Constructing a cross-race face identity triad test.

Despite the challenges associated with cross-race face identification, there are no publicly available tests of people's ability to identify own- versus other-race faces. We introduce the Cross-Race Face Identity Triad (CR-FIT) test, designed to be challenging for individuals of varying abilities. A key methodological advantage of the CR-FIT test over other face identity matching tests is that it eliminates response bias in face-identity matching through the use of face-image triads.

Ablation of sympathetic nerve-β3 adrenergic receptor-mediated adipose tissue lipolysis attenuates alcohol-induced liver injury in mice.

Background & Aims: Binge drinking causes fat accumulation in the liver and is a known risk factor for more severe forms of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Although adipocyte-released free fatty acids (FFA) have been shown to contribute to alcohol-induced liver damage, the signaling pathways that trigger lipolytic activity in adipose tissues following acute alcohol overconsumption is largely unknown. Notably, activation of sympathetic nerve-β3 adrenergic receptor (Adrb3) plays a central role in sustained adipocyte lipolysis.

Inferring Covariance Structure from Multiple Data Sources via Subspace Factor Analysis.

Factor analysis provides a canonical framework for imposing lower-dimensional structure such as sparse covariance in high-dimensional data. High-dimensional data on the same set of variables are often collected under different conditions, for instance in reproducing studies across research groups. In such cases, it is natural to seek to learn the shared versus condition-specific structure.

WATER PLASMA TREATMENT METHOD: SIMULTANEOUS STERILIZATION AND SURFACE MODIFICATION OF TITANIUM-BASED IMPLANTS.

This study aims the applicability and efficacy of a new DC water plasma method at low temperature, for the sterilization of titanium contaminated samples and its effects on the surface oxide layer and morphological structure. The plasma treatment was carried out at a temperature of 60°C, for a predefined time of 10 minutes. Water vapor was generated from distilled water and polarized at -700 V during plasma-on period.

Lipid Nanocapsule-Chitosan and Iota-Carrageenan Hydrogel Composite for Sustained Hydrophobic Drug Delivery.

Hydrophobic drug delivery via oral or pulmonary routes presents significant challenges for clinical translation, particularly for poorly soluble antiviral drugs. Physiological barriers-such as enzymatic degradation, harsh pH, and rapid transit in the gastrointestinal tract, or mucociliary clearance and alveolar macrophage uptake in the lungs-can severely limit therapeutic efficacy. To address these challenges, we developed a novel lipid nanocapsule (LNC) and chitosan/iota-carrageenan hydrogel composite tailored for sustained delivery of hydrophobic antiviral agents.

Intercellular signaling reinforces single-cell level phenotypic transitions and facilitates robust re-equilibrium of heterogeneous cancer cell populations.

Background: Cancer cells within tumors exhibit a wide range of phenotypic states driven by non-genetic mechanisms, such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), in addition to extensively studied genetic alterations. Conversions among cancer cell states can result in intratumoral heterogeneity which contributes to metastasis and development of drug resistance. However, mechanisms underlying the initiation and/or maintenance of such phenotypic plasticity are poorly understood.

The current state of biomechanical analyses of the adult human femur: A systematic review.

Background: Biomechanical properties of adult femurs hold significant clinical and surgical relevance. However, a consolidated analysis of those material properties has not been established. Furthermore, the limitations of cadaveric studies and emergence of alternate methods of biomechanical femoral analyses, including synthetic femurs and modern technologies, warrant a comprehensive exploration.

Diagnostic status influences rapport and communicative behaviours in dyadic interactions between autistic and non-autistic people.

A growing body of research suggests that the behaviours and experiences of autistic and non-autistic people are influenced by whether they are interacting with someone of the same or different diagnostic status. However, little is known about the relationship between these behaviours and the experiences of rapport in matched and mixed neurotype dyads. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, our pre-registered analyses examine how participants' and their partners' diagnostic statuses influence linguistic, behavioural, and kinematic indices, and how these relate to feelings of rapport among autistic and (n = 57; 17 self-diagnosed) non-autistic (n = 51) participants interacting within autistic (n = 20), non-autistic (n = 17), and mixed autistic-non-autistic (n = 17) dyads.

Generation of Formates Following 20 kHz Sonication of DSPE-mPEG2000 PEGylated Phospholipid Micelles.

: Previous research has demonstrated that 20 kHz probe or 37 kHz bath sonication of poloxamers comprising polypropylene glycol (PPG) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) blocks can generate degradation byproducts that are toxic to mammalian cells and organisms. Herein, an investigation of a PEGylated phospholipid micelle was undertaken to identify low-molecular-weight sonolytic degradation byproducts that could be cytotoxic. The concern here lies with the fact that sonication is a frequently employed step in drug delivery manufacturing processes, during which PEGylated phospholipids can be subjected to shear forces and other extreme oxidative and thermal conditions.

Introduction to "Biomolecular Technologies".

As both chemical and biological engineering approaches continue to expand, the landscape of biomolecular technologies is rapidly evolving, affording new opportunities from basic science to real-world applications. This themed collection brings together engineered biomolecule-based technologies spanning small molecules, nucleic acids, and proteins, with applications in biocatalysis, biosensing, and synthetic biology. Each study showcases the modular and tunable nature of biomolecular design to tailor properties for function in both aqueous solutions and biological environments, as summarized below.

Clinical and Neuropsychological Profiles in People With Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Neuropathologic Change: Matched Case-Series Study.

Background And Objectives: This retrospective study used data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) database and compared neuropathologic, neuropsychiatric, motor, and neuropsychological features between those with and without chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change (CTE-NC).

Methods: Data were obtained from the NACC database from 2014 to December 2024, with the only inclusion criterion being evaluation for CTE-NC. Participants with CTE-NC were identified and matched approximately 1:4 to those without CTE-NC on demographics (age, education, sex) and staging of Alzheimer and Lewy body neuropathology.

Timing of Intervals Between Utterances in Typically Developing Infants and Infants Later Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Understanding the origin and natural organization of early infant vocalizations is important for predicting communication and language abilities in later years. The very frequent production of speech-like vocalizations (hereafter "protophones"), occurring largely independently of interaction, is part of this developmental process. This study aims to investigate the gap durations (time intervals) between protophones, comparing typically developing (TD) infants and infants later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a naturalistic setting where endogenous protophones occur frequently.

NitrOFF: An Engineered Fluorescent Biosensor to Illuminate Nitrate Transport in Living Cells.

The duality of nitrate is nowhere better exemplified than in human physiology-a detrimental pollutant but also a protective nutrient-particularly as connected to nitric oxide. Aside from limited insights into nitrate uptake and storage, foundational nitrate biology has lagged. Genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors can address this gap with real-time imaging, but such technologies for mammalian cell applications remain rare.

Redox reactivities of membrane-bound amyloid-β-Cu complexes and their targeting by metallothionein-3.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in the central nervous system (CNS). Copper coordination to Aβ triggers Aβ aggregation and promotes the catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Due to its amphiphilic nature, Aβ can interact with cell membranes and compromise their integrity.

Social cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and first-degree relatives: A large-sample, multi-task investigation.

Background: Social cognitive deficits are well documented in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). These deficits extend to first-degree relatives, indicating potential genetic liability. However, most studies have used single tasks with small samples, limiting generalizability.

Pangenome-based genome inference using integer programming.

Affordable genotyping methods are essential in genomics. Commonly used genotyping methods primarily support single nucleotide variants and short indels but neglect structural variants. Additionally, accuracy of read alignments to a reference genome is unreliable in highly polymorphic and repetitive regions, further impacting genotyping performance.

Visuospatial information transfer and task self-assessment within and between autistic and non-autistic adults.

Previous research has demonstrated that autistic people transmit verbal information as effectively as non-autistic people; however, when autistic and non-autistic people interact less information is transmitted. We tested whether these findings generalised to a task requiring the transmission of primarily visual information and examined how accurately participants self-assessed their performance. 310 adults (154 autistic) were allocated to one of three, six-person diffusion chain conditions: (i) autistic, (ii) non-autistic, (iii) mixed autistic and non-autistic.

Shielding failure analysis of extra high voltage unconventional transmission lines with increased power delivery capability.

Lightning is a natural phenomenon, and extra high voltage (EHV) transmission lines (TL) are prone to it due to the high altitude of EHV towers and lines. Though adequate steps are taken to minimize its effect, many incidents occur where lightning is the main cause of the line outage. On the verge of an era where the distribution and generation sectors are undergoing drastic changes, the transmission line must also modify its design to cope with this wave.

The role of diagnostic labels in shaping first impressions of individuals with schizophrenia.

Diagnostic disclosure can impact social perceptions during first impressions. We aimed to explore the effect of diagnostic labeling on first impressions of individuals with schizophrenia. In a 2x3 factorial design, we showed 18 videos of individuals with schizophrenia or healthy volunteers paired with three randomly assigned labeling conditions (true label, mislabel, no label) to 222 undergraduate students who rated each video using the First Impressions Scale (FIS).

A twisted chromophore powers a turn-on fluorescent protein chloride sensor.

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are noninvasive genetically encodable probes that have revolutionized bioimaging and health fields with vivid images and an ever-growing repertoire from jellyfish to sea anemones and corals. Inside the protein matrix, chromophore nonplanarity and flexibility have long been argued to govern the fluorescence efficiency of FPs, yet their fundamental roles and relative importance have been elusive which hinder the rational design of versatile FPs and biosensors. Herein, we tackle this central question by investigating two recently engineered FP-based turn-on chloride (Cl) sensors, ChlorON1 and 3, using an ultrafast electronic and vibrational spectroscopic toolset together with advanced multireference simulations for both structure and spectrum.

Temperament, Peer Difficulties, and the Development of Depressive Symptoms from Mid- to Late-Adolescence.

Childhood social withdrawal is linked to increased risk of depression and peer difficulties. While data suggest that some child temperaments are more likely to be socially withdrawn, empirical data investigating whether distinct child temperament profiles, characterized by different social approach and avoidance motivations, influence the development of depression into late adolescence are lacking. Additionally, it is unclear whether peer difficulties in mid-adolescence explain such associations.

Neuromorphic Hebbian learning with magnetic tunnel junction synapses.

Neuromorphic computing aims to mimic both the function and structure of biological neural networks to provide artificial intelligence with extreme efficiency. Conventional approaches store synaptic weights in non-volatile memory devices with analog resistance states, permitting in-memory computation of neural network operations while avoiding the costs of transferring synaptic weights from memory. However, the use of analog resistance states for storing weights in neuromorphic systems is impeded by stochastic writing, weights drifting over time through stochastic processes, and limited endurance that reduces the precision of synapse weights.

Evaluating knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding vitamin D in pregnant and postnatal Ghanaian women: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maternal and foetal health during pregnancy and lactation. However, its deficiency remains prevalent among pregnant and post-natal women globally, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes. We assessed and compared the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding vitamin D among pregnant and postnatal women in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Coping behaviors and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: situational and habitual effects on mental distress with hybrid model analysis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about widespread mental health challenges. Yet, its mental health impacts vary depending on the coping strategies people adopt to manage stress. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its rapidly changing circumstances, provides an opportune context to examine how different coping behaviors are linked to mental distress.

Directed Halogen Atom Transfer (DIXAT): A Powerful Tool for Chemoselective Generation of Aryl Radicals Toward Remote C(sp)-H Functionalization of Aliphatic Amines.

Halogen atom transfer (XAT) and single electron transfer (SET) have emerged as versatile tools for the generation of aryl radicals. The intrinsic reactivity of these methods is governed by bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and reduction potentials, respectively, which typically favor activation of an aryl iodide over an aryl bromide. To date, no existing methods have overturned these inherent reactivity trends.