bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buurtzorg: scaling up an organization with hundreds of self-managing teams but no middle managers
Authors: Martela Frank , Nandram Sharda
Published: January 2025

In this contribution to the Organization Zoo series, we examine Buurtzorg, a highly successful Dutch home care organization with over 14 thousand employees that operates without any supervisors or middle management. Given its size, it is a rare example of a self-managing organization that has radically decentralized decision-making to empower autonomous teams to operate highly independently while growing to thousands of employees. Buurtzorg’s case sheds light on the role of supportive structures, including purpose-built information and communication technology and a small team of internal coaches, that the firm uses to scale up a self-managing organization of over 900 independent teams.
3D-printed multi-material optical fiber sensor for dual sensing applications
Authors: Chekkaramkodi Dileep , Ahmed Israr , Al-Rub Rashid K. Abu , Schiffer Andreas , Butt Haider
Published: January 2025

Optical fiber sensors are widely utilized for their precision, stability, adjustable functionality, and minimal signal degradation. They excel in detecting diverse parameters, even in challenging situations where conventional sensors may falter. This study aims to create a novel optical fiber sensor capable of concurrently detecting both temperature and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The sensor was fabricated using digital light processing 3D printing technique. The photocurable resin for 3D printing the optical fiber sensor was prepared by incorporating thermochromic powder and UV-sensitive powders into a polyethylene glycol diacrylate and hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer blend for multi-material printing. The optical fibers were printed in two distinct orientations: horizontal and vertical. The optical characterization of these sensors was carried out by measuring transmission and reflection using customized measurement setups. The vertically oriented fibers exhibit more reflectivity, whereas the horizontally oriented fibers demonstrate higher transmission, owing to the layering phenomenon. The vertically oriented multi-material optical fibers exhibit significant variation in the transmission spectra, making them ideal for dual sensing. A notable change in the transmission percentage at 600 nm was observed at temperatures of 25℃, 35℃, and 45℃, reducing from 12.13 to 9.5%, 17.31 to 15.6%, and 19.62 to 17.98% upon exposure to UV radiation, respectively. The presence of UV radiation and temperature fluctuations can be easily distinguished by analyzing the change in spectra. The proposed optical fiber sensors provide a promising sensing platform for dual sensing applications where continuous monitoring of UV and temperature detection is required.
Multimodal learning–based reconstruction of high-resolution spatial wind speed fields
Authors: Zambra Matteo , Farrugia Nicolas , Cazau Dorian , Gensse Alexandre , Fablet Ronan
Published: January 2025

Wind speed at the sea surface is a key quantity for a variety of scientific applications and human activities. For its importance, many observation techniques exist, ranging from in situ to satellite observations. However, none of such techniques can capture the spatiotemporal variability of the phenomenon at the same time. Reanalysis products, obtained from data assimilation methods, represent the state-of-the-art for sea-surface wind speed monitoring but may be biased by model errors and their spatial resolution is not competitive with satellite products. In this work, we propose a scheme based on both data assimilation and deep learning concepts to process spatiotemporally heterogeneous input sources to reconstruct high-resolution time series of spatial wind speed fields. This method allows to us make the most of the complementary information conveyed by the different sea-surface information typically available in operational settings. We use synthetic wind speed data to emulate satellite images, in situ time series and reanalyzed wind fields. Starting from these pseudo-observations, we run extensive numerical simulations to assess the impact of each input source on the model reconstruction performance. We show that our proposed framework outperforms a deep learning–based inversion scheme and can successfully exploit the spatiotemporal complementary information of the different input sources. We also show that the model can learn the possible bias in reanalysis products and attenuate it in the output reconstructions.
An embedding theorem for multidimensional subshifts
Authors: MEYEROVITCH TOM
Published: January 2025

Krieger’s embedding theorem provides necessary and sufficient conditions for an arbitrary subshift to embed in a given topologically mixing

$\mathbb {Z}$

-subshift of finite type. For certain families of

$\mathbb {Z}^d$

-subshifts of finite type, Lightwood characterized the aperiodic subsystems. In the current paper, we prove a new embedding theorem for a class of subshifts of finite type over any countable abelian group. Our theorem provides necessary and sufficient conditions for an arbitrary subshift X to embed inside a given subshift of finite type Y that satisfies a certain natural condition. For the particular case of

$\mathbb {Z}$

-subshifts, our new theorem coincides with Krieger’s theorem. Our result gives the first complete characterization of the subsystems of the multidimensional full shift

$Y= \{0,1\}^{\mathbb {Z}^d}$

. The natural condition on the target subshift Y, introduced explicitly for the first time in the current paper, is called the map extension property. It was introduced implicitly by Mike Boyle in the early 1980s for

$\mathbb {Z}$

-subshifts and is closely related to the notion of an absolute retract, introduced by Borsuk in the 1930s. A

$\mathbb {Z}$

-subshift has the map extension property if and only if it is a topologically mixing subshift of finite type. We show that various natural examples of

$\mathbb {Z}^d$

subshifts of finite type satisfy the map extension property, and hence our embedding theorem applies for them. These include any subshift of finite type with a safe symbol and the k-colorings of

$\mathbb {Z}^d$

with

$k \ge 2d+1$

. We also establish a new theorem regarding lower entropy factors of multidimensional subshifts that extends Boyle’s lower entropy factor theorem from the one-dimensional case.
Enenterum gomesae n. sp. (Enenteridae) in Kyphosus incisor (Kyphosidae) off the Rio de Janeiro coast, Brazil
Authors: Santos C. Portes , de Oliveira A.G. Lima , Cárdenas M.Q.
Published: January 2025

The genus Enenterum Linton, 1910 comprises species which parasitize herbivorous kyphosid fish. In the present study, a new species is described based on fresh specimens collected from Kyphosus incisor from Rio de Janeiro. The new species is characterized by having the oral sucker infundibuliform with 10 lobes, prepharynx two times longer than pharynx, presence of oesophagus, testes slightly lobed, round ovary and rectum with muscular sphincter connected to the anus. New genetic sequences include partial 18S and 28S rDNA and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2. The phylogenetic analyses place Enenterum gomesae n. sp. as sister of Enenterum aureum, corroborating the morphological analyses. Enenterum aureum (=E. pimelopteri) previously described from Kyphosus spp. from Rio de Janeiro is now considered E. gomesae n. sp. The new species represents the only South American species so far described for this genus.
First record of the giant anemone, Relicanthus daphneae, at active hydrothermal vent fields in the Indian Ocean
Authors: Neufeld Monika , Meyn Klaas , Kihara Terue C. , Martinez Arbizu Pedro , Kuhn Thomas
Published: January 2025

While the giant anemone, Relicanthus daphneae, has been described as a characteristic inhabitant of the East Pacific Ocean since 1991, there are relatively few published occurrences worldwide. Here, we present the discovery and molecular verification of R. daphneae along the southern Central Indian Ridge, at the Rodriguez Triple Junction, and along the northern Southeast Indian Ridge within the BGR contract area for the exploration of marine massive sulphide deposits in the Indian Ocean. Individuals were solitary and attached exclusively to basalt hard substrates on the periphery of hydrothermal vent fields, at distances from active vents between 66 and 710 m. We report megafauna observed in close proximity to R. daphneae and, in one case, polychaetes on its tentacles and oral disc. For the first time, the giant anemone was observed capturing prey, a shrimp of the species Rimicaris kairei. Beyond this remark on the diet of these anemones, we also report other behavioural aspects for this species.
A pilot tagging study of yellownose skate (Dipturus chilensis) and roughskin skate (Dipturus trachyderma) off southern Chile
Authors: Apablaza Pedro , Queirolo Dante , Ahumada Mauricio , Wiff Rodrigo , Flores Andrés
Published: January 2025

The yellownose skate (Dipturus chilensis) and roughskin skate (Dipturus trachyderma) are the only two elasmobranch species targeted by commercial fishing operations in Chile. Despite their importance, much of their biology and ecology remain poorly understood. This research aimed to evaluate the feasibility of tagging these species. In 2021, a pilot study was conducted at two locations, utilizing Petersen discs, acoustic transmitters, and pop-up satellite transmitters on both species. The results revealed a 6% recovery rate from the 50 skates tagged with Petersen discs, while 29.4% of those tagged with acoustic transmitters were successfully detected. Additionally, data from all ten satellite transmitters were successfully transmitted and recovered. The results revealed a maximum horizontal movement of 35.9 km, with the duration of liberty ranging from 8 to 275 days. Stocks of both species are currently depleted, and fishery management relies on closures and total allowable catches, where fishing effort is concentrated in short spatial and temporal windows. These particularities present significant challenges for implementing a national tagging programme, especially in terms of tag recovery. The main conclusion of this research is that the implementation of a tagging programme for both species is feasible. Satellite tagging provides the best results, but its higher implementation cost and limitations in use for relatively small skates could be mitigated by combining it with Petersen discs. Establishing a long-term tagging programme is essential for enhancing the understanding of distribution and migration patterns, which is crucial for enhancing conservation and management efforts for these skates in Chile.
A new record of the nudibranch Halgerda batangas from Vietnam confirmed by DNA barcoding
Authors: Do Thinh Dinh , Tran Ha Manh , Nguyen Ngai Dang , Do Thung Cong , Nguyen Minh Van , Nguyen Linh Manh , Nguyen Quan Van , Gadea Antoni Torres , Pascual Jordi Rojas , Wong Li Lian , Jung Dae-wui
Published: January 2025

Although nudibranchs are common and attractive animals, our understanding of these marine gastropods in Vietnam remains limited. Prior research has suggested that combining morphological examination with molecular analysis results in more accurate identification of nudibranchs. However, previous studies in Vietnam have typically relied solely on morphological methods for nudibranch identification. In this study, the nudibranch species Halgerda batangas was recorded in Vietnam for the first time based on both morphological and molecular approaches. Halgerda batangas was characterized by a network pattern consisting of orange lines, relatively low dorsal tubercles with red-orange caps and white basal rings, and an orange line along the foot margin. Molecular analysis corroborated the morphological findings. These results suggest that integrating morphological and molecular methods is an effective approach for identifying nudibranchs.
Unveiling a new species of Trapania (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) from the South-eastern Pacific using anatomical and molecular tools
Authors: Uribe Roberto A. , Mendivil Alejandro , Pastor Ruslan , Atoche-Suclupe Dennis , Aleman Solange , Flores Lorenzo , Sepulveda Fabiola
Published: January 2025

Morphological and molecular methods were used to describe a new species of Trapania Pruvot-Fol, 1931 from shallow water kelp forests on the north-central coast of Peru. The new species, Trapania huarmeyana sp. nov., is distinguished from other species along the Eastern Pacific by external morphological characters such as its translucent white body with brown stripes and small spots on the dorsum, blotches on the base of the extra-branchial processes, extra rhinophoral processes and gill branches. Internally, T. huarmeyana sp. nov. is distinguishable by several morphological characteristics of the radula, jaws and genital organs. Phylogenetic trees recovered using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analysis of DNA sequences support its distinct status and clarify its relationship to other species from the Eastern Pacific. This new species constitutes the first record of Trapania from the Humboldt Current Ecosystem, contributing to our understanding of the distribution of the genus in the South-eastern Pacific.
‘Thanks to technology’: discourse, care and technology in England
Authors: Whitfield Grace , Hamblin Kate
Published: January 2025

Discourses and how they construct policy ‘problems’ delimit ‘solutions’, including the scale, shape and structure of services. This article discusses how the adult social care sector in England is presented as a policy problem, with the greater use of technology the associated ‘common-sense’ solution – both to the ‘crisis of care’ in a society with an ageing population and as a means to stimulate the national economy. It draws upon critical discourse analysis to examine English policy documents and other government texts published between 2020 and 2022. In doing so, it de-objectivises and de-universalises semiotic claims around care and technology and explores omitted alternatives. In discourse, ageing and care are framed as both problems to be solved and opportunities for entrepreneurship. Technologies are bound together with efficiency, with limited exploration of how use of the former necessarily entails the latter. Technology is, in addition, presented as agentic, inevitable and unassailable, closing off debates as to whether other, less seemingly ‘innovative’ options for reform and change could entail more favourable outcomes. Discourse thus limits the role of the state to stimulating the environment required for technological advancement.
The Fragility of the Local News Trust Advantage: Evidence from Republican Attacks on Local News
Authors: Archer Allison M. N. , Peterson Erik
Published: January 2025

Today, few political news outlets receive universally favorable evaluations from the American public. In retaining broad public approval, local media remain a notable exception that is important to understand. We consider the durability of local news trust to criticism from politicians, focusing on Republican elites because they generally are more willing to attack the media than Democrats. In a survey experiment, we find that exposure to a Republican politician’s attack on a local newspaper dramatically reduces the public’s trust in and intent to use local news. This attack is particularly effective among Republicans, although it also leads Democrats and Independents to negatively shift their views of the local newspaper. Among those exposed to elite criticism of local news, overall trust and partisan divides between Republicans and Democrats resemble those for national media. This shows that the credibility of local news depends on the absence of elite criticism rather than resilience to it.
Two Adaptations, Both Alike in Dignity: West Side Story and the Cinematic Impact of an American Film Musical
Authors: Woller Megan
Published: January 2025

In the wake of the 60th anniversary of the 1961 film, the December 2021 release of a second film adaptation of the 1957 musical West Side Story sheds light on the continued cultural impact of this musical. Indeed, West Side Story permeates popular consciousness of the genre and has been celebrated over decades for its artistic integrity and achievement. Works with this type of canonical status often carry an expectation for a certain amount of fidelity when being adapted. Yet in the move from stage to screen, changes become necessary due to media specificity. More than that, the effect of time has much to do with several of the choices made in each of West Side Story's film adaptations. Drawing on adaptation theory, this article examines the adaptation approaches of the 1961 and 2021 films with a focus on the songs and how larger-scale changes affect the characterizations and dramatic arc each film. These changes reveal much regarding Hollywood's approach to the relationship between concepts of cinematic realism and the musical as genre.
Understanding and Modeling the Dynamics of Storm‐Time Atmospheric Neutral Density Using Random Forests
Authors: Murphy K. , Halford A. J. , Liu V. , Klenzing J. , Smith J. , Garcia‐Sage K. , Pettit J. , Rae I. J.
Published: January 2025

Atmospheric neutral density is a crucial component to accurately predict and track the motion of satellites. During periods of elevated solar and geomagnetic activity atmospheric neutral density becomes highly variable and dynamic. This variability and enhanced dynamics make it difficult to accurately model neutral density leading to increased errors which propagate from neutral density models through to orbit propagation models. In this paper we investigate the dynamics of neutral density during geomagnetic storms. We use a combination of solar and geomagnetic variables to develop three Random Forest machine learning models of neutral density. These models are based on (a) slow solar indices, (b) high cadence solar irradiance, and (c) combined high‐cadence solar irradiance and geomagnetic indices. Each model is validated using an out‐of‐sample data set using analysis of residuals and typical metrics. During quiet‐times, all three models perform well; however, during geomagnetic storms, the combined high cadence solar iradiance/geomagnetic model performs significantly better than the models based solely on solar activity. The combined model capturing an additional 10% in the variability of density and having an error up to six times smaller during geomagnetic storms then the solar models. Overall, this work demonstrates the importance of including geomagnetic activity in the modeling of atmospheric density and serves as a proof of concept for using machine learning algorithms to model, and in the future forecast atmospheric density for operational use.
Biomarkers in biliary atresia – an elusive promise of predicting outcome
Authors: Jagadisan Barath , Dhawan Anil
Published: January 2025

Research on biomarkers in BA promises to predict and change outcomes in BA. This goal is still unrealized at the moment. The study by Kamp et al attempts to understand the drivers of fibrosis and elucidate the role of amyloid-related genes in the pathophysiology of BA. Based on this, they attempt to predict outcomes in BA using biomarkers by analysing plasma samples for amyloid precursor protein. There is a need to evaluate if shifting the focus from pre-KPE biomarkers to post-KPE biomarkers, serial evaluations and the use of composite scores could help in better prognostication.
Mucosal immune response in biology, disease prevention and treatment
Authors: Zhou Xiaoxue , Wu Yuchen , Zhu Zhipeng , Lu Chu , Zhang Chunwu , Zeng Linghui , Xie Feng , Zhang Long , Zhou Fangfang
Published: January 2025

The mucosal immune system, as the most extensive peripheral immune network, serves as the frontline defense against a myriad of microbial and dietary antigens. It is crucial in preventing pathogen invasion and establishing immune tolerance. A comprehensive understanding of mucosal immunity is essential for developing treatments that can effectively target diseases at their entry points, thereby minimizing the overall impact on the body. Despite its importance, our knowledge of mucosal immunity remains incomplete, necessitating further research. The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has underscored the critical role of mucosal immunity in disease prevention and treatment. This systematic review focuses on the dynamic interactions between mucosa-associated lymphoid structures and related diseases. We delve into the basic structures and functions of these lymphoid tissues during disease processes and explore the intricate regulatory networks and mechanisms involved. Additionally, we summarize novel therapies and clinical research advances in the prevention of mucosal immunity-related diseases. The review also addresses the challenges in developing mucosal vaccines, which aim to induce specific immune responses while maintaining tolerance to non-pathogenic microbes. Innovative therapies, such as nanoparticle vaccines and inhalable antibodies, show promise in enhancing mucosal immunity and offer potential for improved disease prevention and treatment.
Ubiquitin-specific protease 25 ameliorates ulcerative colitis by regulating the degradation of phosphor-STAT3
Authors: Liu Zhengru , Liu Jian , Wei Yuping , Li Jinting , Zhang Jixiang , Yu Rong , Yang Qian , Miao Yinglei , Dong Weiguo
Published: January 2025

Ubiquitin-specific protease 25 (USP25), a member of the deubiquitination family, plays an important role in protein ubiquitination, degradation, inflammation, and immune regulation. However, the role and mechanism of USP25 in ulcerative colitis (UC) remain unclear. To study the role and mechanism of USP25 in UC, bioinformatics analysis and research are conducted on clinical patients with UC, Usp25 knockout (Usp25−/−) mice, intestinal epithelial cell-specific knockout signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) (Villin-Cre Stat3fl/fl) mice, and human colonic epithelial cells. Results show that the expression of USP25 is decreased in patients with UC and mice with dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-induced colitis and that USP25 deficiency exacerbates UC by destroying the intestinal mucosal barrier, however, overexpression of USP25 can alleviate colitis. Mechanistically, USP25 reduces the degradation of phosphor-STAT3Y705 at lysine 409 by catalyzing K48-linked deubiquitination. Further, this study demonstrates the aggravation of DSS-induced colitis by intestinal epithelial cell-specific knockout Stat3 in mice, while Stat3 overexpression by adeno-associated virus attenuates colitis in DSS-induced Usp25−/− mice. Together, these results showed that USP25 ameliorates UC by regulating the degradation of phosphor-STAT3. Collectively, USP25 is a specific STAT3 regulator that can be targeted in UC.
Roles of immunoglobulin GM and KM allotypes and Fcγ receptor 2 A genotypes in humoral immunity to a conserved microbial polysaccharide in pulmonary diseases
Authors: Pandey Janardan P. , Nietert Paul J. , Namboodiri Aryan M. , Kimball Christine , Flume Patrick A.
Published: January 2025

Immunoglobulin GM (γ marker) and KM (κ marker) allotypes—encoded by immunoglobulin heavy chain G (IGHG) and immunoglobulin κ constant (IGKC) genes—have been shown to be associated with immune responsiveness to a variety of self and nonself antigens. The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether allelic variation at the GM and KM loci was associated with antibody responsiveness to poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (PNAG), a broadly-conserved surface polysaccharide expressed by many microbial pathogens. In addition, we wished to determine whether Fcγ receptor 2 A (FCGR2A) genotypes, which have been shown to be risk factors for some pathogens, also influenced antibody responses to PNAG. DNA from 257 patients with various pulmonary diseases (PD) was genotyped for several GM, KM, and FCGR2A alleles, and plasma were characterized for anti-PNAG IgG antibodies. The levels of IgG4 antibodies to PNAG were associated with FCGR2A genotypes (p = 0.01). Also, KM and FCGR2A alleles epistatically contributed to anti-PNAG IgG3 antibody responses: subjects with KM 1/1 or KM 1/3 and homozygous for the R allele of FCGR2A had the highest levels of anti-PNAG IgG3 antibodies compared to all other genotype combinations. If confirmed by larger studies, these results are potentially relevant to immunotherapy against many PNAG-expressing infectious pathogens.
MPicker: visualizing and picking membrane proteins for cryo-electron tomography
Authors: Yan Xiaofeng , Li Shudong , Huang Weilin , Wang Hao , Zhao Tianfang , Huang Mingtao , Zhou Niyun , Shen Yuan , Li Xueming
Published: January 2025

Advancements in cryo-electron tomography (cryoET) allow the structure of macromolecules to be determined in situ, which is crucial for studying membrane protein structures and their interactions in the cellular environment. However, membranes are often highly curved and have a strong contrast in cryoET tomograms, which masks the signals from membrane proteins. These factors pose difficulties in observing and revealing the structures of membrane proteins in situ. Here, we report a membrane-flattening method and the corresponding software, MPicker, designed for the visualization, localization, and orientation determination of membrane proteins in cryoET tomograms. This method improves the visualization of proteins on and around membranes by generating a flattened tomogram that eliminates membrane curvature and reduces the spatial complexity of membrane protein analysis. In MPicker, we integrated approaches for automated particle picking and coarse alignment of membrane proteins for sub-tomogram averaging. MPicker was tested on tomograms of various cells to evaluate the method for visualizing, picking, and analyzing membrane proteins.
Brainstem serotonin amplifies nociceptive transmission in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Grivet Zoé , Aby Franck , Verboven Aude , Bouali-Benazzouz Rabia , Sueur Benjamin , Maingret François , Naudet Frédéric , Dhellemmes Thibault , De Deurwaerdere Philippe , Benazzouz Abdelhamid , Fossat Pascal
Published: January 2025

Parkinson’s disease arises from the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, leading to motor symptoms such as akinesia, rigidity, and tremor at rest. The non-motor component of Parkinson’s disease includes increased neuropathic pain, the prevalence of which is 4 to 5 times higher than the general rate. By studying a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease induced by 6-hydroxydopamine, we assessed the impact of dopamine depletion on pain modulation. Mice exhibited mechanical hypersensitivity associated with hyperexcitability of neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (DHSC). Serotonin (5-HT) levels increased in the spinal cord, correlating with reduced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) and increased excitability of 5-HT neurons. Selective optogenetic inhibition of 5-HT neurons attenuated mechanical hypersensitivity and reduced DHSC hyperexcitability. In addition, the blockade of 5-HT2A and 5-HT3 receptors reduced mechanical hypersensitivity. These results reveal, for the first time, that PD-like dopamine depletion triggers spinal-mediated mechanical hypersensitivity, associated with serotonergic hyperactivity in the NRM, opening up new therapeutic avenues for Parkinson’s disease-associated pain targeting the serotonergic systems.
Bathymetry of the Antarctic continental shelf and ice shelf cavities from circumpolar gravity anomalies and other data
Authors: Charrassin Raphaelle , Millan Romain , Rignot Eric , Scheinert Mirko
Published: January 2025

Bathymetry critically influences the intrusion of warm Circumpolar Deep Water onto the continental shelf and under ice shelf cavities in Antarctica, thereby forcing ice melting, grounding line retreat, and sea level rise. We present a novel and comprehensive bathymetry of Antarctica that includes all ice shelf cavities and previously unmeasured continental shelf areas. The new bathymetry is based on a 3D inversion of a circumpolar compilation of gravity anomalies constrained by measurements from the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean, BedMachine Antarctica, and discrete seafloor measurements from seismic and ocean robotic probes. Previously unknown troughs with thicker ice shelf cavities are revealed in many parts of Antarctica, especially East Antarctica. The greater depths of troughs on the continental shelf and ice shelf cavities imply that many glaciers are more vulnerable to ocean subsurface warming than previously thought, which may increase the projections of sea level rise from Antarctica.
Improving model performance in mapping black-soil resource with machine learning methods and multispectral features
Authors: Hu Jianfang , Tang Yulei , Yan Jiapan , Zhang Jiahong , Zhao Yuxin , Chen Zhansheng
Published: January 2025

Accurate information on the distribution of regional black-soil resource is one of the important elements for the sustainable management of soils. And its results can provide decision makers with robust data that can be translated into better decision making. This study utilized all Sentinel-2 images covering the study area from April to July in 2022. After masking clouds, all images were synthesized monthly. Based on the revised random forest classification algorithm, model performance using different feature combination programs were evaluated to search for an efficient, high-precision method for mapping black-soil resource. The impact on model performance of adding data from temperature, precipitation and slope geographic covariates was analyzed. And the robustness of the model was verified using Landsat-8 data with lower spatial resolution. The results showed that (1) the model based on multi-temporal ensemble features for mapping black-soil resource shows the best performance, with an OA of 94.6%; (2) adding temperature covariate can effectively improve the accuracy of black-soil resource mapping; (3) compared to the sentinel data, the performance of the model based on Landsat-8 data is reduced but still plausible, verifying the robustness of the model. This study provides a robust method to improve model performance for rapid mapping of black-soil resource.
Wavefront-aberration-tolerant diffractive deep neural networks using volume holographic optical elements
Authors: Hoshi Ikuo , Wakunami Koki , Ichihashi Yasuyuki , Oi Ryutaro
Published: January 2025

As the demand for computational performance in artificial intelligence (AI) continues to increase, diffractive deep neural networks (D2NNs), which can perform AI computing at the speed of light by repeated optical modulation with diffractive optical elements (DOEs), are attracting attention. DOEs are varied in terms of fabrication methods and materials, and among them, volume holographic optical elements (vHOEs) have unique features such as high selectivity and multiplex recordability for wavelength and angle. However, when those are used for D2NNs, they suffer from unknown wavefront aberrations compounded by multiple fabrication errors. Here, we propose a training method to adapt the model to be unknown wavefront aberrations and demonstrate a D2NN using vHOEs. As a result, the proposed method improved the classification accuracy by approximately 58 percentage points in the optical experiment, with the model trained to classify handwritten digits. The achievement of this study can be extended to the D2NN that enables the independent modulation of multiple wavelengths owing to their wavelength selectivity and wavelength division multiplex recordability. Therefore, it might be promising for various applications that require multiple wavelengths in parallel optical computing, bioimaging, and optical communication.
Prediction of white matter hyperintensities evolution one-year post-stroke from a single-point brain MRI and stroke lesions information
Authors: Rachmadi Muhammad Febrian , Valdés-Hernández Maria del C. , Makin Stephen , Wardlaw Joanna , Skibbe Henrik
Published: January 2025

Predicting the evolution of white matter hyperintensities (WMH), a common feature in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of older adults (i.e., whether WMH will grow, remain stable, or shrink with time) is important for personalised therapeutic interventions. However, this task is difficult mainly due to the myriad of vascular risk factors and comorbidities that influence it, and the low specificity and sensitivity of the image intensities and textures alone for predicting WMH evolution. Given the predominantly vascular nature of WMH, in this study, we evaluate the impact of incorporating stroke lesion information to a probabilistic deep learning model to predict the evolution of WMH 1-year after the baseline image acquisition, taken soon after a mild stroke event, using T2-FLAIR brain MRI. The Probabilistic U-Net was chosen for this study due to its capability of simulating and quantifying the uncertainties involved in the prediction of WMH evolution. We propose to use an additional loss called volume loss to train our model, and incorporate stroke lesions information, an influential factor in WMH evolution. Our experiments showed that jointly segmenting the disease evolution map (DEM) of WMH and stroke lesions, improved the accuracy of the DEM representing WMH evolution. The combination of introducing the volume loss and joint segmentation of DEM of WMH and stroke lesions outperformed other model configurations with mean volumetric absolute error of 0.0092 ml (down from 1.7739 ml) and 0.47% improvement on average Dice similarity coefficient in shrinking, growing and stable WMH.
Vertical wind profile distribution within canopy layer based on representative geometry model using wind tunnel experiment
Authors: Zaki S. A. , H’ng Y. M. , Mohammad A. F. , Ardila‑Rey Jorge Alfredo , Alam Noor , Ahmad Mardiana Idayu
Published: January 2025

This study examined the mean and turbulent wind speed distribution within the canopy height of a tropical urban campus based on a representative geometry model via wind tunnel experiments. The vertical wind profiles were analysed around two high-rise buildings, Menara Razak (MR) and Residensi Tower (RT) at both wind directions (22.5° and 202.5°). To examine the influence of high-rise buildings on strong wind, the collected data of mean wind speed (u), root mean square (urms), and skewness (SK) were analysed. Effects of the wind direction, building layout or arrangement and building geometry under the canopy height were also examined. The results show that the building layout influenced the wind distribution within the target site, and the approaching wind flow direction also influenced the wind flow interaction with the building. The height of the target building (H) influenced the distance traveled by the vortices in the wake flow. For the MR and RT cases, the vortices could be affected up to a minimum distance of H and 1.5H, respectively. The study demonstrates that the building layout significantly influences the distribution of wind speeds within the canopy height of a tropical urban campus.
A novel approach to assess acid diversion efficiency in horizontal wells
Authors: Almalichy Abdulameer , Aljawad Murtada Saleh , Turzo Zoltan , Al-Yaseri Ahmed
Published: January 2025

Using an acid to stimulate a heterogeneous carbonate reservoir during matrix acidizing may lead to over-treating the high permeability zones, leaving low permeability zones untreated. This is particularly exacerbated in long horizontal sections, necessitating the use of acid diverters for effective acid distribution across the formation. In previous studies, conventional core flooding systems were utilized where single inlet and outlet lines were used or, at best, two outlet lines for dual-core flooding. This paper proposes a new method for simulating matrix acidizing in horizontal wells by introducing five injection points and two outlet lines. The injection points are perpendicular to the core samples to simulate multiple perforations in a horizontal well while the outlet lines are parallel. Four experiments were conducted in this study using Indiana limestone cores that were 1.5 inches in diameter. For the first three tests, the length of the core was 12 inches, and the cores’ average permeabilities were 16 mD. For the fourth one, two 6-inch length cores with different average permeability (10 and 50 mD) were employed. Hydrochloric acid was used in the first experiment, while hydrochloric acid with viscoelastic surfactant (VES) was used in subsequent experiments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to introduce a multi-point injection system with enhanced coverage and distribution, resulting in a more precise representation of acidizing a horizontal well.
Examining the effect of personality on user acceptance of conditionally automated vehicles
Authors: Nordhoff S. , Lehtonen E.
Published: January 2025

Automated vehicle acceptance (AVA) research has grown substantially in the past few years. There is a paucity of research on the role of the big five personality traits on attitudes towards automated vehicles (AVs) and AVA. This is a critical shortcoming given that personality is considered a critical factor explaining technology adoption. Our major theoretical contribution is the integration of the most popular personality measure – the big five – and one of the most influential technology acceptance models – Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2). A questionnaire was administered to 9,339 respondents from nine countries to predict the behavioral intention to use conditionally automated vehicles (CondAVs). The original UTAUT2 was extended by trust and driver engagement and the big five personality traits openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine the direct effects of these constructs on behavioral intention and the indirect effects of the personality traits on the independent constructs of the extended UTAUT2. The results have shown positive effects of social influence, trust, and performance expectancy on the behavioral intention to use CondAVs. Most of the hypotheses pertaining to the role of the personality traits on the UTAUT2 constructs were supported, but the effects were relatively small (< 0.25). Our findings support the usefulness of UTAUT2 in evaluating the success of AVs, providing crucial insights into the factors driving the acceptance of CondAVs. The cross-country analysis provides further insights into the role of an individual’s personality for AVA. Our study yields important implications for practitioners. Given the small effect sizes of personality, designing CondAVs around the personalities of their customers during development and commercialization may be ineffective to promote trust and acceptance.
The assessment of chemical composition and biological activity of faba bean pods as a potential feed additive utilized in piglets nutrition
Authors: Vlasova Inna , Krüsselmann Philip , Kostenko Yuliia , Obrębski Maciej , Granica Sebastian , Vahjen Wilfried , Zentek Jürgen , Równicki Marcin , Piwowarski Jakub P.
Published: January 2025

The study addresses the utilization of food waste by-products from faba bean (Vicia faba L.) pods (FBP) as an alternative feed supplement to promote sustainable piglet growth by reducing antimicrobial use. Objectives include evaluation of FBP in terms of nutritional components (proximate composition, fibres, minerals), phytochemical composition (total phenols, HPLC-MS profiling), and in vitro biological activities. Air-dried FBP from the cultivar ‘Bizon’ contained high levels of crude protein (144 g/kg), dietary fibre (413 g/kg), potassium (27.8 g/kg), and iron (126 mg/kg). Phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract from FBP revealed significant levels of polyphenols, including vestitol, piscidic acid, hydroxyeucomic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol glycosides with no detectable tannins. The extract showed negligible activity against porcine digestive enzymes (α-amylase, lipase, and trypsin) (IC50 > 4 mg/mL) and demonstrated a dose-dependent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in concentrations of 1–8 mg/mL. The extract had low cytotoxicity (IC50 = 432.6 µg/mL) against IPEC-J2 – cells derived from porcine jejunal epithelium. The results indicate that FBP ‘Bizon’ is a valuable source of bioactive compounds with antibacterial properties, without adverse effects on porcine enzymes or IPEC-J2 cells, supporting its potential as a sustainable feed in piglet nutrition, in line with circular economy concepts.
Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) modulates response to therapy and chemo-resistance in triple negative breast cancer
Authors: da Silva Fernandes Tatiane , Gillard Bryan M. , Dai Tao , Martin Jeffrey C. , Chaudhry Kanita A. , Dugas Scott M. , Fisher Alyssa A. , Sharma Pia , Wu RongRong , Attwood Kristopher M. , Dasgupta Subhamoy , Takabe Kazuaki , Rosario Spencer R. , Bianchi-Smiraglia Anna
Published: January 2025

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the deadliest subtypes of breast cancer, whose high frequency of relapse is often due to resistance to chemotherapy. Here, we identify inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2) as a contributor to doxorubicin resistance, in multiple TNBC models. Analysis of publicly available datasets reveals elevated IMPDH2 expression to associate with worse overall TNBC prognosis in the clinic, including lower recurrence-free survival post adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy. Importantly, both genetic depletion and pharmacological inhibition of IMPDH2 leads to reduction of pro-tumorigenic phenotypes in multiple doxorubicin-resistant TNBC models, both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, we propose IMPDH2 as a novel vulnerability that could be leveraged therapeutically to suppress and/or prevent the growth of chemo-resistant lesions.
Worse survival of hepatocellular cancer patients with membranous insulin receptor overexpression
Authors: Heckl Steffen Markus , Schneider Carolin , Kercher Lukas , Behrens Hans-Michael , Gundlach Jan-Paul , Bernsmeier Alexander , Schmidt Stephan , Krüger Sandra , Braun Felix , Günther Rainer , Becker Thomas , Schreiber Stefan , Röcken Christoph
Published: January 2025

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) therapy is in need for an ideal companion diagnostic. Preclinical experimental studies have identified the insulin receptor (IR) and its synergistic counterpart, the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), as relevant in HCC development, and the ligands IGF1 and IGF2 have been found to be elevated in HCC. This study aimed to bridge the gap to the clinical setting and explore whether the IR or the IGF1R would be of prognostic significance and would be associated with clinicopathologic parameters in HCC patients. In our retrospective cohort study located at the University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany, HCC samples of 139 patients were examined for IR and IGF1R expression by immunohistochemistry. A HistoScore was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and survival. IR overexpression was frequently observed and was associated with clinicopathological parameters and survival. Membranous IR expression was associated with worse tumor specific survival (p = 0.043). Intriguingly, membranous IR expression was associated with worse tumor specific survival (p = 0.017) in the subgroup of patients undergoing sorafenib therapy. IGF1R expression was not associated with survival. In conclusion, our results suggest that membranous IR expression plays a role in HCC prognosis and treatment resistance, inspiring future validation as a potential companion diagnostic in HCC.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with an increased risk of cervical artery dissection
Authors: Trager Robert J. , Lynn Benjamin P. , Baumann Anthony N. , Chu Eric Chun-Pu
Published: January 2025

Limited evidence suggests that autoimmune diseases are associated with an increased risk of cervical artery dissection (CeAD). We hypothesized individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) would have an increased risk of CeAD following SLE diagnosis compared to matched non-lupus controls. We queried a de-identified United States electronic medical records network (TriNetX, Inc.) for individuals aged 10 and older from 2012 to 2020, for two cohorts: (1) SLE and (2) non-lupus controls, excluding those with prior CeAD. We used propensity matching to control for confounding variables and calculated the risk ratio (RR) for CeAD occurring over four years’ follow-up, secondarily exploring cumulative incidence. After matching, both cohorts contained 77,008 patients, who were mostly female (89%). The incidence and risk of CeAD was significantly greater among those with SLE compared to matched non-lupus controls [95% CI] (0.08% vs. 0.04%; RR = 2.33 [1.49;3.66]; P < 0.0001). These findings support the hypothesis that SLE is a risk factor for CeAD. Additional research is needed to identify the mechanisms that may underly the SLE-CeAD association and examine the potential association between other autoimmune diseases and CeAD.
Bias in mobility datasets drives divergence in modeled outbreak dynamics
Authors: Chin Taylor , Johansson Michael A. , Chowdhury Anir , Chowdhury Shayan , Hosan Kawsar , Quader Md Tanvir , Buckee Caroline O. , Mahmud Ayesha S.
Published: January 2025

Background

Digital data sources such as mobile phone call detail records (CDRs) are increasingly being used to estimate population mobility fluxes and to predict the spatiotemporal dynamics of infectious disease outbreaks. Differences in mobile phone operators’ geographic coverage, however, may result in biased mobility estimates.

Methods

We leverage a unique dataset consisting of CDRs from three mobile phone operators in Bangladesh and digital trace data from Meta’s Data for Good program to compare mobility patterns across these sources. We use a metapopulation model to compare the sources’ effects on simulated outbreak trajectories, and compare results with a benchmark model with data from all three operators, representing around 100 million subscribers across the country.

Results

We show that mobility sources can vary significantly in their coverage of travel routes and geographic mobility patterns. Differences in projected outbreak dynamics are more pronounced at finer spatial scales, especially if the outbreak is seeded in smaller and/or geographically isolated regions. In some instances, a simple diffusion (gravity) model was better able to capture the timing and spatial spread of the outbreak compared to the sparser mobility sources.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the potential biases in predicted outbreak dynamics from a metapopulation model parameterized with non-population representative data, and the limits to the generalizability of models built on these types of novel human behavioral data.
Light-induced electron spin qubit coherences in the purple bacteria reaction center protein
Authors: Bindra Jasleen K. , Niklas Jens , Jeong Yeonjun , Jasper Ahren W. , Utschig Lisa M. , Poluektov Oleg G.
Published: January 2025

This study reveals how local environments and isotopic substitution impact spin coherence in photosynthetic reaction centers, offering insights for optimizing quantum coherence in quantum sensing applications.
Porphyrin derivatives: promising perspectives in visible/IR light photopolymerization
Authors: Schnetz Fanny , Versace Davy-Louis , Richeter Sébastien
Published: January 2025

Photopolymerization using visible light represents a significant progress in the synthesis of materials, providing a more economical and ecological method. Therefore, the necessity to develop new and more effective photoinitiating...
Highly efficient and thermally stable cyan-emitting ZnS/ZnO phosphors for full-visible-spectrum LED lighting
Authors: Quang Trung Do , Tran Manh Trung , Du Nguyen Van , Hung Nguyen Duy , Thi Hao Tam Tong , Tu Nguyen , Minh Tri Pham , Gia Chuc Hoang , Trung Kien Nguyen Duc , Van Quang Nguyen , Huy Pham Thanh
Published: January 2025

Optical properties of ZnS/ZnO phosphor and demonstration of NUV-driven phosphor-coated WLEDs.