bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tidal disruption events as the origin of the eROSITA and Fermi bubbles
Authors: Scheffler Tassilo , Schulreich Michael M. , Schurer David P.P.R. , Breitschwerdt Dieter
Published: February 2025

The recently discovered spherical eROSITA bubbles extend up to a latitude of ±80^∘--$85^∘$ in the X-ray regime of the Milky Way halo. Similar to the gammaup-ray Fermi bubbles, they evolve around the Galactic center, making a common origin plausible. However, the driving mechanism and evolution of both bubbles are still under debate. We investigate whether hydrodynamic energy injections at the Galactic center, such as tidal disruption events, could have inflated both bubbles. The supermassive black hole Sagittarius A^* is expected to tidally disrupt a star every 10-- kyr potentially leading to an outflow from the central region that drives a shock propagating into the Galactic halo due to its vertically declining density distribution, ultimately forming a superbubble that extends out of the disk similar to the eROSITA and Fermi bubbles. We model tidal disruption events in the Galaxy using three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations, considering different Milky Way mass models and tidal disruption event rates. We then generate synthetic X-ray maps and compare them with observations. Our simulation results of a betaup-model Milky Way halo show that superbubbles, blown for Myr by regular energy injections at the Galactic center that occur every kyr can have a shape, shell stability, size, and evolution time similar to estimates for the eROSITA bubbles, and an overall structure reminiscent of the Fermi bubbles. The gammaup-rays in our model would stem from cosmic ray interactions at the contact discontinuity, where they were previously accelerated by first-order Fermi acceleration at in situ shocks. Regular tidal disruption events in the past 10--20 million years near the Galactic center could have driven an outflow resulting in both, the X-ray emission of the eROSITA bubbles and the gammaup-ray emission of the Fermi bubbles.
Single-image super-resolution of gamma-ray imaging system using deep denoiser prior based on plug-and-play framework
Authors: Li Guo-Guang , Sheng Liang , Duan Bao-Jun , Li Yang , Song Yan , Zhu Zi-Jian , Yan Wei-Peng , Hei Dong-Wei , Xing Qing-Zi
Published: February 2025

Gamma-ray imaging systems are powerful tools in radiographic diagnosis. However, the recorded images suffer from degradations such as noise, blurring, and downsampling, consequently failing to meet high-precision diagnostic requirements. In this paper, we propose a novel single-image super-resolution algorithm to enhance the spatial resolution of gamma-ray imaging systems. A mathematical model of the gamma-ray imaging system is established based on maximum a posteriori estimation. Within the plug-and-play framework, the half-quadratic splitting method is employed to decouple the data fidelity term and the regularization term. An image denoiser using convolutional neural networks is adopted as an implicit image prior, referred to as a deep denoiser prior, eliminating the need to explicitly design a regularization term. Furthermore, the impact of the image boundary condition on reconstruction results is considered, and a method for estimating image boundaries is introduced. The results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively addresses boundary artifacts. By increasing the pixel number of the reconstructed images, the proposed algorithm is capable of recovering more details. Notably, in both simulation and real experiments, the proposed algorithm is demonstrated to achieve subpixel resolution, surpassing the Nyquist sampling limit determined by the camera pixel size.
The conversationality index
Authors: Cotgrove Louis , Thul Rüdiger , Conklin Kathy
Published: February 2025

There has been an explosion in social media use, with Statista estimating that worldwide, Facebook has over 3
billion regular active users, YouTube 2.5 billion, and Instagram and WhatsApp 2 billion (Statista 2023). While social media allows one to connect and interact with a range of people, increased social media
use can be associated with feelings of isolation and symptoms of depression and anxiety. This may in part be because it allows
users to engage in activities that appear social but that do not provide meaningful social interaction. We developed the
Conversationality Index to assess the quality of social media exchanges based on the length, number of participants and how
equally the participants contribute to a written online conversation. After calibrating the Conversationality Index using real and
surrogate data, we assessed conversations taken from a 33-million-word database and found that the Conversationality Index
consistently distinguished between conversations of varying quality.
Doing newsworthiness in execution news and death penalty ideology
Authors: Bunnag Orawee , Chaemsaithong Krisda , Shin Keun-Hye
Published: February 2025

Based on a corpus of execution news articles from Thailand, this study takes a discourse analytic approach to
scrutinize what news values are construed as dominant and the way in which ideologically significant lexico-grammatical choices
are orchestrated to frame public perceptions of the death penalty. The findings indicate that the news values of Negativity and
Eliteness predominate, serving to exaggerate the violence of the executed individuals. At the same time, the reports neutralize
the inherently violent executions by the state. Other news values, some of which exhibit local socio-cultural values to the extent
of encoding moral lessons and warnings, mediate the reader’s perception of death as a routine, carefully weighed, and effective
procedure. The news values not only appear to reinforce an exaggerated representation of crime and offenders, but also work in
concert with general crime reports to retain this form of punishment, despite international pressure to abolish it.
Sensor fusion and magnetic drift estimation in magnetic measurements using Kalman filter for long-duration plasma operations
Authors: Kim Jaewook , Kim Jayhyun , Ghim Young-chul , Bak J G
Published: February 2025

This work introduces a novel technique that incorporates the bias contaminating magnetic coil measurements within the model, building upon previous sensor fusion techniques of magnetic coil and Hall sensor \cite{Quercia_2022,Arpaia_2021}. In the pursuit of sustainable thermo-nuclear magnetic fusion, precise and drift-free magnetic field measurements are essential for effective plasma control. Typically, magnetic field measurements for plasma control and diagnosis in magnetic fusion are achieved through inductive coil sensors and integrators, striving for low noise and fast sampling rates. However, these methods are susceptible to drift due to the presence of bias or offset originated from the magnetic coil $dB/dt$ measurements and the integrator. To address the drift issue, we employ a Kalman filter approach that considers the time-varying bias as a Wiener or Brownian process, in conjunction with a Hall sensor. This method is applied to synthetic magnetic field data representing Hall sensor measurements with high noise and synthetic $dB/dt$ data representing magnetic coil sensor measurements with time-varying bias. While these conditions are more extreme than typical in current fusion diagnostics, they are chosen to rigorously test the robustness of our method. The results demonstrate successful reconstruction of a low-noise, low-bias magnetic field and the time-varying bias, highlighting the method's reliability in challenging scenarios. The proposed method offers promising applications in achieving long-term, drift-free control of plasma in magnetic fusion experiments, taking us one step closer to the goal of sustainable fusion energy production.
Simulation study of cosmic-ray muons for detection of nuclear materials in liquid freight containers
Authors: Gharibshahi Elham , Alamaniotis Miltiadis
Published: February 2025

Accurately detecting nuclear materials concealed within the
bulk of cargo containers is essential for establishing a robust
defense against nuclear terrorism. Identifying such hidden materials
can be achieved through imaging techniques that are ideally
non-intrusive—meaning the container does not need to be
manually opened—and capable of providing quick and
precise identification of the contents. Muon tomography is one such
effective imaging technique, utilized across various fields. This
technique reconstructs cargo images using cosmic-ray muons, highly
penetrative particles that reach the Earth's surface from the upper
atmosphere and interact with materials primarily through Coulomb
scattering. This study conducts a simulated examination of
cosmic-ray muon tomography to detect special nuclear materials,
specifically focusing on identifying uranium isotopes U-235 and
U-238, as well as plutonium (Pu-239), hidden within large liquid
freight containers. A series of muon simulations is performed using
the Geant4 software platform to explore the potential for imaging
small amounts of concealed nuclear materials within large-scale
containers filled individually with water or oil. The results
confirm the accurate detection and localization of illicit nuclear
content within the substantial volume of liquid freight containers.
Soul, World, and God
Authors: Dyck Corey W.
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides a comprehensive account of Wolff’s metaphysics, as presented in his German Metaphysics of 1719. Wolff’s discussion of the soul, world, and God in that text is considered, with a focus on those topics which evidence this close connection with his earlier treatments. This set of topics includes those, like the doctrine of freedom, the claim of the thoroughgoing connection of events in the world, and the account of God’s essence, which proved particularly controversial for his later Pietist critics. With the perspective that this presentation of Wolff’s metaphysics affords, it is possible to turn to a consideration of the complex relationship of his views to Leibniz’s and contend that it is for good reason that Wolff rejects the characterization of his system as the ‘Leibnizian-Wolffian philosophy’.
A New Era or an Ephemeral Phenomenon?
Authors: Smil Vaclav
Published: February 2025

The six generations preceding the end of the twentieth century saw the most rapid and the most profound change our species has experienced in its long evolution. Civilization’s future remains as uncertain as ever. Dangers, risks, and opportunities are perceived and interpreted along a continuum ranging from catastrophic expectations to a world governed by superior artificial intelligence, but neither of these extreme outcomes is preordained. There is much in the record to be proud of, and much that is disappointing and abhorrent; the record contains the promise of both yet greater ascent and of unprecedented failure, but one thing that no technical transformation could have done is to eliminate the unpredictable: the future is as open as ever—and as uncertain.
Introduction
Authors: Breedlove S. Marc , Watson Neil V.
Published: February 2025

This chapter explores how the brain influences behavior, using the fictional world of Westworld as an example to illustrate the complexity of consciousness. In Westworld, androids called “hosts” have lifelike appearances and behavior, and they make decisions based on false memories that make them believe they are human, until they begin discovering their true nature. The chapter emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between the brain and behavior, where the brain controls behavior, and experiences in turn alter the brain. It highlights the brain's immense capacity and discusses how electrical impulses in axons transmit information rapidly. It also explores both what is known and what still needs to be known about how the brain functions and shapes our understanding of the world.
Perceiving and Recognizing Objects
Authors: Wolfe Jeremy M. , Levi Dennis M. , Holt Lori L. , Bartoshuk Linda M. , Herz Rachel S. , Klatzky Roberta L. , Merfeld Daniel M.
Published: February 2025

This chapter explores the mechanisms enabling the brain to perceive and recognize objects, starting from simple visual features to complex object identification. It details the transition from early processing of edges and lines in the primary visual cortex (V1) to advanced analysis in the extrastriate and inferotemporal regions, highlighting the “what” and “where” pathways that distinguish object identity from spatial location. Midlevel vision addresses challenges in object perception, such as recognizing occluded or ambiguous objects, by organizing basic visual inputs into coherent entities using principles like edge grouping and figure-ground assignment. The chapter extends to object recognition, emphasizing how stored memories and neural plasticity facilitate identifying diverse stimuli, including faces and complex shapes. By combining computational models and experimental findings, the chapter underscores the sophisticated yet efficient strategies of the visual system in deciphering a dynamic visual world.
Attention and Higher Cognition
Authors: Watson Neil V. , Breedlove S. Marc
Published: February 2025

This chapter explores how attention focuses cognitive processing on specific targets or information, filtering stimuli to enhance the processing of certain inputs while ignoring others. Both voluntary (top-down) and reflexive (bottom-up) mechanisms drive attention, altering the functioning of many brain regions, from sensory areas to higher cognitive networks. The chapter studies tasks that manipulate attentional focus to reveal how attention strengthens neural responses in regions processing attended stimuli and speeds reaction times. It also explains how overextending attention creates difficulties with sustained focus and notes that stimulants can alleviate such challenges. Finally, the chapter examines the mysterious nature of consciousness, emphasizing attention's foundational role while acknowledging the complexities of understanding thought and decision-making processes.
Introduction: The Mind’s Marvelous Machine
Authors: Watson Neil V. , Breedlove S. Marc
Published: February 2025

The use of contemporary technology as a metaphor for brain function is a literary device with a long history. In today’s media, for example, it’s common to see the brain described as a computer, complete with “hardware” and “software.” Perhaps tomorrow’s neuroscientists will describe...
Suggested solutions for Chapter 10
Authors: Clayden Jonathan , Greeves Nick , Warren Stuart
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides solutions to the problems posed in Chapter 10 of Clayden, Greeves & Warren Organic Chemistry, second edition, on nucleophilic substitution at the carbonyl group.
Suggested solutions for Chapter 12
Authors: Clayden Jonathan , Greeves Nick , Warren Stuart
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides solutions to the problems posed in Chapter 12 of Clayden, Greeves & Warren Organic Chemistry, second edition, on equilibria, rates, and mechanisms.
Suggested solutions for Chapter 15
Authors: Clayden Jonathan , Greeves Nick , Warren Stuart
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides solutions to the problems posed in Chapter 15 of Clayden, Greeves & Warren Organic Chemistry, second edition, on nucleophilic substitution at saturated carbon.
Suggested solutions for Chapter 16
Authors: Clayden Jonathan , Greeves Nick , Warren Stuart
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides solutions to the problems posed in Chapter 16 of Clayden, Greeves & Warren Organic Chemistry, second edition, on conformational analysis.
Systematic screening for Tuberculosis using molecular testing on stool samples in acutely malnourished children: A pilot implementation study in a high-burden drug-Resistant TB country
Authors: Martínez-Campreciós Joan , Espinosa-Pereiro Juan , Nindia Arlete , Cerezuela Maria , Sales Marta , Tchiloka Ermelinda , Trigo Elena , Sulleiro Elena , Sicaleta Nicolau , Tórtola Maria Teresa , Sánchez-Montalvá Adrián , Oliveira-Souto Inés , Luisa-Aznar Maria , Molina Israel
Published: February 2025

Systematic screening of Tuberculosis (TB) using molecular testing on stool samples detected TB in 5.2% of acutely malnourished children, including cases without evident clinical symptoms. This screening strategy could enhance TB diagnosis and facilitate prompt treatment initiation in this population. Further studies are required to confirm long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Evaluation of corn foliar fungicides against gray leaf spot in North Carolina, 2024
Authors: Ahumada Daisy , Lainfiesta Palomo Maria Fernanda , Heiniger Ryan , Heiniger Ronnie W.
Published: February 2025

Gray leaf spot, caused by the fungal pathogen, Cercospora zeae-maydis, is among the most prominent, economically-limiting foliar disease in corn throughout most corn producing regions in the United States. Symptoms include small, round, tan spots that elongate within the leaf veins and may be surrounded by a yellow halo. This report evaluates the efficacy of fungicide programs on gray leaf spot suppression. The trial was conducted in 2024 in a research field in Salisbury, NC. Results from these trials will help advise tobacco growers in developing integrated pest management programs.
Analysis of rare coding variants in 470,000 UK Biobank participants reveals genetic associations with childhood asthma predisposition
Authors: Liu Zhenzhen , Curtis David
Published: February 2025

Background Previous studies of genetic contributions to risk of childhood asthma have implicated common variants with small effect sizes. Some studies using exome sequence data have reported associations with rare coding variants having larger effects on risk, notably an analysis of 145,000 subjects which found association with loss of function (LOF) variants in FLG, the gene coding for filaggrin. Here we report the results of an analysis of rare nonsynonymous and LOF variants, carried out on the full UK Biobank cohort of 470,000 exome-sequenced participants. Methods The phenotype of childhood asthma was defined as reporting asthma with onset before 18. Regression analysis was applied to gene-wise tests for association LOF and nonsynonymous variants. 45 tests using different pathogenicity predictors were applied to the first cohort of 200,000 participants. Subsequently the 100 genes showing strongest evidence for association were analysed in the second cohort of 270,000 participants, using only the best-performing predictor for each gene. For FLG, separate analyses were carried out for participants with atopic dermatitis. Results Three genes achieved statistical significance, FLG, IL33 and PRKCQ. The effects on asthma risk and frequencies of variants in different functional categories were characterised for these genes. Damaging coding variants were associated with increased risk of asthma in FLG and IL33 but reduced risk in PRKCQ. FLG LOF variants were also associated with risk of atopic dermatitis and their effect on asthma risk was higher in people who reported a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis. Conclusions Rare coding variants in a small number of genes have important effects on asthma risk. Further study of individual variant effects might elucidate mechanisms of pathogenesis. This research has been conducted using the UK Biobank Resource.
Classifying One-Dimensional Quantum States Prepared by a Single Round of Measurements
Authors: Sahay Rahul , Verresen Ruben
Published: February 2025

Measurements and feedback have emerged as powerful resources for creating many-body quantum states. However, a detailed understanding has been restricted to fixed-point representatives of phases of matter. Here, we go beyond this and characterize the patterns of many-body entanglement that can be deterministically created from measurement. Focusing on one spatial dimension, a framework is developed for the case where a single round of measurements is the only entangling operation. We show this creates matrix-product states and identify necessary and sufficient tensor conditions for preparability, which uniquely determine the preparation protocol. We use these conditions to both classify preparable quantum states and characterize their physical constraints. In particular, we find a trade-off between the richness of the preparable entanglement spectrum and correlation functions, which leads to a no-go theorem for preparing certain quantum states. More broadly, we connect properties of the preparation protocol to the resulting phase of matter, including trivial, symmetry-breaking, and symmetry-protected topological phases—for both uniform and modulated symmetries. This work offers a resource-theoretic perspective on preparable quantum entanglement and shows how to systematically create states of matter, away from their fixed points, in quantum devices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Innovation outcomes and processes in the planning and design phase of a public infrastructure project
Authors: Granheimer Klara , Eriksson Per Erik , Hedgren Erika
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This purpose of this study is to explore how the public client, the engineering consultant and the sub-consultant perceive and address innovation outcomes and processes in the planning and design phase of infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative single-case study of a public infrastructure project was carried out. A multi-dimensional innovation framework, including innovation outcomes and processes, was applied.

Findings

Innovation outcomes in terms of products and processes from the engineering consultant’s work in the planning and design phase hold untapped potential for enhancing innovation in construction projects. Additionally, findings indicate that sub-consultants from outside the construction industry (i.e. external knowledge resources) play a crucial role in introducing more radical innovations based on adaptation.

Originality/value

The findings provide an empirical illustration of a further developed innovation framework that can be used by both scholars and practitioners to analyze and discuss the multi-dimensional concept of innovation in the construction context. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of capturing perceptions of various actors regarding innovation outcomes and processes to facilitate innovation in an inter-organizational context.
Changing Trends in the Surgical Management of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Australia
Authors: Rook Charlotte , Lam Alan
Published: February 2025

Background

In the late 2000s, mid‐urethral slings (MUS) emerged globally as the preferred surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Despite their high safety and efficacy, through the late 2000s and 2010s, MUS became embroiled in widely publicised controversy surrounding mesh products used for pelvic organ prolapse.

Aims

To review recent trends in the surgical management of SUI in Australia in the context of recent medicolegal and media attention on transvaginal mesh devices.

Materials and Methods

Data were obtained from the Australian Government Department of Human Services database from January 2007 to December 2023. Total procedure numbers for females ≥ 25 years were retrieved for the following Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers: 35599 (MUS), 37044 (Burch colposuspension), 37043 (Stamey or similar), 37042 (autologous fascial sling) and 37339 (peri‐/transurethral bulking agents).

Results

A total of 69 145 MUS, 5749 Burch, 711 Stamey, 3243 fascial sling and 10 798 bulking agent procedures were recorded during this period. Total procedures peaked at 6877 in 2010 and reached a low of 2627 in 2022, with a turning point in 2016. There was a 61.8% reduction in procedure numbers between these years. The decline in total SUI procedures directly reflects MUS numbers, which dropped by 80.4% between 2011 (5876 cases) and 2022 (1154 cases). This correlates with progressive restrictions and medicolegal events concerning transvaginal mesh during this time.

Conclusions

There is a significant downtrend in overall surgical SUI management, especially MUS, being performed in Australia in recent years. The impact on surgical training and patient access to treatment options must be addressed.
Exploring antecedents of student teachers' emotions during instructional experiences: A situation‐specific analysis
Authors: Becker Eva Susann , Hascher Tina , Goetz Thomas , Staub Fritz C.
Published: February 2025

Theoretical Background

In the area of teacher motivation, the teaching practicum stands out as a pivotal element. The pronounced complexity of teaching during this specific phase may pose an emotional challenge, making the exploration of student teachers' emotions a worthwhile endeavour.

Aims

Based on a theoretical model and rooted in a process‐oriented perspective, this diary study examines student teachers' discrete emotions, focusing on proximal (cognitive appraisals) and distal antecedents (classroom conditions) during the teaching practicum while accounting for contextual variables.

Sample

Data were collected from 178 student teachers in Switzerland and Germany and their 3736 school students. Student teachers conducted a six‐lesson‐teaching‐unit within three‐weeks of their obligatory teaching practicum (57% had prior teaching experience) and received different levels of support (coaching by peers or cooperating teachers, subject‐didactic materials, usual support).

Methods

After three lessons (N = 511), student teachers reported their enjoyment, anger, anxiety and cognitive appraisals (control, value). School students reported on individual perceptions of class discipline and situational interest.

Results

Enjoyment was strongly experienced in 80%, anger in 8% and anxiety in 14% of lessons. School students' situational interest and discipline were weakly related to enjoyment and anger, but not to anxiety. Control appraisals were strongly associated with all emotions. The frequent experience of anxiety and its lack of relation to classroom conditions deviate from findings observed in in‐service teachers.

Relevance

Besides strong positive emotional experiences during the teaching practicum, the observed patterns highlight the necessity for targeted support in navigating emotional complexities during the teaching practicum.
Impact of triplet state population on GFP‐type fluorescence and photobleaching
Authors: Byrdin Martin , Byrdina Svetlana
Published: February 2025

Background Information

Based on recently published parameters (Rane et al. 2023, JPCB 127, 5046–5054) for (rs)EGFP triplet state formation and decay rates and yields, we consider the power density dependence of triplet state population dynamics and its consequences for the application of green fluorescent proteins in biological single molecule fluorescence microscopy.

Results

We find that under certain conditions, the photon budget of GFP type fluorescent proteins can be linearly dependent on power density and we propose a possible explanation for such a non‐Hirschfeld photobleaching behavior. Moreover, illumination with millisecond pulses at sub‐kHz rates is shown to improve photostability.

Conclusions

We stipulate that a judicious choice of excitation wavelength should take into account the triplet state absorption spectrum along with the singlet state absorption spectrum. Formulas are given for the estimation of the effects of such choice as function of the experimental parameters.

Significance

The linear photobleaching model as proposed by Hirschfeld 50 years ago with power‐independent photon budget is not generally applicable to fluorescent proteins with millisecond‐lived triplet states.
Kant's Schematisms
Authors: Host Alexander Stoltzfus
Published: February 2025

In this paper, I provide a history of Kant's extensive experimentation with the doctrine of the schematism. I claim that diverse interpretations of schemata—as syntheses or intuitions; as attributable to the imagination or to the understanding; even as wholly incomprehensible—mark specific stages in Kant's own thought, and that the changes in the doctrine reflect changes in the very idea of transcendental philosophy. Ultimately, I argue that the instability here lies at the heart of Kant's critical project: the schematism plays an essential role in securing its most basic presupposition, but it is difficult to account for within that project. This is a problem that Kant recognizes and grapples with directly, without completely resolving it to his own satisfaction.
Disease Progression in Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth Disease Type 4B (CMT4B) Associated With Mutations in Myotubularin‐Related Proteins 2 and 13
Authors: Bertini Alessandro , Reilly Mary M. , Pisciotta Chiara , Previtali Stefano C. , Parman Yesim , Battaloglu Esra , Laurà Matilde , Blake Julian , Sacconi Sabrina , Attarian Shahram , Stojkovic Tanya , Bellatache Mounia , Nouioua Sonia , Tazir Meriem , Cakar Arman , Gambardella Antonio , Valentino Paola , Lewis Richard A. , Horvath Rita , Zambon Alberto A. , Sabatelli Mario , Luigetti Marco , Tozza Stefano , Manganelli Fiore , Herrmann David N. , Scherer Steven S. , Kressin Nicole , Ward Kailee , Bolino Alessandra , Shy Michael E. , Pareyson Davide ,   CMT4B Study Group,   Inherited Neuropathy Consortium
Published: February 2025

Background and Aims

In 2019, we conducted a cross‐sectional study, collecting information on 50 patients with CMT4B, an ultrarare CMT subtype, to better define the clinical phenotype. We now aimed at investigating disease progression in 26 patients with CMT4B1/CMT4B2, recruited from the previous study and among the Inherited Neuropathy Consortium.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively analysed disease progression in patients with CMT4B1/CMT4B2, collecting MRC scores from nine muscle pairs, Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth Examination Score (CMTES), and a minimal dataset of clinical information (walking difficulties, aids dependency, upper limb impairment, cranial nerves involvement) at baseline and follow‐up visits. Thirteen centres from four continents were involved.

Results

Thirteen CMT4B1 and 13 CMT4B2 patients were followed up for 7.1 ± 4.9 and 7.9 ± 4.5 years, respectively. During follow‐up, walking aid dependency increased: two CMT4B1 patients adopted AFOs (overall 11/12 at follow‐up), and one started using wheelchair (6/12 at follow‐up) at the age of 19; among CMT4B2 patients, two more required unilateral support in walking (4/11 at follow‐up) by the age of 33 and 49 years, respectively. We found that disease progression, as measured by CMTES, was faster in CMT4B1 as compared to CMT4B2 patients (ΔCMTES/year 0.7 vs. 0.3, p = 0.037) but tended to slow down over time as burden of disease increased. At the end of follow‐up, CMT4B1 was associated to higher disability.

Conclusions

This international collective effort enabled collection of relevant data for characterizing natural history and estimating disease progression of CMT4B1/CMT4B2 ultrarare diseases, aiming at improving their management and paving the way for designing future clinical trials.
Construction of Heme‐Binding Protein Deleted Strain and Using It as an Attenuated Vaccine Against Nocardia seriolae in Hybrid Snakehead (Channa maculata ♀ × Channa argus ♂)
Authors: Wu Yanqi , Liu Yansheng , Yang Huiyuan , Sirimanapong Wanna , Huang Ting , Chen Jianlin , Xia Liqun
Published: February 2025

Nocardia seriolae is the main pathogen causing fish nocardiosis, which can infect various aquatic freshwater and marine fish species. We have previously confirmed that the heme‐binding protein of N. seriolae (NsHBP) is a secreted protein relating to bacterial virulence. In the present study, a ΔNsHBP mutant of N. seriolae was successfully generated by deleting NsHBP gene, and it was further used for attenuated vaccine development and evaluation in hybrid snakehead (Channa maculata ♀ × Channa argus ♂). The LD50 of strain ΔNsHBP by intraperitoneal injection in hybrid snakehead was presented at 5.47 × 107 CFU/mL, significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that of the wild‐type strain at 5.28 × 105 CFU/mL, indicating the virulent reduction of strain ΔNsHBP in comparison to wild‐type strain. The live attenuated vaccine used strain ΔNsHBP at sub‐clinical dosages (LD15, 1.26 × 107 CFU/mL) to immunise the fish by intraperitoneal injection for 56 days could provide a relative percentage survival (RPS) at 82.40% against artificial challenge with wild‐type strain ZJ0503. Additionally, serum enzymes activities of lysozyme (LZM), peroxidase (POD), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as specific antibody (IgM) titers were induced in fish following ΔNsHBP vaccination. Furthermore, the expression of immune‐related genes (TNFα, IL‐1β, MHCIα, MHCIIα, CD4 and CD8α) was significantly increased in comparison to the control group during immunisation period with ΔNsHBP in fish. Taken together, it is revealed that the deleted strain ΔNsHBP could be a potential candidate for live attenuated vaccine development to control fish nocardiosis in aquaculture.
Use of inhaled ciclesonide for treatment of moderate asthma in Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Sanz Macarena G. , Jellen Georgia , Cody Lauren , Bergsma Jenyka , Cha Mandy , Kogan Clark , Kordas Gordon , Bayly Warwick M. , Leguillette Renaud
Published: February 2025

Background

Mild‐moderate asthma is common in horses. Inhaled ciclesonide has been approved only for treatment of severe asthma in horses.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We hypothesized that a 10‐day treatment course of inhaled ciclesonide (Aservo EquiHaler) would improve clinical signs, endoscopic tracheal mucus scores, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology in racehorses with moderate asthma.

Animals

Racehorses with moderate asthma housed at the Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn, WA.

Methods

Prospective, randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical study. Horses received inhaled ciclesonide (n = 12) or placebo (n = 9) for 10 days. Clinical signs were assessed at different times using the Tesarowski and HOARSI scores and cough during exercise. Endoscopy scoring, BALF cytology, and BALF cell selected gene expression (RT‐qPCR) were assessed on Days 0 and 10. Linear and ordinal simple and mixed effects models were used to analyze the data using R statistical software. Significance was set at P < .05.

Results

Only treated horses showed a decrease over time in HOARSI (P ≤ .001), cough (P = .001; −2.83 [−4.37, −1.29]), mast cell % (P = .03; −2.68 [−4.36, −1.0]) and relative expression of IL‐6 (P = .002; 0.44 [0.04, −6.99]) and IL‐13 (P = .03; 0.52 [0.04, −7.89]) in BAL cells. Treated horses had lower HOARSI (P = .002; −1 [1, 1]) and mast cell % (P = .02; −2.96 [−5.52, −0.39]) on Day 10.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Treatment with inhaled ciclesonide improved clinical signs and decreased BALF mastocytic inflammation in racehorses with moderate asthma without change in the environment. Treatment effect on neutrophilic or eosinophilic asthma remains undetermined. The small number of horses was a study limitation.
Plant evolutionary history is largely underrepresented in European seed banks
Authors: Carta Angelino , Mattana Efisio , Ensslin Andreas , Godefroid Sandrine , Molina‐Venegas Rafael
Published: February 2025

Considering the alarming prospect of at least two in five plant species facing extinction, it is urgent to identify unsecured phylogenetic branches within the plant Tree of Life and adopt appropriate conservation strategies. While conventional seed banking has the potential to safeguard a large part of world's flora, the scarcity of phylogenetically informed ex situ conservation programmes poses a challenge to effective plant conservation.

Leveraging an extensive dataset of seed collections across 109 European seed banks, our study reveals that current collections capture a phylogenetically diverse subset of the European flora. However, they safeguard between 43.29% and 66.40% of the maximum possible phylogenetic diversity, suggesting that specific major branches of the plant phylogeny in Europe remain unprotected.

To address this gap, we introduce a novel quasi‐deterministic method to generate a list of unbanked species, prioritized by evolutionary significance. Although this approach can enhance the evolutionary quality of seed bank collections, biological, technical and practical constraints may limit conventional seed banking for some of these priority species.

We advocate for an enhanced coordination among conservation facilities and the integration of phylogenetic perspectives with advancements in ex situ conservation techniques beyond conventional seed banking, to effectively conserve plant evolutionary heritage.
Combining Ability of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines for Tryptophan and Quality Traits Across Diverse Soil Nitrogen Environments
Authors: Dosho Bedasa M. , Ifie B. E. , Asante I. K. , Danquah E. Y. , Zeleke Habtamu
Published: February 2025

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal crop on which many small‐scale farmers depend as a sole source of protein. However, it contains lower amounts of the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan compared to other crops. Quality Protein Maize (QPM), developed through conventional plant breeding methods, has higher levels of lysine and tryptophan than non‐QPM maize varieties. This study was designed to assess the combining ability of QPM inbred lines for tryptophan content, endosperm modification score, protein, and protein quality index under low and optimum soil nitrogen environments. We crossed eleven QPM inbred lines using a complete diallel mating scheme to generate 110 F1 hybrids. Including five maize hybrid checks, we evaluated the 110 F1 hybrids and 11 parental lines under both low and optimum soil nitrogen environments in an 18 × 7 alpha‐lattice design with two replications. We estimated tryptophan content, kernel modification scores, total protein contents and protein quality index in the F2 grain of F1 hybrids using Near‐Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS 6500). The results of the study indicate that the mean squares for general and specific combining ability were highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) for all measured quality traits under both low and optimum soil nitrogen environments. The GCA sum of squares was greater than the SCA sum of squares for the endosperm modification score under low, optimum, and across soil nitrogen environments. However, the SCA sum of squares was higher than the GCA sum of squares for the protein quality index under low, optimum and across soil nitrogen environments. The contributions of GCA, SCA, and reciprocal effects were significant for all measured traits under both environments, indicating that the inheritance of the quality traits is controlled by both additive and non‐additive gene action.
In situ growth of ultrathin Y2O3 capping layers for Eu-organic thin films via atomic/molecular layer deposition
Authors: Jussila Topias , Pekkanen Joona , Virta Anni , Ghazy Amr , Lastusaari Mika , Karppinen Maarit
Published: February 2025

Metal-organic thin films fabricated through industry-feasible atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) routes are highly attractive materials with diverse functional properties, but they suffer from poor chemical stability in ambient (humid) conditions and especially in direct contact with liquids which limits their practical implementation. The most efficient way to protect the inherently unstable thin films is to encapsulate them with chemically inert material layers without exposing the metal-organic material to air during the processing. Here, we demonstrate the robust in situ encapsulation of luminescent ALD/MLD-grown Eu-organic (europium hydroxyquinoline carboxylate) thin films with ultrathin (1–12 nm) ALD-grown Y2O3 capping layers deposited under the same deposition conditions. From x-ray reflectivity analysis, the successful capping-layer formation with only a minor etching effect on the underlining Eu-organic film was confirmed despite the use of the strongly oxidizing reactant (O3) for the ALD Y2O3 process. Importantly, the film composition and luminescent properties were not compromised by the etching. The stability of the encapsulated thin films was studied in both dry and humid air, as well as in liquid water. The results revealed that already a 3–4 nm Y2O3 capping layer effectively increases the Eu-organic film stability both when stored in open air and when exposed to liquid water. The enhanced stability in the liquid environment is, in particular, critical for the use of Eu-organic thin films for bioimaging applications.
Enhanced properties of microarc oxide coating by secondary treatment of laser surface remelting
Authors: Zan Jie , Liu ZiHan , Dai Xingyue , Zhu Hanhua , Xu Guangshen , Lu Hailin
Published: February 2025

As an efficient surface treatment method, microarc oxidation (MAO) solves the problems of severe pollution and high cost of traditional methods such as electroplating and anodic oxidation. The prepared coatings are characterized by high bonding, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, the presence of porous and cracked defects on the coating still has a negative impact on the performance of the coating. In this study, the laser surface remelting technique is proposed for the secondary treatment of the MAO coatings to cover the porous structure of the coating surface by the melt and to exclude the pores in order to further improve the coating performance. In order to better characterize the coatings, the microscopic morphological features, phase composition changes, elemental composition, and distribution of the coatings before and after the laser surface remelting treatment were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction mapping, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Finally, the coating properties were characterized by friction and electrochemical experiments, and the results showed that laser surface remelting secondary treatment on MAO coating can effectively improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the coating and significantly reduce the friction coefficient. The reasons for the improvement of the coating properties by laser surface remelting are also explained in detail.
Numerical study on aerodynamic noise reduction of optimized pantograph
Authors: Qi Longzhou , Yang Zhigang , Liu Hanlin , Lu Xinyuan , Lv Zhendong
Published: February 2025

The pantograph of a high-speed train, a crucial device for current collection, is a primary source of environmental noise pollution. This study utilized a 1:8 scale model of the CR400BF pantograph, featuring elliptical cross-sections for the panhead and arm frame, and a streamlined bottom frame, operating at a speed of 400 km/h. By combining large eddy simulation with the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings equation, we investigated the flow field and acoustic characteristics of the pantograph both before and after optimization, focusing on its noise reduction effects and mechanisms. The results show that the optimized pantograph significantly reduces far-field radiated noise, with a maximum noise reduction of 3 dB at the standard measurement point. The droplet-shaped panhead reduces the frontal area and downstream vortices, preventing periodic vortex shedding and significantly decreasing discrete tones noise at 2000 Hz, resulting in a noise reduction of approximately 1.5 dB. The elliptical arms and streamlined bottom frame decrease aerodynamic drag and vortex shedding, thereby weakening the noise source intensity at the rear step surface of the pantograph cavity and the train body surface behind the cavity, leading to a noise reduction of about 1.7 dB. This study demonstrates that aerodynamic acoustic optimization of the pantograph significantly reduces noise in high-speed trains.
Virus-induced perturbations in the mouse microbiome are impacted by microbial experience
Authors: Roach Shanley N. , Phillips Wendy , Pross Lauren M. , Sanders Autumn E. , Pierson Mark J. , Hunter Ryan C. , Langlois Ryan A.
Published: February 2025

The bacterial microbiome has a major impact on health and can shape metabolism, host tolerance, immune responses, and the outcome of future infections. The bacterial microbiome is highly variable between individuals. Specific pathogen-free animals have reduced microbiome diversity, making it difficult to evaluate the impact of infection-induced microbiome disruption that would be observed in free-living animals, including people. Mice are commonly used as a preclinical model but unfortunately often fail to predict translation success or failure, particularly for immune and infectious disease-targeting therapies. Here, we utilize pet store mouse cohoused “dirty” mice with diverse microbial experience to explore how host variability and infection may be interacting to drive unique microbiome changes. We found that cohoused animals had significantly increased bacterial diversity in the small intestine and cecum but not in the large intestine. There were differentially abundant taxa between clean and dirty animals in all three tissues. After infection with influenza A virus, samples clustered by both housing condition and infection status in the cecum and large intestine, while small intestine samples clustered predominantly by infection. Altogether, these results highlight the differential impact of housing, infection, and interaction between the two in dictating community composition across the gastrointestinal microbiome.

IMPORTANCE

Traditionally housed pathogen-free mouse models do not fully capture the natural variability observed among human microbiomes, which may underlie their poor translationally predictive value. Understanding the difference between pathogen-induced shifts in the bacterial microbiome and natural microbiome variance is a major hurdle to determining bacterial biomarkers of disease. It is also critical to understand how diverse baseline microbiomes may be differentially impacted by infection and contribute to disease. Pet store cohoused “dirty” mice have diverse microbial experiences and microbiomes, allowing us to evaluate how baseline variation, infection, and interaction between the two impact the microbiome.
Petrogenesis of Caledonian-age granites in Southwest China: Implications for magmatic evolution and mineralization along the southern margin of the Youjiang Basin
Authors: Zhao Yu-Lei , Qin Xiao-Feng , Hu Gui-Ang , Ma Qiang-Fen , Li Dong-Ren , Sun Qing-Bo , Li Zhi-Jian
Published: February 2025

A series of granitic plutons associated with Sn (Cu) polymetallic ore is developed in the Youjiang Basin, Southwest China, at the southwestern end of the South China Block. Study of the petrography, geochemistry, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and biotite mineral chemistry of the Qinjia granite pluton and the Hongnipo granite group show that both rock types are predominantly monzonitic granite, with a few being syenogranite. The zircon U-Pb ages of the late intrusions of the Qinjia granite pluton and the Hongnipo granite group are 421.3 ± 2.7 Ma and 413.7 ± 2.5 Ma, respectively. Both are I-type granites and show enrichment in large ion lithophile elements and light rare earth elements, depletion in high field strength elements and heavy rare earth elements, and significant negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies. The magma system of the Hongnipo granite group is relatively richer in F and Cl and has a higher degree of magma differentiation than the Qinjia granite pluton. The Qinjia granite pluton exhibits promising metallogenic potential for the formation of Sn-Cu deposits. The Hongnipo granite group displays promising potential for Pb-Zn (Cu) mineralization, as well as a discernible potential for Sn mineralization. In light of the regional geological characteristics, we posit that the genesis of Caledonian granite along the southern margin of the Youjiang Basin is closely related to the evolutionary process of subduction-collisional and postcollisional extension of the Proto-Tethys Ocean, as exemplified by the Qinzhou-Hangzhou joint belt. The Qinjia granite is a composite rock mass that has been formed by three distinct stages of Caledonian-age ocean plate bidirectional subduction, syn-collisional extension, and postcollisional extension. The Hongnipo granite group was primarily formed during the postcollisional extensional phase of the late Caledonian age.