bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is superintelligence necessarily moral?
Authors: Dung Leonard 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Numerous authors have expressed concern that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) poses an existential risk to humanity. These authors argue that we might build AI which is vastly intellectually superior to humans (a ‘superintelligence’), and which optimizes for goals that strike us as morally bad, or even irrational. Thus this argument assumes that a superintelligence might have morally bad goals. However, according to some views, a superintelligence necessarily has morally adequate goals. This might be the case either because abilities for moral reasoning and intelligence mutually depend on each other, or because moral realism and moral internalism are true. I argue that the former argument misconstrues the view that intelligence and goals are independent, and that the latter argument misunderstands the implications of moral internalism. Moreover, the current state of AI research provides additional reasons to think that a superintelligence could have bad goals.
Among- and within-population variation in germination response shapes ecological resilience in the Mediterranean cliff species Brassica incana
Authors: Laccetti Lucrezia , Cruz Tejada Diana María , Mo Alessio , Carta Angelino , Scopece Giovanni 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background and Aims
Understanding how plant species respond to extreme conditions is crucial for predicting their ecological resilience under climate change. Here, we aimed to forecast the ecological resilience of the Mediterranean cliff species Brassica incana (Brassicaceae) by estimating population variation in germination response under novel extreme environmental conditions.

Methods
We investigated the thermal germination responses in 14 populations of B. incana by exposing seeds to temperatures within and outside conditions experienced in their local environment. Then, we quantified among- and within-population variation in germination response to extreme temperatures, estimated genotype-by-environment interactions (G × E) and tested if population performance at extreme temperatures is explained by local climate.

Key Results
We found significant among-population differences in germination response, a different level of within-population variability and different mechanisms underlying G × E patterns. Also, populations experiencing higher temperatures in their local environment showed a better performance at both cold and hot extremes while populations experiencing lower temperatures showed a limited ability to germinate under extreme conditions.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that populations experiencing higher temperatures in their local environment have a greater potential to face future thermal extreme conditions and their role is thus crucial to promote species ecological resilience.
Peripheral Nerve Injury After Deoxycholic Acid (ATX-101) Injection in an Experimental Rat Model
Authors: Chi David , Pinni Sai , Maloy Shea , Llaneras Noah , Hunter Daniel A , Wood Matthew D , Tenenbaum Marissa M , Mackinnon Susan E 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background
Deoxycholic acid (ATX-101) is a drug administered by subcutaneous injection for local fat reduction. However, ATX-101 treatment has been reported to cause marginal mandibular nerve injury with noticeable functional deficits when targeting submental fat. As a cytolytic agent with some selectivity for adipocytes, ATX-101 may damage the lipid-rich myelin surrounding peripheral nerves.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to characterize nerve injury caused by ATX-101 injection in an experimental rat sciatic nerve model.

Methods
Injuries to the sciatic nerve caused by intrafascicular and extrafascicular injections of ATX-101, and by lidocaine (positive control) and saline (negative control) injections, were compared. Nerves were harvested at a 2-week endpoint for histomorphometric analysis.

Results
The cross-sectional area of nerve injury was significantly increased by ATX-101 injection. The damaged areas amounted to 75% ± 15% with intrafascicular ATX-101 (P &lt; .001), 41% ± 21% with extrafascicular ATX-101 (P &lt; .01), and 38% ± 20% with positive-control lidocaine (P &lt; .01), compared with 7% ± 13% with negative-control saline. Demyelinating injury was a significant mechanism of injury in the affected nerve fibers compared with uninjured nerve fibers (P &lt; .04), but there was no difference in the axon-to-myelin area ratio between the lidocaine and ATX-101 cohorts. After 2 weeks, Wallerian degeneration was evident with only small regenerating nerve fibers present in the ATX-101-injured groups compared with saline (average fiber width, 2.54 ± 0.26 μm vs 5.03 ± 0.44 μm, P &lt; .001).

Conclusions
ATX-101 can cause extensive nerve injury in rats. The mechanism of action for ATX-101 does not preferentially target myelin more than other common neurotoxic agents. Appropriate knowledge of surgical anatomy and injection technique is necessary for any practitioners administering ATX-101 injections.
‘Why doesn’t she just leave?’ Roman divorce as a deterrent to intimate partner violence
Authors: Finn Ash 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT
A number of scholars have in recent years suggested that the ease of divorce in Roman law and the legal provisions for the return of the dowry would have acted as an effective deterrent to intimate partner violence (IPV). This argument rests on two main assumptions. The first is that Roman divorce was quick, easy, and financially damaging for the husband. The second is that IPV was a legitimate reason for divorce and was widely condemned in Roman society. This paper argues against these assumptions and instead suggests that in cases involving IPV, divorce was unlikely to have been quick and easy but rather was a lengthy process, with women often asked to return to marriages and adapt their own behaviour to try to mollify their abusive husbands. In some cases, women will never have left. For deterrents to be effective they must be applied regularly and consistently. Accordingly, Roman divorce cannot be considered an effective deterrent to IPV.
Accurate and efficient protein embedding using multi-teacher distillation learning
Authors: Shang Jiayu , Peng Cheng , Ji Yongxin , Guan Jiaojiao , Cai Dehan , Tang Xubo , Sun Yanni 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Motivation
Protein embedding, which represents proteins as numerical vectors, is a crucial step in various learning-based protein annotation/classification problems, including gene ontology prediction, protein–protein interaction prediction, and protein structure prediction. However, existing protein embedding methods are often computationally expensive due to their large number of parameters, which can reach millions or even billions. The growing availability of large-scale protein datasets and the need for efficient analysis tools have created a pressing demand for efficient protein embedding methods.

Results
We propose a novel protein embedding approach based on multi-teacher distillation learning, which leverages the knowledge of multiple pre-trained protein embedding models to learn a compact and informative representation of proteins. Our method achieves comparable performance to state-of-the-art methods while significantly reducing computational costs and resource requirements. Specifically, our approach reduces computational time by ∼70% and maintains ±1.5% accuracy as the original large models. This makes our method well-suited for large-scale protein analysis and enables the bioinformatics community to perform protein embedding tasks more efficiently.

Availability and implementation
The source code of MTDP is available via https://github.com/KennthShang/MTDP
What Influences the Use of Research by the Adult Social Care Workforce?
Authors: Sumpter Linda , Willis Paul , Cameron Ailsa , Dibsdall Lisa , Gray Karen , Jones Mat , McLeod Hugh , Symonds Jon , Cabral Christie , Macdonald Geraldine 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Despite a recognition that research evidence plays a critical role in informing decisions in adult social care, there has been little investment in developing the sector’s own capacity to engage with it. This article reports on a qualitative study of the adult social care workforce (social workers, occupational therapists, managers and commissioners) in three local authorities in England. Data were collected through twenty-five semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and analysed iteratively using thematic analysis. The interviews explored participants’ understanding and use of research in adult social care. Four key influences on research use were identified: time; accessibility; skills and confidence; and organisational support. Finding time was the most frequently cited barrier. This was exacerbated by the difficulties participants described in finding research that was trusted and relevant. Protected time was regarded as essential, and both organisations and individuals had a role in ensuring that time was available to engage with research. Participants identified skills gaps, including how to read, critically appraise and apply evidence from research. The findings confirm an appetite within the workforce for developing the skills and confidence to make more use of research but suggest that achieving this requires organisational support and access to resources.
Phylloclades of Jacksonia (Fabaceae)—leaf-like branches as adaptation to seasonally arid environments
Authors: Dörken Veit M , Ladd Philip G , Parsons Robert F 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Leaves of seed plants were evolutionarily derived through syngenesis (fusion) of the photosynthetic cylindrical axes of the earliest land plants and subsequent morphological diversification. However, in some later evolved taxa leaves became very reduced or entirely lost and photosynthesis was again restricted to stems. Reduction of photosynthetic area to stems is mostly found in plants from arid environments and is generally considered disadvantageous in competition for light with plants with leaves but may be useful if water is limiting. For taxa that cannot form normal leaves on adult plants, increasing photosynthetic area is only possible by modification of other plant parts. Some taxa produce leaf-like phylloclades that are developmentally different from leaves. We investigated Jacksonia floribunda and J. anthoclada (Fabaceae) leaves and phylloclades. In all Jacksonia species true leaves are only developed in the earliest ontogenetic stages, and subsequently are reduced to minor, nonphotosynthetic brownish scales. After several nodes on the seedling, photosynthetic phylloclades, each inserted in the axil of a scale, form the foliage. Immature phylloclades have vestigial nonphotosynthetic leaves borne on small projections from the edge of the blade. These soon abscise. The phylloclades are flattened branches and when mature have a distinctly reticulate venation and a sinuous margin with alternating mucronate tips where the vestigial leaves were attached. Jacksonia species demonstrate a transformational series where in most species foliage is reduced to branchlets. In a few others branchlets are winged forming cladodes or are condensed and laterally expanded to form phylloclades. Our findings on the more derived species in Jacksonia illustrate the complexity of plant morphological responses to evolutionary pressures of seasonal water limitation.
The critical role of arachidonic acid on molting in spiders
Authors: Wen Lelei , Wang Lieping , Wang Zhigan , Zhang Haixin , Hu Lang , Peng Baoyu , Peng Yu , Jiao Xiaoguo , Li Changchun 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Spiders frequently suffer abnormal molting and subsequent death when sustained on a monotypic diet of fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster. The fruit flies lack arachidonic acid (AA), a nutrient that may be critical for successful molting of spiders. To test this hypothesis, we compared the survival rates of juvenile wolf spiders, Pardosa pseudoannulata, fed on three kinds of diets, midges (Tendipes sp.), fruit flies enriched in AA and fruit flies lacking in AA. In addition, we analyzed the fatty acid composition of spiders feeding on midges and fruit flies enriched in AA and their prey. Juvenile spiders fed on midges and AA-enriched fruit flies reached full maturity without molting issues, whereas nearly all spiders fed the flies lacking in AA did not survive. Among the 35 different fatty acids, only the AA levels in both prey and spiders correlated positively with spider survival. Our findings provide compelling evidence that AA is crucial for the survival and molting of P. pseudoannulata.
Perceptions and Effectiveness of a Fully Automated Brief Behavioral Insomnia Therapy, Delivered by a Virtual Companion, in Older and Young Adults
Authors: Sagaspe Patricia , Sanchez-Ortuno Maria Montserrat , Dupuy Lucile , Pecune Florian , Coelho Julien , Micoulaud-Franchi Jean Arthur , Levavasseur Yannick , de Sevin Etienne , Chanteclair Alex , Philip Pierre , Salles Nathalie 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background and Objectives
One of the most common sleep disturbances in older people is insomnia. Cognitive–behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment for this condition in older adults, but in-person treatment is costly and often unavailable. In this study, in a group of older and young subjects, we aimed to compare: (a) their initial perceptions of a fully automated mobile health intervention to manage insomnia, (b) how these perceptions related to treatment completion, and (c) the effects of the intervention on insomnia severity and related outcomes.

Research Design and Methods
A case-series study was conducted with a self-selected sample of older (≥65 years) and young (18–35 years) adults (n = 5,660) who downloaded a free app, available in France, that delivers a brief behavioral intervention for insomnia aided by a virtual companion (VC). The 17-day intervention included sleep hygiene and stimulus control recommendations. Primary outcome was treatment completion (yes/no). At the beginning of the intervention, treatment acceptability and trust in the VC were assessed with 2 short questionnaires (completion rate: 1,597 users). Insomnia was evaluated with the Insomnia Severity Index.

Results
Logistic regression analyses showed that higher credibility and trust in the app’s VC were associated with higher odds of treatment completion, but only in older adults (trust scores × age group: odds ratio [OR] = 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.25; p &lt; .05, and credibility scores × age group: OR = 1.25 [95% CI = 1.06–1.47], p &lt; .01). Within the subset of users who completed the intervention (n = 289), insomnia remission (χ2 = 2.72, NS) and insomnia response rates (χ2 = 2.34, NS) were comparable across both groups.

Discussion and Implications
This brief behavioral intervention appears to be efficacious for the self-management of insomnia symptoms in older adults. The integration of persuasive interaction elements, such as avatars and virtual coaches, in fully automated interventions could be particularly useful to stimulate older adults’ engagement.

Clinical Trials Registration Number
NCT05074901
Genomes and integrative genomic insights into the genetic architecture of main agronomic traits in the edible cherries
Authors: Liu Zhenshan , Bernard Anthony , Wang Yan , Dirlewanger Elisabeth , Wang Xiaorong 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Cherries are one of the economically important fruit crops in the Rosaceae family, Prunus genus. As the first fruits of the spring season in the northern hemisphere, their attractive appearance, intensely desirable tastes, high nutrients content, and consumer-friendly size captivate consumers worldwide. In the past 30 years, although cherry geneticists and breeders have greatly progressed in understanding the genetic and molecular basis underlying fruit quality, adaptation to climate change, and biotic and abiotic stress resistance, the utilization of cherry genomic data in genetics and molecular breeding has remained limited to date. Here, we thoroughly investigated recent discoveries in constructing genetic linkage maps, identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and validating functional genes of edible cherries based on available de novo genomes and genome resequencing data of edible cherries. We further comprehensively demonstrated the genetic architecture of the main agronomic traits of edible cherries by methodically integrating QTLs, GWAS loci, and functional genes into the identical reference genome with improved annotations. These collective endeavors will offer new perspectives on the availability of sequence data and the construction of an interspecific pangenome of edible cherries, ultimately guiding cherry breeding strategies and genetic improvement programs, and facilitating the exploration of similar traits and breeding innovations across Prunus species.
Tips and Tricks for Image-Guided Breast Biopsies: Technical Factors for Success
Authors: Dodelzon Katerina , Grimm Lars , Coffey Kristen , Reig Beatriu , Mullen Lisa , Dashevsky Brittany Z , Bhole Sonya , Parikh Jay 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Image-guided biopsy is an integral step in the diagnosis and management of suspicious image-detected breast or axillary lesions, allowing for accurate diagnosis and, if indicated, treatment planning. Tissue sampling can be performed under guidance of a full spectrum of breast imaging modalities, including stereotactic, tomosynthesis, sonographic, and MRI, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. Procedural planning, which includes consideration of technical, patient, and lesion factors, is vital for diagnostic accuracy and limitation of complications. The purpose of this paper is to review and provide guidance for breast imaging radiologists in selecting the best procedural approach for the individual patient to ensure accurate diagnosis and optimal patient outcomes. Common patient and lesion factors that may affect successful sampling and contribute to postbiopsy complications are reviewed and include obesity, limited patient mobility, patient motion, patients prone to vasovagal reactions, history of anticoagulation, and lesion location, such as proximity to vital structures or breast implant.
Gendered Consumer Responsibilization: The Constitution of Menopausal Women as Responsible Feminine Consumer Subjects
Authors: Corus Canan , Saatcioglu Bige , Sandikci Ozlem 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Recent decades have witnessed menopause, an inevitable and natural bodily transition, come under the purview of the market. Menopausal women are increasingly expected to be informed entrepreneurs of their bodies, bringing this transition within the domain of self-regulation and responsibility. Using data emanating from institutionalized market actors (i.e., pharmaceutical and insurance companies, healthcare professionals) and the accounts of consumers, we investigate the construction of responsibility in the contested field of menopause. We show that the formation of the responsible feminine consumer subject is an adjustive process generated through contestations between different articulations of subjectivity. Specifically, we identify three subject formative subprocesses and show how gender is implicated in each. Instead of following a singular path, these subprocesses culminate in two distinct yet coexisting routes to responsibilization, either by appealing to the qualities of traditional feminine subjectivity or by aligning with postfeminist subjectivity. We extend existing theorizations by revealing how gender shapes the processes of responsible subject formation and broadening the investigation of consumer responsibilization to a personal and embodied level.
Doubly strongly first-order dependencies
Authors: Galliani Pietro 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Team Semantics is a generalization of Tarskian Semantics in which formulas are satisfied with respect to sets of assignments, called teams. In this semantics, it is possible to add new atoms and connectives expressing dependencies between possible values of variables. Some of the resulting logics are more expressive than first-order logic while others are not. I study the (relativizable) atoms and families of atoms that do not increase the expressive power of first-order logic when they and their complements are added to it, separately or jointly, calling them doubly strongly first-order dependencies and finding a characterization for them.
Novel insights into the role of bisphenol A (BPA) in genomic instability
Authors: Hale Anastasia , Moldovan George-Lucian 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a phenolic chemical that has been used for over 50 years in the manufacturing of polycarbonate and polyvinyl chloride plastics, and it is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide. Because BPA can bind to and activate estrogen receptors, studies have mainly focused on the effect of BPA in disrupting the human endocrine and reproductive systems. However, BPA also plays a role in promoting genomic instability and has been associated with initiating carcinogenesis. For example, it has been recently shown that exposure to BPA promotes the formation of single stranded DNA gaps, which may be associated with increased genomic instability. In this review, we outline the mechanisms by which BPA works to promote genomic instability including chromosomal instability, DNA adduct formation, ROS production, and estrogen receptor (ER) activation. Moreover, we define the ways in which BPA promotes both carcinogenesis and resistance to chemotherapy, and we provide critical insights into future directions and outstanding questions in the field.
eQTL-Detect: nextflow-based pipeline for eQTL detection in modular format with sharable and parallelizable scripts
Authors: Chitneedi Praveen Krishna , Hadlich Frieder , Moreira Gabriel C M , Espinosa-Carrasco Jose , Li Changxi , Plastow Graham , Fischer Daniel , Charlier Carole , Rocha Dominique , Chamberlain Amanda J , Kuehn Christa 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Bioinformatic pipelines are becoming increasingly complex with the ever-accumulating amount of Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Their orchestration is difficult with a simple Bash script, but bioinformatics workflow managers such as Nextflow provide a framework to overcome respective problems. This study used Nextflow to develop a bioinformatic pipeline for detecting expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) using a DSL2 Nextflow modular syntax, to enable sharing the huge demand for computing power as well as data access limitation across different partners often associated with eQTL studies. Based on the results from a test run with pilot data by measuring the required runtime and computational resources, the new pipeline should be suitable for eQTL studies in large scale analyses.
Cas9 nickase-mediated contractions of CAG/CTG repeats are transcription-dependent and replication-independent
Authors: Larin Meghan , Gidney Florence , Aeschbach Lorène , Heraty Laura , Randall Emma L , Heuchan Aeverie E R , Buřičová Marcela , Bérard Melvin , Dion Vincent 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
There is currently no disease-modifying treatment for expanded CAG/CTG repeat disorders. Given that longer repeat tracts lead to an earlier age of disease onset and faster progression, contracting them is expected to improve symptoms and/or delay onset. We have previously demonstrated that the Cas9 D10A nickase can effectively contract CAG/CTG repeats when targeted to the repeat tract itself. However, the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we tested whether nickase-mediated contractions depend on transcription or on replication using human cell models. We find that transcription promotes contractions and that they occur independently of the rate of cell division. These results support the therapeutic potential of this approach in non-dividing cells.