bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra-tumoral CD40 antibody with irreversible electroporation (IRE) in locally advanced pancreas cancer.
Authors: White Rebekah Ruth , Berman Zachary , Wainberg Zev A. , Miller Aaron , Messer Karen , Ambarkhane Sumeet Vijay , Schoenberger Stephen Philip
Published: January 2025

TPS787

Background:
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a form of non-thermal tumor ablation that is currently in clinical use for selected patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that IRE generates an

in situ

vaccination effect by releasing tumor neoantigens in the setting of inflammation. Our published data from syngeneic, orthotopic mouse models demonstrate that combination of IRE with local CD40 agonism induces systemic anti-tumor immune effects, including neoantigen-specific T-cell responses and inhibition of liver metastases (1). Mitazalimab, a second-generation CD40 agonistic IgG1 mAb, has demonstrated promising clinical antitumor activity when delivered systemically in combination with modified FOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic cancer (2).

Methods:
This clinical trial (NCT06205849) is a phase I dose-escalation study of an agonistic CD40 antibody (mitazalimab) injected intratumorally at the time of surgical IRE in patients with LAPC who have not demonstrated distant disease progression after a minimum of 4 months of optimal standard of care (SOC) chemotherapy (modified FOLFIRINOX). The doses investigated are 25, 75 (starting dose), and 200 µg/kg, in an interval 3+3 design, with a maximum of 18 subjects. The primary endpoints are the rates of dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) and treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs). The secondary endpoints are progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). At a liberal alpha of 25%, appropriate for this proof-of-concept early phase study, we have 80% power to detect an improvement in PFS from 12 months (based on prior studies of IRE alone) to 18 months, with an expected 16 evaluable subjects and an anticipated 11 observed events, using a one-sided log-rank test. Candidate neoantigens will be identified by profiling nucleic acids derived from tumor biopsies obtained intraoperatively prior to IRE using our Identification-Prioritization-Validation (IPV) bioinformatic pipeline (3). Blood samples will be collected pre-operatively and 12-weeks post-operatively to evaluate for evidence of neoantigen-specific T-cell reactivity and other neoantigen-independent analyses of immune response. We have enrolled two patients since the study opened in September 2024. 1. J. Shankara Narayanan et al., JITC 2023. 2. J. Van Laethem et al., Lancet Oncol 2024. 3. A. Miller et al., Sci Transl Med. 2024.
Clinical trial information: NCT06205849
.
Glutamatergic Input From Arcuate Nucleus Kiss1 Neurons to Preoptic Kiss1 Neurons Is Required for LH Surge in Female Mice
Authors: Qiu Jian , Talbi Rajae , Bosch Martha A , Medve Elizabeth , Zweifel Larry S , Rønnekleiv Oline K , Navarro Víctor M , Kelly Martin J
Published: January 2025

Hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons are vital for maintaining fertility in the mammal. In the female rodent, Kiss1 neurons populate the anteroventral periventricular/periventricular nuclei (Kiss1AVPV/PeN) and the arcuate nucleus (Kiss1ARH). Kiss1ARH neurons (also known as KNDy neurons since they coexpress neurokinin B and dynorphin) are considered the “pulse-generator” neurons that presynaptically excite gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) axons in the median eminence, whereas the Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons are the “surge-generator” neurons that depolarize preoptic GnRH neurons directly to drive ovulation. Traditionally, it is believed that Kiss1ARH neurons are relatively quiet during the late follicular, preovulatory stage of the reproductive cycle due to the 17β-estradiol (E2)-mediated downregulation of the expression of the KNDy peptides. However, based on our single-cell, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and whole-cell electrophysiological recordings, we found that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) mRNA and excitatory cation channels in Kiss1ARH neurons were significantly upregulated by E2, which increased the excitability and glutamate release from these “pulse-generator” neurons. Presently, we demonstrate that optogenetic stimulation of Kiss1ARH neurons releases glutamate to excite Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons via activation of both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. CRISPR mutagenesis of Vglut2 in Kiss1ARH neurons abolished glutamatergic neurotransmission, which significantly reduced the overall glutamatergic input to Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons. The mutagenesis of Vglut2 in Kiss1ARH neurons abrogated the E2-induced luteinizing hormone surge and reduced the formation of corpus lutea, indicative of a reduced ovulatory drive in these Vglut2-mutated Kiss1ARH mice. Therefore, Kiss1ARH neurons appear to play a critical role in augmenting the GnRH surge through glutamatergic neurotransmission to Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons.
Dynamic map illuminates Hippo-cMyc module crosstalk driving cardiomyocyte proliferation
Authors: Harris Bryana N. , Woo Laura A. , Perry R. Noah , Wallace Alexia M. , Civelek Mete , Wolf Matthew J. , Saucerman Jeffrey J.
Published: January 2025

Numerous regulators of cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation have been identified, yet how they coordinate during cardiac development or regeneration is poorly understood. Here, we developed a computational model of the CM proliferation regulatory network to obtain key regulators and systems-level understanding. The model defines five modules (DNA replication, mitosis, cytokinesis, growth factor, Hippo pathway) and integrates them into a network of 72 nodes and 88 reactions that correctly predicts 74 of 81 (91.35%) independent experiments from the literature. The model predicts that in response to YAP activation, the Hippo module crosstalks to the growth factor module via PI3K and cMyc to drive cell cycle activity. This predicted YAP-cMyc axis is validated experimentally in rat CMs and further supported by YAP-stimulated cMyc open chromatin and mRNA in mouse hearts. This validated computational model predicts how individual regulators and modules coordinate to control CM proliferation.
Coming home: how visually navigating ants (Myrmecia spp.) pinpoint their nest
Authors: Zeil Jochen
Published: January 2025

Visually navigating Myrmecia foragers approach their nest from distances up to 25 m along well-directed paths, even from locations they have never been before ( Narendra et al., 2013). However, close to the nest, they often spend some time pinpointing the nest entrance, sometimes missing it by centimetres. Here, I investigated what guides homing ants in their attempt to pinpoint the nest entrance. As the ants approach the nest, their behaviour changes. At approximately 1 m from the nest, the ants slow down, their scanning amplitude becomes larger and their path direction changes more frequently. This change in scanning behaviour is not triggered by local olfactory, tactile or visual cues because ants tethered on a trackball 30–50 cm above ground also exhibit it at 0.6 m compared with 1.6 m distance from the nest. Moreover, the ants are able to pinpoint the nest when such local cues are removed by covering the ground around the nest or the nest entrance itself. Myrmecia ants thus rely on information from the global panorama when pinpointing the nest. During learning walks, these ants appear to systematically collect views directed toward and away from the nest ( Jayatilaka et al., 2018). Homing ants indeed change gaze and body axis direction appropriately with a delay when encountering views to the left or to the right of the nest. However, image analysis shows that close to the nest, opponent views with the same orientation become too similar, explaining the growing uncertainty reflected in the ants' increased scanning behaviour during homing.
Towards a standard application of the Reynolds number in studies of aquatic animal locomotion
Authors: Weihs Daniel , Farsani Arash , Gurka Roi
Published: January 2025

Non-dimensional groups of measured quantities enable comparison between measurements of animals under different conditions and comparison between species. One of the most used such groups is the Reynolds number, which compares inertial and viscous contributions to forces on swimming animals. This group includes two quantities that are chosen by the researcher: a typical length and speed. Choosing these parameters will affect the numerical value of the Reynolds number, defining the state of the fluid flow. For example, by choosing fish body length as opposed to propulsive fin chord, results may vary by an order of magnitude with consequences for analysis and hydrodynamic regimes. Here, we suggest a standardized set of lengths and speeds to be used for aquatic animal locomotion to enable confident utilization of data from different sources. This framework aims to improve comparative studies within the field.
Hormonal Influences on ADC Values in Breast Tissues: A Scoping Review of DWI in Pre- and Post-menopausal Women
Authors: Dkhar Winniecia , Kadavigere Rajagopal , Ravichandran Sneha , Pradhan Abhimanyu , Sukumar Suresh , Barnes Abraham Neil
Published: January 2025

Background Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern, with early diagnosis and risk factor identification crucial for improving outcomes. Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements have emerged as promising tools in breast cancer diagnostics. However, the influence of hormonal status on these measurements remains unclear. Objective This scoping review aims to synthesize current evidence on how hormonal changes in pre- and post-menopausal women influence ADC values of benign, malignant, and fibroglandular breast tissues. Method Following the Arksey and O’Malley framework, we conducted a comprehensive search of Scopus, Embase, and PubMed databases for relevant studies published between January 2000 and 2021. Inclusion criteria encompassed 1.5 Tesla MRI studies reporting ADC values in female subjects, considering menopausal status. Results Six studies meeting the inclusion criteria, involving 612 patients, were analyzed. Findings suggest that menopausal status may influence ADC values, with postmenopausal women generally showing lower ADC values in both normal fibroglandular tissue and breast lesions. The impact of menstrual cycle phases on ADC values was less consistent across studies. Conclusions This review highlights the potential influence of hormonal status on ADC values in breast tissues. While DWI with ADC mapping shows promise as a reliable diagnostic tool across different hormonal states, further research is needed to fully understand and account for hormonal influences on ADC measurements. Future studies should focus on longitudinal designs, standardization of DWI protocols, and integration of hormonal status information into breast cancer risk assessment models.
Consequences of antibiotic overuse in Saudi Arabia: a multidimensional analysis
Authors: Ali Alhur Anas , Alhur Afrah , Ibrahim Remas , Asir Abdulaziz , Althobaiti Afnan , Aboud Manal , Ghazwani Nabilah , Sheikh Raneem , Alameer Aisha , Essa Boshra , Alshuqayhi Deema , Alzahrani Taher , Abdulaziz Shoug , Althobaiti Arwa , Alhazmi Hams
Published: January 2025

Background Antibiotic overuse is a significant public health challenge in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the global rise of antibiotic resistance. This study investigates demographic factors, awareness levels, and perceptions influencing the misuse of antibiotics in the Saudi population. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among individuals aged 18 and above, recruited through random sampling across Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a validated online questionnaire assessing antibiotic use behaviors, awareness of antibiotic resistance, and perceptions of associated risks. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, identified predictors of antibiotic misuse. Results Among the 525 participants, 86.1% were aware of antibiotic resistance, yet 59.05% mistakenly believed antibiotics are effective against viral infections. Antibiotic misuse was prevalent, with 86.1% admitting to use without a prescription and 81.9% stopping antibiotics prematurely. Younger age (18–29 years; OR = 2.35, p < 0.001) and lower education levels (high school or below; OR = 1.78, p = 0.015) were significant predictors of misuse. Public awareness campaigns and stricter regulations were supported by 86.1% and 85.9% of respondents, respectively. Conclusions Antibiotic misuse in Saudi Arabia is influenced by demographic factors, insufficient awareness, and misconceptions about antibiotic resistance. Targeted educational programs, robust public health campaigns, and regulatory enforcement are critical to addressing this issue. Leveraging digital health technologies offers a promising avenue to promote responsible antibiotic use and mitigate the threat of resistance.
Zum Alltagsleben in den Ritterorden der Kreuzfahrerstaaten
Authors: Burgtorf Jochen
Published: January 2025

On everyday life in the military orders of the Crusader states
 
While everyday life in the military orders was supposed to be regulated (i.e., in compliance with rules and other normative texts), geographical location was a determining factor in how individual members experienced their environment and human interaction, and there appear to have been significant variations in this regard between East and West. Focusing on select examples pertaining to Templars, Hospitallers, and Teutonic Knights in the Crusader states of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and drawing from letters, charters, inventories, narrative sources, and archaeological evidence, this article considers three particular aspects to illustrate this observation, namely, (1) materialized culture, (2) the need for translators, and (3) bathhouses. While all three had their respective equivalents in northern and western Europe, it is noteworthy that ‒ in the Near East ‒ materialized culture (e.g., in the form of weapons and textiles) was more diverse and luxurious; the need for translation was more frequent and complex (e.g., resulting in the outsourcing of such tasks to Oriental Christians with a knowledge of Arabic); and the bathhouses were more sophisticated and numerous, which confounded western clergymen who considered military prowess rather incompatible with a visit to the Hammam (i.e., an Oriental bathhouse).
Inventare als Spiegel der Wohn- und Lebenssituation des 16. Jahrhunderts in den Kommenden Würzburg und Münnerstadt
Authors: Flachenecker Helmut
Published: January 2025

Inventories as a reflection of the living situation of the 16th century in the Würzburg and Münnerstadt commanderies
 
The following paper will have its focus on four inventories of commanderies, which were compiled in 1542 and 1550 for Würzburg, and in 1543 and 1544 for Münnerstadt, i.e. almost at the same time. The inventories recorded all movables belonging to the two commanderies in Franconia, and thus give a specific impression of the furnishing of most of its rooms. In all four inventories, a social distinction is clearly made between representation rooms and bedrooms, while storage rooms and courtyards complete the records. For instance, the crockery in the kitchen documents the hierarchical differences between the residents. The information reflects a more noble rather than a monastic dominated living arrangements. Overall, the inventories show relatively upscale furnishings with a significantly richness of movables, which could be an indication of a more luxurious lifestyle of the Teutonic knights. Weapons and horses can hardly be found in these Frankish commanderies.
Rules and statutes of the Spanish Military Orders of Calatrava and Santiago: the evolution of two attitudes towards women (12th‒15th centuries)
Authors: Lagache Orlane
Published: January 2025

Rules and statutes of military orders regulated the daily life of the members, their behaviour, their membership, and the relationship they must maintain between them and with people outside of the orders. Hence, the analysis of normative sources may provide insight into the study of women who lived inside and outside of the military orders in the Iberian Peninsula. Most of them mention lay and conventual sisters. However, they also speak of other women, such as “half‒sisters”, Moors and even concubines. The aim of this paper is to study the place of women and their relationship with the orders, according to the rules and statutes. Is their presence and their relationship with brothers only determined by their gender? What do the main evolutions of those sources, from the 12th to the 15th century, reveal about the attitudes of the orders towards women? Focusing on the two main Spanish orders, Calatrava and Santiago, this article attempts to answer these questions by examining the different profiles found in the normative sources. It begins by introducing the main differences of both orders in their inclusion and exclusion of women, and presents the main changes and evolutions that occur until the Late Middle Ages. What can be observed is that the attitudes of Calatrava and Santiago were first markedly different, especially towards the integration of women into the orders and the conjugal chastity to which women are often associated. It appears that it was changing with the development of the orders until the 15th century, when the gap between men and women members may have become less relevant than between lay and cleric members.
Singing nuns and lay sisters in the Frisian houses of the Teutonic Order to 1510
Authors: Mol Johannes Adriaan
Published: January 2025

Although the Teutonic Order is not known for its interest in accommodating religious women, it did provide some space for sisters to live a godly life among the brethren. Some houses with largely male occupancy had servant half-sisters. Elsewhere, sorores are encountered as sponsors who did not perform manual labour. Furthermore, in a few places, semi-autonomous convents functioned in which nuns devoted themselves to choir prayer. However, the picture of the ways in which women were given a place is still relatively diffuse. To add depth to this, this article focuses on the situation in the Frisian circle of Order houses in the north-west of the Empire.
At the Order’s two main (priest-) commanderies Nes and Schoten, sisters appear to have been attached in different forms of membership. The most recognisable is found at Schoten, which long functioned as a hospitale pauperum, where a small number of serving half-sisters were active until 1491. A second form is found at Nes, which in or shortly after 1281 founded a sub-convent for women whose task it was to provide choral prayers. Because of its narrow economic subsistence base, the community were brought back to Nes around 1375, only for it to die out there. In 1491, however, on the site of the former convent, called Steenkerk, a new convent was founded by the brothers of Nes and Schoten. This time, the occupants were lay sisters, referred to as beguines, who contributed to the economic existence of their house through manual labour. They would only wear the habit of the Teutonic Order for a short time, until 1510.
This article shows that the models used for the design of the nunnery convent and the later lay sister house at Steenkerk were derived from the organisation of women’s convents of other orders in the area. For the period 1281–1375, this model was based on the Frisian double monasteries of the Benedictines and Premonstratensians, and for the period 1491‒1510, it was based on the development of lay sisters convents from the sphere of the Modern Devotion.
The Potential of Emergency Medical Response to CBRNE Threats in the Context of Military-Civilian Cooperation
Authors: Trzos Arkadiusz , Łyziński Karol
Published: January 2025

Aim: The objective of this study is to present the contemporary response options of civilian medical rescue and healthcare systems to the effects of weapons of mass destruction weapons and civilian toxic agents with mass impact potential. The study also demonstrated the preparation and response potential of medical services with proper additional equipment, training and implementation of new systemic solutions to enable the collaboration and cooperation of military and civilian services. Introduction: The complicated international situation and increased risk of armed conflict require increasing the preparation level and response capability of medical services to the health effects of weapons of mass destruction. One aspect of preparations is increasing the response potential of medical rescue and healthcare systems in the area of rescue and treatment of CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive) incident victims. Methodology: The authors described the gaps in medical rescue and healthcare systems and presented the options and methods to elevate the preparation and response level in the two fields of medicine. Conclusions: Based on the results of four-year research and conceptual works completed under the project “Strengthening CBRNE Safety and Security — Coordination and Standardisation”, as part of Norway Grants for 2014–2021, a new medical rescue and healthcare functioning model was developed based on the potential of the latest technical solutions, resources and security management systems. In their work, the authors focused on presenting the concepts of CBRNEmed specialised teams, applying new solutions on using protective suits and respiratory protection equipment, innovative methods of decontamination of contaminated patients, options of point-of-care testing and identification of hazardous agents (POCT-CBRNE), isolation and transport of contaminated and highly infective patients and new CBRNE triage methods. In the publication, they demonstrated the compatibility of the developed solutions with the tactics, equipment and command system operating in the armed forces of NATO member states. The implementation of the developed solutions will enable effective military-civilian collaboration in the elimination of the health effects of weapons of mass destruction.
Minding our mental health
Authors: Webster Chloe
Published: January 2025

Chloe Webster, early years practitioner and writer, shares ways practitioners can teach young children about good mental health, and practically support it in time for Children's Mental Health Week, 3rd-9th February.
Weak texture 3D reconstruction method based on laser-assisted scanning and moving platforms
Authors: Tang Zhijie , Tang Qiankun
Published: January 2025

Structure from motion (SFM) is a basic
technique in 3D reconstruction, and its performance largely depends on
the accurate detection and matching of feature points in the image.
When the feature points are sparse, the reconstruction process often
fails or produces sub-optimal results. An innovative method, to our
knowledge, of integrating active laser technology is proposed in this
study. This method mainly combines laser triangulation and
motion-based measurement techniques. By applying the method of point
cloud fusion, the high-precision reconstruction of a weak feature
surface is realized. The experimental results show that the proposed
method has strong adaptability and robustness. This study provides an
effective solution to the challenges encountered in weak feature
surface reconstruction.
Design with low cost of equipment for metro filterless optical networks
Authors: Karandin Oleg , Ayoub Omran , Ibrahimi Memedhe , Castoldi Andrea , Pastorelli Rosanna , Musumeci Francesco , Tornatore Massimo
Published: January 2025

Emerging 5G services are pressuring optical metro networks with unprecedented capacity requirements. To moderate the growth of operators’ expenses, several technical directions to design low-cost optical networks are being investigated. In this study, we elaborate on what we believe to be a novel approach to designing low-cost metro networks by jointly (i) removing costly wavelength selective switches (WSSs) and enforcing filterless optical network (FON) architecture, (ii) reducing the number of optical amplifiers (OAs), and (iii) reducing the number of installed transponders by intelligently placing amplifiers to maximize signal quality (SNR), so as to employ higher-order modulation formats. To quantify the achievable cost-reduction, we develop a quality-of-transmission (QoT)-aware planning tool, based on a genetic algorithm, for the joint optimization of fiber tree establishment (inherent to FON), OA placement, and transponder upgrades, considering multiyear traffic evolution. Results obtained over realistic metro topologies show that the proposed design achieves overall (8%–17%) equipment cost savings compared to baseline optical network deployment with WSSs in nodes and conventional placement of OAs.
Attention-driven low-cost image contrast enhancement for low-power OLED display
Authors: Farooq Muhammad Tayyab , Ruan Shanq-Jang , Haq Qazi Mazahar ul
Published: January 2025

Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays demand a high computation cost to process the high-resolution content without optimizing the power usage. This paper presents a power-aware visual contrast enhancement (PAVE) method that efficiently processes high-resolution images, reduces computation costs, and optimizes the display’s power. The proposed method utilizes original and low-resolution images to extract multilevel features. A power-attention mechanism, fast-guided filter (GF), and local tone mapping are incorporated to preserve on-demand power and reduce computational cost. Based on thorough experiments, our method yields an optimized image with an SSIM of 0.98% and a CPU time of 0.05 seconds at 2 k resolution.
Stable bias control of Mach-Zehnder modulator for arbitrary optical pulse picking via reference pulse power monitoring
Authors: Yang Bo , Liu Zhipeng , Yang Shuna , Chi Hao
Published: January 2025

A stable bias control scheme of Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM) for optical pulse picking is proposed. The key to this method is introducing a reference optical pulse signal that is time-shifted relative to the electrical selection signal, ensuring that the output power of the reference pulse is independent of the selection signal and reaches its minimum value at the MZM’s minimum bias point. This method is particularly suited for optical pulse picking systems, as it remains stable despite variations in optical power and division ratio. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed bias control method maintains an extinction ratio of over 17.7 dB in optical pulse picking for over one hour, significantly outperforming systems without bias control. Additionally, the system supports arbitrary division ratios across a wide range from 2 to 200, demonstrating the flexibility of the bias control method.
Titanium nitride nanoparticles as plasmonic nanothermometers
Authors: Aurelio Sarabia-Alonso Julio , Vidales Pasos Emmanuel , Belamkar Aishwarya , Wagner Brandon , Mangolini Lorenzo
Published: January 2025

The capability of measuring the temperature at nanometer length scales is highly desirable and useful in numerous fields such as plasmonics, biomedicine, and nanochemistry. Precise and easy-to-implement temperature measurements at these scales would enable the investigation of fundamental processes that occur, for instance, during the synthesis of nanomaterials, or the conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal one (photothermal conversion). Here, we demonstrate that titanium nitride nanoparticles are effective nanothermometers whose temperature can be measured optically in a reliable and reproducible manner. We leverage the Raman signal from these nanomaterials to measure their temperature, and we do so in two different ways: using the phononic signature induced by the presence of native oxide and using the electronic anti-stoke Raman signal induced by the free electrons in the material. Our findings confirm that titanium nitride nanoparticles, which are already an earth-abundant, low-cost alternative to gold nanoparticles, are also a versatile tool for nanothermometry.
Coexistence of topological transition and Anderson localization transition in optical cavity arrays with quasiperiodic disorder
Authors: Feng Jie , Hu Kai-Xin , Cui Wen-Xue , Cao Ji , Wang Hong-Fu
Published: January 2025

We investigate the topological phase transition and localization properties in an array of optical cavities with periodic or quasiperiodic hopping. In both the commensurate and incommensurate regimes, the occurrence of the topological phase transition is confirmed by numerically calculating the real-space winding number. Moreover, due to the presence of quasiperiodicity, the system undergoes Anderson localization phase transition and exhibits topological Anderson insulators (TAIs) induced by quasiperiodic disorders in the incommensurate regime. Interestingly, unlike gapless and completely localized TAI in random disorder systems, we reveal gapped TAI with bulk states that have distinct localization properties, in addition to the gapless TAI with completely localized states. Furthermore, it is observed that the localized states in the band-center region will become delocalized and then localized again as the quasiperiodic parameter increases. Our findings provide insight into understanding the topology and localization properties of quasiperiodic optical systems.
Optical orthogonal chirp division multiplexing with chirp index modulation
Authors: Luo Kunping , Lu Guo-Wei , Hu Zhouyi , Chen Hongbo , Sato Hiromu , Yokoyama Shiyoshi
Published: January 2025

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a modulation technique, termed orthogonal chirp division multiplexing with chirp index modulation (OCDM-CIM), where partial chirps are deliberately unmodulated to reduce interference and energy consumption. OCDM-CIM exhibits the combined advantages of interference rejection from the chirp-spread spectrum in OCDM and energy efficiency (EE) from index modulation, achieving an attractive trade-off among spectral efficiency (SE), EE, and performance by flexibly controlling the number of active chirps per subblock to adapt to different granularity requirements of the system. In addition, a distributed subblocking strategy is introduced to obtain additional coding and diversity gains. Experimental results show that compared to conventional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with subcarrier index modulation under the same index parameter setting, the proposed OCDM-CIM reduces the peak-to-average power ratio by 2.5 dB at the complementary cumulative distribution function of 10−3, enhances optical receiver sensitivity by 2.7 dB, and increases the achievable bitrate by 8.7 Gbps at the bit error rate threshold of 3.8 × 10−3 for hard-decision forward error correction. Moreover, an improvement of 25% in EE can be achieved compared to OCDM at the same SE.
Investigation of LE-LIBS feasibility for detection of H, He, and O in high vacuum using geological samples
Authors: Sridhar R. V. L. N. , Malathi S. , Kumar Santosh , Roy Ugra Mohan , Sriram K. V.
Published: January 2025

This work reports the investigation of low-energy, eye-safe laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LE-LIBS) feasibility for in situ detection of gaseous elements significant to the planetary surface chemistry. A ns-pulsed laser emitting pulses of energy of 3 mJ at 1.54 μm wavelength is used to ablate soil pellet samples. Plasma emission spectra are acquired in the spectral window of 220–800 nm employing a concave flat-field spectrograph. Results presented here for the detection of three crucial elements, namely, hydrogen, helium, and oxygen, have demonstrated the applicability of the LE-LIBS approach in a vacuum environment, suiting the planetary surface exploration.
Super-resolution direct laser writing via multiphoton and peripheral photoinhibition photolithography
Authors: Liu Xi , Liu Qiulan , Luo Mengdi , Xu Liang , Kuang Cuifang , Liu Xu
Published: January 2025

Direct laser writing (DLW) with high resolution is highly desirable for fabricating arbitrary two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) micro-/nanostructures with fine feature size for various applications. In this work, by a quasi-single-color (532 nm) dual-beam optical setup, a 100-nm lateral resolution has been achieved by both multiphoton DLW and PPI-DLW (DLW with peripheral photoinhibition), using a photoresist with a depletable photoinitiator and a radical quencher. A 120-nm lateral resolution can also be obtained even at a fast writing speed of 1000 µm/s. Typical 3D woodpiles with lateral rod spacing ranging from a = 300 nm to a = 225 nm have been printed, and the minimum axial period (318.15 nm) is below the respective diffraction-limited axial resolution (320 nm). The obtained resolution by our method surpasses that in most previous research works, indicating that our printing approach is a promising and feasible technique to achieve high-resolution 3D DLW for broad applications.
Low-cost spatially variable polarizers via polarization holography: retraction
Authors: Qi Peiliang , Yuan Xinyi , Hu Po , Li Xinzhong
Published: January 2025

The referenced article [Opt. Lett. 49, 6693 (2024)10.1364/OL.544099] has been retracted by the authors.
Controlled Growth of Multifilament Structures with Deep Subwavelength Features in SiC via Ultrafast Laser Processing
Authors: Qiu Min , Sun Xiaoyu , Zheng Haojie , Jia Qiannan , Qi Limin , Zhang Zhiqi , Lijing Zhong , Yan Wei , Qiu Jianrong
Published: January 2025

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a promising semiconductor material for electronics and photonics. Ultrafast laser processing of SiC enables three-dimensional nanostructuring, enriching and expanding the functionalities of SiC devices. However, challenges arise in delivering uniform, high-aspect-ratio (length-to-width) nanostructures due to difficulties in confining light energy at the nanoscale while simultaneously regulating intense photo-modifications. In this study, we report the controllable growth of long-distance, high-straightness, and high-parallelism multifilament structures in SiC using ultrafast laser processing. The critical mechanism is the formation of femtosecond multifilaments through the nonlinear effects of clamping equilibrium, which allow highly confined light to propagate without diffraction in parallel channels, further inducing high-aspect-ratio nanostripe-like photomodifications. By employing an elliptical Gaussian beam—rather than a circular one—and optimizing pulse durations to stabilize multifilaments with regular positional distributions, the induced multifilament structures can reach a length of approximately 90 μm with a minimum linewidth of only 28 nm, resulting in an aspect ratio of over 3200:1. Raman tests indicate that the photomodified regions consist of amorphous SiC, amorphous silicon, and amorphous carbon, and photoluminescence tests reveal that silicon vacancy color centers could be induced in areas with lower light power density. Interestingly, across a wide pulse duration range of 130 fs to 1 ps, deep-subwavelength features—photomodified nanodots with diameters of about 30 to 120 nm and a period of approximately 130 nm—are observed within the nanostructures. By leveraging femtosecond multifilaments for diffractionless light confinement, this work proposes an effective method for manufacturing deep-subwavelength, high-aspect-ratio nanostructures in SiC.
Vertically incident light reflecting thermal emitters using metal-dielectric-vanadium dioxide thermochromic metamaterials
Authors: Shimizu Makoto , Onozaki Ryu , Inomata Naoki , Liu Zhen , Yugami Hiroo
Published: January 2025

A thermal radiator with smart VO2-based metamaterials is investigated that passively adjusts its radiative properties as a function of temperature. At high temperatures, the proposed device exhibits low absorption at the vertical angles but high emission at high angles, facilitating effective heat dissipation even under solar irradiance, while at low temperatures it acts as a low-emitting material. It can be applied to a radiator used in spacecraft. The device property is experimentally demonstrated by measuring the reflectance at different temperatures and angles. The results demonstrate that the temperature change caused by the difference in solar illumination is reduced from 210.6°C for blackbody radiators to 120.8°C, even while maintaining a similar maximum temperature level when exposed to full sunlight.
Trithorax regulates long-term memory in Drosophila through epigenetic maintenance of mushroom body metabolic state and translation capacity
Authors: Raun Nicholas , Jones Spencer G. , Kerr Olivia , Keung Crystal , Butler Emily F. , Alka Kumari , Krupski Jonathan D. , Reid-Taylor Robert A. , Ibrahim Veyan , Williams MacKayla , Top Deniz , Kramer Jamie M.
Published: January 2025

The role of epigenetics and chromatin in the maintenance of postmitotic neuronal cell identities is not well understood. Here, we show that the histone methyltransferase Trithorax (Trx) is required in postmitotic memory neurons of the Drosophila mushroom body (MB) to enable their capacity for long-term memory (LTM), but not short-term memory (STM). Using MB-specific RNA-, ChIP-, and ATAC-sequencing, we find that Trx maintains homeostatic expression of several non-canonical MB-enriched transcripts, including the orphan nuclear receptor Hr51, and the metabolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh). Through these key targets, Trx facilitates a metabolic state characterized by high lactate levels in MBγ neurons. This metabolic state supports a high capacity for protein translation, a process that is essential for LTM, but not STM. These data suggest that Trx, a classic regulator of cell type specification during development, has additional functions in maintaining underappreciated aspects of postmitotic neuron identity, such as metabolic state. Our work supports a body of evidence suggesting that a high capacity for energy metabolism is an essential cell identity characteristic for neurons that mediate LTM.
Supraspinal facilitation of painful stimuli by glutamatergic innervation from the retrosplenial to the anterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Hao Shun , Xue Man , Chen Qi-Yu , Wan Jinjin , Ma Yu-Jie , Shi Wantong , Chen Xuanying , Li Xu-Hui , Lu Jing-Shan , Xu Fang , Bi Guo-Qiang , Tao Wucheng , Zhuo Min
Published: January 2025

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is recognized as a pivotal cortical region involved in the perception of pain. The retrosplenial cortex (RSC), located posterior to the ACC, is known to play a significant role in navigation and memory processes. Although the projections from the RSC to the ACC have been found, the specifics of the synaptic connections and the functional implications of the RSC-ACC projections remain less understood. In this study, we employed a combination of whole-brain imaging, in vitro electrophysiology, and two-photon calcium imaging techniques to confirm the presence of direct excitatory glutamatergic projections from the RSC to the ACC in mice. This excitatory transmission is predominantly mediated by the postsynaptic AMPA receptors. Furthermore, the activation of the RSC-ACC projections through opto-/chemogenetics significantly facilitated the behavioral responses to both mechanical and thermal nociceptive stimuli in adult mice. Notably, this activation did not influence spinal nociceptive responses in the tail-flick test, nor did it affect anxiety-like or aversive behaviors. These findings indicate that the RSC-ACC glutamatergic pathway modulates nociceptive perception primarily at the supraspinal cortical level. We have identified a novel cortico-cortical facilitatory pathway that contributes to nociceptive processing in the cingulate cortex. The RSC-ACC pathway probably serves to integrate memory engrams with pain perception in both humans and animals.
A mitochondria-to-nucleus regulation mediated by the nuclear-translocated mitochondrial lncRNAs
Authors: Li Jia , Bai Ruoling , Zhou Yulian , Song Xu , Li Ling
Published: January 2025

A bidirectional nucleus-mitochondria communication is essential for homeostasis and stress. By acting as critical molecules, the nuclear-encoded lncRNAs (nulncRNAs) have been implicated in the nucleus-to-mitochondria anterograde regulation. However, role of mitochondrial-derived lncRNAs (mtlncRNAs) in the mitochondria-to-nucleus retrograde regulation remains elusive. Here, we identify functional implication of the mtlncRNAs MDL1AS, lncND5 and lncCyt b in retrograde regulation. Mediated by HuR and PNPT1 proteins, the mtlncRNAs undergo a mitochondria-to-nucleus traveling and then regulate a network of nuclear genes. Moreover, as an example of the functional consequence, we showed that the nuclear-translocated lncCyt b cooperates with the splicing factor hnRNPA2B1 to influence several aspects of cell metabolism including glycolysis, possibly through their regulatory effect on the post-transcriptional processing of related nuclear genes. This study advances our knowledge in mitochondrial biology and provides new insights into the role of mtlncRNAs in mitochondria-nucleus communications.
Analysing the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Supply Chains in Commonwealth Countries
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Badri , Vickers Brendan , Ali Salamat
Published: January 2025

This study analyses the supply chains for medical goods across the Commonwealth countries.
It assesses trade flows related to the health sector and, more specifically, import and export data for essential COVID-19 medical supplies. It also explores supply chain disruptions (trade interruptions, changes in consumption and tariffs related to imports) caused in the wake of COVID-19. Based on the analysis and key findings, it proposes policy changes and recommendations to increase the resilience of these supply chains, to protect them from such disruptions.
The analysis finds that the global production and trade in COVID-19-related medical goods is highly concentrated. The European Union and the United States monopolise the production of high-tech equipment such as ventilators and oxygen therapy equipment, while China is a leading supplier of personal protective equipment (PPE). Intra-Commonwealth trade in medical supplies is relatively small, with exports mainly dominated by the developed countries and imports by large developing countries. The analysis also finds that export restrictions and high tariffs in many member countries are hampering the trade in medical supplies, and hence reducing its resilience to major shocks such as COVID-19.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Education Systems in the Commonwealth
Authors: Osman Amina , Keevy James
Published: January 2025

The Commonwealth Secretariat commissioned 11 papers to provide baseline information on how COVID-19 has impacted education systems in Commonwealth member countries. The papers have been edited and restructured so that they are now similar in length and arrangement, with the results collected into 11 chapters under four sections.

Each chapter features a research study, with data gathered using a combination of a literature review and online interviews or surveys. The chapters provide some background and context to the research, study methodology, and summarised findings. The researchers then discuss their findings and offer recommended solutions to the pressures and challenges being experienced because of the pandemic.

This summary is followed by an introduction to the research project that led to the Commonwealth Secretariat commissioning the 11 papers that make up the chapters of this report. There is also a brief section on research methods, given that these were often similar across the research.
Climate Finance Strategy of Belize 2021-2026
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: January 2025

This report is the Climate Finance Strategy for Belize which has been supported and developed under the Climate Action Enhancement Package (CAEP). The CAEP is led by the NDC Partnership along with several other partners providing technical assistance to Belize to update its NDC. It encompasses several interlinked subelements including a Climate Finance Strategy,
climate finance options report, studies on mobilising private sector finance and MDB finance, etc. to facilitate the implementation of the updated NDC. The Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) of the Commonwealth Secretariat has led the component of developing this strategy, which is aiming at providing a strategic framework within which the financial resources from different sources and channels can be used to address the climate change issues of the country.
Operácie multinárodných síl a medzinárodné humanitárne právo
Authors: Faix Martin
Published: January 2025

When exploring the topic of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the context of multinational forces operations, legal scholars have focused mainly on the UN, whilst other organizations have remained largely in the shadows. This Contribution focuses on the European Union (EU), holding that this regional organization – by virtue of its sui generis nature and of its increasing engagement in the field of crisis management – rises several similar questions, as have been raised in the context of the UN. The Contribution looks at the capacities of the EU and the corresponding practice, underlining the importance of the IHL for EU-led operations. Furthermore it focuses on the issues of ratione materiae and ratione personae applicability of IHL to EU operations, whereas the starting point of the analysis is that the conclusions made in the context of UN operations may not be applied automatically to EU operations because of its sui generis character.
Evropský soud pro lidská práva a islámský šátek. Náboženská svoboda versus sekularismus
Authors: Scheu Harald Christian
Published: January 2025

As the proportion of migrants from different cultures increases in European countries the number of cultural conflicts concerning e.g. the wearing of religious symbols will increase as well. Those conflicts call for a solution which is in line with the principles of democracy, rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. In this context the European Court of Human Rights plays a fundamental role. In its former judgements of 200 I, 2005 and 2006 the Court reached at the conclusion that the prohibition of the Islamic scarf at schools in Switzerland and Turkey was in line with the principle of religious freedom which is laid down in Article 9 of the European Convention. In 2008 the Court dealt with secularism and religious freedom in France. In the cases of two female pupils excluded from French schools for having worn the Islamic scarf in class the Court found that the principle of secularism is compatible with Article 9 of the Convention. In general, the Court is very reserved as far as religious matters are concerned. Such restrictive interpretation is rather untypical for a Court which understands the Convention as a living instrument.