bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trematode Parasite Infections in Freshwater Leeches from the Central Region of Lithuania: First Record of Posthodiplostomum (Dubois, 1936) in a Leech Host
Authors: Rutkauskaitė-Sucilienė Jurgita , Griciuvienė Loreta , Jakštys Baltramiejus , Šatkauskienė Ingrida
Published: February 2025

Leeches play a critical role in the transmission of digenean trematodes, yet their parasitic infections remain understudied in the Baltic region. This study investigates the diversity, prevalence, and molecular identification of trematode infections in freshwater leeches from central Lithuania. A total of five leech species (Alboglossiphonia heteroclita, Glossiphonia complanata, Glossiphonia verrucata, Helobdella stagnalis, and Erpobdella octoculata) were examined using compression and dissection techniques to detect trematode cysts, which were predominantly found in the soft tissues rather than the intestinal tract. Molecular sequencing of 18S rRNA, COI, and ITS markers, combined with phylogenetic analyses, confirmed the presence of three trematode genera: Cotylurus, Australapatemon, and Posthodiplostomum. The overall infection rate among leeches was 40.8%, with the highest prevalence observed in G. complanata (53.3%). Cotylurus spp. were the most frequently detected parasites, with genetic analyses revealing close affinities to Cotylurus syrius and Cotylurus spp. from Poland. Australapatemon species were also identified, though species-level classification remained inconclusive. Notably, this study provides the first molecular evidence of Posthodiplostomum cuticola utilizing leeches as intermediate hosts, extending the known range of hosts for this trematode. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated the broad geographic distribution of these parasites, with close genetic matches to isolates from Poland, Russia, Canada, and Japan. The findings highlight the ecological significance of leeches in parasite transmission networks and contribute to the understanding of trematode diversity and host interactions in the Baltic region. Further molecular and ecological studies are needed to clarify species diversity and the role of leeches in the life cycles of aquatic parasites.
Integrative Insights into Philadelphia-like B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Genetic and Molecular Landscape
Authors: Chuang Stacey , Chu Alexandra , Hurtado Rodrigo , Tirado Carlos A.
Published: February 2025

Philadelphia-like chromosome acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph-like ALL) is a new subtype of B-ALL that was discovered in 2009 and recognized in the 2016 revision of the World Health Organization criteria under the classification of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemia. This new subtype has an extremely poor prognosis compared to that for other subtypes of ALL, with a 41% five-year overall survival (OS) rate. Ph-like ALL is chemoresistant, with a high minimum residual disease (MRD) level after induction therapy, and it is associated with a high relapse rate. Clinical trials are currently being conducted to study the effectiveness of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors against different genetic alterations in Ph-like ALL patients and the effect of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants (allo-HCT) on treatments. This review summarizes the current findings on Ph-like ALL, focusing on its molecular landscape and clinical implications.
Limitations of Semi-Automated Immunomagnetic Separation of HLA-G-Positive Trophoblasts from Papanicolaou Smears for Prenatal Genetic Diagnostics
Authors: de Boer Eddy N. , Corsten-Janssen Nicole , Wierenga Elles , Bijma Theo , Knapper Jurjen T. , Meerman Gerard J. te , Manten Gwendolyn T. R. , Knoers Nine V. A. M. , Bouman Katelijne , Duin Leonie K. , Diemen Cleo C. van
Published: February 2025

Background: In prenatal genetic diagnostics, the detection of single-gene defects relies on chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis, which carry a miscarriage risk of 0.2–0.3%. To mitigate this risk, fetal trophoblasts have been isolated from a Papanicolaou smear using Trophoblast Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix (TRIC). However, this method is labor-intensive and has been shown to be challenging to implement in clinical practice. Here, we describe our experiences in using semi-automated immunomagnetic cell sorting for isolating trophoblasts from clinically obtained Papanicolaou smears during ongoing pregnancies. Methods: Using HLA-G-positive Jeg-3 and HLA-G-negative HeLa cell lines in 10%, 1%, and 0.1% dilutions, we tested and optimized the isolation of HLA-G-positive cells using FACS and semi-automated immunomagnetic cell sorting. We used the latter technique for isolation of HLA-G-positive cells from Papanicolaou smears collected from 26 pregnant women, gestational age between 6 and 20 weeks, who underwent CVS. Results: In four independent dilution series, the mean percentages of Jeg-3 cells went from 7.1% to 53.5%, 0.9% to 32.6%, and 0.4% to 2.6% (7.5, 36, and 6.5-fold enrichment, respectively) using immunomagnetic cell sorting. After sorting of the Papanicolaou smears, HLA-G-positive cells were moderately increased in the positive (14.61 vs. 11.63%) and decreased in the negative fraction (7.87 vs. 11.63%) compared to baseline pre-sorting. However, we could not identify fetal cells using XY-chromosomal FISH in a male sample. Conclusions: Our study supports previous findings that careful sampling of fetal cells from Papanicolaou smears in a clinical context poses significant challenges to cell retrieval.
Role of Ultrasound in Evaluating Ligament Injuries Around the Ankle: A Narrative Review
Authors: Hattori Soichi , Saggar Rachit , Mullen Joseph , Olawin Abdulganeey , Heidinger Eva , Austin Warren , Williams Akeem , Reeves Glenn , Hogan MaCalus Vinson
Published: February 2025

Ultrasound has emerged as a valuable imaging modality for evaluating ligamentous injuries around the ankle joint, offering several advantages over traditional imaging techniques. It is more cost-effective and widely available than MRI, and it avoids the ionizing radiation exposure associated with X-rays, making it a safer option, particularly for pediatric and adolescent populations. In cases of inversion ankle sprains, ultrasound allows for more accurate assessment of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) compared to X-rays and manual examination and yields diagnostic results comparable to MRI. For high ankle sprains involving syndesmosis injuries, ultrasound—especially stress ultrasound—has shown high diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, ultrasound evaluation of the deltoid ligament (DL) in cases of ankle fractures can aid surgeons in determining the need for ligament repair in conjunction with fracture management. This review explores recent developments in ultrasound imaging of the lateral, medial, and syndesmotic ligaments of the ankle joint and discusses its potential applications for evaluating the spring and posterior ligaments. The review provides a comprehensive overview of the ever-expanding role of ultrasound in the management of ankle ligamentous injuries.
Dynamical Complexity in Geomagnetically Induced Current Activity Indices Using Block Entropy
Authors: Boutsi Adamantia Zoe , Papadimitriou Constantinos , Balasis Georgios , Brinou Christina , Zampa Emmeleia , Giannakis Omiros
Published: February 2025

Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) are a manifestation of space weather events at ground level. GICs have the potential to cause power failures in electric grids. The GIC index is a proxy of the ground geoelectric field derived solely from geomagnetic field data. Information theory can be used to shed light on the dynamics of complex systems, such as the coupled solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere–ground system. We performed block entropy analysis of the GIC activity indices at middle-latitude European observatories around the St. Patrick’s Day March 2015 intense magnetic storm and Mother’s Day (or Gannon) May 2024 superintense storm. We found that the GIC index values were generally higher for the May 2024 storm, indicating elevated risk levels. Furthermore, the entropy values of the SYM-H and GIC indices were higher in the time interval before the storms than during the storms, indicating transition from a system with lower organization to one with higher organization. These findings, including the temporal dynamics of the entropy and GIC indices, highlight the potential of this method to reveal pre-storm susceptibility and relaxation processes. This study not only adds to the knowledge of geomagnetic disturbances but also provides valuable practical implications for space weather forecasting and geospatial risk assessment.
Future-Proofing EU-27 Energy Policies with AI: Analyzing and Forecasting Fossil Fuel Trends
Authors: Tudor Cristiana , Sova Robert , Stamatiou Pavlos , Vlachos Vasileios , Polychronidou Persefoni
Published: February 2025

The energy sector plays a pivotal role in economic development, societal progress, and environmental sustainability, yet heavy reliance on fossil fuels remains a major challenge for achieving climate neutrality. Within this context, the European Union (EU-27) has committed to ambitious climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, making it a critical region for studying energy transition. This study analyzes the determinants of fossil fuels’ share (SFF) in final energy consumption at the aggregate EU-27 level over a 19-year period (2004–2022) and forecasts trends in the region’s energy transition through 2030. Using a random forest (RF) regressor, complex nonlinear relationships between SFF and six key predictors—GDP, population, industrial production, CO2 emissions, renewable energy share (SRE), and energy intensity—were modeled. Model interpretability was enhanced through Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) and partial dependence plots (PDPs), revealing CO2 emissions and SRE as the dominant predictors with opposing effects on SFF. Interaction effects highlighted the synergistic role of emission reduction and renewable energy adoption in minimizing fossil fuel reliance. GDP, while less influential overall, exhibited a significant negative relationship with SFF during early growth stages. Forecasts indicate a steady decline in fossil fuel reliance, from 1.8% in 2022 to 1.33% by 2030, supporting the EU’s climate objectives by emphasizing the importance of renewable energy adoption and emission control. This study demonstrates the transformative potential of machine learning and explainable AI (XAI) techniques in providing actionable insights to advance the EU-27’s sustainability journey.
Pattern-Reconfigurable, Vertically Polarized, Wideband Electrically Small Huygens Source Antenna
Authors: Duan Yunlu , Tang Ming-Chun , Li Mei , Zhang Zhehao , Lin Qingli , Ziolkowski Richard W.
Published: February 2025

A pattern-reconfigurable, vertically polarized (VP), electrically small (ES), Huygens source antenna (HSA) is demonstrated. A custom-designed reconfigurable inverted-F structure is embedded in a hollowed-out cylindrical dielectric resonator (DR). It radiates VP electric dipole fields that excite the DR’s HEM11δ mode, which in turn acts as an orthogonal magnetic dipole radiator. The HSA’s unidirectional properties are thus formed. It becomes low-profile and electrically small through a significant lowering of its operational frequency band by loading the DR’s top surface with a metallic disk. The entire 360° azimuth range is covered by each of the HSA’s four 90° reconfigurable states, emitting a unidirectional wide beam. A prototype was fabricated and tested. The measured results, which are in good agreement with their simulated values, demonstrate that the developed wideband Huygens source antenna, with its 0.085 λL low profile and its 0.20 λL × 0.20 λL compact transverse dimensions, hence, electrically small size with ka = 0.89, exhibits a wide 14.1% fractional impedance bandwidth and a 6.1 dBi peak realized gain in all four of its pattern-reconfigurable states.
Fingerprinting Chinese Sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana Hance) Accessions and Constructing a Core Collection Using Newly Developed SSR Markers
Authors: Dong Mingliang , Yu Niu , Li Rongsheng , He Dong , Yuan Zaixiang , Yang Jinchang , Chen Yong
Published: February 2025

Liquidambar formosana, endemic to China, is a multifunctional tree species valued for its wood production, urban landscaping, and medicinal applications. Here, 111 superior L. formosana accessions were genotyped using 24 novel expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat (EST-SSR) markers to assess genetic diversity and structure, establish DNA fingerprints, and construct a core collection. A high degree of genetic diversity was detected in the tested accessions, with mean values for the number of observed alleles (Na), polymorphism information content (PIC), and Shannon’s information index (I) recorded at 8.458, 0.579, and 1.336 per locus, respectively. Cluster analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), and population structure analysis collectively categorized these accessions into two major groups. Specifically, those from the SangZ provenance formed a distinct group, whereas accessions from other provenances exhibiting extensive gene exchange were assigned to the second group. The combined values of the probability of identity (PI) and the probability of identity among siblings (PIsibs) across 24 SSR loci were 1.475 × 10−19 and 2.561 × 10−8, respectively, indicating a strong ability for fingerprint identification. Unique fingerprints for the 111 accessions were established using four selected core markers. A final core collection consisting of 34 accessions was constructed using the allele maximization (M) strategy, accounting for 30.63% of the analyzed accessions. No significant differences in genetic diversity indicators, allele frequency distributions, and accession dispersion patterns were observed between the core and original collections, suggesting that the core collection could effectively represent the entire collection. This work will promote the identification, management, and conservation of L. formosana germplasm resources while providing valuable materials for the subsequent selection and breeding of this tree species.
Decarbonizing Insular Energy Systems: A Literature Review of Practical Strategies for Replacing Fossil Fuels with Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Arévalo Paul , Ochoa-Correa Danny , Villa-Ávila Edisson , Espinoza Juan L. , Albornoz Esteban
Published: February 2025

The reliance on fossil fuels for electricity production in insular regions creates critical environmental, economic, and logistical challenges, particularly for ecologically fragile islands. Transitioning to renewable energy is essential to mitigate these impacts, enhance energy security, and preserve unique ecosystems. This systematic review addresses key research questions: what practical strategies have proven effective in reducing fossil fuel dependency in island contexts, and what barriers hinder their widespread adoption? By applying the PRISMA methodology, this study examines a decade (2014–2024) of research on renewable energy systems, highlighting successful initiatives such as the integration of solar and wind systems in Hawaii, energy storage advancements in La Graciosa, hybrid renewable grids in the Galápagos Islands, and others. Specific barriers include high upfront costs, regulatory challenges, and technical limitations, such as grid instability due to renewable energy intermittency. This review contributes by synthesizing lessons from diverse case studies and identifying innovative approaches like hydrogen storage, predictive control systems, and community-driven renewable projects. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and researchers to accelerate the transition towards sustainable energy systems in island environments.
Characteristics of Polybenzoxazine Aerogels as Thermal Insulation and Flame-Retardant Materials
Authors: Asrafali Shakila Parveen , Periyasamy Thirukumaran , Lee Jaewoong
Published: February 2025

Polybenzoxazine-based aerogels are a unique class of materials that combine the desirable properties of aerogels—such as low density, high porosity, and excellent thermal insulation—with the outstanding characteristics of polybenzoxazines—such as high thermal stability, low water absorption, and superior mechanical strength. Polybenzoxazines are a type of thermosetting polymer derived from benzoxazine monomers. Several features of polybenzoxazines can be retained within the aerogels synthesized through them. The excellent thermal resistance of polybenzoxazines, which can withstand temperatures above 200–300 °C, makes their aerogel able to withstand extreme thermal environments. The inherent structure of polybenzoxazines, rich in aromatic rings and nitrogen and oxygen atoms, imparts flame-retardant property. Their highly crosslinked structure provides excellent resistance to solvents, acids, and bases. Above all, through their molecular design flexibility, their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties can be tubed to suit specific applications. In this review, the synthesis of polybenzoxazine aerogels, including various steps such as monomer synthesis, gel formation, solvent exchange and drying, and finally curing are discussed in detail. The application of these aerogels in thermal insulation and flame-retardant materials is given importance. The challenges and future prospects of further enhancing their properties and expanding their utility are also summarized.
Computational Fluid Dynamics-Based Simulation of Ventilation in a Zigzag Plastic Greenhouse
Authors: Zhang Yu , Sun Weizhen , Jin Longpeng , Yang Hongbing , Wang Jian , Shu Sheng
Published: February 2025

Zigzag plastic greenhouses are a type of greenhouse with a high natural ventilation capacity, and the number and quantities of their roof vents affect their ventilation and cooling effect. In this study, a CFD model of a greenhouse was constructed based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) theory to simulate the temperature and airflow distribution of a zigzag plastic greenhouse and to investigate the effects that the number of zigzags and the construction orientation have on the cooling effect of this type of greenhouse. The results show that the average air temperature in a double zigzag plastic greenhouse (DZPG) was 0.58 °C lower than that in a single zigzag plastic greenhouse (SZPG) of the same size during the experiment. When the outdoor temperature is higher than 35 °C, the maximum temperature of the DZPG is significantly lower than that of the SZPG in a 1.5 m horizontal section; when the top vent is on the windward side, there is an obvious advantage of DZPG ventilation and the utilization efficiency of its top vent is higher, and when the top vent is on the leeward side, the distribution of the airflow in the DZPG is more intensive and more uniform. The maximum difference in the average temperature between the eight orientations of the DZPG was 0.17 °C. Therefore, the cooling effect in summer is not influenced by the construction orientation, but the airflow in the greenhouse is slightly worse when the direction of the roof vents is parallel to the prevailing wind direction.
Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein Sre1 Mediates the Development and Pathogenicity of the Grey Mould Fungus Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Yuan Ye , Cao Shengnan , Sun Jiao , Hou Jie , Zhang Mingzhe , Qin Qingming , Li Guihua
Published: February 2025

The grey mould fungus Botrytis cinerea is a dangerous plant pathogen responsible for substantial agricultural losses worldwide. The pathogenic mechanisms still have many unclear aspects, and numerous new pathogenic genes remain to be identified. Here, we show that the sterol regulatory element-binding protein Sre1 plays an important role in the development and pathogenicity of B. cinerea. We identified a homologue of gene SRE1 in the B. cinerea genome and utilized a reverse genetics approach to create the knockout mutant Δsre1. Our results demonstrate that SRE1 is essential for conidiation, as Δsre1 produced only 3% of the conidia compared to the wild-type strain. Conversely, Δsre1 exhibited increased sclerotium production, indicating a negative regulatory role of SRE1 in sclerotium formation. Furthermore, ergosterol biosynthesis was significantly reduced in the Δsre1 mutant, correlating with increased sensitivity to low-oxygen conditions. Pathogenicity assays revealed that Δsre1 had significantly reduced virulence, although it maintained normal infection cushion formation and penetration capabilities. Additionally, SRE1 was found to be crucial for hypoxia adaptation, as Δsre1 showed abnormal germination and reduced growth under low-oxygen conditions. These findings suggest that SRE1 mediates the development and pathogenicity of B. cinerea by regulating lipid homeostasis and facilitating adaptation to host tissue environments.
Complement Factor B Deficiency Is Dispensable for Female Fertility but Affects Microbiome Diversity and Complement Activity
Authors: Sunamoto Manato , Morohoshi Kazunori , Sato Ban , Mihashi Ryo , Inui Masafumi , Yamada Mitsutoshi , Miyado Kenji , Kawano Natsuko
Published: February 2025

Complement factor B (CFB) is a crucial component for the activation of the alternative pathway due to the formation of the C3 convertase with C3b, which further produces C3b to enhance the overall complement activity. Although Cfb is expressed not only in the immune tissues, but also in the reproductive tract, the physiological role of the alternative complement pathway in reproduction remains unclear. In this study, we addressed this issue by producing Cfb-knockout (KO) mice and analyzing their phenotypes. Sperm function, number of ovulated oocytes, and litter size were normal in KO mice. In contrast, the diversity of microbiomes in the gut and vaginal tract significantly increased in KO mice. Some serine protease activity in the serum from KO mice was lower than that of wild-type mice. Since the serum from KO mice showed significantly lower activity of the alternative complement pathway, CFB was found to be essential for this pathway. Our results indicate that although the alternative pathway is dispensable for normal fertility and development, it maintains the gut and vaginal microbiomes by suppressing their diversity and activating the alternative complement pathway.
A Study on Partial Discharge Fault Identification in GIS Based on Swin Transformer-AFPN-LSTM Architecture
Authors: Li Jiawei , Ma Shangang , Jin Fubao , Zhao Ruiting , Zhang Qiang , Xie Jiawen
Published: February 2025

Aiming at the problem of manual feature extraction and insufficient mining of feature information for partial discharge pattern recognition under different insulation faults in GIS, a deep learning model based on phase and timing features with Swin Transformer-AFPN-LSTM architecture is proposed. Firstly, a GIS insulation fault simulation experimental platform is constructed, and the PRPD phase data and TRPD timing data under different faults are obtained; secondly, the TRPD timing data are converted into MTF; then the PRPD phase data and MTF timing data are input into the Swin Transformer-AFPN-LSTM model and other deep learning models for performance comparison. The experimental results show that the Swin Transformer-AFPN-LSTM model improves the performance by 14.09–21.23% compared with the traditional CNN model and LSTM model. Moreover, using this model to extract phase features and timing features simultaneously improves the accuracy by 10.67% and 8.66%, respectively, compared with single feature extraction, and the overall accuracy reaches 98.82%, which provides a new idea for GIS insulation fault identification.
TGNF-Net: Two-Stage Geometric Neighborhood Fusion Network for Category-Level 6D Pose Estimation
Authors: Zhao Xiaolong , Yan Feihu , Zhao Guangzhe , Wang Caiyong
Published: February 2025

The main goal of six-dimensional pose estimation is to accurately ascertain the location and orientation of an object in three-dimensional space, which has a wide range of applications in the field of artificial intelligence. Due to the relative sparseness of the point cloud data captured by the depth camera, the ability of models to fully understand the shape, structure, and other features of the object is hindered. Consequently, the model exhibits weak generalization when faced with objects with significant shape differences in the new scene. The deep integration of feature levels and the mining of local and global information can effectively alleviate the influence of the above factors. To solve these problems, we propose a new Two-Stage Geometric Neighborhood Fusion Network for category-level 6D pose estimation (TGNF-Net) to estimate objects that have not appeared in the training phase, which strengthens the fusion capacity of feature points within a specific range of neighborhoods, enabling the feature points to be more sensitive to both local and global geometric information. Our approach includes a neighborhood information fusion module, which can effectively utilize neighborhood information to enrich the feature set of different modal data and overcome the problem of heterogeneity between image and point cloud data. In addition to this, we design a two-stage geometric information embedding module, which can effectively fuse geometric information of the multi-scale range into keypoint features. This way enhances the robustness of the model and enables the model to exhibit stronger generalization capabilities when faced with unknown or complex scenes. These two strategies enhance the expression of features and make NOCS coordinate predictions more accurate. Many experiments show that our approach is superior to other classical methods on the CAMERA25, REAL275, HouseCat6D, and Omni6DPose datasets.
Ti3AlC2 MAX/MXene for Hydrogen Generation via Photocatalytic Hydride Hydrolysis
Authors: Abdelhamid Hani Nasser
Published: February 2025

Reducing dehydrogenation temperature while preserving high hydrogen generation capacity obstructs the hydrolysis of sodium borohydrides (NaBH4). The two-dimensional (2D) MAX phase of titanium aluminum carbide (Ti3AlC2) and MXene (Ti3C2Tx) multilayers was investigated for hydrogen generation via NaBH4 hydrolysis with and without light. The material was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HR-TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The activity of Ti3AlC2 was significantly enhanced by the integration of UV light radiation during hydrolysis. Ti3AlC2/Ti3C2Tx improved the dehydrogenation rates of NaBH4 at ambient conditions and maintained high hydrogen generation rates (HGRs) over time compared to a conventional method. It exhibited a HGR of 200–300 mL·min−1·g−1. Photo-assisted hydrolysis over the catalyst can be maintained for several times at ambient temperature. The catalyst demonstrated effective performance even after five cycles of usage.
New Records of Phenacoccus solenopsis Natural Enemies in Europe and Taxonomic Additions on Anagyrus matritensis
Authors: Ricupero Michele , Porcu Emanuele , Russo Agatino , Zappalà Lucia , Siscaro Gaetano
Published: February 2025

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous invasive species native to America and considered one of the major cotton pests in Asia. It is currently threatening horticultural and ornamental protected crops in Mediterranean countries. Due to ecological and environmental concerns, the conventional chemical control of P. solenopsis in new areas of introduction is being replaced by exploring the potential of indigenous natural enemies as a sustainable biological control tool. After P. solenopsis introduction in Sicily (Italy), field surveys were conducted on native natural enemies attacking the mealybug to select promising biocontrol agents for field applications. For the first time, Aenasius arizonensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was reported in Europe, and the native Anagyrus matritensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was recorded in association with P. solenopsis. The two parasitoid species were identified by morphological features and molecularly using a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene. Because of missing information, additional morphological features were provided for the morphological identification of A. matritensis. In addition, the generalist predators Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, Hippodamia variegata and Parexochomus nigripennis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were also recorded attacking the invasive mealybug.
Roles of Vitellogenin and Its Receptor Genes in Female Reproduction of the Cigarette Beetle, Lasioderma serricorne
Authors: Guo Qian , Zu Mingxun , Liu Deqian , Yan Yi , Yang Wenjia , Xu Kangkang
Published: February 2025

Vitellogenin (Vg) and the vitellogenin receptor (VgR) play essential roles in insect reproductive development. However, the functions of Vg and VgR genes in Lasioderma serricorne, an important insect pest of stored products, are unknown. We identified and characterized these two genes, designated LsVg and LsVgR, in L. serricorne. The open reading frames of LsVg and LsVgR were 5232 and 5529 bp, encoding 1743 and 1842 amino acid residues, respectively. Both LsVg and LsVgR were predominantly expressed in female adults and exhibited the highest expression in ovaries. The RNAi-mediated silencing of LsVg or LsVgR significantly decreased the average length of ovarian tubes and oocytes and severely affected ovarian development. The Knockdown of LsVg or LsVgR significantly reduced the oviposition period, the number of eggs laid, and the egg hatching rate. Females injected with dsLsVg and dsLsVg + VgR were found to had decreased vitellogenin content. The co-silencing of LsVg and LsVgR had a more pronounced effect on reducing the oviposition period and female fecundity in L. serricorne. This study revealed the importance of LsVg and LsVgR in regulating female reproduction and shows their potential as targets for RNAi-based control of L. serricorne.
Impact of Green Finance on Chinese Urban Land Green Use Efficiency: An Empirical Study Based on a Quasinatural Experiment
Authors: Wang Fen , Zhang Haikuo , Zhou Jingjie
Published: February 2025

To examine the impact of green finance (GF) on urban land green use efficiency (LGUE), we treat the Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zone (GFRIPZ) policy, implemented in 2017, as quasi-natural experiment. The results from a multi-period difference-in-difference model show that GF contributes to improving urban LGUE. This conclusion is validated further by a generalized random forest model. The mechanism analysis demonstrates that GF enhances LGUE through the effects of green technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and public green behavior. The moderation analysis further reveals that artificial intelligence can amplify the positive impact of GF on LGUE. The heterogeneity results show that the positive relationship between GF and LGUE is more pronounced in midwestern cities, non-resource-based cities, and cities with a high level of financial development. Therefore, it is essential to expand the GF pilot program in a structured manner and establish a coordinated mechanism to promote LGUE improvement through GF in different regions, thereby enhancing financial service efficiency for the real economy.
Experiences of Using Urban Growth Agreements to Influence Local Land Use Policy and Stop Sprawl
Authors: Tennøy Aud , Hanssen Gro Sandkjær , Leknes Einar
Published: February 2025

Urban growth agreements are key tools for achieving the goal of zero growth in passenger road traffic volumes in Norwegian metropolitan areas. Agreements are negotiated in multi-level and cross-sectoral processes where local politicians meet strong expectations and incentives to alter their land use policies and stop sprawl. This paper analyses the effectiveness of the policy instrument in influencing local land use policy, whereby key issues were raised in the negotiations concerning land use, local politicians’ reflections on changing their policies and why they were reluctant to stop sprawl. This research was designed as a comparative case study with three negotiation processes as cases. Data were collected through document studies and interviews with 36 professionals and politicians. Key issues in the negotiations over land use regarded principles of authority in land use planning and decision-making and substantial disagreements concerning land use policies. Local politicians saw sprawl as necessary for attaining local objectives. Conflicting framings of the policy issue, namely ‘stopping sprawl to achieve zero traffic growth’ and ‘continuing sprawl to attain local objectives’, explained the policy controversy that made discourse difficult. The resulting agreements did not directly influence local land use policies but might have an effect in the longer term.
The Impact of a Western Diet and Resistance Training in a Rat Model of Mammary Cancer
Authors: Silva Jessica , Azevedo Tiago , Ferreira Rita , Neuparth Maria J. , Seixas Fernanda , Ginja Mário , Pires Maria J. , Faustino-Rocha Ana I. , Duarte José Alberto , Oliveira Paula A.
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to investigate the impact of a Western diet and resistance training on cardiac remodeling in a rat model of chemically induced mammary cancer. Fifty-six female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of eight experimental groups, evaluating the impact of Western and standard diets, exercise and sedentarism, and the induction of mammary cancer. Mammary cancer was induced via the intraperitoneal administration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) (50 mg/kg) at seven weeks of age. The resistance training protocol consisted of ladder climbing three times per week for an 18-week period, with a gradual increase in load over time. At the end of the 20-week experimental period, the animals were anesthetized and underwent echocardiography. Subsequently, the animals were euthanized, and organs and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were collected and analyzed. A histopathological examination was performed on the mammary tumors. The Western diet increased relative VAT and contributed to cardiovascular and tumor-related changes, including an increase in interventricular septum thickness (IVS) and left ventricle posterior wall thickness (LVPW) at end-systole. Exercise reduced fat accumulation, improved cardiac performance, and helped regulate cardiovascular function, as indicated by a higher eccentricity index (EI) in the WD+EX group compared to the WD group. The WD was associated with increased VAT accumulation and initially delayed tumor initiation; however, over time, it contributed to bigger tumor aggressiveness. This diet also delayed tumor initiation but increased LVPW. Exercise, when combined with a WD, accelerated tumorigenesis, malignant transformation and invasiveness, resulted in the higher prevalence of invasive tumors. These findings underscore the complex and potentially compounding effects of diet and exercise on cancer progression.
Self-Healing Databases for Emergency Response Logistics in Remote and Infrastructure-Poor Settings
Authors: McGarvey James , Grabowski Martha R. , Custard Buddy , Gabelein Steven
Published: February 2025

Background: Accurate, real-time data about response technologies, capabilities, and availabilities are key to effective emergency response logistics; this is particularly important in remote settings, such as in the Arctic, where limited infrastructure, logistics, and technologies occasion the need for careful planning and immediate response in a fragile, pristine, and rapidly changing ecosystem. Despite persistent calls for improved data quality, processing, and analysis capabilities to support Arctic emergency response logistics, these issues have not been addressed and advanced analytical methods available in other safety-critical and oil and gas settings, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), or emergent, self-aware, and self-healing databases, have not been widely adopted. Methods: This work explores this research gap by presenting a machine learning algorithm and self-healing database approach, describing its application in Arctic logistics and emergency response. Results: The self-healing algorithm could be applied to other safety-critical databases that could benefit from technology that automatically detects, diagnoses, and repairs data anomalies and inconsistencies, with or without human intervention. Conclusions: The results show significant improvements in data cleaning and analysis, and for emergency response logistics data, planning, and analysis, along with future research and research needs in remote and infrastructure-poor settings.
Enhancing Mechanical and Biodegradation Properties of Zn-0.5Fe Alloys Through Rotary Forging
Authors: Tang Lebin , Chen Hailing , Zhu Xinglong , Zubair Muhammad , Sun Tao , Yang Lijing , Lu Xiang , Song Zhenlun
Published: February 2025

The rising prevalence of orthopedic conditions, driven by an aging population, has led to a growing demand for advanced implant materials. Traditional metals such as stainless steel and titanium alloys are biologically inert and often necessitate secondary surgical removal, imposing both economic and psychological burdens on patients. Biodegradable zinc-based alloys offer promising alternatives due to their moderate degradation rates, biocompatibility, and tissue-healing properties. However, existing studies on Zn-Fe alloys primarily focus on composition optimization, with limited investigation into how processing methods influence their performance. This study explores the effects of rotary forging on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Zn-0.5Fe alloys. By refining grain structure and promoting dynamic recrystallization, rotary forging achieves significant improvements in ductility (60% elongation, a 114% increase compared to the extruded state) while maintaining corrosion resistance. Electrochemical and immersion tests reveal that rotary forging produces a denser and more protective corrosion layer, thereby improving the degradation performance of the material in simulated body fluid. Cytotoxicity and fluorescence staining tests confirm excellent biocompatibility, validating the material’s suitability for medical applications. These findings elucidate the mechanisms by which rotary forging enhances the properties of Zn-0.5Fe alloys, providing a novel approach to tailoring biodegradable implant materials for orthopedic applications.
Numerical Analysis of Time-Fractional Cancer Models with Different Types of Net Killing Rate
Authors: Gündoǧdu Hami , Joshi Hardik
Published: February 2025

This study introduces a novel approach to modeling cancer tumor dynamics within a fractional framework, emphasizing the critical role of the net killing rate in determining tumor growth or decay. We explore a generalized cancer model where the net killing rate is considered across three domains: time-dependent, position-dependent, and concentration-dependent. The primary objective is to derive an analytical solution for time-fractional cancer models using the Residual Power Series Method (RPSM), a technique not previously applied in this conformable context. Traditional methods for solving fractional-order differential models face challenges such as perturbations, complex simplifications, discretization issues, and restrictive assumptions. In contrast, the RPSM overcomes these limitations by offering a robust solution that reduces both complexity and computational effort. The method provides exact analytical solutions through a convergence series and reliable numerical approximations when needed, making it a versatile tool for simulating fractional-order cancer models. Graphical representations of the approximate solutions illustrate the method’s effectiveness and applicability. The findings highlight the RPSM’s potential to advance cancer treatment strategies by providing a more precise understanding of tumor dynamics in a fractional context. This work contributes to both theoretical and practical advancements in cancer research and lays the groundwork for more accurate and efficient modeling of cancer dynamics, ultimately aiding in the development of optimal treatment strategies.
The Existence of Positive Solutions for a p-Laplacian Tempered Fractional Diffusion Equation Using the Riemann–Stieltjes Integral Boundary Condition
Authors: Li Lishuang , Zhang Xinguang , Chen Peng , Wu Yonghong
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we focus on the existence of positive solutions for a class of p-Laplacian tempered fractional diffusion equations involving a lower tempered integral operator and a Riemann–Stieltjes integral boundary condition. By introducing certain new local growth conditions and establishing an a priori estimate for the Green’s function, several sufficient conditions on the existence of positive solutions for the equation are derived by using a fixed point theorem. Interesting points are that the tempered fractional diffusion equation contains a lower tempered integral operator and that the boundary condition involves the Riemann–Stieltjes integral, which can be a changing-sign measure.
Vitamin C: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role in Health, Disease Prevention, and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Alberts Adina , Moldoveanu Elena-Theodora , Niculescu Adelina-Gabriela , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai
Published: February 2025

Since Albert Szent-Györgyi discovered it and it became used in treating scurvy, vitamin C has attracted interest in many studies due to its unique properties. It is an important cofactor in the synthesis of collagen and hormones, and it is involved in immunity, iron absorption, and processes requiring antioxidants. Thus, this review aims to emphasize the importance and usefulness of vitamin C in improving quality of life and preventing various diseases (e.g., chronic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer) but also for its use in treatments against infections, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Although the studies presented provide essential information about the properties of VIC and its beneficial effect on health, some studies contradict these theories. In this respect, further studies on larger samples and over a longer period are needed to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this nutrient. However, VIC remains a necessary vitamin that should be consumed daily to maintain optimal health and prevent deficiencies that can lead to scurvy and its associated complications.
Enhanced On-State Current and Stability in Heterojunction ITO/ZnO Transistors: A Mechanistic Analysis
Authors: Xu Dengqin , Yi Tingchen , Dong Junchen , Liu Lifeng , Han Dedong , Zhang Xing
Published: February 2025

The growing demand for high-performance oxide transistors in advanced integrated circuits (ICs) underscores the need for innovative device structures, with heterojunctions emerging as a promising approach. This study presents high-performance ITO/ZnO transistors, which outperform individual ITO or ZnO transistors by achieving an on-state current of 19.2 μA/μm at a drain voltage of 1 V and exhibiting a minimal threshold voltage shift of −0.16 V under negative bias illumination stress. Band structure analysis reveals that the differences in the conduction band minimum and Fermi level between the ZnO and ITO films lead to the formation of a potential well at the ITO/ZnO interface. Furthermore, the increase in the on-state current is attributed to electron confinement at the ITO/ZnO interface, while the enhanced NBIS stability is ascribed to both the band structure and ZnO passivation. These findings make significant contributions to both optimizing the performance and analyzing the mechanisms of oxide devices, highlighting the potential of high-performance ITO/ZnO transistors in 3D integrated circuits, advanced memory devices, and back-end-of-line (BEOL) processes.
Investigating the Consumer Choices of Gen Z: A Sustainable Food System Perspective
Authors: Halicka Ewa , Kaczorowska Joanna , Rejman Krystyna , Plichta Marta
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: Developing nutrition-oriented and more responsible consumer behaviors is crucial for the well-being of current and future generations. Food choice determinants and concerns of Gen Zs—also referred to as Post-Millennials, or Zoomers—were explored from a sustainable food system perspective to identify factors encouraging young people to be on the front line of this much-needed transformation. Methods: Quantitative data were collected with the use of the CAWI method from 650 adults representing Generation Z living in Polish cities. Statistical analysis identified three consumer segments, and cluster (CL) means were statistically contrasted using a one-way ANOVA with Scheffé tests for post hoc comparisons. Results: The research results indicate that the key considerations of food choice in the studied Gen Z sample are taste, price, and health. External factors, such as social media influencers and consumer trends, play a relatively minor role in decision-making. Gen Zs were more aware of the link between their eating patterns and health than the link between their eating habits and the natural environment. Members of the biggest cluster (CL3), constituting 48.3% of the total sample, declared the highest level of agreement with statements referring to links between diet, environment, and health from the food system perspective. This most allo-centered (community-oriented, altruistic) consumer segment, differing significantly with gender to other CLs was more concerned about climate change and protecting the natural environment and open to changing its dietary habits. Conclusions: Implementing research-based policy measures focusing on Generation Z, especially young women, as potential leaders and drivers of food system change is recommended.
Non-Invasive Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Ribonucleoproteins (Cas9 RNPs) into Cells via Nanoparticles for Membrane Transport
Authors: Tashima Toshihiko
Published: February 2025

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system is a promising biotechnology tool for genome editing. However, in living organisms, several pharmacokinetic challenges arise, including off-target side effects due to incorrect distribution, low bioavailability caused by membrane impermeability, and instability resulting from enzymatic degradation. Therefore, innovative delivery strategies must be developed to address these issues. Modified nanoparticles offer a potential solution for the non-invasive delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoproteins (Cas9 RNPs). Cas9 RNPs encapsulated in nanoparticles are protected from enzymatic degradation, similar to how microRNAs are shielded within exosomes. It is well-established that certain materials, including proteins, are expressed selectively in specific cell types. For example, the α-7 nicotinic receptor is expressed in endothelial and neuronal cells, while the αvβ3 integrin is expressed in cancer cells. These endogenous materials can facilitate receptor-mediated endocytosis or transcytosis. Nanoparticles encapsulating Cas9 RNPs and coated with ligands targeting such receptors may be internalized through receptor-mediated mechanisms. Once internalized, Cas9 RNPs could perform the desired gene editing in the nucleus after escaping the endosome through mechanisms such as the proton sponge effect or membrane fusion. In this review, I discuss the potential and advantages of delivering Cas9 RNP-encapsulated nanoparticles coated with ligands through receptor-mediated endocytosis or transcytosis.