bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetics, sex and the use of platelet‐rich plasma influence the development of arthrofibrosis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Sánchez Mikel , Yarza Izarbe , Jorquera Cristina , Aznar Jose María , de Dicastillo Leonor López , Valente Cristina , Andrade Renato , Espregueira‐Mendes João , Celorrio David , Aizpurua Beatriz , Azofra Juan , Delgado Diego
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To identify genes and patient factors that are related to the development of arthrofibrosis in patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to develop a prognostic model.

Methods

The study included patients diagnosed with ACL injury who underwent ACL reconstruction. Patients were enroled consecutively and divided into non‐fibrotic (controls) and fibrotic (cases) groups until a balanced sample of matched case–control was achieved. Arthrofibrosis was considered pathological if the range of motion achieved 3 months after surgery decreased by at least 25% compared to its initial full range of motion. Patient variables and saliva samples were collected from each patient to perform a genetic approach by screening a set of candidate genes implicated in arthrofibrosis. Chi‐squared was used to analyze the association between the development of arthrofibrosis and different independent variables. Binary logistic regression was used to develop a prognostic algorithm.

Results

A total of 45 controls (non‐fibrotic patients) (50.1%) and 44 cases (fibrotic patients) (49.9%) were included for analysis. The median age was 34.0 years (95% confidence interval = 29.0–38.0) and the number of women was 32 (35.9%). Seven genetic polymorphisms showed significant association with the development of arthrofibrosis (p < 0.05). After binary regression analysis, the regression model included the polymorphisms rs4343 (ACE), rs1800947 (CRP), rs8032158 (NEDD4) and rs679620 (MMP3). This analysis also indicated that female gender was a risk factor while the use of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) during surgery was a preventive factor (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Genetic alterations involved in inflammation and extracellular matrix turnover predispose to the development of arthrofibrosis after ACL reconstruction. Female sex was a risk factor in the development of this condition, while the application of PRP provided a preventive effect. The combination of patient and genetic variants of a patient allows the development of a prognostic algorithm for the risk of post‐surgical arthrofibrosis.

Level of Evidence

level III.
Functional Morphology of Hatching: Ontogeny and Distribution of Hatching Gland Cells in Red‐Eyed Treefrogs and a New Marker for Anuran Hatching Enzyme
Authors: Salazar‐Nicholls María José , Bazante Henry Macías , Warkentin Karen M.
Published: January 2025

Environmentally cued hatching (ECH) is widespread in animals and requires regulation of hatching mechanisms. Enzymatic digestion of the egg membrane is a common hatching mechanism in vertebrates and invertebrates. In amphibians and fishes, hatching enzymes (HE) are synthesized and released by hatching gland cells (HGC), whose functional ontogeny determines when hatching can occur. Ontogenetic studies of HGC development or HE expression are limited, based largely on external cell morphology; few markers for HGC or HE are available, and those appear specific for Xenopus. Moreover, mechanisms regulating HE release are unknown in anurans. To investigate variation in the hatching process, we need tools to identify and analyze its components. Agalychnis callidryas (Hylidae) is a well‐established model of ECH, showing plastically timed, acute HE release, unlike the gradual release described for some aquatic anurans. We developed a new antibody marker for A. callidryas HE that also labels HGC/HE in glassfrogs (Centrolenidae). As glassfrogs and treefrogs diverged 62 mya, the antibody may be broadly useful in anurans. We used the AcHE antibody to examine the development and distribution of HGC and accumulation of HE, two key elements of hatching mechanisms, in A. callidryas. We found a much larger number (ca. 4200) and broader distribution of HGC than has been documented in any amphibian, with HGC densely but non‐contiguously distributed over the front of the head and eyes and scattered along the dorsal midline. HE expression begins before hatching competence and is strong throughout the plastic hatching period, unlike HE gene expression which diminishes after competence. The distribution and expression ontogeny of A. callidryas' HE/HGC appear related to their hatching performance, plasticity, and embryo morphology. The AcHE antibody will enable comparative research to elucidate co‐variation in the functional morphology, performance, and ecological context of hatching.
New palaeolimnological record from West Anatolia (Paleo‐Kuleönü Lake) provides new information on the activity of the Gölcük volcanism and the distribution of the Santorini Minoan eruption
Authors: Şenkul Çetin , Ünlü Yasemin , Özdemİr Yavuz , Kağan Kadioğlu Yusuf , Gürboğa Şule
Published: January 2025

Anatolia, which had active volcanoes during the Pleistocene and Holocene periods, was also influenced by volcanic eruptions around the Eastern Mediterranean. Therefore, tephrochronology is an important research topic in palaeoenvironmental studies conducted in Anatolia. This study focuses on the geochemical characteristics, chronologies and source areas of six different tephra layers identified in a 16 m sediment core obtained from Paleo‐Kuleönü Lake in the Lake District of West Anatolia. Whole‐rock geochemistry is used to determine the geochemical characteristics and source of the tephra layers, micro X‐ray fluorescence analysis is used to determine relative element changes throughout the cores, and 14C analysis is performed to establish the chronologies. The geochemistry of the Paleo‐Kuleönü Lake tephra layers is consistent with the Gölcük volcanism located in West Anatolia province and the Minoan eruption within the Aegean volcanic province. The layers that resemble the geochemistry of the Gölcük volcanism accumulated at ~33 218 cal a
bp (PLK‐19‐1; 30 cm), ~32 267 cal a
bp (PLK‐19‐2: 18 cm), ~31 597 cal a
bp (PLK‐19‐3; 8 cm), ~31 300 cal a
bp (PLK‐19‐4; 17 cm) and ~26547 cal a
bp (PLK‐19‐5; 13 cm) and are associated with the last eruptive cycle (Cycle III) of the volcanism. The closest tephra layer to the surface in the sediment core, designated as PLK‐19‐6 (~1.5 cm), shows geochemical similarities with the Santorini Minoan eruption. However, according to our data, the age of the tephra layer is ~4717 
bp/~5542 cal a
bp, which is inconsistent with the widely accepted date for the Minoan eruption in the literature. The discrepancy between the geochemical match and chronological inconsistency is discussed in the context of the results presented in the paper.
CMOS and CCD Detection in Raman Spectroscopy: A Comparison Using Spontaneous and Multiplex Coherent Anti‐Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS)
Authors: Klement W. J. Niels , Leproux Philippe , Browne Wesley R. , Kano Hideaki
Published: January 2025

Cooled CCD cameras are used widely in spectroscopy, mainly due to their sensitivity, low noise under low‐light conditions, and relatively high image and spectral readout rates. Despite their many advantages, CCD cameras have limitations. Particularly under bright‐light conditions, such as those encountered with coherent Raman spectroscopies, the finite readout time of CCD chips becomes limiting. Furthermore, when weak signals need to be observed close to intense signals, blooming and smearing limit the signal‐to‐noise ratios achievable. Scientific complementary mixed oxide (sCMOS)–based sensors are relatively new. Although they still show much higher readout noise than cooled CCDs, their application to spectroscopy is of interest given the higher readout rates and dynamic ranges possible. Here, we evaluate sCMOS sensors for multiplex (50 ps) CARS and spontaneous Raman spectroscopy, making a direct comparison with a state‐of‐the‐art EM‐CCD detector. The EM‐CCD camera outperforms the sCMOS camera in terms of limits of detection, while the sCMOS camera performs better than the CCD in terms of dynamic range and readout rate. Importantly, an sCMOS camera does not suffer from interference due to blooming and smearing seen with CCD cameras, which enables observation of weak bands (e.g., Raman overtones) close to much more intense signals. Here, we show that, at readout rates > 20–50 Hz, the performances of the two detector types are not substantially different. We anticipate that sCMOS‐based cameras will find application for bright spectroscopies, such as multiplex CARS, as well as spontaneous Raman spectroscopy and Raman spectral imaging.
The Technical Expertise's Mediating Role for Optimizing Government Start‐Ups: An Empirical Framework for Managing Strategic Effectiveness
Authors: Amedzro St‐Hilaire Walter
Published: January 2025

This article aims to illustrate, using an empirical‐formal approach, how technical expertise connects optimization mechanisms, skill acquisition, productivity, and employee fatigue in government start‐ups. In the context of scenario planning, the article's findings demonstrate that technical expertise functions as the primary mediator of enhanced technical proficiency when optimization practices are implemented. However, its mediating role is only partial. Consequently, scenario planning must emphasize the inherent uncertainties and equip public managers and micro‐organizations with sufficient adaptive capabilities and agility to succeed. The research contributes to enhancing technical proficiency and optimizing public service, providing valuable insights to the literature.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux and Upper Airway Obstruction Patterns in Nonobese Sleep Apnea Patients
Authors: Gul Fatih , Ensari Aslihan , Babademez Mehmet Ali
Published: January 2025

Objectives

The study aims to investigate the relationship between the presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and obstruction levels identified during drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among nonobese patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of 105 adult patients diagnosed with OSA who underwent DISE using propofol sedation from 2019 to 2024 at a tertiary hospital. To control for the confounding impact of obesity on LPR, the study selectively enrolled individuals presenting a body mass index within the normal range. LPR was assessed using Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score. DISE was performed to evaluate upper airway obstruction at various levels, documented using the VOTE classification system by three blinded reviewers. Hypertrophy of the lingual and palatine tonsils was graded using a four‐point scale.

Results

Approximately 48.57% of 105 patients showed the presence of LPR. The chi‐square test demonstrated a statistically significant association between LPR and the level of airway obstruction, particularly at the tongue base (p = 0.039). Lingual tonsil hypertrophy Grade 3 at the tongue base and palatine tonsil hypertrophy Grade 3 at the oropharynx both showed significant overrepresentation, with adjusted residual values of 4.0 and 4.8, respectively. Complete tongue base obstruction showed a statistically significant association with LPR, with a strong predictive value in both univariate (β = 2.325, OR = 10.227, p = 0.007) and multivariate analyses (β = 2.295, OR = 9.921, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

The presence of LPR in nonobese OSA patients appears to be significantly associated with an increased likelihood of tongue base obstruction.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 2025
Longitudinal Changes in Patient‐ and Clinical‐Reported Outcomes in Early Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 1, 2, 3, and 6 from the IDEA Study
Authors: Rawlings Andreea M. , Chuang Rosalind S. , Schmahmann Jeremy D. , Perlman Susan L. , Rosenthal Liana S. , Safarpour Delaram , Casey Hannah , Horak Fay B. , Gomez Christopher M.
Published: January 2025

Background

Clinical outcomes assessments (COAs) in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) need to be standardized, ataxia‐specific, sensitive to change, clinically relevant, and meaningful to patients.

Objectives

To evaluate the longitudinal 1‐ and 2‐year performances of different patient reported outcomes, including the Patient Reported Outcome Measure of Ataxia (PROM‐Ataxia), and clinician reported outcomes, including FARS and SARA, in those with early manifest symptoms of SCA 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Methods

We studied 53 patients with early stage SCA1‐3 and SCA6 from The Instrumented Data Exchange for Ataxia Study and 24 age‐matched healthy controls. Participants were seen every 6 months for 2 years. Mixed models were used to estimate change over 12‐ and 24‐months of follow‐up. Changes on the FARS‐FS and PGI‐C were used as anchors to estimate meaningful changes.

Results

Among persons with SCA, mean age was 48.7 years and mean SARA score was 9.3. Few measures showed statistically significant changes at 12 months. At 24‐months, the FARS‐ADL, PROM‐Ataxia total, PROM‐Ataxia physical, and PROM‐Ataxia ADL scores showed the strongest associations of change.

Conclusions

Patient reported or derived outcome measures, such as FARS‐ADL and ADL sub domain of the PROM‐Ataxia, can capture longitudinal change in patients’ symptom experience over a 2‐year period and its impact on daily activities, even in those with early disease. More work is needed to identify outcomes that reliably capture change earlier.
Dynamic Video Assessment of Axial Postural Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: Artusi Carlo Alberto , Geroin Christian , Pandino Clarissa , Camozzi Serena , Aldegheri Stefano , Lopiano Leonardo , Tinazzi Michele , Bombieri Nicola
Published: January 2025

Background

Axial postural abnormalities (APAs) are frequent and disabling axial symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Image‐based measurement is considered the gold standard but may not accurately detect the true severity of APAs because these symptoms can appear or get worse under dynamic conditions.

Objective

The aim was to evaluate quantitative changes in APAs degree during prolonged standing and walking in both single‐ and dual‐task conditions (motor + cognitive).

Methods

We measured the degree of anterior and lateral trunk flexion (LTF) of 16 PD patients using AutoPosturePD during 4 tasks of 3 min each: (1) standing in place in a quiet condition, (2) standing in place while reading, (3) walking without performing other tasks, and (4) walking performing a cognitive task.

Results

During prolonged standing, we found a significant LTF worsening under both single‐ and dual‐task conditions over time (P: 0.010 and 0.018); anterior trunk flexion (ATF) with thoracic and lumbar fulcrum showed a significant worsening only under dual‐task conditions (P < 0.05). All trunk flexion angles were higher during dual task compared to single task, and the difference in dual task was already statistically significant after 1 min. During walking, only ATF with lumbar fulcrum showed a significant worsening (P < 0.05), observed in dual task already after 1 min.

Conclusions

Our pilot study suggests that one minute standing while reading may be sufficient to obtain a more reliable measure of the severity of LTF and ATF, with an expected change of ~ 7° for LTF and ATF with thoracic fulcrum and 11° for ATF with lumbar fulcrum.
A Novel Variant in TUBB4B Causes Progressive Cone‐Rod Dystrophy and Early Onset Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Scarpato Margherita , Testa Francesco , Nesti Anna , Zeuli Roberta , Boccia Rosa , Auletta Gennaro , Banfi Sandro , Simonelli Francesca , Karali Marianthi
Published: January 2025

Background

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a frequent manifestation of syndromic inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), exemplified by the very rare form of autosomal‐dominant Leber congenital amaurosis with early onset deafness (LCAEOD; OMIM #617879). LCAEOD was first described in 2017 in four families segregating heterozygous missense mutations in TUBB4B, a gene encoding a β‐tubulin isotype. To date, only eight more families with similar TUBB4B‐associated sensorineural disease (SND) have been reported. Most cases harbored missense variants affecting the same amino acid (Arg391) and only three families segregated variants involving different residues (Tyr310, Arg390).

Methods

We performed whole‐exome sequencing and a full ophthalmological and audiological examination of the affected members in an Italian family segregating syndromic IRD with early onset deafness.

Results

We identified a novel, ultra‐rare, disease‐causing variant in TUBB4B (NM_006088.6:c.1049A>C) that replaces a highly conserved lysine with threonine at amino acid position 350. The functional impact of the Lys350Thr substitution was supported by protein structure modeling studies. The variant segregates in the family members presenting retinal disease with early onset SNHL. Detailed ophthalmological assessment of the affected subjects diagnosed a progressive cone‐rod dystrophy.

Conclusion

These findings expand the limited number of disease‐causing TUBB4B variants, corroborating their association with SND forms, and suggest Lys350 is an important residue for β‐tubulin function. Interestingly, our results demonstrate that TUBB4B mutations can cause cone‐dominated retinal phenotypes.
Harmonic analysis and optimization for closed‐loop superconducting shim coils of 7 T MRI magnet
Authors: Lin Zijie , Zhang Zhan , Li Jiaxin , Gao Zhaoyao , Chu Zhenyu , Liu Yongsuo , Zhang Panfeng , Wu Leping , Zhou Chao
Published: January 2025

Background

High‐resolution brain imaging is crucial in clinical diagnosis and neuroscience, with ultra‐high field strength MRI systems () offering significant advantages for imaging neuronal microstructures. However, achieving magnetic field homogeneity is challenging due to engineering faults during the installation of superconducting strip windings and the primary magnet.

Purpose

This study aims to design and optimize active superconducting shim coils for a 7 T animal MRI system, focusing on the impact of safety margin, size, and adjustability of the second‐order shim coils on the MRI system's optimization.

Methods

The study employs a nonlinear optimization method to determine the parameters of the shim coils, considering the size of the coil, the level of undesired harmonics, and the whole number approximation of the turns in each coil. The study also conducts a thorough robustness analysis, examining the effects of coil winding accuracy, former processing accuracy, and assembly angle accuracy on the harmonic intensity of each coil.

Results

The optimization design results for the 7 T MRI system's shim coils show that the magnetic field changes are less than 0.5 %. After second‐order shimming and the harmonic coupling an, the low‐order harmonics are minimized, resulting in an improved magnetic field peak‐to‐peak uniformity from 254.47 to 8.970 ppm.

Conclusion

The study successfully demonstrates the creation of a set of second‐order shim coils for a 7 T animal MRI system through numerical optimization. The design outputs provide essential technological support for the development of a human whole‐body 7 T MRI system, ensuring high‐quality imaging at the neuronal level. The project also highlights the importance of considering manufacturing and assembly flaws in the shim coil design process to achieve effective shimming in practical engineering scenarios.
Segmentation of coronary artery and calcification using prior knowledge based deep learning framework
Authors: Wang Jinda , Chen Qian , Jiang Xingyu , Zhang Zeyu , Tang Zhenyu
Published: January 2025

Background

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is used to screen for coronary artery calcification. As the coronary artery has complicated structure and tiny lumen, manual screening is a time‐consuming task. Recently, many deep learning methods have been proposed for the segmentation (SEG) of coronary artery and calcification, however, they often neglect leveraging related anatomical prior knowledge, resulting in low accuracy and instability.

Purpose

This study aims to build a deep learning based SEG framework, which leverages anatomical prior knowledge of coronary artery and calcification, to improve the SEG accuracy. Moreover, based on the SEG results, this study also try to reveal the predictive ability of the volume ratio of coronary artery and calcification for rotational atherectomy (RA).

Methods

We present a new SEG framework, which is composed of four modules: the variational autoencoder based centerline extraction (CE) module, the self‐attention (SA) module, the logic operation (LO) module, and the SEG module. Specifically, the CE module is used to crop a series of 3D CTA patches along the coronary artery, from which the continuous property of vessels can be utilized by the SA module to produce vessel‐related features. According to the spatial relations between coronary artery lumen and calcification regions, the LO module with logic union and intersection is designed to refine the vessel‐related features into lumen‐ and calcification‐related features, based on which SEG results can be produced by the SEG module.

Results

Experimental results demonstrate that our framework outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods on CTA image dataset of 72 patients with statistical significance. Ablation experiments confirm that the proposed modules have positive impacts to the SEG results. Moreover, based on the volume ratio of segmented coronary artery and calcification, the prediction accuracy of RA is 0.75.

Conclusions

Integrating anatomical prior knowledge of coronary artery and calcification into the deep learning based SEG framework can effectively enhance the performance. Moreover, the volume ratio of segmented coronary artery and calcification is a good predictive factor for RA.
Comparison of a Minimization and a Saddle Point Formulation of a Coupled Mechanics‐Diffusion Problem Implemented in deal.II
Authors: Jeeja Akshay Balachandran , Kiefer Bjoern , Prüger Stefan , Rheinbach Oliver , Röver Friederike
Published: January 2025

For a problem in chemo‐mechanics, stated as a rate‐type variational principle, a minimization and a saddle point formulation are considered. Both formulations couple mechanical balance equations to mass diffusion and are intended to accurately model the diffusion‐induced swelling of hydrogels. The variational formulation is discretized by finite elements and implemented using the deal.II software library. The linearized systems in the incremental‐iterative solution procedure are solved using the unsymmetric multifrontal package (UMFPACK) sparse direct solver. The two formulations, employing three different, conforming finite element types, are considered for the case of mechanically‐induced diffusion and compared with respect to the evolution of the reaction force, mesh convergence, and the solution time. This initial step, comparing the performance of sparse direct solvers, sets the stage for future assessments involving domain decomposition, where sparse direct solvers are a computational kernel.
Antbears and underground melons: A highly specialized seed dispersal mutualism mediated by scent
Authors: Johnson Steven D. , Eichhoff Anka , Midgley Jeremy J.
Published: January 2025

Societal Impact Statement

Seed dispersal is critical for the establishment and persistence of populations of most plant species. We investigated the seed dispersal biology of an African melon, Cucumis humifructus, which is closely related to cultivated cucumbers and watermelons but differs in that it buries its fruits deep underground. The fruits are located by antbears using olfaction; the antbears consume the fruit pulp and the seeds germinate in their faeces. Cucumis humifructus has become very rare in some parts of Africa and is vulnerable on account of its annual lifecycle combined with its dependence on a declining mammal species for establishing each new generation.

Seed dispersal mutualisms between plants and animals are seldom specialized at the species level. We investigated the highly unusual case of the dispersal of seeds of a melon Cucumis humifructus by the antbear (Orycteropus afer), a myrmecophagous African mammal. This annual plant buries its fruits c. 20 cm underground, a depth from which seedling emergence is impossible. We asked why the fruits are buried and how they are located by animals.

We investigated the seed dispersal system of C. humifructus in central Namibia using camera traps, seed germination experiments and analyses of animal faeces. Coupled gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS) was used to analyse the chemistry of fruit scent.

Naturally‐buried C. humifructus fruits were excavated solely by antbears. Antbear faecal pellets often contained intact C. humifructus seeds. All of the C. humifructus plants that we examined originated in antbear pellets. Fruits placed experimentally above ground or buried shallowly were eaten by porcupines which act as seed predators as they destroy soft melon seeds with their chewing teeth. Fruits of C. humifructus emit scent with a chemical profile distinct from that of related melon species.

We argue that deep burial of fruits is a strategy that C. humifructus uses to escape from mammalian seed predators, particularly porcupines. This study highlights the potential role of escape from antagonistic interactions in the evolution of specialized seed dispersal mutualisms.
One‐Step Biosynthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Nonantibacterial, Nonantifungal, and Biocompatibility Properties
Authors: Yadwade Rachana , Babu Peram , Ankamwar Balaprasad
Published: January 2025

In present research article, single‐step biosynthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) is reported by using Sapindus mukorossi (SM) fruit extract as a source of reducing and capping agents. Biosynthesized spherical magnetic IONPs are characterized using XRD, ATR‐IR, FE‐SEM, VSM, BET, and XPS techniques. VSM analysis indicates an Ms value of 30.505 emu g−1, BET analysis reveals a specific surface area of 9.691 m2 g−1, and XPS confirms the formation of Fe₂O₃. NMR, GC‐MS, and HR‐MS techniques reveal the biological molecules present in SM fruit extract including flavonoids, diterpenoids, and antioxidants. These biomolecules perform a dynamic role of capping, stabilizing, and reducing agents to synthesize stable IONPs, using a bottom‐up synthesis approach. They exhibit nonantibacterial potential against both Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus, (S. aureus), Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis)) and Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli, (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa)) microorganisms. Nonantifungal potential against different fungi (Penicillium spp., Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum), and Rhizoctonia solani (R. solani)) is also observed. The biosynthesized IONPs exhibit inertness toward the L929 normal fibroblast cell line, making them a promising candidate for drug delivery and various therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Source Seeking With a Nonholonomic Vehicle in Static and Dynamic Spatial Fields
Authors: Mellucci Chiara , Menon Prathyush P. , Edwards Christopher
Published: January 2025

In this paper, a novel source seeking strategy is presented. A single autonomous vehicle is modeled as a kinematic unicycle moving in two‐dimensional space within a spatial field. The proposed control scheme allows the vehicle to reach a neighborhood of the source of the spatial field in finite time. In this work, the spatial field can be static, translating or dynamically evolving. The control strategy, based on the definition of a reference trajectory and on a second order sliding mode extremum seeking approach, exploits only a point measurement at the vehicle position, and does not require knowledge or an estimate of the spatial gradient of the phenomenon of interest. Explicit bounds on the reference trajectory parameters are introduced in order to guarantee finite time convergence to a neighborhood of the source. The approach is tested in simulation on static and dynamic spatial fields.
ZnS Honey‐Hump Nanocrystals: Efficient Green Catalysis for Remazol Black Dye Removal in Wastewater Treatment
Authors: M.S Manojkumar , B. Sivaprakash , T. Sathish , S. Mohan
Published: January 2025

The extensive use of synthetic dyes in a variety of sectors, including textiles, leather, food, and paints are resulted in substantial environmental issues due to their persistence and toxicity in water bodies. Moreover, about twenty to forty gallons of water is used for two pounds of fabric in conventional textile industries around the globe. Hence, it is vital to develop effective and fast catalytic dye removal methods or devices. Citrullus lanatus rind is primarily researched for its effective removal of dye from aqueous solution. The ZnS nanocrystals are well known for its photocatalytic property to remove dyes. In this research, ZnS extracted from the Citrullus lanatus rind was used for investigating the removal of Remazol Black dye. The dye is said to increase heart rate and cause eye problems in humans. The ZnS is extracted using green synthesis and the work focuses on the goal of contributing to long‐term and successful water treatment solutions. The generated ZnS nanocrystals were validated using UV–vis spectroscopy, indicating the successful formation of nanoparticles. The presence of polyphenolic groups responsible for reducing metal sulfide nanoparticles was verified using FTIR spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) research indicated that the produced ZnS nanocrystals had a morphology with a mean size of roughly 6 nm. The impact of nanocrystals in removing Remazol Black dye was examined, with a phenomenal clearance efficiency of 99.8% achieved in 6 min. The rapid and successful dye decomposition was attributable to the chemisorption process, demonstrating ZnS honey‐hump‐like nanocrystal potential as useful catalysts in ecological cleanup purposes.
Bi2O3‐Modified Rice‐Like Brookite TiO2 for Enhancing the Photocatalytic Activity under Visible‐Light Irradiation
Authors: Dong Ru , Lu Hanhan , Mei Wenlong , Tang Shanshan , Xu Jinlei
Published: January 2025

Brookite TiO2 is a metastable crystalline phase, which is difficult to prepare manually. In this study, brookite TiO2 with controllable morphology was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The prepared brookite TiO2 was a complete rice‐like granular particle with a smooth surface and sharp edges at the tip of both ends. And the diameter of an individual brookite TiO2 was approximately 200 nm. Then, to improve the photocatalytic degradation performance of brookite TiO2, we prepared Bi2O3/brookite TiO2 nanocomposites. After Bi2O3 composite, the crystalline phase of brookite TiO2 did not change, and still maintained high purity and crystallinity. The Bi2O3 nanoparticles were dispersed on the surface of brookite TiO2, forming heterogeneous structures in close contact. The Bi2O3/brookite TiO2 nanocomposite exhibited a significantly higher degradation rate of ofloxacin (20 mg L−1) under visible light (300 W Xenon lamp, λ ≥ 400 nm) compared to pure brookite TiO2. The photocatalytic activity of 5 mol% Bi2O3/brookite TiO2 was the best, the degradation rate of OFX reached 90.7%. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity of Bi2O3/brookite TiO2 nanocomposites was attributed to the formation of Bi2O3/brookite TiO2 heterojunction, which accelerated the photogenerated charge‐hole separation. This study provided theoretical support for efficient photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.
Zirconocene‐Mediated Cationic Copolymerization of n‐Butyl and 2‐Phthalimidylethyl Vinyl Ethers: Reactivity Ratios, Thermal Analysis, and Degradation Kinetics
Authors: Michos‐Stavridis Kosmas , Plachouras Nikolaos V. , Zouganelis Stavros , Pitsikalis Marinos
Published: January 2025

This study reports the synthesis of the novel statistical copolymers comprising of n‐butyl vinyl ether, BVE, and 2‐phthalimidylethyl vinyl ether, PEVE, via a nonconventional cationic polymerization technique involving activated zirconocene complexes. Initially, the research was focused in finding the best experimental conditions to obtain the statistical copolymerization of the two monomers, utilizing bis(η5‐cyclopentadienyl)dimethyl zirconium, Cp2ZrMe2, in conjunction with tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate dimethylanilinium salt [B(C6F5)4]–[Me2NHPh]+, as the initiation system. The statistical analysis of the P(BVE‐co‐PEVE) products, along with the calculation of the monomers’ reactivity ratios via various linear graphical methods and the COPOINT program demonstrated that an azeotropic copolymerization occurred in toluene at 25 °C. Regarding the thermal analysis, the glass transition temperatures, Tg, were determined by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC, and were subsequently correlated with a number of theoretical models, thereby enabling the prediction of these Tg values. The thermal stability of the copolymers was investigated by means of thermogravimetric analysis, TGA, and differential thermogravimetry, DTG, at six distinct heating rates. The derived data were processed within the framework of the Ozawa–Flynn–Wall, OFW, and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose, KAS, methodologies in order to study the kinetics of thermal decomposition. Finally, the PEVE‐based copolymers were subjected to basic hydrolysis, resulting in the formation of the corresponding copolymers of BVE and 2‐amino‐ethyl vinyl ether, AEVE, which were also studied by TGA and DTG analysis. These materials can be further employed for further chemical transformations and the synthesis of more complex macromolecular architectures and, as amphiphilic and biocompatible compounds are possible candidates for the biomedical applications.
Outcome and process frames: Strategic renewal and capability reprioritization at the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Authors: Raffaelli Ryan , Zuzul Tiona , Gulati Ranjay , Rivkin Jan
Published: January 2025

Research Summary

Framing is critical for leaders who must build support for strategic renewal. While research has concentrated on renewal that replaces one set of capabilities with another, we explore a distinctive challenge: how leaders persuade stakeholders to endorse the reprioritization of resources toward a capability set that must coexist with an existing one. Moreover, while research has focused on how leaders build employee support for renewal, we examine how to persuade those overseeing resource allocation. Our study analyzes Director Robert Mueller's 12‐year effort at the FBI—after the 9/11 terrorist attacks—to build up counterterrorism capabilities while maintaining existing law enforcement capabilities. We offer a novel distinction between outcome frames and process frames and discuss how each frame, sequenced properly, is relevant to strategic renewal.

Managerial Summary

This study examines how leaders can build support for strategic renewal when an organization must develop new capabilities while maintaining existing ones. We analyze how FBI Director Robert Mueller, in the wake of 9/11, used strategic communication—or framing—to persuade members of Congress overseeing the FBI's budget to support the development of new counterterrorism capabilities alongside its traditional law enforcement mandate. We highlight two types of frames: outcome frames (focused on what the organization seeks to achieve) and process frames (emphasizing how the organization operates). Our findings reveal that sequencing these types of frames is essential. By using outcome frames to address immediate concerns and shifting to process frames to resolve longer‐term tensions, leaders can build stakeholder support for complex resource reprioritization efforts.
Enhanced Control of Single Crystalline Ag Dendritic Growth on Al Foil via Galvanic Displacement and Simultaneous Oxidation of D‐Glucose
Authors: Rafailović Lidija D. , Noisternig Stefan M. , Bischoff Jana , Rentenberger Christian , Bautista – Anguis Daniel , Sheng Huaping , Gammer Christoph , Chin Jia Min , Elbataioui Adam , Zhang Huanqing , Eckert Jürgen , Trišović Tomislav Lj.
Published: January 2025

A facile synthesis platform for the formation of stable single crystalline Ag dendrites is demonstrated. Using a porous electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofiber network on Al foil as a template facilitates more uniform dendritic growth in the presence of D‐glucose. In contrast, a denser polymer network restricts the nucleation site availability on the Al foil, highlighting the critical role of the substrate. The growth formation of silver dendrites is reduced in the solution when two simultaneous processes occur: The electroreduction of Ag+ in the D‐glucose solution and galvanic displacement driven by the interaction of Ag+ with the aluminum substrate. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis shows the single crystalline nature of Ag dendrites grown from the Al substrate, revealing atomic structures with closely packed layers forming highly faulted face‐centered cubic and hexagonal close‐packed structures. The remarkable long‐term stability of Ag dendrites is primarily attributed to their single crystalline structure, with additional contributions from capping by D‐gluconic acid, as confirmed by Raman analysis. This novel approach to the generation of highly stable Ag dendrites has significant potential for applications such as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, which has to date been considered to be very sensitive to environmental effects.
A Modular Bacteriophage T4 Nanoparticle Platform Enables Rapid Design of Dual COVID‐19‐Flu Mucosal Vaccines
Authors: Zhu Jingen , Sha Jian , Batra Himanshu , Jain Swati , Wu Xiaorong , Hendrix Emily K. , Kilgore Paul B. , Sun Keer , Plante Kenneth S. , Plante Jessica A. , Walker Jordyn , Tao Pan , Chopra Ashok K. , Rao Venigalla B.
Published: January 2025

A multivalent, rapidly deployable, mucosal vaccine platform is desperately needed to prevent acquisition and transmission of respiratory infections during epidemics and pandemics. No such approved platform currently exists and virtually all under investigation use infectious viruses that have safety concerns and are not amenable for multivalent engineering. Herein, a non‐infectious biomaterial platform is presented, the bacteriophage T4 nanoparticle endowed with unique features for modular engineering, which is exploited to design dual COVID‐Flu mucosal vaccines. By leveraging T4's natural affinity to nasal mucosa, in vivo CRISPR engineering, and in vitro SpyCatcher‐SpyTag conjugation, hundreds of antigen molecules are incorporated from SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza viruses into one nanoparticle. These include spike and hemagglutinin trimers and M2e peptides decorating the capsid while encapsulating matrix or nucleocapsid proteins inside, thereby achieving unprecedented antigen density and diversity, a pinnacle nanoparticle design. Intranasal administration of this adjuvant‐free T4‐CoV‐Flu vaccine induces remarkable mucosal immunity against both respiratory pathogens, including high‐titer neutralizing antibodies and secretory IgA, lung‐resident CD4+/CD8+ T cells, diverse memory B cells, and complete protection against SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza challenges. Coupled with its scalability in bacterial systems, thermostability, and adjuvant‐ and needle‐free delivery, T4 presents an extraordinary platform to design potent mucosal vaccines against pandemic threats.
Research on the Integrated Analysis of Water Quality and Spatial‐Temporal Changes in Qionghai Lake
Authors: Su Kai , Wang Qin , Xi Yingwei , Peng Zhongshan , Li Guizhi
Published: January 2025

This paper used data from 2019, 2020, and 2021 to assess the water quality of Qionghai Lake using the traditional and improved Nemerow pollution index methods. To analyze the pattern of change in water quality between different Qionghai monitoring sections, a spatial‐temporal change rate calculation was conducted. According to the traditional Nemerow pollution index method, assessment results for 2019, 2020, and 2021 show that Qionghai as a whole, along with the Qinglong Temple water quality monitoring section, the Qionghai Hotel, and the lake center, all had Class I, superb water quality. However, Qionghai's water level was Class I in 2019 and 2021, according to the results of the improved Nemerow pollution index method, while the water quality assessment for 2020 showed that the water quality was Class II, with good but inconsistent water quality across the 3 years. From 2019 to 2020, the overall lake quality and the water quality of the lake center, Qionghai Hotel, and Qinglong Temple section have all experienced a significant decline of more than 20%. In 2021, there will be more than 20% substantial improvement in water quality. Qionghai Hotel experienced a slight decline of 10% to 20% in 2019 and a sharp deterioration of more than 20% in 2020. There was no significant difference in water quality changes between Qionghai Hotel and the Qinglongsi section between 2019 and 2020, and the change range was less than 10%.
Examining the arrhythmogenicity of dobutamine when used in conjunction with isoflurane in horses: A retrospective study at a single university teaching hospital
Authors: Ishihara Toshitsugu , Nieves Emily , Reed Rachel , Hofmeister Erik
Published: January 2025

Background

Dobutamine is used to treat hypotension in isoflurane‐anaesthetised horses but may produce arrhythmias. Halothane is a volatile anaesthetic that was, historically, widely used in horses, but in one study, 56 of 200 halothane‐anaesthetised horses (28%) developed arrhythmias after dobutamine administration. Although isoflurane has largely replaced halothane, it is unknown how isoflurane and dobutamine interact in the development of arrhythmias.

Methods

The medical records of horses undergoing general anaesthesia at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. Cases were selected if isoflurane was used as the maintenance inhalant anaesthetic agent and dobutamine was administered for the treatment of hypotension. Any instances of arrhythmia occurring following dobutamine administration were recorded.

Results

Arrhythmia occurred after dobutamine administration in six out of a total of 148 horses (4.0%).

Limitations

The retrospective nature of this study and the fact that the horses were anaesthetised at a single institution might limit the extent to which the findings can be ge.

Conclusion

Compared to halothane, isoflurane has a much lower incidence of arrhythmia when used with dobutamine. However, a larger‐scale study is needed to identify risk factors associated with horses developing an arrhythmia induced by isoflurane in combination with dobutamine.
Computed tomographic features of clinically suspected rhinitis in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Slusarek Anna , Muffat‐es‐Jacques Patricia , Coutant Thomas , Pignon Charly , Léchenault Guillaume , Mortier Jérémy
Published: January 2025

Background

The aim of this study was to characterise the computed tomographic (CT) findings in domestic rabbits with clinically suspected rhinitis and compare them with CT findings in rabbits without clinical signs of rhinitis.

Methods

CT images of rabbits that underwent a CT of the head were retrospectively reviewed and any CT abnormalities were described. Statistical analysis was performed to detect any association between the CT findings and clinical signs of rhinitis, and also to assess if there was any association between rhinitis and otitis media, otitis externa or dental disease.

Results

Thirty‐three of the 133 rabbits included in the study had soft tissue‐attenuating material within their nasal cavities and were therefore classified as having CT findings compatible with rhinitis. CT evidence of rhinitis was correlated with the presence of clinical signs of rhinitis and with the presence of otitis media. There was no statistical association between CT evidence of rhinitis and the presence of otitis externa or dental disease.

Limitations

The retrospective nature of the study, small sample size and lack of aetiological confirmation limit the conclusions that can be drawn from the findings.

Conclusion

Clinical signs of rhinitis were associated with CT abnormalities consistent with rhinitis and CT evidence of otitis media. The results of this study provide useful information for CT assessment of the nasal cavities of domestic rabbits and can be used as a reference for the diagnosis of rhinitis in this species.
Computed Tomographic Anatomy of the Head in Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
Authors: Kazemi Seyedmehran , Rezaei Mehdi , Alizadeh Siamak , Hosseinchi Mohammadreza
Published: January 2025

Background

Nowadays, computed tomography (CT) scanning is one of the most practical and precise diagnostic imaging methods that can be utilized to evaluate the head in birds.

Objectives

This study aimed to present the normal anatomical data of the head of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) using the CT method. In this research, the features of this bird's head were investigated in terms of bones, joints, muscles, sinuses and other constituent tissues.

Methods

The current retrospective cross‐sectional study used carcasses of six adult cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) (three males and three females) with an average age of 1–3 years and an average weight of 75–110 g. After preparing the CT images, the head of each parrot underwent gross anatomy studies.

Results

Based on the results, reconstructed CT images could identify most structures of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) head. Parietal, mandible, occiput, maxillary, premaxillary, palatine, pterygoid, quadrate, temporal bones, epithelial membranes, external ear canal and bony labyrinth, ossicles and entoglossal bones, different parts of the infraorbital sinus, brain hemispheres and various parts of the eyeball and conchae of the nasal cavities were examined in CT images. The results related to the CT evaluation and anatomical examination of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) head demonstrated a high correlation.

Conclusion

The results of this research can be employed as a reference and a suitable atlas for identifying anatomical features, examining different species of the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), teaching anatomy and interpreting CT scan images, as well as performing clinical examinations and treating this type of parrot.
Advancing Multiple‐Use Water Services for Development in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Stellbauer Matt , Jepson Wendy , Lefore Nicole , Thomson Patrick
Published: January 2025

Multiple‐use water services (MUS) encompass a variety of water services that span the various livelihood strategies commonly seen in communities throughout low‐ and middle‐income countries. MUS approaches can secure water for development, but limited peer‐reviewed research comprehensively evaluates MUS. This review addresses a gap in the literature by tracing MUS as an international development strategy and evaluating the peer‐reviewed scholarship published between 1990 and 2023 to describe the status and trends. The review identifies MUS attributes (e.g., water productivity, economics, health and nutrition, and gender empowerment) and the persistent barriers to scaling and institutionalization (e.g., regulatory and governance barriers and water quality). It then concludes with gaps in research (e.g., private sector roles and business models, ability to pay, ecosystem services, and climate resilience). MUS has the potential to be implemented tactically to address the nexus of water, food, nutrition, and water quality challenges, if research can contribute to evidence for scalable solutions that sufficiently address local needs.