bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing the toxic chemicals problem in plastics recycling
Authors: Carney Almroth Bethanie , Carmona Eric , Chukwuone Nnaemeka , Dey Tridibesh , Slunge Daniel , Backhaus Thomas , Karlsson Therese
Published: January 2025

Ongoing policy negotiations, such as the negotiations for a future global plastics treaty, include calls for increased recycling of plastics. However, before recycling of plastics can be considered a safe practice, the flaws in today’s systems must be addressed. Plastics contain a vast range of chemicals, including monomers, polymers, processing agents, fillers, antioxidants, plasticizers, pigments, microbiocides and stabilizers. The amounts and types of chemicals in plastics products vary, and there are little requirements for transparency and reporting. Additionally, they are inherently contaminated with reaction by-products and other nonintentionally added substances (NIASs). As the chemical composition of plastics wastes is largely unknown, and many plastics chemicals are hazardous, they therefore hinder safe recycling since recyclers are not able to exclude materials that contain hazardous chemicals. To address this problem, we suggest the following policy strategies: 1) improved reporting, transparency and traceability of chemicals in plastics throughout their full life cycle; 2) chemical simplification and group-based approaches to regulating hazardous chemicals; 3) chemical monitoring, testing and quality control; 4) economic incentives that follow the waste hierarchy; and 5) support for a just transition to protect people, including waste pickers, impacted throughout the plastics life cycle.
Associations between skeletal muscle mass and elevated blood pressure are independent of body fat: a cross-sectional study in young adult women of African ancestry
Authors: Dlamini Siphiwe N. , Norris Shane A. , Micklesfield Lisa K.
Published: January 2025

Although research on the relationship between lean body mass and blood pressure (BP) has been inconsistent, most studies reported that measures of lean body mass are associated with a higher risk of hypertension. We explored relationships between body composition (fat and skeletal muscle mass) and BP in 1162 young adult African women. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived measures of whole-body, central and arm fat mass were associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP, while leg fat percentage was associated with lower systolic and diastolic BP. However, only the associations with diastolic BP remained after adjusting for appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM). ASM was associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP, before and after adjusting for whole-body fat percentage and visceral adipose tissue. While there was no overlap in targeted proteomics of BP and body composition, REN was lower in the elevated BP than the normal BP group and was inversely associated with diastolic BP (false rate discovery adjusted P< 0·050). Several proteins were positively associated with both visceral adipose tissue and ASM (LEP, FABP4, IL6 and GGH) and negatively associated with both visceral adipose tissue and ASM (ACAN, CELA3A, PLA2G1B and NCAM1). NOTCH3, ART3, COL1A1, DKK3, ENG, NPTXR, AMY2B and CNTN1 were associated with lower visceral adipose tissue only, and IGFBP1 was associated with lower ASM only. While the associations between body fat and BP were not independent of skeletal muscle mass, the associations between muscle mass and BP were independent of overall and central adiposity in young adult African women. Future interventions targeting muscle mass should also monitor BP in this population.
From resting potential to dynamics: advances in membrane voltage indicators and imaging techniques
Authors: Shakibi Reyhaneh , Yazdipour Fatemeh , Abadijoo Hamed , Manoochehri Navid , Rostami Pouria Farshid , Bajooli Taraneh , Simaee Hossein , Abdolmaleki Parviz , Khatibi Ali , Abdolahad Mohammad , Moosavi-Movahhedi Ali Akbar , Khayamian Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2025

The membrane potential is a critical aspect of cellular physiology, essential for maintaining homeostasis, facilitating signal transduction, and driving various cellular processes. While the resting membrane potential (RMP) represents a key physiological parameter, membrane potential fluctuations, such as depolarization and hyperpolarization, are equally vital in understanding dynamic cellular behavior. Traditional techniques, such as microelectrodes and patch-clamp methods, offer valuable insights but are invasive and less suited for high-throughput applications. Recent advances in voltage indicators, including fast and slow dyes, and novel imaging modalities such as second harmonic generation (SHG) and photoacoustic imaging, enable noninvasive, high-resolution measurement of both RMP and membrane potential dynamics. This review explores the mechanisms, development, and applications of these tools, emphasizing their transformative potential in neuroscience and cellular electrophysiology research.
Regional Hotspots of Change in Northern High Latitudes Informed by Observations From Space
Authors: Watts Jennifer D. , Potter Stefano , Rogers Brendan M. , Virkkala Anna‐Maria , Fiske Greg , Arndt Kyle A. , Burrell Arden , Butler Kevin , Gerlt Bob , Grayson John , Shestakova Tatiana A. , Du Jinyang , Kim Youngwook , Parmentier Frans‐Jan W. , Natali Susan M.
Published: January 2025

The high latitudes cover ∼20% of Earth's land surface. This region is facing many shifts in thermal, moisture and vegetation properties, driven by climate warming. Here we leverage remote sensing and climate reanalysis records to improve understanding of changes in ecosystem indicators. We applied non‐parametric trend detections and Getis‐Ord Gi* spatial hotspot assessments. We found substantial terrestrial warming trends across Siberia, portions of Greenland, Alaska, and western Canada. The same regions showed increases in vapor pressure deficit; changes in precipitation and soil moisture were variable. Vegetation greening and browning were widespread across both continents. Browning of the boreal zone was especially evident in autumn. Multivariate hotspot analysis indicated that Siberian ecoregions have experienced substantial, simultaneous, changes in thermal, moisture and vegetation status. Finally, we found that using regionally‐based trends alone, without local assessments, can yield largely incomplete views of high‐latitude change.
Global Marine Ecosystem Response to a Strong AMOC Weakening Under Low and High Future Emission Scenarios
Authors: Boot A. A. , Steenbeek J. , Coll M. , von der Heydt A. S. , Dijkstra H. A.
Published: January 2025

Marine ecosystems provide essential services to the Earth System and society. These ecosystems are threatened by anthropogenic activities and climate change. Climate change increases the risk of passing tipping points; for example, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) might tip under future global warming leading to additional changes in the climate system. Here, we look at the effect of an AMOC weakening on marine ecosystems by forcing the Community Earth System Model v2 (CESM2) with low (SSP1‐2.6) and high (SSP5‐8.5) emission scenarios from 2015 to 2100. An additional freshwater flux is added in the North Atlantic to induce an extra weakening of the AMOC. In CESM2, the AMOC weakening has a large impact on phytoplankton biomass and temperature fields through various mechanisms that change the supply of nutrients to the surface ocean. We drive a marine ecosystem model, EcoOcean, with phytoplankton biomass and temperature fields from CESM2. In EcoOcean, we see negative impacts in Total System Biomass (TSB), which are larger for high trophic level organisms. On top of anthropogenic climate change, TSB decreases by −3.78 and −2.03 in SSP1‐2.6 and SSP5‐8.5, respectively due to the AMOC weakening. However, regionally and for individual groups, the decrease can be as large as −30, showing that an AMOC weakening can be very detrimental for local ecosystems. These results show that marine ecosystems will be under increased threat if the AMOC weakens which might put additional stresses on socio‐economic systems that are dependent on marine biodiversity as a food and income source.
Improving Statistical Prediction of Subseasonal CONUS Precipitation Based on ENSO and the MJO by Training With Large Ensemble Climate Simulations
Authors: Zheng C. , Kim H. , LaJoie E. , He S. , Chang E. K. M.
Published: January 2025

Previous studies have highlighted the significant impacts of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) on wintertime precipitation over the contiguous United States (CONUS). Here, we demonstrate skillful statistical prediction of subseasonal precipitation over the CONUS using the information of ENSO and the MJO. Simple statistical tools, such as multiple linear regression, exhibit significant improvement in prediction when trained with large ensemble climate simulations, surpassing those trained solely on observational data. Despite the biases in ENSO and MJO teleconnections in the climate simulations, the abundance of data, exceeding observational records by 100 times, allows more robust statistical relationships to be established, leading to such improvement. The utilization of machine learning tools yields additional gains in prediction skill beyond multiple linear regression. ENSO emerges as a dominant contributor to prediction skill, surpassing the influence of the MJO, whose impact diminishes with increasing forecast lead time.
Inhomogeneity Ratio for Nearly Field‐Aligned Electrons Interacting With Whistler‐Mode Waves
Authors: Gan Longzhi , Li Wen , Albert Jay M. , Hanzelka Miroslav , Ma Qianli , Artemyev Anton
Published: January 2025

Nonlinear interactions between electrons and whistler‐mode chorus waves play an important role in driving electron precipitation in Earth's radiation belts. In this letter, we employ the second fundamental model of the Hamiltonian approach to derive the inhomogeneity ratio, assessing nonlinear resonant interactions between nearly field‐aligned electrons and parallel propagating chorus waves. We perform test particle simulations by launching electrons from a high latitude to the equator, encountering counter‐streaming chorus waves. Our simulations reveal that anomalous scattering, encompassing anomalous trapping and positive bunching, extends the resonant location to the downstream of electrons. The comparison with test particle results demonstrates the efficacy of the inhomogeneity ratio in characterizing nonlinear interactions at small pitch angles. We emphasize the importance of applying this ratio specifically for small pitch angle electrons, as the previously provided inhomogeneity ratio significantly underestimates the impact of nonlinear interactions on electron precipitation.
Deep Learning‐Based Optical Flow in Fine‐Scale Deformation Mapping of Sea Ice Dynamics
Authors: Uusinoka Matias , Haapala Jari , Polojärvi Arttu
Published: January 2025

Optical methods deployed for studying motion and deformation of objects often struggle to distinguish small displacements hidden behind observational noise. In geophysical applications, this has limited analysis to lower spatial and temporal resolutions, while reliable extraction of high‐resolution data is required for understanding material deformation and failure. In this work, we propose a novel method for determining deformation for noisy observational data using deep learning‐based optical flow. To enable higher estimate accuracy, we introduce a novel initialization technique considering contextual information. This allows an unprecedentedly high‐resolution description of motion in radar imagery. We use the proposed technique on verification cases to compare with the currently used methodologies and on ship radar observations on sea ice deformation. The outcome of our work is an open‐source end‐to‐end tool for determining full‐field Lagrangian deformation fields for data sets with small pixel displacements and high observational noise.
Higher Proportion of High‐Energy Lightning Strokes in Global High‐Altitude Areas
Authors: Yu Xinhong , Zheng Dong , Zhang Yijun , Yao Wen , Zhang Wenjuan
Published: January 2025

By examining proportions of high‐energy strokes from the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) between 60°S and 60°N, and high‐radiance events from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) between 38°N and 38°S, along with the average energies of WWLLN strokes and LIS events with specific thresholds, we discovered significantly higher proportions of high‐energy lightning strokes and greater average stroke energies over high‐altitude terrains, a phenomenon not previously reported. These highlands include the Tibetan Plateau, Mongolian Plateau, Iranian and Anatolian Plateaus, South African Plateau, mountain regions in western North America, and Andes Mountains. In terms of both proportion and average energy, high‐energy WWLLN strokes show a stronger correlation with highlands than high‐energy LIS events. Considering the different observation modes of WWLLN and LIS, this may suggest a stronger connection between highlands and high‐energy lightning strokes occurring beneath and in the lower parts of thunderstorms.
Autotrophic Dissolved Organic Phosphorus Uptake Stimulates Nitrogen Fixation in Subtropical Gyres
Authors: Shen Yuxin , Wang Wei‐Lei
Published: January 2025

Dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) has been identified as a key phosphorus source that supports primary production and microbial nitrogen (N2) fixation. However, the specific contribution and spatial distribution of DOP utilization remain poorly understood due to limited in‐situ measurements. In this study, we explored the role of DOP in supporting N2 fixation using a modified inverse biogeochemical ocean model. Our findings reveal that DOP utilization primarily occurs in subtropical gyres, where it serves as a critical phosphorus source. Direct DOP assimilation reduces phosphorus limitation in nutrient‐depleted gyres, thereby stimulating global N2 fixation, the global distribution of which is re‐estimated. The new estimate shows a significant increase in N2 fixation rates in the North Atlantic compared to the previous estimate because DOP utilization reduces the severe phosphorus limitation in that region. Neglecting DOP utilization would result in an approximately 9% underestimation of the global N2 fixation rate.
Linking Radiative‐Advective Equilibrium Regime Transition to Arctic Amplification
Authors: Liang Yu‐Chiao , Miyawaki Osamu , Shaw Tiffany A. , Mitevski Ivan , Polvani Lorenzo M. , Hwang Yen‐Ting
Published: January 2025

Emission of anthropogenic greenhouse gases has resulted in greater Arctic warming compared to global warming, known as Arctic amplification (AA). From an energy‐balance perspective, the current Arctic climate is in radiative‐advective equilibrium (RAE) regime, in which radiative cooling is balanced by advective heat flux convergence. Exploiting a suite of climate model simulations with varying carbon dioxide () concentrations, we link the northern high‐latitude regime variation and transition to AA. The dominance of RAE regime in northern high‐latitudes under reduction relates to stronger AA, whereas the RAE regime transition to non‐RAE regime under increase corresponds to a weaker AA. Examinations on the spatial and seasonal structures reveal that lapse‐rate and sea‐ice processes are crucial mechanisms. Our findings suggest that if concentration continues to rise, the Arctic could transition into a non‐RAE regime accompanied with a weaker AA.
High Stress Drop and Slow Rupture During the 2020 MW6.4 Intraplate Petrinja Earthquake, Croatia
Authors: Žilić Iva , Causse Mathieu , Vallée Martin , Markušić Snježana
Published: January 2025

Here we analyze the rupture process of the 29 December 2020 MW6.4 Petrinja earthquake (Croatia), the largest event instrumentally recorded in this area characterized by a moderate strain‐rate intraplate setting. We use foreshocks and aftershocks, recorded at more than 80 broadband stations located 70–420 km from the earthquake, as empirical Green's functions (EGFs) to separate source effects from propagation and local site effects. First, we deconvolve the mainshock P‐wave time windows from the EGFs in the frequency domain to obtain the corner frequency (fc). Spectral analysis based on the Brune's source model reveals a large stress drop of 24 MPa. Next, by deconvolving the Love waves in the time domain, we calculate the Apparent Source Time Functions (ASTFs). We find that the average duration of the source is ∼5 s, with no significant directivity effects, indicating a bilateral rupture. To extract physical rupture parameters such as rupture velocity, slip distribution and rise time, we deploy two techniques: (a) Bayesian inversion and (b) backprojection onto isochrones of ASTFs. Both techniques show a low rupture velocity (40%–50% of the shear wave velocity) and a rupture length of less than 10 km, that is, much less than would typically be expected for a magnitude 6.4 earthquake. This apparent anticorrelation between stress drop and rupture velocity may be attributed to the complex and segmented fault system characteristic of immature intraplate settings.
Urbanization Intensifies Heavy Hourly Rainfall Preconditioned by Heatwaves
Authors: Deng Zifeng , Villarini Gabriele , Wang Zhaoli , Wu Xushu , Zeng Zhaoyang , Lai Chengguang
Published: January 2025

Heatwave preconditioned‐heavy rainfall (HW_HR), a preconditioned compound event, can cause more damage than a single heatwave or rainstorm. Both heatwaves and rainstorms can be exacerbated by the presence of cities, but the response of their compounding to urbanization remains unclear especially at the hourly scale. Here, we investigate the spatial and temporal responses of hourly HW_HR to a typical urban agglomeration, the Pearl River Delta, using observations and scenario‐based numerical simulations. Compared to rural areas, the observations show that HW_HR in urban areas has a higher probability of occurrence and mean intensity, and its diurnal cycle of frequency is narrower, peaking in the afternoon. The temporal and spatial response of HW_HR intensity to urbanization effects is the most significant, with the urbanization‐induced increase in HW_HR being five times that in non‐heatwave preconditioned‐heavy rainfall (noHW_HR). Our simulations support the observations and suggest that urbanization‐induced changes are intense and spatially heterogeneous in HW_HR but relatively weak and spatially continuous in noHW_HR. The simulations also suggest that heatwave preconditioning not only amplifies urbanization‐induced changes in key variables that alter atmospheric conditions but also provides a pre‐storm unstable environment for the urban‐induced warm‐dry surface to trigger and enhance convection. The sub‐daily pre‐storm environment suggests that the preconditioning‐induced thermodynamic changes gradually decrease, whereas the dynamic changes gradually increase as the event approaches. Our study highlights the importance of understanding urbanization effects on preconditioned events, providing new insights into the role of preconditions in the urban water cycle.
Annual Chronology and Climate Signals in Swietenia macrophylla and Cedrela odorata (Meliaceae) in the Maya Lowlands
Authors: González‐Méndez Isabel , Anchukaitis Kevin J. , Pearson Charlotte , Pons Diego , Frank David , Edwards Julie , Luna Erwin , Pérez Wilson
Published: January 2025

Despite efforts over recent decades, a gap persists in the global network of tree‐ring chronologies in the tropical Americas and especially for low‐elevation sites. This gap can be attributed to the inherent challenges in identifying tropical species well‐suited for dendrochronology that form reliably annual rings. Even when seasonal growth rhythms do exist, properly distinguishing true annual boundaries from false rings and identifying any locally absent rings can make the process of visually crossdating lowland tropical species extremely challenging. Here, we combine traditional dendrochronological techniques with high‐precision radiocarbon bomb‐pulse dating and wood anatomical analysis to confirm annual ring formation in Cedrela odorata L and Swietenia macrophylla King (Meliaceae) in the northern Maya lowlands of Guatemala. Our findings indicate annual ring formation in both species, but the radiocarbon measurements also indicated an initial misdating due to the anatomical challenges encountered during visual and graphical crossdating. We demonstrate how the iterative use of dendrochronological, wood anatomical, and radiocarbon methods allowed us to correct, validate and assign exact calendar dates to our tree‐ring series. Once the exact chronology was established, we found that tree‐ring width in both species is influenced by precipitation during June, July and August, which coincides with the timing of the Midsummer Drought in the Central American precipitation regime. Successfully demonstrating annual tree growth periodicity in Cedrela odorata and Swietenia macrophylla establishes the groundwork for future tree‐ring research, including climate reconstructions, as well as the potential to develop annually resolved records in the lowlands of Central America.
IFNγ regulates ferroptosis in KFs by inhibiting the expression of SPOCD1 through DNMT3A
Authors: Wang Xiuxia , Yang Yating , Zhou Xianyu , Yu Shun , Luo Xusong , Lu Lin , Gao Zhen , Yang Jun
Published: January 2025

Keloid is benign skin tumor, and their curing is relatively difficult due to the unclear mechanism of formation. Inducing ferroptosis of keloid fibroblasts (KFs) may become a new method for treating keloid. Here, we discover interferon (IFN)γ could induce KFs ferroptosis through inhibiting SPOC domain-containing protein 1 (SPOCD1), serving as a mode of action for CD8+T cell (CTL)-mediated keloid killing. Mechanistically, keloid IFNγ deficiency in combination with reduced DNMT3A increase the expression of SPOCD1, thereby promoting KFs’ proliferation and inhibiting its ferroptosis. Moreover, keloid SPOCD1 deficiency attenuates KFs progression and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Reducing IFNγ and SPOCD1 simultaneously can increase the positive rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promote mitochondrial shrinkage. Ex-vivo explant keloid culture has also confirmed that the reduction of SPOCD1 helps to reduce the proliferation rate of KFs, inhibit the angiogenesis of keloid scars, and thus inhibit keloid formation. Thus, IFNγ signaling paired with SPOCD1 is a natural keloid ferroptosis promoting mechanism and a mode of action of CTLs. Targeting SPOCD1 pathway is a potential anti-keloid approach.
Transport and inhibition of the sphingosine-1-phosphate exporter SPNS2
Authors: Li Huanyu Z. , Pike Ashley C. W. , Chang Yung-Ning , Prakaash Dheeraj , Gelova Zuzana , Stanka Josefina , Moreau Christophe , Scott Hannah C. , Wunder Frank , Wolf Gernot , Scacioc Andreea , McKinley Gavin , Batoulis Helena , Mukhopadhyay Shubhashish , Garofoli Andrea , Pinto-Fernández Adán , Kessler Benedikt M. , Burgess-Brown Nicola A. , Štefanić Saša , Wiedmer Tabea , Dürr Katharina L. , Puetter Vera , Ehrmann Alexander , Khalid Syma , Ingles-Prieto Alvaro , Superti-Furga Giulio , Sauer David B.
Published: January 2025

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a signaling lysolipid critical to heart development, immunity, and hearing. Accordingly, mutations in the S1P transporter SPNS2 are associated with reduced white cell count and hearing defects. SPNS2 also exports the S1P-mimicking FTY720-P (Fingolimod) and thereby is central to the pharmacokinetics of this drug when treating multiple sclerosis. Here, we use a combination of cryo-electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, in vitro binding and in vivo S1P export assays, and molecular dynamics simulations to probe SPNS2’s substrate binding and transport. These results reveal the transporter’s binding mode to its native substrate S1P, the therapeutic FTY720-P, and the reported SPNS2-targeting inhibitor 33p. Further capturing an inward-facing apo state, our structures illuminate the protein’s mechanism for exchange between inward-facing and outward-facing conformations. Finally, using these structural, localization, and S1P transport results, we identify how pathogenic mutations ablate the protein’s export activity and thereby lead to hearing loss.
Predictive model for the determination of the hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) content in HVO/fossil diesel blends using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and multivariate analysis
Authors: Cozendey Daniel Almeida , Vale Daniella Lopez , Azamor de Oliveira Fábio , Gimenes de Souza Cristiane , de Oliveira Muniz Renan , Padilha Monica Costa , França de Andrade Débora , Antonio d’Avila Luiz
Published: January 2025

Low-carbon fuels, emitting less carbon than fossil fuels, are proposed to help in the transition to a sustainable, decarbonized transport sector.
Synthesis of fully fused tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine polymers bearing three-dimensional structures controlled by steric repulsion
Authors: Watanabe Kosuke , Toya Teruki , Toyota Yuto , Kobayashi Yoichi , Usuba Junichi , Hijikata Yuh , Matsuda Ryotaro , Nishimura Katsuyuki , Sugiyama Haruki , Segawa Yasutomo
Published: January 2025

The synthesis and characterization of fused aromatic networks composed of zinc tetrapyrazinoporphyrazines are reported.
A vinylene-linked diketopyrrolopyrrole-based covalent organic framework for photocatalytic oxidation reactions
Authors: Zhao Wei , Kan Jing-Lan , Zhao Chaowei , Guo Yuan , Yang Fan , Dong Yu-Bin
Published: January 2025

A diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)-based vinylene linked COF with ultra narrow bandgap was synthesized and applied for the photocatalytic oxidation of sulfides and tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs).
Al doped silica glass: investigation of structural response and defect interactions based on crystalline models
Authors: Marthinsen Astrid , Gaweł Bartłomiej Adam , Warden Gabriela Kazimiera , Górska - Ratusznik Anna , Gaweł Kamila , Di Sabatino Marisa , Hallam Benny
Published: January 2025

The presence of a small amount of Al within high purity silica glass causes an increase of its viscosity. This is likely due to the relief of locally strained ring configurations, facilitating structural reconstructions within the silica network.
Microplastics in settled dust from university indoor environments: Puerto Colombia, Colombia
Authors: Avilés Valera Maria Gabriela , Arana Rengifo Victoria Andrea , Grande-Tovar Carlos David
Published: January 2025

The indoor university environment in Puerto Colombia, Colombia, with the highest mean MPs was the laboratory. Fibers (501–100 μm) and PET, PP, and polyester microparticles were predominant.
Catalytic reduction of SO2 by Gd@CeOx catalysts: stability enhancement and structural modulation
Authors: Xu Mutao , Cheng Xinpei , Chen Liguo , Jin Qijie , Yang Jian , Song Jing , Zhou Changcheng , Chen Jisai , Wang Yongzhong , Xu Haitao
Published: January 2025

The production of sulfur by catalytically reducing SO2 with CO presents a promising approach for utilizing sulfur oxides found in flue gases.
Theabrownin remodels the circadian rhythm disorder of intestinal microbiota induced by a high-fat diet to alleviate obesity in mice
Authors: Zhao Chunyan , Lei Shuwen , Zhao Hong , Li Zelin , Miao Yue , Peng Chunxiu , Gong Jiashun
Published: January 2025

The intestinal microbiota undergoes diurnal compositional and functional oscillations within a day, which affect the metabolic homeostasis of the host and exacerbate the occurrence of obesity.
Predicting image quality degradation as a result of two-phase sample transport in LA-ICP-TOFMS mapping of carbon-based materials
Authors: van Elteren Johannes T. , Van Helden Tom , Metarapi Dino , Van Acker Thibaut , Mervič Kristina , Šala Martin , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: January 2025

A model was developed to simulate LA-ICP-TOFMS mapping of elements in soft biological tissues, focusing on how one- and two-phase experimental element-specific SPR profiles affect image quality under different virtual mapping conditions.
Metabolomics-based predictive biomarkers of oral cancer and its severity in human patients from North India using saliva
Authors: Yadav Rahul , Bansal Vyomika , Singh Anamika , Sinha Neeraj , Tiwari Preeti , Singh Chandan
Published: January 2025

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is frequently the outcome of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), a common possibly premalignant disease.
Synergistic effect of ZnO–ZnFe2O4 heterostructures for enhanced surface catalytic activity in Cr(vi) reduction, green H2 generation and CO sensing: an experimental study supported by DFT
Authors: Mojumder Subhajit , Das Tanushri , Monga Sanchi , Bhattacharya Prantik , Pal Sourabh , Ghosh Srabanti , Bhattacharya Saswata , Pal Mrinal
Published: January 2025

A unified pathway to enhance the various surface catalytic processes by tuning different influencing parameters of ZnO–ZnFe2O4 heterostructure materials to simultaneously overcome environment- and energy-related issues.
Controlled isolation of a novel polymorphic form of chlorothiazide by spray drying
Authors: Parkes Alice , Spoletti Enrico , O'Reilly John , Lusi Matteo , Ziaee Ahmad , O'Reilly Emmet
Published: January 2025

The late discovery of new polymorphic forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients is a recurring issue in the pharmaceutical field. In this study, spray drying is used to isolate a novel polymorphic form of chlorothiazide in a controlled manner.
Diverse C(sp3)–H functionalizations through electrochemical benzylic oxygenation
Authors: He Yan , Chen Tian-Sheng , Fan Xuesen , Xu Hai-Chao
Published: January 2025

Reported herein is a transition metal catalyst- and oxidant-free platform for diversity-oriented benzylic C–H functionalization. The process involves electrochemical C(sp3)–H oxygenation followed by elimination/substitution with diverse nucleophiles.
Design, synthesis, and in silico studies of new quinazolinones tagged thiophene, thienopyrimidine, and thienopyridine scaffolds as antiproliferative agents with potential p38α MAPK kinase inhibitory effects
Authors: Alsfouk Aisha A. , Othman Ismail M. M. , Anwar Manal M. , Saleh Asmaa , Nossier Eman S.
Published: January 2025

The current work focuses on the creation of novel derivatives of the quinazolinone ring system, with various substituted thiophene, thienopyrimidine, and thienopyridine scaffolds 3a,b–11.
A new perspective on the AIE and ACQ of phosphinine-anchored luminescent materials as visual and ratiometric sensors for Ag+ and Hg2+ ion detection in live cells
Authors: Enbanathan Saravanan , Balijapalli Umamahesh , Dhanthala Thiyagarajan Manojkumar , Manojkumar Selin , Manickam Saravanakumar , Kulathu Iyer Sathiyanarayanan
Published: January 2025

Phosphinine-based MHC and BHP sensors show unique photophysical properties, including aggregation behavior, solvatochromism, and strong sensing abilities, making them valuable for studying intermolecular interactions and solvent sensitivity, with applications in advanced sensors.
Rapid synthesis of an aluminum-doped ultrathin Rux–RuO2 heterostructure optimized through combined wet–dry microwave radiation for efficient acidic and alkaline overall water splitting
Authors: Zhu Xinyu , Fang Minghao , Ke Shaorou , Yang Bozhi , Yang Shujie , Li Yanghong , Zhan Meiling , Min Xin
Published: January 2025

By employing an efficient “wet-dry” microwave strategy, we have developed Al-doped Rux/RuO2 (A-RRO@G) in just 110 s. Its unique structure optimizes electronic configurations, enhancing water-splitting activity in both acidic and alkaline conditions.
A metal-, solvent-, halogen-, and additive-free catalysis for CO2 fixation by carbon dots
Authors: Zhang Tao , Wang Ruijia , Li Wei , Li Shujun , Tian Bing , Liu Shouxin , Chen Zhijun
Published: January 2025

A recyclable CDs catalyst from lignin-derived syringic acid was developed, which could activate both CO2 and epoxides, showing excellent catalytic activity for the fixation of CO2 with epoxides into cyclic carbonates under very mild conditions.
Core–shell hydrogel with synergistic super absorption and long-term acid resistance stability: a novel gastric retention drug delivery carrier
Authors: Fu Yu , Liu Wenjing , Jiang Lihang , Yuan Huili , Tong Xiaoqian , He Huiwen , Shi Yanqin , Ma Meng , Chen Si , Wang Xu
Published: January 2025

A long-acting acid-resistant gel bead with a core–shell structure was developed, featuring super absorption, high modulus, and sustained floating release, making it a promising gastric retention drug carrier.
CaLuGaO4:Bi3+,Al3+ blue phosphor with excellent thermal stability for multiple LED applications
Authors: Liao Zhicheng , Zhang Qian , Qiu Liting , Wei Xiantao , Chen Yonghu , Yin Min
Published: January 2025

CaLuGaO4:Bi3+,Al3+ is a blue phosphor activated by near-ultraviolet light, with improved luminescence through Al3+ incorporation. It holds promise for applications in plant lighting and near-ultraviolet white LEDs.
Correction: Potentiating light-harvesting tactics through an A–D–A structure: repolarization of tumor-associated macrophages through phototherapy
Authors: Liu Pai , Zhao Xinyue , Cao Jiayu , Tian Mengyan , Li Yaning , Ma Chunyan , Yang Tianyue , Liu Yi
Published: January 2025

Correction for ‘Potentiating light-harvesting tactics through an A–D–A structure: repolarization of tumor-associated macrophages through phototherapy’ by Pai Liu et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2024, 12, 7870–7878, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TB00814F.
Self‐learning weight network based on label distribution training for facial expression recognition
Authors: Chen Yangbo , Peng Chunyan , Wang Xuan , Zheng Yuhui
Published: January 2025

The recent widespread utilization of facial expression recognition (FER) has garnered significant attention in the affective computing field. To address the issue of dominant features being suppressed during feature fusion in FER, this study proposes a self‐learning weight network based on label distribution training (SLW‐LDT). First, based on the ShuffleNet‐V2 backbone model, SLW‐LDT introduced a local feature extraction branch that highlights specific expression‐related features by cropping the facial image into four local regions. Subsequently, the SLW algorithm is devised to allocate learnable weights to global and local features from different branches before their fusion. Moreover, considering the challenge associated with accessing emotional distribution in facial images directly, a label distribution training module (LDT) is introduced during the training phase to generate label distributions for effective training purposes. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves accuracies of 89.77% and 64.21% on two in‐the‐wild datasets (RAF‐DB and AffectNet‐7), and 98.90% on the lab‐controlled CK+ dataset. Comparative analysis against state‐of‐the‐art methods reveals slight improvements in recognition accuracy along with robust performance exhibited by the model.
Effective sizing and optimization of hybrid renewable energy sources for micro distributed generation system
Authors: Kasi Shanmuganatha Vadivel , Das Narottam , Alahakoon Sanath , Hassan Nur
Published: January 2025

Renewable energy sources (RES) are vital for addressing fossil fuel challenges and promoting environmental sustainability by reducing air pollution. Hybrid RES (HRES) in microgrids (MGs) enhance energy efficiency and reliability but face issues like energy management, load demand, and efficiency. Existing research on HRES in MGs often lacks efficiency, reliability, and accuracy. This model proposes a solution using ant lion colony optimization with particle swarm optimization (ALCO‐PSO) for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to improve power efficiency. The ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm offers higher efficiency and better global search, but suffers from limitations such as computational complexity and premature convergence. The lion optimization algorithm (LOA) addresses these issues, enhancing the algorithm's robustness. However, ALCO faces challenges like limited scalability and global search ability, which are overcome by integrating particle swarm optimization (PSO). Additionally, direct current (DC) fault detection is enhanced using an artificial neural network (ANN) with solar data. The model's performance is evaluated using power, voltage, and power quality metrics, achieving 99.56% accuracy, faster convergence (0.11 s), an oscillation around 4.25 W, a tracking time of 0.2 s, an interruptible load of 0.009%, cost of energy (COE) of 0.0413%, and a penalty of 0.94 $/kWh.
The impact of mass uncertainties on r-process nucleosynthesis in neutron star mergers
Authors: Martinet Sébastien , Goriely Stephane
Published: January 2025

Context. Theoretically predicted yields of elements created by the rapid neutron capture (r-) process carry potentially large uncertainties associated with incomplete knowledge of nuclear properties and approximative hydrodynamical modeling of the matter ejection processes. One of the dominant uncertainties in determining the ejecta composition and radioactive decay heat stems from the still unknown nuclear masses of exotic neutron-rich nuclei produced during the neutron irradiation.

Aims. We investigate both the model (systematic) and parameter (statistical) uncertainties affecting nuclear mass predictions and explore their impact on r-process production, and subsequently on the composition of neutron star merger ejecta.

Methods. The impact of correlated model uncertainties on masses is estimated by considering five different nuclear mass models that are known to provide an accurate description of known masses. In addition, the uncorrelated uncertainties associated with local variation of model parameters are estimated using a variant of the backward-forward Monte Carlo method, to constrain the parameter changes to experimentally known masses before propagating them consistently to the unknown masses of neutron-rich nuclei. The impact of nuclear mass uncertainties is propagated to r-process nucleosynthesis in a 1.38–1.38 M⊙ neutron star merger model considering a large and representative number of trajectories.

Results. We find that the uncorrelated parameter uncertainties lead to ejected abundance uncertainties of 20% up to A ≃ 130 and 40% between A = 150 and 200, with peaks around A ≃ 140 and A ≃ 203 giving rise to deviations around 100–300%. The correlated model uncertainties remain larger than the parameter ones for most nuclei. However, both model and parameter uncertainties have an important impact on heavy nuclei production.

Conclusions. Improvements to nuclear models are still crucial in reducing uncertainties in predictions related to r-process nucleosynthesis. Both correlated model uncertainties and coherently determining parameter uncertainties are key in the sensitivity analysis.
Tracing magnetic switchbacks to their source: An assessment of solar coronal jets as switchback precursors
Authors: Bizien N. , Froment C. , Madjarska M. S. , Dudok de Wit T. , Velli M.
Published: January 2025

Context. The origin of large-amplitude magnetic field deflections in the solar wind, known as magnetic switchbacks, is still under debate. These structures, which are ubiquitous in the in situ observations made by Parker Solar Probe (PSP), likely have their seed in the lower solar corona, where small-scale energetic events driven by magnetic reconnection could provide conditions ripe for either direct or indirect generation.

Aims. We investigated potential links between in situ measurements of switchbacks and eruptions originating from the clusters of small-scale solar coronal loops known as coronal bright points to establish whether these eruptions act as precursors to switchbacks.

Methods. We traced solar wind switchbacks from PSP back to their source regions using the ballistic back-mapping and potential field source surface methods, and analyzed the influence of the source surface height and solar wind propagation velocity on magnetic connectivity. Using extreme ultraviolet images, we combined automated and visual approaches to identify small-scale eruptions (e.g., jets) in the source regions. The jet occurrence rate was then compared with the rate of switchbacks captured by PSP.

Results. We find that the source region connected to the spacecraft varies significantly depending on the source surface height, which exceeds the expected dependence on the solar cycle and cannot be detected via polarity checks. For two corotation periods that are straightforwardly connected, we find a matching level of activity (jets and switchbacks), which is characterized by the hourly rate of events and depends on the size of the region connected to PSP. However, no correlation is found between the two time series of hourly event rates. Modeling constraints and the event selection may be the main limitations in the investigation of a possible correlation. Evolutionary phenomena occurring during the solar wind propagation may also influence our results. These results do not allow us to conclude that the jets are the main switchback precursors, nor do they rule out this hypothesis. They may also indicate that a wider range of dynamical phenomena are the precursors of switchbacks.
Resolving the mass transfer in the symbiotic recurrent nova T Coronae Borealis
Authors: Planquart L. , Jorissen A. , Van Winckel H.
Published: January 2025

Context. T Coronæ Borealis (T CrB) is a symbiotic recurrent nova with an 80-year recurrence interval whose next eruption is imminent.

Aims. We aim to resolve the accretion mechanism of the binary system governing the mass transfer during its super-active phase.

Methods. Using phase-resolved high-resolution spectroscopy, we analyzed the zoo of spectral-line profiles arising from the symbiotic activity. We performed Doppler tomography of selected emission lines to resolve the system’s gaseous components and their different velocity regimes.

Results. We find evidence of enhanced accretion through Roche lobe overflow during the super-active phase, as traced by the oxygen, helium, and hydrogen lines. The accretion disk is found to be fully viscously evolved and extends up to its maximal radius. By mapping the kinematics of lines probing different excitation energies, we can identify distinct interaction sites. These include the bright spot at the stream impact on the accretion disk outer radius, the irradiation at the red-giant facing side, the stream-disk overflow, the accretion disk wind, and an expanding nebula. The nebula emerged at the rise of the super-active phase and underwent an acceleration phase of about five years. The temporal evolution of the lines supports the scenario where the departure from quiescence started in the disk, likely triggered by a disk instability similar to what occurs in dwarf novae outburst, leading to an increased mass accretion and causing important irradiation of the giant that has further enhanced the mass-transfer rate during the super-active phase.

Conclusions. Symbiotic recurrent nova, such as T CrB, are governed by similar mass-transfer mechanisms as found in cataclysmic variables despite their different orbital properties (longer orbital periods imposing larger accretion disks) and evolutionary pathways.
Protostellar Outflows at the EarliesT Stages (POETS) VI. Evidence of disk-wind in G11.92-0.61 MM1
Authors: Bayandina O. S. , Moscadelli L. , Cesaroni R. , Beltrán M. T. , Sanna A. , Goddi C.
Published: January 2025

Context. Magnetohydrodynamic disk-winds are thought to play a key role in the formation of massive stars by providing the fine-tuning between accretion and ejection, where excess angular momentum is redirected away from the disk, allowing further mass growth of a young protostar. However, only a limited number of disk-wind sources have been detected to date. To better constrain the exact mechanism of this phenomenon, expanding the sample is critical.

Aims. We performed a detailed analysis of the disk-wind candidate G11.92-0.61 MM1 by estimating the physical parameters of the massive protostellar system and constraining the wind-launching mechanism.

Methods. Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) Band 6 observations of G11.92-0.61 MM1 were conducted in September 2021 with ALMA’s longest baselines, which provided a synthesised beam of ~30 mas. We obtained high-resolution images of the CH3CN (υ8=1 and υ=0), CH3OH, SO2, and SO molecular lines, as well as the 1.3 mm continuum.

Results. Our high-resolution molecular data allowed us to refine the parameters of the disk-outflow system in MM1. The rotating disk is resolved into two regions with distinct kinematics: the inner region (<300 au) is traced by high-velocity emission of high-excitation CH3CN lines and shows a Keplerian rotation; the outer region (>300 au), traced by mid-velocity CH3CN emission, rotates in a sub-Keplerian regime. The central source is estimated to be ~20 M⊙, which is about half the mass estimated in previous lower-resolution studies. A strong collimated outflow is traced by SO and SO2 emission up to ~3400 au around MM1a. The SO and SO2 emissions show a rotation-dominated velocity pattern, a constant specific angular momentum, and a Keplerian profile that suggests a magneto-centrifugal disk-wind origin with launching radii of ~50–100 au.

Conclusions. G11.92-0.61 MM1 appears to be one of the clearest cases of molecular line-traced disk-winds detected around massive protostars.
Differenzialdiagnose der altersabhängigen Makuladegeneration
Authors: Charbel Issa Peter , De Silva Samantha R. , Pfau Kristina , Birtel Johannes
Published: January 2025

Die Diagnose der altersabhängigen Makuladegeneration (AMD) kann einen Einschnitt im Leben von Patienten bedeuten. Vor diesem Hintergrund ist es wichtig, Differenzialdiagnosen in Erwägung zu ziehen, da diese sich hinsichtlich Prognose, Vererblichkeit, Kontroll- und Therapiebedarf beträchtlich von der AMD unterscheiden können. Differenzialdiagnosen sind vor allem andere Makulaerkrankungen mit Drusen, drusenähnlichen Veränderungen, weitere monogene Netzhautdystrophien sowie ein breites Spektrum weiterer, oftmals seltener Makulaerkrankungen. In dieser Übersicht werden anhand klinischer Beispiele Befundkonstellationen gezeigt, bei denen eine Differenzialdiagnose der AMD in Erwägung gezogen werden sollte. Unter anderem beinhaltet dies Patienten mit autosomal-dominanten Drusen, Sorsby-Fundusdystrophie, Pachydrusen, spät beginnendem Morbus Stargardt, extensive makuläre Atrophie mit Pseudodrusen (EMAP), Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), North-Carolina-Makuladystrophie, mitochondriale
Retinopathie, Benign Yellow Dot Maculopathy, kuppel- oder leistenförmige Makulopathie und makuläre Teleangiektasien Typ 2.
Cerebral Intricacies: Deciphering the Mystique of Primary Central Nervous System Angiosarcoma
Authors: Ahuja Sana , Malik Shaivy , Ahluwalia Charanjeet
Published: January 2025

Angiosarcoma of the central nervous system (CNS) is an exceptionally rare and aggressive vascular malignancy presenting significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We report the case of a 22-year-old female with CNS angiosarcoma, highlighting diagnostic intricacies, therapeutic approaches, and management outcomes. Initial symptoms included headache and dizziness, with magnetic resonance imaging revealing a space-occupying lesion in the right parietal lobe, initially misinterpreted as cavernoma. Subsequent surgical resection confirmed angiosarcoma histologically, supported by immunohistochemical analysis showing endothelial markers. Treatment comprised local irradiation postoperatively, resulting in no recurrence or metastasis. Histopathological examination revealed an infiltrative growth pattern with atypical endothelial cells forming irregular vascular spaces. Challenges in diagnosis arise due to overlapping features with other intracranial lesions. Multimodal treatment approaches involving surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were employed, although their efficacy remains uncertain. Prognosis remains poor, underscoring the imperative for collaborative efforts to enhance understanding and management of this rare malignancy. Our case contributes valuable insights to the limited literature on CNS angiosarcoma, emphasizing the need for comprehensive case studies to refine diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.