bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How does skill distribution shape comparative advantage across industries? Theory and evidence
Authors: Li Zhongda , Liu Jieyi , Liu Lu
Published: February 2025

This paper revisits the role of skill distribution in shaping regional comparative advantage. Theoretically, we show that it is the relative skill dispersion between exporters and importers, rather than the absolute skill dispersion of exporters, that matters for the pattern of international trade. Using industry-level data on Chinese provincial export flows, we demonstrate that regions with a more dispersed skill distribution relative to their trading partners export more goods produced by sectors with lower skill complementarity. Exploring the potential mechanisms, we further find that the trade-promoting effect from relative skill dispersion probably operates through improving product quality and diversity.
Hume’s Scepticism and Kant’s Transcendental Deduction
Authors: Tulipana Paul , King Dustin
Published: February 2025

Kant’s aim in the Transcendental Deduction is to prove that the a priori categories of the understanding necessarily apply to objects of experience. He claims that he will do this simply by explaining how they could so apply. But the idea that a mere explanation of this possibility should provide a defence of the categories’ actual (let alone necessary) applicability is surprising. We argue that it can be understood by attending to the source of the scepticism that the Critique’s Analytic is supposed to overcome: Hume’s inability to explain causal knowledge in the Enquiry.
Linguistic Autonomy in a Monolingual Social Imaginary: Social Work Practitioners’ Sense-making of the Role of Language in Migrant ‘Integration’
Authors: Kara Hanna , Nordberg Camilla , Jäppinen Maija , Riitaoja Anna-Leena
Published: February 2025

The article studies how public policies of migrant ‘integration’ are enacted and made sense of in the street-level welfare state from the perspective of social work practitioners performing integration work and with a focus on language and language skills acquisition. It draws from twenty-seven semi-structured individual interviews and reflective discussions after service user meetings with eleven social workers and social advisors in migrant integration services conducted between 2018 and 2019 in the Helsinki capital region of Finland. Results infer ambiguous, yet persistent, ideals of monolingualism in which Finnish language skills acquisition plays a central role and linguistic diversity turns into individual lack of skills and capacities through service user responsibilisation. Yet practitioners refer to the unfeasible situations this creates for service users as well as to their own struggles as practitioners within the monolingual service system.
The HRAS-binding C2 domain of PLCη2 suppresses tumor‐like synoviocytes and experimental arthritis in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Jeon Hyun Min , Noh Hae Sook , Jeon Min-Gyu , Park Jin-Ho , Lee Young-Sun , Seo Gyunghwa , Cheon Yun-Hong , Kim Mingyo , Han Myung-Kwan , Park Jae-Yong , Lee Sang-Il
Published: February 2025

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs), which are stromal cells that play key roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathophysiology, are characterized by a tumor-like phenotype and immunostimulatory actions. C2 domains in various proteins play roles in intracellular signaling and altering cellular characteristics, and some C2 domain-containing proteins exacerbate or alleviate certain malignant or inflammatory diseases. However, the roles of C2 domains in regulating the functions of RA FLSs remain unclear. Here we performed functional C2 domainomics with 144 C2 domain-containing viral vectors and identified the C2 domain of PLCη2 as a key regulator of RA FLSs. In mice, overexpressing PLCη2 or only its C2 domain PLCη2 (PLCη2_C2) diminished the proliferation, migration, invasion and inflammatory responses of RA FLSs, mitigating RA pathology; the absence of PLCη2 amplified these proinflammatory and destructive processes in RA FLSs in vivo. Mechanistically, PLCη2 and PLCη2_C2 participate in the pathological signaling of RA FLSs in a calcium-independent manner through protein–protein interactions. Specifically, PLCη2_C2 disrupted HRAS–RAF1 interactions, suppressing downstream signaling pathways, including the NF-κB, JAK–STAT and MAPK pathways. Collectively, these findings establish PLCη2 and PLCη2_C2 as novel inhibitory regulators in RA, suggesting promising therapeutic avenues for addressing FLS-driven disease mechanisms.
Development and validation of a prediction model for bronchopulmonary dysplasia using respiratory severity score
Authors: Kanzawa Takahiro , Kinoshita Fumie , Namba Fumihiko , Tanaka Taihei , Oshiro Makoto , Sugiura Takahiro , Kato Yuichi , Miyata Masafumi , Yamada Yasumasa , Iwata Osuke , Hayakawa Masahiro , Sato Yoshiaki ,   BPD Prediction Model Collaborative Clinical Research Team, Hattori Tetsuo , Boda Hiroko , Fujino Masayuki , Kawai Yuri , Kojima Arisa , Manabe Masahiko , Nakauchi Chiharuko , Funato Yusuke , Kamino Shigemitsu , Tsuda Kennosuke , Kato Shin , Muratmatsu Kanji , Haga Mitsuhiro , Konishi Asami , Noda Haruka , Shinohara Osamu , Hayashi Seiji , Murai Yuko , Ieda Kuniko , Honbe Kazuya , Asai Masami , Nagasaki Rika , Yamamoto Hikaru , Yamada Midori , Takemoto Koji , Nagaya Yoshiaki , Yamamoto Kazuyuki , Yasuda Kazushi , Kawai Satoru , Yokoyama Takehiko , Hamasaki Sayako , Fujishiro Naozumi , Tanaka Ryo ,   the Neonatal Research Network of Japan
Published: February 2025

Background

To develop and validate a prediction model for severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) that integrates the respiratory severity (RS) score with early postnatal risk factors.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks gestation or with a birth weight of less than 1500 g, from Aichi Prefecture (training dataset) and Saitama Medical University (validation dataset) from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2020. The primary outcome was severe BPD, defined as the use of home oxygen therapy or death due to BPD. We used classification and regression tree (CART) analysis to explore the relationship between outcomes and BPD risk factors in the training dataset.

Results

The incidence of severe BPD was 149 out of 2026 (7.3%) in the training dataset and 35 out of 387 (8.9%) in the validation dataset. CART analysis identified gestational age and the RS score as significant predictors of outcome in the day 7 and day 14 models, with C-statistics of 0.789 and 0.779, respectively. When applied to the validation dataset, these models achieved C-statistics of 0.753 and 0.827, respectively.

Conclusion

Our prediction models demonstrated the ability to predict severe BPD, with the RS score being a crucial predictor.

Impact

Many existing prediction models for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) use multiple predictors, and do not provide specific cutoff values, which complicates their clinical application.

To address this issue, we developed a prediction model for severe BPD based on a score derived from mean airway pressure and inhaled oxygen concentration at 1–2 weeks of age.

This user-friendly model can be easily integrated into clinical practice, facilitating treatment decisions based on predicted probabilities.
Regenerative potential of concentrated growth factor compared to platelet-rich fibrin in treatment of necrotic mature teeth: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Salah Taghreed , Hussein Wael , Abdelkafy Heba
Published: February 2025

Aim

This study aimed to compare the potential of two regenerative endodontic procedures, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and concentrated growth factor (CGF), in the treatment of mature permanent teeth with necrotic pulps and periapical radiolucency.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial was written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Randomized Trials in Endodontics 2020 guidelines. The study was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry (ClinicalTrials.gov) with identifier number NCT06227533. Eighteen patients with mature necrotic maxillary incisors with periapical lesions were randomly divided into two groups, one group received treatment with PRF (n = 9), while the other received CGF (n = 9). Radiographs were taken at the beginning, 6 and 12 months after treatment, and confirmed with CBCT to assess periradicular healing. An electric pulp tester and cold test were used to determine whether pulp sensibility had been regained during the follow-up period. The statistical analysis used an independent t-test to compare different groups. Repeated measures ANOVA to compare pre-operative, after 6 months, and after 1 year in the same group.

Results

Both groups experienced a considerable increase in healing at 6 and 12 months compared to baseline, with no significant differences seen regarding lesion size (p-value was 0.34) and relative bone density (p-value was 0.27). There was no substantial change in the tooth sensibility reading between both groups at 6 months (p-value = 0.34), After 1 year, both groups exhibited identical patterns.

Conclusion

Revascularization using PRF or CGF successfully preserved mature teeth with necrotic pulps.
Selective peptide bond formation via side chain reactivity and self-assembly of abiotic phosphates
Authors: Sharma Arti , Dai Kun , Pol Mahesh D. , Thomann Ralf , Thomann Yi , Roy Subhra Kanti , Pappas Charalampos G.
Published: February 2025

In the realm of biology, peptide bonds are formed via reactive phosphate-containing intermediates, facilitated by compartmentalized environments that ensure precise coupling and folding. Herein, we use aminoacyl phosphate esters, synthetic counterparts of biological aminoacyl adenylates, that drive selective peptide bond formation through side chain-controlled reactivity and self-assembly. This strategy results in the preferential incorporation of positively charged amino acids from mixtures containing natural and non-natural amino acids during the spontaneous formation of amide bonds in water. Conversely, aminoacyl phosphate esters that lack assembly and exhibit fast reactivity result in random peptide coupling. By introducing structural modifications to the phosphate esters (ethyl vs. phenyl) while retaining aggregation, we are able to tune the selectivity by incorporating aromatic amino acid residues. This approach enables the synthesis of sequences tailored to the specific phosphate esters, overcoming limitations posed by certain amino acid combinations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a balance between electrostatic and aromatic stacking interactions facilitates covalent self-sorting or co-assembly during oligomerization reactions using unprotected N-terminus aminoacyl phosphate esters. These findings suggest that self-assembly of abiotic aminoacyl phosphate esters can activate a selection mechanism enabling the departure from randomness during the autonomous formation of amide bonds in water.
Constraining the equation of state in neutron-star cores via the long-ringdown signal
Authors: Ecker Christian , Gorda Tyler , Kurkela Aleksi , Rezzolla Luciano
Published: February 2025

Multimessenger signals from binary neutron star (BNS) mergers are promising tools to infer the properties of nuclear matter at densities inaccessible to laboratory experiments. Gravitational waves (GWs) from BNS merger remnants can constrain the neutron-star equation of state (EOS) complementing constraints from late inspiral, direct mass-radius measurements, and ab-initio calculations. We perform a series of general-relativistic simulations of BNS systems with EOSs constructed to comprehensively cover the high-density regime. We identify a tight correlation between the ratio of the energy and angular-momentum losses in the late-time portion of the post-merger signal, called the long ringdown, and the EOS at the highest pressures and densities in neutron-star cores. Applying this correlation to post-merger GW signals significantly reduces EOS uncertainty at densities several times the nuclear saturation density, where no direct constraints are currently available. Hence, the long ringdown can provide stringent constraints on material properties of neutron stars cores.
RECQ4-MUS81 interaction contributes to telomere maintenance with implications to Rothmund-Thomson syndrome
Authors: Ashraf Raghib , Polasek-Sedlackova Hana , Marini Victoria , Prochazkova Jana , Hasanova Zdenka , Zacpalova Magdalena , Boudova Michala , Krejci Lumir
Published: February 2025

Replication stress, particularly in hard-to-replicate regions such as telomeres and centromeres, leads to the accumulation of replication intermediates that must be processed to ensure proper chromosome segregation. In this study, we identify a critical role for the interaction between RECQ4 and MUS81 in managing such stress. We show that RECQ4 physically interacts with MUS81, targeting it to specific DNA substrates and enhancing its endonuclease activity. Loss of this interaction, results in significant chromosomal segregation defects, including the accumulation of micronuclei, anaphase bridges, and ultrafine bridges (UFBs). Our data further demonstrate that the RECQ4-MUS81 interaction plays an important role in ALT-positive cells, where MUS81 foci primarily colocalise with telomeres, highlighting its role in telomere maintenance. We also observe that a mutation associated with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, which produces a truncated RECQ4 unable to interact with MUS81, recapitulates these chromosome instability phenotypes. This underscores the importance of RECQ4-MUS81 in safeguarding genome integrity and suggests potential implications for human disease. Our findings demonstrate the RECQ4-MUS81 interaction as a key mechanism in alleviating replication stress at hard-to-replicate regions and highlight its relevance in pathological conditions such as RTS.
Large-angle Lorentz Four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy for simultaneous local magnetization, strain and structure mapping
Authors: Kang Sangjun , Töllner Maximilian , Wang Di , Minnert Christian , Durst Karsten , Caron Arnaud , Dunin-Borkowski Rafal E. , McCord Jeffrey , Kübel Christian , Mu Xiaoke
Published: February 2025

Small adjustments in atomic configurations can significantly impact the magnetic properties of matter. Strain, for instance, can alter magnetic anisotropy and enable fine-tuning of magnetism. However, the effects of these changes on nanoscale magnetism remain largely unexplored. In particular, when strain fluctuates at the nanoscale, directly linking structural changes with magnetic behavior poses a substantial challenge. Here, we develop an approach, LA-Ltz-4D-STEM, to map structural information and magnetic fields simultaneously at the nanoscale. This approach opens avenues for an in-depth study of structure-property correlations of magnetic materials at the nanoscale. We applied LA-Ltz-4D-STEM to image strain, atomic packing, and magnetic fields simultaneously in a deformed amorphous ferromagnet with complex strain variations at the nanoscale. An anomalous magnetic configuration near shear bands, which reside in a magnetostatically high-energy state, was observed. By performing pixel-to-pixel correlation of the different physical quantities across a large field of view, a critical aspect for investigating industrial ferromagnetic materials, the magnetic moments were classified into two distinct groups: one influenced by magnetoelastic coupling and the other oriented by competition with magnetostatic energy.
Nature-inspired platform nanotechnology for RNA delivery to myeloid cells and their bone marrow progenitors
Authors: Hofstraat Stijn R. J. , Anbergen Tom , Zwolsman Robby , Deckers Jeroen , van Elsas Yuri , Trines Mirre M. , Versteeg Iris , Hoorn Daniek , Ros Gijs W. B. , Bartelet Branca M. , Hendrikx Merel M. A. , Darwish Youssef B. , Kleuskens Teun , Borges Francisca , Maas Rianne J. F. , Verhalle Lars M. , Tielemans Willem , Vader Pieter , de Jong Olivier G. , Tabaglio Tommaso , Wee Dave Keng Boon , Teunissen Abraham J. P. , Brechbühl Eliane , Janssen Henk M. , Fransen P. Michel , de Dreu Anne , Schrijver David P. , Priem Bram , Toner Yohana C. , Beldman Thijs J. , Netea Mihai G. , Mulder Willem J. M. , Kluza Ewelina , van der Meel Roy
Published: February 2025

Nucleic acid therapeutics are used for silencing, expressing or editing genes in vivo. However, their systemic stability and targeted delivery to bone marrow resident cells remains a challenge. In this study we present a nanotechnology platform based on natural lipoproteins, designed for delivering small interfering RNA (siRNA), antisense oligonucleotides and messenger RNA to myeloid cells and haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the bone marrow. We developed a prototype apolipoprotein nanoparticle (aNP) that stably incorporates siRNA into its core. We then created a comprehensive library of aNP formulations and extensively characterized their physicochemical properties and in vitro performance. From this library, we selected eight representative aNP-siRNA formulations and evaluated their ability to silence lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (Lamp1) expression in immune cell subsets in mice after intravenous administration. Using the most effective aNP identified from the screening process, we tested the platform’s potential for therapeutic gene silencing in a syngeneic murine tumour model. We also demonstrated the aNP platform’s suitability for splice-switching with antisense oligonucleotides and for protein production with messenger RNA by myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Our data indicate that the aNP platform holds translational potential for delivering various types of nucleic acid therapeutics to myeloid cells and their progenitors.
Environmental and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and toxic elements in the red sea using Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Sayed F. Alshaima , Eid Mohamed Hamdy , El-Sherbeeny Ahmed M. , Abdel-Gawad Gouda Ismail , Mohamed Essam A. , Abukhadra Mostafa R.
Published: February 2025

This research evaluates the environmental and health risks linked to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and PAHs along the western coast of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. This study investigated the concentration of 16 PAH compounds in the Suez Gulf, revealing significantly higher levels than the EU (0.20 µg/L) and US (0.030 µg/L) standards. The average total PAH concentration across eight locations was significantly higher, with the Suez area having the highest concentration at 479 µg/L. Pyrene (Pyr) was the dominant PAH with a concentration of 443 µg/L in Suez, while acenaphthylene (Ace) had the lowest concentration at 0.120 µg/L in Northern Zaafarana. Carcinogenic PAHs (CAR) ranged from 8.67 µg/L at Ras Gharib to 29.62 µg/L at Suez, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures. Confirmatory ratios pointed to industrial and shipping influences as petrogenic sources. Elevated total organic carbon (TOC) levels in Suez Bay indicated aggravated organic pollution, exacerbated by oil rigs and refineries. The ecological risk assessment highlighted substantial risks, particularly in Suez, necessitating immediate interventions to combat PAH contamination and preserve the environmental balance of the Red Sea. The dominant metals in water samples were arranged in descending order as follows: Pb > Fe > Cr > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cd > Ni. The study evaluated environmental and human health risks using a multifaceted approach, including cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and various indices (HPI, RI, MI, HQ, HI, and CR). Most water samples exhibited high pollution risks, surpassing permissible limits for HPI (> 100) and MI (> 6). Notably, HI oral values indicated significant non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children. While HI values for adults suggested low-risk dermal contact, those for children showed a substantial proportion in the high-risk category. Most water samples displayed CR values exceeding 1 × 10–4 for Cd, Cr, and Pb, indicating vulnerability to carcinogenic effects in both age groups. Monte Carlo simulations reinforced these findings, revealing a significant carcinogenic impact on children and adults. The identified clusters, reflective of industrial, petroleum-related, and urban runoff contamination sources, were consistently validated and clarified through PCA, enhancing the reliability of the findings. In light of these results, urgent and comprehensive water treatment measures are imperative to mitigate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks. These insights provide a foundation for implementing targeted management strategies to effectively address the challenges of heavy metal contamination in the Red Sea.
Dissociative experiences alter resting state functional connectivity after childhood abuse
Authors: von Schröder Claudius , Nkrumah Richard O. , Demirakca Traute , Ende Gabriele , Schmahl Christian
Published: February 2025

Dissociative experiences commonly occur alongside adverse childhood experiences (ACE), yet research on their neurofunctional biomarkers has overlooked their unique association with dimensions of childhood abuse and neglect. We investigated interactions between dissociative experiences and childhood abuse, anticipating anti-correlations between the right-lateralized anterior middle frontal gyrus (raMFG) and the medial temporal lobe, as well as the temporal gyri. Examining resting-state functional connectivity in 91 participants with a history of ACE, we employed seed-to-voxel analyses seeding the raMFG. Multiple linear regression and post-hoc moderation/mediation models explored interactions and individual effects of dissociation and dimensions of ACE. The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) quantified dissociation and dimensions of ACE. A DES by CTQ-A (childhood abuse) interaction predicted an anti-correlation between the raMFG and right hippocampus, moderated by CTQ-A. The CTQ revealed negative connectivity between the raMFG and right anterior cingulate cortex. CTQ-N (childhood neglect) indicated that both the right supplementary motor area and right insula related positively to the raMFG. Our findings underscore a distinct neural signature of childhood abuse-related dissociative experiences, potentially linked to dissociated memories.
Dissociable genetic influences on eye movements during abstract versus naturalistic social scene viewing in infancy
Authors: Portugal Ana Maria , Taylor Mark J. , Tammimies Kristiina , Ronald Angelica , Falck-Ytter Terje
Published: February 2025

Eye-movement metrics like fixation location and duration are increasingly being used in infancy research. We tested whether fixation durations during meaningful social stimulus viewing involve common or different familial influences than fixation durations during viewing of abstract stimulus. We analysed the duration of fixations, and the allocation of fixations to face and motion, from 536 dizygotic and monozygotic 5-month-old twins in: naturalistic scenes including low- and high-level social features, and abstract scenes only having low-level features. We observed significant genetic influences in both conditions (h
2

naturalistic
 = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14 to 0.44; h
2

abstract
 = 0.25, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.39), while shared environmental influences were negligible. Although some genetic influences were shared between the two conditions, unique genetic factors were linked to naturalistic scene viewing, indicating that fixation durations index different phenomena dependent on the context. Heritability for face looking was moderate (h
2 = 0.19, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.34), and no familial influences were found for motion looking. Exploratory polygenic score analyses revealed no significant associations with fixation measures. This study underscores the dissociable genetic influences on infants’ visual exploration of abstract versus naturalistic stimuli and the importance of considering context when interpreting eye-tracking data.
Micro-computed tomographic analysis of the morphology of maxillary canines
Authors: Wolf Thomas Gerhard , Rempapi Theodora , Armogida Niccolò Giuseppe , Spagnuolo Gianrico , Waber Andrea Lisa
Published: February 2025

Objective: This study aimed to examine the morphology of maxillary canines (MxCs) by means of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and methods: The root canal configurations (RCCs) of 97 maxillary canines of a mixed Swiss-German population were analyzed using micro-CT. After representing the internal morphology by 3-D software imaging, the RCC results were described using a four-digit system code indicating the main root canal from coronal to apical thirds and the main foramina number. Results: The most frequently observed RCCs of the MxC of the Swiss-German population were 1-1-1/1 (77.3%), followed by 1-1-1/2 (14.4%), 1-1-2/2 (4.1%), and finally 1-1-1/3 and 1-2-1/1 with 2.1% each. One physiological foramen was observed in 79.4% of the samples, two in 18.6%, and only 2.1% had three foramina. In 52.6% of the MxC samples, accessory and connecting canals were identified, with the majority located in the apical third of the root. Conclusions: This study contributes detailed information about the RCCs of MxC. The most prevalent RCC is 1-1-1/1, with accessory or connecting canals present in over half of the samples. However, it is noteworthy that in more than one-fifth of the examined samples, a particularly challenging RCC was observed. This should be considered when selecting treatment techniques. Clinical relevance: This study presents the root canal configurations in maxillary canines of a Swiss-German population and emphasizes the importance of influencing endodontic treatment decisions and outcomes.
Two chromatographic methods for analyzing paracetamol in spiked human plasma with its toxic metabolite, N-acetyl parabenzoquinone imine and its antidote, N-acetyl-l-cysteine
Authors: El-Abassy Omar M , Fawzy Michael Gamal , Kamel Ebraam B.
Published: February 2025

Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol (APAP), is a highly utilized pharmaceutical agent on a global scale, particularly in the field of pediatrics. Regrettably, an overdose of APAP, resulting from the predominant oxidation, has the potential to trigger acute liver injury. The study’s goal was to find an easy, accurate, and selective way to measure APAP, N-acetyl para benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) (an APAP metabolite that is harmful), and N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) (an antidote). Two different chromatographic methods were used. The HPTLC method, which used silica gel 60 F254 as a stationary phase and a developing liquid made up of methanol, ethyl acetate, and glacial acetic acid (8:2:0.2, v/v/v) and a UV detection at 254 nm. The HPLC method was developed using a mobile phase consisting of water, methanol, and formic acid in a proportion of (70:30:0.15, v/v/v). The stationary phase used in the approach was a C18 column. Analytes quantification was established utilizing a UV detector operating at a wavelength of 254 nm. The present methods make it possible to measure the amount of APAP in plasma samples. When it comes to pharmacokinetics or medication levels in children’s plasma, for example, this may be also very helpful. The current methods can quantify NAPQI, which is helpful in figuring out drug concentrations in individuals with APAP intoxication diagnoses. Additionally, the current approaches can estimate NAC as an antidote; as a result, this study is a complete study because it can analyse drug, toxic metabolite, and antidote in one analytical run. Using the innovative blue applicability grade index software, which measures the practicality of procedures, both methodologies were compared with a reported methods. Additionally, the achievement of the eco-friendliness profile of the designed procedures was assessed. Both techniques passed the ICH validation tests.
A mild and scalable one-pot synthesis of N-substituted 2-aminobenzimidazoles via visible light mediated cyclodesulfurization
Authors: Rerkrachaneekorn Tanawat , Annuur Rose Malina , Pornsuwan Soraya , Sukwattanasinitt Mongkol , Wacharasindhu Sumrit
Published: February 2025

A visible light mediated photocatalyst-free synthesis of N-substituted 2-aminobenzimidazoles directly from o-phenylenediamines and isothiocyanates is developed in a one-pot fashion. This one-pot reaction proceeds through three steps: N-substitution of o-phenylenediamines, thiourea formation and visible light mediated cyclodesulfurization. This method enables the rapid and efficient synthesis of structurally diverse N-substituted 2-aminobenzimidazoles, achieving yields up to 92% across 69 examples. The practicality of the reaction is demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis. The key advantages of this method include the use of less toxic solvent in aqueous media, the elimination of photocatalyst, and a simple, practical setup (one-pot, open-flask, and ambient temperature). Mechanistic insights are gathered through control experiments, including light on/off cycles and radical inhibition studies. The results indicate that the reaction involves with radical pathway mediated by visible light.
Insights from serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging show early progress in diastolic dysfunction relates to impaired right ventricular deformation
Authors: Backhaus Sören J. , Schulz Alexander , Lange Torben , Rösel Simon F. , Schmidt-Schweda Lennart S. , Kutty Shelby , Kowallick Johannes T. , Treiber Julia , Rolf Andreas , Sossalla Samuel , Hasenuß Gerd , Schuster Andreas
Published: February 2025

Latent pulmonary vascular disease is a distinct feature already in the early pathophysiology of masked heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and associated with reduced right ventricular (RV) functional reserve. We hypothesized that serial real-time cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at rest and during exercise-stress may detect early progress in pathophysiological alterations in HFpEF. Patients presenting with exertional dyspnoea and signs of diastolic dysfunction (E/e’>8, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction > 50%) were prospectively enrolled in the HFpEF Stress Trial (NCT03260621). Rest and exercise-stress echocardiography, CMR and right heart catheterisation were performed at baseline. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was used for classification of HFpEF (≥ 15/25mmHg at rest/during exercise-stress) and non-cardiac dyspnoea (NCD). Repeat rest and exercise-stress CMR was performed in median 2.94 years after recruitment during which timeframe some HFpEF patients had undergone interatrial shunt device (IASD) implantation. Cardiovascular events were assessed after 4 years.Serial CMR scans were available for NCD n = 10, HFpEF n = 10 and HFpEF with IASD implantation following baseline diagnosis n = 6. RV long axis strain at rest and during exercise-stress decreased in HFpEF (p = 0.007 for both) but neither in NCD nor HFpEF with IASD. In contrast, in NCD, an improvement in LA LAS during exercise-stress (p = 0.028) was noted. There were no functional alterations in HFpEF patients who had undergone IASD implantation. RV functional deterioration may be a pathophysiological feature during early-stage disease progress in HFpEF. In this observational study RV functional deterioration was detected in HFpEF patients only but not patients with NCD and patients with HFpEF that were treated with IASD placement. These findings should next be explored in adequately powered future research trials. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03260621 (First posted date 24/08/2017).
Image vaccine against steganography in encrypted domain
Authors: Li Xinran , Wang Zichi
Published: February 2025

This paper investigates on the defense against steganography, and the overall purpose of the study is to design a satisfactory defense scheme in encrypted domain. Image vaccine against steganography is an effective technique to discover the utilization of steganography with extremely high detection accuracy. However, the image owner and vaccine provider are not the same person usually. To meet the requirements of steganography defense and privacy protection simultaneously, this paper proposes a vaccine scheme against steganography for encrypted images. After encrypting the entire data of a original image using a stream cipher, the vaccine data can be injected into the image without knowing the image content. With an encrypted image containing vaccine data, one can decrypt it to obtain the vaccinated image. When steganography is executed on vaccinated image, the utilization of steganography can be discovered in encrypted domain. Experimental results show that the detection accuracy of our scheme on steganography is 100% for all cases. That means the utilization of steganography can be always detected using our scheme. Integrate image vaccine into the imaging process of digital cameras in IoT systems is a potential practical application of our scheme. Non-universal detection mechanism is the potential limitations of this study, and it may be solved by pre-processing original image instead of injecting specific data.
Warming alters plankton body-size distributions in a large field experiment
Authors: Albini Dania , Ransome Emma , Dumbrell Alex J. , Pawar Samraat , O’Gorman Eoin J. , Smith Thomas P. , Bell Thomas , Jackson Michelle C. , Woodward Guy
Published: February 2025

The threat of climate change has renewed interest in the responses of communities and ecosystems to warming, with changes in size spectra expected to signify fundamental shifts in the structure and dynamics of these multispecies systems. While substantial empirical evidence has accumulated in recent years on such changes, we still lack general insights due to a limited coverage of warming scenarios that span spatial and temporal scales of relevance to natural systems. We addressed this gap by conducting an extensive freshwater mesocosm experiment across 36 large field mesocosms exposed to intergenerational warming treatments of up to +8 °C above ambient levels. We found a nonlinear decrease in the overall mean body size of zooplankton with warming, with a 57% reduction at +8 °C. This pattern was broadly consistent over two tested seasons and major taxonomic groups. We also detected some breakpoints in the community-level size-temperature relationship, indicating that the system’s response shifts noticeably above a certain level of warming. These results underscore the need to capture intergenerational responses to large gradients in warming at appropriate scales in time and space in order to better understand the effects of warming on natural communities and ecosystems.
Deletion of ESX-3 and ESX-4 secretion systems in Mycobacterium abscessus results in highly impaired pathogenicity
Authors: Daher Wassim , Le Moigne Vincent , Tasrini Yara , Parmar Shweta , Sexton Danielle L. , Aguilera-Correa John Jairo , Berdal Valentin , Tocheva Elitza I. , Herrmann Jean-Louis , Kremer Laurent
Published: February 2025

Type VII secretion systems participate in protein export, virulence, conjugation, and metabolic regulation. Five subtypes (ESX-1 to ESX-5) exist, each with specific roles and well-characterized secretion profiles in various mycobacterial species. Mycobacterium abscessus, encodes only ESX-3 and ESX-4. Here, single and double M. abscessus mutants lacking the main ATPases EccC3 and EccC4 were used to define ESX-3 and ESX-4 contributions to substrate secretion and virulence. Our results demonstrate that EsxG/H secretion depends entirely on ESX-3, whereas both ESX-3 and ESX-4 secrete EsxU/T. Furthermore, two newly identified PE/PPE substrates (MAB_0046/MAB_0047) require ESX-3 for secretion. Functional complementation restored secretion and revealed subpolar localization of these systems. Macrophage infections showed that ESX-3 and ESX-4 contribute to bacterial internalization, phagosomal escape, and intracellular survival. In mice, infections with eccC3- and/or eccC4-deletion mutants resulted in complete survival and reduced bacterial loads in the lungs. These findings demonstrate that both ESX systems drive M. abscessus pathogenicity.
Folded pseudochiral Fermi surface in 4Hb-TaSe2 from band hybridization with a charge density wave
Authors: Watson Matthew D. , Tonelli Andrea , Zerabza Mugerabe , Hayward Sam , Wilkinson Rebecca , Carpene Ettore , Cacho Cephise , De Renzi Valentina , Crampin Simon , Da Como Enrico
Published: February 2025

Stacking of strongly-correlated 2D materials is opening the possibility to demonstrate novel electronic or magnetic ordering phenomena. In this regard the intrinsic polytypism of tantalum dichalcogenides has emerged as a platform to generate clean and controllable material interfaces. Here, we report on the Fermi surface of 4Hb-TaSe2, a polytype which consists of alternately stacked layers with octahedral (T) and trigonal prismatic (H) coordination of tantalum in the Se-Ta-Se layers. The material is known to host a charge density wave (CDW) phase with star clusters in the T-layers, intercalated by metallic H-layers, but its momentum resolved electronic structure remains undetermined. Using selective area angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy on the T termination combined with ab initio calculations, we unveil a finely structured Fermi surface arising from band folding in the reconstructed Brillouin zone caused by the CDW star clusters. The star-shaped Fermi surface is rotated away from the high-symmetry directions of the normal phase, and exhibits pseudochirality. Theoretical analysis supports the metallic nature of the system and interlayer interactions leading to hybridization. The work provides a detailed overview on the impact of band hybridization with the CDW on the Fermi surface of a material for new phases of quantum matter.
The long journey towards a shift to rail in the European long-distance passenger transport market
Authors: Cats Oded
Published: February 2025

The European long-distance passenger transport market is rapidly changing. There is a striking discrepancy between the relevance of long-distance travel for emission reduction goals and the lack of knowledge to support its design, planning and policy making. A conceptual representation of this market is provided, and four key scientific challenges are identified and discussed along with a brief review of the state-of-the-art, related knowledge gaps and a corresponding research agenda.
Effect of excited state self-quenching on singlet oxygen photogeneration using nanosheet surface assembled zinc phthalocyanine
Authors: Fujimura Takuya , Okada Kazuya , Nishiguchi Masatoshi , Araki Yasuyuki , Ikeue Takahisa , Sasai Ryo
Published: February 2025

The dominant contribution to decrease the quantum yield for singlet oxygen photogeneration is self-quenching of excited singlet state in the system in which dyes densely assembled on solid surface.
Physics of polymer gels: Toyoichi Tanaka and after
Authors: Shibayama Mitsuhiro
Published: February 2025

This review revisits the works of Toyoichi Tanaka on the physics of polymer gels and discusses their scientific significance, covering volume phase transition, structure, dynamics, kinetics and inhomogeneities, followed by some recent topics.
A novel strategy for discovering inorganic solar-cell absorbers: leveraging octahedral features in ABX3 structures
Authors: Jung Wonzee , Lim Suim , Youn Yong , Lee Jiho , Amare Awet Mana , Fawad Ali Shah Syed , Jeong Inyoung , Shin Donghyeop , Park Joo Hyung , Kim Kihwan , Yim Kanghoon
Published: February 2025

High-throughput screening study presenting a novel strategy for discovering new solar cell absorbers, inspired by the octahedral framework of ABX3 structures.
Solubility of polymorphic glycine in mixed solutions with molecular dynamics simulation and thermodynamic analysis
Authors: Wang Zhihao , Ma Yixin , Zhang Yan , Yang Li , Zheng Songlin , Cheng Jingcai , Yang Chao
Published: February 2025

The solubility of polymorphic glycine in mixed solutions was determined, and the dissolution behavior of glycine was investigated by molecular simulation.
Rounding up Rh nanoparticles for ultraviolet plasmonic sensing
Authors: Xu Yikai
Published: February 2025

This article highlights the recent work of D. M. Arboleda and V. Amendola et al. (Nanoscale Horiz., 2025, 10, 336–348, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NH00449C) on the synthesis of rhodium nanospheres for ultraviolet and visible plasmonics.
Concise asymmetric synthesis of (−)-Bao Gong Teng A via Evans chiral auxiliary-based 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition
Authors: Zhao Yi-Wen , Wang Jun-Fei , Xu Jianrong , Chen Hongzhuan , Tan Yun-Xuan , Tian Ping
Published: February 2025

We present a concise asymmetric synthesis of (−)-Bao Gong Teng A via an Evans chiral auxiliary-controlled regio- and diastereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between p-chlorobenzyl pyridinium salt and (R)-3-acryloyl-4-phenyloxazolidin-2-one.
Methodological Stimulus Considerations for Auditory Emotion Recognition Test Design
Authors: Morgan Shae D. , LaPaugh Bailey
Published: February 2025

Purpose:

Many studies have investigated test design influences (e.g., number of stimuli, open- vs. closed-set tasks) on word recognition ability, but the impact that stimuli selection has on auditory emotion recognition has not been explored. This study assessed the impact of some stimulus parameters and test design methodologies on emotion recognition performance to optimize stimuli to use for auditory emotion recognition testing.

Method:

Twenty-five young adult participants with normal or near-normal hearing completed four tasks evaluating methodological parameters that may affect emotion recognition performance. The four conditions assessed (a) word stimuli versus sentence stimuli, (b) the total number of stimuli and number of stimuli per emotion category, (c) the number of talkers, and (d) the number of emotion categories.

Results:

Sentence stimuli yielded higher emotion recognition performance and increased performance variability compared to word stimuli. Recognition performance was independent of the number of stimuli per category, the number of talkers, and the number of emotion categories. Task duration expectedly increased with the total number of stimuli. A test of auditory emotion recognition that combined these design methodologies yielded high performance with low variability for listeners with normal hearing.

Conclusions:

Stimulus selection influences performance and test reliability for auditory emotion recognition. Researchers should consider these influences when designing future tests of auditory emotion recognition to ensure tests are able to accomplish the study's aims.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.28270943
Decentralized and autonomous behavior decision-making for UAV cluster
Authors: HU Weijun , ZHANG Weijie , YIN Wei , XIONG Jingyi
Published: February 2025

It is difficult for conventional methods like the diagram theory in a complex environment to carry out modeling and calculation so as to make large-scale cluster behavior decisions. Hence, this paper studies small fixed wings and establishes the decentralized behavior decision-making model for a UAV cluster that has communication limitations and scale ceiling effects. The idea of swarm intelligence is combined with the decoupling multi-agent deep deterministic strategy gradient (DE-MADDPG) for the constructed model to do adaptive learning. Finally, the optimal behavior decision of the UAV cluster is made. Simulations are carried out to verify the model. The consistent movement of the UAV cluster and the maneuvering obstacle avoidance behavior in complex environments are realized. Compared with the MADDPG, the DE-MADDPG exhibits superior precision and real-time capability.
Autonomous decision-making method for ship maneuvering in complex waters of estuarine multi-class ships routeing system
Authors: HE Yixiong , ZHANG Huwei , LIU Jiaorun , ZHAO Xingya , XIANG Shouyuan , WANG Bing
Published: February 2025

In order to solve the autonomous decision-making for ship manoeuvring in complex waters of estuarine multi-class ships routeing system, key scientific issues such as digital environment, navigation rule integration, ship manoeuvrability constraints, and collision avoidance mechanism under special waters were investigated by taking the waters from the mouth of Liu River to the North Trough as an example. The requirements of analytical rules were summarized and quantified in the digital traffic environment. The collision avoidance mechanism under the constraints of ship behavioural characteristics in such waters was explored by combining the control and process prediction methods with nonlinear ship manoeuvring characteristics. Then, a feasible heading speed finding method was established, and a ship manoeuvring autonomy decision-making method under the constraints of multifactors that can dynamically adapt to the system's residual error and the target ship's random motion was proposed. Under the preset scenarios, the ship can pass safely at 0, 38, 1 184, 1 537, 2 166, 3 678, 3 808 s by altering course 4° to starboard side, decelerating, altering course 5° to starboard and decelerating, decelerating, altering course 3° to port side accelerating, altering course 3° to starboard and decelerating, decelerating, respectively. The experiments show that the present method can safely avoid the collision in the complex environment and track the course in time.
Symplectic method for the influence of surface effect on thermal buckling of graded porous nanobeams
Authors: LI Qinglu , NIU Xiaojie , ZHANG Jinghua
Published: February 2025

The influences of surface effect on the thermal buckling behavior of graded porous nano-beams were analyzed. Based on the Grutin-Murdoch surface elasticity theory and Euler beam theory, the thermal buckling of graded porous nano-beams was studied by using Hamilton system. In the symplectic space, the buckling problem of gradient porous beams was reduced to the zero eigenvalue problem of the system, and the critical buckling temperature and buckling mode of nano-beams correspond to the symplectic eigenvalue and eigensolution of the Hamiltonian system. It is assumed that the performance of gradient porous materials varies continuously throughout the thickness, and two cosine forms of uneven distribution of porosity along its thickness are considered. By using bifurcation conditions and normalization methods, the critical buckling temperature rise for buckling modes and nano-beams was analytically determined. Finally, the influence of surface effects on the thermal buckling of gradient porous nano-beams was presented in the form of a chart. The results indicate that graded porous nano-beams have significant surface effects. Considering surface effects, the critical thermal load and critical buckling temperature of porous nano-beams will be increased. At the same time, appropriate porosity coefficients and pore distribution can effectively improve the mechanical properties of porous nano-beams.