bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How ‘miracle’ weight‐loss semaglutide promises to change medicine but can we afford the expense?
Authors: Weiskirchen Ralf , Lonardo Amedeo
Published: February 2025

Obesity is a complex and growing global concern, affecting one in eight individuals and compromising health, quality of life and life expectancy. It carries significant metabolic, cardiovascular, oncological, hepatorenal, skeletal and psychiatric risks, imposing substantial costs on health‐care systems. Traditional treatments have often been ineffective or have led to relapse after lifestyle changes. Whereas bariatric surgery is effective, it also involves risks such as mortality and hospitalisation. Semaglutide, licensed in 2018, is a synthetic analogue of glucagon‐like peptide 1 which regulates glucose metabolism and gastrointestinal (GI) motility. Studies show that semaglutide, administered either weekly and subcutaneously, or daily orally, induces an average weight loss of −11.62 kg compared to placebo and reduces waist circumference by up to −9.4 cm. It also improves blood pressure, fasting glucose levels, C‐reactive protein levels and lipid profiles. The most common adverse events are mild‐to‐moderate GI complaints occurring more frequently with daily administration than weekly doses; hypoglycaemia is more common without lifestyle intervention. Weight regain often follows semaglutide withdrawal. Furthermore, semaglutide offers cardiovascular benefits for patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), lowers the risk of kidney outcomes and cardiovascular‐related death, resolves nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in many cases, and positively impacts mental health and quality of life. In conclusion, semaglutide therapy could significantly benefit many adults regarding CVD and mortality if made widely accessible. Ethical and financial considerations must be addressed for personalised obesity treatment approaches.
Too Much of a Good Thing? Challenges to the Effectiveness of Digital Help Resources for Children and Youths
Authors: Krutzinna Jenny , Staksrud Elisabeth
Published: February 2025

We investigate the accessibility of adult (professional) support for children encountering adverse online incidents. Emphasising the crucial role of adult intervention in serious cases, we underscore the significance of adults' awareness of children's online experiences. Drawing from the Norwegian context, a state with substantial child protection investment, we examine whether the abundance of support services may inadvertently compromise their primary objective. Our method consists of policy analysis of policy aimed at reducing harm to children in their everyday lives. Considering the stated policy goals, we critically evaluate the effectiveness of current support offerings to children in the digital space. Our findings reveal that despite allocating considerable resources towards child welfare, a gap in effectively supporting children after troubling online experiences remains. We identify several critical omissions in policy implementation, including a lack of focus on digital childhood and on children in vulnerable situations. We conclude that current policy approaches tend to lead to ‘more of the same’ with limited impact on support uptake and thus effectiveness. Consequently, we argue for more proactive and child‐centric approaches integrating children's digital and offline experiences, ensuring effective support that respects children's needs and rights in today's digital era. Finally, we provide suggestions for practical implementation.
AI Affordances and EFL Learners' Speaking Engagement: The Moderating Roles of Gender and Learner Type
Authors: Huang Fang , Peng Dingyang , Teo Timothy
Published: February 2025

Contextualised in the AI–supported English‐speaking learning, this study examined the roles of AI affordances in influencing EFL learners' emotional, cognitive, and behavioural speaking engagement, and explored the moderating roles of gender and learner types (on‐campus vs. on‐job) in influencing AI‐supported English‐speaking engagement. Data collected from 332 Chinese EFL learners (159 on‐campus and 173 on‐job learners) were analysed by using structural equation modelling. Results indicated that Chinese EFL learners perceived AI affordances to be significant in influencing their emotional, cognitive and behavioural engagement in practicing their spoken English. The results from the PLS‐SEM model revealed that AI affordances accounted for 54.7%, 52.4% and 56.0% of the variance in emotional engagement, cognitive engagement and behavioural engagement, respectively. Learner type was not found to significantly moderate the relationships between AI affordances and speaking engagement. Gender was found to be a significant moderator for the AI affordances–behavioural engagement and AI affordance–cognitive engagement relationships. These findings enrich existing literature about AI–empowered speaking engagement and provide practical implications for English teachers to design effective speaking‐teaching models.
Affected and Intrinsic Authenticity: Navigating Internalized Gay Ageism on LGBTQ+ Homestay Platforms
Authors: Mellors Joseph , Egdell Valerie
Published: February 2025

In our paper, we draw on 14 in‐depth interviews with 11 self‐identified gay men aged 50–74 years who host on LGBTQ+ homestay platforms. We examine how they navigate the interplay of age, gender, and sexuality through claims of authenticity, highlighting how these hosts manage authenticity amidst normative expectations and shedding light on identity dynamics for marginalized groups. Our analysis reveals the complexities of authenticity in self‐presentation, highlighting tensions between personal identity and societal, gendered, and age‐related expectations, as well as the perceived gap between inclusivity claims and actual experiences. We also explore the intersection of economic necessity and identity negotiation. We find that older hosts may adjust their presentation to align with beauty norms or market pressures, prioritizing affected authenticity to increase their chances of securing bookings. We distinguish between affected and intrinsic authenticity, showing how hosts adapt their presentation to external demands in specific contexts, while potentially maintaining intrinsic authenticity elsewhere. This framework offers insights for future research on how societal pressures and economic factors influence authenticity claims, exploring the balance between affected and intrinsic authenticity and its implications for individual agency and organizational dynamics.
Be Our (Uninvited) Guest. Experiences and Challenges of International Doctoral Students in the Czech Republic
Authors: Urban Marek , Kallová Nikola , Avilés Dany Josué Vigil , Jang Yeaeun , Urban Kamila
Published: February 2025

While extensive research addresses the working conditions of international Ph.D. students in Western countries, only little explores their experiences within Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. CEE countries favour masculine values, hierarchical structures and conservatism, and English does not serve as a primary language in both academic and non‐academic contexts. This study, involving seventeen international Ph.D. students in the Czech Republic, aimed to elucidate their experiences through in‐depth phenomenological interviews. Inductive analysis uncovered common challenges of international Ph.D. students, including language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, discrimination by university staff and gender biases. Participants also highlighted gaps in support and unclear career prospects, which contributed to increased uncertainty. To remain resilient, the participants emphasised the need for self‐care, intrinsic motivation and self‐regulation. The study suggests that enhancing university language access, equity policies, mental health services and career development programming could dramatically improve inclusiveness.
Enhancing Parasocial Brand Experience and Brand Equity: Unleashing the Advantages of ChatGPT Service
Authors: Wang Shuman , Yuan Chunlin , Moon Hakil , Kim Kyung Hoon
Published: February 2025

This study proposes a comprehensive framework with which to examine the relationships between ChatGPT service, parasocial brand experience, and brand equity, and the moderating effect of consumer innovativeness in technology. A structured web‐based survey was administered to 210 respondents who were experienced in understanding and using AI‐based technology during April–July 2023. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the hypothesized relationships between variables. The findings show that the advantages of ChatGPT service positively affect parasocial brand experience, and the parasocial brand experience positively affects brand equity. Parasocial brand experience mediates the relationships between ChatGPT service advantages and brand equity. Consumer innovativeness in technology acts as a moderator on the relationships proposed in this research model. Given that there is little relevant research on ChatGPT marketing from a parasocial brand experience perspective, this study expands the understanding of the use of ChatGPT tools in brand marketing, and provides theoretical and practical insights for marketing academics and practitioners.
Using Experience Based Co‐Design to Develop a Novel Psychological Intervention With People With Intellectual Disabilities and Stakeholders
Authors: Hewitt Olivia , Langdon Peter E. , Larkin Michael
Published: February 2025

Background

Psychological interventions need to be adapted for use with people with intellectual disabilities to ensure they are engaging, accessible and effective. Co‐design allows the experiences of service users and stakeholders to actively shape and develop interventions, to ensure their accessibility.

Method

An adapted model of Experience Based Co‐Design (EBCD) was used to co‐develop a novel, mental imagery‐based psychological intervention for people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and anxiety. Involvement in EBCD was evaluated for people with intellectual disabilities and stakeholders using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Results

Numerous concrete and specific intervention adaptations arose and were implemented. Our findings indicated that all participants were able to engage fully with EBCD, and that participants found the process a positive experience.

Conclusions

EBCD has likely resulted in a more accessible and engaging intervention which can be now tested within a larger study.
A Microsurgical Approach for Esthetic Improvement of Compromised Interdental Papillae
Authors: Nordland W. Peter , Aguon Ixciuh‐Tasi G.
Published: February 2025

Objective

Although interdental papilla augmentation has been thought to be impossible or at best unpredictable, microsurgical, connective tissue grafting to achieve papilla augmentation is the focus of this paper.

Overview

Two cases of severely traumatized interdental papillae are reconstructed through microsurgical connective tissue grafting. Because the surgical site is so small, access to this area can be very challenging necessitating microscopic magnification. Soft tissue augmentation was accomplished using microscalpels expressly designed to allow customization and bendability with a blade width of less than a millimeter. Magnification of the surgical site also permits visibility and accessibility. A special form of suspensory suturing safeguards tissue positioning during the healing process.

Conclusion

This paper demonstrates that correction of iatrogenic defects traumatizing the interdental papillae can be accomplished.
Investigation of Gait Characteristics and Kinematic Deviations in Rare Genetic Disorders with Instrumented Gait Analysis
Authors: Kınacı‐Biber Esra , Gys Lis , Jansen Anna C. , Schoonjans An‐Sofie , Van Dijck Anke , Kooy R. Frank , Van de Walle Patricia , Hallemans Ann
Published: February 2025

Background

Dravet Syndrome (DS), Helsmoortel‐Van Der Aa Syndrome (HVDAS) and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) are rare genetic syndromes, sharing intellectual disability (ID) and motor delay. In DS, two distinct gait patterns, crouch and non‐crouch, have been described using instrumented 3D gait analysis (i3DGA). This cross‐sectional study measures gait in participants with TSC and HVDAS. The findings are compared to the known crouch and non‐crouch gait patterns observed in DS and to typical gait.

Methods

Participants (6–22 years) with DS (n = 37; 19 crouch and 18 non‐crouch), HVDAS (n = 12) or TSC (n = 8) were compared with typically developing (TD) peers (n = 33). All participants underwent i3DGA (Plugin Gait model processed with Vicon Nexus and MATLAB®) to investigate spatiotemporal and lower‐limb kinematics.

Results

All three genetic syndromes showed increased step width. Participants with HVDAS and DS, but not participants with TSC walked with decreased step length and velocity compared to TD. HVDAS demonstrated increased knee flexion during the stance phase, lack of hip extension during pre‐swing, and increased ankle dorsiflexion during some phases of the gait cycle (p < 0.001). Additionally, HVDAS showed similar kinematic deviations to DS‐NonCrouch. No significant differences were found in terms of kinematics between TSC and TD peers (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The current study reveals differences in gait characteristics from typical functional gait in rare genetic disorders. DS‐Crouch, DS‐NonCrouch and HVDAS display a more impaired gait from a biomechanical perspective than TSC. The variability of clinical and genetic features might explain heterogeneity in gait deviations and should be further explored.
At a crossroads: Historicizing encounters with new racializations in the Central American and Mexican migratory landscape
Authors: Winters Nanneke , Fouratt Caitlin E.
Published: February 2025

This collection explores how contemporary racialization processes shape and are shaped by migration dynamics in the Central American and Mexican context. Marked by histories of migration and displacement, the region has become a critical crossroads for increasingly diverse populations on the move, from journeys of African, Asian, and Caribbean migrants through the region en route North, to dramatic increases in forced migration within Latin America. Drawing on ethnographic research from Costa Rica, southern Honduras, the Mexico‐Guatemala border, and Tijuana, Mexico, the contributions examine encounters between migrants and local communities in spaces defined by histories of marginalization, displacement, and nation‐building. This introduction underscores racialization as a central lens for understanding the experiences of people on the move, emphasizing how global migration regimes intersect with local inequalities to shape reception, exclusion, and belonging. By historicizing migration discourse and practice, the collection contributes to broader debates on mobility and belonging in the Americas.
Grateful Liars Gain Reliance in Reciprocal Relationships: Exploring the Potential Role of Gratitude in Mitigating the Impact of Lying
Authors: Yamamoto Akitomo
Published: February 2025

Despite the general inclination of grateful individuals toward moral behavior, their actions may not always align with morality, such as if they conceal the dishonest behavior of benefactors. In this preregistered study, the author investigated how laypeople evaluate a grateful beneficiary (Person A) who lies to cover up their benefactor's (Person B's) dishonest behavior. Study 1 provided a basic exploration of situations without mentioning incentives for lying, whereas Study 2 examined situations wherein explicit incentives (i.e., shared project responsibilities) were presented. The results of both vignette experiments, each comprising three comparisons with their respective baselines, can be summarized in three points. First, the inclusion of Person A's gratitude context did not significantly increase participants' willingness to forgive them for covering up Person B's negligence at work. Second, participants' willingness to affiliate with Person A remained mostly unchanged compared with various baselines. Third, participants were more likely to expect Person A to reciprocate favors. In conclusion, lies stemming from gratitude foster neither forgiveness nor a desire for affiliation but help the individual gain reliance in reciprocal relationships.
A Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS‐42) Study on the Mental Health Conditions of Japanese Employees
Authors: Holzapfel Niklas
Published: February 2025

The prevalence of work‐related mental disorders in Japan has been increasing in recent years, amplifying concerns surrounding the psychological wellbeing of Japanese employees. The aim of this psychometric study was to evaluate the mental health conditions of Japan's workforce by utilizing the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS‐42), a widely known self‐reporting 42‐item questionnaire that measures depression, anxiety, and stress. A nationwide survey was performed with a research sample of N = 1,174 Japanese employees aged between 23 and 61 years (M = 34.86 years, SD = 5.71 years). The results indicate that the employees' psychological wellbeing aligns with the observed national increased prevalence of occupational health issues: depression scores exceeding the normal range were evident in 1,145 (97.53%) of the study participants, with 1,165 (99.23%) scoring above the normal range for anxiety and 1,037 (88.33%) for stress. The DASS‐42 mean scores indicate that Japanese employees are typically subject to severe depression, extremely severe anxiety, and moderate stress. It was also found from one‐way analysis of variance and the independent samples t‐test that psychological distress is more prevalent in women than in men, whereas age and education do not necessarily predict the development of depression, anxiety, and stress. However, it was observed that individuals working in certain occupation sectors, such as agriculture and finance, may be at a heightened risk of developing mental disorders.
Gut Microbiota Predicts Treatment Response to Empagliflozin Among MASLD Patients Without Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ng Ho Yu , Zhang Lina , Tan Jing Tong , Hui Rex Wan Hin , Yuen Man Fung , Seto Wai Kay , Leung Wai K. , Cheung Ka Shing
Published: February 2025

Background and Aim

We aimed to investigate whether gut microbiota could predict the treatment response to pharmacological agents among metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) patients without diabetes mellitus (DM), as data are lacking.

Methods

We prospectively followed up non‐diabetic MASLD patients who used empagliflozin. Clinical, anthropometric, laboratory assessments and magnetic resonance imaging‐proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) were performed from baseline to week 52 (EOT). Baseline stool samples were collected, and shotgun DNA metagenomic sequencing was performed to profile microbiome. The primary outcome was treatment response to empagliflozin at EOT, defined as MRI‐PDFF decline ≥ 30% at EOT from baseline. Linear discriminant analysis [LDA] effect size was used to identify putative bacterial species. Multivariable logistic regression was used to derive adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of outcome with bacterial species by adjusting for clinical factors.

Results

Twenty‐two (48.9%) of 45 patients (median age: 56.9 years [IQR: 51.0–63.2]; male: 23 [51.1%]) achieved treatment response at EOT. There was difference in alpha diversity (Shannon index: p < 0.001; Simpson index: p = 0.001) and beta diversity (p = 0.048) in baseline microbiome between treatment response and non‐response groups. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (log10LDAscore = 4.27), Lachnospira pectinoschiza (log10LDAscore = 3.99), Anaerostipes hadrus (log10LDAscore = 3.98), Roseburia faecis (log10LDAscore = 3.97), Roseburia inulinivorans (log10LDAscore = 3.58) and Agathobaculum butyriciproducens (log10LDAscore = 2.77) were enriched in the treatment response group. L. pectinoschiza (aOR: 34.1; p = 0.015), A. hadrus (aOR:35.0; p = 0.032) and A. butyriciproducens (aOR:22.3; p = 0.023) independently predicted treatment response but not clinical factors. These three species collectively predicted treatment response with AUROC of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80–0.99).

Conclusions

Certain gut bacterial species, particularly the combination of A. hadrus, L. pectinoschiza and A. butyriciproducens, may predict treatment response to empagliflozin in MAFLD patients without DM.
Harnessing novel cytidine deaminases from the animal kingdom for robust multiplexed base editing in rice
Authors: Contiliani Danyel Fernandes , Sretenovic Simon , Dailey Micah , Zhou Man , Cheng Yanhao , Creste Silvana , Xiao Shunyuan , Qi Yiping
Published: February 2025

CRISPR‐Cas‐based cytosine base editors (CBEs) are prominent tools that perform site‐specific and precise C‐to‐T conversions catalysed by cytidine deaminases. However, their use is often constrained by stringent editing preferences for genomic contexts, off‐target effects and restricted editing windows. To expand the repertoire of CBEs, we systematically screened 66 novel cytidine deaminases sourced from various organisms, predominantly from the animal kingdom and benchmarked them in rice protoplasts using the nCas9‐BE3 configuration. After selecting candidates in rice protoplasts and further validation in transgenic rice lines, we unveiled a few cytidine deaminases exhibiting high editing efficiencies and wide editing windows. CBEs based on these cytidine deaminases also displayed minimal frequencies of indels and C‐to‐R (R = A/G) conversions, suggesting high purity in C‐to‐T base editing. Furthermore, we highlight the highly efficient cytidine deaminase OoA3GX2 derived from Orca (killer whale) for its comparable activity across GC/CC/TC/AC sites, thus broadening the targeting scope of CBEs for robust multiplexed base editing. Finally, the whole‐genome sequencing analyses revealed very few sgRNA‐dependent and ‐independent off‐target effects in independent T0 lines. This study expands the cytosine base‐editing toolkit with many cytidine deaminases sourced from mammals, providing better‐performing CBEs that can be further leveraged for sophisticated genome engineering strategies in rice and likely in other plant species.
A modal theory of justification
Authors: Hirvelä Jaakko
Published: February 2025

This article develops a modal theory of justification, according to which a belief is justified if it is more possible that it amounts to knowledge than that it does not. The core of the theory is neutral between internalism and externalism and it solves two problems that extant modal accounts of justification suffer from. In developing the theory, an account of comparative possibility is provided to yield degrees of justification.
Reestablishing larval connectivity in an estuarine landscape: the importance of shoreline and subtidal oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in a comprehensive oyster restoration program
Authors: Powers Sean P. , Roman Henry , Brus Steven , Fricano Gail , Meixner Jessica , Wirasaet Damrongsak , Westerink Joannes
Published: February 2025

The decline of oyster reefs in estuaries has resulted from a combination of chronic and acute disturbances. The loss has resulted in decreased yield for the oyster fishery as well as a decline in ecological benefits that has led to increased efforts to restore oyster reefs. The need for scientific guidance in accomplishing these restoration goals has become even more pressing in the northcentral Gulf of Mexico in the wake of injury to oyster reefs resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Restoration of both the shallow, marsh‐fringing oyster aggregations and the deeper subtidal oyster reefs is necessary. Historically, fringing oysters have been overlooked in the oyster habitat landscape because of their limited commercial value. Here, we use a biophysical transport model to examine the transport and settlement of oyster larvae in known oyster reefs along the coast of the northcentral Gulf of Mexico. The modeling demonstrated that the majority of oyster larvae settle within the embayment (>98%) or sub‐basin (>65%) of their origin. Additionally, the model demonstrated the importance of fringing oysters as a source of larvae to re‐seed other fringing oysters along marsh edges as well as subtidal oyster reefs. We conclude that networks of reefs, including both fringing oyster habitat and subtidal oyster reefs within sub‐basins, are necessary to provide resilience to the population at the sub‐basin level. Finally, we conclude that fringing oyster habitat may serve as an archipelago‐like network to enhance larval supply and connectivity for oysters throughout the mesosaline portions of estuaries.
Too salty to farm: rethinking coastal land use in response to soil salinization
Authors: Velilla Estefania , Snethlage Judit , Poelman Marnix , van der Meer Ingrid M. , van der Werf Adrie , Deolu‐Ajayi Ayodeji O. , van Belzen Jim
Published: February 2025

Soil salinization poses a growing threat to agriculture in coastal plains, exacerbated by climate change and sea‐level rise. As salinization worsens, conventional soil regenerative practices become less effective, particularly in low‐lying areas where saltwater intrusion and land subsidence intensify the issue. This position paper advocates for a shift from conventional agriculture toward nature‐based approaches, such as the restoration of intertidal ecosystems, as a more sustainable alternative. These nature‐based approaches harness natural processes to provide key ecosystem services, including enhanced biodiversity, carbon sequestration, flood protection, and improved water quality, often surpassing the benefits of maintaining degraded farmland. Despite challenges like societal resistance, case studies such as Plan Tureluur demonstrate the potential for successful adaptation. We call for a balanced discussion on prioritizing ecosystem health and coastal resilience over conventional agriculture in salinized regions, underscoring the need to rethink land use strategies to achieve sustainability in coastal areas.
Aggregate turnover in a dryland red soil after long‐term application of chemical fertilizers or manure
Authors: Qiu Shaojun , Zhao Shicheng , Xu Xinpeng , Wang Xiubin , He Ping , Yu Xichu , Liu Kailou , Menon Manoj , Yang Huiyi , Christie Peter , Zhou Wei
Published: February 2025

Physical protection of carbon (C) in soil aggregates is an important mechanism affecting soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks but there is little information on the turnover dynamics of aggregates in dryland red soils after different long‐term fertilizer application practices. Different aggregate size classes in zero fertilizer (CK), chemical fertilizer (CF) and chemical fertilizer combined with manure (MCF) treatments were examined. The RothC model was used to simulate C inputs based on SOC dynamics, the carbon, aggregation and structure turnover (CAST) model was used to evaluate soil structure and C sequestration at different aggregate size classes with time. MCF treatment significantly (p < .05) increased total macroaggregate C, and fractions of macroaggregate C compared with the other two treatments because C inputs and C sequestration rate increased significantly (p < .05) according to RothC model simulation. The CAST model performed well in simulating the changes in soil structure and organic C stocks in different aggregate size classes with time. The simulation results indicate that particulate organic matter (POM) is the primary source of aggregate turnover, that free silt‐clay particles have a more rapid turnover than the silt‐clay particles in other (larger) aggregates, and that the disruption criterion for aggregate distribution in CAST model parameters followed the sequence MCF > CF > CK in the low pH and low SOC red soil. Overall, the CAST model is a good tool for simulation of aggregate dynamics in red soil under different fertilizer application treatments.
The Shi variety corresponding to an affine Weyl group
Authors: Chapelier‐Laget Nathan
Published: February 2025

Let be an irreducible Weyl group and its affine Weyl group. In this article we show that there exists a bijection between and the integral points of an affine variety, denoted , which we call the Shi variety of . In order to do so, we use Jian‐Yi Shi's characterization of alcoves in affine Weyl groups. We then study this variety further. We introduce a new representation of , called the ‐representation, and we highlight combinatorial and geometrical properties of the irreducible components of via this representation. We also show how the components are related to a fundamental parallelepiped .
Uniform bounds for the density in Artin's conjecture on primitive roots
Authors: Perucca Antonella , Shparlinski Igor E.
Published: February 2025

We consider Artin's conjecture on primitive roots over a number field , reducing an algebraic number . Under the Generalised Riemann Hypothesis, there is a density counting the proportion of the primes of for which is a primitive root. This density is a rational multiple of an Artin constant that depends on the largest integer such that . The aim of this paper is bounding the ratio , under the assumption that . Over , this ratio is between and 2, these bounds being optimal. For a general number field , we provide upper and lower bounds that only depend on .
Embedding finitely presented self‐similar groups into finitely presented simple groups
Authors: Zaremsky Matthew C. B.
Published: February 2025

We prove that every finitely presented self‐similar group embeds in a finitely presented simple group. This establishes that every group embedding in a finitely presented self‐similar group satisfies the Boone–Higman conjecture. The simple groups in question are certain commutator subgroups of Röver–Nekrashevych groups, and the difficulty lies in the fact that even if a Röver–Nekrashevych group is finitely presented, its commutator subgroup might not be. We also discuss a general example involving matrix groups over certain rings, which in particular establishes that every finitely generated subgroup of satisfies the Boone–Higman conjecture.
Novel secondary ion mass spectrometry identification system for organic materials using random forest
Authors: Masuda Tetsuya , Fujita Miya , Ueno Tomikazu , Hayashi Daisuke , Aoyagi Satoka
Published: February 2025

The interpretation of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) data is often complicated because ToF-SIMS has a high sensitivity for detecting extremely low amounts of molecules and generally produces numerous types of fragment ions from each molecule. Although machine learning techniques have been applied to such complex ToF-SIMS data interpretation to classify the components in a sample, identifying unknown molecules is often difficult, even after classification or segmentation of complex datasets. We developed a new secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) identification system based on full ToF-SIMS spectra by applying a supervised machine learning method, random forest (RF), with effective teaching information to express common organic molecules. We automatically extracted chemical structures for unknown material identification from string-converted molecules using a simplified molecular-input line-entry system. The ToF-SIMS spectra of 32 organic molecules, including peptides, polymers, and biomolecules such as cellulose, were used as a training dataset, and these molecules were correctly predicted using the SIMS identification system. The importance of RF indicated that mass peaks representing these structures were detected in the ToF-SIMS spectra and that the materials were identified based on the essential chemical structures of a target molecule. Moreover, the ToF-SIMS spectra of Styrofoam-like Ocean plastic samples were correctly identified as polystyrene by the system. This study demonstrates the potential of our SIMS identification system to accurately identify unknown organic molecules from full ToF-SIMS spectra, offering a robust approach for expanding molecular identification in complex samples.
“Friends” that come with man’s best friend:
Capnocytophaga canimorsus
sepsis and meningitis in an immunocompromised patient
Authors: Tao Lili , Freiberg Jeffrey A. , Humphries Romney
Published: February 2025

Background

Capnocytophaga canimorsus
is a commensal bacterium found in the normal oral microbiota of dogs and cats. It can cause severe systemic infections, such as bacteremia and meningitis, in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent humans.

Case Summary

We present a case of
C. canimorsus
bacteremia and meningitis with fever, headache, and altered mental status, which posed diagnostic challenges due to the administration of antimicrobials prior to specimen collection.

Conclusion

This case highlights the value of molecular methods in diagnosing severe infections caused by fastidious bacteria and in cases of antibiotic use before culture.
Sexually transmitted human papillomavirus and related sequelae
Authors: Hanft Wyatt , Stankiewicz Karita Helen , Khorsandi Nikka , Vohra Poonam , Plotzker Rosalyn
Published: February 2025

More than 40 types of sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) infect the oropharyngeal and anogenital mucosa—high-risk types are associated with precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, and oropharynx, and low-risk types cause non-malignant disease, such as anogenital warts. Though most HPV infections resolve spontaneously, immunodeficiencies may result in persistent infection and increased risk of HPV-related sequelae. The mechanism by which HPV results in malignant transformation is multifaceted, involving interactions with numerous cellular pathways, the host immune system, and potentially the host microbiome. Vaccination against HPV is highly efficacious in the prevention of infection and related sequelae, and there now exist several approved formulations that protect against both high- and low-risk types. Despite the advent of vaccination, early detection and treatment of cervical and anal precancerous lesions continues to be integral to secondary prevention—molecular HPV testing, cytology, and tissue biopsy allow for triaging of patients, after which appropriate treatment with close follow-up can avert cancer development.
Prospective comparison of the digestive tract resistome and microbiota in cattle raised in grass-fed versus grain-fed production systems
Authors: Kwon Jiye , Tanner Windy , Kong Yong , Wade Martina , Bitler Chad , Chiavegato Marilia B. , Pettigrew Melinda M.
Published: February 2025

Most antimicrobials sold in the United States are used in food animals. Farm management practices contribute to antibacterial resistance (AR). Controversially, grass-fed diets have been recommended over grain-fed diets to reduce AR in beef cattle. Ionophore feed additives (non-therapeutic antibiotics that enhance feed efficiency) may contribute to AR development. We used shotgun metagenomic sequencing of fecal swabs to prospectively compare the cattle gastrointestinal resistome and microbiota in two different production systems over five periods from pre-weaning to pre-harvest. Cattle were grass-fed and pasture-raised (system A,
n
= 33) or grain-fed with ionophore additives in feedlots (system B,
n
= 34). System A cattle averaged 639 lb and 22.8 months of age, and system B cattle averaged 1,173 lb and 12.4 months of age preharvest. In total, 367 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and 329 bacterial species were identified. The resistome of system A cattle had higher alpha diversity than system B cattle over their lifespan (
P
= 0.008). Beta-diversity estimates indicated overlap in the pre-weaning resistome and microbiota in both systems, which diverged post-weaning, with increases in several medically important ARGs when system B cattle transitioned to a grain diet. Analysis of compositions of microbiomes with bias correction indicated that levels of tetracycline, macrolide, aminoglycoside, beta-lactam, and bacitracin ARGs were significantly higher in system B cattle pre-harvest. Resistome changes were highly correlated with bacterial community changes (Procrustes,
M
2
= 0.958;
P
= 0.001). Potentially modifiable farm management strategies, including diet and ionophores, may influence abundance and diversity of ARGs in fecal samples from cattle.

IMPORTANCE

Antibiotic resistance is a One Health threat. More antibiotics are used in agriculture than in human medicine. We compared the relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and bacterial species in cattle raised in two different cattle production systems (grass- and grain-fed). Fecal swab samples were collected at five time points spanning pre-weaning and prior to harvest. The antibiotic resistance gene and bacterial communities were relatively similar in the pre-weaning period when cattle in both systems were milking and on pasture. Resistance genes and bacterial communities diverged post-weaning when system B cattle were given a grain diet with feed additives for growth promotion containing non-medically important antibiotics (i.e., ionophores). The levels of medically important ARGs (e.g., macrolides) increased in system B grain-fed cattle post-weaning and were higher than in system A just prior to slaughter. These data provide additional evidence that farm management strategies impact the level of antibiotic resistance.
Performance characteristics of an automated, high-throughput RT-PCR assay for the detection of
Candida auris
on 3-point and nasal swabs
Authors: Nhan Nhi T. , Liu Tianxi , Almushajrah Abdulaala A. , Mozumder Ashish , Narlieva Momka , Szymczak Wendy A. , Thwe Phyu M. , Orner Erika P. , Goldstein Doctor Y.
Published: February 2025

Candida auris
is a multidrug-resistant yeast responsible for invasive infections with high mortality rates, primarily spread through prolonged colonization on biotic and abiotic surfaces and traveling. Effective control necessitates comprehensive screening protocols, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which endorses a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based assay for
C. auris
screening. This study evaluates the performance of this assay on the Hologic Panther Fusion System using nasal and 3-point swab specimens (nares/axilla/groin) compared with culture. The assay was assessed for accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, alongside an evaluation of probe primer reagent (PPR) onboard stability over 30 working days. Analytical sensitivity studies determined limits of detection of 1.95 Log CFU/mL for nasal swabs and 2.18 Log CFU/mL for 3-point swabs, both with >95.0% confidence intervals. The assay demonstrated 100% specificity (
n
= 25), with no false positives from genetically similar or clinically relevant species, and no significant interference from co-infecting microbes on cycle threshold (CT) values. Both swab types exhibited high intra- and inter-reproducibility, with low coefficients of variation (1.79% and 1.06%, respectively). The assay detected
C. auris
in 100% of 108 spiked-positive samples across both swab types. Clinical analysis showed 100% concordance with culture for 3-point swabs. Additionally, the nasal swab method showed 96.0% overall agreement, with 86.2% sensitivity and 100.0% specificity. The PPR mixes remained stable over 30 working days, with no significant CT value changes. This study confirms the assay’s robust sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and accuracy for both nasal and 3-point screening swabs.

IMPORTANCE

Candida auris
is a multidrug-resistant yeast responsible for severe infections with high mortality rates. Rapid and accurate detection is critical for preventing the spread of this pathogen in healthcare settings. This study assesses the performance of an automated real-time PCR screening assay for detecting
C. auri
s using nasal and 3-point swabs. The findings demonstrate the assay's high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, making it a valuable tool for infection control. By providing a reliable and efficient screening method, this assay can significantly enhance efforts to control
C. auris
outbreaks, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the spread of this dangerous pathogen.
Numerical Simulation of a Photonic Tensor Core for the Hardware Acceleration of the Optical Matrix–Vector Multiplication
Authors: Kolosov G. A. , Shorokhov A. S. , Fedyanin A. A.
Published: February 2025

A realistic numerical model of a photonic tensor core based on the crossbar architecture with absorbing GeSbTe chalcogenide glass films as weight elements of a photonic matrix has been developed. The performance of the model for the matrix–vector multiplication has been demonstrated. The possibility of using the tensor core based on the implemented architecture in convolutional neural networks for image recognition tasks has been shown. Numerical simulations have been used for the first time to estimate the potential performance and energy efficiency of a photonic hardware accelerator, taking into account the modern experimental element base.
Spectral Properties of Three-Dimensional Waveguide Structures Fabricated by Two-Photon Laser Lithography
Authors: Maydykovskiy A. I. , Androsov A. S. , Apostolov D. O. , Smirnov K. A. , Batuev I. O. , Murzina T. V.
Published: February 2025

The development of the two-photon laser lithography technique for the fabrication of optical elements with characteristic dimensions of a few microns is an important goal. Here, two-photon laser lithography is used to produce micro-optical waveguides from OrmoComp® hybrid photoresist. The waveguides are optically isolated from a substrate and are connected to total internal reflection prism adapters for coupling optical radiation in and out of them. The transmission spectra of the entire input adapter–waveguide–output adapter structure are calculated and measured and it is shown that the transmission coefficient in the few-mode regime is 20–40% in the spectral range of 700–1650 nm. According to calculations, the main mechanism of losses in such a structure is determined by strong scattering in the region of joint between the conical part of the adapter and the waveguide caused by the complex structure of the optical field, as well as by the violation of the total internal reflection regime in the prisms due to the large angular aperture of the focused radiation beam. It is shown that the Goos–Hänchen effect has to be taken into account in the design of the coupling elements.
Estimating moult timing in lobsters: A Bayesian Approach
Authors: Bradshaw Stephen Craig , Hartmann Klaas , Cresswell Katie , Gardner Caleb , Parker Denham
Published: February 2025

Understanding moulting characteristics is important for the assessment and management of crustacean fisheries. Crustaceans are particularly vulnerable during moulting, with increased mortality of undersized discards, product loss in live export fisheries and reduced value as newly moulted animals may be less desirable. In many fisheries closures are implemented during and after the moulting period, however setting these closures can remain challenging. A Bayesian model estimate moult timing inferred from existing datasets (e.g. mark-recapture data, maturity, or appendage damage) that are routinely collected in many crustacean fisheries with no need to directly observe moulting. This framework is tested using simulated data and for a case study of Southern Rock Lobster (Jasus edwardsii) in Tasmania to observe spatial and temporal variation in moulting. We provide an analysis of the spatial variation in moult timing in Tasmania and potential for modifying the alignment between the commercial fishing season closure and the moulting period. Wide application exists to estimate moulting and the framework is flexible for integrating a broad range of data types that may be available in fisheries.
Research on Balanced Allocation of English Educational Resources Based on Multi-objective Optimisation and NSGA-II
Authors: Liu Dongyang
Published: February 2025

With the in-depth development of globalisation, English, as an international common language, is of great importance to the reasonable allocation of its educational resources for the improvement of national educational equity and overall educational quality. However, there has long been a serious imbalance in the allocation of English education resources in China. In terms of resource allocation between urban and rural areas and different schools, differences in the number of teachers, teaching facilities, teaching materials and other aspects lead to gaps in the opportunities and quality of English education for students. This imbalance in resource allocation not only affects educational equity, but also limits students’ English learning outcomes. Therefore, this paper proposes an optimal allocation method of English educational resources based on multi-objective optimisation (MOO) and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II). This method aims to maximise the utilisation rate of educational resources, narrow the gap between urban and rural areas and schools, and promote educational equity and efficient use of resources by optimising multiple objectives at the same time, such as teacher allocation, balanced use of teaching facilities and fair distribution of teaching materials resources. The experimental results show that the proposed method has a high degree of fit on two different datasets, reaching 94.58% and 96.87%, respectively, and the resource balance is greatly improved in the process of resource allocation. In addition, the algorithm has high operating efficiency under large-scale data, and the training time can be stabilised at 57.84 s when the sample size reaches 24,200. The experiment also shows that the application of this method in districts and counties significantly reduces the fluctuation of educational resources and optimises the allocation level of educational resources in each district and county. The research provides a new way to solve the problem of unfair distribution of educational resources, and shows a good application potential in the field of large-scale resource optimisation.
ARTS: A General and Efficient Multi-Task Self-Prompt Framework for Explainable Sequential Recommendation
Authors: Liu Zunlong , Xu Yang , Cong Gao , Zhu Lei , Qiu Qinjun , Zhang Huaxiang
Published: February 2025

Providing sequential recommendations along with easily comprehensible natural language explanations can significantly enhance users’ trust in the recommender systems. However, this approach presents two key challenges: 1) The different objectives of the two tasks make it challenging to achieve joint optimization and mutual enhancement. 2) The simultaneous generation of accurate sequential recommendations and high-quality natural language explanations presents serious challenges to the model’s time and space efficiency. To address these challenges, we propose a general and efficient multi-task self-prompt framework for explainable sequential recommendation (ARTS), which improves collaboration performance and time and space efficiency of multi-task modules based on the generated personalized semantic prompts. Specifically, we propose a self-prompt generator that transfers the user’s global behavior features into the continuous prompt, achieving efficient information sharing among multi-task modules. Additionally, we design a personalized prompt-based short sequence inputs strategy under the pre-training and prompt-tuning paradigm, which achieves mutual enhancement among the multi-task modules and significantly improves the model’s time and space efficiency. Extensive experiments have verified that the proposed ARTS outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in both sequential recommendation and explanation generation tasks. The generality, efficiency and effectiveness of each module of the framework have also been validated through various experiments

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