bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chitosan: A Novel Approach and Sustainable Way to Remove Contaminants and Treat Wastewater
Authors: Nayak Madhur Amlan , Tripathi Anchal , Raj Aditi , Gauba Pammi , Bhatt Ekta 
Published: February 2025

AbstractBiopolymers are polymeric materials derived from biological sources that are considered to be environmentally friendly and sustainable. However, various synthetic polymers are already produced from a variety of chemicals, making them not compatible with the environment because they cannot be incorporated with natural recycling systems. Therefore, biopolymers have been proposed for a wide range of applications, including wastewater treatment, where they can effectively target various contaminants like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, microplastics, heavy metals, dissolved solids, and suspended solids due to their adaptability, biodegradability, large surface area (SA), and nontoxic nature. Biopolymers, particularly chitosan and its derivatives, are thought to be very promising and innovative materials for the removal of pollutants in addition to their non‐toxicity and large SA and cost‐effectiveness. Chitosan's macromolecular structure includes multiple hydroxyl and amino groups, which allows it to combine adsorption and photocatalysis mechanisms for pollutant degradation. Chitosan‐based composites can be developed using effective manufacturing procedures to overcome their mechanical properties and pore characteristics, which often show limited SA and total pore volume, which limit their adsorption efficacy. Therefore, this article suggests the applications of chitosan biopolymers and their composites to remove heavy metals like cadmium, copper, and arsenic with detailed mechanisms involved. The present article also thoroughly discusses the utilization of biopolymers, composites’ design preparation, and fabricated product that can be used to fill current research gaps as an important component of the circular bioeconomy, and makes recommendations for wastewater management with a focus on technological advances.
Mitigation of drying shrinkage in alkali‐activated reactive powder concrete through copper‐coated microwire steel fibers
Authors: Shakib Sheikh , Sheikh M. Neaz , Hadi Muhammad N. S. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThis study investigated the drying shrinkage in alkali‐activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS)‐based reactive powder concrete (AARPC) and evaluated the efficacy of copper‐coated microwire steel fibers in minimizing drying shrinkage. Three different mix designs with varying liquid ratios were developed and fibers were incorporated into each AARPC mix at different volumetric ratios. The drying shrinkage of the AARPC was investigated over a duration of 112 days under the drying at 23 ± 2°C with a relative humidity of 50 ± 2%. Drying shrinkage increased with the increase in the liquid ratio in the AARPC mixes without fibers. Incorporating fibers into the AARPC resulted in a substantial reduction in the drying shrinkage. The effectiveness of reducing drying shrinkage improved with an increase in fiber content. Fibers significantly attenuated drying shrinkage of AARPC by up to 51% when 2.4% of microwire steel fibers were used.
Proposed multi‐scale models to predict the compressive strength of ultra‐high performance fiber‐reinforced concrete
Authors: Abdulrahman Alan Saeed 
Published: February 2025

AbstractUltra‐high performance fiber‐reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) represents a new class of steel fiber‐reinforced concrete with exceptional mechanical properties. It is ideal for construction projects that emphasize safety and protection. Based on its key components, developing an accurate and reliable model to predict the compressive strength (σc) of UHPFRC is cost‐effective and time‐efficient. Such models also provide valuable insights into optimal curing conditions and the appropriate schedule for formwork removal. In this study, three predictive models were developed: the linear relationship (LR) model, the nonlinear relationship (NLR) model, and the multi‐logistic regression (MLR) model. A dataset of 312 samples was analyzed to examine the influence of 12 key variables on σc, including water‐to‐cement ratio (w/c), cement content (C), sand content (S), superplasticizer (SP), silica fume (SF), curing time (t), curing temperature (T), fiber content (Fb), fiber aspect ratio (AR), fiber diameter (Df), and fiber length (Lf). The models were evaluated using several statistical metrics, including the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), scatter index (SI), and objective (OBJ) value. Among the models, NLR‐2 outperformed the others, achieving OBJ and SI values that were 24.85% and 19.62% lower, respectively, compared to the LR model. Additionally, sand content, fiber content, and curing time were identified as the most significant factors affecting the compressive strength of UHPFRC mixtures.
Further Exploration of the Fluency Corpus of Academic English Lectures: The Profile of Repetitions
Authors: Nishizawa Hitoshi 
Published: February 2025

AbstractIn assessment contexts, the domain definition inference requires accurate documentation of linguistic demands in a specific target domain for precise measurement. The present study examines several aspects of repetitions in academic lecture settings to offer the domain definition inference for academic listening tests. To do this, I analyzed the Fluency Corpus of Academic English Lectures (FCAEL), a collection of 100 lecture videos from publicly available resources. I compared FCAEL to 54 academic lecture passages in Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT to examine repetitions in terms of words, types of words (content words or function words), and the location (clause‐initial or clause‐within). I used descriptive statistics and visualizations to examine the two sources in terms of the proportion and frequency. The results showed that the two sources commonly had higher proportions of function words than content words and higher proportions of one‐word repetitions than multi‐word repetitions. However, some dissimilarities were also found. In FCAEL, “the” had the highest proportion, while “the” was ranked third in TOEFL iBT. Moreover, clause‐within repetitions were more frequent than clause‐initial repetitions in FCAEL, while the proportions were similar in TOEFL iBT. Overall, the results challenge the domain definition inference of academic lecture passages in TOEFL iBT. I propose thresholds of repetitions which would be useful for test development and revision.
An organ‐specific transcriptome atlas of Curcuma wenyujin: MicroRNAs, phasiRNAs, and metabolic pathways
Authors: Ma Xiaoxia , Tang Yinju , Feng Zedi , Yin Xiu , Meng Yijun , Yin Xiaopu , Xie Tian 
Published: February 2025

AbstractCurcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling (C. wenyujin) is a medicinal plant widely used for clinical treatments. In this study, integrated omics data analyses enabled us to discover the microRNAs (miRNAs) and the phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) on a transcriptome‐wide scale. A total of 186 mature miRNAs and 23 precursors were reported. Besides, 31 miRNAs of 14 families were organ‐specifically expressed, and 13 of these miRNAs could perform organ‐specific target regulation. More than 80% of the phasiRNA loci were organ‐specifically expressed, especially in tubers. In some cases, phasiRNAs with distinct increments, but with accordant organ‐specific expression patterns, were generated from a highly overlapped region, indicating that different machineries might be synchronously engaged in phasiRNA processing. Based on the transcriptome assembly, 28 and 56 tuber‐specific genes were identified to be involved in alkaloid and terpenoid metabolisms, respectively. Analysis of the enzyme‐coding genes of the β‐elemene biosynthetic pathway showed that the downstream genes were tuber‐specific, while the upstream genes were not. We assumed that the precursor metabolites produced in the other organs might be delivered to the tubers for the final steps of β‐elemene biosynthesis. Summarily, our report provided an organ‐specific transcriptome atlas of C. wenyujin, which could serve as the basis for the molecular studies on organ development and secondary metabolisms in this plant.
Operationalizing selection criteria for clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease: Biomarker and clinical considerations: Proceedings from the Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable (AARR) Fall 2021 meeting
Authors: Petersen Ronald C. , Graf Ana , Brady Chris , De Santi Susan , Florian Hana , Landen Jaren , Pontecorvo Mike , Randolph Christopher , Sink Kaycee , Carrillo Maria , Weber Christopher J. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe design of clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) must consider the development of new plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and imaging biomarkers. They must also define clinically meaningful outcomes for patients and set endpoints that measure these outcomes accurately. With the accelerated United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first anti‐amyloid, disease‐modifying treatment for AD, a monoclonal antibody called aducanumab, the landscape of clinical trial design is evolving. Enrolment in clinical trials may be impacted by the availability of this and other treatments, and trial design must take into consideration that patients may desire a disease‐modifying treatment rather than potentially being randomized to the placebo arm. The Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable (AARR) Fall 2021 meeting discussed the consideration of well‐defined AD staging criteria in protocol design and how they influence more standardized inclusion/exclusion criteria for trials, as well as what constitutes meaningful differentiation between the stages. Discussion explored the current state of knowledge regarding biomarkers and how they can inform AD staging criteria, as many trials are now designed based on specific biomarker features, further underscoring the importance of coordinating AD staging criteria and biomarkers. The relationship between cognition and biomarkers has been studied and this must continue as trials move forward. Researchers, patients, clinicians, regulatory scientists, and payers discussed the state of the field as well as the future of symptomatic Alzheimer's disease clinical trials.Highlights
The Alzheimer's Association Research Roundtable (AARR) convened leaders from academia and industry as well as patients, care partners, clinicians, regulators, and payers to discuss the topic of operationalizing selection criteria for clinical trials and the role of biomarkers.
Well‐defined Alzheimer's disease (AD) staging criteria are an important consideration in study protocol design.
Staging criteria and biomarkers must be coordinated to yield high‐quality clinical trial results that have meaning for patients with AD by selecting a population most likely to benefit from a specific treatment.
Rural–urban disparities of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: A scoping review
Authors: Kramer Mackenzie , Cutty Maxwell , Knox Sara , Alekseyenko Alexander V. , Mollalo Abolfazl 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe rising age of the global population has made Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) a critical public health problem, with significant health‐related disparities observed between rural and urban areas. However, no previous reviews have examined the scope and determinant factors contributing to rural–urban disparities of ADRD‐related health outcomes. This study aims to systematically collate and synthesize peer‐reviewed articles on rural–urban disparities in ADRD, identifying key determinants and research gaps to guide future research. We conducted a systematic search using key terms related to rural–urban disparities and ADRD without restrictions on geography or study design. Five search engines—MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus—were used to identify relevant articles. The search was performed on August 16, 2024, and included English‐language articles published from 2000 onward. Sixty‐three articles met the eligibility criteria for data extraction and synthesis. Most articles were published after 2010 (85.7%) and were concentrated in the United States, China, and Canada (66.7%). A majority had cross‐sectional (58.7%) or cohort study designs (23.8%), primarily examining prevalence (41.3%) or incidence (11.1%). Findings often indicated a higher prevalence and incidence in rural areas, although inconsistent rural–urban classification systems were noted. Common risk factors included female sex, lower education level, lower income, and comorbidities such as diabetes and cerebrovascular diseases. Environmental (12.7%) and lifestyle (14.3%) factors for ADRD have been less explored. The statistical methods used were mainly traditional analyses (e.g., logistic regression) and lacked advanced techniques such as machine learning or causal inference methods. The gaps identified in this review emphasize the need for future research in underexplored geographic regions and encourage the use of advanced methods to investigate understudied factors contributing to ADRD disparities, such as environmental, lifestyle, and genetic influences.Highlights
Few studies on rural–urban ADRD disparities focus on low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Common risk factors include female sex, low education attainment, low income, and comorbidities.
Inconsistent definitions of “rural” complicate cross‐country comparisons.
Environmental and lifestyle factors affecting ADRD are underexplored.
Advanced statistical methods, such as machine learning and causal inference, are recommended.
CSF proteomics reveals changes in myelin and synaptic biology after Spectris treatment
Authors: Hajós Mihály , Pandey Kiran , Singer Annabelle C. , Duong Duc , Bitarafan Sara , Shpokayte Monika , Malchano Zach , Kern Ralph , Lah James J. , Levey Allan I. , Seyfried Nicholas T. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractINTRODUCTIONBrain steady‐state gamma oscillations evoked using a non‐invasive medical device (Spectris) have shown potential clinical benefits in patients with mild–moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), including reduced functional and cognitive decline, reduced brain volume and myelin loss, and increased brain functional connectivity. We analyzed changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins after Spectris treatment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their relationship to established biological pathways implicated in AD.METHODSUnbiased proteomic analysis of CSF samples from participants with amyloid‐positive MCI (n = 10) was conducted from the FLICKER (NCT03543878) clinical trial. Participants used the Cognito Therapeutics medical device (Spectris), confirmed to evoke steady‐state gamma oscillations. Participants were instructed to use the device daily for 1 hour each day during the trial. CSF was collected prior to the start of stimulation and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The proteome was analyzed using tandem mass tag mass spectrometry.RESULTSDifferential expression analysis of proteins at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment (N = 5) revealed that 110 out of 2951 proteins met the significance threshold (analysis of variance, P < 0.05, no false discovery rate). Sixty proteins were upregulated, and 50 proteins were downregulated after treatment. Changes in protein expression were mapped to the consensus human AD protein network, representing co‐expressed and functionally linked modules linked to cell type and biochemical pathways. Treatment altered CSF proteins linked to AD‐related brain proteome modules, including those involved in myelination (proteolipid protein 1, ecotropic viral integration site 2A), synaptic and neuroimmune functions, and regulation of cellular lipid transportation. Biological pathway analysis revealed that most impacted pathways were associated with lipoproteins, cholesterol, phospholipids processing, and phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis.DISCUSSIONThe CSF proteomic changes observed in this study suggest pleiotropic effects on multiple pathways involved in AD, including myelination, synaptic and neuroimmune function, and lipid transport. These findings are also consistent with observations of white matter and myelin preservation after Spectris treatment of AD.Highlights
We analyzed changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins in response to sensory‐evoked gamma oscillations in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
Sensory evoked steady‐state gamma oscillations were evoked by Spectris medical device.
Changes in CSF proteins were observed after 8 weeks of daily 1 hour treatment.
Affected proteins were related to myelination, synaptic and neuroimmune functions, and regulation of cellular lipid transportation.
Proteomic changes support clinical outcomes and myelin preservation of Spectris treatment.
Influence of rotation and temperature on creep strain rates in steel and cast iron disks
Authors: Thakur Pankaj , Gulial Priya 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of rotation on thermal creep strain rates in steel and cast iron disks using Seth's transition theory. The analysis considers varying angular speeds and thermal effects to understand their combined impact on deformation. Results reveal that higher angular speeds increase strain rates, with cast iron exhibiting lower strain accumulation compared to steel due to its material properties. Thermal effects amplify strain at the inner surface while reducing stress buildup, mitigating deformation at elevated temperatures. The findings underscore the complex interplay of rotational speed, thermal conditions, and material characteristics, providing insights into the structural integrity of rotating disks under operational conditions.
CPA-Daemon: Mitigating Tool Restarts for Java-Based Verifiers
Authors: Beyer Dirk , Lemberger Thomas , Wachowitz Henrik 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We present CPA-Daemon, a microservice for continuous software verification of C code. CPA-Daemon provides full access to the verifier CPAchecker, but adds a clear network interface based on gRPC that abstracts from three different modes of execution: (1) running CPAchecker in a separate JVM, (2) running CPAchecker as a native executable compiled with GraalVM, and (3) running CPAchecker in a shared, continuously-running JVM. The last two are novel execution modes that greatly improve the response time of verification in different verification scenarios and enable the seamless integration of CPAchecker as an engine in other verification tooling. Our comparative evaluation shows that CPA-Daemon reduces the response time on small verification tasks down to 17 %, and that it can reduce the response time of existing cooperative verification techniques down to 70 %. While our implementation focuses on CPAchecker, the conceptual ideas are of general nature and can serve as a solution for other verification tools that face similar JVM-specific issues. CPA-Daemon is open source and available at https://gitlab.com/sosy-lab/software/cpa-daemon.
The Cauchy problem for doubly degenerate parabolic equations with weights
Authors: Andreucci Daniele , Tedeev Anatoli F. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
We consider the Cauchy problem in the Euclidean space for a doubly degenerate parabolic equation with a space-dependent exponential weight, roughly speaking of the type of the exponential of a power of the distance from the origin. We assume here the solutions of the Cauchy problem to be globally integrable in space (in the appropriate weighted sense) and non-negative. Under suitable assumptions, we prove for the solutions sup estimates, i.e., the decay rate at infinity, the property of finite speed of propagation and support estimates. All our estimates are given explicitly in terms of the weight appearing in the equation.
Curiosity killed the cat? From a masculinized ‘frontier mindset’ to ethical curiosity in AI engineering
Authors: Drage Eleanor 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Curiosity is having its moment in AI engineering. Governments and Big Tech alike frame the trait as a key characteristic of data scientists. This paper offers a qualitative analysis of the perspectives of AI engineers on the importance of curiosity in their profession. The results of this study—which took place at a technology multinational of over 250 k + employees—warn that unless curiosity is carefully defined, detached from masculinized interpretations of what it entails, and linked to ethical development practices, the current emphasis on curiosity risks promoting harmful curiosity-based engineering practices. The paper begins by exposing the consequences of curiosity’s configuration within existing corporate and social inequalities. It then reviews theoretical literature on the gendering of skills and attributes in AI engineering. Having synthesized evidence of curiosity’s importance in corporate AI engineering, it draws on new qualitative data to draw out key themes that might be contributing to the gendering of curiosity, before exploring these themes in their wider context through the theoretical literature. It ends by outlining ways that curiosity-based engineering could promote rather than hinder ethical AI.
The Cortical Asymmetry Index for subtyping dementia patients
Authors: Pérez-Millan Agnès , Lal-Trehan Estrada Uma Maria , Falgàs Neus , Guillén Núria , Borrego-Écija Sergi , Juncà-Parella Jordi , Bosch Beatriz , Tort-Merino Adrià , Sarto Jordi , Augé Josep Maria , Antonell Anna , Bargalló Núria , Ruiz-García Raquel , Naranjo Laura , Balasa Mircea , Lladó Albert , Sala-Llonch Roser , Sánchez-Valle Raquel 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objectives
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) usually shows more asymmetric atrophy patterns than Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aim to quantify this asymmetry to differentiate FTD, AD, and FTD subtypes.

Methods
We studied T1-MRI scans, including FTD (different phenotypes), AD, and healthy controls (CTR). We defined the Cortical Asymmetry Index (CAI) using measures based on a metric derived from information theory with the cortical thickness measures. Some participants had additional follow-up MRIs, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or plasma measures. We analysed differences at cross-sectional and longitudinal levels. We then clustered FTD and AD participants based on the CAI values and studied the patients’ fluid biomarker characteristics within each cluster.

Results
A total of 101 FTD patients (64  ±  8 years, 53 men), 230 AD patients (65  ±  10 years, 84 men), and 173 CTR (59  ±  15 years, 67 men) were studied. CAI differentiated FTD, AD, and CTR. It also distinguished the semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) from the other FTD phenotypes. In FTD, the CAI increased over time. The cluster analysis identified two subgroups within FTD, characterised by different neurofilament-light (NfL) levels, and two subgroups within AD, with different plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels. In AD, CAI correlated with GFAP and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); in FTD, the CAI was associated with NfL levels.

Conclusions
The proposed method quantifies asymmetries previously described visually. The CAI could define clinically and biologically meaningful disease subgroups in the differential diagnosis of AD and FTD and its subtypes. CAI could also be of interest in tracking disease progression in FTD.

Key Points

Question

There is a need to find quantitative metrics from MRI that can identify disease subgroups, and that could be useful for diagnosis and tracking.

Findings

We propose a Cortical Asymmetry Index that differentiates Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), distinguishes FTD subtypes, correlates with NFL and GFAP levels, and monitors FTD progression.

Clinical relevance

Our proposed index holds the potential to support clinical applications for diagnosis and disease tracking in AD and FTD, using a quantitative summary metric from MRI data. It also contributes to the understanding of these diseases.