Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Direct Evidence of Bimolecular Proton-Coupled Energy Transfer at Room Temperature
The honesty behind tears: Situational, individual, and cultural influences on the perception of emotional tears as sincere
Emotional tears have been considered honest and sincere signals, most likely because they are difficult to shed on demand. At the same time, people acknowledge that tears can be strategically used to manipulate others – so-called crocodile tears. Hence, the question arises under what circumstances tears are perceived as honest signals and when as crocodile tears. Here, we investigate this question across three experimental studies and diverse populations. In a preliminary study (N = 7,007), we obtain the first evidence that emotional tears can increase perceptions of honesty, which might vary according to the situational context or the gender of the target. In two main studies (N = 3,488) using a varied pool of standardized and non-standardized portraits of tearful and non-tearful targets presented in different potentially manipulative vs. non-manipulative contexts and varied in their warmth, we test perceptions of honesty across five countries (Norway, Poland, South Africa, Canada, and the UK). Overall, the main effects are weak and suggest that perceptions of honesty depend on target characteristics, situational factors, and observer characteristics. We observe some evidence that emotional tears increase perceptions of honesty more strongly for targets low in warmth (experimentally manipulated via facial features or via target gender), which also affects support intentions. Manipulative contexts slightly reduced perceptions of honesty, but these effects were moderated by target characteristics. Individuals scoring high on psychopathy showed lower ratings of honesty for targets with emotional tears. Together, these findings provide further evidence that whether emotional tears signal honesty likely depends on various individual, situational, and cultural factors. The small effect sizes call for improved manipulations and more ecologically valid designs in the future.
Multilocus phylogeny and phylogeographical patterns suggest the need for a comprehensive revision of the systematics of Stelliferinae Sasaki, 1989 (Sciaenidae, Acanthuriformes)
Selective attention and working memory in young adults born very preterm
Introduction Research has consistently reported that individuals born very preterm (VP; < 32 weeks’ gestation) are at increased risk for reduced working memory (WM) performance compared with their term born peers. However, performance on working memory tasks are reliant on several cognitive skills, including selective attention, and the underlying mechanism for poorer working memory following VP birth remains unclear. The current study aimed to assess the impact of selective attention on working memory performance in young adults born VP compared with those born at term, using an experimental task (i.e., visuospatial change detection task). Method Participants were 111 young adults born VP (mean age: 20.1 years) and 43 young adults born at term (mean age: 19.9 years). They completed an adapted visuospatial change detection task which assessed working memory maintenance with increasing levels of selective attention demands. Results The VP group demonstrated slightly poorer performance in working memory compared with the term born group when selective attention demands were minimal. The working memory group difference did not increase with the introduction of greater selective attention demands. Conclusion Based on these findings, reductions in working memory performance in those born VP compared with term born controls are unlikely to be explained by selective attention challenges. This study has important clinical implications such that it provides important insights and evidence into the cognitive development of those born VP as they begin to reach adulthood. Further, this research study further the cognitive phenotype of this population, which, in turn, may aid in the development of efficacious cognitive interventions for this high-risk group.
Associations between cardiometabolic indices and heart disease among elderly and middle-aged Chinese individuals: a retrospective longitudinal study
Engineering Low-Resistance Heterogeneous Nanofluidics for Ultrahigh Osmotic Energy Conversion
Child food poverty prevalence and its associated factors in Dale district, Sidama region, Ethiopia
Background More than one-third of all deaths in children under five are attributable to malnutrition brought on by child food poverty (CFP) practices, while proper feeding techniques are essential for enhancing nutritional status and guaranteeing child survival. There is, however, little research on inadequate feeding practices, especially in the Sidama Region. Objective To assess the magnitude of child food poverty and its associated factors among children aged 6–23 months in Dale district, Sidama region, Ethiopia, 2024. Materials and methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A multi-stage random sampling technique was applied to select 509 study participants. Data were collected using structured questionnaires through face-to-face interviews. Data quality was assured by pre-testing, training, and questionnaire coding. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was done to identify the determinants. Variables having a value P≤ 0.25 during bivariable analysis were entered into multiple logistic regression models. In multivariable analysis, variables with p<0.05 were considered significantly associated. Results CFP prevalence was 30% (95% CI: 26-34). The minimum meal frequency was 77%. Minimum acceptable diet was 59%. Factors significantly associated with CFP prevalence were child age 6 - 11 months ((Adjusted Odds Ratio(AOR)=3.022, 95% CI: 1.813-5.037)), female children (AOR=1.783, 95% CI: 1.123-2.830), number of antenatal care follow-up below four times (AOR=3.52, 95% CI: (1.429-4.152), family size more than five in the household(AOR= 3.715, 95% CI: 1.974-6.993), and maternal inadequate knowledge of CFP (AOR= 5.148, 95% CI: 3.146-8.426). Conclusion The prevalence of CFP, which remains a significant public health concern, was 30% in the study area. Child age, child sex, antenatal care follow-ups, inadequate maternal knowledge to feed children, and household size greater than five were significantly associated with child food poverty. Enhancing antenatal care services and raising awareness of the best feeding practices, especially for younger infants and female children should be the main goals of nutrition interventions.
Gyroid as a novel approach to suppress vortex shedding and mitigate induced vibration
Abstract The present study uncovers how a Gyroid-structured extension, attached to a hydrofoil trailing edge, may prevent the formation of Karman vortices and remarkably reduce vortex-induced vibration (VIV). The case study is a blunt truncated NACA 0009 hydrofoil of 100 mm chord length and 150 mm span, placed in a water stream at high Reynolds number (Re = 0.6 × 106 to 2 × 106). In the absence of the Gyroid extension, as the flow velocity is increased from 6 to 20 m/s, the alternate Karman vortices generated in the wake are responsible for the hydrofoil vibration with a strong torsional lock-in at flow velocities ranging from 15 to 17 m/s. The Gyroid extension, however, largely reduces the flow-induced vibrations and the lock-in is completely suppressed. Specifically, the RMS value of the surface velocity signal is cut by 67% under lock-off conditions and 99.5% under lock-in conditions. Detailed velocity measurements in the wake using laser Doppler velocimeter confirm that the Gyroid insert eliminates the frequency peak associated with the Strouhal shedding frequency and reduces broadband noise excitation. These measurements uncover how the combination of porosity and tortuosity of the Gyroid insert prevents the formation of coherent and periodic Karman vortices. In particular, we found that the Gyroid extension is responsible for the generation of streamwise and transverse jets, which extend into the far wake, inhibiting the roll-up of transient vortices in a remarkable way. We believe that this is the key mechanism in suppressing vortex shedding. Interestingly, the measurement of lift and drag forces did not reveal any significant alteration of the hydrodynamic performances of the hydrofoil with the Gyroid extension. These promising results have far-reaching implications for the design of mechanical structures subjected to VIV, such as aircraft wings, marine propellers, hydraulic pumps, and turbines among others. The potential benefits include reduced noise emissions and mitigated fatigue risks.
Exploring Neural Dynamics in the Auditory Telencephalon of Crows Using Functional Ultrasound Imaging
Crows, renowned for advanced cognitive abilities and vocal communication, rely on intricate auditory systems. While the neuroanatomy of corvid auditory pathways is partially explored, the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are largely unknown. This study used functional ultrasound imaging (fUSi) to investigate sound-induced cerebral blood volume (CBV) changes in the Field L complex of the auditory telencephalon in two female crows. fUSi revealed frequency-specific CBV responses, showing a tonotopic organization within the Field L complex, with low frequencies in the posterior dorsal region and high frequencies in the anterior ventral region. Machine learning analyses showed fUSi signals could be used to classify sound types accurately, in both awake and anesthetized states. Variable CBV responses to longer sound stimuli suggest a delineation of subregions within the Field L complex. Together, these findings highlight the potential of fUSi for providing high-resolution insights into functional systems in corvids, enabling future exploration of experimental task-related cognitive dynamics.
A Carbamoyl <i>N</i>-Methyltransferase Catalyzes <i>N</i>-Methylation of the Primary Amide in Ansacarbamitocin Biosynthesis
Impact of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential on arterial atherothrombosis and venous thromboembolism: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) is a novel risk factor for thromboembolic events. While CHIP is linked to an increased risk of incident atherothrombosis (ATE), the link between these two conditions varies across studies. Furthermore, the association between CHIP and incident venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not yet been well characterized. Among patients with established ATE and VTE, it is still unclear how CHIP carriership influences their health outcomes. We aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to: i) determine the impact of CHIP carriership on incident ATE and VTE; and ii) evaluate the prevalence and clinical consequences of CHIP mutations among individuals with established ATE or VTE. Methods We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus and CINAHL for randomized trials, cohort studies, or case control studies reporting thromboembolic events among adult CHIP carriers and non-carriers in two populations: i) individuals without prior ATE (coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease) or VTE (pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, superficial vein thrombosis); and ii) individuals with established ATE or VTE. Cross-sectional studies will be included to determine the prevalence of CHIP among individuals with established thromboembolic disease. The primary outcome will be incident ATE and VTE. Secondary outcomes will be: i) CHIP prevalence among individuals with established ATE or VTE; and ii) recurrent thromboembolism and treatment-associated bleeding among individuals with established ATE or VTE. We will use random-effects meta-analyses, with subgroup analyses by participant demographics, ATE and VTE risk factors, and CHIP-specific characteristics. Discussion By understanding the prognostic impact of CHIP carriership, our findings will inform future research on CHIP’s role as a predictive biomarker for ATE and VTE in the general population and among individuals with established thromboembolic disease. Registration This systematic review protocol was registered with the Internal Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO, registration number CRD42024539923).
A novel Pd complex coated on TiFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and recoverable catalyst for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles
Biomineralized Engineered Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles as cGAS-STING Nanoagonists Synergize with Lactate Metabolism Modulation to Potentiate Immunotherapy
Integrated evaluation and optimization of acid fracturing effectiveness in carbonate reservoirs: Experimental insights and field validation
The development of carbonate reservoirs is confronted with significant challenges, including pronounced heterogeneity and suboptimal porosity-permeability characteristics. These challenges are particularly acute in low-porosity, low-permeability complex media, where acid fracturing often exhibits limited effectiveness. To address these issues, this study systematically evaluates post-acid fracturing effectiveness in carbonate reservoirs, aiming to provide robust scientific and technical guidance for stimulation optimization. A comprehensive multi-method assessment framework was employed, integrating laboratory experiments, operational curve analysis, real-time fracture monitoring, and production logging. Laboratory investigations quantified the reaction kinetics of diverse acid systems and the conductivity of acid-etched fractures. Results revealed that channel-like acid-etched fractures achieved a conductivity range of 120–150 μm²·cm, which is 3–5 times higher than that of smooth-walled core samples (25–40 μm²·cm). Field validation using Well A1 demonstrated strong correlations (R² = 0.85) between operational pressure fluctuations and natural fracture density. Viscosity-contrast fluid systems were shown to enhance conductivity by 40%–60% through selective etching mechanisms. The study’s key innovation lies in identifying conductivity-governing factors through an integrated experimental-modeling approach, establishing criteria for optimal etching pattern development. The framework is further enriched by introducing dynamic conductivity metrics and heterogeneity indices, which deepen theoretical understanding. Practically, the study delivers actionable protocols, including: viscosity-difference fluid design, real-time pressure diagnostics for fracture network characterization, and multi-scale conductivity prediction models. These findings underscore the critical importance of post-stimulation evaluation as being on par with treatment design in carbonate reservoirs. Implementation of the proposed methodology has increased stimulation success rates from 55% to 82% in pilot fields, with sustained production gains exceeding 35%. Future work should focus on developing intelligent evaluation systems leveraging machine learning to further improve prediction accuracy and operational efficiency.
Effect of compression pre-force and web openings on torsional strength of UHPC hollow beams using numerical and mathematical modeling
Abstract In this paper, a new formula is proposed to accurately predict the torsional strength of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) solid and hollow beams with and without openings. A comprehensive parametric numerical study is carried out to investigate the effect of both compression pre-force and web openings parameters on the torsional strength of UHPC solid and hollow beams. This study is based on numerical results of 44 applied finite element (FE) models with Abaqus software. Furthermore, five recent available formulas, capable of predicting the torsional strength of UHPC beams, were introduced and compared and to clarify their deficiency, three of them were calibrated to the 44 FE models. The proposed new formula was not only compensated for the deficiency of former formulas, but it also included parameters not previously considered. To examine its validity, the results of the derived formula were reviewed with those of 44 FE models and other 46 previously tested UHPC beams. In both cases, the proposed new formula demonstrated high accuracy in predicting the torsional strength of UHPC beams.
Too Fast for Spin Flipping: Absence of Chirality-Induced Spin Selectivity in Coherent Electron Transport through Single-Molecule Junctions
An explainable and federated deep learning framework for skin cancer diagnosis
Skin cancer (SC) is the most prominent form of cancer in humans, with over 1 million new cases reported worldwide each year. Early identification of SC plays a crucial role in effective treatment. However, protecting patient data privacy is a major concern in medical research. Therefore, this study presents a smart framework for classifying SC leveraging deep learning (DL), federated learning (FL) and explainable AI (XAI). We tested the presented framework on two well-known datasets, ISBI2016 and ISBI2017. The data was first preprocessed by several techniques: resizing, normalization, balancing, and augmentation. Six advanced DL algorithms—VGG16, Xception, DenseNet169, InceptionV3, MobileViT, and InceptionResNetV2—were applied for classification tasks. Among these, the DenseNet169 algorithm obtained the highest accuracy of 83.3% in ISBI2016 and 92.67% in ISBI2017. All models were then tested in an FL platform to maintain data privacy. In the FL platform, the VGG16 algorithm showed the best results, with 92.08% accuracy on ISBI2016 and 94% on ISBI2017. To ensure model interpretability, an XAI-based algorithm named Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME) was used to explain the predictions of the proposed framework. We believe the proposed framework offers a dependable tool for SC diagnosis while protecting sensitive medical data.
High-stability electrohydrodynamic inkjet printing based on double closed-loop fuzzy control
HDAC3 Serine 424 Phospho-mimic and Phospho-null Mutants Bidirectionally Modulate Long-Term Memory Formation and Synaptic Plasticity in the Adult and Aging Mouse Brain
Long-term memory (LTM) formation is negatively regulated by histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3), a transcriptional repressor. Emerging evidence suggests that posttranslational phosphorylation of HDAC3 at its serine 424 (S424) residue is critical for its deacetylase activity in transcription. However, it remains unknown if HDAC3 S424 phosphorylation regulates the ability of HDAC3 to modulate LTM formation. To examine the functionality of S424, we expressed an HDAC3-S424D phospho-mimic mutant (constitutively active form) or an HDAC3-S424A phospho-null mutant (phospho-dead form) in the dorsal hippocampus of mice. We assessed the functional consequence of these mutants on LTM formation and long-term potentiation (LTP) in young adult male mice. We also assessed whether the HDAC3-S424A mutant could ameliorate age-related deficits in LTM and LTP in aging male and female mice. Results demonstrate that young adult male mice expressing the HDAC3-S424D phospho-mimic mutant in the dorsal hippocampus exhibit significantly impaired LTM and LTP. In contrast, the HDAC3-S424A phospho-null mutant expressed in the hippocampus of young adult male mice enabled the transformation of subthreshold learning into robust LTM and enhanced LTP. Similarly, expression of the HDAC3-S424A mutant enabled LTM formation and enhanced LTP in aging male and aging female mice. Overall, these findings demonstrate that HDAC3 S424 is a pivotal residue that has the ability to bidirectionally regulate synaptic plasticity and LTM formation in the adult and aging brain.