bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Cauda Equina Involvement Related to BK Virus in Patients with Combined Immunodeficiency?
Authors: Sonmez Gamze , Kalaycı Fatma Naz Cemre , Gocmen Rahsan , Ozsurekcı Yasemin , Cagdas Deniz
Published: February 2025

The BK virus, an unenveloped double-stranded DNA virus, infects up to 90% of the population, The virus often remains dormant but can reactivate and cause illness under conditions of impaired cellular immunity. It can cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and has been implicated in a variety of conditions, including encephalitis, nephritis, cystitis, and retinitis. This report explores neurological symptoms linked to the BK virus, focusing on its potential role in spinal cord pathology in patients with combined immunodeficiency by presenting and analyzing two distinct case studies. Although not commonly associated with neurological disorders, there are rarely reports of BK virus involvement in central nervous system diseases.
Nonlinearity and quantumness in thermodynamics: From principles to technologies
Authors: Kurizki Gershon , Meher Nilakantha , Opatrný Tomáš
Published: February 2025

The impact of quantum mechanics on thermodynamics, particularly on the principles and designs of heat machines (HMs), has been limited by the incompatibility of quantum coherent evolution with the dissipative, open-system nature of all existing HMs and their basic structure, which has not been radically changed since Carnot. We have recently proposed a paradigm change whereby conventional HM functionality is replaced by few-mode coherent, closed systems with nonlinear, e.g., cross-Kerr, inter-mode couplings. These couplings allow us to coherently filter incident thermal noise, transforming it into a resource of work and information. Current technological advances enable heat engines, noise sensors, or microscopes based on such designs to operate with thermal noise sources of few photons. This paradigm shift opens a path toward radically new understanding and exploitation of the relation between coherent, quantum or classical, evolution and thermodynamic behavior.
Entropy generation effects with heat and mass transfer characteristics through staggered enclosure
Authors: Waqas Hassan , Khalid Shamila , Hasan Md. Jahid , Ahmad Shafee , Al-Mdallal Qasem M. , Muhammad Taseer
Published: February 2025

A growing interest in researching mixed convective flow with the magnetic field has been seen recently. Numerous researchers have focused on problems related to flow within cavities or enclosures, considering various parameters and conditions. However, there seems to be a lack of research that incorporates Casson fluid in a staggered cavity to study heat and mass transfer and entropy generation. So, in this work we tried to conduct a numerical investigation to evaluate the characteristics of thermal performance and mass transport in a staggered cavity under the influence of magnetohydrodynamic conditions with different inclination angles using Casson fluid. The characteristic flow features are examined through non-dimensional parameters such as the Hartmann number (Ha), Lewis number (Le), inclination angle (γ), Reynolds number (Re), and Casson number (β). The findings have been shown as graphical representations, isotherm, isoconcentration, and streamlines. The average Nusselt number and Sherwood number have been plotted for various conditions. The mass concentration and temperature gradient have been shown for different values of Re, Ha, and Casson number. Key findings include a 37.4% increase in the Nusselt number and a 41.8% increase in the Sherwood number as Re increases from 10 to 1000. Similarly, entropy generation is maximized at 90° inclination, while heat and mass transfer rates decline by approximately 20% with higher Ha. It is found that Re and γ can amplify the phenomenon of heat and mass distribution, while the opposite trend is seen for Ha and β. Added to that, the thermal and mass transport performance decreases with the growth of Lewis number in the cavity. Entropy generation has been found to be higher at higher inclination angles for both constant Lewis and Hartmann numbers.
A numerical simulation method applicable to staggered grids for two-phase reservoir flow problems
Authors: Liu Botao , Kang Lixia , Rao Xiang
Published: February 2025

This paper studies the computational performance of the mimetic finite difference (MFD) method in staggered grids. First, the MFD discretization format of the mass conservation equation within each grid in staggered grids is derived. How to handle the distribution of each grid edge in the case of staggered grids and the flux continuity condition of each edge are clarified. Then, a fully implicit format is adopted to form a global equation system to simultaneously calculate the average water saturation of each grid, the pressure at the center of each grid, and the pressure values at the center of each grid edge. We implemented three numerical examples and verified that the MFD method can obtain simulation results very similar to the reference solutions using Cartesian grids in the cases of different types and degrees of staggered grids, anisotropic full-tensor permeability, and irregular computational domains, thus having reliable computational accuracy. In addition, the staggered grids do not increase the number of Newton iteration steps required by the nonlinear solver, but only slightly increase the computational time due to the increase in the bandwidth and dimension of the global equation system, while achieving a significant flexibility advantage in the discretization of the computational domain.
Perspective: magnetic quantum sensors for biomedical applications
Authors: Wu Kai , He Rui
Published: February 2025

With advancements in thin-film deposition, nanofabrication, and material characterization techniques, quantum devices leveraging nanoscale quantum phenomena have emerged across various fields, including quantum computing, sensing, communication, and metrology. Among these, quantum sensing harnesses the unique properties of quantum systems to achieve highly sensitive and precise measurements of physical quantities such as magnetic and electric fields, temperature, pressure, and even biological events. In this perspective, we highlight some popular magnetic quantum sensors used for magnetic sensing and imaging, and emerging spintronic quantum sensors that exploit the quantum mechanical properties of electron spin for similar applications. Most of the techniques discussed remain in lab-based stages, with limited preliminary data reported. However, the authors believe that, with continued progress in spintronics, these nano- and micro-scale spintronic devices—offering superior and unique magnetic quantum properties—could open new horizons in biomedical applications, including single-cell and single-molecule detection, large-scale protein profiling, sub-micrometer resolution medical imaging, and beyond.
Floquet engineering of topological semimetals with bicircularly polarized light
Authors: Ganguli Maitri , Jana Aneek , Narayan Awadhesh
Published: February 2025

We study the effect of illumination of bicircularly polarized light (BCL) on topological semimetals, namely multifold fermion and line-node semimetals. We demonstrate, by means of both low-energy and lattice models, that the band-structures of both multifold fermions and line-node semimetal exhibit rich features with BCL illumination. For multifold fermions, we show that if the relative amplitude, r, between the two frequency components of the BCL is related to the relative frequency, η, in such a way that

r
2

=
η

, then the band touching points remain unchanged without any shift or band gap opening for any choice of the material-dependent parameters. For other choices of the BCL parameters, we find both gapped phases as well as gapless phases with shifted band touching points. Line-node semimetals also exhibit diverse phases, ranging from protected line-nodes under illumination to point nodes, by tuning the BCL parameters r and η. Overall, our analytical and numerical results establish BCL as a versatile tool for obtaining tunable topological phases which can be potentially observed in future experiments with BCL.
Design and nonlinear stability analysis of a micro giant magnetostrictive bone conduction vibrator
Authors: Fu Xin , Yan Hongbo , Ai Chaohui , Wang Jianxin
Published: February 2025

Due to the excellent energy conversion engineering characteristics of giant magnetostrictive material, a giant magnetostrictive bone conduction micro-vibrator is proposed and designed. Based on the performance parameters of the existing bone conduction vibrator, the optimal preload stress and magnetic field strength of the Terfenol-D rod are selected, and the geometric parameters of the Terfenol-D rod and the optimal design of the excitation coil parameters are calculated and determined. Based on Newton’s second law, the hysteresis nonlinear dynamic equation of the Terfenol-D bone conduction vibrator is established. After dimension normalization, the primary resonance response of the oscillator is analyzed using a multi-scale method. The system’s dynamic characteristics under excitation amplitude and frequency influence are studied qualitatively and quantitatively. The displacement test system is built, and the corresponding experimental verification is carried out. The results show that under the condition of meeting the requirements of performance parameters, the size of the excitation coil module is ϕ 6.7 × 7.15 mm, and the overall contour size of the Terfenol-D vibrator is as small as ϕ 17 × 19 mm, which meets the miniaturization design requirements of the bone conduction vibrator. The excitation amplitude has chaotic characteristics in the interval (1.72, 2.53 ) and (2.58, 3), and the excitation frequency has chaotic characteristics in the interval (1.68, 2). Avoiding its chaotic region can effectively improve the stability of the system. At 10 mA and a driving frequency of 1.5 kHz, the relative error of the maximum response peak between the experimental test and the theoretical calculation is only 2.67%, which verifies the accuracy and effectiveness of the theoretical model. The research results provide a new technical scheme and reference for structural design optimization of bone conduction oscillators, which helps promote technological progress and application expansion in this field.
Investigation of photo-stable ZnS quantum dots as a foreign component in polymer solar cell
Authors: Oseni Saheed O , Oluwalana-Sanusi Abimbola E , Ogundele Abiodun K , Kesinro Olasunkanmi R , Kawojue Faidat M , Boyo Adenike O
Published: February 2025

The demand for clean energy has attracted global researchers to seek alternative energy sources. Among the resources, solar power offers great potential as it is inexhaustible. Organic solar cells, a third-generation thin-film-based solar cell, have drawn broad interest owing to their flexibility, low cost of production, fast roll-to-roll (R2R) production, and non-toxicity as compared to traditional silicon-based solar cells. In this work, the photoactive layer was modified to include zinc sulfide (ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) to improve the device’s power conversion efficiency (PCE). To examine the impact of QDs in the solar cell, a blend of Poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) donor polymer and Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) acceptor molecules was employed in the active layer of a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) configuration. The PCE of the device was determined at different concentrations. The active layer’s embedded QDs’ tunable energy levels improved the interpenetrating network and made it easier for charge carriers to be transported. The overall PCE of the device was observed to increase gradually from 2.72% for the pristine cell to 2.74% at 1% concentration, then 5.18% at 3% concentration, after which it decreased to 2.83% at 5% concentration.
Spin-controlled compact metalens based on the integration of Pancharatnam-Berry phase and Fresnel zone plate
Authors: Li Xing , Su Zhaoxia , Zhang Qi , Li Zhenhua , Wang Sen
Published: February 2025

By integrating Fresnel zone plates (FZP) with Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phases, spin-controlled compact metalenses for multidimensional focusing are demonstrated. The position of the focal point can be modulated transversally and longitudinally by changing the PB phase profiles encoded into the FZP and adjusting the spin state of the incident circularly polarized (CP) waves. Concretely, combining an amplitude-type FZP (AFZP) with linear PB phase or spherical phase creates two focal points with orthogonal spin states in the transversal or longitudinal direction. On the other hand, for the phase-type FZP (PFZP), only single focus can be generated and manipulated due to the pure PB phase modulation. Moreover, multifocus modulation along the transversal or longitudinal direction can be achieved by encoding two kinds of PB phases into PFZP. This spin-controlled compact metalens combining the traditional FZP and recent metasurfaces offers a flexible approach for designing spin-controlled metadevices, with potential applications in multifunctional imaging and optical data processing.
In-depth Study of Spin- and Momentum-Dependent Interaction Potentials Between Two Spin-1/2 Fermions Mediated by Light Spin-0 Particles
Authors: Zhong Yang , Guo Zhi-Hui , Zhou Hai-Qing
Published: February 2025

We present a calculation by including the relativistic and off-shell contributions to the interaction potentials between two spin-1/2 fermions mediated by the exchange of light spin-0 particles, in both momentum and coordinate spaces. Our calculation is based on the four-point Green function rather than the scattering amplitude. Among the sixteen potential components, eight that vanish in the non-relativistic limit are shown to acquire nonzero relativistic and off-shell corrections. In addition to providing relativistic and off-shell corrections to the operator basis commonly used in the literature, we introduce an alternative operator basis that facilitates the derivation of interaction potentials in coordinate space. Furthermore, we calculate both the long-range and short-range components of the potentials, which can be useful for future experimental analyses at both macroscopic and atomic scales.
The DAQ software for ATLAS Inner Pixel Tracker system testing for HL-LHC
Authors: Rastogi Angira ,   the ATLAS collaboration
Published: February 2025

The ATLAS experiment is preparing for the High-Luminosity LHC era, by replacing the
current innermost detector with an advanced all-silicon tracker (pixels and strips) to withstand
radiation damage and increased particle activity. Pixel module quality control tests span various
production stages which necessitates a robust data acquisition software capable of handling high
data rates for fast readout and performing calibrations at MHz frequencies on several front-ends
simultaneously. Yet Another Rapid Readout software, adaptable to diverse hardware platforms
including ATLAS Phase-II readout board, facilitates these testing scenarios. This contribution
highlights YARR's key features and developments towards benchmarking the performance of the ATLAS
inner tracker pixel modules using the official ATLAS Phase-II readout system.
Exploring blood oxygenation through photocatalytic activity using microwave assisted hydrothermally crystallized TiO2 nanotubes
Authors: Garlapally Raghavendra , Manmadha Rao B
Published: February 2025

Anodically crystallized TiO2 nanotubes through microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique results in formation of granular morphology with anatase phase. Field emission scanning electron microscope and x-ray diffraction studies indicate the granular morphology of TiO2 nanotubes while retaining the anatase phase. Diffuse reflectance and photo luminescence spectroscopy analysis reveal band gap of fabricated TiO2 nanotubes as 2.90 eV and the position of defect states 0.86 eV below the conduction band. Investigations of x-ray photo-electron and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal the presence of oxygen vacancy related defect states. The color change of blood through photocatalytic activity indicates production of oxygen in the blood. The UV–visible absorption studies on diluted blood indicate an enhancement in blood oxygenation, which is consistent with the results of a standard hemoglobin test. The utilization of an optical microscope has facilitated the examination of the structural composition of red blood cells, which has led to the observation of no hemolysis subsequent to photocatalytic activity.
Synthesis and characterization of berberine-loaded nanoliposome for targeting of MAPK pathway to induce apoptosis and suppression of autophagy in glioblastoma
Authors: Xi Min , Kia Somayeh Hasani , Shi Hangyu , Dong Xinya , Shi Yongqiang , Zhang Luyi , Jiang Bin
Published: February 2025

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor, demands innovative therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Addressing this urgent need, our study focuses on developing a berberine (BBR)-loaded nanoliposome (NL) as a targeted drug delivery system to combat GBM. Synthesized using the thin film hydration method and characterized through advanced physical and spectroscopic techniques, these NLs demonstrate promising potential in enhancing BBR’s therapeutic efficacy. The NL formulation achieved an impressive loading efficiency of 65.71 ± 1.31% with a particle size of 83 ± 12 nm, ensuring optimal delivery. Sustained release experiments revealed that 82.65 ± 1.75% of the encapsulated BBR was consistently released over 48 h, highlighting its controlled release capabilities. In vitro assays, including cell viability, TUNEL, and western blot analysis, confirmed the potent anti-cancer effects of NL-BBR. The formulation significantly disrupted the metabolism of U-87 glioblastoma cells, inducing enhanced autophagy and apoptosis, ultimately leading to cell death via intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Additionally, western blot results demonstrated that NL-BBR effectively suppressed the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, a critical driver of GBM progression. This study underscores the transformative potential of incorporating BBR into NLs, which not only enhances its solubility and bioavailability but also significantly amplifies its therapeutic impact. These findings pave the way for advanced nano-based interventions in GBM treatment, offering a glimmer of hope for improved outcomes in this challenging cancer landscape.
Turn-to-turn friction enhancement in high-temperature superconducting coils for mechanical stability under lorentz force
Authors: Noh Hyun Sung , Kim Younghoon , Sun Minkyu , Kim Jungmin , Lee Jongsung , Kim Kihong , Elayappan Vijayakumar , Mtangi Mohamed Mussa , Jang Wonseok , Hahn Seungyong , Lee Haigun
Published: February 2025

High-temperature superconducting coils subjected to ultra-high magnetic fields undergo mechanical deformation due to the Lorentz force generated by the magnetic field. Recent attempts to prevent this deformation have proposed the use of overbanding technology, which entails surrounding the outermost turn of the coil with a high-strength material such as stainless steel, as an optimal alternative. However, the disadvantage of overbanding in terms of thermal/electrical protection of the coil has been emphasized because the stainless steel surrounding the coil reduces the operating efficiency of the coil by preventing the dissipation of joule heat and current when quenched. In this study, our approach to prevent the deformation of the coil without applying such overbanding was to intentionally abrade the surface of the high-temperature superconducting tape using sandpaper with different friction coefficients. This enabled us to fabricate coils with different turn-to-turn friction forces, which prevented the deformation of the coil by using the turn-to-turn friction force generated by the abrasion. The electromechanical tests we performed on the coil in a liquid nitrogen bath (77 K) confirmed that, compared to the coil without surface treatment, the coils fabricated by abrading the surfaces of the high-temperature superconducting tape exhibited decreased deformation even when the same Lorentz force was applied.
Enhancing digital circuit functionality with a hybrid CMOS-memristor non-volatile D latch: efficiency, reliability, and application
Authors: S Haroon Rasheed , Nelapati Rajeev Pankaj
Published: February 2025

With the rapid emergence of silicon scaling limitations and ongoing challenges such as the Von Neumann bottleneck, the need for alternative computing paradigms is increasingly essential. One of the most promising solutions is in-memory computation, enabled by memristive technology. In this work, we propose a Hybrid CMOS-Memristor (HCM) non-volatile D latch that capitalizes on the unique resistive switching properties of memristors to achieve enhanced digital circuit performance with fewer components. Functional correctness is validated through PVT analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, ensuring robust functionality across various operating conditions. The results demonstrate that the proposed design outperform other memristor based latches, offering faster switching times, reduced delay and area, and a wider threshold voltage range. Additionally, the design is extended to implement a D Flip-Flop (DFF) and a Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG). These features make the proposed designs particularly suitable for unstable power environments, where reliability and efficiency are critical. Overall, the advancements presented in this work contribute to the development of efficient and scalable digital circuits, demonstrating significant potential for real-world applications.
The city and forest bird flock together in a common garden: genetic and environmental effects drive urban phenotypic divergence
Authors: Thompson Megan J , Réale Denis , Chenet Baptiste , Delaitre Ségolene , Fargevieille Amélie , Romans Marc , Caro Samuel P , Charmantier Anne
Published: February 2025

Urban phenotypic divergences are documented across diverse taxa, but the underlying genetic and environmental drivers behind these phenotypic changes are unknown in most wild urban systems. We conduct a common garden experiment using great tit (Parus major) eggs collected along an urbanization gradient to: 1) determine whether documented morphological, physiological, and behavioural shifts in wild urban great tits are maintained in birds from urban and forest origins reared in a common garden (N = 73) and 2) evaluate how different sources of genetic, early maternal investment, and later environmental variation contributed to trait variation in the experiment. In line with the phenotypic divergence in the wild, common garden birds from urban origins had faster breath rates (i.e., higher stress response) and were smaller than birds from forest origins, while wild differences in aggression and exploration were not maintained in the experiment. Differences between individuals (genetic and environmentally induced) explained the most trait variation, while variation among foster nests and captive social groups was limited. Our results provide trait-specific evidence of evolution in an urban species where genetic change likely underlies urban differences in morphology and stress physiology, but that urban behavioural divergences are more strongly driven by plasticity.
A semidominant point mutation of Mediator tail subunit MED5b in Arabidopsis leads to altered enrichment of H3K27me3 and reduced expression of targets of MYC2
Authors: Long Jiaxin , Sliger Shelby , Luo Zhi-Wei , Pascuzzi Pete E , Chapple Clint , Ogas Joe
Published: February 2025

The Mediator complex coordinates regulatory input for transcription driven by RNA polymerase II in eukaryotes. reduced epidermal fluorescence4-3 (ref4-3) is a semidominant mutation that results in a single amino acid substitution in the Mediator tail subunit Med5b. Previous characterization of ref4-3 revealed altered expression of a variety of loci in Arabidopsis, including those contributing to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Examination of existing RNA-seq data indicated that loci enriched for the transcriptionally repressive chromatin modification H3K27me3 are overrepresented among genes that are misregulated in ref4-3. We used ChIP-seq and RNA-seq to examine the possibility that perturbation of H3K27me3 homeostasis in ref4-3 plants contributed to altered transcript levels. We observed that ref4-3 results in a modest global reduction of H3K27me3 at enriched loci and that this reduction is not dependent on gene expression; however, altered H3K27me3 was not strongly predictive of altered expression in ref4-3 plants. Instead, our analyses revealed a substantial enrichment of targets of the MYC2 transcriptional regulator among genes that exhibit decreased expression in ref4-3. Consistent with previous characterization of ref4-3, we observed that ref4-3-dependent decreased expression of MYC2 targets can be suppressed by loss of another Mediator tail subunit, MED25. This observation is consistent with previous biochemical characterization of MYC2. Our data highlight the diverse and distinct impacts that a single amino acid change in the tail subunit of Mediator can have on transcriptional circuits and raise the prospect that Mediator directly contributes to H3K27me3 homeostasis in plants.
Conservation of imprinted expression across genotypes is correlated with consistency of imprinting across endosperm development in maize
Authors: Higgins Kaitlin , Nyabashi Vital , Anderson Sarah
Published: February 2025

Imprinted expression is an essential process for seed viability affecting hundreds of genes in Zea mays endosperm; however, most studies have examined just one time point for analysis. The focus on single time points can limit our ability to identify imprinted genes and our ability to draw conclusions for the role of imprinting in endosperm. In this study, we examine imprinted expression across 4 time points ranging from the transition to endoreduplication from mitotic division through the beginning of programmed cell death. Additionally, we assessed imprinting variation across 8 diverse maize lines, 6 of which have never before been assessed for imprinting. Through this analysis, we identify over 700 imprinted genes with varying consistency across time points including 255 genes imprinted at every time point and 105 genes displaying transient imprinting. We find a correlation between high consistency of imprinting across time and high conservation of parental bias across 8 diverse maize lines reciprocally crossed with B73. Additionally, we identify evidence of imprinting for 3 zein genes that are critical for nutrient accumulation in the endosperm, suggesting that imprinting may play a more important role in seed composition than previously thought. Taken together, this study provides a more holistic view of imprinting variation across time and across genotypes in maize and enables us to more thoroughly investigate the complex imprinting landscape.
Dynamic changes in neuronal and glial GAL4 driver expression during Drosophila aging
Authors: Delandre Caroline , McMullen John P D , Marshall Owen J
Published: February 2025

Understanding how diverse cell types come together to form a functioning brain relies on the ability to specifically target these cells. This is often done using genetic tools such as the GAL4/UAS system in Drosophila melanogaster. Surprisingly, despite its extensive usage during studies of the aging brain, detailed spatiotemporal characterization of GAL4 driver lines in adult flies has been lacking. Here, we show that 3 commonly used neuronal drivers (elav[C155]-GAL4, nSyb[R57C10]-GAL4, and ChAT-GAL4) and the commonly used glial driver repo-GAL4 all show rapid and pronounced decreases in activity over the first 1.5 weeks of adult life, with activity becoming undetectable in some regions after 30 days (at 18°C). In addition to an overall decrease in GAL4 activity over time, we found notable differences in spatial patterns, mostly occurring soon after eclosion. Although all lines showed these changes, the nSyb-GAL4 line exhibited the most consistent and stable expression patterns over aging. Our findings suggest that gene transcription of key loci decreases in the aged brain, a finding broadly similar to previous work in mammalian brains. Our results also raise questions over past work on long-term expression of disease models in the brain and stress the need to find better genetic tools for ageing studies.
Building HOPE: Integrating community-based doula care in public hospitals in New York City
Authors: Maru Sheela , Porchia-Albert Chanel , Lockworth Karen , Hall Cheryl , Boychuk Natalie , Calliste Naphtali , Cooke Caroline , Gebara Sherley , Haq Kanwal , Harishankar Krupa , James Rochelle , Janevic Teresa , Mathurin Kimberly , Nowlin Sarah , Rivera Anabel , Rodriguez Alva , Schwartz Rachel , St. Clair Victoria , Whaley Stacey , Whitney Alison
Published: February 2025

Maternal morbidity and mortality in the US is an urgent public health issue, and there are stark differences by race and ethnicity. Community-based doula care is an evidence-based strategy to improve maternal health through accompaniment, healthcare engagement, addressing social needs, and promoting respectful care. Yet there is a gap in access to doula care for people who are low-income or publicly-insured, due to cost and availability. New York has recently joined a growing number of states providing Medicaid coverage for doula services. There are many challenges to overcome for this benefit to succeed: limited workforce capacity, minimal integration of doulas into hospitals, and reimbursement challenges. We offer a case study for integrating doula services into hospital-based maternity care: the HOPE Program, “Helping Promote Birth-Equity through Community-Based Doula Care.” Through community engagement, we have co-designed a model that centers birthing people, and the team that cares for them. The model illustrates strategies for hospital-community-engagement, tailored doula workforce expansion, and integration of doulas into clinical spaces and teams. Investment in these components will lead to a meaningful expansion of doula services to the populations around the state and country who need it most.
RNA-Seq analysis in macrophages infected with Trypanosoma cruzi: focus on TLR2 and TLR7, iron metabolism, and extracellular matrix biosynthesis
Authors: Callejas-Hernández Francisco , Herreros-Cabello Alfonso , Poveda Cristina , Maza María C , Mares José Francisco , Santos-Peñaloza Diana Karolina , Fresno Manuel , Gironès Núria
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite responsible for Chagas disease affecting millions globally. This parasite infects mammalian host cells, particularly macrophages. The interaction between T. cruzi and macrophages involves intricate signaling pathways mediated by pattern recognition receptors, which lead to the production of immune mediators, that are parasite-strain dependent and not completely understood.

Methods

We conducted an unbiased transcriptomic analysis of the immune response in mouse macrophages 24 h post-infection with the Y strain of T. cruzi using RNA-Seq and validated and compared the results using quantitative RT-PCR in macrophages infected with the Y and the VFRA T. cruzi strains.

Results

Bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptomics results evidenced a key role of Tlr2 and Tlr7 in the immune response against the parasite that was parasite-dependent. The Tlr2 signaling was more activated with the VFRA strain and the Tlr7 with the Y strain. Gene ontology analyses predicted a blockage in iron transport mediated by clathrin and the modulation of the extracellular matrix biosynthesis which were validated by RT-qPCR. The infection with the VFRA strain provoked the inhibition of ferritin which correlates with parasite proliferation.

Conclusions

Our study recapitulates the knowledge on the response of macrophages and provides insights on the importance of TLR2 and TLR7, the iron metabolism, and the extracellular matrix in the infected macrophage that help to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying T. cruzi infection in macrophages in strains with different virulence. These findings are crucial for identifying novel therapeutic targets and advancing strategies to combat Chagas disease.
Development of a policy model for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia to facilitate economic evaluation
Authors: Pechlivanoglou Petros , Luu Linda , Li Qing , Rios J David , Moskalewicz Alexandra , Gupta Sumit
Published: February 2025

Background

New highly effective, but expensive, immunotherapies have revolutionized the treatment of relapsed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) but their long-term clinical and economic impact is unclear. We developed the ALL Policy microsimulation model to estimate long-term clinical and economic outcomes for patients with pediatric ALL aged 0-17 in Ontario, Canada. We also illustrate the model’s clinical utility through a cost-effectiveness analysis of blinatumomab in relapsed B-cell ALL.

Methods

The ALL Policy model is informed using health administrative data and chart abstracted data from Ontario, Canada, and published literature. The model estimates lifetime risk of relapse, bone marrow transplant (BMT), conditional life expectancy, quality-adjusted life years (QALY), and total healthcare costs for individuals with pediatric ALL, and can be stratified by relevant clinical characteristics (eg, B-cell or T-cell lineage). Additionally, we subset the model to patients with relapsed B-cell ALL to illustrate use of the model in estimating the cost-effectiveness of blinatumomab vs standard chemotherapy.

Results

Simulated pediatric ALL patients diagnosed from 2002-2012 had a projected conditional life expectancy of 64.90 years. The lifetime risk of BMT was estimated at 12.5%. Lifetime healthcare costs were $244,433 CAD (95% CI $213,314, $303,430). Treatment with blinatumomab compared to standard chemotherapy post-relapse was estimated to result in 1.08 additional QALYs and an additional cost of $59,410 CAD (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $54,885/QALY).

Conclusion

The ALL policy model can serve as a modeling foundation for timely economic evaluation. Introduction of blinatumomab in relapsed B-cell ALL may be a cost-effective strategy.
A plasmid-encoded inactive toxin–antitoxin system MtvT/MtvA regulates plasmid conjugative transfer and bacterial virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Li Meng , Guo Hua , Wang Lecheng , Tao Ruixue , Song Gaoyu , Cao Linke , Yan Wenbo , Wu Ziyuan , Liu Qian , Chen Yaodong , Gong Lei , Wang Tietao , Zhang Yani
Published: February 2025

Plasmid-encoded toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems are known for their role in plasmid maintenance via post-segregational killing. Here, we identified an inactive type II TA system, MtvT/MtvA (MtvTA), encoded on the conjugative plasmid pPAD8 from the clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAD8. Despite its annotation as a toxin, MtvT exhibited no detectable toxicity in our assays. Interestingly, the deletion of the MtvTA significantly increased the transfer efficiency of pPAD8 from PAD8 to P. aeruginosa strain PAO1. Functional assays revealed that the MtvTA complex negatively regulates plasmid transfer by binding to the promoters of dot/icm system genes. In addition, pPAD8ΔmtvTA attenuated the pathogenicity of the host strain compared to pPAD8, highlighting a regulatory role for MtvTA in virulence. Mechanistically, the MtvTA complex positively regulates the type III and type VI secretion systems and pyocyanin biosynthesis by directly binding to the promoters of exsA and rsmY/rsmZ and indirectly influencing lasI expression, respectively. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory roles of an inactive plasmid-encoded TA system, expanding our understanding of the interplay between plasmids and their bacterial hosts.
Decoupling the pleiotropic effects of VRT-A2 during reproductive development enhances wheat grain length and weight
Authors: Liu Jing , Dong Chaoqun , Liu Xiangqing , Guo Jinquan , Chai Lingling , Guo Weilong , Ni Zhongfu , Sun Qixin , Liu Jie
Published: February 2025

VEGETATIVE TO REPRODUCTIVE TRANSITION 2 (VRT-A2) is a subspecies-forming gene that confers the long-glume and large-grain traits of tetraploid Polish wheat (Triticum polonicum; AABB) and hexaploid Xinjiang rice wheat (T. petropavlovskyi; AABBDD). Transcriptional activation of VRT-A2 due to a natural sequence variation in its Intron-1 region significantly enhances grain weight but also causes some basal spikelets to fail to completely develop, thus decreasing grain number per spike and yield. This yield penalty has presented a challenge for the use of VRT-A2 in breeding high-yield wheat. Here, we report the characterization of 2 regulatory modules that fine-tune VRT-A2 expression in bread wheat (T. aestivum): (i) the APETALA2/Ethylene Responsive Factor (AP2/ERF)-type transcription factor MULTI-FLORET SPIKELET1 (TaMFS1) represses VRT-A2 expression by recruiting a transcriptional corepressor and a histone deacetylase and (ii) the STRUCTURE-SPECIFIC RECOGNITION PROTEIN 1 (TaSSRP1) facilitates VRT-A2 activation by assembling Mediator and further RNA polymerase II. Deleting TaMFS1 triggered moderate upregulation of VRT-A2 results in significantly increased grain weight without the yield penalty. Our study thus provides a feasible strategy for overcoming the tradeoffs of pleotropic genes by editing their upstream transcriptional regulators.
Affective Polarization towards Parties and Leaders, and Electoral Participation in 13 Parliamentary Democracies, 1980–2019
Authors: Ferreira da Silva Frederico , Garzia Diego
Published: February 2025

Comparative research on affective polarization provides evidence that this phenomenon is present also in parliamentary democracies. Although it has been typically understood as the difference in levels of affect toward in- and out-parties, more recent research has established the relevance of polarized feelings toward party leaders as objects of affective polarization also in parliamentary systems. While several studies have cross-sectionally examined the effect of affective polarization on turnout, recent research has taken an innovative approach by systematically comparing the impact of polarized feelings toward parties and candidates in the probability of turning out in US presidential elections, showing the primacy of the latter in predicting patterns of electoral participation. We expand the contribution of those studies by providing the first longitudinal account of the relationship between affective polarization and turnout in multi-party systems, as well as the first systematic comparison of the effects of party and leader affective polarization on turnout beyond the United States. Using post-electoral survey data covering 87 elections from 13 Western parliamentary democracies collected between 1980 and 2019, our results confirm that polarized feelings toward both parties and leaders are positively associated with turnout in parliamentary democracies. More importantly, our findings highlight the growing relevance of leader affective polarization in accounting for patterns of electoral participation. These results are robust to the use of self-reported and validated measures of turnout in selected countries, as well as different model specifications. Our conclusions contribute both theoretically and methodologically to the literature on affective polarization.
Social cognition in basal ganglia pathologies: Theory of Mind in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases
Authors: Di Tella Sonia , Zinzi Paola , Anzuino Isabella , Lo Monaco Maria Rita , Tondinelli Alice , Magistri Marianna , Petracca Martina , Solito Marcella , Calabresi Paolo , Bentivoglio Anna Rita , Silveri Maria Caterina
Published: February 2025

Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to predict the behaviour of others by inferring their cognitive and affective states. The literature suggests that different neural substrates within the basal ganglia are involved in the affective (ventral striatum) and cognitive (dorsal striatum) components of ToM. We investigated ToM dysfunction in two different basal ganglia pathologies, Huntington’s disease (HD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), in their early stages. Indeed, a different progression of neurodegeneration from the dorsal striatum to the ventral striatum is described in the two diseases. We also investigated whether there is a correlation between ToM and executive function. Twenty-one patients with HD, 21 with PD, and 22 healthy subjects (HS) were recruited. All participants completed a ToM assessment using the Yoni task, which assesses both cognitive and affective components at two levels of meta-representational difficulty (i.e. first-order items only require inferring the mental state of a person, while second-order items also require inferring the mental states of a person about others). The clinical groups also underwent a full neuropsychological assessment. In HD patients, both cognitive and affective ToM were equally impaired, whereas in PD patients, impairment of the cognitive component predominated. Specifically, compared to HS, HD patients scored lower on both inferential levels and on both cognitive and affective components, whereas PD patients scored lower than HS only on second-order and cognitive items. In the clinical groups, there was an imbalance between the cognitive and affective components, with higher accuracy on affective items. Performance on the Yoni task did not correlate with tests assessing executive functions. We suggest that the different pattern of ToM alteration in HD and PD may be a result of differential involvement of the ventral and dorsal striatum and that ToM abilities in these clinical populations are not directly supported by executive functioning.
Evaluation of fungicides for foliar diseases on soybean in Vincennes, IN, 2024
Authors: Moreano-Acevedo Mariana , Shim Su , Telenko Darcy E. P.
Published: February 2025

Frogeye leaf spot, cause by Cercospora sojina, and Septoria brown spot, caused by Septoria glycines can lead to significant losses in soybean in the United States. The diseases commonly occur when environmental conditions are favorable. This report evaluates 10 fungicide programs for the management of these foliar diseases on soybean (Glycine max ‘P29A19E’). The trial was conducted in 2024 in a research field in Knox County, Indiana. Disease severity, green stem, and yield were collected for each treatment. Results from this study will help inform soybean growers in selecting fungicide programs to manage these two important diseases.
Impact of Surgery Timing on Outcomes After Nerve Transfer to Restore Elbow Flexion
Authors: Hicks Katie , Haas Justin , Saggaf Moaath , Novak Christine B. , Dengler Jana
Published: February 2025

Background:

Nerve reconstruction following brachial plexus injury (BPI) is a time-sensitive procedure, and surgical delay may negatively impact muscle reinnervation and outcomes. This study investigated the impact of surgical timing on elbow flexion strength in patients with BPI undergoing nerve transfer to restore elbow flexion.

Methods:

Following PRISMA guidelines, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched. English-language studies investigating the single fascicular transfer (SFT) or double fascicular transfer (DFT) to restore elbow flexion in BPI were included. Data were analyzed to identify the predictors of elbow flexion strength: surgery timing, age, injury level, and SFT versus DFT.

Results:

The literature search identified 1051 articles. Studies (n = 31) reporting data of individual patients who underwent SFT (n = 341) or DFT (n = 67) were included; the mean age was 29.6 ± 11.2 years, time from injury to surgery was 6.5 ± 5.0 months, and follow-up was 27.1 ± 24.3 months. Good elbow flexion strength was found: Medical Research Council grade greater than or equal to 3 in 352 (86.3%) and Medical Research Council grade greater than or equal to 4 in 288 (70.6%). In the adjusted analysis, poorer motor recovery was associated with increased age (P = 0.02), surgical delay (P < 0.0001), C5-7 injuries (P < 0.01), and pan-plexus injuries (P < 0.0001). A 32% reduction in the odds of favorable motor recovery was observed with a 3-month delay to surgery. Patients who had a nerve transfer 6 months or earlier from injury had 2.4 times the odds of favorable motor recovery (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

SFT and DFT provide excellent elbow flexion strength in the majority of patients. Following nerve transfers in individuals with BPI, poorer motor recovery was observed with each 3-month delay to surgery.
Flexibility of the Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Free Flap for Hand Reconstruction
Authors: To Linh Tuan , Hoang Tuan-Anh , Nguyen Ha Hong , Tran Son Thiet , Chuang Sung-Kiang , Lee Kevin C.
Published: February 2025

Background:

The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap has several advantages in hand reconstruction. It is thin and pliable, the extensive branching of the arterial system allows for multiple components, and the donor site can be closed inconspicuously. This article reports our experience using the SCIP flap for hand reconstruction, and we highlight the flexibility of the SCIP for extended and chimeric flaps.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study from November 2022 to January 2024 of patients with complex hand defects (exposure and/or defect of the bone or tendon) who underwent reconstruction with an SCIP flap. The plane of dissection was above the layer of superficial fascia. In overweight patients, the superficial fat lobules were removed under the microscope to thin the flap. Tailoring, chimeric, and supercharged flaps were constructed as needed for complicated hand defects. Data collected included defect characteristics, flap design, and outcomes.

Results:

A total of 44 flaps were performed on 43 patients. The average flap length was 17.8 cm (range 10–42 cm), the average flap width was 7.6 cm (range 2–11 cm), and the average flap thickness was 2.5 mm (range 2–4 mm). Hand defects were reconstructed with 9 chimeric flaps, 8 tailored flaps, 3 chimeric and tailored flaps, and 2 supercharged flaps. Overall, 42 flaps (95.5%) survived and 2 flaps (4.5%) experienced necrosis.

Conclusions:

The SCIP flap is a reliable option for complex hand defect reconstruction. This technique can provide a large, thin, pliable skin paddle incorporating components from the external oblique fascia and iliac bone. We did not encounter any recurrent issues when using it as a supercharged flap, tailored flap, or chimeric flap. Reconstructive surgeons should develop comfort with the SCIP flap in hand reconstruction given its versatility.
Utilization of a Skin Graft From an Amputated Hand to Cover Reservent Below-elbow Amputation Wound
Authors: Ali Hassan A. , Almojel Yazeed A. , Alhathlol Hussam A. , Alsulami Yazeed M. , Elkhalifa Zuhair G. , Jaffry Syed M.
Published: February 2025

This case involves a 58-year-old man who sustained a severe left forearm injury from a motor vehicle accident. Imaging revealed comminuted fractures and arterial occlusions in the left forearm. As the injury was crush type and exploration revealed vessels with avulsion, the decision was made to perform amputation due to nonsalvageability. The patient underwent irrigation, debridement, and amputation, followed by coverage via a full-thickness skin graft from the amputated hand. Postoperatively, the patient received antibiotics and wound care, resulting in successful graft integration and healing. This case highlights the use of a full-thickness skin graft from the amputated limb for stump coverage, demonstrating that if the patient refuses to take a graft from other common sites, the amputated dorsum of the hand can be an excellent alternative site.