bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organosulfur Compounds: A Non‐Negligible Component Affecting the Light Absorption of Brown Carbon During North China Haze Events
Authors: Jiang Hongxing , Cai Junjie , Feng Xinxin , Chen Yingjun , Guo Hai , Mo Yangzhi , Tang Jiao , Chen Tian , Li Jun , Zhang Gan
Published: January 2025

The roles of organosulfur compounds (OSCs), an important component in organic matter, in brown carbon (BrC) aerosol absorption is often overlooked. Here, the molecular composition of OSCs and its associations with methanol‐soluble BrC (MS‐BrC) absorption during a haze event in North China were revealed using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analysis. By combining aggregated boosted tree model and partial least squares regression estimation, our results suggested that OSCs were mainly composed of potential aromatic structures, and the MS‐BrC absorption was closely related to OSCs. Specifically, OSCs contribute a notable 26% of the total potential BrC molecular number and an upper limit of 10.4% of total MS‐BrC absorption. Furthermore, we found that OSCs were mainly influenced by coal combustion, and the potential desulfurization reactions showed associations with the variations of MS‐BrC absorption. Since the residential coal combustion (an important primary source of OSs) was the major energy in North China, our research underscores the potential of aromatic OSCs as tracers for assessing the impact of fossil fuel combustion on BrC and highlights the important atmospheric influences of OSCs (e.g., light absorption and health), which need more works to uncover the origins, fates, and environmental effects of OSCs.
Pluto Geologic Map: Use of Crater Data to Understand Age Relationships
Authors: Singer K. N. , White O. L. , Greenstreet S. , Moore J. M. , Williams D. A. , Lopes R. M. C.
Published: January 2025

Pluto's surface displays a wide variety of geologic units from smooth plains to extremely rugged mountainous expanses. These terrains range in age from young, actively resurfaced regions (no observable craters even in the highest‐resolution New Horizons images) to old, heavily cratered, eroded regions. Here we expand upon the crater data analysis and the independent crater data set used in the production of a 1:7M scale geologic map of Pluto that is to be published by the United States Geologic Survey (USGS). We present both relative ages based on crater spatial density (number of craters in a given size bin per km2) and quantitative ages (e.g., 2 Ga) using the estimated impactor flux onto Pluto. The techniques presented here were developed specifically for the information available from a USGS geologic map, where smaller craters are mapped as points only (no specific diameter information per crater). We developed a new type of visualization, called a distributed R‐plot, to understand the relative ages of the geologic units. The uncertainties in the current knowledge of the Kuiper belt populations and impactor flux at Pluto propagate to large uncertainties in the estimated quantitative ages (∼a factor of two). However, both relative and quantitative ages from crater analysis are valuable tools in developing the sequence of geologic events. Pluto has large areas of crater‐free young terrains (13 units making up ∼27% of mapped higher‐resolution surface area) with widely varying morphologies, indicating a variety of resurfacing mechanisms, both exogenic and endogenic, likely active in Pluto's recent past or present.
The Probability of the May 2024 Geomagnetic Superstorm
Authors: Elvidge S. , Themens D. R.
Published: January 2025

In May 2024, a series of coronal mass ejections resulted in the first “severe” (G4‐level) geomagnetic storm watch in nearly 20 years. This event evolved into a significant space weather event, including an “extreme” (G5) geomagnetic storm, moderate (S2) solar radiation storm, and strong (R3) radio blackout. The widespread visibility of auroras at unusually low latitudes attracted global media attention. Using extreme value theory (EVT), this study estimates the return periods for the May 2024 storm based on several geomagnetic indices. The results indicate that while the storm's magnitude was a 1‐in‐12.5‐year event, its duration was a 1‐in‐41‐year event. This discrepancy highlights the storm's unusual longevity compared to its intensity. Updated EVT analyses incorporating recent data refine these return period estimates, providing critical insights into the frequency of such extreme space weather events.
Eocene‐Oligocene Metamorphism, Fluid Flow and Deformation in the Ruby Mountains‐East Humboldt Range Metamorphic Core Complex
Authors: Levy Drew A. , Gordon Stacia M. , Zuza Andrew V. , Cisneros Miguel , Kylander‐Clark Andrew R. C.
Published: January 2025

Metamorphic core complexes are ubiquitous in collapsed orogens globally and play a primary role in crustal exhumation. We investigate the metamorphic history of the Ruby Mountains‐East Humboldt Range metamorphic core complex, Nevada, using petrochronology to understand how magmatism, metamorphism and deformation interact to modulate crustal rheology, and the timing of exhumation within the Sevier orogenic belt. Field study, microstructural analysis, thermobarometry and laser ablation split‐stream monazite, titanite and allanite petrochronology of the mylonitic footwall were integrated to elucidate the pressure‐temperature‐time (P‐T‐t) evolution. Major‐, trace‐element and quartz‐in‐garnet thermobarometry show peak metamorphism occurred at 5.5–6 kbar and 600–650°C across the study area. Monazite and titanite U‐(Th)‐Pb petrochronology constrain this episode of metamorphism to 88–81 Ma with the structurally deepest samples yielding dates down to ca. 71 Ma. The preservation of peak metamorphic mineral assemblages indicates these rocks remained at near‐peak temperature conditions into the Cenozoic. Cenozoic metamorphism occurred during a punctuated episode contemporaneous with the Great Basin ignimbrite flare up. All samples show a distinct 39–37 Ma population of monazite, titanite and allanite dates that correlate with the emplacement of quartz diorite and gabbro intrusions throughout the footwall. Accessory phases contain zoning textures in backscattered electron images that are consistent with fluid‐mediated dissolution‐reprecipitation reactions. The U‐(Th)‐Pb analyses from these zones yield 39–27 Ma dates interpreted as the timing of fluid flow. The results of this study elucidate the integrated importance of magmatism, melting and fluid flow in driving the coupled evolution of Late Cretaceous metamorphism within the Sevier hinterland and the subsequent Cenozoic metamorphic core complex development that exhumed the middle crust.
Temporal Variability in Reservoir Surface Area Is an Important Source of Uncertainty in GHG Emission Estimates
Authors: Hansen Carly H. , Iftikhar Bilal , Pilla Rachel M. , Griffiths Natalie A. , Matson Paul G. , Jager Henriette I.
Published: January 2025

Ebullitive methane (CH4) emissions in lentic ecosystems tend to concentrate at river‐lake interfaces and within shallow littoral zones. However, inconsistent definitions of the littoral zone and static representations of the lake or reservoir surface area contribute to major uncertainties in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions estimates, particularly in reservoirs with large water‐level fluctuations. This study examines temporal variation in littoral and total surface areas of US reservoirs and demonstrates how different methods and data sources lead to discrepencies in reservoir GHG emissions at large scales and over time. We also explore variability in remotely sensed water occurrence according to maximum surface area, reservoir purposes, and hydrologic regions. Notably, the largest relative variability in surface area is exhibited by small reservoirs with a maximum surface area <1 km2 and non‐hydroelectric reservoirs. Additionally, we use a case study of measured CH4 emissions from the southeastern United States (Douglas Reservoir) to illustrate the effects of varying surface area on reservoir‐wide GHG estimates. Upscaled CH4 emissions in Douglas Reservoir differed by nearly two‐fold depending on the source of total surface area data and whether estimates accounted for seasonal fluctuations in surface area. During seasonal drawdown in Douglas Reservoir, relative littoral area varies non‐linearly; periods of lower pool elevation (and thus larger relative littoral area) likely contribute disproportionately high CH4 emission rates compared to the commonly sampled summer season when water levels are at full‐pool elevation. Improved GHG monitoring and upscaling techniques require accounting for temporal variability in reservoir surface extent and littoral area.
A New Tornado Database Helps Researchers Worldwide
Authors: Wight Andrew
Published: January 2025

Thanks to unique geography and atmospheric conditions, the United States is a tornado hot spot, but these deadly whirlwinds also hit Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Resource-efficient photonic networks for next-generation AI computing
Authors: Oguz Ilker , Yildirim Mustafa , Hsieh Jih-Liang , Dinc Niyazi Ulas , Moser Christophe , Psaltis Demetri
Published: January 2025

Current trends in artificial intelligence toward larger models demand a rethinking of both hardware and algorithms. Photonics-based systems offer high-speed, energy-efficient computing units, provided algorithms are designed to exploit photonics’ unique strengths. The recent implementation of cellular automata in photonics demonstrates how a few local interactions can achieve high throughput and precision.
SENP3 inhibition suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression and improves the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Peng , Qiu Jiannan , Fang Yuan , Li Songmao , Liu Kua , Cao Yin , Zhang Guang , Wang Zhongxia , Gu Xiaosong , Wu Junhua , Jiang Chunping
Published: January 2025

The importance of SUMOylation in tumorigenesis has received increasing attention, and research on therapeutic agents targeting this pathway has progressed. However, the potential function of SUMOylation during hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identified that SUMO-Specific Peptidase 3 (SENP3) was upregulated in HCC tissues and correlated with a poor prognosis. Multiple functional experiments demonstrated that SENP3 promotes the malignant phenotype of HCC cells. Mechanistically, SENP3 deSUMOylates RACK1 and subsequently increases its stability and interaction with PKCβII, thereby promoting eIF4E phosphorylation and translation of oncogenes, including Bcl2, Snail and Cyclin D1. Additionally, tumor-intrinsic SENP3 promotes the infiltration of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) while reducing cytotoxic T cells to facilitate immune evasion. Mechanistically, SENP3 promotes translation of CCL20 via the RACK1 /eIF4E axis. Liver-specific knockdown of SENP3 significantly inhibits liver tumorigenesis in a chemically induced HCC model. SENP3 inhibition enhances the therapeutic efficacy of PD-1 blockade in an HCC mouse model. Collectively, SENP3 plays cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic roles in HCC progression and immune evasion by modulating oncogene and cytokine translation. Targeting SENP3 is a novel therapeutic target for boosting HCC responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Rnd3 protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through inhibition of PANoptosis in a Rock1/Drp1/mitochondrial fission-dependent manner
Authors: Ge Wen , Zhang Xiaohua , Lin Jie , Wang Yangyang , Zhang Xiao , Duan Yu , Dai Xinchun , Zhang Jiye , Zhang Yan , Jiang Mengyuan , Qiang Huanhuan , Zhao Zhijing , Zhang Xuebin , Sun Dongdong
Published: January 2025

Doxorubicin, a representative drug of the anthracycline class, is widely used in cancer treatment. However, Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) presents a significant challenge in its clinical application. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in DIC, primarily through disrupting mitochondrial dynamics. This study aimed to investigate the impact of Rnd3 (a Rho family GTPase 3) on DIC, with a focus on mitochondrial dynamics. Cardiomyocyte-specific Rnd3 transgenic mice (Rnd3-Tg) and Rnd3LSP/LSP mice (N-Tg) were established for in vivo experiments, and adenoviruses harboring Rnd3 (Ad-Rnd3) or negative control (Ad-Control) were injected in the myocardium for in vitro experiments. The DIC model was established using wild-type, N-Tg, and Rnd3-Tg mice, with subsequent intraperitoneal injection of Dox for 4 weeks. The molecular mechanism was explored through RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence staining, co-immunoprecipitation assay, and protein-protein docking. Dox administration induced significant mitochondrial injury and cardiac dysfunction, which was ameliorated by Rnd3 overexpression. Further, the augmentation of Rnd3 expression mitigated mitochondrial fragmentation which is mediated by dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), thereby ameliorating the PANoptosis (pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis) response induced by Dox. Mechanically, the interaction between Rnd3 and Rho-associated kinase 1 (Rock1) may impede Rock1-induced Drp1 phosphorylation at Ser616, thus inhibiting mitochondrial fission and dysfunction. Interestingly, Rock1 knockdown nullified the effects of Rnd3 on cardiomyocytes PANoptosis, as well as Dox-induced cardiac remodeling and dysfunction elicited by Rnd3. Rnd3 enhances cardiac resilience against DIC by stabilizing mitochondrial dynamics and reducing PANoptosis. Our findings suggest that the Rnd3/Rock1/Drp1 signaling pathway represents a novel target for mitigating DIC, and modulating Rnd3 expression could be a strategic approach to safeguarding cardiac function in patients undergoing Dox treatment.
Connecting genomic results for psychiatric disorders to human brain cell types and regions reveals convergence with functional connectivity
Authors: Yao Shuyang , Harder Arvid , Darki Fahimeh , Chang Yu-Wei , Li Ang , Nikouei Kasra , Volpe Giovanni , Lundström Johan N. , Zeng Jian , Wray Naomi R. , Lu Yi , Sullivan Patrick F. , Hjerling-Leffler Jens
Published: January 2025

Identifying cell types and brain regions critical for psychiatric disorders and brain traits is essential for targeted neurobiological research. By integrating genomic insights from genome-wide association studies with a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the adult human brain, we prioritized specific neuronal clusters significantly enriched for the SNP-heritabilities for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder along with intelligence, education, and neuroticism. Extrapolation of cell-type results to brain regions reveals the whole-brain impact of schizophrenia genetic risk, with subregions in the hippocampus and amygdala exhibiting the most significant enrichment of SNP-heritability. Using functional MRI connectivity, we further confirmed the significance of the central and lateral amygdala, hippocampal body, and prefrontal cortex in distinguishing schizophrenia cases from controls. Our findings underscore the value of single-cell transcriptomics in understanding the polygenicity of psychiatric disorders and suggest a promising alignment of genomic, transcriptomic, and brain imaging modalities for identifying common biological targets.
The global implications of a Russian gas pivot to Asia
Authors: Pye Steve , Bradshaw Michael , Price James , Zhang Dan , Kuzemko Caroline , Sharples Jack , Welsby Dan , Dodds Paul E.
Published: January 2025

Recent years have seen unprecedented shifts in global natural gas trade, precipitated in large part by Russia’s war on Ukraine. How this regional conflict impacts the future of natural gas markets is subject to three interconnected factors: (i) Russia’s strategy to regain markets for its gas exports; (ii) Europe’s push towards increased liquified natural gas (LNG) and the pace of its low carbon transition; and (iii) China’s gas demand and how it balances its climate and energy security objectives. A scenario modelling approach is applied to explore the potential implications of this geopolitical crisis. We find that Russia struggles to regain pre-crisis gas export levels, with the degrees of its success contingent on China’s strategy. Compared to 2020, Russia’s gas exports are down by 31–47% in 2040 where new markets are limited and by 13–38% under a pivot to Asia strategy. We demonstrate how integrating energy geopolitics and modelling enhances our understanding of energy futures.
Colorimetric identification of colorless acid vapors using a metal-organic framework-based sensor
Authors: Jang Wonhyeong , Yoo Hyejin , Shin Dongjun , Noh Seokjin , Kim Jin Yeong
Published: January 2025

In terms of safety and emergency response, identifying hazardous gaseous acid chemicals is crucial for ensuring effective evacuation and administering proper first aid. However, current studies struggle to distinguish between different acid vapors and remain in the early stages of development. In this study, we propose an on-site monitorable acid vapor decoder, MOF-808-EDTA-Cu, integrating the robust MOF-808 with Cu-EDTA, functioning as a proton-triggered colorimetric decoder that translates the anionic components of corrosive acids into visible colors. The sensor exhibits a cyan-to-yellow shift when exposed to HCl vapor and can visually differentiate various acidic vapors (HF, HBr, and HI) through unique color changes. Furthermore, the compatibility of the MOF-based sensor with multiple metal ions having atomic-level dispersion broadens its discrimination range, enabling the identification of six different colorless acid vapors within a single sensor domain. Additionally, by incorporating a flexible polymer, the MOF-808-EDTA-Cu has been successfully processed into a portable miniaturized acid sensor, exhibiting distinct color changes that can be easily monitored by the naked eye and camera sensors. This provides experimental validation as a practical sensor capable of on-site 24-hour monitoring in the real world.
Enhancing the growth and essential oil components of Lavandula latifolia using Malva parviflora extract and humic acid as biostimulants in a field experiment
Authors: El-Hefny Mervat , Hussien Mahmoud Khattab
Published: January 2025

Natural extracts as biostimulants have the potential to enhance the productivity and growth of many medicinal and aromatic plants. This study aimed to enhance the growth, and essential oil (EO) content, as well as composition of Lavandula latifolia Medik. by using Malva parviflora L. extract (ME) as a biostimulant in combination with humic acid (HA) in a field experiment in two successive seasons of 2022 and 2023. The phenolic, flavonoid and water-soluble vitamins of the ME were analyzed using an HPLC. The protein amino acids of the ME were identified by an amino acid analyzer. The prepared concentrations of HA (0, 1, 2, and 4 g/L) were applied to the soil. While, they for ME (0, 2, 4, and 6 g/L) were added as a foliar spray. The EO compositions collected from the leaves of the treated L. latifolia plants were subjected to the hydro-distillation method and analyzed using GC-MS. The most prevalent vitamins found in ME were vitamin B12, vitamin C, and folic acid. Besides, several phenolic compounds were found in ME, such as catechol, cinnamic acid and syringic acid, while flavonoid chemicals, such as luteolin and quercetin. Also, alanine, ammonia, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and tyrosine were the ME’s most prominent nitrogenous and amino acid components. The most effective treatments of HA and ME on the plant height, the number of branches/plant, and plant fresh weight were 4 + 6 g/L and 4 + 2 g/L for leaf area and chlorophyll content, it was 4 + 4 g/L; and for EO percentage were 4 + 0 g/L, 2 + 0 g/L, and 4 + 4 g/L, compared to the control treatment for each characteristic. The main EO compounds eucalyptol, camphor, α-pinene, β-pinene, Δ-elemene, germacrene D-4-ol, isoborneol, β-caryophyllene oxide, and tau.-cadinol identified in the leaves were found in the range of 28.74–46.19%, 15.34–30.49%, 3.39–7.16%, 0–5.08%, 0–5.18%, 0–3.20%, 0–3.31% and 0–3.40%, respectively. It can be concluded that a combination treatment of HA and ME as natural biostimulant compounds at 4 + 4 g/L could be recommended for good plant growth, and EO quantity of L. latifolia plants.
Enhancing electric vehicle battery lifespan: integrating active balancing and machine learning for precise RUL estimation
Authors: Sultan Yara A. , Eladl Abdelfattah A. , Hassan Mohamed A. , Gamel Samah A.
Published: January 2025

Electric vehicles (EVs) rely heavily on lithium-ion battery packs as essential energy storage components. However, inconsistencies in cell characteristics and operating conditions can lead to imbalanced state of charge (SOC) levels, resulting in reduced capacity and accelerated degradation. This study presents an active cell balancing method optimized for both charging and discharging scenarios, aiming to equalize SOC across cells and improve overall pack performance. The proposed system includes two balancing strategies: a charging balance that redistributes excess charge from high-SOC cells to maximize capacity, and a discharging balance that addresses low-SOC cells to extend discharge duration. Experimental results confirm that this method effectively reduces SOC disparities, enhancing both charging and discharging capacities. Additionally, to accurately predict battery lifespan and remaining useful life (RUL), seven machine learning models are evaluated using R-squared (R2) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) metrics. Among these, k-nearest Neighbors and Random Forest models deliver the highest accuracy, achieving R2 values of 0.996 and above with low MAE, demonstrating strong predictive capability. The integration of active balancing and RUL prediction enables a feedback loop where balanced SOC levels promote battery health, and RUL predictions inform optimal balancing strategies. This comprehensive approach advances EV battery management, enhancing lifespan and reliability through proactive balancing and predictive insights.
Scene categorization by Hessian-regularized active perceptual feature selection
Authors: Zhou Junwu , Ren Fuji
Published: January 2025

Decoding the semantic categories of complex sceneries is fundamental to numerous artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructures. This work presents an advanced selection of multi-channel perceptual visual features for recognizing scenic images with elaborate spatial structures, focusing on developing a deep hierarchical model dedicated to learning human gaze behavior. Utilizing the BING objectness measure, we efficiently localize objects or their details across varying scales within scenes. To emulate humans observing semantically or visually significant areas within scenes, we propose a robust deep active learning (RDAL) strategy. This strategy progressively generates gaze shifting paths (GSP) and calculates deep GSP representations within a unified architecture. A notable advantage of RDAL is the robustness to label noise, which is implemented by a carefully-designed sparse penalty term. This mechanism ensures that irrelevant or misleading deep GSP features are intelligently discarded. Afterward, a novel Hessian-regularized Feature Selector (HFS) is proposed to select high-quality features from the deep GSP features, wherein (i) the spatial composition of scenic patches can be optimally maintained, and (ii) a linear SVM is learned simultaneously. Empirical evaluations across six standard scenic datasets demonstrated our method’s superior performance, highlighting its exceptional ability to differentiate various sophisticated scenery categories.
Integrating ecological and recreational functions to optimize ecological security pattern in Fuzhou City
Authors: Bai Junting , Sun Rui , Liu Yifan , Chen Jie , Li Xiaohe
Published: January 2025

The scientific establishment of the Ecological Security Pattern (ESP) is crucial for fostering the synergistic development of ecological and recreational functions, thereby enhancing urban ecological protection, recreational development, and sustainable growth. This study aimed to propose a novel method of constructing ESP considering both ecological and recreational functions, and to reconstruct ESP by weighing the relationship between ecological protection and recreational development. Utilizing Fuzhou City as a case study, a comprehensive application of methodologies including Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA), landscape connectivity analysis, ArcGIS spatial analysis, social network analysis (SNA), and circuit theory is employed to develop both the ESP and the Recreational Spatial Pattern (RSP). A trade-off matrix is created to facilitate the reconstruction of the ESP, delineate functional zones, and identify strategic points, followed by a thorough optimization and development strategy. The analysis revealed 36 ecological source areas (ESAs) within Fuzhou City, encompassing a total area of 5807.90 km², predominantly situated in the western and northern regions. Additionally, 98 ecological corridors (ECs) were identified, extending over 2500.55 km, alongside 100 ecological pinch points (EPPs) and 146 ecological barrier points (EBPs). The city also contains 57 recreational nodes (RNs),, which display a spatial distribution characterized by a “dense in the east, sparse in the west” pattern. Furthermore, 165 recreational corridors (RCs) were extracted, covering a distance of 3795.21 km. Based on the trade-off matrix, Fuzhou City was categorized into eight functional zones: ecological core zone, ecological important zone, eco-recreation key trade-off zone, eco-recreation secondary trade-off zone, recreational core zone, recreational important zone, recreational development zone, and elastic development zone.The study identified 95 key strategic points and 475 sub-strategic. A multifunctional and complex ESP was constructed, characterized by “one core, five districts, six corridors, and seven wedges”, and a tailored ecological and recreational planning and development strategy for Fuzhou City was proposed. This research contributes a theoretical framework for the construction and optimization of a multifunctional ESP and supports the coordinated high-quality development of ecological protection and recreational activities in urban environments.
The effect of fecal bile acids on the incidence and risk-stratification of colorectal cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Shaohui , Wang Yu , Sheng Lijuan , Cui Wei , Ma Chenyang
Published: January 2025

Recent studies suggest the role of gut microbes in bile acid metabolism in the development and progression of colorectal cancer. However, the surveys of the association between fecal bile acid concentrations and colorectal cancer (CRC) have been inconsistent. We searched online to identify relevant cross-sectional and case-control studies published online in the major English language databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, AMED, and CINAHL) up to January 1, 2024. We selected studies according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted data from them. RevMan 5.3 was used to perform the meta-analyses. In CRC risk meta-analysis, the effect size of CA (cholic acid), CDCA (chenodeoxycholic acid), DCA (deoxycholic acid), and UDCA (ursodeoxycholic acid) were significantly higher (CA: standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.5–0.76, P = 0.02; CDCA: SMD = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.09–0.62, P = 0.009; DCA: SMD = 0.33,95% CI: 0.03–0.64, P = 0.03; UDCA: SMD = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.14–0.78, P = 0.005), and the combined effect size was significantly higher in the high-risk than the low-risk CRC group (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.21–0.51, P < 0.00001). In the CRC incidence meta-analysis, the effect sizes of CA and CDCA were significantly higher (CA: SMD = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.04–0.80, P = 0.03; CDCA: SMD = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.26–0.96, P = 0.00079), and their combined effect size was also significantly higher in the high-risk compared to low-risk CRC group (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.09–0.68, P = 0.01). Only one cross-sectional study suggested a higher concentration of CDCA, DCA, and UDCA in the stool of the CRC high-risk group than the low-risk group. These findings indicate that higher fecal concentrations of bile acid may be associated with a higher risk/incidence of CRC.
Electrical impedance-based tissue classification for bladder tumor differentiation
Authors: Veil Carina , Krauß Franziska , Amend Bastian , Fend Falko , Sawodny Oliver
Published: January 2025

Including sensor information in medical interventions aims to support surgeons to decide on subsequent action steps by characterizing tissue intraoperatively. With bladder cancer, an important issue is tumor recurrence because of failure to remove the entire tumor. Impedance measurements can help to classify bladder tissue and give the surgeons an indication on how much tissue to remove. Over the years of research, it became obvious that electrical impedance spectroscopy is a very promising tool for tissue differentiation, but also a very sensitive one. While differentiation in preliminary studies shows great potential, challenges arise when transferring this concept to real, intraoperative conditions, mainly due to the influence of preoperative radiotherapy, possibly different tumor types, and mechanical tissue deformations due to peristalsis or unsteady contact force of the sensor. This work proposes a patient-based classification approach that evaluates the distance of an unknown measurement to a healthy reference of the same patient, essentially a relative classification of the difference in impedance that is robust against inter-individual differences and systematic errors. A diversified dataset covering multiple disturbance scenarios is recorded. Two alternatives to define features from the impedance data are investigated, namely using measurement points and model-based parameters. Based on the distance of the feature vector of a unknown measurement to a healthy reference, a Gaussian process classifier is trained. The approach achieves a high classification accuracy of up to 100% on noise-free impedance data recorded under controlled conditions. Even when the differentiation is more ambiguous due to external disturbances, the presented approach still achieves a classification accuracy of 80%. These results are a starting point to tackle intraoperative bladder tissue characterization and decrease the recurrence rate.
Natural sampling and aliasing of marine geochemical signals
Authors: Curtis Andrew , Bloem Hugo , Wood Rachel , Bowyer Fred , Shields Graham A. , Zhou Ying , Yilales Mariana , Tetzlaff Daniel
Published: January 2025

It is well known that the sedimentary rock record is both incomplete and biased by spatially highly variable rates of sedimentation. Without absolute age constraints of sufficient resolution, the temporal correlation of spatially disjunct records is therefore problematic and uncertain, but these effects have rarely been analysed quantitatively using signal processing methods. Here we use a computational process model to illustrate and analyse how spatial and temporal geochemical records can be biased by the inherent, heterogenous processes of marine sedimentation and preservation. This confirms that sedimentary hiatuses can span a substantial proportion of geological time, caused by inherent geological processes. Moreover, even in marine geochemical records that are essentially spatially continuous and complete, the signal is irreversibly disguised in time as lower frequency signals by an aliasing effect. We demonstrate that Nyquist’s theorem correctly predicts these biased signatures, proving that aliasing can be caused by cyclical and multiscale relative sea-level changes - a natural sampling effect. Our combined results show that deeper marine records are significantly more likely to provide unaliased environmental signatures. Also, some proxy residence times will be sufficiently long that they average over aliased frequencies, cancelling these in the geochemical record. And field observations of changes in sedimentation rate (such as hiatuses, condensation, or lateral expansion) can be used to infer possible aliasing. Where aliasing by natural sampling occurs, this cannot be undone simply by increasing sample resolution (density): aliasing is caused by an absence of sedimentary record, which by definition cannot be sampled at all. To overcome these issues, we propose that spatially separated aliased records may still be correctly correlated in age, and true geochemical cycles inferred, if a paired-sampling strategy informed by local stratigraphy is adopted. In this, two (or more) closely-spaced samples are analysed at each sampling point instead of only one, after which aliased cycles are inferred from geochemical gradients.
Reversal of neuronal tau pathology via adiponectin receptor activation
Authors: McGregor Eric R. , Lasky Danny J. , Rippentrop Olivia J. , Clark Josef P. , Wright Samantha , Jones Mathew V. , Anderson Rozalyn M.
Published: January 2025

Changes in brain mitochondrial metabolism are coincident with functional decline; however, direct links between the two have not been established. Here, we show that mitochondrial targeting via the adiponectin receptor activator AdipoRon (AR) clears neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and rescues neuronal tauopathy-associated defects. AR reduced levels of phospho-tau and lowered NFT burden by a mechanism involving the energy-sensing kinase AMPK and the growth-sensing kinase GSK3b. The transcriptional response to AR included broad metabolic and functional pathways. Induction of lysosomal pathways involved activation of LC3 and p62, and restoration of neuronal outgrowth required the stress-responsive kinase JNK. Negative consequences of NFTs on mitochondrial activity, ATP production, and lipid stores were corrected. Defects in electrophysiological measures (e.g., resting potential, resistance, spiking profiles) were also corrected. These findings reveal a network linking mitochondrial function, cellular maintenance processes, and electrical aspects of neuronal function that can be targeted via adiponectin receptor activation.
Optimized methods for scRNA-seq and snRNA-seq of skeletal muscle stored in nucleic acid stabilizing preservative
Authors: Heuston Elisabeth F. , Doumatey Ayo P. , Naz Faiza , Islam Shamima , Anderson Stacie , Kirby Martha R. , Wincovitch Stephen , Dell’Orso Stefania , Rotimi Charles N. , Adeyemo Adebowale A.
Published: January 2025

Single cell studies have transformed our understanding of cellular heterogeneity in disease but the need for fresh starting material can be an obstacle, especially in the context of international multicenter studies and archived tissue. We developed a protocol to obtain high-quality cells and nuclei from dissected human skeletal muscle archived in the preservative Allprotect® Tissue Reagent. After fluorescent imaging microscopy confirmed intact nuclei, we performed four protocol variations that compared sequencing metrics between cells and nuclei enriched by either filtering or flow cytometry sorting. Cells and nuclei (either sorted or filtered) produced statistically identical transcriptional profiles and recapitulated 8 cell types present in skeletal muscle. Flow cytometry sorting successfully enriched for higher-quality cells and nuclei but resulted in an overall decrease in input material. Our protocol provides an important resource for obtaining high-quality single cell genomic material from archived tissue and to streamline global collaborative efforts.
Real-time microbial growth curve (RMGC) system: an improved microplate reader with a graphical interface for automatic and high-throughput monitoring of microbial growth curves
Authors: Zhong Yongjie , Lai Zhuoyuan , He Changhua , Peng Shengsen , Guo Tianci , Yang Hui , Yang Fan , Shen Yi , Huang Zhengliang , Fu Zhaoyong , Wang Kelin , Song Fengge , Yang Jinghao , Negahdary Masoud , Mao Haimei , Zhao Hongliang , Wan Yi , Yunusov Khaydar E. , Sarimsakov Abdushkur A.
Published: January 2025

The real-time microbial growth curve system provides fully automated, high-throughput monitoring of microbial growth with comparable precision to conventional microplate readers, though it offers longer monitoring times.
Tailed molecular beacon probes: an approach for the detection of structured DNA and RNA analytes
Authors: Mueller Brittany L. , Molden Tatiana A. , Hammock Jordan , Kolpashchikov Dmitry M.
Published: January 2025

The addition of a single-stranded ‘tail’ on a molecular beacon probe enables it to hybridize with DNA and RNA targets folded in a stable secondary structure; this is a common challenge faced by the traditional molecular beacon probe.
Rational design of stainless steel self-catalytic reactors for CO2 methanation: extending from metal powder to 3D-printed reactors
Authors: Kim Hyo-Jin , Mori Kohsuke , Nakano Takayoshi , Yamashita Hiromi
Published: January 2025

A design strategy that optimizes surface functionalization from the metal powder precursor to the final 3D-printed self-catalytic reactors is proposed.
Monomeric tri-coordinated bis(ferrocenyl)haloalumanes
Authors: Anzai Togo , Sugamata Koh , Sasamori Takahiro
Published: January 2025

The reactions of the bulky ferrocenyl lithium dimer (Fc*Li)2 (Fc* = 2,5-bis(3,5-di-tBu-C6H3)-1-ferrocenyl) with aluminum trihalides (AlCl3, AlBr3, and AlI3) to furnish the corresponding monomeric bis(ferrocenyl)haloalumanes are reported.
An ultrafast thermal-responsive, shape memory and solvent-driven Fe3+-alginate/poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-based hydrogel actuator
Authors: Wang Hongcai , Chen Xiuqiong , Bu Yanan , Wu Ting , Yan Huiqiong , Lin Qiang
Published: January 2025

A Fe3+-sodium alginate/poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) IPN hydrogel with ultrafast thermal response, shape memory function and solvent-driven behavior was prepared via a simple and convenient method of chemical and physical double crosslinking.
Rational design and size regulation of unimolecular nanoparticles for constructing diverse superlattices in soft matter
Authors: Lei Huanyu , Li Xing-Han , Hao Han , Liu Yuchu , Guo Qing-Yun , Huang Mingjun
Published: January 2025

This study presents the design and size control of a novel class of macromolecular motifs, known as unimolecular nanoparticles, which self-assemble into a variety of superlattices, including BCC, A15, NaZn13, AlB2, and Laves C14 structures.
Highly conductive PANI/ATMP/AgNO3 composite hydrogel electrodes for all-hydrogel-state supercapacitors
Authors: Zhao Cheng , Zhou Shixiang , Ma Jie , Liu Cong , Zhu Jiading , Ye Shifang , Xin Zhe , Cai Jiantao , Feng Peizhong , Tao Xueyu
Published: January 2025

Highly conductive PANI/ATMP/AgNO3 composite hydrogel electrodes for flexible high energy density supercapacitors.
Metastable-state structures promote the surface reconstruction of spinel NiFe2O4 for efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhu Hong-Rui , Ding Gui-Xiang , Xu Hui-Min , Huang Chen-Jin , Fominski Vyacheslav Yu. , Li Gao-Ren
Published: January 2025

Changes were made to this description. The modulation of the catalyst surface structure during the OER process is an important means to improve the catalytic activity.
A bifunctional tunable terahertz absorber based on a Fabry–Perot cavity: enabling broadband perfect absorption and refractive index sensing
Authors: Xiong Jiaran , Li Chao , Wang Dong , Gao Song , Che Yue , Wu Guozheng , Guo Mingyuan
Published: January 2025

A THz metamaterial absorber can realize broadband perfect absorption (A > 99%, B = 3.14 THz) and RI sensing.
Simulation‐based evaluation and polynomial regression‐based modelling of electric spring parameters with variable load impedance ratio
Authors: Rokde Jyoti R. , Thosar A. G. , Deshmukh Kishor B. , Bhadane Kishor V.
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of Electric Spring (ES) performance through simulation experiments and polynomial regression modelling. The study primarily aims to assess how varying load impedance ratios impact ES performance, develop a polynomial regression model to predict the relationship between ES parameters and the ratio of non‐critical to critical load impedance, and validate the model against simulation results. Detailed simulations were performed to analyse the effects of different impedance ratios on ES behaviour. Subsequently, a polynomial regression model was formulated to accurately capture the relationship between the ES parameters and impedance ratios. The findings indicate that the polynomial regression model effectively predicts ES performance, with the predicted values closely matching the simulation results. The validation process confirms the model's accuracy and reliability, demonstrating its potential for practical applications in optimising ES performance under various impedance conditions. This study offers valuable insights into the enhancement of ES systems through precise modelling and analysis, contributing to improved stability and efficiency in power systems.
Zero‐shot moving ship segmentation based on segment anything network and optical flow network
Authors: Liu Wenhui , Qiao Yulong , Xing Zhengyi , Zhao Yue
Published: January 2025

The wake of the ship and the waves on the water surface increased the difficulty of video‐based ship segmentation. To address this challenging problem, we propose a zero‐shot segmentation method based on the segment anything model (SAM) and optical flow network. Specifically, the dark channel filtering technology is employed as a preprocessing step to partly eliminate the noise from the sea surface. Then, the SAM with the point prompt is utilized to detect and segment ship targets in conjunction with finding the best mask algorithms, in which a supervision mechanism is introduced to determine the ship moving in or out of the surveillance region. Finally, we use the optical flow network to predict the position of the ship target and leverage the segmentation by using the network SAM with bounding boxes as prompts. The experiments on the benchmark dataset IPATCH demonstrate the performance of the proposed zero‐shot moving ship segmentation method.
A low‐cost MMC submodule topology with fast DC fault handling capability
Authors: Liu Yiqi , Yin Laicheng , Duan Zhaoyu , Li Zhenjie , Ban Mingfei , Zhang Jiawei
Published: January 2025

With the continuous development of new energy technologies and the widespread application of high voltage direct current transmission technology, the use of modular multilevel converters (MMC) has significantly increased. Traditional MMCs, composed of half‐bridge submodules, lack fault handling capabilities, and cannot block fault currents on the DC side, thus compromising the stability of transmission systems. Therefore, this study proposes a low‐cost improved MMC submodule topology based on the dual‐bidirectional switch submodule (DBSSM) and provides an analysis and description of its structure and operating principles. The proposed DBSSM structure can output five voltage levels: 0, ± Uc, and ±2 Uc. Compared to the full‐bridge submodule topology, which achieves the same effect, the DBSSM reduces the number of IGBTs by half, significantly lowering hardware costs. A simulation model with a DC side voltage of 80 kV was built using MATLAB/Simulink to verify this topology. In the 80 kV scenario, the proposed DBSSM achieved DC fault ride‐through within 3 ms, doubling the speed compared to the full‐bridge submodule. Finally, hardware‐in‐the‐loop testing was performed using the dSPACE1202 and relevant hardware circuits, confirming the feasibility of the proposed structure.
Homo-humanitarianism: queering the Afghan crisis and evacuations
Authors: Munhazim Ahmad Qais
Published: January 2025

Upon the international community’s exit from Afghanistan in August 2021, the West made Afghanistan into a crisis, covering up its decades of violence while dehumanizing Afghans. Afghanistan was constructed as a site of oppression and homophobia, allowing the West to situate itself once again as not only ‘civilized’ but ‘queerly civilized’. From the United States to Canada, France and Ireland, saving the ‘at risk’ Afghan queers, trans and women became an international humanitarian responsibility. How and why did queer and trans Afghans all a sudden become “at risk” and “in need of saving” individuals? How did the Western governments and humanitarian regimes politicize queer and trans Afghan lives and “savings”? Based on a de/colonial ethnography of the Afghan evacuations at the moment of humanitarian exit, this article introduces the concept of ‘homo-humanitarianism’ through which the West so-called saved queer and trans Afghans upon/post its abrupt withdrawal while constructing Afghanistan as a site of perpetual violence and Afghans as homophobic.
Hires-PhD: a transversal skills framework for diversifying PhD employability
Authors: Roy Debashish , Jiménez López María Dolores , García Álvarez María Ercilia
Published: January 2025

This study aims to enhance the industrial employability of PhD graduates through the development of the HIRES-PhD framework, an abbreviation of High Impact Research and Employability Skills for the PhD. It identifies and categorizes essential transversal skills. Using a systematic literature review and thematic analysis, we screened 828 papers and selected 39 relevant studies to compile a database of 236 transversal skills. These skills were organized into 16 categories and further distilled into four overarching themes. The HIRES-PhD Framework is compared with traditional models like DOTS, USEM, and MCPHE, as well as recent European initiatives such as DocTalent4EU and OUTDOC. This comparison highlights the framework’s unique focus on doctoral training and industrial employability, unlike traditional models which often target broader educational contexts. Our findings emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to transversal skills training, tailored specifically to the needs of PhD graduates. The HIRES-PhD Framework serves as a comprehensive, data-driven tool for designing PhD programmes that align with industry demands, ensuring that doctoral training is relevant and effective in enhancing employability. In conclusion, the HIRES-PhD Framework significantly contributes to the improvement of doctoral education by providing a structured approach to transversal skills development, thus bridging the gap between academic training and industrial needs. This framework is a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, researchers, and employers aiming to optimize PhD programmes for better employment outcomes.
Rectification of planar orientation angle switches behavior and replenishes contractile junctions
Authors: Linvill Katie , Russell Liam J. , Vanderleest Timothy E. , Miao Hui , Xie Yi , Blankenship J. Todd , Loerke Dinah
Published: January 2025

In the early Drosophila embryo, germband elongation is driven by oriented cell intercalation through t1 transitions, where vertical (dorsal–ventral aligned) interfaces contract and then resolve into new horizontal (anterior–posterior aligned) interfaces. Here, we show that contractile events produce a continuous “rectification” of cell interfaces, in which interfaces systematically rotate toward more vertical orientations. As interfaces rotate, their behavior transitions from elongating to contractile regimes, indicating that the planar polarized identities of cell–cell interfaces are continuously re-interpreted in time depending on their orientation angle. Rotating interfaces acquire higher levels of Myosin II motor proteins as they become more vertical, while disruptions to the contractile molecular machinery reduce the rates of rotation. Through this angle rectification, the available pool of contractile interfaces is continuously replenished, as new interfaces acquire a contractile identity through rotation. Thus, individual cells acquire additional interfaces that are capable of undergoing t1 transitions, allowing cells to participate in multiple staggered rounds of intercalation events.