bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All-electrical recursive generation and time-domain mode division multiplexing of Hermite–Gaussian pulses for optical, THz and RF links
Authors: Yu Xiaonan , Meier Janosch , Mandal Paulomi , Hosni Mohamed I. , Venugopalan Abhinand , Wang Lingfei , Schneider Thomas
Published: January 2025

Space division multiplexing (SDM) with Hermite Gaussian (HG) modes, for instance, can significantly boost the transmission link capacity. However, SDM is not suitable in existing single mode fiber networks, and in long-distance wireless, microwave, THz or optical links, the far-field beam distribution may present a problem. Recently it has been demonstrated, that time domain HG modes can be employed to enhance the link capacity. However, implementing this method in wireless or fiber-based transmission systems is impractical due to the need for highly complex setups involving specialized lasers, wave shapers and other advanced devices. We propose a simple and fully electrical time-domain mode-division-multiplexing (TD-MDM) method based on the recursive generation of Hermite–Gaussian (HG) modes. It utilizes Gaussian pulse sequences, sawtooth signals, RF multipliers, adders, amplifiers, and Mach–Zehnder modulators for efficient multiplexing and demultiplexing. We show the time and bandwidth performance of 4 multiplexed orthogonal modes in transmitting 8 Gbps communication data (4 × 2 Gbit/s), demonstrating the feasibility of the recursive generation and multiplexing technique for TD-MDM with HG modes. The data rates were restricted by our experimental capabilities. With state-of-the-art equipment the method can easily be scaled to the terabit per second range.
Congestion avoidance in 6G networks with V Gradient Geocast Routing Protocol
Authors: Sahoo Arundhati , Tripathy Asis Kumar
Published: January 2025

This is a moment of heavy necessity for a dependable internet connection in the modern world, which is used to engage in business dealings, communicate with other people, entertain oneself, and lead a daily life. Therefore, a Wi-Fi 6 router must have an internal wire-free connection within a house or business. However, as they depend on the weather and are installed in ways that expose them to infiltration, they are vulnerable. The increased demand for Internet services for business, communication, and leisure activities due to poor weather puts added stress on the network, slowing down the speeds and increasing congestion. The bottom line is to prioritize traffic and lower latency and convergence time to improve network performance under less-than-ideal weather conditions. This will be realized using highly technical approaches such as the mini-batch gradient descent optimization algorithm for network optimization and the V Gradient Geocast Routing Protocol for effective routing. The proposed enhanced congestion avoidance model with V Gradient Geocast Routing Protocol in 6G networks under unfavorable weather conditions attains an accuracy of 98.85%.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of highly porous Hastelloy-X nickel superalloy produced by a space holder approach
Authors: Bętkowska Aleksandra , Podsiadło Marcin , Polkowska Adelajda , Włoch Grzegorz , Polkowski Wojciech
Published: January 2025

Highly porous nickel-based superalloys appear as attractive candidates to be applied e.g. as seals in gas turbine engines instead of honeycomb structures. Among various methods of producing open-porous materials, a space holder approach provides number of benefits regarding economic and ecological aspects of production. In this work, the pioneering results of microstructure and mechanical properties analyses of highly porous Hastelloy-X nickel superalloy produced by the space holder approach, are presented. The materials were fabricated by using spherical fine Hastelloy-X powders and carbamide particles as batch materials. A multi-step powder metallurgy and thermomechanical processing was applied to produce open porous samples having a total volumetric porosity of 50, 60 and 70%. The produced materials were subjected to non-destructive (X-ray computed tomography) and metallographic inspections. Mechanical properties of the porous Hastelloy-X samples were examined in static room temperature compression tests, to discuss the effect of obtained porosity on compressive response.
Prevalence of metal implants among US adults aged 40 years and older
Authors: Wang Qiu-Fu , Tang Yu-Chen , Liao Hao-Ran , Lei Miao , Dong Wei , Liu Ze-Yu , Hao Jie , Hu Zhen-Ming
Published: January 2025

Metal implants are commonly used in clinical practice. However, little is known regarding the prevalence of metal implants. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of metal implants in the United States (US) among individuals aged ≥ 40 years. This study conducted a serial cross-sectional analysis of US adults aged ≥ 40 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2015–2016 and 2017–March 2020). Self-reported questionnaires were used to assess whether the participants had metal implants inside their bodies. The primary outcome was the prevalence of metal implants among adults aged 40 years and older. Furthermore, weighted logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the changes in the prevalence of metal implants from 2015 to March 2020. Moreover, this study investigated the variation in metal implant prevalence by demographic factors based on the pooled NHANES cycles. All analyses were conducted based on 3,736 participants from the NHANES 2015–2016 and 6,387 participants from the NHANES 2017–March 2020. This study observed a high prevalence of metal implants among adults aged 40 and older (2015–2016: 27.23%; 2017–March 2020: 31.53%). Moreover, the results of the weighted logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of metal implants significantly increased from 2015 to March 2020, especially among older individuals, men, and White individuals. In addition, the results of the weighted logistic regression analysis indicated that the metal implant prevalence differed by age and race/ethnicity, in which older individuals and White individuals showed a significantly higher prevalence of metal implants than younger individuals and non-White individuals, respectively. There was a high prevalence of metal implants among US adults aged 40 and older, and the prevalence of metal implants significantly increased from 2015 to March 2020. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to this special population, and it may be necessary to ensure accessibility and affordability and assess the potential long-term health impacts of metal implants, considering the increased prevalence of metal implants.
lncRNA CHAF1B-2 contributes to the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Tian Shao-Qi , Shen Jun-Jie , Sun Dao-Ping , Chen Wen-Ming
Published: January 2025

Lnc-CHAF1B-2, a newly discovered long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), plays a significant role in the evolution and prognosis of diverse neoplasms. However, its role in the development of gastric cancer is not yet fully understood. Using bioinformatics analysis of gastric cancer RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we investigated the expression of lnc-CHAF1B-2 in gastric carcinoma and its associated molecular signalling pathways. Verification through an array of in vivo and in vitro experiments—namely, EdU incorporation, flow cytometry, trans-well migration and invasion assays, subcutaneous tumour formation in nude mice, and western blot analysis—was conducted. We revealed notable upregulation of lnc-CHAF1B-2 in gastric cancer tissues. Furthermore, a positive correlation was detected between lnc-CHAF1B-2 levels and the occurrence of distant metastases in patients, which was inversely related to their prognostic outlook and survival rates. Moreover, our findings confirmed that lnc-CHAF1B-2 enhanced the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells while inhibiting apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, lnc-CHAF1B-2 promoted the progression of gastric cancer through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. Thus, lnc-CHAF1B-2 and its regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway have emerged as prospective therapeutic targets in gastric cancer management.
Fascicle differentiation of upper extremity nerves on high-resolution ultrasound with multimodal microscopic verification
Authors: Pušnik Luka , Radochová Barbora , Janáček Jiří , Saudek František , Serša Igor , Cvetko Erika , Umek Nejc , Snoj Žiga
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to compare the fascicular anatomy of upper limb nerves visualized using in situ high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) with ex vivo imaging modalities, namely, magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM), histological cross-sections (HCS), and optical projection tomography (OPT). The median, ulnar, and superficial branch of radial nerve (n = 41) were visualized in 14 cadaveric upper limbs using 22-MHz HRUS. Subsequently, the nerves were excised, imaged with different microscopic techniques, and their morphometric properties were compared. HRUS accurately differentiated 51–74% of fascicles, while MRM detected 87–92% of fascicles when compared to the referential HCS. Among the compared modalities, HRUS demonstrated the smallest fascicular ratios and fascicular cross-sectional areas, but the largest nerve cross-sectional areas. The probability of a fascicle depicted on HRUS representing a cluster of multiple fascicles on the referential HCS increased with the fascicular size, with some differences observed between the larger median and ulnar nerves and the smaller radial nerves. Accordingly, HRUS fascicle differentiation necessitates cautious interpretation, as larger fascicles are more likely to represent clusters. Although HCS is considered the reference modality, alterations in nerve cross-sectional areas or roundness during sample processing should be acknowledged.
The hidden role of heterotrophic bacteria in early carbonate diagenesis
Authors: Sánchez-Román Mónica , Chandra Viswasanthi , Mulder Sebastian , Areias Camila , Reijmer John , Vahrenkamp Volker
Published: January 2025

Microbial impacts on early carbonate diagenesis, particularly the formation of Mg-carbonates at low temperatures, have long eluded scientists. Our breakthrough laboratory experiments with two species of halophilic aerobic bacteria and marine carbonate grains reveal that these bacteria created a distinctive protodolomite (disordered dolomite) rim around the grains. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the protodolomite formation, while solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed bacterial interactions with carboxylated organic matter, such as extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). We observed a significant carbon isotope fractionation (average δ13C = 11.3‰) and notable changes in Mg/Ca ratios throughout the experiments. Initial medium δ13C was − 18‰, sterile sediments were at 2‰ (n = 12), bacterial-altered sediments were − 6.8‰ (n = 12), and final medium δ13C was − 4.7‰. These results highlight the role of bacteria in driving organic carbon sequestration into Mg-rich carbonates and demonstrate the utility of NMR as a tool for detecting microbial biosignatures. This has significant implications for understanding carbonate diagenesis (dissolution and reprecipitation), climate science, and extraterrestrial research.
Application of a targeted amplicon sequencing panel to screen for insecticide resistance mutations in Anopheles darlingi populations from Brazil
Authors: Acford-Palmer Holly , Andrade Alice O. , Phelan Jody E. , Santana Rosa A. , Lopes Stefanie C. P. , Medeiros Jansen F. , Clark Taane G. , Araujo Maisa S. , Campino Susana
Published: January 2025

Large-scale surveillance and informed vector control approaches are urgently needed to ensure that national malaria programs remain effective in reducing transmission and, ultimately, achieving malaria elimination targets. In South America, Anopheles darlingi is the primary malaria vector and is responsible for the majority of Plasmodium species transmission. However, little is known about the molecular markers associated with insecticide resistance in this species. In this study, we developed a low-cost, high throughput amplicon sequencing (“amp-seq”) panel, consisting of 11 amplicons targeting genes linked to mosquito species identification (cox-1 and its2) and insecticide resistance (ace-1, GSTe2, vgsc and rdl). When used in tandem with dual-index barcoding of amplicons, this approach permits high numbers of loci and samples to be sequenced in single runs, thereby decreasing costs and increasing efficiency. By screening 200 An. darlingi mosquitoes collected in Brazil, our amp-seq approach identified 10 point mutations leading to amino acid changes in ace-1 (V243I, N294H, S673N, S674N/T) and GSTe2 genes (I114V, D128E, T166I, T179I, and T205A). Overall, our work has demonstrated the utility of amp-seq to provide insights into the genetic diversity of An. darlingi mosquitoes. The amp-seq approach can be applied as a wide-scale insecticide-resistance surveillance technique to better inform vector-control methods.
Experiment and numerical analysis of prestressed unequal-walled rectangular concrete-filled steel box beams
Authors: Su Qi , Fu Guangyuan , Yang Jian , Li Siping
Published: January 2025

When long-span beams undergo large, the strength of the beam material cannot be fully utilized. To solve this problem, a prestressed unequal-walled rectangular concrete-filled steel box (PURCFSB) beam is proposed in this paper. The prestressing is added to the concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) beam and the section is designed. This beam is an improved concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) beam with flanges of unequal thickness; the upper part of the steel box contains concrete, and the lower part is fitted with prestressed steel bars. Bending tests on ten PURCFSB beams with different concrete filling ratios and prestress levels revealed that prestressing can increase the yield bending moment and delay the cracking of concrete. The appropriate filling ratio can improve the structure’s yield moment and ultimate bearing capacity and reduce its self-weight while avoiding concrete cracking within the scope of work. Finite element analysis of the whole bending process of PURCFSB beams, carried out using ABAQUS software, yields results that are in good agreement with the experimental results. Parametric analysis (based on the validated finite element model) of the effects of the filling ratio and prestress level on the bending performance revealed that PURCFSB beams have good bearing capacity and deformation performance.
Development and construction of a portable wind tunnel for investigating wind erosion through the application of photogrammetry techniques
Authors: Rostami Noredin , Rabbani Maryam , Esmaeilbeigi Saman , Hassanpour Kamyar , Shahmoradi Mohammad Hossein , Najafishoa Mohammad , Ghobadian Zahra , Varshosaz Masood , Norianfar Mehdi
Published: January 2025

Climate change is one of the most crucial issues in human society such that if it is not given sufficient attention, it can become a great threat to both humans and the Earth. Due to global warming, soil erosion is increasing in different regions. Therefore, this issue will require further investigation and the use of new tools. In this paper, a portable wind tunnel was designed and built for wind erosion studies using photogrammetry, which is a novel technique. This instrument consists of a working section, a fan, a portable voltage source inverter to control its angular speed, and a honeycomb to straighten the air flow in the working section. The eroded volume of soil is measured using photogrammetry by producing two 3D models and point clouds before and after the soil erosion test and calculating their volume changes. The results show that a 0.175 mm check distance precision is achievable under convergent imaging and with sufficient number of accurate control points which this value indicates the discrepancy between the anticipated and measured lengths of all the check distances. In addition, the features of this portable wind tunnel guarantee its easy portability, and its transparency enables the measurement of the threshold friction velocity. Additionally, this instrument, as an invention, has been registered at the Intellectual Property Center of Iran.
Characterization and assessment of hydrogen leakage mechanisms in salt caverns
Authors: Ghaedi Mojtaba , Gholami Raoof
Published: January 2025

Salt caverns are widely regarded as a suitable option for the underground storage of hydrogen. However, an accurate assessment of the hydrogen leakage through the walls of salt caverns into the surrounding formations remains crucial. In this work, the flow of hydrogen into the surrounding formation is evaluated by assuming that salt rock consists of bundles of tortuous nano-capillary tubes. A formulation was then proposed to model the flow in linear and radial domains. The formulations are based on a newly proposed unified gas flow model that is valid for the entire range of Knudsen numbers and accounts for gas slippage, bulk diffusion, and Knudsen diffusion. A finite-difference approximation with an iterative procedure was then used to treat the nonlinearity and solve the presented formulations. The formulations were validated against the experimental data reported in the literature. The results obtained indicated that for hydrogen flow over a wide range of pore radii and operating pressures and temperatures, the slippage flow regime must be considered. In a salt cavern with relevant dimensions and operating conditions, the cumulative hydrogen leakage after 30 years of cyclic storage was only 0.36% of the maximum storage capacity. It was also noticed that most of the leaked hydrogen would flow back into the salt cavern at times when the pressure in the salt cavern is lower than the surrounding pressure, e.g. during production and subsequent idle times. At low storage pressure and very tight salt rock, diffusion was the most important mechanism for hydrogen transport. At a high pressure though, viscous flow became the predominant leakage mechanism. The presence of a thin interlayer such as mudstone, carbonate, and anhydrite in the body of the salt rock can have a significant impact on the amount of leakage. It appeared that although increasing the maximum operating pressure from 120 to 135 bar only led to an 11.9% increase in the maximum storage capacity, the hydrogen loss increased significantly from 0.007% at 120 bar to 0.36% at 135 bar. Furthermore, although the absolute leakage rate for natural gas storage was higher than that for hydrogen storage, the relative leakage rate in relation to the maximum salt cavern capacity was much lower. The leakage range was also lower for natural gas storage compared to hydrogen storage. The formulations presented and the results obtained in this study can help to have a better understanding of the salt caverns when it comes to large-scale hydrogen storage.
Optimal voltage and frequency control strategy for renewable-dominated deregulated power network
Authors: Kumar Vineet , Sharma Sumit , Kumar Vineet , Sharma Sachin , Dev Ark
Published: January 2025

Maintaining stable voltage and frequency regulation is critical for modern power systems, particularly with the integration of renewable energy sources. This study proposes a coordinated control strategy for voltage and frequency in a deregulated power system comprising six Generation Companies (GENCOs) and six Distribution Companies (DISCOs). The system integrates thermal, diesel, wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), and hydroelectric sources. Two stochastic modeling techniques are used to characterize wind and solar generation, accounting for their variability within the control loops. A novel Leader Harris Hawks Optimization-based Model Predictive Controller (MPC-LHHO) is implemented, achieving a reduction in frequency deviation undershoot by 67.45% and voltage settling time by 91.11% compared to conventional controllers under poolco and bilateral transactions. Auxiliary devices, including the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) and grid-connected electric vehicles (EVs), further enhance performance, reducing frequency deviations by 52.18% under stochastic scenarios. Rigorous evaluation under contract violations, random load variations, and renewable intermittency demonstrates the strategy’s robustness and efficacy.
Distribution and risk assessment of microplastics in a source water reservoir, Central China
Authors: Shen Minghui , Li Yang , Qin Liwen , Chen Xudong , Ao Tianyu , Liang Xishu , Jin Kaibo , Dou Yanyan , Li Juexiu , Duan Xuejun
Published: January 2025

The current researches on microplastics in different water layers of reservoirs remains limited. This study aims to investigate the microplastics in different water layers within a source water reservoir. Results revealed that the abundance of microplastics ranged from 2.07 n/L to 14.28 n/L (reservoir, water) and 3 to 7.02 n/L (river, water), while varied from 350 to 714 n/kg(dw) (reservoir, sediment) and 299 to 1360 n/kg(dw) (river, sediment). The average abundance in surface, middle, and bottom water were 6.83 n/L, 6.30 n/L, and 6.91 n/L respectively. Transparent fibrous smaller than < 0.5 mm were identified as the predominant fraction with Polypropylene and Polyethylene being the prevalent polymer types. Additionally, the pollution load index, hazard index, and pollution risk index were calculated for different layers and sediments. Results showed that surface water exhibited a moderate level of risk while the sediments posed a low level of risk. Both the middle and bottom water showed elevated levels of risk due to higher concentrations of polymers with significant toxicity indices. This study presents novel findings on the distribution of microplastics in different water layers, providing crucial data support for understanding the migration patterns of microplastics in source water reservoirs and facilitating pollution prevention efforts.
Pharmacological targeting of caspase-8/c-FLIPL heterodimer enhances complex II assembly and elimination of pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: König Corinna , Ivanisenko Nikita V. , Ivanisenko Vladimir A. , Kulms Dagmar , Lavrik Inna N.
Published: January 2025

Extrinsic apoptotic network is driven by Death Ligand (DL)-mediated activation of procaspase-8. Recently, we have developed the first-in class small molecule, FLIPinB, which specifically targets the key regulator of extrinsic apoptosis, the protein c-FLIPL, in the caspase-8/c-FLIPL heterodimer. We have shown that FLIPinB enhances DL-induced caspase-8 activity and apoptosis. However, the effects of FLIPinB action in combination with other cell death inducers have only just begun to be elucidated. Here, we show that FLIPinB enhances the cell death in pancreatic cancer cells induced by combinatorial treatment with DL, gemcitabine and Mcl-1 inhibitor S63845. Further, we found that these effects are mediated via an increase in the complex II assembly. Collectively, our study shows that targeting the caspase-8/c-FLIPL heterodimer in combination with the other drugs in pancreatic cancer cells is a promising direction that may provide a basis for further therapeutic strategies.
The changing language and sentiment of conversations about climate change in Reddit posts over sixteen years
Authors: Fariello Gabriele , Jemielniak Dariusz
Published: January 2025

Global environmental change has been a topic of discussion in the media for many decades, and social perception of media terminology has been a topic of research interest. However, a systematic review of large-scale online discussions and the terminology used has not been undertaken. Here, we analyze 16 years of Reddit discussions, encompassing 11.5 billion posts, to examine how language surrounding climate change has evolved over time from 2005 to 2021. We applied sentiment analysis, polarity, subjectivity, and readability metrics to discussions of “global warming” and “climate change”. We found that the use of “climate change” surpassed “global warming” in 2013, with “climate change” associated with more negative sentiment and higher subjectivity. Additionally, we observed a decline in the proportion of climate-related discussions over time despite the increasing total number of posts. These findings suggest that public engagement with climate topics on Reddit is waning, and the choice of terminology significantly influences the tone and complexity of the discourse. Our results have important implications for how climate issues are communicated and perceived by the public.
Distinct mechanisms control the specific synaptic functions of Neuroligin 1 and Neuroligin 2
Authors: Wang Jinzhao , Sudhof Thomas , Wernig Marius
Published: January 2025

Neuroligins are postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules that regulate synaptic function with a remarkable isoform specificity. Although Nlgn1 and Nlgn2 are highly homologous and biochemically interact with the same extra- and intracellular proteins, Nlgn1 selectively functions in excitatory synapses whereas Nlgn2 functions in inhibitory synapses. How this excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) specificity arises is unknown. Using a comprehensive structure-function analysis, we here expressed wild-type and mutant neuroligins in functional rescue experiments in cultured hippocampal neurons lacking all endogenous neuroligins. Electrophysiology confirmed that Nlgn1 and Nlgn2 selectively restored excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission, respectively, in neuroligin-deficient neurons, aligned with their synaptic localizations. Chimeric Nlgn1-Nlgn2 constructs reveal that the extracellular neuroligin domains confer synapse specificity, whereas their intracellular sequences are exchangeable. However, the cytoplasmic sequences of Nlgn2, including its Gephyrin-binding motif that is identically present in the Nlgn1, is essential for its synaptic function whereas they are dispensable for Nlgn1. These results demonstrate that although the excitatory vs. inhibitory synapse specificity of Nlgn1 and Nlgn2 are both determined by their extracellular sequences, these neuroligins enable normal synaptic connections via distinct intracellular mechanisms.
Dbi1 is an oxidoreductase and an assembly chaperone for mitochondrial inner membrane proteins
Authors: Badrie Soraya , Hell Kai , Mokranjac Dejana
Published: January 2025

Import and assembly of mitochondrial proteins into multimeric complexes are essential for cellular function. Yet, many steps of these processes and the proteins involved remain unknown. Here, we identify a novel pathway for disulfide bond formation and assembly of mitochondrial inner membrane (IM) proteins. Dbi1, a previously uncharacterized IM protein, interacts with an unassembled pool of Tim17, the central subunit of the presequence translocase of the IM, and is upregulated in cells with increased levels of unassembled Tim17. In the absence of Dbi1, the conformation of the presequence translocase is affected and stability of Tim17 is reduced. Furthermore, Dbi1, through its conserved CxxC motif, is involved in the formation of the disulfide bond in Tim17 in a manner independent of the disulfide relay system, the major oxidation-driven protein import pathway into mitochondria. The substrate spectrum of Dbi1 is not limited to Tim17 but includes at least two more IM proteins, Tim22 and Cox20. We conclude that Dbi1 is a novel oxidoreductase in mitochondria which introduces disulfide bonds into IM proteins and chaperones their assembly into multimeric protein complexes.
Pro-inflammatory macrophage activation does not require inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation
Authors: Ball Andréa B , Jones Anthony E , Nguyễn Kaitlyn B , Rios Amy , Marx Nico , Hsieh Wei Yuan , Yang Krista , Desousa Brandon R , Kim Kristen K O , Veliova Michaela , del Mundo Zena Marie , Shirihai Orian S , Benincá Cristiane , Stiles Linsey , Bensinger Steven J , Divakaruni Ajit S
Published: January 2025

Pro-inflammatory macrophage activation is a hallmark example of how mitochondria serve as signaling organelles. Oxidative phosphorylation sharply decreases upon classical macrophage activation, as mitochondria are thought to shift from ATP production towards accumulating signals that amplify effector function. However, evidence is conflicting regarding whether this collapse in respiration is essential or dispensable. Here we systematically examine this question and show that reduced oxidative phosphorylation is not required for pro-inflammatory macrophage activation. Different pro-inflammatory stimuli elicit varying effects on bioenergetic parameters, and pharmacologic and genetic models of electron transport chain inhibition show no causative link between respiration and macrophage activation. Furthermore, the signaling metabolites succinate and itaconate can accumulate independently of characteristic breaks in the TCA cycle in mouse and human macrophages, and peritoneal macrophages can be activated in vivo without inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. The results indicate there is plasticity in the metabolic phenotypes that can support pro-inflammatory macrophage activation.
Dual recycling signal amplification strategy based on autocatalytic entropy-driven circuit and DNAzyme for colorimetric detection of platelet-derived growth factor-BB
Authors: Cheng Yuxin , Shi Hongli , Li Min , Yuan Jing , Zhou Cuisong , Dai Jianyuan
Published: January 2025

A dual recycling signal amplification strategy based on AEDC and DNAzyme for sensitive and colorimetric detection of PDGF-BB was developed.
Unraveling the mystery: effect of trapped air on platelet adhesion on hydrophobic nanostructured titanium dioxide
Authors: Shen Zhenyu , Wu Ke , Chen Zhiwei , Yang Yun , Huang Qiaoling
Published: January 2025

Contrary to intuitive thinking, air cannot stop platelet adhesion on superhydrophobic materials; instead, it rearranges or even increases it.
Flutamide degradation driven by sulfonic acids: unforeseen salts and salt polymorphs of a degraded flutamide impurity
Authors: Prashanth Jupally , Pisini Krishna Prasad , Surampudi Anuja Venkata Sai Durga , Nechipadappu Sunil Kumar , Swain Debasish , Balasubramanian Sridhar
Published: January 2025

The degradation of flutamide to Flu·D impurity during crystallization is studied using various sulfonic acid derivatives, along with stress studies providing comprehensive information on intrinsic stability and degradation behavior of flutamide.
Untangling the role of single-atom substitution on the improvement of the hydrogen evolution reaction of Y2NS2 MXene in acidic media
Authors: Ouahrani Tarik , Kučukalić Ali Esquembre , Boufatah Reda M. , Morales-García Ángel , Errandonea Daniel
Published: January 2025

The production of hydrogen (H2) fuel through electrocatalysis is emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional and environmentally harmful energy sources.
Direct C–N coupling of aniline to aminodiphenylamines with a platinum-loaded titanium oxide photocatalyst
Authors: Zou Kexin , Yamamoto Akira , Yoshida Hisao
Published: January 2025

The photocatalytic C–N coupling of aniline to aminodiphenylamines was achieved with platinum-loaded TiO2 in alkaline solution.
Towards superior efficiency of the CO2-derived Fischer–Tropsch synthesis process over iron-based metal–organic framework-derived multifunctional catalytic materials
Authors: Jiang Shican , Liu Zuozheng , Chowdhury Abhishek Dutta
Published: January 2025

The strategic implementation of carbon utilization technologies is crucial for combatting climate change.
Digital features of chemical elements extracted from local geometries in crystal structures
Authors: Vasylenko Andrij , Antypov Dmytro , Schewe Sven , Daniels Luke M. , Claridge John B. , Dyer Matthew S. , Rosseinsky Matthew J.
Published: January 2025

Local Environment-induced Atomic Features (LEAF) incorporate structural insights in inorganic crystals into interpretable elemental descriptors for predicting structures and properties of materials described solely as compositions.
Carbon–carbon bond formation and cleavage at redox active bis(pyridylimino)isoindole (BPI) germylene compounds
Authors: Nicasio Antonio I. , Somerville Rosie J. , Sahagún Pablo , Soto Enrique , López-Serrano Joaquín , Campos Jesús
Published: January 2025

The combination of redox-active BPI ligands with low-valent germanium centres open up alternative reaction pathways that are not available in the absence of the tetrel site.
Formation of stabilized vaterite nanoparticles via the introduction of uranyl into groundwater
Authors: Wu Siyuan , Du Jin , Li Jiebiao , Henderson Mark Julian , Liu Guangfeng , Zhang Jianqiao , Li Na , Gibaud Alain , Tian Qiang
Published: January 2025

Formation of colloidal vaterite nanoparticles via mixing groundwater and uranyl.
Interaction of lipid domains originating from differential domain-monolayer contact energy
Authors: Barnoy Avishai , Kozlov Michael M.
Published: January 2025

We consider a flat membrane containing monolayer lipid domains separated in the membrane plane. We assume the partial energy of contact between a domain and the underlying monolayer to be...
2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) analog: a non-cytotoxic type-I photoinitiator for free radical photopolymerization
Authors: Yin Jiansong , Zhang Yijun , Graff Bernadette , Dietlin Céline , Schmitt Michael , Morlet-Savary Fabrice , Petithory Tatiana , Pieuchot Laurent , Zhang Jing , Xu Yangyang , Becht Jean-Michel , Lalevée Jacques , Xiao Pu
Published: January 2025

2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) is a highly efficient and widely used photoinitiator, but it is currently facing significant concerns regarding cytotoxicity.
Trash to treasure: advancing resource efficiency using waste-derived fillers as sustainable reinforcing agents in bioplastics
Authors: Tabassum Zeba , Girdhar Madhuri , Anand Abhinav , Kumari Neelam , Sood Bhawana , Malik Tabarak , Kumar Anil , Mohan Anand
Published: January 2025

The escalating environmental challenges posed by different waste sources, including agricultural residues and industrial byproducts, necessitate innovative solutions for waste utilization.
A sphere-like NiCo metal–organic phosphate-modified glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical supercapacitors
Authors: Yu Li , Ma XiaoCai , Liang Qin
Published: January 2025

We synthesized NiCo-MOPhs with varying proportions of Ni and Co, and we have confirmed that the morphology and electrochemical supercapacitor performance of NiCo-MOPhs are significantly influenced by the proportions of Ni and Co.
Cobalt complex with a tetradentate aminopyridine ligand: a single-component and efficient catalytic system for the cycloaddition reactions of CO2 and epoxides
Authors: Yu Ning , Zhang Bowen , Liang Shuyan , Shi Minghui , Han Feng , Zhang Congcong , Yang Qingfeng , Miao Chengxia
Published: January 2025

A cobalt complex with a tetradentate aminopyridine ligand catalyzes the cycloaddition reactions of CO2 and epoxides, constituting a single-component, efficient and solvent-free system.
Platinum single atoms on titania aid dye photodegradation whereas platinum nanoparticles do not
Authors: Pecoraro Claudio Maria , Sopha Hanna , Wu Siming , Kim Hyesung , Wang Yue , Macak Jan , Santamaria Monica , Schmuki Patrik
Published: January 2025

The study revealed that Pt single atoms on TiO2 enhance AO7 photodegradation through ˙O2− production but have no impact on RhB degradation. The distinct behavior is due to different reaction pathways, with Pt nanoparticles exhibiting minimal effect.
Photocatalytic oxidative hydroacylation with alcohols
Authors: Sandha Sabhya , Tripathi Chandra Bhushan
Published: January 2025

A photocatalytic oxidative hydroacylation with alcohols for C–N and C–C bond formation is reported.
Metal-free synthesis of carboxamides via the Lossen rearrangement
Authors: Li Chong , Liu Yi-Fei , Yang Wei , Zhao Lian-Jie , Song Lin-Yuan , Deng Yu-Shuang , Mou Ke-Yu , Wang Jing-Wen , Cao Sheng , Li Feng
Published: January 2025

A novel and efficient method for synthesizing carboxamides has been developed, utilizing a base-promoted Lossen rearrangement of hydroxylamine derivatives. This approach facilitates the straightforward formation of C–P, C–C, or C–N bonds.
Magnetic exchange coupling and photodetection multifunction characteristics of an MnSe/LaMnO3 heterostructure
Authors: Zhao Ye , Gao Xingguo , Yang Ruilong , Yang Ke , Dou Jiarui , Guo Jinzhong , Yang Xiaoting , Zhou Guowei , Xu Xiaohong
Published: January 2025

This study presents the non-layered α-MnSe nanosheets transferred onto LaMnO3 films to obtain a multifunction heterostructure. The outstanding multifunction characteristics are very useful for next-generation devices.
Hydrophobic dual-polymer–reinforced graphene composite aerogel for efficient water–oil separation
Authors: Luo Zirong , Huang Shenbo , Kong Na , Zhang Jizhen , Tao Jinlong , Li Jihua , Li Shuang
Published: January 2025

Novel PDMS-coated epoxy natural rubber–graphene aerogels enhance flexibility, hydrophobicity, and oil adsorption for environmental applications.
Imidazolium-based ionic liquid functionalized chiral metal–organic framework as an efficient catalyst for asymmetric catalytic sulfoxidation
Authors: Li Shiye , Chai Yudan , Zhang Jian
Published: January 2025

An imidazolium-based ionic liquid functionalized CMOF (IL-Ti(salen) CMOF-n) catalyst for highly asymmetric catalytic sulfoxidation in methanol is developed.
[CoAlO/Ni]@C heterostructures constructed based on the interface and component coupling effect toward microwave absorption and thermal conductivity
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhang Yong , Cheng Jiale , Huang Zhongxin , Cui Jiewu , Wang Jiaheng , Wu Yunfei , Wang Yan , Liu Jiaqin , Wu Yucheng
Published: January 2025

The escalating demand for miniaturization and increased power in electronics presents substantial challenges in dealing with electromagnetic wave (EMW) radiation and heat accumulation within limited spaces.
Magnetocaloric effects in the quasi-1D chain carbonate NaDy(CO3)F2 through crystallographic directional rotation
Authors: Guo Ruixin , Tong Jingfang , Jin Lun , Lin Weijie , Deng Zhengzhong , Pan Changzhao , Zhou Haitao , Guo Shu
Published: January 2025

Using a supercritical hydrothermal reaction, we synthesized millimeter-scale single crystals of NaDy(CO3)F2, featuring a unique one-dimensional Dy-based zigzag chain structure and a pronounced rotational magnetocaloric effect.
Fabrication of colloidal photonic crystal supraparticles via atomization drying for efficient passive cooling
Authors: Zhai Jiang , Zhang Nian-Xiang , Li Fucheng , Liu Chang , Li Guo-Xing , Yu Xiao-Qing , Li Qing , Chen Su
Published: January 2025

In this work, we developed a rapid and highly efficient method for constructing CPC supraparticles using microfluidic atomization drying assembly. And, we investigated their application in passive cooling.
Graphite particles modified by ZnO atomic layer deposition for Li-ion battery anodes
Authors: Helaley Ahmad , Yu Han , Liang Xinhua
Published: January 2025

The electrode made of graphite with 2 cycles of ZnO ALD had about 20% higher discharge capacity than that of pristine graphite, and it remained stable at 420 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles of charge/discharge.
Automated design methodology for IC sizing in wide tuning range multi‐mode VCOs
Authors: Qu Zhan , Chen Zhenjiao , Shi Xingqiang , Zhao Ya , Zhang Guohe , Liang Feng
Published: January 2025

To address the great labour challenge arising from sizing a wide tuning range (TR) multi‐mode voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) manually, an electronic design automation methodology is proposed in this paper, which can optimize multiple circuit dimensions and design objectives of the wide TR multi‐mode VCO simultaneously, achieving outstanding performance. NSGA‐II algorithm substantially is extended and customized with many wide TR multi‐mode VCO design considerations to develop the VCO centred variant, i.e. FNSGA‐II algorithm. Using the 55 nm CMOS process, optimizations were performed on various topologies (dual‐mode, triple‐mode, and quad‐mode) of wide TR multi‐mode VCOs, demonstrating the algorithm's versatility and efficiency. Then, among many non‐dominated solutions, a rule‐based selection method to choose robust and practical solutions is proposed. Compared to other IC optimization algorithms, the proposed algorithm significantly enhances convergence efficiency and the diversity of superior solutions.
Few‐label aerial target intention recognition based on self‐supervised contrastive learning
Authors: Song Zihao , Zhou Yan , Cai Yichao , Cheng Wei , Wu Changfei , Yin Jianguo
Published: January 2025

Identifying the intentions of aerial targets is crucial for air situation understanding and decision making. Deep learning, with its powerful feature learning and representation capability, has become a key means to achieve higher performance in aerial target intention recognition (ATIR). However, conventional supervised deep learning methods rely on abundant labelled samples for training, which are difficult to quickly obtain in practical scenarios, posing a significant challenge to the effectiveness of training deep learning models. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel few‐label ATIR method based on deep contrastive learning, which combines the advantages of self‐supervised learning and semi‐supervised learning. Specifically, leveraging unlabelled samples, we first employ strong and weak data augmentation views and the temporal contrasting module to capture temporally relevant features, whereas the contextual contrasting module is utilised to learn discriminative representations. Subsequently, the network is fine‐tuned with a limited set of labelled samples to further refine the learnt representations. Experimental results on an ATIR dataset demonstrate that our method significantly outperforms other few‐label classification baselines in terms of recognition accuracy and Macro F1 score when the proportion of labelled samples is as low as 1% and 5%.
Life cycle assessment and energy efficiency of building façade materials: A case study of an educational building in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Fakhre Alam , Ullah Zahid , Aashan Muhammad , Ahmad Farooq , Saad Muhammad , Azhar Muhammad
Published: January 2025

Buildings consume energy throughout their life cycle, from initial construction to operation. The building and construction sector accounts for 40–50% of greenhouse gas emissions and uses 30–40% of total primary energy. Buildings can last for over 50 years, making it crucial to predict future building responses to climate change and evaluate potential changes in energy consumption. This novel research focuses on life cycle assessment for 60 years and the impact of different façade materials (wall, plaster, window, insulation) on operational energy and equivalent carbon emissions of an existing educational building in Peshawar, Pakistan (ASHRAE zone 2B). For the base case building, the total embodied carbon is 1250.4 tonnes, while for the proposed case, the embodied carbon reduces to 451.1 tonnes, marking a 63.89% reduction in CO2 emissions. Switching from clay brick wall (W8) to concrete block lightweight (W1), the most efficient one, reduces peak cooling total load (PCTL) and CO2 emissions by 16.4%. Similarly, changing plaster materials from cement plaster with sand aggregate (P5) to lightweight plaster (P1) results in reductions of 8.92% in PCTL and CO2 emissions. The PCTL and CO2 emissions are reduced by 10.55% when two inches of polyurethane board insulation (WI1) is added to the external walls compared to those without insulation. Moreover, replacing the clear glass windows with single, double, and triple‐glazed windows with a shading coefficient (SC) of 0.2 results in reductions of 10.3%, 16.4%, and 17.5% in PCTL and CO2 emissions.
Sources of hydrogen in the primordial atmosphere of Venus
Authors: Wang Ziqi , Zhou You , Liu Yun , Odert Petra , Liu Yixuan
Published: January 2025

Context. Understanding the hydrogen content in Venus’ primordial atmosphere is crucial for comprehending the hydrodynamic escape process that shaped its atmospheric evolution. The hydrogen originated from two main sources: molecular hydrogen (H2) from the solar nebula and water vapor (H2O) from geological degassing. The precise proportions of these sources remain uncertain, leading to different hypotheses about Venus’ atmospheric history. However, a systematic exploration of the parameter space regarding the proportions of these sources has not yet been conducted.

Aims. This study aims to constrain the hydrogen content and its sources in Venus’ primordial atmosphere by conducting extensive numerical simulations of early atmospheric escape scenarios.

Methods. We developed an improved energy-limited hydrodynamic escape model, integrated with a 1D radiative-convective equilibrium atmospheric model, to simulate the early atmospheric escape on Venus. Using isotopic data of Ne and Ar from the current Venusian atmosphere, we constrained the contributions of nebula-derived and degassing-derived hydrogen. Our simulations have explored over 500 000 scenarios, varying the initial H2 and H2O compositions and considering different solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiation conditions.

Results. Our results, based on the isotopic ratios of 20Ne/22Ne, 36Ar/38Ar, and 20Ne/36Ar observed in Venus’ atmosphere, indicate that the primordial atmospheric water content was limited to less than 0.01 ocean equivalents of H2 (0.0004 wt%) and less than 1.4 ocean equivalents of H2O. This suggests that if Venus ever had a primary hydrogen-rich atmosphere, it was mostly lost before forming its secondary, H2O-rich atmosphere. Furthermore, our method can be applied to constrain the primordial atmospheric compositions of other terrestrial planets, providing insights into their evolutionary histories.
Propagating Sets in Sierpiński Fractal Graphs
Authors: Anitha J. , Rajasingh Indra , Rashmanlou Hossein
Published: January 2025

A set S of black colored vertices in a graph G is called a zero forcing set of G if at every discrete time step, a black vertex with exactly one non-black vertex as its neighbour forces it to be colored black and by iteratively applying the procedure, all vertices in G are colored black. If S induces an independent set of edges, then S is termed an edge-forcing set of G. The minimum cardinality of edge-forcing sets of G, denoted by ζe (G) is called edge-forcing number of G. In this paper, we obtain the edge-forcing number for Sierpiński graphs and Sierpiński gasket graphs.
Research on the photoelectrical properties of TiO2-doped V2O5/FTO nanocomposite thin films under thermal and electrical excitation
Authors: Xue Chang , Li Yi , Zhang Haoting , He Weiye , Peng Weiye , Dai Wenyan , Yuan Zhen , Lin Ke , Wang Wei , Shi Zhangqing , Liu Hongwei
Published: January 2025

The TiO2-doped V2O5/FTO nanocomposite thin films were prepared on the FTO substrates by sol-gel method and post-annealing process, and the MSM structural devices based on the prepared films were fabricated by sputtering, photolithography and etching techniques. SEM, XRD, and XPS were respectively used to study the morphology, structure and composition of the film, and the electrical and optical regulations of the device were measured by using spectrophotometry and semiconductor parameter analyzer. In the temperature range of 20–360 °C, the maximum modulation amplitude of the TiO2-doped V2O5/FTO film in the 400–1600 nm band was 18.282% and the modulation of the V2O5/FTO film was increased by 9.663% after TiO2-doping. The resistance of the FTO/V2O5-TiO2/FTO device reduced by 3–4 orders of magnitude by comparing with the FTO/V2O5/FTO device. The FTO/V2O5-TiO2/FTO device underwent semiconductor-metal state transition (SMT) around 259.91 °C. Under the applied voltage of 0–5 V, the maximum transmittance variations could reach 8.821%, 7.174% and 11.540% in 400–1600 nm band at the temperature of 20 °C, 40 °C and 80 °C, respectively. The outstanding optical and electrical regulation properties and the favorable cycling stability make the nanocomposite film expected to be applied in the field of optoelectronic devices.