bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of a Regeneration System for ‘Minihyang’, a Domestic Citrus Variety With High Utility as a Genetic Resource
Authors: Jin Seong‐Beom , Park Suk‐Man , Park Jee‐Soo , Moon Young‐Eel , Lee Dong‐Hoon
Published: February 2025

‘Minihyang’, a novel citrus cultivar, was developed through the hybridization of Citrus kinokuni ex Tanaka ‘Kishu mikan’ and Citrus reticulata ‘Ootaponkan’. This study aimed to establish a tissue culture system for ‘Minihyang’ using cells from unfertilized and undeveloped seeds of mature fruits. Somatic embryogenic cells were induced on somatic embryogenesis induction modified Murashige and Tucker (SIME) medium and propagated through subculture on modified Murashige and Skoog (EMS) medium containing sucrose, malt extract and agar. Abnormal globular embryos were observed after 4 weeks in the EMS medium with lactose and agar. Normal plants were regenerated from somatic embryos by culturing in the EMS medium supplemented with sorbitol, galactose, gibberellic acid and gelrite. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the hybrid origin of ‘Minihyang’, demonstrating closer genetic relatedness to its seed parent ‘Ootaponkan’ than to its pollen parent. Additionally, regenerated plantlets were identified as nucellar tissue derivatives, genetically identical to ‘Minihyang’. This tissue culture system facilitates the use of ‘Minihyang’ as a genetic resource for breeding bioactive cultivars.
Oral propranolol and its impact on vital signs in hospitalized pediatric patients for the Management of Infantile Hemangiomas
Authors: Rypka Katelyn , Bellefeuille Gretchen , Wendland Zachary , Paiewonsky Briana , Freese Rebecca , Maguiness Sheilagh , Nicholson Cynthia
Published: February 2025

Background

Infantile hemangiomas (IH) affect 2%–10% of the pediatric population. The current standard treatment for complicated IH is oral propranolol. Propranolol initiation protocols vary depending on institution and may occur in an inpatient setting for patients <5‐week‐corrected‐age, with a history of premature birth, and or with low weight to allow for heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and glucose monitoring.

Objective

Our study aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of monitoring inpatient propranolol initiation and to evaluate if complications occurred during admission.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of patients seen at the University of Minnesota Department of Dermatology between January 01, 2012 and July 31, 2022 was completed. Inclusion criteria include less than 1 year of age at time of admission, a diagnosis of IH and or PHACE syndrome, and admission for propranolol initiation and monitoring.

Results

Admissions for 78 pediatric patients were reviewed. After initiation of propranolol, significant decreases in BP (systolic p = .005; diastolic p = .002) and HR (p = .004) were noted; however, average BPs and HRs remained above the lower limit of normal. No patients experienced symptomatic hypoglycemia. No statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences in vital sign alterations were observed between patients <5 versus >5 kg; preterm vs term gestation; or <5‐week‐corrected‐age versus >5‐week‐corrected‐age.

Discussion

Our findings complement current literature confirming that propranolol initiation is safe in pediatric patients. Propranolol initiation likely requires less laboratory and vital sign monitoring than currently performed for these patient populations.
The Manifestation of the Karen Trope in the Workplace: A Reconsideration of Stereotypes of White Women at Work
Authors: Tirol‐Carmody Kristina B. , Li Christina S. , Goering Daniel D. , Henry Sarah E.
Published: February 2025

As research largely considers White women a race‐neutral gender group associated with generic feminine attributes (e.g., communality), there is a limited theoretical understanding of how their intersectional racial and gender identities might combine to shape their work experiences. Yet the recently emerged Karen trope—popularized on social media as White women who complain incessantly—deviates from generic feminine attributes and may have seeped into the workplace to potentially create unique work experiences for White women based on their race and gender. Using a mixed‐method design across three studies, we explore the implications of how the Karen trope has manifested within organizations. Our qualitative study revealed that employees have adopted this trope to label White female colleagues who prohibitively voice as workplace Karens, leading to various social penalties for these individuals. Integrating these preliminary findings with a stereotype activation and application lens, we develop a conceptual model of when White women (vs. men and non‐White women) conduct prohibitive voice, they activate a broader stereotype that White women are workplace Karens, causing observers to perceive them as having less organizational concern, which leads to lower promotability evaluations and decreased intent to rely on their voice. Using a series of experimental vignettes and a field study combining a critical incident technique with random assignment to experimental conditions, we find empirical support for our model. Our results enhance the theoretical and practical understanding of a rare context wherein Whiteness and gender interact to create negative work experiences for an otherwise advantaged social group.
B‐class gene GLOBOSA – a facilitator for enriched species diversity of Salvia in the New World?
Authors: Wetters S. , Nick P.
Published: February 2025

The genus Salvia, comprising around 1000 species, half of which are found in the New World, belongs to the taxonomically most challenging genera within the Lamiaceae. A part of this diversity can be ascribed to the shape and expansion of the corolla and stamen structures, because changes in geometry of the sexual organs and attractance of pollinators might establish propagation barriers. However, the structural, functional, and evolutionary context of the underlying genes has not yet been elaborated.

In this study, we analyse a large set of flowers from Salvia species of different geographic origin and use this morphometric framework to address gene expression and phylogenetic analysis of the MADS‐box B‐class gene, GLOBOSA.

We examined expression of GLOBOSA in petals and anthers throughout anthesis for both Salvia pratensis L., as species from Europe, and the American Salvia elegans Vahl. Structural analysis of the B‐class genes reveals typical MADS‐MIKC‐type composition. When we infer phylogenies for GLOBOSA and its binding partner DEFICIENS, we see a genus‐wide duplication of DEFICIENS in Salvia and a specific duplication of GLOBOSA in Salvia species from the New World.

Based on the first description of flowering genes in the genus Salvia, we arrive at a working model, where a duplication of GLOBOSA enabled the intense radiation of New World Salvia by neo‐functionalization of a flower identity gene for morphogenetic control of corolla and anther geometry. We propose that the genus Salvia can be used as paradigm to address the role of EvoDevo for plant speciation.
“Is Lobbying for Losers?”: Corporate Behavior and Canadian Military Procurement Contracting
Authors: Migone Andrea , Chen David , Evans Bryan , Howlett Alex , Howlett Michael
Published: February 2025

Lobbying is a multi‐faceted phenomenon that involves interest groups and corporations contacting politicians and officials in order to try to achieve their policy preferences. While interest group policy‐related lobbying has received a great deal of attention, studies of corporate contract lobbying are rarer even though this is a much older phenomenon. The article critically examines the commonly‐held position that in the latter case “lobbying is for winners”; that is, that large scale corporate lobbying helps secure contracts that might otherwise have gone to a different firm. It argues instead that firms enjoying technological and other market‐related strengths enjoy an “insider advantage” and lobby less than firms in more competitive situations. In other words that in many situations “lobbying is for losers,” a tool used by weaker firms trying to match or offset the technological and other advantages enjoyed by dominant firms. The article draws on government lobbying registers to examine recent defense‐related procurement efforts in Canada to purchase fighter jets, naval surface ships, patrol vessels, and search and rescue aircraft and the contract lobbying they engendered. Evidence from the four cases provides support for the “loser” thesis with respect to large‐scale technologically advanced goods but also the need to carefully define what constitutes an “inside advantage” allowing firms to forego or delay their lobbying activity, often until only after a contract has been awarded.
Political Origin of High Trust in the Government During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Selective Responsibility Attribution to Opposition Parties and Nonpartisan Experts
Authors: Iseki Tatsuya , Hata Masaki
Published: February 2025

Objective

Increased public trust in government and political leaders during the COVID‐19 pandemic in various countries coexisted with a mounting backlash against pandemic‐control measures. To clarify this paradox of high trust alongside resistance to control measures, we show that amid the cross‐partisan consensus and increased roles for experts during the pandemic, blame for pandemic‐control measures were attributed to opposition parties and/or nonpartisan experts instead of governing incumbents. Consequently, the backlash against such measures did not erode public trust in governments and political leaders.

Methods

Utilizing survey data collected in Japan in 2020, we examined the public response to a de facto stay‐at‐home order and evaluated public trust in the incumbent party, opposition party, and advisory experts in Japan.

Results

Among governing‐party supporters and independents, dissatisfaction with the stay‐at‐home order did not decrease trust in the incumbent party but did decrease trust in the opposition party and in advisory experts.

Conclusion

One reason why public trust in the government remained high during the pandemic is that individuals’ responsibility attribution was biased. The government must clarify the distribution of roles and responsibilities during crises such as pandemics.
Infection‐Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Chaturvedi Mansi , Epling Brian P. , Pei Luxin , Sullivan Brigit , Kuehn Hye Sun , Hammoud Dima A. , Rosenzweig Sergio , Pai Sung‐Yun , Sereti Irini , Freeman Alexandra F. , Cuellar‐Rodriguez Jennifer , Gonzalez Corina E. , Manion Maura
Published: February 2025

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a well‐recognized complication in people with HIV (PWH) starting antiretroviral therapy (ART), but data on IRIS in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients are limited. To address this gap, we conducted a narrative review of the literature on IRIS in HCT recipients, including 21 studies encompassing 53 patients. The majority of reported patients had inborn errors of immunity (IEI) and developed IRIS associated with Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)‐infection from prior vaccination (“BCG‐IRIS”). The remainder had IRIS linked to other infections, most commonly Aspergillus and Non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (“non–BCG‐IRIS”). The median time between transplant and IRIS was 3 months; however, some patients developed IRIS multiple years posttransplant. BCG‐IRIS was predominantly unmasking, while non–BCG‐IRIS was mostly associated with a new infection acquired after HCT alongside immune recovery and/or changes in immunosuppression (“post‐HCT infection IRIS”). Inflammatory biomarkers and tissue pathology were helpful in distinguishing IRIS from uncontrolled infection. Initiation or continuation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy in the peri‐transplant period was foremost in the prevention and treatment of IRIS. Use of steroidal and nonsteroidal immunosuppression was common, while surgery was used as an adjunctive measure to infection control. Recrudescence of IRIS symptoms was common with discontinuation or decrease in immunosuppression. About one‐third of the patients were reported to have graft‐versus‐host disease, and the rate of graft failure was 8%. The mortality rate was 15%, with most deaths attributed to superimposed infections. Through this review, we aim to highlight that IRIS is an under‐recognized entity in HCT recipients and future research is needed to explore its pathogenesis, risk factors, and management in this complex patient population.
Coccidioidomycosis Prophylaxis in Liver, Kidney, and Heart Transplant Recipients Residing in Endemic Areas Within the United States
Authors: Morado Faiza , Davoudi Roland , Cartus Rachel , Kawewat‐Ho Pnada , Akkad Apurva , Shaikh Suhail A.
Published: February 2025

Background

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients residing in southwestern United States may be at an increased risk of symptomatic coccidioidomycosis (CM). Accordingly, clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of a universal oral azole antifungal prevention strategy for all SOT recipients residing in a CM endemic area. However, this recommendation is based on limited evidence. Our center does not routinely utilize CM azole antifungal prophylaxis for SOT recipients at low risk for de novo CM infection.

Objective

To determine the incidence of CM with or without CM prophylaxis in Coccidioides seronegative liver, kidney, and heart transplant recipients residing in endemic areas with no documented history of CM at time of transplant.

Study Design

A retrospective chart review was performed for SOT recipients who resided in CM endemic areas and received an organ transplant at Keck Hospital of USC between March 2017 and June 2023. Patients receiving CM prophylaxis with fluconazole were compared to patients not receiving CM prophylaxis. The primary end point was incidence of CM infection or asymptomatic seroconversion.

Results

In our 85‐patient cohort, 18 patients received CM prophylaxis compared to 67 patients who did not. Most patients who received prophylaxis were heart transplant recipients (66.6%). No cases of CM occurred within a median follow‐up period of 2.2 years.

Conclusion

CM prophylaxis can be considered but may not be warranted for liver and kidney transplant recipients residing in Coccidioides endemic areas who are seronegative for Coccidioides and have no history of CM before transplant.
Diagnostic Imaging Features of Inflammatory Laryngeal Disease in Cats
Authors: Kurihara Manabu , Yoshida Shino , Suematsu Masahiro
Published: February 2025

Feline inflammatory laryngeal disease is a nonneoplastic condition with limited documentation in veterinary literature. This retrospective study assesses the imaging characteristics and clinical outcomes of seven cats diagnosed with this disease. Radiography, echolaryngography, and endoscopy identified laryngeal masses or thickening in all cases. Echolaryngography, utilizing an 18 MHz high‐frequency probe and spatial compounding, revealed abnormalities in shape, margination, echogenicity, echotexture, and laryngeal immobility, closely aligning with endoscopic findings. Histopathology revealed neutrophilic, lymphocytic, and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, alongside granulation tissue formation. Disease‐related mortality occurred between 19 and 90 days, while long‐term survivors were followed for up to 801 days. The study highlights the difficulty in differentiating inflammatory and neoplastic lesions based on imaging alone, stressing the importance of biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Echolaryngography proved to be a valuable noninvasive diagnostic tool, providing detailed insights into laryngeal structure and function. These findings support its integration into routine diagnostic protocols for feline laryngeal disease while emphasizing the critical role of histopathological confirmation. Further research is warranted to refine imaging techniques and improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in distinguishing between inflammatory and neoplastic conditions.
A comparison of Hochschild homology in algebraic and smooth settings
Authors: Kazhdan David , Solleveld Maarten
Published: February 2025

Consider a complex affine variety and a real analytic Zariski‐dense submanifold of . We compare modules over the ring of regular functions on with modules over the ring of smooth complex valued functions on . Under a mild condition on the tangent spaces, we prove that is flat as a module over . From this, we deduce a comparison theorem for the Hochschild homology of finite‐type algebras over and the Hochschild homology of similar algebras over . We also establish versions of these results for functions on (resp. ) that are invariant under the action of a finite group . As an auxiliary result, we show that has finite rank as module over .
Geometry and arithmetic of semi‐arithmetic Fuchsian groups
Authors: Belolipetsky Mikhail , Cosac Gregory , Dória Cayo , Paula Gisele Teixeira
Published: February 2025

Semi‐arithmetic Fuchsian groups is a wide class of discrete groups of isometries of the hyperbolic plane which includes arithmetic Fuchsian groups, hyperbolic triangle groups, groups admitting a modular embedding, and others. We introduce a new geometric invariant of a semi‐arithmetic group called stretch. Its definition is based on the notion of the Riemannian center of mass developed by Karcher and collaborators. We show that there exist only finitely many conjugacy classes of semi‐arithmetic groups with bounded arithmetic dimension, stretch and coarea. The proof of this result uses the arithmetic Margulis lemma. We also show that when stretch is not bounded there exist infinite sequences of such groups.
Youden's demon is Sylvester's problem
Authors: Frick Florian , Newman Andrew , Pegden Wesley
Published: February 2025

If four people with Gaussian‐distributed heights stand at Gaussian positions on the plane, the probability that there are exactly two people whose height is above the average of the four is exactly the same as the probability that they stand in convex position; both probabilities are . We show that this is a special case of a more general phenomenon: The problem of determining the position of the mean among the order statistics of Gaussian random points on the real line (Youden's demon problem) is the same as a natural generalization of Sylvester's four point problem to Gaussian points in . Our main tool is the observation that the Gale dual of independent samples in itself can be taken to be a set of independent points (translated to have barycenter at the origin) when the distribution of the points is Gaussian.
Modelling the time‐resolved modulations of cardiac activity in rats: A study on pharmacological autonomic stimulation
Authors: Candia‐Rivera Diego , Carrion‐Falgarona Sofia , de Vico Fallani Fabrizio , Chavez Mario
Published: February 2025

Assessing cardiac dynamics over time is essential for understanding cardiovascular health and its parallel patterns of activity with the brain. We present a methodology to estimate the time‐resolved sympathetic and parasympathetic modulations of cardiac dynamics, specifically tailored for the rat heart. To evaluate the performance of our method, we study a dataset comprising spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. These rats were administered dobutamine to elicit autonomic dynamics. The results obtained from our method demonstrated accurate time‐resolved depiction of sympathetic reactivity induced by dobutamine administration. These responses closely resembled the expected autonomic alterations observed during physical exercise conditions, albeit emulated pharmacologically. We further compared our method with standard measures of low‐frequency (LF) and high‐frequency (HF) components, which are commonly used, although debated, for sympathetic and parasympathetic activity estimation. The comparisons with LF and HF measures further confirmed the effectiveness of our method in better capturing autonomic changes in rat cardiac dynamics. Our findings highlight the potential of our adapted method for time‐resolved analysis in future clinical and translational studies involving rodent models. The validation of our approach in animal models opens new avenues for investigating the relationship between ongoing changes in cardiac activity and parallel changes in brain dynamics. Such investigations are crucial for advancing our understanding of the brain–heart connection, particularly in cases involving neurodegeneration, brain injuries and cardiovascular conditions.

image

Key points

We developed a method for time‐resolved estimation of sympathetic and parasympathetic modulations in rat cardiac dynamics, validated against standard low‐frequency and high‐frequency measures.

We used a cohort of spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar–Kyoto rats, with dobutamine administration to induce autonomic responses.

Our method accurately depicted time‐resolved sympathetic reactivity similar to autonomic changes during physical exercise.

Our findings suggest potential for future clinical and translational studies on the brain–heart connection, particularly in cardiovascular conditions.
Study on the etching mechanism of quartz using dual-frequency (60 MHz/400 KHz) capacitively coupled C4F8/Ar/O2 plasma
Authors: Li Chan , Gong Liyue , Tan Ziyan , Li Na , Liu Yongxin , Gao Fei , Mei Xianxiu
Published: February 2025

The etching characteristics of quartz (SiO2) materials were investigated in a dual-frequency (60 MHz/400 KHz) capacitively coupled C4F8/Ar/O2 plasma environment by adjusting the oxygen flow rate, and the etching behaviors of quartz with smooth and rough surfaces were comparatively studied. The experimental results indicate that as the oxygen flow rate increased from 0 to 30 SCCM, the relative concentration of F radicals gradually increased, resulting in a higher etching rate and surface roughness. When the oxygen flow rate reached 40 SCCM, the relative concentration of F radicals decreased, causing the etching rate and surface roughness to decrease accordingly. The fluorocarbon polymer layer on the smooth quartz surface was thicker, causing a slower etching rate and resulting in the formation of etching pits and spikelike protrusions. In contrast, the thinner fluorocarbon polymer layer on rough quartz, likely due to its higher surface roughness, facilitated enhanced ion bombardment, leading to uneven deposition of the fluorocarbon layer. The higher roughness of rough quartz also allowed F atoms to penetrate surface grooves more easily, resulting in a higher etching rate than that of smooth quartz and the formation of numerous small spherical particles and etching pits. These findings demonstrate that surface roughness has a significant impact on the etching behavior of quartz materials.
Fractional Fire Hawk Optimization-Based Compressive Sensing for Compression and Recovery of Medical Images
Authors: Jadhav Sharad T. , Mahajan Kirti , Rashid Faizur , Singh Gavendra
Published: February 2025

Due to the dramatic rise in the number of medical images utilized for identification and treatment, the storage of medical images is an important issue. Finding the domain in which an image is represented and accurately recovering it in order to produce a high-quality result is one of the most significant challenges in compressive sensing. Hence, an optimal technique is introduced using the proposed Fractional Fire Hawk Optimization (FFHO)-based collaborative recovery for compression and recovery of medical images. This technique involves two steps, such as the compression and recovery steps. In the compression step, self-similarity is used to denoise the image depending on the similarity of blocks, and the image is compressed using a 3D transform. During the recovery phase, where a brand-new metric known as SCP-Measure, which is the combination of Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), Collaborative sparsity (CoSM) and Probabilistic Clustering-based Metrics (PCMs), is introduced. Consequently, the FFHO is used to effectively solve the collaborative recovery problem. Moreover, the FFHO-based collaborative recovery when compared with various compressive sensing techniques shows better evaluation regarding the performance measures, like SSIM and Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) with a high value of 48.39 dB and 95.50%.
3. Problems Caused by Groundwater
Authors: Blower Tim , Preene Martin
Published: February 2025

Problems caused by groundwater – discusses a wide range of groundwater problems experienced by engineering works and examines some of the geotechnical mechanisms behind such problems, and some of their potential solutions. All in-ground engineering works interact with groundwater, either in terms of the effect of groundwater inflows, groundwater pressures or the change in behaviour of geological materials due to groundwater effects. For most construction projects, the groundwater itself and its effects are most commonly an impediment to construction and are thus viewed as ‘problems’. This Chapter explores some of these problems by means of examples from literature and from the Authors considerable experience, with many illustrated by figures.
Can dolomitic marble be weaker than calcitic marble at lower greenschist facies conditions? Microstructural analyses of co-existing greenschist facies calcitic and dolomitic mylonites
Authors: Coleman Mark J. , Rogowitz Anna , Grasemann Bernhard , Graziani Riccardo , Schneider David A.
Published: February 2025

The bedrock of Mt. Hymittos, Greece, exposes two parallel Miocene low-angle extensional faults. Strain along the upper detachment is localized in calcitic marble and schist, deformation associated with the lower detachment is accommodated in a >100 m thick package of dolomitic mylonite exhibiting consistent top-to-southwest kinematic indicators and pronounced L-S fabrics. Field and geochronometric evidence indicate both detachments deformed under middle to lower greenschist facies conditions, where dolomite is predicted to be stronger than calcite. Evidence of preferential strain localization in dolomitic marble under these conditions conflicts with generally expected predictions of mineral and rock strength; microstructural analysis and electron backscatter diffraction were applied to investigate this anomaly. Microstructures in both dolomitic and calcitic marbles record dislocation creep of dolomite and calcite leading to subgrain rotation recrystallization and grain size reduction of coarse domains (>50

μ

m). Grain size reduction initiated a switch in the dominant deformation mechanism from dislocation creep to diffusion creep in fine grained dolomite domains. Zener pinning and limited recovery controlled dolomite grain sizes. The crystallographic preferred orientation in calcitic marble indicates deformation by dislocation creep accommodated grain boundary sliding. Our work suggests that polydeformed dolomitic marble can be weaker than calcitic marble at relatively low temperatures.
Abstractions
Authors: Denning Peter J.
Published: February 2025

We do not agree on what our core abstractions mean. They are useful anyway.
Secure & Reliable 10T SRAM Cell during Read, Write and Hold Operations against Power Analysis Attack
Authors: Gupta Aastha , Sindal Ravi , Neema Vaibhav
Published: February 2025

Cryptography is essential to ensure data security in embedded devices that handle sensitive data. SRAM boosts overall performance by temporarily storing cryptographic keys. However, attackers can use side-channel, such as Power Analysis, to exploit power consumption patterns and extract secret keys. Once a key is compromised, encrypted data becomes vulnerable. There are many secure SRAM cell designs available in the literature, but they often degrade other performance parameters. This paper presents a novel 10-T SRAM cell design that provides protection against power analysis side-channel attacks (SCA) across all three cell operations, while also maintaining the performance of other key parameters. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted on 1000 samples each for case when BL=Q and BL≠Q during reading, writing, and holding data, using Cadence Virtuoso with a 45 nm technology node at 1V/270°C. Based on these simulations, the mean power difference was evaluated. The proposed P-10T SRAM cell exhibits a 0% mean power difference in all three modes of operation, demonstrating complete resilience to power analysis SCA. The design achieves 84.87% reliability with hold stability, read stability, and write ability values of 429 mV, 242 mV, and 250 mV, respectively. Furthermore, the write power dissipation of P-10T cell is 57.44 μW, which is 1.80 × lower than the power consumed by the conventional 6T cell.
First Report of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Outbreak in the West Bank, Palestine: Molecular Characterization of Coxsackievirus A16 (CV‐A16)
Authors: Dumaidi Kamal , Al-Jawabreh Amer , Zraiqi Areej , Fashafsha Athar , Dumaidi Ahmad
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a mild self‐limited childhood infectious disease caused by a variety of enteroviruses (EVs).

Aim: To investigate the molecular epidemiology of EVs associated with HFMD and their clinical presentation during the HFMD outbreak that occurred in the Jenin district, Palestine, from May to August 2024.

Materials and Methods: Forty‐four (44) throat and vesicular swabs were tested for enteroviral infections using two RT‐PCR assays targeting both the 5′NTR and the VP1‐2A regions of the enteroviral genome for the diagnosis and genotyping. Patients’ demographic data and clinical history were used to create an epidemiological curve. EpiInfo free software was used to draw a cluster mapping. MEGA‐X was used to construct a maximum likelihood (ML) tree. PopArt 1.7 software was used to construct neighbor‐joining network.

Results: The mean age of the study sample was 2.08 (0.25–12 years) with 95% (42/44) under five years old. The male/female ratio was 0.9. All cases presented with typical HFMD signs and symptoms with variable sites of signs. Of the 44 samples, 36 yield positive RT‐PCR targeting the 5′NTR. Seven randomly selected positive RT‐PCR‐5′NTR samples were sequenced using Sanger sequencing for genotyping. It was shown that all were CV‐A16 sub‐genogroup B1c. Phylogenetic analysis of VP1‐2A region sequences showed that all Palestinian CV‐A16 isolates form a pure haplogroup of CV‐A16 sub‐genotype B1c. Furthermore, although haplotype network analysis showed high variation between the viral sequences, the haplotype analysis supported the ML phylogenetic tree in having them all in one haplogroup.

Conclusion: CV‐A16, sub‐genotype B1c was the virus responsible for the HFMD outbreak in the Jenin district of Palestine in the summer of 2024. Phylogenetic and haplotype analysis showed that CV‐A16 strains cluster closely with each other and very close to an Indian isolate (OR437338.1), indicating the monomorphic nature of this strain with low genetic variation and the probability of virus importation.
Socket Shield Technique of an Ailing Mandibular Molar With Customized Healing Abutment: Graftless Management of the Hard and Soft Tissue Foundation Around Immediate Dental Implants
Authors: Sah Sanjay Kumar
Published: February 2025

It is an established fact that postextraction ridge resorptive changes are inevitable and are very evident in the molar areas. Resorption in the molar sites can cause a reduction in the attached gingiva and affect the long‐term success of the osseointegrated implant. To prevent significant postextraction tissue alteration, the socket shield technique (SST) was developed to preserve the buccal plate, over a decade ago. Since then, various studies showcasing modifications of the technique have been published mainly focusing on SST in conjunction with immediate implants in the anterior esthetic zone. Gluckman gave a collective term called partial extraction therapy (PET) which includes SST, pontic shield technique, and root submergence technique. He suggested using a graft material in the gap between the shield and the implant. Later, Siormpas et al. advocated a root membrane technique (RMT) and suggested that it may not be necessary to use the graft material. With the evolution of the technique, the terms SST and RMT are more similar to each other now, with the only difference in the sequence of shield preparation and implant placement. The shield is prepared first, and osteotomy is done in the former and osteotomy is done before shield preparation in the latter. The SST technique is often ignored as a possibility in the molar sites. Though technique‐sensitive, SST with immediate implants in molars with a customized healing abutment ensures the maintenance of the original hard and soft tissue volumes in the most conservative way. The following case report showcases a stepwise, graftless management approach for a nonrestorable right mandibular molar with SST and immediate implant. Long‐term randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on molar SST are encouraged to make a recommendation for routine clinical practice.
Emerging Trends and Future Prospects of Thermochemical Energy Storage Systems for Building Space and Water Heating Applications
Authors: Padamurthy Ankammarao , Gandla Praveen Kumar , Sheelwant Amar , Vemanaboina Harinadh , Paramasivam Prabhu , Ayanie Abinet Gosaye
Published: February 2025

The thermal energy storage (TES) technology has gained so much popularity in recent years as a practical way to close the energy supply–demand gap. Due to its higher energy storage density and long‐term storage, thermochemical energy storage (TCES), one of the TES methods currently in use, seems to be a promising one. These potential advantages have triggered to undertake a decent amount of research investigations in the past few years. The present review paper summarizes the recent outcomes of TCES systems for building water and space heating applications and demonstrates the different kinds of systems and their configuration arrangements. The recently developed experimental as well as theoretical prototypes are looked over with respect to their arrangement (closed and open loop) and role of relevant operating conditions. Various kinds of reactor shapes are also summarized and presented. Critical issues like materials’ achievable heat storage density/capacity, stability/cyclability, charging temperature, and systems’ mass and heat transfer properties are discussed. This work also presents the current challenges and the possible suggestions to address them. This review suggests that additional research is necessary to determine the role of influencing parameters in the design and establishment of TCES prototypes for building’s water and space heating applications.
Risk Factors for Myasthenic Crisis in Patients With Myasthenia Gravis: A Retrospective Study in Southwest China
Authors: Lin Xue , Chen Hongxi , Wang Xiaofei , Shi Ziyan , Wang Rui , Zhou Hongyu
Published: February 2025

Background: Myasthenic crisis (MC) is a rare but potentially fatal complication that can significantly worsen the prognosis of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). However, predicting the occurrence of MC remains challenging. Therefore, this study aimed to identify potential risk factors associated with MC.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using the MG Cohort Database at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2004 to August 2023. The multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for MC.

Results: Among the 1150 patients with MG included in the final analysis, 128 (11.1%) experienced at least one episode of MC. Independent risk factors identified for MC included age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.03, p < 0.001), quantitative MG (QMG) score (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07, p = 0.003), MG Foundation of America (MGFA) class at diagnosis (HR: 3.19, 95% CI: 2.38–4.28, p < 0.001), and the presence of thymoma (HR: 3.21, 95% CI: 2.13–4.85, p < 0.001). In contrast, generalized MG (p = 0.891) and the presence of antimuscle‐specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies (p = 0.107) did not significantly increase the risk of developing MC.

Conclusion: Age, disease severity as indicated by the QMG score and MGFA class at diagnosis, along with thymoma presence were identified as potential predictors for MC in patients diagnosed with MG.
Health‐Promoting Effects of Black Tea: A Narrative Review of Clinical Trials
Authors: Yilmaz Yusuf
Published: February 2025

Black tea, a popular beverage, is rich in polyphenols. However, thorough analyses of clinical trial evidence supporting its health benefits are lacking. This narrative review is aimed at addressing this knowledge gap by synthesizing findings across pivotal clinical domains and identifying critical areas for further investigation. A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed Central, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed for English‐language papers from January 1990 to July 2024, focusing on cardiovascular and metabolic health, as well as cognitive function. Findings from clinical trials indicated that consuming black tea regularly enhances endothelial and vascular health, notably by improving flow‐mediated vasodilation. These advantages are largely due to the tea’s antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and gut microbiota–modulating effects, including the promotion of beneficial bacterial species such as Flavonifractor plautii. Effects on metabolic health, such as lipid profiles and glucose metabolism, were inconsistent. However, black tea was linked to improved cognitive function, especially attention and alertness, likely due to caffeine and L‐theanine. Despite these promising results, further research is needed to overcome limitations like small sample sizes and short study durations. Future studies should be aimed at standardizing black tea preparations to optimize health benefits.
Supplemental Table 2 from Duvelisib with Docetaxel for Patients with Anti–PD-1 Refractory, Recurrent, or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hanna Glenn J. , Oakley L. B. , Shi R. , ONeill A. , Shin K. Y. , Scarfo N. , Sehgal K. , Dennis M. J. , Quinn N. , Jo V. Y. , Wong K. , Shvyrkova A. , Kushnarev V. , Shanthappa B. U. , Tkachuk A. , Kryukov K. , Sarachakov A. , Svekolkin V. , Lennerz J. , Waters S. , Haddad R. I.
Published: February 2025

Supplemental Table 2. Representativeness of Study Participants.
Learning high-level spectral-spatial features for hyperspectral image classiﬁcation with insufficient labeled samples
Authors: Nyabuga Douglas Omwenga , Nyariki Godfrey
Published: February 2025

Hyperspectral image (HSI) classification research is a hot area, with a mass of new methods being developed to improve performance for specific applications that use spatial and spectral image material. However, the main obstacle for scientists is determining how to identify HSIs effectively. These obstacles include an increased presence of redundant spectral information, high dimensionality in observed data, and limited spatial features in a classification model. To this end, we, therefore, proposed a novel approach for learning high-level spectral-spatial features for HSI classiﬁcation with insufficient labeled samples. First, we implemented the principal component analysis (PCA) technique to reduce the high dimensionalities experienced. Second, a fusion of 2D and 3D convolutions and DenseNet, a transfer learning network for feature learning of both spatial-spectral pixels. The achieved experimental results are comparatively satisfactory to contrasted approaches on the widely used HSI images, i.e., the University of Pavia and Indian Pines, with an overall classification accuracy of 97.80% and 97.60%, respectively.
Exploring DenseNet architectures with particle swarm optimization: efficient tomato leaf disease detection
Authors: Lestari Cynthia Ayu Dwi , Anam Syaiful , Sa’adah Umu
Published: February 2025

The critical challenge of tomato leaf disease demands effective solutions surpassing manual detection limitations, ensuring rapid intervention, optimal crop health, and maximizing yield for farmers. DenseNet, a convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture, is lauded for its adept handling of gradient flow issues by extensive interlayer connectivity. Its application holds significant promise in tackling the intricate task of identifying tomato leaf diseases. This research introduces an innovative methodology employing particle swarm optimization (PSO) to fine-tune the DenseNet architecture and hyperparameter. The proposed approach efficiently converges on optimal configurations encompassing parameters, such as the number of layers in dense blocks, growth rates, dropout rates, activation functions, and optimizers tailored for DenseNet. The DenseNet-PSO model achieves remarkable accuracy and precision in classifying various tomato leaf diseases, outperforming alternative architectures in total parameters, computational efficiency, and overall performance compared with six other architecture models. These outcomes elucidate DenseNet-PSO's efficacy in tomato leaf disease detection and demonstrate.
The utility of explainable AI for MRI analysis: Relating model predictions to neuroimaging features of the aging brain
Authors: Hofmann Simon M. , Goltermann Ole , Scherf Nico , Müller Klaus-Robert , Löffler Markus , Villringer Arno , Gaebler Michael , Witte A. Veronica , Beyer Frauke
Published: February 2025

Deep learning models highly accurately predict brain age from MRI but their explanatory capacity is limited. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) methods can identify relevant voxels contributing to model estimates, yet they do not reveal which biological features these voxels represent. In this study, we closed this gap by relating voxel-based contributions to brain-age estimates, extracted with XAI, to human-interpretable structural features of the aging brain. To this end, we associated participant-level XAI-based relevance maps extracted from two ensembles of 3D-convolutional neural networks (3D-CNNs) that were trained on T1-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images of 1855 participants (age range 18–82 years), with regional cortical and subcortical gray matter volume and thickness, perivascular spaces (PVS), and water diffusion-based fractional anisotropy of major white matter tracts. We found that all neuroimaging markers of brain aging, except for PVS, were highly correlated with the XAI-based relevance maps. Overall, the strongest correlation was found between ventricular volume and relevance (r = 0.69), and by feature, temporal-parietal cortical thickness and volume, cerebellar gray matter volume, and frontal-occipital white matter tracts showed the strongest correlations with XAI-based relevance. Our ensembles of 3D-CNNs took into account a plethora of known aging processes in the brain to perform age prediction. Some age-associated features like PVS were not consistently considered by the models, and the cerebellum was more important than expected. Taken together, we highlight the ability of end-to-end deep learning models combined with XAI to reveal biologically relevant, multi-feature relationships in the brain.
Beyond oscillations—Toward a richer characterization of brain states
Authors: Balestrieri Elio , Chalas Nikos , Stier Christina , Fehring Jana , Gil Ávila Cristina , Dannlowski Udo , Ploner Markus , Gross Joachim
Published: February 2025

Our moment-to-moment conscious experience is paced by transitions between states, each one corresponding to a change in the electromagnetic brain activity. One consolidated analytical choice is to characterize these changes in the frequency domain, such that the transition from one state to the other corresponds to a difference in the strength of oscillatory power, often in pre-defined, theory-driven frequency bands of interest. Nonetheless, recent computational advances allow us to explore new ways to characterize electromagnetic brain activity and its changes. Here, we assembled a set of multiple transformations aiming to describe time series in a multidimensional feature space. On an MEG dataset with 29 human participants, we tested how the features extracted in this way described some of those state transitions known to elicit prominent changes in the frequency spectrum, such as eyes-closed versus eyes-open resting-state or the occurrence of visual stimulation. We then compared the informativeness of multiple sets of features by submitting them to a multivariate classifier (SVM). We found that the new features outperformed traditional ones in generalizing states classification across participants. Moreover, some of these new features yielded systematically better decoding accuracy than the power in canonical frequency bands that has been often considered a landmark in defining these state changes. Critically, we replicated these findings, after pre-registration, in an independent EEG dataset (N = 210). In conclusion, the present work highlights the importance of enriching our perspective on the characteristics of electromagnetic brain activity, by considering other features of the signal on top of power in theory-driven frequency bands of interest.
Unveiling Divergent Trends of in Soil Erosion and Soil Organic Carbon Displacement in Response to Climate and Land-Use Changes over China
Authors: Weng Xuerou , Zhang Haicheng , Zhu Jinxin , Wang Dagang , Wang Shuo , Mei Yiwen , Luo Ming
Published: February 2025

Soil erosion is a widespread form of soil degradation in terrestrial ecosystems, and plays a crucial role in the dynamics of soil carbon pools. Assessing soil erosion affected by climate and land-use changes is essential for evaluating future risks and impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) displacements. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) simulations have provided the basis for most such assessments, but are gradually being superseded by more recent simulations from Phase 6 (CMIP6). However, a quantitative comparison of the differences between CMIP5 (RCP8.5) and CMIP6 (SSP5-8.5) models and their impacts on soil erosion and SOC simulations has not been conducted. Therefore, this study aims to compare changes in soil erosion in response to climate change and land-use change in China based on CMIP5 and CMIP6 simulations, and assesses the impact of erosion on SOC stocks. Combining the effects of climate and land use change, the CMIP5 ensemble model projects an increase in soil erosion rates over most of China, while CMIP6 models project an average soil erosion reduction of 39 t·km−2·a−1 for the years 2031–2050 compared to the reference period. Climate and land-use changes contribute to the increased soil erosion rate by 51.75% and −28.85%, respectively, based on CMIP5, and by 32.75% and −54.01%, respectively, based on CMIP6. The CMIP6 results demonstrate less rainfall erosivity due to climate change and more pronounced mitigating effects from beneficial land-use changes on soil erosion compared to CMIP5. However, the average change in SOC displacement rate is projected to be −0.02 t·km−2·a−1 for CMIP6. The CMIP5 results suggest that soil erosion in areas other than the Tibetan Plateau will result in a rising rate of soil organic carbon displacement by 0.03 t·km−2·a−1. Therefore, it is recommended that decision-makers consider multiple dimensions such as different models and influencing factors when updating impact studies for water and soil conservation.