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Egalitarian norms can deflate identity-bias link in real-life groups
Social identity theory posits that group membership influences individual behavior by fostering a sense of belonging and promoting normative conformity within groups. While much research has shown a link between ingroup identification and ingroup bias, the role of ingroup norms in moderating this association remains less explored. Specifically, how varying norms (egalitarianism vs. favoritism) affect bias in individuals with high ingroup identification requires further investigation. To address this gap, we examined whether ingroup norms alter the strength of the identification-bias relationship in two studies (N = 322). We investigated how non-WEIRD real-life group members’ ingroup bias was driven by their identification levels and perceived ingroup norm in Study 1 with a correlational design, and we experimentally manipulated ingroup norms in a simulated group discussion in Study 2. Both studies demonstrated that under a favoritism norm, participants with high ingroup identification showed greater ingroup bias, whereas this bias was deflated under an egalitarianism norm. However, contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find evidence that participants with high ingroup identification showed lower ingroup bias under the egalitarianism norm. We discuss these findings and suggest that fostering egalitarian norms within groups may reduce ingroup bias and discrimination, offering insight for interventions aimed at promoting intergroup harmony.
Ambipolar ohmic contact to silicon for high-performance brain-inspired image sensors
Machine learning driven optimization of compressive strength of 3D printed bio polymer composite material
3D printing has brought significant changes to manufacturing sectors, making it possible to produce intricate, multi-layered designs with greater ease. This study focuses on optimizing the compressive strength (CS) of functionally graded multi-material (PLA/Almond Shell Reinforced PLA) which is fabricated with the aid of the FFF process, a widely used additive manufacturing technique. Six different machine learning models (ML) were utilized to estimate CS using key process parameters, namely print speed (PS), layer height (LH), and printing temperature (PT). Among six ML models, Polynomial Regression (PR) performed best, with an R2 of 0.88 and the lowest error metrics (MAE = 1.38, RMSE = 1.9, MSE = 3.6). SHAP analysis indicated that PS is the most influential parameter, followed by LH. PR predicted optimal parameters (PS = 19 mm/s, LH = 0.1 mm, PT = 216°C) and yielded a predicted CS of 36 MPa, which was experimentally validated as 34.8 MPa with a low error of 3.44%. Also, the PR outperformed the traditional Taguchi method, which predicted a CS of 33.74 MPa, showing a 7.5% improvement and lower error. This demonstrates that PR-based ML optimization offers better accuracy and improved mechanical performance, making these FGMs suitable for various consumer applications.
Brain anatomy of the Cambrian fossil Jianfengia multisegmentalis informs euarthropod phylogeny
Abstract Cambrian fossils from the Chengjiang biota demonstrate that over half a billion years ago early stem euarthropods existed coevally with representatives of already recognizable crown groups. Prominent stem taxa were Fuxianhuia protensa and Alalcomenaeus whose cerebral and ganglionic traits identify them as, respectively, stem mandibulates and stem chelicerates. Here we report on the visual systems and brain of the enigmatic lower Cambrian euarthropod Jianfengia multisegmentalis, which reveals neural traits suggestive of Pancrustacea despite its possession of ‘great appendages’. As occur in pancrustaceans, three nested optic neuropils are resolved in the eyestalks of Jianfengia, together with rostral ocelli and their associated nerves supplying a discrete forebrain region. Sutured eyestalks typifying crown Malacostraca provide compound eyes populated by ommatidia revealing structures suggesting cone-building cells. These and other neuroanatomical traits provide a powerful tool for resolving euarthropod relationships. Phylogenetic analyses deploying neural traits of Jianfengia, other Cambrian taxa, and extant Euarthropoda elucidate the status of Jianfengia as sister to total Mandibulata and reveal the short-bodied ‘great appendage’ Leanchoiliidae as sister to total Chelicerata. Together these data provide independent evidence for a 23 year-old proposition that ‘great appendage’ morphology defines the early stem from which derived the two branches of the euarthropod tree of life.
Correction: Sentential inference bridging between lexical/grammatical knowledge and text comprehension among native Chinese speakers learning Japanese
Author Correction: Genetic regulation of TERT splicing affects cancer risk by altering cellular longevity and replicative potential
Population pharmacokinetic modeling of missed mycophenolate mofetil doses: Impact on exposure and exploration of mitigation strategies
Background Missed doses of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) are frequent in transplant recipients and may lead to subtherapeutic exposure to mycophenolic acid (MPA), potentially compromising graft function. However, current guidance on how to manage such deviations remains empirical and is not supported by pharmacokinetic evidence. Methods We used two validated population pharmacokinetic models of MPA to simulate steady-state exposure in virtual cohorts of renal transplant recipients treated with MMF. Scenarios included full missed doses, delays in intake (2–10 hours), and compensation strategies (50% or 100% added at the next dose). Simulations were performed for six dose regimens (500–1250 mg BID) and analyzed in terms of AUC0–12h, proportion of patients outside the target range (30–60 mg·h/L), and time to return to steady state. Results A fully missed dose resulted in a 40–60% reduction in AUC0–12h, with delayed return to steady state (up to 72 hours). Delays ≤6 hours caused minimal impact (<15% reduction). Full-dose compensation frequently overshot the therapeutic window, especially in higher-dose regimens. In contrast, adding 50% of the missed dose restored exposure safely and rapidly. When exact compensation was not feasible, rounding down to the nearest available formulation minimized overexposure. Conclusions Model-based simulations suggest that a rational response to MMF dose omissions can mitigate underexposure while avoiding toxicity. These strategies may support clinicians in managing missed doses and optimizing immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients.
Assessment of carbon-abatement pricing to maximize the value of electrolytic hydrogen in emissions-intensive power sectors
Unveiling the gaps: A comprehensive, equity-focused observational examination of Emergency Department discharge
Objectives Prior work has shown that Emergency Department (ED) discharge instructions are often incomplete and poorly comprehended , leading to adverse events. Given the critical importance of effectively communicating ED discharge instructions, we performed a comprehensive evaluation of current adult ED discharge practices at two hospitals compared to a conceptual composite gold standard. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted at two large academic urban EDs. ED patients were purposively selected for observation to ensure diverse representation including non-English language preferring (NELP) patients. Research Assistants (RAs) observed all provider-patient interactions throughout the patient’s ED encounter, documenting all discharge-related discussions. Verbal discharge and discharge documentation content were compared to a conceptual “gold-standard” checklist developed from consensus national guidelines. Results Between September 2023 to March 2024, a total of 175 adult patient ED courses were observed. The majority of verbal communication regarding ED discharge included ED diagnosis (87%), ED diagnostic results (87%), medications (81%) and follow-up plan (78%). Only half (54%) included ED return precautions. Discharge documentation content mirrored these findings, except for ED diagnostic results (69%) and ED return precautions (81%). Assessment of comprehension occurred during only 53% of discharges, with 46% of patients having the opportunity to ask follow-up questions. For NELP patients, 12% of verbal discharges and 55% of discharge documentation were not in the patients’ preferred language. Conclusion Much of the recommended ED discharge content was provided to the patient. Divergent content gaps identified across verbal discharge and discharge documentation support the pragmatic value of bimodal discharge processes. Given the demonstrated impact of discharge instruction comprehension on improving patient adherence, important foci for future process improvement includes assessing patient comprehension and exploring feasible solutions to facilitate the use of preferred language discharge documentation instructions.
Daily briefing: Deliberate fearmongering spread like a virus through revolutionary France
Electrostatic field-enabled ultra-efficient evaporative cooling
A qualitative study of graduate student emotional and cognitive processing of unexpected (chance) events
Research on graduate education often focuses on the expected challenges of graduate programs, such as proposal defenses, comprehensive exams, and mentoring relationships. However, less is known about how unexpected (chance) events may shape graduate student program experiences, including their impacts on career intentions. Prior research suggests that unexpected events introduce uncertainty and opportunities, however, the emotional and cognitive processes underlying these perceptions are unknown. This study explored how graduate students emotionally and cognitively processed a self-reported highly impactful chance event during their program. Specifically, this study asked 1) How did life science graduate students initially appraise and reappraise chance events? and 2) How did the narratives of chance event appraisals differ among participants who changed their career intentions versus those who did not? Using Appraisal Theory, we conducted thematic narrative analysis for the interviews with ten current life science graduate students. Five students had changed their career intentions since starting graduate school and five had not. These analyses revealed that themes of Initial Stressors, Initial Emotional Toll, and Growth were shared among participants, highlighting these as common processes related to unexpected events. However, the Help-Seeking, Self-Reliance, Realizations, and Resilience themes differed among those who had changed their career intentions or not. Those who had changed their career intentions often coped by using external support and prioritizing their mental well-being. Those who had not changed their career intentions coped via self-reliance, focusing on self-managing challenges and viewing chance events as opportunities to build new skill sets. This study demonstrated the utility of applying Appraisal Theory to graduate study, showcasing how appraisal and reappraisals of unexpected events may be related to career decision making. Implications include the need for effective coping strategies to navigate unexpected challenges and faculty and departmental support for career development.
Organic-inorganic covalent selenium reversing ischemic reperfusion injury
Geographic distribution of inflammatory bowel disease in the UK: A spatially explicit survey
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with two main forms: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). While CD can affect any part of the digestive system, UC predominately affects the colon and rectum. The incidence and prevalence rates of IBD cases are increasing worldwide, including in Europe where the UK has one of the highest incidence and prevalence rates. This study reports on a new survey of IBD cases in the UK, involving 5,452 respondents. The survey was promoted periodically by multiple IBD organizations across the UK over 307 days (01 Dec 2021–03 Oct 2022) and collected data on participants’ IBD diagnoses and histories. The distributions of CD and UC cases were examined on a grid scale and based on these distributions, relative risk was calculated and mapped in regions where CD and UC cases were recorded. In addition, age- and sex-standardized morbidity rates (ASMRs) for CD and UC were calculated. The results of this UK-wide IBD study reveal an even geographical distribution of reported IBD cases and relative risk across the UK. The ASMR analysis revealed that the reported morbidity rate for women (in the 20–59 age range) was much higher than the morbidity rate for men in both CD and UC cases. In addition, the CD:UC ratio, which has the advantage of normalizing for possible sampling biases, revealed a cluster of large values (i.e., relative risk of CD) in the North-West England which may require further investigation.
Light-driven lattice soft microrobot with multimodal locomotion
Abstract Untethered microrobots hold significant promise in fields such as bionics, biomedicine, and micromechanics. However, replicating the diverse movements of natural microorganisms in artificial microrobots presents a considerable challenge. This paper introduces a laser-based approach that utilizes lattice metamaterials to enhance the deformability of hydrogel-based microrobots, resulting in untethered light-driven lattice soft microrobots (LSMR). Constructed from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-single-walled carbon nanotubes (PNIPAM-SWNT) hydrogels and a truncated octahedron lattice structure, the LSMR benefits from reduced relative density, which increases flexibility and accelerates light-driven deformation. By employing sequential laser scanning, the LSMR achieves various locomotion modes, including linear peristalsis, in situ rotation, and hopping, through adjustments in scanning frequency, trajectory, and laser power. The LSMR achieves a continuous in situ rotation speed of 29.38°/s, nearly 30 times faster than previous studies, and exhibits a peristaltic locomotion speed of 15.15 μm/s (0.14 body lengths per second). The LSMR can autonomously perform programmed motions under closed-loop feedback control and navigate through narrow openings as small as 75% of its resting width by actively deforming. Compared to a solid microrobot, the lattice microrobot requires only one-sixth of the laser energy to achieve three times the motion speed, under otherwise identical conditions. These advancements mark a significant leap forward in the design and functionality of light-driven soft microrobots, offering promising avenues for future research in biomedicine, bionics, and micromechanical engineering.
Harnessing the power of hashtags: Temporal pattern mining and storyline construction for event evolution on social media
With the rapid development and wide application of social media, Weibo, as one of the major social media platforms in China, plays an important role in connecting users with information. However, the huge amount of Weibo data poses challenges for effective analysis and understanding. Timeline construction is critical for understanding event progression, enabling stakeholders to track public opinion shifts, identify critical phases of event development, and formulate timely interventions. This paper proposes a framework to systematically model event evolution by analyzing temporal patterns and semantic correlations of hashtags. We first adopt a temporal feature extraction method to capture the temporal information of Weibo posting time. Then, the correlation between topic tags is considered comprehensively by combining the temporal information and the similarity calculation method of topic tags. Finally, a timeline-based topic merging algorithm is proposed to construct a clear and orderly event story line. Meanwhile, this paper also introduces the RoMLP-AttNet model, which significantly improves the classification recall and precision in the Weibo event classification task by using the topic posting sequences as the background data for assisting event detection. Using the "Japanese nuclear effluent" event as an example, the story line construction method proposed in this paper generated a clear and complete story line. Experimental results demonstrate that the RoMLP-AttNet model proposed in this paper achieved an average increase of 16.73% in recall rate, 15.8% in precision, and 17.38% in F1 score.
Translational repression by 4E-T is crucial to maintain the prophase-I arrest in vertebrate oocytes
Abstract Meiotic maturation of vertebrate oocytes occurs in the near-absence of transcription. Thus, female fertility relies on timely translational activation of maternal transcripts stockpiled in full-grown prophase-I-arrested oocytes. However, how expression of these mRNAs is suppressed to maintain the long-lasting prophase-I arrest remains mysterious. Utilizing fast-acting TRIM-Away, we demonstrate that acute loss of the translation repressor 4E-T triggers spontaneous release from prophase-I arrest in mouse and frog oocytes. This is due to untimely expression of key meiotic drivers like c-Mos and cyclin-B1. Notably, mutant 4E-T associated with premature ovarian insufficiency in women fails to maintain the prophase-I arrest in Xenopus oocytes. We further show that 4E-T association with eIF4E and PATL2 is critical for target mRNA binding and repression. Thus, 4E-T is a central factor in translational repression of mRNAs stockpiled in full-grown oocytes for later activation and, therefore, essential to sustain the oocyte pool throughout the reproductive lifespan of female vertebrates.
Research on the deformation mechanisms of accumulated landslides induced by different rain patterns based on flume model tests
In the context of intensifying global environmental pressures, heavy rainfall in extreme climate regions significantly increases landslide risks, threatening societal stability and sustainable development. While research on rainfall-induced landslides is well-established, the deformation and instability mechanisms of landslides under complex rainfall patterns warrant further investigation. This study focuses on the Wangjiapo landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. Through comprehensive field investigations, deformation monitoring, and rainfall data analysis, we systematically characterized the landslide’s deformation characteristics. Employing the similarity theory, a flume model experiment was designed to simulate four distinct rainfall patterns. Real-time monitoring of parameters, including slope displacement, pore water pressure, soil pressure, and moisture content, was conducted using multiple sensors, such as pull wire displacement sensors, pore water pressure sensors, and soil pressure sensors. The macroscopic deformation and internal stress variations of the landslide under varying rainfall conditions were thoroughly analyzed. Statistical processing of experimental data facilitated a comparative analysis with in-situ monitoring data, with further validation performed using Geo-Studio numerical simulation methods. Through these integrated approaches, this study elucidates the influence of different rain patterns on the deformation and failure mechanisms of accumulated landslides. Our findings highlight the critical role of rainfall intensity and rainfall time series in driving landslide deformation, identifying pore water pressure and shear strength variations as crucial factors inducing landslide instability. Furthermore, we delineate four distinct stages of the landslide failure process and characterize the temporal and spatial evolution of the instability mechanism, addressing a critical gap in understanding the deformation mechanisms of landslides under complex rainfall patterns. These results provide valuable insights for landslide monitoring and early warning systems and inform strategies for landslide disaster monitoring and prevention.