bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research progress in the magnetic domain wall topology
Authors: Zhang Ying , Li Zhuo-Lin , Shen Bao-Gen ,   State Key Laboratory of Magnetism, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Published: January 2024

Topological magnetic skyrmions, as information units, possess distinct advantages such as high reliability, enhanced integration, and low energy consumption. These novel topological characteristics offer critical material and technological support for the rapid development of information technology, 5G communication, and big data. However, the application of magnetic skyrmions in practical devices is severely impeded by certain limitations, including their stability dependence on magnetic field and the deflection caused by the skyrmion Hall effect under electric current. Consequently, exploring new topological magnetic domain structures and material systems suitable for application becomes a pivotal area of research. This paper primarily focuses on experimental studies utilizing high-resolution Lorentz transmission electron microscopy for in situ real-space observation and manipulation of topological merons and skyrmions inside the magnetic domain wall, confirming the theoretical prediction of magnetic domain wall skyrmions in 2013. We has firstly achieved topological meron chains inside the domain walls by using the spin reorientation transition in two-dimensional van der Waals Fe5–xGeTe2 magnets, and systematically studied the dynamic behavior of domain wall topological magnetic domain structures under external electric and magnetic fields, filling the blanks in this research area. The important and special roles of magnetic domain walls are revealed at the same time. Then the GdFeCo amorphous ferrimagnetic thin film was designed and prepared based on the summarized mechanism with the domain wall meron pairs successfully reproduced. Moreover, the reversible topological transformation from domain wall meron pair to domain wall skyrmions has also been realized without external magnetic field during spin reorientation transformation as temperature changing. The results of micromagnetic simulation and electric experiments on the topological domains in domain walls would provided a strong basis and support for the future research.
Research on dynamic polarization control in continuous variable quantum key distribution systems
Authors: Zhang Guang-Wei , Bai Jian-Dong , Jie Qi , Jin Jing-Jing , Zhang Yong-Mei , Liu Wen-Yuan ,   Department of Physics, School of Semiconductor and Physics, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
Published: January 2024

In a commercial fiber-based quantum key distribution system, the local and signal optical fields are transmitted through long distance fibers by using time division multiplexing and polarization multiplexing. The state of polarization of the optical field is inevitably disturbed by random birefringence of the standard single-mode fiber caused by external complex environments. This drift of the state of polarization significantly affects the balanced homodyne detection results and the secret key rate. Therefore, the key technology of the dynamic polarization control unit is crucial for the system in a large-scale commercial application. We theoretically analyze and prove that the polarization control unit only needs the combination of two degrees of freedom when considering the result of an arbitrary polarization extinction ratio at the receiver of the system. To overcome the influence of polarization variations, we propose a chaotic monkey algorithm based on Bayesian parameter estimation method and implement intelligence algorithm on field programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware under pulsed light with an integral-type detector for the dynamic polarization control unit. The simulation results show that the optimal combination is four degrees of freedom and the optimal prior distribution is an exponential distribution among various distributions in the dynamic polarization control unit. According to the simulation results, the experimental results show that the achieved polarization extinction ratio is over 30 dB and the average time of polarization control is 400 μs for a single random polarization scrambling. By combining the dynamic polarization control unit with the system, we demonstrate the continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) under a continuous polarization scrambling scope of 0－2 krad/s and verify its effectiveness. In addition, the methods presented will improve the performance of the system and expand the range of applications even under strong external disturbance.
Taste shaped the use of botanical drugs
Authors: Leonti Marco , Baker Joanna , Staub Peter , Casu Laura , Hawkins Julie
Published: January 2024

The perception of taste and flavour (a combination of taste, smell and chemesthesis) here also referred to as chemosensation, enables animals to find high-value foods and avoid toxins. Humans have learned to use unpalatable and toxic substances as medicines, yet the importance of chemosensation in this process is poorly understood. Here we generate tasting-panel data for botanical drugs and apply phylogenetic generalised linear mixed models to test whether intensity and complexity of chemosensory qualities as well as particular tastes and flavours can predict ancient Graeco-Roman drug use. We found chemosensation to be strongly predictive of therapeutic use: botanical drugs with high therapeutic versatility have simple yet intense tastes and flavours, and 21 of 22 chemosensory qualities predicted at least one therapeutic use. In addition to the common notion of bitter tasting medicines, we also found starchy, musky, sweet, cooling, and soapy drugs associated with versatility. In ancient Greece and Rome, illness was thought to arise from imbalance in bodily fluids or humours, yet our study suggests that uses of drugs were based on observed physiological effects that are often consistent with modern understanding of chemesthesis and taste receptor pharmacology.
Altered reactivity to threatening stimuli in Drosophila models of Parkinson’s disease, revealed by a trial-based assay
Authors: Kajtor Márton , Billes Viktor A. , Király Bálint , Stabb Hannah , Sviatkó Katalin , Ujvári Eszter , Balázsfi Diána , Seidenbecher Sophie E. , Kvitsiani Duda , Vellai Tibor , Hangya Balázs
Published: January 2024

The fruit fly
Drosophila melanogaster
emerges as an affordable, genetically tractable model of behavior and brain diseases. However, despite the surprising level of evolutionary conservation from flies to humans, significant genetic and circuit-level differences hinder the interpretability of fruit fly models for human disease. Therefore, to facilitate fly-to-human translation with more direct behavior-level comparison, we surveyed the rarely-exploited, rich behavioral repertoire of fruit flies with genetic alterations relevant to Parkinson’s disease (PD). Flies displayed variable behaviors, including freezing, slowing and running, in response to predator-mimicking passing shadows used as threatening stimuli in a single-animal trial-based assay. We found that the expression of human mutant Parkin in flies resulted in reduced walking speed and decreased reactivity to passing shadows. Flies with dopamine receptor mutations showed similar alterations, consistent with the motor and cognitive deficits typical in humans with PD. However,
Drosophila
overexpressing the human form of α-synuclein manifested in only moderate phenotypical alterations, suggesting that other fruit fly models may be favored in PD research. We also found age-dependent trends in behavioral choice across the fly lifespan, while dopamine receptor mutant flies maintained their decreased general reactivity throughout all age groups. Our data demonstrate that single-trial behavioral analysis can reveal subtle behavioral changes in mutant flies that can be used to further our understanding of disease pathomechanisms and help gauge the validity of genetic
Drosophila
models of neurodegeneration.
Conformation Selection by ATP-competitive Inhibitors and Allosteric Communication in ERK2
Authors: Anderson Jake W. , Vaisar David , Jones David N. , Pegram Laurel M. , Vigers Guy P. , Chen Huifen , Moffat John G. , Ahn Natalie G.
Published: January 2024

Activation of the extracellular signal regulated kinase-2 (ERK2) by phosphorylation has been shown to involve changes in protein dynamics, as determined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and NMR relaxation dispersion measurements. These can be described by a global exchange between two conformational states of the active kinase, named “L” and “R”, where R is associated with a catalytically productive ATP-binding mode. An ATP-competitive ERK1/2 inhibitor, Vertex-11e, has properties of conformation selection for the R-state, revealing movements of the activation loop that are allosterically coupled to the kinase active site. However, the features of inhibitors important for R-state selection are unknown. Here we survey a panel of ATP-competitive ERK inhibitors using HDX-MS and NMR and identify 14 new molecules with properties of R-state selection. They reveal effects propagated to distal regions in the P+1 and helix αF segments surrounding the activation loop, as well as helix αL16. Crystal structures of inhibitor complexes with ERK2 reveal systematic shifts in the Gly loop and helix αC, mediated by a Tyr-Tyr ring stacking interaction and the conserved Lys-Glu salt bridge. The findings suggest a model for the R-state involving small movements in the N-lobe that promote compactness within the kinase active site and alter mobility surrounding the activation loop. Such properties of conformation selection might be exploited to modulate the protein docking interface used by ERK substrates and effectors.
Space as a Scaffold for Rotational Generalisation of Abstract Concepts
Authors: Lerousseau Jacques Pesnot , Summerfield Christopher
Published: January 2024

Learning invariances allows us to generalise. In the visual modality, invariant representations allow us to recognise objects despite translations or rotations in physical space. However, how we learn the invariances that allow us to generalise abstract patterns of sensory data (“concepts”) is a longstanding puzzle. Here, we study how humans generalise relational patterns in stimulation sequences that are defined by either transitions on a nonspatial two-dimensional feature manifold, or by transitions in physical space. We measure rotational generalisation, that is the ability to recognise concepts even when their corresponding transition vectors are rotated. We find that humans naturally generalise to rotated exemplars when stimuli are defined in physical space, but not when they are defined as positions on a nonspatial feature manifold. However, if participants are first pre-trained to map auditory or visual features to spatial locations, then rotational generalisation becomes possible even in nonspatial domains. These results imply that space acts as a scaffold for learning more abstract conceptual invariances.
Borneol promotes autophagic degradation of HIF-1α and enhances chemotherapy sensitivity in malignant glioma
Authors: Lin Luting , Luo Jingming , Wang Zeng , Cai Xinjun
Published: January 2024

Background

Gliomas are characterized by high mortality rates and resistance. Even with conventional chemotherapy the prognosis of glioblastoma remains poor. Many medications are not optimally effective due to limited bioavailability. The bioavailability of medicine can be enhanced by borneol, a monoterpenoid substance. In this study, we investigated the effect of borneol, a commonly used Chinese medicine, on chemosensitivity in C6 glioma and U251 human glioma cell lines and elucidated its therapeutic molecular targets.

Methods

The chemosensitivity-inducing effects of borneol in C6 and U251 cells were examined using CCK8 and clonal formation assays. The mechanism underlying the effect of borneol was evaluated through immunohistochemistry and western blotting assays. Further, the number of autophagosomes was determined via transmission electron microscopy. Finally, the chemical sensitization effect of borneol was evaluated in SD rats after C6 orthotopic tumor transplantation.

Results

Borneol increased cytotoxicity in C6 and U251 cells in response to temozolomide (TMZ). In addition, through transmission electron microscopy, western blotting, and immunohistochemical tests, we found that borneol combined with TMZ significantly increased the level of autophagy and that hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1α) is a candidate target through which borneol enhances the cytotoxic effect of TMZ. Borneol’s ability to enhance HIF-1α degradation was counteracted following the administration of autophagy inhibitors. In vivo, borneol treatment was found to enhance the anticancer effect of TMZ and delay tumor progression, and this effect was closely related to its ability to promote the autophagic degradation of HIF-1α.

Conclusions

HIF-1α might be a valid therapeutic target of borneol, which can be potentially applied as a chemosensitizing drug used for glioma treatment.
The Relationship between Service Economy and Carbon Emissions in Jiangsu Province China and the Influencing Factors
Authors: Yang Qi , Zhang Ruoping
Published: January 2024

Aims: G20 leaders Riyadh put forward the approval of the carbon reduction, reuse, recycling and elimination (4R) framework at the 2020 Summit. In order to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality, promote the development of low-carbon economy, China is striving to build a new high-efficiency low-carbon market.

Study Design:  Taking the service industry in Jiangsu Province as the research object.

Place and Duration of Study: long-term interactive relationship between the carbon emissions of the service industry in Jiangsu Province China and its economic development, from 2005 to 2022.

Methodology: Through the vector autoregressive model (VAR) and Granger causality test. Then, five variables affecting the carbon emissions of the service industry are selected: the level of science and technology, the development of transportation, storage and postal industry, energy efficiency, industrial structure and tourism development.

Results: As influencing factors, through the least squares method (OLS) analysis, it is found that the factor that has the greatest impact on the carbon emissions of the service industry in Jiangsu Province is the industrial structure, followed by the development of tourism and transportation, storage and postal industry.

Conclusion: It is proposed to promote scientific and technological innovation and technological progress from many aspects, improve the scientific and technological innovation system of tourism, accelerate the upgrading of industrial structure, improve the efficiency of transportation, storage and postal industry,  promote the formation of a benign interactive relationship between the development of the service industry and carbon emissions in Jiangsu Province and illustrate how the service industry can develop with high quality while saving energy and reducing emissions.
Navigating the Docker Ecosystem: A Comprehensive Taxonomy and Survey
Authors: Muzumdar Prathamesh , Bhosale Amol , Basyal Ganga Prasad , Kurian George
Published: January 2024

The cloud computing landscape is rapidly expanding and growing in complexity. It has witnessed the emergence of Cloud Computing as a widely adopted model for efficiently processing large volumes of data by harnessing clusters of commodity computers. This evolution enables the handling of massive data through on-demand services, relying on numerous microservices with diverse dependencies. The technology of containers ensures secure storage, allowing for large-scale data processing with high scalability and portability. Container technology, particularly exemplified by Docker in the last decade, plays a pivotal role in this scenario. It empowers microservices to process data swiftly, enabling developers to dynamically scale these services in real-time. This paper initiates by establishing a comprehensive taxonomy for delineating container architecture. Focusing specifically on Docker containers, we scrutinize various existing container-related literature. Through this taxonomy and survey, we not only discern similarities and disparities in the architectural approaches of Docker container technology but also pinpoint areas necessitating further research.
A Model of Tuberculosis and Diabetes Co-Infection with Optimal Control
Authors: Musyoki Eunice Mueni , Mutuku Winfred Nduku , Imbusi Nancy Matendechere , Omondi Evans Otieno
Published: January 2024

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Response of Wheat to Farmyard Manure and Zinc Application in a Vertisol of Central India
Authors: Vishwakarma Megha , Tagore G. S. , Yadav Indra Raj
Published: January 2024

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is one of the major global nutrition concerns, particularly in regions where diets are cereal dominant. About 50% of soils poor in zinc have resulted in zinc deficiency in cereal grains. Farmyard manure (FYM) with Zn application is the way to meet the Zn needs of crops and to raise the Zn content of grain that is ultimately consumed by people. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of JNKVV, Jabalpur, in the Rabi season of 2020-2021 with three levels of FYM (0, 5.0, and 10 t ha-1) and three levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10 kg Zn ha-1) through ZnSO4.7H2O in a completely randomized design (CRD). Results revealed that the addition of 5 t FYM ha-1 + 10 kg Zn ha-1 produced significantly better results for the plant height compared to the control. The combined application of 10 t FYM ha-1 + 10 kg Zn ha-1 showed the highest SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) meter reading at 21 DAS (Days after sowing), but it was the highest at the sole application of 10 t FYM ha-1 at 45 DAS. Significant enhancements in spike length (7.65 cm), weight and number of grains per spike (23.90), and DMP of 7.12 g pot-1 were recorded with the 5 kg Zn ha-1 sole application. However, the highest grain weight (2.50 g pot-1) was recorded with 5 t FYM ha-1 + 5 kg Zn ha-1, which was on par with 5 t FYM ha-1, 5 kg Zn ha-1, and 10 t FYM ha-1+10 kg Zn ha-1. The highest Zn content (48.95 mg kg-1) in wheat grain was recorded with 10 kg Zn ha-1, followed by 5 t FYM ha-1 + 10 kg Zn ha-1 (44.45 mg kg-1). The highest Zn uptake of 99.53 µg pot-1 by grain of wheat was recorded with 5 t FYM ha-1 + 5 kg Zn ha-1, which was significantly superior to all the treatments but on par with 5 kg Zn ha-1 (98.82 µg pot-1). Combined application of 5 t FYM ha-1 +10 kg Zn ha-1 maintain extractable zinc in soil as compared to control.
Investment Decisions: Are Financial Knowledge, Risk Tolerance and Experience Important?
Authors: Putri Grisvanda Devinta , Purwidianti Wida , Innayah Maulida Nurul , Alfalisyado
Published: January 2024

Aims: This research aims to determine whether Financial Knowledge, Risk Tolerance and Experience significantly influence Investment Decisions, especially for heads of families in Purbalingga Regency.

Study Design: Heads of families in Purbalingga District, Central Java, Indonesia.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted for three months in Purbalingga District with 20,552 Heads of Families.

Methodology: This research method uses the SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) analysis method with the Partial Least Square (PLS) approach. Each hypothesis is tested to understand the relationship between variables. To test the validity and reliability of research using an outer model. Hypothesis testing uses inner models.

Results: Financial knowledge influences investment decisions. Risk Tolerance does not affect Investment Decisions. And experience influences investment decisions.

Conclusion: Financial Knowledge and Experience influence family investment decisions in Purbalingga Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. This happens because the higher the respondent's financial knowledge, the better their ability to predict investments and choose the right type of investment so that they can generate profits. Experience also provides valuable lessons for respondents, helping them determine the right time, investment amount and type of investment. However, Risk Tolerance does not have a significant influence because the culture of the people in Purbalingga Regency, Central Java, prefers to invest in real assets such as land, rice fields and the business world because they consider it a desirable form of wealth.
Assessing the Gun Violence Archive and Public Police Data as Comprehensive Sources for Gun Violence
Authors: Anchan Michael G. , Harris Jennifer , Natale-Short Sophia , Georges Megan R. , Pino Elizabeth C.
Published: January 2025

This cross-sectional study evaluates how many fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries in the Boston area are captured in the Gun Violence Archive and public police data and what factors are associated with being included in these datasets.
Analysis of comprehensive genomic profiling of solid tumors with a novel assay for broad analysis in clinical diagnostics
Authors: Froyen Guy , Volders Pieter‐Jan , Geerdens Ellen , Berden Severine , Van der Meulen Joni , De Cock Aaron , Vermeire Stefanie , Van Huysse Jacques , de Barsy Marie , Beniuga Gabriela , de Leng Wendy W. J. , Jansen Anne M. L. , Demers Imke , Ozgur Zeliha , Dubbink Hendrikus Jan , Speel Ernst‐Jan M. , van IJcken Wilfred F. J. , Maes Brigitte
Published: January 2025

Somatic multigene analysis by next‐generation sequencing (NGS) is routinely integrated in medical oncology for clinical decision‐making. However, with the fast‐growing number of recommended and required genes as well as pan‐cancer biomarkers, small panels have become vastly insufficient. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) is, thus, required to screen for clinically relevant markers. In this multicentric study, we report on an extensive analysis across seven centers comparing the results of the novel OncoDEEP CGP assay with the diagnostically validated TruSight Oncology 500 (TSO500) kit on 250 samples. Overall concordance was 90% for clinically relevant gene variants and >96% for more complex biomarkers. Agreement for fusion detection was 94% for the 11 overlapping clinically actionable driver genes. The higher coverage uniformity of OncoDEEP compared to TSO500 allows users to pool more samples per sequencing run. Tertiary data analysis, including reporting, is integrated in the OncoDEEP solution, whereas this is an add‐on for TSO500. Finally, we showed that, analytically, the OncoDEEP panel performs well, thereby advocating its use for CGP of solid tumors in diagnostic laboratories, providing an all‐in‐one solution for optimal patient management.
Multiplex single‐cell profiling of putative cancer stem cell markers ALDH1, SOX9, SOX2, CD44, CD133 and CD15 in endometrial cancer
Authors: Lien Hilde E. , Hjelmeland Marta E. , Berg Hege F. , Gold Rose M. , Woie Kathrine , Akslen Lars A. , Haldorsen Ingfrid S. , Krakstad Camilla
Published: January 2025

The presence of cancer stem cells is linked to aggressive disease and higher risk of recurrence, and multiple markers have been proposed to detect cancer stem cells. However, a detailed evaluation of the expression patterns and the prognostic value of markers relevant for endometrial cancer is lacking. As organoid models are suggested to be enriched in cancer stem cells, such models may prove valuable to define tissue‐specific cancer stem cells. To address this, imaging mass cytometry and multiplex single‐cell analyses were performed on an endometrial cancer patient series including both tumor biopsies and corresponding patient‐derived organoids. An antibody panel focused on cancer stem cell markers was used to identify cancer stem cell phenotypes. Over 70% of epithelial cells in the tumor biopsies expressed at least one putative cancer stem cell marker. We identified distinct cancer cell phenotypes with heterogeneous expression within individual patients and between patient samples. Few differences in the distribution of cancer cell phenotypes were observed between tumor biopsies and corresponding organoids. Cells expressing aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) were more prevalent in high‐grade tumors, while expression of CD44 was more prevalent in grade 1 tumors. Spatial analysis revealed significantly less interaction between ALDH1‐ and CD44‐expressing cells. Gene expression data was used to further investigate selected markers. CD44 gene expression was associated with a favorable prognosis and was further validated using immunohistochemistry. High expression of CD44 was significantly associated with better survival. The general high expression of proposed stem cell markers may indicate alternative roles for these in endometrial cancer.
Examining the effects of repeated pesticide exposure on bumblebee queen survival and reproduction
Authors: Morrison Morgan A. , Linguadoca Alberto , Šima Peter , Brown Mark J. F.
Published: January 2025

Bees are key pollinators, and thus declines in their populations around the world may lead to negative consequences for both the environment and agricultural systems. While these declines are caused by multiple factors, the use of pesticides in agricultural systems has been identified as a key potential driver.

Most bee species have an annual life cycle, with the potential for pesticide exposure throughout their life span. However, most studies have looked at a single exposure point within a season. Bumblebees, like most annual species, have an overwintering stage—which in their case is completed by bumblebee queens. Exposure to pesticides can be experienced by queens both before and after physiologically stressful periods such as hibernation and during nest foundation. This multi‐staged exposure may have increased impacts on bumblebee queens' colony foundation and reproductive output and therefore colony success. However, studies of such repeated exposures are lacking.

Here, we look at the effects of an unstudied, yet biologically likely exposure regime. We exposed bumblebee queens to the insecticide sulfoxaflor at 65.5 ppb for 4 days both before and after hibernation, using a fullycrossed design, in order to assess the impact of such repeated exposure on survival and reproductive fitness.

We observed queens through two important life stages, hibernation and colony foundation, following field realistic exposures to sulfoxaflor. We measured the effects on hibernation success, the likelihood of colony foundation and brood production. We found that neither exposure to sulfoxaflor pre‐ or post‐hibernation, nor their combination, impacted hibernation survival or colony foundation.

Practical Implication: Our study is the first to highlight the repeated pesticide exposure bumblebee queens experience over different stages of their life cycle. Our results suggest that single or repeated exposure to dietary sulfoxaflor alone, albeit at a conservative field‐realistic profile, is unlikely to impact queen health at key points in their life cycle. Future studies should explicitly incorporate repeated exposure across life cycle stages when assessing the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on bee health.
A Simplified Adaptive Fixed Time Control of Pure‐Feedback Stochastic Nonlinear Systems Subject to Full State Constraints
Authors: Wang Nan , Tao Fazhan , Fan Pengyu , Li Mengyang , Fu Zhumu
Published: January 2025

In this paper, a novel fixed time adaptive fuzzy control scheme for pure‐feedback stochastic nonlinear systems with full state constraints is proposed based on dynamic surface control (DSC) technique and barrier Lyapunov functions (BLFs) method. Firstly, the mean value theorem is utilized to transform the pure‐feedback structure of the considered systems into strict‐feedback ones, which make it possible for the utilization of backstepping method to design the controller. Then, DSC technique is used to reduce the computational complexity problem caused by backstepping method. Fuzzy logic systems are exploited to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions. Moreover, combine BLFs method with fixed time stability theorem, the fixed time adaptive fuzzy controller is constructed, which guarantees that all states do not violate the prescribed constraints and all signals are semi‐globally uniform ultimately bounded. Finally, a simulation example is given to verify the effectiveness of the studied control.
Integrating Humidity‐Resistant and Colorimetric COF‐on‐MOF Sensors with Artificial Intelligence Assisted Data Analysis for Visualization of Volatile Organic Compounds Sensing
Authors: Ouyang Qin , Rong Yanna , Xia Gaofan , Chen Quansheng , Ma Yujie , Liu Zhonghua
Published: January 2025

Direct visualization and monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensing processes via portable colorimetric sensors are highly desired but challenging targets. The key challenge resides in the development of efficient sensing systems with high sensitivity, selectivity, humidity resistance, and profuse color change. Herein, a strategy is reported for the direct visualization of VOCs sensing by mimicking human olfactory function and integrating colorimetric COF‐on‐MOF sensors with artificial intelligence (AI)‐assisted data analysis techniques. The Dye@Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework@Covalent Organic Framework (Dye@ZIF‐8@COF) sensor takes advantage of the highly porous structure of MOF core and hydrophobic nature of the COF shell, enabling highly sensitive colorimetric sensing of trace number of VOCs. The Dye@ZIF‐8@COF sensor exhibits exceptional sensitivity to VOCs at sub‐parts per million levels and demonstrates excellent humidity resistance (under 20–90% relative humidity), showing great promise for practical applications. Importantly, AI‐assisted information fusion and perceptual analysis greatly promote the accuracy of the VOCs sensing processes, enabling direct visualization and classification of seven stages of matcha drying processes with a superior accuracy of 95.74%. This work paves the way for the direct visualization of sensing processes of VOCs via the integration of advanced humidity‐resistant sensing materials and AI‐assisted data analyzing techniques.
Multi‐Distance Spatial‐Temporal Graph Neural Network for Anomaly Detection in Blockchain Transactions
Authors: Chen Shiyang , Liu Yang , Zhang Qun , Shao Zhouhang , Wang Zewei
Published: January 2025

This article presents MDST‐GNN, a multi‐distance spatial‐temporal graph neural network for blockchain anomaly detection. To address challenges in detecting fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions, MDST‐GNN integrates a multi‐distance graph convolutional architecture with adaptive temporal modeling, enabling capture of both local and global spatial dependencies while inferring patterns from anonymized temporal data. The model incorporates self‐supervised learning to enhance generalization ability. Experiments on the Elliptic dataset demonstrate MDST‐GNN's superior performance over state‐of‐the‐art methods, achieving improvements of 1.5% in AUC‐ROC and 2.9% in AUC‐PR. The model's robustness to temporal granularity and effectiveness in identifying suspicious transactions underscore its practical value for blockchain forensics.
Enantioselective Synthesis of α‐Hydroxy Allyl Ketones via BINAP‐CuH‐Catalyzed Hydroacylation
Authors: Maurya Sundaram , Navaneetha N. , Behera Prativa , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Roy Lisa , Chegondi Rambabu
Published: January 2025

Catalytic hydrocupration of unsaturated carbon‐carbon bonds to generate organometallic nucleophiles has recently become an attractive alternative to conventional stoichiometric reagents in the stereoselective synthesis. Herein, we have developed an efficient and economical method to synthesize enantiopure α‐hydroxy allyl ketones via a copper hydride (CuH)‐catalyzed hydroacylation of alkoxyallenes, a significant advancement given the scarcity of reports on such scaffolds in the literature. DFT calculations reveal that this reaction proceeds through the nucleophilic attack of a kinetically favourable Z‐selective allyl‐copper intermediate on acid anhydrides via a six‐membered chair‐like transition state, stabilized by strongly attractive non‐covalent interactions that ultimately leads to high level of enantioselectivities using the simple BINAP ligand. This method successfully overcomes the challenges of over‐reduction of carbonyl functionality in the presence of CuH‐complex, olefin isomerization and the presence of a highly enolizable α‐stereocenter, which can lead to erosion in enantioselectivities, making our strategy highly desirable. The reaction exhibits a wide range of substrate scope including symmetrical as well as carbonic anhydrides with both aromatic, and aliphatic substitutions. In addition, α‐substituted acid anhydrides provide exclusive syn‐selective α,α′‐disubstituted allyl ketones in excellent enantiomeric ratios, where the nucleophilic allylation occurs on one of the carbonyls containing the matched α‐stereocenter, confirmed with mechanistic studies.
Minimising by Simulation‐Based Optimisation the Cycle Time for the Line Balancing Problem in Real‐World Environments
Authors: Moncayo–Martínez Luis A. , He Naihui , Arias–Nava Elias H.
Published: January 2025

In the context of Industry 4.0, a production line must be flexible and adaptable to stochastic or real‐world environments. As a result, the assembly line balancing (ALB) problem involves managing uncertainty or stochasticity. Several methods have been proposed, including stochastic mathematical programming models and simulations. However, programming models can only incorporate a few sources of uncertainty that result in impractical or unfeasible solutions to implement due to overlooked complexities, while simulation is only used to test solutions from deterministic approaches or adjust parameters without maintaining their optimum value. The proposed methodology uses a deterministic mathematical model to minimize the cycle time, followed by the simulation to measure the impact of selected sources of uncertainty on the cycle time. Finally, the optimum value of the stochastic parameters is computed using simulation‐based optimization to maintain the average cycle time close to the deterministic one. A real‐life assembly line balancing problem for a motorcycle manufacturing company is solved to test the proposed methodology. The sources of uncertainty are the tasks' stochastic processing times, inter‐arrival time, the number of workers in each station, and the speed of the material handling system. Results show that the average cycle time is above 2.7% from the deterministic value computed by the programming model when the inter‐arrival time is set to 270 60 s; the processing times are allowed to increase or decrease by 3 s; the material handling system's speed is 1.5 m/s; and the number of workers in cells is between 4 and 6, with a speed of 2 m/s. The reader can download the source code and the simulation model to apply the methodology to other instances.
Deep Thinking in Reliability and Risk Analysis: An Overview of Nozer D. Singpurwalla's Work
Authors: Soyer Refik , Spizzichino Fabio
Published: January 2025

In this article, an overview of Nozer Singpurwalla's work in reliability and risk analysis is provided. Rather than presenting a chronological review of his work, the emphasis is given to those areas of his research which better reflect Nozer's scientific personality.
Location of 7‐Aminoactinomycin D in Micellar Medium Depends on Ionic Nature of the Surfactant Head Group
Authors: Shit Debatri , Mandal Pabitra , Pramanik Smritimoy
Published: January 2025

7‐Aminoactinomycin D (7AAMD) is the fluorescent analogue of the anticancer drug actinomycin D (AMD). In order to overcome toxic side effects and enhanced bioavailability of 7AAMD, micellar drug carrier systems could be useful. We have used cationic (hexadecetyltrimethylammonium bromide [CTAB]), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulphate [SDS]) and non‐ionic (t‐octylphenoxypolyoxyethanol, Triton‐X100 [TX 100]) surfactants to prepare micelle. We have explored the mechanism of the interaction of 7AAMD with micelles using steady‐state and time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results revealed that the Stokes' shift values of 7AAMD were decreased in all three micellar medium compared to that in the absence of any micelle. Thus, 7AAMD is localized in less polar microenvironment of micelles than bulk water. In addition, from the time‐resolved fluorescence study of 7AAMD, we found that the relative contribution of the conformers of 7AAMD depended on the surfactant head group. Furthermore, acrylamide induced fluorescence quenching study shows differential accessibility of the quencher molecules towards 7AAMD depending on the ionic nature of the surfactant head group. In the presence of acrylamide, 7AAMD was expelled out from the non‐ionic TX 100 micelle but not in CTAB and SDS micelle. Thus, our results are valuable to design new drug delivery system for AMD‐like antitumor agents.
Alexidine and Pentamidine Fold Inside the Bowl‐shaped Cavity of p‐Sulfonato‐calix[4]arene
Authors: Kravets Kateryna , Kravets Mykola , Sashuk Volodymyr , Perret Florent , Maskani Widade , Albertini David , Lazar Adina‐N. , Zimnicka Magdalena M. , Danylyuk Oksana
Published: January 2025

We report on the U‐shaped folding of flexible guest molecules of medicinal interest upon their inclusion into macrocyclic cavity of p‐sulfonato‐calix[4]arene in aqueous media. Alexidine and pentamidine are FDA‐approved drug compounds currently rediscovered as potent membrane‐targeting antibiotic adjuvants helping restore antibiotic activity against multidrug resistant bacteria pathogens. We have adopted host‐guest and crystal engineering approach to study these drugs with a view of potential supramolecular formulations and/or crystal forms. We focus on the host‐guest conformational and structural behaviour of alexidine and pentamidine under macrocyclic confinement conditions benefitting from single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, self‐assembly studies in solution by NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy, and ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM–MS) analysis complemented by theoretical calculations. Our findings show that the simple bowl‐shaped host promotes conformational fixing and crystallization of these guest molecules of high conformational freedom that are otherwise challenging to crystallize. The IM–MS structural studies of p‐sulfonato‐calix[4]arene complexes with pentamidine and alexidine revealed significant guest reorganization in the solution/gas phase, compared to the binding modes observed in the crystal structures. Despite these changes, the host‐guest complexation remained consistent, with new interactions highlighting the increased role of electrostatic forces in the gas phase.
Force Degradation of Intermaxillary Latex Elastics: Comparative In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Ptáčková Lucie , Ličková Barbora , Urbanová Wanda , Sluka David , Portašíková Klaudia , Chamlarová Soňa , Voborná Iva , Dubovská Ivana
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to compare the force degradation of intermaxillary elastics (IE) in vitro and in vivo while stretching the IE to a precise diameter.

Materials and Methods

IE 3/16″ medium Dentaurum from five different batches of packaging were analyzed. The in vivo study involved 10 volunteers, of which 100 IE were examined. To achieve three times the original diameter of the elastic, the distance between the upper canine and the lower dental arch was measured. Buttons were then placed in the mouth accordingly, and IE and passive aligners were inserted for five sessions of 48 h each. To investigate in vitro, 100 IE were placed in an incubator set at 37°C in a humid environment and stretched three times their diameter. The force of the elastics was measured in both investigations using a force meter at 0, 2, 8, 24, and 48 h.

Results

In all patients except one, the three times diameter distance extended from the upper canine to the lower second premolar. The force degradation in vivo at 2, 8, 24, and 48 h was 20.58%, 26.78%, 34.81%, and 38.56% and in vitro was 16.38%, 22.83%, 28.32%, and 30.78%.

Conclusions

The amount of stretching of IE varies for each patient when using standard insertion points. The force of IE decreases exponentially, the force degradation in vivo being higher. The clinician must consider the force decrease when advising the patient of the time interval to change the elastics.
Histone methyltransferase KMT2A promotes pulmonary fibrogenesis via targeting pro‐fibrotic factor PU.1 in fibroblasts
Authors: Lyu Wenting , Wang Hui , Ji Tong , Liu Ling , Chen Haoran , Fan Li , Zhong Guanning , Wan Naihui , Chen Suwan , Chen Jingyu , Cai Hourong , Xu Hongyang , Wang Dongjin , Dai Jinghong
Published: January 2025

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrotic disease driven by both environmental and genetic factors. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype that do not involve alterations to DNA sequence. KMT2A is a member of the SET family which catalyses H3K4 methylation.

Results

Through microarray and single‐cell sequencing data, we discovered KMT2A‐positive fibroblasts were increased in IPF lung tissues. KMT2A level was increased in IPF and bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis mice lung tissues collected in our centre. Mice with AAV6‐induced KMT2A knockdown in fibroblast showed attenuated pulmonary fibrosis after bleomycin treatment. Bioinformation also revealed that transcription factor PU.1 was a target of KMT2A. We demonstrated that PU.1 levels were increased in IPF tissues, bleomycin‐induced mice lung tissues and primary fibrotic fibroblasts. KMT2A knockdown decreases PU.1 expression in vitro while KMT2A overexpression induces PU.1 activation. PU.1 fibroblast‐specific knockout mice showed attenuated lung fibrosis induced by bleomycin. Furthermore, we demonstrated KMT2A up‐regulated PU.1 in fibroblasts by catalysing H3K4me3 at the promoter of the PU.1 gene. The KMT2A transcription complex inhibitor mm102 treatment attenuated bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Conclusion

The current study indicated that histone modification participates in the pathogenesis of IPF and KMT2A may have the potential to be a therapeutic target of IPF treatment.

Key points

KMT2A plays a role in pulmonary fibrogenesis.

KMT2A regulates PU.1 transcription in fibroblasts through H3K4me3 at promoter.

KMT2A inhibitor attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in mice.
Replacing native grazers with livestock influences arthropods to have implications for ecosystem functions and disease
Authors: Baidya Pronoy , Roy Shamik , Karapurkar Jalmesh , Bagchi Sumanta
Published: January 2025

Grazing by large mammalian herbivores influences ecosystem structure and functions through its impacts on vegetation and soil, as well as by the influence on other animals such as arthropods. As livestock progressively replace native grazers around the world, it is pertinent to ask whether they have comparable influence over arthropods, or not. We use a replicated landscape‐level, long‐term grazer‐exclusion experiment (14 years) to address how ground‐dwelling arthropods respond to such a change in grazing regime where livestock replace native grazers in the cold deserts of the Trans‐Himalayan ecosystem of northern India. We analyze spatial and temporal variation in the abundance of 25,604 arthropods sampled using pitfall traps across 2765 trap‐days through the duration of the growing season spanning spring, summer, and autumn. These were from 88 operational taxonomic units covering six orders from 33 families (ants, wasps, bees, ticks and mites, spiders, grasshoppers, and beetles). We find that grazer assemblage—whether livestock or native herbivores—had a strong influence on both vegetation and arthropods. Partial redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that 53.6% of the spatial and temporal variation in arthropod communities could be explained by grazing and by grazer assemblage identity, alongside covariation with vegetation composition and soil variables. Structural equation models revealed that grazing and grazer assemblage identity have direct effects on arthropods, as well as indirect effects that are mediated through vegetation. Importantly, spiders (predators) were less abundant under livestock, whereas grasshoppers (leaf eaters) and ticks and mites (parasitic disease vectors) were more abundant, compared with native grazers. Reduction in spiders can fundamentally alter material and energy flow through the cascading effects of losing predators, and an abundance of grasshoppers may even contribute to vegetation degradation that is often associated with livestock. Parallelly, increases in ticks and mites lead to concerns over vector‐borne disease that require planned interventions to align animal husbandry with One Health. Thus, losing native grazers to livestock expansion can have wide‐ranging repercussions via arthropods. This may not only affect ecosystem structure and functions, but also offer challenges and opportunities to mitigate risks from vector‐borne disease.
Mammalian predator co‐occurrence affected by prey and habitat more than competitor presence at multiple time scales
Authors: Bassing Sarah B. , Ausband David E. , Mumma Matthew A. , Thompson Sarah , Hurley Mark A. , Falcy Matthew R.
Published: January 2025

The behavior and abundance of sympatric predators can be affected by a complex dominance hierarchy. The strength of antagonistic interactions in predator communities is difficult to study and remains poorly understood for many predator assemblages. Predators directly and indirectly influence the broader ecosystem, so identifying the relative importance of competition, prey, and habitat in shaping predator interactions has broad conservation and management implications. We investigated space use among five predator species (black bear [Ursus americanus], bobcat [Lynx rufus], coyote [Canis latrans], mountain lion [Puma concolor], and gray wolf [Canis lupus]) across three temporal scales in northern Idaho, USA. We used camera trap data to test whether potentially subordinate predators spatially avoided dominant predators and how prey availability influenced those relationships. We found few instances of subordinate predators spatially avoiding dominant predators and only at the finest temporal scale of our analyses. Instead, habitat features generally influenced predator space use patterns at coarser scales whereas prey and competitor presence influenced space use patterns at finer scales. Co‐occurrence was positively associated between coyotes and bobcats at coarser timescales and between mesopredators and apex predators at finer timescales. Bobcats and mountain lions temporarily delayed the use of sites recently visited by coyotes and black bears, respectively. And all predator species used sites sooner following the detection of a competitor in areas with higher relative abundances of prey (primarily white‐tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus]). Our results suggest attraction to shared habitats and prey resources influenced space use in the predator community more than avoidance of competitors. We propose that the effects of interspecific interactions on predator distributions were most evident for mesopredators because their trophic position requires balancing risks and rewards associated with prey, apex predators, and other mesopredators. In addition, relatively high densities of a common prey source likely facilitated the spatial coexistence in this predator community. Our study demonstrates the value of simultaneously assessing multiple interspecific interactions across different spatiotemporal scales to discern relationships within the predator guild.