bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology and molecular characterization of a new Chloroidium (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) species isolated from lichen in Antarctica
Authors: Chae Hyunsik , Lee Yung Mi , Lee Hyodong , So Jae Eun , So Jeongha , Choi Han‐Gu , Kim Sanghee , Kim Ji Hee
Published: February 2025

Antarctica's harsh environment supports a unique diversity of microalgae that inhabit freshwater, soil and snow, and engage in symbiotic associations with lichens. Among these, the photosynthetic eukaryotic algae in lichens primarily exhibit Chlorella‐like morphology, which complicates their identification as a result of the simplicity of their form. In the present study, we aimed to identify a Chlorella‐like strain isolated from the lichen Psoroma antarcticum in Antarctica based on its morphological and molecular characteristics. The strain PAMC 29142 showed ellipsoidal to almost spherical cells with parietal chloroplasts and reproduced through equally sized autospores, closely resembling other members of the genus Chloroidium. The phylogenetic analyses using nuclear small subunit and internal transcribed spacer rDNA sequences data confirmed that PAMC 29142 represents a distinct lineage within the genus. Internal transcribed spacer 2 secondary structures and the compensatory base changes approach were used to compare this strain with other Chloroidium species. Based on comprehensive morphological and molecular data, we propose the designation of PAMC 29142 as a new species, Chloroidium psoromicola sp. nov.
Beyond Simplification in Public Sector Accountability: Contradictions Between Principal‐Agent and Complexity Theories
Authors: Rajala Tomi , Jalonen Harri
Published: February 2025

This conceptual study explores the complexity of public sector accountability, traditionally framed by principal‐agent theory (PAT), which simplifies relationships through rigid contracts. The findings reveal how PAT's assumptions often misalign with the intricate realities of public sector accountability, which are better explained by complexity theories (CT). Contradictions between PAT and CT assumptions are highlighted, underlining the need for more flexible and dynamic accountability frameworks. The study calls for further research to refine the concept of complexity‐based accountability and investigate tensions between practical accountability applications of PAT and CT. Such research could transform public administration practice and scholarship by better accommodating the complex realities of managing public services.
A comparison of in situ and on‐vessel larval rearing for coral seeding
Authors: Randall Carly J. , Chamberland Valérie F. , Giuliano Christine , Page Cathie A. , Allen Katie , Briggs Nico , Cornish Rhys , Bickel Aric , Severati Andrea
Published: February 2025

Coral sexual recruitment is critical to reef recovery yet often fails on degraded reefs. Coral seeding is one approach to artificially increase the densities of coral settlers on reefs and can be applied in many ways. A thorough comparison of seeding‐method performance is needed to inform restoration decisions yet is difficult to undertake given the cost and complexities around employing multiple methods simultaneously. Here, we first designed a vessel‐based coral‐spawning aquaculture system. Then we undertook an experimental comparison of the performance of larvae reared in the on‐vessel system with those reared in in situ rearing pools (SECORE coral rearing in situ basins [CRIBs]). We parameterized survival estimates and assessed post‐deployment survival of spat generated using each method. We also quantified survival of spat reared in situ and deployed across six sites on an inshore reef system of the Great Barrier Reef. Larval survival was lower when rearing in situ than on the vessel (3.8 vs. 66.1%, respectively), but settlement behavior and post‐settlement survival were comparable between rearing treatments, with yield averaging 66 and 72% after 3 months of deployment, from CRIBs and culture tanks, respectively. Spat survival was also comparable across treatments, averaging 5 ± 8%. On‐vessel rearing was more costly but supported higher survival, increased portability, and enabled more control and manipulation of rearing conditions. By contrast, in situ methods were low‐cost, deployable from shore, and low‐maintenance. Armed with this information, managers and practitioners can determine the most appropriate method(s) for a given restoration project.
Quantitative microbial risk assessment of bioaerosol emissions from squat and bidet toilets during flushing
Authors: Ali Wajid , Hu Zhen , Tang Zhe‐ren , Liu Si‐yi , Nasir Zaheer Ahmad , Coulon Frederic , Liu Peng , Yan Cheng
Published: February 2025

Bioaerosol emissions during toilet flushing are an often‐overlooked source of potential health risks in shared public facilities. This study systematically investigated the emission characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bioaerosols in washrooms with squat and bidet toilets under varying flushing conditions and ventilation scenarios. Using Monte Carlo simulation–based quantitative microbial risk assessment and sensitivity analysis, the study estimated the disease burden and identified key factors influencing risk. The results showed that squat toilets generated 1.7–2.6 times higher concentrations of S. aureus bioaerosols and 1.2–1.4 times higher concentrations of E. coli bioaerosols compared to bidet toilets. After the first flush, bioaerosol concentrations were 1.3–1.8 times (S. aureus) and 1.2–1.4 times (E. coli) lower than those observed after the second flush. The second flush released a higher proportion of fine bioaerosol particles (<4.7 µm), increasing inhalation risks. The disease health risk burden was consistently one order of magnitude lower after the first flush than the second one. Ventilation with a turned‐on exhaust fan further reduced the risk by one order of magnitude. Sensitivity analysis identified exposure concentration as the most influential parameter, contributing up to 50% of the overall risk. This study highlights the importance of optimizing toilet design and ventilation systems to mitigate bioaerosol emissions and associated health risks. It provides actionable insights for improving public washroom hygiene and minimizing bioaerosol exposure.
Preschoolers' Gender Identification Rigidity Relates to Their Gender‐Typed Predictions for Others
Authors: Fawcett Christine , Hellmer Kahl
Published: February 2025

Children begin to reason about gender and others' gender‐typed preferences from early in life, yet not enough is known about whether their reasoning reflects only binary categorization or a more nuanced way understanding of variation in gender. Further, little is known about how children's conception of their own gender affects how they think about others. In the current study, 3–6‐year‐old preschool children (n = 56) were asked to predict preferred and nonpreferred toys that included feminine, neutral, and masculine options for other children who were described using their binary gender identity (i.e., a gender‐typical hairstyle, name, pronouns) and their home environment (i.e., room decoration and toys which were provided by their parents and were either feminine, neutral, or masculine). Children also participated in tasks to assess their own gender‐typed toy preferences and their own gender identity using two continuous scales for identification with girls and with boys and their gender‐typed behavior was rated by their preschool teachers. Results indicated that children considered both binary gender and information about the home environment when predicting others' toy preferences. Further, children's greater reliance on an individual's binary gender identity when allocating toys was related to the rigidity of their own gender identity and their own gender‐typed toy preferences. Together, these findings add nuance to our understanding of children's developing reasoning about gender identity and preferences and reinforce that children can conceptualize gender as more than a binary category.
ChatGPT as a voting application in direct democracy
Authors: Reveilhac Maud , Morselli Davide
Published: February 2025

The study examines the potential role of ChatGPT as a tool for popular voting. It assesses ChatGPT's positions on four voting objects (three initiatives and one referendum) by simulating various Swiss voter profiles (neutral, centrist, left, right, progressist, and conservative) and comparing these to its default stance. Additionally, ChatGPT's responses to arguments for and against each object were analyzed for consistency with its voting patterns. The study compared ChatGPT's decisions to real voting outcomes, fixing the temperature and collecting 100 answers per question to ensure reliability. Results showed that voting decisions varied by model version (GPT‐3.5 or GPT‐4) and language (French or German), indicating cultural and model iteration influences. ChatGPT's decisions did not consistently align with a left‐progressist stance, highlighting the impact of language, model versions, and contextual factors on political interpretations.
Panethnic Fate Unlinked: Who Finds the Term “Chinese Virus” Acceptable?
Authors: Trinh Duy , Vu Milkie
Published: February 2025

Objective

We explain why some immigrants tolerate or even support discrimination against members of their own panethnic groups. We propose that such attitudes are shaped by an individual's acculturation to both their origin and host cultures. Specifically, acculturation affects susceptibility to discrimination faced by panethnic in‐groups and moderates beliefs in panethnic‐linked fate and solidarity.

Methods

We conducted an original survey of Vietnamese immigrants in the United States during a surge in anti‐Chinese discrimination. The survey assessed perceptions of the discriminatory term “Chinese virus,” focusing on variations in cultural identity and language use as dimensions of acculturation.

Results

Respondents with stronger Vietnamese and weaker American acculturation in internal dimensions, such as cultural identity, were more likely to reject the term. Conversely, higher Vietnamese acculturation in external dimensions, such as language use, correlated with greater tolerance of the term. Meanwhile, experiencing discrimination had no significant effect. The findings are robust to alternate model specifications and controls for demographics, nativity, socioeconomic status, partisanship, social support, and negative experiences with the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the complex ways in which acculturation shapes immigrant attitudes toward ethnically charged discrimination, with important implications for understanding panethnic solidarity and responses to prejudice.
Friend or Foe? Partisanship, Rivalry, and Overseas Foreign Direct Investment in the United States
Authors: Biglaiser Glen , Lu Kelan (Lilly) , Yoo Seong Hun
Published: February 2025

Objective

This article revisits how political partisanship and home and host‐state relations affect foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.

Method

We use panel data for overseas Chinese and South Korean FDI into the United States from as early as 2006 to 2022.

Results

We observe differences in Chinese and South Korean FDI, finding that Chinese firms prefer Republican‐governed states because of the lower economic costs and higher political safety sought by rival countries. Conversely, South Korean firms favor investing in states with divided governments since both Democrats and Republicans will want to take credit for the job creation from a U.S. ally, offering greater financial incentives to South Korean businesses. Divided governments also increase policy stability, benefitting South Korean firms. We also conduct robustness checks and assess the politics of the FDI mode of entry, and the results confirm our main findings.

Conclusion

Our study offers nuance into how partisanship and foreign relations between home and host states affect political risk and FDI.
Innovative premix treatment for enhancing the efficacy of microbial‐induced calcite precipitation in improving shear strength of fly ash‐mixed sand
Authors: Rawat Vikas , Satyam Neelima
Published: February 2025

Microbial‐induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a promising, sustainable and environmentally friendly method for ground improvement. The current study examined the efficacy of the premix treatment technique in comparison to the normal treatment method for the MICP process. The biotreatment was conducted using Sporosarcina pasteurii and a 0.5 molar cementation solution at one pore volume, with the treatment applied in 24‐h cycles for 8 and 16 days. The study also explored the impact of adding fly ash (FA) at concentrations of 2%, 4% and 6% of the soil weight on biocementation. Direct shear tests (DST) were conducted to evaluate the shear strength of the samples under normal stresses of 98, 196 and 294 kPa. The calcite content, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) were carried out to assess the effectiveness of the premix treatment for the MICP process. The study found that incorporating FA improved peak strength and shear strength parameters, with the most significant increase at 4% FA. Beyond this threshold, additional FA reduced strength because of decreased pore space, which limited the mobility of bacteria and calcite (CaCO3) precipitation. The treatment technique significantly impacts the efficacy of the MICP technique. Premix‐treated samples demonstrated higher strength and CaCO3 content compared with normal‐treated samples. Extending the treatment duration from 8 to 16 days led to a 214% increase in cohesion for normal‐treated samples and a 234% increase for premix‐treated samples, both at the optimal FA content of 4%. SEM analysis revealed CaCO3 precipitates on soil grains and at contact points, which were confirmed by the calcium peaks in the EDS spectra, indicating the formation of CaCO3 in the biotreated samples. The premix‐treated samples exhibited more uniform CaCO3 precipitation compared with the normal‐treated samples, and more effective bonding because of CaCO3 was observed in the premix‐treated samples.
Characterisation of the Novel HLA‐DQA1*01:157 Allele by Sequencing‐Based Typing
Authors: Pajot Thibault , Elsermans Vincent , Top Isabelle , Labalette Myriam , Guillaume Nicolas
Published: February 2025

HLA‐DQA1*01:157 differs from HLA‐DQA1*01:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 199 in exon 4.
Allied Health Student Placements in Residential Aged Care: Attitudes, Experiences and Impact
Authors: Matthews Kristie , Barker Lisa , Bourne Elizabeth , Dixon Karen , Palermo Claire
Published: February 2025

Background

Despite clear needs to prepare allied health professionals to work in aged care to meet community needs, student placements in residential aged care are not commonplace. There is limited evidence that explores allied health students' attitudes to aged care placement learning experiences.

Objective

This work aims to examine the attitudes, experiences and impact of a residential aged care placement on allied health professional students.

Methods

The study employed an exploratory qualitative approach within an interpretative philosophy. Participants were 14 dietetics, occupational therapy and speech pathology students who had a placement experience in residential aged care in Australia. Students completed a demographics questionnaire, and either an online interview before and after their placement, or a group online interview after their placement. Verbatim transcripts were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

Results

Students acknowledged the usefulness of placement in ‘Building Skills,’ and proposed how they could translate these skills to future acute setting placements. However, the ‘Legitimacy of the Learning Environment’ was a concern given the limited in situ role modelling from their own profession. Students clearly identified how they had and could make a meaningful ‘Contribution to Care’ of the older person.

Conclusions

Placement experiences in residential aged care are a legitimate learning opportunity for allied health professional students to develop their capabilities to work with older people; however, the student sense of fit within the workplace was disconnected. Supporting effective student learning in the aged care setting is important to enable students to be prepared to enter the aged care workforce.
Utopianism and Plato's Republic
Authors: Kippes R. Austin
Published: February 2025

This paper criticises the two prominent interpretations of utopianism in Plato's Republic. The traditional argues that it is mere utopianism, seriously proposing that Kallipolis is, in fact, the ideal city. The ironic argues that the Republic is a critique of the ability for reason to reconstruct human nature and is, therefore, a dire warning against utopian thinking in politics. I oppose these two interpretations and instead argue that the Republic implies a paradoxical necessity in the nature of utopianism: The ideal cannot be theorised without itself being conditioned by the politics of theorising, and yet the politics of theorising is immanently motivated by the ideal. I locate this seemingly antonymic dynamic within the education of the learner/citizen in the Republic. Although this is centred on the notion of self‐governance, it cannot be imposed and instead depends on the philosophical development of one's soul that is inextricably linked to justice in the city. Therefore, the utopianism of the Republic ought to be thought of as dialectical, being simultaneously situated and yet normatively transcending.
Nietzsche as Optimistic Nutritionist: Reading Ecce Homo as a Practical Guide to a Spinozistic Ethics of Self‐Preservation
Authors: Dahlbeck Johan
Published: February 2025

In his From Bondage to Freedom, Michael LeBuffe argues that Spinoza's theory of ethics hinges on a figure that he calls the optimistic nutritionist. LeBuffe sets up the optimistic nutritionist as a thought experiment useful for illustrating how Spinoza's ethical theory can be put into practice. While LeBuffe offers some illuminating examples intended to illustrate how the optimistic nutritionist would function as a pedagogical guide of sorts, the practical aspects of this figure remain vague and underdeveloped. In this paper, the aim is to read Nietzsche's controversial autobiography Ecce Homo as an exemplification of how the optimistic nutritionist might be conceived in situ, in terms of a person applying a systematic form of selectivity to different things so as to determine whether or not they are useful for furthering their self‐preservation and empowerment. This amounts to a practical guide to a form of Spinozistic ethics, where Nietzsche's optimistic nutritionist functions by setting up concrete guidelines for the selectivity of useful things, without succumbing to the hazards of moral universalism and abstract perfectionism.
Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Infections Among Lung Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study in Canada
Authors: Bitterman Roni , Soualhine Hafid , Akochy Pierre‐Marie , Poirier Charles , Ferraro Pasquale , Kabbani Dima , Hirji Alim , Tyrrell Gregory , Bergeron Celine , Levy Robert D. , Wright Alissa , Leung Victor , Singer Lianne G , Chaparro Cecilia , Keshavjee Shaf , Richard‐Greenblatt Melissa , Husain Shahid , Luong Me‐Linh
Published: February 2025

Background

Mycobacterium abscessus complex is known to cause life‐threatening disease in lung transplantation (LT) recipients (LTRs). Therefore, many centers consider the presence of M. abscessus as a relative contraindication to LT.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study including all 4 LT centers in Canada. All LTRs transplanted in 2006–2016 with at least one respiratory sample positive for M. abscessus prior or posttransplantation were included. Pulmonary disease was defined using the American Thoracic Society criteria. Minimal follow‐up duration was 5 years after transplantation.

Results

Among 2181 LTRs across Canada, 14 had M. abscessus disease after LT (incidence rate 1.1/1000 transplant‐years) and 6 had pulmonary colonization (incidence rate 0.5/1000 transplant‐years). Fifteen patients had M. abscessus cultured before LT. Among those with pretransplant M. abscessus, 53% (8/15) developed M. abscessus infection posttransplant (6 disease, 2 colonization). Posttransplant disease was less frequent among those with microbiologic eradication before transplant (0% vs. 85.7%, p = 0.001). LTRs with pretransplant M. abscessus had comparable survival to those without M. abscessus (log rank p = 0.37). Among patients with pretransplant infection, mortality was higher in those who did not achieve microbiological eradication before transplantation (57.1% vs. 0%, p = 0.03) and those who developed disease after transplantation (66.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

M. abscessus is an uncommon cause of infection among LTRs. Survival among those with pretransplant M. abscessus infection was similar to that observed in noninfected LTRs. However, lack of eradication before transplantation was associated with higher posttransplant disease and mortality.
Association of Eyelid Margin Thickness and Meibography in Dogs With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Authors: Kim Giyeon , Kang Seonmi , Seo Junehee , Seo Kangmoon
Published: February 2025

Objective

To measure the eyelid margin thickness (LMT) in dogs with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and evaluate its correlation with meibomian gland (MG) morphology.

Animals Studied

Fifty‐nine client‐owned dogs.

Procedure

The LMT was measured on slit lamp biomicroscopy images and divided into groups of 1 to 4, from the thinnest to thickest, based on quartiles. MG morphology, including distortion, thickening, shortening, and dropout, was evaluated using noninvasive infrared meibography. The LMT and meibography results were compared between the MGD and normal groups. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between LMT and MG morphology.

Results

The mean LMT was significantly greater in the MGD group (1.18 ± 0.19 mm) than the normal group (1.00 ± 0.13 mm) and was positively correlated with MG loss (p < 0.01). The LMT was thicker in dogs over 12 years (1.25 ± 0.20 mm). The LMT group 4 (≥ 1.26 mm) had the highest percentage of abnormal MG (95.7%) and MG loss area (37%). The total abnormal MG ratio and thickened MG ratio were significantly higher in the LMT group 4. LMT ≥ 1.20 mm was identified as a potential indicator for MG loss area of more than one‐third.

Conclusions

Eyelids with thick LMT had more abnormal MG morphology, including thickening and dropout. An LMT ≥ 1.20 mm could be a criterion to suspect MGD. Thus, the LMT could be a simple screening tool to predict MG loss and might aid in the diagnosis and early management of MGD with a sensitivity of 0.645 and a specificity of 0.768.
Lower Bird Evenness and Diversity Are Associated With Higher Usutu Prevalence in Culex pipiens Mosquitoes
Authors: Rodriguez‐Valencia Victor , Olive Marie‐Marie , Le Goff Gilbert , Faisse Marine , Paupy Christophe , Roiz David
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The mosquito‐transmitted Usutu virus has spread in the last few years, becoming endemic in several areas of Europe, such as in the southern French region of the Camargue. Our aim was to study the relationships between the presence of the viral agent in Culex mosquitoes and the structure of bird communities in the context of the dilution effect.

Methods

We carried out mosquito and bird censuses in several selected localities across a land‐use gradient and screened mosquito pools for flaviviruses. We focused on exploring how host bird diversity, richness, abundance and evenness were associated with Usutu detection in Cx. pipiens.

Results

Usutu virus was detected in seven pools of Cx. pipiens, and phylogenetic analysis identified Usutu lineage Africa 3, confirming its circulation. The probability of detection in mosquitoes is associated with areas with lower bird evenness and diversity but higher bird abundance and richness and higher Cx. pipiens abundances.

Conclusions

Bird evenness was the variable with the greatest explanatory power, being negatively related to the probability of detecting Usutu in Cx. pipiens, supporting a dilution effect. These results will help us better understand the relationships between bird community structure and the risk of Usutu mosquito‐borne disease.
The Role of Influencers on Young Consumer Behavior: A Systematic Review
Authors: Barrueta-Pinto Mark , Castillo-Ortiz María Verónica , Chávez-Díaz Jorge Miguel , Aquiño-Perales Laura , Barrera-Avalos Carmen Rosa
Published: February 2025

The systematic review approaches the role of influencers on young consumers. It provides clues about the consumption behavior of young people and the characteristics of influence. The methodology follows the PRISMA statement. The Scopus and Web of Science search yielded 432 articles from the last 5 years, and 29 were selected. The significant impact of influencers on young consumer behavior is highlighted, emphasizing the crucial role of social media and influencer marketing, especially influencer credibility. Key topics include the magnitude of influence on young people, the relationship between relationship strength and trust, and the perception of authenticity in collaborations with brands. Disclosure affects perception, highlighting the importance of trust and credibility in influencer marketing campaigns. Brands must carefully evaluate influencers to maintain audience trust in their publications. Future studies could evaluate whether the influence of influencers is long-term or studies with different cultural contexts or how this influence psychologically affects the mental health of young people.
The Cloud-Based Remote Learning via Digital Media Ecosystem to Enhance Learning Engagement among Undergraduate Students in Engineering Education
Authors: Sroyprapai Pranee , Songsriwittaya Alisa , Kaewrattanapat Nutthapat , Nittayathammakul Vitsanu
Published: February 2025

This research aimed to develop the Cloud-Based Remote Learning Digital Media Ecosystem (CbRL-DM Ecosystem) to enhance undergraduate engineering students’ learning engagement. The study employed a mixed-methods research design, consisting of three phases: 1) A scoping review exploring the consistency between digital media exposure, technological infrastructure, and engagement strategies among Thai higher education students; 2) Development of the CbRL-DM Ecosystem; and 3) Assessment of learning outcomes among 45 first-year engineering students in Thailand. We assessed learning outcomes through pretest and posttest scores using paired t-tests for analysis. The findings revealed: 1) The scoping review identified digital media behaviors among Thai undergraduate students, including the use of Line, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Google Workspace, which align with the technological infrastructure of Thai higher education institutions; 2) The CbRL-DM Ecosystem consists of three components: (1) Instructors, who manage the classroom by pre-designing lessons and communicating through remote learning while applying effective engagement strategies such as verbal and non-verbal communication technique (e.g., gestures, eye contact, tone), gamification technique, and collaboration technique; (2) Digital media, hosted on public cloud platforms (including LINE, Gmail, Google Classroom, Meet, Jamboard, Quizizz, Google Drive, and other tools like Google Add-ons); and (3) Students, who engage in self-regulated learning and learning by doing; 3) Undergraduate engineering students showed significantly higher levels of learning engagement and academic achievement after using the intervention, with statistical significance at the .05 level. Future research should integrate AI-powered tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and DeepSeek into the CbRL-DM Ecosystem to empower personalized learning experiences.
Intrinsic Hopf–Lax formula and Hamilton–Jacobi equation
Authors: Di Donato Daniela
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this article is to analyze the notion of intrinsic Hopf–Lax formula and its connection with the Hamilton–Jacobi‐type equation.
Euler characteristics of affine ADE Nakajima quiver varieties via collapsing fibres
Authors: Bertsch Lukas , Gyenge Ádám , Szendrői Balázs
Published: February 2025

We prove a universal substitution formula that compares generating series of Euler characteristics of Nakajima quiver varieties associated with affine ADE diagrams at generic and at certain non‐generic stability conditions via a study of collapsing fibres in the associated variation of GIT map, unifying and generalising earlier results of the last two authors with Némethi and of Nakajima. As a special case, we compute generating series of Euler characteristics of non‐commutative Quot schemes of Kleinian orbifolds. In type A and rank 1, we give a second, combinatorial proof of our substitution formula, using torus localisation and partition enumeration. This gives a combinatorial model of the fibres of the variation of GIT map, and also leads to relations between our results and the representation theory of the affine and finite Lie algebras in type A.
Gromov–Witten invariants of bielliptic surfaces
Authors: Blomme Thomas
Published: February 2025

Bielliptic surfaces appear as a quotient of a product of two elliptic curves and were classified by Bagnera–Franchis. We give a concrete way of computing their GW‐invariants with point insertions using a floor diagram algorithm. Using the latter, we are able to prove the quasi‐modularity of their generating series by relating them to generating series of graphs for which we also prove quasi‐modularity results. We propose a refinement of these invariants by inserting a ‐class in the considered GW‐invariants.
On the real‐rootedness of the Eulerian transformation
Authors: Athanasiadis Christos A.
Published: February 2025

The Eulerian transformation is the linear operator on polynomials in one variable with real coefficients that maps the powers of this variable to the corresponding Eulerian polynomials. The derangement transformation is defined similarly. Brändén and Jochemko have conjectured that the Eulerian transforms of a class of polynomials with nonnegative coefficients, which includes those having all their roots in the interval , have only real zeros. This conjecture is proven in this paper. More general transformations are introduced in the combinatorial‐geometric context of uniform triangulations of simplicial complexes, where Eulerian and derangement transformations arise in the special case of barycentric subdivision, and are shown to have strong unimodality and gamma‐positivity properties. General real‐rootedness conjectures for these transformations, which unify various results and conjectures in the literature, are also proposed.
A stable splitting of factorisation homology of generalised surfaces
Authors: Kranhold Florian
Published: February 2025

For a manifold and an ‐algebra , the factorisation homology can be seen as a generalisation of the classical configuration space of labelled particles in . It carries an action by the diffeomorphism group , and for the generalised surfaces , we have stabilisation maps among the quotients which increase the genus . In the case where a highly‐connected tangential structure is taken into account, this article describes the stable homology of these quotients in terms of the iterated bar construction and a tangential Thom spectrum , and addresses the question of homological stability.
Flexible control of motor units: is the multidimensionality of motor unit manifolds a sufficient condition?
Authors: Dernoncourt François , Avrillon Simon , Logtens Tijn , Cattagni Thomas , Farina Dario , Hug François
Published: February 2025

Understanding flexibility in the neural control of movement requires identifying the distribution of common inputs to the motor units. In this study, we identified large samples of motor units from two lower limb muscles: the vastus lateralis (VL; up to 60 motor units per participant) and the gastrocnemius medialis (GM; up to 67 motor units per participant). First, we applied a linear dimensionality reduction method to assess the dimensionality of the manifolds underlying the motor unit activity. We subsequently investigated the flexibility in motor unit control under two conditions: sinusoidal contractions with torque feedback, and online control with visual feedback on motor unit firing rates. Overall, we found that the activity of GM motor units was effectively captured by a single latent factor defining a unidimensional manifold, whereas the VL motor units were better represented by three latent factors defining a multidimensional manifold. Despite this difference in dimensionality, the recruitment of motor units in the two muscles exhibited similarly low levels of flexibility. Using a spiking network model, we tested the hypothesis that dimensionality derived from factorization does not solely represent descending cortical commands but is also influenced by spinal circuitry. We demonstrated that a heterogeneous distribution of inputs to motor units, or specific configurations of recurrent inhibitory circuits, could produce a multidimensional manifold. This study clarifies an important debated issue, demonstrating that while motor unit firings of a non‐compartmentalized muscle can lie in a multidimensional manifold, the CNS may still have limited capacity for flexible control of these units.

image

Key points

To generate movement, the CNS distributes both excitatory and inhibitory inputs to the motor units.

The level of flexibility in the neural control of these motor units remains a topic of debate with significant implications for identifying the smallest unit of movement control.

By combining experimental data and in silico models, we demonstrated that the activity of a large sample of motor units from a single muscle can be represented by a multidimensional linear manifold; however, these units show very limited flexibility in their recruitment.

The dimensionality of the linear manifold may not directly reflect the dimensionality of descending inputs but could instead relate to the organization of local spinal circuits.
Mitochondrial control of ciliary gene expression and structure in striatal neurons
Authors: Ulgen Dogukan H. , Chioino Alessandro , Zanoletti Olivia , Quintana Albert , Sanz Elisenda , Sandi Carmen
Published: February 2025

Mitochondria play essential metabolic roles and are increasingly understood to interact with other organelles, influencing cellular function and disease. Primary cilia, as sensory and signalling organelles, are crucial for neuronal communication and function. Emerging evidence suggests that mitochondria and primary cilia may interact to regulate cellular processes, as recently shown in brain cells such as astrocytes. Here, we investigated whether mitochondria also regulate primary cilia in neurons, focusing on molecular pathways linking both organelles and structural components within cilia. We employed a cross‐species, molecular pathway‐focused approach to explore connections between mitochondrial and ciliary pathways in neurons, revealing strong associations suggesting coordinated functionality. Furthermore, we found that viral‐induced downregulation of the mitochondrial fusion gene mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in dopamine D1 receptor‐expressing medium spiny neurons (D1‐MSNs) of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) altered ciliary gene expression, with Crocc – the gene encoding rootletin – showing the most pronounced downregulation. This reduction in Crocc expression was linked to decreased levels of rootletin protein, a key structural component of the ciliary rootlet. Notably, viral‐mediated overexpression of rootletin restored ciliary complexity and elongation, without compromising neuronal adaptation to Mfn2 downregulation. Our findings provide novel evidence of a functional mitochondria–cilia interaction in neurons, specifically in striatal D1‐MSNs. These results reveal a previously unrecognized role of mitochondrial dynamics in regulating ciliary structure in neurons, with potential implications for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.

image

Key points

Mitochondria are cell structures known for producing energy but are also emerging as regulators of other cellular components, including primary cilia, antenna‐like structures involved in cell communication.

Previous studies suggest that mitochondria may influence cilia structure and function, including in astrocytes. However, this has not been explored in neurons.

This study shows that natural variation in mitochondrial molecular pathways correlates with primary cilia pathways in striatal medium spiny neurons in both rats and mice.

Reducing expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), a key mitochondrial protein involved in fusion and mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum interactions, changes specific molecular ciliary pathways, notably including Crocc, a gene essential for cilia structure, and reduces the levels of its protein product, rootletin, which supports cilia integrity.

Our findings reveal an important role for mitochondria in regulating ciliary structure in neurons, highlighting a potential pathway for mitochondrial regulation of neuronal signalling.
Based on Previt-Mamba and Its Application in Human Brain Research
Authors: Yan Jian , Gui Renzhou
Published: February 2025

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has become one of the most important tools for decoding the human brain. Due to the characteristics of the functional MRI samples with high-dimensional features and few samples, there are some difficulties in classifying fMRI data. In this paper, a new algorithm based on transfer learning and the state space model to overcome a few samples is proposed for fMRI classification. First, the fMRI samples need to be preprocessed for data input. Second, the Pre-trainable Vision Transformer (Vit) and Mamba (Previt-Mamba) fusion models are used for feature extraction. Finally, the high-accuracy classification of the fMRI samples is realized by the classifier. The testing results show that Previt-Mamba achieved an average classification accuracy of 80.91% after conducting five-fold cross-validation. At the same time, based on this algorithm model, the mask matrix method is used for reverse research to find human brain region clusters related to human brain change decisions. Through the comparison of classification experiments, it is found that the parietal lobe and frontal lobe of the human brain may have a significant impact on the brain’s decision-making. These research results will help people explore the mysteries of the human brain and reveal the operating mechanism of the human brain.
Prevalence and Prevention of Large Language Model Use in Crowd
Work
Authors: Veselovsky Veniamin , Horta Ribeiro Manoel , Cozzolino Philip J. , Gordon Andrew , Rothschild David , West Robert
Published: February 2025

Crowd workers often use LLMs, but this can have a homogenizing effect on their output. How can we—and should we—prevent LLM use in crowd work?
Feasibility of High Surface Area Carbon-LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Composite Cathode and Hard Carbon Anode for Lithium-Ion-Based Hybrid Devices
Authors: Bhowmik Subhajit , Martha Surendra K.
Published: February 2025

The development of Lithium-ion battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices, known as Lithium-ion capacitors (LICs), is a complex and rigorous process. Current research focuses on improving energy density without compromising cycle life and power density, which are essential criteria for LICs. The different ion-storing mechanisms and reaction kinetics between the two completely different types of electrodes in typical LICs can gradually decrease energy output. To address this, LICs are fabricated with high-rate-capable hard carbon (HC) as the anode and high-voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO)-infused high-surface-area carbon (HSAC) as the cathode, introducing a partial intercalation mechanism at the cathode side. This combination has proven to be effective, offering high energy density even at high power (energy density of 68 Wh kg−1 at a power of 12240 W kg−1) with a capacity of 126 mAh g−1 even at 2 A g−1 for HC and improved charge storage capacity with a high operating voltage (4.9 V) for the (LNMO+HSAC) composite cathode. These findings demonstrate the importance of maintaining equilibrium between the capacity and kinetics imbalance between the electrodes to make energy-power-cycle life-balanced LICs.
Dicarbonate Compounds as Electrolyte Solvents for Li-ion Cell Operation
Authors: Taskovic T. , Meisner Quinton , Azam Saad , Clarke Alison , Johnson Michel , Mistry Kevin , Carpenter Alex , Dahn J. R.
Published: February 2025

Novel dicarbonate compounds were explored as a new class of electrolyte solvents for Li-ion batteries. Dimethyl-2,5-dioxahexane carboxylate (DMOHC) has been shown to be a high viscosity solvent that provides exceptional lifetime for Li-ion cells during elevated temperature cycling. Here, various dicarbonates were synthesized and screened for their physical properties, such as viscosity melting point and boiling point. Then, Li[Ni0.6Mn0.4Co0.0]O2/graphite (NMC640), Li[Ni0.83Mn0.06Co0.11]O2/graphite (Ni83), and LiFePO4/graphite (LFP) Li-ion pouch cells were used to evaluate the suitability of the various dicarbonates as electrolyte solvents for Li-ion cells. Cell testing was performed at 70 and 85 °C with various C-rate testing conditions. These novel dicarbonates were also blended with diethyl carbonate and dimethyl carbonate to lower viscosity and increase ionic conductivity. The findings suggest that several dicarbonate compounds can be viable electrolyte solvents for Li-ion cells operating only at elevated temperatures (70 °C+). It may not be possible to find a dicarbonate compound with low viscosity suitable as the main electrolyte solvent for Li-ion cells designed to operate at room temperature.
Comparisons of Correlates of Viral Suppression Among Adults Living With HIV/AIDS in Tanzania: Analysis With and Without Including Survey Designs
Authors: Adam Dayani , Balan Ramkumar T.
Published: February 2025

The effects of ignoring survey designs during the analysis of complex survey data may lead to biased estimates. This has been a common practice for most researchers. It is more critical for public health data which involve the clinical decisions that decide the fate of people’s lives. This analysis compares the estimates of factors of viral load suppression (VLS) with and without including survey designs using the Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS). This survey reveals factors associated with VLS among Tanzanians living with HIV/AIDS. The correlates of VLS were examined using multivariable logistic regression models in both cases with and without including survey design. The study unveils significant correlates such as age, middle wealth quintile, CD4, adherence, and antiretroviral (ARV) detection status of a patient. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the essence of properly accounting for CSD. Failure to do so may result in biased parameter estimates and incorrect variances; hence, incorrect inferences. Thus, the study’s findings on VLS determinants have significant practical implications that allow government agencies and stakeholders to establish targeted and successful HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment initiatives. Consequently, this study suggests a complex design as an approach for obtaining unbiased estimates on the national representative surveys.
A Case of Infantile Reversible Cytochrome C Oxidase Deficiency Myopathy in Taiwan: A 4‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Ma Yu-Ting , Lin Ju-Li , Lai Ming-Wei , Chou I-Jun , Hwang Mao-Sheng
Published: February 2025

Infantile reversible cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency myopathy is a mitochondrial rare disease with onset age of first day to three months with symptoms of generalized muscle weakness and severe hypotonia. Despite its initial serious conditions, the symptoms may improve spontaneously later in their life, with the so‐called “benign” myopathy accordingly. This benign mitochondrial myopathy might be improved in their later life, which is different from most mitochondrial myopathies with progression by age. Therefore, we depicted the rare case of her clinical course during our medical practice, anticipating to provide more information of this rare disease.
Defining the Efficiency of Manual Ventilation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review
Authors: Lasik Julian , Kłosiewicz Tomasz , Puślecki Mateusz
Published: February 2025

Manual ventilation is an essential skill for healthcare professionals, especially in emergency and resuscitation situations where mechanical ventilation may not be immediately available. However, improper manual ventilation can lead to serious complications such as barotrauma (lung injury caused by excessive pressure), hypoventilation (leading to insufficient oxygenation), hyperventilation (which can cause respiratory alkalosis and reduced cerebral blood flow), and gastric insufflation (which increases the risk of aspiration). This review aimed to analyze the definitions and methods used to assess manual ventilation efficiency in recent studies. A systematic database search was conducted for the period between 2014 and 2023. The primary inclusion criterion was the assessment of manual ventilation quality in adults. Out of 47 identified studies, eight met the inclusion criteria in the review. Most of the reviewed studies focused on key ventilation parameters including tidal volume and ventilation rate, which are critical for ensuring adequate ventilation. However, we found considerable variability in how “effective ventilation” was defined. This review highlights the approach that considers both extrinsic and intrinsic factors as a potentially more comprehensive method for assessing manual ventilation quality. This approach may offer a more consistent and effective framework for ensuring safe and efficient manual ventilation practices.
Development of CoTe2, CoS2, and CoSe2 Electrode Material for the Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Vikraman Dhanasekaran , Hussain Sajjad , Karuppasamy K. , Sanmugam Anandhavelu , Kathalingam A. , Manikandan Ramu , Jung Jongwan , Alfantazi Akram , Kim Hyun-Seok
Published: February 2025

Supercapacitors play a crucial role in electrical energy storage and conversion applications today due to their high power density and ability to integrate with various energy conversion devices. Many efforts have been made to address issues such as low energy density and finding efficient electrode materials to achieve high capacitances. Layered transition metal dichalcogenides have shown great potential in energy storage applications because of their numerous active edges, diverse electrochemical kinetics, and unique sandwich structure. Therefore, researchers have been exploring a meticulous method to formulate multiscale CoS2, CoSe2, and CoTe2 nanoarchitectures to enhance the storage characteristics of supercapacitors. This study employed a single‐step facile chemical reaction method to form CoSe2, CoTe2, and CoS2 nanostructures. The synthesized CoTe2 material demonstrated a specific capacity of 370 C g−1 at 1 A g−1 alongside reliable cycling robustness over 10,000 cycles (98%), superior to CoSe2 and CoS2 electrodes. An alkaline hybrid asymmetric supercapacitor based on CoTe2 achieved a 157 F g−1 specific capacitance with 56 Wh kg−1 specific energy and a long cycling life of 97% capacitance retaining over 10,000 cycles. These findings reveal the significant potential of cobalt chalcogenide nanostructures to be applied as prototype electrodes for supercapacitor devices.