bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Blood Pressure Control Status Among Hypertensive Patients Attending Rwandan District Hospital NCD Clinics: A Retrospective Follow-Up Study
Authors: Ntaganda Evariste , El-Khatib Ziad , Mugeni Regine , Nsengiyumva Boniface , Musanabaganwa Clarisse , Gafirita James , Uwinkindi Francois , Kalisa Richard
Published: February 2025

Background

Hypertension is a major public health issue and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We assessed blood pressure (BP) control among adult hypertensive patients attending non-communicable disease (NCD) clinics in five Rwandan district hospitals.

Methods

We extracted data on hypertensive management from five Rwandan district hospitals from June 2016 to August 2021. BP control was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 90 mmHg measured within the last four months. We performed statistical analysis using chi-square tests and multivariate regression analyses with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Blood pressure control was achieved in 41.5% of hypertensive patients (n = 438/1,055). The majority were aged > 60 years (mean age 62; n = 663/1,055; 62.8%), and women, with approximately three-quarters of patients (n = 796/1,055; 75.5%) had a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 Kg/m2 and the majority (n = 843/1,055; 79.9%) resided in rural districts. More than half (n = 585/1,055; 55.5%) were taking two antihypertensive medications. Factors significantly associated with uncontrolled BP included BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (p < 0.001), use of Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (p = 0.01), use of four antihypertensive drugs (p = 0.013), and missing an NCD clinic appointment (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

BP control rates among hypertensive patients attending NCD clinics remain low. Strengthening patient counseling, encouraging physical activity, and improving medication adherence are critical. Building the capacity of healthcare staff at both hospital and health centre levels is vital to improving hypertension management in NCD clinics.
Modelling the social cost of carbon for Malaysia
Authors: Rao Thirupathi , Mustapa Siti Indati , Al-Amin Abdul Quasem , Ahmed Adeel
Published: February 2025

The interest in the economics of climate change and the need to quantify a more accurate financial value of the damage caused by every additional metric tonne of greenhouse gas (GHG), known as the social cost of carbon (SCC), is growing. Governments and decision-makers have utilised SCC estimations for more than ten years in benefit-cost analysis, using insights from climate science, economics, demography, and other fields. Malaysia has committed to reduce 45% of its GHG emission intensity by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 compared to the 2005 level and achieve net-zero as early as the year 2050. However, current estimations of SCC are high and may negatively impact the Malaysian economy and no longer align with the latest research. To achieve its objective of net-zero emissions, the government of Malaysia must capitalise on the country's potential as a carbon sink by increasing conservation efforts in protected areas and arresting deforestation. It will establish an ideal trajectory for the SCC that aligns with its environmental obligations while supporting sustainability in the face of climate change challenges. A price on GHG emissions can help mitigate and adapt to climate change. This study aims to determine the SCC in Malaysia, fill the gap in the downscaled Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) and develop a new model called the Integrated Climate Model for Malaysia (ICLIM-2024R). The Nordhaus IAM model was downscaled using Malaysian data, including emissions from deforestation and an additional function for carbon sinks. With current policies, the SCC in the business-as-usual scenario (BAU) will be 64 USD/tCO2e in 2025 and 212 USD/tCO2e by 2050. The study recommended pathway is to increase the Totally Protected Area (TPA) of forests, which will yield a lower SCC of 23 USD/tCO2e in 2025 and 152 USD/tCO2e by 2050 compared to BAU, meeting commitments to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) as well as the Paris Agreement. The Malaysian government should urgently leverage its carbon sink potential to set Malaysia's optimal SCC, achieve its net-zero goal, and grow the climate-friendly economy by marketing lower carbon-intensity products.

Graphical Abstract
Identifying healthcare transmission routes of nontuberculous mycobacteria with whole genome sequencing: a systematic review
Authors: Schrank Spencer D. , Gozum Dale Z. , Martin Elise M. , Snyder Graham M.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To enumerate and describe the effect of whole genome sequencing (WGS) on epidemiological investigations of healthcare-associated transmission of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).

Design:

Systematic review.

Methods:

We performed a literature search using targeted search terms to identify articles meeting inclusion criteria. Data extraction of study characteristics and outcomes was performed by two independent researchers. The primary outcome was the author interpretation of WGS utility in the investigation of suspected healthcare-associated transmission of NTM. The secondary outcome was whether a transmission route was identified through WGS.

Results:

Thirty-one studies were included in the final analysis with 28 (90%) concluding that WGS was helpful in transmission investigations and in 19 of these 28 (68%) WGS aided in identifying a transmission route. The most common identified transmission routes were water-borne point sources (10), heater-cooler units (6), patient-to-patient (4), and a healthcare worker (1).

Conclusion:

WGS is an informative tool in investigating healthcare transmission of NTM.
Conditional Populist Party Support: The Role of Dissatisfaction and Incumbency
Authors: Wiesehomeier Nina , Ruth-Lovell Saskia , Singer Matthew
Published: February 2025

Populists emerge when distrust of state institutions or dissatisfaction with democracy convince voters that claims about conspiring elites blocking the general will are valid. We propose that these dynamics change when populists are incumbents; once they command institutions, their sustained support becomes contingent upon trust in the new institutional order, and they are held accountable for making people think democracy is working well. Newly collected data on party populism and survey data from Latin America show that support for populist parties in the region is conditioned by satisfaction with democracy as well as the incumbency status of populists. Dissatisfied voters support populist opposition parties, but support for populist incumbents is higher among those satisfied with democracy and its institutions. While democratic deficits and poor governance provide openings for populists, populists are held accountable for institutional outcomes.
Academic Copaganda
Authors: Vargas Robert , Hackett David , Ortega Sebastian , Smyslovskikh Elena , Dominguez-Molina Federico
Published: February 2025

How does social science insulate police from social movements’ demand for abolition? We explore this through a content analysis of policing social science research funded by Arnold Ventures, the MacArthur Foundation, and the National Institute of Justice published from 2011 to 2022 (N = 143 studies). Our mixed method content analysis revealed what we call “Academic Copaganda,” or studies contesting social movement claims by authors (1) masking their conflicts of interest, or (2) espousing police epistemology. Although Academic Copaganda comprised 20% of studies in the sample, they received most media mentions after the 2020 police killing of George Floyd. We conclude by discussing our contributions to legal scholarship on police legitimacy and empirical critical race theory.
Beyond the Trump Presidency: The Racial Underpinnings of White Americans’ Anti-Democratic Beliefs
Authors: Ferrer Joshua , Palmisano Christopher
Published: February 2025

How closely related are modern anti-democratic beliefs among white Americans, and to what extent are these beliefs shaped by exclusionary racial attitudes? Using data from the Political Unrest Study, the Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey (CMPS), Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape, and the Survey of the Performance of American Elections (SPAE), we find that support for voting restrictions, opposition to voting expansions, belief in widespread voter fraud, and support for overturning democratic election results load onto a single underlying dimension. While the prevalence of anti-democratic beliefs among white Americans has remained stable over the past decade, these beliefs have become increasingly interconnected. Furthermore, racial attitudes towards out-groups—including racial resentment, anti-immigrant sentiment, and white racial grievance—strongly correlate with anti-democratic beliefs, whereas in-group racial attitudes do not. Analysis of multiple waves of the American National Election Studies (ANES) reveals that racial resentment and white grievance now explain twice as much variation in anti-democratic beliefs as they did in 2012. Experimental evidence also demonstrates that white Americans react negatively to voting expansions when the racial implications of these reforms are made explicit. These findings underscore the growing alignment between anti-democratic beliefs and racial attitudes in contemporary U.S. politics.
Evolution of autoresonant plasma wave excitation in two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations
Authors: Luo M. , Riconda C. , Grassi A. , Wang N. , Wurtele J.S. , Fülöp T. , Pusztai I.
Published: February 2025

The generation of an autoresonantly phase-locked high-amplitude plasma waves to the chirped beat frequency of two driving lasers is studied in two dimensions using particle-in-cell simulations. The two-dimensional plasma and laser parameters correspond to those that optimized the plasma wave amplitude in one-dimensional simulations. Near the start of autoresonant locking, the two-dimensional simulations appear similar to one-dimensional particle-in-cell results (Luo et al., Phys. Rev. Res., vol. 6, 2024, p. 013338) with plasma wave amplitudes above the Rosenbluth–Liu limit. Later, just below wave breaking, the two-dimensional simulation exhibits a Weibel-like instability and eventually laser beam filamentation. These limit the coherence of the plasma oscillation after the peak plasma wave field is obtained. In spite of the reduction of spatial coherence of the accelerating density structure, the acceleration of self-injected electrons in the case studied remains at

$70\,\%$

to

$80\,\%$

of that observed in one dimension. Other effects such as plasma wave bowing are discussed.
New Impacts on Mars: Unraveling Seismic Propagation Paths Through a Cerberus Fossae Impact Detection
Authors: Charalambous Constantinos , Pike W. Thomas , Fernando Benjamin , Wójcicka Natalia , Kim Doyeon , Froment Marouchka , Lognonné Philippe , Woodley Savana , Ojha Lujendra , Bickel Valentin T. , McNeil Joseph , Collins Gareth S. , Daubar Ingrid J. , Horleston Anna , Banerdt Bruce
Published: February 2025

To date, eight meteoroid impacts have been identified in the seismic record of NASA's InSight mission on Mars, occurring either within 300 km or beyond 3,500 km. We report the association of a high‐frequency marsquake, S0794a, with a new 21.5‐m‐diameter impact crater discovered at an intermediate distance of 1,640 km in the tectonically active Cerberus‐Fossae graben system. This impact enables the direct comparison between surface and subsurface sources, as well as providing the first data point in the critical gap between previous impacts, both in distance and crater size. Additionally, the location of this event necessitates a reassessment of assumed seismic raypaths that were thought to propagate along a slow crustal waveguide. We find that the raypaths instead penetrate and travel through the faster mantle, implying numerous identified marsquake epicenters should be relocated up to two times farther from InSight, with implications for seismically derived impact rates and regional seismicity.
Unprecedented Summer Phytoplankton Bloom in the Ross Sea
Authors: Portela Esther , Meyer Meredith G. , Heywood Karen J. , Smith Walker O.
Published: February 2025

High‐resolution glider sampling in the southwestern Ross Sea revealed an extensive phytoplankton bloom in austral summer 2022–2023 that persisted for over one month and extended through the upper 100 m of the water column. The temporal mean euphotic‐zone chlorophyll concentration was 20.38.5 , six to nine times higher than average summer Ross Sea concentrations. The bloom was likely initially dominated by Phaeocystis, favored over diatoms due to low light and high iron availability. Our observations are consistent with an ice‐edge bloom likely fueled by iron supply and enhanced stratification from late sea‐ice melt during an anomalously high ice‐covered summer. Photoacclimation to particularly low light conditions might have enhanced Chl‐a fluorescence. In the Ross Sea, the most productive region in the Southern Ocean, understanding the drivers of this extreme bloom is crucial for predicting potential impacts of the changing climate on primary production rates and carbon sequestration.
Wave Spectral Changes in the Thermosphere and Ionosphere Related to the PEDE 2018 Dust Event on Mars Observed by MAVEN NGIMS
Authors: Nagata Noritsugu , Liu Huixin , Nakagawa Hiromu
Published: February 2025

In this study, we compare responses of the thermosphere and ionosphere to a planet encircling dust event in 2018 (PEDE 2018) occurred at the beginning of June 2018, a rare event last observed in 2007. Using the data from NGIMS (Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer) instrument onboard MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN) spacecraft, we examine wave signatures and their spectral changes of three neutral species (O, Ar, CO2) and three ion species (O+, O2+, CO2+). Compared to low‐dust period, the following salient features stand out: (a) Wave activities (amplitudes) are significantly enhanced in the neutral species, but with smaller enhancement in the ion species; (b) The apparent wavelengths in the neutrals shift and broaden from a range of 50–300 km to 80–400 km, with dominant wavelength shifting from 100 to 200 km; (c) The apparent wavelengths in the ions shift and broaden from a range of 80–300 km to 100–400 km, with dominant wavelength shifting from 150 km to 250–300 km; (d) The correlations among the wavelength distributions of various species are high with correlation coefficient above 0.57 during low‐dust period and above 0.69 during PEDE 2018. These observed changes in wave signatures likely reflect filtering effects caused by changes in the middle atmosphere circulation induced by the global dust storm.
Dynamics of Energetic Heliospheric Ions in Pluto's Induced Magnetosphere
Authors: Ruch Randall T. , Simon Sven , Haynes C. Michael
Published: February 2025

We present a model of the interaction between energetic heliospheric ions and Pluto's induced magnetosphere. The electromagnetic fields near the dwarf planet are highly non‐uniform, displaying extended signatures of pile‐up and draping. While the induced magnetosphere possesses a downstream extension above 100 Pluto radii, the weak interplanetary magnetic field in the outer heliosphere leads energetic ions to gyrate on comparable length scales. We obtain the three‐dimensional structure of the fields near Pluto using a hybrid model, and a particle tracing tool is applied to study the dynamics of energetic ions traveling through these fields. For multiple initial energies, we compute the ion fluxes through a plane detector downstream of Pluto. Our results are as follows: (a) Deflection by Pluto's induced magnetosphere causes highly non‐uniform perturbations in the flux pattern of energetic ions at its downstream side. These patterns include regions where the fluxes are increased or reduced by up to 40%, compared to the values in uniform fields. (b) Consistent with findings from New Horizons, the modeled perturbations gradually diminish with distance downstream of the dwarf planet out to 200 Pluto radii. (c) The deflection of the energetic ions mainly occurs within regions of Pluto's induced magnetosphere where the magnetic field is significantly enhanced, thereby causing a localized reduction in gyroradii. (d) The magnitude of the depletion in flux in our steady‐state model is weaker than seen by New Horizons; this may suggest that time‐dependent processes in Pluto's wake (e.g., bi‐ion waves) play a major role in deflecting these ions.
Retiming dynamics of harmonically mode-locked laser solitons in a self-driven optomechanical lattice
Authors: Wang Xiaocong , Wang Benhai , He Wenbin , Zhang Xintong , Huang Qi , Huang Zhiyuan , Jiang Xin , Pang Meng , Russell Philip. St. J.
Published: February 2025

Harmonic mode-locking, realized actively or passively, is an effective technique for increasing the repetition rate of ultrafast lasers. It is critically important to understand how a harmonically mode-locked pulse train responds to external perturbations and noise, so as to make sure that it is stable and resistant to noise. Here, in a series of carefully designed experiments, we elucidate the retiming dynamics of laser pulses generated in a soliton fiber laser harmonically mode-locked at GHz frequencies to the acoustic resonance in a photonic crystal fiber (PCF) core. We characterize the self-driven optomechanical lattice, which is distributed along the PCF and provides the structure that supports harmonic mode-locking, using a homodyne setup. We reveal that, after an abrupt perturbation, each soliton in the lattice undergoes damped oscillatory retiming within its trapping potential, while the retiming is strongly coupled to soliton dissipation. In addition, we show, through statistical analysis of the intra-cavity pulse spacing, how the trapping potentials are effective for suppressing timing jitter. The measurements and the theory developed in this work lay the groundwork for studies of the general stability and noise performance of harmonically mode-locked lasers as well as providing valuable insight into generic multi-pulse phenomena in mode-locked lasers.
Neutralizing antibody responses to three XBB protein vaccines in older adults
Authors: Yang Guo-Jian , Lu Mei , Chen Rui-Rui , Wang Shuang-Qing , Wan Sheng , Song Xue-Dong , Cao Guo-Ping , Lv Lei , He Xue-Juan , Zhan Bing-Dong , Ma Mai-Juan
Published: February 2025

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of strong immune defenses against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. While COVID-19 vaccines containing XBB subvariants have proven effective in neutralizing new SARS-CoV-2 variants, a gap remains in knowledge regarding neutralizing antibody responses in older adults aged >65 years against these newly emerged variants. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate and compare neutralizing antibody responses to three XBB-containing protein-based vaccines (trivalent XBB.1.5 vaccine, bivalent Omicron XBB vaccine, and tetravalent XBB.1 vaccine) head-to-head in 90 individuals aged >65 years. The results showed that all three XBB-containing vaccines substantially enhanced the neutralizing antibody response, with 100% of vaccinees having detectable antibody titers against ancestral D614G and variants BA.5, XBB.1.5, JN.1, KP.2, and KP.3 after booster immunization. Subsequent analysis indicated that the trivalent XBB.1.5 and tetravalent XBB.1 vaccines elicited higher levels of neutralizing antibodies compared to the bivalent Omicron XBB vaccine. The KP.2 and KP.3 variants displayed antibody resistance comparable to the JN.1 variant. Older adults produce similar neutralizing antibody responses to the vaccines regardless of their underlying medical conditions. These findings indicate that booster vaccination with XBB-containing vaccines can effectively elicit strong neutralizing responses against a number of SARS-CoV-2 variants in older adults over 65 years, which will help guide vaccine strategies in this elderly population.
The O-glycosyltransferase C1GALT1 promotes EWSR1::FLI1 expression and is a therapeutic target for Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Banday Shahid , Mishra Alok K. , Rashid Romana , Ye Tianyi , Ali Amjad , Li Junhui , Yustein Jason T. , Kelliher Michelle A. , Zhu Lihua Julie , Deibler Sara K. , Malonia Sunil K. , Green Michael R.
Published: February 2025

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive bone cancer driven by the oncogenic fusion-protein EWSR1::FLI1, which is not present in normal cells and is therefore an attractive therapeutic target. However, as a transcription factor, EWSR1::FLI1 is considered undruggable. Factors that promote EWSR1::FLI1 expression, and thus whose inhibition would reduce EWSR1::FLI1 protein levels and function, are potential drug targets. Here, using genome-scale CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screening, we identify C1GALT1, a galactosyltransferase required for the biosynthesis of many O-glycoproteins, as a factor that promotes EWSR1::FLI1 expression. We show that C1GALT1 acts by O-glycosylating the pivotal Hedgehog (Hh) signaling component Smoothened (SMO), thereby stabilizing SMO and stimulating the Hh pathway, which we find directly activates EWSR1::FLI1 transcription. Itraconazole, an FDA-approved anti-fungal agent that is known to inhibit C1GALT1, reduces EWSR1::FLI1 levels in ES cell lines and suppresses growth of ES xenografts in mice. Our study reveals a therapeutically targetable mechanism that promotes EWSR1::FLI1 expression and ES tumor growth.
Multiomics-based assessment of the impact of airflow on diverse plant callus cultures
Authors: Kim June-Sik , Sato Muneo , Kojima Mikiko , Asrori Muchamad Imam , Uehara-Yamaguchi Yukiko , Takebayashi Yumiko , Do Thi Nhung , Do Thi Yen , Nguyen Thi Kieu Oanh , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Mochida Keiichi , Ogita Shinjiro , Hirai Masami Yokota
Published: February 2025

Plant cell culture has multiple applications in biotechnology and horticulture, from plant propagation to the production of high-value biomolecules. However, the interplay between cellular diversity and ambient conditions influences the metabolism of cultured tissues; understanding these factors in detail will inform efforts to optimize culture conditions. This study presents multiomics datasets from callus cultures of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), rice (Oryza sativa), and two bamboo species (Phyllostachys nigra and P. bambusoides). Over four weeks, calli were cultured under continuous moisture without airflow or gradually reduced ambient moisture with airflow. For each sample, gene expression was profiled with high-throughput RNA sequencing, 442 metabolites were measured using liquid chromatography (LC) with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC–QqQMS), and 31 phytohormones were quantified using ultra-performance LC coupled with a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray interface (UPLC-ESI-qMS/MS) and ultra-high-performance LC–orbitrap MS (UHPLC-Orbitrap MS). These datasets highlight the impact of airflow on callus cultures, revealing differences between and within species, and provide a comprehensive resource to explore the physiology of callus growth.
Extracorporeal hyperoxygenation therapy (EHT) for CO poisoning: in vitro and in vivo feasibility of a full-scale batch system
Authors: Steuer Niklas B. , Lüken Hannah , Schlanstein Peter C. , Menne Matthias F. , Hoffmann Christiane , Lübke Cavan , Schmitz-Rode Thomas , Jansen Sebastian Victor , Steinseifer Ulrich , Kopp Rüdger
Published: February 2025

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the most common causes of injury and death from poisoning. The primary objective of therapy is to eliminate CO from the patient as quickly as possible to prevent acute and long-term effects. The ideal treatment is hyperbaric oxygen in a pressure chamber. However, pressure chambers are scarce, and therefore, the most common treatment is normobaric oxygen (NBO), which, however, has limited efficacy. Here, we present a full-scale batch system for extracorporeal hyperoxygenation therapy (EHT), which facilitates CO elimination extracorporeally by increasing the dissolved oxygen concentration in the blood. The EHT was characterized in vitro, resulting in a minimum carboxyhemoglobin half-life of 3.26 ± 0.11 min. In large animal trials the EHT reduced the median carboxyhemoglobin half-life by 42% (29.77 min EHT vs. 70.8 min control (NBO)). However, the EHT also induced oscillations in hemodynamic pressures due to changes in the animals’ circulatory volume during operation. After optimization, the EHT could be a promising option for treating CO poisoning.
Studying the impact of chitosan salicylaldehyde/schiff base/CuFe2O4 in PC3 cells via theoretical studies and inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling
Authors: Elsayed Ghada H. , Fahim Asmaa M.
Published: February 2025

In this elucidation, the nucleophilic attack of salicyladehyde with chitosan, which was obtained from the shrimp shell, afforded the cellulose aldehyde (Schiff base), and then the dispersion of CuFe2O4 on the surface of cellulose aldehyde gave the novel nanomaterial of bimetallic oxide, which was confirmed through spectral analysis such as FT-IR, NMR, SEM, and XRD analysis. Moreover, the anti-proliferative effect of chitosan, chitosan salicylaldehyde, and chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 was evaluated in PC3 human prostate cancer cells and HSF normal human skin fibroblasts. After 48 h, PC3 cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 and chitosan salicylaldehyde (IC50 = 35.3 and 45.55 µg/ml, respectively) without any effects on normal HSF cells. The mRNA expression levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and CCND1 were examined in PC3-treated cells by using QRT-PCR, and the results demonstrated that, by down-regulating the expression levels of these genes, chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 significantly affected prostate cancer cell proliferation, progression, and autophagy more than chitosan salicylaldehyde. Furthermore, the docking stimulation of the chitosan derivatives with different proteins showed the presence of CuFe2O4 particles effect on the interaction inside their pockets and increased the activities, and it’s related to biological evaluation. Additionally, the theoretical investigation of these chitosan derivatives and the determination of their physical descriptors showed the activity of bimetallic oxide and the presence of electrostatic hydrogen bond interaction. Finally, these findings may suggest that chitosan salicylaldehyde/CuFe2O4 has a promising anticancer impact against prostate cancer.
Enhancing epigenetic aging clocks in cetaceans: accurate age estimations in small endangered delphinids, killer whales, pilot whales, belugas, humpbacks, and bowhead whales
Authors: Zoller Joseph A. , Lu Ake T. , Haghani Amin , Horvath Steve , Robeck Todd
Published: February 2025

This study presents refined epigenetic clocks for cetaceans, building on previous research that estimated ages in several species from bottlenose dolphins to bowhead and humpback whales using cytosine methylation levels. We combined publicly available data (generated on the HorvathMammalMethylChip40 platform) from skin (n = 805) and blood (n = 286) samples across 13 cetacean species, aged 0 to 139 years. By combining methylation data from different sources, we enhanced our sample size, thereby strengthening the statistical validity of our clocks. We used elastic net regression with leave one sample out (LOO) and leave one species out (LOSO) cross validation to produce highly accurate blood only (Median Absolute Error [MAE] = 1.64 years, r = 0.96), skin only (MAE = 2.32 years, r = 0.94) and blood and skin multi-tissue (MAE = 2.24 years, r = 0.94) clocks. In addition, the LOSO blood and skin (MAE = 5.6 years, repeated measures r = 0.83), skin only (MAE = 6.22 years, repeated measures r = 0.81), and blood only (MAE = 4.11 years, repeated measures r = 0.95) clock analysis demonstrated relatively high correlation toward cetacean species not included within this current data set and provide evidence for a broader application of this model. Our results introduce a multi-species, two-tissue clock for broader applicability across cetaceans, alongside single-tissue multi-species clocks for blood and skin, which allow for more detailed aging analysis depending on the availability of samples. In addition, we developed species-specific clocks for enhanced precision, resulting in four blood-specific clocks and eight skin-specific clocks for individual species; all improving upon existing accuracy estimates for previously published species-specific clocks. By pooling methylation data from various studies, we increased our sample size, significantly enhancing the statistical power for building accurate clocks. These new epigenetic age estimators for cetaceans provide more accurate tools for aiding in conservation efforts of endangered cetaceans.
An explainable deep learning model for diabetic foot ulcer classification using swin transformer and efficient multi-scale attention-driven network
Authors: Karthik R. , Ajay Armaano , Jhalani Anshika , Ballari Kruthik , K Suganthi
Published: February 2025

Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus, resulting in significant health and socio-economic challenges for the diagnosed individual. Severe cases of DFU can lead to lower limb amputation in diabetic patients, making their diagnosis a complex and costly process that poses challenges for medical professionals. Manual identification of DFU is particularly difficult due to their diverse visual characteristics, leading to multiple cases going undiagnosed. To address this challenge, Deep Learning (DL) methods offer an efficient and automated approach to facilitate timely treatment and improve patient outcomes. This research proposes a novel feature fusion-based model that incorporates two parallel tracks for efficient feature extraction. The first track utilizes the Swin transformer, which captures long-range dependencies by employing shifted windows and self-attention mechanisms. The second track involves the Efficient Multi-Scale Attention-Driven Network (EMADN), which leverages Light-weight Multi-scale Deformable Shuffle (LMDS) and Global Dilated Attention (GDA) blocks to extract local features efficiently. These blocks dynamically adjust kernel sizes and leverage attention modules, enabling effective feature extraction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work reporting the findings of a dual track architecture for DFU classification, leveraging Swin transformer and EMADN networks. The obtained feature maps from both the networks are concatenated and subjected to shuffle attention for feature refinement at a reduced computational cost. The proposed work also incorporates Grad-CAM-based Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) to visualize and interpret the decision making of the network. The proposed model demonstrated better performance on the DFUC-2021 dataset, surpassing existing works and pre-trained CNN architectures with an accuracy of 78.79% and a macro F1-score of 80%.
3D convolutional deep learning for nonlinear estimation of body composition from whole body morphology
Authors: Tian Isaac Y. , Liu Jason , Wong Michael C. , Kelly Nisa N. , Liu Yong E. , Garber Andrea K. , Heymsfield Steven B. , Curless Brian , Shepherd John A.
Published: February 2025

Body composition prediction from 3D optical imagery has previously been studied with linear algorithms. In this study, we present a novel application of deep 3D convolutional graph networks and nonlinear Gaussian process regression for human body shape parameterization and body composition estimation. We trained and tested linear and nonlinear models with ablation studies on a novel ensemble body shape dataset containing 4286 scans. Nonlinear GPR produced up to a 20% reduction in prediction error and up to a 30% increase in precision over linear regression for both sexes in 10 tested body composition variables. Deep shape features produced 6–8% reduction in prediction error over linear PCA features for males only, and a 4–14% reduction in precision error for both sexes. All coefficients of determination (R
2) for all predicted variables were above 0.86 and achieved lower estimation RMSEs than all previous work on 10 metrics of body composition.
Evaluation and practical application of prompt-driven ChatGPTs for EMR generation
Authors: Ding Hanlin , Xia Wenjie , Zhou Yujia , Wei Lei , Feng Yipeng , Wang Zi , Song Xuming , Li Rutao , Mao Qixing , Chen Bing , Wang Hui , Huang Xing , Zhu Bin , Jiang Dongyu , Sun Jingyu , Dong Gaochao , Jiang Feng
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the application of prompt engineering to optimize prompt-driven ChatGPT for generating electronic medical records (EMRs) during lung nodule screening. We assessed the performance of ChatGPT in generating EMRs from patient–provider verbal consultations and integrated this approach into practical tools, such as WeChat mini-programs, accessible to patients before hospital visits. The findings highlight ChatGPT’s potential to enhance workflow efficiency and improve diagnostic processes in clinical settings.
Prediction of thermal conductivity in CALF-20 with first-principles accuracy via machine learning interatomic potentials
Authors: Mandal Soham , Maiti Prabal K.
Published: February 2025

Understanding the thermal transport properties of CALF-20, a recent addition to the metal-organic framework family, is crucial for its effective utilization in greenhouse gas capture. Here, we report the thermal transport study of CALF-20 using artificial neural network-based machine learning potentials. We use the Green-Kubo approach based on equilibrium molecular dynamics, with a heat-flux renormalization technique, to determine the thermal conductivity (κ) of CALF-20. We predict that the anisotropic thermal transport in CALF-20, with κ below 1 Wm−1K−1 at 300 K, is ideal for thermoelectric applications. Our analysis reveals a weak temperature dependence (κ ~ 1/T
0.56) and near invariance with pressure in κ value of CALF-20, which stands out from the typical trend observed in crystalline materials. The outcome of the study, leveraging advanced computational techniques for predictive modeling, offers valuable insights into more suitable applications of CALF-20 with tailored thermal properties.
Strong and weak random walks on signed networks
Authors: Babul S. A. , Tian Y. , Lambiotte R.
Published: February 2025

Random walks are essential for analyzing complex networks. On signed networks, where edges can be positive or negative, designing random walks that capture signed community structure is challenging. Communities in signed networks typically have predominantly positive internal edges and negative external edges. While prior methods focus on strong balance (two communities), this scenario is rare in empirical networks. We introduce a random walk framework tailored to weak balance, accommodating networks with more than two communities. This approach generates a similarity matrix that enables effective community detection. Comparing strong and weak walks on synthetic and empirical networks, we demonstrate that weak walks outperform strong walks in scenarios involving more than two communities or asymmetric link densities. Our findings suggest that replacing strong walks with weak walks could enhance other signed network random-walk algorithms, broadening their applicability to more realistic network structures.
Real-time detection of organophosphorus pesticides in water using an unmanned boat-borne Raman spectrometer
Authors: Zhang Chen , Zhu Jiahui , Ye Wenqi , Liu Xiaohong , Zhuo Ruishuang , Wang Chi , Liu Hong , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2025

An  unmanned boat system with an integrated Raman spectrometer enables automated, real-time detection of OPs in complex water environments.
The cyclic 48-tungsto-8-phosphate [H7P8W48O184]33− Contant–Tézé polyanion and its derivatives [H6P4W24O94]18− and [H2P2W12O48]12−: structural aspects and reactivity
Authors: Mal Sib Sankar , Banerjee Abhishek , Kortz Ulrich
Published: February 2025

This review is based on the cyclic 48-tungsto-8-phosphate [H7P8W48O184]33− (P8W48) as well as its smaller derivatives [H6P4W24O94]18− (P4W24), and [H2P2W12O48]12− (P2W12), with a focus on structural aspects, solution stability and reactivity.
Aspects in cell design for H2O2 electrosynthesis and its integration in tandem systems
Authors: Chen Wenhao , Sun Chang , Sheng Wenchao
Published: February 2025

This review highlights the key aspects in cell design from electrode to configuration for H2O2 electrosynthesis, and the integration of H2O2 electrosynthesis in tandem systems for high-value chemical production.
A new biofunctionalized and micropatterned PDMS is able to promote stretching induced human myotube maturation
Authors: Regagnon Théo , Raynaud Fabrice , Subra Gilles , Carnac Gilles , Hugon Gerald , Flatres Aurélien , Humblot Vincent , Raymond Laurine , Martin Julie , Carretero Elodie , Clavié Margaux , Saint Nathalie , Calas Sylvie , Echalier Cécile , Etienne Pascal , Matecki Stefan
Published: February 2025

We use laser printing on organic–inorganic material and PDMS to study mechanical stress effect on human muscle cells. This model improves cell alignment and provide insights into muscle cell behavior under stress.
From 3D to 4D printing of lignin towards green materials and sustainable manufacturing
Authors: Wu Tingting , Sugiarto Sigit , Yang Ruochen , Sathasivam Thenapakiam , Weerasinghe Udyani Aloka , Chee Pei Lin , Yap Odelia , Nyström Gustav , Kai Dan
Published: February 2025

This review summarized lignin/lignocellulose materials for various 3D printing techniques and their related applications, where lignin is used in an isolated state, as part of lignocellulose biomass or chemically modified to better bind with a matrix.
Stable anion radicals based on a triazole-fused furazano[3,4-b]pyrazine scaffold
Authors: Efanov Daniil E. , Tolstikov Svyatoslav E. , Romanenko Galina V. , Letyagin Gleb A. , Smirnova Kristina A. , Chernavin Platon A. , Veber Sergey L. , Romashev Nikolay F. , Osik Natalya A. , Bogomyakov Artem S.
Published: February 2025

A completely original open-shell scaffold, based on the furazano[3,4-b]pyrazine moiety, has been recently discovered and has already shown certain advantages over mainstay radical blocks.
Green synthesis of Cu2S using garlic-derived sulfur: structural, morphological, optical, electrical, and photoresponse characterization with potential for thermoelectric applications
Authors: Shahidi M. M. , Akbari M. , Mehrabani M. , Khameneh A. Shams , Welegergs G. G. , Aligholami M. , Maaza M.
Published: February 2025

This study presents a green synthesis of Cu2S thin films using garlic-derived sulfur at room temperature. The films exhibit unique properties, showing their potential for optoelectronic and thermoelectric applications.
Advancements in Isoniazid-Based Heterocyclic Derivatives as Potent Anti-Tubercular Agents: A Comprehensive Review of Synthesis, SAR and Biological activity (2017–2023)
Authors: Garg Mansi , Verma Ekta , Mishra Shweta , SAHU ADARSH
Published: February 2025

Tuberculosis remains a significant global health issue that necessitates the synthesis of novel and innovative therapeutic agents. Isoniazid is a drug of choice for the treatment of tuberculosis, as it enables KatG to synthesize nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The enzyme reduction enzymes InhA and acyl carrier protein reductase are rendered inactive by these additives. This process generates type II fatty acids, which subsequently generate mycolic acid, a potent cell killing agent. Long-term, pervasive use—even misuse—is the primary cause of the increasing prevalence of INH-resistant mycobacterial strains. Numerous studies have demonstrated that heterocyclic scaffolds, when combined with isoniazid, exhibit exceptional anti-tubercular activity by enhancing the drug's penetration of bacterial cells. The review emphasizes the importance of heterocyclic moieties, such as phenylisoxazole, indanyl, indole, and isatin, in enhancing pharmacokinetic properties and overcoming drug resistance. We have concentrated on the isoniazid combined heterocyclic derivatives that were investigated as potential anti-tubercular agents from 2018 to 2023. This review aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers in the pursuit of more effective anti-tubercular therapies by guiding future research and development of isoniazid-based heterocyclic derivatives.
American social media users have ideological differences of opinion about the War in Ukraine
Authors: Nomikos William G. , Kim Dahjin , Lin Gechun
Published: February 2025

Though ideological differences have long been a ubiquitous feature of American politics, the rise of online news and social media has exacerbated divisions between groups. While existing research has documented how political preferences manifest online, relatively few studies have considered whether ideological divisions extend to discussions of foreign policy. We examine this question by analyzing nearly 2 million tweets about the war in Ukraine posted by Americans during the opening stages of the Russian invasion. We first categorize each tweet according to the user’s ideological leanings estimated by the network of political accounts they follow. Then, we apply a natural language processing model specifically designed for short texts to classify the tweets into clusters that we hand code into substantive topics. We find that the topic distributions of conservative, moderate, and liberal users are substantively and statistically different. We further find that conservatives are more likely to spread some form of misinformation and that liberals are more likely to express support for Ukraine. Our paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of our findings for the conduct of U.S. foreign policy.
On finite-dimensional smoothed-particle Hamiltonian reductions of the Vlasov equation
Authors: Barham William , Morrison Philip J.
Published: February 2025

The inclusion of spatial smoothing in finite-dimensional particle-based Hamiltonian reductions of the Vlasov equation and related models is considered. This work investigates the underlying Hamiltonian structure of such smoothed particle-based methods for Hamiltonian systems and the small-scale regularization such methods implicitly make in approximating the continuum theory. In the context of the Vlasov–Poisson equation and other mean-field Lie–Poisson systems, of which Vlasov–Poisson is a special case, smoothing amounts to a convolutive regularization of the Hamiltonian. This regularization may be interpreted as a change of the inner product structure used to identify the dual space in the Lie–Poisson Hamiltonian formulation. In particular, the shape function used for spatial smoothing may be identified as the kernel function of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space whose inner product is used to define the Lie–Poisson Hamiltonian structure. It is likewise possible to introduce smoothing in the Vlasov–Maxwell system, but in this case the Poisson bracket must be modified rather than the Hamiltonian. The smoothing applied to the Vlasov–Maxwell system is incorporated by inserting smoothing in the map from canonical to kinematic coordinates. In the filtered system, the Lorentz force law and the current, the two terms coupling the Vlasov equation with Maxwell’s equations, are spatially smoothed.
Vibrational resonance in the FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron model under state-dependent time delay
Authors: Siewe Siewe M. , Rajasekar S. , Coccolo Mattia , Sanjuán Miguel A. F.
Published: February 2025

We propose a nonlinear FitzHugh–Nagumo neuronal model with an asymmetric potential driven by both a high-frequency signal and a low-frequency signal. Our numerical analysis focuses on the influence of a state-dependent time delay on vibrational resonance and delay-induced resonance phenomena. The response amplitude at the low-frequency signal is explored to characterize the vibrational resonance and delay-induced resonance. Our results show that for smaller values of the amplitude of the state-dependent time-delay velocity component, vibrational resonance and multi-resonance occur in the neuronal model. For large values of the high-frequency excitation amplitude, vibrational resonance appears with one peak. Furthermore, we observe a change in the response when the amplitude of the state-dependent time-delay velocity component increases. In addition, we analyze how the state-dependent time-delay position and velocity components can give birth to delay-induced resonance for separate and together. The key findings of this work demonstrate that the state-dependent time-delay velocity component plays a crucial role in both phenomena. Specifically, the delay parameter serves as a critical control factor, capable of triggering the onset of the two resonances.
Considerable spin asymmetry of deep valence states induced by partial neutralization of charged SrTiO3(011) surfaces
Authors: Borcan Larisa E. , Iancu Alexandru-Cristi , Popescu Dana G. , Teodorescu Cristian M.
Published: February 2025

Recently, spin asymmetry in O 2p related deep valence states was evidenced in SrTiO3(001) [Popescu et al., Phys. Scr. 99(10), 105925 (2024)]. In this work, we report the detection of a much higher (about four times) spin asymmetry in SrTiO3(011) by spin resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, with samples characterized also by core level x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. The explanation of a so important spin asymmetry is related to the partial neutralization of O2(4−) or SrTiO(4+) end layers. Missing electrons from O 2p states in the case of O2 terminations enable robust atomic spins, according to Hund’s rule. The parallel analysis of core level shifts for surface atoms and the amplitude of spin asymmetry suggests that 50% of the oxygens from the surface SrO layer of SrTiO3(001) have a 2p5 configuration with an unpaired electron (the rest are in a 2p6 configuration), while in the case of O2 terminated SrTiO3(011), about 50% of surface oxygens have a 2p5 configuration and 50% of surface oxygens are neutral (2p4), yielding a net charge per O2 surface unit cell of (−1) instead of (−4). The magnetization is oriented along the rows formed by the (4 × 1) reconstruction in the 01̄1 in-plane direction.
Behavior of water at lipid/water interfaces upon phase transition of the lipid bilayer: Insights from 1D- and 2D-vibrational sum frequency generation spectral calculations from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Chandra Abhilash , Malik Ravi , Chandra Amalendu
Published: February 2025

We have investigated the structural and dynamical changes of the interfacial water near [1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine] (DMPC) lipid bilayer across various temperatures, ranging from 285 K (gel phase of lipid) to 320 K (liquid phase of lipid), through calculations of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectra from molecular dynamics simulations. The 1D-VSFG spectra show a broad positive peak in the hydrogen-bonded region, which means that water molecules are oriented upward toward the lipid bilayer. Although DMPC is a zwitterionic lipid, the negatively charged phosphate group primarily influences the orientation of the water molecules. The absence of a dangling peak in the 1D- and 2D-VSFG spectra shows that the water molecules form hydrogen bonds with the lipid headgroup atoms. The spectral diffusion timescales obtained from the 2D-VSFG metrics of the slope of the nodal line clearly reveal a dynamical crossover and exhibit Arrhenius behavior with different activation energies before and after the melting of the lipid bilayer. Apart from 2D-VSFG, the frequency fluctuation time correlation function also exhibits a dynamical crossover upon melting of the lipid bilayer.