bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correction: Interstitial and substitutional doping of Mn2+ in 2D PEA2PbBr4 and BA2PbBr4 perovskites
Authors: Kuruppu Udara M. , Magdaleno Alvaro J. , Kshirsagar Anuraj S. , Donnadieu Bruno , Prins Ferry , Gangishetty Mahesh K.
Published: February 2025

Correction for ‘Interstitial and substitutional doping of Mn2+ in 2D PEA2PbBr4 and BA2PbBr4 perovskites’ by Udara M. Kuruppu et al., Chem. Commun., 2024, 60, 14960–14963, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4CC04074K.
A beginner’s guide to ChIP-seq analysis
Authors: Oba Gina Miku , Nakato Ryuichiro
Published: February 2025

Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) is a method to identify DNA-binding regions of specific proteins or histone modifications throughout the genome. It uses antibodies against these proteins and next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to obtain the DNA sequences of the binding regions. Like other methods that use NGS, ChIP-seq method requires basic data analysis skills. In this beginner’s guide, we explain the basic steps of the ChIP-seq experiment and its data analysis steps. The goal of this article is to help readers to improve their understanding of ChIP-seq experiments, data analysis, and the insights from data analysis results.
Ginger Extract Promotes Pancreatic Islets Regeneration in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Abbood Manal S. , Aladsani Amani M. , Al-Bustan Suzanne A.
Published: February 2025

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) exerts an antidiabetic effect by restoring pancreatic β-cells. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which ginger extract induces the regeneration of functional β-cells in diabetic rats. Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 27) were divided into three groups: normal rats given double distilled water (ddH2O) (NC, n = 11), diabetic rats (injected with 60 mg/kg streptozotocin) given ddH2O (DC, n = 8), and diabetic rats treated with aqueous ginger extract (DG, n = 8). The effect of ginger extract intake on the differential expression of neurogenin-3 (Neurog3), V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (Mafb), insulin 2 (Ins2), and glucagon (Gcg) was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR after one and eight weeks of treatment. The pancreatic insulin source was determined using immunohistochemical analysis. After one week, ginger treatment significantly upregulated the expression of both Neurog3 and Mafb in the DG rats compared to the DC rats. However, after eight weeks, the mRNA levels of these genes dropped significantly in parallel with the upregulation of Ins2 and Gcg expression resulting in increased serum insulin levels, weight, and lowered fasting blood glucose levels. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a restored β-cell mass and islet architecture in the DG group. Ginger extract exerts an antidiabetic effect by acting on pancreatic progenitors and α-cells to restore β-cell mass in STZ-induced diabetic rats. These findings suggest that ginger extract could be a potential stimulator of β-cell neogenesis, which provides an alternative to meet the increasing demand for exogenous insulin in patients with diabetes.
Renal hypertrophy and hyperfiltration is enhanced in early-acquired compared to a congenital solitary function kidney model in sheep
Authors: McArdle Zoe , Singh Reetu R , Walton Sarah L , Moritz Karen , Denton Kate M. , Schreuder Michiel F
Published: February 2025

A congenital solitary functioning kidney (C-SFK) or an early acquired SFK (EA-SFK), due to childhood unilateral nephrectomy (unix), increases the risk of hypertension and kidney disease early in life. Evidence suggests that children with an EA-SFK may have a higher risk of future kidney disease compared to those with a C-SFK, but the precise underlying mechanisms need further investigation. C-SFK was induced by fetal unix at 100 days gestation (term=150 days) in male sheep fetuses and a sham procedure was performed. At 1 month of age, EA-SFK was induced by unix in male lambs. At 8 months of age total kidney weight was similar in all groups due to marked hypertrophy in the C-SFK and EA-SFK groups. Blood pressure was similar in EA-SFK and sham groups but ~12 mmHg higher in the C-SFK group compared with sham. Compared with the sham group, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was ~9% less in the EA-SFK group and ~26% less in the C-SFK. GFR was ~23% greater in EA-SFK compared with the C-SFK group. Albuminuria was 67% greater in C-SFK sheep but similar in the EA-SFK group compared with sham sheep. However, like the C-SFK group, the renal blood flow response to nitric oxide blockade was attenuated in the EA-SFK group compared with sham. In conclusion, longer-term studies are needed to determine whether the greater hyperfiltration and disturbed vasodilator balance observed in EA-SFK sheep will cause an accelerated decline in renal function with aging.
Engineered bacteria and bacterial derivatives as advanced therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Wu Jingyuan , Ye Wanlin , Yu Jie , Zhou Tuoyu , Zhou Nuo , K.P. Ng Dennis , Li Zhaoting
Published: February 2025

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic and relapsing-remitting condition, is inadequately managed by conventional therapies that often lack targeting specificity and carry significant side effects, particularly failing to address intestinal barrier repair and microbial balance. Probiotics, with their strong colonization capabilities, present a novel approach to drug delivery. Various engineering strategies have been developed to enhance the targeting ability of probiotics to inflammation sites, enabling precise delivery or in situ synthesis of therapeutic molecules to expand their multifunctional potential. This review discusses the recent advancements in bacterial modifications, including surface physico-chemical and biological coating, genetic engineering, outer membrane vesicles, minicells, and bacterial ghosts, all of which can enhance therapeutic localization. We also outline critical preclinical considerations, such as delivery frequency, systemic distribution, immune evasion, and gene contamination risks, for clinical translation. These engineered bacteria and bacterial derivatives hold great promise for personalized and sustained IBD treatments, providing a new frontier for therapy tailored to the complex inflammatory environment of IBD.
Shedding light on the star formation rate-halo accretion rate connection and halo quenching mechanism via DECODE, the Discrete statistical sEmi-empiriCal mODEl
Authors: Fu Hao , Boco Lumen , Shankar Francesco , Lapi Andrea , Ayromlou Mohammadreza , Roberts Daniel , Peng Yingjie , Rodr'iguez-Puebla Aldo , Yuan Feng , Cleland Cressida , Mei Simona , Menci Nicola
Published: February 2025

The relative roles of the physical mechanisms involved in quenching galaxy star formation are still unclear. We tackle this fundamental problem with our cosmological semi-empirical model (Discrete statistical sEmi-empiriCal mODEl), designed to predict galaxy stellar mass assembly histories, from minimal input assumptions. Specifically, in this work the star formation history of each galaxy is calculated along its progenitor dark matter halo by assigning at each redshift a star formation rate extracted from a monotonic star formation rate-halo accretion rate (SFR-HAR) relation derived from abundance matching between the (observed) SFR function and the (numerically predicted) HAR function, a relation that is also predicted by the TNG100 simulation. SFRs are integrated across cosmic time to build up the mass of galaxies, which may halt their star formation following input physical quenching recipes. In this work we test the popular halo quenching scenario and we find that 1) the assumption of a monotonic relation between the SFR and HAR allows us to reproduce the number densities of the bulk of star-forming galaxies in the local Universe; 2) the halo quenching is sufficient to reproduce the statistics of the quenched galaxies and flat (steep) high-mass end of the stellar mass-halo mass relation (or SMF); and 3) to align with the observed steep (flat) low-mass end of the stellar mass-halo mass (or SMF) additional quenching processes in the least massive haloes are needed. is an invaluable tool and will pave the way to investigate the origin of newly observed high-redshift objects from the latest ongoing facilities such as JWST and Euclid.
Impact of accretion-induced chemically homogeneous evolution on stellar and compact binary populations
Authors: Dall'Amico Marco , Mapelli Michela , Iorio Giuliano , Costa Guglielmo , Charlot Stéphane , Korb Erika , Sgalletta Cecilia , Lecroq Marie
Published: February 2025

In binary star systems, mass transfer can spin up the accretor, possibly leading to efficient chemical mixing and chemically quasi-homogeneous evolution (CHE). Here, we explore the effects of accretion-induced CHE on both stellar populations and their compact binary remnants with the state-of-the-art population synthesis code sevn . We find that CHE efficiently enhances the formation of Wolf-Rayet stars (WRs) from secondary stars, which are spun up by accretion, while simultaneously preventing their evolution into red supergiant stars (RSGs). Including CHE in our models increases the fraction of WRs in our stellar sample by nearly a factor of ≈3 at low metallicity (Z=0.001). WRs formed through CHE are, on average, more massive and luminous than those formed without CHE. Most WRs formed via CHE end their life as black holes. As a direct consequence, the CHE mechanism enhances the formation of binary black holes (BBHs) and black hole-neutron star (BHNS) systems, while also quenching the production of binary neutron stars (BNSs). However, CHE significantly quenches the merger rate of BBHs, BHNSs, and BNSs at low metallicity (Z≤0.004), because most binary compact objects formed via CHE have large orbital periods. For instance, the number of BBH and BHNS mergers decreases by one order of magnitude at Z=0.004 in the CHE model compared to the standard scenario. Finally, we find that secondary stars experiencing CHE frequently produce the most massive compact object in the binary system. In BHNSs, this implies that the black hole progenitor is the secondary star. Conversely, BBHs formed through accretion-induced CHE likely have asymmetric black hole components, but only a negligible fraction of these asymmetric systems ultimately merge within an Hubble time.
JWST Observations of Starbursts: Relations between PAH features and CO clouds in the starburst galaxy M 82
Authors: Villanueva V. , Bolatto A.D. , Herrera-Camus R. , Leroy A. , Fisher D.B. , Levy R.C. , Boker T. , Boogaard L. , Cronin S.A. , Dale D.A. , Emig K. , De Looze I. , Donnelly G.P. , Lai T. S.-Y. , Lenkic L. , Lopez L.A. , Lopez S. , Meier D.S. , Ott J. , Relano M. , Smith J.D. , Tarantino E. , Veilleux S. , Walter F. , van der Werf P.
Published: February 2025

We present a study of new 7.7-11.3 μm data obtained with the James Webb Space Telescope Mid-InfraRed Instrument in the starburst galaxy M 82. In particular, we focus on the dependency of the integrated CO(1-0) line intensity on the MIRI-F770W and MIRI-F1130W filter intensities to investigate the correlation between H_2 content and the 7.7 and 11.3 μm features from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in M 82's outflows. To perform our analysis, we identify CO clouds using the archival ^12CO(J=1-0) NOEMA moment 0 map within 2 kpc from the center of M 82, with sizes ranging between ∼21 and 270 pc; then, we compute the CO-to-PAH relations for the 306 validated CO clouds. On average, the power-law slopes for the two relations in M 82 are lower than what is seen in local main-sequence spirals. In addition, there is a moderate correlation between I_ 7.7μ m /I_ 11.3μ m for most of the CO cloud groups analyzed in this work. Our results suggest that the extreme conditions in M 82 translate into CO not tracing the full budget of molecular gas in smaller clouds, perhaps as a consequence of photoionization and/or emission suppression of CO molecules due to hard radiation fields from the central starburst.
Comparative assessment of fertilizer systems and intensification levels in crop production
Authors: Zyukin Danil A. , Glushkov Ivan A.
Published: February 2025

This study is devoted to the comparative economic evaluation of different fertilization systems and intensification levels in the cultivation of agricultural crops on gray forest soils. Experimental work was carried out during three rotations of field crop rotation. The obtained results demonstrate that increasing the doses of mineral and organic fertilizers does not always lead to an increase in economic efficiency, and in some cases even reduces it. In particular, cost recovery decreased with increasing fertilizer doses on average in the crop rotation, except for potato crop, where the opposite trend was observed. Fertilizer systems including mineral nitrogen contributed to an increase in protein content in grain, but this did not ensure their superiority in terms of economic efficiency. On the basis of the obtained data, conclusions are drawn about the need for a differentiated approach to the choice of fertilizer systems and levels of intensification, taking into account specific agro-ecological conditions and features of crops grown. The results of the study can be useful for agricultural practitioners in selecting optimal agro-technologies.
Risks and safety standards for the use of genetically modified organisms in the context of food security
Authors: Nezhmetdinova F.T. , Guryleva M.E. , Kardanova L.D.
Published: February 2025

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become the cornerstone of modern agriculture, offering solutions to some of the most pressing issues such as food security, pest control, and climate change. This article discusses the risks and safety standards of using genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture. Regulatory approaches in Europe, the USA, and Russia are analyzed, as well as the potential environmental and social consequences of GMO use. Both positive and negative aspects of the introduction of GMOs in the agricultural sector are evaluated.
Technological and biochemical characteristics of spring wheat varieties of Irkutsk region
Authors: Gordeeva Yulia V. , Kuvshinova Elena K. , Golovko Anatoly S. , Bazova Anastasia S. , Cheryomukhina Angelina A.
Published: February 2025

In this work, a comprehensive assessment of technological and biochemical properties of zoned varieties of spring wheat cultivated in the Irkutsk region was carried out. The aim of the work was to determine the optimal ways to use different varieties in the processing industry of the region. In the course of the study the glassiness, moisture content, flour yield, protein content, quantity and quality of gluten, as well as rheological properties of dough were analysed. The results showed significant variability in quality characteristics between the varieties. The varieties Angara 86 and Tulun 15 showed the best performance for baking, while the varieties Irene, Novosibirskaya 15 and Studencheskaya, having high flour yields, can be recommended for feed purposes and for the production of products with less stringent requirements for a more rational use of this resource.
Microbial biotechnology of milk whey processing for agricultural needs
Authors: Astanakulov Komil , Abdiev Orifjon , Ulashov Jonibek , Ergasheva Dilnoza , Zatsarinnaya Irina A. , Kupriyanenko Nikolay A.
Published: February 2025

There are a number of approaches to whey utilisation, from direct feeding to animals to processing into products for the food industry. However, these methods have limitations, including high moisture content and processing costs. An alternative promising avenue is microbial biotechnology, which can convert whey into valuable products rich in protein, vitamins and other bioactive substances. This approach not only reduces resource losses but is also an environmentally friendly method. The aim of this work was to study the possibilities of microbial biotechnology application for whey processing, as well as to analyse the existing methods and prospects for their development. During the study, different types of whey were studied, their chemical composition was determined and experiments on whey digestion using different microorganisms were carried out. The analyses showed that whey is a valuable source of nutrients, particularly lactose (4.2-5.0%), which can serve as a substrate for microorganisms. The dry matter content varied from 6.4 to 6.6% and protein from 0.8 to 1%. After digestion, the dry matter content of the whey increased by 15-20% and the amount of protein increased by 2.5-3 times, for example, with Lactobacillus casei, the protein content increased from 1% to 2.7% in 48 hours, and with Saccharomyces cerevisiae to 3.1% in the same period. The amino acid composition also showed a significant increase in lysine content from 13.7% to 20.2%. The results showed that whey is a valuable raw material for obtaining various products that can be used as feed and food ingredients.
Nature-like as agro-technologies a convergent approach to carbon polygon creation
Authors: Sevryugina Nadezhda S. , Kozenkova G.L. , Migda N.S.
Published: February 2025

In this paper, research and validation of nature-like agro-technologies using a convergent approach to improve the productivity of agrolandscapes and the creation of carbon polygons were carried out. As part of the work, a set of experimental studies was implemented, including assessment of agrolandscape potential, comparative analysis of traditional and nature-like farming methods, as well as monitoring of plant physiological parameters and the dynamics of carbon accumulation in the soil. The results of the research showed that nature-like agro-technologies provide a significant increase in yields and quality of grain crops, as well as improve soil fertility and its ability to sequester carbon. At the same time, the cost of production is reduced due to more rational use of natural resources. The obtained data indicate the promising application of nature-based agro-technologies to ensure sustainable and environmentally safe agriculture and to solve the problem of decarbonisation in the agricultural sector.
Bacteria of the Helicobacter genus in food
Authors: Nurgaliev Farit Mullagalievich , Nurgalieva Alinya Ravilevna , Nagumanova Liana Ruslanovna
Published: February 2025

This article presents a brief overview of current knowledge about the potential role that foods can play in the transmission of Helicobacter pathogens to humans. The aim of the study was to identify the DNA of viable bacteria of the genus Helicobacter in pork. One of the most important problems of the modern world is ensuring food quality control. It is necessary to solve complex tasks, including, inter alia, measures to detect opportunistic and pathogenic bacteria in food products. Helicobacteria that are isolated from domestic animals are classified as hard in cultivating microorganisms, which is connected with using a various antimicrobial agent in pig farming. In response to the action of medicines, microorganisms stop growing, being sown on nutrient medium, but they keep the vitality and can infect susceptible organisms. Therefore, a molecular genetic method was developed by Lien De Cooman et al. for detecting DNA of viable helicobacteria [25]. A study of meat samples purchased on the market in terms of the presence of H. suis and H. pylory shows that 2,5% of meat contained DNA of live H. suis.
Dynamics and prospects for the development of the Russian compound feed industry in the period from 2010 to 2025
Authors: Migda N.S. , Ashurov Nurali , Komilov Islomjon , Nishonov Fayzullo , Saydumarov Botir , Kuldasheva Shakhnoza
Published: February 2025

The presented research is devoted to analysing the development of the Russian compound feed industry in the period from 2010 to 2025. The purpose of the work is to assess the dynamics of the industry, identify the key factors affecting its development, and analyse the prospects for improving the efficiency of production and quality of mixed fodder. Data from the Federal State Statistics Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, industry associations and analytical centres, as well as scientific publications and reviews were used. The analysis has shown that the industry has gone through several stages of development, from steady growth to adaptation to economic crises and subsequent strong recovery. Government support, import substitution, development of domestic soybean production and introduction of innovative technologies played an important role. An increase in export opportunities and diversification of the raw material base were noted. Despite the successes achieved, the industry faces new challenges related to the need to reduce dependence on imported technologies, increase competitiveness in the global market and ensure sustainable development. The study highlights the need for further implementation of innovative solutions to optimise production and improve feed quality.
The Spatial Heterogeneity Impact of Urban Historical Block Morphology on Urban Heat Island——An Insight of Local Climate Zones
Authors: Wanga Yichao
Published: February 2025

The urban heat island (UHI) poses a serious threat to public health. Land Surface Temperature (LST), is a critical indicator for quantifying UHI intensity. However, the study focusing on the relationship between urban morphology and LST in historical urban areas remains a challenge. Taking the historic urban area of Guangzhou as an example, this study selected seven indicators, combined with the Local Climate Zones (LCZs) theory, and used hierarchical clustering method to explore the classification of block morphology of historic urban area. Moreover, multiple linear regression (MLR), geographical detector, and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) methods were employed to reveal the impact of block morphology on LST. The main findings are as follows: 1) LST in the study area exhibited significant spatial clustering characteristics (Moran’s I = 0.39). 2) There were eight types of block morphology in the study area, with 96% dominated by building coverage. 3) High-density low-rise (LCZ3) showed the most substantial impact on LST, followed by medium-density low-rise (LCZ3-II) and high-density mid-rise (LCZ2). 4) Building density (BD) exhibited the greatest overall impact on LST. From an interactional perspective, building height (BH) showed a notably pronounced effect. Moreover, the influence of block morphology indicators on LST demonstrated notable spatial heterogeneity, with local spatial variations in the impacts of BD and BH being more pronounced.
Research and experimental study on deep sea trench dredging suction head
Authors: He Ping , Wang Zeping , Sun Yunjia , Liu Wenhe
Published: February 2025

To solve the problem of incomplete removal of silt and disturbance of gravel during the dredging process of the gravel foundation surface of immersed tube tunnels, a dredging suction head with dual functions of mechanical scraping and hydraulic conveying has been developed, which can effectively remove silt while ensuring the accuracy of the foundation surface. Based on the prototype of the dredging suction head, physical model experiments were conducted to analysis the influence of suction head speed and travel speed on dredging efficiency, obtained the optimal operating parameters of dredging suction head. The article provides a reference for the deepening research and development of dredging equipment.
Prediction of compressive strength of concrete based on artificial neural network and sensitivity analysis of combination factors
Authors: Ma Yongjie , Lin Jianhong , Zhang Yu , Chen Xuanyu , Dou Yuzhe
Published: February 2025

To investigate factors affecting the compressive strength of concrete in pumped-storage facilities, this study developed a predictive analytical model based on artificial neural networks. A dataset of experimental concrete mixtures was employed to train and evaluate the model through validation and testing phases. Subsequent analysis focused on three critical parameters: water-cement ratio, cementitious material content, and water-reducing agent proportion. Validation revealed calculation errors predominantly confined to ±5%, indicating robust model reliability and strong correlation between predicted and empirical values. The analysis demonstrated an inverse relationship between concrete strength and water-cement ratio, while cementitious material content exhibited a proportional influence. Optimal compressive performance occurred at approximately 1% water-reducing agent dosage. Parameter sensitivity evaluation ranked water-cement ratio as the most significant determinant of strength variation, followed by water-reducing agent quantity, with cementitious materials showing comparatively minor effects. These findings suggest that enhanced compressive strength in pumped-storage facility concrete can be achieved through strategic formulation: minimizing water-cement ratios, increasing cementitious components, and maintaining water-reducing additives near the identified optimal threshold. The methodology provides a framework for optimizing concrete mixtures in hydroelectric infrastructure projects, balancing material efficiency with structural performance requirements.
Study on Noise Reduction Processing of Nondestructive Testing Signals Based on Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Ji , Zha Bo , Deng Jiahui , Shao Zhiwei
Published: February 2025

During the execution of nondestructive testing (NDT) tasks, various noise signals interfere with the collected data, leading to signal distortion. As a result, directly evaluating the damage of mebers based on noisy signals becomes exceedingly challenging. To mitigate the adverse effects of noise, this study employs wavelet analysis theory to analyze denoising parameters for ultrasonic testing signals contaminated by noise. The findings reveal that when the wavelet basis is set to coif5 and the decomposition level is 2, the denoised signal achieves the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), effectively suppressing noise. These results provide a parameter template for future ultrasonic testing signal denoising tasks.
Analysis of factors affecting the electrothermal performance of STPV liquid-flow windows at various flow rates
Authors: Zhu Li , Wang Peng , Huo Yujiao , Li Zirui
Published: February 2025

The structural design of photovoltaic windows is fundamental to their thermal and electrical performance. Photovoltaic windows with closed or ventilated air layers, as commonly addressed in existing studies, fail to efficiently collect and transfer heat within the window system. This paper presents a model of an STPV liquid-flow window, which incorporates a liquid flow cavity between the STPV module and conventional glass. The experiment was conducted over four sunny days, and the liquid flow rates into the STPV window were set at 0.2 L/min, 0.4 L/min, 0.6 L/min, and 0.8 L/min, respectively. The experimental results and analyses show that, an inlet flow rate of at least 0.4 L/min effectively eliminates significant temperature gradients on the indoor surface for the model presented. Global solar irradiation exerts the greatest influence on both thermal insulation performance and PV operating temperature, while liquid flow rate plays a critical role in reducing indoor direct heat gain. The operating temperature of the PV system ranges from 22.5 °C to 29 °C. Because the inlet design temperature closely approximates the PV operating temperature, thereby limiting the liquid flow system’s potential to enhance cooling as the flow rate increases.
How to resolve internalised stigmatisation through therapeutic patient education?
Authors: Durrer Dominique , Schutz Yves , Pataky Zoltan
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease, dependent on over a hundred exogenous and endogenous variables. However, in our society, the collective unconscious considers that patients suffering from obesity are solely responsible for their condition. This is why they have to face repetitive stigmatising events in every environment even from health professionals. Discussion: In many situations, this leads to an internalisation of the stigma. Patients feel completely responsible for their condition and stigmatise themselves. The consequences can be severe. The patient will not invest in treatment, or the condition may even lead to treatment failure. It is therefore important to address internalised stigma at the start of a multidisciplinary approach to obesity to increase the chances of therapeutic success. Therapeutic patient education is essential in the treatment of obesity in general, but also in the treatment of internalised stigma. A patient-centered approach, focusing on all the psychological aspects seriously affected by this condition, has been shown to be effective in reducing or even eliminating it. Conclusion: Therapeutic patient education is the cornerstone of obesity management, guaranteeing improvements in both physical and psychological health and quality of life.
Druck rausnehmen – Dekubitus
Authors: Schäfer Mirjam
Published: February 2025

Ein Dekubitus, auch Liegegeschwür oder Wundliegen genannt, kann zu langer Bettlägerigkeit führen und die Lebensqualität und Teilhabe von Betroffenen erheblich einschränken. Therapeut*innen benötigen Wissen über die richtige Druckentlastung und die optimale Sitzkissenversorgung, um einem Druckgeschwür vorzubeugen und es zu behandeln sowie Klient*innen und weitere Personen zu schulen.
Self-assessment of Knowledge vs. Real Reactions in Simulated Emergency Situations among Contact Lens Wearers in Switzerland
Authors: Perschak Philipp , Said Sadiq , Metzler Simone , Zweifel Sandrine , Barthelmes Daniel , Hermann Dominique , Herrmann Didier , Hafezi Farhad , Kollros Léonard , Bosch Martina Monika , Blaser Frank
Published: February 2025

Background If used properly, contact lenses (CLs) provide a safe and effective alternative to eyeglasses for refractive error correction. However, often due to patient noncompliance, CL-related complications may occur, such as discomfort, dry eye, as well as serious conditions like infectious keratitis. Our study aimed to assess the perceived knowledge and behavior of CL wearers in Switzerland regarding the handling of CLs and associated ocular health risks.

Methods This investigator-initiated, cross-sectional, qualitative, multicenter study was conducted in Switzerland from August 2023 to August 2024. After verbal consent, CL wearers were interviewed using a structured survey. The questionnaire explored participantsʼ demographics, their perceived knowledge of the overall handling of CLs and associated health risks, as well as their behavior in two emergency scenarios involving monocular redness or pain. The descriptive statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). Figures were created with Prism version 10.2.3 (GraphPad Software, San Francisco, CA, USA).

Results A total of 172 participants with a median (IQR [range]) age of 39 (27 to 54 [10 to 82]) years were interviewed, whereby 81 (47.1%) were female. Myopia (61.0%) and keratoconus (30.2%) were the most reported indications for CL use. In terms of overall CL handling, 91.3% of participants felt well or sufficiently informed, whereas this was the case of 66.3% regarding CL-related health risks. In the scenario involving eye redness during CL use, 135 of 175 (77.1%) responses did not mention seeking professional advice, while 25 (14.3%) indicated visiting an ophthalmologist within 1 day of symptom onset. In the event of monocular pain, 67 of 179 (37.4%) responses did not consider seeking professional care, whereas 86 (48.0%) included consulting an ophthalmologist.

Conclusion This study provides insight into the unmet educational need of CL wearers, especially regarding CL-related complications. Participants generally felt better informed about overall CL handling than about the potential health risks. This information discrepancy is reflected by their responses to scenarios involving monocular redness or pain, where a considerable number of participants failed to react adequately. Further studies are warranted to explore effective, practical strategies for improving patient awareness and behavior.
Police subjectivities in South Africa: a discourse analysis of police officers’ talk on protest
Authors: Cornell Josephine , Malherbe Nick , Suffla Shahnaaz , Seedat Mohamed
Published: February 2025

Police officers in the South African Police Service (SAPS) undertake their police work within national, institutional, and personal discourses. Together, these discourses create different, often contradictory, police subjectivities. Resultantly, research on policing in South Africa is increasingly concerned with these subjectivities and the contexts in which they are constructed. However, despite this growing interest in discourse and subjectivities, scholars of policing have not typically employed a discourse analysis to examine these processes. Through a Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, we examine two discourses, violence as an internal malignancy of protest and protest as legitimate. The subjectivities enabled through these discourses both sympathised with and demonised the struggles of protesters, reflecting a broader contradiction in South African society, namely that protest is discursively reified in the Constitution but must be exercised within the discursive-material parameters set by the state.
A physics-informed neural network-based aerodynamic parameter identification method for aircraft
Authors: Lin Jie , Chen Shu-sheng , Yang Hua , Jiang Quan-feng , Liu Jie
Published: February 2025

The precise identification of aerodynamic parameters for aircraft is increasingly critical in aircraft design endeavors, particularly for furnishing accurate dynamic models for ground and flight simulation. To mitigate the dependence on traditional identification methods that rely heavily on aircraft models, this work introduces an aerodynamic parameters identification methodology based on Physics-informed Neural Networks (PINNs). By utilizing the six degrees of freedom motion equation as the physical constraint with the neural network, and the aerodynamic parameters to be identified as the neural network variables, the neural network model is trained to serve as a surrogate for the aircraft model. As a case study, the longitudinal motion of the aircraft is employed to identify and analyze the aerodynamic parameters. A comprehensive comparison is conducted among a method based on the genetic algorithm, a conventional neural network-based approach, and the proposed PINN-based methodology. The results obtained demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively mitigate system and data errors, exhibiting high precision in parameter identification and anti-interference capabilities with regard to noise in data. This innovative approach holds the potential to substantially decrease the reliance on flight test data for parameter identification purposes.
Polymer-integrated optical fiber Fabry–Pérot interferometer with Vernier effect for the detection of myoglobin
Authors: Han Zhuoyang , Chen Xuanyi , Miao Yinping , Zhang Yangyuan , Xu Changping
Published: February 2025

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the most severe manifestation of coronary artery disease and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The concentration of myoglobin (Mb) in serum has been regarded as an essential indicator for the early diagnosis of AMI. Developing a rapid, sensitive, and accurate Mb detection method is very important for the early diagnosis of AMI. This study reports a fiber optic biosensor based on polymer and Vernier effect composite sensitization for real-time detection of serum Mb concentration. The sensor is made of a Fabry–Pérot interferometer cascade tapered microfiber filled with photothermal material polydimethylsiloxane. Two interference structures with similar but unequal free spectral range are combined, and the superposition spectrum produces periodic interference fringes, forming a fiber sensor with a Vernier effect. By detecting the photothermal signal generated by the absorption of light by Mb, marker-free, specific detection can be achieved. The sensing device attained a sensitivity of 5.235 nm/(mg/L) in the 0.0001–10 mg/L concentration range. The linearity reached 0.9978, with a limit of detection of 3.82 ng/ml, which meets the sensitivity requirements for detecting Mb concentration in serum, and the detection time was less than 40 s, which has potential in the early diagnosis of related diseases.
Large positive VFB shift achieved by a band alignment modulated with insertion of Ga2O3 dipole layer
Authors: Zhu Xiao-Na , Shen Lei , Li Yu-Chun , Lv Yu-Dong , Shi Cai-Yu , Huang Teng , Huang Zi-Ying , Zhang David Wei , Lu Hong-Liang
Published: February 2025

In this Letter, a Ga2O3 dipole layer deposited at the SiO2/HfO2 interface by in situ atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been demonstrated to be a great positive dipole. Through the in situ ALD of 10–30 cycles Ga2O3 dipole layer, a 1.09–1.59 V flatband voltage positive modulation range is obtained with a small 0.05–0.36 nm equivalent oxide thickness penalty, respectively. The modification of the band alignment is verified by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement on the gate stacks before and after Ga2O3 dipole layer insertion. The valence band offset between SiO2/HfO2 has been suppressed by the insertion of Ga2O3, proving a p-type dipole nature of Ga2O3 dipole layer. The first interface of SiO2/Ga2O3 more dominantly decides the p-type nature, and the second Ga2O3/HfO2 suppresses it. This work indicates that ALD of Ga2O3 is a promising positive dipole candidate for multiple threshold voltage technology in advanced process nodes.
Reproducing the thermal effects induced by aging in La-based amorphous alloy
Authors: Hao Q. , Yang D. S. , Pineda E. , Fusco C. , Chazeau L. , Wang Y. J. , Yang Y. , Khonik V. A. , Qiao J. C.
Published: February 2025

Physical aging intrinsically exists in amorphous materials and refers to the evolution of the nonequilibrium structure toward an equilibrium state. The aging process can significantly affect the thermomechanical properties of the amorphous materials, thereby influencing their macroscopic responses. Aging models not only help in understanding the underlying physical mechanisms of the relaxation behavior but also may provide an effective tool for predicting the physical and mechanical properties of metastable nonequilibrium materials in practical applications. In the current work, based on the measurement of calorimetric data and shear modulus during the heating process of amorphous metallic alloys, we obtained the mechanical and thermal property changes caused by physical aging. By incorporating the characteristic time of their α relaxation into a first-order kinetic equation and considering the coupled evolution between the characteristic time and the structural order parameter, we derived an aging kinetics model based on the hierarchically constrained atomic dynamics theory. This model effectively reproduces the thermal effects in the aging region and the supercooled liquid region observed in the calorimetric data.
A bottom–up savanna fire fuel consumption inventory and its application to savanna burning in Kafue National Park, Zambia
Authors: Eames Tom , Kaluka Adrian , Vernooij Roland , Yates Cameron , Russell-Smith Jeremy , van der Werf Guido R.
Published: February 2025

Background Tropical savannas are the most extensively and frequently burned biome worldwide. To establish accurate emissions inventories for burning in tropical savannas, detailed biomass information is required. Available pan-tropical or global biomass maps currently focus on standing vegetation and largely ignore surface layers, a key component of fuel consumption in the tropics. Aims In this paper, we propose a methodology for building a high-resolution regional bottom–up fuel inventory, and examine the effectiveness thereof in a local scale case study in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Methods We scaled up fuel measurements using drone-mounted cameras and Sentinel-2 imagery. We examined inter-annual fire variability’s effects on emissions. Key results The fuel model performs well for surface level fuel, with an error margin of ~±27%. Accuracy is reduced when mapping more stochastic fuel layers such as coarse woody debris, or fuel layers with a structural component. Conclusions Current pyrogenic emissions models underestimate emissions from Kafue National Park. Implications Timing of burning is an important factor for total burned area as well as for emissions.
Genomic divergence across the tree of life
Authors: Hart Rowan , Moran Nancy A. , Ochman Howard
Published: February 2025

Nucleotide sequence data are being harnessed to identify species, even in cases in which organisms themselves are neither in hand nor witnessed. But how genome-wide sequence divergence maps to species status is far from clear. While gene sequence divergence is commonly used to delineate bacterial species, its correspondence to established species boundaries has yet to be explored across eukaryotic taxa. Because the processes underlying gene flow differ fundamentally between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, these domains are likely to differ in the relationship between reproductive isolation and genome-wide sequence divergence. In prokaryotes, homologous recombination, the basis of gene flow, depends directly on the degree of genomic sequence divergence, whereas in sexually reproducing eukaryotes, reproductive incompatibility can stem from changes in very few genes. Guided by measures of genome-wide sequence divergence in bacteria, we gauge how genomic criteria correspond to species boundaries in eukaryotes. In recognized species of eukaryotes, levels of gene sequence divergence within species are typically very small, averaging <1% across protein-coding regions in most animals, plants, and fungi. There are even instances in which divergence between sister species is the same or less than that among conspecifics. In contrast, bacterial species, defined as populations exchanging homologous genes, show levels of divergence both within and between species that are considerably higher. Although no single threshold delineates species, eukaryotic populations with >1% genome-wide sequence divergence are likely separate species, whereas prokaryotic populations with 1% divergence are still able to recombine and thus can be considered the same species.
Understanding Nash epidemics
Authors: Schnyder Simon K. , Molina John J. , Yamamoto Ryoichi , Turner Matthew S.
Published: February 2025

Faced with a dangerous epidemic humans will spontaneously social distance to reduce their risk of infection at a socioeconomic cost. Compartmentalized epidemic models have been extended to include this endogenous decision making: Individuals choose their behavior to optimize a utility function, self-consistently giving rise to population behavior. Here, we study the properties of the resulting Nash equilibria, in which no member of the population can gain an advantage by unilaterally adopting different behavior. We leverage an analytic solution that yields fully time-dependent rational population behavior to obtain, 1) a simple relationship between rational social distancing behavior and the current number of infections; 2) scaling results for how the infection peak and number of total cases depend on the cost of contracting the disease; 3) characteristic infection costs that divide regimes of strong and weak behavioral response; 4) a closed form expression for the value of the utility. We discuss how these analytic results provide a deep and intuitive understanding of the disease dynamics, useful for both individuals and policymakers. In particular, the relationship between social distancing and infections represents a heuristic that could be communicated to the population to encourage, or “bootstrap,” rational behavior.
Physics-informed deep learning for stochastic particle dynamics estimation
Authors: Zhang Yongyu , Zhu Junlun , Xie Hao , He Yan
Published: February 2025

Single-particle tracking has enabled quantitative studies of complex systems, providing nanometer localization precision and millisecond temporal resolution in heterogeneous environments. However, at micro- or nanometer scales, probe dynamics become inherently stochastic due to Brownian motion and complex interactions, leading to varied diffusion behaviors. Typically, analysis of such trajectory data involves certain moving-window operation and assumes the existence of some pseudo–steady states, particularly when evaluating predefined parameters or specific types of diffusion modes. Here, we introduce the stochastic particle-informed neural network (SPINN), a physics-informed deep learning framework that integrates stochastic differential equations to model and infer particle diffusion dynamics. The SPINN autonomously explores parameter spaces and distinguishes between deterministic and stochastic components with single-frame resolution. Using the anomalous diffusion dataset, we validated SPINN’s ability to reduce frame-to-frame variability while preserving key statistical correlations, allowing for accurate characterization of different stochastic processes. When applied to the diffusion of single gold nanorods in hydrogels, the SPINN revealed enhanced microrheological properties during hydrogel gelation and uncovered interfacial dynamics during dextran/tetra-PEG liquid–liquid phase separation. By improving the temporal resolution of stochastic dynamics, the SPINN facilitates the estimation and prediction of complex diffusion behaviors, offering insights into underlying physical mechanisms at mesoscopic scales.