bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The yield of tuberculosis contact investigation in São Paulo, Brazil: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: da Silva José Mário Nunes , Diaz-Quijano Fredi Alexander
Published: January 2025

The strategy of tuberculosis (TB) contact investigation is essential for enhancing disease detection. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the yield of contact investigation for new TB cases, estimate the prevalence of TB, and identify characteristics of index cases associated with infection among contacts of new cases notified between 2010 and 2020 in São Paulo, Brazil. Out of 186466 index TB cases, 131055 (70.3%) underwent contact investigation. A total of 652286 contacts were screened, of which 451704 (69.2%) were examined. Of these, 12243 were diagnosed with active TB (yield of 1.9%), resulting in a number needed to screen of 53 and a number needed to test of 37 to identify one new TB case. The weighted prevalence for the total contacts screened was 2.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.7%–2.9%), suggesting underreporting of 6021 (95% CI: 5269–6673) cases. The likelihood of TB diagnosis was higher among contacts of cases identified through active case-finding, abnormal chest X-ray, pulmonary TB, or drug resistance, as well as among children, adults, women, individuals in socially vulnerable situations, and those with underlying clinical conditions. The study highlights significant TB underreporting among contacts, recommending strengthened contact investigation to promptly identify and treat new cases.
Systemic venous collaterals between Glenn and Fontan: prevalence, therapy, and impact on outcomes
Authors: Nguyen Cong Michelle Bao Hoa , Schaeffer Thibault , Osawa Takuya , Palm Jonas , Niedermaier Carolin , Piber Nicole , Matsubara Muneaki , Heinisch Paul Philipp , Georgiev Stanimir , Hager Alfred , Ewert Peter , Hörer Jürgen , Ono Masamichi
Published: January 2025

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate veno-venous collaterals between bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt and total cavopulmonary connection.

Methods:

Patients who underwent staged total cavopulmonary connection between 1995 and 2022 were reviewed. Veno-venous collaterals between bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt and total cavopulmonary connection were depicted using angiograms. The prevalence of veno-venous collaterals, the risks for the development of veno-venous collaterals, and the impact of veno-venous collaterals on outcomes were analysed.

Results:

In total, 586 patients were included. Veno-venous collaterals were found in 72 (12.3%) patients. Majority of veno-venous collaterals originated from the superior caval vein and drained into the inferior caval vein. Before bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt, mean pulmonary artery pressure (16.3 vs. 14.5 mmHg, p = 0.018), and trans-pulmonary gradient (9.5 vs. 8.0 mmHg, p = 0.030) were higher in patients with veno-venous collaterals compared to those without. Veno-venous collaterals intervention was performed in 32 (5.5%) patients, in a median of 29 (16–152) days after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt. Before total cavopulmonary connection, pulmonary artery pressure (10.3 vs. 9.4 mmHg, p = 0.015) and ventricular end-diastolic pressure (8.4 vs. 7.6 mmHg, p = 0.035) were higher, and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2, 80.6 vs. 82.6 %, p = 0.018) was lower in patients with veno-venous collaterals compared to those without. More palliations before total cavopulmonary connection (p < 0.001, odds ratio: 1.689) were an independent risk for the development of veno-venous collaterals. Veno-venous collaterals did not affect survival after total cavopulmonary connection (92.8 vs. 92.7% at 10 years, p = 0.600).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of veno-venous collaterals between bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt and total cavopulmonary connection was 12%. Veno-venous collaterals may be induced by the elevated pulmonary artery pressure and trans-pulmonary gradient, and also by more previous palliations. However, they had no impact on clinical outcomes following total cavopulmonary connection.
PPA2-associated cardiac arrest survivor
Authors: McGinn Claire , Agouba Rihab , O’Sullivan Siobhan , Donnelly Deirdre , Casey Frank
Published: January 2025

Biallelic pathogenic variants in the inorganic pyrophosphatase 2 (PPA2) gene are a rare but established cause of sudden infant death, which may be precipitated by a pyrexial or viral illness. It has also been associated with sudden death secondary to alcohol ingestion in young adults. We describe the case of a thirteen-month-old female who presented following out-of- hospital cardiac arrest and was subsequently diagnosed with compound, heterozygous pathogenic variants of PPA2. She survived this episode and made excellent neurological recovery despite her prolonged out-of-hospital resuscitation. This case describes her initial presentation, consideration of PPA2-related cardiac arrest in the differential diagnosis, and the subsequent secondary preventative strategies. These included insertion of an implantable cardiac defibrillator, avoidance of alcohol in her medication preparations and administration of childhood vaccinations in a hospital environment due to risk of pyrexia-induced arrhythmias.
Factors associated with caregiver responsive and non-responsive feeding styles in Clark County, Nevada
Authors: Castelo Saragosa Amanda , Moonie Sheniz , Johansen Christopher , Crittenden Alyssa N , Buccini Gabriela
Published: January 2025

Objective:

Early childhood obesity (ECO) significantly increased in the USA. ECO interventions lack focus on the prevention of ECO for infants under 2. Caregiver’s feeding styles (CFS) have been shown to affect ECO development, but studies on CFS are limited. This study examined socio-ecological factors associated with CFS for infants under 2 in Nevada.

Design:

This cross-sectional study utilising a survey examined the five CFS constructs: responsive (RP), non-responsive (NRP) Laissez-Faire, NRP pressuring, NRP restrictive and NRP indulgent. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression following a hierarchical modelling approach were used to determine the associations between the CFS constructs and socio-ecological factors (e.g. household, maternal mental health and infant feeding).

Setting:

Clark County, Nevada.

Participants:

304 caregivers with infants under 2.

Results:

NRP-feeding styles were associated with low-income households (e.g. NRP restrictive (adjusted OR (AOR) = 2·60, 95 % CI (1·01, 6·71))), water insecurity (e.g. NRP pressuring (AOR = 2·46, 95 % CI (1·00, 6·06)), young mothers (e.g. NRP-Laissez-Faire (AOR = 2·39, 95 % CI (1·00, 5·84))), lower maternal education (e.g. RP (AOR = 0·58, 95 % CI (0·33, 1·00))), mild risk for depression (e.g. NRP restrictive (AOR = 0·50, 95 % CI (0·28, 0·90))) and a moderate to severe risk for anxiety (e.g. NRP pressuring (AOR = 0·32, 95 % CI (0·14, 0·74))). There were no associations between infant-feeding factors and RP feeding.

Conclusion:

Our study identified socio-ecological factors associated with dissimilarities in CFS in Nevada. These findings can be used to tailor educational approaches to address disparities in ECO.
Addressing Competitiveness Concerns of EU exporters with Industrial Policy: The Role of Innovation Support
Authors: Jakob Michael , Mehling Michael
Published: January 2025

With the recent passage of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the free allocation of emission permits under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) that currently acts as a safeguard against emissions leakage and industrial relocation will progressively be phased out. Because the CBAM only covers imports, however, European goods exported into global markets stand to become more vulnerable to emissions leakage. Different policy options have been discussed to counter such export-related leakage, but they variously face concerns regarding their environmental, political, and legal implications. We describe and evaluate the three most important policy options based on their potential to reduce export-related leakage, support the net-zero transformation in Europe as well as globally, ensure conformity with international trade law, secure administrative feasibility, and foster political acceptance by affected trade partners. While no single option outperforms its alternatives on all criteria, our analysis identifies targeted innovation support as a promising option because it minimizes legal and political risks while also offering climate benefits beyond leakage protection for European industry. We then discuss the sectors that are most likely to require innovation support, the policy instruments that could serve to operationalize such support, and potential funding sources. We conclude with guiding principles for technology support measures, reflecting on the implications of the current surge in industrial policy within Europe and beyond.
A Tropical Vienna: The Influence of German Political Economy on Brazilian Independence
Authors: Pérez Meléndez José Juan
Published: January 2025

When the future Brazilian independence hero José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva turned 20 years old in 1783, he left Brazil to study at the University of Coimbra, as his generation’s privileged sons did. Upon graduating, he embarked on a lengthy government-sponsored trip to study mineralogy across Europe. From 1790, he immersed himself in the latest scientific doctrines and mining techniques in France, Denmark, Sweden, northern Italy, and most importantly German territories. After 10 years of traveling, he began teaching at Coimbra and Portugal’s Mint and then took over a new Intendancy of Mines tailor-made for his new qualifications. He returned to Brazil only in 1819 after 36 years away.
A Generalized Framework to Describe Unimodal and Bimodal Soil Hydraulic Properties Over Full Water Saturation Range
Authors: Wang Yunquan , Ma Rui , Vereecken Harry
Published: January 2025

Soil hydraulic properties (SHPs) are impacted by various mechanisms such as soil structure, capillarity, and adsorption forces, often showing a bimodal shape. Developing soil hydraulic models (SHMs) that describe SHPs over the entire saturation range often involves balancing the representation of multiple processes while minimizing the number of free‐fitted parameters. Existing SHMs rarely capture bimodal SHPs across the full moisture range or introduce a higher number of free‐fitted parameters. In this study, we propose a novel framework to describe SHPs over the entire moisture range, accounting for the effects of soil structure, capillarity, adsorption forces, and vapor diffusion. In its four free‐fitted parameters form, the proposed models can capture unimodal soil water retention curves and bimodal hydraulic conductivity curves (HCC). This model is well‐suited for situations where small changes in water content near saturation are no longer detectable via measured SWRC, yet soil structure still causes a sharp decline in HCC near saturation. With one additional free‐fitted parameter, the proposed models can capture both bimodal SWRC and HCC. Testing with 355 and 52 soil samples from two public datasets demonstrated that the proposed models performed exceptionally well in describing SHPs across the entire moisture range. The reported lowest root‐mean‐square error values were 0.005 and 0.009 cm3 cm−3 for fitting SWRCs, and 0.465 and 0.666 for predicting HCCs, respectively. Due to the minimal introduction of free‐fitted parameters, the proposed framework showed significant application potential.
Advancing the genetic engineering toolbox by combining AsCas12a knock-in mice with ultra-compact screening
Authors: Jin Wei , Deng Yexuan , La Marca John E. , Lelliott Emily J. , Diepstraten Sarah T. , König Christina , Tai Lin , Snetkova Valentina , Dorighi Kristel M. , Hoberecht Luke , Hedditch Millicent G. , Whelan Lauren , Healey Geraldine , Fayle Dan , Lau Kieran , Potts Margaret A. , Chen Moore Z. , Johnston Angus P. R. , Liao Yang , Shi Wei , Kueh Andrew J. , Haley Benjamin , Fortin Jean-Philippe , Herold Marco J.
Published: January 2025

Cas12a is a next-generation gene editing tool that enables multiplexed gene targeting. Here, we present a mouse model that constitutively expresses enhanced Acidaminococcus sp. Cas12a (enAsCas12a) linked to an mCherry fluorescent reporter. We demonstrate efficient single and multiplexed gene editing in vitro, using primary and transformed cells from enAsCas12a mice. We further demonstrate successful in vivo gene editing, using normal and cancer-prone enAsCas12a stem cells to reconstitute the haematopoietic system of wild-type mice. We also present compact, genome-wide Cas12a knockout libraries, with four crRNAs per gene encoded across one (Scherzo) or two (Menuetto) vectors, and demonstrate the utility of these libraries across methodologies: in vitro enrichment and drop-out screening in lymphoma cells and immortalised fibroblasts, respectively, and in vivo screens to identify lymphoma-driving events. Finally, we demonstrate CRISPR multiplexing via simultaneous gene knockout (via Cas12a) and activation (via dCas9-SAM) using primary T cells and fibroblasts. Our enAsCas12a mouse and accompanying crRNA libraries enhance genome engineering capabilities and complement current CRISPR technologies.
Machine learning photodynamics decode multiple singlet fission channels in pentacene crystal
Authors: Li Zhendong , Hernández Federico J. , Salguero Christian , Lopez Steven A. , Crespo-Otero Rachel , Li Jingbai
Published: January 2025

Crystalline pentacene is a model solid-state light-harvesting material because its quantum efficiencies exceed 100% via ultrafast singlet fission. The singlet fission mechanism in pentacene crystals is disputed due to insufficient electronic information in time-resolved experiments and intractable quantum mechanical calculations for simulating realistic crystal dynamics. Here we combine a multiscale multiconfigurational approach and machine learning photodynamics to understand competing singlet fission mechanisms in crystalline pentacene. Our simulations reveal coexisting charge-transfer-mediated and coherent mechanisms via the competing channels in the herringbone and parallel dimers. The predicted singlet fission time constants (61 and 33 fs) are in excellent agreement with experiments (78 and 35 fs). The trajectories highlight the essential role of intermolecular stretching between monomers in generating the multi-exciton state and explain the anisotropic phenomenon. The machine-learning-photodynamics resolved the elusive interplay between electronic structure and vibrational relations, enabling fully atomistic excited-state dynamics with multiconfigurational quantum mechanical quality for crystalline pentacene.
Global water gaps under future warming levels
Authors: Rosa Lorenzo , Sangiorgio Matteo
Published: January 2025

Understanding the impacts of climate change on water resources is crucial for developing effective adaptation strategies. We quantify “water gaps”, or unsustainable water use – the shortfall where water demand exceeds supply, resulting in scarcity. We quantify baseline and future water gaps using a multi-model analysis that incorporates two plausible future warming scenarios. The baseline global water gap stands at 457.9 km3/yr, with projections indicating an increase of 26.5 km3/yr (+5.8%) and 67.4 km3/yr (+14.7%) under 1.5 °C and 3 °C warming scenarios, respectively. These projections highlight the uneven impact of warming levels on water gaps, emphasizing the need for continued climate change mitigation to alleviate stress on water resources. Our results also underscore the unequal adaptation needs across countries and basins, influenced by varying warming scenarios, with important regional differences and model variability complicating future projections. Robust water management strategies are needed to tackle the escalating water scarcity caused by global warming.
Downscaled gridded global dataset for gross domestic product (GDP) per capita PPP over 1990–2022
Authors: Kummu Matti , Kosonen Maria , Masoumzadeh Sayyar Sina
Published: January 2025

We present a comprehensive gridded GDP per capita dataset downscaled to the admin 2 level (43,501 units) covering 1990–2022. It updates existing outdated datasets, which use reported subnational data only up to 2010. Our dataset, which is based on reported subnational GDP per capita data from 89 countries and 2,708 administrative units, employs various novel methods for extrapolation and downscaling. Downscaling with machine learning algorithms showed high performance (R2 = 0.79 for cross-validation, R2 = 0.80 for the test dataset) and accuracy against reported datasets (Pearson R = 0.88). The dataset includes reported and downscaled annual data (1990–2022) for three administrative levels: 0 (national; reported data for 237 administrative units), 1 (provincial; reported data for 2,708 administrative units for 89 countries), and 2 (municipality; downscaled data for 43,501 administrative units). The dataset has a higher spatial resolution and wider temporal range than the existing data do and will thus contribute to global or regional spatial analyses such as socioenvironmental modelling and economic resilience evaluation. The data are available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10976733.
Enhanced multifaceted model for plasmon-driven Schottky solar cells with integrated thermal effects
Authors: Aïssa Brahim , Baloch Ahmer A. , Ali Adnan , Mitra Anirban
Published: January 2025

This paper explores the development of an opto-thermal-electrical model for plasmonic Schottky solar cells (PSSCs) using a comprehensive multiphysics approach. We simulated the optical properties, power conversion efficiencies, and energy yield of PSSCs with varying nanoparticle (NP) configurations and sizes. Our spectral analysis focused on the absorption characteristics of these solar cells, examining systems sized 3 × 3, 5 × 5, and 7  × 7, with NP radii ranging from 10 to 150 nm. The study addresses a significant gap in solar cell research by presenting a novel multi-physics energy yield model for PSSCs decorated with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) on silicon absorbers. This integrated framework uniquely couples optical, electrical, and thermal responses for the prediction of global energy yield maps. Total spectral heat absorption was evaluated over a range of 300 nm to 1200 nm. This spectral heating was further deconvoluted into nanoparticle heating and thermalization heating in a silicon absorber. The findings indicated that the 5 × 5 NP array with a 70 nm radius enhances electrical performance, with the short-circuit current density (Jsc) reaching 11.54 mA/cm2—A 47% improvement compared to traditional bare silicon Schottky cells of 2 μm thickness. However, this electrical enhancement was also accompanied by a significant increase in heat generation within the nanoparticles, with thermal gains up to 182.5% relative to the bare silicon cells. This substantial rise in thermal energy highlights the critical need for advanced thermal management strategies to mitigate overheating and ensure the overall efficiency of plasmonic-enhanced solar cells. Enhanced energy yield maps confirm the model’s predictions, showing improved outputs globally, especially in sunny regions with potential annual energy yield gains up to 80 kWh/m2.
Diffusion Smart-seq3 of breast cancer spheroids to explore spatial tumor biology and test evolutionary principles of tumor heterogeneity
Authors: Cougnoux Antony , Mahmoud Loay , Johnsson Per A. , Eroglu Alper , Gsell Louise , Rosenbauer Jakob , Sandberg Rickard , Hausser Jean
Published: January 2025

Combining 3D cultures such as tumor spheroids and organoids with spatial omics holds great potential for tissue biology and cancer research. Yet, this potential is presently limited by technical and financial challenges of spatial omics methods and 3D cultures. To address this, we combine dye diffusion, the Smart-seq3xpress protocol for deep single-cell gene expression profiling, and dedicated probabilistic inference methods into diffusion Smart-seq3 (Smart-seq3D), to reveal the transcriptome of single cells along with their position along the core-periphery axis of spheroids. Applying Smart-seq3D to triple-negative breast tumor spheroids identifies thousands of spatial genes and reveals continuous, ungated spatial gene expression. Spatial gene and pathway expression patterns suggest biologies specific to spheroid regions, which we validate by immunostainings and pharmacological interventions. We use the Smart-seq3D data to test evolutionary principles of spatial tumor heterogeneity. Finally, we characterize aspects of tumor heterogeneity captured by 3D spheroids that are missing from 2D cultures but found in tumors in vivo. Smart-seq3D can offer a cost-efficient approach to explore how cells adapt their transcriptome to different micro-environments, reveal spatial determinants of drug resistance and could serve to characterize spatial interactions between cancer and stromal/immune cells in 3D co-cultures.
Azurin a potent anticancer and antimicrobial agent isolated from a novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain
Authors: Zaghloul Nourhan A. , Gouda Mona K. , Elbahloul Yasser , El Halfawy Nancy M.
Published: January 2025

Azurin, a bacterial blue-copper protein, has garnered significant attention as a potential anticancer drug in recent years. Among twenty Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, we identified one isolate that demonstrated potent and remarkable azurin synthesis using the VITEK 2 system and 16S rRNA sequencing. The presence of the azurin gene was confirmed in the genomic DNA using specific oligonucleotide primers, and azurin expression was also detected in the synthesized cDNA, which revealed that the azurin expression is active. Furthermore, crude azurin protein was extracted, precipitated using 70% ammonium sulfate, dialyzed, and subjected to purification using carboxymethyl-Sephadex in affinity chromatography as a cheap method for purification. The partially purified azurin protein was characterized using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Notably, qualitative elemental analysis by EDX showed the presence of copper and sulfur, corresponding to the copper-core and disulfide-bridge, respectively, in the purified azurin fraction. Moreover, FTIR spectroscopy revealed characteristic amide I and II absorption peaks (1500–1700 cm− 1), revealing the possible secondary structure of azurin. The results of NMR revealed the presence of characteristic amino acids such as methionine and cysteine, which confirmed the EDX results for sulfur-containing amino acids. Purified azurin exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Additionally, its anticancer properties were determined using the MTT assay and cell cycle analysis, revealing a preference for inhibiting the MCF7 breast cancer cell line where breast cancer is most common in Egypt. Overall, the research findings suggest that the local isolate, P. aeruginosa strain 105, could be a potential source of azurin protein for incorporation into cancer treatment strategies.
Decoding pan-cancer treatment outcomes using multimodal real-world data and explainable artificial intelligence
Authors: Keyl Julius , Keyl Philipp , Montavon Grégoire , Hosch René , Brehmer Alexander , Mochmann Liliana , Jurmeister Philipp , Dernbach Gabriel , Kim Moon , Koitka Sven , Bauer Sebastian , Bechrakis Nikolaos , Forsting Michael , Führer-Sakel Dagmar , Glas Martin , Grünwald Viktor , Hadaschik Boris , Haubold Johannes , Herrmann Ken , Kasper Stefan , Kimmig Rainer , Lang Stephan , Rassaf Tienush , Roesch Alexander , Schadendorf Dirk , Siveke Jens T. , Stuschke Martin , Sure Ulrich , Totzeck Matthias , Welt Anja , Wiesweg Marcel , Baba Hideo A. , Nensa Felix , Egger Jan , Müller Klaus-Robert , Schuler Martin , Klauschen Frederick , Kleesiek Jens
Published: January 2025

Despite advances in precision oncology, clinical decision-making still relies on limited variables and expert knowledge. To address this limitation, we combined multimodal real-world data and explainable artificial intelligence (xAI) to introduce AI-derived (AID) markers for clinical decision support. We used xAI to decode the outcome of 15,726 patients across 38 solid cancer entities based on 350 markers, including clinical records, image-derived body compositions, and mutational tumor profiles. xAI determined the prognostic contribution of each clinical marker at the patient level and identified 114 key markers that accounted for 90% of the neural network’s decision process. Moreover, xAI enabled us to uncover 1,373 prognostic interactions between markers. Our approach was validated in an independent cohort of 3,288 patients with lung cancer from a US nationwide electronic health record-derived database. These results show the potential of xAI to transform the assessment of clinical variables and enable personalized, data-driven cancer care.
Controlled acidity-mediated short-chain olefin synthesis over a Mn–Zn–Zr/Zn-SAPO-34 catalyst via CO2 hydrogenation
Authors: Singh Gaje , Panda Satyajit , Shrivastaw Vivek Kumar , Bordoloi Ankur
Published: January 2025

Transforming CO2 into short-chain olefins via a methanol-mediated route is challenging due to CO byproduct formation.
Perovskite-derived MnOx/LaMnO3 nanocomposites to boost CO oxidation activity
Authors: Felli Andrea , Toso Alessandra , Braga Andrea , Colussi Sara , Boaro Marta , Llorca Jordi , Truscott Byron , Artner-Wallner Christine , Trovarelli Alessandro
Published: January 2025

Under mild acid treatment, LaMnO3 generates different Mn oxide species segregated on a defective La1−xMnO3−δ perovskite. These MnOx/LaMnO3 nanocomposites shows superior CO oxidation activity compared to the pristine perovskite.
Optimized Ni(ii)-doping in Co(iii)-based layered double hydroxides towards electrochemical oxygen evolution catalysis
Authors: Si Huiling , Ma Yanhong , Zu Hang , Liang Jianbo
Published: January 2025

Ni(ii)-doped Co(iii)-based LDHs show volcano-like OER activity from a synergy between Ni and Co cations. The best performance exceeds that of Ni(ii)–Fe(iii) LDHs at high working potentials.
Investigating the adsorption performance of calcium-rich biochar on CDOM from actual rifapentine pharmaceutical wastewater using spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Liu Jiali , Wen Qian , Xu Maoyun , Wu Yuhuan , Guo Xujing
Published: January 2025

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter can be effectively adsorbed and removed by calcium-rich biochar. The study provides valuable insights for the development of efficient technologies for the treatment of actual pharmaceutical wastewater.
Lipid-GPCR interactions in an asymmetric plasma membrane model
Authors: Ji Jingjing , Lyman Edward
Published: January 2025

We report simulations and analysis of the A2A adenosine receptor in its fully active state, in two different membrane environments. The first is a model in which the lipids are...
The effect of the oxidation level of the graphene oxide substrate on in situ growth of COF-300
Authors: Quan Ying , Yang Yizhou , Liu Qinfu , Börjesson Karl
Published: January 2025

A graphene oxide covalent organic framework composite was made. The surface modification of graphene oxide enables covalent bonds between two materials, and the oxidation level of graphene oxide directs the COF morphology.
Antimicrobial triazinedione inhibitors of the translocase MraY–protein E interaction site: synergistic effects with bacitracin imply a new mechanism of action
Authors: Fairbairn Julia A. , Kerr Rachel V. , Pierre-White Nika-Kare A. , Jacovides Anthony , Baileeves Becca W. A. , Stansfeld Phillip J. , Bringmann Gerhard , Merritt Andrew T. , Bugg Timothy D. H.
Published: January 2025

A set of triazinedione peptidomimetics of an Arg-Trp-x-x-Trp motif found in MraY were found to show antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant clinical isolates, via a novel mechanism of action.
Unlocking a radioactive pertechnetate (TcO4−) treatment process with functionalized metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)
Authors: Patra Kankan , Mollick Samraj , Sengupta Arijit , Guchhait Satya R.
Published: January 2025

This review highlights the latest advancements in the use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) to efficiently separate TcO4− ions. It explores the mechanisms and receptor chemistry involved in TcO4− ion capture for selective targeting.
Glue-assisted exfoliation of two-dimensional sulfur-rich niobium thiophosphate (Nb4P2S21) for sulfur-equivalent electrode study in lithium storage
Authors: Wu Bing , Mazánek Vlastimil , Li Min , Veselý Martin , Wei Qiliang , Jan Luxa , Oliveira Filipa M. , Zheng Lei , Li Heng , Kundrat Vojtech , Zálešák Jakub , Regner Jakub , Gusmão Rui , He Junjie , Hartman Tomáš , Ashtiani Saeed , Ying Yulong , Sofer Zdenek
Published: January 2025

This study uses glue-assisted exfoliation to obtain 2D Nb4P2S21 nanoplates, showing promising low-voltage cathode performance and enhanced electrochemical activity in ether-based electrolytes, despite some shuttle effect challenges.
Recent developments in the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of indolin-3-one derivatives
Authors: Dolas Atul J. , Patel Arun , Shah Imtiyaz A. , Yadav Jyothi , Iype Eldhose , Kumar Indresh
Published: January 2025

Asymmetric synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted indolin-3-ones has attracted much attention due to their presence in many important compounds. Herein, we discuss this unit's current state of asymmetric synthetic methods under different catalytic systems.
The Achilles’ heel of batteries with alkali metal electrodes
Authors: Michalak Anna , Reddy M. Anji
Published: January 2025

Here, we reveal the consequences of using Li and Na metals as electrodes in batteries. At melting temperatures, these metals can melt, leading to internal short circuits and catastrophic battery failure.
Structural responses of metal–organic frameworks to non-thermal plasma treatment and their effects on CO2 adsorption and conversion performances
Authors: Liu Yue , Song Linghe , Tian Juntai , Shang Shanshan , Chen Peirong , Wu Junliang , Ye Daiqi
Published: January 2025

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) broke the Cu-O1 bond, resulting in the structure destruction of Cu-BTC; however, Zr-BDC was structurally resistant to NTP treatment, which was essential for NTP-assisted CO2 conversion of MOF catalysts.
Contribution of organic carotenoid and carbonaceous biomass of Tagetes erecta flowers for enhanced solar hydrogen generation
Authors: Mandal Sayantanu , Kumar Pawan , Kargupta Kajari
Published: January 2025

Use of the Tagetes erecta–CdS photocatalytic system for water splitting increases activity to 35 mmol g−1 h−1, which is about 7 times higher than that of CdS.
The optimization of hydrogen evolution performance by removing guest molecules in Co-MOF
Authors: Chen Xiang-Yu , Hu Zi-Ang , Qu Yan , Ning Ru-Jin , Tao Wen-Da , He Shou-Qin , Liu Zhi-Fu , Shen Yong-Hui , Qin Ling
Published: January 2025

The hydrogen evolution properties of the derived materials after the removal of guest molecules are significantly improved. It provides the possibility for further regulating the pore channels of the catalyst to optimize the HER performance.
Real‐world UAV recognition based on radio frequency fingerprinting with transformer
Authors: Han Jia , Yu Zhiyong , Yang Jian
Published: January 2025

Many unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) require the installation of automatic dependent surveillance‐broadcast (ADS‐B) transponders to facilitate their daily management. However, since ADS‐B transponders do not have a good security mechanism, they introduce problems including impersonation, spoofing, and private changing of the registration number, making UAV surveillance inconvenient. Radio frequency fingerprinting (RFF) recognition is carried out by utilizing the fact that different electronic devices in a given transponder will affect the transmitted signals, resulting in the formation of RFF features that are unique to the transponder and difficult to forge. Therefore, in this work, a deep learning architecture is proposed to classify UAVs based on ADS‐B signals, and a multi‐head self‐attention RFF recognition model is constructed using variational mode decomposition (VMD) of the preamble data and a transformer encoder for validation. The model achieves better results in terms of noise, Doppler shifting, and multipath effect interference. This method demonstrates that the transformer architecture of natural language processing, combined with appropriate data preprocessing methods, can also be used for RFF recognition, and provides advantages in accuracy and robustness (67.83% vs. 64.17%).
A principal direction‐guided local voxelisation structural feature approach for point cloud registration
Authors: Li Chenyang , Duan Yansong
Published: January 2025

Point cloud registration is a crucial aspect of computer vision and 3D reconstruction. Traditional registration methods often depend on global features or iterative optimisation, leading to inefficiencies and imprecise outcomes when processing complex scene point cloud data. To address these challenges, the authors introduce a principal direction‐guided local voxelisation structural feature (PDLVSF) approach for point cloud registration. This method reliably identifies feature points regardless of initial positioning. Approach begins with the 3D Harris algorithm to extract feature points, followed by determining the principal direction within the feature points' radius neighbourhood to ensure rotational invariance. For scale invariance, voxel grid normalisation is utilised to maximise the point cloud's geometric resolution and make it scale‐independent. Cosine similarity is then employed for effective feature matching, identifying corresponding feature point pairs and determining transformation parameters between point clouds. Experimental validations on various datasets, including the real terrain dataset, demonstrate the effectiveness of our method. Results indicate superior performance in root mean square error (RMSE) and registration accuracy compared to state‐of‐the‐art methods, particularly in scenarios with high noise, limited overlap, and significant initial pose rotation. The real terrain dataset is publicly available at https://github.com/black‐2000/Real‐terrain‐data.
DarwinSync: An adaptive time step execution framework for large‐scale neuromorphic systems
Authors: Jin Xiaofei , Gu Zonghua , Li Yitao , Kang Ziyang , Hu Youneng , Tang Huajin , Pan Gang , Ma De
Published: January 2025

The time step functions as a crucial temporal unit for simulating neuronal dynamics within spiking neural networks, which play a significant role in neuromorphic computing systems. Efficient management of these time steps is vital to ensure model accuracy while optimizing overall system performance. As system scale increases, variations in hardware across subsystems and their asynchronous operations create challenges in achieving effective time step control. To address this issue, this paper proposes an innovative framework for managing time steps in large‐scale neuromorphic systems. This framework allows subsystems to dynamically adjust their time step lengths according to computational loads and to perform look‐ahead computations. Such a strategy effectively reduces the overhead related to time step synchronization, enhancing system efficiency. Additionally, the paper introduces a safeguard mechanism to ensure the system's reliability. Experimental results indicate that the proposed framework sustains the correct long‐term operation of the system and improves model execution performance by 8.88% to 27.15% when compared to existing methods.
Searching for signatures of Fe II atomic processes in spectra of active galactic nuclei
Authors: Kovačević-Dojčinović Jelena , Dojčinović Ivan , Lakićević Maša , Popović Luka Č.
Published: January 2025

Aims. We use a large sample of Type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) spectra in order to investigate which atomic processes are responsible for some observed properties of the Fe II emission lines and how they are connected with macroscopic physical characteristics of AGN emission regions. We especially focus on the violated relative intensities between different optical Fe II lines, whose relative strengths do not follow the expected values according to atomic parameters. We investigated the connection between this effect and the ratio of optical to UV Fe II lines (Fe IIopt/Fe IIUV).

Methods. We divided the optical Fe II lines into two large line groups: consistent (Fe IIcons), whose relative intensities are in accordance with their atomic properties, and inconsistent (Fe IIincons), whose relative intensities are significantly stronger than theoretically expected. We fitted the spectra with a flexible and complex optical Fe II model, where both consistent and inconsistent Fe II lines were divided into several line groups according to their atomic characteristics and fitted independently in order to obtain more empirical clues about their properties. We focused particularly on understanding the processes that produce strong inconsistent Fe II lines, and therefore, we investigated their correlations with Fe IIcons as well as with UV Fe II lines and some measured spectral parameters.

Results. The ratios of Fe IIincons/Fe IIcons and Fe IIopt/Fe IIUV increase as the Eddington ratio increases and as the line widths decrease. It is possible that both ratios are affected by the process of self-absorption of stronger lines, which is responsible for the transmission of energy from the UV to the optical Fe II emission lines and, analogously, from the Fe IIcons to the Fe IIincons lines. In this scenario, the high Eddington ratio causes an increase in the optical depth in Fe II lines, which results in the triggering of the process of self-absorption. Measured average widths for different Fe II line groups indicate the stratification of the optical Fe II emission region. This implies that the observed Fe II spectrum is probably a complex mixture of radiation from emission regions with different physical conditions and distances from the black hole.
A theoretical framework for BL Her stars
Authors: Das Susmita , Molnár László , Kovács Gábor B. , Smolec Radoslaw , Joyce Meridith , Kanbur Shashi M. , Szklenár Tamás , Bhardwaj Anupam , Singh Harinder P. , Marconi Marcella , Ripepi Vincenzo
Published: January 2025

Context. In the era of precision stellar astrophysics, classical pulsating stars play a crucial role in determinations of the cosmological distance scale thanks to their period-luminosity (PL) relations. Therefore, it is important to constrain their stellar evolution and pulsation models not only through a comparison of empirical and theoretical PL relations and properties at mean light, but also using their light curve structure over the complete pulsation cycle.

Aims. We carried out an extensive light curve comparison of BL Her stars using observations from Gaia DR3 and stellar pulsation models computed using MESA-RSP with the goal of obtaining the best-matched observed-model pairs for BL Her stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC).

Methods. We used the Fourier decomposition technique to analyze the light curves in the G band obtained from Gaia DR3 and from MESA-RSP and used a robust light-curve-fitting approach to score the observed-model pairs with respect to their pulsation periods and over their Fourier parameter space.

Results. We obtain the best-fit models for 48 BL Her stars in the LMC and thereby provide the stellar parameter estimates of these stars, 30 of which we classify as our “gold sample” due to their superior light curve fits. We find a relatively flat distribution of stellar masses between 0.5 and 0.65 M⊙ for the gold sample of observed-model pairs. An interesting result is that the majority of the best-matched models in the gold sample were computed using the convection parameter sets without radiative cooling. The period-Wesenheit (PW) relation for the best-matched gold sample of 30 BL Her models has a slope of −2.805 ± 0.164 and the corresponding period-radius relation a slope of 0.565 ± 0.035, both in good agreement with the empirical PW and period-radius slopes from BL Her stars in the LMC, respectively. We also used the Wesenheit magnitudes of the 30 best-matched observed-model pairs to estimate a distance modulus of μLMC = 18.582 ± 0.067 to the LMC, which lies within the bounds of previous literature values. We also discuss the degeneracy in the stellar parameters of the BL Her models that result in similar pulsation periods and light curve structure, and highlight that caution must be exercised while using the stellar parameter estimates.
GJ 2126 b: A highly eccentric Jovian exoplanet
Authors: Schorr A. , Binnenfeld A. , Zucker S.
Published: January 2025

We report the discovery of GJ 2126 b, a highly eccentric (e = 0.85) Jupiter-like planet orbiting its host star every 272.7 days. The planet was detected and characterized using 112 radial velocity (RV) measurements from HARPS (High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher), provided by HARPS-RVBank. This planet orbits a low-mass star and ranks among the most eccentric exoplanets discovered, placing it in a unique region of the parameter space of the known exoplanet population. This makes it a valuable addition to the exoplanet demographics, helping to refine our understanding of planetary formation and evolution theories.
Planetesimal formation in a pressure bump induced by infall
Authors: Zhao Haichen , Lau Tommy Chi Ho , Birnstiel Tilman , Stammler Sebastian M. , Dra̧żkowska Joanna
Published: January 2025

Context. Infall of interstellar material is a potential non-planetary origin of pressure bumps in protoplanetary disks. While pressure bumps arising from other mechanisms have been numerically demonstrated to promote planet formation, the impact of infall-induced pressure bumps remains unexplored.

Aims. We aim to investigate the potential for planetesimal formation in an infall-induced pressure bump, starting with sub-micrometer-sized dust grains, and to identify the conditions most conducive to triggering this process.

Methods. We developed a numerical model that integrates axisymmetric infall, dust drift, and dust coagulation, along with planetesimal formation via streaming instability. Our parameter space includes gas viscosity, dust fragmentation velocity, initial disk mass, characteristic disk radius, infall rate and duration, as well as the location and width of the infall region.

Results. An infall-induced pressure bump can trap dust from both the infalling material and the outer disk, promoting dust growth. The locally enhanced dust-to-gas ratio triggers streaming instability, forming a planetesimal belt inside the central infall location until the pressure bump is smoothed out by viscous gas diffusion. Planetesimal formation is favored by a massive, narrow streamer infalling onto a low-viscosity, low-mass, and spatially extended disk containing dust with a high fragmentation velocity. This configuration enhances the outward drift speed of dust on the inner side of the pressure bump, while also ensuring the prolonged persistence of the pressure bump. Planetesimal formation can occur even if the infalling material consists solely of gas.

Conclusions. A pressure bump induced by infall is a favorable site for dust growth and planetesimal formation, and this mechanism does not require a preexisting massive planet to create the bump.
Performance test and water quality analysis of the use of prototype domestic wastewater treatment equipment in tilapia fish farming
Authors: Vicana Pandang Ivonda , Nurhayati  , Rahardjo Sinung , Rukmono Djumbuh
Published: January 2025

Performance testing and analysis of water quality produced by domestic wastewater treatment prototypes in tilapia cultivation have been carried out. The analysis was obtained from the results of laboratory observations regarding wastewater that has been filtered using prototypes of domestic wastewater treatment equipment that have been made including pH, TDS, BOD, COD and Phosphate, then observing and analysing the application of wastewater that has been treated and used as a tilapia cultivation medium. The results of the study showed that the prototype of domestic wastewater treatment equipment produced water quality values above the water quality standards, namely a pH value of 6.1, a TDS value of 67.5 mg/l, a BOD value of 10.1 mg/l, a COD value of 640 mg/l and a Phosphate value of 2.30 mg/l. After testing the quality of water produced by domestic waste treatment using a prototype, the next is to test the water used as a tilapia cultivation medium and produce an SR value of 100%, a daily growth rate of 1.59% and an FCR of 0.33 and for the cost of making it only requires a capital of Rp 1.495.000.
Anti-platelet Factor 4 Antibody-Mediated Disorders: An Updated Narrative Review
Authors: Napolitano Angela , Spiezia Luca , Biolo Marta , Radu Claudia Maria , Toffanin Serena , Campello Elena , Simioni Paolo
Published: January 2025

Anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibody-mediated disorders are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by the presence of highly pathogenic immunoglobulins G directed against PF4 and/or PF4/heparin complexes. These antibodies are able to activate platelets, neutrophils, and monocytes, thus resulting in thrombocytopenia and a hypercoagulable state. Five different forms of anti-PF4 antibody-mediated disorders have been identified: (1) classic heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) mediated by heparin and certain polyanionic drugs; (2) autoimmune HIT characterized by the presence of anti-PFA/polyanion antibodies that can strongly activate platelets even in the absence of heparin; (3) spontaneous HIT characterized by thrombocytopenia and thrombosis without proximate exposure to heparin, with two subtypes: (a) post-total knee arthroplasty and cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and (b) postinfections; (4) vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) characterized by thrombocytopenia, arterial and venous thrombosis, or secondary hemorrhage after receiving adenoviral vector vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019; (5) VITT-like disorders triggered by adenoviral infections. Although extremely rare and largely unknown, there has been growing interest in the VITT syndrome in recent years due to its clinical relevance. Timely detection of these antibodies is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of anti-PF4 antibody-mediated disorders, via anti-PF4 antibody immunoassays using several antibody capture systems (e.g., enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based, particle gel, turbidimetry) and functional assays (e.g., serotonin release assay or heparin-induced platelet activation). We aimed to present the latest on laboratory findings, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic approaches for anti-PF4 antibody-mediated disorders.