bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designer-Mikroben für eine CO2-basierte Bioökonomie
Authors: Wenk Sebastian , Schann Karin
Published: February 2025

Carbon dioxide (CO2), a major contributor to climate change, holds promise as a resource for sustainable biotechnology. Advances in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering have enabled the creation/engineering of microorganisms that utilize CO2 or CO2-derived C1 compounds, such as methanol and formate, as substrates for bioproduction. Key breakthroughs include the development of synthetic metabolic pathways, such as the reductive glycine pathway and Serine-Threonine Cycle. The engineering of these pathways was supported by growth-coupled selection and adaptive laboratory evolution for strain optimization. These innovations underscore the potential for a CO2-based bioeconomy, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to fossil-based processes.
RNA-Sequenzierung zur Analyse Epstein-Barr-Virus-codierter microRNAs
Authors: Hohmann Tim , Jasinski-Bergner Simon
Published: February 2025

The RNA species of microRNAs represents an important component of post-transcriptional gene regulation. Herpes viruses, including the Epstein-Barr virus, encode their own microRNA genes, which play a relevant role in crucial cellular processes, including immune evasion, but also in the malignant transformation of host cells. Modern transcriptome analyses, including RNA sequencing, contribute significantly to the identification of these direct and indirect molecular regulatory relationships.
How does consumer quality preference impact blockchain adoption in supply chains?
Authors: Ma Benedict Jun , Liu Samuel Shuai , Huang George Q. , Ng Chi-To
Published: February 2025

Blockchain technology is increasingly used to ensure the authenticity of product information in supply chains. As digital transparency becomes a key factor in modern commerce, the evaluation of blockchain’s value becomes important. In this paper, we model a supply chain with a manufacturer and an online retailer to study the role of blockchain in the marketplace and wholesale price models. Particularly, we take consumer quality preference into account and examine its impact on blockchain adoption. We discuss how blockchain ensures the authenticity of quality information shared between the manufacturer and retailer while improving consumers’ perceived product value. Our findings indicate that blockchain enhances information transparency and reduces the impact of commissions on pricing in the wholesale price model, which is beneficial to both the manufacturer and the retailer. This is significantly advantageous when quality-conscious consumers dominate the marketplace model. We recommend that the manufacturer and retailer should assess consumer preferences for product quality and carefully weigh the cost of implementing blockchain. Blockchain reduces constraints from commission-driven pricing, offering greater flexibility in business model selection. Additionally, transparency improvements are crucial when implementing blockchain in the marketplace model.
Residue class biases in unrestricted partitions, partitions into distinct parts, and overpartitions
Authors: Schlosser Michael J. , Zhou Nian Hong
Published: February 2025

We prove specific biases in the number of occurrences of parts belonging to two different residue classes a and b, modulo a fixed nonnegative integer m, for the sets of unrestricted partitions, partitions into distinct parts, and overpartitions. These biases follow from inequalities for residue-weighted partition functions for the respective sets of partitions. We also establish asymptotic formulas for the numbers of partitions of size n that belong to these sets of partitions and have a symmetric residue class bias (i.e., for

$$1\le a<m/2$$

1
≤
a
<
m
/
2

and

$$b=m-a$$

b
=
m
-
a

), as n tends to infinity.
Multi-valued variational inequalities for variable exponent double phase problems: comparison and extremality results
Authors: Carl Siegfried , Le Vy Khoi , Winkert Patrick
Published: February 2025

We prove existence and comparison results for multi-valued variational inequalities in a bounded domain

$$\Omega $$

Ω

of the form

$$\begin{aligned} u\in K{:}\, 0 \in Au+\partial I_K(u)+{\mathcal {F}}(u)+{\mathcal {F}}_\Gamma (u)\quad \text {in }W^{1, {\mathcal {H}}}(\Omega )^*, \end{aligned}$$

u
∈
K
:

0
∈
A
u
+
∂

I
K

(
u
)

+
F

(
u
)

+

F
Γ

(
u
)

in

W

1
,
H

(
Ω
)

∗

,

where

$$A{:}\,W^{1, {\mathcal {H}}}(\Omega ) \rightarrow W^{1, {\mathcal {H}}}(\Omega )^*$$

A
:

W

1
,
H

(
Ω
)

→

W

1
,
H

(
Ω
)

∗

given by

$$\begin{aligned} Au:=-\text {div}\left( |\nabla u|^{p(x)-2} \nabla u+ \mu (x) |\nabla u|^{q(x)-2} \nabla u\right) \end{aligned}$$

A
u
:
=
-
div

|
∇
u
|

p
(
x
)
-
2

∇
u
+
μ

(
x
)

|
∇
u
|

q
(
x
)
-
2

∇
u

for

$$u \in W^{1, {\mathcal {H}}}(\Omega )$$

u
∈

W

1
,
H

(
Ω
)

, is the double phase operator with variable exponents and

$$W^{1, {\mathcal {H}}}(\Omega )$$

W

1
,
H

(
Ω
)

is the associated Musielak–Orlicz Sobolev space. First, an existence result is proved under some weak coercivity condition. Our main focus aims at the treatment of the problem under consideration when coercivity fails. To this end we establish the method of sub–super-solution for the multi-valued variational inequality in the space

$$W^{1, {\mathcal {H}}}(\Omega )$$

W

1
,
H

(
Ω
)

based on appropriately defined sub- and super-solutions, which yields the existence of solutions within an ordered interval of sub–super-solution. Moreover, the existence of extremal solutions will be shown provided the closed, convex subset K of

$$W^{1, {\mathcal {H}}}(\Omega )$$

W

1
,
H

(
Ω
)

satisfies a lattice condition. As an application of the sub–super-solution method we are able to show that a class of generalized variational–hemivariational inequalities with a leading double phase operator are included as a special case of the multi-valued variational inequality considered here. Based on a fixed point argument, we also study the case when the corresponding Nemytskij operators

$${\mathcal {F}}, {\mathcal {F}}_\Gamma $$

F
,

F
Γ

need not be continuous. At the end, we give an example of the construction of sub- and supersolutions related to the problem above.
Acute readmissions among care home residents aged 65+ years: a register-based study
Authors: Kristensen Gitte Schultz , Søndergaard Jens , Andersen-Ranberg Karen , Mogensen Christian Backer
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Care home residents are characterised by multimorbidity, cognitive impairment, and physical disabilities, resulting in a high risk of acute admissions and readmissions. The risk factors for acute readmissions may differ from those affecting older adults in the community. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with acute readmissions among care home residents within 30 days of discharge from an acute hospital admission.

Methods

We included all care home residents aged 65 + years living in Southern Jutland in Denmark from 2014 to 2019 who were discharged from their first acute hospital admission (lasting 12 + h) in the study period. Data on baseline characteristics, index admissions, 30-day readmissions, and mortality were obtained from the highly valid Danish national health registries. Cox regression was employed to identify factors associated with acute readmissions.

Results

The care home residents had a mean age of 83.9–86.2 at index admission, and 57.0–62.3% were women. Of 2108 initial admissions, 328 (15.6%) resulted in an acute readmission, and 302 (14.3%) died within 30 days of follow-up. Notably, nearly half of the readmissions occurred within 1 week of discharge. Being a new care home resident (care home residency < 3 months) was associated with acute readmission (HR 1.40), as was a medical history of cancer (HR 1.31), diabetes (HR 1.45), atrial fibrillation (HR 1.54), and COPD/asthma (HR 1.36). Conversely, dementia was associated with a significantly lower risk of acute readmission (HR 0.71).

Conclusion

Our findings can help identify care home residents at elevated risk of readmission shortly after discharge.
Effect of Blastocyst Morphology and Developmental Rate on Euploidy and Live Birth Rates in PGT-A Cycles: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Xiaojiao , Fan Yong , Ji Hui , Zhou Lin , Wu Xun , Wei Yi , Cao Shanren , Zhang Junqiang , Ling Xiufeng
Published: February 2025

This study was to evaluate the relationship between morphology or developmental rate of blastocysts and ploidy status in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles, or live birth rates in single euploid frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. We focused on infertile patients who underwent PGT-A procedures, following with single euploid FET cycles in the assisted reproduction center from January 2016 to December 2022. Blastocysts were categorized for biopsy, and euploid embryos would be selected for transfer. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the effects of blastocoel expansion degree, inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) grades and developmental stage (Day 5, 6 and 7) on euploidy and live birth rates. A total of 4172 blastocysts from 941 PGT-A cycles were included. Expansion 4 were associated with lower euploidy rate than expansion 5 (P = 0.011) and 6 (P = 0.001). Better ICM (P < 0.05 for A compared to B grade) increased blastocyst euploidy. Euploidy rate was significantly associated with A grade TE (P < 0.001). However, no relationship existed between blastocyst euploidy and developmental rate. Furthermore, live birth rates had no significant effect on most of morphological parameters in euploidy blastocyst FET cycles, only A grade TE was shown higher live birth rate than C grade (P = 0.024). The rate of euploidy in morphologically poor blastocysts is low in the cohort, but the developmental rate does not associate with euploidy. Moreover, only TE grades take association with live birth rates, when the single euploidy blastocyst was transplanted.
Competence required while caring for people living with mental illness in the ambulance care setting: a Delphi study
Authors: Holmberg Mats , Hammarbäck Staffan , Andersson Henrik
Published: February 2025

Background

People living with mental illness form a significant component of individuals presenting to emergency care services. Ambulance care embraces the care and treatment given to people of all ages who have suffered a sudden illness or injury and is carried out twenty-four-seven, regardless of setting and organizational belonging.

Aim

The aim was to explore ambulance clinicians’ competence requirements in caring for people living with mental illness.

Method

The study had a deductive and explorative design. A Delphi method was adopted using a group of experienced individuals recruited from the emergency care chain and non-governmental organizations (N = 15). An initial open-ended questionnaire was distributed covering three questions about; (1) knowledge, (2) skills and (3) attitudes that ambulance clinicians need to care for people living with mental illness. The informants’ answers were analysed using a manifest content analysis ending up in statements designed into a questionnaire that was sent out digitally in two rounds.

Results

The 57 statements that reached consensus could be categorised as referring to knowledge (n = 26), skills (n = 13) and attitude (n = 18).

Conclusion

Ambulance clinicians are expected to manage a range of incidents involving people living with mental illness, demanding knowledge of mental illness and the skills of mental health assessment, to ensure ambulance clinicians have the ability and non-judgmental attitude to make appropriate decisions within a caring encounter.
China’s evolving security engagement in Africa: Policies, strategies, and implications
Authors: Lammich Georg
Published: February 2025

This paper examines China’s evolving security engagement in Africa, focusing on the recent shifts in policy and strategy as China’s global influence expands. By employing a multi-dimensional research approach, including fieldwork with semi-structured interviews, and a thorough analysis of official Chinese documents, the study highlights key examples from Tanzania, Ethiopia, and the African Union. China’s security engagement is characterised by a dual strategy of hard and soft security measures, including military presence, arms transfers, and diplomatic initiatives. The research identifies a significant transition from primarily economic-focused interactions to a more nuanced strategy that incorporates military cooperation and diplomatic interventions. This shift reflects China’s response to the complex geopolitical dynamics within Africa and its broader ambitions on the global stage. While still largely state-centric, China’s engagement is beginning to adopt more assertive security strategies, driven by the need to protect its investments and citizens in conflict-prone regions, as well as to position itself as a responsible global actor in peace and security. Despite these developments, China’s approach remains cautious and reactive, constrained by its policy principles and the complexities of African geopolitics.
King Alfred and the Opening of the Medieval Mind: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Wade Erik
Published: February 2025

The public humanities have shaped ideas about sex, race, and gender. This is a cautionary tale that points to the repeated problems of the model of public humanities as academics or elites dispensing knowledge to a public audience. King Alfred of England ordered a set of texts “most needful for all men to know” translated into English. Long celebrated in English history as an example of public education, these translations also put forward certain ideas about race and sexuality for the emerging English public, a reminder of the ideological function of the public humanities. Likewise, modern scholars worried about medieval and classical texts that depict homosexuality becoming available to the public, so they refused to translate them or altered them. As a counter to such models, I consider the seventh-century Archbishop Theodore, a Syrian-born ecclesiast who ran the English church and who provides a model of a collaborative public humanities in which lay people shape knowledge and law together. Their model of public humanities encourages us to explore the historical Black public and their contributions to medieval studies that academic medieval studies have ignored.
Graph connectivity with fixed endpoints in the random-connection model
Authors: Liu Qingwei , Privault Nicolas
Published: February 2025

We consider the count of subgraphs with an arbitrary configuration of endpoints in the random-connection model based on a Poisson point process on

${\mathord{\mathbb R}}^d$

. We present combinatorial expressions for the computation of the cumulants and moments of all orders of such subgraph counts, which allow us to estimate the growth of cumulants as the intensity of the underlying Poisson point process goes to infinity. As a consequence, we obtain a central limit theorem with explicit convergence rates under the Kolmogorov distance and connectivity bounds. Numerical examples are presented using a computer code in SageMath for the closed-form computation of cumulants of any order, for any type of connected subgraph, and for any configuration of endpoints in any dimension

$d{\geq} 1$

. In particular, graph connectivity estimates, Gram–Charlier expansions for density estimation, and correlation estimates for joint subgraph counting are obtained.
Das Konzept der Fallbegleitung für Pflegeexpert_innen APN mit einer CNS-Ausrichtung und die Auswirkungen auf den Pflegeprozess
Authors: Simon Christopher , Schuster Susanne
Published: February 2025

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Eine erweiterte und vertiefte Pflege verfolgt durch den Einsatz von Pflegeexpert_innen APN mit einer Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) Ausrichtung das Ziel, die Pflegepraxis durch fachliche Führung zu verbessern und patientenzentriert auszurichten. Das Konzept Fallbegleitung wurde am Klinikum Neumarkt als praxisnahes und patientenzentriertes Tätigkeitsfeld für Pflegeexpert_innen APN entwickelt. Zielsetzungen: Im Rahmen der Fallbegleitung wird der Advanced Nursing Process eingeführt, um eine evidenzbasierte Pflege für eine definierte Patientengruppe zu initiieren. Zudem wird ein positiver Einfluss auf die Einstellung der Pflegenden gegenüber dem Pflegeprozess erwartet. Methoden: Es wurde eine Studie im Mixed Method Design mit zwei Datenerhebungszeitpunkten durchgeführt. Neben einer Dokumentenanalyse wurden Pflegende mithilfe der „Position on the Nursing Process“ zur deren Einstellung zum Pflegeprozess befragt. Ergebnisse: Die Dokumentenanalyse zeigt, dass der Pflegeprozess nach Implementierung der Fallbegleitung vollständiger, strukturierter und evidenzbasiert erfolgt. Die Querschnittserhebung verdeutlicht, dass Pflegende nach Implementierung der Fallbegleitung den Nutzen und Wert des Pflegeprozesses deutlicher erkennen. Diskussion: Das Konzept Fallbegleitung ermöglicht die Umsetzung eines erweiterten Pflegeprozesses und beeinflusst die Einstellung der Pflegenden gegenüber dem Pflegeprozess positiv, was die Pflegequalität insgesamt steigert. Schlussfolgerungen: Diese Ergebnisse unterstreichen die Relevanz einer CNS-gesteuerten fachliche Führung.
A Modeling Study of the Topographic Effects on Shallow Convective Clouds
Authors: Gong Mingxin , Fu Shizuo , Liu Jane , Deng Xin
Published: February 2025

Shallow convective clouds (SCCs) play important roles in the Earth system. Previous studies mostly focus on SCCs over the oceans or plains. It is unclear how topography affects SCCs. In this study, the impacts of isolated ridges on the development of SCCs are investigated using large‐eddy simulations, where the maximum height and the half‐width of the ridge are systematically varied. In all simulations, the potential temperature over the ridge top is higher than over the plain, and the difference increases with the volume of the ridge. Upslope winds are only produced in simulations where the maximum slope angle is >0.5°. The vapor transport by upslope winds tends to increase the humidity over the ridge top. On the contrary, the dry air entrained from above the convective boundary layer tends to decrease the humidity over the ridge top. The upslope winds from the two sides of the ridge collide near the ridge top. This produces wide updrafts, and thereby facilitates the development of SCCs. As the ridge geometry varies, the variation of the depth of SCCs is collectively determined by the variations of the temperature, humidity, and updrafts. The depth of the SCCs increases with the maximum height of the ridge. It also increases as the half‐width increases from 2 to 8 km, but only slightly changes as the half‐width further increases to 16 km. The results of this study can potentially be used to implement the topographic effects in the parameterizations of SCCs.
Direct observation of the topological pruning in silica glass network; the key for realizing extreme transparency
Authors: Ono Madoka , Tanabe Yasuhito , Fujioka Masaya , Yamada Hiroki , Ohara Koji , Kohara Shinji , Fujinami Masanori , Nishii Junji
Published: February 2025

The optical transparency of silica glass significantly improves when subjected to compression at its melting temperature. Using a rare hydrostatic iso-pressure apparatus capable of reaching 0.98 GPa at 1800 °C with Ar gas as the pressure medium, we obtained centimeter-sized glass samples, allowing us to measure various properties. Both the density and refractive index increased with pressure, while the refractive index dispersion decreased monotonically. However, Rayleigh scattering intensity, and small ring structures show a minimum around 0.8 GPa. High-energy X-ray scattering analysis indicates that the short-range structure, around 4 Å, governs the monotonic trends in the averaged physical properties, such as density and refractive index. In contrast, non-monotonic changes are observed with the disappearance of intermediate-range order at around 8 Å. This simplification of structural ordering is crucial for achieving extreme transparency in silica glass. The effect of suppression of the 8 Å order is well explained by the predicted topological pruning phenomenon, where large voids and small unstable ring structures vanish, leading to the minimal light scattering under high pressure. Our experimental findings also reveal that the optimal pressure for achieving this transparency is much lower than previously predicted, which makes the process more feasible for mass-production applications.
First principles calculations of carrier dynamics of screw dislocation
Authors: Gao Qiang , Zheng Zhengneng , Fan Moshang , Wang Lin-Wang
Published: February 2025

Nonradiative carrier recombination (NCR) in semiconductor is a fundamental process determining the efficiencies of many semiconductor devices. There is a longstanding debate on which line defect is an efficient NCR center, especially in third generation semiconductor. Here we developed a systematic method to calculate the electronic structure and NCR dynamics of screw dislocation. We studied the full-core screw dislocation of GaN with atomic structure taken from TEM images, and found that there are inside band gap dislocation states. Under n-type GaN condition, these band gap states will become occupied, making the core negatively charged, and inducing a potential well, which will attract minority hole carriers. Large-scale NAMD simulation shows that the holes can easily jump across a small band gap in the dislocation state band structure and hence will be annihilated with the electron nonradiatively, which agrees with the experimental observation of the photoluminescence dark spot on each dislocation.
County-to-county migration is associated with county-level racial bias in the United States
Authors: Jin Rui , Calanchini Jimmy , Ratliff Kate A.
Published: February 2025

Millions of people move within the U.S. each year. We propose that people function as proxies for their locations, bringing the culture of their previous residence to their new homes. As a result, migration might systematically influence regional biases across geographic units over time. Using county-to-county migration data from the U.S. census and county-level racial attitude estimates from Project Implicit, the present research examined the impact of people relocating from one U.S. county to another on racial attitudes in their new county. Consistent with our prediction, the bias brought by the migrants positively predicts county-level racial bias after migration, even after controlling for county-level racial bias before migration. This finding remains robust across various sample inclusion criteria and spans three time periods (2006–2010, 2011–2015, and 2016–2020). These results highlight the significant role of migration in spreading and shaping regional racial attitudes, emphasizing the importance of considering macro-societal processes such as migration when studying changes in regional racial attitudes.
Addressing biomedical data challenges and opportunities to inform a large-scale data lifecycle for enhanced data sharing, interoperability, analysis, and collaboration across stakeholders
Authors: Sriram Vivek , Conard Ashley Mae , Rosenberg Ilyana , Kim Dokyoon , Saponas T. Scott , Hall Amanda K.
Published: February 2025

Biomedical discovery is fraught with challenges stemming from diverse data types and siloed analysis. In this study, we explored common biomedical data tasks and pain points that could be addressed to elevate data quality, enhance sharing, streamline analysis, and foster collaboration across stakeholders. We recruited fifteen professionals from various biomedical roles and industries to participate in sixty-minute semi-structured interviews, which involved an assessment of their challenges, needs, and tasks as well as a brainstorm exercise to validate each professional’s research process. We applied a qualitative analysis of individual interviews using an inductive-deductive thematic coding approach for emerging themes. We identified a common set of challenges related to procuring and validating data, applying new analysis techniques and navigating varied computational environments, distributing results effectively and reproducibly, and managing the flow of data across phases of the data lifecycle. Our findings emphasize the importance of secure data sharing and facilities for collaboration throughout the discovery process. Our identified pain points provide researchers with an opportunity to align workstreams and enhance research data lifecycles to conduct biomedical discovery. We conclude our study with a summary of key actionable recommendations to tackle multiomic data challenges across the stages and phases of biomedical discovery.
Vertical structure of subsurface marine heatwaves in a shallow nearshore upwelling system
Authors: Plume Gavin , Walter Ryan K. , Cobb Isabelle , Dalsin Michael , Mazzini Piero L. F. , Shunk Nathan P. , Robbins Ian , Connolly Thomas P.
Published: February 2025

Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasing in frequency and intensity globally and are among the greatest threats to marine ecosystems. However, limited studies have characterized subsurface MHWs, particularly in shallow waters. We utilized nearly two decades of full water-column (~ 10 m) observations from a unique automated profiler in central California to characterize, for the first time, the vertical structure of MHWs in a shallow nearshore upwelling system. We found MHWs have similar average durations and intensities across all depths, but there were ~ 17% more bottom MHW days than surface MHW days. Nearly one third of bottom MHWs occurred independently of surface MHWs, indicating that satellites miss a significant fraction of events. MHWs showed distinct seasonality with more frequent and intense events during the fall/winter when weak stratification allowed for MHWs to occupy a larger portion of the water column and persist longer. During summer, strong stratification limited the vertical extent of MHWs, leading to surface- and bottom-trapped events with shorter durations and intensities. Additionally, MHW initiation and termination across depths was consistently linked to anomalously low and high coastal upwelling, respectively. This study highlights the need for expansion of subsurface monitoring of MHWs globally amid a warming planet.
Compounding effects of climate change and WUI expansion quadruple the likelihood of extreme-impact wildfires in California
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , AghaKouchak Amir , Abatzoglou John T. , Sadegh Mojtaba
Published: February 2025

Previous research has examined individual factors contributing to wildfire risk, but the compounding effects of these factors remain underexplored. Here, we introduce the “Integrated Human-centric Wildfire Risk Index (IHWRI)” to quantify the compounding effects of fire-weather intensification and anthropogenic factors—including ignitions and human settlement into wildland—on wildfire risk. While climatic trends increased the frequency of high-risk fire-weather by 2.5-fold, the combination of this trend with wildland-urban interface expansion led to a 4.1-fold increase in the frequency of conditions conducive to extreme-impact wildfires from 1990 to 2022 across California. More than three-quarters of extreme-impact wildfires—defined as the top 20 largest, most destructive, or deadliest events on record—originated within 1 km from the wildland-urban interface. The deadliest and most destructive wildfires—90% of which were human-caused—primarily occurred in the fall, while the largest wildfires—56% of which were human-caused—mostly took place in the summer. By integrating human activity and climate change impacts, we provide a holistic understanding of human-centric wildfire risk, crucial for policy development.
A novel biosensor for the spatiotemporal analysis of STING activation during innate immune responses to dsDNA
Authors: Smarduch Steve , Moreno-Velasquez Sergio David , Ilic Doroteja , Dadsena Shashank , Morant Ryan , Ciprinidis Anja , Pereira Gislene , Binder Marco , García-Sáez Ana J , Acebrón Sergio P
Published: February 2025

The cGAS-STING signalling pathway has a central role in the innate immune response to extrinsic and intrinsic sources of cytoplasmic dsDNA. At the core of this pathway is cGAS-dependent production of the intra- and extra-cellular messenger cGAMP, which activates STING and leads to IRF3-dependent expression of cytokines and interferons. Despite its relevance to viral and bacterial infections, cell death, and genome instability, the lack of specific live-cell reporters has precluded spatiotemporal analyses of cGAS-STING signalling. Here, we generate a fluorescent biosensor termed SIRF (STING-IRF3), which reports on the functional interaction between activated STING and IRF3 at the Golgi. We show that cells harbouring SIRF react in a time- and concentration-dependent manner both to STING agonists and to microenvironmental cGAMP. We demonstrate that the new biosensor is suitable for single-cell characterisation of immune responses to HSV-1 infection, mtDNA release upon apoptosis, or other sources of cytoplasmic dsDNA. Furthermore, our results indicate that STING signalling is not activated by ruptured micronuclei, suggesting that other cytosolic pattern recognition receptors underlie the interferon responses to chromosomal instability.
Pumilio differentially binds to mRNA 3′ UTR isoforms to regulate localization of synaptic proteins
Authors: Grzejda Dominika , Hess Anton , Rezansoff Andrew , Gorey Sakshi , Carrasco Judit , Alfonso-Gonzalez Carlos , Tsagkris Stylianos , Neuhaus Lena , Shi Mengjin , Ozbulut Hasan Can , Vögtle Friederike-Nora , Vlachos Andreas , Hilgers Valérie
Published: February 2025

In neuronal cells, the regulation of RNA is crucial for the spatiotemporal control of gene expression, but how the correct localization, levels, and function of synaptic proteins are achieved is not well understood. In this study, we globally investigate the role of alternative 3′ UTRs in regulating RNA localization in the synaptic regions of the Drosophila brain. We identify direct mRNA targets of the translational repressor Pumilio, finding that mRNAs bound by Pumilio encode proteins enriched in synaptosomes. Pumilio differentially binds to RNA isoforms of the same gene, favoring long, neuronal 3′ UTRs. These longer 3′ UTRs tend to remain in the neuronal soma, whereas shorter UTR isoforms localize to the synapse. In cultured pumilio mutant neurons, axon outgrowth defects are accompanied by mRNA isoform mislocalization, and proteins encoded by these Pumilio target mRNAs display excessive abundance at synaptic boutons. Our study identifies an important mechanism for the spatiotemporal regulation of protein function in neurons.
AI in SERS sensing moving from discriminative to generative
Authors: Quarin Steven M. , Vang Der , Dima Ruxandra I. , Stan George , Strobbia Pietro
Published: February 2025

This perspective discusses the present and future role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing. Our goal is to guide the reader through current applications, mainly focused on discriminative approaches aimed at developing new and improved SERS diagnostic capabilities, towards the future role of AI in SERS sensing, with the use of generative approaches to design new materials and biomaterials.
Deciphering the full-length PrPC(23-231) Receptor and Characterizing the Size/Subphase-Dependent Impact of Aβ Oligomers on the PrPC(23-231) Receptor: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Wang Chuanbo , Jia Mengke , Guan Yvning , Ahmad Sajjad , Mei Jinfei , Ai Hongqi
Published: February 2025

As one of the cell surface receptors, cellular prion protein (PrPC) can bind Aβ oligomers (AβOs) and attenuate its neurotoxicity. However, there is still considerable controversy regarding the PrPC-AβO interaction,...
Exploring the properties, types, and performance of atomic site catalysts in electrochemical hydrogen evolution reactions
Authors: Hossain M. Nur , Zhang Lei , Neagu Roberto , Sun Shuhui
Published: February 2025

This review investigates atomic site catalysts (ASCs) for electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), discussing their properties, types, performance, significance, activity, selectivity, stability, challenges, and future research directions.
Polybasic nanogels for intracellular co-delivery of paclitaxel and carboplatin: a novel approach to ovarian cancer therapy
Authors: Wagner Angela M. , Lanier Olivia L. , Savk Ani , Peppas Nicholas A.
Published: February 2025

Paclitaxel and carboplatin-loaded polybasic nanogels are internalized by cancer cells via endocytosis, undergo cationic swelling and endosomal escape, and ultimately induce apoptosis.
Photothermal effect promoting the reconstruction and mass-energy transfer for the enhancement of three-dimensional confinement catalysis
Authors: Xia Tingting , Zeng Bingyuan , Jiang Jingwen , Wu Tenghu , Pang Weiying , Wang Wenjing , Zhang Jie , Zhao Kun
Published: February 2025

Photothermal catalysis, as an emerging technology, has attracted lots of attention, due to its high efficiency and renewable sustainability. In current industry applications, solar light coupling with fossil energy to...
A novel Mn@MOF-303 as catalyst for the highly efficient S-formylation of benzyl thiols with CO2
Authors: Liu Yashuai , Wang Zhi-Qiang , Zhang Yong-Po , Mu Weiyu , Wang Wen-Min , Zhao Jinzhong
Published: February 2025

A novel and efficient chemical approach for the S-formylation of benzylthiols with CO2 has been achieved in the presence of Mn@MOF-303 as the catalyst at room temperature. As a heterogeneous...
Synthesis of [Os(bpy)2(py)(OH2)](PF6)x Substituted Pyridine Complexes; Characterization of a Singly Bridged H3O2− Ligand
Authors: Sun Jiangtian , Sun Jingwen , Jolly Brandon J. , Riu Martin , Kerr Tyler , Lai Yi-An , Pung Michael J , Liu Chong , Nava Matthew
Published: February 2025

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) underpins energy conversion processes in biological systems and fuel-forming reactions. Interrogation of the dynamics of electron and proton transfer in PCET processes requires tunable models, with...
Introduction to carbon nanomaterials for smart applications
Authors: Xia Zhenyuan , Wen Yeye , Jian Muqiang
Published: February 2025

Zhenyuan Xia, Yeye Wen and Muqiang Jian introduce the Nanoscale Advances themed issue on carbon nanomaterials for smart applications.
Simulation of electric field distribution of gas insulated switchgear considering metal tip defect locations and structural parameters
Authors: Gao Wenhao , Kang Zhaoyang , Nie Kai , Li Ze , Ren Fuqiang , Zhang Hongru , Meng Fanbo , Li Qingquan , Li Simeng
Published: February 2025

Metal tip defect is a typical insulation defect in gas insulated switchgear (GIS). Simulation research on the defect under multi‐physical field coupling was conducted in order to explore the realistic electric field distribution. The results of the simulation were confirmed by a partial discharge experiment. On the one hand, the influence of defect location and structural parameters on electric field distribution was investigated in the established defect model. On the other hand, the partial discharge experimental platform was built to obtain the initial voltage of partial discharge under this defect. The results show that the presence of the defects can increase the electric field distortion by several‐fold or more in the surrounding electric field. The closer the defect on the outside of the conductor is to the basin‐type insulator, the lower the electric field distortion is around the conductor. However, the opposite is true on the inside of the shell. The change in the top radius of the defect has the greatest impact on the electric field distribution. The experimental results verify the validity of the simulation model. This study augments the research on insulation defects in GIS, offering a valuable reference for the manufacturing and installation of GIS.
Thieme Management Award 2024: Tatendrang der Neues schafft
Authors: Anna Herrschelmann
Published: February 2025

Mit Weitblick und Beharrlichkeit gestalten Dr. Susanne Ozegowski und Dr. Nora Schorscher die Zukunft des deutschen Gesundheitswesens. Ihre Arbeit zeigt, wie entschlossenes Handeln nachhaltige und positive Veränderungen bewirken können.
From indicating similarity to establishing online alignment: interactional functions of ye “also” in Mandarin Chinese
Authors: Xue Lu , Yao Shuangyun
Published: February 2025

Ye “also/too/as well” is one of the most frequently used adverbs in Mandarin Chinese. Although the lexical meaning and syntactic properties of ye have been widely discussed, there are few analyses of ye expressions in interactional discourse, let alone analyses examining its interactional functions. Under the framework of interactional linguistics, this paper investigates the interactional functions of ye in second positions within natural spoken conversations. The findings show that ye indicating similarity between two states of affairs seems to be generalized in different interactional contexts with two interactional functions, i.e., rapport building and conflict mitigation. These functions are deployed by speakers to establish online alignment between interlocutors, expressing their affiliative stances and highlighting (inter)subjectivity, though practices of achieving a certain alignment vary in different environments. Hence, a continuum of similarity and the underlying evolution of language use is proposed to account for the diverse range of uses of ye expressions in face-to-face conversation. This paper not only reveals the interconnected relationship between linguistic forms and the construction and maintenance of social rapport but also sheds light on studying grammar entities with an interactional approach.
Starch digestion insights could yield healthier foods
Authors: Nelson Ryan
Published: February 2025

Everyday food preparation processes, such as cooking and storage, affect the mechanical properties of starch products, with implications for food texture, digestibility and, potentially, chronic disease reduction.
Green certificates—Trends in energy mix development in electricity markets: The case of China
Authors: Tang Bowen , Fan Xinyu , Chen Yinglun , Zhu Ruihong , Zhang Xinyu
Published: February 2025

As China has been incorporating the Tradable Green Certificate (TGC) trading volumes into energy conservation evaluation and assessment criteria, the electricity market integrated with the TGC mechanism could significantly impact the capacity planning of renewable energy power plants. Therefore, improving the operational mechanisms of this new electricity market is key to promoting the future transition of China's energy structure. This paper establishes a system dynamics model to analyze the coordinated development of renewable and traditional energy power generation capacities in the TGC electricity market. Apart from validating the effectiveness of the model based on historical data from 2012 to 2020, differentiated scenario analyses are conducted to explore the impacts of various TGC quota policies and technological advancement on future energy generation and consumption structures in China. The simulation results indicate that policy strength imposes stronger restrictions on the installed capacity of traditional energy and provides greater incentives for the installation of renewable energy compared to technological advancements. However, its impact on reducing traditional energy consumption and promoting renewable energy consumption is weaker in comparison. Specifically, when the TGC quota growth rate is 0.06, the optimal incentive for the energy structure to move toward decarbonization could be achieved.
Quantifying patterns of punctuation in modern Chinese prose
Authors: Dolina Michał , Dec Jakub , Drożdż Stanisław , Kwapień Jarosław , Liu Jin , Stanisz Tomasz
Published: February 2025

Recent research shows that punctuation patterns in texts exhibit universal features across languages. Analysis of Western classical literature reveals that the distribution of spaces between punctuation marks aligns with a discrete Weibull distribution, typically used in survival analysis. By extending this analysis to Chinese literature represented here by three notable contemporary works, it is shown that Zipf’s law applies to Chinese texts similarly to Western texts, where punctuation patterns also improve adherence to the law. Additionally, the distance distribution between punctuation marks in Chinese texts follows the Weibull model, though larger spacing is less frequent than in English translations. Sentence-ending punctuation, representing sentence length, diverges more from this pattern, reflecting greater flexibility in sentence length. This variability supports the formation of complex, multifractal sentence structures, particularly evident in Gao Xingjian’s Soul Mountain. These findings demonstrate that both Chinese and Western texts share universal punctuation and word distribution patterns, underscoring their broad applicability across languages.
Multiple steady states for various regimes of convection (natural or mixed) dominance within a lid-driven trapezoidal cavity
Authors: Bhattacharya Madhuchhanda , Basak Tanmay
Published: February 2025

Present work investigates multiple steady states for mixed convection of fluids within a trapezoidal enclosure involving sliding top lid and Rayleigh–Benard thermal setup. A novel sequence of initiation and continuation schemes involving multiple perturbations has been designed to determine the spectrum of steady states as a function of the Grashof number (Gr) for various Prandtl and Reynolds numbers (Pr=0.7 and 10, Re=1 and 100). The computations are based on steady-state governing equations, and Galerkin finite element method with penalty formulation has been used to solve the equations at various steps of the computation. Current results show that a rich spectrum of steady states do exist for each of the cases. Multiple steady states are found to exist in the natural convection dominant flow regime for Re=1 (slow moving lid) and also for Re=100 in the case of Pr=0.7. On the other hand, multiple steady states are found to exist in the mixed convection zone for Re=100 in the case of Pr=10. The rigorous initiation scheme reveals the co-existence of five steady states at a given Gr for Pr=0.7 and co-existence of up to thirteen (Re=1) or eleven (Re=100) steady states for Pr=10. The regions of the existence of various steady states have been identified via the bifurcation diagrams. Different types of flow structures associated with the steady states and their effect on the thermal characteristics have been illustrated.
Total Lagrangian smoothed particle hydrodynamics for large deformation problems considering Green–Naghdi stress rate
Authors: Saputra Noverdo , Seo Hyun-Duk
Published: February 2025

This paper presents the integration of Green–Naghdi’s theory for large deformation elasto-plasticity with Total Lagrangian Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (TLSPH) to handle problems in structural dynamic simulations. While the finite element method often encounters challenges such as mesh distortion in large deformation scenarios, the meshless nature of TLSPH effectively handles complex large deformations and structural dynamics. By incorporating Green–Naghdi theory into TLSPH, the proposed method ensures symmetric stress tensors and mitigates spurious stresses by reducing unnecessary skew-symmetric stress components. Through the proposed method, large deformation problems are effectively managed. The method is validated through numerical examples and comparisons with commercial software and experimental data, demonstrating its effectiveness in capturing the large deformation behavior of materials.
The synthesis and antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles mediated by biosurfactant
Authors: Wang Bo , Deng Shuyuan , Li Yang , Zhang Cenqian , Wang Chenyue , Sun Shanshan , Lai Fengpeng , She Yuehui , Zhang Fan
Published: February 2025

Biological methods for nanoparticle synthesis are gaining increasing recognition due to their ability to enhance the biocompatibility of nanoparticles for biomedical and environmental applications. Surface modification via biotechnology to improve the biocompatibility of nanoparticles is an effective strategy. In this study, the synthesis of biosurfactant-silver nanoparticles (BS32-AgNPs) was mediated by lipopeptide biosurfactant as capping agents and stabilizers. The antimicrobial mechanisms and antibacterial properties of BS32-AgNPs were also explored. The results showed that the average particle size of BS32-AgNPs was 26 nm, exhibiting a face-centered cubic structural characteristic and high stability and dispersibility, with a Zeta potential value of –51.4 mV. BS32-AgNPs demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentration of 7.5 mg/l and 15 mg/l against E. coli DH5α (G-) and B. borstelensis (G+), respectively. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that the antimicrobial mechanism of BS32-AgNPs involves adsorption onto the bacterial surface, interacting with the cell membrane, increasing membrane permeability, and ultimately leading to membrane disruption and cell death. Further experimental evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of BS32-AgNPs against sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) showed that at a concentration of 120 mg/l, the functional genes dsrB and aprA of encoding SRB accounted for nearly 0% of the total bacterial population, which demonstrates the stable and potent antimicrobial activity of BS32-AgNPs. Moreover, it provides a green and efficient new method for the suppression of SRB in oil reservoir environments.
Infectious cough droplet dynamics in a makeshift hospital isolation ward
Authors: Norvihoho Leslie Kojo , Liu Yi , Yin Jing , Zhu Xin-Gang , Yu Hai-Tao , Wang Qi-Di , Chen Bin , Zhou Zhi-Fu
Published: February 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapidly deployable healthcare facilities, leading to increased use of modular construction methods. Nonetheless, knowledge about airflow patterns and the spread of bioaerosols in these wards remains insufficient, potentially heightening the risk of cross-infection among healthcare workers and patients. This paper presents a ventilation design for a modular negative-pressure ward aimed at reducing the spread of infectious particles. We investigate the effects of various ventilation designs, patient postures (sitting and supine), and air changes per hour (ACH) on the spread of infectious cough droplets in an airborne infection isolation room using large eddy simulation and the Eulerian–Lagrangian model. Findings show that ceiling exhaust grilles (design 2) resulted in the lowest radial dispersion (3.64 m) at 12 ACH, while sidewall exhausts (baseline) performed best at higher ACH levels. Seated patients had quicker droplet evaporation compared to those in a supine position. The best setups for reducing droplet survival included exhaust grilles at the bed's bottom and ceiling, maintaining a minimum of 12 ACH. Cases 5 and 13, with grilles over the patient's head and at the bed's bottom, showed the lowest concentrations of DPM, under 0.008 km−3 near the source and less than 0.001 km−3 mid-room. Sitting posture consistently led to lower DPM concentrations. This research emphasizes the critical role of exhaust placement in reducing droplet re-circulation and transmission risks, ultimately contributing to improved ventilation strategies and infection control in AII rooms.