bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local polar order controls mechanical stress and triggers layer formation in Myxococcus xanthus colonies
Authors: Han Endao , Fei Chenyi , Alert Ricard , Copenhagen Katherine , Koch Matthias D. , Wingreen Ned S. , Shaevitz Joshua W. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Colonies of the social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus go through a morphological transition from a thin colony of cells to three-dimensional droplet-like fruiting bodies as a strategy to survive starvation. The biological pathways that control the decision to form a fruiting body have been studied extensively. However, the mechanical events that trigger the creation of multiple cell layers and give rise to droplet formation remain poorly understood. By measuring cell orientation, velocity, polarity, and force with cell-scale resolution, we reveal a stochastic local polar order in addition to the more obvious nematic order. Average cell velocity and active force at topological defects agree with predictions from active nematic theory, but their fluctuations are substantially larger than the mean due to polar active forces generated by the self-propelled rod-shaped cells. We find that M. xanthus cells adjust their reversal frequency to tune the magnitude of this local polar order, which in turn controls the mechanical stresses and triggers layer formation in the colonies.
Structure and mechanism of biosynthesis of Streptococcus mutans cell wall polysaccharide
Authors: Rush Jeffrey S. , Zamakhaeva Svetlana , Murner Nicholas R. , Deng Pan , Morris Andrew J. , Kenner Cameron W. , Black Ian , Heiss Christian , Azadi Parastoo , Korotkov Konstantin V. , Widmalm Göran , Korotkova Natalia 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Streptococcus mutans, the causative agent of human dental caries, expresses a cell wall attached Serotype c-specific Carbohydrate (SCC) that is critical for cell viability. SCC consists of a polyrhamnose backbone of →3)α-Rha(1 → 2)α-Rha(1→ repeats with glucose (Glc) side-chains and glycerol phosphate (GroP) decorations. This study reveals that SCC has one predominant and two more minor Glc modifications. The predominant Glc modification, α-Glc, attached to position 2 of 3-rhamnose, is installed by SccN and SccM glycosyltransferases and is the site of the GroP addition. The minor Glc modifications are β-Glc linked to position 4 of 3-rhamnose installed by SccP and SccQ glycosyltransferases, and α-Glc attached to position 4 of 2-rhamnose installed by SccN working in tandem with an unknown enzyme. Both the major and the minor β-Glc modifications control bacterial morphology, but only the GroP and major Glc modifications are critical for biofilm formation.
Fabrication and characterization of low-loss Al/Si/Al parallel plate capacitors for superconducting quantum information applications
Authors: McFadden Anthony P. , Goswami Aranya , Zhao Tongyu , van Schijndel Teun , Larson Trevyn F. Q. , Sahu Sudhir , Gill Stephen , Lecocq Florent , Simmonds Raymond , Palmstrøm Chris 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Increasing the density of superconducting circuits requires compact components, however, superconductor-based capacitors typically perform worse as dimensions are reduced due to loss at surfaces and interfaces. Here, parallel plate capacitors composed of aluminum-contacted, crystalline silicon fins are shown to be a promising technology for use in superconducting circuits by evaluating the performance of lumped element resonators and transmon qubits. High aspect ratio Si-fin capacitors having widths below 300 nm with an approximate total height of 3 μm are fabricated using anisotropic wet etching of Si(110) substrates followed by aluminum metallization. The single-crystal Si capacitors are incorporated in lumped element resonators and transmons by shunting them with lithographically patterned aluminum inductors and conventional A
l/A
l
O

x
/A
l Josephson junctions respectively. Microwave characterization of these devices suggests state-of-the-art performance for superconducting parallel plate capacitors with low power internal quality factor of lumped element resonators greater than 500 k and qubit T
1 times greater than 25 μs. These results suggest that Si-Fins are a promising technology for applications that require low-loss, compact, superconductor-based capacitors with minimal stray capacitance.
Data on insect biodiversity in a Chinese potato agroecosystem from DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Lin Changjin , Liu Chenxi , Chen Lilin , Cheng Hongmei , Ashfaq Muhammad , Hebert Paul D. N. , Gao Yulin 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a staple crop important in global food security. As a leading potato producer, China faces significant challenges from insect pest infestations that compromise yield and quality. However, insect communities within Chinese potato fields remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to explore insect diversity in potato fields in Yunnan Province. From autumn 2021 to summer 2022, five Malaise traps were strategically deployed to capture insect samples. In total, 245 samples were collected over 49 weeks, and DNA metabarcoding was performed on bulk samples. The generated sequences were curated and analyzed using the Barcode of Life Data System and the Multiplex Barcode Research and Visualization Environment. The analysis assigned sequences to 1,688 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) as species proxies derived from the Global Insecta Library, along with 166 BINs from the China Insecta dataset. This research provides valuable insights for barcoding local biodiversity and developing regional reference libraries and presents a comprehensive dataset of insect biodiversity within potato agroecosystems, encompassing 1,707 BINs linked to known insect taxa.
Porous ground treatments for propeller noise reduction in ground effect
Authors: Kamliya Jawahar Hasan , Hanson Liam , Akhter Md. Zishan , Azarpeyvand Mahdi 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
This study investigates the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic behavior of propellers operating in ground-effect conditions, with an emphasis on the impact of porous ground surface treatments. The investigation explores the potential of porous materials to reduce propeller noise near the ground, a major barrier to the acceptance and integration of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) systems. Experiments were conducted in an anechoic chamber using an APC
$$10 \times 5.5$$
inch propeller in a pusher configuration. The setup used a rigid flat plate to act as the ground plane at various distances from the propeller. The ground plane was treated with three types of porous foams, each with different pore densities and thicknesses. Noise measurements were taken using a polar array of microphones positioned in both near-field and far-field locations. The results show that porous surface treatments significantly enhance noise suppression. Coherence analysis revealed that porous treatments improve the spatial consistency of acoustic signals, making noise propagation more predictable and controllable. The study also highlights that the interaction between wake flow and porous surfaces leads to greater noise suppression and stability in the hydrodynamic pressure field. These findings have significant implications for designing quieter, more efficient UAM vehicles, aiding their integration into urban environments.
An efficient and lightweight detection method for stranded elastic needle defects in complex industrial environments using VEE-YOLO
Authors: Xiong Qiaoqiao , Chen Qipeng , Tang Saihong , Li Yiting 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Deep learning has achieved significant success in the field of defect detection; however, challenges remain in detecting small-sized, densely packed parts under complex working conditions, including occlusion and unstable lighting conditions. This paper introduces YOLOv8-n as the core network to propose VEE-YOLO, a robust and high-performance defect detection model. Firstly, GSConv was introduced to enhance feature extraction in depthwise separable convolution and establish the VOVGSCSP module, emphasizing feature reusability for more effective feature engineering. Secondly, improvements were made to the model’s feature extraction quality by encoding inter-channel information using efficient multi-Scale attention to consider channel importance. Precise integration of spatial structural and channel information further enhanced the model’s overall feature extraction capability. Finally, EIoU Loss replaced CIoU Loss to address bounding box aspect ratio variability and sample imbalance challenges, significantly improving overall detection task performance. The algorithm’s performance was evaluated using a dataset to detect stranded elastic needle defects. The experimental results indicate that the enhanced VEE-YOLO model’s size decreased from 6.096 M to 5.486 M, while the detection speed increased from 179FPS to 244FPS, achieving a mAP of 0.926. Remarkable advancements across multiple metrics make it well-suited for deploying deep detection models in complex industrial environments.
Biosynthetic pathway for leukotrienes is stimulated by lipopolysaccharide and cytokines in pig endometrial stromal cells
Authors: Jana Barbara , Andronowska Aneta , Całka Jarosław , Mówińska Aleksandra 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
An inflammatory response is related to different inflammatory mediators generated by immune and endometrial cells. The links between lipopolysaccharide (LPS), cytokines, and leukotrienes (LTs) in endometrial stromal cells remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the influence of LPS, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4 and IL-10 on 5-lipooxygenase (5-LO), LTA4 hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC4 synthase (LTCS) mRNA and protein abundances, and LTB4 and cysteinyl (cys)-LTs release including LTC4, by the cultured pig endometrial stromal cells, as well as on cell viability. 24-hour exposure to LPS, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-10 up-regulated 5-LO mRNA and protein abundances. LPS increased LTAH mRNA abundance, while TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 augmented LTAH mRNA and protein abundances. TNF-α and IL-4 increased LTCS mRNA and protein abundances. In addition, LTCS mRNA abundance was enhanced by LPS and IL-4, while LTCS protein abundance was increased by IL-1β. Cells responded to LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 with increased LTB4 release. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-4 stimulated LTC4 release. Cys-LTs release was up-regulated by LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-4. All studied cytokines augmented cell viability. In summary, LPS, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-10 are potential LTs immunomodulatory agents in endometrial stromal cells. These functional interactions could be one of the mechanisms responsible for local orchestrating events in inflamed and healthy endometrium.
Investigation of genes expression of the JAK/STAT signalling pathway and AMPs in the presence of Borrelia spirochetes in Ixodes ricinus
Authors: Szczotko Magdalena , Antunes Sandra , Domingos Ana , Dmitryjuk Małgorzata 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Multicellular animals need to control the spread of invading pathogens. This is a particular challenge for blood-feeding vectors such as ticks, which ingest large amounts of blood potentially laden with harmful microorganisms. Ticks have a basic innate immune system and protect themselves from infection through innate immune responses involving pathways such as Janus kinase (JAK) or the signalling transducer activator of transcription (STAT). Direct antimicrobial defence occurs through the rapid synthesis of numerous antimicrobial agents including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The tick Ixodes ricinus is one of the main vectors of the Lyme disease pathogen, the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Data suggest that the JAK/STAT signalling pathway controls the expression of AMPs and regulates the infection of the pathogen in the tick body. The innate immune system during the off-host period keeps the level of spirochete infection in check. Spirochetes may influence the innate immune response in ticks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the expression of the genes related to the JAK/STAT pathway and selected AMPs in questing ticks in which B. burgorferi s.l. was detected. In the ticks infected with spirochetes, overexpression of genes related to the JAK/STAT signalling pathway was observed in the case of STAM and SOCS genes. AMPs genes such as def1, ric, lzs were overexpressed with different expression patterns. The results obtained suggest that AMPs may be involved in infection management in ticks.
Improving the odds of survival: transgenerational effects of infections
Authors: Spanou Victoria M , Andriopoulou Theano P , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J , Netea Mihai G 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Recent studies argue for a novel concept of the role of chromatin as a carrier of epigenetic memory through cellular and organismal generations, defining and coordinating gene activity states and physiological functions. Environmental insults, such as exposures to unhealthy diets, smoking, toxic compounds, and infections, can epigenetically reprogram germ-line cells and influence offspring phenotypes. This review focuses on intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in different plants, animal species and humans, presenting the up-to-date evidence and arguments for such effects in light of Darwinian and Lamarckian evolutionary theories. An overview of the epigenetic changes induced by infection or other immune challenges is presented, and how these changes, known as epimutations, contribute to shaping offspring phenotypes. The mechanisms that mediate the transmission of epigenetic alterations via the germline are also discussed. Understanding the relationship between environmental fluctuations, epigenetic changes, resistance, and susceptibility to diseases is critical for unraveling disease etiology and adaptive evolution.
Elimination of metoclopramid by the adsorption process (GAC) and ozone process
Authors: Oussama Khemis , Gabriel Racovițeanu , Elena Vulpașu 
Published: January 2025

Existence of pharmaceutical substances in water with different concentrations in natural ecosystems it poses a danger to humans and animals.
Conventional methods for water treatment have proven to be relatively ineffective in removing pharmaceutical contaminants, while the more effective process used for our research to eliminate pharmaceutical substance metoclopramid are ozone processes and adsorption process.
This study investigated the reduction of a pharmaceutical substance metoclopramid during two simultaneous processes (ozone process and adsorption process) applied in a large-scale drinking water treatment pilot with two different EBCTs (3 minutes and 6 minutes), and the initial concentrations used were 1.6 mg/l, 0.8 mg/l, and 0.4 mg/l. we chose ozonation, which produces many hydroxyl radicals to decompose the pharmaceutical substance metoclopramide to eliminate it, and for the adsorption process, we chose granular activated carbon with a high capacity for adsorption.
Tibial Plateau Angle Changes following Repair of Salter–Harris Type 1 and 2 Fractures in Dogs
Authors: Turner Abigail , Joffe Michelle R. , Davis Conor , Baron Sophie , Meyerowitz-Katz Gideon , Levien Andrew S. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Objective To determine (1) whether the tibial plateau angle (TPA) in dogs with Salter–Harris type 1 (SH-1) or type 2 (SH-2) fractures of the proximal tibial physis significantly decreases in the time between diagnosis and reevaluation following surgical repair and (2) whether the method of surgical repair influences the change in TPA over time.
Study Design This study was a retrospective study. Medical records from 2017 to 2022 were reviewed to identify dogs with SH-1 or SH-2 fractures of the proximal tibial physis that had undergone surgical repair with Kirschner wires (K-wires), with or without a tibial tuberosity tension band. The TPA of the affected limb was measured by four investigators on radiographs taken prior to surgery, immediately postoperatively and at 4–8 weeks follow-up, with the average values recorded.
Results A total of 32 dogs, 22 fractures repaired with K-wires and a tension band, and 10 with K-wires only. There was a mean decrease in TPA from injury to first reevaluation of 5.89 degrees (p < 0.001) and from immediately postoperatively to first reevaluation of 2.2 degrees (p = 0.018); however, no significant decrease in TPA was observed when comparing fractures repaired with or without a tension band.
Conclusion The TPA of dogs with SH-1 and SH-2 fractures of the proximal tibial physis decreased in the reevaluation interim following repair with K-wires with or without a tension band. Despite initial imperfect reduction, the risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture may not be increased, potentially reducing the need for additional surgery if high TPA is observed postoperatively. This study was overrepresented by small breeds, and future studies on large and giant breeds with extended follow-up would be indicated.
Comparative Evaluation of (18F)AlF-PSMA-HBED-CC and 68Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC in Staging Intermediate-/High-Risk Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Study
Authors: dos Santos Loureiro Gerardo Gabriel , Duarte Couto Pablo , Gambini Gonzalez Juan Pablo , Alonso Nuñez Omar 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Objectives 68Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) represents a clinically relevant technique for the evaluation of prostate cancer (PCa) patients, whereas 18F-AIF-PSMA-HBED-CC is a novel tracer produced in our center, with suitable radiochemical purity for clinical purposes. We prospectively compared the diagnostic values of both tracers for the detection of metastatic disease in patients with intermediate-/high-risk PCa at initial staging.
Materials and Methods Sixty-six patients (mean age: 63 years; range: 52–78 years) with PCa at initial staging (Gleason score ≥6; median prostate-specific antigen [PSA]: 10 ng/mL; range:1.7–152 ng/mL) prospectively underwent routine 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-AlF-PSMA-11 PET/CT scanning with a 64-slice PET/CT scan with time-of-flight (TOF) correction. We measured the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and lesion-to-background ratio (LBR) in all coincidentally detected lesions. Open prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection were performed in nonmetastatic patients. Histopathology, correlative imaging, and/or clinical follow-up were considered the gold standard. Follow-up was conducted at least 4 months after PET/CT scanning (median: 6.4 months; range: 4–11 months). Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated.
Results The overall detection rate was 85% (56/66) for both tracers. At least one suspicious lesion indicating potential PCa metastasis was detected in 20 (30%) and 21 (32%) of 66 patients for 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-AIF-PSMA-11 tracers, respectively. A total of 145 extra-prostatic lesions were detected in the bone (n = 56), lymph nodes (n = 88), and lung (n = 1) by at least one radiopharmaceutical: 131 (90%) for 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 123 (85%) for 18F-AlF-PSMA-11.In concordant lesions, a significant correlation was found between the SUVmax of both tracers (r = 0.90, p = 0.001). The SUVmax and LBR for 18F-AlF-PSMA-11 were higher in bone foci (n = 39) compared with 68Ga-PSMA-11 (7.2 vs. 8.9 and 14 vs. 13, respectively, p = 0.02).For the detection of systemic metastasis, the sensitivity values were the same for both techniques: 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68–0.98). We calculated specificities of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.85–0.99) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.82–0.98) for 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-AlF-PSMA-11, respectively.
Conclusions 68Ga-PSMA-11 and 18F-AlF-PSMA-11 PET/CT seem to be clinically equivalent imaging techniques for the assessment of primary intermediate-/high-risk PCa with promising potential for the detection of metastatic spread that would impact patient management.
The impact of political, financial, and economic risks on energy transition: the role of natural resource rents
Authors: Wang Qiang , Li Xueting , Li Rongrong 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The global emphasis on energy transition arises from the recognition of fossil fuel reliance exacerbating environmental degradation. The transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources stands central in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainability. This paper explores the influence of country risks, particularly political, financial, and economic, on energy transition while considering the role of natural resource rents. Using data spanning 88 countries from 2006 to 2020, categorized by income levels, the analysis reveals distinct patterns. Low political and financial risks exhibit a negative correlation with energy transition, while low economic risks display a positive association. The study identifies threshold effects: higher resource rents worsen the negative impact of low political and financial risks and weaken the positive effects of low economic risk on energy transition. These relationships differ among countries with different income levels. These insights highlight the nuanced interplay between country risks, natural resource rents, and the trajectory of the energy transition, crucial for steering societies toward sustainable development pathways.
Exploring low barrier quantum tunneling and structural planarity in 3-methylstyrene conformers: Insights from microwave spectroscopy
Authors: Jayasekara Thusitha S. , Miller Cadence , Marasinghe Dinesh , Carrillo Michael J. , Swann Mitchell , Tubergen Michael J. , Kleiner Isabelle , Gurusinghe Ranil M. 
Published: January 2025

The first ground-state rotational spectrum of 3-methylstyrene (3MS) was measured by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy under supersonic jet-cooled conditions. Transitions were assigned for two conformers: cis-3MS and trans-3MS. In the cis conformer, the vinyl group is oriented toward the methyl group, while in the trans conformer, it is positioned away from the methyl. The energy difference between the two conformers was calculated to be only 2.1 cm−1, with the cis conformer having lower energy. Significant tunneling splitting, caused by the low-barrier internal rotation of the methyl group, was observed and analyzed using the XIAM and BELGI-Cs codes. The BELGI results show that the V3 barrier is 30.6688(87) cm−1 for the cis conformer and 11.0388(88) cm−1 for the trans conformer. The experimental rotational and torsional parameters are compared to their density functional theory counterparts. The planarity of the molecular geometry of cis- and trans-3MS is discussed, contributing to the long-standing topic of discussion about the planarity of styrene derivatives.