bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unravelling the role of biochar-microbe-soil tripartite interaction in regulating soil carbon and nitrogen budget: a panacea to soil sustainability
Authors: Parasar Bhaskar Jyoti , Agarwala Niraj
Published: February 2025

Global food requirements necessitating enhanced crop productivity have negative consequences such as soil degradation due to acidification and nutrient leaching escalated by excessive application of chemical fertilizers and consequently increasing greenhouse gas emission. This has sought sustainable organic approaches like soil amendment with biochar to mitigate the adverse consequences of these effects, ensuring balanced ecosystem functioning. Reconciling various studies, this review provides a better understanding of the belowground mechanisms decoding multifaceted traits associated with plant and biochar-microbe-soil tripartite interaction, including microbe-mediated regulation of C and N stoichiometry, soil enzyme functioning, regulation of greenhouse gases, soil respiration rate and alteration in abundance of microbial functional genes. Furthermore, this review exclusively gives holistic insights into specific microbes induced by biochar treatment and their role in altering soil C and N dynamics. It attempts to spur in-depth, long-term studies tackling challenges in sustainable agriculture and mitigate environmental issues to achieve C neutrality and N retention, envisaging a healthy soil ecosystem.

Graphical Abstract
Understanding drivers of loneliness: Machine learning insights from the HILDA Survey
Authors: Li Isabel , Skinner Adam , Varidel Mathew , Zhao Jesse , Hickie Ian B. , Occhipinti Jo-An
Published: February 2025

Background:

Loneliness has emerged as a pervasive public health challenge. Understanding loneliness and its associated risk factors is crucial for developing interventions to address this issue effectively. This study aimed to investigate loneliness among adults living in Australia, comparing different age cohorts.

Method:

This study used 10,815, 11,234, 14,670, and 15,049 records with loneliness measurements taken at 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 respectively from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. A supervised machine learning algorithm, CatBoost, was employed to predict loneliness. Model predictions were explained using Shapley Additive Explanations and Partial Dependence Plots across five age-based subgroups to capture life stage variations.

Results:

Mental wellbeing, having a life partner, social connectedness, and social fulfilment were the most important predictors of loneliness at the whole-population level. Among young adults, friendship fulfilment, financial satisfaction, and health were relatively strong predictors of loneliness, while loneliness in older adults was more strongly associated with spare time fulfilment, community satisfaction, and the loss of loved ones. Youth who reported that they did not have a lot of friends were predicted to have a 46.5% [ 45.9% - 47.2%] chance of experiencing loneliness. Seniors have a 44.9% [43.9% - 45.8%] chance of experiencing loneliness if they were almost always not fulfilled in their spare time.

Implications:

This study underscores the need to recognise the heterogeneity of loneliness across the lifecourse and the importance of both targeted strategies and efforts to improve broader social cohesion.
A raising operator formula for Macdonald polynomials
Authors: Blasiak J. , Haiman M. , Morse J. , Pun A. , Seelinger G. H.
Published: February 2025

We give an explicit raising operator formula for the modified Macdonald polynomials

$\tilde {H}_{\mu }(X;q,t)$

, which follows from our recent formula for

$\nabla $

on an LLT polynomial and the Haglund-Haiman-Loehr formula expressing modified Macdonald polynomials as sums of LLT polynomials. Our method just as easily yields a formula for a family of symmetric functions

$\tilde {H}^{1,n}(X;q,t)$

that we call

$1,n$

-Macdonald polynomials, which reduce to a scalar multiple of

$\tilde {H}_{\mu }(X;q,t)$

when

$n=1$

. We conjecture that the coefficients of

$1,n$

-Macdonald polynomials in terms of Schur functions belong to

${\mathbb N}[q,t]$

, generalizing Macdonald positivity.
When deciding creates overconfidence
Authors: Boyle Peter J. , Russo J. Edward , Kim Juyoung
Published: February 2025

To the known causes of overconfidence in decisions and judgments, we reveal another source that derives from a bias during the act of decision making. While this bias, the predecisional distortion of information, is well studied, its impact on overconfidence is not. We demonstrate how the distortion of information creates overconfidence in those professionals often regarded as singularly overconfident, entrepreneurs. When these professionals use a sequence of relevant information to make an accept-reject decision about a business opportunity, a cycle of confidence-distortion-confidence builds unjustified confidence in the chosen action – and does so whether that action is to accept or reject the venture. Overconfidence is a well-recognized cause of flawed decision making. Our work demonstrates the paradoxical converse of this claim, that flawed decision making can be a cause of overconfidence.
Transition reversal over a blunt plate at Mach 5
Authors: Guo Peixu , Hao Jiaao , Wen Chih-Yung
Published: February 2025

In this work, the stability and transition to turbulence over blunt flat plates with different leading-edge radii are investigated computationally. The benchmark experimental work for comparative studies is conducted by Borovoy et al. (AIAA J., vol. 60, 2022, pp. 497–507). The freestream Mach number is 5, the unit Reynolds number is

$6\times 10^7$

m

$^{-1}$

, and the maximum nose-tip radius 3 mm exceeds the experimental reversal value. High-resolution numerical simulation and stability analysis are performed. Three-dimensional broadband perturbation is added on the far field boundary to initiate the transition. The highlight of this work is that the complete physical process is considered, including the three-dimensional receptivity, linear and nonlinear instabilities, and transition. The experimental reversal phenomenon is reproduced favourably in the numerical simulation for the first time. Linear stability analysis shows that unstable first and second modes are absent in the blunt-plate flows owing to the presence of the entropy layer, although these modes are evident in the sharp-leading-edge case. Therefore, the transition on the blunt plate is due to non-modal instabilities. Numerical results for all the blunt-plate cases reveal the formation of streamwise streaky structures downstream of the nose (stage I) and then the presence of intermittent turbulent spots in the transitional region (stage II). In stage I, a preferential spanwise wavelength approximately 0.9 mm is selected for all the nose-tip radii, and low-frequency components are dominant. In stage II, high-frequency secondary instabilities appear to grow, which participate in the eventual breakdown. By contrast, leading-edge streaks are not remarkable in the sharp-leading-edge case, where transition is induced by oblique first and Mack second modes. The transition reversal beyond the critical nose-tip radius arises from an increasing magnitude of the streaky response in the early stage, while the transition mechanism stays similar qualitatively.
The Ethics of Nuclear Energy: Technological Advancements and the Need for Revised Theological Guidance
Authors: Doherty David
Published: February 2025

This article explores some ethical implications of nuclear energy from a theological perspective. The key point argued for is that the few texts in the literature that address nuclear energy from a theological perspective do not give adequate weight to the importance of the potential benefits of nuclear energy as part of climate change mitigation strategies. The same also applies to the possible role of nuclear energy in providing compensation for future generations in terms of energy resource durability. The texts thus fail to address matters of importance for intergenerational justice. I examine first an article by Jame Schaefer that discusses Aquinas’ conception of prudence in relation to nuclear energy. I then discuss the relevant sections of the papal encyclical, Laudato Si’ and the Japanese Bishops Conference’s document, Abolition of Nuclear Power. All these texts fail to articulate the potential benefits of nuclear energy pertaining to some perspectives on intergenerational justice, because they do not take sufficient note of advances in nuclear technology that would allay some of the concerns expressed within the texts with which I take issue.
Women on the ballot and women at the polls: how women's representation shapes voter turnout in local elections
Authors: Coman Emanuel , Shair-Rosenfield Sarah
Published: February 2025

We argue that more female candidates on the ballot will decrease the gender participation gap at the polls. We test this hypothesis with data from Italian local elections between 2008 and 2020, taking advantage of a 2012 law requiring at least a third of local council candidates to be women in localities with 5000+ inhabitants. Exploiting the exogenous geographic variation and timing in the implementation of the electoral reform, we evaluate the effect of this exogenously driven variation in women's candidacy on the gendered voting gap. We find a significant and substantively strong causal relationship between the share of women on the ballot and the gendered gap, driven by an increase in women's, but not men's, participation at the polls.
Maternal intake of dairy products is inversely associated with birth weight in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Xie Cuiling , Zheng Qing-Xiang , Jiang Xiumin , Liao Yanping , Gao Xiaoxia , Zhu Yu , Li Jianing , Liu Rulin
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to investigate the intake of dairy products during pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and its impacts on neonatal birth weight and pregnancy outcomes. A total of 386 women with GDM during the second trimester pregnancy participated in this prospective cohort study. We evaluated dairy products intake through Food Frequency Questionnaire. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained from the delivery data. Participants were divided into insufficient and sufficient intake of milk and dairy products group (<300 g/day and ≥300 g/day, respectively). The average intake of dairy products during the second trimester pregnancy in women with GDM was 317.8±179.5 g/day, and the total energy intake was 1635.4±708.7 kcal/day. However, 76.68% of them did not meet the recommended total energy intake of women with GDM. After adjusting for confounding factors, women with GDM who consumed ≥300 g/day of dairy products had an average reduction in birth weight of 93.1 g compared to women who consumed <300 g/day of dairy products (95% CI: -171.343, -14.927). Women with GDM in sufficient intake group was also associated with lower risk of macrosomia (95% CI: 0.043, 0.695) and cesarean section (95% CI: 0.387, 0.933), and not related to low birth weight infant (95% CI: 0.617, 14.502) and preterm birth (95% CI: 0.186, 1.510) when compared with participants in insufficient intake group. Under the premise of insufficient total energy intake, the intake of dairy products during the second trimester pregnancy in women with GDM might be related to the decrease of neonatal birth weight.
The mean residual life at random age and its connection to variability measures
Authors: Asadi Majid , Berred Alexandre
Published: February 2025

We consider a nonnegative random variable T representing the lifetime of a system. We discuss the residual lifetime

$T_X=(T-X|T \gt X)$

, where X denotes the random age of the system. We also discuss the mean residual life (MRL) of T at the random time X. It is shown that the MRL at random age (MRLR) is closely related to some well-known variability measures. In particular, we show that the MRLR can be considered a generalization of Gini’s mean difference (GMD). Under the proportional hazards model, we show that the MRLR gives the extended GMD and the extended cumulative residual entropy as special cases. Then, we provide a decomposition result indicating that the MRLR has a covariance representation. Some comparison results are also established for the MRLs of two systems at random ages.
R.J. Morris: An Appreciation – Introduction to Special Section
Authors: Gunn Simon , Ewen Shane
Published: February 2025

The essays that follow aim to capture aspects of the unique style of R.J. Morris, aspects which taken together represent the formidable legacy that he leaves to the global world of urban history.
Multiple papillary fibroelastoma presenting with mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valve involvement and surgical treatment: case report
Authors: Biçer Bilgehan B. , Aykan Hayrettin Hakan , Alpat Şafak , Yılmaz Mustafa
Published: February 2025

Approximately 90% of primary paediatric cardiac tumours are benign lesions. Depending on their location and size, benign cardiac tumours may cause inflow and outflow obstructions, cyanosis, valvular insufficiencies, myocardial ischaemia, associated dysfunction, systemic embolisation, arrhythmias, and even sudden death. Decision-making and timing for surgery can be challenging in children. Herein, we present an asymptomatic 11-year-old girl with papillary fibroelastoma in the mitral, tricuspid, and pulmonary valves, discussing the decision-making process and successful surgical management.
How bilingualism affects cognitive and linguistic skills in children with developmental language disorders
Authors: Marini Andrea , Andreetta Sara , Mita Alda , Piccolo Barbara , Berginc Moira , Ozbič Martina
Published: February 2025

This study examined the linguistic and cognitive characteristics of two groups of Italian preschoolers with developmental language disorder (DLD): one group of monolingual Italian speakers and another of Italian-Slovenian bilinguals. The assessment focused on executive functions (EFs) (i.e., phonological working memory and inhibitory control) and linguistic abilities, which involved a multilevel analysis of discourse production. The bilingual group outperformed the monolingual group on tasks measuring EFs. While the two groups showed similar performance across several linguistic measures, the bilingual children demonstrated superior grammatical comprehension, albeit with high variability. A similar level of variability was observed in the bilingual group’s phonological discrimination abilities. Both grammatical comprehension and phonological discrimination were significantly correlated with EFs. These findings are discussed in the context of current theories of linguistic development in bilingual children with DLD.
Flexilateralism in EU Trade Policy: The Case of Aviation Fuels in the Hardening Environmental Trade Instruments
Authors: Kalimo Harri , Happersberger Simon , Mateo Eleanor
Published: February 2025

Over the past 20 years, the European Union (EU) has shifted the emphasis of its trade policy from multilateral agreements towards bilateral preferential trade agreements (PTAs) and, more recently, to unilateral policy instruments. In this article we analyze the EU’s growing ambitions in promoting environmental sustainability in the context of these shifts. We advance an analytical and a conceptual argument, focusing on a product group that is highly relevant to the EU’s green transition: aviation fuels. We argue that the increasing hardness and ambition of the EU’s environmental policy instruments on the sustainability of aviation fuels contributes to a trend of ‘unilateralization’ in EU trade policy. Our analysis further illustrates how the complementary qualities of hardness and ambition in the multi-, bi-, and unilateral EU instruments lead to their flexible combination in the EU trade policy mix. Based on these findings, we propose to describe and critically analyze the EU’s current approach as ‘flexilateralism’. The EU has changed from prioritizing multilateralism to a more pragmatic, flexilateral approach, rather than for fully fledged bilateralism or unilateralism. This is what the EU’s more assertive ‘strategic autonomy’ may be about: a flexilateral approach to better address issues such as environmental sustainability with the most useful combination of instruments available.
Hmong Transnational Marriages: Nuancing Stereotypes
Authors: Xiong Bao , Baird Ian G.
Published: February 2025

Transnational marriage is a controversial topic in Hmong communities in the United States, Laos, and Thailand, and has sometimes led to intra-ethnic disputes and conflicts. Initially, many of the Hmong American men who travelled overseas to marry Hmong Lao or Thai women were already married. Furthermore, the Hmong American community has frequently come to believe that economic gain is the primary motivation for Hmong Lao/Thai women to marry Hmong American men. On the other hand, some activists have referred to these marriages generally as “abusive transnational marriages.” The association of economic resources with transnational marriage, including remittances, increased bride prices, and opportunities for migration to the United States, has perpetuated negative stereotypes that frequently overshadow the personal stories of many Hmong Lao/Thai women who do not fit with the stereotypes. For these women, marrying a Hmong American man signifies not only personal gain but also economic advancement for their families. This paper reviews the intricacies related to the topic of Hmong transnational marriage between Hmong American men and their Hmong Lao and Hmong Thai brides. In doing so, we argue that it is important to consider the complexity and nuances associated with Hmong transnational marriages, as they take on various forms that go beyond standard stereotypes.
Monitoring Peatland Condition and Restoration Sites Using Vertical Surface Motion Data From the European Ground Motion Service
Authors: Wilson M. P.
Published: February 2025

Vertical displacement data from satellite interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) can indicate peatland condition and can therefore be used for restoration site identification or monitoring programs. However, many peatland scientists and restoration practitioners lack InSAR expertise and do not have the financial resources available to purchase data processed by commercial third parties. Conversely, the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS) freely provides pre‐processed vertical displacement data derived from the Sentinel‐1 satellites. Using data covering the North Pennines National Landscape, England, this study is the first to investigate the potential for using EGMS Level 3 Ortho products to monitor landscape‐scale peatland condition and the impacts of site‐scale restoration. Linear regression analysis showed that, despite site restoration being considered successful based on visually extensive re‐vegetation and water retention, the peatland is still subsiding at rates of −1.3 to −4.4 mm/year, likely because more time is needed for peat‐forming Sphagnum spp. to re‐colonize the site and exceed degradation rates. Nevertheless, there were indications that restoration interventions may be slowing subsidence in some areas and seasonally linked bog breathing may be returning to the site, which was absent prior to restoration efforts. The largest drawback of the EGMS Ortho products is their limited spatial coverage in rural vegetated locations, meaning peatlands are unlikely to receive the near‐full coverage possible using advanced InSAR techniques. Nonetheless, where EGMS Ortho product coverage does exist, vertical displacement data can offer useful insight into the dynamic functionality of peatlands which cannot be obtained through monitoring programs based on visual observations.
Origin of Water and Hydrochemical Components of Lakes: Example From the Mu Us Desert, Northwest China
Authors: Liu Fengxia , Wang Guangcai , Liao Fu , Shi Zheming , Cravotta Charles , Zhou Pengpeng , Liang Xiangyang
Published: February 2025

Desert lakes are sparsely distributed in arid/semi‐arid regions of the world and are crucial to desert hydro‐ecosystem. However, the sources of water and dissolved components in desert lakes, especially the inputs from anthropogenic activities, remain to be fully understood. This study used water stable isotopes, self‐organizing maps, and principal component analysis to explore the origins of lake water in the Mu Us desert, northwest China, where intensive coal mining activities exist. Results show that all desert lakes were distinguished into two types: (a) Type A, dominated by Ca‐HCO3 type with a relatively low TDS (192–405 mg/L) and the highest concentration of NO3− (1.14–5.94 mg/L); (b) Type B, characterized by Na‐HCO3 type with a highest content of SO42– and TDS up to 159 and 1,207 mg/L, respectively. The water stable isotopic compositions in lake water of Type B are depleted compared to those of the lake water of Type A. A combined analysis of hydrochemistry of lake water, groundwater, and mine water suggest that the desert lakes have different sources: lake water of Type A originated from Quaternary groundwater discharge, while lake water of Type B was derived from the treated mine drainage (TMD) which led to higher TDS and SO42–. The hydrochemistry of Type A lakes was influenced by agricultural activities (fertilizer use and livestock manure), whereas the hydrochemistry in Type B lakes were mainly controlled by the infiltrated TMD nearby. This hydrochemical characterization approach may be helpful to understand the hydrology of desert lakes elsewhere.
Jupiter’s Moon Callisto Is Very Likely an Ocean World
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: February 2025

A closer look at previously disregarded observations reveals stronger evidence that a deep ocean lies beneath Callisto’s icy surface.
Systematic identification of cancer pathways and potential drugs for intervention through multi-omics analysis
Authors: Xu Tuan , Ngan Deborah K. , Zheng Wei , Huang Ruili
Published: February 2025

The pathogenesis of cancer is complicated, and different types of cancer often exhibit different gene mutations resulting in different omics profiles. The purpose of this study was to systematically identify cancer-specific biological pathways and potential cancer-targeting drugs. We collectively analyzed the transcriptomics and proteomics data from 16 common types of human cancer to study the mechanism of carcinogenesis and seek potential treatment. Statistical approaches were applied to identify significant molecular targets and pathways related to each cancer type. Potential anti-cancer drugs were subsequently retrieved that can target these pathways. The number of significant pathways linked to each cancer type ranged from four (stomach cancer) to 112 (acute myeloid leukemia), and the number of therapeutic drugs that can target these cancer related pathways, ranged from one (ovarian cancer) to 97 (acute myeloid leukemia and non-small-cell lung carcinoma). As a validation of our method, some of these drugs are FDA approved therapies for their corresponding cancer type. Our findings provide a rich source of testable hypotheses that can be applied to deconvolute the complex underlying mechanisms of human cancer and used to prioritize and repurpose drugs as anti-cancer therapies.
An evolutionary perspective on the genetics of anorexia nervosa
Authors: Breton Édith , Kaufmann Tobias
Published: February 2025

Anorexia nervosa (AN) typically emerges around adolescence and predominantly affects females. Recent progress has been made in identifying biological correlates of AN, but more research is needed to pinpoint the specific mechanisms that lead to its development and maintenance. There is a known phenotypic link between AN, growth and sexual maturation, yet the genetic overlap between these phenotypes remains enigmatic. One may hypothesize that shared factors between AN, energy metabolism and reproductive functions may have been under recent evolutionary selection. Here, we characterize the genetic overlap between AN, BMI and age at menarche, and aimed to reveal recent evolutionary factors that may help explain the origin of AN. We obtained publicly available GWAS summary statistics of AN, BMI and age at menarche and studied the polygenic overlap between them. Next, we used Neandertal Selective Sweep scores to explore recent evolutionary selection. We found 22 loci overlapping between AN and BMI, and 9 loci between AN and age at menarche, with 7 of these not previously associated with AN. We found that loci associated with AN may have been under particular evolutionary dynamic. Chronobiology appeared relevant to the studied genetic overlaps and prone to recent evolutionary selection, offering a promising avenue for future research. Taken together, our findings contribute to the understanding of the genetic underpinning of AN. Ultimately, better knowledge of the biological origins of AN may help to target specific biological processes and facilitate early intervention in individuals who are most at risk.
Hepatic factor MANF drives hepatocytes reprogramming by detaining cytosolic CK19 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Mei Qiong , Zhang Yu , Li Hong , Ma Wei , Huang Wenkai , Wu Zhengsheng , Huang Yongli , Liang Yanyan , Wei Chuansheng , Wang Jinfeng , Ruan Yuefeng , Yang Lin , Huang Yan , Shen Yujun , Liu Jun , Feng Lijie , Shen Yuxian
Published: February 2025

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is characterized by poor prognosis and limited treatment. Hepatocytes have been considered as one of the origins of ICC, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF), a hepatoprotective factor, was exceptionally upregulated in human ICC tissues and experimental mouse ICC models induced by sleeping beauty transposon (SBT) or thioacetamide (TAA) challenge. We identified MANF as a biomarker for distinguishing the primary liver cancer and verified the oncogenic role of MANF in ICC using cell lines overexpressing/knocked down MANF and mice specifically knocked in/out MANF in hepatocytes. Lineage tracing revealed that MANF promoted mature hepatocyte transformation into ICC cells. Mechanistically, MANF interacted with CK19 at Ser35 to suppress CK19 membrane recruitment. Cytosolic CK19 bound to AR domain of Notch2 intracellular domain (NICD2) to stabilize NICD2 protein level and trigger Notch signaling, which contributed to hepatocyte transformation to ICC cells. We uncover a novel profile of MANF and the original mechanism, which shed light on ICC diagnosis and intervention.
What have we learned from a decade treating patients with diabetic macular oedema with 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant?
Authors: Kodjikian Laurent , Duarte Lilianne , Singh Pankaj , Habib Maged , Gonzalez Victor
Published: February 2025

Diabetic macular oedema [DMO] is a prevalent and sight-threatening condition among diabetic patients, which can cause irreversible blindness. Since angiogenesis and inflammation are two key elements in the etiopathogenesis of DMO, intravitreal injections of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors [anti-VEGF] and sustained released intravitreal corticosteroid implants are currently considered as treatments of choice. The introduction, 10 years ago, of the 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide [FAc] implant for treating eyes with vision impairment associated with recurrent and persistent DMO represented an important advance. Since then, two randomized-control trials and many real-world studies have shown its good efficacy/safety profile and the replicability of its treatment regimen. The FAc implant is, in general terms well tolerated, although it is associated with intraocular pressure-[IOP] and cataract-related adverse events [AEs]. Most IOP-related AEs are effectively controlled with ocular-hypotensive therapies. The objective of this paper is to review the role of FAc implant in the treatment of DMO over the 10 years since its launch, as well as its impact on clinical practice outcomes.
Long-term visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and risk of cardiovascular and bleeding events: insights from the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial
Authors: Proietti Riccardo , Palazzolo Michael Gerard , Ruff Christian T. , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Giugliano Robert P.
Published: February 2025

This post hoc analysis of the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial assesses differences in cardiovascular and bleeding events according to visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPv) in 19,680 patients with a minimum of 4 blood pressure measurements post randomization. Patients were categorized into four groups based on the standard deviation of systolic blood pressure (SBP-SD). In comparisons of the fourth vs first quartile of SBP-SD adjusted for components of the CHA2D2-VASc score and baseline SBP, there were no differences in the odds of stroke, cardiovascular mortality, or all-cause mortality. However, there were statistically significant increases in the risk of major bleeding (OR 1.9, (1.6–2.25)). myocardial infarction (OR 1.42 (1.08–1.87)) and heart failure outcomes (OR 1.49 (1.3–1.72)) in the fourth quartile of BPv. This post-hoc analysis shows that BPv is independently associated with an increased risk of bleeding, MI, and heart failure outcomes in a population with AF on oral anticoagulation.
Modifiable factors to achieve target blood pressure in hypertensive participants
Authors: Tanaka-Mizuno Sachiko , Nakatsu Fumiko , Eguchi Shunsuke , Iekushi Kazuma , Nakagami Hironori
Published: February 2025

The management of hypertension is one of the most important public health issues. Many patients with untreated hypertension in Japan require urgent treatment. This retrospective cohort study in Hiratsuka city aimed to evaluate the proportion of participants achieving target blood pressure and identify modifiable factors affecting the achievement. We retrospectively analyzed data from a merged database of claims, specific health checkup (SHC), and national health insurance data in Hiratsuka City, Japan, from June 2016 to March 2023. The study participants were adults aged 40–74 years without a history of hypertension treatment and with blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg at SHC. The primary outcome was the achievement of target blood pressure <140/90 mmHg at the next SHC. Furthermore, multivariable logistic regression was performed to explore factors influencing the achievement. Of 5428 participants, 43.6% were female. The median age was 69 years, and 58.4% (95% confidence interval 57.1–59.7) achieved target blood pressure <140/90 mmHg. Multivariable logistic regression results showed that achievement of target blood pressure was associated with younger age (50–69 years), mild hypertension (grade I), no hypertension at the previous SHC, no record of SHC in the previous year, and willingness to improve lifestyle. One-third of people reported that their hypertension at SHCs failed to achieve target blood pressure. For community-level hypertension management, people who have the influencing factors must be educated by public health nurses, which might be effective for lifestyle improvement. Additionally, the elderly and people with persistent hypertension or severe hypertension should seek medical advice.
Single-cell imaging reveals efficient nutrient uptake and growth of microalgae darkening the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Halbach Laura , Kitzinger Katharina , Hansen Martin , Littmann Sten , Benning Liane G. , Bradley James A. , Whitehouse Martin J. , Olofsson Malin , Mourot Rey , Tranter Martyn , Kuypers Marcel M. M. , Ellegaard-Jensen Lea , Anesio Alexandre M.
Published: February 2025

Blooms of dark pigmented microalgae accelerate glacier and ice sheet melting by reducing the surface albedo. However, the role of nutrient availability in regulating algal growth on the ice remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate glacier ice algae on the Greenland Ice Sheet, providing single-cell measurements of carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) ratios and assimilation rates of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), ammonium and nitrate following nutrient amendments. The single-cell analyses reveal high C:N and C:P atomic ratios in algal biomass as well as intracellular P storage. DIC assimilation rates are not enhanced by ammonium, nitrate, or phosphate addition. Our combined results demonstrate that glacier ice algae can optimise nutrient uptake, facilitating the potential colonization of newly exposed bare ice surfaces without the need for additional nutrient inputs. This adaptive strategy is particularly important given accelerated climate warming and the expansion of melt areas on the Greenland Ice Sheet.
Spatio-temporal control of mitosis using light via a Plk1 inhibitor caged for activity and cellular permeability
Authors: von Glasenapp Victoria , C. Almeida Ana , Chang Dalu , Gasic Ivana , Winssinger Nicolas , Gotta Monica
Published: February 2025

The ability to control the activity of kinases spatially and temporally is essential to elucidate the role of signalling pathways in development and physiology. Progress in this direction has been hampered by the lack of tools to manipulate kinase activity in a highly controlled manner in vivo. Here we report a strategy to modify BI2536, the well characterized inhibitor of the conserved and essential mitotic kinase Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1). We introduce the same coumarin photolabile protecting group (PPG) at two positions of the inhibitor. At one position, the coumarin prevents the interaction with Plk1, at the second it masks an added carboxylic acid, important for cellular retention. Exposure to light results in removal of both PPGs, leading to the activation of the inhibitor and its trapping inside cells. We demonstrate the efficacy of the caged inhibitor in three-dimensional spheroid cultures: by uncaging it with a single light pulse, we can inhibit Plk1 and arrest cell division, a highly dynamic process, with spatio-temporal control. Our design can be applied to other small molecules, providing a solution to control their activity in living cells with unprecedented precision.
Conserved immunomodulation and variation in host association by Xanthomonadales commensals in Arabidopsis root microbiota
Authors: Ordon Jana , Logemann Elke , Maier Louis-Philippe , Lee Tak , Dahms Eik , Oosterwijk Anniek , Flores-Uribe Jose , Miyauchi Shingo , Paoli Lucas , Stolze Sara Christina , Nakagami Hirofumi , Felix Georg , Garrido-Oter Ruben , Ma Ka-Wai , Schulze-Lefert Paul
Published: February 2025

Suppression of chronic Arabidopsis immune responses is a widespread but typically strain-specific trait across the major bacterial lineages of the plant microbiota. We show by phylogenetic analysis and in planta associations with representative strains that immunomodulation is a highly conserved, ancestral trait across Xanthomonadales, and preceded specialization of some of these bacteria as host-adapted pathogens. Rhodanobacter R179 activates immune responses, yet root transcriptomics suggest this commensal evades host immune perception upon prolonged association. R179 camouflage likely results from combined activities of two transporter complexes (dssAB) and the selective elimination of immunogenic peptides derived from all partners. The ability of R179 to mask itself and other commensals from the plant immune system is consistent with a convergence of distinct root transcriptomes triggered by immunosuppressive or non-suppressive synthetic microbiota upon R179 co-inoculation. Immunomodulation through dssAB provided R179 with a competitive advantage in synthetic communities in the root compartment. We propose that extensive immunomodulation by Xanthomonadales is related to their adaptation to terrestrial habitats and might have contributed to variation in strain-specific root association, which together accounts for their prominent role in plant microbiota establishment.
Maximal steady-state entanglement in autonomous quantum thermal machines
Authors: Khandelwal Shishir , Annby-Andersson Björn , Diotallevi Giovanni Francesco , Wacker Andreas , Tavakoli Armin
Published: February 2025

We devise an autonomous quantum thermal machine consisting of three pairwise-interacting qubits, two of which are locally coupled to thermal reservoirs. The machine operates autonomously, as it requires no time-coherent control, external driving or quantum bath engineering, and is instead propelled by a chemical potential bias. Under ideal conditions, we show that this out-of-equilibrium system can deterministically generate a maximally entangled steady-state between two of the qubits, or any desired pure two-qubit entangled state, emerging as a dark state of the system. We study the robustness of entanglement production with respect to several relevant parameters, obtaining nearly-maximally-entangled states well-away from the ideal regime of operation. Furthermore, we show that our machine architecture can be generalised to a configuration with 2n − 1 qubits, in which only a potential bias and two-body interactions are sufficient to generate genuine multipartite maximally entangled steady states in the form of a W state of n qubits.
Controlling Coulomb correlations and fine structure of quasi-one-dimensional excitons by magnetic order
Authors: Liebich M. , Florian M. , Nilforoushan N. , Mooshammer F. , Koulouklidis A. D. , Wittmann L. , Mosina K. , Sofer Z. , Dirnberger F. , Kira M. , Huber R.
Published: February 2025

Many surprising properties of quantum materials result from Coulomb correlations defining electronic quasiparticles and their interaction chains. In van der Waals layered crystals, enhanced correlations have been tailored in reduced dimensions, enabling excitons with giant binding energies and emergent phases including ferroelectric, ferromagnetic and multiferroic orders. Yet, correlation design has primarily relied on structural engineering. Here we present quantitative experiment–theory proof that excitonic correlations can be switched through magnetic order. By probing internal Rydberg-like transitions of excitons in the magnetic semiconductor CrSBr, we reveal their binding energy and a dramatic anisotropy of their quasi-one-dimensional orbitals manifesting in strong fine-structure splitting. We switch the internal structure from strongly bound, monolayer-localized states to weakly bound, interlayer-delocalized states by pushing the system from antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic phases. Our analysis connects this transition to the exciton’s spin-controlled effective quantum confinement, supported by the exciton’s dynamics. In future applications, excitons or even condensates may be interfaced with spintronics; extrinsically switchable Coulomb correlations could shape phase transitions on demand.
Tumour-wide RNA splicing aberrations generate actionable public neoantigens
Authors: Kwok Darwin W. , Stevers Nicholas O. , Etxeberria Iñaki , Nejo Takahide , Colton Cove Maggie , Chen Lee H. , Jung Jangham , Okada Kaori , Lakshmanachetty Senthilnath , Gallus Marco , Barpanda Abhilash , Hong Chibo , Chan Gary K. L. , Liu Jerry , Wu Samuel H. , Ramos Emilio , Yamamichi Akane , Watchmaker Payal B. , Ogino Hirokazu , Saijo Atsuro , Du Aidan , Grishanina Nadia R. , Woo James , Diaz Aaron , Hervey-Jumper Shawn L. , Chang Susan M. , Phillips Joanna J. , Wiita Arun P. , Klebanoff Christopher A. , Costello Joseph F. , Okada Hideho
Published: February 2025

T cell-based immunotherapies hold promise in treating cancer by leveraging the immune system’s recognition of cancer-specific antigens1. However, their efficacy is limited in tumours with few somatic mutations and substantial intratumoural heterogeneity2–4. Here we introduce a previously uncharacterized class of tumour-wide public neoantigens originating from RNA splicing aberrations in diverse cancer types. We identified T cell receptor clones capable of recognizing and targeting neoantigens derived from aberrant splicing in GNAS and RPL22. In cases with multi-site biopsies, we detected the tumour-wide expression of the GNAS neojunction in glioma, mesothelioma, prostate cancer and liver cancer. These neoantigens are endogenously generated and presented by tumour cells under physiologic conditions and are sufficient to trigger cancer cell eradication by neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Moreover, our study highlights a role for dysregulated splicing factor expression in specific cancer types, leading to recurrent patterns of neojunction upregulation. These findings establish a molecular basis for T cell-based immunotherapies addressing the challenges of intratumoural heterogeneity.
Human-correlated genetic models identify precision therapy for liver cancer
Authors: Müller Miryam , May Stephanie , Hall Holly , Kendall Timothy J. , McGarry Lynn , Blukacz Lauriane , Nuciforo Sandro , Georgakopoulou Anastasia , Jamieson Thomas , Phinichkusolchit Narisa , Dhayade Sandeep , Suzuki Toshiyasu , Huguet-Pradell Júlia , Powley Ian R. , Officer-Jones Leah , Pennie Rachel L. , Esteban-Fabró Roger , Gris-Oliver Albert , Pinyol Roser , Skalka George L. , Leslie Jack , Hoare Matthew , Sprangers Joep , Malviya Gaurav , Mackintosh Agata , Johnson Emma , McCain Misti , Halpin John , Kiourtis Christos , Nixon Colin , Clark Graeme , Clark William , Shaw Robin , Hedley Ann , Drake Thomas M. , Tan Ee Hong , Neilson Matt , Murphy Daniel J. , Lewis David Y. , Reeves Helen L. , Le Quesne John , Mann Derek A. , Carlin Leo M. , Blyth Karen , Llovet Josep M. , Heim Markus H. , Sansom Owen J. , Miller Crispin J. , Bird Thomas G.
Published: February 2025

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of primary liver cancer, is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide1,2. HCC occurs typically from a background of chronic liver disease, caused by a spectrum of predisposing conditions. Tumour development is driven by the expansion of clones that accumulate progressive driver mutations3, with hepatocytes the most likely cell of origin2. However, the landscape of driver mutations in HCC is broadly independent of the underlying aetiologies4. Despite an increasing range of systemic treatment options for advanced HCC, outcomes remain heterogeneous and typically poor. Emerging data suggest that drug efficacies depend on disease aetiology and genetic alterations5,6. Exploring subtypes in preclinical models with human relevance will therefore be essential to advance precision medicine in HCC7. Here we generated a suite of genetically driven immunocompetent in vivo and matched in vitro HCC models. Our models represent multiple features of human HCC, including clonal origin, histopathological appearance and metastasis. We integrated transcriptomic data from the mouse models with human HCC data and identified four common human–mouse subtype clusters. The subtype clusters had distinct transcriptomic characteristics that aligned with the human histopathology. In a proof-of-principle analysis, we verified response to standard-of-care treatment and used a linked in vitro–in vivo pipeline to identify a promising therapeutic candidate, cladribine, that has not previously been linked to HCC treatment. Cladribine acts in a highly effective subtype-specific manner in combination with standard-of-care therapy.
Czech political candidate and donation datasets
Authors: Linek Lukáš , Škvrňák Michael , Šoltés Michal , Titl Vítězslav
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces a new Czech Political Candidate Dataset (CPCD), which compiles comprehensive data on all candidates who have run in any municipal, regional, national, and/or European Parliament election in the Czech Republic since 1993. For each candidate, the CPCD includes their first name, last name, age, gender, place of residence, university degree, party membership, party affiliation, ballot position, and election results for candidates and for parties. We match candidates over various elections by using algorithms that rely on their personal information. We add information on political donations made to political parties. We source donation information from the Czech Political Donation Dataset (CPDD), our other newly built dataset, in which we compile records of individual donations to 12 leading political parties from official records for the period from 2017 to 2023. CPDD is publicly available along with the CPCD.
Multiphysical characterization for predicting compressive strength of Portland cement concrete using synthetic aperture radar, ultrasonic testing, and rebound hammer
Authors: Abazarsa Maryam , Yu Tzuyang
Published: February 2025

Portland cement concrete (PCC) is a versatile and widely used construction material renowned for its strength and durability. The mechanical properties of PCC, including compressive strength, flexural strength, and splitting tensile strength, play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of structures such as buildings, bridges, and dams. Traditionally, the determination of PCC’s compressive strength involves destructive testing of standard-size concrete cylinders until they fail. While nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques are available for assessing these properties, they often require direct contact between the sensor and the concrete surface, making them less efficient and practical compared to remote sensing techniques. In this paper, three NDE techniques were applied for estimating the mechanical properties of concrete, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR), ultrasonic testing (UT), and a rebound hammer (RH). A total of 48 laboratory concrete cylinders (diameter = 3", height = 6") were manufactured. These cylinders were created with different water-to-cement ratios (0.4, 0.45, 0.5, and 0.55) with a mix design ratio of 1:2:3 for cement: sand: gravel (by mass). Before these cylinders were tested by destructive compression test, they were measured by three NDE techniques. A 10 GHz SAR system, a 54 kHz UT system, and a RH sensor were used to inspect those cylinders at different concrete ages (7, 14, 28, and 96 days). From our result, the performance ranking among three NDE techniques was individually UT, SAR, and RH. When combining two NDE techniques, SAR with UT delivered the best performance. Multiphysical NDE (SAR with UT) outperformed uniphysical NDE (UT with RH) on the prediction of compressive strength of concrete, with a highest R2 value of 0.9918. This research demonstrates the promising potential of multiphysical NDE for other engineering problems.