bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The quality, accuracy and appropriateness of UK optometric age‐related macular degeneration referrals
Authors: Fulcher Corinne , Davey Christopher , Denniss Jonathan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Little is known about the quality of optometrists' referrals to secondary care for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD), despite the need for timely intervention. We analysed the content and accuracy of optometrists' referrals for nAMD. Adherence to UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic were assessed as secondary measures.

Methods

Optometric referrals to a specialist macular treatment centre in Bradford, United Kingdom, between March 2019 and March 2021 were retrospectively analysed and compared with subsequent electronic medical records. Data were extracted on legibility, reason for referral, patient and optometrist demographics, visual acuity, reported signs and symptoms, patient diagnosis and patient outcomes. Binomial logistic regression models were constructed to determine whether signs or symptoms noted in the referral were associated with subsequent nAMD diagnosis in secondary care and whether optometrist gender or experience influenced nAMD referral accuracy.

Results

Across all 394 referrals analysed, 256 were for nAMD. Referral accuracy for nAMD was 39.8% (95% CI [34.0%, 45.9%]), with the most common reason for misdiagnosis being dry AMD. However, 76.8% of patients referred for suspected nAMD were either treated in secondary care or observed over multiple visits. 20% of suspected nAMD patients were seen within the NICE recommended 14‐day window pre‐COVID, dropping to 5% during the pandemic (p < 0.001). Visual acuity was most strongly associated with nAMD diagnosis (χ2(1) = 13.71, p < 0.001) followed by macular haemorrhage (χ2(1) = 5.89, p = 0.02). Neither optometrist gender nor experience was significantly associated with confirmed nAMD. Legibility of referrals was 91–95% for patient details and 94–97% for the referring optometrist.

Conclusions

Although the overall quality and legibility of optometrists' macular referrals to secondary care were of a high standard, the diagnostic accuracy of nAMD was below 40%. Referred visual acuity was the main sign/symptom associated with confirmed nAMD diagnosis.
Permanent trials for spinal cord stimulation
Authors: Bandlamuri Sruti , Harland Tessa A. , Pilitsis Julie G. , Sukul Vishad V.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Prior to the permanent implant of a spinal cord stimulator, patients typically undergo a screening trial using a percutaneously placed lead to ensure adequate response. However, due to several factors, patients may not be candidates for this screening trial and therefore instead undergo a “permanent trial” where either a percutaneous lead or paddle lead is placed using a tunneled extension for the trial, with the intent of conversion to a permanent system. If these patients proceed with an implant, the epidural space is not re‐accessed and only an impulse generator (IPG) is needed. Although this technique is commonly employed, there is a paucity of literature describing outcomes with the “permanent trial” methodology. We present here our clinical experience with this technique.

Methods

Participants who underwent permanent trials at a single institution between 2014 and 2020 were identified. Charts were reviewed to collect demographic information, numerical rating score (NRS) data, length of follow‐up, revisions, complications, and removals.

Results

A total of 27 patients who underwent permanent trial placement were identified from a database of 762 patients who underwent SCS placement (3.54%). The permanent placement group included 7 paddle trials, 14 percutaneous trials, and 6 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) trials. The reasons for pursuing a permanent trial included previously aborted percutaneous trial (n = 8), inability to hold anticoagulation for a prolonged period (n = 4), previous thoracic spine surgery or presence of thoracic stenosis on MRI (n = 4), and significant medical comorbidities precluding typical percutaneous trial lead placement at a surgery center (n = 3). 24/27 (88.8%) proceeded to permanent implant, and 16/24 (66.7%) were considered responders (greater than 50% reduction in pain) after 3 months. Over an average follow‐up of 28.7 months, complications included 1 peri‐operative intracranial hemorrhage delaying IPG placement, 2 lead fractures, 1 lead migration, and 1 CSF leak. Three patients required revision surgery for lead migration, lead fracture, and CSF leak, respectively. One patient had his system explanted 25.9 months after initial placement due to increased pain from stimulation.

Conclusion

This study aims to characterize our experience with permanent trials for SCS. Here we demonstrate a higher rate of trial‐to‐implant conversion than previously documented for traditional percutaneous trials. We show similar rates of revisions and complications, elucidating the important role of permanent SCS trials in high‐risk patients.
Salt secretion in the mangrove Avicennia marina: effects of hypersalinity
Authors: Naidoo Gonasageran
Published: February 2025

The effects of salinity on the structure of salt glands and salt secretion were determined by comparing adult Avicennia marina trees growing in the field at two contrasting salinities: seawater and hypersalinity. Electron microscopy was used to determine gland frequency and ultrastructure. Ecophysiological measurements included ion analyses of soils and leaves, soil and xylem water potentials and photosynthesis. In the hypersalinity site, salt gland frequency was 47% lower than that at seawater conditions. Salt glands in the hypersalinity site were sunken within crypts, partially collapsed, degenerated, and covered with salt crystals. In the hypersalinity site, salt secretion during the day was lower than that in the seawater site by 33% (p < 0.05), while there were no differences in night secretion. In both sites, salt secretion was higher at night and lower during the day. In the hypersalinity site, the cytoplasm of the salt glands had fewer ribosomes and mitochondria and larger vacuolar and vesicular volume than at the seawater site. CO2 exchange, conductance, transpiration and intrinsic Photosystem II efficiency. were significantly lower in the hypersalinity site than in the seawater site. Lower salt secretion in the hypersalinity site was probably due to lower salt gland frequency induced by xeromorphic characteristics such as smaller, thicker leaves, lower specific area, and thicker cuticles. The ecophysiological data supported the ultrastructural evidence that salt secretion is compromised by prolonged hypersalinity in adult Avicennia marina trees.
Targeted introduction of premature stop codon in plant mitochondrial mRNA by a designer pentatricopeptide repeat protein with C‐to‐U editing function
Authors: Manavski Nikolay , Abdel‐Salam Eslam , Schwenkert Serena , Kunz Hans‐Henning , Brachmann Andreas , Leister Dario , Meurer Jörg
Published: February 2025

RNA editing is a crucial post‐transcriptional modification in endosymbiotic plant organelles, predominantly involving C‐to‐U conversions. Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins play a key role in this process. To establish a system for gene expression manipulation in genetically inaccessible mitochondria, we engineered a synthetic PPR protein, dPPR‐nad7‐DYW, to induce de novo C‐to‐U editing in the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 7 (nad7) mRNA of Arabidopsis thaliana, thereby creating a premature stop codon. This designer protein, composed of 13 P‐type PPR domains, was fused with the DYW‐type cytidine deaminase domain from Physcomitrium patens PpPPR_56 and programmed to bind a specific nad7 mRNA segment. In vitro binding assays confirmed the specificity of dPPR‐nad7‐DYW for its target sequence. When expressed in Arabidopsis plants, dPPR‐nad7‐DYW achieved up to 85% editing efficiency at the target site, successfully introducing a premature stop codon in nad7 mRNA. This resulted in reduced polysome loading of nad7 transcripts and a phenotype characteristic of mitochondrial complex I dysfunction. RNA‐sequencing revealed potential off‐target editing events, albeit at lower frequencies. Our study demonstrates the successful application of an editing factor with a synthetic P‐type PPR tract targeting a de novo editing site in plant mitochondria, achieving high editing efficiency. This approach opens new avenues for manipulating organellar gene expression and studying mitochondrial gene function in plants and other eukaryotes.
Dual Role of Hydrogen Effect on Surface Dislocation Nucleation in Nickel
Authors: Li Jiachen , Gu Tang , Zhang Yin , Chen Dengke
Published: February 2025

Hydrogen embrittlement poses a significant challenge to hydrogen transportation and storage in advancing the hydrogen economy. Despite extensive research, uncertainty regarding how hydrogen affects dislocation nucleation, owing to the lack of quantitative evidence, hinders our understanding of hydrogen embrittlement. In this study, we demonstrate that hydrogen atoms influence surface dislocation nucleation differently depending on their locations: hydrogen at the surface inhibits nucleation, while hydrogen in the bulk promotes it. This dual behavior is attributed to differences in hydrogen binding energies at various sites, a phenomenon further validated through nudged elastic band calculations and transition state theory. Additionally, we propose a modified nucleation rate that incorporates thermal expansion effects, which aligns closely with results from molecular dynamics simulations. These findings at the individual dislocation level offer promising guidance, suggesting that strategies such as suppressing hydrogen accumulation at the surface might effectively mitigate hydrogen embrittlement issues.
Geometry-Driven Mechanical Memory in a Random Fibrous Matrix
Authors: Sarkar Mainak , Laukaitis Christina , Wagoner Johnson Amy
Published: February 2025

Disordered fibrous matrices, formed by the random assembly of fibers, provide the structural framework for many biological systems and biomaterials. Applied deformation modifies the alignment and stress states of constituent fibers, tuning the nonlinear elastic response of these materials. While it is generally presumed that fibers return to their original configurations after deformation is released, except when neighboring fibers coalesce or individual fibers yield, this reversal process remains largely unexplored. The intricate geometry of these matrices leaves an incomplete understanding of whether releasing deformation fully restores the matrix or introduces new microstructural deformation mechanisms. To address this gap, we investigated the evolution of matrix microstructures during the release of an applied deformation. Numerical simulations were performed on quasi-two-dimensional matrices of random fibers under localized tension, with fibers modeled as beams in finite element analysis. After tension release, the matrix exhibited permanent mechanical remodeling, with greater remodeling occurring at higher magnitudes of applied tension, indicative of the matrix preserving its loading history as mechanical memory. This response was surprising; it occurred despite the absence of explicit plasticity mechanisms, such as activation of interfiber cohesion or fiber yielding. We attributed the observed remodeling to the gradient in fiber alignment that developed within the matrix microstructure under applied tension, driving the subsequent changes in matrix properties during the release of applied tension. Therefore, random fibrous matrices tend to retain mechanical memory due to their intricate geometry.
A Variable Stiffness Soft Robotic Hand Featuring Ball-Jointed Skeleton Coupled With Particles
Authors: Liu Xiulu , Lin Lekang , Song Zirui , Li Jiale , Xu Liqiang
Published: February 2025

Compared with a rigid robotic hand, the soft robotic hand has the advantages of strong safety and high adaptability, but it has problems such as insufficient grasping force, poor attitude retention ability, and poor dynamic stability. Therefore, it is of great significance to introduce a variable stiffness mechanism so that the soft robotic hand can flexibly change its stiffness under different task requirements, thus improving its grasping stability. An innovative design of a novel particle clogging variable stiffness soft robotic hand, featuring superior stiffness performance, is presented in this article, which incorporates a novel particle-clogging variable stiffness structure coupled with a ball-jointed skeleton and particles, resulting in a 29.4% stiffness enhancement over traditional designs lacking a ball-jointed skeleton, while boasting a 217.7% increase in single-finger fingertip force, and an elevation of embracing grasping performance by 110.56% along with a 280.2% improvement in fingertip grasp performance, thereby significantly improving grasping force, stability and effectiveness for daily food, and tool grasping.
Learning-Based Position and Orientation Control of a Hybrid Rigid-Soft Arm Manipulator
Authors: Koe Kendall , Marri Samhita , Walt Benjamin , Kamtikar Shivani , Uppalapati Naveen Kumar , Krishnan Girish , Chowdhary Girish
Published: February 2025

We present a position and orientation controller for a hybrid rigid-soft manipulator arm where the soft arm is extruded from a two degrees-of-freedom rigid link. Our approach involves learning the dynamics of the hybrid arm operating at 4Hz and leveraging it to generate optimal trajectories that serve as expert data to learn a control policy. We performed an extensive evaluation of the policy on a physical hybrid arm capable of jointly controlling rigid and soft actuation. We show that with a single policy, the arm is capable of reaching arbitrary poses in the workspace with 3.73cm (<6% overall arm length) and 17.78 deg error within 12.5s, operating at different control frequencies, and controlling the end effector with different loads. Our results showcase significant improvements in control speed while effectively controlling both the position and orientation of the end effector compared to previous quasistatic controllers for hybrid arms.
Design of Reconfigurable Articulated Walking Mechanisms for Diverse Motion Behaviors
Authors: Hernandez Severino , Robson Nina
Published: February 2025

Legged robots are able to move across irregular terrains and those based on 1-degreeof-freedom planar linkages can be energy efficient, but are often constrained by a limited range of gaits which can limit their locomotion capabilities considerably. This article reports the design of novel reconfigurable parallel linkages that produce a variety of gait cycles, opening new possibilities for innovative robotics applications. It is shown that such reconfigurable linkages significantly extend the capabilities of one degree-of-freedom planar parallel mechanisms to not only produce different useful walking patterns but also to realize behaviors beyond locomotion. Experiments with an implemented wearable device able to guide the lower extremity through multiple human-like walking trajectories is presented and the preliminary results validate the proposed approach. Here we would like to note that the main departure of this work from the state of the art in the area is that large solution spaces are generated using 1-degree-of-freedom planar linkages, producing gait variance via re-assembly.
Dynamics Modeling and Control Strategy Research on Multi-Joint Soft Lower Limb Assistive Exoskeletons
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Jian , Liang Peng , Ye Riwei
Published: February 2025

In response to elderly individuals and stroke patients with weakened lower limb muscle strength, this study proposes a multi-joint soft lower limb assistive exoskeleton designed to assist hip and knee joint flexion and extension during human walking. To achieve smooth control of the flexible exoskeleton, a hardware control system based on STM32 is constructed. The study establishes the theoretical dynamics model and motion characteristic equations for the soft exoskeleton. To minimize assistive errors, a control strategy is designed based on the proportional derivative iterative learning control methods, and control algorithm simulations are performed. For precise assistance of the soft exoskeleton, a mean prediction method is employed to forecast the gait cycle of the human body. To validate the correctness of the dynamic model and the practicality of the soft exoskeleton, tracking experiments with a dummy and walking assistance experiments with human subjects are conducted separately. The dummy tracking experiment results indicate that the percentage errors of peak assistive values for hip and knee joint flexion are 4.77% and 5.81%, respectively, while for extension, the percentage errors are 8.94% and 9.13%. The human walking assistance experiment results show that the peak assistive values provided by the soft exoskeleton for hip joint flexion and extension reach 152.46 N and 150.26 N, respectively, while for knee joint flexion and extension, the peak assistive values are 107.64 N and 106.13 N, respectively.
Thermal Characteristic Optimization of Two-Sided Curvilinear Rib-Roughened Solar Air Heater
Authors: Singh Dharam , Kumar Vikash
Published: February 2025

The use of artificial roughness to improve the performance and efficiency of solar air heater is one of the most adopted approaches. The selection of geometrical and flow parameters and their ranges draw the attention of researchers to reach optimum design value. The present experimental and simulation-based investigation deals with the optimization of thermal characteristics (Nusselt number and friction factor) and geometric roughness parameters for a two-sided curvilinear transverse rib-roughened solar air heater. Data collected from the experiment and simulation were further processed by response surface methodology to optimize the thermal characteristics and roughness parameters. The main roughness parameter for two-sided curvilinear rib roughness was the relative roughness height (e/Dh) ranges from 0.7 to 1.4, relative roughness pitch (p/e) ranges from 10 to 25, and Reynolds number (Re) ranges from 3800 to 18,000. Data collected from the simulation are used to develop a mathematical model using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach. To adopt the significant value predicted by the model, the coefficient of regression (R2) and confidence interval (p-value and F-value), with a probability of 95%, were considered. Nusselt number and friction factor achieve its optimum value (Nu maximum and f minimum) of 123.84 and 0.012 at e/Dh = 0.031, p/e = 21.42, and Re = 10,900.
Superposition of Overall Cooling Effectiveness on a Turbine Blade Leading Edge
Authors: Hopkins Bailey W. , Rutledge James L.
Published: February 2025

Increasingly harsh turbine environments necessitate the design of more advanced cooling techniques as well as the prediction of those cooling schemes' performance at engine conditions. For several decades, film cooling design has been accelerated through a low-order superposition of adiabatic effectiveness in order to quickly approximate the combined effect of multiple rows of cooling holes, the individual rows of which have already been characterized. While that legacy technique can approximately superpose the benefits of multiple rows of external film cooling holes, it is unable to superpose the added benefits of additional internal cooling features. This limitation of traditional film cooling superposition has been overcome with a new technique that allows superposition of overall effectiveness, which is influenced by both external film cooling and internal cooling. In this article, the new overall effectiveness superposition technique is evaluated in a turbine airfoil leading edge showerhead region. The superposition technique is effective at predicting the added benefit of an additional row of cooling holes in the leading-edge region along with the associated internal cooling that accompanies the additional row of cooling holes. Special care must be taken, however, due to pressure gradients associated with the leading-edge curvature.
Fabrication of microstructures on porous nanolattices
Authors: Kim Nayoung , Mohanty Saurav , Premnath Vijay Anirudh , Flores Ethan , Chang Chih-Hao
Published: February 2025

Nanostructured materials and nanolattices with high porosity can have novel optical and mechanical properties that are attractive for nanophotonic devices. One existing challenge is the integration of microstructures that can be used as waveguides or electrodes on such nanostructures without filling in the pores. This study investigates the fabrication of TiO2 microstructures on nanolattices using a stencil mask. In this approach, the nanostructures are planarized with a polymer film while the microstructures are patterned in a sequential shadow deposition step. Our results demonstrate the successful fabrication of a “dog-bone” microstructure with 400 μm length, 100 μm width, and 30–560 nm thicknesses on nanostructure with 390 and 500 nm period. The experimental results show that cracks can form in the microstructures, which can be attributed to residual stress and the thermal annealing cycle. A key finding is that the film cracks decrease as the TiO2 layer becomes thinner, highlighting an important relationship between grain size distribution and the film thickness. The mechanical stability of the underlying nanolattices also plays a key role, where interconnected architecture mitigated the crack formation when compared with isolated structures. The demonstrated fabrication process can lead to integrated waveguides and microelectrodes on nanolattices, which can find applications for next-generation photonic and electronic devices.
Experimental analysis on effects of hydrogen addition on argon plasma jet at low vacuum
Authors: Cho Chang Hyun , Yang Jong Keun , Kim Ji Hun , Seok Dong Chan , You Hyun Jong , Yoo Seungryul , Jang Soo Ouk , Choi Yong-Sup , Park In Sun , Kang In Je
Published: February 2025

The effects of the addition of hydrogen on the properties of an argon plasma jet generated using a microwave plasma source under low-pressure conditions were experimentally investigated. Hydrogen was introduced at concentrations of 0.1%–1%, and the resulting changes in plasma jet characteristics were analyzed using optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and Langmuir probe (LP) measurements. The plasma jet length decreased significantly, and a reduction of over 60% occurred at a hydrogen concentration of 0.4% compared to that in pure argon plasma. The OES results indicated a reduction in Ar I intensities and a nonlinear trend in Hα and Hβ emission intensities. Based on LP measurements, decreases of 54% and 37% were observed in the electron temperature and plasma density, respectively, with 0.6% hydrogen addition. These effects are attributed to recombination reactions and interactions between argon and hydrogen species, which consume free electrons and metastable argon states.
Current Practices of Lesson Planning in Physical Education Teacher Education Programs
Authors: Tsuda Emi , Olsen Edward , Xie Xiuye , Wyant James , Watson Leanne , Machamer Lauren
Published: February 2025

Purpose: This study aimed to explore current practices associated with lesson planning in physical education teacher education programs. Method: The study employed a descriptive quantitative research design using survey and lesson plan templates as data sources. A total of 64 physical education teacher education faculty members’ survey responses and 38 lesson plan templates were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey results, and content analyses were employed to examine the lesson plan templates. Results: The majority of the participants responded that they increased the demands on lesson plans as preservice teachers progressed through the program and spent less than 30 min per lesson plan review. The lesson plan templates primarily consisted of three major areas, including lesson overview, tasks and activities, and reflection. Discussion/Conclusion: The practice associated with lesson planning varies at each program. Further investigation into effective practice for lesson planning is essential in future studies.
A SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on an NIR-II/SWIR emitting nanoparticle platform
Authors: Jiang Yingying , Sanyal Mrinmoy , Hussein Noor A. , Baghdasaryan Ani , Zhang Mengzhen , Wang Feifei , Ren Fuqiang , Li Jiachen , Zhu Guanzhou , Meng Yifan , Adamska Julia Zofia , Mellins Elizabeth , Dai Hongjie
Published: February 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global health crisis that resulted in millions of deaths. Effective vaccines have played central roles in curtailing the pandemic. Here, we developed a down-converting near-infrared IIb (NIR-IIb; 1500 to 1700 nanometers) luminescent, pure NaErF
4
@NaYF
4
rare-earth nanoparticle (pEr) as vaccine carriers. The pEr nanoparticles were coated with three layers of cross-linked biocompatible polymers (pEr-P
3
; ~55 nanometers) and conjugated to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein. Upon subcutaneous injection of the pEr-P
3
-RBD nanovaccine in mice, in vivo NIR-IIb imaging revealed active vaccine trafficking and migration to lymph nodes through lymphatic vessels. Two doses of the adjuvant-free vaccine elicited long-lasting (>7 months) high titers of serum viral neutralization antibody and anti-RBD immunoglobulin G, along with robust RBD-specific germinal center B cells and T follicular helper cells. We devised in vivo NIR-II molecular imaging of RBD-specific cells in lymph nodes, opening noninvasive assessments of vaccine-elicited immune responses longitudinally.
CyanoTag: Discovery of protein function facilitated by high-throughput endogenous tagging in a photosynthetic prokaryote
Authors: Perrin Abigail J. , Dowson Matthew , Davis Katharine , Nam Onyou , Dowle Adam A. , Calder Grant , Springthorpe Victoria J. , Zhao Guoyan , Mackinder Luke C. M.
Published: February 2025

Despite their importance to aquatic ecosystems, global carbon cycling, and sustainable bioindustries, the genomes of photosynthetic bacteria contain large numbers of uncharacterized genes. Here, we develop high-throughput endogenous fluorescent protein tagging in the cyanobacterium
Synechococcus elongatus
PCC 7942. From 400 targets, we successfully tag over 330 proteins corresponding to >10% of the proteome. We use this collection to determine subcellular localization, relative protein abundances, and protein-protein interaction networks, providing biological insights into diverse processes—from photosynthesis to cell division. We build a high-confidence protein-protein interaction map for the major components of photosynthesis, associating previously uncharacterized proteins with different complexes and processes. In response to light changes, we visualize, on second timescales, the reversible formation, growth, and fusion of puncta by two Calvin cycle proteins, suggesting that biomolecular condensation provides spatiotemporal control of the Calvin cycle in cyanobacteria. We envision that these insights, cell lines, and optimized methods will facilitate rapid advances in cyanobacteria biology and, more broadly, all photosynthetic life.
Uncoupling of Akt and mTOR signaling drives resistance to Akt inhibition in PTEN loss prostate cancers
Authors: Mao Ninghui , Lee Young Sun , Salsabeel Nazifa , Zhang Zeda , Li Dan , Kaur Harmanpreet , Chen Xiaoping , Chang Qing , Mehta Sanjay , Barnes Jesse , de Stanchina Elisa , Garippa Ralph , Chen Yu , Sawyers Charles , Carver Brett S.
Published: February 2025

Recent phase 3 clinical trial showed improved radiographic progression-free survival in PTEN-deficient prostate cancers treated with combined Akt and AR inhibition. Building on this and our previous research into PI3K and AR signaling interactions, we aimed to define the mechanisms of response and resistance to Akt inhibition. We discovered that restoration of mTOR signaling was the early dominant driver of resistance to Akt inhibition. Mechanistically, this can be achieved through molecular alterations, resulting in loss of negative regulators of mTOR. Unexpectedly, we discovered that this was dominated by restoration of mTOR signaling through the nutrient sensing arm. This can be achieved by loss of the components of the GATOR/KICSTOR complexes or through cellular processes, leading to the recycling of amino acids. The addition of an mTOR inhibitor restored sensitivity to Akt inhibition and represents a precision-based strategy to overcome resistance in the clinic.
Cation effects on CO
2
reduction catalyzed by single-crystal and polycrystalline gold under well-defined mass transport conditions
Authors: Cui Zhihao , Wong Andrew Jark-Wah , Janik Michael J. , Co Anne C.
Published: February 2025

The presence of alkali metal cations in the electrolyte substantially affects the reactivity and selectivity of electrochemical carbon dioxide (CO
2
) reduction (CO
2
R). This study examines the role of cations in CO
2
R on single-crystal and polycrystalline Au under controlled mass-transport conditions. It establishes that CO
2
adsorption is the rate-determining step regardless of cation type or surface structure. Density functional theory calculations show that electron transfer occurs to a solvated CO
2
-cation complex. A more positive potential of zero charge enhances CO
2
R activity only on Au with similar surface coordination. The symmetry factor (β) of the rate-determining step varies with surface structure and cation identity, with density functional theory calculations indicating β’s sensitivity to surface and double-layer structures. These findings emphasize the importance of both surface and double-layer structures in understanding cation effects on CO
2
R.
Imp/IGF2BP and Syp/SYNCRIP temporal RNA interactomes uncover combinatorial networks of regulators of
Drosophila
brain development
Authors: Lee Jeffrey Y. , Huang Niles , Samuels Tamsin J. , Davis Ilan
Published: February 2025

Temporal patterning of neural progenitors is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism generating neural diversity. In
Drosophila
, postembryonic neurogenesis requires the RNA binding proteins (RBPs) Imp/IGF2BP and Syp/SYNCRIP. However, how they coachieve their function is not well understood. Here, we elucidate the in vivo temporal RNA interactome landscapes of Imp and Syp during larval brain development. Imp and Syp bind a highly overlapping set of conserved mRNAs encoding proteins involved in neurodevelopment. We identify transcripts differentially occupied by Imp/Syp over time, featuring a network of known and previously unknown candidate temporal regulators that are post-transcriptionally regulated by Imp/Syp. Furthermore, the physical and coevolutionary relationships between Imp and Syp binding sites reveal a combinatorial, rather than competitive, mode of molecular interplay. Our study establishes an in vivo framework for dissecting the temporal coregulation of RBP networks as well as providing a resource for understanding neural fate specification.
Real-space imaging of confined infrared surface plasmon polaritons on doped semiconductors covered with phase-change materials
Authors: Conrads Lukas , Schüler Luis , Wirth Konstantin G. , Cleri Angela , Heßler Andreas , Jung Lena , Wuttig Matthias , Chigrin Dmitry , Maria Jon-Paul , Taubner Thomas
Published: February 2025

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) describe the excitation of photons coupled with free charge carriers at the interface of metals (visible) or doped semiconductors (infrared). While SPPs in the mid-infrared spectral range have been demonstrated in 2D materials such as graphene, their short propagation length combined with weak confinement in bulk materials has prevented real-space imaging of those SPPs. Here, we demonstrate real-space imaging of propagating SPPs on the doped semiconductors CdO and InAs with tunable plasma frequencies in the infrared via scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy. Adding a thin film of phase-change materials (PCMs) to these doped semiconductors increases the polariton confinement, leading to simplified SPP imaging and SPP resonator fabrication. We investigate optically written circular resonators of the plasmonic PCM In
3
SbTe
2
on CdO with near-field spectroscopy and Fabry-Perot resonators of the dielectric PCM Ge
3
Sb
2
Te
6
on InAs with far-field spectroscopy. Our work enables rapid prototyping of reconfigurable SPP resonators in mid-infrared.
Biodegradable origami enables closed-loop sustainable robotic systems
Authors: Wei Pingdong , Zhang Zhuang , Cheng Shaoru , Meng Yao , Tong Mengjie , Emu Luoqian , Yan Wei , Zhang Yanlin , Wang Yunjie , Zhao Jingyang , Xu Changyu , Zhai Feng , Lu Junqiang , Wang Lei , Jiang Hanqing
Published: February 2025

Robots are increasingly integral across various sectors due to their efficiency and superior capabilities, which enable performance beyond human potential. However, the development of robotic systems often conflicts with the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, as they generate considerable nondegradable waste and organic/inorganic pollutants throughout their life cycle. In this paper, we introduce a dual closed-loop robotic system that integrates biodegradable, sustainable materials such as plasticized cellulose films and NaCl-infused ionic conductive gelatin organogels. These materials undergo a closed-loop ecological cycle from processing to biodegradation, contributing to new growth, while the self-sensing, origami-based robot supports a seamless human-in-the-loop teleoperation system. This innovative approach represents a paradigm shift in the application of soft robotic systems, offering a path toward a more sustainable future by aligning advanced robotic functionalities with environmental stewardship.
Molecular determinants of cross-strain influenza A virus recognition by αβ T cell receptors
Authors: Quiñones-Parra Sergio M. , Gras Stephanie , Nguyen Thi H. O. , Farenc Carine , Szeto Christopher , Rowntree Louise C. , Chaurasia Priyanka , Sant Sneha , Boon Adrianus C. M. , Jayasinghe Dhilshan , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. , Petersen Jan , Doherty Peter C. , Uldrich Adam P. , Littler Dene R. , Rossjohn Jamie , Kedzierska Katherine
Published: February 2025

Cross-reactive αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing multiple peptide variants can provide effective control of rapidly evolving viruses yet remain understudied. By screening 12 naturally occurring influenza-derived HLA-B*35:01–restricted nucleoprotein (NP)
418–426
epitopes (B*35:01-NP
418
) that emerged since 1918 within influenza A viruses, including 2024 A/H5N1 viruses, we identified functional broadly cross-reactive T cells universally recognizing NP
418
variants. Binding studies demonstrated that TCR cross-reactivity was concomitant with diminished antigen sensitivity. Primary human B*35:01/NP
418
+
CD8
+
T cell lines displayed reduced cross-reactivity in the absence of CD8 coreceptor binding, validating the low avidity of cross-reactive B*35:01-NP
418
+
CD8
+
T cell responses. Six TCR–HLA-B*35:01/NP
418
crystal structures showed how cross-reactive TCRs recognized multiple B*35:01/NP
418
epitope variants. Specific TCR interactions were formed with invariant and conserved peptide-HLA features, thus remaining distal from highly varied positions of the NP
418
epitope. Our study defines molecular mechanisms associated with extensive TCR cross-reactivity toward naturally occurring viral variants highly relevant to universal protective immunity against influenza.
Distinct mutations emerge in the genome of serotype O foot-and-mouth disease virus during persistence in cattle
Authors: Litz Benedikt , Forth Leonie F. , Pfaff Florian , Beer Martin , Eschbaumer Michael
Published: February 2025

Like other RNA viruses, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has a high mutation rate. After the acute phase of infection, about half of infected cattle develop a persistent FMDV infection that can last for weeks or months. During this persistent phase, the virus continues to replicate, resulting in the emergence of genomic heterogeneity. We have documented the pattern of mutations in the persistent phase by obtaining consensus-level sequences directly from oropharyngeal fluid (OPF) without prior virus isolation in culture. OPF samples were repeatedly collected from 22 experimentally infected cattle, 20 of which were virus positive in the OPF on day 21 after infection or later. We observed that during the persistent phase, the amount of non-synonymous mutations causing an amino acid change increased over time. Two amino acid changes that showed a striking increase during the persistent phase, VP3 A75T and VP2 Y79H, were present neither in the inoculum nor during the acute phase. Another amino acid change in VP3, R56C, which was previously implicated in FMDV pathogenicity, was already present in the inoculum and dominated toward the end of the trial in most samples. Several other amino acid changes occurred, particularly on the surface of VP2 around residue VP2 79. By functional analysis, we show that the persistent isolates evolve distinctly compared with cell culture adaptation but do not show signs of antigenic escape from neutralizing antibodies. In agreement with previous observations, we conclude that these amino acid changes are indeed associated with persistent infection of cattle with FMDV serotype O.

IMPORTANCE

Our research article describes the genetic changes that occur during the acute and persistent foot-and-mouth disease (FMDV) infection. This is of particular interest to understand viral dynamics within an infected population from which new viral strains could emerge. Especially FMDV, with its high antigenic diversity and very limited cross-reactivity between strains and serotypes, has already demonstrated in the past that new variants can quickly emerge and evade vaccine responses. In our study, we have observed that this dynamic evolution continues during the persistent phase. Persistently infected animals, which are clinically indistinguishable from healthy animals, also pose a reservoir for recombination. A better understanding of viral dynamics is essential for improved vaccines to prevent the emergence of antigenic variants.
Genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 screening reveals the role of
PSMD4
in colibactin-mediated cell cycle arrest
Authors: Dougherty Michael W. , Hoffmann Ryan M. , Hernandez Maria C. , Airan Yougant , Gharaibeh Raad Z. , Herzon Seth B. , Yang Ye , Jobin Christian
Published: February 2025

Colibactin is a genotoxic secondary metabolite produced by certain
Enterobacteriaceae
strains that populate the intestine and produces a specific mutational signature in human colonocytes. However, the host pathways involved in colibactin response remain unclear. To address this gap, we performed genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screens and RNA sequencing utilizing live

pks
+

bacteria and a synthetic colibactin analog. We identified 20 enriched genes with a MAGeCK score of >2.0 in both screens, including proteasomal subunits (e.g.,
PSMG4
and
PSMD4
), RNA processing factors (e.g.,
SF1
and
PRPF8
), and RNA polymerase III (e.g.,
CRCP
), and validated the role of
PSMD4
in colibactin sensitization.
PSMD4
knockout in HEK293T and HT-29 cells promoted cell viability and ameliorated G2-M cell cycle arrest but did not affect the amount of phosphorylated H2AX foci after exposure to synthetic colibactin 742. Consistent with these observations,
PSMD4
−/−
cells had a significantly higher colony formation rate and bigger colony size than control cells after 742 exposure. These findings suggest that
PSMD4
regulates cell cycle arrest following colibactin-induced DNA damage and that cells with
PSMD4
deficiency may continue to replicate despite DNA damage, potentially increasing the risk of malignant transformation.

IMPORTANCE

Colibactin has been implicated as a causative agent of colorectal cancer. However, colibactin-producing bacteria are also present in many healthy individuals, leading to the hypothesis that some aspects of colibactin regulation or host response dictate the molecule’s carcinogenic potential. Elucidating the host-response pathways involved in dictating cell fate after colibactin intoxication has been difficult, partially due to an inability to isolate the molecule. This study provides the first high-throughput CRISPR/Cas9 screening to identify genes conferring colibactin sensitivity. Here, we utilize both bacterial infection and a synthetic colibactin analog to identify genes directly involved in colibactin response. These findings provide insight into how differences in gene expression may render certain individuals more vulnerable to colibactin-initiated tumor formation after DNA damage.
The TgAMPK-TgPFKII axis essentially regulates protein lactylation in the zoonotic parasite
Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Li Chenghuan , Zhao Yang , Li Qilong , Chen Ran , Feng Ying , Sang Xiaoyu , Li Xiangrui , Shen Bang , Jiang Ning , Chen Qijun
Published: February 2025

Toxoplasma gondii
infects nucleated cells of warm-blooded animals and cause zoonotic toxoplasmosis. Lysine lactylation, as a novel post-translational modification, is essential for epigenetic regulation and cellular processes, and proteomic analyses have shown that lactylated proteins are involved in a wide range of biological processes including energy metabolism, gene regulation, and protein biosynthesis. Additionally, protein lactylation is prevalent in
T. gondii
, while its regulatory mechanisms have not been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the role of
T. gondii
phosphofructokinase-2 (TgPFKII) and the adenosine-5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in the invasion, replication, and lactylation regulation of
T. gondii
. We localized TgPFKII in the cytoplasm of
T. gondii
tachyzoites and demonstrated its necessity for parasite growth and protein lactylation through auxin-induced degradation. Our results showed that inhibition of the AMPK pathway led to decreased TgPFKII expression and reduced protein lactylation levels. Furthermore, AMPK-specific inhibitors significantly impaired parasite invasion and proliferation. These findings highlight TgPFKII as a crucial regulator of lactylation and underscore the importance of the AMPK pathway in
T. gondii
’s pathogenic mechanisms, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

IMPORTANCE

Understanding the intricate mechanisms by which
Toxoplasma gondii
invades and proliferates within host cells is essential for developing novel therapeutic strategies against toxoplasmosis. This study focuses on the pivotal roles of
T. gondii
phosphofructokinase-2 (TgPFKII) and the adenosine-5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway in regulating protein lactylation in association with parasite invasion and growth. By elucidating the cellular localization and functional importance of TgPFKII, as well as its regulation through AMPK-specific inhibitors, we provide comprehensive insights into the metabolic and signaling networks that underpin
T. gondii
pathogenicity. Our findings reveal that TgPFKII is a critical regulator of lactylation and that the AMPK pathway significantly influences
T. gondii
’s ability to invade and replicate within host cells. These insights pave the way for targeted interventions aimed at disrupting key metabolic and signaling pathways in
T. gondii
, potentially leading to more effective treatments for toxoplasmosis.
An asymmetric Late Cretaceous back-arc basin south of Tibet?
Authors: Xu Shihua , Li Yong-Xiang , van Hinsbergen Douwe J.J. , Liu Xinyu , Li Binchen , Li Xianghui , Wang Teng
Published: February 2025

The Indus-Yarlung suture zone (southern Tibet) between the Indian plate−derived Tibetan Himalaya and the Asian continental crust intruded by the Gangdese magmatic arc of southern Tibet hosts a <20-km-wide band of ophiolites overlain by Asia-derived clastic sedimentary rocks of the Xigaze forearc basin. How wide this basin was prior to India-Asia collision is unknown: it may have been a typical forearc basin width, i.e., ∼150−200 km, but was also proposed to have become separated from Tibet in the Late Cretaceous by a back-arc basin thousands of kilometers wide. To test this, we present the first paleomagnetic study of upper Cretaceous redbeds of the 71.2−69.3 Ma Padana Formation in the Xigaze forearc basin, near Sangsang town, Ngamring county, Tibet, China (∼86°E). High-temperature magnetic components were isolated at 580 °C or 600−680 °C and passed reversal and fold tests demonstrating a primary magnetization that we corrected for inclination shallowing. Our results reveal that the Xigaze forearc basin at ∼86°E was situated at 18.4° ± 3.6°N at ca. 70 Ma, indicating a separation from Lhasa of <500 km. To reconcile our new data with coeval, much lower, paleolatitudes from the Ladakh arc to the west (∼77°E) we reconstruct a Late Cretaceous−Paleogene opening and closure of an asymmetric back-arc basin in the western Neotethys. This suggests that the distribution of India-Asia convergence was laterally unevenly partitioned over the pre-collisional plate boundaries.
Weak, frictionally unstable input sediments explain shallow seismogenesis at the north Sumatran subduction zone
Authors: Stanislowski Katja , Hüpers Andre , Fagereng Åke , Ikari Matt J.
Published: February 2025

The cause of unexpectedly shallow seismic slip during the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, which resulted in a devastating tsunami, is still under debate. One hypothesis is that diagenetic strengthening of décollement-forming input sediments prior to subduction allows shallow seismogenic behavior. We tested this hypothesis by measuring the frictional behavior of input sediments, sampled offshore northern Sumatra during International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 362, in single-direct shear experiments. The input sediments that have been correlated with the north Sumatra proto-décollement horizon are frictionally unstable, indicating a seismogenic shallow décollement. These sediments are also frictionally weak, which deviates from expected friction systematics but means that diagenetic strengthening is not required. Our observations indicate that threshold concentrations of amorphous silica (≥11 wt%), palagonite rims on glass fragments, and feldspar interspersed within weak, smectite-bearing sediments entering the north Sumatra subduction zone may cause the incoming sediments to be frictionally unstable before subduction. This instability led to the unexpectedly shallow coseismic slip during the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and may be valuable information for hazard assessments of other subduction margins.
Supplemental Material: Porphyry Mo mineralization related to adakite-like magmas in an intra-continental extensional setting at the Aolunhua deposit, northeastern China
Authors: Ouyang Hegen , et al.
Published: February 2025

All data mentioned in the text and required to create all figures (i.e., Tables S1–S7), as well as one supplementary figure (i.e., Fig. S1).