bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reimagining Ethiopia: philosophy education as a tool for overcoming ethnic divisions
Authors: Merawi Fasil 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This article explores the role that can be played by philosophy education in Ethiopia as a means to develop a shared meaning that is able to go beyond the ethnic polarization that is currently haunting the nation. It shows that through the introduction of a philosophy education that fosters a culture of critical reflection, dialogue, and reflection on the nature of human existence, human values, and a moral fabric that is able to bestow a sense of a common purpose on the lives of individuals, one can develop a shared conception of meaning in the Ethiopian context. This reflective exercise, made possible by philosophy education, can lead into the bridging of ethnic divisions and a process of intercultural understanding that is able to introduce commonly shared normative systems. In a nation like Ethiopia that is being plagued by ethnic divisions rooted in the system of ethnic federalism, philosophy education can provide a foundation for social cohesion and ethical deliberation that leads into the creation of an inclusive society grounded on the development of a shared sense of identity.
AGN flares as counterparts to LIGO/Virgo mergers: no confident causal connection in spatial correlation analysis
Authors: Veronesi Niccolò , van Velzen Sjoert , Rossi Elena Maria 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
The primary formation channel for the stellar-mass Binary Black Holes which have been detected merging by the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA (LVK) collaboration is yet to be discerned. One of the main reason is that the detection of an Electromagnetic counterpart to such Gravitational Wave (GW) events, which could signpost their formation site, has so far been elusive. Recently, 20 Active Galactic Nuclei flaring activities detected by the Zwicky Transient Facility have been investigated as potential counterparts of GW events by Graham et al. We present the results of a spatial correlation analysis that involves such events and uses the up-to-date posterior samples of 78 mergers, detected during the third observing run of the LVK collaboration. We apply a likelihood method which takes into account the exact position of the flares within the 3D sky map of the GW events. We place an upper limit of 0.155 at a 90 per cent credibility level on the fraction of the detected coalescences that are physically related to an observed flare, whose posterior probability distribution peaks at a null value. Finally, we show that the typically larger values of the masses of the GW-events, which host at least one flare in their localization volume, are also consistent with the no-connection hypothesis. This is because of a positive correlation between binary masses and the size of the localization uncertainties.
The forest at EndEoR: the effect of Lyman limit systems on the end of reionization
Authors: Georgiev Ivelin , Mellema Garrelt , Giri Sambit K 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
The final stages of cosmic reionization (EndEoR) are expected to be strongly regulated by the residual neutral hydrogen in the already ionized regions of the Universe. Its presence limits the mean distance that ionizing photons can travel and hence the extent of the regions that sources of ionizing photons can affect. The structures containing most of this residual neutral hydrogen are typically unresolved in large-scale simulations of reionization. Here, we investigate and compare a range of approaches for including the effect of these small-scale absorbers, also known as Lyman limit systems (LLSs), in such simulations. We evaluate the impact of these different approaches on the reionization history, the evolution of the ultraviolet background, and its fluctuations. We also compare to observational results on the distribution of Lyman-$\alpha$ opacity towards the EndEoR and the measured mean free path of ionizing photons. We further consider their effect on the 21-cm power spectrum. We find that although each of the different approaches can match some of the observed probes of the final stages of reionization, only the use of a redshift-dependent and position-dependent LLS model is able to reproduce all of them. We therefore recommend that large-scale reionization simulations, which aim to describe both the state of the ionized and neutral intergalactic medium, use such an approach, although the other, simpler approaches are applicable depending on the science goal of the simulation.
Constraining a relativistic mean field model using neutron star mass–radius measurements II: hyperonic models
Authors: Huang Chun , Tolos Laura , Providência Constança , Watts Anna 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
We investigate whether measurements of the neutron star mass and radius or the tidal deformability can provide information about the presence of hyperons inside a neutron star. This is achieved by considering two inference models, with and without hyperons, based on a field theoretical approach. While current observations do not distinguish between the two scenarios, we have shown that data simulating expected observations from future large-area X-ray timing telescopes could provide some information through Bayes’ factors. Inference using simulated data generated from an equation of state containing hyperons decisively favours the hyperonic model over the nucleonic model. However, a 2 per cent uncertainty in the mass and radius determination may not be sufficient to constrain the parameters of the model when only six neutron star mass–radius measurements are considered.
VIRAC2: NIR astrometry and time series photometry for 500M+ stars from the VVV and VVVX surveys
Authors: Smith Leigh C , Lucas Philip W , Koposov Sergey E , Gonzalez-Fernandez Carlos , Alonso-García Javier , Minniti Dante , Sanders Jason L , Bedin Luigi R , Belokurov Vasily , Evans N Wyn , Hempel Maren , Ivanov Valentin D , Kurtev Radostin G , Saito Roberto K 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
We present VIRAC2, a catalogue of positions, proper motions, parallaxes and Z, Y, J, H, and $K_s$ near-infrared photometric time series of 545 346 537 unique stars. The catalogue is based on a point spread function fitting reduction of nearly a decade of VISTA VVV and VVVX images, which cover $560~{\rm deg}^2$ of the Southern Galactic plane and bulge. The catalogue is complete at the $\gt 90$ per cent level for $11\lt K_s~{\rm mag}\lt 16$ sources, but extends to $K_s\approx {}17.5$ mag in most fields. Astrometric performance for $11\lt K_s~{\rm mag}\lt 14$ sources is typically $\approx {}0.37~{\rm mas~yr}^{-1}$ per dimension for proper motion, and $1~{\rm mas}$ for parallax. At $K_s=16$ the equivalent values are around $1.5~{\rm mas~yr}^{-1}$ and $5~{\rm mas}$. These uncertainties are validated against Gaia DR3 and Hubble Space Telescope astrometry. The complete catalogues are available via the ESO archive. We perform an initial search of the catalogue for nearby ultracool dwarf candidates. In total, we find 26 new sources whose parallaxes place them within 50 parsecs of the Sun. Among them we find two high-confidence T dwarfs and a number of other sources that appear to lie close to the L/T transition.
NGTS-EB-7, an eccentric, long-period, low-mass eclipsing binary
Authors: Rodel Toby , Watson Christopher A , Ulmer-Moll Solène , Gill Samuel , Maxted Pierre F L , Casewell Sarah L , Brahm Rafael , Wilson Thomas G , Costes Jean C , Eschen Yoshi Nike Emilia , Doyle Lauren , Freckelton Alix V , Alves Douglas R , Apergis Ioannis , Bayliss Daniel , Bouchy Francois , Burleigh Matthew R , Dumusque Xavier , Eberhardt Jan , Fernández Jorge Fernández , Gillen Edward , Goad Michael R , Hawthorn Faith , Helled Ravit , Henning Thomas , Hobbs Katlyn L , Jenkins James S , Jordán Andrés , Kendall Alicia , Lendl Monika , McCormac James , de Mooij Ernst J W , O’Brien Sean M , Saha Suman , Pinto Marcelo Tala , Trifonov Trifon , Udry Stéphane , Wheatley Peter J 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACT
Despite being the most common types of stars in the Galaxy, the physical properties of late M dwarfs are often poorly constrained. A trend of radius inflation compared to evolutionary models has been observed for earlier type M dwarfs in eclipsing binaries, possibly caused by magnetic activity. It is currently unclear whether this trend also extends to later type M dwarfs below the convective boundary. This makes the discovery of lower mass, fully convective, M dwarfs in eclipsing binaries valuable for testing evolutionary models – especially in longer-period binaries where tidal interaction between the primary and secondary is negligible. With this context, we present the discovery of the NGTS-EB-7 AB system, an eclipsing binary containing a late M dwarf secondary and an evolved G-type primary star. The secondary star has a radius of $0.125\pm 0.006$ R$_{\odot }$, a mass of $0.096^{+0.003}_{-0.004}$ M$_{\odot }$ and follows a highly eccentric (e = $0.71436\pm 0.00085$) orbit every $193.35875\pm 0.00034$ d. This makes NGTS-EB-7 AB the third longest-period eclipsing binary system with a secondary smaller than 200 ${\rm M}_{\rm J}$ with the mass and radius constrained to better than 5 per cent. In addition, NGTS-EB-7 is situated near the centre of the proposed LOPS2 southern field of the upcoming PLATO mission, allowing for detection of the secondary eclipse and measurement of the companion’s temperature. With its long-period and well-constrained physical properties – NGTS-EB-7 B will make a valuable addition to the sample of M dwarfs in eclipsing binaries and help in determining accurate empirical mass/radius relations for later M dwarf stars.
Quantifying Molecular Changes in the Preeclamptic Rat Placenta with Targeted Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Shi Lili , Alencar Allan K. N. , Swan Kenneth F. , Lawrence Dylan J. , Pridjian Gabriella , Bayer Carolyn L. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPurposeAbnormal placental remodeling is linked to various pregnancy-related diseases, including preeclampsia (PE). This study applies a bicompartmental (BCM) model to quantify molecular expression changes in the placenta, indicative of abnormal placental remodeling, and evaluates the effectiveness of targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound (T-CEUS) in detecting the abnormal placental vasculature. The BCM model provides high temporal resolution and differentiation of anatomical artery structures within the placenta by analyzing the distribution of contrast agents.MethodsA targeted contrast agent (TCA) composed of gas-filled microbubbles (MB), with a surface-conjugated peptide to target ανβ3integrin, a biomarker for angiogenesis, was used for quantifying placental vascular development. CEUS images were acquired from timed pregnant Sprague Dawley rats with experimentally-induced reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) placental insufficiency. On gestational day (GD) 18 of a 21-day gestation, CEUS images were acquired from both Normal pregnant (NP; n=6) and RUPP (n=6) dams after injection of the TCA. The BCM model was used to estimate the binding dynamics of the TCA, providing a parametric map of the binding constant (Kb) of the placenta.ResultsThe RUPP group showed a significant reduction in the value ofKbcompared to the NP group (p< 0.05). A histogram of the placentalKbwas compared to alternative analyses (differential target enhancement, dTE and late enhancement, LE) to demonstrate that it can differentiate between anatomical artery structures with a higher contrast-to-background ratio.ConclusionsThe BCM method differentiates molecular changes associated with the abnormal placental development associated with PE. It also reveals more intricate internal anatomical structures of the placenta in comparison to dTE and LE, suggesting that the BCM could enhance early detection and monitoring of PE.
mmVelo: A deep generative model for estimating cell state-dependent dynamics across multiple modalities
Authors: Nomura Satoshi , Kojima Yasuhiro , Minoura Kodai , Hayashi Shuto , Abe Ko , Hirose Haruka , Shimamura Teppei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTSingle-cell multiomics provides unique insight into the regulatory relationships across different biological layers such as the transcriptome and regulome. However, single-cell multiomics is limited by its ability to capture only static snapshots at the time of observation, restricting the reflection of dynamic state changes orchestrated across modalities. RNA velocity analysis of single cells allows for the prediction of temporal changes in the transcriptome; however, the inferred dynamics cannot be applied across all biological layers, specifically in the regulome. Therefore, to address this limitation, we developed multimodal velocity of single cells (mmVelo), a deep generative model designed to estimate cell state-dependent dynamics across multiple modalities. mmVelo estimates cell state dynamics based on spliced and unspliced mRNA expression, and uses multimodal representation learning to project these dynamics onto chromatin accessibility, inferring chromatin velocity at a single-peak resolution. We applied mmVelo to single-cell multiomics data from a developing mouse brain and validated the accuracy of the estimated chromatin accessibility dynamics. Furthermore, using the estimated dynamics, we identified the transcription factors that are crucial for chromatin accessibility regulation in mouse skin. Finally, using multiomics data as a bridge, we demonstrated that during human brain development, the dynamics of missing modalities can be inferred from single-modal data via cross-modal generation. Overall, mmVelo enhances our understanding of the dynamic interactions between modalities, offering insights into the regulatory relationships across molecular layers.
The cysteine-reactive covalent RNF4 ligand CCW16 induces ferroptosis in AML cells by activation of ROS signaling
Authors: Gotthardt Gina , Weckesser Janik , Tascher Georg , da Gama Sara Barros , Uckelmann Hannah J. , Schwalm Martin , Mosler Thorsten , Ferrario Giulio , Münch Christian , Knapp Stefan , Müller Stefan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe SUMO-targeted E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF4 plays an important role in safeguarding genome and proteome integrity. RNF4 recognizes polySUMO modified proteins and induces their proteolytic or non-proteolytic ubiquitylation. Given the key function of RNF4 in maintaining proteome and genome stability, we explored its role in cancer cell survival and as a potential cancer drug target. We found that RNF4 is overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia and high expression levels correlate with poor survival of patients. Depletion of RNF4 exerts antiproliferative effects in AML cells and increased their sensitivity towards antileukemic drugs thus validating RNF4 as a potential vulnerability in AML. To develop PROTACs for targeted degradation of RNF4, we aimed to exploit the recently described cysteine-reactive RNF4 ligand CCW16, and synthesized a set of CCW16-derived degrader molecules using established VHL- and CRBN-E3 ligands. We validated covalent binding of CCW16 and CCW16-derived PROTACs to cysteine residues outside the RING domain of RNF4 using recombinant protein. However, none of the synthesized PROTACs were active in degrading RNF4 in a panel of different cell lines. Consistent with the high reactivity of the chosen electrophile, we detected in the cellular context covalent attachment of CCW16 to accessible cysteines in a large number of proteins including covalent linkage with the catalytic residues in members of the peroxiredoxin family. Furthermore, exposure of cells to CCW16-derived PROTACs induced upregulation of heme oxygenase 1, a ferroptosis marker and impaired cell viability in a distinct, RNF4-independent, ferroptotic cell death pathway.
Material matters: raw material influences stone tool performance in capuchin monkeys
Authors: O’Malley Theo D. R. , Reeves Jonathan S. , Slania Nora E. , Falótico Tiago , Proffitt Tomos , de la Torre Ignacio , Luncz Lydia V. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIdentifying the conditions that facilitate tool use is a central focus in the field of human evolution and animal behavior. Particular interest lies in studying stone tool use by non-human primates, especially when stone hammers are used to open encased food sources. Percussive tool use is a rare and complex technological behavior which was also employed by our early hominin ancestors. It is widely theorized that environmental factors play a role in explaining the presence and absence of stone tool use across primate populations. Research to date has focused heavily on the quality and availability of tool-extractable foods, and how these compare to alternative food sources. There has been limited investigation into whether access to different types of raw tool material for hammerstones and anvils affects the efficiency of tool users when exploiting encased resources. Here, we quantitatively analyzed how percussive tools of different raw materials vary in their performance and durability. Wild capuchins (Sapajus libidinosus) in Brazil were provided with stones sourced globally from primate and hominin tool use sites. We measured the reliability with which monkeys could crack nuts when using different raw materials, the number of strikes required to open a nut or obtain a food reward, and how these metrics changed over time. We further reported variations in the durability of different raw materials which directly relates to how long a tool remains usable. Our results showed that differences in nut cracking reliability and efficiency were largely driven by the ability of the tool material to stabilize the nut. Furthermore, there was wide variation in tool durability, particularly for anvils. These results highlight the importance of considering raw materials among the ecological factors that can influence the selective benefits or costs of tool use behaviors.HIGHLIGHTSRaw material influences primate percussive stone tool durability and performanceMaterials differ in their ability to stabilize food sourcesEfficiency of hammer strikes differed across materialsDifferences in material performance did not depend on their capacity to from pitsMaterial performance has consequences for food yield and energetic efficiency
Mouse Forebrain Region-specific Molecular Characteristics and Cholinergic Neurons Subtyping: An Integrated Analysis Based on Spatial Multi-omics
Authors: Chen Yujie , Han Mengyao , Meng Jiayue , Cao Dongjian , Cheng Nianhao , Luo Qingming , Yang Jie , Zhang Guoqing 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe forebrain regions displays distinct yet under-characterized gene expression patterns. This study analyzed region-specific feature genes in forebrain regions and Isocortex sub-regions at both transcriptomic and proteomic levels. The key finding is the observation of low correlation but high functional similarity between mRNA and protein expression, which offers insights into the connection between gene expression forms in neuronal pathways and the neuronal activity state. Cholinergic neurons (CNs), play a vital role for the forebrain’s sensory and motor regulation. With Spatial-transcriptome and immunofluorescence joint analysis (STIF), which overcomes the limited resolution of the 10X Visium system, CNs- and CN-subtypes specific feature genes in the striatum and basal forebrain were identified, which providing crucial insights into the heterogeneity and functional diversity of these neuronal populations. The spatial distribution and expression pattern of the feature genes in this study were validated with either external datasets or rolling circle amplification-FISH, coincident results were revealed.
Single-Nucleus Neuronal Transcriptional Profiling of MaleC. elegansUncovers Regulators of Sex-Specific and Sex-Shared Behaviors
Authors: Morillo Katherine S. , St. Ange Jonathan , Weng Yifei , Kaletsky Rachel , Murphy Coleen T. 
Published: December 2024

SummarySexual differentiation of the nervous system causes differences in neuroanatomy, synaptic connectivity, and physiology. These sexually-dimorphic phenotypes ultimately translate into profound behavioral differences.C. elegans’two sexes, XO males and XX hermaphrodites, demonstrate differences in neurobiology and behavior. However, the neuron class and sex-specific transcriptomic differences, particularly at the single-neuron level, that cause such phenotypic divergence remains understudied. Here, using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, we assessed and compared adult male and hermaphroditeC. elegansneuronal transcriptomes, identifying sex-specific neurons, including previously-unannotated male neurons. Sex-shared neurons displayed large expression differences, with some neuron classes clustering as distinct neurons between the sexes. Males express ∼100 male-specific GPCRs, largely limited to a subset of neurons. We identified the most highly-divergent neurons between the sexes, and functionally characterized a sex-shared target,vhp-1,in male-specific pheromone chemotaxis. Our data provide a resource for discovering nervous-system-wide sex transcriptomic differences and the molecular basis of sex-specific behaviors.
MCM2mediates post-MI cardioprotection by promoting the pro-angiogenic cardiosome signaling
Authors: Alam Perwez , Huang Wei , Adam Mike , Nieman Michelle , Stutenroth Spencer , Tranter Michael , Wang Yi-Gang , Kanisicak Onur 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn the past decade, induced cardiac rejuvenation has emerged as a leading approach to repair cardiac injury. Recent studies demonstrate that promoting cell cycle reentry in adult cardiomyocytes (CM) enhances cardiac rejuvenation by influencing paracrine signaling. We previously demonstrated that the inhibition of two cell cycle inhibitors,Retinoblastoma 1(Rb1) andMeis homeobox 2(Meis2), in the adult CM enhances angiogenesis and cardiac function following ischemic injury, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. The goal of this study is to determine the mechanisms by which inhibition ofRb1andMeis2promotes cardiac rejuvenation in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.MethodsMyocardial infarction was induced in adult C57/Bl6 mice via permanent LAD occlusion followed by direct injection of either control orRb1+Meis2siRNA cocktail to the ischemic myocardium.MCM2overexpression doneviadirect myocardial injection of anMCM2-plasmid DNA expression cassette. Cardiac function and LV wall motion was assessed via echocardiography, and fibrosis and CM hypertrophy were assessed via histology. RNA-sequencing was performed on isolated adult murine CMs with siRNA-mediatedRb1+Meis2knockdown to delineate the downstream mechanisms. Further identification ofRb1, Meis2,andMCM2-dependent mechanisms were done usingin vitrotechniques in isolated CMs and HUVEC cells.ResultsWe show that siRNA-mediated knockdown ofRb1andMeis2 in vivoreduces pathological LV remodeling and preserves cardiac structure and function in adult mouse hearts post-MI. RNA-seq analyses revealedMCM2as a potential downstream target ofRb1/Meis2to enhance protective paracrine signaling in primary adult CMs. Indeed, re-expression ofMCM2,which is developmentally lost from neonatal to adult CM in the heart, improves cardiac function and LV wall motion while reducing myocyte hypertrophy and fibrotic scar size post-MI. Mechanistically, re-expression ofMCM2promotes the secretion of pro- angiogenic factors from adult CM, and transfer of conditioned media fromMCM2expressing CM induced vasculogenesis in HUVEC cells. Proteomic analysis of theMCM2interactome confirmed a significant enrichment of angiogenic mediators and suggests anMCM2-dependent protein packaging of pro- angiogenic factors in CM-derived small extracellular vesicles (cardiosomes).ConclusionRe-expression ofMCM2in adult CM promotes the secretion of pro-angiogenic cardiosomes that induce paracrine revascularization of endothelial cells and mitigates cardiac injury post-MI.SUMMARY DIAGRAM