bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
AI and the Transformation of Global Politics
Authors: Trang Nguyen Minh , Thao Khuong Phuong 
Published: February 2025

The Fourth Industrial Revolution has profound impacts on the development and transformation of different aspects in society, one of which is the emergence of AI (artificial intelligence). In the context the global political situation is marked by complex challenges and shifting dynamics, reflecting the interconnected nature of contemporary issues such as geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and emerging threat, AI has significantly shaped global politics by revolutionizing decision-making, security, and economic competition. It empowers nations with advanced tools for diplomacy, cybersecurity, and predictive analytics, enhancing their strategic influence on the world stage. The emergence of AI technology has ushered in a new age in global security, defenses, political economics to political systems. The paper examines how AI has been incorporated into these fields in different contexts, such as autonomous weapon systems, surveillance, decision - making processes and economic changes and analyze complex interactions between AI and politics and society issues in reshaping global politics and international orders.
The Mechanisms and Safety of Corticosteroid Injections in Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Light Jonathan J. , John Mitchell P. , Bonner Kevin F. , Styron Joseph F. 
Published: February 2025

» Corticosteroid injections (CSIs), including intra-articular, perineural, and those involving tendon sheaths or bursae, offer potential relief from osteoarthritic and inflammatory musculoskeletal pain, including gout attacks, as well as tarsal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, and interdigital neuromas.» CSI for musculoskeletal pain is commonly used as a nonoperative management option for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, offering pain relief, typically lasting from days to months.» CSIs are often performed prior to surgery as part of the nonoperative management of many conditions, with multiple CSIs within the year of surgery increasing postoperative infection risk in some major joints.» Despite the potential benefits of CSI, there are risks, including a potential increase in the risk of surgical site infection secondary to bacterial contamination and the immunomodulating effect of corticosteroids when given in the perioperative period.» To date, a multitude of studies across orthopaedic subspecialties has reported on perioperative infection risk associated with CSIs. However, heterogeneity in study design and patient populations has made standardized recommendations challenging. It is, therefore, difficult to elucidate, with a high level of evidence, the most appropriate perioperative timeline for CSI administration for which infection risk is nonsignificant.
Patterns and Predictors of Residential Indoor Water Use Across Major US Cities
Authors: Naseri Md Yunus , Bernosky Grant , Mayer Peter W. , Marston Landon T. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

This study investigates residential indoor water consumption variability across 39 US cities using data from 26,441 single-family smart water meters. Employing functional data analysis and mixed-effects random forest, we identified distinct usage patterns across city clusters, with 13 high and 6 low water-using cities (all in coastal California) differing significantly from 20 medium water-using cities. Shower and toilet use were primary drivers of indoor use differences between clusters, influenced by both behavioral and fixture efficiency factors. The presence of appliances, certain household features, and weather also affect indoor water use, with varying influence on indoor water use across clusters. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of state-level water efficiency interventions and emphasize the importance of considering both behavioral factors and appliance efficiency in conservation strategies, providing valuable insights for targeted water demand management in urban areas.
How RAG1/2 evolved from ancestral transposases to initiate V(D)J recombination without transposition
Authors: Chen Xuemin , Yao Liangrui , Ma Shanshan , Yuan Xingyun , Yang Yang , Yuan Yuan , Liu Yumei , Liu Lan , Wang Huaibin , Yang Wei , Gellert Martin 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

The RAG1/2 recombinase, which initiates V(D)J recombination in jawed vertebrates, evolved from RNaseH-like transposases such as Transib and ProtoRAG 1. However, its post-cleavage transposase activity is strictly suppressed. Previous structural studies have focused only on the conserved core domains of RAG1/2, leaving the regulatory mechanisms of the non-core regions unclear. To investigate how RAG1/2 suppresses transposition and regulates DNA cleavage, we determined cryo-EM structures of nearly full-length RAG1/2 complexed with cleaved Recombination Signal Sequences (RSS) in a Signal-End Complex (SEC), at resolutions up to 2.95 Å. Two key structures, SEC-0 and SEC-PHD, reveal distinct regulatory roles of RAG2, which is absent in Transib transposase. SEC-0 displays a closed conformation, revealing that the core RAG2 facilitates sequential DNA cleavage by stabilizing the RSS-cleaved states in a "spring-loaded" mechanism. SEC-PHD reveals how RAG2’s non-core PHD and Acidic Hinge (AH) domains, which are absent in ProtoRAG, inhibit target DNA binding in transposition. Histone H3K4me3, which recruits RAG1/2 to RSS sites, does not influence RAG1/2 binding to V, D or J gene segments bordered by RSS 2. In contrast, the suppressed transposition can be activated by H3K4me3 peptides that dislodge the inhibitory PHD domain 3,4. To achieve this de-repression in vivo, however, would require an unlikely close placement of two nucleosomes flanking a target DNA bent by nearly 180°. Our structural and biochemical results elucidate how RAG1 has acquired RAG2 and utilizes its core and non-core domains to enhance V(D)J recombination and suppress transposition.
A 10-year experimental study on the cooling effects of urban tree and lawn by transpiration on heatwaves and their mechanisms
Authors: Qiu Guo Yu , Fang Tao , Hu Weiting , Yan Chunhua , Zhang Chao , Wang Bei , Hayat Muhammad 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Heatwaves have become the serious threat to the comfort and lives of urban residents. The cooling effects of urban tree and lawn through transpiration are regarded as a potential way to address these challenges, but their effects on heatwaves and mechanism remained unclear. Here, using a 10-year observation, we investigate the transpiration responses of urban lawn and a tree to 54 heatwave events in a subtropical city. We hypothesize that urban trees and lawns exhibit distinct transpiration response patterns during heatwaves due to different water use strategies and stomatal regulations. The findings reveal that (1) the lawn maintained high canopy stomatal conductance (Gs) during heatwaves, resulting in a 42.3% increase in transpiration rates (from 2.39 to 3.40 mm day− 1). In contrast, the tree significantly reduced Gs, maintaining relatively stable transpiration rates (slightly decreasing from 51.98 to 48.27 g m− 2 s− 1). (2) the lawn transpiration was highly dependent on soil water content (SWC), with rapid SWC depletion limiting sustained transpiration increases. Conversely, the tree accessed deeper soil water layers, enabling more stable transpiration throughout heatwaves. Urban tree responded to heatwaves much better than that of urban lawn. These results are of great importance for advancing knowledge in urban green space planning and water management.
Waveguide Excitation and Spin Pumping of Chirally Coupled Quantum Dots
Authors: Siampour Hamidreza , Germanis Savvas , Chen Xuchao , Dost René , Hallett Dominic J. , Clarke Edmund , Patil Pallavi K. , Skolnick Maurice , Wilson Luke , Fox Mark 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We report on an integrated semiconductor chip where a single quantum dot (QD) is excited in-plane via a photonic-crystal waveguide through its nearest p-shell optical transition. The chirality of the waveguide mode is exploited to achieve both directional absorption and directional emission, resulting in a substantial enhancement in directional contrast, as measured for the Zeeman components of the waveguide-coupled QD. This remote excitation scheme enables high directionality (\(\:\ge\:0.95\)) across ~ 56% of the waveguide area, with significant overlap with the Purcell-enhanced region, where the electric field intensity profile is near its peak. In contrast, local excitation methods using an out-of-plane excitation beam focused directly over the area of the QD achieve only ~ 25% overlap. This enhancement increases the likelihood of locating Purcell-enhanced QDs in regions that support high directionality, enabling the experimental demonstration of a six-fold enhancement in the decay rate of a QD with > 90% directionality. The remote p-shell excitation protocol establishes a new benchmark for waveguide quantum optics in terms of the combination of Purcell enhancement and high directionality, thereby paving the way for on-chip excitation of spin-based solid-state quantum technologies in regimes of high β-factor.
Downregulation of HDGF Inhibits Tumorigenic Phenotypes of Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Suppressing the AKT/mTOR/VEGF pathway
Authors: Liu Ziyang , Wang Qihang , Yang Feilong 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) poses a significant threat as one of the deadliest tumors within head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), often associated with regional metastasis. However, the precise mechanisms driving HSCC’s aggressive nature remain poorly understood. Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) exhibits aberrant expression across various malignancies, yet its specific role in HSCC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the involvement and underlying molecular mechanisms of HDGF in HSCC. Our findings revealed high HDGF expression across a spectrum of tumors, including HNSCC. HDGF depletion significantly curtailed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HSCC cells, notably FaDu cells. Furthermore, Western blot analysis unveiled that HDGF knockdown impeded the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in FaDu cells, evidenced by upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated N-cadherin, Snail, and Slug proteins. Additionally, HDGF knockdown led to a notable decrease in p-AKT, p-mTOR, and VEGFA expression in FaDu cells. In summary, our findings underscore HDGF’s pivotal role in HSCC progression. HDGF knockdown emerges as a potential strategy to inhibit FaDu cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT, possibly through modulation of the AKT/mTOR/VEGF pathway. Thus, targeting HDGF holds promise as a therapeutic intervention for HSCC.
Modeling and analysis of wind turbine blades with honeycomb filling
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhang Junhua 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Wind turbine blade is one of the most critical components of a wind turbine, has a crucial impact on the overall performance. Therefore, designing high-strength and lightweight blade structures is of great significance. In this paper, a 2MW wind turbine blade model is optimal designed by using MATLAB and UGNX software through an iterative process. The webs of the wind turbine blades are filled with honeycombs, it is found that the maximum stress of the wind turbine blades with honeycomb is significantly reduced through stress-strain analysis. Layered design is carried out on the leading edge, trailing edge, web plate, and main beam of the blade to make it closer to the actual blade application, with honeycomb layers are added. The results demonstrates that blades incorporating honeycombs exhibited higher strength and stiffness. When the blade subjects to extreme wind loads, the deflection at the tip of blades featuring negative Poisson's ratio honeycombs is only 55.60% of the regular blades. It is indicated that the application of honeycomb structures to blades can significantly mitigate the risk of blade-tower collisions, enhance durability, and prolong the lifespan of wind turbines.
Epidemiological Features of Nontyphoidal Salmonella Infections Reported to Foodborne Disease Surveillance System in China, 2013–2022
Authors: Wang Tongyu , Li Weiwei , Zhang Ronghua , Wen Jian , Liu Shuang , Jiang Yuyan , Lin Li , Chen Weiwei , Liang Jinjun , Ma Xiaochen , Zhou Yijing , Han Haihong , Liu Jikai , Fan Penghui , Guo Yunchang , Wang Linlin 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) is the most commonly reported foodborne gastrointestinal infection and ranks among the top three causes of foodborne bacterial outbreaks in China.
Methods
This study analyzed NTS data from the Foodborne Disease Surveillance System in China (2013–2022) to summarize epidemiological trends, assess reporting rate changes, and examine rural-urban variations.
Results
During this period, 55,266 NTS cases were reported, with reporting rates increasing significantly (AAPC [CRR] = 21.89%). Urban areas accounted for 70.06% of cases, but rural patients had higher hospitalization rates than urban ones (41.54% vs. 33.69%, p < 0.001). Children aged 0–4 years constituted 53.59% of cases and showed higher hospitalization rates (p < 0.05). Salmonella Typhimurium (31.07%) and Enteritidis (15.89%) were the leading serotypes. NTS reporting rates were strongly correlated with national per-capita consumption of fruit (r = 0.98), poultry (r = 0.95), aquatic products (r = 0.95), eggs (r = 0.94), vegetables (r = 0.79), dairy (r = 0.73), and meat (r = 0.65).
Conclusion
This study highlights the growing public health burden of Salmonella infection in China, with a sharp rise in reporting rates and major rural-urban differences. Over half of the cases involved children under 5 years old, underscoring the urgent need to enhance food safety measures, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The Efficacy and Safety of Performing Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy (PTCS) Under Local Anesthesia for Pregnant Patient Suffering Acute Cholecystitis: A Study Protocol of a Prospective, Single-center, Single-arm Pilot Study
Authors: Liman Andrew , Zhou Rongxing 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Background
Acute cholecystitis (AC) during pregnancy presents a clinical dilemma, as standard treatments like laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) involve general anesthesia, which carries risks for both the mother and fetus. Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy (PTCS) under local anesthesia has emerged as a promising alternative, offering a safer approach for pregnant patients with AC. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of PTCS under local anesthesia in pregnant women with acute cholecystitis.
Methods
This prospective, single-center, open-label pilot study enrolled pregnant women aged 18–40 years, diagnosed with acute cholecystitis, who met the inclusion criteria. PTCS was performed under local anesthesia using 2% lidocaine and 15 mg dexamethasone for intercostal nerve blockade. The primary outcome was the resolution of acute cholecystitis, defined as successful gallstone removal and symptom relief. Secondary outcomes included maternal and fetal safety, recovery time, and the need for further interventions. Data were compared with historical control groups receiving conservative treatment or laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Discussion
PTCS under local anesthesia demonstrated promising results in resolving acute cholecystitis, with minimal maternal and fetal complications. The procedure was well-tolerated, with reduced anesthesia-related risks and shorter recovery times compared to general anesthesia. Fetal safety was maintained, and no significant adverse outcomes were observed. This approach could offer an effective, minimally invasive alternative for managing acute cholecystitis in pregnant patients, reducing the need for more invasive surgical interventions. Larger, randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes.
Trial registration
Enhancing Thyroid Disease Prediction Using Machine Learning: A Comparative Study of Ensemble Models and Class Balancing Techniques
Authors: Zhong Jiachen , Wang Yiting 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Thyroid disease is a significant medical condition affecting approximately 20 million Americans. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism through hormones such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), with disorders typically manifesting as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. This study evaluates the performance of various machine learning models in predicting and diagnosing thyroid disease, including Logistic Regression, Decision Trees, Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machines, Neural Networks, Bagging, and Stacking methods. The
bagging model utilizing three decision trees achieved the highest F1 Score of 0.9766, outperforming both Random Forest and XGBoost. Additionally, experiments on class balancing through undersampling and regrouping significantly improved model performance, particularly for stacking models with XGBoost, which attained an F1 Score of 0.9944.
Banks’ greenhouse gas emissions and equity value
Authors: Bressan Silvia 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

The carbon footprint of banks depends not only on their own operations but also, and more significantly, on their customers, who are or could become polluters in the future. This article examines the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and market valuations for a sample of banks worldwide. We find that increasing scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 emissions are negatively associated with the bank’s price-to-book ratio. Moreover, we find that highly polluting banks have poor asset quality and low deposit shares. We believe that investors consider carbon footprints in equity valuation, recognizing that carbon exposure makes banks financially unstable. This finding is significant for bank managers and regulators, suggesting that initiatives to curb greenhouse gas emissions could enhance bank value and lead to better financial conditions.
JEL Codes: G21; Q54; G12.
Molecular identification and the effect of abiotic stress on bioactive metabolite production for endophytic Bacillus isolates from Solanum nigrum
Authors: Ndou Benedict , Baloyi Beauty-Ben , Mabona Nokufa Morrieson , Tlou Matsobane Godfrey 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Bacterial endophytes isolated from medicinal and wild plant species have recently gained significant attention for their medicinal properties, often closely linked to those of their plant hosts. In this study, two endophytic Bacillus isolates were identified and taxonomically characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). We also investigated the impact of sublethal concentrations (0.5 mg/mL) of cadmium and hydrogen peroxide on metabolite production and bioactivity. Phytochemical testing, along with antimicrobial and antioxidant assays, revealed shifts in metabolite production under stress conditions. According to 16S rRNA-based similarity searchs, both isolates share a close relationship with Bacillus cereus complex; however, phylogeny and MLST failed to resolve their species identity. Phytochemical screening of methanolic crude extracts from both isolates tested positive for alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. Notably, tannins were detected only after cadmium treatment, while steroids were present following exposure to both cadmium and H₂O₂. LC-MS fingerprinting confirmed the presence of several tannins and steroids in treated samples. The untreated crude extracts exhibited an IC₅₀ of ~ 3 mg/mL in the DPPH assay, which decreased to ~ 1.5 mg/mL after treatment with cadmium or H₂O₂, indicating a significant increase in radical scavenging activity. Additionally, extracts from both treated and untreated bacteria displayed antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial pathogens, with MIC values ranging from 62.5 µg/mL to 125 µg/mL. LC-MS analysis identified various antimicrobial and antioxidant metabolites, including phenoxomethylpenicilloyl, maculosin, (S,R,S)-alpha-tocopherol, 3-indoleacrylate, procyanidin A2, cis-11-eicosenamide, 3-hydroxy-3-phenacyloxindole, and 9-octadecenamide.
Connecting the alkaline ‘sink’ to the atmospheric carbon ‘source’ in eutrophic water treatment
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liu Benhong , Liu Lei , Seyler Barnabas C. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACT

Water eutrophication and climate change are global challenges. Addressing the imbalance of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus is crucial for mitigating eutrophication. Utilizing atmospheric CO2 offers an eco-friendly and economic approach to restore aquatic ecosystems and combine climate change. This study investigated the effect of pH on dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations in ultrapure, lake, and river water. pH levels (3.5–12.0) were adjusted using H2SO4 and NaOH in 0.5 ± 0.03 intervals and maintained at 25 ± 1 °C in a static water bath for 3 days. Results showed that alkaline conditions (pH ≥ 7.5) effectively enhanced CO2 absorption, significantly increasing DIC content (P &lt; 0.05). Compared to pH 7.0, the average DIC content over 3 days in ultrapure, lake, and river water at pH 9.0 increased by 36.89%, 44.24%, and 45.25%, respectively. A field test in a 1.5 km eutrophic river confirmed that pH had positive correlations with C/N (P &lt; 0.05) and C/P (P&gt; 0.05). These findings suggest that creating alkaline conditions could help mitigate atmospheric CO2. However, these conclusions are based on our experiments, demonstrating potential benefits but requiring caution in their applicability. Further research is necessary to validate their ecological impacts and broader applicability.
Adaptability of Thermotoga Maritima's Glycolysis Pathway in Both Oxic and Anoxic Environments
Authors: Lakhal Raja , AlMatar Manaf , Alkalaf Tahani 
Published: February 2025

Background:
The phylum Thermotogae is composed of five families: Fervidobacteriaceae,
Thermatogaceae, Kosmotogaceae, Petrotogaceae, and Mesoaciditogaceae; one class:
Thermotogae; and four orders: Kosmotogales, Petrotogales, and Mesoaciditogales.

Method:
There are thirteen genera in all. The physical and metabolic characteristics of the
Thermotogae species reflect the extreme heat from which they were separated. Thermotogae
members have a broad spectrum of metabolic capacities, resulting in a pool of valuable chemicals
with potential uses in many different sectors.

Result:
Based on NMR analysis, our findings demonstrate that T. maritima uses the EM route to
metabolize 90% of glucose in anoxia and the ED pathway for 10%. On the other hand, T. maritima
continues to employ the EM and ED glycolysis routes concurrently when exposed to extended
oxidative stress; however, the ED pathway's contribution drops from 10% to around 5%.

Conclusion:
Compared to the EM route, the ED pathway has more strongly repressed transcripts
that encode its unique enzymes.