Scientific Challenges Research Articles

Empirical Approaches to the Rule of Law: Contours and Challenges of a Social Science that Does Not Quite Yet Exist

In the past, the rule of law was largely overlooked by sociologists and other social scientists. However, recent years have seen an increasing number of empirical studies of the rule of law. I survey that diverse literature and identify three generations of empirical research, each based on a different approach: (a) the rule of law in action, (b) the rule of law index, and (c) the living rule of law. These studies give us a detailed, but often sobering, view of the rule of law in the real world. I critically review the emerging field and discuss challenges for future research. Developing a more coherent social science of the rule of law is important because it helps us to understand that the rule of law is defined not only by formal institutions and legal documents but also by the place of law in people's everyday lives.

On the Method for Solving the Problem of Ice Cover Deformation under an Arbitrary Moving Load

Introduction. The development of the polar areas of the World Ocean and the need to solve various problems associated with a large number of freezing inland water bodies issue new challenges for science. These challenges include the problem of studying the behavior of ice cover when exposed to various types of loads. Of great interest is the consideration of problems about the action of a moving load on the ice cover. A moving load simulates the effect of moving vehicles on ice. However, in papers devoted to the above problems, cases of load movement along a straight-line trajectory are considered. The objective of this research is to develop a method for studying the behavior of ice cover under the action of a load moving arbitrarily.Materials and Methods. The article proposes a method for solving the problem of the action of a force moving along an arbitrary trajectory on the ice cover of a reservoir of finite depth. The problem amounts to solving a system of two differential equations. The first of them models the behavior of the ice cover, and it is the equation of vibrations of a viscoelastic plate. The second equation simulates the behavior of fluid in a state of potential flow, and it is Laplace's equation. To solve the system of differential equations, integral transformations in time, space and variables were used. The resulting solution was expressed through an iterated integral, which was calculated using numerical methods.Results. The development and implementation of the method resulted in solving the problem of the movement of a concentrated force along an ice cover according to an arbitrary law. At the same time, studies were carried out on the behavior of displacements and stresses in the ice cover depending on the speed and acceleration of the movement of the vertical load, on the depth of the reservoir, and on the viscoelastic properties of ice. In addition, the distribution of the velocity vector of fluid particles along the depth of the reservoir was calculated.Discussion and Conclusion. The proposed method is very effective for solving problems of moving loads acting on the ice cover of a reservoir of finite depth. It provides solving problems about the action of a load moving along an ice cover along a complex trajectory. The results obtained can be used to calculate the stress and displacement of the ice cover during the laying of ice roads or the construction of airfields on the ice.

Pemanfaatan Platform Merdeka Mengajar dalam Praktik Baik Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka

The lack of teacher involvement in independent training and the absence of references to good practices in implementing this curriculum pose significant obstacles. To address this, an educational platform known as the Merdeka Belajar Platform was developed, aimed at facilitating teachers' access to inspiration and references. This research examines the utilization of the Merdeka Belajar Platform in implementing the independent curriculum effectively, focusing on SMAS Muhammadiyah Toboali as a case study. The study's purpose is to uncover and analyze the use of the Merdeka Belajar Platform in facilitating effective implementation of the independent curriculum at SMAS Muhammadiyah Toboali. Descriptive qualitative research methods were employed, involving interviews, documentation studies, and observation for data collection. The findings revealed initial difficulties in comprehending the independent curriculum due to the rapid transition process. However, the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Platform has led to positive changes, with the optimization of the school's learning community and the emergence of good practices among colleagues. This mutual support system among teachers has underscored those advancements in science and technology present opportunities and challenges rather than obstacles, thereby enhancing educators' capacity and capabilities.

Efficient realization of quantum algorithms with qudits

The development of a universal fault-tolerant quantum computer that can solve efficiently various difficult computational problems is an outstanding challenge for science and technology. In this work, we propose a technique for an efficient implementation of quantum algorithms with multilevel quantum systems (qudits). Our method uses a transpilation of a circuit in the standard qubit form, which depends on the characteristics of a qudit-based processor, such as the number of available qudits and the number of accessible levels. This approach provides a qubit-to-qudit mapping and comparison to a standard realization of quantum algorithms highlighting potential advantages of qudits. We provide an explicit scheme of transpiling qubit circuits into sequences of single-qudit and two-qudit gates taken from a particular universal set. We then illustrate our method by considering an example of an efficient implementation of a 6-qubit quantum algorithm with qudits. In this particular example, we demonstrate how using qudits allows a decreasing amount of two-body interactions in the qubit circuit implementation. We expect that our findings are of relevance for ongoing experiments with noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices that operate with information carriers allowing qudit encodings, such as trapped ions and neutral atoms, as well as optical and solid-state systems.

Revolutionizing food science with mass spectrometry imaging: A comprehensive review of applications and challenges.

Food science encounters increasing complexity and challenges, necessitating more efficient, accurate, and sensitive analytical techniques. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) emerges as a revolutionary tool, offering more molecular-level insights. This review delves into MSI's applications and challenges in food science. It introduces MSI principles and instruments such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, desorption electrospray ionization, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, highlighting their application in chemical composition analysis, variety identification, authenticity assessment, endogenous substance, exogenous contaminant and residue analysis, quality control, and process monitoring in food processing and food storage. Despite its potential, MSI faces hurdles such as the complexity and cost of instrumentation, complexity in sample preparation, limited analytical capabilities, and lack of standardization of MSI for food samples. While MSI has a wide range of applications in food analysis and can provide more comprehensive and accurate analytical results, challenges persist, demanding further research and solutions. The future development directions include miniaturization of imaging devices, high-resolution and high-speed MSI, multiomics and multimodal data fusion, as well as the application of data analysis and artificial intelligence. These findings and conclusions provide valuable references and insights for the field of food science and offer theoretical and methodological support for further research and practice in food science.

The Structural Stability of Membrane Proteins Revisited: Combined Thermodynamic and Spectral Phasor Analysis of SDS-induced Denaturation of a Thermophilic Cu(I)-transport ATPase

Assessing membrane protein stability is among the major challenges in protein science due to their inherent complexity, which complicates the application of conventional biophysical tools. In this work, sodium dodecyl sulfate-induced denaturation of AfCopA, a Cu(I)-transport ATPase from Archaeoglobus fulgidus, was explored using a combined model-free spectral phasor analysis and a model-dependent thermodynamic analysis. Decrease in tryptophan and 1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate fluorescence intensity, displacements in the spectral phasor space, and the loss of ATPase activity were reversibly induced by this detergent. Refolding from the SDS-induced denatured state yields an active enzyme that is functionally and spectroscopically indistinguishable from the native state of the protein. Phasor analysis of Trp spectra allowed us to identify two intermediate states in the SDS-induced denaturation of AfCopA, a result further supported by principal component analysis. In contrast, traditional thermodynamic analysis detected only one intermediate state, and including the second one led to overparameterization. Additionally, ANS fluorescence spectral analysis detected one more intermediate and a gradual change at the level of the hydrophobic transmembrane surface of the protein. Based on this evidence, a model for acquiring the native structure of AfCopA in a membrane-like environment is proposed.

Explorative prediction of novel superhard carbon allotropes with lager cell: Density functional theory-assisted deep learning

Searching for superhard materials with excellent properties has been a key challenge in materials science over the past decades. In this study, based on high throughput and density functional theory (DFT), we identified 24 new stable carbon allotropes from 50 initially identified candidates through structural optimization by removing repetitive structures and mechanically, molecularly dynamic, and thermally unstable structures. In addition, we built a crystal convolution residual neural network (CCRNN) to predict the elastic properties and mechanical hardness of the carbon allotropes and used chemical formulas as inputs to the model. The model used nearly 9979 target compounds, monomers, and 143 element-based features such as covalent radius, electronegativity, volume, and magnetic moment. To accurately predict carbon allotropes, we added lattice constants (a,b,c) and lattice angles (alpha,beta,gamma) as inputs after the feature descriptors. Random forest (RF) and gradient-boosted decision tree (GBDT) regression algorithms were constructed, and the r of the CCRNN model was 0.978 and 0.955 for the bulk and shear moduli, respectively, and the best model (CCRNN) was chosen to predict the bulk and shear moduli of the stabilized carbon allotropes obtained from high-throughput calculations. Density functional theory validated the machine learning results. This study not only revealed 7 new superhard carbon allotropes, but also proposed a new deep learning model, and these newly discovered superhard carbon allotropes had wide-ranging potential applications in the fields of industry, electronics, aerospace, geology, and biomedicine. Our research has provided an important theoretical and experimental basis for the development of new superhard materials and applications and was significant in advancing the field of materials science and engineering.

Bridging the Gap in Cancer Research: Sulfur Metabolism of Leukemic Cells with a Focus on L-Cysteine Metabolism and Hydrogen Sulfide-Producing Enzymes.

Leukemias are cancers of the blood-forming system, representing a significant challenge in medical science. The development of leukemia cells involves substantial disturbances within the cellular machinery, offering hope in the search for effective selective treatments that could improve the 5-year survival rate. Consequently, the pathophysiological processes within leukemia cells are the focus of critical research. Enzymes such as cystathionine beta-synthase and sulfurtransferases like thiosulfate sulfurtransferase, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, and cystathionine gamma-lyase play a vital role in cellular sulfur metabolism. These enzymes are essential to maintaining cellular homeostasis, providing robust antioxidant defenses, and supporting cell division. Numerous studies have demonstrated that cancerous processes can alter the expression and activity of these enzymes, uncovering potential vulnerabilities or molecular targets for cancer therapy. Recent laboratory research has indicated that certain leukemia cell lines may exhibit significant changes in the expression patterns of these enzymes. Analysis of the scientific literature and online datasets has confirmed variations in sulfur enzyme function in specific leukemic cell lines compared to normal leukocytes. This comprehensive review collects and analyzes available information on sulfur enzymes in normal and leukemic cell lines, providing valuable insights and identifying new research pathways in this field.

Enabling high-throughput enzyme discovery and engineering with a low-cost, robot-assisted pipeline

As genomic databases expand and artificial intelligence tools advance, there is a growing demand for efficient characterization of large numbers of proteins. To this end, here we describe a generalizable pipeline for high-throughput protein purification using small-scale expression in E. coli and an affordable liquid-handling robot. This low-cost platform enables the purification of 96 proteins in parallel with minimal waste and is scalable for processing hundreds of proteins weekly per user. We demonstrate the performance of this method with the expression and purification of the leading poly(ethylene terephthalate) hydrolases reported in the literature. Replicate experiments demonstrated reproducibility and enzyme purity and yields (up to 400 µg) sufficient for comprehensive analyses of both thermostability and activity, generating a standardized benchmark dataset for comparing these plastic-degrading enzymes. The cost-effectiveness and ease of implementation of this platform render it broadly applicable to diverse protein characterization challenges in the biological sciences.

Incorporating Design Based Implementation Research with a Randomized Controlled Trial to develop and evaluate the efficacy of playful rational number learning

We combine design-based implementation research with a pre-registered RCT to address a long-standing challenge in psychological science: How to use psychological principles to address real-world problems while designing and implementing interventions in the field. We posit this as a design methodology for optimizing the translation between psychological science and real-world applications. We tested the efficacy of an extensively co-designed version of a game-based rational number intervention, Fraction Ball, versus “business-as-usual” math instruction and physical education in a sample of 4th/5th grade Latine students (N = 360). Insights from nine co-design sessions with 20 teachers informed revisions and additions to a previous version of Fraction Ball, strengthening impacts across 10 of 12 rational number subtests. This methodology provides insights for translating psychological science research and scaling it to address real-world educational needs, such as play-based interventions that improve rational number understanding in authentic contexts.

MSR34 Diversity in Clinical Trials: Life Science Initiatives and Challenges in Light of the FDA’s Latest Guidance

MSR34 Diversity in Clinical Trials: Life Science Initiatives and Challenges in Light of the FDA’s Latest Guidance

Controlled n-type doping in graphene using a photobase generator and polyethylene oxide blends

Achieving stable n-type doping in graphene is a critical challenge in materials science, which is essential for various device applications. We present a novel approach using a photobase generator (PBG), specifically 2-(9-oxoxanthen-2-yl)propionic acid-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene, in combination with polyethylene oxide (PEO) under UV irradiation to achieve controlled and stable n-type doping. This method effectively reduces PBG crystallization and allows precise modulation of doping transitions by varying PBG concentrations and UV exposure times. Our innovative hybrid approach provides enhanced control over doping transitions, resulting in optimized graphene-based devices with sustainable functionalities. In particular, the method demonstrated long-term stability of more than 160 days, making it viable for practical applications in thermoelectric devices and other areas. This represents a significant advancement over previous methods in terms of cost, scalability, and stability.

Science challenges and research opportunities for plasma applications in microelectronics

Low-temperature plasmas (LTPs) are essential to manufacturing devices in the semiconductor industry, from creating extreme ultraviolet photons used in the most advanced lithography to thin film etching, deposition, and surface modifications. It is estimated that 40%–45% of all process steps needed to manufacture semiconductor devices use LTPs in one form or another. LTPs have been an enabling technology in the multidecade progression of the shrinking of device dimensions, often referred to as Moore’s law. New challenges in circuit and device design, novel materials, and increasing demands to achieve environmentally benign processing technologies require advances in plasma technology beyond the current state-of-the-art. The Department of Energy Office of Science Fusion Energy Sciences held a workshop titled Plasma Science for Microelectronics Nanofabrication in August 2022 to discuss the plasma science challenges and technical barriers that need to be overcome to continue to develop the innovative plasma technologies required to support and advance the semiconductor industry. One of the key outcomes of the workshop was identifying a set of priority research opportunities (PROs) to focus attention on the most strategic plasma science challenges to address to benefit the semiconductor industry. For each PRO, scientific challenges and recommended strategies to address those challenges were identified. This article summarizes the PROs identified by the workshop participants.

Non-Euclidean geometries in and for the mathematics teacher education: A literature review

Science challenges the relevance of school geometry in its treatment of space. Therefore, the research discusses the incorporation of non-Euclidean geometries in the initial and continuing education of mathematics teachers. Hence, this literature review aims to synthesize and describe, in a broad and current range, the recent state of research in educational mathematics on these geometries in teacher education. To do this, we configured a method in three moments: the search, evaluation, selection, and organization of the sources found and reading, analyzing, and writing results. The results highlight a regional and temporal interest that prioritizes teaching practice. Furthermore, a deficit and prescriptive perspective of teachers' knowledge and a minority perspective of the teacher as a subject of knowledge are recognized. We conclude with the need for research on various phenomena, including Euclidean generalizations.

Enhancing salt stress tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings: insights from trehalose and mannitol

Salinity stress, an ever-present challenge in agriculture and environmental sciences, poses a formidable hurdle for plant growth and productivity in saline-prone regions worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effectiveness of trehalose and mannitol induce salt resistance in wheat seedlings. Wheat grains of the commercial variety Sakha 94 were divided into three groups : a group that was pre-soaked in 10 mM trehalose, another group was soaked in 10 mM mannitol, and the last was soaked in distilled water for 1 hour, then the pre soaked grains cultivated in sandy soil, each treatment was divided into two groups, one of which was irrigated with 150 mM NaCl and the other was irrigated with tap water. The results showed that phenols content in wheat seedlings increased and flavonoids reduced due to salt stress. Trehalose and mannitol cause slight increase in total phenols content while total flavonoids were elevated highy in salt-stressed seedlings. Furthermore, Trehalose or mannitol reduced salt-induced lipid peroxidation. Salt stress increases antioxidant enzyme activities of guaiacol peroxidase (G-POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT) in wheat seedlings, while polyphenol oxidase (PPO) unchanged. Trehalose and mannitol treatments caused an increase in APX, and CAT activities, whereas G-POX not altered but PPO activity were decreased under salt stress conditions. Molecular docking confirmed the interaction of Trehalose or mannitol with peroxidase and ascorbic peroxidase enzymes. Phenyl alanine ammonia layase (PAL) activity was increased in salt-stressed seedlings. We can conclude that pre-soaking of wheat grains in 10 mM trehalose or mannitol improves salinity stress tolerance by enhancing antioxidant defense enzyme and/or phenol biosynthesis, with docking identifying interactions with G-POX, CAT, APX, and PPO.

Человеческий эмбрион как потенциальный субъект права

Nowadays, the search for the place of the human embryo in the dyad “subject and object” of law seems to be an urgent challenge for legal science due to the rapid development of medical technologies that make it possible to question the only previously known purpose of the human embryo – to be born as a child. By examining the understanding of legal subjects as developed in various legal paradigms, the author of this study seeks to delineate the place of the human embryo within the subject-object duality of law, justifying the legal status of the human embryo as a potential subject of law from the perspective of a communicative conception of law shared by him. The study employs formal-legal methods, as well as analytical, synthesis, comparative, and thought experiment methods, along with elements of an interdisciplinary approach (utilizing findings from medical research on the human embryo to support legal conclusions, thereby contributing to the scientific novelty of the study). In conclusion, the recognition of the human embryo as a potential subject of law necessitates a nuanced understanding of legal subjectivity and the evolving nature of human development. By engaging with interdisciplinary perspectives and communicative theories of law, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and ethically informed approach to legal discourse surrounding embryonic rights and protections.

Green Legacy: Plant Introduction and Dendrological Collections in Yerevan Botanical Garden: From the Past to the Future

Botanical living collections within botanical gardens are a crucial global asset for plant diversity. Special attention should be directed towards dendrological collections due to their significant contribution to biodiversity conservation, support for scientific inquiry, enhancement of educational initiatives, and engagement of the public. Introducing plants, particularly woody species, poses a significant challenge in botanical science, one that is addressed through botanical gardens and arboretums. The establishment and development of dendrological collections in botanical gardens provide a means to comprehensively represent diverse plant species from various biogeographical regions and continents. The current paper presents, for the first time, the establishment, development, status, and future perspective of dendrological collections at the Yerevan Botanical Garden, particularly in relation to the introduction of woody plants in Armenia.

Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic H2 Production Using Composites of Co-Al Layered Double Hydroxides and Graphene Derivatives.

The direct conversion of solar energy into chemical energy represents an enormous challenge for current science. One of the commonly proposed photocatalytic systems is composed of a photosensitizer (PS) and a catalyst, together with a sacrificial electron donor (ED) when only the reduction of protons to H2 is addressed. Layered double hydroxides (LDH) have emerged as effective catalysts. Herein, two Co-Al LDH and their composites with graphene oxide (GO) or graphene quantum dots (GQD) have been prepared by coprecipitation and urea hydrolysis, which determined their structure and so their catalytic performance, giving H2 productions between 1409 and 8643 μmol g-1 using a ruthenium complex as PS and triethanolamine as ED at 450 nm. The influence of different factors, including the integration of both components, on their catalytic behavior, has been studied. The proper arrangement between the particles of both components seems to be the determining factor for achieving a synergistic interaction between LDH and GO or GQD. The novel Co-Al LDH composite with intercalated GQD achieved an outstanding catalytic efficiency (8643 μmol H2 g-1) and exhibited excellent reusability after 3 reaction cycles, thus representing an optimal integration between graphene materials and Co-Al LDH for visible light driven H2 photocatalytic production.

Scalable-produced micro-elastic triboelectric sensing ground for all-weather large-scale applications

Large-scale smart floor will be one potential form for a human–machine interface, but is also facing many difficulties and challenges in the materials science and information engineering. Here, we present a straightforward method for fabricating large-scale micro-elastic triboelectric nanogenerator (ME-TENG) arrays, which can be assembled as triboelectric sensing ground for real-time interface interaction and all-weather monitoring. ME-TENG unit of 6 by 6 arrays offers a maximum power density of 5.84 mW·m−2 under a load resistance of 70 MΩ. It displays a sensitivity of 132.48 mV/kPa in the pressure range of 0 to 180 kPa. The electrical output signals have remained stable in the durability tests over 10 days with various weather conditions. Furthermore, successfully demonstrated a regional comprehensive security monitoring (RCSM) system for enabling all-weather monitoring of the features, position, and movement trajectories of an object. Even more gratifying is that the ME-TENG unit of 30 cm by 30 cm prepared by a simple and fast “all-in-one” method, takes costs of 14.84 dollars/m2 and the production period of 2 h, compared with the most cost-effective piezoelectric sensors, the cost and duration were reduced by 98.67 % and 42.86 %, respectively. This work will greatly contribute to the development and implementation of large-scale sensing and the multidimensional security system.

Discussion: Embracing microfluidics to advance environmental science and technology

Microfluidics, also called lab-on-a-chip, represents an emerging research platform that permits more precise and manipulation of samples at the microscale or even down to the nanoscale (nanofluidic) including picoliter droplets, microparticles, and microbes within miniaturized and highly integrated devices. This groundbreaking technology has made significant strides across multiple disciplines by providing an unprecedented view of physical, chemical, and biological events, fostering a holistic and an in-depth understanding of complex systems. The application of microfluidics to address the challenges in environmental science is likely to contribute to our better understanding, however, it's not yet fully developed. To raise researchers' interest, this discussion first delineates the valuable and underutilized environmental applications of microfluidic technology, ranging from environmental surveillance to acting as microreactors for investigating interfacial dynamic processes, and facilitating high-throughput bioassays. We highlight, with examples, how rationally designed microfluidic devices lead to new insights into the advancement of environmental science and technology. We then critically review the key challenges that hinder the practical adoption of microfluidic technologies. Specifically, we discuss the extent to which microfluidics accurately reflect realistic environmental scenarios, outline the areas to be improved, and propose strategies to overcome bottlenecks that impede the broad application of microfluidics. We also envision new opportunities and future research directions, aiming to provide guidelines for the broader utilization of microfluidics in environmental studies.