bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasticity in ear density drives complementarity effects and yield benefits in wheat variety mixtures
Authors: Stefan Laura , Colbach Nathalie , Fossati Dario , Strebel Silvan , Levy Haner Lilia
Published: February 2025

Variety mixtures represent a promising option to sustainably increase the productivity of grain cropping systems, but the underlying processes driving potential yield benefits remain poorly understood. Notably, the role of variety-specific phenotypic changes in mixtures - defined here as plasticity - and their effects on plant-plant interactions has scarcely been evaluated. Here, we examined the trait responses of 8 Swiss wheat varieties when grown in mixtures, and how these plastic changes contributed to overyielding, complementarity and selection effects. For this, we conducted an outdoor field experiment in 3 years and 3 sites, where wheat varieties were grown in 2-way mixtures and in pure stands. We used a visual criterion (awns) to differentiate individuals of the different varieties in mixtures. We found significant plastic changes in response to mixing for several traits in 7 varieties. Furthermore, mixture-induced plasticity in ear density was the main driver of overyielding, itself largely dominated by complementarity effects. An additional experiment allowed us to positively link plasticity in ear density to the speed of tillering onset under shading. This study improves our understanding of the plastic processes fostering overyielding in variety mixtures, and provides a key criterion - tillering onset under shade - as a potential breeding target of cultivars for mixtures.
Museomics reveals the phylogenetic position of an enigmatic vertebrate family (Lophiiformes: Lophichthyidae)
Authors: Muschick Moritz , Ruber Lukas , Matschiner Michael
Published: February 2025

Lophichthys boschmai, the only member of the family Lophichthyidae, is an elusive lophiiform fish whose phylogenetic associations are debated. This family is among the last three vertebrate families lacking DNA sequence data, primarily due to the species' rarity, lack of fresh material and challenges associated with sequencing formalin-treated museum specimens. In this study, we provide mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences obtained from two museum specimens of Lophichthys boschmai. Employing ancient DNA techniques, we successfully extracted and analyzed the degraded and fragmented DNA. Our findings, derived from both mitochondrial genomes and nuclear ultra-conserved elements (UCE), reveal the Lophichthyidae as sister lineage to Tathicarpidae within the Antennarioidei. This study showcases the use of whole-genome "shotgun" sequencing data from formalin-fixed museum specimens in the context of an available UCE dataset. Given the enhanced versatility in data reusability this approach offers, we suggest it should be a favored approach when studying rare specimens.
Drought dynamics explain once in a century yellow fever virus outbreak in Brazil with implications for climate change
Authors: Caldwell Jamie M , Grenfell Bryan , Vecchi Gabriel , Rosser Joelle I
Published: February 2025

While excess rainfall is associated with mosquito-borne disease because it supports mosquito breeding, drought may also counterintuitively increase disease transmission by altering mosquito and host behavior. This phenomenon is important to understand because climate change is projected to increase both extreme rainfall and drought. In this study, we investigated the extent to which seasonally-driven mosquito and primate behavior drove the first urban yellow fever virus (YFV) epidemic in Brazil in a century, coinciding with an equally rare drought, and to assess the role of interventions in ending the outbreak. We hypothesized that drought triggered the outbreak by driving the forest mosquitoes and non-human primates towards the city in search of water and that the mosquitoes were biting more frequently to avoid desiccation. A dynamical YFV model supports these hypotheses, showing that increased mosquito biting can explain the second peak in transmission while primate movement determined the timing and magnitude of transmission. Further, a combination of vector control, vaccination, and conservation measures likely contributed to ending the outbreak. Together, these results suggest that drought, likely to become more frequent in this region in the coming decades, can significantly influence mosquito-borne disease transmission, and that sustained control will require multiple interventions.
Multiple stressors in the Anthropocene: Urban evolutionary history modifies sensitivity to the toxic effects of crude oil exposure in killifish
Authors: Park Jane , Brown Charles , Hess Chelsea , Armstrong Madison , Galvez Fernando , Whitehead Andrew
Published: February 2025

Persistence of wild species in human-altered environments is difficult, in part because challenges to fitness are complex when multiple environmental changes occur simultaneously, which is common in the Anthropocene. This complexity is difficult to conceptualize because the nature of environmental change is often highly context specific. A mechanism-guided approach may help to shape intuition and predictions about complexity; fitness challenges posed by co-occurring stressors with similar mechanisms of action may be less severe than for those with different mechanisms of action. We approach these considerations within the context of ecotoxicology because this field is built upon a rich mechanistic foundation. We hypothesized that evolved resistance to one class of common toxicants would afford resilience to the fitness impacts of another class of common toxicants that shares mechanisms of toxicity. Fundulus killifish populations in urban estuaries have repeatedly evolved resistance to persistent organic pollutants including PCBs. Since PCBs and some of the toxicants that constitute crude oil (e.g., high molecular weight PAHs) exert toxicity through perturbation of AHR signaling, we predicted that PCB resistant populations would also be resilient to crude oil toxicity. Common garden comparative oil exposure experiments, including killifish populations with different exposure histories, showed that most killifish populations were sensitive to fitness impacts (reproduction and development) caused by oil exposure, but that fish from the PCB-resistant population were insensitive. Population differences in toxic outcomes were not compatible with random-neutral expectations. Transcriptomics revealed that the molecular mechanisms that contributed to population variation in PAH resilience were shared with those that contribute to evolved variation in PCB resilience. We conclude that the fitness challenge posed by environmental pollutants is effectively reduced when those chemicals share mechanisms that affect fitness. Mechanistic considerations may help to scale predictions regarding the fitness challenges posed by stressors that may co-occur in human-altered environments.
Not just mutations: Inbreeding depression persists without genetic variation
Authors: Bonel Nicolas , Grunau Christoph , David Patrice
Published: February 2025

Inbreeding depression (ID), the decline in fitness upon inbreeding, is thought to result from a decrease in genetic heterozygosity enhancing phenotypic effects of recessive deleterious mutations. However, emerging evidence suggests that mutations may not explain ID completely. In this study, we test whether ID can emerge even in contexts where genetic heterozygosity does not vary. To that end, highly inbred lines (F=0.99999997) of the freshwater snail Physa acuta were used to produce individuals with varying levels of parental relatedness (self-fertilization, sibling crosses, and cousin crosses), though with identical genomic heterozygosity. Several fitness traits declined significantly with increasing parental relatedness, a pattern characteristic of ID, and quantitatively representing a non-negligible fraction of the ID usually observed in natural, genetically diverse populations of Physa acuta. Individual-based simulations showed that mutation rates compatible with values of ID found in natural populations are way too low to generate as much ID as observed in our experiment. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that epigenetic changes, in addition to mutations, could contribute to a rapid regeneration of ID and explain the persistence of detectable ID in sets of genetically identical individuals.
Frequent Presenters to Southern New Zealand Emergency Departments differ from other ED attenders
Authors: Tamberg Yuta , Roy Melyssa , de Souza Waldir Rodrigues , Eastwood John
Published: February 2025

Objective: To compare patterns and characteristics of emergency department visits initiated by frequent presenters and other ED attenders. Methods: We performed a quantitative retrospective data analysis of routinely collected ED data across three public hospitals within New Zealand's Southern district. The study population comprised: (1) frequent presenters (i.e., patients who visited any of the EDs on 10 or more occasions in any continuous 365-day period between 01/01/2018 and 31/12/2022) and (2) all other ED presenters during the same period. We compared visit-based and per-person metrics characterising presentation flow, utilization patterns and demographics. Results: Frequent presenters constituted 0.6% of all ED attenders (1259 out of 196136) and initiated 6.8% of all ED visits (32541 out of 479975). Visits by frequent presenters showed no seasonality or day-of-the-week patterns and occurred mostly during daylight hours. Frequent presenters differed from non-frequent presenters by having more clustered visits, shorter intervals between presentations, higher presentation severity (more visits were triaged urgent and above), more arrivals by ambulance and police, higher incomplete treatment rate, more referrals and short stay admissions. Conclusion: Frequent presenters make a sizeable contribution to ED load in terms of visit numbers and urgency. The nature of differences between frequent and non-frequent presenters indicate greater and more complex health needs in the former cohort. At the same time the diversity of visits in the frequent presenters' histories shows potential for redirecting some patients and/or presentations to other care providers.
Path2Omics: Enhanced transcriptomic and methylation prediction accuracy from tumor histopathology
Authors: Hoang Danh-Tai , Shulman Eldad D. , Dhruba Saugato Rahman , Nair Nishanth Ulhas , Barman Ranjan K. , Lalchungnunga H. , Singh Omkar , Nasrallah MacLean P. , Stone Eric A. , Aldape Kenneth , Ruppin Eytan
Published: February 2025

Precision oncology is increasingly becoming integral to clinical practice, showing notable improvements in treatment outcomes. While molecular data such as gene expression and methylation profiles offer comprehensive insights, obtaining this data is costly and is slow. Addressing this challenge, here we developed Path2Omics, a deep learning model that predicts gene expression and methylation from histopathology. Path2Omics was trained on 20,497 slides (a combination of 9,456 formalin fixed (FFPE) and 11,041 fresh frozen (FF)) from 8,007 patients across 23 The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohorts. When tested on FFPE slides, which are the most readily available in the clinical pathology practice from 15 TCGA cohorts, the integrated Path2Omics model outperformed its individual FF and FFPE trained components, achieving an average of nearly 5,000 genes whose expression is robustly inferred, approximately five times higher than our recently published DeepPT approach, the top extant prediction transcriptomics inference model. Externally evaluated on seven unseen independent patient cohorts, Path2Omics successfully robustly predicted the expression of about 4,400 genes, yielding a 30% increase over the performance of the FFPE model alone. Finally, we demonstrate that inferred gene expression and methylation using Path2Omics is as effective as the actual expression values for further predicting patient survival and treatment response. These results lay the basis for using Path2Omics to advance precision oncology from histopathology slides in a speedy and cost-effective manner, going forward.
Phytochrome A is required for light-inhibited germination of Aethionema arabicum seed
Authors: Merai Zsuzsanna , Xu Fei , Hajdu Anita , Kozma-Bognar Laszlo , Dolan Liam
Published: February 2025

The germination of most seeds is influenced by the duration, intensity, and quality of light. The seeds of the model plant Arabidopsis are positive photoblastic and require light to germinate. The germination of negative photoblastic seeds is inhibited by white light. The molecular mechanisms that regulate negative photoblastic germination are unknown due to the lack of a suitable model plant. We identified an accession with negative photoblastic germination in Aethionema arabicum that grows in semi-arid natural habitats. In a forward genetic screen, we identified a mutant, koyash2 (koy2), that is defective in negative photoblastic germination. There is a nonsense mutation in the gene encoding the phytochrome A photoreceptor in the koy2 mutant. Here we show that phytochrome A is required for negative photoblastic germination. The defective negative photoblastic phenotype of the koy2 mutant is the result of defective inhibition of germination by the phytochrome A mediated high-irradiance response. This is the first example of phytochrome A-mediated response controlling negative photoblastic seed germination in white, red, far-red, and blue light. We speculate that genetically encoded variation in phytochrome A-mediated germination responses is responsible for local adaptation of Ae. arabicum throughout the Irano-Turanian region.
Anthelminthic Activity of the Aqueous Extracts of Moringa oleifera Leaf Against Taenia solium Cysticerci
Authors: Hatwiko Hanzooma , Muchanga Royce , Chembensofu Mwelwa , Chakulya Martin , Miyanda Petty , Sichamba Patson
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to determine the anthelmintic efficacy of Moringa oleifera extracts against Taenia solium Cysticerci. The cyst evagination was assessed on the extract and compared with Praziquantel as reference standard. The evagination number and percentage of evagination were assessed under different concentrations of the treatments. A negative control group, without any drug, exhibited a 100% evagination rate (20 evaginations out of 20). Praziquantel demonstrated complete inhibition of evagination at concentrations of 0.06 mg/µl and above, with no evaginations recorded. At a lower concentration of 0.006 mg/µl, it reduced evagination to 25%. In contrast, Moringa oleifera showed moderate activity, reducing evagination to 45% at 0.006 mg/µl and progressively decreasing it at higher concentrations, with a 15% evagination rate at 0.6 mg/µl. These findings suggest that Moringa oleifera exhibits some anthelmintic activity, as evidenced by its ability to inhibit evagination. This supports its ethnobotanical use as an anthelmintic among the locals in Livingstone District. Further research is recommended to explore its potential as an alternative anthelmintic treatment.
Learning a mechanical growth model of flower morphogenesis
Authors: Zardilis Argyris , Budnikova Alexandra , Jönsson Henrik
Published: February 2025

Morphogenesis, the process by which organs take their shape, is a fundamental problem in biology and requires a complex combination of genetic, biochemical, and mechanical signals. The data that we collect for this process are usually multi-scale and multi-modal, typically image timeseries of tissue morphology and transcription data. As the data becomes larger and more diverse, the harder it becomes to gain meaningful understanding in terms of theoretical models. Here, and tackling this problem in the developing flower organ, we learn a mechanical model of growth starting from combined morphology and transcription data across the tissue by firstly learning and connecting independent representations for the two spaces and secondly refining the representation using the mechanical state of the tissue to learn a mechanical growth model. This approach can link multiple scales, in this case proposing the physical action of genes, and can act as a vehicle to accommodate diverse data and hypotheses in developmental biology of plants and beyond.
Geometric, cell cycle and maternal-to-zygotic transition-associated YAP dynamics during preimplantation embryo development
Authors: Chalifoux Madeleine , Avdeeva Maria , Posfai Eszter
Published: February 2025

During the first cell fate decision in mammalian embryos the inner cell mass cells, which will give rise to the embryo proper and other extraembryonic tissues, segregate from the trophectoderm cells, the precursors of the placenta. Cell fate segregation proceeds in a gradual manner encompassing two rounds of cell division, as well as cell positional and morphological changes. While it is known that the activity of the Hippo signaling pathway and the subcellular localization of its downstream effector YAP dictate lineage specific gene expression, the response of YAP to these dynamic cellular changes remains incompletely understood. Here we address these questions by quantitative live imaging of endogenously tagged YAP while simultaneously monitoring geometric cellular features and cell cycle progression throughout cell fate segregation. We apply a probabilistic model to our dynamic data, providing a quantitative characterization of the mutual effects of YAP and cellular relative exposed area, which has previously been shown to correlate with subcellular YAP localization in fixed samples. Additionally, we study how nuclear YAP levels are influenced by other factors, such as the decreasing pool of maternally provided YAP that is partitioned to daughter cells through cleavage divisions, cell cycle-associated nuclear volume changes, and a delay after divisions in adjusting YAP levels to new cell positions. Interestingly, we find that establishing low nuclear YAP levels required for the inner cell mass fate is largely achieved by passive cell cycle-associated mechanisms. Moreover, contrary to expectations, we find that mechanical perturbations that result in cell shape changes do not influence YAP localization in the embryo. Together our work identifies how various inputs are integrated over a dynamic developmental time course to shape the levels of a key molecular determinant of the first cell fate choice.
In-cell Structure and Variability of Pyrenoid Rubisco
Authors: Elad Nadav , Hou Zhen , Dumoux Maud , Ramezani Alireza , Perilla Juan Roberto , zhang peijun
Published: February 2025

Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) is a key enzyme in the global carbon cycle, catalyzing CO2fixation during photosynthesis. To overcome Rubisco's inherent catalytic inefficiency, many photosynthetic organisms have evolved CO2-concentrating mechanisms. Central to these mechanisms is the pyrenoid, a protein-dense organelle within the chloroplast of eukaryotic algae, which increases the local concentration of CO2around Rubisco and thereby enhances its catalytic efficiency. Although the structure of Rubisco has been extensively studied by in vitro methods such as X-ray crystallography and single particle cryo-EM, its native structure within the pyrenoid, its dynamics, and its association with binding partners remain elusive. Here, we investigate the structure of native pyrenoid Rubisco inside the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by applying cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) on cryo-focused ion beam (cryo-FIB) milled cells, followed by subtomogram averaging and 3D classification. Reconstruction at sub-nanometer resolution allowed accurate modeling and determination of a closed (activated) Rubisco conformation. Comparison to other reconstructed subsets revealed local variations at the complex active site and at the large subunit dimers interface, as well as association with binding proteins. The different structural subsets distribute stochastically within the pyrenoid. Taken together, these findings offer a comprehensive description of the structure, dynamics, and functional organization of Rubisco within the pyrenoid, providing valuable insights into its critical role in CO2fixation.
CD8 T lymphocytes redeploy embryonic cell cycle control mechanisms to facilitate rapid cell proliferation
Authors: Lewis David A , Kar Ananya , Savage Alice R , Wright David , Kelly Van , Zamoyska Rose , Ly Tony
Published: February 2025

Rapid proliferation and expansion of cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes is crucial for adaptive immunity against viral infection. CD8 T cell cycles complete cell division cycles in <6 hours, representing a physiological extreme for somatic mammalian cells. Embryonic stem cells also rapidly divide and have been shown to utilize specialized cell cycle control mechanisms that differ from somatic fibroblasts, including subdued periodicity of cyclin proteins. CD8 T cell cycle control remains poorly understood compared to embryonic and other somatic cell types. Here, we tested whether CD8 T cells utilize similar control mechanisms to embryonic stem cells to promote rapid cell cycles. We used mass spectrometry-based proteomics to comprehensively measure protein abundances in G1, S and G2&M phases somatic mouse CD8 T cells, mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) and mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3). We isolated cell cycle phases using PRIMMUS, thereby avoiding potential artefacts due to arrest-based synchronization. We discovered striking similarities between mESC and CD8 T cells. Similar to mESC, Cyclin E1 was expressed at high levels and constitutively across the cell cycle in CD8 T cells. Overall, cyclins and cell cycle regulated proteins were present in higher abundance in CD8 T cells and mESC as compared with NIH3T3 cells. Additionally, CD8 T cells express high levels of Emi1/Fbxo5 to promote S-phase entry. Interestingly, Emi1 deletion unexpectedly resulted in changes in markers of CD8 T cell phenotype, suggesting an association between cell cycle control and immune function. Thus, we show several adaptations of cell cycle control of embryonic stem cells are redeployed in somatic T cells to promote rapid cell cycles.
A CDCA2 - MYC positive feedback loop controls cancer cells survival
Authors: Stamatiou Konstantinos , Ligammari Lorena , Bothota Malki , Tsavou Antonia , Gokhan Ezgi , Cicirò Ylenia , Zacarias Fluck Mariano F , Soucek Laura , Sala Arturo , Vagnarelli Paola
Published: February 2025

MYC transcription factors are encoded by a family of genes which include the prototype member MYC, MYCN and MYCL and most human cancers display expression alterations of MYC genes. MYC is regulated at multiple levels and its stability and activity is modulated by protein phosphorylation; although there is a reasonable knowledge of the kinases required for MYC modifications, the counteracting phosphatases have been understudied. Here we have investigated the role of the chromatin-associated protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) regulatory subunit CDCA2, also known as Repo-Man, in the regulation of MYC proteins in cancer cells. Using RNA interference and degron-mediated degradation of CDCA2, we have demonstrated that the PP1 subunit is required for MYC and MYCN stabilisation and viability of triple negative breast cancer, neuroblastoma and colon cancer cells. Proximity ligation assays indicate that both MYC and MYCN are in close proximity of CDCA2 in vivo. Furthermore, we have shown that CDC2A is a bone-fide MYC target gene in cancer cells, revealing a reciprocal regulatory loop that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
Implication of the Weizsacker-Williams approximation for the dark matter mediator production
Authors: Voronchikhin I. V. , Kirpichnikov D. V.
Published: February 2025

The simplified connection between Standard Model (SM) particles and light dark matter (LDM) can be introduced via spin-0 and spin-1 lepton-specific mediators. Moreover, in a mediator mass range from sub-MeV to sub-GeV, fixed-target facilities such as NA64e, LDMX, NA64μ, and M3 can potentially probe such particles of the hidden sector via missing energy signatures that are described by the bremsstrahlunglike process involving leptons. We compare the Weizsaker-Williams (WW) approximation and the exact tree-level (ETL) approach for the bremsstrahlunglike mediator production cross section by choosing various parameters of the fixed-target experiments. We show that the relative difference between the total cross sections calculated in the WW and ETL approximation varies from O(1)% to O(10)% for a muon mode and from O(−20)% to O(80)% for an electron mode. We argue that the main difference between two approaches for electron beam mode arises from peak forward region of the cross section. We also discuss the impact of parametrization of nuclear and atomic elastic form factors on the total cross section. In particular, we show that the employing different form-factor parametrization can lead to a uncertainty in the cross section at the level of ≲O(10)%. That study may be helpful for the lepton fixed-target experiments that examine the bremsstrahlunglike production of the DM mediators.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Observation of Floppy Flexural Modes in a 3D Polarized Maxwell Beam
Authors: Chen Yi , McInerney James P. , Krause Paul N. , Schneider Jonathan L. G. , Wegener Martin , Mao Xiaoming
Published: February 2025

Beams are fundamental objects in solid mechanics, displaying flexural and torsional modes in three dimensions, and support important applications across all fields of engineering. Here, we introduce Maxwell lattice topological mechanics to beams and present a Maxwell beam model that supports topological floppy flexural modes, localized exclusively at one of its ends. We introduce a modified topological index for this Maxwell beam which lacks a complete band gap, and establish a relation between Maxwell topological polarization and frozen evanescent phonons, shedding new light on the bulk origin of the topological localization. The floppy eigenmodes and their exceptional robustness against defects are experimentally validated through vibration measurements on 3D laser-printed samples at kHz frequencies. This study opens new avenues in fields from mechanical and civil engineering to robotics by introducing topologically polarized mechanics in slender structures.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Calculating the spectral response strength of non-Hermitian systems with an exceptional point directly from wave simulations
Authors: Kullig Julius , Wiersig Jan
Published: February 2025

Exceptional points are spectral degeneracies in open systems, which have attracted considerable attention in recent years. One reason for the attention is that physical systems with an exceptional point exhibit a strong spectral response to perturbations. This response can be quantified by a single quantity known as the spectral response strength. Up to now, the theory for the spectral response strength is restricted to effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonians acting on a finite-dimensional Hilbert space, which often appear naturally within coupled-mode theory. We introduce here a scheme for the computation of the spectral response strength directly from numerical results of wave simulations, which correspond to an infinite Hilbert-space dimension. Our approach is based on the relation of the spectral response strength to the Petermann factors of eigenstates in a system near the exceptional point. To illustrate our theory, we consider three different photonic systems: a microring dimer, waveguide-coupled microrings, and a weakly deformed microdisk. A comparison to results provided by effective Hamiltonians based on coupled-mode theory and perturbation theory demonstrates very good agreement.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Unconventional superconducting phase diagram of monolayer
WTe2
Authors: Song Tiancheng , Jia Yanyu , Yu Guo , Tang Yue , Uzan Ayelet J. , Zheng Zhaoyi Joy , Guan Haosen , Onyszczak Michael , Singha Ratnadwip , Gui Xin , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Cava Robert J. , Schoop Leslie M. , Ong N. P. , Wu Sanfeng
Published: February 2025

The existence of a quantum critical point (QCP) and fluctuations around it are believed to be important for understanding the phase diagram in unconventional superconductors such as cuprates, iron pnictides, and heavy fermion superconductors. However, the QCP is usually buried deep within the superconducting dome and is difficult to investigate. The connection between quantum critical fluctuations and superconductivity remains an outstanding problem in condensed matter. Here combining both electrical transport and Nernst experiments, we explicitly demonstrate the onset of superconductivity at an unconventional QCP in gate-tuned monolayer tungsten ditelluride (WTe2), with features incompatible with the conventional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer scenario. The results lead to a superconducting phase diagram that is distinguished from other known superconductors. Two distinct gate-tuned quantum phase transitions are observed at the ends of the superconducting dome. We find that quantum fluctuations around the QCP of the underdoped regime are essential for understanding how the monolayer superconductivity is established. The unconventional phase diagram we report here illustrates a previously unknown relation between superconductivity and QCP.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
3-(2-Ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)-4,5,6,7,8,9-hexahydrocycloocta[d][1,2,3]selenadiazol-3-ium bromide
Authors: Schollmeyer Dieter , Detert Heiner
Published: February 2025

The title compound, C12H19N2O2Se+·Br−, features a selenadiazole five-membered ring attached to a cyclooctene ring. A bromine anion is located in the vicinity of the selenium atom [3.0197 (5) Å]
2-Oxo-2H-chromen-7-yl 3-methylbutanoate
Authors: Abou Akoun , Bazié Hypolite , Akonan Ludovic , Djandé Abdoulaye , Francotte Pierre
Published: February 2025

The title compound, C14H14O4, was synthesized by O-acylation of umbelliferone with isovaleryl chloride in the presence of diethyl ether as a solvent and pyridine as a base. The side chain moiety i.e. the acetate fragment linking to the methylethyl group is almost orthogonal to the almost planar (r.m.s deviation = 0.020 Å) coumarin ring system, making an angle of 76.26 (7)°. In the crystal, the molecules form centrosymmetric dimers through pairwise C—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating R
2
2(8) and R
2
2(18) loops that lie within the crystallographic ac plane and propagate along the [001] direction.
Research on adaptive nonlinear dynamic inversion fault-tolerant flight control system based on sideslip trim strategy
Authors: Li Kecheng , Shi Jingping , Liu Xiaoxiong , Zhu Hongyuan , Wang Lei
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Loss of control and air crashes are frequently caused by aircraft faults. Therefore, a practical control strategy can prevent aircrafts from losing control without control laws reconstruction. The purpose of this paper is to propose a sideslip trim fault-tolerant control strategy for wing damage and aileron stuck.

Design/methodology/approach

The six degree of freedom model of the damaged aircraft is constructed by using the non-center-of-mass approach on the basis of aerodynamic database, which is calculated in XFlow. This paper adopts the sideslip command for trim, combining with the adaptive nonlinear dynamic inversion control to achieve fault-tolerant control.

Findings

This strategy can effectively improve the control margin of the remaining control surface and guarantee maneuverability of the aircraft after serious faults.

Originality/value

The original and wing-damaged aircraft models are reconstructed in CATIA, and the aerodynamic data is calculated in XFlow. Sideslip angle is adopted to compensate additional roll moment caused by wing damage or aileron stuck. Adaptive nonlinear dynamic inversion control, combined with sideslip trim, is applied to achieve fault-tolerant control.
Users’ privacy behaviors in response to WhatsApp policy changes
Authors: Elciyar Kemal
Published: February 2025

Purpose

After the changes in its privacy policies, WhatsApp has faced serious backlash from its users, with opinions and posts suggesting boycotts and a shift toward alternative applications becoming prominent. However, research on this reaction after the policy change might create in usage practices is quite limited. This study aims to investigate user decision-making in the dynamic landscape of mobile technologies, focusing on the factors influencing users’ choices between continuing with their current platform and migrating to alternatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Using migration theory and the push–pull mooring (PPM) model, the research identifies push factors (institutional privacy concerns), pull factors (relative privacy protection) and mooring factors (switching costs and exhaustion) as collectively shaping WhatsApp usage continuity.

Findings

Notably, the research highlights that institutional privacy concerns surprisingly do not significantly impact users’ intentions to persist with WhatsApp. Conversely, the relative privacy protection of an alternative platform emerges as a significant pull factor, influencing users’ intentions. Switching costs, particularly replacement and evaluation costs, exert a robust mooring effect, hindering migration and contributing to switching exhaustion. Results suggest that heightened exhaustion further strengthens the intention to persist with the current platform.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature by presenting findings that resonate with traditional migration approaches, offering a nuanced perspective on users’ decision-making processes. It delves into the impact of exhaustion on users’ intentions to continue using a platform, as well as the aftermath of policy changes, shedding light on switching dynamics and privacy concerns in reactive processes.
Organizational citizenship behaviour roles in the energy transition: a narrative review from a Malaysian perspective
Authors: Abu Bakkar Mohd Faiz , Jaaffar Amar Hisham , Abd Majid Nurshahirah
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to review recent conceptualizations and theories of organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and its role in the energy transition from Malaysia’s perspective. It examines how factors of OCB, such as individual values, attitudes, motivations, leadership style, organizational culture and policies, affect the energy transition process. The research findings have implications for future studies on energy transition, highlighting the role of OCB in shaping the country’s strategies, addressing challenges and contributing to the transition process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a narrative review of past literature and documents OCB in the context of energy transition; factors influencing OCB (individual, organizational and external factors); OCB in the context of energy transition; and insights into energy transition in Malaysian organizations.

Findings

This study finds support in the literature for the impact of OCB on energy transition efforts from the Malaysian perspective. OCB, which extends beyond formal role expectations, can significantly support the effective implementation of energy policies and contribute to organizational objectives. By encouraging OCB within organizations, Malaysia can facilitate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices, thereby playing a crucial role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and advancing the energy transition, instilling hope for a more sustainable future.

Originality/value

This study encourages future research to explore the relationship between discussed variables and their impact on OCB, which is crucial for organizational policies aimed at advancing the energy transition in Malaysia. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on OCB within the context of energy transition and provide a foundation for further related research.
Recycle signs and recycling shopping behaviour in retail stores
Authors: Nguyen Dung Trung , D’Souza Clare
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The waste crisis in Australia exacerbates in the household sector, urging local councils and retailers/manufacturers to improve consumers’ recycling shopping behaviour – the most relevant touchpoint to the whole recycling process. In retail stores, packaging recyclability is communicated by either the central route (symbols/signs) or the peripheral route (packaging colours/materials); however, how the effects are differentiated and how the central route can be emphasised for a long-term attitudinal change are unclear. The research investigates these issues by applying the elaboration likelihood model (ELM).

Design/methodology/approach

A total sample of 420 respondents were recruited across Australia and managed online by Qualtrics. The data were analysed by using structural equation modelling with AMOS 29 software.

Findings

Both routes of processing are significant as per the model. Furthermore, the perceived argument quality of recyclable packaging signs mediates the effect of recycling consideration on consumers’ semiotic knowledge, enhancing attitudinal change via central processing. Recycling considerations display negative effects on recycling shopping behaviour.

Originality/value

This research theoretically contributes by extending the ELM with the newly proposed concepts of semiotic knowledge and symbols’ argument quality, further explaining consumers’ processing of information on packaging recyclability. From a practical perspective, the research provides valuable contributions for both policymakers and retailers by showing how central processing can be emphasised for a more sustainable attitudinal change to enhance recycling shopping behaviour.
Critical categories of nostalgia and their negative impact on green manufacturing intentions for processed food products
Authors: Hama Kareem Jamal Ahmed , Muhammad Farooq Hussain
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The main purpose of the current study is to get a better understanding of how the set of crucial categories of nostalgia can negatively impact on green manufacturing intentions in the food industry field, taking three food factories as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire to fulfill the study’s objectives. The questionnaire has previously undergone testing.

Findings

The study results showed that nostalgia categories, especially personal nostalgia, significantly hinder the intention to create green manufacturing system requirements. This, in turn, reduces the intention to produce green products and, consequently, to buy and consume them by an audience that is dominated by nostalgia traits.

Originality/value

This paper’s originality enables the introduction of a brand-new contribution in terms of providing sponsoring facts and information, which goes a long way toward filling the gap in the literature regarding the essential effect that can be achieved by way of the set of nostalgia categories. This includes using a modern look inside the inexperienced manufacturing intentions for processed food products. The current study focused on food sector factories in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region to accomplish this goal.
Changes in disorder and fear of crime in a disadvantaged neighbourhood following the implementation of a BID organisation
Authors: Di Rocco Jennie , Kronkvist Karl , Vasiljevic Zoran , Ivert Anna-Karin
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine changes in disorder and fear of crime in a disadvantaged neighbourhood following the implementation of a Business Improvement District (BID) organisation, a collaborative initiative designated to improve a defined geographical area.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method design was used. The quantitative data was collected through an annual community survey with four pre-implementation and five post-implementation waves. Also a comparison area was included. The qualitative data was comprised of interviews with key informants in the community, which were completed before the organisation commenced its work and then again six years later.

Findings

Survey results revealed a reduction in disorder and fear of crime. This trend, albeit smaller, could be seen in the comparison area as well. Key informants further corroborated the reduction in disorder and fear of crime, attributing many of the neighbourhood changes to the organisation’s work.

Originality/value

This study is the first to evaluate whether BIDs can affect perceived disorder and fear of crime, relevant factors affecting crime levels and community well-being. Furthermore, it illustrates the benefits of using a comprehensive study design suitable for accounting for changes in a setting where it is difficult to isolate effects.
Dengue dynamics in Bali: Serotype shifts, genotype replacement and multiple virus lineage circulation in the last 10 years
Authors: Sasmono R. Tedjo , Masyeni Sri , Hayati Rahma F. , Rana Bunga , Santoso Marsha S. , Denis Dionisius , Hansen Diana S. , Morita Kouichi
Published: February 2025

Background

Bali, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, is hyper‐endemic to dengue, an acute febrile illness caused by infection with dengue virus (DENV). Outbreaks of dengue occur annually with worrisome rates of morbidity and mortality. Despite this, comprehensive and continuous virus surveillance is yet to be established. We conducted DENV serotype and genotype surveillance in Bali to monitor viral transmission dynamics.

Methods

We enrolled febrile patients with dengue clinical symptoms in hospitals in Denpasar, Bali. Clinical evaluations and laboratory assessments were conducted, and blood samples were collected. DENV serotypes were determined using RT‐PCR, and genotyping was performed by sequencing the envelope protein gene and the complete genomes. Subsequently, phylogenetic analyses were conducted to analyse the recent data alongside retrospective sequence data.

Results

A total of 62 and 66 dengue patients were recruited during 2018–2020 and 2022, and from these, we obtained DENV serotype data for 49 and 48 individuals, respectively. Among the DENV analysed, the most prevalent serotype in 2018–2020 was DENV‐1 (30%) and shifted to DENV‐3 (57.6%) in 2022. When compared to data from the last 10 years, serotype shifting was clearly observed. We sequenced the genomes of 60 isolates and observed the presence of multiple virus lineages and the replacement of Genotype IV of DENV‐1 with Genotype I. The Cosmopolitan, Genotype I and Genotype II remained the predominant genotypes for DENV‐2, DENV‐3 and DENV‐4, respectively.

Conclusion

We reveal that DENV serotype predominance in Bali has been shifting in the past 10 years. While genotype replacement occurred, continuous circulation of local endemic viruses was responsible for the annual outbreak of dengue. These findings indicate the genetic diversity and dynamic nature of DENV circulating in Bali. Routine virus surveillance is important to understand the cyclical patterns of DENV serotypes that is useful to predict the future outbreaks.
Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Munesa forest, Central Ethiopia, with taxonomic data on Allogalumna (Galumnidae)
Authors: Ermilov Sergey G.
Published: February 2025

The present study is based on the oribatid mite material collected from litter in Munesa forest, Oromia region, Central Ethiopia. A list of 11 species, belonging to nine genera and six families, is presented. One new species—Allogalumna (Allogalumna) munesaensis sp. nov. (Galumnidae)—is described. An identification key to the known species of the subgenus is presented.
Exploring Subjective Theories of Assessment Among Preservice Physical Education Teachers in a Master’s Program
Authors: Liu Xiaolu , Liu Jingwen , Gurvitch Rachel , Wang Baofu
Published: February 2025

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the subjective theories of assessment held by preservice physical education teachers in a master’s program, focusing on each assessment literacy component. Method: Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, 11 master’s program preservice physical education teachers (three females, eight males) were purposefully and conveniently recruited in the study. Data sources were interviews, an online survey, instructor’s notes, and assessment samples. Deductive and inductive thematic analysis in NVivo 12 was employed, ensuring trustworthiness through data triangulation, peer debriefing, and member checking. Results: Four themes were generated across multiple data courses. The themes are (a) understanding of assessment purposes, (b) challenges in assessment implementation, (c) self-referenced assessment interpretation, and (d) critical perspectives on assessment data. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for a comprehensive assessment education program that addresses all aspects of preservice physical education teachers’ subjective theories of assessment, enhancing their assessment literacy while considering their diverse backgrounds and stages of training.
A sensor-actuator–coupled gustatory interface chemically connecting virtual and real environments for remote tasting
Authors: Chen Shulin , Jia Yizhen , Duan Bowen , Liu Tzu-Li , Wang Qi , Xiao Xiao , Nithianandam Prasad , Tian Xi , Yang Chunyu , Wu Changsheng , Xie Zhaoqian , Li Jinghua
Published: February 2025

Recent advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have strengthened the bridge between virtual and real worlds via human-machine interfaces. Despite extensive research into biophysical signals, gustation, a fundamental component of the five senses, has experienced limited progress. This work reports a bio-integrated gustatory interface, “e-Taste,” to address the underrepresented chemical dimension in current VR/AR technologies. This system facilitates remote perception and replication of taste sensations through the coupling of physically separated sensors and actuators with wireless communication modules. By using chemicals representing five basic tastes, systematic codesign of key functional components yields reliable performance including tunability, versatility, safety, and mechanical robustness. Field testing involving human subjects focusing on user perception confirms its proficiency in digitally simulating a range of taste intensities and combinations. Overall, this investigation pioneers a chemical dimension in AR/VR technology, paving the way for users to transcend visual and auditory virtual engagements by integrating the taste sensation into virtual environment for enhanced digital experiences.
Implantable wireless suture sensor for in situ tendon and ligament strain monitoring
Authors: Yang Guangmin , Lin Rongzan , Li Haojie , Chen Yuqiu , Liu Meiling , Luo Ziyang , Wang Kewei , Tu Jinying , Xu Yue , Fan Zixiao , Zhou Yizhi , Pan Yongwei , Zhao Zhe , Liu Ran
Published: February 2025

Tendon and ligament ruptures are prevalent, and severe sports injuries require surgical repair. In clinical practice, monitoring of tissue strain is critical to alert severe postoperative complications such as graft reinjury and loosening. Here, we present a sensor system that integrates a strain sensor and communication coil onto surgical silk sutures, enabling in situ monitoring and wireless readout of tissue strains via surgical implantation. The flexible sensor shows excellent adaptability to soft tissues, providing a strain monitoring range of 0 to 10% with a minimum detection threshold of 0.25% and maintaining stability more than 300,000 stretching cycles. The wireless sensor could be integrated with complex structures in surgical scenarios involving lateral collateral ligament injury and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, enabling distinct responses to graft stretching, reinjury, and loosening. Animal experiments demonstrate that the sensor can acquire real-time, clinical-grade strain data while exhibiting high biocompatibility. The sensor system shows considerable potential in evaluating preclinical implant performance and monitoring implant-related surgical complications.