bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Do Antenatal Women Want From Their Antenatal Education? A National Survey
Authors: Larkai Eva , Davies Anna , Toolan Miriam , Lynch Mary , Plachcinski Rachel , Larkin Michael , Fraser Abigail , Burden Christy , Merriel Abi
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Antenatal education (ANE) equips pregnant women with knowledge and skills for pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. It should facilitate preparation for the whole spectrum of the maternal journey and empower women to make informed decisions. This study aimed to explore the antenatal education needs and preferences of women who are currently pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Methods

A UK wide cross-sectional survey was conducted (September 2019 to July 2020), recruiting women living in the UK, above 16, who were currently pregnant or planning a pregnancy. The survey gathered demographic information, details of current or planned class attendance, preferred ANE providers and desired skills and information. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and free-text responses underwent thematic analysis.

Results

Of 553 participants included in the analyses, 77% preferred free National Health Service (NHS) classes and 60% planned to attend multiple class types, including paid options. Participants valued practical skills, particularly for labour and the postpartum period, and actively sought perinatal social networks. Multiparous women were less likely to attend classes, citing prior experience or practical barriers. Despite high interest in NHS classes, regional variations in availability and limited accessibility were noted.

Conclusion

NHS antenatal classes are a trusted source of ANE, forming a core element of many women’s antenatal journey. However, inconsistent provision highlights the need for a standardised, comprehensive curriculum. Flexible delivery models and tailored content are crucial to address diverse needs, particularly for multiparous women and underrepresented groups. Enhanced accessibility could reduce inequalities in ANE provision and improve maternal outcomes.
Intrinsic brain functional connectivity mediates the relationship between psychological resilience and cognitive decline in ageing
Authors: Chen Menglu , Gao Mengxia , Ma Junji , Lee Tatia M. C.
Published: February 2025

Ageing individuals often experience cognitive decline and intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) changes. Psychological resilience, a personality trait that reflects the capacity to adapt and cope with age-related challenges, plays a key role in mitigating cognitive decline. In this study involving 101 older adults, we investigated how psychological resilience influences cognitive decline measured by processing speed. Particularly, we obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess how intrinsic FC, represented by degree centrality, modulates the relationship between resilience and processing speed. Our results indicated while psychological resilience positively predicted processing speed, this relationship was mainly driven by education. Additionally, the degree centrality of both thalamus and caudate negatively correlated with processing speed and resilience. Notably, the degree centrality of both thalamus and caudate significantly mediated the relationship between resilience and processing speed. These findings suggest that psychological resilience could protect against age-related cognitive decline via its influence on FC in the thalamus and caudate, highlighting these areas as potential intervention targets for reducing cognitive decline in ageing people.
Neurologists’ perspectives of cannabis-based medicines: results from an all-Ireland survey
Authors: Savio Michael , Kearney Hugh , Downer Eric J.
Published: February 2025

Background

Advancements continue to be made in the development of medicines containing components of the Cannabis sativa L. plant. Consultants can prescribe specific cannabis-based products for a restricted set of indications in Ireland, with neurologists being at the forefront of therapy. Much debate on the therapeutic potential/efficacy of such cannabis-based products exists.

Aim

The objective of this study was to conduct a national survey to determine the perspectives/views of Irish neurologists regarding the use of cannabis-based medicines.

Methods

An online anonymous survey was conducted to capture the perspectives and experiences of neurologists in Ireland regarding cannabis-based therapeutics.

Results

Thirty-four neurologists completed the survey in full, with study participants rating their knowledge of cannabis-based medicines as average. Data presented herein indicate that there is a need for educational programmes on the cannabinoid system and cannabinoid-based medicines, and the findings indicate that neurologists are interested in the use of cannabinoid-based medicines in their practice. Study participants were more divided with regard to the clarity of the process for accessing cannabis-based medicines, and the consensus is that the application process is unclear. Approximately one-third of participants have made an application to access medicinal cannabis-based products on behalf of a patient.

Conclusions

Data presented herein indicates that the majority of neurologists surveyed are aware of the current systems in place to access cannabis-based products for medicinal use in Ireland and that some engagement with these systems has taken place. A key finding is that educational programmes on the cannabinoid system and cannabis-based medicines are required.
Distribution of quarries in the piedmont region: the regional plan of mining activities (PRAE) as a tool for mining activities regulation and characterisation
Authors: Narcisi Roberta , Taddia Glenda , Gizzi Martina
Published: February 2025

The Regional Plan of Mining Activities (PRAE), adopted in December 2022, represents the strategic regulation instrument pursuing the balance between environmental sustainability and economic development produced by mining activity at a regional scale. The paper proposes an overview of the main regional in-force instrument for surface and ground-water planning and management (PAI and PTA) and how these intersect with the introduced PRAE. Besides, the interaction between mining activities and the geomorphological and hydrogeological contexts in which they are located is described, defining the resulting constraints regarding their interaction with extraction areas. A significant portion of the quarries are located in the floodplain, falling both in river bands of medium–high probability of flooding and in areas involving aquifers bodies, hence these extractive sites are heavily restricted both in terms of excavation depths, never exceeding the base of the surface aquifer. The depth of the water table and the base of the aquifer represent the two fundamental parameters on which new restrictions have been defined in the PRAE in terms of the possibility of developing new quarry areas.
Automated Vehicle Regulation Needs to Speak to Code, not to Humans: Keeping Safety and Ethics in the Public Domain
Authors: Sütfeld Leon René , Bronson Joshua , Kirchmair Lando
Published: February 2025

In anticipation of the market introduction of highly and fully automated vehicles, regulations for their behavior in public road traffic are emerging in various countries and regions. Yet, as we show using the example of EU and German regulations, these rules are both incomplete and exceptionally vague. In this paper we introduce three traffic scenarios highlighting conflicting ethical, legal, and utility-related claims, and perform a legal analysis with regards to the expected behavior of AVs in these scenarios. We show that the existing regulatory framework disregards the realities of algorithmic decision-making in automated vehicles, such as the incomplete and imprecise perception of their environment and the probabilistic nature of their predictions. Importantly, the current regulations are written in abstract language addressing human interpreters rather than the precise logical-numerical computer code. We argue that the required interpretation and translation of the abstract legal language into the logical-numerical domain is so ambiguous that the regulations as they stand fail to guide or limit automated vehicle behavior in any meaningful way. This comes with significant ethical implications, as the interpretation and translation is unavoidable and, if not provided by regulatory bodies, will have to be performed by manufacturers. We argue that ethical decisions with significant impact on public safety must not be delegated to private companies, and thus, regulatory frameworks need significant improvements.
Integration of biomedical concepts for enhanced medical literature retrieval
Authors: Frihat Sameh , Fuhr Norbert
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the potential of biomedical concepts—genes, diseases, and chemicals—in enhancing biomedical literature retrieval systems amidst the burgeoning volume of biomedical literature. We compare five traditional sparse approaches against hybrid BERT-based methods, to assess their effectiveness in leveraging biomedical concepts for improved retrieval accuracy. Our research poses critical questions on the necessity and efficiency of biomedical concepts in the era of advanced language models and evaluates if these concepts can further refine retrieval outcomes. Using datasets from Text REtrieval Conference Precision Medicine tracks (2017–2019), which are based on the Medline collection (30+ million biomedical publications) and NDCG@10 (Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain) for evaluation, we demonstrate that biomedical concepts are indeed helpful for both hybrid and sparse retrieval strategies in the biomedical domain and that the performance of sparse and hybrid methods is comparable. We further demonstrate how our findings can be integrated into a live search system to support clinical practice.
A Qualitative Exploration of Moderating Factors Shaping Implementation Fidelity to Post-Abortion Care Guidelines in Chibombo District, Zambia
Authors: Mubanga Chikwanka , Silumbwe Adam , Munakampe Margarate Nzala , Lubeya Mwansa Ketty , Zulu Joseph Mumba
Published: February 2025

We sought to identify and describe modifying factors influencing adherence to the post-abortion care guidelines, as well as potential strategies to address them in rural health facilities of Chibombo District, Zambia. We used a qualitative descriptive approach, drawing on key informant interviews with program managers (n = 4) and in-depth interviews with post abortion care providers (n = 22). We adopted Carroll et al.‘s Framework for Implementation Fidelity which prescribes four categories of potential moderating factors that may shape adherence to post abortion care guidelines including comprehensiveness of policy description, facilitative implementation strategies, patient responsiveness, and quality of delivery. We analyzed the interview data using deductive thematic analysis. The study revealed shortcomings in the comprehensive description and dissemination of post abortion care guidelines, underscored by limited provider understanding and reference to them during practice, and delayed dissemination of any guideline changes or updates. Facilitative implementation strategies encompassed monitoring and supervision, technical and administrative support, documentation and audit, and community engagement. Inadequate provider training, inconsistent post abortion care drug supply, weak referral mechanisms and funding gaps affected the quality of delivery of post abortion care services. Lastly, patient responsiveness was affected by non-compliance to the guidelines and community reliance on self-treatment. There is a critical need for comprehensive training, supply chain improvements, and stronger health system support to ensure adherence to post-abortion care guidelines in rural settings. Such initiatives may have far-reaching implications for maternal health outcomes and general health equity.
Deriving the impact mechanism of urban green space environment on community social capital based on multi-source data integration: a case study of nanjing city, China
Authors: Zhen Feng , Liu Mohan , Yang Runlin
Published: February 2025

With the orderly progression of urban renewal in China, social capital, as an important factor in analyzing the relationship between stakeholders, has once again become a key topic in urban planning research. Green spaces have proved to have a more notable impact on social capital than other built environment factors. In light of this, the present study is based on the data of 1,282 residents’ questionnaire surveys conducted in Nanjing in 2022 and extracts spatial characteristic information of green space through multisource big data such as remote sensing data, street-view data, and points of interest, to investigate the influence mechanism of physical and perceived attributes of urban green space on community social capital. The study found that there are differences in the influence mechanisms and dimensions of these dual attributes of green space on social capital. The direct effect of perceptual attributes is more substantial, while physical attributes almost exclusively affect social capital indirectly through the perception of green space. Notably, among the physical attributes, only the total coverage of neighborhood vegetation has a considerable direct effect on neighborhood relations, whereas community sentiment, a willingness to participate, and larger and more aggregated green spaces do not enhance community social capital effectively. Lastly, community social capital is affected substantially by exogenous variables of socioeconomic attributes, and there is group differentiation. Results reveal the direction of renewal and optimization of urban green spaces from the perspective of promoting social capital, which provides a reference for the synergistic and high-quality development of the community’s physical and nonphysical environments.
Authoritarian Survival and Leadership Succession in North Korea and Beyond
Authors: Goldring Edward , Ward Peter
Published: February 2025

Authoritarian Survival and Leadership Succession in North Korea and Beyond examines how dictators manage elites to facilitate succession. Theoretically, it argues that personalistic incumbents facilitate the construction of a power base of elites from outside of their inner circle to help the successor govern once he comes to power. Then, once in office, successors consolidate power by initially relying on this power base to govern while marginalizing elites from their predecessor's inner circle before later targeting members of their own power base to further consolidate power. The Element presents evidence for these arguments from North Korea's two leadership transitions, leveraging original qualitative and quantitative evidence from inside North Korea. Comparative vignettes of succession in party-based China, Egypt's military regime, and monarchical Saudi Arabia demonstrate the theory's broader applicability. The Element contributes to research on comparative authoritarianism by highlighting how dictators use the non-institutional tool of elite management to facilitate succession.
Asexuality in Young Adult Fiction
Authors: O'Connor Noah
Published: February 2025

The Asexual Exile trope positions asexual characters outside of society by portraying them as loners, inhuman, or adjacent to death. This research identifies trends in these portrayals by considering a corpus of 42 traditionally published novels of Young Adult fiction featuring asexual protagonists. A distant reading of this corpus finds that the Asexual Exile trope is employed in approximately two-thirds of cases. The author analyses how this trope permutates across genres, and the frequency of its endorsement and subversion by these narratives. Presenting the first extensive investigation into the Asexual Exile trope in YA fiction, this research investigates how asexual characters are Othered as not truly alive, and how these messages then rebound into necropolitical cultural understandings of asexual people as expendable. The results prompt the questions: how does the Asexual Exile trope influence Young Adult readers in the formation of their ideologies? How can publishers do better?
A Torelli theorem for graphs via quasistable divisors
Authors: Abreu Alex , Pacini Marco
Published: February 2025

The Torelli theorem establishes that the Jacobian of a smooth projective curve, together with the polarization provided by the theta divisor, fully characterizes the curve. In the case of nodal curves, there exists a concept known as fine compactified Jacobian. The fine compactified Jacobian of a curve comes with a natural stratification that can be regarded as a poset. Furthermore, this poset is entirely determined by the dual graph of the curve and is referred to as the poset of quasistable divisors on the graph. We present a combinatorial version of the Torelli theorem, which demonstrates that the poset of quasistable divisors of a graph completely determines the biconnected components of the graph (up to contracting separating edges). Moreover, we achieve a natural extension of this theorem to tropical curves.
Feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a culturally adapted nonspecialist delivery Problem-Solving Therapy: Friendship Bench Intervention for perinatal psychological distress in Sierra Leone
Authors: Bah Abdulai Jawo , Wurie Haja Ramatulai , Samai Mohamed , Horn Rebecca , Ager Alastair
Published: February 2025

In low- and middle-income countries like Sierra Leone, there is a significant gap in the treatment of perinatal mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and somatization. This study explored the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a culturally adapted Problem-Solving Therapy – Friendship Bench Intervention (PST-FBI) delivered by nonspecialists, mother-to-mother support groups (MMSGs), to perinatal women experiencing psychological distress. MMSGs provide 4 weeks of home-based, individual PST-FBI, followed by a peer-led group session called col at sacul (circle of serenity). The intervention targeted peri-urban pregnant women and new mothers screened for psychological distress. This was a two-armed, pre–post, waitlist-controlled study that employed the Sierra Leone Perinatal Psychological Distress Scale (SLPPDS) to screen and measure their outcomes. Feasibility and acceptability were examined through in-depth interviews using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, analyzed thematically, while preliminary effectiveness was evaluated with chi-squared analysis for categorical and t-test for continuous variables. Twenty of the 25 women completed all four PST-FBI sessions delivered by five MMSGs. The individual PST and the peer-led session were viewed as beneficial for problem-sharing and skill building. The SLPPDS scores significantly dropped by 58.9% (17.1–8.4) in the intervention group, while the control group showed a 31.6% (18.0–12.3) decrease. The intervention’s effect size was d = 0.40 (p < 0.05). The MMSG-led PST-FBI, including the col at sacul session, proved feasible, acceptable and with preliminary effectiveness in improving the mental health of peri-urban pregnant women and new mothers in Sierra Leone. Further randomized-controlled trials are recommended before nationwide implementation.
Second reported outbreak of pneumococcal pneumonia among shipyard employees in Turku, Finland, August–October 2023: a case–control study
Authors: Kitowska Wioleta , Gonzalez-Perez Ana Cristina , Sequeira Neto Joana , Kanerva Mari , Kaukavuori Heikki , Lindström Irmeli , Frilander Heikki , Dub Timothée , Siira Lotta ,   Pneumococcal Shipyard Outbreak Team
Published: February 2025

In August 2023, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare received reports of a potential cluster of pneumococcal pneumonia cases among shipyard employees in Turku, Finland. Considering a similar outbreak in the same shipyard in 2019, we initiated a case–control study to investigate individual and environmental risk factors specific to this occupational setting in order to inform targeted prevention measures. In total, 14 hospitalized cases were identified from 19 August to 15 October 2023. Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 4 and 9 V were isolated from blood cultures of seven cases. Eleven cases and 67 controls working at the shipyard were included in the case–control study. Compared with controls, cases were more likely to be living in an apartment/studio or a hotel/hostel, and less likely in a house or with family. Furthermore, cases were more likely to have a shorter duration of employment (< 1 year) at the shipyard compared to controls. Control measures, including an information and a vaccination campaign, were implemented. We emphasize shipyard-wide hygiene improvements and recommend nationwide consideration of expanding pneumococcal vaccination eligibility to all shipyard construction employees as an occupational high-risk group.
Long-chain PUFA and painful temporomandibular disorder in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos
Authors: Sanders Anne E. , Cai Jianwen , Daviglus Martha L. , Garcia-Bedoya Olga , Slade Gary D.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

n-6 and n-3 long-chain PUFA play opposing roles in inflammation, anxiety and nociception, all of which are closely associated with chronic pain. We hypothesised that diets high in n-6 arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6, AA) and low in combined n-3 EPA (C20:5n-3, EPA) and DHA (C22:6n-3, DHA) would be associated with higher odds of painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Design:

We analysed baseline data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Two 24-h dietary recall surveys quantified intake of long-chain n-6 and n-3 PUFA along with their precursors, linoleic acid (C18:2n-6, LA) and alpha linolenic acid (C18:3n-3, ALA), respectively. n-3 PUFA supplementation was quantified. Interviewer-administered questions assessed TMD. Survey multiple logistic regression estimated covariate-adjusted OR and 95 % confidence limits (CL) for associations between PUFA and TMD.

Setting:

From 2008 to 2011, HCHS/SOL recruited 16 415 adults of Hispanic/Latino backgrounds (Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican, Central/South American), through field centres located in Miami, FL; San Diego CA; Chicago, IL; and the Bronx, NY.

Participants:

13 870 participants with non-missing data.

Results:

In analysis adjusted for covariates, each sd increase in dietary intake of C20:4n-6, AA was associated with 12 % higher odds of TMD (OR = 1·12, CL: 1·01, 1·24). Although the dietary intake of combined long-chain C20:5n-3, EPA and C22:6n-3 DHA was not associated with TMD, each sd increase in n-3 dietary supplement was associated with lower odds of TMD.

Conclusions:

A diet rich in C20:4n-6, AA was associated with higher odds of painful TMD.
Exploring under-five child malnutrition in Bangladesh: analysis using the Extended Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (ECIAF)
Authors: Bornee Farzana Akhter , Chowdhury Mohammad Rocky Khan , Siddiquea Bodrun Naher , Billah Baki , Akter Farjana , Karim Md Nazmul
Published: February 2025

Objective:

The current study is an attempt to explore under-five child malnutrition in a low-income population setting using the Extended Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (ECIAF).

Design:

Data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017–2018 were analysed. Malnutrition using ECIAF was estimated using stunting, wasting underweight and overweight. Multilevel logistic regression models identified factors associated with malnutrition. Geospatial analysis was conducted using R programming.

Setting:

Bangladesh.

Participants:

Children under 5 years of age.

Results:

In Bangladesh, as indicated by the ECIAF, approximately 40·8 % (95 % CI: 39·7, 41·9) of children under five experience malnutrition, whereas about 3·3 % (95 % CI: 2·9, 3·7) were overweight. Children of parents with no formal education (56·3 %, 95 % CI: 50·8, 61·8), underweight mothers (53·4 %, 95 % CI: 50·4, 56·3), belonging to the lowest socio-economic strata (50·6 %, 95 % CI: 48·3, 53·0), residing in rural areas (43·3 %, 95 % CI: 41·9, 44·6) and aged below 3 years (47·7 %, 95 % CI: 45·2, 50·2) demonstrated a greater age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of malnutrition. The Sylhet division (Eastern region) exhibited a higher prevalence of malnutrition (> 55·0 %). Mothers with no formal education (adjusted OR (AOR): 1·51, 95 % CI: 1·08, 2·10), underweight mother (AOR: 1·54, 95 % CI: 1·03, 1·83), poorest socio-economic status (AOR: 2·14, 95 % CI: 1·64, 2·81), children aged 24–35 months (AOR: 2·37, 95 % CI: 1·97, 2·85) and fourth and above birth order children (AOR: 1·41, 95 % CI: 1·16, 1·72) were identified key factors associated with childhood malnutrition while adjusting community- and household-level variations.

Conclusions:

In Bangladesh, two out of five children were malnourished, and one in thirty-five children was overweight. Continuous monitoring of the ECIAF over time would facilitate tracking changes in the prevalence of different forms of malnutrition, helping to plan interventions and assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at addressing both undernutrition and overweight.
The food environment in favelas is associated with the presence of arterial hypertension and diabetes in socially vulnerable women
Authors: Silva-Neto Luiz Gonzaga Ribeiro , de Menezes Risia Cristina Egito , Oliveira Juliana Souza , de Souza Nathalia Paula , dos Santos Thays Lane Ferreira , Florêncio Telma Maria de Menezes Toledo
Published: February 2025

Objective:

To evaluate the relationship between the food environment in favelas and the presence of arterial hypertension and diabetes among women in the context of social vulnerability.

Design:

A cross-sectional and partially ecological population-based study was conducted in a Brazilian capital city. The healthiness and availability of ultra-processed foods in the food environment were assessed through retailer audits using the AUDITNOVA instrument. The presence of diabetes and arterial hypertension was evaluated based on self-reported prior medical diagnosis. Logistic regression models were applied using generalised estimating equations, adjusted for age, education, race/skin colour and poverty status.

Participants:

1882 adult women of reproductive age (20–44 years).

Results:

It was found that 10·9 % of women were hypertensive and 3·2 % had diabetes. The likelihood of having diabetes and arterial hypertension decreases with higher levels of healthiness in the food environment (diabetes (OR: 0·25; 95 % CI: 0·07, 0·97)/arterial hypertension (OR: 0·45; 95 % CI: 0·24, 0·81)) and increases with greater availability of ultra-processed foods in their living area (diabetes (OR: 2·18; 95 % CI: 1·13, 4·21)/arterial hypertension (OR: 1·64; 95 % CI: 1·09, 2·47)).

Conclusions:

These results suggest that characteristics of the consumer food environment have a significant effect on the occurrence of chronic diseases among socially vulnerable women, adding to the existing evidence in the literature and highlighting the need for integrated health care.
FORCINN: First‐Order Reversal Curve Inversion of Magnetite Using Neural Networks
Authors: Pei Zhaowen , Williams Wyn , Nagy Lesleis , Paterson Greig A. , Moreno Roberto , Muxworthy Adrian R. , Chang Liao
Published: February 2025

First‐order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams are a standard rock magnetic tool for analyzing bulk magnetic hysteresis behaviors, which are used to estimate the magnetic mineralogies and magnetic domain states of grains within natural materials. However, the interpretation of FORC distributions is challenging due to complex domain‐state responses, which introduce well‐documented uncertainties and subjectivity. Here, we propose a neural network algorithm (FORCINN) to invert the size and aspect ratio distribution from measured FORC data. We trained and tested the FORCINN model using a data set of synthetic numerical FORCs for single magnetite grains with various grain‐sizes (45–400 nm) and aspect ratios (oblate and prolate grains). In addition to successfully testing against synthetic data sets, FORCINN was found to provide good estimates of the grain‐size distributions for basalt samples and identify sample size differences in marine sediments.
Strong Effects of Increased Hydrostatic Pressure on Polysaccharide‐Hydrolyzing Enzyme Activities in Coastal Seawater and Sediments
Authors: Lloyd C. Chad , Balmonte John Paul , Glud Ronnie N. , Arnosti Carol
Published: February 2025

Heterotrophic microorganisms are responsible for transforming and respiring a substantial fraction of the organic matter produced by phytoplankton in the surface ocean. Much of this organic matter is composed of polysaccharides, high‐molecular weight (HMW) sugars. To initiate degradation of polysaccharides, microorganisms must produce extracellular enzymes of the right structural specificity to hydrolyze these complex structures. To date, most measurements of enzyme activities are made at in situ temperatures, but at atmospheric pressure. However, previous studies have shown that hydrostatic pressure can impact the functionality of enzymes. Since deep sea communities may be seeded by microbes from shallow waters, we aimed to determine if pressure affects the performance of enzymes from coastal waters. To determine the extent to which enzymatic activities of coastal microbial communities are affected by pressure, we quantified the degradation of seven polysaccharides under pressures ranging from 0.1 MPa (atmospheric) to 40 MPa (equivalent to 4,000 m). Enzyme activities of pelagic communities were inhibited with increased pressure, while enzyme activities of benthic microbial communities were more resistant to increased pressure. Addition of HMW organic matter resulted in communities with enzyme activities that were more resistant to increased pressure. However, the freely‐dissolved enzymes (<0.2 μm) produced by these communities were strongly inhibited by increased hydrostatic pressure, suggesting that the pressure‐resistant enzymes were cell‐surface attached. Because pressure inhibition of enzyme activities varied strongly by polysaccharide, we surmise that the structural complexity of a polysaccharide—and therefore the number of distinct enzymes required for hydrolysis—is likely closely associated with pressure inhibition.
Suppressing astrocytic GABA transaminase enhances tonic inhibition and weakens hippocampal spatial memory
Authors: Park Mingu Gordon , Lim Jiwoon , Kim Daeun , Lee Won-Seok , Yoon Bo-Eun , Lee C. Justin
Published: February 2025

Pharmacological suppression of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase (GABA-T), the sole GABA-degrading enzyme and a potential therapeutic target for treating brain disorders such as epilepsy, increases not only phasic inhibition but also tonic inhibition. However, the specific cellular source, neuromodulatory effects and potential therapeutic benefits of this enhanced tonic inhibition remain unexplored due to the lack of cell-type-specific gene manipulation studies. Here we report that the increase in tonic GABA currents observed after GABA-T suppression is predominantly due to increased tonic GABA release from astrocytes rather than action-potential-dependent synaptic GABA spillover. General GABA-T knockdown (KD) by a short hairpin RNA considerably increased tonic GABA currents in dentate granule cells, thereby enhancing tonic inhibition. An astrocyte-specific rescue of GABA-T following general GABA-T KD normalized the elevated tonic GABA currents to near control levels. Tetrodotoxin-insensitive tonic GABA currents were significantly increased after general GABA-T KD, whereas tetrodotoxin-sensitive tonic GABA currents showed no significant increase, suggesting that this enhanced tonic inhibition is primarily action-potential independent. General GABA-T KD reduced the spike probability of granule cells and impaired dorsal hippocampus-dependent spatial memory, which were fully reversed by astrocyte-specific GABA-T rescue. These findings suggest that suppressing astrocytic GABA-T may be sufficient to influence the excitatory/inhibitory balance in the brain and associated behaviors. Our study implies that the therapeutic benefits of pharmacological GABA-T suppression may be largely attributed to the modulation of astrocytic GABA-T and its impact on tonic GABA release from astrocytes.
Multi-parameter control of photodetection in van der Waals magnet CrSBr
Authors: Yang Shiqi , Song Zhigang , Gao Yuchen , Huang Leyan , Huang Xinyue , Gu Pingfan , Liu Wenjing , Chen Zuxin , Ye Yu
Published: February 2025

Photodetectors equipped with multi-parameter control hold the potential to deliver exceptional performance in a wide range of scenarios, paving the way for developing novel spin-opto-electronic devices. Nevertheless, the integration of such capabilities within a single device is challenging due to the necessity of harmonizing multiple materials with varying degrees of freedom. In this study, we introduce the van der Waals magnet CrSBr, featuring inherent anisotropy and distinctive spin-electronic coupling, to this realm. The linear dichroic ratio of the photocurrent in CrSBr tunneling device can reach ~60 at 1.65 K, and the photoresponse experiences a significant boost with increasing magnetic field. Additionally, the unique spin-charge coupling engenders a photon energy-dependent photocurrent that is modulated by an external field and is validated by first-principle calculations. Our findings elucidate the effective multi-parameter control of photodetection based on vdWs magnet CrSBr, highlighting its potential applications in cutting-edge optoelectronic devices and as a highly sensitive probe medium.
Plant-nanoparticles enhance anti-PD-L1 efficacy by shaping human commensal microbiota metabolites
Authors: Teng Yun , Luo Chao , Qiu Xiaolan , Mu Jingyao , Sriwastva Mukesh K. , Xu Qingbo , Liu Minmin , Hu Xin , Xu Fangyi , Zhang Lifeng , Park Juw Won , Hwang Jae Yeon , Kong Maiying , Liu Zhanxu , Zhang Xiang , Xu Raobo , Yan Jun , Merchant Michael L. , McClain Craig J. , Zhang Huang-Ge
Published: February 2025

Diet has emerged as a key impact factor for gut microbiota function. However, the complexity of dietary components makes it difficult to predict specific outcomes. Here we investigate the impact of plant-derived nanoparticles (PNP) on gut microbiota and metabolites in context of cancer immunotherapy with the humanized gnotobiotic mouse model. Specifically, we show that ginger-derived exosome-like nanoparticle (GELN) preferentially taken up by Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae mediated by digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) and glycine, respectively. We further demonstrate that GELN aly-miR159a-3p enhances anti-PD-L1 therapy in melanoma by inhibiting the expression of recipient bacterial phospholipase C (PLC) and increases the accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). An increased level of circulating DHA inhibits PD-L1 expression in tumor cells by binding the PD-L1 promoter and subsequently prevents c-myc-initiated transcription of PD-L1. Colonization of germ-free male mice with gut bacteria from anti-PD-L1 non-responding patients supplemented with DHA enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-L1 therapy compared to controls. Our findings reveal a previously unknown mechanistic impact of PNP on human tumor immunotherapy by modulating gut bacterial metabolic pathways.
Lunar and Martian gravity alter immune cell interactions with endothelia in parabolic flight
Authors: Du Yu , Han Bing , Biere Katharina , Abdelmalek Nathalie , Shu Xinyu , Song Chaoyang , Chen Guangyao , Li Ning , Tuschen Marina , Wu Huan , Sun Shujin , Choukér Alexander , Long Mian , Moser Dominique
Published: February 2025

Returning to the moon and traveling to Mars represent the main targets of human space exploration missions within the upcoming decades. Comparable to microgravity, partial gravity in these destinations is assumed to dysregulate immune functions, thereby threatening astronauts´ health. To investigate the impact of partial gravity on immune cell attachment to vessel endothelia, THP-1 cells and HUVEC cell layers were monitored in a flow chamber system during parabolic flight in lunar (0.16 g) or Martian (0.38 g) gravity. Focus was set on floating speed, cell adhesion, surface molecule expression and cytoskeletal reorganization under basal and TNF-induced inflammatory environment. Floating speed of THP-1 cells was increased in partial gravity, which was accompanied by a successively lower adhesion to the endothelial HUVEC cells. Expression levels of the adhesion markers Mac-1 on THP-1 cells as well as ICAM-1 on HUVECs were found elevated in lunar and Martian gravity, which was aggravated by TNF. Analysis of cytoskeletal organization in HUVECs revealed reduced intracellular F-actin microfilament networks and a stronger cell directionality with stress fiber alignment at cell borders in partial gravity, which was intensified by TNF. In summary, altered immune cell - endothelium interactions as quantified in partial gravity conditions show similarities to cellular behavior in microgravity. However, the different magnitudes of effects in dependence of gravitational level still need to be assessed in further investigations.
QeMFi: A Multifidelity Dataset of Quantum Chemical Properties of Diverse Molecules
Authors: Vinod Vivin , Zaspel Peter
Published: February 2025

Progress in both Machine Learning (ML) and Quantum Chemistry (QC) methods have resulted in high accuracy ML models for QC properties. Datasets such as MD17 and WS22 have been used to benchmark these models at a given level of QC method, or fidelity, which refers to the accuracy of the chosen QC method. Multifidelity ML (MFML) methods, where models are trained on data from more than one fidelity, have shown to be effective over single fidelity methods. Much research is progressing in this direction for diverse applications ranging from energy band gaps to excitation energies. One hurdle for effective research here is the lack of a diverse multifidelity dataset for benchmarking. We provide the Quantum chemistry MultiFidelity (QeMFi) dataset consisting of five fidelities calculated with the TD-DFT formalism. The fidelities differ in their basis set choice: STO-3G, 3-21G, 6-31G, def2-SVP, and def2-TZVP. QeMFi offers to the community a variety of QC properties such as vertical excitation properties and molecular dipole moments. Further QeMFi offers QC computation times allowing for a time benefit benchmark of multifidelity models for ML-QC.
Enhancing urban air quality prediction using time-based-spatial forecasting framework
Authors: Jayaraman Shrikar , T Nathezhtha , S Abirami , G Sakthivel
Published: February 2025

Air quality forecasting plays a pivotal role in environmental management, public health and urban planning. This research presents a comprehensive approach for forecasting the Air Quality Index (AQI). The proposed Time-Based-Spatial (TBS) forecasting framework is integrated with spatial and temporal information using machine learning techniques on data collected from a wide range of cities. The TBS employs Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to capture spatial dependencies based on normalized latitude and longitude coordinates of the cities. Simultaneously, time series model, specifically the ARIMA (AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average) was employed to capture temporal dependencies using pollutant concentration readings over time. The dataset included information such as date, time, pollutant concentrations and AQI was further preprocessed and divided into training and testing sets. The CNN was configured to utilize the normalized latitude and longitude grid, while the ARIMA model concurrently processed the pollutant concentrations. The model was trained on the training dataset, and a 6 hour forecast is generated for each test instance. The outcomes demonstrate the TBS model’s ability to accurately predict AQI values. The integration of CNNs and time series model allowed for an clearer and deeper understanding of geographical and pollutant concentration factors that contribute to air quality variations.
Polypharmacy and self-medication among older adults in Indian urban communities—a cross-sectional study
Authors: Das Saibal , Gnanavel Pavithra , Smanla Shalini , Saikia Anku Moni , Mishra Shilpi , Khare Shweta , Murugan S. Arun , Prakash Vadanere Nidhi , Roychoudhury Parimita , Ahmad Ishteyaque , Diwan Vishal , Rajesh J. , Kumar K. Sathish , Kishore Jugal , Srivastava Namita , Yasmin Sabrina , Nasrin Mahmuda , Borah Rinku , Basistha Mandeep Sarma , Baruah Chetanjit , Kalita Manoj , Samajdar Shambo Samrat , Cherian Jerin Jose , Pathak Ashish , Panda Samiran , Tripathi Santanu Kumar , Lundborg Cecilia Stålsby
Published: February 2025

Older adults are vulnerable to unsafe medication practices. This cross-sectional study estimated the prevalence and factors of polypharmacy and self-medication among 600 older adults from six Indian cities. The updated Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions and Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment criteria (version 3) were used. Knowledge, attitudes, and reported practices regarding self-medication were assessed. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and multivariable analysis were used. The prevalence of polypharmacy was 33.7% (95% CI 29.9–37.6%), with significant associations to multiple comorbidities [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.5 (95% CI 1.1–4.1)], recent transition of care [aOR 3.3 (95% CI 1.4–5.7)], and recent hospitalization [aOR 4.6 (95% CI 2–7.7)]. The proportions of prescriptions with potentially inappropriate medications and potential prescribing omissions were 28.8% (95% CI 25.2–32.6%) and 20.3% (95% CI 17.2–23.8%), respectively. The prevalence of self-medication was 19.7% (95% CI 16.6–23.1%), associated with factors, such as staying alone [aOR 4.5 (95% CI 2.4–6.6)], multiple comorbidities [aOR 3 (95% CI 1.4–6.7)], and recent hospitalization [aOR 4.8 (95% CI 1.5–8)]. Among those who self-medicated, 65.3% lacked knowledge of self-medication, 50% did not comprehend the risks, and 40.7% reported unsafe self-medication practices. The findings emphasize interventions’ necessity for promoting safe medication use in older adults.
Autoimmunity promotes chronic lymphocytic leukemia progression in an indolent disease model
Authors: Pfeuffer Lisa , Siegert Viola , Trozzo Riccardo , Steiger Katja , Rad Roland , Ruland Jürgen , Buchner Maike
Published: February 2025

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous B cell malignancy characterized by the accumulation of functionally incompetent B lymphocytes. Despite the availability of highly effective treatments, CLL remains incurable, and the factors contributing to disease progression are not fully understood. Autoimmune complications frequently arise in CLL patients and are associated with poor clinical prognosis. This study investigates the connection between plasma cell-mediated autoimmunity and CLL progression using a mouse model that expresses an active Receptor Activator of NF-κB (RANK) in B cells (RK mice), where autoimmune manifestations coexist with CLL. Transcriptional profiling of RANK-driven leukemic cells revealed a more indolent form of CLL compared to the classical TCL1 model. The discovery of near-identical CDR3 regions in both plasma and CLL cells of RK mice suggests a shared progenitor and antigen driving both conditions. Deletion of Blimp-1, which prevents plasma cell differentiation, initially enhanced B1/CLL formation in young mice but nearly halted CLL progression, highlighting the significant influence of autoimmune complications on disease outcomes. This research underscores the intertwined nature of autoimmunity and CLL, suggesting that targeting inflammatory pathways could offer therapeutic potential for managing both conditions.
Actinorhodopsin: an efficient and robust light-driven proton pump for bionanotechnological applications
Authors: Ayoub Nooraldeen , Djabeur Nadia , Harder Daniel , Jeckelmann Jean-Marc , Ucurum Zöhre , Hirschi Stephan , Fotiadis Dimitrios
Published: February 2025

Actinorhodopsins are encoded by a distinct group of microbial rhodopsin (MR) genes predominant in non-marine actinobacteria. Despite their role in the global energy cycle and potential for bionanotechnological applications, our understanding of actinorhodopsin proteins is limited. Here, we characterized the actinorhodopsin RlActR from the freshwater actinobacterium Rhodoluna lacicola, which conserves amino acid residues critical for light-driven proton pumping found in MRs. RlActR was efficiently overexpressed in Escherichia coli in milligram amounts and isolated with high purity and homogeneity. The purified RlActR absorbed green light and its primary proton acceptor exhibited a mildly acidic apparent pK

a
. Size-exclusion chromatography of RlActR purified in the relatively mild and harsh detergents 5-cyclohexyl-1-pentyl-β-D-maltoside and n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside revealed highly homogeneous oligomers and no disruption into monomers, indicating significant robustness of the RlActR oligomer. Cryo-electron microscopy and 2D classification of protein particles provided a projection structure identifying the oligomeric state of RlActR as a pentamer. Efficient establishment of a proton gradient across lipid membranes upon light illumination was demonstrated using RlActR-overexpressing E. coli cells and reconstituted RlActR proteoliposomes. In summary, these features make RlActR an attractive energizing building block for the bottom-up assembly of molecular systems for bionanotechnological applications.
A low-cost, high-sensitivity 3D printed fluorescence detector
Authors: Snow Robyn A. , Simone Paul S. , Emmert Gary L. , Brown Michael A.
Published: February 2025

A low-cost, high-sensitivity 3D printed fluorescence detector with comparable performance to a commercial detector and method adaptability.
Raman spectral feature extraction and analysis methods for olefin polymerization and cracking based on machine learning techniques
Authors: Yang Yaolan , Hu Jijiang , Zheng Shaojie , Sun Minghao , Wang Fujie , Li Bogeng , Yao Zhen
Published: February 2025

Illustrations of different machine learning methods and parameter evaluation.
Biomimetic Basement Membrane: Advances in Materials, Fabrication Techniques, and Applications in In Vitro Biological Models
Authors: Jin Aoxiang , Lu Chunxiang , Gao Chuang , Qiao Hao , Zhang Yi , Liu Huazhen , Sun Wenbin , Dai Qiqi , Liu Yuanyuan
Published: February 2025

In vitro biological model technology has become a cornerstone of modern biological research, driving advancements in drug screening, physiological and pathological studies, and tissue implantation applications. The natural basement membrane...
Molten salt-mediated electrosynthesis of MoS2 nanosheet-supported Rh nanoclusters for highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Yan Qing , Liu Yuhui , Zhao Yang , Zhou Xiangqian , Yuan Weiyong
Published: February 2025

MoS2 nanosheet-supported Rh nanoclusters were synthesized via molten salt electrolysis followed by wet chemical reduction for high-performance electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.
Side-on phosphinoboryl platinum(ii) complexes
Authors: Ordyszewska Anna , Czaplewski Antoni , Wojnowski Tomasz , Anusiewicz Iwona , Chojnacki Jarosław , Grubba Rafał
Published: February 2025

Synthesis and characterization of the first transition metal complexes featuring side-on coordination of phosphinoboryl ligands.
Hypoelectronic titanaboranes: icosahedral and tetracapped tetrahedral clusters comprising bridging hydrides
Authors: Bairagi Subhash , Chatterjee Debipada , Giri Soumen , Ghosh Sundargopal
Published: February 2025

Unusual hypoelectronic closo-titanaboranes such as icosahedral and tetracapped tetrahedral clusters comprising bridging hydrides have been synthesized and structurally characterized.
Diastereoselective synthesis of benzazocines by Zn(OTf)2-catalyzed (4+4) cyclocondensation of multisubstituted donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with anthranils
Authors: Huang Xuelian , Yang Gaosheng , Chai Zhuo
Published: February 2025

Lewis acid-catalyzed (4+4) annulation with cyclopropanes as four-carbon synthons provides facile access to eight-membered rings.