bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subjektiv wahrgenommene Belastung von Mitarbeitenden des deutschen Rettungsdienstes
Authors: Pecha Stefanie , Hofmann Thomas , Möckel Luis , Jacobs Simone
Published: February 2025

Hintergrund

Der Rettungsdienst ist im Kontext der demografischen Entwicklung von einem erheblichen Fachkräftemangel betroffen. Dies führt zu Engpässen und Überlastungen, die die Qualität der öffentlichen Gesundheitsversorgung beeinträchtigen können, und zu einem Anstieg der beruflichen Anforderungen an Rettungskräfte. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, vor dem Hintergrund sich ändernder Rahmenbedingungen eine aktuelle Einschätzung der physischen und psychischen Belastung sowie der Berufstreue deutscher Rettungskräfte zu erlangen.

Methodik

Im Rahmen der EMS Health-Studie 2023 wurde eine bundesweite Umfrage unter deutschen Rettungskräften durchgeführt. Um Informationen über Belastungsfaktoren und möglichen Verbesserungsmöglichkeiten zu sammeln, wurden Fragen verwendet, die an eine Studie des bayerischen Landesamtes für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit angelehnt und durch weitere Belastungsfaktoren ergänzt wurden.

Ergebnisse

Die Untersuchung ergab, dass über 40 % der Befragten über einen Berufswechsel, größtenteils aufgrund der Arbeitsbedingungen, nachdenken oder bereits konkrete Schritte in diese Richtung unternehmen. Darüber hinaus weisen die Ergebnisse darauf hin, dass Beschäftigte im Rettungsdienst zahlreichen Belastungsfaktoren ausgesetzt sind, wobei die höchsten Belastungswerte im organisatorischen Bereich zu finden sind, die den Ablauf und die Struktur des Rettungswesens betreffen. Hinsichtlich der bestehenden Maßnahmen zeigt sich, dass laut Kenntnisstand der Mitarbeitenden in etwa 50 % der Einrichtungen wichtige Präventions- und Interventionsmaßnahmen fehlen.

Diskussion

Die Studiendaten zeigen ein erhebliches Potenzial zur Optimierung der Arbeitsbedingungen für deutsche, präklinische Rettungskräfte und unterstreichen die Notwendigkeit, entsprechend Maßnahmen zu ergreifen.
Robust and High-Wettability Cellulose Separators with Molecule-Reassembled Nano-Cracked Structures for High-Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Zheng Wenqiu , Zhao Hui , Li Junying , Chen Sheng , Xu Feng
Published: February 2025

Separators in supercapacitors (SCs) frequently suffer from high resistance and the risk of short circuits due to inadequate electrolyte wettability, depressed mechanical properties, and insufficient thermal stability. Here, we develop a high-performance regenerated cellulose separator with nano-cracked structures for SCs via a binary solvent of superbase-derived ionic liquid and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The unique nano-cracks with an average width of 7.45 nm arise from the acceleration of cellulose molecular reassembly by DMSO-regulated hydrogen bonding, which endows the separator with high porosity (70.2%) and excellent electrolyte retention (329%). The outstanding thermal stability (273 °C) and mechanical strength (70 MPa) enable the separator to maintain its structural integrity under high temperatures and external forces. With these benefits, the SC utilizing the cellulose separator enables a high specific capacitance of 93.6 F g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 and a remarkable capacitance retention of 99.5% after 10,000 cycles compared with the commercial NKK-MPF30AC and NKK-TF4030. The robust and high-wettability cellulose separator holds promise as a superior alternative to commercial separators for advanced SCs with enhanced performance and improved safety.
The Impact of Witnessing School Bullying in the Classroom: Exploring Perceptions and Responses Among Turkish Students
Authors: Jungert Tomas , Sarıca Semanur , Bäckström Martin
Published: February 2025

This study addresses the impact of witnessing different types of school bullying on Turkish school students who are bystanders. The primary aim is to investigate how the type of bullying (direct/indirect; ostracism/devaluation) affects the perception of bullying and the roles witnesses take. Additionally, we explore whether gender, global state self-esteem, and identification with one’s school account for variability in the dependent variables. Using an experimental vignette design, 378 Turkish students (mean age 15 years, 59% female) from four schools were randomly assigned to one of four vignettes describing Direct/Ostracism, Indirect/Ostracism, Direct/Devaluation, and Indirect/Devaluation scenarios. Students perceived significantly less bullying in the indirect devaluation scenario compared to the other three conditions and had less reaction to it than the other conditions. Students who identified more strongly with the school were more likely to perceive that bullying was involved in the vignettes and they were also more likely to react negatively and less likely to remain passive. Girls were more likely to perceive the situations as involving bullying, while boys were more likely to react negatively to the bullying. Finally, self-esteem was not associated with type of bullying. The findings address a critical gap in the literature by examining the often-neglected impact of witnessing school bullying on bystanders and perceptions of different types of bullying.
Mathematical modeling of Chinese medicine by complex-valued five-agent network
Authors: Yang Ciann-Dong
Published: February 2025

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a holistic medicine that deals with the whole person, not just the disease or injury. Based on the Yin-Yang Philosophy and the Wuxing (Five Elements) network, TCM advocates that the human body has the self-regulation ability, which can make the internal organs of the human body operate in a coordinated manner, adapt to changes in the external environment, and achieve harmony between the human body and nature. However, for more than two thousand years, this argument about the human body's self-regulation and adaptation abilities has remained at the level of natural philosophy, lacking direct scientific evidence. This article applies the complex-valued multi-agent network theory to build a general mathematical model for the Yin-Yang Wuxing network based on which, we can quantitatively describe and compute the operation of TCM by linear algebra. The eigenstructure analysis of the established mathematical model clearly reveals the roles of the Yin-Yang philosophy and the Wuxing network in TCM and confirms their inherent feedback mechanism to ensure the balanced operation of organs in the human body. This paper opens the way for quantitative research on TCM, which can be used to identify unbalanced organs and predict the impact of environmental changes and medical treatments on the human body.
COVID-19 Risk and Crisis Communication Challenges and Opportunities: Qualitative Insights from Rural Wastewater Surveillance Partners
Authors: Tucker Savannah G. , May Beverly , Liversedge Matthew , Berry Scott , Keck James W , Hoover Anna Goodman
Published: February 2025

Objectives

Understand perceptions of COVID-19 messages and information sources among rural wastewater treatment plant operators to inform context-specific communication strategies for implementing wastewater surveillance methodologies locally.

Methods

Eight employees from 7 Eastern Kentucky facilities involved in SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance participated in semi-structured interviews. Respondents shared perceptions of traditional and social media COVID-19 information channels in their communities, as well as factors influencing trustworthiness of sources. Using the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework, 3 investigators conducted iterative, thematic coding of interview transcripts.

Results

Respondents’ statements most frequently related to “Be Credible,” “Be Right,” and “Promote Action” CERC constructs, while mixed messages, high volumes of information, and numerous sources undermined trust in COVID-19 information.

Conclusions

Understanding the relative importance of CERC constructs and their distractors may improve future risk communication to advance infectious disease surveillance strategies in rural contexts.
Epistemic justification and the folk conceptual gap
Authors: Mortini Dario
Published: February 2025

Recent experimental epistemology has devoted increasing attention to folk attributions of epistemic justification. Empirical studies have tested whether lay people ascribe epistemic justification in specific lottery-style vignettes (Friedman and Turri 2014, Turri and Friedman 2015, Ebert et al. 2018) and also to more ordinary beliefs (Nolte et al. 2021). In this paper, I highlight three crucial yet hitherto uncritically accepted assumptions of these studies, and I argue that they are untenable. Central to my criticism is the observation that epistemic justification is a philosophical term of art mostly foreign to lay people: as such, it is not suitable for direct empirical testing without being previously introduced. This point reveals a folk conceptual gap between the subject matter of these experimental studies and the conceptual repertoire we can reasonably expect lay people to possess. I elaborate on this worry, and I end on a cautiously optimistic note: after suggesting better strategies to survey folk attributions of epistemic justification, I conclude that the challenge raised by the folk conceptual gap remains difficult but can in principle be addressed.
Drag prediction of rough-wall turbulent flow using data-driven regression
Authors: Shi Zhaoyu , Habibi Khorasani Seyed Morteza , Shin Heesoo , Yang Jiasheng , Lee Sangseung , Bagheri Shervin
Published: February 2025

Efficient tools for predicting the drag of rough walls in turbulent flows would have a tremendous impact. However, accurate methods for drag prediction rely on experiments or numerical simulations which are costly and time consuming. Data-driven regression methods have the potential to provide a prediction that is accurate and fast. We assess the performance and limitations of linear regression, kernel methods and neural networks for drag prediction using a database of 1000 homogeneous rough surfaces. Model performance is evaluated using the roughness function obtained at a friction Reynolds number

$Re_\tau$

of 500. With two trainable parameters, the kernel method can fully account for nonlinear relations between the roughness function

$\Delta U^+$

and surface statistics (roughness height, effective slope, skewness, etc.). In contrast, linear regression cannot account for nonlinear correlations and displays large errors and high uncertainty. Multilayer perceptron and convolutional neural networks demonstrate performance on par with the kernel method but have orders of magnitude more trainable parameters. For the current database size, the networks’ capacity cannot be fully exploited, resulting in reduced generalizability and reliability. Our study provides insight into the appropriateness of different regression models for drag prediction. We also discuss the remaining steps before data-driven methods emerge as useful tools in applications.
Threat to Family Stability or Social Stability? Domestic Violence Protection Orders in Two Chinese Courts
Authors: He Xin
Published: February 2025

In this examination of domestic violence protection orders in two lower-level Chinese courts, the interpretation of gender violence with respect to political concerns for social stability plays an essential role in the law’s effectiveness. In an urbanized coastal area court, judges see gender violence as a direct threat to social stability. To maintain stability, they facilitate claims against gender violence. Conversely, in a rural court, judges view gender violence as a direct threat to family stability. To maintain family stability, which is closely linked to social stability, they suppress claims against gender violence. This study proposes that, when global discourses are reformulated, new forms of cultural and political appropriation emerge. It highlights the complexities that arise when law, culture, and politics intermingle in the process of law and globalization. Understanding these complexities is crucial for addressing challenges in implementing global legal reforms at the local level and ensuring protection against gender violence.
THE UK PRODUCTIVITY SHORTFALL IN AN ERA OF RISING LABOUR SUPPLY
Authors: Benito Andrew , Young Garry
Published: February 2025

Labour productivity stagnated in the UK in the period between the financial crisis and the emergence of Covid-19. Labour supply and employment grew strongly over the same period, driven primarily by net inward migration. While labour productivity should be independent of labour supply in the long run, this need not be the case in the medium run while capital per worker adjusts. Exploiting a range of evidence, we conclude that around 4 pp of the estimated 20% shortfall in productivity from its previous trend that had emerged by 2019 might be explained by increased labour supply, with a slowdown in TFP growth accounting for most of the shortfall.
Integrating collaborative digital multimodal tasks in Spanish as a second language course
Authors: Elola Idoia , Bueno-Alastuey M. Camino , López-Pérez María Victoria
Published: February 2025

The emphasis in L2 learning has mainly focused on individual writers and monomodal academic genres (e.g. narration, argumentation), neglecting the potential of collaborative composing and the use of digital genres that introduce additional semiotic sources, for fear of having to deal with “a messy transition to digital multimodal communication” (Lotherington, 2021: 220). Yet, because Web 2.0 technological upgrades have enabled interactivity, literacy has morphed from discretely reading and writing a static page to dynamically reading and writing a multimodal one, which underpins collaborative authorship and (local and global) audience awareness. Considering the inclusion of working collaboratively with multimodal tasks in the L2 classroom, the question of how to help students effectively incorporate multimodal with academic monomodal texts remains unanswered. In response to this challenge, this study examines the design and implementation of an online task to foster multiliteracies. Thirty-seven international students of diverse disciplines (e.g. economics, engineering, history), enrolled in a Spanish as a second language course, worked collaboratively to create multimodal texts based on previously created monomodal texts. Informed by a student questionnaire and a teacher focus group, we analyzed both students’ and teachers’ perceptions to ascertain the effectiveness of the intervention and the possibilities these kinds of tasks bring to the foreign language classroom. Both sets of participants reported positive results concerning linguistic advancement, motivation, and multiliteracies development. Pedagogical recommendations related to the inclusion of this pedagogical practice are provided.
Incomplete Kawasaki disease with peripheral facial nerve palsy and giant coronary artery aneurysm: rare case report
Authors: Prayudijanto Muhammad I. , Talib Suprohaita R. , Rohimi Syarif , Azwani Winda , Lestari Pandu C. , Raditha Citra , Tjandrajani Anna , Adriansyah Rizky , Advani Najib
Published: February 2025

Kawasaki disease is an idiopathic vasculitis that involves the participation of various physiological systems and the inflammation of small-to medium-sized arteries, resulting in the formation of aneurysms. It most commonly affects children under 5 years. The development of coronary artery aneurysms is a significant concern in the context of Kawasaki disease, rendering it the prevailing acquired cardiac condition among children. It has been observed that 1–30% of Kawasaki illness patients experience neurological complications. However, facial nerve palsy is uncommon, with a prevalence of only 0.9%. Infants with Kawasaki disease and facial nerve palsy tend to be under 6 months of age and had a higher chance to develop coronary artery aneurysms compared to those without facial nerve palsy whose condition was never treated.
Kawasaki disease: the most common cause of acquired heart disease among children globally
Authors: Pilania Rakesh Kumar , Tremoulet Adriana H. , Prinja Shankar , Dahdah Nagib , Singh Surjit
Published: February 2025

Kawasaki disease is a childhood vasculitic disorder that has a special predilection for coronary arteries. Kawasaki disease has been reported from all regions of the world, with an increasing incidence in several countries. Kawasaki disease is now the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children all over the world. However, it is concerning that the estimated vast majority of Kawasaki disease cases in low- and middle-income countries are not getting diagnosed and treated. The World Health Organization acknowledges cardiovascular disease in their priority of actions. The World Health Organization is invited to acknowledge the reality of Kawasaki disease in its list of cardiovascular diseases and take steps to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is a disease of public health importance and needs urgent prioritisation by the World Health Organization.
Neighbourhood socioeconomic deprivation associated with poorer psychological therapy outcomes for PTSD: an audit of a single NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) service
Authors: Richardson Thomas , Ferrie Olivia , Smith Dianna , Ellis-Nee Colm , Smart Tanya , Gray Ellenor , Roberts Neil , Delgadillo Jaime , Simmons-Dauvin Miriam
Published: February 2025

Economic variables such as socioeconomic status and debt are linked with an increased risk of a range of mental health problems and appear to increase the risk of developing of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research has shown that people living in more deprived areas have more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety after treatment in England’s NHS Talking Therapies services. However, no research has examined if there is a relationship between neighbourhood deprivation and outcomes for PTSD specifically. This study was an audit of existing data from a single NHS Talking Therapies service. The postcodes of 138 service users who had received psychological therapy for PTSD were used to link data from the English Indices of Deprivation. This was analysed with the PCL-5 measure of PTSD symptoms pre- and post-treatment. There was no significant association between neighbourhood deprivation measures on risk of drop-out from therapy for PTSD, number of sessions received or PTSD symptom severity at the start of treatment. However, post-treatment PCL-5 scores were significantly more severe for those living in highly deprived neighbourhoods, with lower estimated income and greater health and disability. There was also a non-significant trend for the same pattern based on employment and crime rates. There was no impact of access to housing and services or living environment. Those living in more deprived neighbourhoods experienced less of a reduction in PTSD symptoms after treatment from NHS Talking Therapies services. Given the small sample size in a single city, this finding needs to be replicated with a larger sample.

Key learning aims

(1)

Previous literature has shown that socioeconomic deprivation increases the risk of a range of mental health problems.

(2)

Existing research suggests that economic variables such as income and employment are associated with greater incidence of PTSD.

(3)

In the current study, those living in more deprived areas experienced less of a reduction in PTSD symptoms following psychological therapy through NHS Talking Therapies.

(4)

The relatively poorer treatment outcomes in the current study are not explained by differences in baseline PTSD severity or drop-out rates, which were not significantly different comparing patients from different socioeconomic strata.
Internet gaming disorder and depression mediated by impaired resilience and sleep distress: a three-wave longitudinal study among Chinese adolescents
Authors: Peng P. , Chen Z. M. , Ren S. L. , He Y. , Li J. G. , Liao A. J. , Zhao L. L. , Shao X. , Chen S. S. , He R. N. , Liang Y. D. , Tan Y. G. , Chen X. G. , Liao Y. H. , Tang J. S.
Published: February 2025

Aims

While the cross-sectional relationship between internet gaming disorder (IGD) and depression is well-established, whether IGD predicts future depression remains debated, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This large-scale, three-wave longitudinal study aimed to clarify the predictive role of IGD in depression and explore the mediating effects of resilience and sleep distress.

Methods

A cohort of 41,215 middle school students from Zigong City was assessed at three time points: November 2021 (T1), November 2022 (T2) and November 2023 (T3). IGD, depression, sleep distress and resilience were measured using standardized questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the associations between baseline IGD and both concurrent and subsequent depression. Mediation analyses were conducted with T1 IGD as the predictor, T2 sleep distress and resilience as serial mediators and T3 depression as the outcome. To test the robustness of the findings, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed. Additionally, sex differences in the mediation pathways were explored.

Results

(1) IGD was independently associated with depression at baseline (T1: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.79–5.98, p < 0.001), 1 year later (T2: AOR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.16–1.74, p < 0.001) and 2 years later (T3: AOR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.01–1.53, p = 0.042); (2) A serial multiple mediation effect of sleep distress and resilience was identified in the relationship between IGD and depression. The mediation ratio was 60.7% in the unadjusted model and 33.3% in the fully adjusted model, accounting for baseline depression, sleep distress, resilience and other covariates. The robustness of our findings was supported by various sensitivity analyses; and (3) Sex differences were observed in the mediating roles of sleep distress and resilience, with the mediation ratio being higher in boys compared to girls.

Conclusions

IGD is a significant predictor of depression in adolescents, with resilience and sleep distress serving as key mediators. Early identification and targeted interventions for IGD may help prevent depression. Intervention strategies should prioritize enhancing resilience and improving sleep quality, particularly among boys at risk.
Monospecific Diatom Cultures Suggest Potential Interspecies Variation of Diatom‐Bound Nitrogen Isotope Signatures Associated With Silica Acquisition
Authors: Robinson R. S. , Jones C. A. , Dove I. A. , Kelly R. P. , Brzezinski M. A.
Published: February 2025

Tracking the supply and demand of nitrate in the past ocean can help to constrain the role of biology and circulation in regulating climate. The nitrogen isotopic composition of marine phytoplankton (δ15Nbiomass) tracks nitrate supply and demand but may not be well preserved in the sediments, while the isotopic composition of nitrogen contained within the frustules of diatoms (δ15NDB) is thought to be protected from alteration. Here we document the relationship between δ15Nbiomass and δ15NDB in cultures of seven Southern Ocean diatom species. Average δ15Nbiomass values are 1.8 ± 0.8‰ lower than δ15NDB values for 6 of the 7 species grown. The exception, Fragilariopsis rhombica, records δ15Nbiomass that are greater than δ15NDB values, opposite in sign from the other studied species and statistically significantly different from each other. Because most of the diatom species measured indistinguishable isotopic offsets between biomass and diatom‐bound N, we assert that sedimentary δ15NDB values largely reflect surface ocean nitrate δ15N and therefore nitrate supply and demand. F. rhombica was not only different in terms of its relationship between δ15Nbiomass and δ15NDB but also in mean N:Si uptake and nitrogen content of cleaned frustules, suggesting a role for N allocation relative to Si in setting δ15NDB. While this result is largely based on only one species of diatom in culture, it is possible that significant contribution of groups with a similarly elevated εDB could decrease the overall value of the sedimentary δ15NDB signal.
Sea‐Ice Deformations at the Submesoscale and Below During the Melting Season
Authors: Kimura Satoshi , Ukita Jinro , Fujiwara Amane , Kikuchi Takashi
Published: February 2025

Many sea‐ice models formulate sea‐ice rheology by a viscous‐plastic approach with an elliptical yield curve and a normal flow rule. However, it remains uncertain whether this formulation is suitable for finer‐resolution climate models in the warming Arctic. We analyze sea‐ice deformation using half‐hourly Global Positioning System (GPS) data initially spaced approximately 100 m to 10 km apart from March–July 2020 and 2022 in the Beaufort Gyre. Our findings show the prevalence of shear‐dominated deformation and the greater capacity for persistence in the convergence‐dominated deformation compared to divergence‐dominated deformation. The former supports the sine‐lens yield curve, while the latter supports the teardrop yield curve. Our results examine the validity of the elliptical yield curve during sea‐ice breakup and advocate the need for a combination of sine‐lens and teardrop yield curves from data‐supported arguments.
Australian Heritage for the North Lhasa Terrane
Authors: Yu Chang‐Sheng , Wang Ming , Zhou Jian‐Bo , Palin Richard M. , Liu Jin , Wan Bin , Shen Di , Danzeng Quewang , Zhang Sheng‐Shuo
Published: February 2025

The Precambrian history of the Lhasa terrane, southern Tibet is intensely debated, which hinders global plate tectonic reconstructions throughout the Proterozoic. Previous research on Precambrian basement has suggested that the Lhasa terrane originated from India or Africa, although the paucity of exposed pre‐Neoproterozoic rocks in the North Lhasa terrane (NL) has led to significant uncertainty. We document newly identified Neoarchean granites and Mesoproterozoic Guomangtso Suite from the NL. These pre‐Neoproterozoic rocks reveal a 2.62 Ga anorogenic rifting event and a 1.30–1.10 Ga transition from subduction to back‐arc extension, related to the 2.7–2.6 Ga rifting of the Pilbara Craton and the Proterozoic assembly between the North and West Australian Cratons, respectively. However, these tectono‐magmatic events have no equivalents in the South Lhasa terrane (SL). These observations suggest that the NL originated from Western Australia, and the NL and SL may have distinct origins.
Modeling the Impact of the Bidirectional Exchange of NH3 From the Great Lakes on a Regional and Local Scale Using GEM‐MACH
Authors: Davis M. G. , Murphy J. G. , Sitwell M.
Published: February 2025

Ammonia emissions from oceans are recognized as one of the most significant natural sources of ammonia globally; however, freshwater sources are rarely considered significant. The Great Lakes region, containing the largest network of freshwater lakes in the world, and a significant urbanized population exceeding 20 million, provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the potential for lacustrine (lake‐associated) surfaces to contribute to regional ammonia levels. In this work, we combine an analysis of 20 years of water quality data from the Great Lakes region with the GEM‐MACH (Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM)‐Modelling Air quality and CHemistry (MACH)) chemical transport model to examine the influence of the Great Lakes on atmospheric ammonia. This analysis demonstrates that while regional ammonia levels are largely controlled by known terrestrial anthropogenic sources, lacustrine surfaces with an emission potential of only 200 increase summertime (July–September) monthly average ammonia (NH3) levels by 5%–8% over the largest regional urban centers, with daily increases of up to 10%–20%. Supplemental water measurements collected from within 1 km offshore of the Greater Toronto Area were found to have an emission potential of 2000, suggesting that lacustrine emissions offshore of large urban areas could be significantly larger than those predicted by GEM‐MACH. Our findings reveal that the Great Lakes may represent a regionally significant natural source of ammonia to the atmosphere.
Unravelling genotype-phenotype correlations in Stargardt disease using patient-derived retinal organoids
Authors: Watson Avril , Queen Rachel , Ferrández-Peral Luis , Dorgau Birthe , Collin Joseph , Nelson Andrew , Hussain Rafiqul , Coxhead Jonathan , McCorkindale Michael , Atkinson Robert , Zerti Darin , Chichagova Valeria , Conesa Ana , Armstrong Lyle , Cremers Frans P. M. , Lako Majlinda
Published: February 2025

Stargardt disease is an inherited retinopathy affecting approximately 1:8000 individuals. It is characterised by biallelic variants in ABCA4 which encodes a vital protein for the recycling of retinaldehydes in the retina. Despite its prevalence and impact, there are currently no treatments available for this condition. Furthermore, 35% of STGD1 cases remain genetically unsolved. To investigate the cellular and molecular characteristics associated with STGD1, we generated iPSCs from two monoallelic unresolved (PT1 & PT2), late-onset STGD1 cases with the heterozygous complex allele - c.[5461-10 T > C;5603 A > T]. Both patient iPSCs and those from a biallelic affected control (AC) carrying -c.4892 T > C and c.4539+2001G > A, were differentiated to retinal organoids, which developed all key retinal neurons and photoreceptors with outer segments positive for ABCA4 expression. We observed patient-specific disruption to lamination with OPN1MW/LW+ cone photoreceptor retention in the retinal organoid centre during differentiation. Photoreceptor retention was more severe in the AC case affecting both cones and rods, suggesting a genotype/phenotype correlation. scRNA-Seq suggests retention may be due to the induction of stress-related pathways in photoreceptors. Whole genome sequencing successfully identified the missing alleles in both cases; PT1 reported c.-5603A > T in homozygous state and PT2 uncovered a rare hypomorph - c.-4685T > C. Furthermore, retinal organoids were able to recapitulate the retina-specific splicing defect in PT1 as shown by long-read RNA-seq data. Collectively, these results highlight the suitability of retinal organoids in STGD1 modelling. Their ability to display genotype-phenotype correlations enhances their utility as a platform for therapeutic development.
Inhibition of Atg7 in intestinal epithelial cells drives resistance against Citrobacter rodentium
Authors: Cune David , Pitasi Caterina Luana , Rubiola Alessia , Jamma Trinath , Simula Luca , Boucher Camille , Fortun Apolline , Adoux Lucie , Letourneur Franck , Saintpierre Benjamin , Donnadieu Emmanuel , Terris Benoît , Bossard Pascale , Chassaing Benoît , Romagnolo Béatrice
Published: February 2025

Autophagy, a cytoprotective mechanism in intestinal epithelial cells, plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Beyond its cell-autonomous effects, the significance of autophagy in these cells is increasingly acknowledged in the dynamic interplay between the microbiota and the immune response. In the context of colon cancer, intestinal epithelium disruption of autophagy has been identified as a critical factor influencing tumor development. This disruption modulates the composition of the gut microbiota, eliciting an anti-tumoral immune response. Here, we report that Atg7 deficiency in intestinal epithelial cells shapes the intestinal microbiota leading to an associated limitation of colitis induced by Citrobacter rodentium infection. Mice with an inducible, intestinal epithelial-cell-specific deletion of the autophagy gene, Atg7, exhibited enhanced clearance of C. rodentium, mitigated hyperplasia, and reduced pathogen-induced goblet cell loss. This protective effect is linked to a higher proportion of neutrophils and phagocytic cells in the early phase of infection. At later stages, it is associated with the downregulation of pro-inflammatory pathways and an increase in Th17 and Treg responses—immune responses known for their protective roles against C. rodentium infection, modulated by specific gut microbiota. Fecal microbiota transplantation and antibiotic treatment approaches revealed that the Atg7-deficiency-shapped microbiota, especially Gram-positive bacteria, playing a central role in driving resistance to C. rodentium infection. In summary, our findings highlight that inhibiting autophagy in intestinal epithelial cells contributes to maintaining homeostasis and preventing detrimental intestinal inflammation through microbiota-mediated colonization resistance against C. rodentium. This underscores the central role played by autophagy in shaping the microbiota in promoting immune-mediated resistance against enteropathogens.
A decision point between transdifferentiation and programmed cell death priming controls KRAS-dependent pancreatic cancer development
Authors: Schneider Anne T. , Koppe Christiane , Crouchet Emilie , Papargyriou Aristeidis , Singer Michael T. , Büttner Veronika , Keysberg Leonie , Szydlowska Marta , Jühling Frank , Moehlin Julien , Chen Min-Chun , Leone Valentina , Mueller Sebastian , Neuß Thorsten , Castoldi Mirco , Lesina Marina , Bergmann Frank , Hackert Thilo , Steiger Katja , Knoefel Wolfram T. , Zaufel Alex , Kather Jakob N. , Esposito Irene , Gaida Matthias M. , Ghallab Ahmed , Hengstler Jan G. , Einwächter Henrik , Unger Kristian , Algül Hana , Gassler Nikolaus , Schmid Roland M. , Rad Roland , Baumert Thomas F. , Reichert Maximilian , Heikenwalder Mathias , Kondylis Vangelis , Vucur Mihael , Luedde Tom
Published: February 2025

KRAS-dependent acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) is a fundamental step in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but the involvement of cell death pathways remains unclear. Here, we show that key regulators of programmed cell death (PCD) become upregulated during KRAS-driven ADM, thereby priming transdifferentiated cells to death. Using transgenic mice and primary cell and organoid cultures, we show that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a kinase regulating cell survival and inflammatory pathways, prevents the elimination of transdifferentiated cells through receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)-mediated apoptosis and necroptosis, enabling PDAC development. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of TAK1 induces PCD in patient-derived PDAC organoids. Importantly, cell death induction via TAK1 inhibition does not appear to elicit an overt injury-associated inflammatory response. Collectively, these findings suggest that TAK1 supports cellular plasticity by suppressing spontaneous PCD activation during ADM, representing a promising pharmacological target for the prevention and treatment of PDAC.
A fully conjugated meso-boron-substituted porphyrinoid combining Lewis acidity with redox-switchable aromaticity
Authors: Buckel Manuel , Klopf Jonas , Schneider Johannes S. , Lik Artur , Riensch Nicolas A. , Krummenacher Ivo , Braunschweig Holger , Engels Bernd , Helten Holger
Published: February 2025

The structural motif of porphyrin is relevant for many essential biological processes and has emerged as a versatile component of functional materials. Here, we introduce a thiophene-based porphyrinogen having electron-deficient boron atoms in all four meso-positions. Its fully π-conjugated backbone exhibits effectively concealed antiaromaticity, with locally confined aromaticity to the thiophene units. The macrocycle readily binds fluoride ions, signaled by changes in its photophysical characteristics. Global aromaticity is switched on via facile consecutive (electro)chemical one-electron reductions to give the radical anion and the dianion, the potassium salts both of which were isolated and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The bowl-shaped dianion constitutes a tetrathiophene-based porphyrinoid with a metal cation in its coordination sphere. This 18-π-electron macrocycle shows absorption features typical of porphyrins, while its low-energy Q bands are unusually intense in relation to the Soret bands. In addition, it displays fluorescence emission in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region.
Assessing the contribution of rare protein-coding germline variants to prostate cancer risk and severity in 37,184 cases
Authors: Mitchell Jonathan , Camacho Niedzica , Shea Patrick , Stopsack Konrad H. , Joseph Vijai , Burren Oliver S. , Dhindsa Ryan S. , Nag Abhishek , Berchuck Jacob E. , O’Neill Amanda , Abbasi Ali , Zoghbi Anthony W. , Alegre-Díaz Jesus , Kuri-Morales Pablo , Berumen Jaime , Tapia-Conyer Roberto , Emberson Jonathan , Torres Jason M. , Collins Rory , Wang Quanli , Goldstein David , Matakidou Athena , Haefliger Carolina , Anderson-Dring Lauren , March Ruth , Jobanputra Vaidehi , Dougherty Brian , Carss Keren , Petrovski Slavé , Kantoff Philip W. , Offit Kenneth , Mucci Lorelei A. , Pomerantz Mark , Fabre Margarete A.
Published: February 2025

To assess the contribution of rare coding germline genetic variants to prostate cancer risk and severity, we perform here a meta-analysis of 37,184 prostate cancer cases and 331,329 male controls from five cohorts with germline whole exome or genome sequencing data, and one cohort with imputed array data. At the gene level, our case-control collapsing analysis confirms associations between rare damaging variants in four genes and increased prostate cancer risk: SAMHD1, BRCA2 and ATM at the study-wide significance level (P < 1×10−8), and CHEK2 at the suggestive threshold (P < 2.6×10−6). Our case-only analysis, reveals that rare damaging variants in AOX1 are associated with more aggressive disease (OR = 2.60 [1.75–3.83], P = 1.35×10−6), as well as confirming the role of BRCA2 in determining disease severity. At the single-variant level, our study reveals that a rare missense variant in TERT is associated with substantially reduced prostate cancer risk (OR = 0.13 [0.07–0.25], P = 4.67×10−10), and confirms rare non-synonymous variants in a further three genes associated with reduced risk (ANO7, SPDL1, AR) and in three with increased risk (HOXB13, CHEK2, BIK). Altogether, this work provides deeper insights into the genetic architecture and biological basis of prostate cancer risk and severity, with potential implications for clinical risk prediction and therapeutic strategies.
Boosting mechanical durability under high humidity by bioinspired multisite polymer for high-efficiency flexible perovskite solar cells
Authors: Li Zhihao , Jia Chunmei , Wan Zhi , Cao Junchao , Shi Jishan , Xue Jiayi , Liu Xirui , Wu Hongzhuo , Xiao Chuanxiao , Li Can , Li Meng , Zhang Chao , Li Zhen
Published: February 2025

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) with high stability in moist air are required for their practical applications. However, the poor mechanical stability under high humidity air remains a critical challenge for flexible perovskite devices. Herein, inspired by the exceptional wet adhesion of mussels via dopamine groups, we propose a multidentate-cross-linking strategy, which combine multibranched structure and adequate dopamine anchor sites in three-dimensional hyperbranched polymer to directly chelate perovskite materials in multiple directions, therefore construct a vertical scaffold across the bulk of perovskite films from the bottom to the top interfaces, intimately bind to the perovskite grains and substrates with a strong adhesion ability, and enhance mechanical durability under high humidity. Consequently, the modified rigid PSCs achieve superior PCE up to 25.92%, while flexible PSCs exhibit a PCE of 24.43% and maintain 94.1% of initial PCE after 10,000 bending cycles with a bending radius of 3 mm under exposed to 65% humidity.
Spontaneous ordering of identical materials into a triboelectric series
Authors: Sobarzo Juan Carlos , Pertl Felix , Balazs Daniel M. , Costanzo Tommaso , Sauer Markus , Foelske Annette , Ostermann Markus , Pichler Christian M. , Wang Yongkang , Nagata Yuki , Bonn Mischa , Waitukaitis Scott
Published: February 2025

When two insulating, neutral materials are contacted and separated, they exchange electrical charge1. Experiments have long suggested that this ‘contact electrification’ is transitive, with different materials ordering into ‘triboelectric series’ based on the sign of charge acquired2. At the same time, the effect is plagued by unpredictability, preventing consensus on the mechanism and casting doubt on the rhyme and reason that series imply3. Here we expose an unanticipated connection between the unpredictability and order in contact electrification: nominally identical materials initially exchange charge randomly and intransitively, but—over repeated experiments—order into triboelectric series. We find that this evolution is driven by the act of contact itself—samples with more contacts in their history charge negatively to ones with fewer contacts. Capturing this ‘contact bias’ in a minimal model, we recreate both the initial randomness and ultimate order in numerical simulations and use it experimentally to force the appearance of a triboelectric series of our choosing. With a set of surface-sensitive techniques to search for the underlying alterations contact creates, we only find evidence of nanoscale morphological changes, pointing to a mechanism strongly coupled with mechanics. Our results highlight the centrality of contact history in contact electrification and suggest that focusing on the unpredictability that has long plagued the effect may hold the key to understanding it.
Global Future Drought Layers Based on Downscaled CMIP6 Models and Multiple Socioeconomic Pathways
Authors: Araujo Diogo S. A. , Enquist Brian J. , Frazier Amy E. , Merow Cory , Roehrdanz Patrick R. , Moulatlet Gabriel M. , Zvoleff Alex , Song Lei , Maitner Brian , Nikolopoulos Efthymios I.
Published: February 2025

Droughts are a natural hazard of growing concern as they are projected to increase in frequency and severity for many regions of the world. The identification of droughts and their future characteristics is essential to building an understanding of the geography and magnitude of potential drought change trajectories, which in turn is critical information to manage drought resilience across multiple sectors and disciplines. Adding to this effort, we developed a dataset of global historical and projected future drought indices over the 1980–2100 period based on downscaled CMIP6 models across multiple shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP). The dataset is composed of two indices: the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) for 23 downscaled global climate models (GCMs) (0.25-degree resolution), including historical (1980–2014) and future projections (2015–2100) under four climate scenarios: SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5. The drought indices were calculated for 3-, 6- and 12-month accumulation timescales and are available as gridded spatial datasets in a regular latitude-longitude format at monthly time resolution.
Facilitating high throughput collections-based genomics: a comparison of DNA extraction and library building methods
Authors: Marsh William A , Hall Andie , Barnes Ian , Price Ben
Published: February 2025

While DNA barcoding methods are an increasingly important tool in biological conservation, the resource requirements of constructing reference libraries frequently reduce their efficacy. One efficient way of sourcing taxonomically validated DNA for reference libraries is to use museum collections. However, DNA degradation intrinsic to historical museum specimens can, if not addressed in the wet lab, lead to low quality data generation and severely limit scientific output. Several DNA extraction and library build methods that are designed to work with degraded DNA have been developed, although the ability to implement these methods at scale and at low cost has yet to be formally addressed. Here, the performance of widely used DNA extraction and library build methods are compared using museum specimens. We find that while our selected DNA extraction methods do not significantly differ in DNA yield, the Santa Cruz Reaction (SCR) library build method is not only the most effective at retrieving degraded DNA from museum specimens but also easily implemented at high throughput for low cost. Results highlight the importance of lab protocol on data yield. An optimised “sample to sequencing” high-throughput protocol which incorporates SCR is included to allow for easy uptake by the wider scientific community.
Synergistic and antagonistic activities of IRF8 and FOS enhancer pairs during an immune-cell fate switch
Authors: Klonizakis Antonios , Alcoverro-Bertran Marc , Massó Pere , Thomas Joanna , de Andrés-Aguayo Luisa , Wei Xiao , Varamogianni-Mamatsi Vassiliki , Nikolaou Christoforos , Graf Thomas
Published: February 2025

Cell fate instructive genes tend to be regulated by large clusters of enhancers. Whether and how individual enhancers within such clusters cooperate in regulating gene expression is poorly understood. We have previously developed a computational method, SEGCOND, which identifies hubs that we termed Putative Transcriptional Condensates (PTCs), consisting of enhancer clusters and associated target genes. Here, we use SEGCOND to identify PTCs in a CEBPA-induced B-cell-to-macrophage transdifferentiation system. We find that PTCs are enriched for highly expressed, lineage-restricted genes and associate with BRD4, a component of transcriptional condensates. Further, we performed single and combinatorial deletions of enhancers within two PTCs active during induced transdifferentiation, harboring IRF8 and FOS. Two enhancers within the IRF8 PTC were found to provide a backup mechanism when combined, safeguarding IRF8 expression and efficient transdifferentiation. Unexpectedly, two individual enhancers within the FOS PTC antagonize each other on day 1 of transdifferentiation, delaying the conversion of B-cells into macrophages and reducing FOS expression, while on day 7, they cooperate to increase FOS levels induced cells. Our results reveal complex, differentiation-stage-specific interactions between individual enhancers within enhancer clusters.
Visualization of level-3 latent fingerprints by surfactant-free CsPbBr3 MCs with Pb(OH)2 as a passivation layer and an anchored bridge
Authors: Zhuang Guoxin , Li Yujing , Chu Xiaodi , Lai Xianghui , Liang Zhiyu , Lin Xiaohui , Wen Yonglin , Lin Guosong , Zheng Zhechong , Li Chonghui
Published: February 2025

We report surfactant-free, core–shell structured CsPbBr3 MCs featuring a Pb(OH)2 layer on their surface, which replaces the organic passivation layer and facilitates amino acid binding via hydrogen bonds for high-quality PL images of level-3 features.
Cu2+ substitution regulating Na3V2(PO4)3 with solid SEI membrane for superior electrochemical performance
Authors: Peng Zhenbo , Chen Bifen , Yu Shan , Wu Kaiyu , Zhang Farao , Gao Peng
Published: February 2025

Cu2+ substitution introduces p-type doping effects to supply hole carriers and plays pillar effect to support crystal skeleton.
Advances in high-coulombic-efficiency lithium metal anodes under practical conditions in liquid electrolytes
Authors: Sun Shu-Yu , Zhang Xue-Qiang , Yan Xue-Yi , Zhao Zheng , Zhang Qian-Kui , Huang Jia-Qi
Published: February 2025

Lithium (Li) metal batteries are heralded as the forefront of high-energy-density battery technology, surpassing the performance of traditional Li-ion batteries. However, their cycle life is significantly impeded by the suboptimal...
Tailoring zinc diatomic bidirectional catalysts achieving orbital coupling–hybridization for ultralong-cycling zinc–iodine batteries
Authors: Dong Chenxu , Yu Yongkun , Ma Changning , Zhou Cheng , Wang Jiajing , Gu Jiapei , Ji Juan , Yang Shubin , Liu Zunfeng , Xu Xu , Mai Liqiang
Published: February 2025

The well-designed Zn dual atom site structure can promote orbital hybridization between Zn and I atoms, thereby accelerating the bidirectional redox process of iodine and exhibiting satisfactory electrochemical performance.