bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EvANI benchmarking workflow for evolutionary distance estimation
Authors: Majidian Sina , Hwang Stephen , Zakeri Mohsen , Langmead Ben
Published: February 2025

Advances in long-read sequencing technology has led to a rapid increase in high-quality genome assemblies. These make it possible to compare genome sequences across the Tree of Life, deepening our understanding of evolutionary relationships. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) is a distance measure that has been applied to species delineation, building of guide trees, and searching large sequence databases. Since computing ANI is computationally expensive, the field has increasingly turned to sketch-based approaches that use assumptions and heuristics to speed this up. We propose a suite of simulated and real benchmark datasets, together with a rank-correlation-based metric, to study how these assumptions and heuristics impact distance estimates. We call this evaluation framework EvANI. With EvANI, we show that ANIb is the ANI estimation algorithm that best captures tree distance, though it is also the least efficient. We show that k-mer based approaches are extremely efficient and have consistently strong accuracy. We also show that some clades have inter-sequence distances that are best computed using multiple values of k, e.g. k=10 and k=19 for Chlamydiales. Finally, we highlight that approaches based on maximal exact matches may represent an advantageous compromise, achieving an intermediate level of computational efficiency while avoiding over-reliance on a single fixed k-mer length.
Spotting the Silent Threat: Early Detection of Subclinical Tuberculosis in High-Risk Individuals
Authors: Daniel Evangeline Ann , Nesakumar Manohar , Hemalatha S , Hilda Nancy , Thiruvengadam Kannan , Vetrivel Umashankar , Selvaraj Anbalagan , Pattabiraman Sathyamurthi , Bhanu Brindha , Sivaprakasam Amsaveni , Natarajan Sudhakar , Kulkarni Vandana , Karyakarte Rajesh , Paradkar Mandar , Bala Yogendra Shivakumar Shri Vijay , Mave Vidya , Chandrasekaran Padmapriyadarsini , Gupta Amita , Hanna Luke Elizabeth
Published: February 2025

The dynamic spectrum of TB often results in underdiagnosis warranting the need for better diagnostics to accurately detectMtbin diagnostically challenging cohorts. Household contacts of newly diagnosed TB patients who developed TB (Progressors) and those who remained healthy (Non-progressors) during a two-year follow-up cohort study were included.MtbccfDNA was detected in the plasma by targeting insertion sequences IS6110 and IS1081 using ddPCR. The assay yielded a sensitivity of 90·9% in detecting subclinical TB cases and 81·8% in possible TB cases. Further, the test detectedMtbccfDNA in progressors even at six months prior to TB diagnosis at a sensitivity of 79·0%. In about 55·0% and 50·0% of casesMtbccfDNA could be detected as early as 12 months and 18 months prior to development of active disease, respectively. The test demonstrated excellent sensitivity (100·0%) in detecting extra-pulmonary TB cases up to six months prior to TB disease development.
Signal partitioning in superfluid
He4
: A Monte Carlo approach
Authors: Toschi Francesco , Brunold Axel , Burmeister Lea , Eitel Klaus , Enss Christian , Fascione Eleanor , Ferber Torben , Gabriel Rahel , Hauswald Lena , Kahlhoefer Felix , Kempf Sebastian , Klute Markus , von Krosigk Belina , Lindemann Sebastian , Maier Benedikt , Schumann Marc , Solmaz Melih , Valerius Kathrin , Wagner Friedrich Carl ,   DELight Collaboration
Published: February 2025

Superfluid He4 is an ideal candidate for the direct detection of light dark matter via nuclear recoils thanks to its low nuclear mass and the possibility to reach a low-detection-energy threshold by exploiting the generated quasiparticles. The design of future detectors based on this target, such as the DELight experiment, requires a proper understanding of the formation and partitioning of the signal for different energy depositions from various sources. This work presents an overview of the physical processes involved in the energy deposition of recoiling electrons and ions, and it describes a Monte Carlo approach to the partitioning of the signal into different channels. Despite an overall good agreement with existing literature, differences in the region of interest for light dark matter searches below 200 eV are observed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Bottomoniumlike states in proton collisions: Fragmentation and resummation
Authors: Celiberto Francesco Giovanni , Gatto Gabriele
Published: February 2025

We study the semi-inclusive hadroproduction of doubly bottomed tetraquarks (Xbb¯qq¯) as well as fully bottomed ones (T4b), to which we collectively refer as “bottomoniumlike” states. We rely upon the variable-flavor number-scheme fragmentation at leading power, where a single parton perturbatively splits into the corresponding Fock state, which then hadronizes into the color-neutral, observed tetraquark. To this end, we build new sets of /-evo consistent, hadron-structure oriented collinear fragmentation functions, which we name and parametrizations. They extend and supersede the corresponding versions recently derived in previous works. The first family describes the fragmentation of doubly heavy tetraquarks and is based on an improved version of the Suzuki model for the heavy-quark channel. The second family depicts the fragmentation of fully heavy tetraquarks and embodies initial-scale inputs for gluon and heavy-quark channels, both of them calculated by the hands of potential nonrelativistic QCD. As a phenomenological application, we provide novel predictions for tetraquark-plus-jet high-energy distributions, computed within the NLL/NLO+ hybrid factorization from (sym), at 14 and 100 TeV FCC.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Tuning toward the edge of a dark abyss: Implications of a tuning paradigm on the hierarchy between the weak and dark matter scales
Authors: Carone Christopher D. , Donald Noah L.
Published: February 2025

It has recently been suggested that tuning toward the boundary of the positivity domain of the scalar potential may explain the separation between the electroweak scale and the unification scale in a grand unified theory. Here, we explore the possibility that the same type of tuning might account for the generation of the electroweak scale from a much lighter dynamically generated scale in a dark sector. We present a model that realizes this idea and provides a proof of principle that the same dark sector can include a viable dark matter candidate.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Continuous quiver gauge theories
Authors: Sobko Evgeny
Published: February 2025

We consider half-BPS Wilson loops in N=2 long circular quiver gauge theories at large N with continuous limit shape of ’t Hooft couplings. In the limit of an infinite number of nodes L, the solution to the localization matrix model is given by Wigner semicircles for any profile of couplings. Higher-order corrections in 1/L can be calculated iteratively. Combining large L with a strong coupling regime, we identify a double scaling limit that describes dynamics along a fifth dimension, which emerges dynamically from the quiver diagram. We solve the resulting integro-differential equation exactly for a certain range of parameters.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Smallness of charm-loop effects in
B→K(*)ℓℓ
at low
q2
: Light-meson distribution-amplitude analysis
Authors: Mahajan Namit , Mishra Dayanand
Published: February 2025

The nonlocal effects originating from the charm quark loops at dilepton invariant masses smaller than the charmonium threshold in B→Kℓℓ are evaluated with light-meson distribution amplitudes. The revised estimates with B-meson distribution amplitude within a light cone sum rule approach yielded results about three orders smaller than the original computation. In view of the importance of these nonfactorizable soft gluon effects, both conceptually and phenomenologically, an independent evaluation is necessary. It is found that to twist-4 accuracy, these soft gluon effects vanish when evaluated employing the kaon distribution amplitude. Similar results hold for B→K*ℓℓ to the leading twist. This eliminates one of the major sources of potential uncertainty which usually makes it difficult for a clear case of new physics, should the data show deviations from the standard model.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Multizone Trapped-Ion Qubit Control in an Integrated Photonics QCCD Device
Authors: Mordini Carmelo , Ricci Vasquez Alfredo , Motohashi Yuto , Müller Mose , Malinowski Maciej , Zhang Chi , Mehta Karan K. , Kienzler Daniel , Home Jonathan P.
Published: February 2025

Multiplexed operations and extended coherent control over multiple trapping sites are fundamental requirements for a trapped-ion processor in a large-scale architecture. Here, we demonstrate these building blocks using a surface-electrode trap with integrated photonic components which are scalable to larger numbers of zones. We implement a Ramsey sequence using the integrated light in two zones, separated by 375  μm, performing transport of the ion from one zone to the other in 200  μs between pulses. In order to achieve low motional excitation during transport, we develop techniques to measure and mitigate the effect of the exposed dielectric surfaces used to deliver the integrated light to the ion. We also demonstrate simultaneous control of two ions in separate zones with low optical crosstalk and use this to perform simultaneous spectroscopy to correlate field noise between the two sites. Our work demonstrates the first transport and coherent multizone operations in integrated photonic ion trap systems, forming the basis for further scaling in the trapped-ion quantum charge-coupled device architecture.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Integrating lean and resilience: a healthcare supply chain perspective
Authors: Alemsan Najla , Tortorella Guilherme , Portioli Staudacher Alberto , Antony Jiju , Trianni Andrea , Hui Felix
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This research aims to analyze the deployment of lean practices and resilience capabilities within the healthcare supply chain across different disruptive scenarios. The study addresses the gap in how different tier levels of the healthcare supply chain integrate lean and resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a case study approach, the research evaluated four Italian organizations (two healthcare providers, one pharmaceutical distributor and one pharmaceutical producer) representing the three main tier levels of the healthcare supply chain. The methodology involved a questionnaire assessing the adoption of specific lean practices and resilience capabilities, followed by a scenario analysis by experts used to identify critical practices and capabilities across different disruptive scenarios.

Findings

This research systematically identified critical lean practices and resilience capabilities that are underutilized at various tier levels within the healthcare supply chain, highlighting significant opportunities for theoretical advancement in operational efficiency and system robustness during disruptions. Additionally, the study introduced a novel methodological approach to evaluate the effectiveness of lean and resilience practices across different disruptive scenarios, thereby enriching the theoretical framework for crisis management within healthcare operations. Finally, we emphasized the crucial roles of just-in-time and anticipation capability in bolstering the performance of all the healthcare supply chain.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the fields of supply chain management and healthcare by systematically identifying and classifying the importance of lean practices and resilience capabilities in managing disruptions. Additionally, the potential for cross-tier collaboration and knowledge sharing to enhance overall supply chain resilience is highlighted.
Evaluating blockchain’s impact on financial reporting: opportunities and threats in fintech’s input, processing, and output phases
Authors: Pourrabbi Mir Vahid , Salehi Mahdi , Dalwai Tamanna , Moradi Mahdi
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The current study aims to investigate the effects of opportunities and threats of using blockchain on the input, processing and output components of the financial reporting process within the fintech landscape.

Design/methodology/approach

This study administered a questionnaire in Iran to 121 university lecturers in accounting and auditing, independent auditors, financial managers and internal auditors to better understand the effect of blockchain on financial reporting. The responses were analysed using SPSS and Smart PLS Software.

Findings

This study demonstrates how blockchain technology can improve the financial reporting process in the fintech industry by providing opportunities for remote labour, improved accountant roles and task automation. Threats include the requirements for blockchain expertise, standardisation, security issues and decreased flexibility. Limited R&D resources pose problems for small businesses. The main advantages of outputs are continuous, timely financial reporting and comparability; the risks associated with customised reports and regulatory difficulties in managing non-financial and financial data are the main disadvantages. The results show that all indicators of opportunities to use blockchain positively and significantly affect financial reporting opportunities within the fintech context. In addition, all the indicators of the threats of using blockchain have a positive and significant effect on the threats of financial reporting in the fintech context.

Originality/value

The present study is designed to meet the needs of a blockchain-based financial reporting system in the fintech context. Rapid growth and transformation into an advanced digital system has increased the importance of understanding the effects of the opportunities and threats of applying blockchain technology.
Evaluation of an online postal take‐home naloxone service
Authors: Harrod Mary Ellen , Sunjic Sandra , Pepolim Lucy , Aylmer Rochelle , Skelley Nicole , Lintzeris Nicholas
Published: February 2025

Introduction

New South Wales User AIDS Association established a pilot postal take‐home naloxone (THN) service to enhance access to THN for people unable or unwilling to attend existing services providing THN (e.g., community pharmacies, needle syringe programs). The service included online registration, educational video and assessment of consumer knowledge regarding THN.

Methods

The evaluation examined the first 10 months of operation (May 2022 to March 2023) and examined service utilisation, the characteristics, motivations and experiences of consumers using the service. The evaluation included service utilisation data, structured online questionnaire and semi‐structured telephone interviews.

Results

Two hundred forty‐five individuals registered on the online platform, 222 commenced the course, 170 completed viewing the online educational video and commenced the knowledge assessment, and 95 completed the course and ordered 194 THN packs (59% intranasal, 41% intramuscular). Forty‐eight percent of service users were women, and 37% were from regional or rural locations. Key motivations for using the postal service included greater accessibility and convenience (especially for regional and rural participants), greater confidentiality and reduced stigma. There were high levels of satisfaction with the service from consumers, and high levels of confidence that they could respond to a suspected overdose.

Discussion and Conclusion

The postal service enhanced access to THN, addressing many of the barriers of existing face‐to‐face services, including geography, convenience, stigma and confidentiality. The postal THN service meets the needs of particular groups of consumers who may otherwise not have accessed THN, and forms an important piece of the puzzle for THN distribution in the community.
Research on the Damage Constitutive Model and Fracture Behavior of Rocks Subjected to Uniaxial and Triaxial Compression
Authors: Shi Sheng , Zhang Yu , Zhang Hui , Zhu Fengjin
Published: February 2025

Under long‐term geological processes, a large number of randomly distributed micro cracks formed within rocks. Due to external loads or disturbances from engineering excavation, the initiation, propagation, and coalescence of these micro cracks can lead to the degradation of the mechanical properties of the rock, thereby affecting the stability of the engineering structure. To establish a model that can describe the damage evolution characteristics of rocks under loading, a quantitative relationship between the damage element caused by the expansion of internal micro cracks and the overall damage of the rock is constructed based on the Weibull two‐parameter model. By introducing damage variable into the Drucker‐Prager (D‐P) criterion, an elastoplastic damage model of rock is established, and the model is redeveloped by COMSOL. The model validity is verified through triaxial test results of rock under different confining pressures. Finally, the proposed model is used to investigate the fracture characteristics of rock with prefabricated cracks, the crack stress field, crack propagation path, and failure mode of rock under uniaxial test condition are analyzed.
OTX‐2 Expression as a Diagnostic Marker for Choroid Plexus Tumors
Authors: Erşen Danyeli Ayça , Hüseyinoğlu Zeynep , Özek M. Memet
Published: February 2025

Choroid plexus tumors are neuroepithelium‐derived tumors arising in the ventricles of the central nervous system. They are commonly seen in childhood and correspond to low rates in all central nervous system tumors. Due to their rareness and similar histomorphologic features to other tumors, their diagnosis might be challenging. Here, we used the OTX‐2 antibody to evaluate the diagnostic role of OTX‐2 expression in choroid plexus tumors. We performed a retrospective review of 34 patients operated for choroid plexus tumors in our center between 2011 and 2023. Additionally, as different tumor types are also arising in the ventricles, we selected five cases each of AT/RT, germ cell tumor, ependymoma, and metastatic adenocarcinoma from the pathology archive. Immunohistochemistry conditions were adjusted for each specific antibody based on the manufacturers' recommendations for concentrations and antigen retrieval/blocking. OTX‐2, S‐100, and transthyretin antibody staining was performed on sections from each case.
Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior on Daily Living Activities and Physical Activity in Older Adults: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Türkmen Keskin Sultan , Sönmez Sari Ebru , Canbulat Şahinde , Öztürk Fatma Özlem
Published: February 2025

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of avoidance behavior due to fear of falling on dependency levels in activities of daily living and physical activity levels in older adults. This study is a cross‐sectional research design. Data were collected between November 2023 and March 2024. A total of 506 individuals aged 65 years and over participated in the study (mean age 71.26). It was determined that the older adults had low level of fear of falling avoidance behaviors were fully independent in activities of daily living and had low level of physical activity. The multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, marital status, education, living with and fear of falling avoidance behavior affected daily living activities; age, place of residence, gender, income status, chronic disease status, and fear of falling avoidance behavior affected physical activity level (R2 = 0.183; R2 = 0.197, respectively). This study revealed the necessity of interventions to prevent fear of falling avoidance behaviors in order to increase the activities of daily living and physical activity levels among older adults.
Oral Health and Oral Health‐Related Beliefs in Young Adults With a Mild Intellectual Disability
Authors: de Soet Rianne , de Soet Hans J. J. , Volgenant Catherine M. C.
Published: February 2025

Objective

Over 1.1 million people in the Netherlands have a mild intellectual disability (MID). This population also exhibits a higher prevalence of poor oral health. The present study aims to investigate the oral health status and oral health‐related beliefs of young adults with MID and co‐occurring challenges like mental health issues.

Material and methods

A questionnaire was administered to 76 individuals in residential care facilities of the Salvation Army in Amsterdam, accompanied by intraoral examinations. The study group comprised young adults (ages 18–29; mean 21.7 ± 2.5 years). Data were compared with a reference group of Dutch young adults of low socioeconomic position.

Results

No significant difference was found between the participants (4.8 ± 4.3) and the reference group (4.6; t(73) = 0.45, p > 0.05) mean DMFS scores. The average Locus of Control score (M = 23.6; scale 10–50) indicated no relationship between oral health beliefs and actual oral health status. Adjusting for whether participants had their own dentist, a weak negative correlation was observed between DMFS score and LOC (n = 30, r = −0.25, p = 0.04). The restorative care index was significantly lower in participants (33%) compared to the reference group (76%; Z = −5.72, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

These findings highlight the critical need for enhanced professional oral healthcare for young adults with MID, given their compromised oral hygiene and treatment backlog. A flexible, tailored approach is essential to meet the treatment needs of this population.
Firm‐Level Concentration of Chinese Exports in Individual Markets
Authors: Yang Xuebing
Published: February 2025

This work explores the industry‐level concentration of Chinese exports across markets. The findings of this work indicate that market size and market income level are the two key market characteristics influencing industry‐level Chinese export concentration. Increases in market size reduce Chinese export concentration, while rises in market income level amplify it. Effects of market size and income level are mediated through the quantity and heterogeneity of Chinese exporters, with the impact of the former channel dominating in both instances. Robustness tests affirm the reliability of the findings.
Simulation and modeling of the performance of energy storage tank packed with PCM
Authors: Sebbar El Hassan , Simou Zakariae , Oubenmoh Safaa , Ait Mssad Abdelouahad , Hamdaoui Said
Published: February 2025

Thermal energy storage systems present a multitude of possible thermal applications. It is a more effective means of narrowing the difference between supply and demand for energy. The interest generated by this technology has led to its success in many types of applications in industry. This investigation conducted a thorough parametric study of a LHS system. This system exploits the latent heat to store part of the heat transported by a HTF. The tank studied in this work was modeled in two dimensions using the CFD tool. Numerous investigations have been conducted to determine how the different factors, such as mass flow rate and HTF inlet temperature, affected the PCM change process inside the tank. The results were analyzed and discussed, including the evolution of HTF outlet temperature profiles, the liquid fraction in the capsules, the PCM temperature, and the energy stored, and the energy recovered during the charging and discharging periods. Among the results obtained, when the flow rate changes from 0.01 Kg/s to 0.03 Kg/s reduces the energy stored by all PCM capsules from 28.6920 kWh to 10.5980 kWh, and the energy recovered from 25.6422 kWh to 7.3435 kWh.
The Feasibility of Sport Education for Implementation With Third-Grade Students: Proof of Concept
Authors: Hastie Peter A. , Alshuraymi Ali N. , Correia Fabian
Published: February 2025

Purpose: To conduct a “proof of concept” to decide if Sport Education is a viable model for implementation with third-grade students. Method: One hundred and eight students participated in 14-lesson seasons of modified floor hockey that included all six elements outlined by Siedentop in 1994. Seven benchmarks were operationalized to define the success of a Sport Education season and were statistically analyzed, with the outcomes compared to success criteria in percentage terms. Results: Across six of the seven measures, the students comfortably exceeded the success criteria, demonstrating that a well-taught Sport Education season can achieve the goals of the model to help young children to become “players in the fullest sense.” Discussion: Focuses on success criteria effectiveness, feasibility analysis of conditions needed for successful Sport Education implementation, and evaluative potential of proof of concept in other models-based practice.
A novel framework for the automated characterization of Gram-stained blood culture slides using a large-scale vision transformer
Authors: McMahon Jack , Tomita Naofumi , Tatishev Elizabeth S. , Workman Adrienne A. , Costales Cristina R. , Banaei Niaz , Martin Isabella W. , Hassanpour Saeed
Published: February 2025

This study introduces a new framework for the artificial intelligence-based characterization of Gram-stained whole-slide images (WSIs). As a test for the diagnosis of bloodstream infections, Gram stains provide critical early data to inform patient treatment in conjunction with data from rapid molecular tests. In this work, we developed a novel transformer-based model for Gram-stained WSI classification, which is more scalable to large data sets than previous convolutional neural network-based methods as it does not require patch-level manual annotations. We also introduce a large Gram stain data set from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA) to evaluate our model, exploring the classification of five major categories of Gram-stained WSIs: gram-positive cocci in clusters, gram-positive cocci in pairs/chains, gram-positive rods, gram-negative rods, and slides with no bacteria. Our model achieves a classification accuracy of 0.858 (95% CI: 0.805, 0.905) and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.952 (95% CI: 0.922, 0.976) using fivefold nested cross-validation on our 475-slide data set, demonstrating the potential of large-scale transformer models for Gram stain classification. Results were measured against the final clinical laboratory Gram stain report after growth of organism in culture. We further demonstrate the generalizability of our trained model by applying it without additional fine-tuning on a second 27-slide external data set from Stanford Health (Palo Alto, California, USA) where it achieves a binary classification accuracy of 0.926 (95% CI: 0.885, 0.960) and an AUC of 0.8651 (95% CI: 0.6337, 0.9917) while distinguishing gram-positive from gram-negative bacteria.

IMPORTANCE

This study introduces a scalable transformer-based deep learning model for automating Gram-stained whole-slide image classification. It surpasses previous methods by eliminating the need for manual annotations and demonstrates high accuracy and generalizability across multiple data sets, enhancing the speed and reliability of Gram stain analysis.
UV-irradiated rotifers for the maintenance of gnotobiotic zebrafish larvae
Authors: Márquez Rosales Susana , Bouchard Peter I. , Olmstead Emily M. , Parthasarathy Raghuveer
Published: February 2025

Host-associated microbial communities profoundly impact the health of humans and other animals. Zebrafish have proven to be a useful model for uncovering mechanisms of host-microbe interactions, but the difficulty of maintaining germ-free or gnotobiotic zebrafish beyond 1 week post-fertilization has limited their utility. To address this, we have developed a simple protocol using UV irradiation of rotifers, a common and nutrient-rich prey species for larval zebrafish, to reduce the bacterial load associated with the rotifers by several orders of magnitude while maintaining their motility and viability. We find that though feeding with UV-treated rotifers does not preserve the sterility of germ-free fish, it enables the maintenance of pre-existing bacterial communities. Normal feeding, in striking contrast, leads to the near-total depletion of these prior populations. We measure the abundance of single- and three-species consortia of zebrafish-commensal bacteria inoculated into initially germ-free larvae in a series of experiments extending to 8 days of feeding, or 13 days post-fertilization. We find, in fish-fed UV-treated rotifers, the persistence of bacterial populations on timescales of days, together with strong species-specific variation. In addition, re-inoculation of differently labeled strains of the same zebrafish-commensal species alongside feeding leads to colonization by the new bacteria without displacement of earlier microbes. Our method will facilitate the use of gnotobiotic zebrafish for investigations of phenomena that emerge later in animal development and for studies that probe microbiome composition fluctuations and stability over extended timescales.

IMPORTANCE

All animals, including humans, are host to vast microbial communities that contribute to health and disease through mechanisms that remain largely mysterious. These microbiomes are challenging to study, spurring the use of various model organisms, including zebrafish. Zebrafish, however, are difficult to raise beyond 1 week post-fertilization under gnotobiotic conditions, in other words, germ free or with known microbial constituents, a consequence of normally feeding on live prey that brings their own, generally unknown, microbes. Therefore, we developed a simple protocol in which UV irradiation of rotifers, a widely used small-animal food for larval zebrafish, facilitates the maintenance of gnotobiotic larvae. We show that pre-existing bacterial communities in larvae are minimally affected by feeding on UV-treated rotifers, in strong contrast to feeding on untreated rotifers. We demonstrate that this feeding method allows investigations of zebrafish-associated bacterial community stability over several days, allowing investigation of previously intractable questions about microbiome stability.
Zircon and apatite as tracers of physicochemical differences between barren and rare metal plutons in granite-pegmatite systems
Authors: Wu Hao-Ran , Yang Hao , Zhu Yu-Sheng , Santosh M. , Chen Zhen-Yu , Ji Zheng , Zhang Zhi-Chao , Ge Wen-Chun
Published: February 2025

Identification of possible factors that affect rare metal metallogenic potential is important for understanding of the genesis of rare metal granites and pegmatites. Here we determine the magma sources, oxygen fugacity conditions, temperatures, and halogen contents on which we evaluate the relationship between rare metal enrichment and magmatic-hydrothermal evolution of beryllium in pegmatites and granites through new results from zircon U-Pb isotopes, trace element compositions, and whole-rock geochemistry of the Mopanshan high-Be pluton, as well as apatite geochemistry and Nd isotopes for both this pluton as well as the Linxi low-Be plutons in the southern Great Xing’an Range (SGXR), NE China. Zircon U-Pb data indicate that the Mopanshan high-Be granite and pegmatite were emplaced during ca. 141−136 Ma, coeval with the Linxi low-Be high-silica plutons (144−135 Ma). Zircon and apatite chemistry, along with whole-rock geochemical data, reveal that although the Mopanshan and Linxi plutons share a similar source region composed of a mixture of juvenile crust and old basement, the high-Be Mopanshan granite and pegmatite exhibit lower oxygen fugacities (relatively reduced conditions), higher magma temperatures, elevated halogen contents (particularly F and B), stronger fractional crystallization and late fluid-melt interaction in comparison with the Linxi low-Be plutons. Accordingly, we propose that the widespread rare metal mineralization of the Early Cretaceous magmatic-hydrothermal systems in the SGXR was achieved by both significant differentiation of granitic magmas from a reduced and mixed crustal source followed by a later stage of fluid-melt interaction. Our findings also highlight that zircon and apatite can serve as valuable indicators for tracking granitic magmatic evolution and rare metal enrichment in granite-pegmatite systems.
Plain versus drug balloon and stenting in severe ischaemia of the leg (BASIL-3): open label, three arm, randomised, multicentre, phase 3 trial
Authors: Bradbury Andrew W , Hall Jack A , Popplewell Matthew A , Meecham Lewis , Bate Gareth R , Kelly Lisa , Deeks Jon J , Moakes Catherine A
Published: February 2025

Objective

To determine which primary endovascular revascularisation strategy represents the most clinically effective treatment for patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia who require endovascular femoro-popliteal, with or without infra-popliteal, revascularisation.

Design

Three arm, open label, pragmatic, multicentre, randomised, phase 3 superiority trial (BASIL-3).

Setting

35 UK NHS vascular units.

Participants

Patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia who required endovascular femoro-popliteal, with or without infra-popliteal, revascularisation.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to femoro-popliteal plain balloon angioplasty with or without bare metal stenting (PBA±BMS), drug coated balloon angioplasty with or without bare metal stenting (DCBA±BMS), or drug eluting stenting (DES) as their first revascularisation strategy.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was amputation free survival defined as time to first major amputation or death from any cause. Secondary outcomes included the composite components of the primary outcome, major adverse limb events, major adverse cardiac events, and other prespecified clinical and patient reported outcome measures. Serious adverse events were collected up to 30 days after the first revascularisation procedure.

Results

Between 29 January 2016 and 31 August 2021, 481 participants were randomised (167 (35%) women, mean age 71.8 years (standard deviation 10.8)). Major amputation or death occurred in 106 of 160 (66%) participants in the PBA±BMS group, 97 of 161 (60%) in the DCBA±BMS group, and 93 of 159 (58%) in the DES group (adjusted hazard ratios: PBA±BMS
v
DCBA±BMS: 0.84, 97.5% confidence interval 0.61 to 1.16, P=0.22; PBA±BMS
v
DES: 0.83, 0.60 to 1.15, P=0.20). No differences in serious adverse events were reported between the groups.

Conclusions

Neither DCBA±BMS nor DES conferred significant clinical benefit over PBA±BMS in the femoro-popliteal segment in patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia undergoing endovascular femoro-popliteal, with or without infra-popliteal, revascularisation.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry ISRCTN14469736
Co-creating tools for embedding meaningful patient and public involvement and engagement in real-world data and evidence research in the pharmaceutical industry setting: a multistakeholder participatory co-design study
Authors: Dews Sally A , Corner Lynne , Butfield Rebecca , Araghi Mary , Monelle Hannah , Westergaard Polly , Moloney Susan , Wontor Viola , Campbell Burton Alexia
Published: February 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to (1) gauge patients understanding and expectations of real-world data and evidence (RWDE) research and (2) use this understanding and patients lived experience to co-create resources and a framework for embedding meaningful patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in RWDE research within the pharmaceutical industry setting.

Setting and participants

An academic organisation, a pharmaceutical company and a PPIE panel of 12 patients or carers partnered to form the project team. The PPIE panel was purposively selected to maximise diversity.

Design

Participatory and co-design methods were used to engender an understanding of the PPIE perspective on RWDE research and the PPIE role within that. Interactive workshops explored understanding and expectations of RWDE research as well as perceived barriers and facilitators of PPIE within each stage of the RWDE research cycle. Workshops were audio and video recorded, with notes captured. Summaries were analysed thematically and shared back with the PPIE panel for validation and further reflection.

Results

We identified a lack of trust and understanding of real-world data, its collection and use and the need to educate the public and researchers. Four themes were identified for meaningful PPIE in RWDE research; equality, diversity and inclusion; feeling valued; ownership and understanding and evaluating impact. We co-created learning resources (video, infographic) and a novel PPIE framework, incorporating potential PPIE activities, resources and support needs for use by researchers conducting RWDE research.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first project to explore the practicalities of PPIE in RWDE research from the perspective of patients and carers. Some findings confirm PPIE experience and guidance derived from other areas, with some specific insights into the pharmaceutical industry. These underpin the PPIE framework to enable robust and meaningful PPIE in RWDE research. This article includes a plain language summary in the supplement.
Exercise rehabilitation for people with postural tachycardia syndrome at two secondary care centres in the UK: the PULSE feasibility randomised controlled trial
Authors: McGregor Gordon , Evans Becky , Sandhu Harbinder Kaur , Bruce Julie , Devi Gita , Hayat Sajad , Hee Siew Wan , Heine Peter , Holliday Nikki , Joshi Shivam , Kavi Lesley , Boon Lim , Noufaily Angela , Parsons Nicholas , Patel Shilpa , Pearce Gemma , Powell Richard , Schultz Eva , Simmonds Jane , Zhupaj Albiona , Eftekhari Helen , Panikker Sandeep
Published: February 2025

Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a definitive multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) testing an online exercise rehabilitation and behavioural/motivational support intervention for people with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).

Design

Feasibility RCT.

Setting

Two secondary care centres.

Participants

Adults aged 18 to 60 years with PoTS. Exclusions were serious mental health/cognitive problem preventing safe participation; currently undertaking physical activity equivalent to the Chief Medical Officer guidelines; pregnancy.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to best-practice usual care (a single 1:1 session of advice) or the ‘postural tachycardia syndrome exercise’ (PULSE) intervention: (1) individual online consultation, (2) 12 weeks of supervised online group exercise and behavioural/motivational support, and (3) home exercise programme with recumbent exercise bike.

Outcomes

The primary outcome was feasibility: (1) patients screened, eligible, recruited, randomised, withdrawn; (2) adherence; (3) physiological, clinical and patient-reported outcomes (4 and 7 months); and (4) embedded qualitative study to evaluate acceptability.

Results

209 patients screened between 5 May 2021 and 1 December 2022, 44 (female 98%; age 29.9 SD, 7.5) were randomised to usual care (n=21) or PULSE (n=23) (71% of target). Follow-up at 4 months was n=12 and n=17 respectively (66% of target). Median live exercise/support session attendance was 15 (IQR 12 to 17) of 18 sessions. Home exercise bike usage was highly variable. There were two serious adverse events in each treatment arm, both unrelated to the trial. Exercise rehabilitation was considered important by participants, and trial procedures, outcomes and interventions were acceptable.

Conclusions

The PULSE trial procedures and interventions were acceptable, and important design considerations were identified. A definitive RCT testing a remotely supervised exercise rehabilitation and behavioural/motivational support intervention for people with PoTS is feasible in the UK National Health Service.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN45323485
.
An empirical relation between lepton masses from the symmetric permutation group
Authors: Davis Simon
Published: February 2025

The automorphism group of the spinor space of the standard model introduces the permutations of S3 in addition to the gauge groups in a unified theory of the elementary particle interactions. The [Formula: see text] symmetry will be the basis of a theoretical explanation of the inclusion of a fermion term, which transforms under the spin-[Formula: see text] representation of the symmetric permutation group, in the Koide relation for charged leptons. This field is identified with the sterile neutrino, and the mass is compatible with experimental bounds.
Numerical approach of unsteady free convective Casson–Williamson nanofluid flow over the radiative vertical cone surface with cross-diffusion
Authors: Supriya P , Pullepu Bapuji , Chamkha Ali J. , Senthil Ramalingam
Published: February 2025

The unsteady Casson and Williamson nanofluid flow via a radiative cone in a magnetic surface with cross-diffusion and chemical processes is investigated numerically. The Casson and Williamson nanofluid models characterize the behavior of non-Newtonian fluids. We transform the nonlinear dimensional PDEs into dimensionally free PDEs by implementing dimensionless parameters. The governed partial differential equations are addressed by adopting the Crank–Nicolson implicit approach. A parametric analysis is used to determine the outcomes of skin friction, Nusselt and Sherwood numbers. Increased Brownian motion and the Soret effect promote the transfer of heat and mass. The thermal and mass transfer characteristic of the Casson nanofluid is higher than the Williamson nanofluid. Regarding momentum dispersion, the Williamson nanofluid clearly dominates the Casson nanofluid. Conical mixers are used in polymer blending and plastics manufacturing. The relevance of this mixing step in achieving specified product attributes shows how mass and heat transfer concepts can boost productivity and output in engineering industries.
Fractional SPIMR model with Mittag–Leffler kernel: A strategic approach to curtail rumor propagation
Authors: Saraswat Amit Kumar , Prakash Amit
Published: February 2025

This study examines the SPIMR rumor propagation model using the homotopy perturbation transform method (HPTM) with Atangana–Baleanu Caputo (ABC) fractional derivative. The existence and uniqueness of the solution are studied by using Picard–Lindelöf method. The basic reproduction number is calculated via the next-generation matrix method. Both rumor-free and rumor-endemic equilibrium points are determined. The findings, supported by graphical representations, demonstrate the effectiveness of HPTM in solving the SPIMR rumor propagation model, exhibiting its practical relevance in addressing rumor propagation.
Sustainable Potentiometric Sensors for Determination of Irinotecan in Different Matrices and in The Presence of Co Administrated Drugs
Authors: Nabil Nada , El-Mosallamy Sally , Zaazaa Hala , Sedik Ghada
Published: February 2025

Irinotecan (IRNO) is used as a first line anticancer drug for the treatment of mainly metastatic colorectal cancer. Globally, cancer is sorted as the second cause of death. It is important to analyze anticancer drugs carefully and rapidly in different pharmaceutical formulations. The purpose of our work was to develop and validate green, simple, cost-effective, and portable ion-selective electrodes for the quantitation of IRNO in pharmaceutical formulation, spiked human plasma with other co-administrated antiemetic drugs such as Granisetron and Ondansetron. Liquid and solid contact ion-selective electrodes were developed for the determination of IRNO in different matrices. The cornerstone of the suggested solid contact electrode is a network of multi-walled carbon nanotubes serving as a solid transducer material, positioned between an ionophore-doped polyvinylchloride membrane and a screen-printed electrode. The proposed sensors were optimized to determine IRNO, and their effectiveness was evaluated according to the guidelines set by IUPAC. The measurements were implemented using phosphate buffer (pH: 2.80) within linearity range 1 × 10− 7 – 1 × 10− 2.5 M, with LOD 4 × 10− 8 M . The greenness of the electrochemical approach was evaluated using different tools, such as the analytical ECO-scale, AGREE, and GAPI.
Central Composite Design and Artificial Neural Network for the Evaluation and Optimization of an Electrochemical HHO Gas Generator
Authors: Hernández Ramírez Daniel , Reyes-Cruz V.E. , Rebolledo-Perales L. E. , Cobos Murcia José Angel , Alvarez Romero Giaan Arturo , Urbano-Reyes G. , Terrezas-Rodríguez2 J.E.
Published: February 2025

Central composite experimental design (CCD) and artificial neural networks (ANN) is not so popular in electrochemical systems, even though they present several advantages (lower number of experiments, evaluation of variable interactions, and correct analysis of overlapping data). In the present work, CCD and ANN were used for the analysis of an electrochemical cell with dimensionally stable electrodes modified with IrO₂ and an alkaline electrolyte solution, for the evaluation and optimization of an electrochemical HHO gas generator. With the CCD it was possible to maximize HHO gas generation (64.85 g/LNaOH and 10.2 amp) with a low standard deviation (0.004), a R-sq of 98.02%, and a R-sq (pred) of 92.04%, demonstrated that the experimental data fitted properly with the theoretical model. An ANN was trained from a large data set, obtaining recovery values close to 100%, R values close to 1 for the training (0.9894) and test stages (0.9677), and a good fit according to the Chi-squared test for the predictive values in both stages; with this ANN it was possible to solve overlapping issues in the HHO gas production system. The results indicate that CCD and ANN are viable alternatives to increase the performance of an electrochemical HHO gas generator.
Tailoring Structural, Optical, and Dielectric Properties of PVC/PMMA/PS/ZnO Nanocomposites for Capacitive Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Al-Muntaser A.A. , Alzahrani Eman , Asnag G.M. Muwadh , Yassin Ahmed Y.
Published: February 2025

Using a conventional casting method, flexible polymeric film nanocomposites composed of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PS (polystyrene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed characteristic vibrational peaks, with transmission intensities decreasing as ZnO content increased up to 5 wt.%, indicating strong interactions between the PVC/PMMA/PS blend and ZnO nanoparticles. The XRD patterns that ZnO NP-based composites retained the pure blend's peaks but exhibited increased broadness and reduced intensity as ZnO content increased (2.5–10 wt.%), indicating a decrease in crystallinity. The redshift in the absorption edge of ZnO-filled samples strongly indicates the formation of charge transfer complexes within the polymeric matrix. The indirect and direct energy gaps decreased with increasing ZnO NP concentrations, from 3.88 eV and 4.87 eV to 3.31 eV and 4.67 eV, respectively. The σAC value at 100 Hz was 8.41 × 10⁻¹³ S·cm⁻¹ and increased with frequency, reaching 5.12 × 10⁻⁹ S·cm⁻¹ at 10⁶ Hz. Also, A modest increase in σAC values was observed with higher ZnO NP loading, attributed to the enhanced amorphous nature of the nanocomposite. Dielectric studies revealed the best performance at 5 wt.% ZnO, with the imaginary part (ε″) decreasing as ZnO loading increased. These findings recommend these nanocomposites for potential applications in optoelectronics and energy storage devices.