bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial profiling of ANO7 in prostate tissue: links to AR‐signalling‐associated lipid metabolism and inflammation
Authors: Metsälä Olli , Wahlström Gudrun , Goel Neha , Miihkinen Mitro , Taimen Pekka , Schleutker Johanna
Published: February 2025

Prostate cancer (PrCa) is highly prevalent in the Western world. Currently, however, there are many unmet needs in PrCa care, for example in distinguishing between clinically significant and indolent cases in early phases of the disease. ANO7 is a prostate‐specific gene associated with PrCa risk and prognosis, but its exact function in the prostate remains unclear. This study investigates the role of ANO7 in benign prostatic epithelium using spatial transcriptomics by examining differences between ANO7‐expressing and non‐expressing epithelial regions and their corresponding stromal compartments. A total of 18,676 protein‐coding genes were assessed from prostatectomy samples collected from patients with localised prostate cancer. In the collected sample cohort, ANO7 exhibited a distinct, heterogeneous, on–off epithelial expression pattern, enabling an in‐depth analysis of ANO7‐dependent processes. ANO7‐positive epithelium was predominantly enriched with luminal epithelial cells and a specific NK cell subtype, CD56bright. In contrast, ANO7‐negative regions were characterised by enrichment of club cells, inflammation, and features of proliferative inflammatory atrophy. Gene‐set enrichment analysis revealed that ANO7 expression is associated with androgen receptor (AR) signalling and lipid metabolism. A detailed analysis of differentially expressed genes identified an ANO7‐ signature, which consisted of genes co‐expressed with ANO7 in luminal cells, that demonstrated high consistency in bulk RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) data. The ANO7‐signature was enriched for AR‐regulated genes, which highlighted lipid metabolism processes, particularly arachidonic acid metabolism, as a key metabolic feature of the ANO7‐positive epithelium. Furthermore, the ANO7‐signature demonstrated clinical significance in low‐grade PrCa, correlating with a better response to therapy. In summary, these results highlight the potential role of ANO7 in regulating lipid metabolism associated with androgen signalling in benign luminal cells and low‐grade cancer, reinforcing the hypothesis that ANO7 functions as a tumour suppressor. © 2025 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
After 75 Years of Methotrexate, Can Treatment Results be Improved with Appropriate Folinic Acid Rescue?
Authors: Cohen Ian J.
Published: February 2025

After 75 years of clinical use of folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate, relevant pharmacological data currently important for the effective and safe use of methotrexate were reviewed to see if it is possible to improve outcomes. Specifically, to improve how high‐dose methotrexate (HD‐MTX) can be given safely, what doses of MTX (methotrexate) are adequate to achieve therapeutic levels, and what is the appropriate folinic acid (FA) dose for effective rescue. This review is based on 50 years of personal experience with the use of HD‐MTX in published literature. Many pharmacologic studies were performed over 50 years ago, but are still relevant and stand up to scrutiny today. What should be considered HD‐MTX and how it can be given safely and effectively without late toxicity are presented. The variables responsible for effective folinic acid rescue, especially the doses of MTX and folinic acid and the time to start of rescue, are discussed. Understanding these highlighted aspects of therapy could help to prevent acute toxicity, improve treatment results, and prevent late effects.
Benefits of Routine Screening for Parental Distress in Pediatric Cancer: A Pilot Implementation Effectiveness Study
Authors: Skrabal Ross Xiomara , Kemp Janine , Radford Claire , Carter Amanda , Davey Lara , Day Toni , Tyack Zephanie , Carter Hannah , Bradford Natalie
Published: February 2025

Objective

To explore the preliminary effectiveness and implementation outcomes (feasibility, acceptability, cost) of an intervention (eMaP), which provides electronic psychosocial screening and support for parents of children and adolescents with cancer (0–18 years).

Methods

This single‐site, pilot implementation‐effectiveness study, integrated routine screening into standard care for parents of children 12–16 weeks post diagnosis. Parents completed an online distress screening questionnaire, and those scoring high in distress received additional support from a social worker. Feasibility was measured using study uptake and completion rates, while costs were calculated based on social workers’ time. Qualitative interviews provided insights into acceptability.

Results

Out of 66 parents approached, 57 (86%) agreed to participate, indicating strong interest. Preliminary results showed that parents with concerning initial distress levels, who received clinical social worker support, experienced significant reductions in distress and support needs, and improvements in quality of life from baseline to T2 (8 weeks later) (all p ≤ 0.01). Routine monthly screening was considered feasible and valuable by both parents and social workers. Parents appreciated distress screening as a means of increasing awareness of their needs and valued the additional psychosocial support provided when indicated, while social workers found it useful for capturing clinical information often missed in standard care.

Conclusion

The eMaP intervention was feasible and acceptable to both parents and staff, showing promise to improve parents’ psychosocial outcomes. The study suggests the need for refinements of the intervention and explorations of effectiveness in improving parents’ outcomes in future studies.
Social Support and School Belonging for Gender Diverse Students
Authors: Gilbertson Megan L.
Published: February 2025

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) students often face discrimination, harassment, and inadequate support in educational settings, leading to increased stress and negative health outcomes. This study investigated differences in perceived social support from various sources and types between TGD students and their cisgender peers, and how this support is associated with school belonging. A total of 744 middle school students from a Midwestern US school participated in the survey, including 60 students who identified as TGD. Compared to cisgender students, TGD students reported lower levels of social support from all sources (teachers, peers, and parents) and types (emotional, appraisal, instrumental, and informational). Teacher support was positively associated with school belonging for TGD students, while parent support was negatively associated. Among TGD students, appraisal and informational support were positively associated with school belonging, while emotional and instrumental support showed no significant associations. For cisgender students, all types of social support were positively associated with school belonging. These findings highlight the unique challenges faced by TGD students in terms of social support and school belonging, and implications are discussed.
Communication Between Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder and Their Partners
Authors: Lauzon Claire , Di Bartolomeo Alyssa A. , Varma Sonya , Boritz Tali , Liebman Rachel , Monson Candice , Fitzpatrick Skye
Published: February 2025

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by frequent and intense conflict in intimate relationships. Emerging theoretical perspectives have suggested that communication from both individuals with BPD and their partners during times of conflict may exacerbate BPD pathology and therefore reflect an important target for intervention. Communication samples between individuals with BPD and their partners (N = 18 couples) who were seeking conjoint therapy were coded using the Rapid Marital Interactions Coding System‐2. No differences were found in the amount of positive, constructive or hostile communication between individuals with BPD and their partners, and both partners used significantly more constructive communication than positive or hostile, though they were misaligned in their use of constructive communication. These findings challenge the notion that individuals with BPD communicate in a more hostile or conflictual way than their partners, despite the stigma they face in healthcare and community settings.
Taming interleukin‐12: Engineering of bispecific antibody‐based IL‐12 mimetics with biased agonism capacities
Authors: Lipinski Britta , Unmuth Laura , Arras Paul , Endruszeit Ron , Becker Stefan , Rödel Jonathan Mathias , Scheller Jürgen , Pudewell Silke , Floss Doreen M. , Krah Simon , Harwardt Julia , Doerner Achim , Helming Laura , Xu Chunxiao , Menrad Andreas , Evers Andreas , Kolmar Harald , Elter Desislava , Pekar Lukas , Zielonka Stefan
Published: February 2025

In this work, we have generated bispecific interleukin (IL)‐12 surrogate agonists based on camelid‐derived single‐domain antibodies (sdAbs) targeting the IL‐12 receptor (IL‐12R) subunits IL‐12Rβ1 and IL‐12Rβ2. Following immunization and antibody display‐based paratope isolation, respective sdAbs were combinatorially reformatted into a monovalent bispecific architecture by grafting resulting paratopes onto the hinge region of a heterodimeric Fc region. Functional characterization using NK‐92 cells enabled the identification of multiple different sdAb‐based bispecifics displaying divergent IL‐12R agonism capacities as analyzed by STAT4 phosphorylation. Further investigations by harnessing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors revealed attenuated pSTAT4 activation compared to recombinant human (rh) wild‐type IL‐12 regarding both natural killer (NK)‐cell and T‐cell activation but robust IL‐12R agonism on stimulated T cells. While several sdAb‐based IL‐12 mimetics were nearly inactive on NK cells as well as T cells obtained from PBMCs, they elicited significant STAT4 phosphorylation and interferon (IFN)‐γ release on stimulated T cells as well as an IL‐12‐like transcriptional signature. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the activity of receptor agonism of generated bispecific IL‐12 mimetics can also be biased towards stimulated T cells by changing the spatial orientation of the individual sdAbs within the molecular design architecture. Taken together, we present an alternative strategy to generate IL‐12‐like biologics with tailor‐made characteristics.
Land‐surface interactions with the atmosphere over the Iberian Semi‐arid Environment (LIAISE): First mesoscale modelling intercomparison
Authors: Jiménez Maria A. , Cuxart Joan , Boone Aaron A. , Le Moigne Patrick , Lunel Tanguy , Mercader Jordi , Miró Josep R. , Best Martin , Brooke Jennifer K.
Published: February 2025

Land‐surface–atmosphere interactions determine atmospheric boundary‐layer (ABL) features, and in the case of semi‐arid regions the water availability in the root‐zone layer is a major factor. To explore this issue, the Land‐surface Interactions with the Atmosphere over the Iberian Semi‐arid Environment (LIAISE) initiative organized an observational campaign in the Eastern Ebro River sub‐basin in summer 2021, focusing on the effect of surface heterogeneities on the ABL in a semi‐arid environment enclosing a large irrigated area. With the aim of understanding the performance of numerical models for the region studied, a mesoscale modelling intercomparison was undertaken for a three‐day case study in July 2016. The intercomparison consisted of three models, Meso‐NH, the Unified Model (UM), and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), run with two embedded domains, with corresponding horizontal resolutions of 2 km and 400 m and similar vertical grids. This is a case dominated by well‐developed thermally driven circulations in the Ebro Basin, allowing an investigation of the representation of surface features in the models and its impact on the organization of the flow at lower levels. Other effects are also explored, such as using different initial and lateral boundary conditions, changing horizontal resolution, or modifying some surface features. The mesoscale circulations generated by the three models are similar and accurate when compared with the surface observations, variations being found at the ABL scales related to the representation of surface processes in each model, which provide different grid values of the surface fluxes. It is found that the models do not perform as well over the irrigated areas as in the rest of the domain. The challenge at this point is to relate the model biases to the particularities of the parameterizations and physiographic databases used by each model.
Maintenance Modeling for a Multi‐Component System Considering Dynamic Importance of Components and Imperfect Repair
Authors: Qi Faqun , Kong Jiahui , Li Mi , Zhang Chengjie , Cui Mingguang , Xu Yun
Published: February 2025

A system consisting of a critical and an auxiliary component is studied, and imperfect maintenance models considering degradation interaction and maintenance effect are developed. The auxiliary component assists the critical one in completing the system function, and its failure does not directly lead to the system failure. When the critical component deteriorates to the preventive maintenance (PM) threshold, it is restored by PM. When the auxiliary component deteriorates to a poor condition, significantly affecting the system reliability, the dynamic importance of the auxiliary component is considered, and the maintenance decision is provided according to the state of the auxiliary component. By minimizing the system's long‐term average cost, the optimal PM threshold for the critical component and maintenance threshold for the auxiliary component are derived. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed model is further demonstrated with examples, comparison with previous model and comprehensive sensitivity analysis.
Remediation of Inorganic Mercury From Spent Fluorescent Lamps Using Heterotrophic Bacterial Strains Isolated From Domestic Wastewater
Authors: Gohari Samaneh , Aali Rahim , Alidadi Hosein , Askarizadeh Fatemeh , Esmaeili Zahra , Farsiani Hadi
Published: February 2025

Inorganic mercury from spent fluorescent lamps is classified as hazardous waste and has become a severe concern for the environment. This study aimed to survey the effect of indigenous heterotrophic bacteria from domestic wastewater on the remediation of inorganic mercury. In this study, the mercury from phosphor power was leached and then detoxified using bacterial strains isolated from domestic wastewater. Nitric and hydrochloric acid solutions were applied for mercury leaching. Twenty‐eight bacterial strains were isolated from domestic wastewater on Reasoner's 2A agar. Then, to check the bacterial mercury resistance, these strains were sub‐cultured on a Luria‐Bertani medium amended with mercury chloride. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to determine the genus and species of mercury‐reducing bacteria. This method was performed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of 16S rRNA, followed by sequencing. Bacterial strains demonstrating the remediation capacity of mercury were Acinetobacter junii, Aeromonas cariae, Pseudomonas alcaliphila, Pseudomonas marginalis, Aeromonas sanarellii, Klebsiella singaporensis, and Pseudomonas simiae. These strains showed bio‐uptake efficiency within the range of 67.9% to 92.2%. The lowest and highest rates of mercury remediation were related to P. simiae (67.9%) and P. marginalis (92.24%), respectively. The results show that 18 of these 28 bacterial strains displayed resistance to mercury. To determine the bio‐uptake capacity, the bacteria isolated from wastewater were exposed to the mercury leached from the fluorescent lamps, and mercury content was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The seven bacteria isolated from wastewater reduced the mercury concentration to less than 5 μg/L. The results of this study revealed that sewage heterotrophic bacteria can be used as an efficient and low‐cost method for mercury bioremediation in discarded fluorescent lamps.
Active Disturbance Rejection Control for the Stabilization of a Linear Hyperbolic System
Authors: Balogoun Ismaïla , Marx Swann , Orlov Yury , Plestan Franck
Published: February 2025

This paper deals with the stabilization of a linear hyperbolic system subject to a boundary disturbance. Our feedback design relies on the strategy called active disturbance rejection control (ADRC). The unknown disturbance is estimated by an extended state observer. We prove the existence of solutions of the closed‐loop system and the global asymptotic stability of the closed‐loop system. A numerical example is given to illustrate the efficiency of our strategy.
Input‐To‐State Stability of Switched Systems Under the New Mode‐Dependent Dynamic Event‐Triggered Impulsive Control
Authors: Gao Lijun , Li Mengjie , Yang Suo
Published: February 2025

The aim of this article is to study non‐linear switched systems and obtain conditions of input‐to‐state stability (ISS) via dynamic event‐triggered impulsive control (DETIC) scheme, where the impulse instants are produced by a novel mode‐dependent dynamic event‐triggered impulsive mechanism (MD‐DETIM). The switching instants may not be synchronized with the event triggering instants. Different from conventional static event‐triggered impulsive control (ETIC), the MD‐DETIM can greatly decrease the number of data updates and significantly save communication transmission resource. Based on the mode‐dependent dynamic event‐triggered impulsive control (MD‐DETIC) scheme and the admissible edge‐dependent average dwell time switching rule, Lyapunov‐based results are created, which can effectively guarantee ISS of non‐linear switched systems. Meanwhile, a positive minimum bound is needed to obtain for triggering interval between any two adjacent triggering instants to exclude Zeno behavior. Eventually, two examples are provided to explicate the validity and less conservativeness of conclusions in this paper.
Stimuli‐responsive molecularly imprinted materials: Fundamentals and applications
Authors: Sullivan Mark V. , Lasserre Perrine , Blackburn Chester , Turner Nicholas W. , Sellergren Börje
Published: February 2025

Stimuli‐responsive molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are exciting smart materials that are gaining substantial interest within the research community due to their versatility and possible widespread applications in biosensing, biomedicine and diagnostics, as well as chromatography and separation sciences. These materials offer significant advantages as recognition materials over their biological counterparts (antibodies) because of their ease and low cost of production along with their robustness and resistance to the extremes of temperature and pH. This much needed review aims to provide an updated summary of the various stimuli‐responsive MIPs reported to date including those relying on thermo, pH, photo, biomolecule, ion, magnetic and electrical stimuli and includes their design and synthesis. The review also explores the potential applications of the stimuli‐responsive MIPs, particularly in the fields of biosensors and diagnostics, along with biological imaging, drug delivery, disease treatments and interventions and the separation of targets from complex media. The advantages and disadvantages of the current stimuli‐responsive MIPs set out in the review, allows for researchers to gather a concise understanding of these smart‐materials and should pave the way for new methods of development and real‐world applications. We believe the review is a helpful and necessary guide for the future evolution and application of stimuli‐responsive MIPs.
Understanding the Limited Uptake of Reprocessed Construction Materials: A Pro‐Environmental Behaviour Perspective
Authors: Tennakoon Gihan Anuradha , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Chileshe Nicholas
Published: February 2025

Reverse logistics (RL) aims to direct demolition waste (DW) away from landfills towards alternative uses by converting it into reprocessed construction materials (RCMs). However, recent studies indicate that the uptake of RCMs remains limited, adversely affecting the effectiveness of RL for DW. Therefore, developing markets for these materials is crucial. Consequently, this study aimed to identify factors limiting the uptake of RCMs so that effective strategies can be designed to address such limitations. The study adopted a qualitative survey approach, with interviews conducted with construction professionals involved in material selection. Findings regarding the limiting factors were analysed through the lens of the Attitude–Behaviour–Context (ABC) theory, which is rooted in the domain of pro‐environmental behaviour. Consistent with the ABC theory, the findings revealed that a combination of personal and contextual factors limits the uptake of RCMs. Addressing these factors is essential for driving market uptake of RCMs and improving RL outcomes.
Terminal Passivation–Induced Interface Decoupling for High‐Stability Two‐Dimensional Semiconductors
Authors: He Jinbo , Yan Jinjian , Xue Tao , Yuan Liqian , Hu Yongxu , Wang Zhongwu , Chen Xiaosong , Huang Yinan , Han Cheng , Li Liqiang , Hu Wenping
Published: February 2025

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials, such as MoS2, show exceptional potential for next‐generation electronics. However, the poor stability of these materials, particularly under long‐term operations and high temperature, impedes their practical applications. Here, we develop a terminal passivation interface decoupling (TPID) strategy to significantly improve the stability of MoS2, by mitigating the interaction between the substrate and the 2D material within the in‐situ growth process. Specifically, the strong electron‐withdrawing terminal group hydroxyl, prevalent on the oxide substrate, is passivated by carbon groups. Due to this, the structure of MoS2 materials remains stable during long‐term storage, and its electronic devices, field‐effect transistors (FETs), show remarkable operational and high‐temperature (400°C) stability over 60 days, with much‐improved performance. For example, mobility increases from 9.69 to 85 cm2/(V·s), the highest value for bottom‐up transfer‐free single crystal MoS2 FETs. This work provides a new avenue to solve reliability issues of 2D materials and devices, laying a foundation for their applications in the electronic industry.
Trust at Your Own Peril: A Mixed Methods Exploration of the Ability of Large Language Models to Generate Expert‐Like Systems Engineering Artifacts and a Characterization of Failure Modes
Authors: Topcu Taylan G. , Husain Mohammed , Ofsa Max , Wach Paul
Published: February 2025

Multi‐purpose large language models (LLMs), a subset of generative artificial intelligence (AI), have recently made significant progress. While expectations for LLMs to assist systems engineering (SE) tasks are paramount; the interdisciplinary and complex nature of systems, along with the need to synthesize deep‐domain knowledge and operational context, raise questions regarding the efficacy of LLMs to generate SE artifacts, particularly given that they are trained using data that is broadly available on the internet. To that end, we present results from an empirical exploration, where a human expert‐generated SE artifact was taken as a benchmark, parsed, and fed into various LLMs through prompt engineering to generate segments of typical SE artifacts. This procedure was applied without any fine‐tuning or calibration to document baseline LLM performance. We then adopted a two‐fold mixed‐methods approach to compare AI generated artifacts against the benchmark. First, we quantitatively compare the artifacts using natural language processing algorithms and find that when prompted carefully, the state‐of‐the‐art algorithms cannot differentiate AI‐generated artifacts from the human‐expert benchmark. Second, we conduct a qualitative deep dive to investigate how they differ in terms of quality. We document that while the two‐material appear very similar, AI generated artifacts exhibit serious failure modes that could be difficult to detect. We characterize these as: premature requirements definition, unsubstantiated numerical estimates, and propensity to overspecify. We contend that this study tells a cautionary tale about why the SE community must be more cautious adopting AI suggested feedback, at least when generated by multi‐purpose LLMs.
Making Space in Support of Youths' Rightful Presence in Informal STEM Learning
Authors: Kim Won Jung , Calabrese Barton Angela , Archer Louise
Published: February 2025

Informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning (ISL) can remain inequitable when discourse and practices in ISL spaces position youth as temporary guests by implicitly or explicitly sidelining youths' experiences, community wisdom, cultures, and histories. The framework of rightful presence problematizes guest–host relationalities that delimit youths' rights in learning spaces. It calls for educators' disruptive and transformative practices in support of youths reauthoring rights toward co‐creating equitable learning opportunities. This study explored how such practices emerge from educators' routine ISL instructions. Using comparative constant analysis of data generated from a larger research–practice partnership project in regional ISL settings, we identified three practices that differed in how educators supported rightful presence through engaging youths in ISL design: (1) educator‐designed space making; (2) taking‐up youths' disruption and reorganizing ISL opportunities; (3) co‐creating new ISL opportunities. Practice 1 primarily focused on fostering disciplinary and social engagement, often prompting educators to further enact Practice 2 or 3. Practice 2 or 3 made space not only for youths' equitable access to educator‐designed ISL but also for reconfiguring power relationalities with youths for reauthoring ISL opportunities. Our findings suggest that support for rightful presence can begin from ordinary educator‐designed ISL practices but should also seek to disrupt the ordinariness with youths. We discuss findings, including how Practices 2 and 3 can be more purposefully enacted in the ISL curricular and structural planning phase, moving beyond their emergence as a follow‐up on Practice 1. Implications are considered regarding the role of STEM education research and practice in support of youths' presence as rightful participants, re‐organizers, and constructors of their ISL opportunities and futures.
Modulatory Effects of Ophiocordyceps sinensis Mycelia on Hepatosteatosis Development in a High‐Fat Dietary Habit
Authors: Lin Yi‐Ling , Sutopo Christoper Caesar Yudho , Kao Yi‐Feng , Tseng Jung‐Kai , Chen Yi‐Chen
Published: February 2025

The global rise in obesity is closely associated with the increasing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndromes, posing significant health challenges. This study explored the ameliorative effects of Ophiocordyceps sinensis mycelia (TCM‐NA01 formula: 1.4 mg adenosine and 55.2 mg polysaccharide/capsule) on hepatosteatosis development in a high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice. TCM‐NA01 supplementation significantly reduced (p < 0.05) body weight, adipose tissue, serum triglyceride (TG)/cholesterol (TC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), liver TG/TC levels in HFD‐fed mice. Increased (p < 0.05) fecal‐lipid and bile‐acid outputs were observed. Apparent reductions in lipid‐droplet and steatosis scores (p < 0.05) in the HFD‐fed mice supplemented with TCM‐NA01. Furthermore, TCM‐NA01 modulated lipid metabolism by decreasing fatty acid synthesis and promoting fatty acid β‐oxidation. TCM‐NA01 also enhanced liver antioxidant capacity and decreased proinflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05). These findings underscore the potential of O. sinensis mycelia as a nutraceutical agent for alleviating hepatosteatosis, liver oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, offering a promising strategy for the management of obesity and NAFLD.
An Overview of Conservation Methods for Human Skeletal Remains Recovered in an Aquatic Context and Their Forensic Application
Authors: Ktori Maria
Published: February 2025

There is limited scientific literature describing forensic recovery operations in a maritime context, both underwater and coastal as it is not always possible to authorize the publication of such materials which is sensitive both to the victims and their surviving families. Recent scholarly work recognizes that materials recovered from marine settings require conservation processes and consolidation treatments, which can interfere with pathological, traumatic, and taphonomic evidence associated with human remains. I performed a systematic review of conservation and consolidation methods concerning organic material, specifically focusing on skeletal remains recovered in an aquatic environment. These were complemented by 50+ cases of human skeletal remains recovered in a waterlogged or foreshore environment and include both forensic and historic remains. Following that, I produced nuanced tabular data concerning the recovery context (historic vs. forensic remains), environment (submerged vs. foreshore), water conditions (saltwater vs. freshwater), consolidation and conservation methods used, and relevant references. The collected information demonstrated the preference to use less invasive methods. This allowed me to discuss possible solutions concerning the on‐site treatment of the remains, transportation medium and conditions, conservation, consolidation, and restoration methods which will not compromise the remains prior forensic analyses, and post‐forensic analyses storage conditions. This study has not been attempted before and aims to create a bridge from forensics into conservation of maritime finds which currently does not exist. Moreover, it will provide forensic practitioners with a basis to explore the featured cases, conservation methods and materials used, and push scientific boundaries further.
The no boundary density matrix
Authors: Ivo Victor , Li Yue-Zhou , Maldacena Juan
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We discuss a no-boundary proposal for a subregion of the universe. In the classical approximation, this density matrix involves finding a specific classical solution of the equations of motion with no boundary. Beyond the usual no boundary condition at early times, we also have another no boundary condition in the region we trace out. We can find the prescription by starting from the usual Hartle-Hawking proposal for the wavefunction on a full slice and tracing out the unobserved region in the classical approximation. We discuss some specific subregions and compute the corresponding solutions. These geometries lead to phenomenologically unacceptable probabilities, as expected.

We also discuss how the usual Coleman de Luccia bubble solutions can be interpreted as a possible no boundary contribution to the density matrix of the universe. These geometries lead to local (but not global) maxima of the probability that are phenomenologically acceptable.
Off-diagonal coupling of supersymmetric SYK model
Authors: Zhang Chenhao , Cai Wenhe
Published: February 2025

Abstract

In this work, we consider the off-diagonal coupling between two supersymmetric SYK models, which preserves both supersymmetry and solvability. We found that the interaction terms of the N=2 supersymmetric SYK are holographically interpreted as a possible supersymmetric traversable wormhole. First, we introduce the coupling in the Homologic N=1 SYK model as a simplified example. Similar couplings can also be applied to the N=2 chiral SYK model with BPS states. We propose a special form of N=4 SYK by introducing supermultiplets, which also naturally include the coupling terms with additional symmetries. The N=4 holographic properties are investigated through the analysis of N=2 SYK theory. Furthermore, the effective actions are studied in both the thermal limit and the low-energy limit. We also investigate the SYK-like thermal field double states of the supersymmetric SYK model and the transmission amplitude between single-sided N=2 models in Lorentz time. Additionally, we study the multi-sided N=2,4 OTOCs.
Maschinelles Lernen zur Identifikation pathologischer Myokardregionen: ein innovativer Ansatz für die digitale Pathologie
Authors: Corvest E. , Mayer R. S. , Kocuk C. , Wilmes V. , Gretser S. , Gradhand E. , Wild P. J. , Verhoff M. A. , Flinner N. , Kauferstein S.
Published: February 2025

Hintergrund/Fragestellung

Digitalisierung und künstliche Intelligenz (KI) werden zunehmend in der Auswertung histologischer Schnitte getestet und eingesetzt. Während die Anwendung im Bereich der Tumorpathologie bereits weit fortgeschritten ist, sind Erfahrungen mit der digitalen Auswertung histologischer Schnitte des Myokards limitiert. Wir stellen ein Projekt zur KI-gestützten Analyse histologischer Proben bei Myokardischämie vor.

Material und Methoden

Wir haben 106 HE-gefärbte Myokardschnitte von 50 Verstorbenen digitalisiert und annotiert. Zur KI-gestützten Klassifizierung der digitalisierten Myokardschnitte wurde ein Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), basierend auf einer ResNet-18-Architektur, trainiert. Die Daten wurden objektträgerweise stratifiziert in einen Trainings‑, Validierungs- und Testdatensatz unterteilt und durch den Deep-Learning-Algorithmus zur Bildmustererkennung des CNN analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Der entwickelte Algorithmus konnte in den Testdurchläufen gesundes Myokard von pathologischen Veränderungen in den meisten Fällen zuverlässig unterscheiden. Gesundes Myokardgewebe wurde mit einer Präzision von 81 %, infarziertes Gewebe mit 78 % und Fibrose mit 85 % erkannt.

Diskussion

Die in diesem Projekt gewonnenen Erkenntnisse werden zur Weiterentwicklung der KI-gestützten Analyse von Myokardschnitten eingesetzt. Mit Ausweitung der Stichprobe hinsichtlich der Fallzahlen sowie der vorliegenden Pathologien können sich zukünftig Anwendungen bei histologischen Untersuchungen des plötzlichen Herztodes ergeben, insbesondere auch in Fällen von zugrunde liegenden seltenen Erkrankungen (hereditäre Kardiomyopathien u. v. m.), für die bis dato mit konventioneller histologischer Auswertung nur begrenzt mikromorphologische Korrelate identifiziert wurden.

Graphic abstract
Interplay of anthropogenic and natural drivers of observed coupled sea surface temperature - Arctic sea ice variability
Authors: Vaideanu Petru , Dima Mihai , Nichita Denis-Raducu , Stepanek Christian , Gierz Paul , Rimbu Norel , Ionita Monica , Lohmann Gerrit
Published: February 2025

Arctic sea ice plays a pivotal role in shaping the climate system at high latitudes, acting as both an indicator and driver of climate change processes in this sensitive region. Its seasonal variability and long-term decline have far-reaching implications for global climate dynamics, regional ecosystems, and human activities. While climate models indicate clear evidence of human-induced sea ice decline, quantification of the relative contributions of forcing factors in relation to climate-system internal processes remains uncertain. Here, we tackle this uncertainty by employing a combination of statistical analyses on observational data, highlighting the distinct fingerprints of increased atmospheric CO2 concentration as external forcing, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) as well as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), as modes of internal variability, on global sea surface temperature (SST) and Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) since 1950. Our analyses reveal that rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations are by far the dominant causal factor for SIC variability, while AMO and NAO also play a significant role in either exacerbating or mitigating sea ice loss. Since mid-1980s, the positive trend of the AMO has amplified the declining trend in Arctic sea ice, with its effects being roughly half as large as the effect of rising CO2 concentrations. Linear regression analyses shed light on the physical processes linking the drivers of Arctic sea ice decline both during phases of sea-ice accumulation and melting. Causal links between increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations, the AMO, the NAO, on the one hand, and observed global SST—Arctic SIC patterns on the other are also established. Observation-based coupled SST-SIC interactions underline the past evolution of Arctic sea ice and emphasize the important roles of these drivers in shaping its current and future evolution.
Attending an integrated nephrology and diabetology outpatient service can improve diabetic kidney disease treatment: a single-center experience
Authors: Sellasie S. Wolde , Pecchioli C. , Cersosimo K. , Nardone I. , Zaccaria S. , Centi A. , Di Perna P. , Tatangelo P. , Sperti P. , Schifano G. , Giurato L. , Bellia A. , Palumbo R. , Uccioli L.
Published: February 2025

Background

Glucose-lowering medications with established reno-protective effects are still underused in Italy. We explored whether attending an integrated nephrology and diabetology (NPD) outpatient service can improve clinical outcomes and adherence to treatment guidelines for diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

Methods

We retrospectively included 110 DKD patients (aged 71.1 ± 10.1 years; 74.5% males) having attended the NPD outpatient service of CTO Hospital (Rome) between June and November 2023. Age- and gender-matched control group included DKD patients attending regular Diabetology outpatient service. Drugs prescriptions, clinical and biochemical parameters related to routine evaluation of DKD were collected at first and 6-months control visit.

Results

This DKD population was made of 28.2% of patients with urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) > 30 mg/gr, 33.6% with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min, 38.2% with both abnormalities. Proportion of patients prescribed with most recent anti-diabetic medications significantly increased after attending the NPD service (for SGLT-2 inhibitors, 54.5 vs. 25.5%, p < 0.01; for GLP1-R agonists, 28.3 vs. 21.8%, p = 0.01), as well as for statins (p < 0.01) and calcium channel-blockers (p = 0.01). During the same observation period we registered significant reduction in LDL cholesterol (p = 0.01) and UACR levels (p = 0.007), with a trend toward improvement in HbA1c and eGFR. Conversely, no significant differences in drugs prescriptions were reported in the control group, except for SGLT-2 inhibitors.

Conclusions

Enhanced real-time interaction and collaborative decision-making in an outpatient setting that integrates both diabetology and nephrology expertise can lead to better clinical outcomes and greater adherence to DKD management guidelines, ultimately providing a more comprehensive strategy for cardio-renal risk reduction.
Rats can distinguish (and generalize) among two white wine varieties
Authors: Frasnelli Elisa , Chivers Benedict D. , Smith Barry C. , Fitch W. Tecumseh
Published: February 2025

In the olfactory literature there is considerable debate about how differences in olfactory receptors across different species map onto variations in perceptual acuity and performance. Although humans have fewer functional olfactory receptors than most other mammals, it has been suggested that linguistic and cognitive abilities help compensate for this apparent deficit and enhance discriminative abilities, particularly through humans’ ability to categorize sensory stimuli into conceptual categories. However, previous research suggests that non-human animals can learn complex categories, involving multiple perceptual dimensions, indicating that they can discriminate complex odor stimuli without language. We investigated generalization over complex olfactory categories by examining rats' discrimination of wine varieties, a challenging task for humans that has been suggested to rely heavily on human-specific linguistic, cognitive and categorization abilities. Nine rats were trained in an olfactory discrimination task (go/no-go) using a specific wine variety (Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc from different winemakers) as the S + . Rats were then tested using novel wines of the same varieties in unrewarded probe trials to assess their abilities to correctly assign instances of wine to specific categories. Interestingly, all nine rats successfully learned to discriminate the two varieties, and most rats generalized within two test trials to novel wines of the same varieties. We explore the implications of our results for olfactory concept formation and categorization more generally.
Rhaly operators: more on generalized Cesàro operators
Authors: Gallardo-Gutiérrez Eva A. , Partington Jonathan R.
Published: February 2025

Rhaly operators, as generalizations of the Cesàro operator, are studied from the standpoint of view of spectral theory and invariant subspaces, extending previous results by Rhaly and Leibowitz to a framework where generalized Cesàro operators arise naturally.
Long-term health-related quality of life among adolescent and young adult breast cancer survivors
Authors: Vrancken Peeters Noelle J. M. C. , Kerklaan Roos , Vlooswijk Carla , Bijlsma Rhodé M. , Kaal Suzanne E. J. , Tromp Jacqueline M. , Bos Monique E. M. M. , van der Hulle Tom , de Boer Maaike , Nuver Janine , Kouwenhoven Mathilde C. M. , van der Graaf Winette T. A. , Husson Olga
Published: February 2025

Purpose

As the prognosis for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with breast cancer has improved, long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become increasingly important. This study aimed to analyze the long-term HRQoL of AYA breast cancer survivors compared to an age-matched normative population and to identify factors associated with HRQoL.

Methods

Secondary analyses were conducted using data from the SURVAYA study. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to assess HRQoL. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare HRQoL scores of AYA breast cancer survivors with those of the normative population (n = 409). Linear regression models were constructed to identify patient and treatment characteristics associated with HRQoL.

Results

A total of 944 female AYA breast cancer survivors were included, with a median age of 36.0 years and a median follow-up of 12.2 years. AYA breast cancer survivors scored significantly lower on five functional scales: physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social, and higher on five symptom scales: fatigue, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, and financial impact compared to the normative population. Being in a relationship, having a positive body image, and adaptive coping were positively associated with HRQoL, while older age, chemotherapy, unemployment, and maladaptive coping were negatively associated.

Conclusion

AYA breast cancer survivors experience significantly compromised long-term HRQoL compared to an age-matched normative population. These results highlight the need for tailored follow-up care and long-term support, as well as the importance of shared decision-making about the benefits and risks of treatments before initiation.
Adoption of AI-based order picking in warehouse: benefits, challenges, and critical success factors
Authors: Rad Fakhreddin Fakhrai , Oghazi Pejvak , Onur İzmir , Kordestani Arash
Published: February 2025

This research assesses the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-based batch order picking in a warehouse, focusing on benefits, challenges, and critical success factors. Using customer order data and simulation, the study employs a quantitative approach, combining mathematical and statistical estimations with qualitative examinations centered on interviews with the warehouse staff, its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) developer, and the AI developer. The findings of this mixed-method study reveal that the AI-based order-picking system (AI-based system) has improved order-picking efficiency by reducing travel distance and time. Nevertheless, challenges hinder maximum utilization of the system. In addition, the research highlights critical success factors and other benefits of adopting the system tailored to warehouse management. Understanding the lessons learned in this research is essential for businesses seeking to adopt AI to enhance their efficiency.
A context in mutation: How the gig economy is changing the rules of the game for entrepreneurship?
Authors: Hägg Gustav , Kurczewska Agnieszka , Poček Jasna
Published: February 2025

Considering rapid digital transformation and recent changes in the macro-level “rules of the game” in entrepreneurship, we aim to problematize and understand the progressive encounter and new relationship between opportunity-driven and necessity-driven entrepreneurs within the context of the gig economy. In such a setting, both traditional entrepreneurial roles and the very division between them are brought into question. Their encounter implies a deviation from the basic assumptions of what entrepreneurship entails: being the bearer of risk, taking on uncertainty and individual responsibility, and pursuing unlimited profit potential. This deviation results in a change in the rules of the game. Consequently, we learn more about how the context of moving from a pre-gig economy toward the gig economy has implications for our societal understanding of entrepreneurship as a phenomenon.
Urinary Biomarkers Of Kidney Function As Predictors Of Cardiovascular Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Degenaar A. , Kruger R. , Jacobs A. , Mels C. M. C.
Published: February 2025

Purpose of Review

The growing burden of cardiovascular diseases has become a significant concern in both adult and youth populations. Urinary biomarkers of kidney function could provide useful insights that may aid in the early identification of individuals at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This systematic review aimed to assess associations between urinary biomarkers of kidney function and different measures of cardiovascular health.

Recent Findings

PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost were searched for articles published between January 2018 and December 2023. Studies exploring associations between urinary kidney biomarkers (alpha-1 microglobulin (uA1M), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL), uromodulin (uUMOD) and CKD273 classifier) and measures of cardiovascular health (blood pressure and markers of target organ damage) were included. We identified 1186 articles, with 22 studies eligible for inclusion. Among 12 studies reporting associations between uA1M and measures of cardiovascular health, six studies indicated positive associations with office blood pressure and three studies observed associations with different markers of target organ damage. Out of the nine studies that explored the link between uUMOD and cardiovascular health parameters, four found negative associations between uUMOD and blood pressure. With regard to uNGAL, only two out of the seven studies analysed reported varying associations with blood pressure, while neither of the two studies focusing on CKD273 observed any statistically significant results.

Biomarkers of kidney tubule function, represented by uA1M and uUMOD, are relevant in the setting of cardiovascular health and should be assessed for utilisation in clinical practice to identify adverse cardiovascular outcomes at an early stage allowing for timely intervention.

Graphical Abstract