bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chlorantraniliprole (Coragen® 20% SC) exposure induced reproductive toxicity mediated by oxidative stress, apoptosis, and sperm quality deficient in male Wistar rats
Authors: Mahmoud Shrouq Adel , El-Ghareeb Abd El-Wahab , Abd El-Rahman Heba Ali
Published: January 2025

Pesticides can adversely affect reproduction by causing congenital abnormalities, fetal demise, and infertility. The reproductive toxicity of coragen, a modified ryanodine receptor-targeting insecticide with chlorantraniliprole concentrations of 20%, was examined in male rats. Twenty-one healthy male rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the control group, two orally administered with low (500 mg/kg) and high (1000 mg/kg) doses of coragen for 8 weeks. Exposure to coragen resulted in significant, dose-dependent changes in male reproductive hormones, steroidogenic enzymes, and an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system. The treated groups revealed significantly higher lipid peroxidation levels than the control group. The effects were accompanied by damage to testicular tissue, modified testicular lactate dehydrogenase, reduced sperm motility and viability, and heightened sperm abnormalities. Elevated levels of pro-apoptotic proteins (caspase-3 and Bax) and decreased levels of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) provided evidence of apoptosis in both treatment groups. Moreover, coragen induced substantial DNA damage in the testicular tissue. The results indicate that the reproductive impairment caused by coragen may be ascribed to oxidative stress, hormonal disturbance, apoptosis, and damage to testicular DNA and finally might result in infertility and compromised reproductive function.
Evaluation of the potential of Metschnikowia pulcherrima to reduce SO2 in winemaking: impact on wine phenolic compounds and their bottle evolution
Authors: Torres-Díaz L. L. , Sáenz de Urturi I. , Iribarren M. , Murillo-Peña R. , Marín-San Román S. , González-Lázaro M. , Pérez-Álvarez E. P. , Garde-Cerdán T.
Published: January 2025

Due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, the use of SO2 has been of great importance in enology. However, its use has been linked to the generation of non-communicable diseases, and delayed malolactic fermentation (MLF), leading to wine discolouration. Adding non-Saccharomyces yeasts has been proposed as an alternative to improve wines’ sensory and nutritional characteristics. In this sense, this work aimed to use Metschnikowia pulcherrima as a wine colour enhancer, mainly analysing Tempranillo red wine’s phenolic composition. Four assays were conducted in duplicate, comparing sequential fermentations with SO2 and/or non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces yeast as starter, using M. pulcherrima concentrations of 10 and 50 g/hL. Analyses were performed at the end of MLF, 6 and 9 months of wine ageing in bottles. Phenolic compounds in wines, including anthocyanins and non-anthocyanins, were analysed by HPLC–DAD. A slight increase was observed in most phenolic families in co-fermentations with mixed cultures after 9 months of bottling, suggesting the potential of M. pulcherrima as an initiator to enhance the sensory profile and act as a stabilizing agent in wines, potentially replacing SO2. Overall, the results indicated that the selection of non-Saccharomyces yeasts has a great impact on the wine quality, mainly on the composition of anthocyanins, flavonols and flavanols. In this sense, the use of M. pulcherrima as fermentation starters could be of great interest to achieve iniquitous, stable and better-coloured wines.
Wind Power and NIMBYism in Norway: Public Attitudes and Local Resistance
Authors: Olve Krange , Helene Figari , Bjørn Kaltenborn
Published: January 2025

This study explores the impact of NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) sentiments on local resistance to wind power developments in Norway. With a reopening of concession processing for new onshore wind power projects in 2022, a significant number of applications await evaluation, provoking substantial local opposition. This research assesses the prevalence and impact of NIMBY attitudes among the Norwegian public and to critically examine the theoretical validity and practical utility of the NIMBY concept. Using data from an online survey, which yielded 1220 complete responses, we analyzed general attitudes toward wind power in Norway and specific attitudes toward local wind power installations. While 37% of respondents support wind power construction in Norway, only 27% favor it near their homes. Based on the relationship between these two attitudes, we identified the proportion of NIMBYs in the data using two approaches. A strict definition requires individuals to support wind power in Norway but oppose its presence in the natural areas near their own homes. A less strict definition also includes those who expressed a neutral stance toward wind power in Norway among the NIMBYs. In both cases, a relatively small segment of respondents exhibit classic NIMBY characteristics, i.e., support (or claim neutrality) to wind power in general but opposing it locally. Further analysis reveals that direct experience with wind power installations is associated with increased acceptance rather than opposition, challenging the NIMBY narrative. Our study argues that labeling local resistance as NIMBYism oversimplifies the issue and ignores other significant factors like environmental identity, place attachment, and broader environmental attitudes. Hence, the study suggests that blaming wind power opponents as “Nimbys” often is misplaced and unjust.
Physical, structural and elastic properties of Fe2O3-doped oxyfluoroborate glasses
Authors: El-Moneim Amin Abd , Ahmed R. M. , Sallam O. I. , El-Mallawany Raouf
Published: January 2025

A series of Fe2O3-doped oxyfluoroborate 75B2O3–20NaF–5BaO glasses (Fe2O3 = 0, 2, 4, and 6 mol) were synthesized using the conventional melt-quenching method. The effect of Fe2O3 on the physical, structural, and elastic characteristics of synthesized glass samples has been studied. The non-crystalline characteristics of the prepared glass samples were validated through XRD analysis, while their structural properties were examined using FTIR spectroscopy. Elastic properties were investigated through the measurement of longitudinal and shear ultrasonic velocities, employing the pulse-echo technique. The observed density and computed molar volume were determined to be influenced by the content of Fe2O3. The ultrasonic velocities, elastic moduli, micro-hardness, and Debye temperature exhibited similar behavior across all glass compositions, showing an increase with increasing Fe2O3 content. The findings are analyzed concerning the alteration in the topology of the borate network. The incorporation of Fe2O3 led to the transformation of BO3 structural groups into BO4 structural groups, enhancing the network connectivity and increasing the rigidity of the glass structure and elastic moduli. A variety of compositional parameters, including the average separation between boron ions, mean atomic volume, glass packing density, dissociation energy per unit volume, and excess molar volume, were assessed in concerning Fe2O3 content. These parameters were then correlated with the elastic properties, drawing on established models and theories within the discipline. The theoretical elastic moduli, micro-hardness, and Poisson's ratio values were ultimately calculated and compared with the experimental ones.
Optimal cutoff values of intraoperative parathyroid hormone for predicting early and permanent hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy
Authors: Moreno Llorente Pablo , García Barrasa Arantxa , Pascua Solé Mireia , Muñoz de Nova José Luis , Alberich Prats Marta
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Measurement of intraoperative intact parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) levels is a reliable predictor of postsurgical hypocalcemia. We assessed the optimal cutoff values of ioPTH decline for predicting postoperative early and permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing thyroid surgery in a tertiary care hospital in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona, Spain). All consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection between January 2005 and May 2021 were analyzed. The best cutoff value of the decrease of ioPTH level between PTH assessed after induction of anesthesia and at 10 min after completion of surgery for predicting hypocalcemia was evaluated.

Results

We included 742 patients (mean age 52 years) (thyroid cancer 48%, neck dissection 42%) undergoing total thyroidectomy. Postoperative hypocalcemia was diagnosed in 383 (51.6%) patients, which was transient in 296 (39.9%) and permanent in 87 (11.7%). The optimal cutoff value for predicting transient hypocalcemia was a decline of ioPTH level of ≤ 62.5% (overall efficacy 87%), but calcium supplementation may be indicated in high-risk cutoff values of ≥ 79.9%. In patients with an ioPTH decline ≤ 39%, the probability of postoperative hypocalcemia is extremely unlikely. Patients with declines > 93.7% should be followed very closely since they are high-risk for developing permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Conclusion

The decline of ioPTH, measured as the difference between ioPTH before thyroidectomy and after completion of the surgical procedure is a reliable indicator of the likelihood of postoperative transient hypocalcemia, with optimal cutoff value of 62.5%.
Analyzing the impact of surgical technique on intraoperative adverse events in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery by video-based assessment
Authors: Lavanchy Joël L. , Alapatt Deepak , Sestini Luca , Kraljević Marko , Nett Philipp C. , Mutter Didier , Müller-Stich Beat P. , Padoy Nicolas
Published: January 2025

Background

Despite high-level evidence that variations of surgical technique in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are correlated with postoperative outcomes and might be linked to intraoperative adverse events (iAEs), there are a paucity of studies analyzing iAEs in depth. The impact of surgical technique on the temporal occurrence of iAEs regarding phases and steps of LRYGB has not been studied so far. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of variance in surgical technique on temporal occurrence, frequency, and type of iAEs in a multicentric dataset of LRYGB videos.

Methods

MultiBypass140, a video dataset containing 70 LRYGB surgeries each from Strasbourg University Hospital (StrasBypass70) and Bern University Hospital (BernBypass70) was annotated with surgical phases, iAE type, and grade. The cumulative severity of iAEs per procedure was measured using the SEVERE score and correlated with procedure duration.

Results

Surgical technique significantly differed between StrasBypass70 and BernBypass70 (omentum division: 94% vs. 36%, p < 0.01; closure of mesenteric defects: 100% vs. 21%, p < 0.01). In MultiBypass140, a total of 797 iAEs were analyzed. The most iAE-prone phases were gastric pouch creation, gastrojejunal, and jejunojejunal anastomosis creation containing 77% (616/797) of all iAEs. StrasBypass70 showed significantly more iAEs in the omentum division (23 vs. 5, p < 0.01), Petersen space closure (13 vs. 1, p < 0.01), and mesenteric defect closure phases (34 vs. 1, p < 0.01) compared to BernBypass70. In both centers, SEVERE score was correlated with procedure duration. In BernBypass70, insufficient closure of anastomosis was significantly more frequent in patients with postoperative complications (0.2 ± 0.6 vs. 0.0 ± 0.1, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Variations of the LRYGB technique between centers influence the temporal occurrence and frequency of iAEs. The frequency and severity of iAEs are correlated with procedure duration.
The relationship between a simulated glaucoma impairment and postural threat on quiet stance
Authors: Lavalle Lisa K. , Pourhashemi Nora , Cleworth Taylor W.
Published: January 2025

Peripheral visual field deficits developed through glaucoma have been shown to contribute to balance deficits and a fear of falling. Currently, there is no work that examines the relationship between fear of falling and quiet stance among glaucoma patients. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the impact of a virtual height-induced postural threat on balance control among healthy individuals exposed to a simulated glaucoma impairment. Participants stood on a force plate to measure kinetic responses while wearing a virtual reality (VR) head-mounted display (HMD) which also tracked head position. Surface electromyography (EMG) was also used to measure muscle activity from ankle stabilizing muscles. Trials were 60 s, with two at ground level and two at 7 virtual meters above ground, each exposing participants to normal vision and a VR-simulated glaucoma impairment. Electrodermal activity was collected, and questionnaires were completed following each trial to evaluate psychological aspects of the postural threat. Overall, while experiencing height-induced fear with normal vision, participants developed a tighter control of upright stance (decreased amplitude and increased frequency of balance-related movement); however, this was not observed for the simulated glaucoma conditions. Therefore, balance deficits among glaucoma patients may be mediated by fear of falling contributing to an unexpected postural strategy.
Evaluation of Salinity Tolerance Threshold of Two Wheat Cultivars Via Photosynthetic Efficiency and Ion Homeostasis
Authors: Gheisary Elahe , Kazemeini Seyed Abdolreza , Alinia Mozhgan , Dadkhodaie Ali , Fazaeli Mahboubeh , Mastinu Andrea
Published: January 2025

The possible growth and production of wheat have been negatively influenced by salinity stress, which is a critical environmental factor. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the salinity tolerance threshold of two wheat cultivars (Amin and Barzegar) via photochemical efficiency and ion homeostasis under eight salinity levels (0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 dS m−1) using a completely randomized design with three replicates. Both wheat cultivars experienced a decrease in the investigated leaf area from the 2 dS m−1 salinity level, with the shoot and root dry weight trends remaining unchanged until the 6 dS m−1 level, followed by a change in the shoot and root dry weight trends. Some significant interactions between salinity stress and cultivars were found in photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. Increasing salinity stress reduced the Fv/Fm, Fv/F0 and YPII in both wheat cultivars. However, a significant increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was observed as salinity intensity increased. The increase in NPQ was approximately 30% lower in Barzegar than that in Amin under severe stress. The antioxidant enzyme activity, K+ concentration, and K+/Na+ ratio in the cultivar Barzegar were remarkably higher than those in Amin; meanwhile, Amin maintained a higher Na+ concentration under salinity stress. Accordingly, photosynthesis parameters, redox, and ionic homeostasis were observed to be linked with salinity tolerance, and Amin and Barzegar were recognized as the sensitive (salt’s tolerance threshold: 3.67 dS m−1) and tolerant (salt’s tolerance threshold: 7.13 dS m−1) cultivars, respectively. Therefore, some wheat cultivars, such as Barzegar, could manage environmental stress by improving antioxidant enzyme activities, K+ concentration, and the K+/Na+ ratio to maintain a higher tolerance threshold when salinity stress is raised.
Effective macropore diffusivity of carbon dioxide on binderless pellets of Y-type zeolites
Authors: Azzan Hassan , Gmyrek Killian , Danaci David , Rajagopalan Ashwin Kumar , Petit Camille , Pini Ronny
Published: January 2025

The adsorption kinetics of carbon dioxide (CO2) in three cationic forms of binderless pellets of Y-types zeolites (H-Y, Na-Y, and TMA exchanged Na-Y) are studied using the zero-length column (ZLC) technique. The measurements were carried out at
$$288.15\,\textrm{K},298.15\,\textrm{K}$$
and
$${308.15}\,\textrm{K}$$
using different flowrates and an initial CO2 partial pressure of
$${0.10} \,\textrm{bar}$$
– conditions representative of post-combustion CO2 capture applications. The mass transport within the adsorbent pellets was described using a 1-D Fickian diffusion model accounting for intra- and inter-crystalline mass transport. For the latter, the parallel pore model formulation was used to explicitly account for the adsorbent’s macropore size distribution in estimating the volume-averaged diffusivity of the gas. Experiments carried out using different carrier gases, namely helium and nitrogen, were used (i) to determine that these systems are macropore diffusion limited and (ii) to simplify the parameter estimation to a single parameter - the macropore tortuosity. The latter (
$$\tau =1.3-2.5$$
) was in good agreement with independent measurements using MIP (
$$\tau \approx 1.7$$
). The associated diffusion coefficient,
$$D^\textrm{e}_\textrm{mac}$$
, was found to vary due to differences in the materials’ macropore size distributions and overall porosity. Upon combining the parallel pore model formulation with the temperature dependencies for the pore diffusivities derived from molecular theories of gases, we predict
$$D^\textrm{e}_\textrm{mac}\propto {T^b}$$
with
$$b=[0.78-0.88]$$
depending on the macropore size distribution. Notably, for the range of temperature tested in this study,
$$D^\textrm{e}_\textrm{mac}$$
varies approximately linearly with temperature (
$$b\approx 1$$
)– in contrast to the commonly reported correlation of
$$b=1.75$$
, which may be more appropriate for systems where molecular diffusion dominates and Knudsen diffusion is negligible. The binderless pellets of Y-type zeolites studied exhibit generally higher values for the effective macropore diffusivity of CO2 compared to previously reported results on commercial FAU zeolites.
Machine learning for smart water distribution systems: exploring applications, challenges and future perspectives
Authors: Taloma Redemptor Jr Laceda , Cuomo Francesca , Comminiello Danilo , Pisani Patrizio
Published: January 2025

The advancements of the Internet of Things and Low-Power Wide-Area Network technology will accelerate in the next future the adoption of smart meters in water distribution systems, enabling the collection of a huge amount of fine-grained data. How to turn massive smart meter data into actionable knowledge will be the key point to limit water wastage and promote efficient and sustainable distribution. Although the collection of data worldwide is currently limited, the potential future impact of exploiting data-driven and machine learning methods is increasingly recognized in research and industry, as shown by many scientific works published in recent years. In particular, the interest in deep learning for smart water distribution systems is increasing, motivated by the ability to learn intricate patterns from big data. This work aims to provide an overview of the current research and identify challenges for future directions by conducting an application-oriented survey. Specifically, by analysing data characteristics and operational targets, we propose a new taxonomy that helps structure properly the macro-areas of water management into infrastructure analysis, demand analysis and water quality monitoring. Existing methods are discussed for each application under these three stages. In addition, we also discuss potential research directions, such as federated learning, incremental learning, probabilistic modeling and explainability and address broad issues like data availability and implications for privacy.
Parabolic optimal control problems with combinatorial switching constraints, part III: branch-and-bound algorithm
Authors: Buchheim Christoph , Grütering Alexandra , Meyer Christian
Published: January 2025

We present a branch-and-bound algorithm for globally solving parabolic optimal control problems with binary switches that have bounded variation and possibly need to satisfy further combinatorial constraints. More precisely, for a given tolerance 

$$\varepsilon >0$$

ε
>
0

, we show how to compute in finite time an

$$\varepsilon $$

ε

-optimal solution in function space, independently of any prior discretization. The main ingredients in our approach are an appropriate branching strategy in infinite dimension, an a posteriori error estimation in order to obtain safe dual bounds, and an adaptive refinement strategy in order to allow arbitrary switching points in the limit. The performance of our approach is demonstrated by extensive experimental results.
Linear complementary pairs of skew constacyclic codes
Authors: Lobillo F. J. , Muñoz José Manuel
Published: January 2025

Linear complementary pairs (LCPs) of codes have been studied since they were introduced in the context of discussing mitigation measures against possible hardware attacks to integrated circuits. In this situation, the security parameters for LCPs of codes are defined as the (Hamming) distance and the dual distance of the codes in the pair. We study the properties of LCPs of skew constacyclic codes, since their algebraic structure provides tools for studying their duals and their distances. As a result, we give a characterization for those pairs, as well as multiple results that lead to constructing pairs with designed security parameters. We extend skew BCH codes to a constacyclic context and show that an LCP of codes can be immediately constructed from a skew BCH constacyclic code. Additionally, we describe a Hamming weight-preserving automorphism group in the set of skew constacyclic codes, which can be used for constructing LCPs of codes.
What Predicts Early Math in Autism? A Study of Cognitive and Linguistic Factors
Authors: Fernández-Cobos Raúl , Polo-Blanco Irene , Castroviejo Elena , Juncal-Ruiz Maria , Vicente Agustín
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to examine early mathematical abilities in young children with autism aged four to seven without intellectual disabilities and their connection with autism severity, non-verbal intelligence, and linguistic abilities (receptive vocabulary and grammar). The study involved 42 children with autism. We assessed participants’ cognitive, mathematical, and linguistic abilities. Their mathematical performance was compared with that of typically developing children using standardized measures. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify potential cognitive or linguistic differences across groups based on mathematical performance, and to determine predictive factors for mathematical abilities in children with autism. The findings indicated a higher prevalence of mathematical difficulties among the participants compared to typically developing children. A classification based on mathematical performance revealed statistically significant differences in cognitive and linguistic variables across groups, particularly in the low-performance group. However, no significant differences were found according to autism severity between the groups. The analysis further identified that a combination of visuo-spatial and linguistic abilities was the most predictive factor for mathematical performance. The study suggests that young children with autism without intellectual disabilities may be more likely to experience mathematical difficulties compared to typically developing children. Assessing cognitive and linguistic abilities could serve as a predictive measure for mathematical difficulties of children with autism, even without a formal diagnosis. Future research, with larger samples or longitudinal approaches, could validate these findings or explore which specific mathematical abilities are more related to non-verbal intelligence and which ones to structural language.
Refining the Florida ecological greenways network for improved landscape planning and conservation prioritization
Authors: Hoctor Thomas S. , Bohnett Eve , O’Brien Michael , Thompson Elizabeth , Noss Reed , Lockhart Sarah , Volk Michael , Carr Peggy , Smith Daniel J. , Guthrie Joseph M. , Oetting Jon
Published: January 2025

Context

The Florida Ecological Greenways Network (FEGN), established in the mid-1990s, was developed to combat habitat loss and fragmentation from rapid population growth. Over the past 30 years, the FEGN has been pivotal in identifying areas essential for biodiversity and ecosystem services to support conservation land acquisition programs including Florida Forever and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. It also underpins the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act, demonstrating its critical role in shaping state legislation. Continuous updates to the FEGN have ensured its relevance by integrating new geospatial data and advanced modeling techniques.

Objectives

This paper examines the methodology delineating and prioritizing the FEGN’s statewide ecological network. Using geospatial data to interface with environmental policy for strategic conservation planning, we demonstrate its cumulative importance for protecting the state’s biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Methods

We describe the data and methodological framework used to prioritize and refine the FEGN, including focal species, ecosystem services, connectivity models, and distribution of natural communities. We also compare the 2021 and 2016 versions of the FEGN to demonstrate the impact of updated data and land protection progress.

Conclusions

Our findings emphasize the importance of regularly updating connectivity conservation plans to account for land use changes and advancements in geospatial modeling tools. The involvement of a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has ensured objective data inclusion and building trust in the planning process. The FEGN provides essential guidance for stakeholders in landscape conservation planning, including government agencies, land trusts, and private landowners. The state legislature’s recognition and funding of the Florida Wildlife Corridor underscore the effectiveness of long-term scientific integration in conservation efforts.
The Digital Masons: Technology Providers and Social Credit System Construction in China
Authors: Sel Pierre
Published: January 2025

China’s Social Credit System Projects (SCSP) rely on dedicated digital infrastructure and as such can be considered as e-government projects. This study offers a preliminary analysis of companies who were tasked to construct and operate the SCSP’s databases. Building upon 500 public procurement notices from 2018 to 2023 across various administrative levels and provinces in China, the findings show a fragmented social credit construction market. In this market, small and medium-sized companies, both non-state and state-owned, compete to provide database services to local governments without any single firm dominating. This exploratory study illuminates the intricate dynamics and competitive landscape of digital government construction in China. It provides insights into the dynamics of public-private collaboration in China and the political economy of digital governance.
Labour diagnostics using the intrauterine pressure through sound waves emitted by a smartphone
Authors: Alderson Benjamin , Osman A. , El-Sayed Mahmoud Ahmed , Essa Khamis
Published: January 2025

Labour commencement diagnosis is still challenging in obstetrics. The majority of scientific techniques that were used to determine labour are costly and require a professional healthcare personnel to be carried out. Hence, in this work, an experiment was conducted using a 3D-printed 50% scale model of the abdomen of an average 40-week pregnant woman. The aim was to test whether the internal pressure can be evaluated from the reflection of the sound waves emitted by a smartphone. Frequencies of 4 kHz and 20 kHz were triggered at multiple distances (0.17, 0.34, 0.51 m) after inflating the 3D-printed model with water. The reflection coefficients and internal pressure were determined to have a positive linear correlation, suggesting that the hypothesis is practical. However, as the distances decreased, the reflection coefficient plateaued, indicating that the material had attained its maximum reflection coefficient at that frequency. Due to its reduced error and non-audible properties as compared to 4Hz, 20 kHz was suggested to be an optimum frequency for measuring pressure, allowing it for pain-free application for an extended amount of time.

Graphical Abstract
Optimization of Transcription Factor-Driven Neuronal Differentiation from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Disease Modelling and Drug Screening
Authors: Servetti Martina , Caramia Martino , Parodi Giulia , Loiacono Fabrizio , Nano Ennio , Biddau Giorgia , Ferrando Lorenzo , Morinelli Lisastella , Valente Pierluigi , Martinoia Sergio , Escelsior Andrea , Serafini Gianluca , Tamburro Serena , Baldassari Simona , Fassio Anna , Benfenati Fabio , Corradi Anna , Sterlini Bruno
Published: January 2025

Progress of human brain in vitro models stands as a keystone in neurological and psychiatric research, addressing the limitations posed by species-specific differences in animal models. The generation of human neurons from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using transcription factor reprogramming protocols has been shown to reduce heterogeneity and improve consistency across different stem cell lines. Despite notable advancements, the current protocols still exhibit several shortcomings. This study focuses on standardizing and optimizing the procedure for iPSC-derived glutamatergic neurons generation through the inducible overexpression of Neurogenin-2. Noteworthy refinements include stringent scrutiny of genomic rearrangements post-fibroblast reprogramming, selection of a homogeneously integrated NGN2-cassettes population, and the incorporation of an intermediate step during neuronal differentiation to store neuronal progenitors. The neural culture showed a high degree of neuronal maturation and consistency, as shown by single-cell and network electrophysiological recordings. These advancements aim to provide more reliable tools for disease modelling and drug screening in neurological disorders.

Graphical Abstract
The effects of popularity perceptions and social appearance anxiety on the desire of young people to have aesthetic procedures on social media
Authors: Ayar Duygu , Aksu Çiğdem , Polat Filiz , Elkoca Ayşe
Published: January 2025

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of young people’s popularity perceptions and social appearance concerns on their perceptions of aesthetic procedures on social media. This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2023 and January 2024. A Personal Information Form, the Popularity Perception Scale (PPS), the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS), and the Scale of Aesthetic Procedure Perceptions on Social Media (SAPPS) were used to collect data. Statistically significant differences were found in the popularity perceptions, social appearance anxiety levels, and aesthetic procedure perceptions of the participants based on their age, their status of having a disliked bodily/facial feature, whether they thought of undergoing aesthetic procedures, whether they used filters on social media, whether they used image manipulation programs, and their frequency of using social media platforms each day. The PPS scores of the participants had weak, positive, and significant correlations with their SAAS scores and their total and subscale scores on SAPPS. The frequency of their usage of image manipulation programs was found to predict the popularity perceptions of the participants and their perceptions of aesthetic procedures on social media. It was determined that nursing students had above-average levels of positive popularity perceptions, social appearance anxiety, and positive perceptions of aesthetic procedures on social media, and these three variables were significantly associated with each other. This research may lead to informing young people about the aforementioned factors with the views and support of young nurses.
Early administration of romosozumab prevents rebound of bone resorption related to denosumab withdrawal in fractured post-menopausal women: a real-world prospective study
Authors: Piasentier Alberto , Fanti Alessandro , Birtolo Maria Francesca , Vena Walter , Colle Roberto , Gentile Lucrezia Maria Silvana , Jaafar Simona , Bossi Antonio Carlo , Lania Andrea G. , Mazziotti Gherardo
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The real-world effectiveness of switching from denosumab to romosozumab remains controversial. Sequential therapy with romosozumab was shown to be associated with inadequate suppression of bone resorption and there was anecdotal evidence of major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) after transitioning from denosumab to romosozumab. This study evaluated the effects on bone resorption of early romosozumab administration 3 months after denosumab withdrawal in fractured women with post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Methods

This prospective, single-center cohort study included 39 post-menopausal women with osteoporosis experiencing either MOFs or decrease in bone mineral density during long-term treatment with anti-resorptive drugs. Eighteen received romosozumab either 6 months (Group A) or 3 months (Group B) after their last denosumab dose, while 21 women switched from bisphosphonates to romosozumab and were enrolled as controls (Group C). Serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) levels were measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

Results

All women of group A and 4 out of 8 women of group B showed a clinically significant increase of CTX values (i.e., change above the least significant change) (p = 0.023), which occurred earlier in group A as compared to group B. Moreover, 9/10 women of group A and 2/8 women of group B achieved values above the mean of reference range for pre-menopausal women (p = 0.013). In group C, serum CTX values did not change significantly during the follow-up. Two women in Group A experienced MOFs during the follow-up.

Conclusions

Early romosozumab administration after denosumab withdrawal may control bone turnover rebound and possibly prevent incidence of fractures in post-menopausal osteoporosis.
Advances in TENGs for Marine Energy Harvesting and In Situ Electrochemistry
Authors: Zhang Chuguo , Hao Yijun , Lu Xiangqian , Su Wei , Zhang Hongke , Wang Zhong Lin , Li Xiuhan
Published: January 2025

The large-scale use of ample marine energy will be one of the most important ways for human to achieve sustainable development through carbon neutral development plans. As a burgeoning technological method for electromechanical conversion, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has significant advantages in marine energy for its low weight, cost-effectiveness, and high efficiency in low-frequency range. It can realize the efficient and economical harvesting of low-frequency blue energy by constructing the floating marine energy harvesting TENG. This paper firstly introduces the power transfer process and structural composition of TENG for marine energy harvesting in detail. In addition, the latest research works of TENG on marine energy harvesting in basic research and structural design are systematically reviewed by category. Finally, the advanced research progress in the power take-off types and engineering study of TENG with the marine energy are comprehensively generalized. Importantly, the challenges and problems faced by TENG in marine energy and in situ electrochemical application are summarized and the corresponding prospects and suggestions are proposed for the subsequent development direction and prospects to look forward to promoting the commercialization process of this field.
Advanced Bismuth-Based Anode Materials for Efficient Potassium Storage: Structural Features, Storage Mechanisms and Modification Strategies
Authors: Tan Yiye , Mo Fanglan , Li Hongyan
Published: January 2025

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are considered as a promising energy storage system owing to its abundant potassium resources. As an important part of the battery composition, anode materials play a vital role in the future development of PIBs. Bismuth-based anode materials demonstrate great potential for storing potassium ions (K+) due to their layered structure, high theoretical capacity based on the alloying reaction mechanism, and safe operating voltage. However, the large radius of K+ inevitably induces severe volume expansion in depotassiation/potassiation, and the sluggish kinetics of K+ insertion/extraction limits its further development. Herein, we summarize the strategies used to improve the potassium storage properties of various types of materials and introduce recent advances in the design and fabrication of favorable structural features of bismuth-based materials. Firstly, this review analyzes the structure, working mechanism and advantages and disadvantages of various types of materials for potassium storage. Then, based on this, the manuscript focuses on summarizing modification strategies including structural and morphological design, compositing with other materials, and electrolyte optimization, and elucidating the advantages of various modifications in enhancing the potassium storage performance. Finally, we outline the current challenges of bismuth-based materials in PIBs and put forward some prospects to be verified.
Integrated 3D reservoir modelling for the unconventional reservoir prospects: a case study of Upper Cretaceous Brown Limestone reservoir, South Geisum field, Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Osman Mohamed , Farouk Sherif , Sarhan Mohammad A.
Published: January 2025

The Gulf of Suez basin (GOS) hosts over eighty conventional oilfields spanning from the Pre-Cambrian to the Recent. This research focuses on a segment of the (GOS) sequence within the territories managed by PGM Company. It outlines a methodology for evaluating unconventional resource potential within the Brown Limestone interval of Upper Cretaceous age in this region. The Brown Limestone interval serves not only as a crucial source rock but also as a fractured reservoir widespread across many oilfields. Due to intricate reservoir architecture, diverse lateral variations in facies and the heterogeneity of the reservoir quality, uncertainties prevail. These challenges impede the optimization of reservoir exploitation throughout the GOS Basin. This study employs an integrated approach utilizing diverse datasets and techniques to ascertain the precise structural setting, property attributes of the Upper Cretaceous Brown Limestone and forecast its complex geometry in three-dimensional space within the study area. The study aims to assess the reservoir and trap heterogeneity under various scenarios to create a robust 3D static model dictating the structural and property complexities. The objective of the model is to enhance the precision of reserve estimates and provide crucial support for decision-making in the development planning of the South Geisum oilfield.
Belief beyond reason: a radical relativist hinge epistemology
Authors: Johnson Drew
Published: January 2025

Hinge epistemology is sometimes thought to have controversial relativist and non-evidentialist commitments. This paper develops and motivates an explicitly relativist and radically non-evidentialist version of hinge epistemology, following and combining aspects of Ashton’s (2019) defense of relativist hinge epistemology and Pritchard’s (2016) defense of a non-epistemic reading of hinge commitments. I argue that radical relativist hinge epistemology shares in a main attraction of hinge epistemology in general, namely, offering a dissolution of closure-based radical skeptical problems. I then motivate RR as a social hinge epistemology by showing that it is particularly well-suited for fruitful applications in topics such as deep disagreement, testimonial injustice, and hermeneutic injustice.
Authority and Tradition in Ancient Historiography
Authors: Marincola John , Pelling Christopher
Published: January 2025

How did Greek and Roman historians claim the authority to narrate the deeds embraced by their histories? In this acclaimed and influential book, John Marincola examines all aspects of their self-presentation, surveying the entire field from Herodotus (fifth century BCE) to Ammianus Marcellinus (fourth century CE). He shows how each historian claimed veracity by imitating, modifying, and manipulating the traditions established by his predecessors. After discussing the tension between individuality and imitation, he analyses the recurring style used to establish the historian's authority: how he came to write history; the qualifications brought to the task; the inquiries and efforts he made in his research; and his claims to possess a reliable character. By showing how each historian used the tradition to claim and maintain his own authority, the book – now including a substantial new Introduction – helps us better understand the complex nature of ancient historiography.
Artificial Intelligence and Sentencing Practices: Challenges and Opportunities for Fairness and Justice in the Criminal Justice System in Sri Lanka
Authors: Niriella Muthukuda Arachchige Dona Shiroma Jeeva Shirajanie
Published: January 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into sentencing within the criminal justice system. This research examines the impact of AI on sentencing, addressing the challenges and opportunities for fairness and justice. The main problem explored is AI’s potential to perpetuate biases, undermining fair-trial principles. This study intends to assess AI’s influence on sentencing, identify legal and ethical challenges, and propose a framework for equitable AI use in judicial decisions. Key research questions include: (1) How does AI influence sentencing decisions? (2) What concerns arise from AI in sentencing? (3) What safeguards can mitigate those concerns and prejudices? Utilizing qualitative methodology, including doctrinal analysis and comparative studies, the research reveals AI’s potential to enhance sentencing efficiency but also to risk reinforcing biases. The study recommends robust regulatory frameworks, transparency in AI algorithms, and judicial oversight to ensure AI supports justice rather than impedes it, advocating for a balanced integration that prioritizes human rights and fairness.
Private Empires: The Development of Offshore Commercial and Financial Services in Tax Havens, 1955–1979
Authors: Mollan Simon , Sævold Kristine
Published: January 2025

This article examines the development of offshore commercial and financial services in tax havens between 1955-1979. The geographic locus of this paper is the Caribbean region, mainly focusing on the island tax havens that had been part of the British empire prior to decolonization. The article examines the relationship between the development of tax havens and decolonisation, and explores questions of international capital movement, the institutional structure of tax havens, the development of banking and commercial services in tax havens, and other offshore business activities. The article presents new data on international capital investment and capital movement, and provides empirical evidence in relation to the structure and function of businesses located in tax havens. This evidence is used to engage with emerging debates with reference to the history of tax havens: specifically, the nature of capital movement and the importance of beneficial ownership rights, and the relationship between the (re)location of business to tax havens and the mitigation of political risk and instability. We demonstrate that the development of tax havens in this period was a consequence of substantial innovation by business and finance to create advantageous environmental conditions in relation to taxation and governance. This was supported by an isomorphic process that spread similarly favourable regimes of law and regulation between different tax havens, as well as the development of a range of supportive commercial and financial services. We conclude by discussing the implications for future research on this topic.
How Did Human Rights Fare in Amendments to the International Health Regulations?
Authors: Forman Lisa , de Mesquita Judith Bueno , Filho Luciano Bottini , Meier Benjamin Mason , Sirleaf Matiangai
Published: January 2025

In this article, we examine the relationship between the World Health Organization International Health Regulations (IHR) and human rights and its implications for IHR reform, considering the evolution of human rights in the 2005 IHR, the role of human rights in IHR reforms and the implications of these reforms in key domains including equity and solidarity, medical countermeasures, core capacities, travel restrictions, vaccine certificates, social measures, accountability, and financing.
Feature reassembly and meso-parameters versus interpretability: From inconsistent null subjects in L1 Hebrew to no null subjects in L2 English
Authors: Brandel Noa
Published: January 2025

This paper reports the results of a cross-sectional study investigating the acquisition of the syntactic properties associated with the null subject (meso-)parameter in English as a second language (L2) among Hebrew-speaking youngsters (18-year-olds). The two languages differ concerning these properties, with Hebrew allowing null subjects and related properties (although inconsistently) and English disallowing these properties altogether. One hundred four intermediate learners and 97 English-speaker controls provided grammaticality judgments and corrections concerning constructions involving expletive and referential null subjects, post-verbal subjects, and complementizer-trace sequences. The results reveal limited evidence for transfer from the learners’ mother tongue (first language [L1]) and indicate that learners have met the native standard concerning null and post-verbal subjects. These findings support both the meso-parametric view of cross-linguistic variation and feature reassembly on functional heads in L2 acquisition, while partially rejecting the Interpretability Hypothesis. Learners nevertheless deviate from the native standard concerning complementizer-trace sequences. This finding is unaccounted for by the meso-parametric approach, feature reassembly, or interpretability, but can instead be attributed to L1 transfer. Controls also demonstrate variability concerning complementizer-trace sequences, suggesting that the performance of all participants regarding this configuration is affected by processing difficulties, lower frequency in the input, and methodological issues with the items and/or the task.
When unpacking the black box of motivation invites three forms of reductionism
Authors: Moors Agnes
Published: January 2025

In their proposal for unpacking the black box of motivation, Murayama and Jach (M&J) propose three types of reductions: From high-level to low-level motivational constructs, from motivation to cognition, and from contentful to contentless explanations. Although these reductions come with the promise of parsimony, they carry the risk of losing vital explanatory power.
Motivation needs cognition but is not just about cognition
Authors: André Nathalie , Baumeister Roy F.
Published: January 2025

Murayama and Jach offer valuable suggestions for how to integrate computational processes into motivation theory, but these processes cannot do away with motivation altogether. Rewards are only rewarding because people want and like them – that is, because of motivation. Sexual desire is not primarily a quest for rewarding information. Elucidating the interface between motivation and cognition seems a promising way forward.
There's no such thing as a free lunch: A computational perspective on the costs of motivation
Authors: Vassena Eliana , Gottlieb Jacqueline
Published: January 2025

Understanding the psychological computations underlying motivation can shed light onto motivational constructs as emergent phenomena. According to Murayama and Jach, reward-learning is a key candidate mechanism. However, there's no such thing as a free lunch: Not only benefits (like reward), but also costs inherent to motivated behaviors (like effort, or uncertainty) are an essential part of the picture.