bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A first-in-class selective inhibitor of ERK1/2 and ERK5 overcomes drug resistance with a single-molecule strategy
Authors: Xiao Huan , Wang Aoxue , Shuai Wen , Qian Yuping , Wu Chengyong , Wang Xin , Yang Panpan , Sun Qian , Wang Guan , Ouyang Liang , Sun Qiu
Published: February 2025

Despite significant advancements in kinase-targeted therapy, the emergence of acquired drug resistance to targets such as KRAS and MEK remains a challenge. Extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), positioned at the terminus of this pathway, is highly conserved and less susceptible to mutations, thereby garnering attention as a crucial therapeutical target. However, attempts to use monotherapies that target ERK1/2 have achieved only limited clinical success, mainly due to the issues of limited efficacy and the emergence of drug resistance. Herein, we present a proof of concept that extracellular-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) acts as a compensatory pathway after ERK1/2 inhibition in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). By utilizing the principle of polypharmacology, we computationally designed SKLB-D18, a first-in-class molecule that selectively targets ERK1/2 and ERK5, with nanomolar potency and high specificity for both targets. SKLB-D18 demonstrated excellent tolerability in mice and demonstrated superior in vivo anti-tumor efficacy, not only exceeding the existing clinical ERK1/2 inhibitor BVD-523, but also the combination regimen of BVD-523 and the ERK5 inhibitor XMD8-92. Mechanistically, we showed that SKLB-D18, as an autophagy agonist, played a role in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K) and nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4)-mediated ferroptosis, which may mitigate multidrug resistance.
Inactivation of necroptosis-promoting protein MLKL creates a therapeutic vulnerability in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Jiang Peijia , Chipurupalli Sandhya , Yoo Byong Hoon , Liu Xiaoyang , Rosen Kirill V.
Published: February 2025

Mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) is significant, and novel CRC therapies are needed. A pseudokinase MLKL typically executes necroptotic cell death, and MLKL inactivation protects cells from such death. However, we found unexpectedly that MLKL gene knockout enhanced CRC cell death caused by a protein synthesis inhibitor homoharringtonine used for chronic myeloid leukemia treatment. In an effort to explain this finding, we observed that MLKL gene knockout reduces the basal CRC cell autophagy and renders such autophagy critically dependent on the presence of VPS37A, a component of the ESCRT-I complex. We further found that the reason why homoharringtonine enhances CRC cell death caused by MLKL gene knockout is that homoharringtonine activates p38 MAP kinase and thereby prevents VPS37A from supporting autophagy in MLKL-deficient cells. We observed that the resulting inhibition of the basal autophagy in CRC cells triggers their parthanatos, a cell death type driven by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase hyperactivation. Finally, we discovered that a pharmacological MLKL inhibitor necrosulfonamide strongly cooperates with homoharringtonine in suppressing CRC cell tumorigenicity in mice. Thus, while MLKL promotes cell death during necroptosis, MLKL supports the basal autophagy in CRC cells and thereby protects them from death. MLKL inactivation reduces such autophagy and renders the cells sensitive to autophagy inhibitors, such as homoharringtonine. Hence, MLKL inhibition creates a therapeutic vulnerability that could be utilized for CRC treatment.
Can virtual reality reduce anxiety and pain in dental patients?
Authors: Goodship Nicola , Taylor Greig
Published: February 2025

A Commentary on

Nezhad H M, Ashourioun A, Sadeghdaghighi A

The effect of virtual reality for anxiety and pain in dentistry: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Community Dent Health 2024; 41: 248–255.

Data sources

A systematic search was conducted across PubMed and Cochrane Library up to April 2024.

Study selection

The article type was limited to Randomised Controlled Trials, comparing virtual reality (VR) interventions with non-VR methods in dental settings. The selection followed the PRISMA-P guidelines. Using the PICOS framework, studies involving dental patients of any age utilising VR during dental treatments and reporting outcomes on anxiety and pain were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Data extraction and quality appraisal were conducted independently by two reviewers using both the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach and the Risk of Bias 2 (ROB-2) tool. Meta-analyses used a random-effects model.

Results

A total of 263 studies resulted in the inclusion of 27 studies, encompassing several dental treatments. Evidence quality ranged from low to moderate. Meta-analysis of 14 studies, encompassing 957 patients, revealed VR significantly reduced anxiety in children (SMD −1.44, 95% CI −2.24 to −0.63, low quality of evidence). Metal-analysis of five studies (485 patients) revealed VR had no effect on adults’ anxiety (SMD -0.35, 95% CI -1.11 to 0.4, low level of certainty). VR significantly reduced pain in both children (11 studies, 791 participants) (SMD −1.11, 95% CI −1.65 to −0.57, moderate level of certainty) and adults (6 studies, 557 participants) (SMD −0.59, 95% CI −1.187 to −0.001, low evidence quality). Heterogeneity was high across studies.

Conclusion

The study concluded that VR is a promising intervention for reducing anxiety and pain in children during dental procedures, and pain reduction in adults. The authors suggested further research is needed to standardise the VR content and explore its impact across different age groups and dental procedures.
Molecular basis of foreign DNA recognition by BREX anti-phage immunity system
Authors: Drobiazko Alena , Adams Myfanwy C. , Skutel Mikhail , Potekhina Kristina , Kotovskaya Oksana , Trofimova Anna , Matlashov Mikhail , Yatselenko Daria , Maxwell Karen L. , Blower Tim R. , Severinov Konstantin , Ghilarov Dmitry , Isaev Artem
Published: February 2025

Anti-phage systems of the BREX (BacteRiophage EXclusion) superfamily rely on site-specific epigenetic DNA methylation to discriminate between the host and invading DNA. We demonstrate that in Type I BREX systems, defense and methylation require BREX site DNA binding by the BrxX (PglX) methyltransferase employing S-adenosyl methionine as a cofactor. We determined 2.2-Å cryoEM structure of Escherichia coli BrxX bound to target dsDNA revealing molecular details of BREX DNA recognition. Structure-guided engineering of BrxX expands its DNA specificity and dramatically enhances phage defense. We show that BrxX alone does not methylate DNA, and BREX activity requires an assembly of a supramolecular BrxBCXZ immune complex. Finally, we present a cryoEM structure of BrxX bound to a phage-encoded inhibitor Ocr that sequesters BrxX in an inactive dimeric form. We propose that BrxX-mediated foreign DNA sensing is a necessary first step in activation of BREX defense.
QbD-steered HPTLC approach for concurrent estimation of six co-administered COVID-19 and cardiovascular drugs in different matrices: greenness appraisal
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed R. , Sayed Rania A. , Shalaby Abdalla , Ibrahim Hany
Published: February 2025

Many COVID-19 sufferers have a history of cardiovascular illnesses, which makes them more likely to develop severe COVID-19. Such patients were advised by experts to prioritize drug therapies based on their doctor’s commendations to avoid exacerbating their basic illnesses. Therefore, developing an analytical methodology for the concurrent estimation of medications prescribed for co-treating cardiovascular and COVID-19 illnesses is becoming critical in both bioavailability hubs and QC units. Herein, an inventive, rapid, and affordable HPTLC approach was developed, and its conditions were optimized employing the full factorial design approach for the concurrent estimation of aspirin, atorvastatin, atenolol, losartan, remdesivir, and favipiravir as co-administered medications, either with salicylic acid or not. Using the desirability function, the experimental design approach could forecast the best eluent system for optimal resolution results. On HPTLC-silica plates, the above-mentioned medications were separated utilizing an eluent system of ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, methanol, and ammonia (6:4:4:1 by volume), and their spots were detected at 232 nm. The proposed methodology was evaluated following ICH prerequisites and applied successfully to the medications’ dosage forms, human plasma, and buffered dissolution media with superb recovery proportions and no intrusiveness from formulations’ additives or plasma matrices. Five metrics were employed to appraise the suggested technique’s greenness: AGREE, eco-scale, Raynie and Driver, GAPI, and NEMI. The sensitivity, large sample capacity, and short run duration (15 min) of the proposed methodology confirm its appositeness for regular estimation of the above-mentioned medications.
Nutritional quality profiles of six microgreens
Authors: Balik Sibel , Elgudayem Farah , Dasgan Hayriye Yildiz , Kafkas Nesibe Ebru , Gruda Nazim S.
Published: February 2025

Globally, one in every four individuals faces a deficiency in essential micronutrients. Harvested early from various vegetables, grains, and herbs, microgreens have rich nutritional profiles that can mitigate nutrient deficiencies. Here, we analyzed six microgreens’ nutritional profiles for broccoli, black radish, red beet, pea, sunflower, and bean. Ascorbic acid content varied widely, from 32.72 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) in red beet to 80.45 mg/100 g FW in beans. All microgreens exhibited high macro elements (mg/100 g FW), with potassium ranging from 187.07 to 416.05, magnesium from 45.96 to 86.83, calcium from 67.18 to 148.63, and phosphorus from 2.57 to 4.88. They also contained significant microelements (µg/100 g FW), including iron from 524 to 2610, manganese from 176.32 to 350.56, zinc from 31.92 to 129.78, and copper from 458.84 to 956.34. Glucose content surpassed sucrose and fructose, ranging from 0.114 to 0.580 mg/100 g FW. Among organic acids, citric acid was highest in red beet, succinic acid in beans, and fumaric acid in sunflower. Broccoli microgreens had the highest total phenolic content (825.53 mg GA/100 g FW), while beans had the highest total flavonoid content (758.0 mg RU/100 g FW). Black radish microgreens demonstrated the highest antioxidant capacity. Additionally, volatile aromatic compounds were analyzed across the six microgreen species. These findings highlight the nutritional potential of microgreens, advocating for their inclusion in diets to enhance human health. Red beet microgreens were the richest in organic acids, particularly citric acid, and flavonoids, supporting antioxidant activity, while black radish microgreens exhibited the highest DPPH antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. Bean microgreens stood out for their high ascorbic acid content. Sunflower microgreens had the highest levels of calcium and fumaric acid. Broccoli microgreens were abundant in phenolic compounds and contained high concentrations of iron and manganese. Finally, pea microgreens excelled in phosphorus and copper content.
Reliability and validity of a self-developed virtual reality-based test battery for assessing motor skills in sports performance
Authors: Pastel Stefan , Klenk Florian , Bürger Dan , Heilmann Florian , Witte Kerstin
Published: February 2025

Athletes must master various motor skills for success in their sports. To assess performance and identify areas of improvement, effective sports-motoric tests are essential. Key abilities such as reaction time, jumping, and complex movement coordination are critical. Virtual reality (VR) offers a practical, traditional equipment-free tool for assessment, though new VR-based tests must be evaluated first. We evaluated a self-developed test battery to measure reaction time (drop-bar test), jumping ability (jump and reach test), and parkour execution involving multiple complex motor tasks (with/without a virtual opponent). 32 participants completed these tests twice in real environment (RE) and VR (pre- and post-test). Intraclass correlation coefficients showed high reliability for reaction time in RE (0.858) and VR (0.888), with moderate significant correlations between them (r = .445), suggesting validity. The jump and reach test showed even better reliability (RE: 0.944, VR: 0.886) with strong correlations between RE and VR (r = .838). The parkour test showed lower reliability (x̄ 0.770), particularly for one task, with significant differences between the conditions indicating different behavior in VR. However, the addition of a virtual opponent eliminated these differences. VR appears to be a promising alternative to traditional testing methods, revealing comparable values across conditions.
Design of parallel cascade controller for nonlinear continuous stirred tank reactor
Authors: Siddiqui Mohammad Atif
Published: February 2025

This work presents an approach to control the temperature of a nonlinear continuous stirred tank reactor (NCSTR) through parallel cascade control structure (PCCS). For the first time, PCCS is used to control the temperature of NCSTR by (1) modelling the dynamic behavior of CSTR with a recirculating jacket heat transfer system into a third order unstable transfer function and (2) using the model matching technique to synthesize the controller parameters. The controller of the secondary loop of PCCS is designed to achieve enhanced regulatory performance whereas, the primary loop controller is designed for better setpoint tracking. The closed loop performance of the proposed method is evaluated by carrying out simulation on the differential equation of the NCSTR and comparing it with other structures such as series cascade control structure (CCS) and parallel control structure (PCS). The response shows that the proposed method provides satisfactory performance in nominal, perturbed and noisy conditions.
Automatic engagement of limbic and prefrontal networks in response to food images reflects distinct information about food hedonics and inhibitory control
Authors: Avery Jason A. , Carrington Madeline , Ingeholm John E. , Darcey Valerie , Simmons W. Kyle , Hall Kevin D. , Martin Alex
Published: February 2025

Adaptive regulation of food consumption involves both identifying food as well as evaluating whether it should be eaten, a process that requires assessing relevant properties such as healthfulness and hedonic value. In order to identify how these fine-grained food properties are represented in the brain, we analyzed functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging data from 43 participants who viewed images of 36 different foods. A data-driven clustering approach based on Representational Similarity Analysis partitioned food-responsive brain regions into two sub-networks based on their multivariate response to food pictures: a Prefrontal network composed of fronto-parietal brain regions and a Limbic network composed of cortico-limbic and sub-cortical brain regions. Further analysis, using similarity judgments of those foods from a large online sample, revealed that the Prefrontal network predominantly represented information related to food healthfulness or processing, the key factor underlying food similarity. In another imaging task, we found that responses in the Prefrontal network were strongly influenced by judgments of food-related self-control, while the Limbic network responses were more affected by hedonic food judgments. These results suggest that, upon viewing food images, behaviorally relevant information is automatically retrieved from distinct brain networks that act as opponent processes in guiding food consumption.
Comparative analysis of Hyperspectral and Near-infrared Spectroscopy for Bloodstain Deposition Time Estimation
Authors: ying Liang , Yang Qifu , Wu Jiaquan , Ma Kun , Zhang Xinyu , Zhu Hanyu , Peng Xingshuai , Wang Jiateng , Zhang Jianqiang , Ren Huihui
Published: February 2025

Background: Bloodstains are a prevalent and critical type of forensic evidence at crime scenes. Accurate determination of bloodstain age is essential for crime resolution, and non-destructive spectral methods are instrumental...
A novel fluorescent probe for the detection of oxalyl chloride in air
Authors: Peng shuai , He Wenbin , Ye Shuyan , Zhang Hao , Zhang Weiwei , Hou Xianfeng
Published: February 2025

Oxalyl chloride is widely used in the industry. Due to its high toxicity, it can pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to...
Monolithic wood-based carbon supported Pd nanoparticles with tunable exposure for boosting semi-hydrogenation of alkynols
Authors: Li Cheng-Long , Zhang Rui-Ping , Hou Lu , Xie Ya-Dong , Lu An-Hui
Published: February 2025

Monolithic wood-based carbon supported Pd nanoparticles with tunable exposure achieving semi-hydrogenation of alkynols to enols with high activity and stability.
Effects of Ti3C2Tx (MXene) on growth, oxidative stress, and metabolism of Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Xiang Qianqian , Ju Zhihao , Zhu Renhong , Niu Minmin , Lin Yuanyuan , Chang Xuexiu
Published: February 2025

Exposure to Ti3C2Tx leads to metabolic disorders in Microcystis aeruginosa, reducing the photosynthetic efficiency and growth of algal cells.
SI-traceable quantification of 135Cs in 137Cs solution for 135Cs standardization
Authors: Asai Shiho , Tajima Taiyo , Sakaguchi Aya , Sato Yasushi , Harano Hideki , Shirono Katsuhiro
Published: February 2025

The quantification of long-lived radiocesium, 135Cs, is essential for assessing the long-term safety of high-level radioactive waste repositories.
Free-standing graphene films decorated with lithiophilic particles as host electrodes for lithium plating/stripping in anode-less lithium metal batteries
Authors: Bai Mingliang , Zhong Min , Shen Wenzhuo , Zhang Jiali , Guo Shouwu
Published: February 2025

Graphene serves as a lithium host, lithiophilic particles lead to the formation a LiF- and Li3N-rich SEI, and the Mg–Li alloy (LA103Z) foil compensates for lithium loss, guaranteeing highly reversible lithium plating/stripping behaviors.
A Twist in the Molecular Memory Function: Chemical Compositions of Different Redox Couples Control the Resistive-switching Bias Polarity
Authors: Ghoshal Abhik , Kaur Rajwinder , Sanju Sanku , Singh Alok Kumar , Mondal Prakash Chandra
Published: February 2025

Redox-active organic and coordination compounds have gained popularity in resistive random-access memory (RRAM). They are an attractive alternative to conventional von Neumann architectures in existing electronic devices. Many organic, inorganic,...
Boosting the long-term stability of all-polymer solar cells by using natural cellulose as an interlayer
Authors: Chen Guan-Lin , Chen Po-Tuan , Huang Ching-I , Wang Leeyih
Published: February 2025

Natural cellulose exhibits exceptional water resistance and interfacial compatibility, optimizing organic/inorganic interfaces to improve the stability of all-polymer solar cells.
Promotion of electrochemical reduction of CO2 over the Cu2O–Cu(111) interface assisted by oxygen vacancies
Authors: Xu Shuang , Yang Lei , Wang Congya , Pan Liwei , Zhang Jing , Wang Yaling , Zhong Hexiang
Published: February 2025

An electrochemical oxidation–reduction reconstruction method is developed to reconstruct the copper network without extra Cu salt addition obtaining Cu2O–Cu particles for improving the selectivity and activity for CH4 and C2H4 products.
Photoinduced borylation of N-tosylhydrazones and application in drug derivation
Authors: Wang Weijie , Zhang Qingguang , Guo Mengmeng , Zhuo Miaomiao , Zhang Wei-Dong , Wang Qun , Zhang Yu
Published: February 2025

We report a photoinduced strategy to access borylalkanes from aldehyde-derived N-tosylhydrazones without transition-metal catalysts or high reaction temperature.
Ionic Radius-Dependent Self-Assembly of Lanthanide Organic Polyhedra: Structural Diversities and Luminescent Properties
Authors: Su Jing , Fan Yin , Duan Xiao-Fang , Zhou Jing-Yao , Zhou Lipeng , Tian Chong-Bin , Sun Qing-Fu
Published: February 2025

The synthesis of nonclassical polyhedra is at the forefront of supramolecular research for their unique anisotropic interior cavities. However, due to the difficulty in controlling the topology of Ln supramolecular...
Active fault‐tolerant control scheme for satellite with four reaction wheels: Multi actuator faults case
Authors: Lee Yong Seok , Nguyen Ngoc Phi , Hong Sung Kyung
Published: February 2025

This study outlines an approach to design an active fault tolerance control (FTC) system for satellite attitude systems that handle multiple actuator faults. First, a model is provided for the nonlinear attitude system of rigid satellites. Next, an actuator fault detection observer and a fault estimation observer are presented, which detects the time unknown actuator faults that occur and obtains estimated values. Using adaptive sliding mode control techniques, a fault tolerance attitude controller is designed that stabilizes the closed‐loop attitude system of rigid satellites in the case of multiple actuator faults. Finally, an experiment is provided demonstrating the superior performance of the active FTC system proposed in this study.
SmarThor: Digital backbone of the Open Thor Living Lab
Authors: Thoelen Klaas , Dewallef Bart , Singh Rajni , Rynders Luc , Deconinck Geert
Published: February 2025

With energy systems becoming increasingly data driven, the need arises for dedicated, long‐term, and stable data‐sharing infrastructures to further facilitate research and innovation. This case study paper presents SmarThor as the digital backbone of the Open Thor Living Lab, an infrastructure environment where research meets industry, citizens and governments to develop, integrate, and test innovative energy solutions in real‐life operational settings. SmarThor is a custom cloud‐based high‐volume time series data‐sharing platform developed at EnergyVille, Belgium. It offers services to monitor and control energy systems within the living lab and provides centralised storage and access to this locally collected data. Additionally, data sets on local energy markets, power grids, and weather conditions are hosted, providing supplementary information on the operational context of the living lab. Currently, the platform contains more than 2500 time series, often spanning multiple years, resulting in over 2 billion data points. The availability of this wide data set via a single platform substantially expedites data analytics and artificial intelligence solutions within the Open Thor Living Lab. This paper presents the needs and requirements for the platform, its architecture and implementation, a selection of use cases, and valuable lessons learnt from developing and hosting the data‐sharing platform.
Jetted subgalactic-size radio sources in merging galaxies. A jet redirection scenario
Authors: Stanghellini C. , Orienti M. , Spingola C. , Zanichelli A. , Dallacasa D. , Cassaro P. , O'Dea C.P. , Baum S.A. , P'erez-Torres M.
Published: February 2025

The long-standing question concerning jetted subgalactic-size (JSS) radio sources is whether they will evolve into large radio galaxies, die before escaping the host galaxy, or remain indefinitely confined to their compact size. Our main goal is to propose a scenario that explains the relative number of JSS radio sources and their general properties. We studied the parsec-scale radio morphology of a complete sample of 21 objects using Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations at various frequencies and analyzed the morphological characteristics of their optical hosts. Many of these radio sources exhibit radio morphologies consistent with transverse motions of their bright edges and are found in dynamically disturbed galaxies. VLBA images suggest the possible presence of large-angle, short-period precessing jets, and an orbital motion of the radio-loud active galactic nucleus (AGN) in a dual or binary system. The majority of JSS radio sources appear to be in systems in different stages of their merging evolution. We propose a scenario where rapid jet redirection, through precession or orbital motion, prevents the jet from penetrating the interstellar medium (ISM) sufficiently to escape the host galaxy. Most JSS radio sources remain compact due to their occurrence in merging galaxies.
Improving the accuracy of observable distributions for galaxies classified in the projected phase space diagram
Authors: Martínez Héctor J. , de los Rios Martín , Coenda Valeria , Muriel Hernán , Ruiz Andrés N. , Cora Sofía A. , Vega-Martínez Cristian A.
Published: February 2025

Studies of galaxy populations classified according to their kinematic behaviours and dynamical state using the projected phase space diagram (PPSD) are affected by misclassification and contamination, leading to systematic errors in determining the characteristics of the different galaxy classes. We propose a method for statistically correcting the determination of galaxy properties' distributions that accounts for the contamination caused by misclassified galaxies from other classes. Using a sample of massive clusters and the galaxies in their surroundings taken from the MultiDark Planck 2 simulation combined with the semi-analytic model of galaxy formation we computed the confusion matrix associated with a classification scheme in the PPSD. Based on positions in the PPSD, galaxies are classified as cluster members, backsplash galaxies, recent infallers, infalling galaxies, or interlopers. This classification is determined using probabilities calculated by the code along with a threshold criterion. By inverting the confusion matrix, we are able to get better determinations of distributions of galaxy properties, such as colour. Compared to a direct estimation based solely on the predicted galaxy classes, our method provides better estimates of the mass-dependent colour distribution for the galaxy classes most affected by misclassification: cluster members, backsplash galaxies, and recent infallers. We applied the method to a sample of observed X-ray clusters and galaxies. Our method can be applied to any classification of galaxies in the PPSD, and to any other galaxy property besides colour, provided an estimation of the confusion matrix is available. Blue, low-mass galaxies in clusters are almost exclusively recent infaller galaxies that have not yet been quenched by the environmental action of the cluster. Backsplash galaxies are on average redder than expected.
Testing the mass-radius relation of white dwarfs in common proper-motion pairs. I. Hydrogen-dominated atmospheres
Authors: Raddi Roberto , Rebassa-Mansergas Alberto , Torres Santiago , Maria Camisassa E. , Napiwotzki Ralf , Koester Detlev , Tremblay Pier-Emanuel , Heber Ulrich , Althaus Leandro
Published: February 2025

White dwarf masses are among the most important properties used to constrain their past and future evolution. Direct estimates of white dwarf masses are crucial for assessing the validity of theoretical evolutionary models and methods of analysis. The main goal of this work was to measure the masses and radii of white dwarfs that belong to widely separated, common proper-motion binaries with non-degenerate companions. These can be assessed, independently from theoretical mass-radius relations, through measurements of gravitational redshifts and photometric radii. We studied 50 white dwarfs with hydrogen-dominated atmospheres, performing a detailed analysis of high-resolution (R ≈ 18,500) spectra via state-of-the-art grids of synthetic models and specialized software. We measured accurate radial velocities from the Hα and Hβ line cores to obtain the white dwarf gravitational redshifts. Jointly with a photometric analysis, formalized by a Bayesian inference method, we measured precise radii for the white dwarfs in our sample, which allowed us to directly measure the white dwarf masses from their gravitational redshifts. The distributions of measured masses and radii agree within 6,% (at the 1-σ level) from the theoretical mass-radius relation, thus delivering a much smaller scatter in comparison with previous analyses that used gravitational redshift measurements from low-resolution spectra. Our comparison against model-dependent spectroscopic estimates produces a larger scatter of 15,% on the mass determinations. We find an agreement within $ ≈ $10,% from previous model-based, photometric mass estimates from the literature. Combining gravitational redshift measurements and photometric analysis of white dwarfs delivers precise and accurate empirical estimates of their masses and radii. This work confirms the reliability of the theoretical mass-radius relation from the lightest to the heaviest white dwarfs in our sample (≈ 0.38--$1.3$,M_⊙).
The origin of mid-infrared colors in γ-ray blazars
Authors: de Menezes Raniere , D'Abrusco Raffaele , Massaro Francesco
Published: February 2025

The combination between non-thermal and thermal emission in γ-ray blazars pushes them to a specific region of the mid-infrared three-dimensional color diagram, the so-called blazar locus, built based on observations performed with the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. The selection of blazar candidates based on these mid-infrared colors has been extensively used in the past decade in the hunt for the counterparts of unassociated γ-ray sources observed with the Fermi Large Area Telescope and in the search for new blazars in optical spectroscopic campaigns. In this work, we provide a theoretical description of the origin of the blazar locus and show how we can reasonably reproduce it with a model consisting of only three spectral components: a log-parabola accounting for the non-thermal emission, and an elliptical host and dust torus accounting for the thermal emission. We simulate spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for blazars, starting with a pure log-parabola model and then increasing its complexity by adding a template elliptical galaxy and dust torus. From these simulations, we compute the mid-infrared magnitudes and corresponding colors to create our own version of the blazar locus. Our modeling allows for the selection of spectral parameters that better characterize the mid-infrared emission of γ-ray blazars, such as the log-parabola curvature (β < 0.04 for 50% of our sample) and an average spectral peak around E_p ≈ 1.5 erg. We also find that the log-parabola is the main spectral component behind the observed mid-infrared blazar colors, although additional components such as a host galaxy and a dust torus are crucial to obtain a precise reconstruction of the blazar locus.
ALMACAL XIII. Evolution of the CO luminosity function and the molecular gas mass density out to z ∼ 6
Authors: Bollo Victoria , P'eroux C'eline , Zwaan Martin , Hamanowicz Aleksandra , Chen Jianhang , Weng Simon , Claudia del Lagos P. , Bravo Mat'ias , Ivison R.J. , Biggs Andrew
Published: February 2025

Cold molecular gas, largely traced by CO emission, is the primary fuel for star formation, making it essential for understanding galaxy evolution. ALMA has made significant progress in the study of the cosmic evolution of cold molecular gas. Here, we exploit the ALMACAL survey to address issues relating to small sample sizes and cosmic variance, utilising calibration data from ALMA to compile a statistically significant and essentially unbiased sample of CO-selected galaxies. By employing a novel statistical approach to emission-line classification using semi-analytical models, we place strong constraints on the CO luminosity function and the cosmic evolution of molecular gas mass density (ρ_ H ) back to z ∼ 6. The cosmic molecular gas mass density increases with redshift, peaking around z∼ 1.5, then slowly declines towards higher redshifts by ∼ 1,dex. Our findings confirm the key role of molecular gas in fuelling star formation. The new ρ_ H estimates allow us to revisit the cosmic baryon cycle, showing that the ratio of molecular gas-to-stellar mass density is consistent with the so-called bathtub model of baryons, which implies a continuous replenishment of gas. The cosmic gas depletion timescale, estimated on a global scale, is shown to be fairly constant at all redshifts. We emphasise the importance of surveys using multiple small fields rather than a single contiguous area to mitigate the effects of cosmic variance.
Correlation of long-term optical color variability of radio-loud quasars with their VLBI astrometric characteristics
Authors: Lambert S. , Medouni A. , Makarov V. V. , Secrest N. J.
Published: February 2025

The International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF) is realized through geodetic very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) positions of thousands of extragalactic objects, mainly radio-loud active galactic nuclei. As previous studies have suggested a link between the optical variability of these sources and optical-radio position offsets and variability, we want to explore the possible relationships between these astrometric quantities and the color variability that characterizes VLBI sources. We computed the BP/RP and color-magnitude correlations of 2584 ICRF sources using the Gaia DR3 photometric time series at the G_ (BP), G_ (RP), and G bands, and we compared them with astrometric properties Gaia -VLBI optical-radio offsets and positional variability derived from VLBI coordinate time series). We also searched for possible biases coming from the length of the photometric series, the magnitude, the redshift, and the jet viewing angle when available as well as correlations between the color variability and the central engine properties (black hole mass and accretion luminosity). We find that the most astrometrically stable sources and the sources with smaller optical-radio shifts have lower values of BP/RP correlation and low color-magnitude correlations, corresponding to the undefined-when-brighter (or redder-stable-when-brighter and bluer-stable-when-brighter) classes of optical variability. These preferred astrometric objects often belong to the spectral class FSRQ and have a z of about one and higher. We found a significant correlation for both of the astrometric stability measures with the jet viewing angle. The shorter optical-radio offsets occur in active galactic nuclei that contain more massive black holes and more luminous accretion disks, which may be caused by the tendency of smaller viewing angles to be associated with higher redshifts. Our results strengthen the hypothesis that the Doppler boosting effect on luminosity and geometry is the driving physical mechanism at the origin of the observed optical-radio position offsets and the astrometric variability suggested by previous studies. The results define additional predictors of absolute astrometric performance of reference frame candidates, and they supplement the optical variability criterion. Moreover, this work demonstrates that the relatively short time span (a few years) and irregular sampling of the Gaia light curves are sufficient to predict the astrometric stability of new reference frame objects. This study also shows that absolute astrometry with the geodetic VLBI is a valuable tool to gain new insight into the physical processes responsible for quasar activity in the inner parts of the relativistic engines.
An Effective Method for Detecting Cyber Attacks on Computer Networks from the NSL-KDD Data Set
Authors: Shaik Aseena Babu , Reddy Rajeswara , Vullam Nagagopi Raju , Reddy Gondi Konda , Shaik Subhani
Published: February 2025

Cybercrime is rapidly increasing and exploits various vulnerabilities in these computing environments. Ethical hackers pay more attention to determining vulnerabilities and recommending mitigation methods. Due to the effectiveness of machine learning in solving cybersecurity problems, machine learning is of great importance to cybersecurity. Machine learning models are used to advance the techniques to detect and solve cybersecurity problems. Machine learning methods help detect more cyber attacks more efficiently than other software-oriented techniques, reducing the burden on security analysts. Adaptive methods such as machine learning can improve detection rates. Logistic regression is used to resolve the issue of intrusion identification and a novel research model for intrusion identification. Logistic regression models can fully favor network traffic structure information to capture features more comprehensively. Experimental outcomes show that the algorithm behaves better than traditional methods.
Design and Performance Optimization of Split Capacitor Digital-to-Analog Converter(DAC) for SAR-ADCs
Authors: Bandla Kasi , Iqubal Asif , Pal Dipankar
Published: February 2025

This paper presents two novel digital-to-analog converter (DAC) designs that leverage the split capacitor approach. The designs optimize speed, and accuracy, significantly improving linearity and overall performance. Integrating a binary-to-thermometer code (B-TC) decoder at the switching network of the split capacitor techniques further enhances the performance of DACs in terms of linearity, and speed. Also, it reduces the capacitive mismatch associated with capacitive DAC designs. Using Cadence Virtuoso UMC 180nm technology, the designs were implemented with a 90fF capacitance value at 1.8V supply voltage. The performance of these proposed DAC configurations, one with a B-TC decoder and another without is assessed through simulation to benchmark them against state-of-the art designs. According to simulation results, the DAC with an integrated B-TC decoder performs significantly better, which makes it ideal for SAR-ADC design applications that need high speed, low power consumption, and area efficiency.
Kann man nach Krebsbehandlung Tumorzellen im Gewebe durch manuelle Lymphdrainage verteilen?
Authors: Brenner Erich
Published: February 2025

Maligne Tumoren metastasieren häufig lymphogen, was nach der Behandlung ein tumorbedingtes Lymphödem verursachen kann. Die komplexe physikalische Entstauungstherapie (KPE), inklusive manueller Lymphdrainage (MLD), wird oft angewendet, doch besteht die Sorge, dass MLD Tumorzellen mobilisieren könnte.

Die Studie umfasst eine Literaturrecherche in PubMed und anderen Quellen sowie eine Metaanalyse von 3 relevanten Studien. Analysiert wurden Daten zur Metastasierung und Rezidivrate unter MLD bei Patienten mit verschiedenen Tumorarten.

Die Metaanalyse ergab ein nicht signifikantes Risikoverhältnis (OR=0,81; 95%-KI 0,523–1,256), was nahelegt, dass MLD das Risiko eines Tumorrezidivs oder einer Metastasierung nicht erhöht. Einzelne Studien zeigten positive Effekte von MLD auf Lebensqualität, Beweglichkeit und Schmerzreduktion ohne eine erhöhte Metastasierung. Vorsicht ist bei fortgeschrittenen Tumorstadien wie Lymphangiosis carcinomatosa geboten.

MLD stellt kein signifikantes Risiko für eine Tumorverteilung dar und kann bei tumorbedingten Lymphödemen sicher angewendet werden. In speziellen Fällen ist jedoch eine individuelle Abwägung erforderlich.
Opening new windows on the structure of glass
Authors: Ikenson Ben
Published: February 2025

Significant fraction of atoms in “frozen” metallic glasses found to be mobile in simulation studies
A machine learning-based load shedding method for improving resilience of power system
Authors: Zhang Di , Han Ji , Xie Longjie , Jia Bohui , Wang Chenxia , Liu Huichen , Li Chenghao , Li Qionglin
Published: February 2025

Modern power systems require fast and effective load shedding to maintain frequency stability and enhance resilience, especially during disturbances. Traditional load shedding methods suffer from several shortcomings, including slow computational time and negligence of load shedding priorities. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a novel load shedding approach based on frequency prediction and deep reinforcement learning. First, a dynamic frequency response model of the power system is constructed. This model imitates the dynamic frequency response of the power system through the transfer function, and based on this, the dynamic frequency response indices including the steady-state frequency difference and maximum frequency difference can be calculated. Then, a deep Q network (DQN) based load shedding method is presented through designing DQN parameters including DQN state, action, reward function, and training method. Finally, the empirical analysis indicates that the proposed method can achieve a lower frequency nadir and smaller maximum frequency difference than the method based on real-time frequency measurement. Moreover, relative to the model-based method, the proposed method provides faster decision-making speed, contributing positively to system frequency stability and enhancing the resilience of power systems against disturbances.
On the complex hydrogen-bond network structural dynamics of liquid methanol: Chains, rings, bifurcations, and lifetimes
Authors: Blach Sebastian , Forbert Harald , Marx Dominik
Published: February 2025

Solvation plays a pivotal role in chemistry to effectively steer chemical reactions. While liquid water has been extensively studied, our molecular-level knowledge of other associated liquids capable of forming H-bond networks, such as liquid methanol, remains surprisingly scarce. We use large-scale ab initio molecular dynamics simulations to comprehensively study the structural, dynamical, and electronic properties of bulk methanol under ambient conditions. Methanol is an interesting species in the liquid state since it can only donate one H-bond while a significant fraction accepts two H-bonds, which imprints one-dimensional linear and cyclic H-bonding patterns subject to significant bifurcations. After validation of radial distribution functions and the self-diffusion coefficient with respect to experimental data, we carried out detailed analyses of the H-bond network topology in terms of chain-like, ring-like, and branched H-bonded aggregates, including lifetime assessment. The analysis revealed that nearly all methanol molecules are actively engaged in filamentary H-bonding, predominantly forming branched linear chains with a significant contribution arising from tetrameric to hexameric rings—in stark contrast to the compact three-dimensional H-bond network of water. Five-membered rings turned out to be the most long-lived cyclic structures with an intermittent lifetime of 4 ps, while rings consisting of only three methanol molecules as well as very large cyclic structures are merely transient motifs. Detailed analyses of the effective electric molecular dipoles disclose a pronounced sensitivity of non-additive polarization and charge transfer effects of the individual methanol molecules to the particular H-bond network structure they are a member of, including its topology, be it linear or cyclic.
Probing the band structure and phonon dynamics in Fe mediated Cu2SnS3 for thermoelectric applications
Authors: Krishna Parvathi , Vijay V. , Kanagaraj C. , Archana J. , Ponnusamy S. , Navaneethan M.
Published: February 2025

Ternary Cu2SnS3 (CTS) is a less toxic, earth abundant, and low-cost p-type semiconductor material, suitable for thermoelectric applications, which can work at mid-temperature. This work aims to investigate the effect of substituting Fe on the thermoelectric properties of the CTS system. It is found that the electrical conductivity enhanced after Fe substitution due to the simultaneous enhancement of carrier concentration, as well as a reduced bandgap from 0.88 to 0.5 eV. The high power factor of ∼514 μW/mK2 was obtained for the Cu2Sn0.7Fe0.3S3 sample. The Fe substitution generated different types of phonon scatterings, such as mass fluctuation scattering arising from the difference in atomic mass of Sn and Fe and strain field scattering as a result of size and interatomic coupling force difference between Sn and Fe. Accordingly, the Fe-substituted CTS samples obtained the thermal conductivity of 0.45 W/mK at 753 K. In addition, the density functional theory calculations reveal that the substitution of Fe in Cu2SnS3 significantly alters the electronic structure and reduces the bandgap, resulting in enhanced electrical conductivity and power factor, thereby a high zT of ∼0.5 is obtained in Cu2Sn0.7Fe0.3S3.
The novel time-dependent multimode self-consistent nonlinear theory of gyrotron
Authors: Jia Kai , Niu Xinjian , Liu Yinghui , Liu Jianwei , Sun Zongzheng , Li Hongfu
Published: February 2025

How to quickly and accurately analyze the effect of different modes competing with each other on the beam–wave interaction is an important question in developing gyrotrons. In this paper, a novel time-dependent multimode self-consistent nonlinear theory model is presented to research the mode competition phenomenon in high-frequency structures. This model investigates the electromagnetic field in the resonant cavity using generalized telegrapher’s equations to speed up the computational speed, adopts the waveguide-centered coordinate to represent the electron equations of motion to obtain realistic electron trajectories, and gives the form of the discretized representation of the source term under present conditions. Based on the theoretical model, we have developed the in-house code CESG-2024 to study gyrotron devices. Ultimately, we study the mode competition in a 95 GHz gyrotron utilizing this code, and the simulation results concord with the experimental results, further indicating the theory’s reliability.
Enhancing the efficiency and stability of hydraulic ram pump design
Authors: Maatki Chemseddine
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the performance of three hydraulic ram pump (HRP) designs, focusing on the arrangement of key components: check valve, air chamber, and waste valve. Experiments were conducted using a test bench equipped with precision sensors, including 5VDC strain-gauge pressure transducers (AUTEX) with a range of 0–100 m of water and 1% accuracy, to capture pressure dynamics at the pump's inlet and outlet. The findings revealed that design 3 achieved the highest efficiency (9.81% at H = 45 cm), superior pressure stability (156–158 kPa), and higher flow rates compared to design 1, which showed significant pressure fluctuations and reduced efficiency. Design 2 failed to operate under all conditions, underscoring the critical role of component sequencing in HRP functionality. These results highlight the potential of design 3 for dynamic applications requiring efficiency and adaptability, while design 1 is better suited for controlled environments demanding precise and stable flow delivery.
Cable fault detection based on enhanced spread spectrum time domain reflectometry
Authors: Ma Xinwen , Yin Zhendong
Published: February 2025

Spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) is applicable for cable fault detection, effectively ensuring the safety of power generation systems. However, the superposition effect between the reflected and incident signals can significantly disrupt the correlation calculation between these signals. To address this issue, this paper introduces a novel cable fault detection method based on enhanced spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (ESSTDR). This approach removes the incident signal component from the acquired waveform, thereby mitigating its interference with the reflected signal and enhancing reflective characteristics. Additionally, a relative difference amplitude index is proposed to quantitatively assess the noise suppression capability of this method. Through comparative experiments encompassing various fault levels, this study demonstrates that ESSTDR outperforms SSTDR in terms of detection performance. This paper also proposes a fault severity assessment model based on the double exponential function and compares the performance of different fault features. The results show that the standard deviation of the reflected waveform is more suitable for reflecting the fault severity.
Progress and issues with pulsed magnetic fusion
Authors: Turchi P. J.
Published: February 2025

Pulsed magnetic fields can generate and contain plasma at temperatures and densities needed for controlled fusion. The required transfers of magnetic flux and energy are subject to losses in magnetic diffusion and to interference due to the fusion environment of high-energy neutrons and plasma radiation. After reviewing some background of the past seventy years, the effects of diffusion, neutron damage, and surface plasma generation are described, and continuing challenges for pulsed magnetic fusion are discussed.