bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of different types of Tai Chi intervention on motor function in older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Fan Xu , Soh Kim Geok , Mun Chan Yoke , Soh Kim Lam
Published: January 2025

Background

Tai Chi (TC) is widely acknowledged for its positive impact on improving motor function in older adults. Nevertheless, limited research has directly compared the effects of different TC styles on older adults with functional impairments.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the impact of different TC styles on motor function in older adults with functional impairments.

Method

We searched five databases—PubMed, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library—including studies published up to September 2024. The selection of literature adhered to PRISMA guidelines, with quality assessment independently carried out by two researchers.

Results

Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. The analysis revealed that TC interventions for functionally impaired older adults primarily employed Yang-style, Sun-style, Chen-style, and simplified-style TC. The populations studied included individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), nonspecific low back pain (NS-LBP), preclinical disabilities, chronic diseases, poor balance, osteoarthritis (OA), Parkinson’s disease (PD), sarcopenia, and those at risk of falls. The findings indicated that motor function in functionally impaired older adults were closely linked to balance, gait, mobility, strength, and fall rates. Among the various TC styles, Yang-style was the most frequently utilised intervention.

Conclusion

This review examined four types of TC interventions and found strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of Yang-style TC in improving motor function in older adults with functional impairments. Additionally, five assessment methods—Single-Leg Stance (SL), Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), Chair Stand Test (CST), and Fall Efficacy Scale (FES)—were identified as suitable for evaluating this population. Based on the findings, it is recommended that individuals with functional impairments engage in Yang-style 24-movement TC, with an intervention duration of 12 weeks, practicing two to five times a week for 60 min each session.
Social Networks, Health Support, and Dietary Intake in Mothers Receiving Home Visiting Services
Authors: Miller Sydney , Salvy Sarah-Jeanne , Caceres Nenette , Pickering Trevor , Bruine de Bruin Wandi , Valente Tom W. , Wilson John P. , de la Haye Kayla
Published: January 2025

Home visiting programs (HVPs) provide services to pregnant individuals and parents of young children to improve families’ health and well-being. However, little is known about these families’ social contexts. This study explores the social networks and dietary intake of mothers enrolled in a HVP, focusing on health support and health undermining. Cross-sectional data from 76 mothers enrolled in a HVP in Los Angeles County were collected by interview, using validated measures. Almost all mothers (95.7%) had one or more health supporters, while 55.1% had one or more health underminers. Some key findings related to health support were that mothers with higher income had more health supporters in their network (b = 1.36, p = 0.03), and network members were more likely to be health supporters if they were a romantic partner (OR = 3.41, p < 0.001), a resource-based connection (OR = 3.46, p < 0.01), or if they lived in the same neighborhood as the mother (OR = 1.68, p < 0.05). Further, having a health supporter who lived in the same neighborhood was associated with consuming more (1 + daily servings) vegetables (OR = 3.0, p < 0.05) and no sugar-sweetened beverages (OR = 0.29, p < 0.05). There were fewer findings related to health undermining: network members more likely to be underminers were romantic partners (OR = 8.93, p < .0001), and those perceived as having overweight or obesity (OR = 3.98, p < 0.001), but health undermining did not predict dietary intake. Overall, a broad set of network features were linked with health support, and given that some types of support were linked with better diet, network-based diet interventions leveraging health support may be effective in this priority population.
The paradoxical GH response at OGTT does not predict Pasireotide efficacy but matters for glucose metabolism
Authors: Occhi G. , Voltan G. , Chiloiro S. , Bianchi A. , Maffei P. , Dassie F. , Mantovani G. , Del Sindaco G. , Ferone D. , Gatto F. , Losa M. , Cannavò S. , Scaroni C. , Ceccato F. ,   On behalf of the Pituitary Club of the Italian Society of Endocrinology
Published: January 2025

Purpose

A paradoxical increase in GH after oral glucose load (GH-Par) characterizes about one-third of acromegaly patients and is associated with a better response to first-generation somatostatin receptor ligands (fg-SRLs). Pasireotide is typically considered as a second-/third-line treatment. Here, we investigated the predictive role of GH-Par in pasireotide response and adverse event development.

Methods

we collected a multicenter Italian retrospective cohort of 59 patients treated with pasireotide for at least 3 months, all having GH profile from OGTT. IGF-1 normalization or at least 30% reduction at the last follow-up visit defined a responder patient.

Results

Considering the entire cohort, median IGF-1 levels before pasireotide (available in 57 patients) were 1.38 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) in patients with large (median size 18 mm) and invasive (82%) adenomas after failure of fg-SRL treatment. After a 40-month median treatment, pasireotide effectively reduced IGF-1 ULN levels in 41 patients, 37 of whom achieving normalization, and 4 with a ≥ 30% reduction. Thirteen patients were classified as GH-Par. The median pasireotide duration, dosage, and efficacy (9/12 responder in the GH-Par group and 32/45 in the GH-NPar) were similar between groups. However, the occurrence of new-onset or worsening glucose metabolism alterations (GMAs) after pasireotide was more frequent in GH-NPar (from 37 to 80%; p < 0.001) compared to GH-Par patients (from 69 to 76%), likely due to the higher prevalence of pre-existing GMAs in the GH-Par group before starting pasireotide (p = 0.038).

Conclusions

The GH-Par does not predict the response to pasireotide in acromegaly but can predict a worse metabolic profile.
Chemical pure reaction automata in maximally parallel manner
Authors: Ascone Rocco , Bernardini Giulia , Leiter Francesco , Manzoni Luca
Published: January 2025

This work presents a new class of reaction automata, called Chemical Pure Reaction Automata (CPRA). CPRA combines characteristics of chemical reaction automata, as introduced by Okubo et al. in 2016, with those of the more recently defined pure reaction automata. Unlike standard chemical reaction automata, CPRA lack permanence, meaning their result states consist solely of the reaction products, with unconsumed reactants being discarded. We investigate the computational power of two CPRA variants, both working in a maximally parallel manner. We first prove that deterministic CPRA (DCPRA)—in which at every state, for each input symbol, the resulting state is the same for all multisets of enabled reactions—are not Turing complete. We then show that non-deterministic CPRA are Turing complete and thus strictly more powerful than DCPRA: namely, the set of languages accepted by CPRA in the maximally parallel manner contains the set of languages accepted by standard chemical reaction automata in the same manner.
An International Investigation of Variability in Teacher Perceptions of Bias-Based Bullying and Their Likelihood of Intervening
Authors: Khanolainen Daria , Hall Andrew , Craig Wendy , Trach Jessica , Noetzel Jared , Starosta Lindsay , Dhungana-Sainju Karla , Bjärehed Jonas , Thornberg Robert , Bayram-Özdemir Sevgi , Bjärehed Marlene , Görzig Anke , Wright Michelle , Betts Lucy , Swearer Susan , Hymel Shelley
Published: January 2025

Bias-based bullying (i.e., bullying due to marginalized identities) is a significant and ongoing challenge within contemporary educational settings. Teachers are crucial in mitigating such harmful behaviors and cultivating positive peer relationships. The present study explores teachers’ perceptions of and intervention intentions in bias-based bullying situations across diverse cultural and educational settings. Using a between-subjects experimental design, primary and secondary teachers from 13 international sites located in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America (n = 4990) were randomly assigned to read a hypothetical vignette depicting student victimization based on their ethnicity, learning difficulties, physical appearance, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Multilevel linear models revealed that teachers’ perceptions varied depending on the type of bias-based bullying, such that when teachers were presented with a situation of bullying based on gender expression or sexual orientation, they reported lower levels of perceived responsibility, self-efficacy, and importance of responding when compared to other types of bullying. At the same time, teachers were less likely to blame the victim of bullying and expressed greater empathy towards involved students when being presented with a situation of weight-based bullying. However, there were no significant differences in rated intervention intentions across conditions. Results have important implications for teacher education and development, as well as for existing anti-bullying intervention programs.
Critical Factors in Parabolic Nozzle Design and Performance Analysis with CFD
Authors: Cristóvão Silva João , Brójo Francisco
Published: January 2025

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of contoured nozzle designs using the Method of Characteristics (MOC) and Fluent simulations. The study aims to compare the performance and flowfield predictions of these methods and explore the influence of various design param- eters on nozzle performance. Initial investigations validate the MOC algorithm’s accuracy against commercial software, highlighting its rapid computational capability despite limita- tions in handling real gas effects. Fluent simulations consistently predict slightly lower specific impulse values due to differing exit pressure predictions but align closely with MOC results in inviscid flow conditions. The research explores the role of the initial circular arc in defin- ing the nozzle’s expansion and straightening sections, finding that smaller circular arcs create larger property gradients, necessitating quicker expansions and leading to potential isentropic losses, which were almost imperceptible in the Fluent case, in fact, a more axial flow was deliv- ered. Variations in design parameters, such as the contour’s exit angle and cone nozzle fraction, demonstrate their impact on nozzle performance, with higher exit angles generally improving specific impulse, contrary to expectation. For some pairs of design options, longer nozzles al- low smoother expansions, resulting in lower average exit angles and improved specific impulse. The findings emphasize the contemporary relevance of the MOC for preliminary nozzle studies, highlighting the balance between accuracy and computational cost.
Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) burrow associate communities are depauperate in modified landscapes
Authors: Brooks George C. , Goodman Steven J. , Moore William M. , Chandler Houston C. , Caruso Nicholas M. , Smith Jennifer A. , Gorman Thomas A. , Haas Carola A.
Published: January 2025

The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is considered a keystone species because its burrows provide refuge for an entire suite of other species (hereafter burrow associates) that occupy the habitats in which it resides. The Gopher Tortoise has declined across its range in large part due to habitat loss and land use change resulting in burrow abandonment or reduced burrow density, and the concomitant negative effects on burrow associate diversity have been well documented. However, under scenarios where Gopher Tortoise populations persist in modified habitat, the effect on community associates has received considerably less attention. In such instances, vegetation changes drive the loss of associate species, not the lack of suitable burrows. Here, we evaluated associations between Gopher Tortoise burrows and vertebrate burrow associates within test ranges and forested sites on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Specifically, we (1) determined how vegetation composition varies between forested sandhills and military test ranges, and (2) compared species richness, diversity, and community composition of burrow associates between habitats. We found that vegetation composition surrounding Gopher Tortoise burrows is highly variable, but in general test ranges had a simpler habitat structure and less diverse native plant communities than forested sites. As a result, we show that although military test range sites contain Gopher Tortoise burrows at comparable or higher densities than sites in natural longleaf pine sandhills, the community of vertebrate burrow associates in test range sites appears to be depauperate. Our results highlight that concern over habitat modifications may be warranted even in instances where Gopher Tortoise populations appear to be persisting. In the context of management that seeks to be beneficial to a wide array of burrow associates, efforts aimed at bolstering Gopher Tortoise populations in forested sandhills would be most prudent.
Numerical analysis of collision mechanism that causes particle tribocharging in dry powder inhaler
Authors: Mitani Ryosuke , Nor Muhammad Aiman bin Mohd , Iinuma Takuto , Mori Tatsuhiro , Okuda Tomoaki
Published: January 2025

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is induced by inhalation of toxic substances such as cigarettes and air pollution. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are the primary treatment for these diseases. However, they have some problems, such as residuals in a capsule caused by electrostatic force before reaching the human lungs. This study investigated the particle tribocharging mechanism in a DPI using a tandem differential mobility analyzer (TDMA) and a combined discrete element method and computational fluid dynamics (DEM-CFD) approach. In the TDMA experiment, the charging state of the particles changed from negative to positive charge in the DPI device fabricated by the 3D printer. This is because tribocharging is caused by particle–particle collisions and particle–wall collisions. In the numerical simulation, particle–wall collisions occurred more frequently than particle–particle collisions. Therefore, the particle–wall collisions change the charging state of the particle in the DPI device. These results suggest that collisions between particles and walls of the device cause the particles to become charged, leading to a decrease in their deposition in the deeper regions of the lungs. Moreover, the large turbulence kinetic energy of the airflow in the DPI device caused particle–wall collisions because the particles were widely dispersed in the DPI device. These results suggest that optimum turbulence kinetic energy is necessary to reduce particle aggregation and improve the delivery efficiency of DPIs to the human lungs.

Graphical Abstract
Fighter optimal selection based on sequential multi-criteria decision-making with uncertainty measurement
Authors: Suo M. , Xing J. , Ma K. , Xiao D. , Song D.
Published: January 2025

Rapid and comprehensive fighter optimisation is an important part of modern combat decision-making. However, due to the numerous influencing factors, it is difficult for decision-makers to consider comprehensively and specify the optimal decision, and it is highly subjective, which leads to different decision conclusions from person to person. Therefore, to solve the above deficiencies in fighter selection, this paper proposes a sequential decision-making framework that comprehensively considers the effectiveness, maintenance, support capability and health status of the fighter aircraft. Based on the multi-dimensional state, it provides comprehensive and credible auxiliary support for commanders. The sequential decision-making framework (called GRA-VIKOR-IFNs) uses the combination of equation and fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making (FMCDM) to evaluate the effectiveness, support capability and health in turn, to complete the step-by-step selection of fighter models, troops and sorties. The evaluation equation is for the effectiveness evaluation and a hybrid method using the extended grey correlation analysis (GRA) and VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) method based on intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs) is for the support capability and health evaluation. The proposed strategy is in line with the logic and demand of actual combat and training decision-making and takes into account the influence of uncertain factors. Finally, a comparison with some classical methods is carried out, such as the full consistency method (FUCOM), the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and so on. The GRA-VIKOR-IFNs method is consistent with the results of other methods and the result sort resolution is 0.0619 and at least 40% higher than other methods, which can lead the commanders to a more reliable and clear decision.
Towards a new approach to ensure end-to-end reliability of aeronautical data communications
Authors: Lala V. , Pirovano A. , Radzik J.
Published: January 2025

The aeronautical telecommunication network (ATN) aims to provide reliable end-to-end communications even for those including the air-to-ground segment and in particular for data link applications. The existing ATN, known as ATN/OSI, is based on OSI protocols since its first deployment. The OSI model implementation in ATN communicating entities causes great complexity in network management, particularly in terms of Internet network interoperability. Therefore, since 2010, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) proposed a migration to ATN over Internet protocol suite (IPS), called ATN/IPS. Thus, this research work focuses on specifying the reliability mechanisms required for air ground data link applications in future ATN/IPS. To achieve this, the transport protocols performance is assessed based on simulations using an ATN model developed considering the ICAO standards. The modeled legacy application enables to generate traffic based on real controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) log files from French area control centre (ACC). The air-to-ground subnetworks are characterised using time series delay induced from previously modeled VDL Mode 2 data link analysis. As proof-of-concept, CPDLC messages exchange from aircraft to controller and future applications that transmits heavier files from ground-to-board are simulated. Transport protocols performance are evaluated with respect to the most constraining requirements. The simulation results highlighted the limitations of both connection-oriented transport protocol class 4 (COTP4) and TCP. This enabled to provide a preliminary overview of a new QUIC-like reliable protocol that should meet the heterogeneous requirements of the legacy and the eventual future ATN/IPS applications.
‘Symbolically Overloaded’ Burials: Early Fourth-Millennium bc Hunter-Fisher-Gatherer Mortuary Practices from North-Eastern Europe
Authors: Ahola Marja , Macāne Aija , Nordqvist Kerkko
Published: January 2025

At the beginning of the fourth millennium bc, the Typical Comb Ware culture (TCW) emerged in north-eastern Europe. One of its characteristics is a wealth of ‘amber’ or ‘ochre’ graves and mortuary practices. This article concerns the graves’ key elements, their distribution and frequency, and their relationship to the TCW phenomenon. The analysis of seventy-seven graves from twenty-three sites suggests that TCW graves are a materialization of a complex set of practices in which visual aspects (colours, contrasts, and combinations of materials) and performance play significant roles. Given the small number and distribution of graves, these practices were reserved for particular people and/or occasions, and the tradition only lasted for a few centuries. Interpreted from the perspective of identity production and sociocultural networks, these graves and associated practices are defined as ‘symbolically overloaded’, with buried bodies and activities intended to be seen.
Beyond testimony: Sharing epistemic resources
Authors: Edidin Aron
Published: January 2025

We acquire from others many of our epistemic resources – individual items of propositional knowledge but also evidential standards, perceptual sensibilities, and the overarching perspectives that include beliefs, standards, and sensibilities together. Knowledge from testimony, which is one category of acquisition of epistemic resources from others, has been studied extensively by epistemologists. We can begin to explore the wider realm of epistemic sharing by varying the characteristic features of testimony. Eleven dimensions of variation provide some structure to this domain. The interactive complexity of the dimensions suggests a virtue epistemological approach to the evaluation of patterns of receptivity to the variety of sharings that we confront as knowers.
Maintaining Reprehensibility for Epistemic Vice: Responsibility for Implicit Bias as Non-vicious Conduct
Authors: Klijnman Carline Julie Francis
Published: January 2025

Heather Battaly has argued that vice-epistemology has a Responsibility Problem. From analysing the ‘card-carrying feminist’ committing testimonial injustice due to implicit gender bias, Battaly argues that non-voluntarist vice-epistemologists are committed to either (1) counting some vices as blameworthy yet not reprehensible, or (2) holding agents equally responsible for cognitive defects as for implicit bias. This in turn implies that (2a) epistemic vices include certain cognitive defects or (2b) that implicit bias is excluded as epistemic vice. This paper aims to deflate the Responsibility Problem, by arguing that vice-epistemologists can embrace route (2b) without problematic implications. In applying Miranda Fricker’s ‘no-fault responsibility’ to the card-carrying feminist case, I defend the following three claims: First, Battaly’s analysis of the card-carrying feminist case is flawed, because it fails to acknowledge that the vice of testimonial injustice and implicit prejudice are conceptually distinct. Second, excluding implicit prejudice as a vice is actually compatible with Fricker’s theoretical commitments. Third, contrary to what much of the literature seems to assume, it isn’t that problematic to exclude (individual) implicit bias as a vice, or to assign equal responsibility for implicit prejudice as for cognitive defects like impaired vision.
Citation Metrics: A Philosophy of Science Perspective
Authors: Lisciandra Chiara
Published: January 2025

Citation metrics are statistical measures of scientific output that draw on citation indexes. They purport to capture the impact of scientific articles and the journals in which they appear. As evaluative tools, they are mostly used in the natural sciences, but they are also acquiring an important role in the humanities. While the strengths and weaknesses of citation metrics are extensively debated in a variety of fields, they have only recently started attracting attention in the philosophy of science literature. This paper takes a further step in this direction and presents an analysis of citation metrics from the perspective of a Kuhnian model for the development of science. Starting from Gillies’ argument against the use of citation metrics for scientific research (2008), this paper shows that citation metrics interfere with the development of normal science in certain fields or subfields. The main issue is that citation metrics do not take field-specific differences into account, thereby selectively favoring some fields and arbitrarily hindering the development of others. In other words, this paper shows that current citation metrics fail to “carve science at its joints”. In light of this, the paper cautions against their use for evaluative purposes.
Measuring Distances in High Dimensional Spaces Why Average Group Vector Comparisons Exhibit Bias, And What to Do about it
Authors: Green Breanna , Hobbs William , Avila Sofia , Rodriguez Pedro L. , Spirling Arthur , Stewart Brandon M.
Published: January 2025

Analysts often seek to compare representations in high-dimensional space, e.g., embedding vectors of the same word across groups. We show that the distance measures calculated in such cases can exhibit considerable statistical bias, that stems from uncertainty in the estimation of the elements of those vectors. This problem applies to Euclidean distance, cosine similarity, and other similar measures. After illustrating the severity of this problem for text-as-data applications, we provide and validate a bias correction for the squared Euclidean distance. This same correction also substantially reduces bias in ordinary Euclidean distance and cosine similarity estimates, but corrections for these measures are not quite unbiased and are (non-intuitively) bimodal when distances are close to zero. The estimators require obtaining the variance of the latent positions. We (will) implement the estimator in free software, and we offer recommendations for related work.
The Library of the Honorable Society of King's Inns
Authors: Uigín Renate Ní
Published: January 2025

In this article Renate Ní Uigín, Librarian of the Honorable Society of King's Inns Library in Dublin, gives LIM an overview of the library's fascinating history and its collection, while also outlining the service it offers today.
Leeds United: Getting Together at the BIALL Conference 2024
Authors: Breslin Mike , Breslin Jas
Published: January 2025

This year's BIALL Annual Conference, held in Leeds in June, was a great success, with excellent speakers, cutting edge tech on display and even a murder – which was quickly solved – during the big dinner on the Thursday night.
Presidential Particularism and Mayoral Elections
Authors: Ha Heonuk , Jenkins Jeffery A.
Published: January 2025

Amid the growing trend of political polarization and nationalization of US politics, the link between federal and local governments has become increasingly significant in the American public policy process. Consequently, the president, as party leader, has increasingly supported co-partisan candidates, not only in federal elections but also in subnational ones. Incorporating 1,124 contested partisan local elections for 399 cities with populations exceeding 50,000 between 2005 and 2020, we investigate how the president strategically employs federal funds to assist co-partisan mayoral candidates. Using two-way fixed effects models, we find that the president distributes more block and project grants to swing cities with co-partisan mayors during mayoral election years. We do not find that the president disproportionately allocates grants to co-partisan mayors in swing cities during non-mayoral election years; instead, jurisdictions are rewarded irrespective of their electoral value.
Endocannabinoid contributions to the perception of socially relevant, affective touch in humans
Authors: Jones Madeleine R. , Haggarty Connor J. , Petrie Gavin N. , Lunge Abigail R. , Morrison India , Hill Matthew N. , Heilig Markus , Mayo Leah M.
Published: January 2025

Social relationships are central to well-being. A subgroup of afferent nerve fibers, C-tactile (CT) afferents, are primed to respond to affective, socially relevant touch and may mitigate the effects of stress. The endocannabinoid ligand anandamide (AEA) modulates both social reward and stress. We thus hypothesized that AEA levels would be associated with the perceived pleasantness of affective touch in humans. Across two studies, we explored perceptions of affective, socially relevant touch and general affective stimuli. In study 1, adult participants (N = 101) were recruited based on presence (CM+) or absence (CM−) of documented childhood maltreatment (N = 52 CM+; N = 49 CM−). In study 2, healthy individuals were randomized to receive an inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH; PF-04457845) to increase AEA levels (n = 16) or placebo (n = 29). Outcomes included self-report ratings of touch pleasantness and intensity, valence and arousal ratings of affective images, and plasma levels of endocannabinoids AEA and 2-AG, cortisol, and oxytocin. In study 1, higher AEA levels were associated with a reduced preference for affective, CT-optimal touch. In study 2, pharmacological elevation of AEA resulted in reduced preference for affective touch. These effects were specific to social processing, as AEA levels were not related to ratings of affective images. In contrast to our hypothesis, elevated AEA was associated with reduced pleasantness ratings of CT-optimal, affective touch. This provides novel, in-human data linking AEA to social processing, adding nuance to the rationale for its use as a potential novel therapeutic target in disordered in social processing.
RNAi-based ALOX15B silencing augments keratinocyte inflammation in vitro via EGFR/STAT1/JAK1 signalling
Authors: Palmer Megan A. , Kirchhoff Rebecca , Buerger Claudia , Benatzy Yvonne , Schebb Nils Helge , Brüne Bernhard
Published: January 2025

Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase type B (ALOX15B) peroxidises polyunsaturated fatty acids to their corresponding fatty acid hydroperoxides, which are subsequently reduced into hydroxy-fatty acids. A dysregulated abundance of these biological lipid mediators has been reported in the skin and blood of psoriatic compared to healthy individuals. RNAscope and immunohistochemistry revealed increased ALOX15B expression in lesional psoriasis samples. Using a cytokine cocktail containing IL-17A, interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha to produce a psoriasis-like phenotype, a role for ALOX15B in human epidermal keratinocyte inflammation was investigated. siRNA-mediated silencing of ALOX15B increased CCL2 expression and secretion. In addition to CCL2, secretion of CCL5 and CXCL10 were elevated in skin equivalents treated with lipoxygenase inhibitor ML351. Inhibition of the JAK1/STAT1 pathway reversed the enhanced CCL2 expression found with ALOX15B silencing. Previous studies have linked epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition with the upregulation of cytokines including CCL2, CCL5 and CXCL10. ALOX15B silencing reduced EGFR expression and inhibition of EGFR signalling potentiated the effect of ALOX15B silencing on increased CCL2, CCL5 and CXCL10 expression. Confirming previous findings, gene expression of cholesterol biosynthesis genes was reduced via reduced ERK phosphorylation. Reduced ERK phosphorylation was dependant on EGFR and NRF2 activation. Furthermore, plasma membrane lipids were investigated via confocal microscopy, revealing reduced cholesterol and lipid rafts. This study suggests a role for ALOX15B in keratinocyte inflammation through modulation of lipid peroxidation and the EGFR/JAK1/STAT1 signalling axis.
Polycomb-associated and Trithorax-associated developmental conditions—phenotypic convergence and heterogeneity
Authors: Smail Alice , Al-Jawahiri Reem , Baker Kate
Published: January 2025

Polycomb group (PcG) and Trithorax group (TrxG) complexes represent two major components of the epigenetic machinery. This study aimed to delineate phenotypic similarities and differences across developmental conditions arising from rare variants in PcG and TrxG genes, using data-driven approaches. 462 patients with a PcG or TrxG-associated condition were identified in the DECIPHER dataset. We analysed Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) data to identify phenotypes enriched in this group, in comparison to other monogenic conditions within DECIPHER. We then assessed phenotypic relationships between single gene diagnoses within the PcG and TrxG group, by applying semantic similarity analysis and hierarchical clustering. Finally, we analysed patient-level phenotypic heterogeneity in this group, irrespective of specific genetic diagnosis, by applying the same clustering approach. Collectively, PcG/TrxG diagnoses were associated with increased reporting of HPO terms relating to integument, growth, head and neck, limb and digestive abnormalities. Gene group analysis identified three multi-gene clusters differentiated by microcephaly, limb/digit dysmorphologies, growth abnormalities and atypical behavioural phenotypes. Patient-level analysis identified two large clusters differentiated by neurodevelopmental abnormalities and facial dysmorphologies respectively, as well as smaller clusters associated with more specific phenotypes including behavioural characteristics, eye abnormalities, growth abnormalities and skull dysmorphologies. Importantly, patient-level phenotypic clusters did not align with genetic diagnoses. Data-driven approaches can highlight pathway-level and gene-level phenotypic convergences, and individual-level phenotypic heterogeneities. Future studies are needed to understand the multi-level mechanisms contributing to both convergence and variability within this population, and to extend data collection and analyses to later-emerging health characteristics.
Local polar order controls mechanical stress and triggers layer formation in Myxococcus xanthus colonies
Authors: Han Endao , Fei Chenyi , Alert Ricard , Copenhagen Katherine , Koch Matthias D. , Wingreen Ned S. , Shaevitz Joshua W.
Published: January 2025

Colonies of the social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus go through a morphological transition from a thin colony of cells to three-dimensional droplet-like fruiting bodies as a strategy to survive starvation. The biological pathways that control the decision to form a fruiting body have been studied extensively. However, the mechanical events that trigger the creation of multiple cell layers and give rise to droplet formation remain poorly understood. By measuring cell orientation, velocity, polarity, and force with cell-scale resolution, we reveal a stochastic local polar order in addition to the more obvious nematic order. Average cell velocity and active force at topological defects agree with predictions from active nematic theory, but their fluctuations are substantially larger than the mean due to polar active forces generated by the self-propelled rod-shaped cells. We find that M. xanthus cells adjust their reversal frequency to tune the magnitude of this local polar order, which in turn controls the mechanical stresses and triggers layer formation in the colonies.
Structure and mechanism of biosynthesis of Streptococcus mutans cell wall polysaccharide
Authors: Rush Jeffrey S. , Zamakhaeva Svetlana , Murner Nicholas R. , Deng Pan , Morris Andrew J. , Kenner Cameron W. , Black Ian , Heiss Christian , Azadi Parastoo , Korotkov Konstantin V. , Widmalm Göran , Korotkova Natalia
Published: January 2025

Streptococcus mutans, the causative agent of human dental caries, expresses a cell wall attached Serotype c-specific Carbohydrate (SCC) that is critical for cell viability. SCC consists of a polyrhamnose backbone of →3)α-Rha(1 → 2)α-Rha(1→ repeats with glucose (Glc) side-chains and glycerol phosphate (GroP) decorations. This study reveals that SCC has one predominant and two more minor Glc modifications. The predominant Glc modification, α-Glc, attached to position 2 of 3-rhamnose, is installed by SccN and SccM glycosyltransferases and is the site of the GroP addition. The minor Glc modifications are β-Glc linked to position 4 of 3-rhamnose installed by SccP and SccQ glycosyltransferases, and α-Glc attached to position 4 of 2-rhamnose installed by SccN working in tandem with an unknown enzyme. Both the major and the minor β-Glc modifications control bacterial morphology, but only the GroP and major Glc modifications are critical for biofilm formation.
Fabrication and characterization of low-loss Al/Si/Al parallel plate capacitors for superconducting quantum information applications
Authors: McFadden Anthony P. , Goswami Aranya , Zhao Tongyu , van Schijndel Teun , Larson Trevyn F. Q. , Sahu Sudhir , Gill Stephen , Lecocq Florent , Simmonds Raymond , Palmstrøm Chris
Published: January 2025

Increasing the density of superconducting circuits requires compact components, however, superconductor-based capacitors typically perform worse as dimensions are reduced due to loss at surfaces and interfaces. Here, parallel plate capacitors composed of aluminum-contacted, crystalline silicon fins are shown to be a promising technology for use in superconducting circuits by evaluating the performance of lumped element resonators and transmon qubits. High aspect ratio Si-fin capacitors having widths below 300 nm with an approximate total height of 3 μm are fabricated using anisotropic wet etching of Si(110) substrates followed by aluminum metallization. The single-crystal Si capacitors are incorporated in lumped element resonators and transmons by shunting them with lithographically patterned aluminum inductors and conventional A
l/A
l
O

x
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l Josephson junctions respectively. Microwave characterization of these devices suggests state-of-the-art performance for superconducting parallel plate capacitors with low power internal quality factor of lumped element resonators greater than 500 k and qubit T
1 times greater than 25 μs. These results suggest that Si-Fins are a promising technology for applications that require low-loss, compact, superconductor-based capacitors with minimal stray capacitance.
Data on insect biodiversity in a Chinese potato agroecosystem from DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Lin Changjin , Liu Chenxi , Chen Lilin , Cheng Hongmei , Ashfaq Muhammad , Hebert Paul D. N. , Gao Yulin
Published: January 2025

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a staple crop important in global food security. As a leading potato producer, China faces significant challenges from insect pest infestations that compromise yield and quality. However, insect communities within Chinese potato fields remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to explore insect diversity in potato fields in Yunnan Province. From autumn 2021 to summer 2022, five Malaise traps were strategically deployed to capture insect samples. In total, 245 samples were collected over 49 weeks, and DNA metabarcoding was performed on bulk samples. The generated sequences were curated and analyzed using the Barcode of Life Data System and the Multiplex Barcode Research and Visualization Environment. The analysis assigned sequences to 1,688 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) as species proxies derived from the Global Insecta Library, along with 166 BINs from the China Insecta dataset. This research provides valuable insights for barcoding local biodiversity and developing regional reference libraries and presents a comprehensive dataset of insect biodiversity within potato agroecosystems, encompassing 1,707 BINs linked to known insect taxa.
Porous ground treatments for propeller noise reduction in ground effect
Authors: Kamliya Jawahar Hasan , Hanson Liam , Akhter Md. Zishan , Azarpeyvand Mahdi
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic behavior of propellers operating in ground-effect conditions, with an emphasis on the impact of porous ground surface treatments. The investigation explores the potential of porous materials to reduce propeller noise near the ground, a major barrier to the acceptance and integration of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) systems. Experiments were conducted in an anechoic chamber using an APC
$$10 \times 5.5$$
inch propeller in a pusher configuration. The setup used a rigid flat plate to act as the ground plane at various distances from the propeller. The ground plane was treated with three types of porous foams, each with different pore densities and thicknesses. Noise measurements were taken using a polar array of microphones positioned in both near-field and far-field locations. The results show that porous surface treatments significantly enhance noise suppression. Coherence analysis revealed that porous treatments improve the spatial consistency of acoustic signals, making noise propagation more predictable and controllable. The study also highlights that the interaction between wake flow and porous surfaces leads to greater noise suppression and stability in the hydrodynamic pressure field. These findings have significant implications for designing quieter, more efficient UAM vehicles, aiding their integration into urban environments.
An efficient and lightweight detection method for stranded elastic needle defects in complex industrial environments using VEE-YOLO
Authors: Xiong Qiaoqiao , Chen Qipeng , Tang Saihong , Li Yiting
Published: January 2025

Deep learning has achieved significant success in the field of defect detection; however, challenges remain in detecting small-sized, densely packed parts under complex working conditions, including occlusion and unstable lighting conditions. This paper introduces YOLOv8-n as the core network to propose VEE-YOLO, a robust and high-performance defect detection model. Firstly, GSConv was introduced to enhance feature extraction in depthwise separable convolution and establish the VOVGSCSP module, emphasizing feature reusability for more effective feature engineering. Secondly, improvements were made to the model’s feature extraction quality by encoding inter-channel information using efficient multi-Scale attention to consider channel importance. Precise integration of spatial structural and channel information further enhanced the model’s overall feature extraction capability. Finally, EIoU Loss replaced CIoU Loss to address bounding box aspect ratio variability and sample imbalance challenges, significantly improving overall detection task performance. The algorithm’s performance was evaluated using a dataset to detect stranded elastic needle defects. The experimental results indicate that the enhanced VEE-YOLO model’s size decreased from 6.096 M to 5.486 M, while the detection speed increased from 179FPS to 244FPS, achieving a mAP of 0.926. Remarkable advancements across multiple metrics make it well-suited for deploying deep detection models in complex industrial environments.
Biosynthetic pathway for leukotrienes is stimulated by lipopolysaccharide and cytokines in pig endometrial stromal cells
Authors: Jana Barbara , Andronowska Aneta , Całka Jarosław , Mówińska Aleksandra
Published: January 2025

An inflammatory response is related to different inflammatory mediators generated by immune and endometrial cells. The links between lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cytokines, and leukotrienes (LTs) in endometrial stromal cells remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the influence of LPS, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4 and IL-10 on 5-lipooxygenase (5-LO), LTA4 hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC4 synthase (LTCS) mRNA and protein abundances, and LTB4 and cysteinyl (cys)-LTs release including LTC4, by the cultured pig endometrial stromal cells, as well as on cell viability. 24-hour exposure to LPS, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-10 up-regulated 5-LO mRNA and protein abundances. LPS increased LTAH mRNA abundance, while TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 augmented LTAH mRNA and protein abundances. TNF-α and IL-4 increased LTCS mRNA and protein abundances. In addition, LTCS mRNA abundance was enhanced by LPS and IL-4, while LTCS protein abundance was increased by IL-1β. Cells responded to LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 with increased LTB4 release. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-4 stimulated LTC4 release. Cys-LTs release was up-regulated by LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-4. All studied cytokines augmented cell viability. In summary, LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-10 are potential LTs immunomodulatory agents in endometrial stromal cells. These functional interactions could be one of the mechanisms responsible for local orchestrating events in inflamed and healthy endometrium.
Investigation of genes expression of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway and AMPs in the presence of Borrelia spirochetes in Ixodes ricinus
Authors: Szczotko Magdalena , Antunes Sandra , Domingos Ana , Dmitryjuk Małgorzata
Published: January 2025

Multicellular animals need to control the spread of invading pathogens. This is a particular challenge for blood-feeding vectors such as ticks, which ingest large amounts of blood potentially laden with harmful microorganisms. Ticks have a basic innate immune system and protect themselves from infection through innate immune responses involving pathways such as Janus kinase (JAK) or the signalling transducer activator of transcription (STAT). Direct antimicrobial defence occurs through the rapid synthesis of numerous antimicrobial agents including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The tick Ixodes ricinus is one of the main vectors of the Lyme disease pathogen, the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Data suggest that the JAK/STAT signalling pathway controls the expression of AMPs and regulates the infection of the pathogen in the tick body. The innate immune system during the off-host period keeps the level of spirochete infection in check. Spirochetes may influence the innate immune response in ticks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the expression of the genes related to the JAK/STAT pathway and selected AMPs in questing ticks in which B. burgorferi s.l. was detected. In the ticks infected with spirochetes, overexpression of genes related to the JAK/STAT signalling pathway was observed in the case of STAM and SOCS genes. AMPs genes such as def1, ric, lzs were overexpressed with different expression patterns. The results obtained suggest that AMPs may be involved in infection management in ticks.
Improving the odds of survival: transgenerational effects of infections
Authors: Spanou Victoria M , Andriopoulou Theano P , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J , Netea Mihai G
Published: January 2025

Recent studies argue for a novel concept of the role of chromatin as a carrier of epigenetic memory through cellular and organismal generations, defining and coordinating gene activity states and physiological functions. Environmental insults, such as exposures to unhealthy diets, smoking, toxic compounds, and infections, can epigenetically reprogram germ-line cells and influence offspring phenotypes. This review focuses on intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in different plants, animal species and humans, presenting the up-to-date evidence and arguments for such effects in light of Darwinian and Lamarckian evolutionary theories. An overview of the epigenetic changes induced by infection or other immune challenges is presented, and how these changes, known as epimutations, contribute to shaping offspring phenotypes. The mechanisms that mediate the transmission of epigenetic alterations via the germline are also discussed. Understanding the relationship between environmental fluctuations, epigenetic changes, resistance, and susceptibility to diseases is critical for unraveling disease etiology and adaptive evolution.
Probing structural requirements for thiazole-based mimetics of sunitinib as potent VEGFR-2 inhibitors
Authors: Abd Elhameed Alaa A. , Ali Ahmed R. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Bayomi Said M. , El-Gohary Nadia S.
Published: January 2025

Novel thiazole analogs 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6a–g, 8a, 8b, 9a–c, 10a–d and 11 were designed and synthesized as molecular mimetics of sunitinib.
Stable fabrication of internal micro-channels in polymers based on a thermal-electric coupling field
Authors: Bao Ziran , Shen Tongzhou , Lu Kai , Zhang Linan
Published: January 2025

The micro-grooves on the polymer surface forms an internal channel under a thermoelectric coupling field.