bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of deidentified organ donor testes for research
Authors: Pryzhkova Marina V. , Skinner Marnie W. , Candelaria Juliana I. , Wellard Stephen R. , Jordan Philip W.
Published: February 2025

Our knowledge of testis development and function mainly comes from research using mammalian model organisms, primarily the mouse. However, there are integral differences between men and other mammalian species regarding cellular composition and expression profiles during fetal and post‐natal testis development and in the mature testis. Therefore, to specifically learn more about human testis development and function, there is a need to use human testis tissue for research. Human testicular tissues that have been donated for research have allowed extensive molecular and cytological assessments, as well as single‐cell transcriptome and epigenome analyses. These tissues have also been used for the development of cell technologies and in vitro models that aim to improve infertility treatments and diagnostics. Biopsied material taken from patients and designated for research is usually very small in size and is unsuitable for comprehensive studies. On the other hand, research using whole testes obtained from deceased, deidentified donors has become a valuable resource to assess conservation between humans and other organisms and identify human‐specific phenomena. This review discusses the acquisition of donated deidentified human testes and their use for basic science research.
Infants With a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Had Favourable Pulmonary Hypertension Outcomes at 1 Year of Age
Authors: Dirickx Alice , Levy Marilyne , Mellul Kelly , Coignard Maxime , Khen‐Dunlop Naziha , Lapillonne Alexandre , Stirnemann Julien , Kermorvant‐Duchemin Elsa
Published: February 2025

Aim

Pulmonary hypertension is frequent in neonates with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, but long‐term data have been scarce. Our aim was to examine its prevalence, evolution and management and identify factors associated with its persistence.

Methods

This French retrospective cohort study compared the characteristics of neonates who had persistent pulmonary hypertension, or died with it, and those with normalised pulmonary pressures at 1 month and 1 year of age.

Results

Most (92%) of the 88 neonates we studied underwent surgery. Two‐thirds (67%) had preoperative pulmonary hypertension and they included 10 of the 11 who died after surgery. Pulmonary hypertension resolved after a median of 31 days in the 70 who were discharged alive and 27% required prolonged sildenafil treatment. At 1 year, 6 (9%) of the 65 children with echocardiographic data available still had elevated pulmonary pressures. Preoperative pulmonary hypertension, associated malformations and longer invasive ventilation were independently associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension at 1 month. Only prolonged invasive ventilation remained significant at 1 year.

Conclusion

Despite its high initial prevalence and impact on mortality, pulmonary hypertension resolved within weeks of surgery in the surviving neonates. The duration of invasive ventilation may have been a key factor in its persistence.
Silencing drug transporters in human primary muscle cells modulates atorvastatin pharmacokinetics: A pilot study
Authors: Hoste Emilia , Deldicque Louise , Muccioli Giulio G. , Panin Nadtha , Terrasi Romano , Paquot Adrien , Lingurski Maxime , Pyr dit Ruys Sébastien , Haufroid Vincent , Elens Laure
Published: February 2025

Background and Purpose

Non‐adherence to atorvastatin treatment is relatively common and partly due to statin‐related myotoxicities (SRMs). The risk of developing SRM is dose‐ and concentration‐dependent, highlighting the importance of atorvastatin pharmacokinetics. This study explored the inter‐individual variabilities in expression of the atorvastatin transporter gene contributing to modulation of atorvastatin within the muscle cell.

Experimental Approach

mRNA levels of efflux and influx transporters were measured and modulated with siRNAs to evaluate effects on intracellular accumulation of atorvastatin in primary cultures of differentiated myotubes from 12 human volunteers.

Key Results

All genes assessed were expressed with a high inter‐individual variability. In differentiated myotubes, efflux transporters were expressed at higher levels than the influx carriers. When considering efflux and influx transporters separately, ABCC1 and SLCO2B1 are the most highly expressed efflux and influx transporters. Suppression of ABCC1, ABCC4 and/or ABCG2 mRNA levels with siRNA significantly increased intracellular accumulation of atorvastatin in differentiated myotubes. Interestingly, the siRNA targeting ABCG2 had a moderate effect on intracellular accumulation of atorvastatin in a volunteer expressing the ABCG2 variant rs2231142 (c.421C>A, p.Gln141Lys). This hypothesis was further validated in a HEK recombinant model overexpressing ABCG2 either wild‐type (421C) or variant (421A). Reduction of SLCO1B1 and SLCO2B1 mRNA levels significantly modified intracellular accumulation of atorvastatin in only some volunteers, depending on the expression levels of transporters.

Conclusion and Implications

Silencing ABCC1, ABCC4 or ABCG2 expression alters accumulation of atorvastatin in myotubes, whereas the effect of silencing influx transporters depends on the expression of these transporters.
Analyzing Oxygen Atom Distribution in FDA‐Approved Drugs to Enhance Drug Discovery Strategies
Authors: Masand Vijay H. , Patil Meghshyam K. , Al‐Hussain Sami A. , Samad Abdul , Rastija Vesna , Jawarkar Rahul D. , Masand Gaurav S. , Gawali Rakhi G. , Zaki Magdi E. A.
Published: February 2025

Despite advancements in molecular design rules and understanding biochemical processes, the field of drug design and discovery seeks to minimize the number and duration of synthesis‐testing cycles to convert lead compounds into drug candidates. A promising strategy involves gaining insightful understanding of key heteroatoms such as oxygen and nitrogen. This work presents a comprehensive analysis of oxygen atoms in approved drugs, aiming to streamline drug design and discovery efforts. The study examines the frequency, distribution, prevalence, and diversity of oxygen atoms in a dataset of 2049 small molecules approved by the FDA and other agencies. The analysis focuses on various types of oxygen atoms, including sp3, sp2‐hybridized, ring, and nonring. In general, existence of sp3‐O slightly outperforms sp2‐O, which is associated with balancing various factors such as flexibility, solubility, stability, and pharmacokinetics, in addition to activity and selectivity. In approved drugs, majority of oxygen atoms are present within 4 Å from the COM of the molecule. This analysis offers valuable understanding of oxygen distribution, which could be used during the multiparameter optimization process, facilitating the transformation of a hit/lead compound into a potential drug candidate.
Long‐Term Bone Height Changes After Sinus Floor Elevation With Maxillary or Mandibular Bone Grafts: A Radiological Study
Authors: Bouwman Wilhelmus F. , Eijsackers Francis A. , Bravenboer Nathalie , ten Bruggenkate Christiaan M. , Remmelzwaal Sharon , Schulten Engelbert A. J. M.
Published: February 2025

Background

This retrospective study aimed to assess the impact of maxillary and mandibular autogenous bone grafts on maxillary bone height in patients who underwent maxillary sinus floor elevation (MSFE).

Methods

The study involved 92 patients, divided into two groups: 37 patients receiving maxillary bone grafts for MSFE and 55 patients receiving mandibular bone grafts for MSFE. Bone height after MSFE was measured on panoramic radiographs up to 60 months postoperatively, comparing different positions and situations.

Results

In general, both maxillary and mandibular bone grafts resulted in an increase in bone height directly after the MSFE procedure, followed by a bone height loss over time, with no significant differences between the two groups for gap and free‐end positions. However, at distal to implant positions, mandibular bone grafts showed less bone loss. Despite gradual bone height loss, all implants remained covered with bone without exposure or subsequent loss, indicating a successful MSFE procedure.

Conclusion

This radiologic study showed that over a long‐term period there is a similar bone height pattern at dental implant sites and sites distal to implants when maxillary or mandibular bone grafts are used in MSFE.
Identification of growth differentiation factor 15 as an early predictive biomarker for metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis: A nested case–control study of UK Biobank proteomic data
Authors: Wang Hao , Xu Xiaoqian , Shi Lichen , Huang Cheng , Sun Yameng , You Hong , Jia Jidong , He You‐Wen , Kong Yuanyuan
Published: February 2025

Aims

This study aims to determine the predictive capability for metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH) long before its diagnosis by using six previously identified diagnostic biomarkers for metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with proteomic data from the UK Biobank.

Materials and Methods

A nested case–control study comprising a MASH group and three age‐ and sex‐matched control groups (metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatosis, viral hepatitis and normal liver controls) was conducted. Olink proteomics, anthropometric and biochemical data at baseline levels were obtained from the UK Biobank. The baseline levels of CDCP1, FABP4, FGF21, GDF15, IL‐6 and THBS2 were analysed prospectively to determine their predictive accuracy for subsequent diagnosis with a mean lag time of over 10 years.

Results

At baseline, GDF15 demonstrated the best performance for predicting MASH occurrence at 5 and 10 years later, with AUCs of 0.90 at 5 years and 0.86 at 10 years. A predictive model based on four biomarkers (GDF15, FGF21, IL‐6 and THBS2) showed AUCs of 0.88 at both 5 and 10 years. Furthermore, a protein‐clinical model that included these four circulating protein biomarkers along with three clinical factors (BMI, ALT and TC) yielded AUCs of 0.92 at 5 years and 0.89 at 10 years.

Conclusions

GDF15 at baseline levels outperformed other individual circulating protein biomarkers for the early prediction of MASH. Our data suggest that GDF15 and the GDF15‐based model may be used as easy‐to‐implement tools to identify patients with high risks of developing MASH at a mean lag time of over 10 years.
Is Australia ready for the rollout of amyloid‐targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease? Results from a national survey characterising current infrastructure capability, workforce and training needs of memory and cognition clinics
Authors: Michaelian Johannes C. , Rowe Christopher C. , Kurrle Susan E. , Pond Constance Dimity , Woodward Michael , Naismith Sharon L.
Published: February 2025

Background

New amyloid‐targeting monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are currently under review by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for use in Australia.

Aims

To determine the infrastructure, workforce and training needs of Australian memory and cognition clinics in order to characterise health system preparedness for these therapies.

Methods

A national, cross‐sectional online survey of medical specialists.

Results

Thirty medical specialists (geriatricians, n = 23; psychiatrists, n = 4; neurologists, n = 3) from 30 different clinics participated (public, 76.7%; private, 23.3%), including from metropolitan (73.3%), regional (20.0%) and rural (6.7%) areas. On average, clinics reported assessing 5.4 (SD = 3.2) new patients per week, of which 2.4 (range: 0–5) were considered to have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Only 40% of clinics use biomarkers to assess whether patients with MCI have AD, and 45% have intravenous infusion capability. While the majority of clinicians were confident in their knowledge of mAbs, only 33% felt confident in using these. Identified impediments to clinical implementation included (i) lack of real‐world experience, (ii) lack of current Models of Care and appropriate use guidelines, (iii) current clinic set‐up and (iv) information about safety.

Conclusions

Australia's health system preparedness for amyloid‐targeting mAb therapies will require further investment in infrastructure, equity of access, clinician training and support. Long wait times already impact access to clinics, and with the forecast rise in MCI and dementia cases, services will need to be expanded, and appropriate Models of Care and clear and efficient inter‐sector health pathways will be needed to prepare for the use of mAbs.
Deciphering Property Crime Through OLS Regression: A Demographic Study
Authors: Masron Tarmiji , Ahmad Azizul , Abdillah Kiky Kirina , Ali Asykal Syakinah Mohd , Junaini Syahrul Nizam , Kimura Yoshinari
Published: February 2025

This study explores the correlation between property crime and demographic factors in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya using spatial autocorrelation (SA) and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression from 2015 to 2020. The 2016 SA analysis shows a significant increase in Moran's I index (0.012905), with a positive z‐score of 2.020088 and a p value of 0.043374, indicating spatial clustering of crime. The study examines how factors like total population, household areas, residential areas, male populations and female populations influence number of property crime cases, revealing varying relationships year by year. By highlighting fluctuations in R‐squared and F‐statistic values, this research challenges static crime models, advocating for adaptable, data‐driven strategies in crime prevention. These findings emphasize the importance of continuous policy adjustments to address the evolving socio‐economic dynamics of urban areas.
Insight the essential role of manganese impurity to the initial hydration of Mn‐doped C4AF at the atomic level
Authors: Li Neng , Kang Yukun , Zhi Xiao , Ye Jiayuan , Jia Fujie , Chen Wei
Published: February 2025

The growing focus on reducing CO₂ emissions has promoted the use of alternative raw materials in cement production. Most heavy metal ions from these materials are preferentially incorporated into tetracalcium aluminoferrite (C₄AF), making it important to understand the effect of this incorporation on C₄AF hydration. In this work, we examined the hydration properties of manganese (Mn)‐doped C₄AF by combining well‐defined density functional theory (DFT) calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. The results indicate that Mn doping stabilizes the Mn–O octahedral structure, reducing charge transfer between water molecules and the surface. This change lowers adsorption energy and interfacial bond strength, weakening the potential for dissociative water adsorption. Mn doping reduces the initial hydration reaction rate of C₄AF, with the following hierarchy of reaction rates observed: pure C₄AF > Mn‐doped C₄AF surface > Mn‐doped C₄AF interphase. The hydrogen bonding density at the interface becomes localized upon Mn addition, reducing charge transfer between the water and the surface. Mn near the interface further delays the reaction by anchoring water molecules and hydroxyl groups. These findings provide valuable insights into the early hydration of Mn‐doped C₄AF.
Changes in Breastfeeding Relationships When Frontline Essential Working Mothers Return to Work During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Qualitative Online Study
Authors: Wood Natsuko K. , Helfrich‐Miller Kathleen R.
Published: February 2025

Aims

Many frontline essential working mothers returned to work outside of the home after maternity leave during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to describe the changes in breastfeeding relationships.

Design

A longitudinal descriptive qualitative design was used.

Methods

Four open‐ended questions were asked to explore breastfeeding experiences at home, mothers' thoughts and feelings during direct breastfeeding, strategies to solve their breastfeeding problems, and workplace breastfeeding support. Data were collected by an online survey at 1, 3, 5 and 6 months between June 2022 and August 2023. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis from 21 mothers in the United States who were directly breastfeeding at least once a day for the first 6 months. The trustworthiness of study results involved coding by consensus, peer debriefing, and maintenance of an audit trial.

Results

The core construct, “Changes in Breastfeeding Relationships When Frontline Essential Working Mothers Return to Work Outside of the Home” explained mothers' experience in four domains: (1) Breastfeeding changes, (2) Changes in sleep arrangements, (3) Social support to continue breastfeeding, and (4) Physical and emotional distress of mothers and infants.

Conclusion

Unrestricted direct breastfeeding upon reunion through the night along with co‐sleeping was the strategy mothers used to restore breastfeeding relationships with their infants and continue direct breastfeeding. Scheduled feeding and solitary sleep resulted in less direct breastfeeding, had negative consequences such as low milk supply, slow infant weight gain, and maternal distress.

Impact

Even though frontline essential working mothers persevered with the complexities of their work during the COVID‐19 pandemic, findings highlight challenges mothers faced with their breastfeeding experience. Nurses need to discuss with mothers expected challenges of less frequent direct breastfeeding along with emotional tolls while being separated from their infant and strategies to develop sustainable breastfeeding relationships and continuation of direct breastfeeding.

Patient or Public Contributions

None.
Assessing the impacts of livestock grazing on upland bird breeding territories using drone surveys
Authors: Pakeman Robin J. , Bienkowski Damian , Fielding Debbie A. , Thiel Andre , Evans Darren M.
Published: February 2025

Ground nesting birds are sensitive to habitat structure, so understanding this relationship is fundamental to managing habitat to maintain or enhance bird populations. We used an existing long‐term, large‐scale experiment with routine monitoring of meadow pipit territories to assess the capability of drone‐based remote sensing as a means of capturing relevant habitat information. Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) captured differences in stocking density between treatments, and autumn‐measured NDVI was well correlated to field measurements of vegetation height and density. Spring and autumn NDVI were negatively correlated due to dominant tussock‐forming species dying back over winter. Meadow pipit apparent territory size was positively correlated to autumn NDVI and to the difference between autumn and spring NDVI. Apparent territory size was larger where there was more tussocky vegetation that comprise the areas least preferred for foraging. The long‐lived nature of tussocks likely constrains the effect of the grazing treatments on meadow pipit breeding apparent territory size. Drone‐based remote sensing of habitat characteristics appears to be a powerful way forward to understand bird–habitat associations.
Strengthening executive functioning to disrupt binge eating in youth – a commentary on Goldschmidt et al. (2024)
Authors: Matheson Brittany
Published: February 2025

A recent publication in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry examined the role of executive functioning in treatment outcomes and engagement for adolescents receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for binge eating. While some executive functioning facets, such as impulsive decision making and cognitive flexibility, predicted eating and weight outcomes in this sample, others including inhibition, sustained attention, and parent‐reported global executive functioning scores did not. Interestingly, none of the executive functioning measures related to attrition in this study. This commentary highlights the importance of conducting research in youth with binge eating and why investigating potential moderators to enhance treatment outcomes matters. The role of parents as well as mHealth adaptations are noted. Practical clinical considerations and avenues for further research are discussed. Additional randomized clinical trials and high‐quality replicable studies are needed to determine if enhancing executive functioning prior to initiating psychotherapy can improve outcomes for this population.
Exploring the Floral Interactions of Diurnal Arctiid Moths Using Citizen Science
Authors: Beccacece Hernán Mario , Drewniak María Eugenia , Peralta Guadalupe , Cocucci Andrea Arístides , Sérsic Alicia
Published: February 2025

An important number of floral visitors are insects, though interactions between moths, particularly arctiid moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae), and plants are underreported. Furthermore, although nocturnal moths visit flowers with shorter floral tubes, small apertures, landing platforms and mainly green colours, there is limited information on whether diurnal arctiid moths visit similar flowers. Therefore, we explored the mutualistic interactions between diurnal arctiid moths and flowers across different ecoregions in Argentina, using data collected from citizen science and social network platforms. Using image‐based records of diurnal arctiid moths feeding on flowers, we examined the floral traits and the geographical origin of plants most visited by the moths. A total of 529 interactions were recorded between 65 diurnal arctiid moth species and 136 plant species. Diurnal arctiid moths mainly visited native Asteraceae species, rotaceous floral architecture and white colour flowers. The ecoregion with the highest number of links between diurnal arctiid moth species and plant species was the Alto Paraná Atlantic forests, whereas the Humid Pampas had the highest number of total interactions. Overall, the flowers visited by diurnal arctiid moths had similar characteristics to those visited by both nocturnal moths and butterflies. Image‐based records from citizen science and social network platforms can be important data sources of mutualistic interactions, though their limitations in sampling efforts, such as across ecoregions, need to be considered.
The discount for lack of marketability term structure
Authors: Finnerty John D.
Published: February 2025

I empirically estimate a discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) term structure for restriction periods up to 10 years. I model the multi‐year DLOM by annually compounding the 1‐year DLOM plus a term premium over the restriction period. I fit the model to a sample of 5,333 private equity placement implied DLOMs between 1985 and 2017. I estimate different DLOM term structures for the last and earlier pre‐initial public offering (IPO) private equity transactions. DLOM term structures exhibit level, slope, and curvature shifts similar to an interest rate term structure.
Language Ideologies of Racial Microaggression and Institutional Whiteness: Experiences of Chinese International Students in UK Higher Education
Authors: Gao Shuang
Published: February 2025

This paper explores how language intersects with race in shaping the experience of Chinese international students in UK higher education (HE). Through the lenses of racial microaggression, critical race theory, and raciolinguistic ideologies, the study analyzes interviews and written diaries from Chinese students at a public research university. It reveals three language ideologies rooted in white supremacy: the ideology of English‐only, the ideology of incompetence, and the ideology of exclusion. These ideologies manifest in everyday interactions and institutional practices, positioning Chinese students as the inferior Other and reproducing the university as a white space. However, these ideologies are sometimes internalized by students who reproduce their own raciolinguistic inferiority. The article argues that students’ racial experiences are embedded in the racial logics of the internationalization of HE and the racial hierarchies of knowledge construction, which sustain and rely on white English supremacy as a multi‐scalar and transnational endeavor.
A comparison of traumatic injury characteristics in rural and urban adults living in Wisconsin
Authors: Kallies Kara J. , Koehne William J. , Tomas Carissa W. , Tarima Sergey , Beckman Marshall A. , Beyer Kirsten M. , Cassidy Laura
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Rural compared to urban populations have higher age‐adjusted injury mortality rates. We sought to describe differences in traumatic injury mechanisms, severity, and mortality in Wisconsin adults in rural and urban areas.

Methods

State trauma registry data were analyzed for adult patients injured in 2021–2022. The Wisconsin Health Innovation Program's rural and urban classification scheme, consisting of urban advantaged, urban, urban underserved, rural advantaged, rural, and rural underserved groups, was used. Multivariable logistic regression models for in‐hospital injury mortality and prolonged length of stay (LOS) were developed.

Findings

Overall, 47,460 patients were included; 14.3% in rural, 9.5% in rural advantaged, 4.1% in rural underserved areas, 35.4% in urban, 22.0% in urban advantaged, and 14.8% in urban underserved areas. Firearm and pedestrian injuries were more common in urban areas, and motor vehicle/transportation injuries were common in rural areas. Lower odds of prolonged LOS were observed in those residing in rural advantaged (OR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.55–0.90; p = 0.004), rural (OR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.53–0.82; p < 0.001), and rural underserved (OR = 0.64, 95%CI: 0.50–0.82; p < 0.001) compared to urban advantaged areas. Those in rural underserved areas had higher odds of in‐hospital mortality (OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.15–1.91; p = 0.003) compared to urban advantaged areas.

Conclusions

Patients in rural Wisconsin experienced different injury mechanisms than in urban areas. Those in urban areas were more likely to have a prolonged hospital LOS, but those in rural underserved areas had higher in‐hospital mortality. Rural populations may benefit from injury prevention specific to the mechanisms of injury in that area and resource allocation to enhance trauma services.
A Review of Processing Techniques and Rheological Properties of Yogurts
Authors: Le Ba Thong , Dam Mai Sao , Nguyen Lien Le Phuong , Baranyai László , Kaszab Tímea
Published: February 2025

The rheology of yogurt, a critical factor influencing its texture, stability, and sensory appeal from production to consumption is explored in this review. Yogurt undergoes a transformation from a Newtonian liquid to a non‐Newtonian thixotropic gel during fermentation, a process shaped by factors such as milk source, starter culture, and fat content. Recent advances in non‐thermal treatments, such as ultrasound, microfiltration, high‐pressure processing (HPP), and ultraviolet C (UV‐C) light treatment, promise to enhance nutritional and sensory qualities of yogurt. Additionally, incorporating herbs and fruits into yogurt not only diversifies consumer options but also affects its texture, viscosity, and overall mouthfeel. The review examines how different yogurt styles—set, stirred, Greek, and drinkable—develop unique textures through varied production processes. Advances in rheological techniques and microstructural analysis have deepened our understanding of the interactions between proteins and fat globules, providing insights into the complex gel network of yogurt. Despite significant progress, further research is needed in areas such as non‐destructive rheological testing during production, the impact of extended storage, and the development of plant‐based yogurt alternatives. The insights are valuable for the dairy industry to support innovation and meet growing consumer demands.
Underground bulbils in Sonerila (Melastomataceae): innovative reproductive strategies in three paleotropical species
Authors: Sekarathil Resmi , Kaliyamurthy Karthigeyan , Cellinese Nico , Nampy Santhosh
Published: February 2025

This study elucidates the poorly known phenomenon of bulbil formation observed in three species of Sonerila viz., Sonerila tenella, S. ponmudiana and S. nairii. These bulbils represent clusters of 5–20 fleshy scales, developing adventitiously from roots or lower stem nodes, connected by a common stalk or immature stem, and predominantly occurring during early winter when plants are in fruiting or late flowering stages. Initially, these scales are white or vinaceous, but later turn into green, ciliate structures resembling leaves. The bulbils undergo rapid growth into independent plantlets, typically within a few weeks, with clusters up to 10 cm from the parent individual. While commonly associated with vivipary, Sonerila bulbils differ by their developmental origin and lack of connection to reproductive structures. Instead, their occurrence may contribute significantly to short‐distance dispersal and population persistence in fragmented habitats. This study generates hypotheses on the ecological significance of dispersal mechanisms in response to environmental heterogeneity, highlighting the unique adaptive features of Sonerila bulbil formation within the broader context of plant reproductive strategies.
Face evaluation: Findings, methods, and challenges
Authors: Todorov Alexander , Oh DongWon , Uddenberg Stefan , Albohn Daniel N.
Published: February 2025

Complex evaluative judgments from facial appearance are made efficiently and are consequential. We review some of the most important findings and methods over the last two decades of research on face evaluation. Such evaluative judgments emerge early in development and show a surprising consistency over time and across cultures. Judgments of trustworthiness, in particular, are closely associated with general valence evaluation of faces and are grounded in resemblance to emotional expressions, signaling approach versus avoidance behaviors. Data‐driven computational models have been critical for the discovery of the configurations of features, including resemblance to emotional expressions, driving specific judgments. However, almost all models are based on judgments aggregated across individuals, essentially masking idiosyncratic differences in judgments. Yet, recent research shows that most of the meaningful variance of complex judgments such as trustworthiness is idiosyncratic: explained not by stimulus features, but by participants and participants by stimuli interactions. Hence, to understand complex judgments, we need to develop methods for building models of judgments of individual participants. We describe one such method, combining the strengths of well‐established methods with recent developments in machine learning.
Migratory birds spread their haemosporidian parasites along the world's major migratory flyways
Authors: Perrin Antoine , Glaizot Olivier , Christe Philippe
Published: February 2025

Parasites circulate on a large scale through migrating hosts that encounter a wide diversity of parasites along their travels. This interaction can lead to greater similarity of parasite communities between regions connected by major migration routes. Additionally, migratory species may have higher importance (network centrality) within host–parasite networks. In this study, we test these two assumptions using globally recorded data on interactions between birds and avian malaria parasites (i.e. Plasmodium and Haemoproteus). We first determined the similarity of haemosporidian parasite community between each biogeographic realm and the network centrality of each bird species within both the Americas and African–Eurasian flyways. Network centrality was measured by both the number of direct links involving a given species (degree centrality) and the extent to which that species indirectly links other species (betweenness centrality). Despite a high overall dissimilarity in haemosporidian parasite community compositions between biogeographic realms, we found lower values between areas connected by a known migratory flyway compared to non‐connected areas. Our results indicate that migratory species, when compared to sedentary ones, are more central both because they are connected to more parasites and connect other species in the interaction network of both the Americas and African–Eurasian flyways. Long‐distant migrants may directly affect the communities they visit by introducing high number of haemosporidian parasites, while at the same time they may become infected with the parasites present in these communities. Migrants therefore facilitate the spread of pathogens to some extent, and their presence can directly influence the dynamics and structure of local host–parasite networks.
Shifting baselines and the forgotten giants: integrating megafauna into plant community ecology
Authors: Søndergaard Skjold Alsted , Fløjgaard Camilla , Ejrnæs Rasmus , Svenning Jens-Christian
Published: February 2025

The extensive, prehistoric loss of megafauna during the last 50 000 years led early naturalists to build the founding theories of ecology based on already‐degraded ecosystems. In this article, we outline how large herbivores affect community ecology, with a special focus on plants, through changes to selection, speciation, drift, and dispersal, thereby directly impacting ecosystem diversity and functionality. However, attempts to quantify effects of large herbivores on ecosystem processes are markedly scarce in past and contemporary studies. We expect this is due to the shifting baseline syndrome, where ecologists omit the now‐missing effects of extinct, large herbivores when designing experiments and theoretical models, despite evidence that large herbivores shaped the physical structure, biogeochemistry, and species richness of the studied systems. Here, we outline how effects of large herbivores can be incorporated into central theoretical models to integrate megaherbivore theory into community ecology. As anthropogenic impacts on climate and nutrient levels continue, further warping ecological processes and disconnecting species distributions from optimal conditions, the importance of quantifying large herbivore functionality, such as facilitation of dispersal and coexistence, increases. Our findings indicate that current scientific attention to large herbivores is disproportionate to their past impacts on habitat structure and evolutionary trajectories, as well as the role large herbivores can play in restoring diverse and resilient ecosystems.
Focused Review of Enhanced Recovery After Abdominal Trauma Surgery in the Pediatric Population and Development of a Pediatric Enhanced Recovery After Trauma Surgery Pathway
Authors: Moore Robert P. , Singh Niharika , Wang Madelyn , Tsivitis Alexandra , Devitt Catherine , Jin Zhaosheng , Al Bizri Ehab , Singh Sunitha M. , Hsieh Helen
Published: February 2025

Background

Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality amongst pediatric patients; improving outcomes after pediatric abdominal trauma surgery could be quite impactful. Although enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been successfully employed in adult trauma patients, there are few studies on pediatric enhanced recovery after abdominal trauma surgery and no consensus post trauma surgery guidelines for children.

Aims/Methods

A systematic search of the existing literature for pediatric enhanced recovery after trauma surgery pathways was performed by two independent authors. However, no pediatric enhanced recovery after trauma surgery pathways were found. Therefore, we reviewed the pediatric and adult enhanced recovery after trauma surgery literature to identify potential impactful elements of care that could be part of a pediatric pathway.

Results

The existing literature supports the incorporation of several elements into pediatric trauma ERAS pathway.

Conclusion

We propose a pediatric enhanced recovery after trauma surgery pathway, which highlights several principles of ERAS pathways (multimodal analgesia, goal‐directed fluid therapy, early initiation of nutrition, timely administration of antibiotics, avoidance of hypothermia, DVT prophylaxis, the early removal of drains and indwelling catheters, and patient education).
Rooted in Communication: Exploring Auxin–Salicylic Acid Nexus in Root Growth and Development
Authors: Rawat Sanjay Singh , Laxmi Ashverya
Published: February 2025

Plant hormones are pivotal in orchestrating diverse aspects of growth and developmental processes. Among various phytohormones, auxin and salicylic acid (SA) stand out as important regulators, often exerting opposing effects on overall plant growth. Essentially, research has indicated that auxin and SA‐mediated pathways exhibit mutual antagonism during pathogen challenge. Additionally, in recent years, significant advancements have been made in uncovering the molecular intricacies that govern the action and interplay between these two phytohormones during various essential growth‐related processes. In this discussion, we briefly delve into the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in auxin and SA antagonism. We then analyse in detail how this dialogue impacts critical aspects of root development, with an emphasis on the transcriptional and protein regulatory networks. Finally, we propose the potential of exploring their interaction in various other aspects of below ground root growth processes. Understanding this relationship could provide valuable insights for optimizing and enhancing crop growth and yields.
Media amplification under the floodlight: Contextualizing 20 years of US risk news
Authors: Bryce Cormac , Dowling Michael , Long Suwan (Cheng) , Wardman Jamie K.
Published: February 2025

This paper addresses the question of identifying and distinguishing risk amplification incidents and patterns in the news media. To meet this objective, our study incorporates a novel “floodlight” approach utilizing the Society for Risk Analysis Glossary in conjunction with topic modeling and time‐series analysis, to investigate risk‐focused stories within a corpus of 271,854 US news articles over the past two decades. We find that risk amplification in the US news media is concentrated around seven core risk news categories—business, domestic affairs, entertainment, environment, geopolitics, health, and technology—which also vary in the risk‐related terms that they predominantly employ. We also identify 14 signal events that can be distinguished relative to general risk news within their categories. Across these events, the “War on Terror” and COVID‐19 are seen to display uniquely dynamic media reporting patterns, including a systemic influence between risk news categories and the attenuation of other risk news. We discuss possible explanations for these findings along with their wider research and policy implications.
Complex Band Structure for Subwavelength Evanescent Waves
Authors: De Bruijn Yannick , Hiltunen Erik Orvehed
Published: February 2025

We present the mathematical and numerical theory for evanescent waves in subwavelength bandgap materials. We begin in the one‐dimensional case, whereby fully explicit formulas for the complex band structure, in terms of the capacitance matrix, are available. As an example, we show that the gap functions can be used to accurately predict the decay rate of the interface mode of a photonic analogue of the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger model. In two dimensions, we derive the bandgap Green's function and characterize the subwavelength gap functions via layer potential techniques. By generalizing existing lattice‐summation techniques, we illustrate our results numerically by computing the complex band structure in a variety of settings.
Dominic Welsh, 1938–2023
Authors: Grimmett Geoffrey R.
Published: February 2025

Dominic Welsh was born in Port Talbot on 29 August 1938, the eldest child in a family of educators, and died in Oxford on 30 November 2023. He was the first student from his school to attend the University of Oxford, where he remained for the rest of his life as a Fellow of Merton College and a Professor of the University. He combined excellence as tutor and supervisor over nearly 40 years with a distinguished research record in probability and discrete mathematics, where he excelled in both original and expository work. With his DPhil supervisor John Hammersley, he introduced first‐passage percolation, and in so doing formulated and proved the first subadditive ergodic theorem. His is the ‘W’ in the ‘RSW’ method that is now central to the theory of random planar media. He was a pioneer in matroid theory with numerous significant results and conjectures, and his monograph has been influential. He worked on computational complexity and particularly the complexity of computing the Tutte polynomial. Throughout his career, he inspired generations of undergraduates and postgraduates, and through his personal enthusiasm and warmth he helped develop a community of scholars in aspects of combinatorics who remember him with love and respect.
A Note on the Temperature Rise in a Lubricating Fluid
Authors: Khonsari M. M.
Published: February 2025

A potentially useful analytical solution for the prediction of the temperature rise in a lubricating film is presented. The method readily yields a mean temperature for evaluating the effective viscosity without the need for iterations. Application of this is simple but realistic analytical solutions for preliminary design consideration of thrust and journal bearings are presented with verification.
A Framework for the Simultaneous Multilevel Design Exploration and Decision Support of Material Structures and Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Digonta H M Dilshad Alam , Baby Mathew , Nellippallil Anand Balu
Published: February 2025

Traditional manufacturing, such as steel manufacturing, involves a series of processes to realize the final product. The properties and performance of the final product depend on the material processing history and the microstructure generated at each of the processes. Realizing target product performance requires the simultaneous design exploration of the material microstructure and processing, taking into account the multilevel interactions between the material, product, and manufacturing processes. This demands the capability to co-design, which involves sharing a ranged set of solutions through design exploration across multilevel and providing design decision support. In this paper, we present a co-design exploration framework for multilevel decision support. Using the framework, we model the interactions and couplings between the levels and facilitate simultaneous decision-based design exploration. The framework integrates the coupled compromise Decision Support Problem (c-cDSP) construct with interpretable Self-Organizing Maps (iSOM) to facilitate (i) the formulation of the multilevel decision support problems taking into account the interactions and couplings between levels, (ii) the simultaneous visualization and exploration of the multilevel design spaces, and (iii) decision-making across levels for multilevel designers. The efficacy of the framework is tested using a hot rod rolling problem focusing on the interactions between the dynamic and metadynamic phases of material recrystallization and the thermo-mechanical processing during the hot rolling process. The framework is generic and supports the co-design exploration of systems characterized by multilevel interactions, couplings, and multidisciplinary designers.
Treatment Order and Retention of Self-Myofascial Release and Static Stretching on Passive Hip Flexion Range of Motion
Authors: Long Blaine C.
Published: February 2025

Context: Many healthcare professions incorporate foam rolling (FR) and static stretching (SS) to improve tissue extensibility. Currently, it is unknown if the order an individual performs FR and SS influences flexibility or whether flexibility is retained. This study aimed to determine if FR before, or, following SS influences passive hip flexion range of motion (ROM), and if changes are retained. Design: Between-group experimental design. Methods: Thirty-five participants with less than 90° of passive hip flexion ROM volunteered. Over 8 days, 6 days separated by 24 hours, and then 1 week (day 7) and 2 weeks (day 8) following the last treatment, ROM was measured before and following 1 of 5 treatments; FR/SS, SS/FR, SS, FR, or nothing (control). Participants laid supine on a table where a bubble inclinometer was placed on the tibia of the dominant leg with the hip passively flexed to establish pretreatment ROM. Participants then received the treatments. Passive hip flexion ROM was assessed from pretreatment on day 1 to posttreatment on day 6, day 7 (1 wk), and day 8 (2 wk). Results: Passive hip flexion ROM increased for those receiving FR/SS, SS/FR, FR, and SS. ROM with FR and SS/FR was retained at day 7 but not day 8. Hip flexion ROM for FR/SS and SS were not retained at day 7 nor 8. SS/FR resulted in greater ROM than FR on day 6. SS/FR, FR/SS, SS, and FR were greater than the control at day 6. SS/FR was also greater than the control on days 7 and 8. Conclusion: This study revealed that FR the hamstring muscles after SS produces the greatest gains in passive hip flexion and would be appropriate in noninjured patients with less than 90°.
Whale song shows language-like statistical structure
Authors: Arnon Inbal , Kirby Simon , Allen Jenny A. , Garrigue Claire , Carroll Emma L. , Garland Ellen C.
Published: February 2025

Humpback whale song is a culturally transmitted behavior. Human language, which is also culturally transmitted, has statistically coherent parts whose frequency distribution follows a power law. These properties facilitate learning and may therefore arise because of their contribution to the faithful transmission of language over multiple cultural generations. If so, we would expect to find them in other culturally transmitted systems. In this study, we applied methods based on infant speech segmentation to 8 years of humpback recordings, uncovering in whale song the same statistical structure that is a hallmark of human language. This commonality, in two evolutionarily distant species, points to the role of learning and cultural transmission in the emergence of properties thought to be unique to human language.
Overwriting an instinct: Visual cortex instructs learning to suppress fear responses
Authors: Mederos Sara , Blakely Patty , Vissers Nicole , Clopath Claudia , Hofer Sonja B.
Published: February 2025

Fast instinctive responses to environmental stimuli can be crucial for survival but are not always optimal. Animals can adapt their behavior and suppress instinctive reactions, but the neural pathways mediating such ethologically relevant forms of learning remain unclear. We found that posterolateral higher visual areas (plHVAs) are crucial for learning to suppress escapes from innate visual threats through a top-down pathway to the ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN). plHVAs are no longer necessary after learning; instead, the learned behavior relies on plasticity within vLGN populations that exert inhibitory control over escape responses. vLGN neurons receiving input from plHVAs enhance their responses to visual threat stimuli during learning through endocannabinoid-mediated long-term suppression of their inhibitory inputs. We thus reveal the detailed circuit, cellular, and synaptic mechanisms underlying experience-dependent suppression of fear responses.
Not just monkey business
Authors: Moon Robert W. , Bushell Ellen S. C.
Published: February 2025

Functional genomics in malaria unlocks comparative biology across the family tree
Sequencing of a
Thermoanaerobacter kivui
isolate from DSMZ stock: major differences with reference assembly
Authors: Hocq Rémi , Thallinger Gerhard G. , Pflügl Stefan
Published: February 2025

Thermoanaerobacter kivui
DSM 2030 is an industrially relevant microbe, whose genome has been available since 2014. As the stock obtained from DSMZ appeared to be multiclonal, we obtained a complete genome sequence by
de novo
assembly of an isolate from the DSMZ stock and reported differences to the initial assembly.
Supplemental Material: Highly conductive diatreme aquifer beneath the Cerro Overo maar, Central Andean volcanic zone, Chile
Authors: Alarcon Noemi , al. et
Published: February 2025

Expanded detail of the methodology, including Figures S1-S10. 