bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetically edited human placental organoids cast new light on the role of ACE2
Authors: Arthurs Anya L. , Dietrich Bianca , Knöfler Martin , Lushington Caleb J. , Thomas Paul Q. , Adikusuma Fatwa , Williamson Jessica M. , Babikha Susan , Damhuis Tyla , Jankovic-Karasoulos Tanja , Smith Melanie D. , Pringle Kirsty G. , Roberts Claire T. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
ACE2 expression is altered in pregnancy disorders and ACE2 gene variants are associated with several major pregnancy complications including small-for-gestational-age, fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. This study utilised gene-editing to generate both ACE2 knockout and ACE2 rs2074192 placental organoids, facilitating mechanistic studies into the role of ACE2 in placental development, and the effect of fetal carriage of ACE2 rs2074192 CC, CT and TT genotypes. Parameters of cell and organoid growth were measured, together with qPCR, Western Blotting, and ELISA assessments, in all groups from both organoid models. Here, we report that ACE2 knockout results in delayed placental cell growth and increased cell death. ACE2 knockout organoids had lower ACE protein expression, reduced organoid diameters and asymmetrical growth. Placental organoids with the ACE2 rs2074192 TT genotype had significantly higher expression of ACE2 mRNA and ACE2 protein with elevated ACE2:ACE expression ratio and no change in ACE protein. Despite increased expression of ACE2 protein, ACE2 enzyme activity was significantly decreased in ACE2 rs2074192 TT placental organoids. TT organoids also had reduced diameters and asymmetrical growth. Our research provides a new molecular understanding of the role of ACE2 in placental development, with potential implications for pregnancy in the carriage of the ACE2 rs2074192 gene variant.
Metabolic deficiencies underlie reduced plasmacytoid dendritic cell IFN-I production following viral infection
Authors: Greene Trever T. , Jo Yeara , Chiale Carolina , Macal Monica , Fang Ziyan , Khatri Fawziyah S. , Codrington Alicia L. , Kazane Katelynn R. , Akbulut Elizabeth , Swaminathan Shobha , Fujita Yu , Fitzgerald-Bocarsly Patricia , Cordes Thekla , Metallo Christian , Scott David A. , Zúñiga Elina I. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Type I Interferons (IFN-I) are central to host protection against viral infections, with plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) being the most significant source, yet pDCs lose their IFN-I production capacity following an initial burst of IFN-I, resulting in susceptibility to secondary infections. The underlying mechanisms of these dynamics are not well understood. Here we find that viral infection reduces the capacity of pDCs to engage both oxidative and glycolytic metabolism. Mechanistically, we identify lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) as a positive regulator of pDC IFN-I production in mice and humans; meanwhile, LDHB deficiency is associated with suppressed IFN-I production, pDC metabolic capacity, and viral control following infection. In addition, preservation of LDHB expression is sufficient to partially retain the function of otherwise exhausted pDCs, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, restoring LDHB in vivo in pDCs from infected mice increases IFNAR-dependent, infection-associated pathology. Our work thus identifies a mechanism for balancing immunity and pathology during viral infections, while also providing insight into the highly preserved infection-driven pDC inhibition.
Orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPRC5B controls macrophage function by facilitating prostaglandin E receptor 2 signaling
Authors: Kwon Jeonghyeon , Kawase Haruya , Mattonet Kenny , Guenther Stefan , Hahnefeld Lisa , Shamsara Jamal , Heering Jan , Kurz Michael , Kirchhofer Sina , Krasel Cornelius , Ulrich Michaela , Persechino Margherita , Murthy Sripriya , Orlandi Cesare , Sadik Christian D. , Geisslinger Gerd , Bünemann Moritz , Kolb Peter , Offermanns Stefan , Wettschureck Nina 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Macrophages express numerous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that regulate adhesion, migration, and activation, but the function of orphan receptor GPRC5B in macrophages is unknown. Both resident peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages from myeloid-specific GPRC5B-deficient mice show increased migration and phagocytosis, resulting in improved bacterial clearance in a peritonitis model. In other models such as myocardial infarction, increased myeloid cell recruitment has adverse effects. Mechanistically, we found that GPRC5B physically interacts with GPCRs of the prostanoid receptor family, resulting in enhanced signaling through the prostaglandin E receptor 2 (EP2). In GPRC5B-deficient macrophages, EP2-mediated anti-inflammatory effects are diminished, resulting in hyperactivity. Using in silico modelling and docking, we identify residues potentially mediating GPRC5B/EP2 dimerization and show that their mutation results in loss of GPRC5B-mediated facilitation of EP2 signaling. Finally, we demonstrate that decoy peptides mimicking the interacting sequence are able to reduce GPRC5B-mediated facilitation of EP2-induced cAMP signaling in macrophages.
A holistic stochastic model for precipitation events
Authors: Weyant Alexander , Gershunov Alexander , Panorska Anna K. , Kozubowski Tomasz J. , Kalansky Julie 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In the western United States, much of the annual precipitation falls during relatively few storm events. When precipitation is measured as daily (or hourly, etc.) accumulations, these events appear as sequences of various durations. We describe a trivariate probability distribution and assert that it provides a natural description for the durations, magnitudes, and maximum intensities of such events. We show that this distribution, in its most straightforward application, indeed describes precipitation events composed of daily observations at most long-term weather stations across the western United States, allowing for a flexible assessment of specific event probabilities and return periods with respect to their three defining components. This characterization opens the door to further understanding of risk associated with out-of-sample meteorological events.
A deep learning approach for automatic 3D segmentation of hip cartilage and labrum from direct hip MR arthrography
Authors: Meier Malin Kristin , Helfenstein Ramon Andreas , Boschung Adam , Nanavati Andreas , Ruckli Adrian , Lerch Till D. , Gerber Nicolas , Jung Bernd , Afacan Onur , Tannast Moritz , Siebenrock Klaus A. , Steppacher Simon D , Schmaranzer Florian 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
The objective was to use convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for automatic segmentation of hip cartilage and labrum based on 3D MRI. In this retrospective single-center study, CNNs with a U-Net architecture were used to develop a fully automated segmentation model for hip cartilage and labrum from MRI. Direct hip MR arthrographies (01/2020-10/2021) were selected from 100 symptomatic patients. Institutional routine protocol included a 3D T1 mapping sequence, which was used for manual segmentation of hip cartilage and labrum. 80 hips were used for training and the remaining 20 for testing. Model performance was assessed with six evaluation metrics including Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). In addition, model performance was tested on an external dataset (40 patients) with a 3D T2-weighted sequence from a different institution. Inter-rater agreement of manual segmentation served as benchmark for automatic segmentation performance. 100 patients were included (mean age 30 ± 10 years, 64% female patients). Mean DSC for cartilage was 0.92 ± 0.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92–0.93) and 0.83 ± 0.04 (0.81–0.85) for labrum and comparable (p = 0.232 and 0.297, respectively) to inter-rater agreement of manual segmentation: DSC cartilage 0.93 ± 0.04 (0.92–0.95); DSC labrum 0.82 ± 0.05 (0.80–0.85). When tested on the external dataset, the DSC was 0.89 ± 0.02 (0.88–0.90) and 0.71 ± 0.04 (0.69–0.73) for cartilage and labrum, respectively.The presented deep learning approach accurately segments hip cartilage and labrum from 3D MRI sequences and can potentially be used in clinical practice to provide rapid and accurate 3D MRI models.
Influence of Artocarpus hirsutus (AH) cellulose micro fiber, bamboo fiber in thermoplastic biocomposites
Authors: Keerthiveettil Ramakrishnan Sumesh , Vijayananth Kavimani , Arivendan Ajithram , Ammarullah Muhammad Imam 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
In this experiment Artocarpus hirsutus (AH) fiber was utilized as the filler material for bamboo fiber (NF)/polyethylene (PE) biocomposites. This was a waste to wealth approach by utilising biomaterial and also can reduce the use of PE plastics. The crystallinity index (Crl) of 45.1%, 56.4%, 67% was observed in AH, alkali treated (NaOH) and cellulose AH fiber respectively. The combination with 20 wt% NF/3 wt% cellulose AH filler observed better tensile and flexural strength. Agglomeration at 4, 5 wt% affects the flexural properties by lesser interfacial adhesion with filler/matrix phase, having properties reducing up to 20.3 MPa. Comparing to cellulose AH filler, both alkali treated and untreated AH filler combinations possess lesser flexural strength. The addition of natural fibers increases the tensile and flexural modulus property with better properties at 30 wt% NF/5 wt% cellulose AH filler combination. The Impact strength doesn’t observe high influence with filler incorporation. This AH fiber hasn’t been explored in detail for mechanical and hydrophilic properties with incorporation with PE matrix. This fabricated composite is suited for bioengineering applications.
In vivo regulation of the monocyte phenotype by Mycobacterium marinum and the ESX-1 type VII secretion system
Authors: Munke Kristina , Wulff Line , Lienard Julia , Carlsson Fredric , Agace William W. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Pathogenic mycobacteria require the conserved ESX-1 type VII secretion system to cause disease. In a murine Mycobacterium marinum infection model we previously demonstrated that infiltrating monocytes and neutrophils represent the major bacteria-harbouring cell populations in infected tissue. In the current study we use this model, in combination with scRNA sequencing, to assess the impact of M. marinum infection on the transcriptional profile of infiltrating Ly6C⁺MHCII⁺ monocytes in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that infection of infiltrating monocytes with M. marinum alters their cytokine expression profile, induces glycolytic metabolism, hypoxia-mediated signaling, nitric oxide synthesis, tissue remodeling, and suppresses responsiveness to IFNγ. We further show that the transcriptional response of bystander monocytes is influenced by ESX-1-dependent mechanisms, including a reduced responsiveness to IFNγ. These findings suggest that mycobacterial infection has pleiotropic effects on monocyte phenotype, with potential implications in bacterial growth restriction and granuloma formation.
First-in-human exploratory trial assessing safety, feasibility, and efficacy of artificial protein (silk-elastin) in promoting healing in patients with meniscus injuries
Authors: Ishikawa Masakazu , Tsuji Shunya , Kamei Goki , Nakata Kyohei , Nekomoto Akinori , Hashiguchi Naofumi , Nakasa Tomoyuki , Nakamae Atsuo , Kamei Naosuke , Inoue Keiichiro , Kawabata Shingo , Ueda Keiko , Adachi Nobuo 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Meniscal tears, especially those in avascular regions, pose a significant risk for osteoarthritis if repair fails. While meniscal repair is the preferred method for preserving knee function, it often has a high failure rate in avascular zones. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and potential efficacy of silk-elastin (SE), an artificial protein with wound-healing properties, for enhancing meniscal repair. Eight patients with meniscal tears in avascular areas underwent arthroscopic repair followed by SE application, including cases of lateral and medial tears, discoid lateral meniscus, and bucket-handle tears. No adverse events or reactions were attributed to SE. At 3 months post-surgery, clinical outcomes and repair sites were evaluated using MRI and arthroscopy. Significant improvements were observed in Lysholm and visual analog scale scores (P < 0.05), with the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores showing significant improvement in the symptom subscale. MRI findings indicated one patient with grade 1 healing, three with grade 2, and four with grade 3 (unhealed). Arthroscopically, six patients demonstrated completely healed menisci, while two showed incomplete healing; none were classified as “unhealed.” These findings suggest that SE is safe and may support meniscal healing in avascular zones, indicating its potential to improve repair outcomes.
Optoelectric coordinated modulation of resistive switching behavior in perovskite based synaptic device
Authors: Wang Yucheng , Huang Ruixi , Zhang Wenyi , Guo Dingyun , Zheng Jiawei , Wang Hexin , Huang Fobao , Wang Zhuoya , Guan He 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Triple cation halide perovskite (TCP) stands out as a superior photoelectric material, with a broader absorption range, higher absorption efficiency, and improved environmental stability. Due to its excellent synaptic plasticity, TCP facilitates advanced neural morphological operations like light-assisted learning. Here, a modifying layer of polythiophene (P3HT) was incorporated onto the TCP thin film to enhance the resistive switching (RS) characteristics of the synaptic device, which exhibits excellent stability (103 endurance cycles and > 103 s retention time) and low energy consumption (~ 6.3 pJ for electrical stimulus and ~ 6 pJ for optical stimulus). Additionally, the synaptic properties of the perovskite / P3HT heterojunction synaptic device were explored under optoelectric coordinated modulation, encompassing Long-Term Potentiation (LTP), Long-Term Depression (LTD), frequency-dependent plasticity (SRDP) and voltage-dependent plasticity (SVDP). By leveraging the linear characteristics of synaptic plasticity, arithmetic operations, Pavlovian conditioned reflex and vision recognition are achieved. The recognition accuracies of 89.8% / 88.1% (electric synapse) are enhanced to 92.4% / 92.2% after the introduction of optoelectronic cooperative stimulation on the 8 × 8 and 28 × 28 modified national institute of standards and technology (MNIST) handwritten digit datasets. This study holds significant implications for guiding the optoelectronic co-regulation of perovskite synaptic devices in the field of synaptic electronics.
Panoramic analysis of 2D dirubidium telluride monolayer benchmarking the DFT approach
Authors: Sneha G. , Eithiraj R. D. 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Through the DFT computations, the structural, vibrational, electronic, elastic, optical and thermal (thermoelectric, thermodynamic) properties of the two-dimensional Rb2Te monolayer are briefly contemplated. The Perdew-Bruke-Ernzerhof (PBE) form of generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functional in WIEN2k was deployed for the analysis of all these material properties. The trigonally crystallizing monolayer with an indirect band gap of 1.72 eV may be an upright single-layer that suffices distinct applications. ‘No negative’ phonon bands confirm the dynamical stability of the monolayer. The Rb2Te monolayer has large indirect band gap than Rb2S and Rb2Se. It exhibits mechanical stability with positive elastic constants satisfying the Born-Huang criterion for two-dimensional materials. The absorption coefficient spanning largely in the ultra-violet range makes the monolayer a congruous material for UV applications. Also, the thermoelectric figure of merit for p-type Rb2Te single-layer at room temperature is high (0.67) compared to the analogous series of compounds, that makes the monolayer a viable one for thermoelectric flexibility and experimental synthesis. The monolayer has high hole effective mass and D ratio. The obtained results aids in revealing the outstanding properties and excellent stability of the monolayer. Based on these findings the Rb2Te monolayer paves the way for promising applications in the fields of photovoltaics, thermoelectrics and UV-based applications.
Reconfiguring the Helmholtz plane with a trace polar additive for highly reversible zinc anodes
Authors: Lu Yu , Wang Yanxin , Guo Chenyang , Chen Mingyue , Hao Kunyu , Qi Pengcheng , Tang Yiwen 
Published: February 2025

A trace of thioacetamide (TAA) added to ZnSO4 solution regulates the inner Helmholtz structure for dendrite-free zinc deposition. In a ZnSO4 electrolyte with 10 mM TAA, the reversibility of zinc is nearly 13 times higher than in pure ZnSO4.
Identifying factors shaping the behavioural intention of Nepalese youths to adopt digital health tools
Authors: Timsina Sujal Mani , Bhattarai Ujjwal 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe digitalization of healthcare has gained global importance, especially post‐COVID‐19, yet remains a challenge in developing countries due to the slow adoption of digital health tools. This study aims to identify major predictors impacting the behavioural intention of Nepalese youths to adopt digital health tools by utilizing the framework based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT‐2). The cross‐sectional data from 280 respondents was collected from youths (i.e., aged 16‐40) in the Kathmandu Valley and were analyzed through PLS‐SEM. Most of the respondents were using smartwatches followed by blood pressure monitors and pulse oximeters. The findings revealed hedonic motivation as the strongest predictor of behavioural intention to use digital health tools followed by facilitating conditions, social influence, habit, and performance expectancy. The behavioural intention significantly influenced actual usage behaviour. Additionally, behavioural intention mediated the relationship between the above‐mentioned five constructs and usage behaviour, except for effort expectancy and price value. The study emphasizes the role of major predictors such as facilitating conditions in shaping the intention of youths to adopt digital health tools providing insights for government, hospitals, and developers to understand consumer perceptions and motivations.
An accurate and simple asymptotically matched deprojection of the Sérsic law
Authors: Ciotti L. , De Deo L. , Pellegrini S. 
Published: February 2025

Context. The Sérsic law reproduces very well the surface brightness profile of early-type galaxies, and therefore it is routinely used in observational and theoretical works. Unfortunately, its deprojection cannot be expressed in terms of elementary functions for generic values of the shape parameter n. Over the years, different families of approximate deprojection formulae have been proposed, generally based on fits of the numerical deprojection over some radial range.
Aims. We searched for a very simple, accurate, and theoretically motivated deprojection formula of the Sérsic law without free parameters, not based on fits of the numerical deprojection, and holding for generic n > 1.
Methods. We found the formula by requiring it to reproduce the analytical expressions for the inner and outer asymptotic expansions of the deprojected Sérsic law of a given n and by matching the two expansions at intermediate radii with the request that the total luminosity coincides with that of the original Sérsic profile of the same n.
Results. The resulting formula is algebraically very simple. By construction, its inner and outer parts are the exact (asymptotic) deprojection of the Sérsic law, and it depends on two coefficients that are analytical functions of the n of immediate evaluation. The accuracy of the formula over the whole radial range is very good and increases for increasing n, with a maximum of relative deviations from the true numerical deprojection of ≃8 10−3 for the de Vaucouleurs profile. In the appendix, the extension of the proposed formula to profiles with n < 1 is also presented and discussed.
Conclusions. The formula we obtained is a simple and useful tool that can be used in the modeling of early-type galaxies, and its ellipsoidal generalization is immediate.
Embodiment matters when establishing eye contact with a robot
Authors: Kompatsiari Kyveli , Ciardo Francesca , Wykowska Agnieszka 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Eye contact constitutes a strong social signal in humans and affects various attentional processes. However, eye
contact with another human evokes different responses compared with a direct gaze of an image on a screen. The question of
interest is whether this holds also for eye contact with a robot. Previous experiments with physically present iCub humanoid robot
showed that eye contact affects participants’ orienting of attention. In the present study, we investigated whether a robot’s eye
contact on the screen could show similar effects. Specifically, in two experiments we examined the impact of eye contact on the
gaze-cueing effect (orienting of attention in response to a directional gaze shift) while we varied the timing of the events
within a trial sequence. Our results showed that the robot’s eye contact did not modulate the gaze-cueing effect (gaze-cueing
effect present in all conditions), thereby suggesting that eye contact gaze presented in a 2D format on the screen has less impact
on observers than its 3D embodied version in a physically present robot. Overall, our findings stress the importance of embodied
interactions for understanding the mechanisms of social cognition.
Designing socially assistive robots
Authors: Green Matthew , Dao Dzung , Moyle Wendy 
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to understand stakeholders’ views on design choices associated with socially assistive
robots for people with dementia.

Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 informal carers, one formal carer, one care centre
manager, and one person with dementia. Individual semi-structured interviews lasted 45 minutes and were conducted online via
the Microsoft Teams app or telephone. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed.

Results
Thematic analysis resulted in four main themes: physical design characteristics, functional features and
abilities, data management and operational practicalities. Animal-like robots for companionship were likely to be accepted by
people with dementia. Telepresence and service robots integrated into smart networks were viewed as communication and safety
tools. Integrating multiple robots and smart devices could provide the level of functionality required to care for people with
dementia.