bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cluster Consensus Control for Second‐Order Multi‐Agent Systems: An Adaptive Fuzzy Sliding Mode Approach
Authors: Li Xin , Zhang Yuting , Huang Lu , Wang Xin , Zhu Liangkuan
Published: January 2025

The paper is concerned with leader‐following cluster consensus control for second‐order multi‐agent systems (MAS) with non‐identical nonlinear dynamics and external disturbance. The communication topology of MAS is represented by a digraph. The purpose of the problem under consideration is to design an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller such that cluster consensus of the MAS is guaranteed while only information exchange between followers and communication from leaders to followers. First of all, the fuzzy logic theory is introduced to approximate the nonlinear function. An event‐triggered communication protocol is adopted over the MAS with hope to reduce the communication burden. Lyapnov stability theory is used to analyze the convergence of adaptive parameters and sliding mode surfaces. Based on this, some sufficient conditions with the restrictions on parameters are established in the framework of the MAS cluster consensus. Finally, a simulation example is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed event‐triggered controller.
Structure, Dielectric, and Thermal Behavior of Bismuth Titanate Nanoparticles
Authors: Kumari Pillalamarri Anita , Devi Damala Madhuri , Chandrasekhar Madunuri , Kumar Nune Satya Vijaya
Published: January 2025

Bismuth titanate (BTI) nanoparticles were synthesized via hydrothermal method. The XRD spectra show that the maximum intense peaks are associated to orthorhombic Bi4Ti3O12, and the pH did not show any significant effect on the structural transformation. The X‐ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) of BTI nanoparticles clearly shows the presence of elements like Bi, Ti, and O. It is noticed that the grain size is increasing from 64.9 to 97.0 nm with an increase in pH from 9 to 12. The TEM images evidenced the presence of spherical nanoparticles. The bandgap values are decreased from 3.201 to 2.595 eV (for pH = 9–12). The absorption spectra established a fact that the maximum absorption wavelength is decreasing from 218–225 nm with an increase of pH from 9 to 12. In case of BTI of pH = 12, the loss is noted to be 153.201, providing the dielectric absorber applications at high frequency. The M′ versus M″ plots show the partial relaxations, indicating the existence of carriers of partial relaxation strength and exhibit the non‐Debye relaxations. The mass losses are increased for BTI samples till pH = 11, while the mass loss is decreased.
Novel Tridentate Hydrazone of Heterocyclic N‐oxide and Its Transition Metal Complexes: Evaluation of DNA/BSA Binding Interactions, In Vitro and In Silico Biological Properties
Authors: Deepa Samala , Nayakini Anitha , Mudavath Ravi , Lakshmi Padithem Jhansi , Sudeepa Kunche , Devi Ch. Sarala
Published: January 2025

Novel hydrazone ligand 2‐(2‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxybenzylidene) hydrazinecarbonyl) pyridine 1‐oxide was synthesized and characterized by spectral analyses. The assessment of number of dissociable protons in ligand and evaluation of corresponding values of pKa and the stability constants for M(II)‐Ligand systems (M (II) = Cu, Co, Ni and Zn) in 30% DMF‐water medium were done by adopting pH‐metric method following Irving‐ Rossotti technique. To understand the chelation properties of hydrazone ligand, its contour maps of frontier molecular orbitals and their energies were computed using HyperChem 7.5 tools. The synthesized metal complexes of above hydrazone with Cu (II), Co (II), Ni (II) and Zn (II) were characterized with spectral and analytical techniques such as; FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, LC‐MS, TGA, UV‐Vis, FE‐SEM‐EDX and ESR. The tridentate and dibasic nature of title ligand is ascertained from pH‐metric studies as well as through the analyses of analytical and spectral data of complexes. The CT‐DNA binding studies conducted adopting absorption and fluorescence titrations with metal complexes and ligand inferred their binding affinity through the mode of intercalation. The evaluated antioxidant and cytotoxicity properties revealed higher efficacy of copper complex. Furthermore, investigations employing molecular docking studies revealed non‐covalent bonding interactions of synthesized compounds with chosen protein target CDK2.
Catalyst Free Chemoselective Carbene Insertion Into COO─H Bond Over ─OH of Salicylic Acid
Authors: Jelakam Gruhapriya , Dey Swaraj , Wotsa Vikiho , Sivasankar Chinnappan
Published: January 2025

The α‐ salicylate esters are found in natural products and play a vital role in biological processes. Understanding their structures and functions can provide insights into biochemical pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Herein, we have developed a strategy without the use of metal catalysts or additives for the chemoselective carbene insertion into COO─H bond over ─OH of salicylic acid. Salicylic acids were reacted with diazo compounds to yield α‐salicylate esters at 150 °C. Having realized the importance of α‐salicylate esters, we have generalized our strategy to various diazo compounds as well as salicylic and thiosalicylic acids. All the reactions produced expected products in good to excellent yields. It has been observed that salicylic acid reacted with diazo compounds in a chemoselective manner while thiosalicylic acid produced a mixture of products. The plausible mechanism of the reaction has been supported by DFT calculations and the origin of the chemoselectivity has been realized with the help of local Fukui functions. All the synthesized α‐ salicylate esters were isolated and characterized by sophisticated analytical and spectroscopic techniques including single crystal X‐ray analysis.
Conditionally Activated ROS Generation by MMP2/9‐Specific C60‐Based Fluorescence Probes
Authors: Ma Yue , Persi Lorenzo , Yan Shen , Lee Sung Sik , Baumgartner Martin , Yamakoshi Yoko
Published: January 2025

A C60‐coumarin conjugate, covalently connected via a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP2/9)‐cleavable peptide linker (Pro‐Leu‐Gly‐Val‐Arg‐Gly), is developed as a probe for both imaging and photodynamic treatment of MMP2/9‐expressing malignant cells. In the synthesized probe, the coumarin fluorescence is completely suppressed intramolecularly by the C60 moiety, while an intensive fluorescence increase is observed in the presence of MMP2/9 dependent on cleavage of the peptide linker. The specificity of the probe to detect MMP2 is confirmed by control experiments resulting in no emission 1) with a control probe bearing a shuffled peptide (Val‐Arg‐Leu‐Gly‐Pro‐Gly) or 2) in the presence of an MMP2 inhibitor (1,10‐phenantheoline). The probe is added to three types of tumor cell lines with different MMP2/9‐expression levels to perform in vitro cellular imaging. MMP2/9 is successfully detected by the probe in DAOY cells with the highest expression level of MMP2/9. Upon cleavage of the probe by MMP2/9, photoinduced 1O2 generation is much enhanced, resulting in the MMP‐dependent induction of higher photocytotoxicity of the probe in DAOY compared to HCT116 with much lower expression. The results suggest that the probe can serve as (I) a fluorescent reporter for MMP2/9 and (II) a photosensitizer for selective photodynamic treatment of malignant cells with MMP2/9 overexpression.
Light Assisted Covalent Immobilization of Proteins for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Pinho Vanessa , Neves‐Petersen Maria Teresa , Machado Raúl , Castro Gomes Andreia
Published: January 2025

The covalent immobilization of proteins attracts considerable interest in the biomedical field due to its potential applications in biosensors, recombinant protein purification, and the development of personalized therapeutic carriers. In response to the demand for more cost‐effective, time‐efficient, and simpler protocols, photo‐immobilization emerges as a technique that circumvents the limitations of conventional methods. This approach offers enhanced precision at the nanoscale level and facilitates device reusability, thereby aligning with current sustainability concerns. Photo‐immobilization is versatile, as it can be applied to both 2D and 3D substrates. While some methods involve complex protocols using genetically engineered photosensitive linkers, more straightforward techniques rely on amino acid bonds, such as disulfide bonds, for covalent protein bonding. Photo‐immobilization can be achieved with both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light. This systematic review examines literature from Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, offering insights into relevant studies and considerations for covalent protein immobilization, and presents photochemical approaches applicable to major protein types.
Double‐Layer Microneedle Patch Loaded with HA‐PBA‐QCT for Management of Paclitaxel‐Induced Peripheral Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Kong Yunfan , Pan Tianshu , Liu Bo , Kuss Mitchell , Krishnan Mena A. , Alimi Olawale A. , Shi Wen , Duan Bin
Published: January 2025

Chemotherapy‐induced neuropathic pain (CINP) is a common adverse effect of antineoplastic drugs, often leading to dose reduction, treatment delays, or cessation of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy agents, like paclitaxel (PTX), damage the somatosensory nervous system by inducing neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, resulting in the sensitization of sensory neurons. Quercetin (QCT), known for its anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, is investigated for various neurological disorders. This work creates phenylboronic acid‐modified hyaluronic acid (HA‐PBA) gels with incorporated QCT and fabricates a double‐layer microneedle (MN) patch using an HA‐PBA‐QCT complex in the needles and HA/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the substrate. The crosslinking between PVA and HA‐PBA‐QCT enables a controlled, sustained release of QCT upon application. This work applies these QCT‐loaded microneedle (QMN) patches to the instep skin of PTX‐treated mice, which exhibits mechanical allodynia and cold hyperalgesia. Biweekly applications of the QMN patches significantly reduce pain responses. This analgesic effect is associated with the modulation of satellite glial cell activity, decreased macrophage infiltration, and reduced TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs). Additionally, the treatment improves cellular antioxidant capacity, indicated by upregulated Nrf2 and catalase in DRGs. Overall, these findings suggest that double‐layer QMN patches offer long‐term anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, potentially alleviating CINP in patients.
Experimental research on seismic performance of prefabricated beam–column joints with steel skeletons
Authors: Zhu Zhangfeng , Meng Hao , Zheng Yongfeng
Published: January 2025

To address the challenges of reinforcement congestion at prefabricated reinforced concrete beam–column joints and the high costs associated with the construction of composite beam–column joints, a prefabricated beam–column joint with a steel skeleton for prefabricated reinforced concrete columns and composite beams or steel beams is proposed to achieve construction convenience and cost savings. Three prefabricated specimens with different steel skeletons and one cast‐in‐place comparison specimen were fabricated and subjected to low‐cycle repeated horizontal loads. The experimental results indicated that, compared with the cast‐in‐place specimen, the three prefabricated specimens exhibited ductile behavior with the formation of a flexural plastic hinge and possessed comparable bearing capacity and stiffness, along with improved displacement ductility and energy dissipation capacity. Notably, the prefabricated specimen with a spiral stirrup steel skeleton exhibited the best overall performance. Furthermore, the results of a finite element parametric analysis based on the spiral stirrup steel skeleton specimen indicated that various parameters, such as the height of the steel plate frame and vertical stiffening ribs to the exterior extended steel, could improve the stress state of the steel skeleton without significantly impacting joint performance. Therefore, further optimization of the steel skeleton remains feasible to reduce steel usage and facilitate construction.
The role and mechanism of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1β in the occurrence and development of different human tumors: A pan‐cancer analysis
Authors: Li Liang , Li Haikun , Zhang Ke , Zhao Chunchun , Wang Fei , Sun Jian , Wang Jianqing
Published: January 2025

Carcinomatosis is one of the leading threats to human public fitness. HNF1B is a critical transcription element in vertebrate proliferation and oncogenesis, which has been shown to play roles in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. Our previous results have identified HNF1B as a tumor suppressor that could inhibit the malignant progression of prostate cancer. Yet there is no pan‐carcinomatosis analysis of HNF1B, which could help us better understand common and unique underlying mechanisms in mankind knubs to enhance novel and competent treatment. Here, in our research, we evaluated the utterance pattern and explored the function of HNF1B in 33 knub categories using the data from the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and CLNICAL PROTEOMICTUMOR ANALYSIS CONSORTIUM (CPTAC) dataset. We found different HNF1B roles in various cancer types. HNF1B was upregulated in CHOL, STAD, KIRP, and THCA, and was downregulated in GBM, KICH, COAD, KIRC, LUSC, SARC, PAAD, and TGCT. Prognostic analyses indicated that higher HNF1B displayed better illness outcomes in BLCA, READ, and PRAD, while poorer outcomes in LUSC and THYM. HNF1B mutation was most frequent in endometrial cancer but was not associated with disease prognosis. It was discovered that HNF1B utterance relevant to endothelial cell penetration status in BLCA, ESCA, LUAD, LUSC, and TGCT, and carcinomatosis‐associated fibroblast infiltration was observed in ESCA, KIRC, LIHC, and TGCT. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis disclosed that metabolism‐related functions were implicated in the function of HNF1B. Taken together, our pan‐ carcinomatosis analysis showed the complicated roles of HNF1B in a variety of carcinomatoses, being able to improve the extensive comprehension of HNF1B's role in tumorigenesis.
Combining genome‐wide association and genomic prediction to unravel the genetic architecture of carotenoid accumulation in carrot
Authors: Rolling William R. , Ellison Shelby , Coe Kevin , Iorizzo Massimo , Dawson Julie , Senalik Douglas , Simon Philipp W.
Published: January 2025

Carrots (Daucus carota L.) are a rich source of provitamin A, namely, α‐ and β‐carotene. Breeding programs prioritize increasing β‐carotene content for improved color and nutrition. Understanding the genetic basis of carotenoid accumulation is crucial for implementing genomic‐assisted selection to develop high‐carotenoid lines. While previous studies identified loci (Y2, Y, Or, and REC) associated with carrot color and carotenoid content, this study employed genome‐wide association (GWA) in a diverse panel of 738 carrot accessions. We discovered a novel locus with a candidate gene encoding phytoene synthase, a key enzyme in carotenoid biosynthesis. The Y2, Y, Or, and REC loci are mostly fixed in orange varieties, yet considerable variation in carotenoid concentration persists. This suggests a multigenic trait influenced by the environment. GWA of carotenoid concentration identified a quantitative trait locus for total carotenoids and α‐carotene. We explored the accuracy of genomic prediction (GP) models to predict carotenoid concentration. We determined the optimal number of plants and plots required for accurate carotenoid phenotyping, finding ≥5 plants per plot and three plots per site as the minimum effective sample per accession. GP models achieved accuracies ranging from 0.06 to 0.40 depending on the carotenoid measured and environment the carrots were assayed. Additional studies in breeding programs will clarify the potential of genomic‐assisted selection for high‐carotenoid carrots.
Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Reducing Carbon Emissions for Sustainable Practices
Authors: Faeni Dewi Puspaningtyas , Oktaviani Retno Fuji , Riyadh Hosam Alden , Faeni Ratih Puspitaningtyas , Beshr Baligh Ali Hasan
Published: January 2025

This study aims to explore the positive influence of green human resource management (GHRM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementations on carbon emission reduction as an environmental control strategy in the transportation industry. This study is descriptive in nature and employs a quantitative approach. We derived the study's data from a literature analysis and collected primary data from 1080 CSR employees in the transportation industry using questionnaires. The results suggest that the application of the GHRM concept in the transportation sector contributes to a paradigm shift among employees toward ecological sustainability. To emphasize the environmental conservation and management approach, CSR initiatives include planting trees and mangroves, implementing 3R, water villages, community empowerment, renewable energy, and other initiatives. To reduce plastic use and improve waste segregation, COVID‐19 compelled all enterprises to implement a paperless policy and embrace the green transportation concept, thereby mitigating environmental impact. Maintaining a green culture at work is one way to recognize and thank staff members who consistently contribute to solving environmental problems, particularly those related to reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, the novelty of this study is that a holistic approach—combining green HRM, CSR, and operational changes—can foster a sustainable workforce and achieve environmental goals in the transportation sector. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers, managers, and academics interested in driving ecological sustainability through strategic human resource management and CSR initiatives.
Taking a step back from clinical work leads to a pathway into veterinary education
Authors: Davis Megan
Published: January 2025

Megan Davis describes how considering her identity outside of the veterinary profession helped improve her mental health, increased her confidence and led to a new role in education.
Public Communication of Climate and Justice: A Scoping Review
Authors: Tschötschel Robin S. , Diamond Emily , Howley Shannon E. , McNally Brenda , Morris Hanna E. , Perry Kelly E. , Wilhelmsen Marthe Elden
Published: January 2025

The intersection of public communication, climate change, and justice constitutes a nascent but growing interdisciplinary field of vital importance as climate change, driven largely by consumption patterns in high‐income counties, disproportionately affects communities with limited adaptive capacity, raising profound justice concerns. This scoping review delves into the emerging domain of public communication regarding climate and justice and seeks to provide a comprehensive overview that may help guide future research. It maps the landscape of existing peer‐reviewed journal scholarship, identifying trends and gaps across disciplines such as communication, energy politics, and urban planning. Following a birds‐eye quantitative analysis of English peer‐reviewed journal articles in the field (N = 250 studies), six thematic areas are scrutinized in‐depth: (1) activism and protest, (2) journalism and news media, (3) international negotiations, national policy, and local engagement, (4) art and cultural production, (5) climate obstruction and delay, and (6) communication effects on attitudes and behaviors. The review reveals, inter alia, a predominance of research originating from, and case studies focused on high‐income countries, a strong reliance on qualitative methods, and a tendency to conceive of justice in terms of distributive rather than procedural or representational questions. In the authors' view, the review indicates a need for comparative research, quantitative studies, and a broader inclusion of perspectives from regions disproportionately affected by climate change—particularly from low‐ and middle‐income countries. The authors call for a concerted effort to bridge the gap between activism and communication by emphasizing the critical role of justice‐oriented communication in fostering a fair and rapid transition to a sustainable future.
Investigating 9d/8d non-supersymmetric branes and theories from supersymmetric heterotic strings
Authors: Hamada Yuta , Ishige Arata
Published: January 2025

Abstract

We consider heterotic string theories in nine and eight dimensions. We identify the disconnected part of the spacetime gauge group by studying the outer automorphism of the charge lattices. The absence of the global symmetry indicates the existence of non-supersymmetric codimension two branes. Moreover, we provide a list of gauge groups and matter contents of non-supersymmetric rank-reduced heterotic string theories (a branch corresponding to the E
8 string on S
1) from the orbifolding of the outer automorphism as well as the fermion parity. We also provide examples in eight dimensions.
Uncovering new Higgses in the LHC analyses of differential $$ t\overline{t} $$ cross sections
Authors: Banik Sumit , Coloretti Guglielmo , Crivellin Andreas , Mellado Bruce
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Statistically significant tensions between the Standard Model (SM) predictions and the measured lepton distributions in differential top cross-sections emerged in LHC Run 1 data and became even more pronounced in Run 2 analyses. Due to the level of sophistication of the SM predictions and the performance of the ATLAS and CMS detectors, this is very remarkable. Therefore, one should seriously consider the possibility that these measurements are contaminated by beyond-the-SM contributions. In this article, we use the differential lepton distributions from the latest ATLAS

$$ t\overline{t} $$

t

t
¯

analysis to study a new physics benchmark model motivated by existing indications for new Higgses: a new scalar H is produced via gluon fusion and decays to S
′ (95 GeV) and S (152 GeV), which subsequently decay to

$$ b\overline{b} $$

b

b
¯

and WW, respectively. In this setup, the total 𝜒2 is reduced, compared to the SM, resulting in ∆χ
2 = 34 to ∆χ
2 = 158, corresponding to a significance of 5.8σ to 13σ, depending on the SM simulation used. Notably, allowing m

S
to vary, the combination of the distributions points towards m

S
≈ 150 GeV, which is consistent with the existing γγ and WW signals, rendering a mismodelling of the SM unlikely. Averaging the results of the different SM predictions, σ(pp → H → SS
′) × Br(S → WW) × Br(S
′ → bb) ≈ 9pb is preferred. Assuming that S
′ is SM-like, the 95 GeV γγ excess can be explained if S decays dominantly to W bosons. That latter suggests that S is the neutral component of the SU(2)
L
triplet with hypercharge 0.
Microbiological findings in a cohort of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Glück Christian , Widmeier Eugen , Maier Sven , Staudacher Dawid L. , Wengenmayer Tobias , Supady Alexander
Published: January 2025

Background

Venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is an established support option for patients with very severe respiratory failure and played an important role during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Bacteria and fungi can lead to severe infectious complications in critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to describe the microbiological spectrum of bacteria and fungi detected in patients with COVID-19-associated respiratory failure supported with VV ECMO in our center.

Methods

This retrospective single-center analysis included all patients with COVID-19-associated respiratory failure supported with VV ECMO in our center between March 2020 and May 2022. All findings from microbiological samples, taken as part of clinical routine assessment from initiation of VV ECMO until day 30 were included. Samples were described by site and time of detection and microbiological characteristics.

Results

From March 2020 through May 2022, 88 patients with COVID-19-associated respiratory failure received VV ECMO support at our center. In 83/88 patients (94.3%), one or more pathogens were found in microbiological samples. Most pathogens were isolated from samples from the respiratory tract (88.6%). Earliest detection occurred in samples from the respiratory tract with a median time of 5 days to first detection. The most frequently detected pathogens were Staphylococcus spp., Candida spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.

Conclusion

In this cohort of severely ill COVID-19 patients receiving VV ECMO support, pathogens were frequently detected.
Whole-body PET imaging of simian immunodeficiency virus using gp120-targeting probes fails to reveal regions of specific uptake in rhesus macaques
Authors: Srinivasula Sharat , Kim Insook , Jang Hyukjin , Degrange Paula , Brown Heather , Dalton Viviana , Badralmaa Yunden , Natarajan Ven , Long Brad , Carrasquillo Jorge A. , Di Mascio Michele
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Following the initial reports demonstrating the feasibility of immunoPET imaging of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) using gp120-targeting monoclonal antibodies in non-human primates, replication efforts of the imaging system in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals have yielded conflicting results. Herein, we used two anti-gp120 antibodies, 7D3 and ITS103.01LS-F(ab’)2, to interrogate the reproducibility of gp120-targeting probes for immunoPET imaging of SIV in rhesus macaques.

Methods

The binding affinity estimates of 89Zr radiolabeled 7D3 and ITS103.01LS-F(ab’)2 to SIV gp120, and the in-vitro and ex-vivo binding specificities of [89Zr]Zr-7D3 and [89Zr]Zr-ITS103.01LS-F(ab’)2 to SIV Env expressing cells, primary cells, and tissue sections from uninfected and SIV-infected macaques were obtained through competition assays. The biodistributions of [89Zr]Zr-7D3 and [89Zr]Zr-ITS103.01LS-F(ab’)2 were performed with static PET scans up to 6 days post-injection in 20 rhesus macaques and the standardized uptake values in various tissues were compared between SIV-infected and uninfected controls.

Results

Despite the demonstrated nanomolar affinity of [89Zr]Zr-7D3 and [89Zr]Zr-ITS103.01LS-F(ab’)2 to SIV gp120, and strong binding specificity to SIV gp120 cell lines, we observed no discernible differences in their binding in primary cells, tissue sections of secondary lymphoid organs, in-vivo probe uptake between SIV-infected and uninfected macaques, or ex-vivo validation necropsies. While the probes remained stable in-vivo, only [89Zr]Zr-ITS103.01LS-F(ab’)2 in chronic plasma retained its binding specificity to SIV gp120, with [89Zr]Zr-7D3 experiencing a > 97% reduction in binding to gp120 due to competition from endogenous antibodies at the 7D3 binding site.

Conclusion

The overall absence of specific uptake suggests inadequate binding potential (ligand affinity x target molarity) for these probes to effectively image SIV or HIV in-vivo, warranting further investigation into the lack of reproducibility observed with earlier non-human primate SIV imaging and conflicting human studies.
Relationship between outer retinal tubulation, retinal volume, and visual field in Bietti crystalline dystrophy
Authors: Kishi Yuka , Ikeda Hanako O. , Miyata Manabu , Numa Shogo , Kamei Takuro , Tsujikawa Akitaka
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To investigate the presence of tubulation in the outer nuclear layer of patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and evaluate its relationship with visual field, visual field progression, and retinal volume.

Methods

This retrospective cross-sectional study included 37 patients diagnosed with BCD who underwent spectral-domain OCT examination. OCT examinations and Humphrey visual field tests (10–2 program) were conducted. We performed correlation analyses to assess the correlation of the number of tubulations with the visual field parameters and retinal volume. We also compared the number and prevalence of tubulations in groups based on median values of the parameters. The primary outcome measure was the number and prevalence of tubulations.

Results

The average age of the participants was 58.7 ± 9.6 years. The mean deviation (MD) value was −25.0 ± 9.0 decibels (dB). The MD slope value during an average follow-up period of 5.9 ± 3.8 years was −0.91 ± 1.02 dB/year. The number of tubulations tended to increase as the MD values worsened (P = 0.055, r = −0.33). Moreover, the number (P = 0.48) and prevalence (P = 0.42) of tubulations tended to be higher in the group with lower MD values. The number of tubulations decreased with worsening logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (P = 0.68, r = −0.07). The prevalence of tubulations was higher in the group with poorer logMAR (P = 0.068). We observed no significant correlations between the number of tubulations and the retinal outer, inner, or center volume (P = 0.46, r = −0.13; P = 0.76, r = 0.05; P = 0.47, r = 0.12, respectively). However, the prevalence of tubulations in the group with smaller retinal center volume was lower (P = 0.054).

Conclusion

The number of tubulations correlated with the severity of visual field loss in patients with BCD; however, it did not correlate with visual field progression or retinal volume measurements. Further studies are needed to understand the development of tubulations and their implications for retinal atrophy in BCD.
Entropy-based assessment of complexity structural effects of the third dimension, case seismic nest of Los Santos (Colombia)
Authors: Mantilla-Duarte Carlos A. , Angulo José M.
Published: January 2025

This paper focuses on analysing, from an entropy-based approach, the implications on structural complexity associated with the third dimension (depth), considering along with latitude and longitude as part of the spatial distribution of earthquakes recorded in the Los Santos seismic nest within the Bucaramanga geologic complex, Santander, Colombia, during the period from January 2018 to December 2021. Highlighting entropy as a measure of uncertainty and system organisation, variations between two and three dimensions of significant characteristics of spatio-temporal patterns of registered seismic events are explored. After a preliminary descriptive analysis, simulations and randomisations are performed to validate the observed effects. The study proposes future directions, such as the consideration of non-linear distance measures and the inclusion of released energy in the entropy calculation, to contribute to the understanding of the spatial complexity of seismic phenomena and provide a solid basis for future research in this critical area.
Association between periodontitis and physical fitness in law enforcement workers
Authors: Buti Jacopo , Ronca F. , Burgess P. W. , Gallagher J. , Ashley P. , Needleman I.
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Oral and periodontal health have been linked to systemic health, cardiovascular disease and inflammation markers. Physical fitness has been linked to increased inflammatory response, but only few studies have investigated the association between oral health with physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between oral and periodontal health status and physical fitness in British law enforcement workers.

Methods

89 subjects were recruited between November and December 2019. Cardiopulmonary fitness was measured by Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max) (ml/kg/min) and Maximum Load (Loadmax) (W) generated at the end of the Bruce incremental treadmill test; physical activity levels through accelerometers; functional strength tests by Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Power (W) and Height (cm) average. Oral variables included percentage of sites with PPD > 4 mm (% PPD > 4), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) and Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Linear regression models were adjusted for age, gender and fat %.

Results

Mean age was 41.5 years (range 23–61; 71.9% male). Higher % PPD > 4 was consistently correlated with lower Loadmax (-4.96; p = 0.092), CMJ Height average (-0.39; p = 0.064), and press-ups in 60 s (-0.85; p = 0.052) though the associations were not statistically significant. FMBS was associated with the % of a day spent in sedentary (0.78; p = 0.030) and light activities (-0.75; p = 0.022).

Conclusions

Periodontitis may be negatively associated with certain components of physical performance.

Clinical relevance

Oral health status may be associated with physical fitness and functional strength.
Photoperiod and Light Spectrum Modulate Daily Rhythms and Expression of Genes Involved in Cell Proliferation, DNA Repair, Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress in a Seabream Embryonic Stem Cell Line
Authors: Vergès-Castillo Alba , Herrera-Pérez Patricia , Pendón Carlos , Martín-Robles Águeda J. , Muñoz-Cueto José A.
Published: January 2025

The use of cell lines as alternative models for environmental physiology studies opens a new window of possibilities and is becoming an increasingly used tool in marine research to fulfil the 3R’s rule. In this study, an embryonic monoclonal stem cell line obtained from a marine teleost (gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata) was employed to assess the effects of photoperiod (light/dark cycles vs constant dark) and light spectrum (white, blue, green, blue/green and red lights) on gene expression and rhythms of cellular markers of proliferation, DNA repair, apoptosis and cellular/oxidative stress by RT-qPCR and cosinor analyses. The results obtained revealed the optimal performance of cells under blue light (LDB), with all the genes analysed showing their highest RNA expression levels and most robust daily variations/rhythms in this condition. Under LDB, the mRNA levels of cell proliferation (pcna), DNA repair (cry5), anti-apoptotic (bcl2) and oxidative stress (prdx2) markers peaked at the day-night transition, whereas pro-apoptotic (bax) and cell stress (hsp70) markers showed their highest expression at the night-day transition, evidencing the strong synchronisation of the transcription of key genes involved in the cell cycle in this photoregime. The persistence of significant pcna, cry5, hsp70 and prdx2 rhythms after 3 days in constant darkness reveals the endogenous and circadian nature of these rhythms. Our results highlight the importance of implementing photoperiods with light–dark cycles of blue wavelengths when performing fish cell culture research. These results reinforce and extend our previous studies, confirming the importance of lighting conditions that mimic the natural environment for the proper development of fish embryos and larvae in aquaculture.
Review of filtering based feature selection for Botnet detection in the Internet of Things
Authors: Saied Mohamed , Guirguis Shawkat , Madbouly Magda
Published: January 2025

Botnets are a major security threat in the Internet of Things (IoT), posing significant risks to user privacy, network availability, and the integrity of IoT devices. With the increasing availability of large datasets that contain hundreds or even thousands of variables, selecting the right set of features can be a challenging task. Feature selection is a critical step in developing effective machine learning-based botnet detection systems, as it enables the selection of a subset of features that are most relevant for detection. This paper provides a comprehensive review of filtering based feature selection techniques for botnet detection in IoT. It examines a range of filtering based techniques and evaluates their effectiveness in addressing the challenges and limitations of botnet detection in IoT. It aims to identify the gaps in the literature and areas for future research, and discuss the broader implications of findings for the field of IoT botnet detection. This review provides valuable insights and guidance for researchers and practitioners working on botnet detection in IoT, and highlights the importance of effective feature selection in developing robust and reliable detection systems.
Measuring dimensional stability of thermally modified ayous and iroko wood: comparison of the three test methods
Authors: Tomak Eylem D. , Ermeydan Mahmut A.
Published: January 2025

The dimensional stability and moisture content of wood are important physical properties that influence the end-use of wood. These properties can be greatly improved by thermal modification of wood. In this study, three different test methods are studied on thermally modified iroko (Milicia excelsa) and ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon) wood to compare the methods of measuring dimensional stability behavior. Test methods include (1) repeated water-soaking until saturation, (2) test cycles of water-soaking and drying, and (3) exposure to relative humidity cycles in the air. Test methods revealed enhanced dimensional stability in thermally modified wood samples relative to the unmodified samples. However, the relative dimensional stability behavior varied between the methods. Water-soaking until maximum swelling (Method-1) showed differences in the swelling rate for each wood material. Thermally modified ayous wood swelled more slowly (~ 44%) than thermally modified iroko wood. Interestingly, subsequent test methods (Methods 2 and 3) showed decreasing dimensional stability especially for modified iroko wood as the wetting–drying cycles increased and iroko wood was kept in high relative humidity such as 85%. The cracks in the cross-section were more in modified iroko samples than in the controls, whilst modified ayous wood had no visible cracks in the cycles of wetting and drying in Method-2. The anti-swelling efficiency of thermally modified ayous wood was found as ~ 45%, 30%, and 40–60% in Method 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The results of the three different methods clearly showed that thermal modification ensured good dimensional stability for ayous wood, whereas in iroko wood insufficient dimensional stability was obtained, especially in Methods 2 and 3. Thermal modification may not be a good option to ensure dimensional stability for iroko wood. For a complete understanding of dimensional stability in wood modification studies, long-term wetting and drying cycles and/or air humidity cycles are recommended especially for extractive-rich wood species.
Designing a classroom-level teacher dashboard to foster primary school teachers’ direct instruction of self-regulated learning strategies
Authors: Dülger Melis , van Leeuwen Anouschka , Janssen Jeroen , Kester Liesbeth
Published: January 2025

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is crucial for fostering lifelong learning skills in students, encompassing planning, monitoring, and controlling abilities. Previous research indicates that many students struggle to regulate their learning effectively. In the Netherlands, adaptive learning technologies are widely used to support math education in primary schools, providing direct feedback and adjusting problem difficulty levels. Despite this, students still need to invest effort and monitor their progress, requiring better SRL skills. Previous research emphasized the importance of teachers’ direct instruction of SRL strategies for primary school students. Yet, identifying classroom needs accurately and timely remains challenging, especially in large classrooms. Teacher dashboards provide a solution by aggregating, analyzing, and reporting students’ learning processes through visualizations. However, existing SRL dashboards have not focused on enhancing direct strategy instruction and lack theoretical grounding. To address these gaps, we developed a theory-based teacher dashboard through iterative co-design. We conducted two rounds of interviews with primary school teachers to gather insights on their current SRL practices and refined prototypes. The first round of results (n = 10) informed the creation of low-fidelity prototypes. The second round of results (n = 11) showed that teachers found the low-fidelity prototypes actionable while they still required further improvement to ensure clarity. Importantly, these interviews underlined teachers’ need for a dashboard to better support SRL in the classroom. This study outlines teachers’ SRL practices and the initial design steps of a teacher dashboard, laying the groundwork for developing similar dashboards enhancing teachers’ SRL practices and potentially improving students’ self-regulation.
Virtual staining from bright-field microscopy for label-free quantitative analysis of plant cell structures
Authors: Ichita Manami , Yamamichi Haruna , Higaki Takumi
Published: January 2025

The applicability of a deep learning model for the virtual staining of plant cell structures using bright-field microscopy was investigated. The training dataset consisted of microscopy images of tobacco BY-2 cells with the plasma membrane stained with the fluorescent dye PlasMem Bright Green and the cell nucleus labeled with Histone-red fluorescent protein. The trained models successfully detected the expansion of cell nuclei upon aphidicolin treatment and a decrease in the cell aspect ratio upon propyzamide treatment, demonstrating its utility in cell morphometry. The model also accurately documented the shape of Arabidopsis pavement cells in both wild type and the bpp125 triple mutant, which has an altered pavement cell phenotype. Metrics such as cell area, circularity, and solidity obtained from virtual staining analyses were highly correlated with those obtained by manual measurements of cell features from microscopy images. Furthermore, the versatility of virtual staining was highlighted by its application to track chloroplast movement in Egeria densa. The method was also effective for classifying live and dead BY-2 cells using texture-based machine learning, suggesting that virtual staining can be applied beyond typical segmentation tasks. Although this method still has some limitations, its non-invasive nature and efficiency make it highly suitable for label-free, dynamic, and high-throughput analyses in quantitative plant cell biology.
Additive structure of non-monogenic simplest cubic fields
Authors: Gil-Muñoz Daniel , Tinková Magdaléna
Published: January 2025

We consider Shanks’ simplest cubic fields K for which the index

$$[{\mathcal {O}}_K:{\mathbb {Z}}[\rho ]]$$

[

O
K

:
Z

[
ρ
]

]

of a root

$$\rho $$

ρ

of the defining parametric polynomial is 3. For them, we study the additive indecomposables of K and provide a complete list of them. Moreover, we use the knowledge of the indecomposables to prove some interesting consequences on the arithmetic of K. Mainly, we obtain good bounds on the ranks of universal quadratic forms over K and prove that the Pythagoras number of

$${\mathcal {O}}_K$$

O
K

is 6.
Better objective sleep quality is associated with higher gut microbiota richness in older adults
Authors: Wijaya Maria Teresa , Fang Ji-Tseng , Liu Geng-Hao , Yeh Yuan-Ming , Chen Ning-Hung , Lin Chih-Ming , Wu Kuain-Yi , Huang Chih-Mao , Lee Shwu-Hua , Lee Tatia M. C.
Published: January 2025

Aging is associated with disrupted sleep patterns, such as fragmented sleep and reduced efficiency, leading to negative health outcomes. There is evidence of a bidirectional relationship between sleep and gut microbiota, which plays a key role in the gut-brain axis and overall health. However, studies on this relationship in older adults have limited generalizability and show conflicting results, highlighting the need for further research. This study aimed to investigate the associations between sleep quality and gut microbiota composition in healthy Chinese older adults using subjective and objective sleep measures to capture various aspects of sleep quality and explore potential impacts on emotional well-being and cognitive performance. Subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, while objective sleep quality was measured with actigraphy. Gut microbiota sequencing was performed on stool samples. The results show a robust positive association between gut microbiota richness and objective sleep quality in older adults, independent of subjective sleep quality and demographics, lifestyle, and health covariates. However, no significant link was found between gut microbiota richness and subjective sleep quality. Specific taxa like Bacteroidetes, Ruminococcus, Collinsella, Veillonella, and Holdemania were tentatively linked to sleep quality. These findings emphasize the connection between sleep quality and gut microbiota composition in older adults with potential research and clinical implications, improving our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the sleep-gut microbiota relationship and guiding the development of interventions for improving both sleep quality and gut health in older adults.
Organic fertilization enhances temporal stability of rhizosophere soil microbiomes in a long-term sorghum field experiment
Authors: Liu Qiuxia , Wan Xinjie , Chen Haoxiang , Wang Jinsong , Sun Anqi , Dong Erwei , Wang Yuan , Huang Xiaolei , Hu Hang-Wei , Jiao Xiaoyan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Fertilization, a widely used agricultural management practice to maximum crop yields, significantly influences microbial community structure and diversity. Soil microbial communities are known to differ across plant growth stages, but how different organic and inorganic fertilization regimes shape microbial temporal variation remains unclear.

Methods

To investigate the temporal stability of microbial communities under organic and chemical fertilization, rhizosphere soil of sorghum was collected at four growth stages (jointing, heading, filling and maturity) in a long-term field experiment with multiple chemical and organic fertilization treatments.

Results

The results showed that, compared with the control and chemical fertilizer treatments, organic manure treatments resulted in less pronounced variation in microbial community diversity and structure across growth stages. Microbial cooccurrence networks in organic manure treatments were more robust compared to the control and chemical fertilizer treatments, indicating greater stability of microbial community temporal variation in organically fertilized soils. Across different growth stages, fungal communities in manure treatments showed no significant differences in diversity or community structure, and maintained low average variation degree, whereas bacterial communities were more variable.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that microbes in organically fertilized soils have more stable communities over time, with fungal communities being more stable than bacterial ones. This study provides insights into how fertilization shapes microbial communities and indicates that organic fertilization enhances the resistance of microbial communities under changing environmental conditions.