment. Biochar (BC) obtained from biomass pyrolysis can be used as a carbon-negative material, and it plays a crucial role in the reduction of global carbon emissions. The development of more efficient and cost-effective technologies to fully realize this potential and reduce the environmental impact of BC production and use remains a formidable challenge. The utilization of BC to prepare sustainable cementitious composites with economically value-added benefits has recently attracted much research interest. Therefore, this review analyzes factors influencing the physicochemical properties of BC and their optimization methods, as well as the impact of BC addition on various cement composites and their potential applications. Besides, recent advances in machine learning for predicting the properties of composites and the environmental-economic implications of material are reviewed. The progress and challenges of BC–cement composites are discussed and potential directions for exploration are provided. Therefore, it is recommended to explore commercialization pathways tailored to local conditions and to develop machine learning models for performance prediction and life-cycle analysis, thereby promoting the widespread application of BC in industry and construction.

Graphical Abstract
Early-1970s Transnational Encounters between Italian and French Women: Desires, Legacy, and Contradictions of an Unspeakable Feminist Praxis
Authors: Ceschi Anna
Published: January 2025

During the early 1970s, the Italian feminist movement opened up to foreign militant contexts. The two crucial interplays were with the American and French Women’s Liberation Movements. The aim of this article is to analyze from a transnational historical perspective the connection between Milanese activists and the French group Psychanalyse et politique led by Antoinette Fouque, which developed through several encounters during a period of a few days. From the French militants, the Milanese women learnt the political practice of unconscious which differed from the more diffuse consciousness-raising technique. From those meetings I reflect on general issues linked to the Italian and French feminist movements of that time: for instance, viewing the women’s separatist communal life both as a response to the New Left’s refusal to take on the peculiarity of women’s oppression and as the positive exemplification of the deconstructive claim that the personal is political. I also consider the contrast between the use of psychoanalysis and consciousness-raising practices, the significance of orality as a feminist means of communication, and the relationship between orality and the later trend of feminist bookshops. The ultimate goal is to understand the political effectiveness and limitations of the transnational feature of those encounters.
Above and Beyond: Delivering Excellent Client Service
Authors: Breslin Jas
Published: January 2025

Client service skills are the human side of the work of an information professional. Whatever type of legal research environment we work in, our internal clients will expect that we have the right technical skills to support their work. But technical excellence in our day-to-day professional lives will amount to nothing if we cannot also deliver excellent client service. The benefit derived from this will be a more relevant research service, powered by experts, while the profile of the services provided will also be raised. In this article Jas Breslin aims to set out some of the behaviours that can be used to build a rapport and trust with clients, so that they can benefit from an information team that better understands their needs.
“It Was Supposed to Be an Internship”: The Consequences of Semiotic Ambiguity for Labor and Learning in the New Economy
Authors: Wolfgram Matthew , Larson Jonathan
Published: January 2025

This article documents the historical and semiotic factors that have entailed a normative ambiguity of “the internship,” both as an ideological sign and as a participant role that has increasingly mediated the relationships between higher education and careers in the United States. We present comparative life history narratives of two interns drawn from a longitudinal interview study, which illustrate the negotiations, experiences, and consequences that the ambiguity of the internship participant role entails for students attempting to navigate the transition between education and employment. We argue that the stable semiotic ambiguity of the internship participant role is a consequence of a political economy of collusion, in which employers, educators, and students benefit from the emergence and spread of the internship economy, with students finding it uniquely useful to establish credibility in the highly competitive employment market. We point out how students’ class-based resources, networks, and positionalities constrain the possible outcomes for them from this process.
ARID1A mutations protect follicular lymphoma from FAS-dependent immune surveillance by reducing RUNX3/ETS1-driven FAS-expression
Authors: Antoniolli Martina , Solovey Maria , Hildebrand Johannes Adrian , Freyholdt Tabea , Strobl Carolin Dorothea , Bararia Deepak , Keay William David , Adolph Louisa , Heide Michael , Passerini Verena , Winter Lis , Wange Lucas , Enard Wolfgang , Thieme Susanne , Blum Helmut , Rudelius Martina , Mergner Julia , Ludwig Christina , Bultmann Sebastian , Schmidt-Supprian Marc , Leonhardt Heinrich , Subklewe Marion , von Bergwelt-Baildon Michael , Colomé-Tatché Maria , Weigert Oliver
Published: January 2025

The cell death receptor FAS and its ligand (FASLG) play crucial roles in the selection of B cells during the germinal center (GC) reaction. Failure to eliminate potentially harmful B cells via FAS can lead to lymphoproliferation and the development of B cell malignancies. The classic form of follicular lymphoma (FL) is a prototypic GC-derived B cell malignancy, characterized by the t(14;18)(q32;q21)IGH::BCL2 translocation and overexpression of antiapoptotic BCL2. Additional alterations were shown to be clinically relevant, including mutations in ARID1A. ARID1A is part of the SWI/SNF nucleosome remodeling complex that regulates DNA accessibility (“openness”). However, the mechanism how ARID1A mutations contribute to FL pathogenesis remains unclear. We analyzed 151 FL biopsies of patients with advanced-stage disease at initial diagnosis and found that ARID1A mutations were recurrent and mainly disruptive, with an overall frequency of 18%. Additionally, we observed that ARID1A mutant FL showed significantly lower FAS protein expression in the FL tumor cell population. Functional experiments in BCL2-translocated lymphoma cells demonstrated that ARID1A is directly involved in the regulation of FAS, and ARID1A loss leads to decreased FAS protein and gene expression. However, ARID1A loss did not affect FAS promotor openness. Instead, we identified and experimentally validated a previously unknown co-transcriptional complex consisting of RUNX3 and ETS1 that regulates FAS expression, and ARID1A loss leads to reduced RUNX3 promotor openness and gene expression. The reduced FAS levels induced by ARID1A loss rendered lymphoma cells resistant to both soluble and T cell membrane-anchored FASLG-induced apoptosis, and significantly diminished CAR T cell killing in functional experiments. In summary, we have identified a functionally and clinically relevant mechanism how FL cells can escape FAS-dependent immune surveillance, which may also impact the efficacy of T cell-based therapies, including CAR T cells.
Sarcoglycans are enriched at the neuromuscular junction in a nerve-dependent manner
Authors: Gloriani Michela , Cheli Bianca , D’Ercole Chiara , Ruggieri Veronica , Cosentino Marianna , Serrat Pineda Mireia , Lozanoska-Ochser Biliana , Grassi Francesca , Bouché Marina , Madaro Luca , Sánchez Riera Carles
Published: January 2025

Sarcoglycanopathies are heterogeneous proximo-distal diseases presenting severe muscle alterations. Although there are 6 different sarcoglycan isoforms, sarcoglycanopathies are caused exclusively by mutations in genes coding for one of the four sarcoglycan transmembrane proteins (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) forming the sarcoglycan complex (SGC) in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Little is known about the different roles of the SGC beyond the dystrophin glycoprotein complex (DGC) structural role. Here, we show that SGC proteins are enriched at the post-synaptic membrane of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Using a mouse model lacking the beta-sarcoglycan subunit, we describe for the first time that the loss of the SGC in the NMJ area results in alterations of pre- and postsynaptic membrane, as well as a significant reduction of membrane potential. Moreover, using different denervated wild-type mouse models, we demonstrate that nerve presence precedes the sarcoglycan enrichment at NMJ, suggesting a nerve-dependent sarcoglycan expression. Altogether, our findings suggest that pathological decline should no longer be understood only in terms of sarcolemma damage but also in terms of sarcoglycans’ participation in the NMJ. Henceforth, our work paves the way for the identification of new mechanisms involving sarcoglycans and new approaches for the treatment of sarcoglycanopathies.
Inflammatory disease progression shapes nanoparticle biomolecular corona-mediated immune activation profiles
Authors: Shaw Jacob R. , Caprio Nicholas , Truong Nhu , Weldemariam Mehari , Tran Anh , Pilli Nageswara , Pandey Swarnima , Jones Jace W. , Kane Maureen A. , Pearson Ryan M.
Published: January 2025

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are promising tools used for immunomodulation and drug delivery in various disease contexts. The interaction between NP surfaces and plasma-resident biomolecules results in the formation of a biomolecular corona, which varies patient-to-patient and as a function of disease state. This study investigates how the progression of acute systemic inflammatory disease influences NP corona compositions and the corresponding effects on innate immune cell interactions, phenotypes, and cytokine responses. NP coronas alter cell associations in a disease-dependent manner, induce differential co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecule expression, and influence cytokine release. Integrated multi-omics analysis of proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, and cytokine datasets highlight a set of differentially enriched TLR4 ligands that correlate with dynamic NP corona-mediated immune activation. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic knockout studies validate that NP coronas mediate this response through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling. Our findings illuminate the personalized nature of corona formation under a dynamic inflammatory condition and its impact on NP-mediated immune activation profiles and inflammation, suggesting that disease progression-related alterations in plasma composition can manifest in the corona to cause unintended toxicity and altered therapeutic efficacy.
Pressure-dependent magnetism of the Kitaev candidate Li2RhO3
Authors: Shen Bin , Insuasti Pazmino Efrain , Dhakal Ramesh , Freund Friedrich , Gegenwart Philipp , Winter Stephen M. , Tsirlin Alexander A.
Published: January 2025

We use magnetization measurements under pressure along with ab initio and cluster many-body calculations to investigate magnetism of the Kitaev candidate Li2RhO3. Hydrostatic compression leads to a decrease in the magnitude of the nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic Kitaev coupling K
1 and the corresponding increase in the off-diagonal anisotropy Γ1, whereas the experimental Curie-Weiss temperature changes from negative to positive with the slope of +40 K/GPa. On the other hand, spin freezing persists up to at least 3.46 GPa with the almost constant freezing temperature of 5 K that does not follow the large changes in the exchange couplings and indicates the likely extrinsic origin of spin freezing. Magnetic frustration in Li2RhO3 is mainly related to the interplay between ferromagnetic K
1 and antiferromagnetic Γ1, along with the weakness of the third-neighbor coupling J
3 that would otherwise stabilize zigzag order. The small J
3 distinguishes Li2RhO3 from other Kitaev candidates.
The expanded theory of planned behavior for energy saving among academics in Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Slovakia
Authors: Puiu Silvia , Yilmaz Sidika Ece , Udriștioiu Mihaela Tinca , Raganova Janka , Raykova Zhelyazka , Yildizhan Hasan , Ameen Arman
Published: January 2025

Given the escalating global energy consumption and the concurrent economic and energy crises, energy-saving behaviour must be adopted on a large scale. Universities that are energy-intensive institutions should be one of the institutions where energy-saving behaviour is widely adopted. Academics devote a substantial portion of their time to their offices, which leads to increased energy usage. However, no study has investigated academics’ energy-saving behaviours in the literature. Most studies focus on students or employees in various organizations. Our study tries to cover the gap by examining the energy-saving behaviour of academics in four countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Slovakia) based on the expanded Theory of Planned Behaviour. A questionnaire was distributed to 228 academics from the four countries to gather data. The research hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The findings show that individual factors (attitude and perceived behaviour control) influence the energy-saving intention of academics but not the organisational factors due to the weak identification with their universities. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking to promote energy-saving programs in academic institutions. The academics can be seen as role models for their students which emphasizes the need to study more their sustainable behaviours.
The effect of plasticizers on rheological, physical and mechanical properties of low cement high alumina gunning refractories
Authors: Mobasheri Mohammad , Hadian Ali Mohammad , Mohammadi Yasaman , Azimi Behzad , Kamali Mehrnoosh
Published: January 2025

In this research, the effect of different plasticizers with different amounts on the properties of monolithic alumina-based refractories has been investigated. All samples were fired at 1100 °C and 1550 °C. In order to evaluate the desired properties, first the rheological properties of the samples were examined, and then for further investigations, loss on ignition (LOI), percentage of permanent linear changes (PLC), apparent porosity (AP), bulk density (BD) and cold crushing strength (CCS) tests were used. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used to characterize the samples. 1 and 2 wt% of CMC, H19, bentonite and ballclay were added to the mixtures as plasticizers. The results of this research showed that the sample containing 1 wt% of ball clay can be the most appropriate one due to its highest strength, highest density and lowest apparent porosity. Moreover, the sample containing 2 wt% of H19 (a commercially available binder) has the optimum properties because of its highest strength for the samples fired at 1100 °C. For the mixtures fired at 1550 °C, the more amount of silica has caused higher cold crushing strength due to the presence of the low melting point phases which are not desired and therefore, the mixtures with less silica can be used.
Perioperative treatment with cilostazol reverses steatosis and improves liver regeneration after major hepatectomy in a steatotic rat model
Authors: Holländer Sebastian , von Heesen Maximilian , Gäbelein Gereon , Mercier Julie , Laschke Matthias W. , Menger Michael D. , Glanemann Matthias , Spiliotis Antonios E.
Published: January 2025

Cilostazol has previously been shown to reduce liver steatosis and enhance hepatic perfusion. We investigated the effects of cilostazol after major hepatectomy in a steatotic rat model. Six weeks prior to surgery, Sprague–Dawley rats were fed with a high-fructose diet. The treatment group received daily 5 mg/kg cilostazol. Seven days following the cilostazol treatment, all animals underwent 70% liver resection (PHX). Analysis of hepatic blood flow and microcirculation and immunohistochemical examinations were conducted 30 min after PHX (postoperative day [POD] 0) as well as on POD 1, POD 3 and POD 7. The weight of cilostazol-treated animals was significantly reduced compared to untreated controls after completion of the 6-week high-FRC diet. Furthermore, 41% macrovesicular steatosis was found in the control group compared to 8% in the cilostazol group. Hepatic arterial and portal venous perfusion were increased in the cilostazol group on POD 7. Lower liver enzyme release was found postoperatively in cilostazol-treated animals. Moreover, apoptosis and neutrophil infiltration were reduced after cilostazol treatment. Proliferation of hepatocytes and liver regeneration after PHX were significantly increased in the cilostazol group. Consequently, cilostazol should be evaluated as a novel strategy to reduce the rate of liver failure after PHX in steatotic liver.
Enhanced streamflow forecasting using hybrid modelling integrating glacio-hydrological outputs, deep learning and wavelet transformation
Authors: Ougahi Jamal Hassan , Rowan John S
Published: January 2025

Understanding snow and ice melt dynamics is vital for flood risk assessment and effective water resource management in populated river basins sourced in inaccessible high-mountains. This study provides an AI-enabled hybrid approach integrating glacio-hydrological model outputs (GSM-SOCONT), with different machine learning and deep learning techniques framed as alternative ‘computational scenarios, leveraging both physical processes and data-driven insights for enhanced predictive capabilities. The standalone deep learning model (CNN-LSTM), relying solely on meteorological data, outperformed its counterpart machine learning and glacio-hydrological model equivalents. Hybrid models (CNN-LSTM1 to CNN-LSTM15) were trained using meteorological data augmented with glacio-hydrological model outputs representing ice and snow-melt contributions to streamflow. The hybrid model (CNN-LSTM14), using only glacier-derived features, performed best with high NSE (0.86), KGE (0.80), and R (0.93) values during calibration, and the highest NSE (0.83), KGE (0.88), R (0.91), and lowest RMSE (892) and MAE (544) during validation. Finally, a multi-scale analysis using different feature permutations was explored using wavelet transformation theory, integrating these into the final hybrid model (CNN-LSTM19), which significantly enhances predictive accuracy, particularly for high-flow events, as evidenced by improved NSE (from 0.83 to 0.97) and reduced RMSE (from 892 to 442) during validation. The comparative analysis illustrates how AI-enhanced hydrological models improve the accuracy of runoff forecasting and provide more reliable and actionable insights for managing water resources and mitigating flood risks - despite the paucity of direct measurements.
Covalent organic frameworks as superior adsorbents for the removal of toxic substances
Authors: Li Yubo , Wei Jinxia , Wang Jian , Wang Yuanyuan , Yu Peishuang , Chen Yao , Zhang Zhenjie
Published: January 2025

This review discusses the design strategies of COFs for the removal of toxicants, and highlights the recent advancements in COFs as robust candidates for efficient removal of various types of toxicants.
Gum Arabic induced assembly of Cellulose Nanocrystals in aqueous media
Authors: Attia David , Levi-Kalisman Yael , Bitton Ronit , Yerushalmi-Rozen Rachel
Published: January 2025

Entropy-driven assembly of nematic liquid-crystal phases of cellulose nanocrystals (SCNCs) in aqueous suspensions results in the emergence of a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase (N* phase). We report that solvated, non-adsorbing,...
A remarkable solar-blind ultraviolet nonlinear optical crystal with comprehensive performance and enhanced thermal stability
Authors: Zeng Jialin , Li Shuangcheng , Fu Ruibiao , Geng Zilong , Luo Yiting , Lei Senfu , Ma Zuju
Published: January 2025

K[H2N(CH2COO)2] is a remarkable solar-blind UV NLO crystal with comprehensive NLO performance and enhanced thermal stability, featuring an ordered arrangement of the [H2N(CH2COO)2] groups.
The effect of feedstock concentration on the crystal phase, morphology, and optical properties of WO3 nanostructures
Authors: Zafari Mohsen , Shariatmadar Tehrani Fatemeh , Hosseini Shokouh Seyed Hossein , Popov Alexey , Kordas Krisztian
Published: January 2025

Tuning acid molarity at constant pH decreases the feedstock concentration and alters the morphology and crystal phases of WO3.
‘It just feels like it's gonna be so very long?’ Exploring the resources used by university students in noticing, navigating, and resolving issues during math-intensive problem solving in chemistry
Authors: Ye Sofie , Jacobsson Magnus , Elmgren Maja , Ho Felix M.
Published: January 2025

Problem solving is a complex endeavour that requires students to understand concepts and procedures, as well as knowing when and how to apply them effectively. This study is part of a broader research project examining how university students engage with math-intensive problem solving in chemistry. Here, we focus specifically on the cognitive resources students use to notice, navigate, and resolve potential obstacles. We observed student pairs as they worked collaboratively on a task in chemical kinetics that involved deriving a rate law for a multi-step reaction. Through qualitative analysis of their discussions, we identified three categories of resources: implicit models, episodic memories, and standard procedures. Our findings suggest that implicit models and episodic memories play a key role in helping students navigate uncertainty by shaping their expectations, pointing to a connection between these resources and situational knowledge—a type of knowledge that is critical in enhancing students’ strategic flexibility and refining their intuitions. Overall, this work aims to provide insight into the role of intuitive reasoning in problem solving, emphasising the importance of integrating conceptual, procedural, and situational knowledge. It also opens up opportunities to help students foster expert-like problem-solving skills through directed learning activities that actively engage them in using and reflecting on these knowledge types and how these connect to their own intuitions.
3D NiCoP flowers assembled by 2D carbon-coated nanosheets as an efficient and stable positive electrode for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Xiaomeng , Zhao Xiaofeng , Bateer Buhe , Jiao Yanqing , Wu Aiping , Yan Haijing , Wang Dongxu , Wang Jiaming , Tian Chungui
Published: January 2025

The porous 3D NiCoP flowers assembled by 2D carbon-coating nanosheets can be used as efficient and stable positive electrode for advanced asymmetric supercapacitors with high specific capacitance, good rate performance and long-term stability.
Singlet reservoir for multi-channel barrierless harvesting of keto triplet excitons for high-efficiency electroluminescence of an ESIPT fluorophore
Authors: Xu Xiaoheng , Zang Xuan , Wei Qi , Li Jinming , Zhao Yangkai , Zhang Xuankang , Ye Shanghui , Mi Baoxiu , Gao Zhiqiang , Qian Yan , Fan Quli
Published: January 2025

A high-efficiency yellow ESIPT OLED emitter has been demonstrated via multi-channel effective hRISC to the high-lying singlet keto reservoir.
Correction: Preventing biofilm formation and eradicating pathogenic bacteria by Zn doped histidine derived carbon quantum dots
Authors: Kumar Vijay Bhooshan , Lahav Maoz , Gazit Ehud
Published: January 2025

Correction for ‘Preventing biofilm formation and eradicating pathogenic bacteria by Zn doped histidine derived carbon quantum dots’ by Vijay Bhooshan Kumar et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024, 12, 2855–2868, https://doi.org/10.1039/D3TB02488A.
Study and optimization design of steam turbine generator suitable for small‐scale lead‐bismuth fast reactors
Authors: Cheng Peng , Zhang Hongen , Guo Wenfei , Wang Zhao
Published: January 2025

Compared with traditional reactors, lead‐bismuth fast reactors have broader development prospects. Based on the operating characteristics of these reactors, this article proposes a design scheme for steam turbine generators suitable for small‐scale lead‐bismuth fast reactors. To achieve the design requirements of high efficiency and high‐power density for steam turbine generators simultaneously, a multi‐objective optimization method based on a feedforward neural network surrogate model is proposed. First, the generator losses and power density are analyzed to obtain the structural parameters that affect the generator optimization objectives. The selected structural parameters are then subjected to sensitivity analysis and data sampling. Subsequently, a feedforward neural network model is used to replace the finite element model, and based on this, a multi‐objective genetic algorithm is employed to globally optimize the efficiency and power density of the generator. The final preferred scheme is obtained from the solved Pareto solution set. Meanwhile, the finite element method is used to verify and analyze the optimization results. The optimization results show that while ensuring the generator efficiency, the power density is further improved. Finally, the temperature rise of the generator is analyzed, and the results show that the temperature distribution of the generator is reasonable.
The magnetic field of the Radcliffe wave: Starlight polarization at the nearest approach to the Sun
Authors: Panopoulou G. V. , Zucker C. , Clemens D. , Pelgrims V. , Soler J. D. , Clark S. E. , Alves J. , Goodman A. , Becker Tjus J.
Published: January 2025

Aims. We investigate the geometry of the magnetic field toward the Radcliffe wave, a coherent part of the nearby Local Arm of 3 kpc in length recently discovered via three-dimensional dust mapping.

Methods. We used archival stellar polarization in the optical and new measurements in the near-infrared to trace the magnetic field as projected on the plane of the sky. Our new observations cover the portion of the structure that is closest to the Sun, between Galactic longitudes of 122° and 188°.

Results. The polarization angles of stars immediately behind the Radcliffe wave appear to be aligned with the structure as projected on the plane of the sky. The observed magnetic field configuration is inclined with respect to the Galactic disk at an angle of 18°. This departure from a geometry parallel to the plane of the Galaxy is contrary to previous constraints from more distant stars and polarized dust emission. We confirm that the polarization angle of stars at larger distances shows a mean orientation parallel to the Galactic disk.

Conclusions. We discuss the implications of the observed morphology of the magnetic field for models of the large-scale Galactic magnetic field, as well as formation scenarios for the Radcliffe wave itself.