bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boosting Brainpower in Ageing: Task-Specific and Transfer Effects of tDCS-Enhanced Working Memory Training
Authors: León-Correa Esteban , Ruhnau Philipp , Balani Alex , Qureshi Adam , Tse Dorothy , Makris Stergios
Published: February 2025

Ageing is associated with neural alterations that impair cognitive abilities, particularly working memory (WM)—the capacity to temporarily store and manipulate information essential for daily functioning. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has shown promise in enhancing WM in older adults by modulating cortical excitability and promoting neuroplasticity. However, findings on the combined effects of tDCS and WM training remain inconsistent, particularly regarding transfer effects to non-trained WM tasks (near transfer) or other cognitive domains (far transfer).

This study examined the behavioural and neural effects of tDCS on distinct WM phases (encoding, retention/manipulation, recall) in older adults. Over three weeks, participants underwent six sessions of adaptive WM training paired with tDCS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Neural activity was assessed via EEG, focusing on theta and alpha bands. Participants were divided into tDCS and placebo groups and completed two WM tests, the Letter Span and Corsi Test, with retention and manipulation conditions.

Results showed no additional behavioural or neural benefits of tDCS. However, both groups exhibited near-transfer effects that persisted one-month post-training. Neural changes varied by task: the Letter Span showed increased alpha power during manipulation, indicating enhanced maintenance of information during that phase, while the Corsi Test showed reduced left-hemisphere theta power during recall, reflecting reduced hemispheric asymmetry.

Inter-individual variability likely contributed to inconsistencies and a lack of correlations between outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of personalised tDCS protocols and suggest adaptive WM training can yield enduring cognitive and neural benefits in older adults.
A syntax network morphospace reveals sudden transitions between discrete developmental stages during language acquisition
Authors: Barceló-Coblijn Lluís , Eguíluz Víctor M , Seoane Luís F
Published: February 2025

Syntax is an aspect of human language responsible for the hierarchical ordering of linguistic structures. Syntax can be summarized by dependency trees with words as nodes and edges reflecting syntactic subordination. By merging trees from several sentences, we obtain syntax graphs or networks, which display distinct shapes depending on whether the language capability is well-formed, still developing, or pathological. Such graphs make syntactic capacity quantifiable at a systemic level, revealing emerging patterns and universalities. What is the structure of syntax networks during ontogeny in typically developing (TD) children? Do cognitively challenged children develop language through alternative routes? Here we quantify and portray the typical development of syntax networks in Dutch, and find that children affected by Down syndrome, hearing impairment, and specific language impairment initially seem to follow the typical developmental path but eventually halt, culminating in a different linguistic phenotype. Our expanded data set (with almost 50 times more data than earlier studies) and increased mathematical dimensions to quantify network shape enable us to: (i) confirm and refine a proposed sharp transition in language development, (ii) correlate specific network traits with syntax maturation, and (iii) quantify the aspects that fall short in atypical development—suggesting potential diagnostic tools. We also find grounds to hypothesize a gap in syntax maturation, separating challenged children who nevertheless reach the latest stage from others systematically stuck, regardless of their condition. Our quantitative analysis enables a rigorous visualization of linguistic development trajectories, an old (yet mostly qualitative) theme in linguistics. Similar works should allow to test and propose specific hypotheses on solid grounds, as we do here. Future efforts should generalize to other languages and/or clinical conditions, seeking patterns that might point at universalities in language development.
Histone Lysine Crotonylation Regulates Long-Term Memory Storage
Authors: Mukherjee Utsav , Basu Budhaditya , Beyer Stacy E. , Ghodsi Saaman , Robillard Nathan , Vanrobaeys Yann , Taylor Eric B. , Abel Ted , Chatterjee Snehajyoti
Published: February 2025

Histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), particularly lysine acetylation (Kac), are critical epigenetic regulators of gene transcription underlying long-term memory consolidation. Beyond Kac, several other non-acetyl acylations have been identified, but their role in memory consolidation remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate histone lysine crotonylation (Kcr) as a key molecular switch of hippocampal memory storage. Spatial memory training induces distinct spatiotemporal patterns of Kcr induction in the dorsal hippocampus of mice. Through genetic and pharmacological manipulations, we show that reducing hippocampal Kcr levels impairs long-term memory, while increasing Kcr enhances memory. Utilizing single-nuclei multiomics, we delineate that Kcr enhancement during memory consolidation activates transcription of genes involved in neurotransmission and synaptic function within hippocampal excitatory neurons. Cell-cell communication analysis further inferred that Kcr enhancement strengthens glutamatergic signaling within principal hippocampal neurons. Our findings establish Kcr as a novel epigenetic mechanism governing memory consolidation and provide a foundation for therapeutic strategies targeting memory-related disorders.
Metabolically flexible microorganisms rapidly establish glacial foreland ecosystems
Authors: Ricci Francesco , Bay Sean K. , Nauer Philipp A. , Wong Wei Wen , Ni Gaofeng , Jimenez Luis , Jirapanjawat Thanavit , Leung Pok Man , Bradley James A. , Eate Vera M. , Hall Montgomery , Stubbusch Astrid , Fernández-Marin Beatriz , de los Ríos Asunción , Cook Perran L.M. , Schroth Martin H. , Chiri Eleonora , Greening Chris
Published: February 2025

An overriding question in ecology is how new ecosystems form. This question can be tested by studying colonisation of environments with little to no pre-existing life. Here, we investigated the functional basis of microbial colonisation in the forelands of a maritime Antarctic and an alpine Swiss retreating glacier, by integrating quantitative ecology, genome-resolved metagenomics, and biogeochemical measurements. Habitat generalists and opportunists rapidly colonize both forelands and persist across soil depth and decadal chronosequences that serve as proxies for temporal community dynamics. These microbes are metabolically flexible chemotrophic aerobes that overcome oligotrophic conditions by using both organic and inorganic compounds, including atmospheric trace gases and sulfur substrates, for energy and carbon acquisition. They co-exist with metabolically flexible early-colonising opportunists and metabolically restricted later-colonising specialists, including photosynthetic Cyanobacteria, ammonia-oxidising archaea, and obligate predatory and symbiotic bacteria, that exhibit narrower habitat distributions. Analysis of 589 species-level metagenome-assembled genomes reveals early colonisation both by generalists and opportunists is strongly associated with metabolic flexibility. Field- and laboratory-based biogeochemical measurements reveal the activity of metabolically flexible microbes rapidly commenced in the forelands. Altogether, these findings suggest primary succession in glacial foreland soils is driven by self-sufficient metabolically flexible bacteria that mediate chemosynthetic primary production and likely provide a more hospitable soil environment for subsequent colonisation.
The neural basis of creative thought: An activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis involving over 17,000 participants
Authors: Chan Melody M.Y. , Lambon Ralph Matthew A. , Robinson Gail A.
Published: February 2025

Humans can create impressive art, make major scientific breakthroughs, and generate creative solutions that solve everyday life problems. But how are these creative activities supported by the brain? This question is of great scientific interest but remains unanswered. New hypotheses, grounded in converging evidence from cognitive neuroscience, are needed to guide breakthroughs in understanding the neural basis of creative thought. It has long been suggested that creativity is a distinct mental function. However, converging clinical-cognitive neuroscience evidence is starting to suggest that creative thought is not functionally distinct but, instead, might arise from general purpose cognitive mechanisms supporting semantic cognition, controlled episodic memory retrieval, and executive mechanisms (i.e.,Cognitive Cornerstones Hypothesis; Chan et al., 2023). Results from this large-scale activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis, based on 787 experiments with 10,357 foci from 17,228 healthy adult participants, showed that the brain regions implicated in creativity tasks heavily overlap with the brain regions implicated in the cognitive cornerstones of creative thought (i.e., pre-existing knowledge and executive mechanisms). These striking results suggest that innovative insights will arise from considering the roles of these fundamental cognitive functions and their interactions in supporting creative thought.
Elastic neutrino-electron scattering at the one-loop level in the standard model
Authors: Huang Jihong , Zhou Shun
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we perform a complete calculation of the differential cross section for elastic neutrino-electron scattering at the one-loop level in the Standard Model (SM), by using up-to-date values of relevant input parameters in the on-shell renormalization scheme. A careful comparison with the calculation done by Sarantakos, Sirlin, and Marciano more than forty years ago in the same scheme is carried out, and an excellent agreement is found if the same values of input parameters are taken. Then we apply our results to compute the event rates for the detection of reactor antineutrinos in both JUNO and TAO experiments, which are now under construction and will soon be in operation. It should be emphasized that one-loop radiative corrections in the SM must be taken into account in the first place when searching for possible new-physics effects in the coming era of precision neutrino physics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Boundary Carrollian Conformal Field Theories and Open Null Strings
Authors: Bagchi Arjun , Chakraborty Pronoy , Chakrabortty Shankhadeep , Fredenhagen Stefan , Grumiller Daniel , Pandit Priyadarshini
Published: February 2025

We consider Carrollian conformal field theories in two dimensions and construct the boundary Carrollian conformal algebra (BCCA), opening up innumerable possibilities for further studies, given the growing relevance of Carrollian symmetries. We prove that the BCCA emerges by contracting a single copy of the Virasoro algebra. As an application, we construct, for the first time, open null strings and show that, for Dirichlet boundary conditions, we recover the BCCA as the algebra of constraints. We finally reconstruct our string results by taking the null limit of tensile open strings.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Search for Highly Ionizing Particles in
pp
Collisions during LHC Run 2 Using the Full MoEDAL Detector
Authors: Acharya B. , Alexandre J. , Benes P. , Bergmann B. , Bertolucci S. , Bevan A. , Brancaccio R. , Branzas H. , Burian P. , Campbell M. , Cecchini S. , Cho Y. M. , de Montigny M. , De Roeck A. , Ellis J. R. , Fairbairn M. , Felea D. , Frank M. , Hays J. , Hirt A. M. , Ho D. L.-J. , Hung P. Q. , Janecek J. , Kalliokoski M. , Lacarrère D. H. , Leroy C. , Levi G. , Margiotta A. , Maselek R. , Maulik A. , Mauri N. , Mavromatos N. E. , Mieskolainen M. , Millward L. , Mitsou V. A. , Mukhopadhyay A. , Musumeci E. , Ostrovskiy I. , Ouimet P.-P. , Papavassiliou J. , Patrizii L. , Păvălaş G. E. , Pinfold J. L. , Popa L. A. , Popa V. , Pozzato M. , Pospisil S. , Rajantie A. , Ruiz de Austri R. , Sahnoun Z. , Sakellariadou M. , Sakurai K. , Sarkar S. , Semenoff G. , Shaa A. , Sirri G. , Sliwa K. , Soluk R. , Spurio M. , Staelens M. , Suk M. , Tenti M. , Togo V. , Tuszyński J. A. , Upreti A. , Vento V. , Vives O. ,   MoEDAL Collaboration
Published: February 2025

This search for magnetic monopoles (MMs) and high electric charge objects (HECOs) with spins 0, 1/2, and 1, uses for the first time the full MoEDAL detector, exposed to 6.46  fb−1 proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV. The results are interpreted in terms of Drell-Yan and photon-fusion pair production. Mass limits on direct production of MMs of up to 10 Dirac magnetic charges and HECOs with electric charge in the range 10e to 400e, were achieved. The charge limits placed on MM and HECO production are currently the strongest in the world. MoEDAL is the only LHC experiment capable of being directly calibrated for highly ionizing particles using heavy ions and with a detector system dedicated to definitively measuring magnetic charge.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Synthesis, crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface and crystal void analysis of 4-fluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazol-1-ium chloride
Authors: Gurbanov Atash V. , Hökelek Tuncer , Mammadova Gunay Z. , Hasanov Khudayar I. , Javadzade Tahir A. , Belay Alebel N.
Published: February 2025

The asymmetric unit of the title salt, C6H4FN2Se+·Cl−, contains one planar 4-fluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazol-1-ium molecular cation and a chloride anion. In the crystal, intermolecular N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds link the 4-fluorobenzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazol-1-ium molecules, which are arranged in parallel layers along (104), to the chloride anions. The cationic layers, in turn, are stacked along [001]. A Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...Cl/Cl...H (22.6%), H...F/F...H (13.9%), H...N/N...H (11.9%), H...C/C...H (10.2%) and H...H (7.7%) interactions. The volume of the crystal voids and the percentage of free space were calculated to be 44.80 Å3 and 5.91%, showing that there is no large cavity in the crystal packing.
A balanced approach: remote employees’ experiences with employee engagement and well-being
Authors: Tackett Teresa , Lemon Laura L.
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to better understand remote and hybrid employees’ experiences with the interconnection between employee engagement and well-being in relation to the participants’ lived experiences in nontraditional work roles post-pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

To better understand how employees’ experiences with remote work underscore employee engagement and well-being in post-pandemic nontraditional work roles, we conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with remote and hybrid employees in various industries across the United States.

Findings

This study has three major findings. First, participants experienced employee engagement and well-being as distinct yet connected, with well-being and engagement simultaneously being positive and negative. Second, employee engagement was driven by the organization, while in some cases, well-being focused more on the individual. Third, participants discussed how their experiences reflected a cyclical connection between engagement and wellbeing.

Originality/value

The findings from this study demonstrate that employee well-being leads to employee engagement. In this way, well-being at the individual level becomes a predecessor or antecedent to employee engagement. Therefore, well-being plays a role in how engaged an employee might be. Participants also offered unique perspectives on engagement and well-being in the workplace, conceptualizing well-being and employee engagement as both micro- and meso-level outcomes.
Disentangling the market reaction to corporate data breach events: a configurational approach
Authors: Zhao Haiping , Rao Chongzhi , Yu Mengli , Jian Ling
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Due to the frequent occurrence of data breaches, managing the cost of these events has become one of the biggest challenges confronting modern businesses. Firms urgently require strong security and effective event response strategies to tackle data breaches.

Design/methodology/approach

This study first quantified the cost of 196 data breach events between 2016 and 2019 using the event study method and then utilized the crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA) method to investigate the influencing mechanisms of the data breach cost from the configured perspectives of firm, event and response strategy.

Findings

The results of the event study revealed significant differences in the cost of data breaches and their influencing factors between traditional and Internet-based firms. While Internet-based firms tended to experience a negative market reaction following a data breach, traditional firms did not show the same pattern. Based on the configuration analysis, six different strategies for cost control were identified, including mitigation and apology strategies for internet-based firms and indifference, fact-statement, silence-keeping and reputation-building strategies for traditional firms.

Originality/value

The findings of this study can provide deeper insights into the market reaction to data breach events as well as their influencing mechanisms. Furthermore, this study offers practical suggestions for corporations to manage and control the strikes of data breach incidents.
Optimizing process efficiency in prefabricated building supply chain: the role of hybrid governance behaviors in reducing transaction costs
Authors: Liu Guiwen , Qin Ziyi , Wu Hongjuan , Jia Ling , Zhuo Jihuan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Prefabricated building (PB) has been a pivotal force in advancing global building industrialization and sustainability. However, the PB supply chain operation faces significant challenges of exhausting negotiations, poor communication and imperfect information, representing high transaction costs (TCs). Existing literature inadequately addresses governance behaviors to mitigate TCs. This study aims to explore PB supply chain inefficiencies through the lens of TC theory, examining the nuanced relationships between hybrid governance behaviors and TCs and exploring effective governance strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theoretical frameworks of governance behavior and TCs, this study employed semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys with PB experts in Anhui, China. Subsequently, integrated backpropagation neural network and ordered logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify critical governance behaviors and explore boundaries for TCs reduction.

Findings

TCs of the PB supply chain are elevated (1) from communication and coordination; (2) during the construction and approval stages. Investigation of how governance behaviors influence the TCs indicated that (1) enterprises exert more influence than local governments; (2) governance effectiveness in the transaction and transaction environment dimensions outweighs stakeholder influence and (3) functional TCs exist in PB, associated with component manufacturing, PB contract negotiation and learning cost.

Originality/value

This study extends understanding of TCs in PB by providing nuanced insights into the nature and timing of TCs and elucidates how governance structures shape TCs. Functional TCs intrinsic to PB were identified when exploring the optimization boundaries. These insights equip local governments and enterprises with actionable knowledge to prioritize effective governance behaviors and measures.
The dynamics of conspiracy theories on social media from the diffusion of innovations perspective: the moderating role of time
Authors: Meng Xiao , Wang Xiaohui , Zhao Xinyan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The persistence and virality of conspiracy theories online have raised significant concerns. This study revisits Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory to examine the spread of conspiracy theories on social media, specifically focusing on how factors influencing their diffusion evolve over time.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes over 1.18 million COVID-19-related tweets using a combination of natural language processing, social network analysis and machine learning techniques. It explores the dynamic roles of novelty, content negativity, influencers, echo chamber members and social bots in the diffusion of conspiracy theories.

Findings

The results indicate that novelty, influencers, echo chamber members and social bots are positively associated with the spread of conspiracy theories. The initial dissemination of conspiracy theories is primarily driven by content novelty and influencer involvement. Over time, the perpetuation of these theories becomes increasingly influenced by content negativity and the involvement of echo chamber members and social bots. Social bots serve as important connectors within echo chambers and their removal significantly reduces network cohesion.

Practical implications

The findings provide practical guidance for social media platforms and policymakers in monitoring diffusion patterns and applying targeted interventions.

Originality/value

This study introduces a time-sensitive approach to understanding the spread of conspiracy theories on social media. By identifying the key drivers at different stages of the diffusion process, this study offers valuable insights for developing effective strategies to counteract the proliferation of conspiracy theories at various points in their lifecycle.
Market dynamics and critical responses of leading European banks to ECB’s expansionary policies
Authors: Petrakis Nikolaos , Lemonakis Christos , Floros Christos , Zopounidis Constantin
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to address the following research questions: How do European banking stocks react; to the European Central Bank’s (ECB) expansionary policies? Additionally, which types of expansionary measures (conventional vs. unconventional) exert the most significant influence on bank stock performance?

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing an event study approach combined with panel regression analysis, this research evaluates the impact of 77 key ECB policy interventions on the stock prices of 14 large European banks from 2007 to 2020. The event windows focus on cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) over short-term and medium-term periods to capture stock reactions to both conventional and unconventional monetary measures.

Findings

The results indicate that European banking stocks respond positively to both conventional (e.g. interest rate cuts) and unconventional (e.g. asset purchases, liquidity provisions) expansionary policies. However, asset purchase programs seem to have the most substantial and sustained impact, generating stronger positive cumulative abnormal returns over longer event windows compared to other interventions.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the literature by providing a detailed analysis of how different types of ECB monetary interventions influence bank stock performance. It is the first study to analyze and compare the persistence and strength of these measures across various event windows, offering valuable insights for investors and policymakers in assessing the effectiveness of monetary policy on capital markets.

Highlights

(1)

This paper explores how European banking stocks react to ECB’s expansionary policies.

(2)

It uses an event study and panel regression to assess 77 policy interventions from 2007 to 2020.

(3)

Asset purchases are found to have the strongest and most persistent positive effects on bank stock prices.

(4)

The analysis highlights the differential impact of conventional versus unconventional monetary policies on European banks.
Decision-making of educational leaders: new insights from the Iowa gambling task
Authors: Lambert Steve
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Middle leadership in education is often considered one of the most challenging roles within educational leadership, and it is often under-conceptualised and theorised. A key role of a middle leader is making decisions. This paper presents some initial findings from a study of 22 middle leaders in England, exploring their decision-making ability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Iowa gambling task (IGT), a commonly used psychological tool designed to assess decision-making through risk-based activities. All participants were asked to complete the IGT online. They were asked to select one of four cards from a virtual deck. The decks yielded either a positive gain (a financial win) or a net (financial) loss. Participants repeated the selection of a card 100 times.

Findings

Participants quickly learned which decks provided a positive net gain. However, what was apparent was that between cards 40 and 60, there was a significant spike in their ability to gain net wins in the cards selected. This suggests that middle leaders are more risk-seeking when they are trying to minimise losses, as in blocks 1 to 3 in the experiment. However, once they have reached a self-determined threshold, they become risk-averse to maintaining the potential gains they have made.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding how leaders make decisions is particularly important if staff are to be encouraged to take responsibility and make decisions within their roles as middle leaders. However, this study has limitations, notably that only 22 participants participated.

Originality/value

This paper offers a contemporary review underpinned by a preliminary study of middle leaders' decision-making ability against a backdrop of the limited literature on this topic.
Parenting children with developmental language disorder in the days of COVID‐19 in Turkey: Expectations and possibilities
Authors: Tığrak Tuğçe Karahan , Tığrak Arcan , Şimşek Derya Özbek , Özcebe Esra
Published: February 2025

Background

Owing to the COVID‐19 pandemic, speech‐language therapists faced challenges in reaching children with developmental language disorders (DLDs) for a certain period. This unexpected change also had a profound impact on parents of children with DLDs. Despite its significance, there is limited research exploring the experiences of parents who were unable to consult with specialists and their perspectives on telepractice services.

Aims

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the experiences of parents with children diagnosed with DLD (n = 5) related to accessing experts during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods and Procedures

Prior to the onset of pandemic‐related closures, assessments for children with DLDs were conducted, and plans for initiating their therapies were in place. Parents of children who were unable to commence therapy were invited to participate in the study. Interpretative phenomenological analysis principles were employed to analyse the collected data.

Outcomes and Results

The findings are analysed under four themes. Parents initially expressed the negative impact of being unable to reach experts, which led them to independently support their children's language development. Despite reservations about telepractice, parents were willing to participate. However, they reported feeling unprepared for the abrupt transition to telepractice, particularly regarding the technical requirements, which were limited in availability.

Conclusions and Implications

Maintaining communication with parents, particularly during crisis periods, is crucial for children in need of speech and language therapy. Providing parents with information about the therapy process, their child's language disorder, and the potential use of telepractice is essential. This approach ensures that we can offer effective support for the children.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject

During COVID‐19, parents of children with developmental language disorders who were undergoing therapy experienced adverse effects. They struggled to assist their children with communication issues and were unable to seek services.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

If their children are unable to receive language and speech therapy, parents may attempt to resolve the issue on their own. It is a difficult scenario for both parents and children. To support families in this situation, alternatives ought to be sought.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

It is possible to make improvements to current procedures and carry out research to inform families on what to do when they are left alone with their children. Future telepractice research will benefit from the development of useful tools and insightful investigations.
Working for Moral Improvement Interpretations of Institutionalised Vagrant Women in Finland During and After the Second World War
Authors: Parhi Katariina
Published: February 2025

Through a focus on women's vagrancy in the metropolitan area of Finland during and after the Second World War (1942–1947), this article analyses the different kinds of information which were produced about vagrant women by correctional labour facilities. This rich source material is navigated in line with the following fundamental question: Who is speaking? Such analysis shows that work could help women to escape their vagrant status, given the demand for the workforce. The work performance was evaluated not only in the correctional labour facilities, but also in the world outside.
Towards the Development of a Conceptual Framework of the Determinants of Pre‐Eclampsia: A Hierarchical Systematic Review of Social Determinants
Authors: Kinshella Mai‐Lei Woo , Pickerill Kelly , Prasad Sarina , Campbell Olivia , Devji Jalila , Lopes Lívia Vieira , Balleny Rosa , Elawad Terteel , Craik Rachel , Volvert Marie‐Laure , Mistry Hiten D. , Blencowe Hannah , Filippi Véronique , von Dadelszen Peter , Magee Laura A. , Vidler Marianne ,   the PRECISE Network
Published: February 2025

Background

Existing reviews of pre‐eclampsia determinants have focused on clinical and genetic risk factors.

Objective

To evaluate social determinants for pre‐eclampsia prevention.

Search Strategy

Systematic searches were conducted from relevant electronic databases from inception of each database to 30th December 2024.

Selection Criteria

Reviews and large cohort studies (≥ 1000 participants), published between 2013 and 2024, reporting quantitative associations between social determinant exposures and pre‐eclampsia outcomes.

Data Collection and Analysis

Titles and abstracts, then relevant full‐texts were reviewed by two reviewers, independently. Strength of association was evaluated as ‘definite’ (odds ratios [OR] or relative risk [RR] ≥ 3.00 or < 0.33), ‘probable’ (OR or RR 1.50–2.99 or 0.33–0.67), ‘possible’ (OR or RR 1.10–1.49 or 0.68–0.89), or ‘unlikely’ (OR or RR 0.90–1.09). Quality of the evidence was high, moderate, low, or very‐low, using GRADE.

Main Results

Twenty‐seven publications found 24 associations of pre‐eclampsia with socioeconomic status, social support/exclusion, healthcare access, and occupational and physical environmental factors. One association (polygamy) was definite (low‐quality evidence). Probable associations included: work stress, lack of antenatal care and heat exposure in early pregnancy (high‐quality evidence); prolonged occupational exposure to whole body vibrations or bending, distance to health facility, and UV‐B radiation exposure (protective factor), all based on moderate‐quality evidence; and neighbourhood deprivation, rotating work shifts, and Asian/Oceanian origins (protective factor), all based on low‐quality evidence. There were 13 possible associations, which did not include education.

Conclusion

Our findings support recommendations to address climate change, strengthen occupational protection, and promote early antenatal attendance. Social determinants may be indicative of upstream factors (e.g., obesity) that increase likelihood of clinical risk factors for pre‐eclampsia incidence and severity.
Advancements in Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring: A Report on Opportunities and Strategic Initiatives for Better Intrapartum Care
Authors: Lovers Aimée , Daumer Martin , Frasch Martin G. , Ugwumadu Austin , Warrick Philip , Vullings Rik , Pini Nicolò , Tolladay John , Petersen Olav Bjørn , Lederer Christian , Yang Liu , Djurić Petar M. , Abtahi Farhad , Holzmann Malin , Boudet Samuel , de l'Aulnoit Agathe Houzé , Georgieva Antoniya
Published: February 2025

Cardiotocography (CTG), introduced in the 1960s, was initially expected to prevent hypoxia‐related deaths and neurological injuries. However, more than five decades later, evidence supporting the evidence of intrapartum CTG in preventing neonatal and long‐term childhood morbidity and mortality remains inconclusive. At the same time, shortcomings in CTG interpretation have been recognised as important contributory factors to rising caesarean section rates and missed opportunities for timely interventions. An important limitation is its high false‐positive rate and poor specificity, which undermines reliably identifying foetuses at risk of hypoxia‐related injuries. These shortcomings are compounded by the technology's significant intra‐ and interobserver variability, as well as the subjective and complex nature of fetal heart rate interpretation. However, human factors and other environmental factors are equally significant. Advancements in fetal heart rate monitoring are crucial to support clinicians in improving health outcomes for newborns and their mothers, while at the same time avoiding unnecessary operative deliveries. These limitations highlight the clinical need to enhance neonatal outcomes while minimising unnecessary interventions, such as instrumental deliveries or caesarean sections. We believe that achieving this requires a paradigm shift from subjective interpretation of complex and nonspecific fetal heart rate patterns to evidence‐based, quantifiable solutions that integrate hardware, engineering and clinical perspectives. Such transformation necessitates an international, multidisciplinary effort encompassing the entire continuum of pregnancy care and the broader healthcare ecosystem, with emphasis on well‐defined, actionable health outcomes. Achieving this will depend on collaborations between researchers, clinicians, medical device manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders. This expert review paper outlines the most relevant and promising directions for research and strategic initiatives to address current challenges in fetal heart rate monitoring. Key themes include advancements in computerised fetal heart rate monitoring, the application of big data and artificial intelligence, innovations in home and remote monitoring and consideration of human factors.
Diversity and Vertical Distribution of Planctomycetota in the Water Column of the Remote North Pacific
Authors: Vitorino Inês Rosado , Gambardella Nicola , Semedo Miguel , Magalhães Catarina , Lage Olga Maria
Published: February 2025

The extensive microbial diversity found in the oceans is becoming to be uncovered despite limited knowledge and cultured representatives for many taxonomic groups. This study analysed the distribution and diversity of Planctomycetota at four water column profiles of the Eastern North Pacific subtropical front (ENPSF) using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A dual approach, utilising PacBio long‐reads and Illumina short‐reads, was employed to enhance the accuracy of taxonomic assignment and compare sequencing methods. The diversity of Planctomycetota increased below the deep chlorophyll maximum level (175–200 m) and in the mesopelagic layer (500 m), with beta‐diversity clustering distinctly separating samples according to different depths, resulting in pronounced vertical stratification. This community structure mirrors nutrient availability, as Planctomycetota favour depths between 175 and 200 m, where high nitrate levels are present. More Planctomycetota amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified with PacBio than with Illumina, improving detection of these bacteria. Phylogenetic analyses performed after manual curation of ASVs led to the discovery of several unknown genera of Planctomycetota, indicating that substantial diversity within this group remains to be discovered and studied in remote oligotrophic oceans.
Characterization and Extent of Illegal Trade in Jaguars and Other Felid Species via Social Media in Mexico
Authors: de la Torre J. Antonio , Duchez Kurt , Radachowsky Jeremy
Published: February 2025

The widespread use of online platforms and social media has undoubtedly facilitated the expansion of the illegal wildlife trade into global markets. Given the increase of evidence of jaguar (Panthera onca) trade through online platforms in Mexico, our objective was to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of online trade of jaguar and other wild felid parts. Our study focused on researching four main aspects related to the online trade of wild felids. First, we evaluated the scale of the online trade of jaguars and other wild felid species in Mexico. Second, we explored the locations where this activity is taking place and potential routes used for trade. Third, we analyzed the use given to the felid's parts. Finally, we estimated the potential number of animals traded through online platforms. We found 713 posts that included elements of wild felids trade in Mexico, with 60 locations and 157 users. Nine species were identified, including five native species to Mexico and four non‐native species. Our findings strongly assert that the trade of jaguars and other wild felid species parts through online platforms poses an imminent threat to these species. Data collected indicate that the online trade of these species has evolved into a widespread activity that is not solely opportunistic or locally focused. This suggests the existence of a more complex network in which online platforms facilitate communication between traders in Mexico and potential buyers in other countries. Online illegal trade of wild felids in Mexico was estimated to have involved at least ~$2,000,000 USD over the last 10 years. It is crucial to encourage local authorities to implement online platform monitoring and develop intervention strategies to prevent this activity from reaching unsustainable levels that could significantly impact the wild populations of these species.
Acoustic Niche Partitioning in a Bird Assembly in Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil
Authors: de Lucena Bruno Pinho , Mariano Erich de Freitas , de Araujo Helder Farias Pereira
Published: February 2025

We investigated vocal adjustment andacoustic niche partitioning in a bird assemblage in the Caatinga based on the Acoustic Niche Hypothesis and the Species Recognition Hypothesis. We conducted 72 recordings of 3‐min duration along two transects of 1 km length, between July 2022 and February 2023. Each transect was divided into six points, spaced 200 m apart. We analysed the spectral and temporal overlap (Pianka index) of 15 vocally dominant species and tested significance using null models based on 1000 repetitions of the Randomization Algorithm 3. Phylogenetic distances were estimated from 2500 phylogenies to assess their correlation with acoustic overlap, using Generalised Linear Models and a partial Mantel test. Twenty‐five species pairs exhibited high spectral overlap (> 0.6), whereas all pairs showed low temporal overlap (< 0.4). The analysis with null models suggested that the observed spectral overlap (0.322) was lower than expected by chance (0.261), indicating a significant difference [Standardised Effect Size (SES) = 7.162, p < 1]. The temporal overlap showed low values, with the observed (0.097) being slightly lower than the expected (0.111), but with no significant difference (SES = −6.752, p > 1). Our results revealed no correlation between spectral and temporal overlap (Estimate = −0.0059, t = −0.286, p = 0.766) or between phylogenetic distance and spectral (Estimate = −0.0001, t = −0.966, p = 0.336) and temporal (Estimate = 0.00002, t = 0.125, p = 0.901) overlap. There was also no significant correlation between spectral and temporal overlap controlled by phylogenetic distance (r = −0.02712, p = 0.553). There was no evidence of a negative association between the temporal and spectral overlap among the Caatinga bird species. The phylogenetic relationships did not explain the observed patterns. Therefore, it is possible that temporal avoidance actively occurs regardless of other factors, such as spectral overlap.
Owners of a conspiratorial heart? Investigating the longitudinal relationship between loneliness and conspiracy beliefs
Authors: Bertlich Tisa , Bräscher Anne‐Kathrin , Germer Sylvan , Witthöft Michael , Imhoff Roland
Published: February 2025

Feeling positively connected to other people is a basic human need. If this need is threatened by feeling lonely, people might become more susceptible to conspiracy theories to help make sense of their surroundings. Simultaneously, conspiracy beliefs could lead to loneliness because they can strain existing relationships. Using two pre‐registered longitudinal studies, we investigated the reciprocal relationship between loneliness and conspiracy mentality (Study 1, N = 1604) and the more malleable specific conspiracy beliefs (Study 2, N = 1502) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel models showed that people who are, on average, lonelier are also more likely to believe in conspiracy theories. However, the data provided no support for the notion that conspiracy beliefs and loneliness predicted each other over time. The research helps to understand the thus far mixed evidence on loneliness and conspiracy beliefs and adds important insights to the literature on conspiracy beliefs and need deprivation.
First Evidence of Fluorescence in Bornean Terrestrial and Freshwater Crabs
Authors: Platania Leonardo , Ledesma Vega Marta , Zakaria Bob , Vannini Andrea
Published: February 2025

We report the first case of fluorescence in four species of terrestrial and freshwater crabs from Sarawak, Borneo. We observed blue fluorescence in all the individuals examined. This study provides detailed descriptions of the fluorescence characteristics across different species contributing to understanding this phenomenon in Decapoda.
Clinical Features of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase‐65 Neurological Autoimmunity: A Case Series From China
Authors: Qiu Zhandong , Xu Fang , Zhang Mengyao , Yang Xixi , Han Yan , Li Dawei , Liu Liang , Chen Jia , Gao Lehong , Xue Qing , Hou Yue , Sun Ying , Di Li , Fan Chunqiu , Liang Junhua , Han Yue , Dong Huiqing , Hao Junwei , Liu Zheng
Published: February 2025

Objective

To explore the clinical phenotypes, characteristics, immunotherapy response, and outcomes of glutamic acid decarboxylase‐65 (GAD65) neurological autoimmunity.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with GAD65 neurological autoimmunity in the Department of Neurology at Xuanwu Hospital over the past 6 years (2017–2023). The clinical and laboratory data, imaging, therapeutic response, and long‐term prognosis of those patients were collected and analyzed.

Results

Among the 37 patients displaying significant neurological impairment, there were 14 males (37.8%) and 23 females (62.2%), with a median age of onset of 41.5 (25–59) years and a median interval of 9 (1.5–36) months from onset to a definitive diagnosis. Clinical phenotypes included epilepsy (15, 40.5%), limbic encephalitis (7, 18.9%), brainstem dysfunction (2, 5.4%), parkinsonism (2, 5.4%), peripheral neuropathy (3, 8.1%), cerebellar ataxia (1, 2.7%), and overlap syndromes (7, 18.9%). Out of 36 patients who received immunotherapy, the median time from onset to initiation of immunotherapy was 8.5 (1.5–37.5) months. Four cases were lost to follow‐up, leaving a median follow‐up period of 20.5 (16–37.25) months among the remaining 32 patients. Most patients (26, 81.3%) responded positively to immunotherapy, with some showing mild improvement or no response. Some patients showed inadequate responses to treatments such as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), but significant improvement is observed after switching to rituximab (RTX). The relationship between the timing of initiating immunotherapy and prognosis by Spearman's rank correlation only showed weak correlation.

Conclusion

The clinical spectrum of GAD65 neurological autoimmunity appeared highly diverse. Immunotherapy can benefit the majority of patients, and early treatment appeared to be associated with good prognosis. RTX may be more effective than MMF; however, this requires more rigorous prospective studies to explore.
Drain fluid iodine as a biomarker of anastomotic leak after low anterior resection in patients undergoing Gastrografin rectal tube flushes and omission of a diverting ileostomy: The GUSH study
Authors: Clark David A. , Dobeli Karen , Allen Darren , McWhinney Brett , Lonne Michael ,   GUSH Study Collaborators, Edmundson Aleksandra
Published: February 2025

Aim

Anastomotic leak (AL) is the anathema of colorectal surgery and its occurrence constitutes a serious risk to patients and places a substantial burden on the health system. The analysis of extravasated intraluminal substances in drain fluid has shown promise for the early detection of AL. The aim of this study is to assess the measurement of drain fluid iodine as a biomarker of AL.

Method

This prospective, observational, 2b exploration cohort study measured the iodine in drain fluid of patients undergoing a low colorectal anastomosis and without a diverting ileostomy (DI) when the rectal tube was flushed with Gastrografin®. Iodine was measured by dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICPMS).

Results

Sixty‐six patients underwent a rectal resection and low colorectal anastomosis. Five patients experienced an AL. Four had grade C AL and returned to the operating theatre for peritoneal lavage and DI. The fifth was diagnosed at 30 days postoperatively and underwent image‐guided drainage (grade B). The mean drain fluid iodine was significantly elevated in patients who experienced an AL compared with those who did not, as measured by DECT and ICPMS. The mean iodine value was 6.05 mg/mL vs. 0.088 mg/mL (p < 0.0001) for DECT and 41 437 μmol/L vs. 3.81 μmol/L (p < 0.0001) for ICPMS.

Conclusion

This study showed that drain iodine can be used as a sensitive indicator of early AL in patients undergoing a rectal resection with an extraperitoneal colorectal anastomosis and omission of a DI and when the rectal tube is flushed with Gastrografin following surgery.