bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discrimination betweenMycobacterium tuberculosisandMycobacterium bovisusing Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Guterres Kevim B. , Silva-Pereira Taiana Tainá , Oliveira Rodrigo , Moonen Carolyn G.J. , Heinemann Marcos Bryan , Araújo Flábio , Palaci Moisés , de Souza Gisele Oliveira , Guimarães Nathália Silveira , Guimarães Ana Marcia Sá
Published: January 2025

Zoonotic tuberculosis (TB) caused byMycobacterium bovis(Mb) is a neglected disease that hinders efforts to eradicate human tuberculosis. Developing a rapid, high-throughput diagnostic test to distinguish Mb fromMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) isolates could enhance global zoonotic TB diagnostics and surveillance. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IRS), using the IR Biotyper® system, to differentiate clinical isolates of Mb and Mtb. Two bacterial inactivation protocols— paraformaldehyde and boiling—were tested using Mtb and BCG strains grown in liquid culture. While both methods allowed FT-IRS analysis, boiling was preferred due to its ease of use and efficiency in biomass recovery. Subsequently, Mtb and Mb isolates were analyzed using FT-IRS, and the resulting spectra were used to construct a sample classifier employing machine learning algorithms. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and a UPGMA dendrogram demonstrated clear separations between Mtb and Mb ecotypes. Additionally, a classifier built and internally validated using artificial neural networks achieved 99% accuracy in distinguishing Mb and Mtb. Further FT-IRS analysis of few availableMycobacterium africanum(Maf) strains demonstrated its capacity to differentiate Maf from Mtb and Mb, expanding its utility in regions where Maf is endemic. This is the first study to apply FT-IRS to distinguish tuberculous mycobacteria. FT-IRS proved to be a highly effective, rapid, and accurate diagnostic tool for differentiating Mb and Mtb strains, with promising applications for other tuberculous mycobacteria such as Maf.

IMPORTANCE

Zoonotic tuberculosis (TB) caused byMycobacterium bovis(Mb) remains a major threat due to its clinical similarity to human TB, higher rates of extrapulmonary cases, and resistance to pyrazinamide, complicating treatment. Current diagnostic methods used to differentiateM. tuberculosis(Mtb) from Mb and are limited by costs, resource needs, and technical complexity. We developed a method based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IRS) to differentiate Mb and Mtb clinical isolates with high accuracy. This diagnostic assay offers advantages over traditional molecular techniques by eliminating the need for DNA extraction, requiring less technical expertise, and providing fast, accurate differentiation of Mtb and Mb strains. This innovative approach can improve global diagnostics and surveillance of zoonotic TB.
Surveying the Literature on Implementation Determinants and Strategies for HIV Structural Interventions: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: zamantakis alithia , Chandra Shruti , Donoso Valeria A. , Paton R. Mariajose , Powers Alec , Mustanski Brian , Benbow Nanette
Published: January 2025

Background

Despite improvements in HIV prevention, treatment, and surveillance, vast disparities remain in access, uptake, and adherence of evidence-based interventions. These disparities are most pronounced among racially, sexually, and gender minoritized populations, as well as among those living in poverty and/or who use injectable drugs. Structural interventions, or interventions that target social and structural determinants of health like housing, transportation, or income, are needed to increase access to, use of, and adherence to HIV EBIs to advance the aims of the national Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. However, it is unclear to what extent barriers and facilitators of structural interventions have been identified in the U.S. and what implementation strategies and adjunctive interventions have been developed to enhance their delivery.

Methods

To identify what implementation determinants, implementation strategies, and adjunctive interventions have been identified for HIV structural interventions, we carried out a broad database search between May and July 2024, identifying a total of 8,098 articles. We will use a multi-step process to identify articles to include in the systematic review. We will use natural language processing to identify articles for exclusion, followed by manual text review and extraction using COVIDENCE software. Literature on determinants will be coded according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Implementation strategies and adjunctive interventions will be coded according to the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change, the Theoretical Domains Framework, and COM-B. We will descriptively analyze determinants, implementation strategies, and adjunctive interventions, use natural language processing for thematic analysis of determinants, implementation strategies, and adjunctive interventions, and provide narrative description of implementation strategies and adjunctive interventions.

Discussion

This systematic review will identify key barriers and facilitators for HIV structural intervention implementation strategies, including multi-level approaches to address disparities among marginalized populations. Findings will provide insights for advancing equitable, scalable interventions to support the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative.

Systematic review registration

CRD42024554315
Novel Endogenous Retrovirus in the Slow Loris
Authors: Michie Charles , Free Hayley Beth , Nijman Vincent , Kanda Ravinder
Published: January 2025

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are the result of an exogenous infectious retrovirus becoming integrated within the host genome through infection of germline cells. The majority of ERV research has been conducted on humans and other great apes and research of them within other primates can provide unique insights. Screening the genome of two endangered slow lorisesNycticebus bengalensisandN. coucangwith a previously identified LTR, a novel ERV was identified within their genomes with varying levels of completeness and numerous solo LTRs. Phylogenetic analysis of the genes of this ERV indicates that it is a betaretrovirus most closely related to HERV-K. Despite being closely related to HERV-K, the ERV does not appear to be within humans and is only found in Asian lorises and absent in all other primates. Due to the staggering similarity of viral insertions of this ERV between the two species of slow lorises, indicates that the currentN. coucanggenome may actually be a hybrid of the two species or aN. bengalensisfrom a different population as the reference genome. This study highlights that studying ERVs in more distant primates provides information about the genomes and evolution of these species as well as viral evolution.
Kif11-haploinsufficient oocytes reveal spatially differential requirements for chromosome biorientation in the spindle
Authors: Mishina Tappei , Courtois Aurélien , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Kitajima Tomoya S.
Published: January 2025

Bipolar spindle assembly and chromosome biorientation are prerequisites for chromosome segregation during cell division. The kinesin motor KIF11 drives spindle bipolarization by sliding antiparallel microtubules bidirectionally, elongating a spherical spindle into a bipolar-shaped structure in oocytes. This process stretches chromosomes, establishing chromosome biorientation at the spindle equator. The quantitative requirement for KIF11 in spindle bipolarization and chromosome biorientation remains unclear. Here, using a genetic strategy to modulate KIF11 expression levels, we show thatKif11haploinsufficiency impairs spindle elongation, leading to the formation of a partially bipolarized spindle during meiosis I in mouse oocytes. While the partially bipolarized spindle allows chromosome stretching in the inner region of its equator, it fails to do so in the outer region. These findings demonstrate the necessity of biallelic functionalKif11for bipolar spindle assembly in oocytes and reveal a spatially differential requirement for chromosome biorientation within the spindle.
TheUstilago maydistranscription factor Nit2 regulates nitrate utilization during biotrophy and influences organic nitrogen metabolism in infected maize leaves under nitrogen limitation
Authors: Lopinski Philipp L. , Schulz Christin , Fischer Alicia , Reichl Nadine , Engelsdorf Timo , Braun Nadja , Voll Lars M.
Published: January 2025

Little is known on how filamentous phytopathogens adapt to nitrogen limitation in the host plant. In previous work, we have shown that the transcription factor Nit2 plays a major role for the utilization of non-favored nitrogen sources like nitrate, minor amino acids or nucleobases in saprotrophic sporidia of the basidiomycete corn smut fungusUstilago maydis.

Here, we employedΔnit2mutants in the natural FB1 x FB2 background to identify Nit2 regulated genes during biotrophy and investigated the impact of Nit2 on the physiology of leaf galls in nitrogen replete versus nitrogen limited host plants. RNA-Seq analysis of galls caused by theU. maydis Δnit2mutant and by theU. maydiswild type, revealed that about one third of the genes affected by Nit2 deletion during fungal biotrophy are involved in nitrogen metabolism and transport. Induction of the nitrate assimilation cluster was completely dependent on Nit2 and under nitrogen limitation,Δnit2leaf galls accumulated nitrate and showed reduced accumulation of the nitrogen-rich phloem transport amino acids asparagine and glutamine compared to wild type galls. In nitrogen replete conditions, only asparagine content was reduced inΔnit2leaf galls compared to wild type galls. Since total protein content in galls and pathogenicity were comparable between fungal genotypes in both nitrogen regimes, our findings demonstrate that nitrate utilization is dispensable forUstilago maydisduring biotrophy and can likely be compensated by increased utilization of abundant organic nitrogen sources, like asparagine, GABA and glutamine, which occurs in a partially Nit2-dependent fashion.
Complexity phase transitions in instantaneous quantum polynomial-time circuits
Authors: Park Chae-Yeun , Kastoryano Michael J.
Published: January 2025

We study the classical hardness of learning the output distribution from instantaneous quantum polynomial-time circuits with a varying density of two-qubit gates. We first investigate the complexity phases relevant to simulating the output distribution. In addition to a known parameter regime for anticoncentration, where the classical simulation is believed to be infeasible, we identify a novel parameter condition such that the classically simulability of the circuit can be proven rigorously. Next, we explore the classical learnability of the output distribution. We prove that a circuit instance whose output distribution is not classically learnable exists, assuming the hardness of learning parity with noise. We numerically study this phenomenon deeply using a classical energy-based model, where we find that the classical model fails to learn the output distribution even when the density of two-qubit gates is much smaller than that for the anticoncentration. We argue that this is mainly due to the fact that an accurate classical description of the output distribution requires exponentially large amount of resources.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Demonstration of Weighted-Graph Optimization on a Rydberg-Atom Array Using Local Light Shifts
Authors: de Oliveira A. G. , Diamond-Hitchcock E. , Walker D. M. , Wells-Pestell M. T. , Pelegrí G. , Picken C. J. , Malcolm G. P. A. , Daley A. J. , Bass J. , Pritchard J. D.
Published: January 2025

Neutral-atom arrays have emerged as a versatile platform toward scalable quantum computation and optimization. In this paper, we present demonstrations of solving maximum-weighted independent-set problems on a Rydberg-atom array using annealing with local light shifts. We verify the ability to prepare weighted graphs in one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) arrays, including embedding a five-vertex nonunit-disk graph using nine physical qubits and demonstration of a simple crossing gadget. We find common annealing ramps leading to preparation of the target ground state robustly over a substantial range of different graph weightings. This work provides a route to exploring large-scale optimization of nonplanar weighted graphs relevant for solving relevant real-world problems.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Structure of high-performance work system and new product entry strategy: configuration based on manufacturing enterprises in China
Authors: Cheng Dejun , Huang Jie , Wang Xiaoyu , Zhao Shuming
Published: January 2025

Purpose

There is a clear correspondence between different types of high performance work systems (HPWS), economic rents and market entry strategies. This correspondence is manifested through the strategic vertical fit and internal synergetic horizontal fit within HPWS, leading to a “core-periphery” structure in human resource management practice configurations. This study aims to depict the “core-periphery” structure within specific HPWSs by identifying human resource (HR) practice configurations and by analyzing the matching mechanisms and structural characteristics among different HR practices based on the interaction between vertical and horizontal fits.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sample of 277 enterprises in East China and employs the ability-motivation-opportunity (AMO) framework and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify and depict the “core-periphery” structure within HPWS. By integrating fsQCA with t-test, the study explores the interaction between vertical and horizontal fits within HPWS based on economic rent formation mechanisms.

Findings

Seven specific HR practice configurations, shown to effectively enhance organizational performance, have been identified and systematically classified into three typologies of HPWS, based on their distinct underlying mechanisms of horizontal and vertical fit.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in this study were sourced from manufacturing enterprises. Future research can enhance generalizability by expanding the dataset and examining whether efficient HPWS exist across different industries.

Practical implications

The findings of this study emphasize the crucial roles of interaction and complementarity among HR practices within HPWS. By extracting and synthesizing HR practice configurations from empirical data, this study provides practical insights for constructing effective HPWS in real-world settings.

Originality/value

First, this study incorporates both vertical and horizontal fits of HPWS into a unified analytical framework, emphasizing their interactive mechanisms and providing a more nuanced understanding of how these fits operate together. This contributes to the existing literature by validating and expanding the understanding of how specific HR practice configurations align with corporate strategies. Second, by adopting a configurational perspective, this study is able to conduct an in-depth exploration of the “core-periphery” structure within HPWS, thereby challenging the widely held assumption within the AMO framework that all HR practices carry equal significance within a specific HPWS. Third, the empirical analyses identify three specific types of HPWS that can be applicable to different new product strategies from a dynamic perspective, providing practical references for companies to select appropriate HPWS types based on their characteristics.
Analyzing innovation capability: a case study of Timor Leste Business School and Indonesia Business School
Authors: Gustomo Aurik , Ghina Astri , Zailani Suhaiza , Xavier Domingas De Fatima
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study underscores the critical need to enhance innovation capacity within higher education institutions (HEIs), particularly in developing nations, as a strategic response to global economic challenges. It aims to compare the innovation capacities of Timor Leste Business School and Indonesia Business School using the HEInnovate framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a qualitative research methodology involving in-depth interviews with academic leaders such as the dean, vice dean and heads of study programs at both institutions. Thematic analysis was applied to identify patterns and challenges across the eight dimensions of the HEInnovate framework, including leadership, governance, entrepreneurial teaching and digital transformation.

Findings

Indonesia Business School outperforms Timor Leste Business School across all innovation capacity dimensions. Timor Leste faces significant challenges in infrastructure development and entrepreneurial support. However, both institutions show potential for growth through enhanced collaboration with industry stakeholders and increased internationalization.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on two institutions, which may limit the generalizability of the results. Future research could include a broader range of institutions in different contexts to provide a more comprehensive understanding of innovation capacity in HEIs.

Practical implications

The research offers practical insights for policymakers, highlighting the need to reinforce innovation strategies by optimizing organizational structures and fostering collaboration with industry and international partners.

Social implications

The study highlights the potential for HEIs to foster entrepreneurial mindsets and skills among faculty members, contributing to developing a more entrepreneurial society. This contribution has the potential to reduce unemployment and increase social mobility as more graduates may be empowered to create their businesses or contribute to innovative sectors of the economy.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel comparative analysis of innovation capacity in developing country HEIs, using the HEInnovate framework to enhance innovation strategies. It offers 13 propositions for future research and policy development in higher education innovation.
Multilingual information transitions in migrant families
Authors: Alon Lilach , Krtalić Maja
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study explores multilingual information transitions experienced by migrant families, examining the factors that shape these transitions from the lens of information behavior. The research focuses on understanding how migrant families navigate and adapt to new information landscapes while integrating multiple languages into their daily lives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach, conducting 16 in-depth interviews with migrants from diverse linguistic backgrounds to explore their experiences managing multilingual information. The analysis employed content analysis according to Moustakas (1994).

Findings

Findings reveal that migration prompts multilingual information transitions in daily routines, inter-familial interactions and extended family and community engagements. These transitions are shaped by factors such as the need to preserve the family heritage, maintain native language use as well as build and sustain relationships across linguistic boundaries. Migrant families adjust their information practices to navigate multilingual challenges, influencing their communication, documentation and connections with family and community.

Originality/value

The study presents a theoretical model that illustrates the interactions between information transitions and the factors influencing them, providing new insights into how multilingualism shapes family information behavior in the context of migration.
Servant leadership and HPWS for work-life balance and job satisfaction in the hotel industry: perspectives from conservation of resources theory
Authors: Dorta-Afonso Daniel , Cuéllar-Molina Deybbi , Rodríguez-Robaina Carlos , De Saá-Pérez Petra
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Based on conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study analyses how servant leadership and high-performance work systems (HPWS) provide employees with valuable resources that help them cope with work demands and preserve or increase personal and job resources, which in turn enhances their work-life balance (WLB) and job satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 253 hotel workers from Gran Canaria was surveyed. The study used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Both servant leadership and HPWS positively affect employees’ job satisfaction. Additionally, WLB plays a mediating role in explaining how servant leadership and HPWS can increase employees’ job satisfaction.

Practical implications

Our findings offer practical guidance for hotel managers on implementing strategies that foster employee well-being and enhance performance through a combination of servant leadership and HPWS.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate the mediating role of WLB between servant leadership, HPWS and job satisfaction in the hospitality sector. By applying COR theory, it offers new insights into the interaction between personal and job-related resources and their impact on employee outcomes.
Revising the tourism-induced environment Kuznets curve hypothesis in top 8 Asian economies: the role of ICT and renewable energy consumption
Authors: Shah Syed Ale Raza , Balsalobre-Lorente Daniel , Radulescu Magdalena , Zhang Qianxiao , Hussain Bilal
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to emphasize economic complexity, tourism, information and communication technology (ICT), renewable energy consumption and foreign direct investment (FDI) as the determinants of carbon emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

These economies rely on the tourism sector, and Asian countries rank among the top tourism economies worldwide in terms of tourism receipts. This study uses a series of empirical estimators, i.e. cross-sectional augmented auto-regression distributive lag and panel cointegration, to validate the main hypotheses.

Findings

The econometric results confirm an inverted U-shaped association between economic complexity and carbon emissions, validating the economic complexity index induced environment Kuznets curve hypothesis for the selected Asian economies.

Research limitations/implications

Finally, the empirical results admit articulating some imperative policy suggestions to attain a sustainable environment on behalf of outcomes.

Practical implications

Furthermore, ICT and renewable energy consumption are environment-friendly indicators, while FDI and the international tourism industry increase environmental pressure in selected countries. In addition, this study also explores the interaction between renewable energy and ICT with FDI and their effects on carbon emissions. Interestingly, both interaction terms positively respond to the environmental correction process.

Originality/value

Because ICT with FDI may not reduce environmental pollution unless the energy used in FDI projects is greener. Moreover, in Asian economies, industrial and other sectors could increase environmental quality via the role of ICT in FDI.
Differences in preferences for health-promoting food appeals by health behavior stages
Authors: Tanemura Nanae , Kashino Ikuko , Araki Michihiro
Published: January 2025

Purpose

High sodium intake remains a leading cause of death associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer in Japan. Improving food environment standards is crucial, particularly through a population-wide approach, to limit processed food availability. This study aims to clarify the preferred reduced-sodium appeals highlighting health benefits of food according to the three stages of behavioral change.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted in Japan from October 12 to 16, 2023, involving 1,200 individuals aged 20–80 years. Respondents were presented with two types of appeal expressions extracted from various sodium-reduced or normal food products. The evaluation of purchase intent was stratified according to the three stages of health behavior.

Findings

Among the 1,200 respondents (average age, 52.4 ± 13.2 years), 498 were in the action group (average age, 55.4 ± 13.4 years), 173 were in the preparation group (average age, 51.1 ± 12.6 years) and 529 were in the precontemplation group (average age, 49.9 ± 12.5 years) (p < 0.01). The precontemplation group preferred a rephrased expression of reduced sodium with no health appeal. Conversely, the action and preparation groups preferred a direct reduction in sodium appeal.

Originality/value

Conventional health appeals to reduce sodium intake will only improve the health of those who are already health conscious. Therefore, such efforts are inadequate for reducing health disparities. A population-wide food environment system based on behavior-stage groups should be established in collaboration with the food industry.
The neutralization of ESG risks by leading agri-food companies
Authors: Boiral Olivier , Brotherton Marie-Christine , Talbot David
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed more light on the motivations for environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk management by agri-food companies and the neutralization techniques used to legitimize the measures taken in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an analysis of the sustainability reporting of 135 companies, this study shows the interdependence between the main motivations for ESG risk management and the neutralization techniques used in disclosing information about their exposure to threats or negative events that could damage their image.

Findings

The results of the study allow us to understand the four main complementary neutralization techniques used to obfuscate the negative consequences of risks related to agri-food activities: mitigating ESG threats, addressing global risks through corporate leadership, taking advantage of sustainability trends and turning risks into opportunities.

Practical implications

Managers can use the results of this paper to identify the best management approaches to take ESG risks into account more substantially in their company.

Social implications

Ultimately, this study is important to improve the practices of agri-food companies and therefore their social legitimacy.

Originality/value

The examination of these neutralization techniques and their underlying motivations makes important contributions to the emerging literature on ESG risk management. The study also contributes to research on the disclosure of negative information that can damage a company’s reputation and on the strategies that companies use to promote the social acceptability of their activities.
Association of Serum Uric Acid Level With Bone Mineral Density and the Risk of Osteoporosis: A Dose–Response Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Shen Liusong , Meng Fanqiang , Jiang Qiao , Sheng Junzhi , Feng Haoran , Wang Yuqing , Long Huizhong , Xie Dongxing , Yang Tuo , Ding Xiang , Xiong Yilin
Published: January 2025

Objective

Serum uric acid (SUA) may play positive roles in diseases associated with oxidative stress, such as osteoporosis (OP). Nevertheless, the specific impact of SUA levels on both bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of OP remains uncertain. Considering such information crucial for clinicians when making decisions about urate‐lowering therapy (ULT), we sought to fill this gap by conducting dose–response meta‐analyses.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for BMDs and the odds ratio (OR) for OP between the highest and lowest SUA categories as well as the nonlinear dose–response relationships were estimated.

Results

Pooled SMDs indicate that participants in the highest category of SUA have greater BMDs at the lumbar spine (SMD = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.27, 0.46), femoral neck (SMD = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.29), total hip (SMD = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.42), and lower risk of OP (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.67) compared with the lowest. The nonlinear dose–response relationships were also observed. However, when the SUA level exceeded 6 mg/dL, the dose–response curve between SUA levels and the risk of OP tended to be flattened.

Conclusion

Nonlinear dose–response relationships were found that higher SUA levels are associated with greater BMDs and lower risk of OP. For patients receiving ULT, maintaining SUA level at around 6 mg/dL may be appropriate from the perspective of bone metabolism.
How policing incentives affect crime, measurement, and justice
Authors: Adamson Jordan , Rentschler Lucas
Published: January 2025

In this paper we develop a model where the police choose between investigating and patrolling, while civilians choose between producing and stealing. We derive a truth table for the equilibrium numbers of criminals and producers, punished or not, that can holistically evaluate the effects of police performance incentives. To test the model, we conduct an experiment that varies how severely an officer is reprimanded for false punishments. We find that stronger reprimands do not change crime, increase civilian incomes, and decrease false positives. We also find that the clearance rate, a measure of performance used widely in econometric studies, suggests police performance is better when it is unambiguously worse.
A Transition From Interindividual Uniformity to Diversity in Appearance and Transcriptional Features at Midlife in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Uno Masaharu , Nono Masanori , Takahashi Chika , Kishimoto Saya , Okabe Emiko , Yamamoto Takuya , Nishida Eisuke
Published: January 2025

During embryogenesis, organisms function as a robust system that ensures uniformity within individuals, but they lose robustness and develop variations at advanced ages. However, when and how organisms lose this robustness remains largely elusive. Here, we identified a sharp transition from interindividual uniformity to diversity in the appearance and transcriptional features of age‐matched Caenorhabditis elegans in midlife. Convolutional neural network analysis of individual appearance alterations revealed that the transition occurs in midlife, which coincides with the cessation of egg‐laying activity and increased motility defects. This period represents the transition from the young state, marked by shared homogeneous features among same‐age individuals, to the old state, marked by shared among old individuals. Transcriptional coherence within the age‐matched individuals shows essentially the same transition, coinciding with the appearance features. These findings provide a new framework for understanding the aging trajectory in C. elegans, demonstrating the occurrence of the loss of robust control over appearance and transcriptional homeostasis in midlife.
Triple‐point phase diagrams for BTO‐based ceramics
Authors: Gracia David , Fauth François , Lafuerza Sara , Evangelisti Marco , Blasco Javier
Published: January 2025

The temperature–composition structural phase diagram of the BTO‐based ferroelectric system Ba0.94Ca0.06Ti1−xHfxO3 (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) is investigated using high‐angular resolution synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction and dielectric permittivity measurements. In contrast to the well‐known structural phase transition sequence of the parent compound BaTiO3 (rhombohedral → orthorhombic → tetragonal → cubic, upon heating), Hf4+ doping into Ba0.94Ca0.06Ti1−xHfxO3 results in the gradual disappearance of the intermediate orthorhombic and tetragonal phases at two different, but close, critical concentrations, 0.10 < xc1 < 0.12 and 0.12 < xc2 < 0.135, respectively, revealing the presence of two triple points in the phase diagram.
Walking together: artificial and natural selection in traditional husbandry of feral pigs
Authors: Fulgione D. , Soppelsa O. , Belardinelli S. , Rivieccio E. , Aceto S. , Buglione M.
Published: January 2025

The history of Homo sapiens is studded with many events promoting relationships with wild animals changing their evolutionary path or impacting their adaptation. Artificial selection is recognized as the product of planned actions aimed to annex useful species into the anthropic niche. However, the effect of humans on animal evolutionary trajectories is diversified and cannot be assigned to a single driver. We characterized the genomes of feral pigs managed by different traditional husbandry practices to infer about the combining effect of artificial and natural selection. Whole genome characterization showed a clear distinctiveness of Sardinian wild boars (Sus scrofa) from free‐range pig and domestic pig (Sus domesticus) populations, while Eurasian wild boars and hybrids are closely related, also in agreement with allelic frequency. In the Southern Italy system, we found 7 SNPs putatively under selection, associated with genomic regions including genes mainly involved in body weight control and feeding behavior, muscle growth and development, and adipocyte proliferation. Considering Sardinian wild boar and free‐range pigs, over 3000 SNPs were found putatively under selection, and the genomic regions in which these SNPs fall include genes linked mainly to litter size and number of teats. The screening of genomic variability was useful to characterize feral pigs and wild boars from Southern Italy and Sardinia and the relationships between them, highlighting the effect of a peculiar artificial selection that modulates its weightiness due to the concomitant natural selection. In particular, the traditional Sardinian pig husbandry seems to act pushing down gene flow towards wild boar while favoring adaptations to life in the wild, creating a unique genetic pattern in free‐range pigs, different both from the domestic and the wild genetic makeup. Our contribution opens up a discussion on the current European policy for the management of free‐range pigs, the effective conservation actions for diversity in Suidae forms and their consequent impacts on biodiversity.
Automated Cone Beam Computed Tomography Segmentation of Multiple Impacted Teeth With or Without Association to Rare Diseases: Evaluation of Four Deep Learning‐Based Methods
Authors: Sinard Eloi , Gajny Laurent , de La Dure‐Molla Muriel , Felizardo Rufino , Dot Gauthier
Published: January 2025

Objective

To assess the accuracy of three commercially available and one open‐source deep learning (DL) solutions for automatic tooth segmentation in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of patients with multiple dental impactions.

Materials and Methods

Twenty patients (20 CBCT scans) were selected from a retrospective cohort of individuals with multiple dental impactions. For each CBCT scan, one reference segmentation and four DL segmentations of the maxillary and mandibular teeth were obtained. Reference segmentations were generated by experts using a semi‐automatic process. DL segmentations were automatically generated according to the manufacturer's instructions. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations of each DL segmentation were performed by comparing it with expert‐generated segmentation. The quantitative metrics used were Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the normalized surface distance (NSD).

Results

The patients had an average of 12 retained teeth, with 12 of them diagnosed with a rare disease. DSC values ranged from 88.5% ± 3.2% to 95.6% ± 1.2%, and NSD values ranged from 95.3% ± 2.7% to 97.4% ± 6.5%. The number of completely unsegmented teeth ranged from 1 (0.1%) to 41 (6.0%). Two solutions (Diagnocat and DentalSegmentator) outperformed the others across all tested parameters.

Conclusion

All the tested methods showed a mean NSD of approximately 95%, proving their overall efficiency for tooth segmentation. The accuracy of the methods varied among the four tested solutions owing to the presence of impacted teeth in our CBCT scans. DL solutions are evolving rapidly, and their future performance cannot be predicted based on our results.
Determination of Ecological Footprint Awareness and Ecological Intelligence Levels of Nurses Working in a University Hospital
Authors: Öz Yıldırım Özge , Ölmez Melek , Terzi Aydanur
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to determine the ecological footprint awareness and ecological intelligence levels of nurses working in a hospital.

Methods

This descriptive study was conducted with 290 nurses working in a hospital. The study data were collected using a descriptive questionnaire, “Ecological Intelligence Scale”, and “Ecological Footprint Awareness Scale”. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v23. The conformity of the data to the normal distribution was examined using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Pearson Correlation analysis and Regression analysis were used to determine and explain the relationships between variables.

Results

The mean age of the nurses in the study was 34.30 ± 8.53 and 85.9% were female. A statistically significant relationship was found between nurses' membership in an environmental association or organization (β = 0.192; p = 0.001) and their reaction to individuals who pollute the environment (β = 0.208; p = 0.001) and ecological intelligence. In addition, a statistically significant relationship was found between nurses' gender (β = 0.121; p = 0.041) and their reaction to individuals who pollute the environment and ecological footprint awareness (β = 0.165; p = 0.006). As the age and professional seniority of nurses increases, their ecological footprint awareness also increases (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

As the age and working years of nurses increase, their awareness of ecological footprint also increases. As nurses' ecological intelligence increases, their awareness of their ecological footprint also increases. Female nurses have higher ecological footprint awareness than male nurses.
Identification of the MAP4K gene family reveals GhMAP4K13 regulates drought and salt stress tolerance in cotton
Authors: Zeng Qing , Peng Fanjia , Wang Junjuan , Wang Shuai , Lu Xuke , Bakhsh Allah , Li Yan , Qaraevna Bobokhonova Zebinisso , Ye Wuwei , Yin Zujun
Published: January 2025

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinases (MAP4Ks) are a class of highly conserved serine/threonine‐protein kinases in eukaryotes. They participate in the typical MAPK cascade system and various signal transduction pathways regulating biological processes in plants, during stressful conditions. To date, genome‐wide identification of MAP4Ks in cotton has not been reported. In this study, 77 MAP4K genes were identified in four Gossypium species. Protein characteristics, gene structures, conserved motifs and gene expression analysis were carried out. Genome‐wide or fragment duplication has played an important role in the expansion of the GhMAP4K. Promoter cis‐acting elements and expression patterns indicated that GhMAP4Ks are related to plant hormones (ABA, MeJA, GA, IAA, SA) and various stresses (drought, hypothermia and wound). Overexpressing GhMAP4K13 in Arabidopsis showed higher stem length in response to drought and salt stress. The wilting degree in virus‐induced GhMAP4K13 gene silenced plants was substantially greater than wild type plants under drought and salt stress. Transcriptomic analysis showed that most differentially expressed genes were involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, carbon metabolism and porphyrin metabolism. Additionally, transgenic Arabidopsis and VIGS cotton showed that GhMAP4K13 was positively responsive to drought and salt stresses. This study will play an important role in understanding the function of the MAP4K gene family in response to abiotic stress in cotton.
A Framework for Implementing Community‐Based Dental Education
Authors: Taylor Millicent , Carr Sandra E. , Kujan Omar
Published: January 2025

Community‐based dental education (CBDE) is essential for equipping dental students with the practical skills required for independent practice while simultaneously addressing the oral health needs of the community through real‐world experiential learning. The success of CBDE initiatives rely on effective collaboration across stakeholders, including educational institutions, community organisations, and students, to address both faculty educational goals and community oral health needs. This paper introduces a practical toolbox to support CBDE program implementation. Developed from an extensive literature review, analysis of relevant case studies, and insights from the authors' experiences, the toolbox provides structured, evidence‐based guidance on planning, administration, and ongoing evaluation for CBDE programs. Key components include strategies for fostering robust partnerships with community organisations, designing program components that maximise student engagement, and implementing continuous quality improvement practices. The toolbox emphasises creating an adaptable framework that ensures CBDE programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of both students and the communities they serve and sustain long‐term collaborations.
Assessment of Particle Candidates for Falling Particle Receiver Applications Through Irradiance and Thermal Cycling
Authors: Schroeder Nathan , Bush H. Evan , Albrecht Kevin
Published: January 2025

Falling particle receiver (FPR) systems are a rapidly developing technology for concentrating solar power applications. Solid particles are used as both the heat transfer fluid and system thermal energy storage media. Through the direct irradiation of the solid particles, flux and temperature limitations of tube-bundle receivers can be overcome, leading to higher operating temperatures and energy conversion efficiencies. Candidate particles for FPR systems must be resistant to changes in optical properties during long-term exposure to high temperatures and thermal cycling in highly concentrated solar irradiance. Seven candidate particles—two previously tested particles such as CARBOBEAD HSP 40/70 and CARBOBEAD CP 40/100 and the five novel particles such as CARBOBEAD MAX HD 35, CARBOBEAD Solar HSP, CARBOBEAD Solar CP, CARBOBEAD Solar MAX HD, and WanLi Diamond Black—were tested using simulated solar flux cycling and tube furnace thermal aging. Each particle candidate was exposed for 10,000 cycles (simulating the exposure of a 30-year lifetime of a concentrated solar power plant) using a shutter to attenuate the solar simulator flux. Feedback from a pyrometer temperature measurement of the irradiated particle surface was used to control the maximum temperatures of 775 °C and 975 °C. Particle solar-weighted absorptance and emittance were measured at 2000 cycle intervals. Particle thermal degradation was also studied by heating particles to 800 °C, 900 °C, and 1000 °C for 300 h in a tube furnace purged with bottled unpurified air. Here, particle absorptance and emittance were measured at 100-h intervals. Measurements taken after irradiance cycling and thermal aging were compared to measurements taken from as-received particles. WanLi Diamond Black particles had the highest initial value for solar-weighted absorptance, 96%, but degraded up to 4% in irradiance cycling and 6% in thermal aging. CARBOBEAD HSP 40/70 particles currently in use in the prototype FPR at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility had an initial value of 95% solar absorptance with up to a 1% drop after irradiance cycling and 4% drop after 1000 °C thermal aging.
An Improved Random Forest Model for Online Prediction of Nitrogen Oxide Emissions and Its Industrial Application
Authors: He Kaixun , Ding Haixiao
Published: January 2025

Accurate and real-time detection of nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentration at the inlet of a denitrification reactor plays a key role in controlling NOx emission in thermal power plants. However, time delays often exist when using the traditional continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) to obtain NOx concentration. In the present work, a data-driven method based on random forest (RF) is proposed to address this issue. First, a heuristic method is proposed for extracting variables that are beneficial for modeling based on the maximum information coefficient (MIC). To tune the threshold of MIC, an RF regression model is constructed, and the MIC threshold can be adjusted iteratively. Then, the variable importance index of RF is used in evaluating the remaining variables, and redundant variables are deleted. Second, an improved RF regression algorithm is used to establish NOx emission prediction model and an updating strategy is proposed to ensure that the model can be maintained timely and effectively when applied online. Finally, the proposed method is tested using a real-world industrial dataset. The results show that the proposed method has a greater prediction accuracy (root-mean-squared error (RMSE) = 2.90 mg/m3, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) = 1.41%, mean absolute error (MAE) = 2.01 mg/m3, and R2 = 0.96 on industrial dataset) and robustness compared to traditional models.
Selective etching of ruthenium using electron beam-irradiation and Ar/O2/CF4 remote plasma-based surface functionalization: Comparisons to tantalum
Authors: Li Yudong , Marbach Hubertus , Preischl Christian , Budach Michael , Rhinow Daniel , Edinger Klaus , Oehrlein Gottlieb S.
Published: January 2025

Patterning of ruthenium (Ru) in the microelectronics industry has become important because of novel Ru applications, including back-end-of-line metallization. Selective etching and deposition of Ru over tantalum (Ta) are crucial for the repair of extreme ultraviolet photomasks. A further challenge is to reduce near-surface damage and interdiffusion at the interfaces of material layers, which is often generated when patterning is performed by ion bombardment. In this work, we investigated the etching of Ru and Ta by exposure to electron beam (EB) irradiation and reactive neutral fluxes provided by a remote plasma source (RPS) fed with Ar/O2 gas mixtures. A synergistic effect is observed for Ru etching for simultaneous EB and remote plasma (RP) exposure as compared to isolated EB using the nonexcited feed gas mixture or RP exposure. The RP exposure functionalizes the Ru surface by oxidizing the Ru to nonvolatile RuO2, and the electron flux can further oxidize the functionalized surface to volatile RuO4 resulting in Ru etching. The Ru etch rate (ER) shows strong dependence on O2 flow and EB emission current, which determine the oxygen neutral and electron fluxes to the Ru surface, respectively. The effect of increasing O flux by adding a small amount of CF4 to the Ar/O2 as a feed gas for RPS does not directly result in Ru ER improvement. This is likely due to the formation of nonvolatile Ru oxyfluoride, which cannot be removed by the electron flux for Ar/O2/CF4 gas mixtures. Following Ar/O2/CF4 remote plasma exposure, Ru etching with Ar/O2 is subsequently enhanced for some time once the CF4 flow is stopped. This effect is likely caused by the passivation of reactor walls by RP-generated fluorocarbon species and reduced recombination of reactive oxygen species necessary for Ru etching on the reactor walls, thus leading to a higher ER. Exposure of Ta to EB and Ar/O2 RPS generated fluxes induces oxidation of Ta to nonvolatile Ta oxide, which is accompanied by an increase in layer thickness. The Ta oxidation rate decreases as the Ta oxide layer grows. With the addition of CF4, RP only exposure induces Ta etching by the formation of volatile Ta fluoride, whereas with EB irradiation, Ta oxide forms. Utilizing the passivation effect induced by CF4 addition and the differing responses of Ru and Ta to EB irradiation, we developed a process that enables selective removal of Ru over Ta. Surface chemistry and thickness measurements by spatially resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ellipsometry suggest that the EB-induced materials’ modification likely arises from the promotion of surface oxidation.