bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Analysis of Multi‐Criteria Decision‐Making Approaches for Identifying Groundwater Recharge Potential Zones in the River Basin of Northern Kerala, India
Authors: Rasheed Shamla , Abraham Marykutty , Kavisri M. , Moovendhan Meivelu , Rasheed Ameen Abdul
Published: December 2024

Groundwater resources are increasingly strained by misuse and climate change, necessitating the identification of potential recharge zones for sustainable management. The study aimed to simulate potential recharge zones of a tropical river basin using two multi‐criteria decision‐making techniques: the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Multi‐Influencing Factor (MIF) methods. Thematic layers of key variables were integrated using a weighted overlay analysis in GIS environment to model recharge areas within a tropical river basin in Northern Kerala, India. Normalized weights and ranks were calculated to evaluate their influence on groundwater development. Five classes of groundwater recharge potential zones (GWRPZ) with their derived areas were identified for AHP and MIF, respectively: high (30.39% and 28.24%), low (21.55% and 21.60%), very high (19.20% and 18.45%), moderate (16.96% and 20.25%), and very low (11.90% and 11.45%). Validation with overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient confirmed the methods' comparability. The results guide water well site selection and improve managed aquifer recharge (MAR) strategies. Local bodies within the river basin were ranked utilizing the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to prioritize and implement recharge schemes, aiding sustainability goals in groundwater management.
State of the Art – Pharynxrekonstruktion
Authors: Brunner Markus , Haerle Stephan
Published: December 2024

Hintergrund

Die Rekonstruktion des Pharynx nach ablativer onkologischer Chirurgie ist anspruchsvoll. Die Wiederherstellung der Funktion und die Ästhetik stehen dabei im Mittelpunkt. Es gibt keinen klaren Goldstandard der Rekonstruktion. Die traditionell meist verwendeten freien Lappenrekonstruktionen bedienen sich eines freien Radialis- oder eines freien Oberschenkellappens. Für Defekte mittleren Ausmaßes stellt der freie laterale Armlappen eine hervorragende rekonstruktive Methode dar.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Vor- und Nachteile der verschiedenen Rekonstruktionsmethoden werden aus der Sicht zweier erfahrener Kopf-Hals-Chirurgen diskutiert und das jeweils übliche Vorgehen bei der Pharynxrekonstruktion beschrieben.

Schlussfolgerung

Die ideale Rekonstruktion hängt von der Größe, vom Volumen des Defekts, von der Gefäßsituation und nicht zuletzt von der Präferenz und Erfahrung der Operateur:innen ab.
Coelimycin inside out — negative feedback regulation by its intracellular precursors
Authors: Kotowska Magdalena , Wenecki Mateusz , Bednarz Bartosz , Ciekot Jarosław , Pasławski Wojciech , Buhl Tomasz , Pawlik Krzysztof J.
Published: December 2024

Coelimycin (CPK) producer Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) is a well-established model for the genetic studies of bacteria from the genus Streptomyces, renowned for their ability to produce a plethora of antibiotics and other secondary metabolites. Expression regulation of natural product biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) is highly complex, involving not only regulatory proteins, like transcription factors, but also the products of the biosynthetic pathway that may act as ligands for some regulators and modulate their activity. Here, we present the evidence that intracellular CPK precursor(s) (preCPK) is involved in a negative feedback loop repressing the CPK BGC. Moreover, we provide a characterization of the cluster-encoded efflux pump CpkF. We show that CpkF is essential for the extracellular CPK production. In order to track down which CPK compounds — intra- or extracellular — are the ones responsible for the feedback signal, a luciferase-based reporter system was applied to compare the activity of 13 CPK gene promoters in the wild-type (WT) and two mutated strains. The first strain, lacking the CPK-specific exporter CpkF (ΔcpkF), was unable to produce the extracellular CPK. The second one did not produce any CPK at all, due to the disruption of the CpkC polyketide synthase subunit (ΔcpkC). All tested promoters were strongly upregulated in ΔcpkC strain, while in the ΔcpkF strain, promoter activity resembled the one of WT. These results lead to the conclusion that the CPK polyketide acts as a silencer of its own production. Supposedly this function is exerted via binding of the preCPK by an unidentified regulatory protein.

Key points

•Intracellular coelimycin precursor takes part in a negative cpk cluster regulation

•CpkF exporter is essential for the extracellular coelimycin production

•Simple method for the analysis of coelimycin P2 production in agar medium

Graphical abstract
History of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies
Authors: de Groot Kirsten , Csernok Elena , van der Woude Diane
Published: December 2024

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV) are autoimmune inflammatory small-vessel disorders with potentially life-threatening organ manifestations. Recent disease definitions and classification criteria allow distinction between granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), and non-granulomatous microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). The discovery of ANCA—autoantibodies directed against proteolytic enzymes of neutrophil granules—has enabled earlier diagnosis of AAV and paved the way to stage-adapted treatments. ANCA testing initially relied on different immunofluorescence patterns, i.e., cytoplasmic ANCA (C-ANCA) vs. perinuclear ANCA (P-ANCA), in ethanol-fixed neutrophils. This is nowadays outperformed by well-standardized immunoassays against the ANCA target antigens proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) for the diagnosis of small-vessel vasculitides. The discovery of ANCA has contributed substantially to unravelling the pathogenesis of AAV, which comprises neutrophil degranulation, NETosis with concurrently amplified ANCA antigen presentation, and intra- and transmural vascular inflammation involving the alternative complement system in susceptible individuals. There is a genetic disposition concerning certain HLA alleles and polymorphisms of the proteinase 3 gene. Furthermore, epigenetic modifications impact on disease activity and relapse. During follow-up, the ANCA titer is not a reliable mirror of disease activity; however, PR3-ANCA positivity is associated with a greater likelihood of relapse and a better treatment response to rituximab as compared to cyclophosphamide/azathioprine. Within the past 60 years, the discovery of ANCA has revolutionized the ability to diagnose, understand, classify, and treat AAV in a targeted manner.
A brief history of insect neuropeptide and peptide hormone research
Authors: Nässel Dick R.
Published: December 2024

This review briefly summarizes 50 years of research on insect neuropeptide and peptide hormone (collectively abbreviated NPH) signaling, starting with the sequencing of proctolin in 1975. The first 25 years, before the sequencing of the Drosophila genome, were characterized by efforts to identify novel NPHs by biochemical means, mapping of their distribution in neurons, neurosecretory cells, and endocrine cells of the intestine. Functional studies of NPHs were predominantly dealing with hormonal aspects of peptides and many employed ex vivo assays. With the annotation of the Drosophila genome, and more specifically of the NPHs and their receptors in Drosophila and other insects, a new era followed. This started with matching of NPH ligands to orphan receptors, and studies to localize NPHs with improved detection methods. Important advances were made with introduction of a rich repertoire of innovative molecular genetic approaches to localize and interfere with expression or function of NPHs and their receptors. These methods enabled cell- or circuit-specific interference with NPH signaling for in vivo assays to determine roles in behavior and physiology, imaging of neuronal activity, and analysis of connectivity in peptidergic circuits. Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in reports on the multiple functions of NPHs in development, physiology and behavior. Importantly, we can now appreciate the pleiotropic functions of NPHs, as well as the functional peptidergic “networks” where state dependent NPH signaling ensures behavioral plasticity and systemic homeostasis.
Analysis of urine pH and specific gravity in pasture sheep
Authors: Musara Colin , Ndjoze Vati , Matomola Ophelia Chuma , Chitate Frank
Published: December 2024

Urine pH and specific gravity represent the routine objectively verifiable parameters in urinalysis. Urinalysis is presently an underutilised analytical tool in ovine medicine but holds the same potential for predictive, diagnostic and prognostic use in sheep as it does in human and small animal medicine. Urine pH and specific gravity were measured as a health screening tool to ascertain normal physiological ranges in sheep on free-range summer pastures with free access to drinking water. Both sexes, different ages and various breeds including Dorper, Karakul, Damara and cross-breeds were recruited into the study to investigate possible sources of variation. Experimental animals were selected through stratified random sampling using farm records from a population of 69 rams, 135 ewes and 115 lambs. Samples of urine were collected from 60 rams, 60 ewes and 60 lambs by free catch following induction of micturition by transient apnoea. Urine pH was measured by a pH metre whilst urine specific gravity was evaluated with an optical refractometer. The urine pH ranged from 6.81 to 9.08, with a mean of 8.52 ± 0.02 (se). Only one animal had a urine pH value below the existing reference level (7.4–8.5). Concurrent abnormalities of the urine in dipstick analysis included proteinuria and glucosuria. Urine specific gravity varied from 1.003 to 1.050 with a mean of 1.021 ± 0.001 (se). Four sheep, all of them lambs, had urine-specific gravity values above the existing reference level (1.015 to 1.045). The high urine specific gravity was associated with diverse pathological findings including proteinuria, pyuria and glucosuria as well as the presence of urine sediment. Urine pH was influenced by gender and breed and specific gravity by age. The results affirmed that sheep naturally produce alkaline urine and aciduria points to an underlying pathological problem. An association between high urine specific gravity and systemic/urinary system disorders was evident in lambs. Isosthenuria and hyposthenuria were frequently encountered in healthy adult sheep and were considered indices of positive water balance rather than renal dysfunction. Collated data confirmed existing reference levels but revised the upper limit of normal urine pH to 9 instead of 8.5, and the lower limit of normal urine specific gravity to 1.003 instead of 1.015.
Osteoporosis screening using X-ray assessment and osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians in hip surgery patients
Authors: Higuchi Ryo , Uemura Keisuke , Kono Sotaro , Mae Hirokazu , Takashima Kazuma , Abe Hirohito , Imagama Takashi , Sakai Takashi , Okada Seiji , Hamada Hidetoshi
Published: December 2024

Objectives

As many patients with osteoporosis remain undiagnosed, we aimed to develop a simple method to efficiently screen for osteoporosis using a combination of anteroposterior hip X-ray assessment and the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA), which is calculated as (body weight − age) × 0.2.

Methods

One hundred Japanese women (age: 73 ± 11 years, body weight: 54.4 ± 11.1 kg) who underwent hip surgery, anteroposterior hip X-ray, and DXA were included. Based on the DXA results of the total proximal femur, 35 cases were diagnosed with osteoporosis. Fifteen orthopaedic surgeons visually inspected the hip X-ray images and scored the suspicion of osteoporosis on a scale of 1–4 (1: very unlikely, 4: very suspicious), which is referred to as “pred-score.” In addition, OSTA was calculated as a continuous variable (OSTA score). Osteoporosis was screened using the pred-score and OSTA score, and both scores were analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

The area under the curves (AUCs) of the pred-score and OSTA score were 0.626–0.875 and 0.817 across surgeons, respectively. When both scores were used, the AUC for screening osteoporosis ranged from 0.821 to 0.915 across surgeons. Significant improvement from AUCs calculated with the pred-score or OSTA score was found in 11 surgeons (73.3%).

Conclusion

The combination of X-ray assessment and OSTA can be used to screen for osteoporosis and has the potential to be used as a new simple screening tool in daily clinical practice.
Biological control of pests of stored cereals with the predatory mites Blattisocius tarsalis and Cheyletus malaccensis
Authors: del Arco Lidia , Castañé Cristina , Riudavets Jordi
Published: December 2024

Numerous arthropod pest species can cause significant losses in the quantity and quality of stored products. Currently, the most common pest control strategy is the use of a limited number of authorized synthetic insecticides. However, the overuse of these insecticides has led to an increase in pesticide resistance, reducing their effectiveness. Biological control using natural enemies offers an effective alternative to prevent insect populations from reaching pest status. Generalist predatory mites are noted for their potential as biocontrol agents as they can prey on a large variety of pest species and are easy to manage and apply. We evaluated the suitability of three predatory mites, Blattisocius tarsalis, Cheyletus malaccensis, and Amblyseius swirskii, for controlling several insect pests that are usually present in stored cereals. Prey acceptance and predation rates were assessed in experiments in which a known number of preys were offered to mite females in different arenas. Blattisocius tarsalis and C. malaccensis exhibited broad polyphagous behavior on insect pests commonly found in stored rice and other cereals. In contrast, A. swirskii was ineffective against these pest species. The efficacy of B. tarsalis and C. malaccensis, individually or in combination, in controlling populations of Oryzaephilus surinamensis and Sitotroga cerealella in medium-size arenas was also evaluated. Whether individually or in combination, both predatory mites reduced populations of O. surinamensis or of S. cerealella by half. These results suggest that periodic releases of these predatory mites could maintain these pest populations under control.
Phenotypic and Molecular Screening for Yellow Rust Resistance in Chinese Wheat Hybrids as Impacted by Selection
Authors: Iftikhar Zainab , Arif Muhammad , Iqbal Aamir , Munir Iqbal , Zhang Sheng Quan , Zhao Chang Ping , Ali Sajid
Published: December 2024

Exploring the potential of novel sources of wheat material is immensely important to combat the ever-changing pathogen causing wheat rust disease, associated with huge losses worldwide. This study focused on assessing rust (YR) resistance in Chinese wheat hybrids, combining molecular markers and field testing over two years with estimation of the impact of selection. Out of 416 hybrids, 108 were selected based on disease scoring parameters, showing negative genetic advancement for rust severity and coefficient of infection. The maximum rust severity reached 100% for four hybrids during the year 2017–18 whereas 70% for three hybrids during the year 2018–19. The maximum coefficient of infection was observed for four hybrids which were 100% (2017–18), whereas 70% for three hybrids (2018–19). Molecular genotyping with a set of five yellow rust resistance genes linked markers revealed that the most frequent molecular markers was Yr18/Lr34 (among the YR markers), present in 92 out of 108 hybrids. All the five Yr genes were present only in 18 hybrids. Yr18 was the most common resistance gene detected in 85% hybrids, while Yr17 was the least detected gene (57%). Notably, the average coefficient of infection (ACI) was not directly associated with the number of resistant genes. Considering the overall performance, the hybrid lines 17BH002, 17BH057, 17BH073, 17BH109, 17BH123, 17BH128, 17BH190, 18BH026 and 17BH155 had an overall low yellow rust severity and co-efficient of infection and could be considering promising lines for further utilization. Clustering based on rust resistance genes categorized hybrids into five main clusters for YR resistance genes, showing variability among these valuable genetic resources. The observed variability in this study can be utilized for future breeding programs focused on developing resistant wheat varieties.
Parasitoids of the invasive cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae), in Iraq
Authors: Khudhair Ahmed Hasan , Kareem Ali A. , Watson Gillian W. , Kresslein Robert L. , Beasley Jordan , Topakcı Nurdan , Polaszek Andrew
Published: December 2024

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera, Pseudococcidae) is an invasive mealybug globally, having originated in North America. During routine rearing of this pest in a plant nursery in Karbala, Iraq in June 2023, three species of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Chalcicoidea) emerged from the mealybug colonies, or were extracted as pupae from parasitised mealybugs. They were identified using both morphology and DNA sequencing as Aenasius arizonensis (Girault), Cheiloneurus nankingensis Li and Zu (Encyrtidae), and Marietta pictus (André) (Aphelinidae). The latter two species represent new country records for Iraq. All three species are diagnosed and illustrated below, with summaries of their distributions and biology. The importance of having databases available of barcodes and other diagnostic sequence data is emphasised in the context of biological control programmes.
Do labour productivity, capital productivity and education influence the technical efficiency of entrepreneurial outcomes? Evidence from europe
Authors: Silva Pedro Mendonça , Moutinho Victor Ferreira , Gaspar Pedro Miguel
Published: December 2024

The differences in Labour and Capital Productivity and Education in Europe were used to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of technical efficiency of entrepreneurship activities and new firm creation. For this purpose, two distinct methodologies were used: a non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and a parametric Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). Firstly, to obtain the ranking for assessing entrepreneurship efficiency, two outputs (birth rate and total early-stage entrepreneurial activity) were combined, and four inputs (long-term unemployment rate, household disposable income ratio S80/S20; young people neither in employment nor in education or training and employment rate of recent graduates) were applied. In the second step, two estimators were used to examine the effect of capital productivity, labour productivity, non-qualified labour, and population share of education on the technical efficiency score of entrepreneurial outcomes. The estimators were the Tobit regression, including random effects and mixed effects models, and the quantile regression model. The results for technical efficiency in the first step reveal that during 2008–2014 and after this period, 2015–2019, the European countries of Lithuania, Estonia and the Netherlands present the highest efficiency scores according to the DEA-CRS model. Applying the SFA technique, Belgium, Germany, and Malta show the highest levels of inefficiency during both periods of financial crisis. The second stage results demonstrate that there was a negative and significant effect of capital productivity on the efficiency scores of entrepreneurial outcomes in the periods of financial crises. This statistical evidence mirrors the observed decrease in average EU investments in fixed capital, structural changes in the labour market, and structural changes in education level in the active and inactive population, particularly in countries with economic growth, during the sub-periods between 2008 and 2019 under consideration.
Influence of the Reduction Rate of Slag from Oxidation Process of Cu–Fe–Pb Alloy During Reduction (De-coppering) on Its Viscosity
Authors: Madej Piotr
Published: December 2024

The production of copper based on a direct-to-blister flash smelting process made it necessary to introduce the technology for the reduction of flash smelting slag and subsequent refining of the resulting Cu–Fe–Pb alloy. Refining of Cu–Fe–Pb alloy produces a converter slag containing 7 ÷ 25 wt pct Cu, 3 ÷ 20 wt pct Fe , and 15 ÷ 45 wt pct Pb. This material is directed to the reduction (de-coppering) process, which allows the recovery of copper in the form of Cu–Pb alloy as well as the removal of lead from the copper material cycle in the form of lead-bearing material. The copper recovery rate in the form of Cu–Pb alloy depends on a number of factors, of which one of the primary ones is the viscosity of the medium (slag), which determines the rate of coalescence and sedimentation of the reduced metal droplets. The investigations on how the degree of reduction of metal oxides from the converter slag affects its viscosity are presented in the study. Viscosity tests were conducted in the range of 1000 ÷ 1450 °C and showed that the main factor affecting viscosity is the Cu2O content in the slag. Slags directed to the reduction process with a high Cu2O content have a lower viscosity than slags after the reduction process, which is due to a decrease in the copper oxide content of the slag. The viscosity of slags after reduction depends on the PbO content, the higher the PbO content the lower the slag viscosity. Furthermore, studies have shown that the viscosity of slags can be reduced by adding CaO to the slag.
Flexibilisering in de jeugdgezondheidszorg: passende zorg voor alle kinderen
Authors: Kocken Paul L. , Theunissen Meinou H. C. , Bezem Janine , Huizing Arjan , van der Ploeg Kitty C. B. P. , Lanting Caren I. , Blanson Henkemans Olivier A.
Published: December 2024

Samenvatting

De jeugdgezondheidszorg (JGZ) ziet een toename van complexere problematiek bij kinderen, met name gerelateerd aan leefstijl en mentale gezondheid. Daarnaast is er een tekort aan jeugdartsen en -verpleegkundigen in de JGZ. Om extra zorg te kunnen leveren aan kinderen die dit het meeste nodig hebben, worden in JGZ-organisaties professionals vrijgemaakt. Dit geschiedt door een flexibelere uitvoering van aantal en vorm van de contactmomenten, en herschikking van taken tussen disciplines. Dit onderzoek vergelijkt drie JGZ-organisaties in de mate waarin zij flexibel werken. Inzicht wordt gegeven in het aandeel basiszorg- en extra zorgactiviteiten door de JGZ, en de inzet van de verschillende JGZ-disciplines (jeugdartsen, jeugdverpleegkundigen, consultatiebureauassistentes en doktersassistentes). We maken gebruik van een steekproef uit het digitaal dossier JGZ van kinderen in de leeftijd van 0–12 jaar (n = 15.776). De meest geflexibiliseerde organisatie heeft de meeste kinderen in extra zorg en de minst geflexibiliseerd JGZ-organisatie de minste kinderen. De delegatie van taken van de jeugdarts naar de jeugdverpleegkundige is vooral zichtbaar bij het verrichten van extra zorg door de organisatie met een focus op taakherschikking. De meest geflexibiliseerde organisatie heeft de hoogste ureninzet van jeugdartsen in de extra zorgactiviteiten, vooral bij 0–4-jarigen. Concluderend kunnen flexibilisering van contact (frequentie en vorm) en vrijere inzet van disciplines (taakherschikking) leiden tot meer inzet van extra zorg in de JGZ. Daarmee kunnen deze een rol spelen in het leveren van passende zorg. Verder onderzoek is echter nodig om het totaalbeeld te krijgen van factoren die, naast flexibilisering, de geboden JGZ-zorg bepalen.
The Faraoskop event: a significant moment in the history of foraging in the western cape, South Africa?
Authors: Parkington John , Loftus Emma , Manhire Antony , Webley Lita
Published: December 2024

Here we make the case that the interment of twelve skeletons in a small Western Cape rock shelter should be viewed as a single event. We present evidence of the partially disarticulated, clearly overlapping arrangement of human remains and the radiocarbon dating results from the individuals that point to a hasty but coordinated burial at a critical moment in the prehistory of the Cape. The moment was marked by the earliest appearance of the pastoralist lifestyle in an area previously dominated by hunting and gathering (Sadr PLoS ONE 10(8):e0134215, 2015). Because, as others show (Dlamini et al., this volume), these interments are associated with peri-mortem violence, the demonstration of contemporaneity and entanglement implies a rare occurrence of so many deaths at a time when conflict between pastoralists and hunter-gatherers in the area seems likely. In describing the circumstances of bone recovery, the positioning of body parts and the associated radiocarbon ages, we lay the platform for further micro-stratigraphic, biological, genetic and isotopic studies of the twelve individuals and some contemplation on the nature of the event.
Clinical Assessment of the Relationship of Dental Implant Materials (Titanium and Zirconia) and Peri-Implantitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shrivastava Deepti , Quadri Syed Altafuddin , Alshadidi Abdulkhaliq Ali F. , Saini Ravinder , Dewan Meghna , Fernandes Gustavo Vicentis Oliveira , Srivastava Kumar Chandan
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study analyzed clinical parameters to assess whether dental implant material is a risk factor for peri-implantitis.

Methods

A literature search was performed on PubMed Central, Cochrane, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus. The PICO strategy involved healthy patient, partially or fully edentulous, receiving at least one dental implant; zirconia or titanium dental implants; comparison involving assessment of whether there were differences in the risk of peri-implantitis among different materials used for dental implants; clinical parameters. Quality assessment was performed using the modified Jadad scale.

Results

Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria. BoP did not have statistically significant differences comparing zirconia and titanium implants or natural teeth. MBL had diversified results; sometimes, it was higher in zirconia implants than titanium; otherwise, there was no significant difference. Comparing implants with natural teeth, MBL was lower in titanium implants over prolonged observation periods, and greater severity was found in the zirconia group. Notably, natural teeth had minimal bone loss. Zirconia implants demonstrated reduced plaque accumulation and minimal microbial contamination compared to titanium implants and control teeth. The quality assessment was considered poor to low in 9 studies and good to excellent in 10. The development of peri-implantitis was influenced by several patient-specific and clinical factors, underscoring the need to adopt a comprehensive and personalized approach to implant dentistry and peri-implantitis prevention.

Conclusion

It was not possible to draft any solid conclusion for the relationship between implant material and peri-implantitis.
Automated Microfluidic Systems Facilitating the Scalable and Reliable Production of Lipid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery
Authors: Jung Daekyeong , Jang Soojin , Park Donggeun , Bae Nam Ho , Han Chung Soo , Ryu Seunghwa , Lim Eun-Kyung , Lee Kyoung G.
Published: December 2024

Lipid nanoparticles have become a promising agent for biocompatible, effective, stable, and clinically approved delivery system that protect the nucleic acid from degradation while allowing cellular uptake and release of nucleic acid. Herein, we report an advanced microfluidic device and system for synthesis of uniform shape and size of mRNA encapsulated LNPs. The device consists of five repeated donut ring structures with two inlets and one outlet microfluidic channels which are assigned for organic phase solution, aqueous phase solution, and LNP recovery, respectively. It also has a minimum microfluidic channel width of 100 μm and can produce LNPs with approximately diameter from 70 to 190 nm. These LNPs can be produced less than 2 min after loading of reagents in the instrument. To verify the practical applicability of the as-developed instrument, mRNA expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) is encapsulated in LNPs. The gene expression of mRNA encapsulated LNPs confirmed the mechanical and chemical stability of the LNPs and its capability of gene delivery. Based on the results, the microfluidic device and system can provide a simple, fast, reliable, easy-to-use, cost-effective, and reproducible way to be applicable in LNP-based gene therapies and vaccines for treating various diseases.
Limit trees for free group automorphisms: universality
Authors: Mutanguha Jean Pierre
Published: December 2024

To any free group automorphism, we associate a universal (cone of) limit tree(s) with three defining properties: first, the tree has a minimal isometric action of the free group with trivial arc stabilizers; second, there is a unique expanding dilation of the tree that represents the free group automorphism; and finally, the loxodromic elements are exactly the elements that weakly limit to dominating attracting laminations under forward iteration by the automorphism. So the action on the tree detects the automorphism’s dominating exponential dynamics.

As a corollary, our previously constructed limit pretree that detects the exponential dynamics is canonical. We also characterize all very small trees that admit an expanding homothety representing a given automorphism. In the appendix, we prove a variation of Feighn–Handel’s recognition theorem for atoroidal outer automorphisms.
A 100 W-level ultra-narrow fiber-coupled 780 nm diode laser
Authors: Jiang Longfei , Wang Rui , Zhao Huizi , Sun Jianyong , Liu Qingshan , Yang Zining , Wang Hongyan , Yang Weiqiang , Hua Weihong , Xu Xiaojun
Published: December 2024

We report a high-power ultra-narrow fiber-coupled diode laser using a Faraday anomalous dispersion optical filter (FADOF) as an external cavity element. An external cavity suitable for both the fiber-coupled package and FADOF configuration has been proposed. Using a 87Rb-based FADOF as the frequency-selective element, we realized a 103 W continuous laser output with a uniform circular beam. The center wavelength was precisely locked at the D2 line of the Rb resonance, and the bandwidth was narrowed from 1.8 nm (free-running, full width at half maximum (FWHM)) to 0.013 nm (6.9 GHz, FWHM). The side mode suppression ratio reached 31 dB. Such diode lasers with precise wavelength and high spectral brightness have critical applications in many fields, such as high-energy gas laser pumping, spin-exchange optical pumping, Raman spectroscopy and nonlinear optics.
Quantifying the rise of animals during the Ediacaran–Cambrian using ichnodissimilarity
Authors: Wang Zekun , Rahman Imran A. , Zhang Li-Jun
Published: December 2024

The trace fossil record provides important insights into the evolution of early animals during the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition, with changes in ichnodiversity through time and between environments informing on the diversification of major body plans, behaviors, and niches. To quantify variation in the diversity of trace fossils across this critical interval, we propose a measure of trace fossil dissimilarity (ichnodissimilarity) based on vector calculation. Furthermore, by comparing discrepancies between the angular bisector and mean vector of two sets of vectorized fossil data, we are able to weigh the relative contribution of increases and decreases in the variation of occurrences of taxa. We used this metric to analyze an expansive dataset of Ediacaran/Cambrian trace fossils. The results allowed us to quantify the diversification of traces across this transition, informing on the timing of first appearance of different behaviors (e.g., foraging, grazing, and resting) and functional groups. By interpreting the results in the context of environmental changes and advancements in motility and sensory capabilities, we were able to pinpoint the onset and sequence of the Fortunian diversification event, Cambrian information revolution, and agronomic revolution, shedding light on the evolution of organismal body plans, behaviors, and locomotion during the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition. We identified two phases of origination and expansion during the divergence of early animal traces. Furthermore, by analyzing shallow- and deep-marine trace fossils, we were able to uncover evidence for a more rapid diversification of traces in shallow-marine environments, with progressive niche partitioning through the Ediacaran to Cambrian.
New insights into the taxonomy and the evolutionary relationships of the rare nematode genus Lindseyus Ferris & Ferris, 1973 (Nematoda, Dorylaimida, Belondiridae), after the molecular characterization of an Iranian population of its type species
Authors: Mirzaie Fouladvand Z. , Atighi M. R. , Pourjam E. , Pedram M. , Peña-Santiago R.
Published: December 2024

A new Iranian population of Lindseyus costatus is characterized, including morphometrics, microphotographs, and molecular (18S, 28S rDNA) studies. It is compared with previously known populations. The results derived from molecular analyses failed to find close evolutionary relationships with other traditional genera of Belondiridae and Swangeriinae, adding more uncertainties about the internal phylogeny of the family. The taxonomy of Lindseyus is revised, with a new diagnosis, list of species, key to their identification, and a compilation of their main morphometrics.
Is Saccocoelioides bacilliformis Szidat, 1973 (Digenea: Haploporidae) a valid species? Genetic and morphological studies of this controversial species
Authors: Montes M.M. , Arredondo N. , Croci Y. , Barneche J. , Balcazar D. , Reig Cardarella G.F.
Published: December 2024

Saccocoelioides is a genus within the family Haploporidae and is distributed throughout the Americas. The recent application of molecular techniques has facilitated the reorganization of this genus and the description of new species, resulting in a current total of 28 species. In Argentina, 11 species have been identified; however, the validity of Saccocoelioides bacilliformis and Saccocoelioides octavus remains controversial. Recently, specimens of digeneans were collected from two distinct geographical locations: the Paraná River basin (Misiones province) and the Río de la Plata basin (Buenos Aires province). These specimens were found parasitizing two different fish species: Bryconamericus sylvicola and Bryconamericus iheringi. Sequences of the 28S and COI genes were obtained for both digeneans from the two collection sites and hosts. The morphological study, combined with genetic sequences, confirmed their assignment to the genus Saccocoelioides. The COI and 28S gene sequences obtained from specimens at both collection sites exhibited genetic distances of 0.13% and 3.41%, respectively, indicating that these Saccocoelioides specimens represent a single species. The comprehensive taxonomic study of the newly collected specimens, along with an examination of the type material of S. bacilliformis and S. octavus, allows us to confirm the validity of both species. Argentina is home to more than 550 species of freshwater fauna, and it is likely that new species of Saccocoelioides remain to be discovered in underexplored regions of the basin, such as the Uruguay, Pilcomayo and Bermejo rivers.
Determining associations between Big Five personality traits and executive function in an undergraduate student sample
Authors: Quarles Emma , West Samuel J. , Keen Larry
Published: December 2024

Objective

The present study sought to determine the associations between executive functioning and Big Five personality traits in an undergraduate sample.

Method:

Participants included 200 undergraduates (73% women), with a mean age of approximately 21 years. Participants completed the Big Five Inventory-44 and a psychological assessment battery, which included the Trail Making Test and the Semantic Fluency Test.

Results:

Results from multiple regression analyses suggested agreeableness was negatively associated with Semantic Fluency – Animals (β = −0.310, p < 0.001). Moreover, conscientiousness was positively associated with Trail Making Test B-A (β = 0.197, p = 0.016), but negatively associated with Trail Making Test A (β = −0.193, p = 0.017).

Conclusions:

Overall results identified that executive function association with personality varies by construct. Given conscientiousness’ differential associations within the executive function task performances, future research should examine the conscientious threshold that would result in psychological symptomatology associated with extreme lows and highs in conscientiousness.
Applications of microbial bioplastic polyhydroxyalkanoates as biosignatures for astrobiological detection
Authors: Wang Justin Lorence , Schubert Stephanie Hikari , Dragone Nicholas Brady , Ciechanowicz Sydney Marie , Hynek Brian Michael
Published: December 2024

Determining a reliable method to detect life on another planet is an essential first step in the pursuit of discovering extraterrestrial life. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), bioplastic polymers created by microorganisms, are strong candidates for defining the presence of extraterrestrial life due to their water insolubility, strong ultraviolet resistance, high melting points and high crystallinity, amongst other qualities. PHAs are abundant on Earth, and their chemical properties can easily be distinguished from non-biological matter. Their widespread distribution and conferred resistance to astrobiologically relevant extreme environments render PHAs highly favourable candidates for astrobiological detection. Integrating detection of PHA biosignatures into current and future life-detection instruments would be useful for the planetary search for life. PHAs are analysed and characterized in laboratories by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and immunoassay analysis in addition to other methods. We outline a path forward to integrate PHA detection in astrobiology missions to aid the search for extraterrestrial life.
The Survival of Arctic Sea Ice May Depend on Its Travel Routes
Authors: Samraik Mahima
Published: December 2024

Researchers find that the motions of ice parcels determine which ones survive the annual summer melt.
What Are the Finger‐Like Clouds in the Hurricane Inner‐Core Region?
Authors: Gao Kun , Mouallem Joseph , Harris Lucas
Published: December 2024

Finger‐like km‐scale features have been observed along the inner‐edge of the eyewall of intense hurricanes. But due to the limited availability of observations, many important aspects of these features remain unknown. In this study, we aim to offer insights on the nature of these phenomena based on a four‐day‐duration O(100 m) grid spacing simulation that covers the inner‐core region of an idealized hurricane. The simulation successfully captured the finger‐like features, which closely resemble observed ones. We propose that these features are formed due to the shear instability associated with vertical distribution of the tangential wind in the inner‐core region. This proposed mechanism offers insights on several key characteristics of the features of interest, including their emergence time, frequency, radial location and vertical extent. Our study also demonstrates the feasibility of using multi‐level nesting for O(100 m) grid spacing hurricane simulations and predictions, aligning with the goals for next generation hurricane models.
Data‐Driven Predictions of Peak Warming Under Rapid Decarbonization
Authors: Diffenbaugh Noah S. , Barnes Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2024

The severe impacts associated with recent record‐setting annual global temperatures elevate the need to accurately predict the hottest conditions that could occur even if the most ambitious decarbonization goals are achieved. We use convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to predict peak global warming from recent observed temperature maps and future cumulative CO2 emissions. For the SSP1‐1.9 decarbonization scenario there is >99% probability that mean global warming exceeds 1.5°C, approximately even odds that it reaches 2°C, and ∼90% probability that the hottest year globally exceeds 2023 by at least 0.5°C. Further, for the SSP2‐4.5 decarbonization scenario, there is >90% probability that the hottest annual global temperature anomaly is twice the 2023 anomaly. That our framework makes highly accurate out‐of‐sample predictions of the hottest historical year provides confidence in the predicted future probabilities, suggesting substantial risks from the extreme local conditions that are likely to result from globally hot years during rapid decarbonization.
Dry Coupling Aggravates Soil Drought and Atmospheric Aridity Over North China
Authors: Zhang Shuwen , Wang Lan , He Chentao
Published: December 2024

The north China region frequently experiences drought during the warm season, significantly impacting the local water cycle and socioeconomic life. To better understand the role that local land‐atmosphere (L‐A) coupling plays in the modulation of drought, we utilize 40 years of the fifth generation of European Re‐Analysis (ERA5) data set. With the aid of two metrics, that is, convective triggering potential (CTP) and low‐layer humidity index (HI) that classify the local L‐A coupling into four regimes, we identify days characterized by dry and wet coupling patterns in the region and define a standardized coupling drought index (SCDI) based on the relative number of dry and wet coupling days over a period of time. The results show that on the dry coupling day, the atmosphere exhibits a higher demand for moisture with an increased net radiation and surface sensible heat flux, and a reduced latent heat flux, so the dry coupling promotes drying. Similarly, the wet coupling promotes wetting. During the dry coupling events (i.e., multiple days with similar coupling states), the positive feedback between soil moisture and atmospheric humidity, along with atmospheric conditions unfavorable for precipitation, result in a continuous decrease in soil moisture and an increase in vapor pressure deficit, which sustain and intensify both soil drought and atmospheric aridity. In contrast, wet coupling events are conducive to drought recovery. The SCDI effectively captures the spatiotemporal evolution of drought across varying intensities, showing that dry and wet coupling play an important role in the persistence and recovery of drought in north China.
Immunogenicity of cell death and cancer immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Catanzaro Elena , Beltrán-Visiedo Manuel , Galluzzi Lorenzo , Krysko Dmitri V.
Published: December 2024

While immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the clinical management of various malignancies, a large fraction of patients are refractory to ICIs employed as standalone therapeutics, necessitating the development of combinatorial treatment strategies. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers have attracted considerable interest as combinatorial partners for ICIs, at least in part owing to their ability to initiate a tumor-targeting adaptive immune response. However, compared with either approach alone, combinatorial regimens involving ICD inducers and ICIs have not always shown superior clinical activity. Here, we discuss accumulating evidence on the therapeutic interactions between ICD inducers and immunotherapy with ICIs in oncological settings, identify key factors that may explain discrepancies between preclinical and clinical findings, and propose strategies that address existing challenges to increase the efficacy of these combinations in patients with cancer.
Long-wavelength infrared metamaterial absorber with polarization and angle insensitivity using compact hybrid cylindrical structures
Authors: Zhang Wenqian , Chen Youxin , Wei Jiang , Miao Yan , Wang Qingkang , Wu Kaiyu
Published: December 2024

We demonstrate a compact broadband LWIR absorber with polarization and angle insensitivity. The Aspe is 92.7% over 8–14 μm. The absorber is promising in IR signature suppression.
Percolative phase transition in few-layered MoSe2 field-effect transistors using Co and Cr contacts
Authors: Padhan Roshan , Garcia Carlos , Divan Ralu , Sumant Anirudha V. , Rosenmann Daniel , Kadam Sujit A. , Wali Akshay , Miller Suzanne , McGill Stephen A. , Pradhan Nihar R.
Published: December 2024

The metal-to-insulator phase transition in 2D materials has revealed interesting electronic behavior and the need for a deeper understanding of electronic transport processes while attracting interest in developing next-generation electronic devices.
Preparation of a tetraethylenepentamine grafted magnetic chitosan bead for adsorption of Re(vii) from aqueous solutions
Authors: Yang Chen , Wu Xiaohui , Mao Juan
Published: December 2024

In this work, tetraethylenepentamine grafted magnetic chitosan bead (TMCB) were prepared and characterized, and it showed a high efficiency for the adsorption of rhenium.
Antitumor activity of bimetallic silver/gold nanoparticles against MCF-7 breast cancer cells
Authors: Martínez-Sanmiguel Juan J. , Zarate-Triviño Diana , García-García María Paula , García-Martín José Miguel , Mayoral Álvaro , Huttel Yves , Martínez Lidia , Cholula-Díaz Jorge L.
Published: December 2024

Ag/Au NPs exhibit a ROS-dependent cell death mechanism, especially the bimetallic nanoparticles with a higher proportion of Ag in their atomic composition.
Positron scattering from interstellar phosphorus-bearing compounds
Authors: Chakraborty Irabati , Uddin Nafees , Antony Bobby
Published: December 2024

This article reports an investigation of positron impact scattering from several phosphorus-bearing compounds detected in the interstellar medium.
In search of herbistasis: COT-metsulfuron methyl displays rare herbistatic properties
Authors: Xing Hui , McGregor Sarah K. M. , Batista Bruna D. , Whitefield Cassidy , Stone Isobella S. J. , Murray Cody-Ellen , Hurst Rebecca M. , Liu Yizhou , Chow Sharon , Fahrenhorst-Jones Tyler , Zhao Qi , Houston Sevan D. , Hu Shu-Hong , Lonhienne Thierry , Nouwens Amanda , Burns Jed M. , Savage G. Paul , Walter Gimme H. , Guddat Luke W. , Rafter Michelle A. , Williams Craig M.
Published: December 2024

Halting weed growth through herbistasis is not a well-known phenomenon, but it could offer a new avenue for weed control. A bioisosteric cyclooctatetraene for phenyl ring replacement tactic has unearthed a rare herbistatic against rubber vine.
Correction: Enhanced mechanical strength of polypropylene bionanocomposites through spray-dried nanocrystalline cellulose reinforcement
Authors: Sabaruddin Fatimah Athiyah , Ariffin Hidayah , Shazleen Siti Shazra , Ng Yee Foong Lawrence , Rujitanaroj Pim-on , Thitiwutthisakul Kasinee , Permpaisarnsakul Patcharin , Tinnasulanon Phungjai
Published: December 2024

Correction for ‘Enhanced mechanical strength of polypropylene bionanocomposites through spray-dried nanocrystalline cellulose reinforcement’ by Fatimah Athiyah Sabaruddin et al., RSC Sustain., 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4su00295d.
Hollow flower-like TiO2@CsxWO3 hybrid for effective thermal management using a UV/NIR light absorbing shield strategy
Authors: Guo Wei , Zhang Zheng , Li Nian , Xi Min , Liu Cui , Zhang Shudong , Wang Zhenyang
Published: December 2024

A hollow flower-like TiO2@CsxWO3 hybrid and the corresponding transparent membrane, which have an efficient absorption of UV/NIR light, are designed for thermal management by shielding solar radiation energy, thus saving energy consumed by buildings.
Tailoring functionalities: pore engineering strategies in porous organic cages for diverse applications
Authors: Hua Mingming , Ding Yang , Lv Chunxiao , Han Ning , Chu Kaibin
Published: December 2024

This review focuses on pore engineering (intrinsic pore size, extrinsic porosity, and pore environment) in porous organic cages and summarizes the roles of pore engineering in various fields.